gathering spriggs

Things I Love Thursdays: Musical Madness

Ok. Do you want to hear a funny story? When it comes to music I have a lot of self deprecating tales to tell. Let me explain. Naturally, I am not very musical at all. Yes. I took piano lessons and sang in several chorales between the ages of 12-17 but it became clear to all of my mentors that I really had no rhythm! I mean, I have a hard time clapping to a song. I just aint got the beat. That combined with the fact that I was restricted to only listening to Classical and Christian music growing up made me pretty much a musical moron. (not that there is anything wrong with these musical genres .. i just became severely limited)  So what did I do? I married a muscian! 

And thus began my education of a new art form. We began with rock history, then moved to current indie music trends and of course everything guitar related (Robert is a Classical Guitarist with a emphasis on Latin American music although he has played in just about every kind of band from Country to 80's cover). So over the last 8 years I have improved my musical vocabulary as well as been introduced to some really fabulous groups. Last night, Robert and I attended our second Metric concert here in Nashville. We stuck out like sore thumbs amongst the sea of urban hipsters all under the age of 25 with leather, leggings and cute ankle boots. ( I just never have been that hip-- remember, I have been described as Granny Chic) But the funny part is that although we desperately tried to blend in we ended up sitting at a table and booth behind the bar, plugging our ears. It was hot, loud and really crowded. I felt much too old and tired for this much cool! We stayed through the whole thing because Robert always needs to get his money's worth. And it was a good show from what we heard. But we were happy to get back to the comforts of home and hearth. Maybe I will just keep listening to my Metric Pandora radio station in the peace of my office here in our home in the woods. 

Here is a little list of some of my favorite current musical selections (thanks to the husband and Pandora - my other lover)

1. Camera Obscura

2. LaRoux

3. The Innocence Mission

4. Ingrid Michaelson

5. The Black Keys

6. Over the Rhine

7. Bat For Lashes

8. Stars

So how about you?? I know that you have a ton more suggestions for a less than musical marvel as myself. What's on your playlist today? 

images: heather spriggs thompson

Things I Love Thursdays: Its a Wrap

 

When Natalie of Stansberry Designs emailed me this week to share her vintage inspired Fall collection, I was instantly inspired to concoct a post with all of my favorite wraps for Fall. Plus there is finally a nip in the air here in Nashville and the leaves are beginning to turn so I must go pilfer through the closet for all my winter accessories. But these collections have me convinced that I may need a few more additions this year. How do you wrap for winter? I live in a pretty mild climate so I am still learning how to layer appropriately but love the idea of some wooly pieces mixed with knits. How about you??

images: top-stansberry designs collage-otto knits, thai elephant, two sea side babes, bottom- lazybones

Things I Love Thursdays: Etsy Treasuries

 

  

 

Do you love a good treasury?? I know I do. And this week two of my Gathering Vintage items were featured in what I would imagine to be the best curated treasuries I have seen in awhile. I love the color stories of both of these ... two very different yet both enticing. The first is inspired by fall weddings titled: Lavender Love  and the second is curated by Leah Sawyer in Australia who is looking forward to Spring in her treasury, Hello Spring.  Have fun browsing these two different seasonal treasuries!

images: for original image sources please see the treasury links

 

Things I Love Thursdays: TeaTime

 

 

 

 

 

Everyday starts new with a cup of tea. The most consumed worldwide beverage (after water) is my daily dose of happy. Last week my friend Eve and her daughter Hannah joined me for a tea luncheon at our local tea house, Savannah Tea Company. Not only did we enjoy pots of Lavender Tea and Chicken Salad Sandwhiches but the joy of watching 4 year old Hannah try a multitude of hats on that hang on the walls for guests engage with. Soon, we all joined in and tried on vintage hats from floral straw to pillbox. Few other things bring me so much pleasure than taking tea with dear friends. In honor of the day I came home to start work on the above painting. It still a work in progress but I am working on courage to share more of my art with you instead of waiting on perfection. Thanks for being here to let me share with you. So if you are in the Nashville area someday... lets get together for tea! :) 

 images:1. jeeze vanilla tumblr 2. your granny was chic 3. heather spriggs thompson (me) 4.source unknown ..repinned from pinterest 5. heather spriggs thompson

Things I Love Thursdays: Scalloped Edges

 

 

 

There are few things that bring me sheer joy and pleasure more than doilies. Even before they were uber popular I used them on every surface of my house. I've made entire art installation pieces from them, printed with them, made curtains from them, painted them and pretty much immortalized their beauty. But what I really love are their beautiful scalloped edges. So today I pursue new versions (from some creative crafters) of my long love affair. 

What do you think ... love em or hate em? are you over the fad? 

images: top-bottom: vessels and wares, packagery, gathering vintage (purse), down and out chic (owl pin) pinned from pinterest (doily clock-- folly and glee), wolf and willow, uncommon (doily coasters)

 

Things I Love Thursdays: Watercolor Art

 

Yes, I'm on a watercolor high lately. After purchasing some Holbeins and some new paper recently I am having fun playing with water media again. Of course I am not nearly developed as some of these highly accomplished artists (who are my inspiration right now), but I am having fun in the process. Or at least trying...And sometimes that seems to be the hardest part for me is enjoying the process and not fretting about the outcome. {especially when my mind is saturated with new business ideas and marketing tips } But those darn negative voices that whisper to me during the process makes this feel more like a battle than a Sunday picnic. However some have pulled through this battle and made it to the other side. I really found Stephanie's advice from yesterday's post very helpful and wanted to share... She seems very balanced and in tune with her creative self.

"I think the best advice I can give is to show up and follow through. Don't get overwhelmed by all of it. Take it one small sweet step at a time. There were so many times that I talked myself out of following my dream. My work was never quite right, I didn't have enough money for start up costs...if only you could have been in my head, it was exhausting. I finally decided to just do it and developed my "I can do this" mantra. I nibbled away at my to do list and every time the negative self-talk started I would repeat my mantra. It actually worked."

Do You have a Mantra to help you through your creative struggles?? I'm all ears.

images: sweet small steps, gathering spriggs, masha dyans, dimdi

Things I Love Thursdays: Pretty Packaging

Hello dear friends!! Shwew! Its been one of those days. Last night I found myself at the Urgent Care Center after falling down my stairs with a hugely swollen ankle. But after the Xray they determined that it was not broken just severely sprain. So I am on bed rest for the week and weekend. Oh, my. I have never had an injury like this before but its so hard being immobile. (especially when I have stairs). Have you ever been immobile? or had bed rest?? I never knew how much I liked moving around. But its great because I have even more time to spend with you!

So to make myself feel better, I am pursuing all things pretty. I love sending out pretty packages from my Etsy shops. And did you see the personalized calligraphy return address label stamp? (LOVE!) 

So thanks for being with me dear friends... more later.

images: tinted mint, california craft, ashley pahl, lemon and lavender, oh so beautiful paper

Things I Love Thursdays: Home Sweet Home

 

Happy Thursday friends! Hope all is well for you. I am running out the door to work this morning but have been thinking about how wonderful it is to be home, back home, in my home with my husband and our baby dog, after 8 weeks of company and traveling this summer. So here is my salute to a timeless motto made current by these fabulous artists!

images: glorious wall stickers, thimbly things, chez sucre chez,tamara maynes

Things I Love Thursdays: Fabric Tape

 

 

 

Happy Thursday friends! How are you dears?? Do you ever think about the simple things in life which bring you joy? Sometimes just dreaming about an object of beauty or smelling a flower on an evening walk with me dog can cause my heart to jump with delight. Lately it has been the idea of Fabric tapes. Although I still love the colorful masking tapes these other Japanese imports have a tactile quality that create a sense of homey comfort. Two of my favorite resources right now are the etsy shops: Wonderland Room and Nothing Elegant. In fact, I think I just might order some now to brighten my day!

How about you? What are the little things that bring you a little bit of happiness?

** Also, thanks for the mention Marie! I'm honored beyond words!! :)

images: wonderland room and nothing elegant

Things I Love Thursdays: Sisters

  

 

 

 

Greetings dear friends. For today's Things I Love Thursdays I have been inspired by the special moments I am sharing with my younger sister who is visiting for the month. Although we are seventeen years apart in age its as if we share the same heart. (she's not your average teenager; more of an old soul which is good for me!). She is the blonde in the second image (along with me and my other sister). As the eldest of three I feel especially honored to have such a connection with my dear sisters. We laugh a lot and make up funny sayings that only we understand. We can give each other " the look" and its all over.  

Usually in life, as women, true soul sisters are hard to come by and I started pondering the idea of intimate friendships between women. And I wondered about you.. Do you have any soul sisters, any friends that create an instant heart connection? Someone you can talk for hours with over a hot beverage?

images: amy smiffy, heather s thompson for gathering spriggs, signs and wonders, jade m sheldon tori mercedes

for more images of sisters visit my flickr gallery..