connections with sunlight

The days are finally growing longer and from about nine until four I can sit on my bed, doing school and soaking up as much sun as I can. I can hardly wait until spring, when it gets lighter and warmer. I've been trying to get myself to find something to like about winter, but its been rather a failing ambition lately. Mostly I've just been letting myself get lost in books.

I seem to feel strangely disconnected and unattached to people, I only get to see my "close" friends once a week or less, two times absolute tops. It's just so strange, the friends I see the most are the ones from dance, and they seem to be in a completely separate world than the one I am in. Only sometimes am I able to forget how big the gap is between Jr. high and a junior in high school, but I think even if there wasn't the age/grade difference we would be very different. The love of dance is basically all we have in common, I never went to middle school and I have no regrets about that. Some how though, I still manage to feel lonely almost everywhere I go, which in some ways I kind of like, but I can't help wondering if it is bad to feel entirely unconnected with the world.

So I'm finely back in the blogging world, it's been a bit of a long break, but hopefully now I can come back with full force! Life is beginning to get normal again after Christmas break (yeah, it takes me along time to adjust) dance has started again which makes me sore and happy. I've been trying really hard to focus all of my creative energy into getting school work accomplished, but... it hasn't been working so good. And since that effort hasn't been overly successful, ahem, I decided that I should put what is left of my creative inspiration into finishing up projects I started as long as three years ago. I am happy to report that this has been a success. I actually finished a purse I started over a year ago, well I think it's only been a year, something seems to be telling me it's been two, but that just couldn't be right. Could it? Any-who, I will now introduce you to my newest creation... THE SWEATER PURSE!!!


okay, yes, I know, totally uncreative name, not so hot of a picture and we have really ugly carpet. BUT, I just took the photos, like, ten minutes ago and I suck at coming up with names for items, and the only name that comes to mind right now is Helga for some reason, maybe because the sweater is sort of Netherland-ish looking. Also, the carpet doesn't look that bad in real life, bad yes, but not that bad.

Here's a better view of the strap, it's made out of an old belt my dad out grew (he he) and I just want to say that it was extremely hard to sew that belt in. I hand sewed it because I didn't want to kill the machine, yet some how I still managed to break a needle. Oh, I didn't use a leather needle either (I'm too cheap).

The latch is made out of a key! I'm so proud of myself for coming up with this idea, it was one of those exciting, sudden inspiration moments (sad thing is I kind of have this feeling its not so original...). I must say now that this key was a lovely present from the wonderful Rebbecca, she gave it to me at church a bit after I had been telling her about how excited I was about finding this really awesome key at an antique shop. So, I put it to good use Rebbecca!
On a different note, I found some photos I forgot to include when I posted about Lauren's book, so I thought I'd just add them on the end here.

Illustration from children's reader.

Photo from magazine

Photo from magazine

Silk flowers, wolf illustration from children's reader and fence cut out by me.
Says: There's wolves in the garden. From one of our favorite songs.

stamp by Paige Compton

Photo from a magazine. Says: Sometimes I hear music in my head.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love, Clara

happy new year!

Happy New year everyone!

This break for me has been very layed back and rather lasy too, though I have done a few of the things I had planned on doing. Mostly, however, I have watched movies, which I have greatly enjoyed doing, but I have a feeling I won't be watching many more in the months to come since my brain has begun to feel rather fried. I decided that it would be fun to post my favorite photos from some of my favorite movies I've seen this year, so here they are.

Here it is! The book I posted about earlier for my friend Lauren is finally complete and I am finally posting about it. Her family left on Christmas day and I finished it and gave it to her on Christmas Eve, I think some of the paint was still wet.

Opening page, inside the homemade envelope is a letter and some old tea bags, the round thing on the ribbon is a book mark I made that is attached to the spine of the book.
Left page says: Oh the places we'll go! Oh the people we'll meet!
I'm so excited I can hardly wait, lets go!
Right page: So you see, I've found a new way to hitch-hike!
Of all our favorite things

I took these pictures on the pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney land.

Found the photo online, you should be able to read what it says.

Photo taken along time ago in Canada, I think.
Right page says: Far off the beaten path, we will find our sanctuary.

Words on photo on right hand page: A walk through the snow.

Photos taken by me.

Photo by me of Lauren, on the right is a list of fun memories I have with her.

Photo by me, writing is some of my faveorite quotes.

Photo of me a long time ago.

Photo found online, right page says: For who is left when you are gone?

Photo found online.

Photo by me, left page says: You make me feel cozy.

Photo of me along time ago, right page says:

Looky Lauren! Looky! I made you a snowman!

Photo of me, by me.

Photo found in magazine, right page says:

The woods whispers secrets to those who listen.

Photo my me, quote on right is:

The great opportunity is where you are.

Every place is under the stars.

Every place is the center of the universe.

-John Burrougs

Old photo of me, says: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Photo from old travel guide, left page: Sky above, Snow below.

Photo from old history book, says:

Me and you on a bicycle built for 2.

Drawing of a castle in clouds, says: Up in my castle on a cloud.

Photo of me by me, quote is:

People will forget what you did. People will forget what you said.

But people will never forget how you made the feel.

-Maya Angelou

Photo from old history book.

Says Lauren, if you can't tell.

Photo from old travel guide, says: I think a house boat should go on our list of ways to live.

Photo of me, by me.

Picture from magazine, says: Wonder.

Photo from online, says: If I had it my way...

Says: Exotic Places Call Us Away.

Stamp print of phone by Paige Compton, left page says:

"Sing me a song, she told me over the phone"

Photo from old travel guide, says: Where shall we go today?

Photo by me, right page says:

Someday,

We will travel far away,

In tatered lace and old fur hats,

When the leaves are golden and the sun is high,

When our hearts and dreams are ready to fly,

When ties at home have released there hold,

And we know not where we want to go,

When we have no money, just eachother,

When we wake up at night, wide awake and wonder,

It is then we will travel, far away,

When the morning breaks,

On Someday.
Writen by me.

Says: Feet in air.

Old photo of me, bike stamp by Paige Compton.

Photo by me of Lauren.

Photo from magazine.

Stamp for gypsy made by me, says: Jouney on my gypsy caravan.

Photos by me, left page says: All journeys come to an end, like books come to a close.

Old photo of me and my dad, says: I love you Lauren!

Apologies for the quality of some of these photos, I wish they were better. Lauren called me after she had opened it and said she loved it, which totally made my day. I hope this wasn't to tedius and you enjoy seeing this. I enjoyed making it so much I've already started making plans for my next one. Thank you for reading!

Love, Clara