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Snow globe

February is the shortest month but often feels quite long to me. It's no secret I'm sick of the perpetual cold and damp. But I'm trying to remember that winter can be beautiful too. The truth is when warmer days approach, and everyone rushes outdoors, I will miss the quiet nights.

The other morning I was lying awake, it was early and barely light, and I heard a train whistle in the distance several times. The nearest train station to us (and I mean a proper train, not metro) is several miles away. I can't remember the last time I heard a train whistle. It doesn't get that quiet around here often and probably only when mornings are so cold everyone spends as long as they can huddled under covers.

Cat Things for Birthday Girls

It's my niece's birthday today, so of course that means I've spent the past few weeks scouring Etsy for cute presents. I kept coming across the most adorable cat things for little girls (and big girls) and thought it would be a shame not to share. I know I have some cat-loving readers who just might see something they like.

Cat dress by Costumini.

Clockwise from top left: Upcycled wool kitten from ouistitine; black cat costume for kids from BHBKidstyle; Kitty Sunset print from A Cat-Like Curiosity; and kitty brooch from andsmile.

"Follow the Leader" greeting card from Sophie Parker.

I didn't actually get any of these things for Maddie, though I did favorite several of them to maybe treat myself! :)

What have you been buying (or browsing) on Etsy lately? I always love to discover new shops so feel free to share in the comments.

Sharing and things

The lovely Jane tagged me with the versatile blogger award. I'm terrible at following all the rules that come with accepting these sorts of internet badges, like nominating 15 other blogs or whatever. But it has been a while since I did a random facts post, and those are always fun...so here you go:

1. I'm an excellent secret keeper and confidant. I sort of learned the hard way growing up that most other people are not similarly inclined.

2. The older I get, the more I realize I will probably never be like most other people, and that's ok.

3. My dad just sent me an article (a real article cut out of a real newspaper-they still make those!) about a couple who got married after being together for 30 years, not sure if that was a not-so-subtle hint to me and Peter or not, but that leads me to this point: I am a professional at putting things off, like for a really really long time. Some people may think they know how to procrastinate, but they are amateurs. (FYI, this is partly (mostly) in jest.)

4. One of my biggest fears is that I'll put off doing the things I know I'm meant to do in this life until it's too late to do them. (not jesting at all here)

5. I was once stuck on an elevator and had to be pulled out between floors by firefighters. After that experience, I never get on an elevator without a cellphone.

6. I hate coconut in most forms. Once when I was little, I won a cake walk and got to pick a cake. I picked one shaped like a bunny because it was so cute. I couldn't wait to get home to eat it, only to find out it was coconut inside and out, which turned out to be the worst thing to my tiny taste buds ever. It was tragic. I've grown to tolerate coconut as an adult, but I still don't really like it.

7. I love to stare out windows and could do it for hours; I think I must be part cat.

Why photos of my bird mobile? I haven't taken any photos of myself that haven't already been posted here a bunch of times (unless you count phone pics), and I'd much rather look at my pretty mobile anyway.

HENSE in DC

I've put off writing this post for weeks because HENSE's latest installation in DC is one of those artworks I have so many thoughts and feelings about it's hard to express them coherently in a short blog post. (And I should warn you now that this is a pic-heavy post.)

I first read about this project last October (when it was still being painted) and made a mental note to check it out at some point. Atlanta-based artist Alex Brewer, a.k.a. HENSE, was commissioned to paint this old boarded-up church that had long been in disrepair. It had apparently been for sale for many years with no takers.

I had seen photos of HENSE's murals in the past, and I expected the church to be similarly colorful and cool and as one person described, "sherbet-y." Obviously, I'm totally down with all of that. But I wasn't expecting it to be beautiful, and breathtakingly so. I will try to give you an idea of what it's like to see it in person.

You walk down Delaware Avenue in Ward 6 where a lot has been planned for the future but not a lot is happening right now, and you pass by some apartments and an old abandoned school and suddenly there's this explosion of color. And as you get closer you start noticing all the patterns and shapes and variations of color, and your heartbeat quickens in step. Moving around the building, there's just so much to see: each section is like its own abstract painting.

To have all of these fields of bright color and dots and scribbles flowing over and around traditional architectural details like arched windows and dentil moldings makes this mural all the more exciting. I have always liked contemporary art juxtaposed with traditional settings. When beautiful things of different eras come together, something altogether new is created, something that sparks curiosity and possibility.

And when sunlight hits all those pretty pastel shades, the church practically glows. It's the kind of sight that just makes you sigh and smile and wish you could hold onto that image forever.

There are so many amazing angles and details, I could have stayed there happily taking photos all day.

When you get up close, there are layers and layers of paint, all in vibrant, colorful shapes and drips and drizzles, all building upon the textured facade. This weathered structure already had layers of cracked and peeling paint, and I love that you can still see those cracks through HENSE's painting. It's like the discovery of generations of multicolored paint and wallpaper layered one over the other that happens when one buys and renovates an older home in DC, each era leaving its mark.

The overwhelming sense I had when looking at this amazing building for the last time before walking away was that it was like something you imagine when you're a kid--this crazy colorful church--but that it exists only in your imagination, or perhaps on the pages of a well-used coloring book. But this is real! HENSE has made something here that is wholly new and special and will undoubtedly inspire many artists (young and old) for a long time to come.

And I have to say, I love living in a city that still surprises me after all these years.

Clockwise from top left: "Full Moon" by The Pixel Files; "Le Lapin Jaune" by Sarah Ryan; Nour by Erin Jorgensen; and "As Lucy Watches, Jules Collects the First Snowflakes of Winter" by Amanda Blake.

I guess if I had to pin down a theme for this week's collection, I'd say it's about natural wonders and celestial things, the importance of light balanced by dark. But sometimes things just fit without a lot of exposition and analysis (said every artist to every art critic ever-haha).

Making Valentines

Last week, I made some heart valentines for my nephews and niece (well, the ones who are old enough to know what Valentine's Day is and aren't likely to swallow small toys, anyway).

For the boys, I made these little heart envelopes using this tutorial from the Purl bee, only instead of filling with candy, I included some tiny toy treasures (pictured here: a metal knight I brought back from the Tower of London years ago and a blue bear pencil topper).

For my niece, I made a heart hair clip in her favorite colors: pink and pink.* There's a bit of lavender in there too on the embroidery thread, but it's hard to see in this photo. I didn't use a tutorial for this one as I was just doing my regular thing.

In other news, I will be shipping out a heart garland today to a lucky someone who ordered it from my shop. It feels good to spread so much love around. ;)

Have you guys made any valentines yet? If you have, leave a link in the comments. I'd love to check them out!

*Whenever I hear "pink and pink," it makes me think, "My colors are blush and bashful" from Steel Magnolias. Anyone else remember that movie? It's one of those films I saw when I was very young so I can't even evaluate whether it is a good movie or not, but certain lines and scenes will probably stick with me forever.

Catapalooza

Hey DC folks! The Washington Animal Rescue League is having their annual "Catapalooza" adoption event and fundraiser tomorrow (Sunday) from 12-3 pm. One of the organizers contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I'd like to donate something from my shop for a raffle prize. Of course, I said yes, and sent over a cat brooch like this one:

There will be lots of cute kitties that need homes (all have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, etc.) and if you bring a 5 lb bag of cat food, the adoption fee is only $14! Also, there will be lots of great raffle prizes and cupcakes from my most favorite place, Hello Cupcake.

Even if you can't take (or don't want) a cat right now, it's still a fun way to support The Washington Animal Rescue League in their efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals that have nowhere else to go. And did I mention cupcakes?? :)

the Scared is scared

This video is completely adorable and funny, and I had to share.



The filmmaker says, "I asked a six-year-old what my movie should be about, and this is what he told me." I think he gives very good advice. :)

Clockwise from top left: "Octobre" by aliette; "Disappearing Landscape II" and "The Flying Exercise" both by Jesús Perea; and "Beach Towels" by Carl Christensen.

I don't know about you, but this collection is making me crazy for warmer weather! It makes me want to go to some hot place and spend the day exploring and swimming. I love all the saturated washes of color, the cute mushrooms and whimsical, diving ladies. Looking at these happy prints on my wall would easily take my mind off my frozen toes for at least a few minutes every day. :)

Bits of January

Cupcakes and I discovered light leaks on IG (apologizing in advance); Peter; pizza pizza!; and waiting for dinner on a random weeknight.

Finally put up this snug mobile I've had for years; shadows on a sunny morning; an owl made with one of my old sweaters from the amazingly-talented Beth; and crazy light outside our windows on a cold afternoon.

Received a surprise package in the mail; footprints in the melting snow; spent an afternoon in a cozy bookstore; and a pretty fountain at the museum.

If you're on IG, let me know! My username is @my_hideaway. :)

Fun Valentine's Day Gift Guide

(miniature movable Valentine dolls by Jordan Grace Owens)

With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, I thought I'd share a fun gift guide with all the things men stereotypically give women on this occasion, only a bit more tongue-in-cheek. Here are some popular gift ideas, in no particular order:

(brass diamond studs by Rachel Pfeffer; and mini gem studs by gemagenta)

(pretty pink cake pops soap by Mad City Soap; giant ice cream cone lamp from perpetual kid; cotton candy twist sugar scrub by Mad City Soap; and conversation hearts iphone case from shannonblue)

(black lace headband by branchbound; gold-dipped lace bow necklace by made by maru; vintage-inspired black lace and butterflies postcards from archiviogotico; and vintage lace necklaces by That Old Blue House)

(floral birdhouse necklace by Peaches and Pebbles; and "Nightshade" by Janet Hill).

Are you a traditionalist when it comes to Valentine's Day or do you prefer slightly offbeat gifts? I'm sure you could guess that I prefer handmade over anything else, but I've never been one to turn down chocolates either. :)