... a moment to myself?
please.

(name that 80's movie.)

Well, my dearest and beloved digital camera is all packed up and ready to ship to Canon for repair. May she have a quick and painless journey.

This is the film Rebel that my friend gave me. I have a roll of slide film in there now so I can try out the magic that is cross-processing. I can not wait to see the results. I have to really restrain myself from blasting through the roll haphazardly. Two more good things about film: slowing down and feeling the anticipation.

We're trying a little something new at the Noticing Project for the few weeks my camera will be gone. I'm excited and a little nervous, and we hope you'll enjoy it.

One last thing, I'm going over to my shop right now to discount the bags and the apron still available. They're doing no one any good just hanging unused in my studio.

Have a great week!

Posted by Alicia at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Grace and her family came and stayed with us for a few days on their way through town.

We introduced them to fireflies! (and mosquitoes and chiggers.) They introduced us to some fairies who left behind magic dust.

We relaxed and talked. We traded baby dolls. The kids all became instant best buddies.

I also introduced her to some local friends. We laughed. and laughed. and laughed.

(Sweet Chris took this photo. I borrowed it. I had to. Look at Laura - that's how we felt all evening.)

And then they were gone. Have a safe and wonderful adventure, my good friends.

Posted by Alicia at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

There's just something about film. A shallower depth, a hazier quality, a different kid of focus? I can't put my finger on it, but it's there. These three are a few favorites from my first roll of film. My girl in a flowered dress.

I was hoping for five good prints. Out of 24 there are maybe 10 that I love and 5 that'll do. The rest aren't so hot, but that is fine by me. The film was expired- I dug it out of the bottom of a drawer. It's at least three years old. It added some unexpected color to a few and a lack of color to others. One roll and I am hooked. This could be a pricey addiction, so I must take it slowly.

I started a Film set at flickr, so if you're interested you can monitor my progress.

Can't you hear all the old school photographers laughing at us, as each of us re-discovers the beauty of good ol' film? I can.

Posted by Alicia at 09:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Hello.

Yesterday was officially a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I did something really STUPID and now I have to send my beloved camera off to be repaired. It's damaged and it is my fault. It put me in a horrible mood all day, and I was mean to my babies which made me feel guilty, and then I had to have my teeth cleaned (which is no biggie, but it could quite possibly be the least relaxing place in the world.) I made dinner late and everyone was crabby and as I sat down to eat with them, I cried my eyes out. And they looked at me like I was nuts. So to cheer myself up even more, I balanced the checkbook. Just typing about it all now makes my eyes fill up with tears again. So silly.

Well, I guess now is my chance to try out film. I never had the old Fuji repaired, but my good friend Jamie let me take over the care and feeding of her Canon Rebel- which is very cool because the lenses are interchangable with the XT. I shot this roll of film last week, and I'm terrified to take it in. What a dope. And we're going to have to get creative over at the Noticing Project. We're working on that now.

I'm going to limp along with the digital camera a few more days because I need it this weekend. Some very special visitors are coming... I'm so excited. I am SURE that will cheer me up!

Posted by Alicia at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

So whatchy'all been up to?

At night I've been working on a few crafty things (mostly little gifts, shhhhh.) and on a website for a friend, which is so mind-numbingly technical until it is done and then all I want to do is strip naked and do cartwheels in the yard, because I'm so proud of myself. But I'm not there yet. I'll let you know when I am. wink.

Having both kids with me during the day means there's not time to get much done in the studio. I can't see the back yard from in here, but I can from the kitchen window. From the kitchen I can see if she is smiling as he sticks the garden hose down the back of her swim suit, exactly WHO spilled the economy size container of bubbles, or if the squeals are of the delight or terror varieties. The terror ones usually revolve around a bug. The boy has a love of all things creepy and crawly. The girl does not. You know how that equation ends.

Anyway, back to the kitchen. Cooking feels creative and helps keep me somewhat sane-ish. Here are a few of the more successful things we made in the last week:

A small scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between warm chocolate chip cookies. SO easy. SOOO yummy.

Strawberry leathers from this recipe. Ours turned out a little sticky. I didn't spread them thin enough. They were tasty, but I'll try using less sugar next time.

Southwest veggie burgers. Brian invented these. Your favorite veggie burger topped with pepper-jack cheese, sliced avocado, and baja sauce. (we have a weakness for that sauce.) These are best with salt and pepper kettle chips and an ice cold beer.

Big green salads topped with cold peas, dried cranberries, hardboiled eggs, and a sliced grilled chicken breast.

Vegetable stir fry with noodles. On the patio- that's the important part. Sadly, my wok died. The non-stick coating started coming off in big flakes, which is not the kind of seasoning we enjoy, so I'm looking for a new one. (keep dreamin, Alicia.) One pan meals make me happy.

And guess what?! Blueberry season opened today. Woo hoo! We are going to have to go soon. Maybe Saturday morning.

Alright. I'm getting hungry. Time to go start dinner!

Posted by Alicia at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)

I joined Martha's s t i l l project this week.

my photographs:

a few favorites from others:

please click through to flickr to see the photographers.
and visit the group pool. There are some real beauties in there.

to summarize:

I love the down at eye level, naturally lit from the side shot the best.
A more subdued color palette appeals to me.
The most perfect (to me) photographs feel calm and quiet.

(I knew all of these things already.)

Happy Weekending!!

Posted by Alicia at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (26)

well... not exactly starving. But isn't that how the saying goes?

I am finding just a little studio time these days. Dearest Emily ordered a custom artist apron, so in my eyes that justifies pulling this one out of the shop to keep for myself. A new apron makes me happy. **smile**

I wanted to remind you that there are still a few items in my Shop Mayfly and also that the Noticing Project Shop is still quietly waiting. We've been thinking up ideas for something new over there. Hopefully more on that soon.

Is your week going well?

xo.

Posted by Alicia at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

the things that fill our days:

soaking up the sun- through a barrier of spf 1013, of course.

hanging out downtown with Heather and Matt and visiting Hannah at her GORGEOUS show opening. Well, J and I did. Brian stayed home with N and her mystery fever, which was gone by morning.

picking more strawberries. yum.

visiting Papa's chickens.

on the agenda this week... MORE of the same! Perhaps I can even get a few creative things done too.

Happy Monday, my friends!

Posted by Alicia at 07:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Hello, friends. It's late Spring in Kansas City and that always means crazy weather. We went out after a storm last night to take some photos of the amazing sky it left behind.

The weather is fitting for the whirlwind that early summer brings. Friends, play dates, swim team, baseball, dinner on the patio, popsicles, Boy Scout camp. It's all wonderful, sticky fun but it leaves little time for computer/studio work.

So if you read less from me, I apologize. Just know that we're here- the kids whoopin' it up and the mama happy yet dog tired come the end of a day.

xo,
Alicia

Posted by Alicia at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)