Oh! Christmas Tree...

Hi! I disappeared again... But now I'm back! Sort of...

After loads of traveling I've been feeling quite a bit under the weather... So of course that means I've ended falling down a few internets rabbit holes...

When I came across this epic chandelier Christmas tree I had to know more and clicked on through! Apparently it's amazing design harkens from the brain of The House That Lars Built blogger's friend named Mary...

While I couldn't seem to find much more on Mary herself, (Très mysterious no...) I really suggest you click through to here and check out more of this amazing-ness!

I'm still pretty beat but couldn't help but pop in to share this!

I'm thinking there needs to be some chandelier thrifting in my future so I can try my hand at this someday... Ahhh... So much pretty!

So in love with this!

Kisses,

K

P.S.,

I hope all the Americans had the most wonderful Thanksgiving! We all have so many blessings and reasons to give thanks everyday, even the bad ones, if we just look for them!

(All images taken by Trisha Zemp and found via The House That Lars Built. Super genius creative Mary remains a mystery to me thus far but if you have more info please let me know!)

 

 

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Inspire Me Tuesday

It's a common theme amongst creatives for a reason but it definitely applies to life as well.

Take courage dear heart and if you find yourself stuck, scrap it and start afresh!

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

 

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Inspire Me Tuesday

It can be hard to start over sometimes. To scrap something completely and let it go. But it can also be the very best thing, especially in design but also in life.

If something isn't working for you have the guts to throw it out and start over! You can do it!

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

 

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Inspire Me Tuesday

Brilliant!

Kisses,

K

(Print available from and found via ScoutMob)

 

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Friday Funny

I can really get behind Etsy artist Lenny Mud's sense of humor. Tea-hee ;)

Kisses,

K

(Available for purchase at and found via LennyMud on Etsy.)

 

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Saltabie

I first came across Saltabie on Instagram when I saw the #handsthatmake hashtag she started there. It's all about artisans and their wonderful, though often beat up, hands that create wonderful things. As a jewlery designer, artist, and crafter I found it really inspiring so I followed her feed.

Then when she did a contest for her new hand dyed and stitched minnow ties I knew I had to enter.

I was super excited when I won and I love the product so I wanted to share more with you:

"Saltabie is a one-woman creative endeavor powered by a fascination with Japanese textiles and copious amounts of salt-water taffy.

Saltabie items are hand-dyed and hand-stitched by yours truly (hi, I'm Shelby!) in the Pacific Northwest with materials imported from around the world.

My muses are Amelia Earhart, Anna Karina, and salty, tattooed sailors with dirty mouths and hearts of gold.

Visit me on Instagram and let's be Insta-Friends! Or send me an email at saltabie@outlook.com"

My minnow tie arrived in a pretty blue hand dyed cotton bag. When you pull the top thread it opens up. (Even Abigail was excited!)

Tucked inside was a lovely handwritten note, product tag, and a cute pink minnow.

I was trying to come up with creative ways to wear it that would keep it out of my pup's reach (She likes to bite my ponytails and long braids when we play... We're working on it...) so I did a Milkmaid-esque braid all around the crown of my head and tied it into the braid on the side.

I was pretty happy with the results.

I love cute hairstyles that keep my long hair managed and up out of the way and my minnow makes this one more fun.

I have to say that I'm definitely a fan. Cute and supporting an artisan is definitely a win win in my book!

Go check her out!

(All other accessories pictured were made by me for my Argento Alchemy line I'm working on.)

Kisses,

K

You can also contact Saltabie through her website at http://saltabie.bigcartel.com/contact

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson except for the Instagram image by Saltabie.)

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Inspire Me Tuesday

How beautiful is this print by oh my deer of this awesome Van Gogh quote?

(You can purchase it here.)

"I am seeking

I am striving

I am in it

With all my heart."

Vincent Van Gogh

I want to end my Inspire Me Tuesdays during what many consider to be a month about love on this note.

Love is not all about romantic endeavors and being swept off your feet.

Love, both romantic and otherwise, is about seeking, striving, and being in it (whatever that may be) with all your heart.

When we choose to do these things in love we are not being passive. We are making an active choice. A choice that has to be made every day and from moment to moment. When we live like this we can't lose because no matter what happens we are secure knowing that we truly loved and truly gave our all.

I challenge us all to seek more, strive more, and be in more, and give everything we do and our loved ones more.

Let's give them our whole hearts.

Who knows what we might find or get in return? At the worst we'll find ourselves and a renewed sense of worth... Sounds pretty awesome to me.

Kisses,

K

(Via Oh My Deer.)

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Marvelous Monday; Sorting Seashells

As I've been unpacking my stuff I've been coming across my various collections and cleaning them up before putting them out again. (They were in boxes for months...) Inspiration struck and after washing them off I sorted them out and arranged them by color. I loved the results so I decided to share them with you in the hopes that they help make your Monday a little more marvelous!

 

 

I think theses photos would make lovely screen savers.

Kisses,

K

(Photos created and owned by Krista Carson.)

 

 

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MJ Trimming Project DIY: October

I finally got my October MJ Trimming DIY box tonight and was super stoked to dig into it!

The theme this time, as you can see, is Punk revival. I love me some punk rock and spikes just as much as I love preppy and pearls so I really love this theme.

It came with everything I needed to get my punk on. Easy to follow step by step instructions make it easy to create the cool punk pieces pictured.

 

But in true punk form I decided to toss the directions this time before I dove in.

 

 

So I jumbled all the pieces up and started from scratch.

 

 

My little Westie pup Abigail wanted in on the action too. :)

 

So of course I made her a little punk princess with a sparkly gold spike collar. (Don't worry, she only wore it for a picture. I didn't leave my precious pup covered in sharp spikes even though she looked pretty adorable!)

 

Then I made a ling silver and gold toned necklace that I like styled doubled up.

 

 

I used this cool round gold clasp as the focal point.

 

 

Then I took the pearl chain, a spike, safety pin, end connectors (the little ends you normally use with leather in order to attach it to something), and jump rings to make a second necklace.

 

 

 

I added the end connectors to jump rings with a couple little pearl links to jazz up the spike hanging off the safety pin.

 

 

I loved the tiny spikes and when I saw them I knew immediately that I wanted to make earrings out of them. Some silver linked chain, pearl links, and a jump ring later I was pretty happy.

 

 

I used the black chain as a juxtaposition against the gold link chain to make a bracelet. Black and gold is very on trend at the moment and I can see why. They contrast and enhance each other nicely.

 

 

So... That's the whole shebang. I feel like I really got a lot out of this month's box and I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

What do you think, would you have gone rogue and created your own punk inspired thing or would you have stuck with the directions?

Either way, if you haven't signed up the Project DIY box yet do it now! It makes it so easy and fun to DIY cool pieces in the comfort of your living room. Love that and love it and the inspiration it gives me!

Kisses,

 

K

 

(All photos and jewelry designs by Krista Carson. Project DIY box and materials all from MJ Trimming.)

 

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Wanderlust Wednesday: Falling Waters

I was born in Pennsylvania and remember studying Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water in elementary school but being too young to go.. :/ You had to be at least nine years old.*

But ever since then I've always wanted to go some day.

(How gorgeous is this shot of it in the full thralls of Autumn by Robert Ruschak?)

"Home Facts:

• Description: A mountain retreat for the Edgar J. Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh, owners of Kaufmann's Department Store:
• Residents: Edgar Kaufmann Sr. (1885-1955), Liliane S. Kaufmann (1889-1952), and their son, Edgar Kaufmann jr. (1910-1989). The home was owned and used by the Kaufmann family until 1963, when it was entrusted by Edgar Kaufmann, jr., to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
• Design and construction:Designed in 1935 by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) The main house constructed 1936-38, followed by the guest house construction in 1939
• Final cost: $155,000 (Included $8,000 architect’s fees, and $4,500 for installed walnut furnishings)
• Square footage: The main house uses 5,330 square feet. (2885 sq. ft. interior; 2445 sq. ft. terraces) while the guest house uses 1,700 square. feet.
• Paint Colors: Wright's desire to create a unified and organic composition limited the color palette at Fallingwater. Only two colors were used throughout: a light ochre for the concrete and his signature Cherokee red for the steel. PPG Pittsburgh Paints has worked with Fallingwater to develop eco-friendly paints that withstand the environmental challenges of the site. They have also created a series of colors inspired by the building and its surroundings. For more information click here.
• Visitation: 4.5 million people since opening our doors in 1964, with 160,950 in 2011.
• Preservation: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has preserved Fallingwater since 1963, with a major structural repair in 2002 strengthening Fallingwater’s cantilevers to prevent collapse and future deflection.
• Surroundings: Surrounded by the WPC’s 5,000 acre Bear Run Nature Reserve.

Notable Facts:

• Fallingwater was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, January 1938
• Fallingwater is the only major Wright-designed house to open to the public with its furnishings, artwork, and setting intact
• Frank Lloyd Wright once suggested that the house’s concrete surfaces be coated in gold leaf."

Frank Lloyd Wright is both mine and many others favorite architect for a reason... His work is simply amazing and speaks to the eyes and the soul.

If I ever get a chance to get up near there again I'm definitely going! Would you?

Kisses,

K

(Photo via Archdaily.com and © Robert Ruschak – Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Facts verbatim via fallingwater.org)

*I know, I know, I've always had a nerdy and artistic bent to me but I love that.

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Yes, Please: Days Fall Away...

Like leaves off the trees...

This time of year the days go by soo fast and before you know it it's January and you don't have a new calendar...

So when I saw this year's über cute calendar design by Inslee Haynes I new I had to share it! I definitely want one. Yes, please!

 

How great are the sweet illustration! It's hard to pick a favorite but October is perfect. :) Maybe its because it's October now or because I have an Art History degree but... I love it. I also think all the others are super adorable too.

If your in the market for a calendar be sure to check it out! Her site also has a cute blog and other lovely illustrations for sale.

Enjoy each day to the fullest!

Kisses,

K

(All illustrations and images by Inslee Haynes.)

 

 

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