The Wood Between My Worlds...

2012-01-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things get hard, and even when you look for it, there isn't always good to be found in every situation. Sometimes it just stinks. So, I've discovered, that it's okay to quit looking in the garbage can, so to speak, and look at things that ARE good. It's like that Oscar Wilde quote, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." And while it hurts terribly and few things make sense, sometimes I find relief when I remove my emotions from it all and remind myself that this isn't forever. Just like things are changing now, they will change again. Beauty will come out of it, joy will follow, this is all for the best even when now it feels like the absolute worst.

So good things? More knitting and Robin McKinley, lots and lots of words, chocolate and tea, trying my hand at spinning, making slow progress on my quilt, wool sweaters and socks to keep warm, and one dance class a week.

"He will bring beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed."

~Isaiah 61: 3-4

knits

2012-01-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

My endpaper mitts and first real color work project. I decided while I was knitting them that if Violet Baudelaire had worn fingerless gloves, they would have been these.

First Tiny Owl Knits project. These slippers were for my sister for Christmas, the felting took forever and I kind of messed up the ears, but they are still really cute. And she likes them. : )

Christmas present for my other sister, it's the Sideways Grande Cloche, I changed it up quite a bit though, mainly by doing the lace up the side instead of a cable.

And these I just finished today. Mittens for myself. They're the Yellow Harvest Mittens from Vogue Knitting Fall 2008. They knit up super fast and they should be warm. I certainly hope so, seeing it's -40 Fahrenheit outside. Berrr...

Yup, too cold to model mittens outside, I say. So I'm just gonna stay inside and knit more. <3

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Love, Clara

2012-01-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

My little cave is so hard to photograph, and even more impossible to photograph other things while in it. But my new twinkle lights have helped. Their bright bluish light makes me think of stars.

My own drawing, just taped to the wall for now.

Some treasures atop my make-shift bookcase. I needed more room, so I stacked two of my grandma's old cupboards after taking off their doors. It's worked really well.

Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my last post, they mean a lot too me. Happy New Year and blessings to you all!

Love, Clara

2011-12-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

(Photo taken by me)

sipping peppermint tea

knitting hats

loving Celtic Women Christmas music (and lullabys)

writting so many words

re-reading old favorites; Wildwood dancing, Fairest, Goose Girl, Princess Academy, Book of a Thousand days, The Blue Sword.

secret Christmas crafting

and homemade fudge

2011-11-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

I promised you snow and knitting and here they are! The pattern I used is the Braided Hood Tunic from Interweave Knits Spring 2010, and the only change was that I crocheted the edging around the hood and arm holes.

And I'm so happy with it! I've worn it three times already and I finished it less than a week ago. It's nice and warm, and the hood feels very elvin, like I belong in Middle Earth when it's on. My Ravelry page (for knitters and crocheters) on it can be found here.

Have a great week!

Love, Clara

Yes Please

2011-10-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that is what several of my days these past weeks have looked like. Tea and Tolkien, a wonderful combination. Only improved upon with lots of sewing. Yes, that's right, I've finally made some sewing progress! And I've finally photographed said progress! And I'm finally posting about it too! Wow.

And first up is my camera case. I wish I could show it to you with the camera in it, but... yeah. I got all of the materials at Joann's when I worked there last year, the button and the batting were on clearance and the fabric and the burlap were both remnants. So the whole project was very thrifty, costing me hardly anything and slightly denting my stash.
The buttonhole was the first one I've ever done on my new (as of last year) machine, so that was a little nerve wracking. I'm not extremely confided when it comes to button holes, I usually feel like I'd rather do them by hand, which is completely crazy, I know, but true. You see, before I was allowed to learn to use the sewing machine, my mom made me learn to sew by hand. I'm really glad she decided to teach me that way, but I blame her for the fact that even though I've been using the machine for 12+ years, I'm more at home with just a good ol' needle and thread.

And last, yet not completed, a blouse I'm working on. It's from a vintage pattern, that I'm finding I love. I'm making two of them at the moment, and they're both going to be sleeveless because I didn't have enough fabric for the sleeves. I don't mind though because it's perfect for layering that way, and also the summer. I've been planning to make them for around three years now, maybe even four. It's a good thing my tastes don't really change.

The snow has come, and I think it's going to stay. The trees are quite coated with their first layer of frosting and all but the roads are white. May you all have a lovely week!

Best wishes,

Clara

Cranberries

2011-10-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last week I was stir crazy to an extreme, I couldn't focus on anything and was frustrated, but I had no clue why. And then it hit me; all summer long I've been outside for at least four days a week, until work ended, and since I've hardly been outdoors or anywhere in almost three weeks. No wonder I'm loosing it! I needed to get outside. Now, I've gone blueberry picking with my family almost every summer for the past ten or eleven years, and every time we see the cranberries that aren't quite ripe yet among the blueberries, and I always want to come back later to pick them, but never have until now.

(photos are mine)

Thankfully it worked out for me to take my dad's truck and drive out that very afternoon. I was only out there about three hours and I didn't get many berries, but it was amazing. Being out alone on the hill, with just the wind and the silence gathering the last of summer's jewels for the winter was exactly what I needed. And I think I learned my lesson about how long this country mouse should stay inside.

Oh and happy October!

Love, Clara

autumn

2011-09-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

While the calender states that yesterday was the first day of fall I'd say it's been going on for over three weeks here in my part of Alaska. These photos were taken driving home from my last day of work, which was two weeks ago today. It's been beautiful, and I'm holding on to that it'll last a bit longer.

I've been doing a whole lot of knitting which I hope to show you soon, few projects have gotten finished (I keep running out of yarn right at the end!), but last night I managed to complete some sweet fingerless mitts which I'm quite excited about. It's been good to just stay home and exist. Sometimes I feel that I get too busy and forget to do that. This summer was wonderful though and I'm really looking forward to this next March when the whole greenhouse process will start again, but I'm also looking forward to the months ahead. God is so good and I am excited to see what he has in store.

Love to you all! I'll be back soon!

Clara

PS: oh yes, all photos are mine, please don't steal them, and I DID take them while I was driving, which is a very bad idea, please don't try it. No one got hurt and I actually stayed on the road, but I don't plan on doing it again. Good thing I've broken that habit BEFORE the roads get icy. Okay, now I'm done.

my cave

2011-09-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

I figured it was about time I showed you my new room. When I moved back home at the end of January I got to upgrade to a larger room (my parents old room, there was a lot of switching around), for the most part size was the only upgrade that took place... it's very dark so I'm not sure I can ever promise good pictures of most of it.
It's taken some time, but I'm actually getting attached to it. I still miss my old room a lot, but my little gypsy cave has become a nice little sanctuary over this time. I've hung stars above my bed, as I hope you can tell from the photo above. They're glittering for me quite beautifully right now, I think they like the dim light, it lets them shine better.

And I've got my snowflakes above my dresser as well. (sorry for the mess, I have cleaned it since these photos. mostly.) It's a basement bedroom (yes. I live in my parents basement... bring on the bad jokes. *eye roll*) which takes a lot of adjusting from the amazing south-facing window I had a year ago, but I think I'll do fine, having stocked up on my vitamin D as much as possible at the greenhouse.

Also, the last couple of times I've been thrifting I've been able to stock up on fabric! The prices are so much better than anywhere else, one piece cost me two dollars and the rest were only a dollar each, that's the way to sew if you ask me. That's all for now, hope you are having a lovely September, I'll show you what mine is looking like outside here real soon.

Love to you all!

Clara

concerning compainions

2011-08-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling a little lonely of late... dreaming of waifs and their wild friends. Thinking how much I would like a pet, of almost any sort. So, I made a list.

I'll tell you a few of my wishes here though. A wolf for one, protector, friend, loyal and trusting.

A lamb might be nice, but I think I'd prefer a little rabbit (softest, you see) or a goose (I'd let her keep her eggs).

I've always wanted an elephant, trunk caresses sounds strangely wonderful, I think. And then an owl too, for lonely nights and those times when I need a bit of confusing wisdom.
(all photos can be found in my weheartit)

I had a wonderful weekend, full of healing and worship at church. It's so exciting to see all that God's doing.

Blessings and love to you all,

Clara

2011-08-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

veronica

veronica, waterperry

foxglove, camelot mix

Just some photos from work, being forced to be outside, rain or shine, has in a small way saved me this summer. Most people here have talked about it being such a rainy summer, but I can't say that it's been that way for me, it's rained a fair amount, but there have been so many sunny days too. And I will never complain about driving into the misty hills in the morning, few things are so inspiring as the mist. I hope you all have and still are, enjoying your summers.

Much love,

Clara

(photos were taken by me)

oh dear

2011-07-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

I just want clear a little something up. The photos I've been posting lately are NOT mine (aside from the altered journal), I have never meant for anyone to think they were mine, but I guess that's been confusing. I've certainly gotten lazy, not even mentioning where I got the photos, much less linking to them, and I apologize for that. for the most part (about 98% of the time) I use the photos I find on weheartit. There is a link to my heart on the side. Someday I hope to post only my own photos, like I have today, but for now I can't quite manage it. I hope you all understand, if you're confused by anything I have said please let me know.

My summer has been going well, I'm working at a greenhouse now which means I'm out in the sunshine and rain! I must say it's my favorite job I've ever had and I'm learning so much. It's been a very interesting summer so far, I've been writing mostly, but managing to fit some knitting and sewing in as well, which reminds me, I should take pictures to show you (I finally found my camera). This is a rather pathetic update I know... but I hope you are all enjoying your summers and aren't too mad at me for failing to say where I found the photos.

With love,

Clara

(all photos in this post are mine)

Sea Wolf

2011-06-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

So, I'd like to share with you one of my most favorite bands, Sea Wolf. Maybe you've heard of them already, I don't really know how popular they are. I feel awkward saying "them" because I read it was a one man band, but then on one of the music videos there were definitely multiple people playing instruments, so I'm not really sure what to think. And I don't have the patience to do research. I just know that I like the music and I hope you do too. Here's a link to the best music video I found of his(theirs) it's called Winter Windows (warning, I only watched two) it's super cute and slightly creepy. It reminds me of something my friend Lauren and I would put together if we had more musical talent, oh and time too. If you don't feel like clicking on the link though, please, just do a little search on itunes (that's what I always do) and listen to some previews. The album I've got is Leaves in the River and it's absolutely lovely, I listen to it over and over. I hope you give it a shot!

Love, Clara

PS: sorry for being gone so long, but I'm back now!

PPS: oh and my favorite songs are: Song for the Dead, The Rose Captain, Leaves in the River, Your a Wolf, and Neutral Ground.

i always forget a title

2011-05-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

Well I've been gone a while, but I am happy to say I've been busy and productive the whole time! I don't have any photos yet, but I can't wait until I do because I'm so excited. And I'll show you too once I find my camera, and the time for it as well. So, the thing I'm probably the most proud of: I made bread! (no, NOT the bread in the photo, I wish) AND IT WORKED! I was very worried that it wouldn't rise right, or it would rise too much, or I wouldn't kneed it enough, or something, but it turned out beautifully. Which I am still in a bit of a shock about and that was a few weeks ago. Also, I have made lotion, redecorated a pillow, knitted lace, made jam, and planted herbs. Granted all of this has not happened in one day or anything, several weeks is more like it. Summer sure has taken a running start here. I got a new job (YAY!) at a greenhouse, which I must tell you has been a Godsend. My previous job was draining and exhausting, so being outside, in the sun, the warmth, and fresh air has got me much more perky and motivated. Wow, this has been a very enthusiastic post, I hope no one minds how scattered and strange this has been, just wanted to give you an update.

much love,

Clara

2011-05-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

I've been doing quite a bit of art journaling lately, it's nice for letting out pent up creative energy before bed. For times when emotions are too heavy for sleep, or you're just stir crazy and can't focus on strictly words or art.

This is my favorite, the photo's not very good (apologies) but it's lyrics from Romeo and Juliet by The Killers. It says:

I can't do the talk, like the talk on the TV, and I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be. I can't do everything, but I'll do anything for you. I can't do anything except be in love with you. All I do is miss you, and the way we used to be. And all I do is keep the beat and the band company. And all I do is kiss you, through the bars of a rhyme, Juliet I'll do the stars with you anytime. Juliet, when we made love you used to cry, I said I'll love you like the stars above, I'll love you till I die.

If you've never heard that song you should certainly look it up, it's beautiful. Hope you're all well, thank you for the wonderful comments. Oh, and happy Mother's Day, enjoy all the strawberries and planting! :)

Love, Clara

Rustic

2011-04-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

I've been loving the simple things lately, as I think a lot of you have noticed. I'm not talking about the simplistic, modern sort of living, but rather the back to basics, do it yourself kind of simple.

Which fits well with my previous post too, just this time it's about everything. Accent the small things, find joy in the mess, and never miss an opportunity to bring out beauty. I'd really like those things to be a daily practise for me, because it's such a healthy view. Continually I find myself stressing about not having time for what ever it is that needs to be done or I'm feeling pressured to do, it's a constant battle to keep from panicking sometimes. But really, I have nothing to worry about.
Of course there are the deadlines and obligations, but those things can't keep me from a good time, even while in the middle of them I can still choose to focus on something I like. Inspiration can come from anywhere, it doesn't have to be the internet or books or even nature(though nature is one of the best...). So if inspiration can come from anywhere, I guess that means we should always be looking for it, right? Another assumption I've come to (but haven't been good about trying yet)is that if you can make the small things habit, then you're set. I'm really hoping that this is true, because I certainly don't ever want to turn this kind of life style into something stressful. Effortless in living, yet deliberate in attitude and thought.

I'm going to share a couple of links, which I hope you'll enjoy. This blog and this blog are two that are perfect for dreaming of, honestly, hand sewing for a living and raising chickens on a homestead. Can it get much better than that? Also, I'm hoping to try making my own lotion with this tutorial some time soon. Hope it will work out.

With a love of spring and excitement for summer,

Clara

2011-04-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share some fashion inspiration with you, it's not your typical street style or editorial, but rather some photos of real girls in what ever they were wearing the day these photos were captured. (at least that's what I like to believe) These sorts of photos are my favorites for styling inspiration because they are so simple and livable. Plus they help me to remember that it's the small things that make life beautiful.

a fabric scrap pulling back hair, a pendant on the end of a long chain, a large cozy sweater, braids,

floral prints, cardigans, a pair of oxfords, and a leather satchel or a canvas tote.

Now on a different note, I got my wisdom teeth pulled on Monday. My cheeks are huge, I definitely look like a chipmunk, sadly I can't eat nuts right now, it's just apple sauce and split pea soup for me. Anyway, might be back later, who knows.

Love to you all!

Clara

2011-03-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

I figured out a way to get pictures off my camera, so here's something I've been wanting to show you for ages. It's the baby sweater I made for a friend! She loved it, which is wonderful, I like it a lot too. :) there's just something so endearing about baby knits, I've been wanting to do more of them recently, and I probably will because it seems like so many friends are preggers right now, one of them is even having twins! Also just to show something a bit more I want to re-introduce you to my darling friend Lauren.

This is her and her puppy Remi, they are two of the most adorable creatures I know, I love them so much.

These were all taken while she was doing homework, a time line of the great depression. I helped her find the photos, but that's about it. She sure looks good while doing school though!

I hope this week is treating you well, and if not, be sure to treat yourself well in spite of it, even if it's just taking time to slowly enjoy a cup of tea. You are beautiful and you are worth it.

Love, Clara

2011-03-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

Something I've recently found is that change can be a lot harder to embrace after it's been around a while. Do you know what I mean? Especially the things you were rather excited about before they happened, with me it would be turning 18 and moving out. Both of which had or still have their good points, but I find that I can't help but miss the way things were before then. I know it's hard to believe if you're still in high school, but I'm sure there will be days when you'll miss the way things are. I'm not saying you'll miss everything, goodness knows I don't miss much of those four years, I still wish for the simplicity of the way things could be then.

Specifics I miss: The Gleam by the Avett Brothers, the cure of jasmine tea, baking muffins and biscotti all the time, warm oatmeal to wake up to, my warm sunny window, loosing myself in Robin McKinley's worlds over and over again, knitting while I read, staying up late writing when I was supposed to be in bed, Eisley, the deepness of dreams, at least two cups of tea a morning and one more at night, the parents saying no as a acceptable excuse for staying home, watching Pride and Prejudice at least once a week, how easy it was to hide, sleeping in on weekends, and regular library visits.

That's all for right now, I have a very early work day tomorrow, so I'm gonna say goodnight. But I do want to let you know I got a formspring! So now there's a clean way for me to answer your questions, ask me anything(I think I can handle it).

with memories and sock yarn,

Clara

(photo from weheartit)

2011-03-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I'm back. And because I've been gone wordlessly for so long, I think I owe you all an explanation. Nothing serious has happened, I have simply gotten stuck in this rut where I want things (in my blog and my life) to be a certain way, to be just like how I imagine they should be, but when they can't or the obstacles get to high, I panic and do nothing at all. For example: I've been wanting to post my own photos more instead of only ones I find online, but I can't find my cord to transfer photos onto the computer and they don't sell them anywhere I've looked. So rather than continuing to post and explaining the problem, I freeze up and without a word disappear, because I'm sure my blog isn't good enough and now never will be because I can't post my own photos. I'm sure none of you were thinking that, you may have been wondering if I was making things any more (yes I am, and I want to show you, really I do!) but I'm sure none of you were judging me harder than I was judging myself. Besides, blogging shouldn't be about getting more followers and comments, it should be about having fun and being myself, right? So I'm back, hopefully wiser and a little more free as well. I will continue to look for a way to share my photos with you all, but for now I guess we're just gonna have to stick with inspiration, which is never a bad thing. I would like to hear your thoughts though and know if there's anything you'd like to see or hear more of.
Thanks for understanding!
Love, Clara

PS: what do you think of the new look for the blog? I think I like it, but I'm never sure...

little bits of happiness

2011-01-22T20:10:00.000-08:00

dandelion wishes, silk tea bags, stars, the sent of roses, getting a letter in the mail, rainbows,

rain drops on a lake, wooden knitting needles, woodland violets, hot air balloons in the evening,

rocks with rings, pointe shoes, long outdoor walks, buttons, gardens, finger art, hair bows,

kisses, prisms, typewriters, the sound of a wooden flute, butterflies, thick grass, geodes,

writing with a dip pen, fireflies, lace, feathers, wind chimes, playing dress up, glass jars by a window,

bird song, sand castles, dancing in the rain, night time bike rides, mushrooms, secret notes,

fresh flowers brought inside, sea shells on the beach, toe nails painted red, and daisy chains.

Is there anything I missed?

In case anyone has been wondering, I have still be making things, and taking pictures too. I've just misplaced the cord I need to put them on my laptop, so that's why there's been nothing in that area for a long time. Sorry! I promise to update as soon as I find it. I hope the current posts are okay for now.

with braids and lengthening days,

Clara

all photos are from weheartit

lights

2011-01-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

Just some inspiration, sorry I didn't have more time to put together a better post.

all the photos I found on weheartit, if you know where they really came from please let me know.

with chimes and tea,

Clara

I'm back!

2011-01-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm here! I apologize profusely for being gone over a month. December was completely insane, with work (I work in retail so every day was like trying to go up a packed-out down escalator), trying to make presents, and squeeze in and figure other things out as well, but some how I did manage some time to think. And two things have been finalized. I'm moving back home and I'm going to start dancing again. Both I am very relieved and happy about.

Moving out and getting my own apartment has been a really good experience, but it's also been a hard one. I've learned a lot about myself and what kind of roommate I'll need if I ever have to share a place with someone again (until I'm married and then none of it will matter, me being queen of the house and all...). Anyway, now I will soon have my own form of transportation, a room that is one hundred percent mine, Internet, the money so that I can dance, and the priceless feeling of being settled.

Dance. I just had my first classes yesterday and it is so wonderful to be back! I'd missed it more than I knew. I'm dancing 6 hours a week, taking ballet, lyrical, and contemporary, all of my favorites. There isn't much else to say right now, except I've missed you all and hope you had a wonderful last year and have a wonderful new one!

love to you all,

Clara

PS: oh and thank you so much for your response to my previous post. You really are beautiful!

beauty

2010-11-30T16:09:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that it's impossible to feel ugly when it's snowing?

Everything is made new by snow and it's impossible to not feel like you are as well. And here's the secret: it's true.

The snow really does make everything beautiful, it makes you beautiful, it makes the bare trees beautiful, the city and country alike beautiful. So, even if you're a sceptic it must be admitted that snow is a form of magic.

I, like so many girls, have trouble with my self image, it's so easy to be filled with self loathing because one's arms aren't skinny, or legs are too short, or skin not clear, or what ever it is that makes us look into the mirror and want to cry. It's so hard to fight off the lies that say we need to be a certain size and shape to be beautiful. But still we must fight, we must because if we don't we are letting ourselves down. We are cheating ourselves of the freedom and self respect we deserve.

But as I said, it's not easy. So here's my challenge to myself and anyone who wishes to join in (and I hope you do). Next time it's snowing put on a warm hat and a big sweater and go outside. Wander under a street light, or lay back in the snow bank, catch the little ice crystals on your tongue, feel them brush against your cheeks and stick in your eye lashes. Laugh or sing into the stillness and know. Know that you're beautiful.

And if there is no snow where you are, or won't be for a long time, then go outside and watch the sunset, it has the same effect. Watch the trees catch the low golden light, feel it's warmth upon your face, dance as it sinks past sight, and know. Know that you're beautiful. Because all girls are.

With all my heart,

Clara

Winner!

2010-11-02T18:08:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
I am terribly sorry for how pathetic this post is I will try to come back and do it justly as soon as the computers at my parents decide to work for me. As for now this will have to do, as I do not want to keep the seven lovelies who entered the give away in suspense. So around noon today I put those seven names into a bowl and had my sister draw one and the winner is...

Olivia!

Congratulations! So my dear I already have your address, so no worries there, your little parcel will be on it's way to you shortly. Thank you so much all of you for your recommendations (I just got The Sea-Wolf from the Library today) I can hardly wait to dig into them all. Again, I really wish I could send all of you a little something, even though you all can't have the actual package, so if you would like to receive a little hand drawn post card by yours truly, just email me your address at thewoodbetweenworlds@gmail.com and I will send a little note of thanks your way!

Love, love, Clara

2010-11-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

It's the last day to enter the give away! So comment quick! I'll be back tomorrow to announce the winner.

love, Clara

Give Away!

2010-10-25T14:50:00.001-07:00

(tags for my shop! more on these to come...)

I've wanted to do this for a long time and now I'm finally going to! So in honor of you, my wonderful one hundred followers and the fact that today is my two year blogivercery I'm having a give away! You have one week to enter, so next Monday I will collect all of the entrees, place them in a box, and draw out one of your names. All you have to do is recommend something to me, it could be a recipe, a song, a book or author, a website, anything.

I can't say exactly what all the package will consist of, but it will contain these lovely wristlets, an old book, perhaps a pattern or two, and what ever else I fancy to drop in there within the next week. I'm so excited! What I would really like to do is give everyone that enters something. So I was thinking I could mail you all postcards that I've drawn! But then I thought people might be uncomfortable with that, with me collecting a whole bunch of addresses, but I'm going to offer it anyway. So, if you would like to get at least a postcard in the mail you can email me at thewoodbetweenworlds@gmail.com with your address and I'll get it in the mail as soon as possible!

So I really hope you all enter and have fun thinking of things to recommend! I can't wait to read them all (oh and I got the idea from Emily at The Black Apple, she did it for one of her give aways). Oh and spread the word too! The more people that enter the better!

with old ink and lace,

Clara

PS: oops! I had posted the wrong email address! if you emailed me please try again!

I'm still alive!

2010-10-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

I've been gone so long! Oddly enough things are settling down into a bit of a routine, and I should be back for good in time, believe me I didn't want it to be like this. But good has come from it of course, I mean projects that are actually getting FINISHED(oh my goodness! who even knew that was possible!). Having my own place is doing wonders, and I'm thinking there actually is something to the whole less distractions = greater productivity thing. The whole reason I've been so absent is because there is no internet at my apartment and the only time I get near it is when I visit my parents, and then I'm generally so overwhelmed by everything I've missed (you guys for instance) that I run out of time to actually acknowledge that I've been here, checked up on you lovelies, jumped for joy over your comments, and kicked myself for leaving free (healthy)food and the internet. But I will be back. I will get a laptop. I will end up with internet at the apartment. I will show you the apartment and all that I've been doing there. And I will be back! Gahh! There's so much I wish I could tell you and show you right now but my Dad has already been waiting a long time to take me grocery shopping. So I have to go... so farewell my darlings... I will be back...

love, Clara

PS: 100 followers! thank you thank you thank you! and I've been so terrible and neglectful too. but there will be a give away to celebrate, soon!! ( know you must be getting so tired to reading that, I'm really sorry!)

(oh, photo is by me)

what I want to do now

2010-09-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

watch Romeo and Juliet
bake a tart
go some where all by myself and breathe
knit socks
lay outside and stare at the stars
quote poetry
write out dreamy rambling stories
embroider an amazing picture (though I certainly don't have the skills for that)
draw
walk through Creamer's Field
have a bonfire with my friends
just think
read Peter Pan again (it's been way too long)

But it's late, and there's so much to do...and I'm tired... I hate how much I say that. Because it's become so meaningless, and just a dumb excuse. When will I not be tired and have nothing to do? Probably never. So I need to just DO something! Actually I have been doing several of these things, I just haven't managed to post about them. Sorry. I know I keep saying this, but life really is crazy. As I'm sure it is for everyone. But I'm moving out this weekend and working every day through it all, so it's gonna be interesting. haha, well I'll tell you all how it goes. Thank you so much for bearing with me. Love you all!

~Clara

PS: What do you want to do right now?

Photo can be found here

swan lake

2010-09-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

I want to see it live so badly. I've heard it's too long but I don't see how it could be, it's dancing, it's love, it's beauty, it's tragedy. There's no way it can be anything but perfect.

is there anything you've been desperate to see or feel lately?

2010-08-31T23:58:00.000-07:00

Summer has been freedom. Late nights, spontaneous hikes and camping, planning, collecting, observing, day dreaming, praying, cooking, brainstorming, deciding, thrifting, swimming in lakes and a hot spring, boat rides and tubing, and making things. Also lots and lots of journaling (I hate how most of the words I use when writing about journals aren't technically words!), I've never journaled this much before in the summer. It's been wonderful though, full of good things. I'm allowing my summer list to carry over into fall, so that way I can still accomplish a few of the many things that never happened. Thank you so so much for all of the birthday wishes! You all are to wonderful for words. Life is still hectic, but I'm going to make myself post at least once a week regardless, so I won't disappear!

So until I'm back (which is hopefully sooner than a week),

Clara

2010-08-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

A long time wish has come true! For my birthday my dad and mom got me a typewriter! Oh yes, and this was the big 18, which is (in America) the step into "adulthood" (kind of, you don't really get to do anything exciting though, can just vote and get drafted into the army). Anyway, about my typewriter, it's an old one. Solid metal, with a fabric ribbon which still has ink in it, none of the keys stick (shockingly), and the only problems it has is that the ribbon doesn't move on it's own and the caps lock doesn't work. Both of those are fine with me though, I just love that I can type little notes and letters on it!

Not to mention how nice it is to see it sitting on my desk when ever I'm in my room. There will be more on what I've aquired lately later, I just thought this deserved a post of it's own, and you all deserved a post sooner as well. I just can't get over how wonderful you all are.
The end of summer is going wonderfully, I've been getting out alot, and making sure I enjoy every minute of it. Life is good.

Love, Clara

hot spell

2010-08-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

Summer should be coming to a close here, but the weather seems to be having other ideas these past few days. I step out of the doors from work and feel like I'm hitting a wall of heat.
I apologize again for being so absent, but most of all for not responding to your comments. However, I must tell you that the rest of this month will probably stay the same way. It's crazy beyond crazy right, what with turning 18, work, the fair, getting my shop going, three other birthdays, an anniversary, and quite possibly getting an apartment with one of my friends.

I hope things will become steady eventually though, I'll keep posting, but everything else might end up going out the window. We'll see.

Thank you all so much for being so wonderful and sweet, you all mean so much to me even though I'm so bad at showing it. I hope you're all enjoying your summers (or winter I suppose) to their fullest!

with love from my dizzy little world,

Clara

PS: all images from here

Naturalist

2010-08-06T00:12:00.000-07:00

Things have been so busy here, I apologize for my absence. It's been much too long I know. I've been frantically working on the goods for my shop along with the fact that I finally got a job (Yay!). So the only time I usually get a chance to use the computer is at night when I rarely have the energy to blog. But I'm working on a solution to that. However, I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pieces of magic I've collected over the summer. This butterfly I found blowing down the sidewalk outside the library.

I save the small, soft, feathers I find in our yard.

My dad found this little egg shell outside and brought it in for me.

Rocks from Clam Gulch and Homer.

My sister found me this bird's nest, it had fallen out of the tree during a storm.

It's not much, but I do find comfort and inspiration in surrounding myself with little these little pieces of wonder. Feeling like Julian from Elizabeth Enright's Gone Away Lake, one of the best children's books to read in the summer I think, and the sequel is just as good. They're full of that wonderful summery nostalgic feel, where you just want to sit on a porch drink ice cold lemonade and watch the fire flies.

I hope you're all enjoying the summer (or winter, which ever you're in) I can hardly believe it's already August! July just went by so fast. And thank you all for you're votes on the skirt, it's tied right now, so if you haven't voted please do, I'm going to close it on Saturday, so hurry!

I won't make any false promises about posting. I will try to post again soon, but you never know how things will go, especially when they just seem to get busier and busier. So we'll just have to see how things go.

with feathers and butterfly dust,

Clara

help me!

2010-07-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

So, here's a bit of what I've been sewing. A skirt, and it's my first one hundred percent, people sized, handsewn project. Also, it will most likely be in my shop that should be opening in about a month if all goes as planned. It isn't quite done though, because I'm having trouble choosing which buttons to use. They are all vintage buttons and full of character. I just need help knowing what kind of character this skirt wants! So if you could just vote that would be great.

3.
4.

Thank you very much for your votes! All are needed and all count!

With tiny stiches and wrinkled cotton,

Clara

Awards!

2010-07-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing good! I'm a little bit sick over here, which means lots of tea and hours to just read, sew, knit, and that I will actually post. Anyway, I have to awards (woohoo!) that I've been hanging on to for much to long. So here we go!

Thank you Clare for this wonderful award! Sorry it's taken me this long to post it.

I'm going to pass this award on to the dear Melee who always leaves wonderful, fun, comments!

Now, for this fantastic award from Tywo (thank you so much!) is a bit more involved. I have to state seven things I love. So number one is:

1. Life

What I mean by life is not my life (though my life is good), what I mean is what life is. The life that starts the moment a child is conceived. I love how we breathe and move and can make our own choices. Life is so precious, it's one of the only things, when you think about it, that we really have, that's only ours.
I also love the life that is in animals and growing things.
That too is something to marvel over.

2. My Family
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, caring family. And while I often feel like I just need out, I love them. So, so, much.

3. Reading
Just about anything! However, this summer I've mostly stuck with fantasy and poetry. Both of those are the kind of writing I can always fall back to and be at home. Where I understand and feel understood.
Do you know what I mean by that? What kind of writing makes you feel that way?
However, I did just read Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and that was wonderful. It left me in this great summer in the south sort of mood. Lots of fun.

4. God
If this list were in order he would be first. It's not religion. It's a relationship, a dance, a poem, a song. And I owe him everything.

5. The Earth
Oh, the wonder of it! I just LOVE the earth, it's so vast and beautiful, so raw and perfect and imperfect all that the same time.

6. Making things

Now of course you already know this. But I couldn't very well leave it out either, for I'm happiest when making something.

7.Romance

I am such a hopeless romantic, though you already know that too!

So I pass this award on to the wonderful Sarah, Francesca, Ellie Grace, and Sara. Hope everyone has a wonderful afternoon, night or whatever your at right now!

with ice tea and tissues,

Clara

PS: all the photos can be found here

Update! So sorry, some how my settings got switched around so now you can comment! Thank you so much for letting me know Melee! Love, Clara

alaska

2010-07-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

maggie and milly and molly and may

went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang

so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,andmilly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing

which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone

as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lost(like a you or a me)

it's always ourselves we find in the sea

-e. e. cummings

(photos by me)

bright star

2010-07-01T00:13:00.000-07:00

I watched this movie for the first time Sunday night and I must say I'm in love. It's the only movie where I've cried because something was just so beautiful, the story hadn't even gotten sad yet and I was already tearing up. The words that have been in my head ever since I watched it is just that it was poetry. Perfect poetry.

It's been cool and cloudy all week, which for me has been wonderful, I've been inspired to hand sew most things of late, which has been wonderful! It's calming and I love it so much more than machine sewing. Days have been filled with day dreams, tea, quotes, Road to Avonlea TV series, and letters. I hope you're all doing well and enjoy your summer or winter, which ever you're having.

with tea and small stitches,

Clara

PS: Happy Canada Day to all my lovely Canadian friends!

Rose Petal Jam

2010-06-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

I apologize for how long it's taken for me to post this recipe! I won't be able to put together a tutorial with photos and all like I wanted to. You see the rose petals I was planning to use froze in my fridge and there aren't any left outside since these were wild roses. So I'm going to just have to go through it step by step without the pictures. (the photo above is the only one I took while making the jam the first time) The recipe I used for it is from The Encyclopedia of Country Living, (which by the way is a fantastic book, I have spent hours upon hours pouring over it)and it felt rather vague. So I'm not going to change it at all, simply expand it and give you more direction of what to do and what to look for. So here it goes!

What you'll need: no more than a quarter pound of rose petals, boiling water, sugar, honey, and lemon juice. For supplies you'll need a medium/smallish sauce pan, a strainer, a few bowls, and about four pint sized canning jars. Also the canning supplies.

Chop the petals by cutting them into 1/4 inch strips, since the petals are already small you don't need to cut them more than that. You'll need 2 cups, packed in fairly tight.
Put the saucepan on the stove and turn the element to medium high, put in the rose petals and immediately pour 2 cups of already boiling water over them. Simmer and stir for 10 minutes.
Strain out all of the liquid into one of the bowls, what's left in the pan will look really gross, and will be kind of white and rubbery, it's what's left of the rose petals. DON'T throw it out! Put them in the other bowl and pour the liquid (which will be a rather orangy pink) back into the saucepan.
Add 2 3/4 cups of sugar and 3 tablespoons of honey to the liquid and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. It'll turn a pretty darkish pink color and you'll want to stir fairly often, but you don't have to the whole time.
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and the white-rubbery-ex-rose petals. Break the white rubbery stuff apart and stir. Heat it back up till it's simmering, and let it simmer, still uncovered, for another 30 minutes. You'll want to stir most of the time for this part. The rose petals will go clear and almost "dissolve" as the recipe said, but not entirely, they'll still be there, adding texture to the jam.
Have the jars sterile and ready and follow this tutorial for the rest of the process.

I was amazed with how easy this jam was to make, since there's no pectin and it never has to boil you don't have to worry about it boiling over or anything like that. So the whole process goes along very smoothly. Do to lack of knowledge, I'm going to wait to post a tutorial for the blueberry jam, here's a recipe for an any-berry jam that you could try. I haven't used it before, but what the writer says matches up with what I do know. I hope this works for you and is helpful, if you have any questions or notice anything I left out please let me know.

best wishes,

Clara

Alaska

2010-06-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

taken in Denali State Park

If you didn't already know, I live in Alaska. I was born here, raised here, and I'll probably stay here(aside from travels) unless something unexpected calls me elsewhere. Because I love it. It's so beautiful here and so void of crowds, but so full of the wealth and beauty of nature. I'm always astounded when people come here and say they hate it. I just can't help but think "are you blind?" But then, I suppose everyone has different tastes, and there aren't as many resources here as there are in L.A. obviously. Because this is Alaska, and we like it that way.Taken at Clam Gulch
So, I was going to tell you all about my trip here, in one post, but looking though my pictures I took I realized that would be much to huge of a project. For me to make and for you to read. I also realized I don't want to be limited to just my trip, really I just want to tell you about Alaska and how much I love it. You won't mind that will you?

Taken at Clam Gulch

This photo and the one before it were taken at the beach where we went clamming, which was really fun by the way, thanks for all of your well wishes! It was my first time to do so and I wasn't wearing gloves so my fingers got extremely cut up(they were razor clams), definitely one of those live and learn experiences. But I did love being at the sea!Taken in Homer

Oh, and did I mention I love the sea? *smile. I LOVE it. The wind, the sound, the smell, the sight, I always knew I loved it, but this short little trip made me realize just HOW MUCH I love it. Okay, I'll stop now, but let me just say that Homer is beautiful. We got to go there for half a day and now I really want to see if I can get a job there some summer in the future. Just imagine it, working in a small coastal town in Alaska, able to go down to the beach every day for lunch or to walk on at night.
Taken at the Russian River
I love how there are so many different parts to Alaska, we have rain forest and desert. There are waterfalls, glaciers, tundra, and you can drive through all of it in one day. On our way back home, in between Anchorage and Clam Gulch we went on a hike to see a huge waterfall that leads into the Russian River. The salmon were running, so I got to see a few working their way up the waterfall!
Taken in Homer
It was a really good trip, I'd never seen those parts of Alaska before(in fact I haven't seen most of it) so it was all new to me. There will be more of the trip coming, probably spread out over the rest of the summer, so I'm rather excited about that. Also, there will be a rose petal jam tutorial, I'm really hoping it will be soon, but those sort of promises don't always work out so well when coming from me. But it will happen, don't worry!

so with drift wood and irises,

Clara

Jam!

2010-06-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back! The sea was wonderful, such a fun and beautiful trip which you'll see lots of soon. But first I must show you my jam. You all must know how unavoidably proud of myself I am that I actually have done a few things on my summer list. You see, I think this is the first time that's ever happened!

So. my jam. We'll start out with blueberry. The blueberries used here are from last year's supply. We got so many that after eating and baking with them for six people and making a nice batch of jam we still have one and a half big containers in our freezer almost a year later. Oh gosh, I totally forgot where I was going with that. Anyway, I made blueberry jam and it turned out great(I really love these plain little pint-size mason jars, aren't they adorable?). It was my first time ever making jam all by myself, I'm just so glad it worked!
This one is my favorite. Rose petal jam, it's a really interesting recipe and I love how it turned out. I was a bit worried while making it because it didn't call for any pectin,(if you don't already know, that's what makes the jam jell) but it worked out fine, it never jelled as strongly as the blueberry jam did, but it's a perfect texture for rose petals, I think.

I'm wondering if anyone would like me to post the recipe or even to a tutorial, I might do it anyway, just to give it a try. But I'd love to hear if your interested or not. I hope you're all having a delightful summer, getting things done and just enjoying the wonders of nature. I'll be back soon with clamming delights and woes, and the beauty of Alaska!

with jasmine tea and irises,

Clara

PS: I'm back to justly responding to comments now! Thank you so much for your patience with me being in and out for so long. I truly appreciate it.

aquired treasures

2010-06-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it's taken me much longer to post this than I thought it would. But at least I'm here. So, first up is my garage sale loot. Every year there's this huge sale in support of one of my church's missionaries and I always find something old and awesome! And this year was no exception.

An apron, is it not beautiful? It makes me want to find some rustic kitchen and bake tarts.

Or little cakes, these little pans are so adorable, my favorite thing about them is how they're unusual animals. A bunny, a squirrel, a duck, and a horse.Okay, I've got to stop saying I love everything I got. BUT I do love this lamp, it needs a short little candle put in it and then I'm ready for any loss of electricity or opportunity to time travel.

Yarn and thread, a knitter can always stand to find more of those.

Now this is exciting, Better Homes and Gardens from 1930 and 1945! The oldest magazines I own now by far. Before it was my 1948 McCalls which I also found at the same garage sale two years ago.

A book of sweet children's stories, from the 80's, but it has cute illustrations and most of the tales I would have picked out myself for a collection.

I've always wanted to get into pottery, not really for art, but to make useful things. I got this though, because it has really good information on clay and all those things that are good to know and have reference to. Hopefully I'll get to use this soon.

Now I NEVER thought I'd willingly buy a chemistry book, for while I enjoyed it more than physics, that isn't saying much at all. The only science that I had fun learning was earth science and botany, everything else was a nightmare. I also hate math, apparently I'm good at it, but the hate of it takes away any satisfaction I might get from that. ANYWAY, all of that is to say that I did buy a chemistry book, but it was merely for the date in the front which is 1897. So yes, I definatly bought it once I saw that. oh goodness, I do make myself laugh.

These really tiny, really pretty vases. They're just perfect for little wild flowers or our lily of the valley.

This was quite the exciting find for me, it's a fisherman's basket! I'm hoping to attach it to my bike some how, just can't wait to bike all over Alaska with it.

Now every Memorial Day Value Village has a 50% off sale, so here's what I got this year: two vintage patterns, this cute brown skirt...

This lovely coat (yes I bought a wool coat at the beginning of summer, yes that's weird, but it was only $5! plus I loved it! how could I say no!?) (actually your all wonderful and would never question give me a hard time about such a per chase), and this great gypsy vest. Also (that I forgot to take pictures of) a fair isle vest, some legwarmers(Clara seems to have forgotten the season again), knee socks, and a lacy pink slip.

Now remember, there was also graduation in all of this, so yeah, I've been getting a lot of stuff lately. My dear friend Kristen got me this tea cup in DC, isn't it beautiful? And one of my favorite teas, Jasmine. If you haven't tried it, please do, it tastes like a fairy drink, especially sweetened with honey. Also not pictured: a gingham apron (that was my great, great, grandma's!), some old money, and a charm bracelet that my grandma got on her graduation.

I've been very busy doing many of the things I mentioned on my last post, I just haven't had time to write about it! But there will be one about it soon, tomorrow morning we're leaving to go clamming. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

love to you all, Clara

summer list

2010-05-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

Things I plan to do this summer:

Fix up my bike and find fenders and a basket for it. Then bike everywhere.

Make lots of small, whimsical, crafts when ever the mood hits.

Sew at least one new clothing item at least once a week.
Learn how to make perfume, from roses, violets, bluebells, and lilies of the valley.

Collect wild plants and learn their uses.

Go places and do things by myself.

Daydream and make up stories.

Write. Poetry, stories, and journaling.

Make all my breakfasts and meals as beautiful as possible. Treat each one like it's an event.

Make jam and jelly of rose hips, raspberries, blueberries, and rhubarb.

Have adventures and spend lots of time in the woods.

Read, classics and fantasy and information and cook books.

Go on lots of picnics, even if they aren't this elaborate.

What's on your summer list?

(all photos can be found here)

FINISHED!

2010-05-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

School is over and this is my first week free. It's so amazing I hardly know what to do with myself! I've got some ideas for posts that you should see soon, along with the much talked about tree that I need to get on making a hopeful tutorial. (we'll see how that turns out, it'll be my first and I'm rather nervous about it) For now you get to see my Tiny Twists Camisole.

This was my second and a half time to knit it, over a year ago I had almost finished it when I realized it was much too big, so I had to tear it all out. I didn't have the heart to restart it until a few months ago. But I'm so glad I did, it turned out ever so nice, and I just love it. I've already worn it somewhere too!

This summer is going to be wonderful, every thing's been so high stress lately that now that it's all finished I can't really comprehend it. I keep thinking that I should be doing something else, but I don't! Oh, it's amazing. Finally all the ideas that have been caged up inside my head and in lists can be set free.

Thank you all for your encouragement and suport, I highly doubt I could have made it without you all.

with new leaves and clear skies,

Clara

update on things in my little corner of the world

2010-05-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, am I happy right now! Things are wrapping up and getting wonderful here and since I just finished my government course I'm letting myself post. Here's a fair warning, when I'm happy I tend to be wordy and use a lot of exclamation points (I've already deleted four! whoops). I first want to thank you all for your lovely comments and support, you've all been amazing and I appreciate you so much. I am planning to post a whole lot more real soon, this has just been a wild in-between/figure-everything-out-at-least-as-much-as-I-can kind of section of my life, so we'll just have to see where everything goes. ANYWAY, what's some things I've done. I've been baking a little, but mostly playing with what I bake, as you an see from my little elephant parade here.

I've been drinking lots of tea and have the pleasure of watching all the snow melt. That's right, our yard is now completely snow free! I am more ready than I think I've ever been in my life for summer.

No, I did not do this, and no, it is not my truck. It's my friend's and I thought it was funny and fun, and in it's own strange way, kind of pretty. If anything you can see what my little town is looking like right now in the back ground, beautiful skies and soon to be budding trees.

Now for the thrifted things. I wish I had a better picture of this, it's a wonderful leather backpack that I got for a $1.50! It's just what I've been needing and it will be perfect for bike rides this summer.

A nice peach sweater, that's very soft and sweet, I especially love the collar.

And what I got just last Monday, a pattern for little girls coat, some very tall socks, and a nightgown. The coat the pattern is for is so adorable, I'm pretty sure it's early sixties, which I love for little girl clothes, knee socks and short pleated skirts everywhere! When I say these socks are tall I mean tall, as in they go above my thighs, I do have short legs, but I didn't know that they even made socks like these! I'm just hoping I can find more. Now the nightgown, I hope no one thinks is gross that I'd thrift one. Yes, I am planning to sleep in it, but only after it's been well washed. You see, I've been looking for something like this for a long time, it's long and soft, worn, flannel. It's perfect for pretending I'm Elizabeth Bennett or just about any other storybook character.

This summer I plan on learning more about wild plants that grow here in Alaska, their food and medicinal abilities. I know a bit already, but my goal is to eventually know just about everything I can. I'm especially interested in healing properties, have you noticed too that in many of the best books the main girl knows herb lore? How amazing would it be to be able to save some one's life (or at least sooth a stomach ache) without any medicine or help! So yes, that's a summer goal, you will hopefully be hearing a lot about. Here's a little sneak peak on the one and only project I've managed to finish in all this time (but I haven't started any new ones, I've been good, I promise!). I'm going to dedicate an entire post to it though, because it's so amazing. Not really, I mean, yes I'm proud of it, but the main reason for waiting is so that I can show you more pictures of it than I could if it was mentioned now. Also, if I'm to post more I probably shouldn't talk about eveything at once.

And so I'll leave you with this lovely rainbow we saw last week, and I must say, I've never seen one that wide. Ah, the marvels of nature.

with fresh air and leaf buds,

Clara

a fairytale summer

2010-04-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

cottages, mountains, rabbits, chipped tea cups, red ribbons,
pocket watches, glass beads, a field of flowers, butterflies, reflections,

unicorns, old books, trees, castles, rocking chairs, the stars and moon,

warm rain, mist, shadows, music, night gowns, old maps,

night, stories, folklore, bells, bare feet, a prism, treasures, dust,

long hair, white horses, moths, forgotten things, tree homes, mushrooms,

outdoors, flower petals, feathers, the woods, clouds, a wooden flute,

legends and myth, moccasins, a woodland stream, wind, smiles,

the land of counterpane, keys, gloomy tales, feather beds, and night time wakings

choices

2010-04-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I have some news. I quit dancing with my company. The pressure had just become too much, I wasn't having fun and I wasn't getting my school work done because of all the stress. I'm one of those people that just shuts down under stress, I just can't take it. So something had to change. There were many reasons, one being graduating on time, but there were other issues as well. I haven't quit dancing all together, I'm still taking two ballet classes and my lyrical class, all of which I couldn't bare to part with.

It's been really hard, but I feel like it's one of the best decisions I could have made, the new found freedom is just amazing. It's the most wonderful thing to not have to dance for anyone but yourself, to just dance because you love it and because of the joy it brings inside. So, that's what I'm doing, I'm dancing for the joy of it and because my feet won't let me stop.

Also, I will probably be rather scarce here, school has got me tied up on all ends, I even had to pack up my projects and craft supplies so that they wouldn't distract me. So, most of my posts will probably just be little writings or quotes, I hope you don't mind! I should be done with schoolwork in a month and hopefully back here, in full force, about two weeks after that. Thank you all for your support and sweet words, they mean so much to me.

Love, Clara

scraps of paper

2010-03-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

" I believe in lots of things, lots of things lots of people don't believe. I believe in love, and magic, and joy, and maybe that's childish, but I don't care. Besides, children are usually a lot smarter than adults, because they believe in something even if it's impossible and the adults believe in nothing, even the things that are possible"

(photo and text by me)

2010-03-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

(from silk and I fee like how she looks, *giggle* )

Sick days, oh man, well it's fortunate for you all because it means I will actually post! I truly do apologize for my scarcity, senior year is really starting to get to me. But I'm not going to think about that. I'm going to talk to you about costumes! Or rather my views on costumes, you know, favorites and whatnot. I should also note that for most of these photos you should be able to click on them to get a bigger (hence better) view.

I would say that details are one of the most important parts of costuming for me, (I'll get into why a bit later) and just look at them in these two screen caps. On the first dress, I'm pretty sure it's smocking on the bodice, and just look how much it adds, without it the dress wouldn't be anything special. As a knitter I can't help noticing the lovely sweater, the tiny ruffle/lace work detail is perfect. There's also another sweater in this movie that I want to try to make some day, I'll show you sometime.

( the prestige )

I find it very impressive when a designer is daring and creative, yet stays accurate within a time period. I haven't done enough research to tell you if this costume is accurate, but it looks right to me. Taking into consideration of course that the story takes place within a slightly bohemian type setting, so rather eccentric clothing fits the characters and their situation. I just love the use of stripes and embroidery here, color too, plus detail!
(Becoming Jane)
Detail in costumes is important for several different reasons, the main one that is relevant to movie goers (such as you and me) is that it makes the world seem real. Even if the audience never sees the details up close and in full, they can tell if they're there or not (at least I can). The other reason is for the actors, if they can put on a costume that seems to have a history, or that their character might have even made herself, it helps them find a reality in the what they are portraying. An actor needs to find a connection with the costume even if they are just seeing it for the first time.

The above dress is simple and yet very convincing, there's no wow factor or anything eye-grabbing about it, yet that's why it works. It has a harmony and accuracy that makes in blend in with the setting and the story. It's simple and it's beautiful.

( secret of moonacre )

Now there's also the costumes that don't have to belong to a time period, instead they help create a make believe world. And those are ever so much fun, are they not? Because creativity is what rules the day, mostly. Now I haven't seen this movie, (and Katherine said it was terrible) but I can't help but love the costumes. You can't really see much in this first photo, only of the carpet bag, which I am SO jealous of. I mean, it's amazing, just LOOK at it! Okay, I'm getting rather excited, but most of you know of my love for carpet bags and this one's perfect.

( secret of moonacre )

I tend to fall in love with any sort of period night wear or undergarments as well, not quite sure why, except that they do tend to be awfully pretty. Some day I think I will have a whole wardrobe that's just for pretty night gowns and such, I've looked for a nice one every time I've gone thrifting for quite a while now but never found what I'm looking for. However, I have been working on some lacy white things for my soon-to-be shop that I can hardly wait to show you!

( Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events)
I've gotten to distracted to go on about costumes now, so I'll leave you with this adorable and (detail-wise) delicious photo of Sunny (imagine making that cloak for a little girl!), and give you a quick up date on how the tutu making is going. So far it's all been about doing the math for the basque and making mock-ups. I'll explain a lot of this later, but just know that not much has really happened. We haven't cut any of the net or bodice fabric yet, hopefully that will change soon! I have less than nine weeks to finish this thing, which should be plenty of time, if I didn't have so many other commitments. But it's coming together and things are going well, I promise to show you more soon, especially when we actually start MAKING it. So, I love you all and thank you so much for your patience with me.

Love, Clara

2010-03-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

As they lay there in the nest of blankets he studied the constellations on her back, lost in that dark nights wonders in the lamp light. Her chopped feathery hair, her angular shoulders, her sloping back and narrow waist.

The air above them was frigid and frost had formed on the door and windows, but the high sides of their blanket nest kept them warm as they curled up there together. The fire on the other side of the room was burning low, producing almost no light at all, only occasionally would it spark back up.
His arm came round those bony shoulders and drew them to him, her night sky back firm against his chest, soft and smooth. He felt her smile, and there he held her, their heads on the same pillow and the same stars in their sleepy eyes, which now closed, leaving the fire and the lamp alone.

(click on photos for links)

dancer dreams

2010-02-19T23:09:00.000-08:00

A rented room with pealing wallpaper and a giant wardrobe and a cozy blanketed bed,

a young male cat, a small little stove with glowing coals and a ragged hooked rug,

ballet shoes scattered around the room and specific pairs hanging on pegs,

a few dreamy and worn novels, long lace curtains and mismatched cushins,
hot tea and bought cookies,painted tins of powders and "paints,"

a cheap silver painted brush and tarnished mirror,

blue satin pointe shoes,
but mostly cluttered with fabric and old costumes to be remade

and thread and buttons and ribbon

(click on most photos for links)

Winter Crafts

2010-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a bit of a while hasn't it? This is just going to be a crafty post since I haven't done one in a long time. I actually finished these socks a while go, but I never showed you a complete photo of them. So here they are! I was finally brave enough to just wear them and they are the most cozy things I have ever put on my feet. Which is why I started a second pair of socks!

Meet my Raspberry Float (which are very yummy, perhaps all post about them sometime) socks. This is where I'm at on the second sock, it's a hand painted super-wash wool that I'm pretty sure you can only get here in Alaska, the pattern however, is free here.
For Christmas, I made these lace pointe shoe bags for my best dance friends (and me).

See what I've done to my tree? I've been trying to do as much as I can to keep winter happy and beautiful this year. Usually about this time I just get disgusted with it and can only dream of spring and flowering trees. So please, if you have any ideas or suggestions of things to do to keep winter magical, let me know, the snow won't go away here for good three months.

I don't have much time, but I'll leave you with a hint of what I'm working on for (hopefully!) my little fashion collection. I have no clue if it will work out or not, since I've been planing these things for over a year and it's never happened. I hope you all have a lovely Friday and weekend,

much love,

Clara

Tutus

2010-01-29T23:41:00.000-08:00

I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but I'm taking a self constructed costuming course this semester and the big project is making my own tutu! I get to design it myself and make it custom to fit my body. Tomorrow I'm going to meet with my ballet teacher who's helping me and Kristen do it all. So, of course I've been looking for all sorts of inspiration as for what I want to do and I thought I would share my favorite photos and websites I've found.
The bodice here is velvet and the tutu white with the purple overlay.

If you can't tell here the one is a tiger lily! Isn't it gorgeous? I love how convincing it is, it also makes me wonder what the dance that was done in it is.

I LOVE the lace.

I just like to stare at it.

wow

This is a tutu for Aurora from the ballet Sleeping Beauty, as you can see the bodice is attached to the actual tutu, mine won't be that way, but I think it's really pretty.

The way the embellishment is on this tutu makes it so delicate, also notice how the edges aren't cut even, pretty interesting right?

This one is AMAZING. It gives me shivers and that place in my chest just wants to spill over. The sleeves, the trim at the bottom, the color, the velvet, everything.

Here's a few places you should look at, they are full of inspiration and drool-worthy costumes not only for dance.

This is the place I'm getting the stuff to make my tutu from. It's really late here, so I'm going to wrap this up, I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I hope you don't mind if the next few posts are on costumes, I've been spending lots of time on them due to my school and I'd love to share what I find with you all, so please tell me what you thing.

Much love, Clara

this time of year

2010-01-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

Cold feet, restlessness, tea cups, powdered sugar, quilts, journals and notes, France, wind, songbirds, pointe shoes and pale warm ups, Jane Austin, other old classics, thrift store treasure hunts, reading glasses, letters from people far away, day dreaming, snow snow snow,

tea bags, smoke from a chimney that disappears into the sky, lotion, lace pillows, pressed flower bookmarks, kittens, paints all over the floor, gypsy bangles, hand sewing, quotes taken with tea, all sorts of projects picked up and left undone,

leaving the lights off and curtains open, baking, a knitting book full of lacy tops, wondering what if..., longing to travel, list making, laughter, dark chocolate, red skirts and other bright clothes, telling of dreams

I'm so sorry for not replying to most of your comments, life is still crazy and I'm beginning to wonder if it will ever settle down into routine. I hope you all are well and able to relax some,

Love, Clara

PS: what do you think of my new header? good? bad?

best things of 2009 part 2

2010-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

This post is dedicated to books and movies, my favorite that I read and saw for the first time this year.

Well, if you look at the cover art and read the title you'll see why I read this book. I must say it had a good story going for it too. It was full of stunning gowns, well rounded characters, and unexpected twists that I was enraptured the whole time. But I must say that the main thing I appreciated about it was how clean it was, the girls had standards and the men were honorable, (at least the ones that were supposed to be) I just hate it when main characters, the ones who are supposed to be the good guys, have no morals or anything! Major pet peeve. Anyway, this book was wonderful. :)

"I think that all things exist together and their destinies are tied up together, like a great book of stories that weave and pass and thread through one another, making the most astonishing tale anyone could dream up"
~Cybele's Secret

This is the sequel to Wildwood Dancing, and it's wonderful too.

As soon as I finished this book I got out my sketch book and began to draw costume ideas. Honestly, I'm surprised it took me this long to actually read it me being such a big fan of fairy tales, and I'd already read three of Shannon Hale's other books. The Goose Girl is basically an expansion of the Bothers Grimm version, she didn't change anything at all but just expanded the story and brought it to life, which if you ask me is the best way to do it.

"If we don't tell strange stories, we something strange happens we won't believe it"
~The Goose Girl

"If voices had colour, hers would have been a rainbow. It made words live. Whatever she said became a breathing entity, not a mere verbal statement or utterance. Felix and I were too young to understand or analyze the impression it made upon us; but we instantly felt at her greeting that it was a good morning- a surpassingly good morning- the very best morning that had ever happened in this most excellent of worlds." ~The Story Girl

I know I've already posted this quote before, I can't think of a better way to describe this book. L. M. Montgomery and The Story Girl both sweep you off into their flawless stories and descriptions bringing you to believe it is a "most excellent of worlds."

Perfect, perfect, perfect. This book is a realistic fairytale, it's about growing up, about realizing that every person is complex and confusing, about being alone and strange to the rest of humanity. Cassandra's life reminded me so much of my own sometimes, not her predicaments, but her underlying story, about longing for love, but never quite finding it. I need to read this again.

This was one best classics I read this year, (the worst was Moby Dick, which I thought was just stupid) I think my favorite thing about this book, aside from it's descriptions, is the way it's written. It doesn't follow any chronological order, which gives the idea that it's a collection of stories that your mother is telling you, about how she grew up and how her parents met, and while it takes place in the poverty of Brooklyn at the turn of the century it make that life seem beautiful. Perhaps it's the stark truth that it shows, or maybe it's the fact that life is beautiful anywhere, as long as it is growing. Either way, this book is a diamond in a coal mine.

The Mysterious Benedict Society is such a fun book, I'm reading it's sequel right now. In someways it reminds me of the Series of Unfortunate Events, but also of Andrew Clemens (an amazing children's author) and something else that I can't remember right now. It's about these four children who are chosen but undergoing a bunch of strange tests, they then are sent on a mission to in essence, save the world. Typical? Sounds like it, but it's actually quite original, I laughed out loud several time. Please read it, I promise you'll fall in love with these kids.

I've decided not to say anything about this book because Katherine and I are going to read it and do reviews on our blog! I read it this time last year and have been itching to open it back up again. Please read along with us if you wish, it should be a lot of fun.

The Crucible is actually a play, but so amazing. I was crying so hard at certain parts, I can only imagine what it would be like to see it performed. It tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials, or part that involved the seven or so girls who claimed to be torchered by demons in order to condemn the women who got in their way. I would encourage everyone to read it, it will open your eyes and another bonus is since it's a play you can read it in two hours without a problem.

Wow. That is the best reaction I can give to both of Jonathan Safran Foer's books, I think Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is my favorite of the two, but looking back I can never be sure. It's about a nine year old boy who lost his father in 9/11, and he's trying to deal with lots of different things. I'm not sure what else to say, it's amazing how the author gets into the head of this little boy and stays there the entire time.

Everything is Illuminated is full of amazing thoughts, I'm all of you have read this quote from it, but I think it's one
that needs to be read again and again.

"But more than that, no unloving words were ever spoken, and everything was held up as another small piece of proof that it can be this way, it doesn't have to be that way; if there is not love in the world, we will make a new world, and we will give it heavy walls, and we will furnish it with soft red interiors, from the inside out, and give it a knocker that resonates like a diamond falling to a jeweler's felt so that we should never hear it. Love me because love doesn't exist, and I have tried everything that does."

I don't think I need to say anything more.

And The Chosen. This is probably the best book I read all year, which means a lot seeing all of the good things that I read. It's beautifully written story about the friendship between two Jewish boys in America during WW2, and basically how it saved them. It is so powerful, I read one other book by Chaim Potok last year, I Am Asher Lev, and just found and read the sequel to The Chosen, Which is The Promise, that one I think will speak to me more in a few years. I hope that wasn't too hard to follow, as you might be able to tell I've gotten very interested into books that deal with the human mind this year. And I must say I'm looking forward to any physiology classes I might take in college. Please look at this post I did for The Chosen last April Here, It's my favorite post from the first half of the year.

Books I forgot when I was first putting this together: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and The Cup of the World (can't remember the author off the top of my head right now)

The Best movies

The Edge of Love

I think I liked this movie mostly for the beautiful setting it had, and I was so relieved it ended okay.

It Happened One Night
Really sweet and funny. The best 30's movie I've seen.

Ballet Shoes

Sweet, Pretty, and lovely setting once again.

The Dead Poet's Society

Well, this movie was just incredible and impacting, after I watched it I immediately went back and watched certain parts over again. It is amazing.

Movies with Honorable Mention: Fairy tale: a true story, and Secret of Rhone Inish

I hope you enjoy this, I need to now do something else with my day, but I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

LOVE, Clara

PS: If you have any questions about these books or movies just ask me! I'd love to be able to answer them if I can.

best things of 2009 part 1

2010-01-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! Well, It's taken me a while but I should be back for good now. This new year is very exciting for me because so many good things are going to happen, but I still want to look back and be thankful for all of the positive highlights of the last year. So here they are!

Good Thing #1 finding Vintage and Antique things at low prices, the little clock and this embroidered picture, thing, are my most recent purchases.

Good Thing #2: decorating my room! Here's my tree, (there will be more on it soon) and I love it so much. I feel so blessed to have gotten to do so much to my room this year, it feels amazing to finally get to make it look how I want it too. (this picture is from this summer when there was actually LIGHT, all my photos look so grainy this time of year)Good Thing #3: My art class. I learned so much, had a fun teacher, and got an A! These are all little drawings from my sketchbook, twice we went to the museum and spent two and a half hours drawing animals, I think that was one of my favorite things we did. Above is a seal.

Left: Emperor Goose, Right: Muskox

Left: Grizzly Bear, Right: Auklet

another little drawing.

Good Thing #4: Altering and fixing up clothes. The dress is what I changed this time, all I did was shorten it, but that's all it needed to become my new favorite dress!

Good Thing #5: One of my goals I made at the beginning of last year was to get better at Photography. Anyway, I think I did. I'm sure the main reason for this was my wonderful camera, but I can still see a difference.

Good Thing #6: Getting to discover some wonderful small lives right in town was amazing this summer, and I realize now that I never shared these with you! These baby birds grew up in our own yard.

This little guy I found while reading outside of the library, I was just doing my own little thing when I heard a noise in a bush near by and saw a bit of movement. So I went over to investigate and it was several mice! I just am still in a state of wonderment over the fact that I actually took this picture.

Good Thing #7: Dance has been full of ups and downs this year, but it's still been one of the best things that's happened to me. This is also a full view of the mazurka costume if you're wondering. Oh, the hours we put into all of those. :)
Good Thing #8: Finding beauty in my surroundings has become so important to be this year, and it's made me fall in love with Alaska over and over again. The light and the sky, the snow, the rain, the clouds, the woods, even the people here are beautiful in the way that people should be.

Good Thing #9: YOU!!! you all have been so amazing to me this year, it started out without having any followers at all and now I have forty! Thank you all so so so so much, you have no idea how much it has helped to know that there are wonderful people like all of you somewhere in the world, your sweet comments have truly brought the sun out on many dark days. I love you all very much.

So, I had planned to go through my favorite books and movies I read or saw for the first time this year as well, but I've decided to save that for another post because this ended up pretty long, also this way I'll be able to do little reviews of them. I'll be back soon!

Love,

Clara

2009-12-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

This is a late announcement that I'm going to take a small blogging break. I thank you so much for all of your lovely comments and support they mean a lot to me. And don't worry nothing wrong I'm just tired and don't want to feel guilty for leaving you all with out a word. So I'm not. :) I'll try to be back soon with lots to share. I love you all!

Love, Clara

christmas time

2009-12-23T02:04:00.000-08:00

This post is going to be a bit random I think, it's almost Christmas and I'm finally finding the time to remind myself what that all entails. Mostly knitting like MAD, which I'll show you more of later. It's snowed a lot lately, keeping the bare trees delightfully frosted.

Here's the cygnet picture, I'm the one in the glasses and Odette is the one in the center back. All of the shows went well, except for the Saturday matinee, the music didn't turn on so we did our whole variation with just one of our teachers snapping the time for us backstage. But now we can at least say we did it! Dance is done for the year, and I must say I'm welcoming the break, I hadn't realized how tired I was until I stopped.

The sun rises late and sets early, Monday (when I took this) was winter solstice, it was a little after ten. We had four hours of light, I think. Some people here hate how it's always dark, but I don't this is one of my favorite times of year just because it is dark, and when it's light... well you can see from the photo.

I'm reading Emma for the first time, I've never seen the movie either so it's completely new, which is wonderful.

Here's my most recent purchase, Value Village for $7, more than I usually pay, but I figured for this it was definitely worth it.

don't you agree?

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, I might be back before it comes, but probably not for there is so much to do! We've been baking all sorts of delights, Russian tea cakes, rugalach, sugar cookies, ginger bread, fudge. And today we're building a ginger bread light house. It's so exciting and I've been away from it all far too long. I wish you all magical Christmases filled with sugar plum visions and popcorn chains.

Eskimo kisses,

Clara

2009-12-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

I made it! and after Thursday(art final) I should be able to resume a semi-regular online life. This past week has been so unbelievably wonderful, I got my first pair of pointe shoes! I had to send them back because they were too big, but I should be getting the perfect ones today or tomorrow. Also, I got moved up to ballet four! I think things are finally taking a turn for the better, my hopes for this coming year are soaring high.

I got to help work on this tutu for the sugar plum fairy the picture is blurry, but this tutu is absolutely exquisite. Some more good news is that I'm going to be doing a self designed costuming class next semester with a focus in dance. Kristen and I are going to do it together and each of us will make our own tutus.

The Swanhilda tutu is one of my favorites, it's for the wedding variation.

Here's some photos I took during the dry tec, they changed the backdrop before the show, that's why it's rather strange. Enjoy!

Odette from Swan Lake

Swanhilda from Coppelia

The Lilac Fairy from Sleeping Beauty

The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker

Giselle from Giselle

I wish you could have watched the show because the photos don't do these girls justice. I'll be back soon!

bouquets,

Clara

a little note, please read

2009-12-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

This is just to say that I don't have time to answer all your wonderful comments and I'm so sorry, I will try my hardest once everything thing calms down. But please don't stop leaving them, :) I read them all and they make my day to no end, I just want my replies to be well thought out and heart felt, which I just don't have time to do now. Tonight was our first show and it went beautifully. I'll try to post some pictures soon, just not sure when. I love you all!

Love, Clara

2009-12-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

Dance is taking over my life! For the next ten days I will be dancing a minimum of an hour a day, usually more. So, this is just to say that I probably won't be able to post much. But I promise to take lots of pictures and do a very big post about my lengthy week once it's all over okay?

This is my bosom friend Kristen, I thought I would introduce you and also show you what the top of the mazurka costumes look like. There will be better pictures eventually, would you mind if some time this week I just post some dance pictures and a tiny bit of words? I might be able to manage that.
I've been working on fixing up some clothes, here's one of my most recent completed projects, I just added the little collar/trim. Right now I'm hoping to finish up a nice backpack style bag, I carry so much stuff around that my typical hobo style purses are really messing my back and neck up, so hopefully my the backpack will fix that problem.

Christmas is coming too! This Saturday I'm going to watch the Nutcracker and I can hardly wait, I haven't seen it for seven years and I now that I know so much more about ballet I feel like I'll appreciate it better too. Eight years ago I was in it as a little elf at the beginning, I had so much fun. Well I really want to post this tonight because I won't have another chance for quite a while. So I hope you all have a marvelous weekend I love you all and will hopefully be back next week.

Eskimo kisses,

Clara

2009-11-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

I got tagged by the ever so gifted Sarah, off in Wonderland, and I'm ever so thankful and excited about it. Thank you Sarah!

So I get to answer these questions and I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

What is your mood? I'd say it's something like this, comfortable clothes, and a dreamy heart that is ready to either be swept away in a book or my own stories

Where did you grow up? I grew up here in Alaska for the most part, but when I was three we moved to Missouri (which I still can't spell) and lived there for five years. I'm so glad that we moved back though, for while I'll always love the farming parts down there, but it was the first place where my imaginative little soul was attacked. I still have to fight off the ghosts of those days. My mom says she's finally seeing the little girl she lost fourteen years ago come back.

What was your dream last night? Prepare yourself for something very strange. I was driving past the university, (only it didn't look like the university, but it was) and part of it was on fire. One of my friends who joined the Air Gard was there and he said that someone (a bad guy) had shot a flaming arrow at the roof, after dropping a baby down the chimney. (don't ask) anyway, my friend had saved the baby and it was really the most beautiful little boy I have ever seen, he had golden eyes and the sweetest smile. So I took the baby and ran away with him because the bad guy, which was now a dragon, wanted the baby dead and was chasing us. I ran into a house and we went down and down all different stairs and trap doors and the dragon kept fallowing us. Finally we got down to a grating that lead to the water system under the road, which we went into. And then I woke up, fell asleep again and had another dream, but I won't bore you with that one too.

What is your favorite store? The Antique Shop! I've spent hours upon hours there and hardly noticed.

What is your hobby? oh goodness, I have so many, there's knitting, ballet, writing, drawing, acting (on occasion), reading, researching, baking. Maybe these aren't all hobbies, they're just things I love to do. Does that count?

What is your fear? A cage. To not be able to be impulsive or wild or free. To be stuck in some dull grey office doing things I hate, unmarried, and never loved.

What is on your wish list? A typewriter, wouldn't it be wonderful to curl up with tea and a blanket in my room and type out my story? I would stack up each page as it was finished and then, when I took a break, I would put them in one of my suit cases to be read later after the dust had settled on it for a while.

And a carpet bag, this one here isn't exactly what I'm wanting, I imagine one larger, like the one Mary Poppins has.

Your friends? Are books mostly, I have one extremely treasured friend at dance and I feel so blessed to have her, we've been though some hard things this semester, but our friendship has stayed strong, she is my bosom friend. All so all of my dear and wonderful friends here, you are all so sweet and encouraging you have no idea how much you mean to me. I appreciate you all very much.

Where do you want to be in six years? Here. Or some where like it, my own nice little cottage in the woods, either married or alone, but writing every day and making all sorts of beautiful things. I'd like to make my own clothing line, kind of, but it be where I gather up used clothes and remake them, vintage, and maybe new clothes I've designed, all with a common theme and sell them in my own little shop, either real or on etsy. But mostly I want to happy, where ever I am and what ever I'm doing I want to be happy and content.

Your life? Is good. I'm satisfied with it for now, things have been very hard this year, but I'm convinced they'll get better, and I've been working my hardest to focus on all of the blessings I have. There are so many, I have a wonderful family, and while many aspects of dance have been hard, I'm going on pointe in January. The list is very tedious and long, so I won't bore you with it, just believe me I'm grateful for what I have and I plan to enjoy it to it's absolute fullest.

Okay, now I get to pass this on,

I'm going to give it to Sara of we are dreamers for being so sweet and a very good friend and leaving such wonderful comments. :)

Marisa or the little Miss Thumbelina who always leaves such deliciously long comments that are so fun to read, not to mention she's a fairy.

If any one else wants to do this tag please go a head, I just wasn't sure who else to give it too, sorry! I'd say more, but I'm a bit sickly this weekend, so I'm going to go rest some. I love you all!

glitter snow,

Clara

how

2009-11-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

A poet's meanings are never clear and the author's heart is hidden. the ink that bleeds, the veins in paper, the heart of soul that beats. what gives life to words? what fills their shells with flesh and blood? is it passion? is it tears? is it thought or time? what puts the beating heart inside? what makes the meaning flow? how does the hope and despair, the life and the death, the wonder and blindness happen? how does the ink stained author pour reality into fantasy? how do they make you feel another's pains and joys, how do you breathe at the same pace as they? how do you hear the cries of their soul louder than your own? how can letters and words, mere ink stained in patterns, portray a whole life or a whole other world, when we, here, can't even understand our own? what makes this wonderment possible? what gives black and white figures life?
there must be reasons, there must be answers. how? how? how does the sun stay where it is? how does the lover know that he loves? how does the ocean hold its self in? how does the bird decide to come down from the sky? how does the dreamer find her dreams? how does the snow stay white and how does the rainbow bend? how does this questioner never want answers and how can the earth really spin? where is the answer to all these things? I think the book must be burned, for while some answers are sacred others are blasphemy.
the sun sets so early this time of year, which I suppose is kind of sad, but one good thing is that, the sky is always a beautiful color.

I want to fly away on my Pegasus, galloping, flapping, floating,
across a powder blue-berry peach-purple sky.
I want to shake the down blankets, the watch it gently snow,
on all of the resting little train-town below.
I want to harvest candy canes and build a castle by the sea,
I want to hold a ball in my candy cane castle, right next to the sunshine sea.
I want to dance and paint sugar plums so that all of the world can spy,
me fly away on my Pegasus across the powder blue-berry peach-purple sky.

I wrote all of this in my journal earlier, with a dip-pen, I think it was for that reason I was unable to stop. I hope you all have a beautiful Thanksgiving or just a beautiful week.

Love,
Clara

2009-11-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

My mind wanders and my mood is impossible to pinpoint, it's restless and longs to wander, but to be settled too. I guess it's a sort of dreamy gypsy that can't decide what she wants, so she's stuck in between roaming and staying, dreams and reality, fantasy and truth. She wants to go whole-heartily into everything, every passion, every dream, every wish, but she can't choose, she doesn't want to choose, and she's not fully free yet. Don't worry, I don't plan on choosing, I've decided pursue all of my desires and which ever ones happen go with them. I've spent too much time fighting the wind, I'm ready to let it blow me where it wishes, making the ride easier and less painful.

I've got a big assignment due Tuesday in my art class, it's my project we've had to do so far. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's got drawings and words and has to do with wandering travels. I'll show you it when it's finished. My plan for this post was to show you some of the things I've been wanting but can't afford, but I lost heart when I saw that Anthropologie isn't selling the boots of my dreams any more, they were $258, which is way to much for me, but I was thinking that maybe I would try saving up for them because they were perfect, (brown leather, knee high, with a pretty winding ruffle) and I actually was able to justify buying them in my mind. And now there gone, I'm very sad about this. The bad thing is this isn't the first time I've fallen in love with a pair of shoes and lost out on them, the other time it was the prettiest powder blue Mary-Jane's on etsy, has this ever happened to you? sigh. This isn't good. Oh well, I can't stop dreaming about owning perfect shoes and frankly, I don't want to. Silly me, anyway, I hope you all have a lovely weekend and enjoy all of the many things your thankful for!

Love,

Clara

2009-11-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

The sky was a beautiful peach and blue this morning, so I saved a piece for you. This week will consist mostly of dancing, drawing, and a little bit of writing, if they make me. Saturday night after I was all ready to fall asleep she whispered her beginning in my ear and said, "tell my story Clara, tell my story" so I had to get up and write in out. I think this will happen quite often now. The mazurka costumes are finished. Some are red and some are blue, (mine is blue) sometime I will show the whole outfit, they are extremely cute with our aprons and flowers in our hair. But the best news is that we get to wear real tutus for cygnets! I'm so excited last Friday we spent a long time working on it to fix all the problems and the last time we danced it (in front of the whole company) we did the best we'd ever done. Here's my favorite version of in on YouTube. The way we do it is a little bit different, and of course we're doing it on flat, but it's great for getting the idea if your interested. It's fun because my teacher is really into us knowing the history behind our characters, so even though we're just swans, and not special like Odette, we're still enchanted princesses. It's funny, but I dance much better when I imagine I'm an enchanted princess or a snowflake that when I just focus on the steps. It's more fun that way too. I hope this hasn't board anyone, I love you all!

love,

Clara

2009-11-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

What a long day, full of drawing out pretty pictures (in art class), ballet, watching the snow fall, eating cinnamon bread and pumpkin bread, drinking tea, and listening to music. A few other un-perfect things were involved in my day as well, I just try not to talk about them here. I've been collecting pictures of rooms and houses that seem like a home to be, and isn't this picture just dreamy, I know it's not the flowery and white kind of dreamy, but it just seems like a place you could live, well to me anyway. Here's some things I'd really like to do soon.

Bake custard
write a story
read a romantic fairytale (like Princess and the Hound or something)
knit a sweater (I have to make my sister leg warmers for her birthday though)
watch Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightly version, I haven't seen it in so long and it's like my go-to-when-ever-I-need-something movie)
go to the Library and a used book shop (can't though! my stack of books to read is too long already)
buy a typewriter (this is a desperate need, not really, but I'm close to convincing my self it is)
do dreamy kind of journaling
eat lots of chocolate

I started (barely started) reading Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, if you ask me, this time of year is just perfect for his books. I've also decided that this year at Christmas, I'm going to make truffles, the rich, creamy, kind. Well, this has been kind of random, but fun, I hope no one minds. I am very tired and my cozy bed of pillows and blankets awaits to escort me off to Neverland.

Goodnight,

Clara

this time of year

2009-11-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

cinnamon, ice skating, slippers, pumpkin pie, remembering, popcorn, mittens, reading poems and stories out loud to my brother and sisters, apple cider, crossword puzzles and family games,

the smell of burning wood, breakfast tea, candles, baking, fluffy pillows and warm blankets, hand sewing and knitting, piles of books to read, blushed red apples, laughter,

dancing while it's dark and snowy outside, pictures with a golden light, braided hair, fuzzy socks, old movies, home, acorn squash, the smell of heated honey and milk,

wool hat and coat and mittens, crystal coated trees, ballet music, secrets, stars and the full moon, puzzles, whipped cream, hiding things,

2009-11-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, I'm actually posting about something I said I'd try to post about! These are the costumes my brother and sister wore this year. Timothy was Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he's been planning his costume since sometime last year, finding just the right jacket and so on. He made the hat himself, out of cardboard, which is pretty impressive for a ten year old if you ask me. Yes, I'm a proud big sister.
Chana, at the last minute, decided to be a dwarf. The tunic and belt were mine, and she made the shoes, beard, and hat just a few hours before she had to be at the carnival. Pretty big preparation differences, but the finished products turned out good for both, I think.

I got this lovely blog award from the wonderful Anji Jane thank you so much dear! I'm going to pass it on to Katherine, Vera, Mermaid, and Ellie Grace.

I want to post again very soon, but I'm not quite sure what about, is there anything you would like to hear?
love, to you all
Clara

PS: 20 followers! thank you, thank you, thank you!

snow

2009-10-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

My world has finally decided to be winter, it snowed all day yesterday and it's still snowing now. It's so peaceful to just sit and watch it fall. I did so while drinking chi tea a few hours ago and I had one of those moments where I get overwhelmed with how magical my life is and I feel that everything is perfect. I love it when that happens. My little brother and sister are getting ready for a carnival that's happening at a church tonight, Timothy's going to be Willy Wonka and Chana's going to be a dwarf. I'll try to post pictures later, they're so cute. I would love to dress up as well but I have dance tonight and no where else to go dressed up. I'd love to hear what you're all planning to be though.

snowflakes,

Clara

(click on photo for link, same for the last post too)

gray

2009-10-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

The world seems a cold and dismal gray. the sun must be. sad. up there. in the sky all. alone. the moon can make friends with the stars but. the sun has. no one. so today she decided to not get up. and pulled the covers. up over her. head. if she feels gray. why should the world not. feel gray as well. in the cold. light. the clouds are thick and heavy. why don't they loose their feathers. and just. be done. the colorless blanket could then. hide me too and. I would not have to show my. face to the. world. why must I go on when the sun will not. why is she jealously hording her snow. goose quilt when. the ground is shivering for. rest and protection.

I wrote this in my journal yesterday, the world seems a bit brighter now though, thanks to all of your wonderful replies. You're words and well-wishes mean so much to me, it's such a blessing to get home after a frustrating day at dance or anywhere else and check my email and read your treasured thoughts. And also tomorrow is my one year blogiversery! woohoo! To bad I'm not having a party or some little celebration, but maybe I'll do that for one hundred posts or something, we'll see. I appreciate you all so much!

feathers,

Clara

2009-10-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Something thrilling came in the mail for me last week...
this darling little purse from Anji Jane! I won it at her giveaway and it's just the perfect size for bare-necessities such as, money, pen, little notepad, and Anne of Windy Poplars.

She also included with it some covered buttons and little bows, I can hardly wait to find what to use them on. I thought it was about time I showed you some of the other things I've acquired of late.

I got this suitcase (and the blouse which you'll see at the bottom) from the antique shop with a gift card I had from my birthday. It's currently holding all of my gypsy clothes. When ever I fall into a certain mood I go through my clothes and pack all of the ones that match my moon in a suitcase, then I base what I wear off of what's inside it.

I got these too little books just this last Monday, Mother West Wind's Neighbors and The House of Seven Gables. Mother West Wind is one of the stories I remember loving when I was little, it's full of little animal stories about why the woodchuck doesn't like the crow and such things. The House of Seven Gables is by Nathanial Hawthorn, I've never read it but I loved The Scarlet Letter so much that I'm sure this will be wonderful as well.
I got a tea pot! I'm so happy about this, I've been looking for one for a very long time and this was only three dollars. The blouse I also got with the gift card is not in perfect condition, as in it's rather lacking buttons and there's a few tears, but I know it will be perfect to me once I find it's buttons. Oh my goodness, I have been so restless these past few days. I feel such an urge to just do something different, something that won't make this week blend in with all the past ones. Do you ever feel this way?

Love, Clara

my sanctuary

2009-10-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

My biggest project of late has been my bed room. It's become a wonderful place for me to just be. I hope you know what I mean. So I'm going to show it to you, I've been wanting to put together a little video of it, but I got tired of waiting till I had the time. Hopefully it will still happen, just not now. Yes, those are tea bags strung about, it was my friend's idea, I think they're beautiful.

Since the first picture was taken I've taped these papers on my closet, they are copied from my favorite journal entries. I bought the pointe shoes at the antique shop the day before my birthday, they were only five dollars and I just couldn't leave them behind.
My old books. Most of them came from the library book sale where hardbacks are only a dollar. The shelf they're on (up above my closet) was a birthday present from my parents.

My newest tea cup, thrifed.

My grandma gave me this one for Christmas, along with Peter and Wendy from 1914. All summer I found lots of little feathers in the back yard so I put them and some dried yellow flowers in this tea cup. I guess it's one of my ways of collecting magic. I also hang teabags on my mirror.

Now this is my pride and joy. Yes. It's a tree. In my room. And I made it. You can't see it very well, I know, but that's because I'm planing to show you a lot more of it later. After all of it's elements are in place. I'm thinking more little pictures hanging from it's branches and perhaps a fairy door or two?

I love this Bambi picture, it was my mothers.

My sister Teresa felted this chickadee, isn't she incredible? It's perched in my tree right as I speak. I hope you like my room. I love it so much.

~Clara

Time to Escape

2009-10-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Escape into a dream world,

It doesn't matter where,

Neverland or fairy tales,

Narnia or Wonderland.

Leave the whispers,

growing pains

of adulthood,

making,

taking,

shaking

us away.

Journey to a safe place,

It doesn't matter how,

Looking Glass or rabbit hole,

Pirate ship or galloping steed.

Ignore the whispers,

growing pains

of adulthood,

chilling,

grilling,

killing,

us away.

Run off to a refuge,

It doesn't matter which,

Forest deep or forest dark,

River raft or meadow hill.

Resist the whispers,

growing pains

of adulthood,

dealing,

pealing,

stealing,

us away.

Become a new person,

It doesn't matter who,

Robin Hood or Peter Pan,

Heidi or Snow White.

Forget the Whispers,

growing pains

of adulthood,

falling,

mauling,

calling,

us away.

The poem is by me. I wrote this a while ago, but I'm feeling the same way again. It's just so scary, how fast it's all happening. In so many ways I'm excited, graduation and freedom, that's good. But I want to stay a child, I want to run through the woods and talk to fairies, I want to paint with my fingers and give puppet shows. I don't want to grow up, but I do want to be free.

~Clara

2009-10-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well, the Story Girl was right. There is such a place as fairyland- but only children can find the way to it. And they do not know that it is fairyland until they have grown so old that they forget the way. One bitter day, when they seek it and cannot find it, they realize what they have lost; and that is the tragedy of life. On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over. Henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day. Only a few, who remain children at heart, can ever find that fair, lost path again; and bessed they are above mortals. They, and only they, can bring us tidings of that dear country where we once so journed and from which we must evermore be exiles. The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland.

~The Story Girl

I shall never forget the way

(click on photo for link)

Did you notice something Charlie Brown? The world didn't come to an end.

2009-10-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

So I didn't get the part, but I feel very good about my audition so that's what's really important. Another cheery thing is that now I get to keep dancing. Were doing a bunch of variations for our winter show and me and a few other girls are doing the cygnets dance from Swan Lake. If you don't know what I'm talking about I highly suggest you look it up on youtube and watch it. I think you'll fall in love. (oh, while your at it look up The Tales of Beatrix Potter Ballet, it's the ballet I grew up watching and it's amazing)

Last night I dreamed I got my pointe shoes, but they were a beautiful powder blue with a scalloped design along the side of the arch and heel, they were lovely. And they fit like a dream with the ribbons tied so nicely around my ankles. I think I danced in them all night and they never got worn they stayed perfect and beautiful. I love dreams like that. I woke up happy.

I'm finally reading the rest of the Anne books, you think I would have read them all multiple times by now, especially since we own them. But I haven't, I guess I've always felt the first one was too perfect to have a sequel and that I couldn't bare to have my beloved Anne grow up, but I've decided it's time. I'm loving Anne of Avonlea, although I'm not very far. It's just as if I'm growing up with an old friend, since she's now just a tiny bit younger than me. It's so strange how that happens, I remember reading and thinking Some day I'll be sixteen just like Anne, I hope my life can be just as romantic and dreamy. I'll declaim in a hotel and then, in a white dress, stand out by the sea with my bosom friend. (I'd also hoped that by that time my hair would be red) And now I'm seventeen, oh, life is so queer, is it not. Thank you very much again for all your well wishes concerning the auditions and although the results weren't ideal, I'm sure good will come out of it. (I'll get to blog more!)

I love you all!

~Clara

Beautiful things

2009-10-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Her gown was of cobalt silk and she had swept her dark curls up into a circlet of ribbon butterflies.

~Wildwood Dancing

I finished that beautiful book a few days ago and it has left me wanting to dress up in beautiful dresses and colorful shoes and find a magical land. Well, I always want to find a magical land, but the emphasis this time would be dressing up.

Aren't butterflies some of the most wondrous things? There was one summer a while back where there was a surplus of them, that was the summer I worked at a green house and the butterflies would get stuck inside and couldn't find their way out. I think I save a good dozen or so of them that year. It was the first time I'd ever held a butterfly. That's what I imagine magic feels like.

I fear this might be getting rather random, but I suppose that doesn't matter if I feel a small connection. I read a book a long time ago in which feathers grew with the man's hair, I've been fascinated with the idea ever since. Maybe that's weird, but I think it sounds beautiful.

One thing that's hard about falls here in Fairbanks is how there aren't any red fall leaves. I still love autumn here, but I always feel as if there's something missing from them. So if your around nice, red, fall leaves right now, blow them an extra kiss for me, will you? To show them that I miss them.

I finished my socks, I love how bright they are. They are so soft and delicate that I'm afraid to wear them. On the pattern it said they are perfect for curling up in and watching the rain, so maybe I'll do that. With tea and a book and cookies.

I also made these wrist warmers, you can't tell from the picture, but they are a beautiful shade of deep purple, almost like eggplant. I'm wearing them right now. I've made lots of other things that I need to show you, I just put these all together because they seemed to fit. I would like to thank you all very much for your sweet wishes concerning the auditions, I'm mostly trying to keep myself occupied so I don't think about them. We'll see what happens though.

I love you all very much and I hope your having a beautiful week,

feathers,

Clara

(click on photos for links)

Narnia

2009-10-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Silent Snowfall, quill and ink, old old books, tea, a glorious fire, fur coats, an umbrella, woodland animals, mythology, hope, dryads, father christmas, peter pan collar and pleated skirt, music, an old radio, the lamp post, ice, carvings and engravings, a red scarf, hot chocolate, small hair bow, turkish delight,a cloak, knee socks, wolves, silver birch trees and ancient pines, stories told in stars, magical lands, statues, flowers braided into hair, cardigan sweater, brown paper packages,
suitcase, rainy day, sleigh bells, knitted wool, dusty old taxidermy, impossible things, a wooden flute, globe, rubbers, dancing at night, the lion
A local theater is doing The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe for their Christmas show and the auditions are in a week. I'm going to try out for a part. It surprising that I'm even sharing this, because it will be really hard if I don't get a part, but I've just been feeling very inspired about Narina lately and I didn't want you to miss out. I love you all!

Snowflakes,

Clara

(click on photo for link)

Strange Thoughts

2009-09-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

It's a strange thing when one day you realize that you really like your life. That might sound really awful, I don't mean that I didn't like my life before, it's just now I know that I do like it and I see how blessed I am. Nothing big has happened to change my view, and things haven't gotten wonderful all of a sudden, it's just I see things differently. Almost as a reader reading my life like it's a book and enjoying it. There are always things I would change if I could, but that's part of what makes life interesting. If life was perfect my story wouldn't be worth reading. If love was placed in my lap there would be no quest for it. If I lived in Europe I wouldn't get to dream about traveling there. If I never had to work for things I wouldn't appreciate them and I probably wouldn't get as far. So, you see, those are the things that make life interesting and good and romantic, to be able to dream of travel and love. The flaws make beauty precious and rare. Those are the thoughts that have brought about my change of view, and also the realization that I have the ability to make certain things the way I want them. I've been decorating my room, writing, listening to music, sewing, creating things, and surrounding myself with things that inspire me. I feel as if I could never run out of ideas and excitement. I just love it, I'm finally getting to use the part of me that's been stifled all of these past years of high school. Last year it took over my wardrobe but now it's taking over my life.
I am just so excited about this change and I can hardly wait to see what will come next.

Love,
Clara

hold fast

2009-09-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hold fast to your dreams!

Within your heart

Keep one, still, secret spot

Where dreams may go,

And sheltered so,

May thrive and grow-

Where doubt and fear are not.

O, keep a place apart,

Within your heart,

For little dreams to go!

Think still of lovely things that are not true.

Let wish and magic work at will in you.

Be sometimes blind to sorrow. Make believe!

Forget the calm that lies

In disillusioned eyes.

Though we all know that we must die,

Yet you and I

May walk like gods and be

Even now at home in inmortality!

We see so many things-

Deceits and wrongs and quarrelings;

We know, alas! we know

How quickly fade

The color in the west,

The bloom upon the flower,

The bloom upon the breast

And youth's blind hour.

Yet, keep within your heart

A place apart

Where little dreams may go,

May thrive and grow.

Hold fast- hold fast to your dreams!

~by Louise Driscoll

2009-09-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Exciting new! The lovely Katherine and I have started a new blog, it's a kind of book club called bookish&c.. I hope you'll check it out, it should be a lot of fun. A little while ago I got these two beautiful new (old) books from the library book sale, it's a bit strange because they're the same book. Yeah, Thelma by Corelli, I just couldn't pick one of them, so I got both. Aren't they pretty? I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Clara

Let me tell you a story, (and ask a tiny little favor of my followers)

2009-09-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, a girl went to Creamer's Field. For a while she read a fairytale to herself, a lovely book about a princess who gets robbed of her crown and becomes a goose girl.

But the day was dreamy and warm, the sky was blue and the leaves turning golden, and they could not stand to be neglectfully ignored. So She closed her book, willing to save it for a rainy day or a quiet night, and set off ready to find her own magic.

The geese were stopping by on their long migration, and it was easy to imagine she was the goose girl. Yet, she wondered where they stayed in the winter. To her they were always flying, North or South, Spring or Autumn, did they ever really stop?

She decided not to linger with the fowl and moved on down a trail into the woods, many a little bird were seen on the path and one fearless squirrel.

The path continued as she was accompanied by a tiny little stream that hardly move at all, perfectly content to take it's time, knowing it would get where it was going when it was meant to.
Golden light whispered through the golden leaves and caught on the few that drifted slowly through the air, getting lost in the light covering that already blanketed the ground.

A bit off the path she saw a pool, the light streamed down through the faint opening in the trees and she became certain it the birch dryad's bathing place. For what dryad could possibly bare to pass up the warmth and beauty of such a place?

And while the slight wandering drew to a close the magic of the walk continued through the rest of the day and that night the girl's dreams were full of golden leaves and golden light.

I would like to again say thank you to all of my followers, I'm sorry I haven't been able to personally visit your blogs and say hello, but either my computer or blogger is having some problems and I haven't been able to see who you are! So, if you don't mind, I would love it if you would leave a comment so that I can meet you and thank you. Could you do that for me? I would be so appreciative. Thank you.

~Clara

The Story Girl

2009-09-14T19:00:00.001-07:00

I'm right in the middle of this delicious novel and it's been dreadfully difficult to get other things done because of it. L. M. Montgomery never fails to fulfil my every wish when it comes to the perfect book. My quote book is now a page and a half fuller than it was before I started this book. For example:

"If voices had colour, hers would have been a rainbow. It made words live. Whatever she said became a breathing entity, not a mere verbal statement or utterance. Felix and I were too young to understand or analyze the impression it made upon us; but we instantly felt at her greeting that it was a good morning- a surpassingly good morning- the very best morning that had ever happened in this most excellent of worlds."

~The Story Girl

There's another one that I'm planning to share with you as well, a bit later. I also thought I'd show you the scones I made, paired with orange rhubarb jam. They were so good. I need to wrap this up now, but, as always, I will try to be back soon.

Lots of love,

Clara

2009-09-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments, I did have a nice weekend and though parts of it were non-stop I did get to end it curled up on the couch with scones (I did make some!), tea, and one of my favorite movies, Penelope (Pride and Prejudice didn't happen). The only other thing I actually did on my list, besides the scones, was go thrift shopping. I went on Monday because that's when they had the 50% off sale at Value Village, and I did pretty well if I do say so myself. Every time I go shopping I end up with more skirts than anything else, this time I got two and a slip, which I'm not sure counts as one or not. The blue plaid is a lovely Pendleton wool that reaches past my knees, I've begun to really get into longer skirts, they're easier to live in and they have a sort of sophisticated air that I love. The other skirt is shorter and thin and flirty/floaty I can hardly wait to wear it.

Words can not express how exciting it was for me to find this belt, I have been wanting a wide braided belt for a long time and this one surpassed my expectations. Plus, I got it for only five dollars!

Also I found a bunch of crocheted lace, I thought it a bit over priced, but I decided to get it anyway. I'll definitely use it.

This isn't a very good picture. Am I the only one that finds photographing shoes very difficult?
These are sadly a bit too small, but they were just so beautiful I had to get them! I'm hoping to start an etsy shop soon so they'll probably end up there.

I got the awesome girl award again this time from Jemima and Maddy thank you so much girls!

I love you both! So the one from Jemima was a slight bit different than before, I'm supposed to state ten things about myself that are useless/interesting so here we go,

1. I collect some of my thoughts on scraps of paper and keep them in a big mason jar on a shelf.

2. I haven't painted my fingernails in almost two years.

3. I've never seen The Little Mermaid, which is absolutely ridiculous, I know, but some how it just hasn't happened.

4. I love musicals, I'll enjoy almost everyone but my favorites are the completely crazy and impossible ones like Hello Dolly and The Music Man.

5. I hate making little decisions such as what I want at a restaurant, big decisions however HAVE to be made by me.

6. I want to be an artist, a gypsy, a writer, a collector, a lover, a costume designer, and a gardener.

7. I love feet. Bare feet, stockinged feet, and feet in shoes. Guess what my favorite Dr. Seuss book was?

8. I believe in Miracles.

9. I go through phases with baking. For a long time all I'd bake was different kinds of biscotti, now I think it's going to be scones.

10. I'm such a slow blogger, it's taken me three days to complete this list.

Whew, I did it. Jemima also gave me this little award. Thank you darling!

I really love her idea of giving it to people who fallow her blog, so I'm going to steal it. :) Thank you so, so, much you guys, I feel so blessed by you all. It was only a few months ago that I didn't have any followers at all and now I have six. wow.

I'm not going to say much else because I want to get this posted, but I was wondering if any of you might have suggestions of books or movies I might like. I'm always looking for new books to read and good movies, so I'm open to almost anything. You can look on my profile to see what kinds I love best. I hope you all have wonderful weekends and I hope I can be back soon. Thanks to everyone again.

with Peppermint and Pine cones,

Clara

2009-09-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! Three day weekend! I just finished watching seventeen again, and I really liked it. What can I say? I'm a sucker for movies with a moral message, and it was very sweet and funny. I was laughing just about the whole time. The rest of this glorious weekend I hope to:

Bake heart shaped scones

Hang up pictures in my room

Start the fingerless mittens for my sister

Thrift shopping

Dye some clothes (I hope!)

Art journaling/book making

Watch Pride and Prejudice

And that's about it. I don't want to overwhelm myself or try to do to much, I probably won't do half of my list and end up doing lots of other things, but that's okay. My main goal is to relax and have a break before the real plunge of school begins, I haven't had a real break in a long time since I've done school all summer for the last three years. At least I should be able to graduate on time though, so that's good. The picture above is completely random, sorry I didn't feel like putting a ton of effort into this post. I'm so tired. I'll try to be back this weekend, we'll see what happens. I love you all!

Love, Clara

2009-08-31T15:16:00.000-07:00

I just found this lovely clothing shop call Cabbages and Roses, it's left me very inspired. See that coat on the left? I've been wanting one like that for such a long time, it's a Pride and Prejudice coat, you know. Like the one Elizabeth wears. And oh, the entire ensemble on the right gives me thrills, the blazer, skirt, cardigan, jewelry, it's amazingly perfect. I really need to sew patches on to one of my jackets now, and buttons, the whole things just to good to be true.

The pictures of course are a third of the attraction, but from the above, I hope to find a loose sweater to wear with my plaid skirts. Of course a deer sweater would be just as nice, if not better. I'd love to see if I could make something similar.

And oh, to have a red silk skirt, perfect for any sort of mood, gypsy, chocolat, fairytale, red ridding hood, medieval maiden...

AND

Sock Dreams, if I could I would buy enough socks to support them for five years. I mean, I want some in every color! Aren't these striped socks so pretty? Fairytale/Victorian/circus could it get more perfect?
They have tights and leg warmers too. Oh, to be rich and have hundreds and thousands of dollars. Not really though, I find it so much fun to be creative and resourceful when it comes to clothes. I finished a big chunk of school yesterday that had been holding me back creatively, so now I'll have much more time to do all the things I've been hoping to do. It's such a relief. I'm so glad I got to do this post, I've been wanting to do something like this for a while. Oh, good luck to all who are starting college this week, I start my art class on Thursday, (scary!) so we'll see how that goes. I have to go now, I hope your all having a great week and lots of creative fun!

Love, Clara

2009-08-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

"The truth is we all ache. We all have growing pains and wonder if we are okay and enough loved. The thing is-we are. Really. Without the silver shoes and leopard print sheets. We are enough without all the things we buy to make us much more than we are or need to be. We are simple and complex and rare as is."
"Sometimes I forget about the magic.Like the moon and red leaves and how the apples grow again and again outside my windows."
"I think that if we can aim for just five minutes of complete acceptance of ourselves, we are doing really well!"

"It's okay NOW. These feelings are normal and have to be allowed to be felt and seen.

We have to trust that our friends won't quit on us when we are hopeless and even more- we can't quit on ourselves. We are all we have deep down- and all we can save."

From Spilling Open: the art of becoming yourself by Sabrina Ward Harrison

Click on photo for link

2009-08-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

So, one of the big things of this summer was that three of my friends turned sixteen. The second big thing is that I was broke. Which means I had to make them all presents, (I only finished one of them in time) and go to all their parties. Which to tell you the truth kind of freaked me out, most of my friends are really hipper and have really hipper friends so the energy levels were high. Oh well, I guess I'm just not a big party kind of person. This first present was for my friend Charity, it's kind of like a card or a scrapbook page or a picture, either way it's so she can hang it up in her room. I was very pleased with how it turned out.

This is a picture I drew for Lauren, of me and her. Aren't we cute?

This is for my friend Clara, (not me! don't get confused) I put it together for her because I thought she would appreciate the quotes more than my other friends.

from Maya Angelou

from the Avett Brothers

from SARK

From John Burrougs

From Helen Keller

From Grey's Anatomy

Unknown

From SARK

from Before Sunset

And Unknown.

It didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but I think it still looks pretty nice. The main thing I love though, is the quotes, aren't they amazing? So full of truth. I'm sorry I didn't end up posting this on Monday, I tried but it just didn't happen. I hope this wasn't too boring and I hope you all are well!

Love, Clara