Back to School- to prove to dad I'm not a fool

The title of my blog is from Billy Madison for all you folks who live under a rock;)

I had a nice and short one week summer break between summer quarter and fall quarter. SCAD is still old school and on quarter schedule, and I love it!

I get scared saying this so early in the quarter- because a girl's mind can change,
but I am pretty sure I am going to like this quarter. There. I said it.

I am enrolled in Adornment, Identity, and the power of Jewelry, Rendering, and Studio 3.

Adornment, Identity, and the power of Jewelry is a great teacher (you know that teacher that make you want to teach?!) and it is so interesting. I'm only 2 days in this class and I am learning so much!

Rendering is my anxious class. I can draw, but it takes time- and there are a lot of assignments- so it's just nerve racking. BUT on the flip side, it is something I want to learn really bad! For rendering I have the new male teacher. I have him for studio three as well, and so far I like him a lot. And in rendering we have 20 (not including the few mess ups) 2 point perspective renderings that have to have 4 additive boxes, 4 subtractive, and 3 beveled edges each. With no ruler and as close to perfect as possible. Sounds like a lot and it is, but I already see improvement in my drawings, and I am wanting to learn this.

Studio three is neat because we are getting to experiment a lot more than usual. For instances, we have "bench work exercises" where we have to make at least three samples to learn and play. We are not just shoved into the assignment with no room for messing up like the previous classes.  We are working with other materials other than metal- so I love it!

For our first project we are working on electroforming. We all know wikipedia is smart so here is it's description-
Electroforming is a metal forming process that forms thin parts through the electroplating process. The part is produced by plating a metal skin onto a base form, known as a mandrel, which is removed after plating. This process differs from electroplating in that the plating is much thicker and can exist as a self-supporting structure when the mandrel is removed. 

Basically we plate things (found objects, wax molds, and carvings) with metal.

You know the bronze baby shoes that use to be so cool? They were made by electroforming. Pretty nifty huh? 

We are the guinea pigs for this class. The course curriculum has changed, which I love. They are focusing (it seems) a lot more on the concepts, the process, and the design, as well as the final piece! I am no longer a Metals and Jewelry major. It has changed to Jewelry and Objects major.


Lately I have been thinking about what I want to do with my major. Design, fabricate, large company, small company, self employee, studio artist, teach? The possibilities. Here is a problem. I have to decided at some point. (Any input?!?) I just don't know, and it is heavy on my heart.

Anyways, as much stress, sweat, and tears I will have this quarter I am happy as well because I love what I do. I love my major. Learning at this here Fahm building everyday makes me happy! :) Plus the weather is perfect today! It feels so FALL and I look so fall. Tights and boots, black and brown! LOVE!

Xoxo
Lilly Grace

It was a good day

It's labor day- wishing a happy one to you all. (Above: I made my mason jar where I can take my ice coffee to go with a straw! How exciting!)
As I was IM chatting (what you don't IM chat anymore!? Don't hate.) with my mom this morning and wondering why we really have labor day-
She quickly responded, "Labor Day is a United States Federal Holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary."
Thank you mom for telling me what today is. Although, when I googled it myself I saw the exact same words on wikipedia. So thank you wikipedia for telling us both exactly why we celebrate labor day.

Well, for the most part today was a good day (minus using sweet and sour sauce at dinner, it was great.)  Sloan and I slept in, but not too late! Usually this boy of mine sleeps til' one on his days off. It's crazy and somewhat wasteful, but he doesn't get them much, works a lot, and has so much school this semester that I don't bother nor blame him. He has to be exhausted. Today was different. It was so good- He got up around 9:30, and I was so excited. We sat downstairs and talked with my mom about my birthday present... (drum roll................)
NYC! Yes folks, that's right. I am finally going to New York on my winter break!(This really calls for a thousand exclamation points but I'll spare you guys!) 
  I am sure you can see my smile on your computer screen as I write this. Or your screen is possibly getting brighter?! Don't worry it's not you hitting the wrong button, it's just me. (da dum chhh)

After finishing some of that up, we decided to go to GAP and get Sloan some new jeans. Well, no luck. The "wash" he liked wasn't on sale.
Stupid Gap.

So we looked in various stores for about two hours at the mall for jeans... No such luck. I have been dying to shop lately, but do not really have the- cash flow for it. So, this was nice to look at some things. Although, it is amazing that malls almost annoy me now. If you would have told me two years ago, I might would have slapped you. Just kidding. Or am I?  No, I am. I couldn't slap someone. I seriously wouldn't have believed you though.

Sloan said the mall was a waste of time. Then he changed his mind because we both agreed it was fun to be out with each other- so it wasn't a waste of time after all. Tender... What a good day with my man.

With no luck at the mall we went to Tjmaxx (maxxinistas) to look for jeans, and he found a smashing pair of Calvin Klein jeans. They were only $25 too. It was a good day I tell ya.

We managed to make it to the Salvation Army to kick my craving for shopping/ thrifting I've had these days, and let me tell you-
I hit  j a c k p o t.
Once I left the store I kinda wanted to break into a dance. Like the hip hamsters on this KIA commercial-I refrained, but I do hope you laughed you tush off at this like I did.
I got 2 skirts, 1 dress, 3 belts, and 6 tops. All for the same-ish price as Sloan one pair of pants. HA.
It was indeed a good day my friends. Even though the dress needs a little sewing TLC, and I just cut some shoulder pads out of my tops they are going to work out perfectly. I got so many things I have been wanting in Salvation Army today. Thank you, and happy labor day Salvation Army!
(I'll post pic of the items as I wear them.)

Lastly, we made it to Publix to get a few ingredients we didn't have for our dinner I was making tonight. A lighter version of Bonefish's Bang Bang Shrimp. We couldn't find the chili sauce it called for, so Pony and I decided we would just use the sweet and sour sauce we had at home. (Pony is what I call my husband... Not the real animal- you silly head!) Although I enjoyed it, Sloan had trouble loving it with the sweet and sour sauce because he was expecting it to be more bang bang shrimp like.
You win some you lose some. Next time we'll get the right sauce!

I hope everyone else had a great labor day- full of no labor and oodles of goodness.

Good day friends,

Lilly Grace

Just a buncha pictures.

 Kabobs. (Not cooked yet here!) 

We --Sloan, Lilly, Chloe, and Jeff-- are really good at making meals out of things we have! Yay for cheap married couples;) Love our friends, and these were delish!

 Kale Chips I munched on one day! So healthy and light!

 

Baby shrimps, garlic, spinach, onions, and peppers. Yum.

 Good, greens. Broccoli.

 Pumpkin Yogurt I made one day- 

You guys this was amazing. 

I WANT FALL WEATHER!- I LOVE PUMPKINS!- Anyways, now that I got that one out there, I probably won't get it until November here in HOT Savannah. 

Until then, I will stay in and pretend it's chilly out. I won't lie to you though, the weather hasn't been too shabby this week, but this is really only early in the mornings. This has allowed Lilly to run in the mornings. I am so fearful to say yay for good morning weather because I'm scared it will go away and I am loving my morning runs! 

Back to the yogurt, it's easy peasy... 

You take 1/2 cup of yogurt, 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and tsp of honey (or a sweetener of your liking). I read use vanilla yogurt but i did 1/4 cup of greek and a 1/4 cup of vanilla. Then you just mix it all up. Some sites say puree the pumpkin, but it was fine not pureed!!! Also, the thick pieces in my picture are fiber one cereal that I added for a crunch.

 Pizza, pizza. My husband has cravings... More than a girl sometimes... But this is one thing, out of SO many, that I do love about him. He wanted Pizza on Project Runway night. (Yeah I am blessed to have a man that isn't afraid to watch that show- jealous ;)???) To kick his pizza craving, the loverly Chloe Lewis made the dough, and we made these beautiful, veggieful, delightful pizzas! I couldn't pick one picture!

 The dough was bigger than what we put it on. We ended up making big crusts. It was still great!!! 

We used every color pepper, onions, sauce, cheese, spinach, tomatoes, and one had bacon for Jeff.

 Finally, that box with the big flower on it in my last blog... This is what was in it:) I gave my wedding photographer Tammy a nest as a token to say, "Thank you!"

It's Saturday. I'm not sure of my plans yet. I am dying to go thrifting, or spend money on clothes I can't afford right now... So maybe i'll sit on my computer and look at things/ window shop online! 

Have a good one xoxo 

Lilly Grace

Blooming

Blooming is a painting I made a while back and it is FOR SALE! (This is not the worlds best picture!) It's priced at $60. It has vintage bracelets and jewelry incorporated in the art! If you would like more pictures or are interested let me know! (lillygraceray@gmail.com)

xoxo

Lilly Grace

The "Lady Lamp" already got a revamp!

I only thought I was done with my lady lamp my last blog about her... The longer I looked at her in my studio, the more the "black and whiteness" bothered me... Problem fixed, and now the lamp is so textural you may not be able to contain your self. So hold on to your seats and computers ladies and gents- I proudly present the Lilly Lady Lamp;)

 The final product screams Lillian.
Sloany Pony loves it too. Today, he was looking at it and saying
"I just love it. Gosh I just love that lamp. It looks so us now." He is precious...

 Ta- da!!!!!!!!!!!

 Another angle.

 Up Close

Texture x 20!

Hope you love the final product as much as I do !!!


I also mailed off a little gift today to a wonderful lady that took beautiful pictures of my wedding ;);)... Better late than never... but I have finally mailed it! Here is the box that she will be getting in a few days :)  I can't show what's inside!!!

I've done a few things in the house... I'll blog about it sometime. Gonna go make some dinner, and work out while watching What Not To Wear. I highly advise everyone turns it on!!!

Lilly Grace

A run that was worthy of a blog.

On my run today, I decided to do something different.  I decided I would have no headphones, no music. Just me, myself, and the nature at the park.  I normally listen to some jams to block out people talking, cars, give me a beat to run to etc.

 As I started this run, the park was peaceful. Hardly anyone was there. I could tell there was a set up for some camp or something, but compared to the usual it was empty.  It was hot- humid, but there was a breeze from the trees. I liked it. As I ran on the side of the park closest to my house I had the breeze, smelt lightening bugs, cedar tree, and a storm/ocean. It was so nice! It really was lovely!!! As I went around there were three... men... sitting at a table. No big deal. With my headphones out I can hear them making noises though. So that put me on the edge and this peaceful run changed. The further I got from the side nearest my home, the more the nature sounds and smells went away.  It got less shaded (hot), smelled of hot dogs, gasoline, and car engines. The sounds of horns and reeving cars were dominate. I was ready for the other side again.  It was more pleasant on the other side.

It was so funny the different dynamics I was feeling. All because I wanted no headphones this run. There was a man in a white shirt and haha (I am laughing at myself right now) who disappeared all of the sudden. Being on the edge from the other men, I was freaked out. We were near bushes so I was cautious since he was literally gone in seconds. Then there were white flowers in one of the bushes, and I jumped because I thought it was him in his white shirt. Just flowers. He had crossed the street.  As I kept running another lap around, I pretended that Hedi Klum or Jennifer Aniston were beside me (they wouldn't get tired and stop running duh haha.) I began to feel the breeze and smell the pleasant smells. 

As I turned the corner I heard the men mumbling AGAIN. Smelt the hot dogs heard the cars. It was amazing how quickly my feelings changed from side to side.  I would have normally done a cool down lap. In my silly head I was thinking, "Those men are waiting and thinking third times a charm." Sloany laughed really hard when I told him this.  So instead of a cool down lap,  I was satisfied with my small 3 miles today, and I walked home another way.

As I waited to cross the street I heard a teen boy (acting like a one year old) making noises leaning out of his car.  There were a few chances I could have darted across the street to make it, but I was being safe and just waiting where I could do it at ease.  The more I listened, this little punk was making chicken noises at me?! What the heck? Because I was being safe and not running. Oh well. You stay classy Savannah;)

After walking and cooling down, I am back safe and alive.  I have vacuumed the house down like an insane OCD person, and can't wait for friends to come over for project runway!!! I just had to write about this interesting run! I didn't want to forget the two sides of the park. All because I decided no headphones!

This one's for the birds.

This birdy girl laid in her bed last night and tossed and turned from 1:30 til 2:00 am. 

(Not that this is unusual :/ !!!)

I should have just gone and gotten my computer and started writing this. Since I couldn't sleep that's what I was doing in my head.  I am sure there there are many left brained people out there who don't understand how one could lay in their bed, not fall asleep, and start writing a blog in their head.  I honestly felt like Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex and the City, hearing my own voice in my head and writing. I didn't go get my computer. I hopelessly laid there, writing(in my head), hoping I would eventually fall to a slumber. After a bit, I did. I know it wasn't a great sleep because I woke up remembering all my horrible dreams, but it was sleep, and I was awakened by a cute man and a cup of coffee;) Which always means it's a pretty great day!

For the birds.

-"If you're a bird, I am a bird."

Those famous lines from The Notebook. They are so true to me. I am sure Sloan thinks that all the time.

-Or there are the Owl City Lyrics: 

"You're the bird and I'm the worm and it's plan to see that we were meant to be."

-There is also this t-shirt I got in the eighth grade that states,

"Love doesn't grow on trees a little birdy told me so."

- Then there is the funny one, 

"You eat like a bird." 

-Lastly, there is, 

"Two birds of a feather flock together," 

or as Train sings it, 

"If it's love and we're two birds of a feather, then the rest is just whenever. And if I'm addicted to loving you, and you're addicted to my love too. We can be them two birds of a feather that flock together."

  So these are just a few of my birdy quotes stashed in my brain;)

Do you have any good ones?

Why do I love birds so? I don't want to overkill and become, "The bird lady," but some of my friends call me a bird, birdy girl, bird lady. So, I guess I am out of that category. What can I say? I get it honest. I get a double dose, my mom who LOVES them, and my dad who goes to the farm from time to time to bird watch.

I love their nests, their colors, their textures, their feathers, their singing, how motherly they are.  I seriously could go on and on... I know I like birds, but I try not to over do it in my house.  I think my decorations are at their max now, and I know I could not handle a pet bird. I like them in nature. They're just inspirational to me. Boy oh boy, birds are so "in" right now. But I didn't start liking them when this fad cam about.

Let me be first to tell you that I loved them before they became cool.  Here is a great point made by the lovely Kate:) 

This is me as a child. I am a bird.  I had a feather pillow. One of the corners had a tiny hole, and at night as I fell asleep I would pull the feathers out and drop them behind my bed. Mom would complain because there was such a mess of feathers behind my bed, but it soothed me, and I didn't stop;)  

The hole in my pillow got bigger and bigger. Finally, one day before or after church in my slip and panty hose, I got the feather duster, hid behind my bed (where I wouldn't get in trouble,) and poured the entire pillow on myself. Haha. My poor parents were calling my name, and I didn't answer because I thought I would get in trouble. They found me, laughed their heads off, and took this classic picture of, "Diva feather-queen Lilly." What a loon! Case in point, I have always been a bird. 

I no longer have a feather pillow but to this day, I still pick a feathers in couches.  There are a few feathers on our floor now! 

It's the right brain in me, having to touch, feel, and see. Thanks to my sweet Mommy and Daddy for putting up with this crazy curly headed SO right brain kid! And thanks sweet Sloan for marrying it!  I love you all so much. 

Just think if I wasn't tactile as a kid, I wouldn't be making things with my hands today!
I wouldn't be me!
I don't even like thinking about a non tactile Lilly;)

I guess once a bird always a bird! 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Lilly Grace