April Glimpse

April was a rush of days, flying by faster then ever.

I've spent a lot of time snuggling my darling niece and trying to steal her.

Some favorite things of the month...

I could listen to this forever.

A long-lost friend returns.

Then there were fresh strawberries and cat naps, though not necessarily together.

Heather spent her last couple days in Greenville with me, snuggling Pearl and letting her sweet Elsa steal my hubby's heart.

Then it was time for the final farewell and the trek to Chicago. I went with her to help her settle in and to delay saying goodbye for as long as possible.

At the new place. 

We unpacked the whole house in about 2 days and got it mostly set up.

Not much sleep.

We, of course, did make a pilgrimage to Ikea.

Then it was back home and a flurry of getting ready for the show this past Saturday.

Perhaps May will be a better month for blogging?

 Or maybe next year. ;-)

Not pictured:

- raspberry balsamic vinegar

- naps

- feeling the urge to travel

- mint green polish on my toes

- early birthday present from Cory, an iPod touch! (I'm one of the few remaining people in the world without an iPhone, so this was very exciting for me)

- new mailbox

- beach dreaming

- obsessed with French pop music

- maxi dresses

- abandoning the garden

- dear friends, helping

- some organization, never enough

- tearful goodbyes

Crafty Feast

Life is a whirlwind.

I will try to drop by on Monday with an update on where in the world I've been.

Crafty Feast, this weekend.

I'll be there.

Come visit!

The Upstart Crow

The Upstart Crow is a creative scholarship project, and it's my new favorite thing. A dear friend of ours, Micah Coston, has been accepted for doctoral research in English and Shakespeare Studies at some of the oldest and best universities in the world (Oxford, Cambridge, and The Shakespeare Institute). But the cost to attend is staggering, so he's using creativity to beat the odds. A group of friends, including Cory and I, have joined together to create The Upstart Crow to help raise the funds.

Check out this video to learn more about the project:
(Art & Animation by Cory, Cinematography by J. Aaron Greene, Music by Micah Coston)

Please visit The Upstart Crow to learn more and to donate.

Also, please pass the video on. Every little bit helps!

Weekend Glimpse

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend!

 I started off the weekend by enjoying the launch party for Pathwright, an online system that is going to change education as we know it. It was created by some friends, and in a nutshell, Pathwright allows anyone anywhere to teach on online course for any kind of audience. 

Check it out!

Easter brunch at my parent's.

Our weekend got a whole lot more exciting when my little niece decided to come 3 weeks early.

This tiny darling is Pearl Evelyn Koelle, and I want to eat her up.

Not pictured:

- stockpiling the Easter peanut butter M&M's

- fresh local strawberries

- hospital visiting

- Muppet movie

- queso dip

- admiring tiny little toes

- cleaning the garage

- cats in boxes

- procrastinating

- reading

Easter Eggs

I've run out of time to decorate for Easter this year, but am loving all the creative ideas I've seen around. Easter eggs seem to be back as the star of the show, and they're glammed up this year with bright colors, metallics, and unique textures and designs.

Check out some of my favorite Easter egg projects...

Source: pencilshavingsblog.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: sweetpaulmag-digital.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: countryliving.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: sweetpaulmag-digital.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: lepapierstudio.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: dotcomsformoms.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: fabulouskblog.com via Erin on Pinterest

How about you? What's your favorite Easter project?

March Glimpse

Soooooo.... I think I'm back. My blogging hiatus ended up being a lot longer than I anticipated. And now apparently March is over (when did that happen?).  Here's what I've been up to...

 My big event, Greenville Grok, went off without a hitch. Which meant I went without a lot of sleep.

 One of my awesome volunteers.

 Lots of smart people and fancy coffee.

 Special signage for our big sponsor

Lib made the logo out of wire, then wrapped it in yarn. It only took about 8 hours.

Waiting for the afterparty to start. 

Paper chandelier made by Lib and I, custom pillows printed by Dapper Ink.

 The highlight of the afterparty: mini milkshakes!

And my dear friend Emily.

Also in March, Cory and I attended a Farm to Table dinner hosted by our favorite local organic grocer, Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery.

We grabbed some veggies while we were there.

Space manicure, done by the amazing Janelle.

 Trying to win at Life.

March also marked the departure of one of my best friends, Heather.

These dear folk are now in Chicago, which really stinks (at least for me).

After Grok, I spent the rest of the month packing up their house, helping with the move, and hosting a farewell party.  For the party, I printed off lots of pictures from Facebook, and stuck them up all over using washi tape. It was really fun to look back on old memories and all the people who love them.

 What's a party without cupcakes?

And of course a fire.

Not pictured:

- lots of ice cream sandwiches

- techno music

- strawberry pic

- 30 Rock

- papercuts

- much-needed massage

- boxes, boxes, boxes

- taxes, taxes, taxes

- ICP planning

- crafting

- not cleaning my house

- not doing laundry

- messed up sleep schedule

- waiting for my niece to arrive

- Pinteresting

- pink skinny jeans

- flip-flops