New baubles

I do love thread and leather together.

Evening winds down...

 

I've been missing Christmas glitter this year, wishing the house smelled of pine. Since we travel and don't want to leave the kitty with a tree unsupervised, no tree for me. Instead, I finally went out in the yard and created our very own mini tree.

Aren't the stars sweet?

I find myself working steadily.  Finishing projects, including the above manatee purse. That's right- Manatee. Purse. I know.

And now, snuggling into the couch before going out for some rock music.  

Tomorrow is my birthday. We'll be celebrating it along with the memory of a dear friend we lost last week. It will be a good day. It's been an interesting week, to say the least. 

xoxoxox

 

The rain is falling tonight. The house is quiet. Fidgit is napping in the studio chair, the Musician is at practice. I've sewn, tooled and painted my right arm into a tired bliss. Meditation to the soothing sounds outside and asanas will follow soon, then a cup of steaming tea.

I give thanks for my hands and the ability to use them for beauty. I am glad for my family, friends and loves that have attached each one to my heart. Wishing only that I had thought to pull wood from the shed before the rain. A fire would be the icing on the cozy cake tonight.

I hope you are well, and full of comfort.

love to all.

How do you play?

The latest

I've finally found another stone large  enough to set with leather! Hooray!

This red beauty was inspired by my yoga practice. A reminder of the muscles that allow me to tool leather, rest in downward dog, twist and turn. I am grateful for the strength beneath my skin.

Wheeee

There's nothing better than to succumb to making lust. This red suede has been haunting my thoughts since last summer. I finally scooped it up a few months ago and finally, finally it is what it should be. 

I made BOOTS! 

Such a satisfying way to start autumn. I love my moccasins.

It's nearly time

For the second yoga teacher training weekend! It has been a very  interesting month trying to practice and meditate everyday.  Not to mention dealing with the range of emotions that have been welling up. I've learned a lot more about myself already.  I can't wait for next weekend!

Here are some photos from last weekend. :)

These are all on my walk to and from the studio, some early in the morning, some in the evening. All of it was beautiful.


I've been back in action at my work bench too, so new leather goodness is on it's way soon! Hooray!

My goodness

What a weekend this was! All yoga, all the time! Asheville feels like a second home already, it reminds me so of my college's town. I felt tucked in as soon as the mountains reached around the roads.  How much we learned on our mats, how many muscles you think of when only standing! My body is tired, my soul is eager, my mind is still whirling with the goodness of the teachings.

There are photos to come, of my walk between the studio and the house I'm staying in, but I haven't had a chance to suck them on to the computer yet.  I hope Hurricane here will keep you happy!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend too!

A happy piece of news

I've been stretching. Feeling out my boundaries and building strengths in my breath, hope and arms. I have been pushing myself. I feel I am on the cusp of such change and momentum, I can feel the future in front of me. It is coming out in my art, in my every-day thoughts, in the studio, on my yoga mat.

Yes, my yoga mat. 

Starting in just a few weeks I will begin the many steps towards teaching yoga.

I cannot express how exciting, releasing, and scary this is. It has been a long time since I've committed myself to studying and learning. The program is in Asheville, and I am so, so happy that it beings in the fall. So I can breath the crisp air of the mountains, escape to higher ground to find myself more grounded.  I will wear wool as I walk to class. I will sweat and sweat and study. I will watch the leaves turn, fall, and grow again, green and shining as the program ends.

Yoga has helped me get through so much stress and frustration with much more grace that I expected to ever have. When office work hits the fans, I am still breathing. I save the frustration for the mat. I work through the frustration, turning it into energy, finding instead, new edges as my arms shake. I can hold crow in peace, and am working towards a handstand. It is there, in my grasp, as so many good things are, I've come to learn.  Yoga is learning. I want to share this joyful practice with others.



And so, dearest readers, a new adventure begins, and I can not wait to share it.


namaste.

I must...

Take more photos of these new beauties.

Chuffed

I've been featured in our local "what's cool to do" newspaper!


Hooray!

It's been a while

I've thought a lot about this space. I've missed writing and sharing, but life does tend to re-prioritize things for you, doesn't it?

This is one part of what has been keeping me from the computer. Another Grand Envelope Clutch, for my friend Tami. She chose purple flowers, and a lovely quote to add to the edges as well. I love working for friends.

I can hear an owl hooting outside.

This is amazing. I want to go to this place, that lake!

LØV from Vanessa Bruno on Vimeo.

I have had the wool to make something similar to the furry stole she's wearing. This is the inspiration I needed to start it in earnest. Somehow.

Thanks Jillian for pointing this one out!

Savoring

The last bits of the beach last night. Oh I do love picking crabs, such a tactile, yummy dinner. 

 Aren't plants at the beach special things?  I'm always surprised at the green bounty off of the shore.

There's also the pile of shell shards I plan on trying to incorporate into some fun leather cuffs! I may even delve into my sea glass collection... but only if I'm feeling very brave, it's from Ireland, you see.

Sunrise

At the beach. With dolphins.

Kitty time!

Fluffy puffy kitty and wool