Spark-ly Hair Flower

One of the awesome classes at Spark was a flowery - corsage contraption that I thought was very cute, but I didn't see myself wearing.  So with the excited permission of the teacher, I frankenstein'ed the crap^TM out the project and made it my own.  (And no, I have not actually trademarked "Frankenstein the Crap out of it" but am showing off the fact that I figured out that ^TM thingy.  It's actually very simple, 'a, course.)

What else was awesome about my trip to Utah?  Sarah.  I have been a long time fan of Sarah Jane and her gorgeous illustrations.  A little bit before my trip, we were chatting on the phone for the first time and she graciously offered to let me stay at her home since it was in the center of everything I was traveling to Utah for.

I never would have guessed (maybe hoped though) that we would hit it off so fantastically.  I loved Sarah, and her family!  They actually made me not feel homesick, as her kiddos reminded me SO much of my own!  And her awesome husband reminded me in spades of Dustin.  Their taste in food ( homemade kettle corn, nuf' said) was identical to ours and Sarah's and my business stories are incredibly similar.  About to become more similar..  please go check out Sarah's blog and her etsy shop.  She is not to be missed!  Already planning my next trip back to hang out with her.

My studio is in the middle of a move from the bottom of our home to the top, to a sunny yellow spare room that has been sitting her unused for the entire time we've lived in this house.  Not sure why I didn't set up here to begin with, because I am loving this space!  It's a little bittersweet though as we only have 5 months left in this house.  Our landlords are going to be moving in themselves, so around January I am going to need to start up the house hunt thing again. 

I am normally so in tune to what is right for our family, it just comes to me.  But this time around, I am just confused.  We're toying around with the idea of moving to two different places, or staying put here and buying a house or still renting.  The winter blues got me hard last year in the cold tundra of Montana and I'm not sure I can live with it long term.  Anyone else get the winter blues?  January is the worst for me.  What do you guys do to brighten up the dreariness of January through April?

Comments

[Laura]

We lived in Oregon for 8 years. Not in a place with snow in the winter and plenty of sunshine, mind you. We lived in the Willamette Valley. Rain 9 months of the year. Dreary. It was so depressing. I tried to combat that with a light therapy lamp and painting my house in happy, cheerful, bright paint. It helped a little. I have to say, now that we live in Las Vegas I don't have that issue. The sun is glorious. My advice- take a vacation to someplace sunny and bask in it!

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Lucky for me, we head south for the month of January to sunnier places! Otherwise, Minnesota would also get the best of me. Best of luck figuring out your next move.

[naomig]

I grew up west of the Cascades... Seattle and Portland. It rains dreary, overcast ALL. THE. TIME. depressing drip drip drip at least 9 months out of the year, more like 10 months some years. Horrible. Anyway, now I live EAST of the cascades, and I love it, but ya know what?! It is still somewhat dreary in January. I paint my house in bright colors, and sew with bright colors, and bake, and listen to upbeat music, and I also make it a point to get outside even if it's -10 degrees out, and just appreciate breathing fresh air for a bit. Last year I put my camera on macro and took pictures of as many delightful little nature-ly things as I could. It definitely helped. Good luck figuring it all out!

[Sherri Gauthier]

First...LOVE Sarah Jane. I have visions of her prints hanging in my home really soon! Second...I live in Nova Scotia CANADA...very long cold dreary winter. I definitely suffer winter blues...extra light definitely helps, but February is a test of my ability to endure. Faith gets me to March. I understand. Thank you for sharing. Sherri

[CJ]

I have been in Montana for six years now and I am about done. I don't mind snow and cold, I just don't want 8-10 months of it. I painted the inside of my house almost entirely in a sunny yellow, which helped a bit, but I guess I just really need actual sunshine. I am currently shopping for a house in a place where winter is a relief from the oppressive summer, instead of the other way around.

[Leslie Schmidt]

Having lived in Wisconsin and now Minnesota for the vast majority of my life, I get to screaming somewhere near the end of winter (which lasts six, cold, dark months.) We've never taken a winter vacation to someplace warm. And I dread the cold that makes my fingers hurt. I guess the only thing I do to brighten up the days is turn on the lights and play with my fabric. It's too cold to sew in my downstairs sewing room!

[Leslie Schmidt]

Oh, I forgot to thank you for turning me on to Sarah Jane. I love her illustrations. How nice you got to connect with her and her family. You both look like such sweet ladies.

[Michele]

OK...After reading these responses, I think it is time for you to move to Georgia. Yes, we get rain, but, not that much. Come for a visit! You would love it!

[Pamie G.]

Year round outside of San Antonio, Texas in the hill country (New Braunfels postal address but considered Comal County). Lovely hills, Texas hospitality and beautiful weather most of the year. You have to acclimate yourself to the heat but the rewards of spring and Fall are worth it!

[Kaye Prince]

Whoa, is it just me or is anyone else having trouble reading this post? The font style used seems to be very light and "scratchy"; some parts of letters are completely missing (such as the top line on all uppercase Ts and the middle line on all uppercase As). Maybe it's just my browser, but every other site I've been to today has been fine.

[Erika]

I can read the post just fine, Kaye.

I live in Texas and I know I cannot handle anything more than 50 degrees for a long period of time. The heat is a bit tiring but it just means that I relish those days of breezy temps! I also try to craft and read during the winter more than normal. It helps.

[Betty]

Winter in Minnesota gets long and hard in January and February. But lots of quilting, bright lights, a few good snacks and good friends help so much. A little music now and then, and the hope of Spring.

[Kathryn]

I can also read it fine, try clearing your cookies/bowsing history etc.. from internet options/ tools then try again.

I lived 4 years in Bremerton, Wa and it really got to me, so I feel ya. I wish I had some good tips, but maybe (if possible) a move further South (like Utah) would do you some good!

I'm so very much enjoying your book, I can't wait to order some more patterns. You inspire me with your whimisical designs. Thank you so much for the intro to Sarah Jane...I love it already

[Lisa]

Love the sparkly hair thingy! Would love to know how to make it. Will it be showing up in your shop???

[Kim T.]

Once January hits and the holidays are over (finally) I consider it spring! well, with a little hopeful thinking anyway. January I decorate with ice blues and creams then when Feb. hits, there are garden shows and plant catalogs and new things popping up everywhere. ok, so montana might be a bit colder than washington.... :) Spring is my favorite season. I love all the excitement of the new growth.

[lori ward]

Hi there! I think I met you at Spark- did we not? I had the short twizzler red hair at the miss ruby sue station- :)

lori
http://missrubysue.com

[Maeve]

Move south, way south, and you won't have much problem with the winter blues. Take Vitamin D (everyone north of Atlanta line needs it - read up on it). Keep lots of lights on inside the house, everywhere, and make bread with your breadmachine often. Buy an occasional bouquet of flowers and put them in small vases throughout the house. Play cheerful, peppy music. Read humorous stories and watch uplifting things on tv. Quilt with friends, it is way more fun. Those are some of the things that make me happy in winter.

[Shari Butler]

I go buy flowers at least every two weeks, and if i find tulips ( i pray) I buy a dozen to brighten the spaces and place it with pops of colors. And sometimes... I know this is bad, because I miss the holidays I will play christmas music a little bit during Jan to remember back on the sweet memories of those holidays.

Then I get out when I can. Lots of dates... gathering with friends, and even playing in the snow in the sun. And having all blinds open during daylight hours! That is a definite key!

By the way, cute Hair thingy! It's totally you! :)

[Georgayne]

Oh I do understand your winter woes. I moved from Houston TX to extreme NW Iowa 2 years ago. Of course they have had set new records for snow and cold since we have been here. By February I am dreaming of Texas 100+ summer days. I have learned that linen and cotton does not make proper winter clothes lol. Move south if you have that option. Luv luv your blog and your sharing spirit!

[Amy]

I feel your pain! I've lived in the Seattle area for over 10yrs. I've tried everything! I grew up in Texas and dream of the day we can move back. But, don't see that happening. I finally was diagnosed with SADS (seasonal affective disorder) I tried all the natural remedies(light therapy, Therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, you name it I tried it); they helped some but, in the end exercise and drugs (superscription) did the trick for me. But, if you do have the choice MOVE to the SUN!!!!!!

[Amy]

I meant Prescription not superscription!

[nicole]

Living outside of Toronto, Ontario near the great lakes we get rain in the middle of winter....makes driving awesome....but it is also bone chilling cold.
I go out each day, during the sunlight (brief) part of the day, fresh flowers (it is awesome to step into a humid flower shop in Feb - even a cheap little bunch is great)...and don't forget the food of winter....soups, stews, roast and potatoes....and winter sports rock! Even my kids get into it - especially once they were introduced to maple syrup taffy rolled onto spoons in fresh snow...Good Luck!

[shelley]

I love the winters here in Northern Virginia - with the exception of last year's extreme blizzard in the DC area, it's mildly cold and snows occasionally but not nearly as severe as places like Montana (I've been in Montana in winter and it is bitter cold!!)
The BEST part about winters here is that it's sunny almost always...and having spent the first 18 years of my life in Oregon (Willamette Valley) I REALLY appreciate sunny winters. And changes of seasons. Spring and Fall here are perfectly divine. The only nasty season here is summer, when it's muggy and buggy and sticky hot. That's when I am wishing I was back in Oregon. The rest of the time, however, I LOVE the weather here. It's perfect.
ps. I really, really like your new blog look. So fresh and pretty, and everything flows so well. It's very inviting, cohesive, and beautiful!
pps. Thanks for introducing me to Sarah Jane - her illustrations are completely exquisite. I adore them. Looks like you two had a fabulous time together!

[Wendy Piersall]

I know this is an older post, but I had to drop by and recommend taking Vitamin D for this. I get horrible SAD every year living in the Chicago area. This last year I took it daily for the first time and the difference was *stunning*. I won't say I was symptom-free, but it was light-years better than previous years!