gathering spriggs

The Art of Embracing You

 

When you breathe in, inhale, deep ... down, 

pause

then listen.....

Come on now, try it. Really. Close your eyes.... and.... I-N-H-A-L-E

Now, what do you hear?  Hush. Its so quite. 

I did this little exercise this weekend and heard a little voice say:

"im....  afraid"

To which I responded, "Oh... about what, hunny?" and it replied meekly, " the doctor's appointment on Monday". 

"Really, don't be afraid. It is a good thing. It will help you find answers to your questions and this problem we have had for over a year." I reasoned with her.

She was silent.

Then, release. E-X-H-A-L-E....

The grip of fear released, shifted. blew out into the wind.  An internal shift occurred. The control lifted. Meeting it face to face brought freedom. 

I am no expert but I would like to believe this little exercise opened the door to experiencing one of the most joyous weekends out exploring my city, in the sunshine with my sweetheart. 

And now without the little fearful voice I can hear hope flourishing, desire flickering, and creativity pulsing. 

What do you hear, now?

How do you embrace your self and reason with the voices of fear?

images: a beautiful mess and emily o photography

Rooms in Bloom

 

 

What a better way to start a dreary rainy day than with rooms full of blooms? So to continue on with my floral themed posts this week, I sought out spaces which felt like the world flourishing. Can you do floral infused rooms in your home? Or do you have other ways of bringing the outdoors in especially when its gloomy out?  I love the idea (and know people who buy themselves fresh flowers to adorn their homes) but have never done it myself. Do you? Or do you have other simple ways to love yourself each day?

 the decorista.com via lovely clusters pinboard; holliewood style, yvestown blog, light locations

Kelsey Genna and Begonia House

 

Speaking of blooming this week, how about the blushing work of designer Kelsey Genna? Her new collection for Spring is fresh from the hot house. When I discovered her via the Daydream Lily blog, I was instantly smitten. This New Zealand designer has been selling and promoting her work since starting design school and with Begonia House as her thesis collection she already has full exposure! Truly brilliant and effective for someone not yet 20. 

Genna's story causes me to muse over the entrepreneurial spirit of our online marketplace. I wonder how much she learned from school versus pioneering through cyber marketing. What is becoming of classic means of education? My mom, ever the non-traditionalist, has been homeschooling for nearly 20 years now and instilled alternative approaches to education mixed with a do-it yourself mentality in us. However, I being the rebellious daughter that I was, opted to return to traditionalism and was adamant about getting a college degree. Then I read books like The Art of Non-Conformity and realize maybe my mom did know a thing or two. Go figure. Just when I thought I had out smarted her. 

So what do you think? Has the internet (along with a desperate entrepreneurial spirit) replaced our need for traditional classroom settings? 

 website, lookbook, etsy, blog, boutique

images: 

Begonia House- March 2011

Model- Georgie Wright @ Kirsty Bunny // Photography- Kelsey Genna // MUA- Dara Wakely // Assistant- Kerry Taylor

 

A View from YOUR Room

 

 

Happy Tuesday friends! After days of rambling on about my own affairs, I took a stroll through the Gathering Spriggs Flickr group and found a profusion of inspiring images. In particular the images of hearth and home ignited joy in me. Its fascinating to discover small corners of home from those I know and love through blogging or facebook. These personal images fill this post for me like fresh cut blooms added to a favorite vase. 

I hope you too will join the group and share your favorite images from corners of your world.

It going to be an infusion of florals this week here at GS. I just can't get enough of all things blooming. So if you have a favorite image of florals or a favorite flower please share here in the comments and I will make mention of it this week!!

1. Zee Longenecker 2. Missginy and Souvenirs du Passe Recent 3. Twiggs  4. Nest Pretty Things and Machteld M 5.Traveling Mama 6.  Alice M. Wingerden 

Need for Spring

Carefully lifting winter weathered windows yesterday to usher in sunny breezes felt like spring teasing me with her silken scarves. Her breath brushed the hair from my face and her warmth caused me to shed my layers. She whispered reminders of new days ahead. Days fresh. Days restored. 

With ever growing health complications, which have disrupted life and a long awaited doctor's appointment only a week away, I am painfully aware of my need for Spring. Need for restoration. Need for hope. 

...and I see glimpses of it. Maybe as I shed more layers within I will sense the light again. Will smell blossoms. I'm no gardener but I do find this allegory to be true in the garden of my own life:  new growth comes only after the pruning of spent portions. 

And you? How do you sense hope in your own life as seasons change? What season are you experiencing in your heart today?

images: dress: we heart it  flowers: desde my vantana teacup: gathering vintage;  pillow:  seesaw vintage, table: style me pretty

Playing Favorites

As I wield a paintbrush atop a 10' ladder this week, I am ponder how I've traded in my laptop for other tools for the time. Thus the less frequent posts and time online. Its just a bit difficult to tweet while 16 ft. in the air decorating a ceiling. But the time unplugged is good for me as I try to strike a balance between my two worlds of work. Online and on ladders. 

In the meantime, I have been trying to remain present when possible at the shops. And  made many new friends with new discoveries through Etsy's recent launch of Activity Feeds and Circles.  Thanks to them I can keep abreast and in touch with friends, favorites while making new ones along the way.  Here is my mini collection of such inspirations this week. 

Have you discovered Etsy's Activity Feed? What do you think? Is it helpful as a shop owner or shopper? 

images:  vintage statue- old ren hen; doily rug- ladies and gentlemen blouse- the white ribbon; necklace- isamo crochet; fabric bin- tuuni,  photo-slg designs

A View from my Room

After a dark couple of days last week, I paused in the glorious sunshine this weekend to take time for things that bring me joy. Here are some glimpses...  

new floral creations, (all flowers in these shots were hand crafted. Finally a garden I can maintain)

chocolate truffles from my sweetheart,

remnants from the great studio reorganization,

and finally the colors of spring on my sofa!  (Crazy to see the transformation my living room has seen in just a little over a year).

My heart is budding again. 

Thank you dear friends for spending time with me here each day! 

What is bringing you joy today? 

Vintage Victoria Love

Won't you journey back in time with me say 20 years ago (or so) to a period of yesteryear where a teenage girl dreaming of a bygone era where flowing skirts, afternoon tea, parlor games and horse-drawn carriages were the norm, pined over the mailbox delivery of a glossy magazine that would alter her life forever? 

I was that girl and Victoria Magazine was my dose of monthly heaven to transport my heavy heart. So when my sister and I spotted not one but two stacks of vintage Victoria issues (1991 and 1993) at an antique store in Kansas City we snatched them without thinking twice and spent our afternoon reveling in and savoring each page.  With every turn of the glossy pages a new memory sparked and launched a barrage of stories from high school .... like the time I hosted a Victorian croquet party in my front lawn complete with a crisp linened table filled with luncheon snacks, tea and cakes. ( I invited my highschool crush and he CAME). 

The magazine was my solace. The place where dreams were born. And today looking back with fondness I am still drawn to these images. Isn't it interesting how current these images look? I mean, I don't know if it is because culturally we are drawing on inspiration from the early 90's now with a resurgence of pastels, lace, florals and all things granny chic, but aren't these looking more current than dated?  Its hard for me to be unbiased since these images were home to my heart for so many years. 

What in your life conjures up sweet memories from yesteryear? Do you have an emblem of youth that can still stir your heart today? 

Happy Valentines Day my dears! May you embrace your loves, your life and your memories! 

(this is my Valentines for you dear Ginny!) 

images: heather s thompson for gathering spriggs

Isn't It Romantic?

Lovelies! Thank you for being here with me this week, this year, through thick and thin. This week has been somewhat challenging (as you may have noticed). I am still trying to get myself  my home, my work, my body and my creativity back together after being away for nearly a week. My home turned into a man cave while I was gone, which is ok. I don't blame him. He made it up to me by surprising me with this beautiful Romantic necklace upon my return. I just feel a bit like a mess right now in more ways than one. I have some ongoing health problems that are beginning to interrupt life as I knew it. My doctor's appointment is not for two more weeks and I am trying to hold on. To do what I can , to give myself grace. But the perfectionist, achiever in me isn't really digging this delay. So I am taking time this weekend to give to myself. My husband is a constant Romantic ... he really lives out Valentine's Day sentiments through out the year. That with the fact that he is a Classical Guitar player, we don't really see each other this time of year. He is providing a romantic musical setting for many other lovers. So we try to incorporate Valentine's into our routine. Try to make time for dinner out, he buys me flowers and sweet gifts. We are planning a romantic mountain getaway in a few weeks, so we look forward to that time together. 

What are your plans this weekend?

How do you take time for Romance? How do you offer love to your devoted and yourself ?

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++ I almost forgot!! The Pink /Red Sale ends this monday so hurry over and receive 20% off in both of my shops! Gathering Vintage and Gathering Spriggs

Just enter the code: PINKRED11  when you check out! 

 

(i just added new items to Gathering Vintage.. so full of Romance!)

images: paper roses: blush envy, painting: britt hermann, teacups: gathering spriggs, dress: 

beach image: ada and darcy

A Way With Walls

Decorative wall treatments have been on my mind lately. I started a little file on my desktop to store some favorite images when I first came across the ingenious work of Payton Turner's sticker wallpaper art installations. Then shortly after received word of Galbraith and Paul's Wallpaper debut collection. And this week I stenciled my sister's powder room in a shimmery Baroque style pattern. As a decorative painter by trade I love the idea of bringing art into the home via wallspace. Its my playground. Hopefully with being snowed in this week I can do something a bit experimental on my walls this weekend. 

If you are looking to introduce some pattern and want to customize your colors to a "tee" then here is a special wallpaper offer just for you, GS readers from Herisson!! You have to check out the customizable tool to pick your scale and palette. 

 

Code 1: WALLWARNING = 20% off for consumers at the Studio Herisson site and it can be used twice by each reader. The offer is good through April 30. 

So I wonder... how do you have your way with your walls? paint, paper, found objects...??

images: design is mine, purple area, herisson, payton turner, joanna goddard