Did you know Montana was 'The Treasure State'?

I found this out on a road trip I took in August. I also found out that my car is very cozy to sleep in, that Driggs, ID starry nights are pale compared rural North Dakota, that I can drive 12 hour shifts, but not without nearly going bonkers, and that having an easy-to-open-with-one-hand cooler might be a good investment.

This multi-purpose journey involved 3 days in McIntosh, MN with my 93 year old Grandma. We spent days running errands and driving in the country. In the evening we'd have dinner together in her house, the same one my mom grew up in. We'd finish with a short glass of wine on the back deck, watching birds, talking gardening and watching the sun go down.

I also traveled to International Falls, MN to run with my friend Mike. You may remember him from 2 years ago, running 4000+ across the country to honor Iraq war veterans who are no longer with us. Well, he's at it again, but he's only going 2000 or so. This time he is planting flags for Afghanistan Veterans.

 

 

 It's always such an honor to spend time with Mike, even just 3 minutes. To get the chance to run 11 miles with him, in the state I grew up in, and then plant a flag for Micheal Jakes from Brooklyn, NY is incredible. 

My dad's birthday is in August (a big one!) and I was so lucky to be able to celebrate with him. We enjoyed an evening in 'Nordeast' Minneapolis at Erte.

Of course, a trip to MN in late August wouldn't be complete without a trip to the State Fair. 

 

To close out the trip, I trekked across South Dakota then through Buffalo and Cody, Wyoming.

Powder River Pass is not the fastest route, but I wouldn't have had it another way. Scenic is an understatement. 

I feel so lucky to have been able to take off for 2 weeks and roam around the country's highways (I did work. A little bit.), and I refuse to take it for granted.  I am already planning next year's sojourn-any suggestions?

Projects!

A peek at some of the fun projects Maz and I have worked on over the last few months: 

 Garden experiment.

 A bag commissioned by Weehah.

 An accessory inspired by the Vinyasa Scarf.

Remodeled window wells.

Tiny Sabbatical

I decided to take a tiny sabbatical this year and spend May traveling and catching up on life (rough, I tell ya).

After getting home from a spring work trip to New England, I did a few loads of laundry, made a few copies of my passport and turned around to get on an airplane to Germany.

 












One of my oldest and dearest friends lives in Kassel, Germany and met me at the Frankfurt train station with a latte and a gigantic, beautiful smile.















 


Kassel-Prague-Berlin highlights follow. If you are interested in more photos, look here.



German Engineering LIVE.
















Espresso. Every day.
  




Kassel Clouds. 
 

Hometown heroes, Charlie Straight.
















 Hidden Gardens.

Knedlicky and Crepes in Prague. 

 

Voronezska, Prague.

22 Tram.

Top of Prague.

Biking in Berlin. 

 

 

 

 

   

Franziskaner Klosterkirche

 

Tagging.
 

Future newlyweds.

Memorial. 

Familiar flags.

German postal delivery bike. See German Engineering.

Kaffe kuchen. Every day.

Talkin' Trash 2012

It's that time of year again- Trash Bash! This is the 3rd year I've made something for TVCR's Trash Bash Silent Auction and Trashion Show. After an uncertain future for this event, it was reinvented by the group and scheduled for June 2.

I had great success with the cork vest last year and Drew agreed to model again, so I made another. Constructed of newspaper and 6 lb coffee bags, it's entitled 'Morning Routine'. Thanks to BVW and LH for your Costco stops that yielded the bags- they are great to work with.



































After a few months of tense discussion with Maz about whether we should continue to watch movies on VHS, I took a big leap. I sacrificed a copy of 'GoldenEye' to make this dress, 'Rewind'.


 Photo courtesy of Bridget Ryder, Teton Valley News 

Rewind in progress.




















For the silent auction, I spent some quality time with my inherited serger to make some fingerless gloves/handwarmers from retired sweaters.


My friend Jenny created two amazing dresses. 'Hammer Time' modeled by our friend, Linsey, was made from a recycled tank dress and rusty nails handsewn to the dress. Very couture.



'Hot Topic was a strapless dress with a princess neckline and a pleated skirt constructed from local newspapers.



Another favorite was this dress was made of plastic grocery bags with a ruffle front. It was gorgeous!

 At the end of the night, votes were counted and I won my first trophy- Trashionista of the Year! I was so thrilled and now it occupies a special place on my cutting table- underneath all the fabric.

On the move.

During the first half of this year, a lot of time was planning travel, packing, traveling and unpacking.

...spent some time with my parents in MN.

...had an evening of debating the merits of  '90 minute tapes' with a longtime friend (JHB wins).

...watched plants (and cannolis) pop open in eastern states.

...visited Fenway Park.

...and used my passport.

 

And now it's time for the second half of the year. Get ready for updates on


...growing

...sewing



...listening



and enjoying!