Giraffes are Cute

Use them, and they will help you get ahead in life.

Indeed!

(Are you sick of giraffe posts yet?)

Image via Lolita

There's a Giraffe in my Room!

Well, not yet anyway!

Image from Domino via Simply Stated via Pink Wallpaper

I know this might seem a little juvenile to some, but honestly?! I don't see why I couldn't put one of these on a wall in our home. Heck, we could have a whole menagerie!



I also wouldn't mind the monkey hanging from my shower curtain rod.



Which animal would you choose?!

Primping

Home girl has been waaayy overdue for a haircut, until last week...


I went and saw Jamie, at Primp, and she gave me some shorter layers, switched up the bangs, and brightened me up just in time for the warmer spring-y weather!

I love what she did SO much that I've been shouting it from the rooftops ever since!

To Jump, Or Not to Jump

I've been meaning to post about this riveting topic for a while now... it's quite controversial... are you ready?

I'm going to give you the topic, and then you can talk amongst ya'selves...



Jumpsuits.



They're either in...



or they're out.



Discuss.



Oh, and I'll let you in on a little secret... I already broke down and picked one up this week. Hopefully it will be warm enough to wear this weekend and I can outfit-post it soon!


(For more great jumpsuit shots, see darling Swoonworthy's AWESOME round-up, here.)



Images via Design Dig, Fashion Nation, and HiStyley.

Bicycle Basket

I'd like to introduce you to two of our very best friends.

Michael and Kristyn

They are in the process of adopting a little boy from Ethiopia, and I continue to be blessed by watching them faithfully and enthusiastically pursue this new addition to their little family.

They have already encountered incredible miracles along the way, and I can't wait to see the further extra special blessings that the Lord has in store for them.

You can follow their journey at Bicycle Basket, where they both write letters to their future son about love, dreams, and the beautiful life that this little boy will one day be a part of.

We can't WAIT for your arrival, little one! Auntie Jessie is praying for you everyday, and I hope that you get here soon!

Applebottom Babies

T-Payne: Fighting childhood obesity, one super-hip dance groove at a time.

Wait until you see this kid's moves.

BEST two minutes and 45 seconds of my day.

Easy.

Thanks, Kel!

Miss Ruby Sue

Loving these accessories by Etsy seller, Miss Ruby Sue!

Manhattan Brasage





Countess Daphne

Giddy Up Girl


Whimsical, bright, and perfect for springtime. Think of what these babies could do for jeans and a white t-shirt!

via Craft Yourself Rich

Piperlime Pick of the Week (Month? Season?)

Springety-spring!


Warmier weather has me jonesin' for a pair of sunny yellow flats... I found some pretty little picks on Piperlime this week, and I thought I'd share them with you!

Xavier by Theory - SALE $149.99

Poodle by AK Anne Klein - SALE $49.99

6005 by Belle by Sigerson Morrison - SALE $209.99

Have a lovely (warm) weekend, my dears!!!! MWAH!!! XOXOX

Camera CUTE!

I've got an extra special side project in the works right now... one that means a lot of 'together time' with my camera et moi.

Before I can become completely comfortable with carrying it with me everywhere, I think I'm going to need juuuuuuuust the right accessories. :)

Vintage Seat Belt Camera Strap (in teal)!

Vintage camera bag!

Itty bitty camera necklace... too cute!

And last but DEFinitely not least, a comfy shoe for trekking around KC!

Caged In

Me and the Zo'ster, trying to show Sadie that it's fun to hang out in her new kennel.

Please note that the kennel is only about 2' x 3'.

..Aaaand that I had to stay in that very position for about an hour before my muscles would let me unfurl.

Potatoes

Just a few of the things I'm loving right now, from Three Potato Four:

Violet + Tulip + Rose Glasses - Al fresco dining anyone?

Stuffed Pleather Seal - For a kids room? NO! MY room! :)

Giraffe Stamp Stickers - I will stick one on you if you don't watch out.

Hovis Bread Tin - Darling addition to my little growing garden!

Born to Stitch

Want to create some embroidered fun of your very own??

It can be such a relaxing and rewarding way to keep your hands busy while you ride the bus, watch a movie, or take a long plane ride.

Jenny Hart from Sublime Stitching has put a whole new spin on needlework, and I think her patterns and kits are a great way to start. There is nothing old-fashioned about her designs, and her website is full of great ideas of ways to use the items that they sell. Feeling a little more ambitious? Do as I do and freehand your own designs on the fabric of your choice, and then just go town!!!

I'd love to know if any of you have ever tried your hand at the needle... feel free to email me photos of your work, and I'll share them here on The Stone! You never know when you might help inspire something wonderful in a fellow blog reader!

Happy Stitching and I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Stitched Buggies

Who knew that I'd love to stitch bugs even more than I like to draw them?! These are some of the little guys that I made for the Urban Bazaar a few months back.

They're still looking for a good home if anyone is interested! ;)

Woolly Embroidery

Love this book for great tips, techniques, and pretty patterns!

My Dad got mine for me at Bon Bon Atelier the last time he was in KC...

Which brings me to the best news of my week: He is flying in tonight for a long-weekend-Easter-visit!

Perhaps this means another embroidery book is my near future! ;)

Vintage Needlework

Show and Tell time!!!

Here are some photos of my favorite crewel work pieces in my vintage needlework collection...

I love the way they look clustered together on the lavendar walls in the guest room. The colors are so bright, and the distressed frames and splotchy linen are what give them character!

Someday soon, when I get the arrangement just right, I'll show you the whole wall. :)

Dana Carlson

Welcome to Day Two of Embroidery Week at The Lucky Stone! Today's featured artist is Dana Carlson.

Discovering Dana Carlson has completely changed the way that I look at my own needlework. Have you ever come across an artist or a designer who has done that for you? I honestly had no idea that applique, embellishment, and embroidery could be so magically ethereal... and it has got me thinking all about the risks I take (or don't take) and the choices I make within my own little hoop.

Most of the pieces featured here were created using not just embroidery but also applique, beading, and painting on satin or brocade fabric. The outcome? Wispy-sugary-bright goodness, with quite a bit of depth, and a few quirky animals thrown in for fun.

She has a refreshingly unconventional use of patterns, and despite the vast majority of textures and colors that she uses, never comes across as contrived or corny. In a very unique way, she communicates a playful elegance through what she creates.

Who puts bows around mountains? Dana does, that's who! And I LOVE it! She is a master of taking fun and silly concepts, and working them into her pieces with intention and flare.

Her use of colors is truly energizing! This woman has no fear, and I can only imagine what it would be like to learn a few tips from such a master.

Dana, thank you for impacting the world of art through your innovative use of embroidery and your bold styling... Today I'm feeling inspired and tonight, I think I'll try to test out some funky new ideas of my very own!

*Thanks to Marichelle for posting about Dana a few weeks ago... I might never have come across her otherwise!

Stay tuned for more Embroidery Week fun! Tomorrow, I'll be posting a show-and-tell of my very own vintage needlework collection! Can't wait to share!

Hello, Good Morning!

A stitched greeting from me to you!

(By way of and thanks to Emma Smart.)

My Embroidered Heart

My very most favorite form of art is embroidery... did you already know that about me?

It's true. I love anything that has been "painted with thread", and I also love to make my own little embroidered works of art, as well.

I have come across SO many images of wonderfully creative and gorgeous needlework recently, that I just could not resist sharing them with you, my dear luckies.

This hereby officially begins the start of Embroidery Week at The Lucky Stone!

(Don't you dare leave now. This is not going to turn into a Grandma-centric yarn fest! We're talking about beautiful and modern needlework, here...)

Let's kick things off with the fabulously graphic pieces of Gillian Bates.

The Flower Stall

Machine embroidery is something that I have not quite gotten the hang of yet, but Gillian is an absolute master. At first glance, I thought that she was an illustrator, and that these lovely pieces of hers were line drawings, but at closer inspection, I realized that I was way off.

The Palace Pier

Looking through her work reminded me of flipping through photographs from a favorite vacation... each is a special little glimpse of life; a memory that needed to be captured by more than a shutter and flash. Yes, I think that I much prefer the way of fabric and thread. :)

St. Leonards

My favorites (shown here) all happen to have a similar theme, and they all remind me of the summer that is hopefully on it's way to KC (windchill is 20 degrees as I type this). I'm so glad I came across Gillian's work, and I plan on continuing to follow and be inspired by her charming designs.



Also, check out Gillian's Etsy shop for art prints and postcards made from her original embroidery! Go now, she has ice cream!

Inspired by Beautiful Things

Although she is all the way across the sea, Anna at Absolutely Beautiful Things (one of the very first blogs I started reading), had a whole lot to do with an outfit I wore last week. Her keen eye for lovely color combos was the first thing that popped into my head when trying to find a top to go with my beloved red jeans the other day

Here was the inspiration:

Image via Wide Open Spaces Journal

And here is what I came up with:

A tad hard to tell, but the cardi is actually a very pale pink.

Funny how the blogworld connects people in these quirky little ways, isn't it?

Belated Blog Birthday!

Cupcake with Lit Candle by Etsy Seller Grandhorse

Dang it, people!!! I forgot my own blog birthday!!!


Last week (March 26), The Lucky Stone turned one year old!


I can't believe I've been a part of something as wonderful as the blog community for over a year! It has been a source of inspiration, blessings, and encouragement during a challenging, yet amazing, 12 months of my life.


I can honestly say that blogging has changed who I am and how I see the world, and I am so grateful that you take the time to visit and share this piece of my life with me.


In honor of the occasion, I am posting the very first thing I ever wrote for The Lucky Stone, and hopefully you will get a glimpse of what originally inspired me to start blogging in the first place.

Inspiration

When I was little, I used to search for "lucky stones" with my grandpa in
the woods. Looking back at these special moments, I smile on some of my most
cherished childhood memories.

Walking along the trail next to the creek, we'd find pocketfuls of raw
quartz, tucked under fallen tree branches or buried beneath the ponderosa
needles. They were usually a cloudy, brownish-grey on the outside and had very
stubborn dirt caked into the grooves. I always tried to brush the dirt off with
the sleeve of my jacket or a little bit of spit, but Bompa would gently tell me
to wait. No matter how many times we had done it before, I needed reminding that
if I could just wait until we brought the stones back to his workshop, I'd be
able to see their true beauty.

When we would arrive back at the house, we'd gently wash the grimy little
stones in the kitchen sink, and then the excitement would build as we took them
out into his shop. I'd wait with anticipation as he got out his tools and began
to break those little plain-looking stones in half.

One by one, they'd fall open to reveal the most delicately glimmering pink
insides. They would catch and reflect even the softest light in their shiny new
surface that looked like pink lace, and I can still remember being able to
admire them for what seemed like hours. These pieces of rose quartz became my
treasures, and I filled many jewelry boxes and coin purses with my collection.
They were valuable to me because my grandpa had treated them like magical gifts
fit only for a princess, but they were also special because I felt as though I
had been a part of helping them reach their true and glowing
potential.

I picked the name "Lucky Stone" for my blog and my Etsy Store as a reminder
that proverbially searching for lucky stones should be a part of our everyday
lives. Whether it is a person, a home, or a vintage piece of furniture -
believing that something old and tired can be seen as beautiful again is a
quality that will truly make our lives brighter.

My grandpa is no longer on this earth, but he is still very much alive in my
heart. He taught me to see things through a hopeful eye, and to always consider
that the mystery of beauty is often lying just beneath the surface - in the end,
all it took to make those little stones shine was a little bit of
love.

Happy Birthday, Zoe!

My Beautiful Kitty.

Two years old today... they grow up so fast, don't they?!

OH, and Happy April Fools Day to all of you!!! Is anyone playing tricks on their co-workers/family today!?!? I'm dying to hear stories!