March 01, 2009

Gifted.

Many people who know me wouldn’t argue that I’m, um, gifted. Like the people who shared the ski lift with me on Monday who got to watch me somehow manage to get my ski bindings tangled as I attempted my chair dismount. And I’m calling it a dismount, because I have to think it resembled something you’d see on a gym apparatus during the pummel horse rotation. My dismount ended with me crashing to the ground with a thud – BAM! – then rising to my feet in victory. Much to the lift operator’s surprise, who thought for sure I was broken. (I think I took away one of his nine lives for sure.) Take that, Nadia!

So, yeah – I’m gifted alright. In a pathetic, poor lamb sense.


But when I returned home I was gifted in an entirely different (and better) sense. First, the lovely photo I bought from Etsy’s Victorian Bushfire Appeal arrived. Winter Tree by Julie Webb is one of many unique nature photos in this talented Canadian-based photographer’s Etsy shop. It’s perfect for my master bedroom, and anytime I can buy arts and crafts to support a great cause…well sign me up!


What I didn’t expect was the additional blank note card, and the one Julie used to write me a thank you. How lovely! And how perfect will they look framed together against the blue wall?

Her notecards are beautiful, and an inexpensive way to add a pop of color (and original artwork!) to your home.

I had also ordered a hand painted shirt from the fabulously talented Jen’s Etsy shop, The Crafty Home. Many of you here will know Jen from her equally fabulous blog, Sanctuary Arts at Home. So darn talented, that one! I had my eye on the shirt for a while, and while I was in her shop purchased a cute little black and antiqued white floral branch painting (can you tell I have a have a thing for the branch motif?).


But wait…what’s in the extra little poof of tissue paper?




Pour moi?! Thank you so much Jen! The beachscape is perfect for the shore house, and I love the sentiment written across the back:

My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can get. – Thoreau

Just as long as I don’t get to near to the edge of the chairlift when by boots are stuck together, I'll be just fine.

:-)

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Laura,
Hope the snow doesn't make it too tough on your tomorrow!

I love the art work u ordered! And the shade of blue is so pretty.

Hope to see u soon in NYC!

BTW, I enjoyed your Colorado pictures!

Maureen said...

Oh, how your write... captivating. I love the picture, and I love the shirt. Great things for a great person.

Caren said...

I love what you got. I have a thing for the branch motif too...that and leaves. Love it!

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I have not seen quite as much of my old "friends" as I would like lately but I had a little run in with Mr. Vodka the other night. We only spent one fleeting moment together but still, I would have been better off without him, that's for sure!

pve design said...

Feeling guilty, I have a little gift to send to you -
so e-mail your address when you have a minute.
You are so loved, what an array of gifts.

Free Art Printables said...

I am so glad you liked everything.. and that you weren't hurt from your.. uhh.. graceful exit! :) Jen

Anonymous said...

Laura - YAY, another Yankee fan-foodie blogger! I think there;s about three of us total that I know of..lol I was SO ticked off when I learned he had tested positive, and even more ticked off at his Gammons interview and press conference admissions. At first I was haappy we signed him, but now realize he's such a hinderance to this team. Nothing but horrid luck since he joined the team. To into his own milestones instead of trying to hit a dammmmn single with RISP!

OK, I'm close to writing a novel here, so I'll finish up by saying I'm 'gifted' too in the same sense as you, but i'm also jinxed! I'll blog about ti next time..lol

Finally, LOVE that Winter Tree and the other stuff you received. Etsy has great stuff. I need to enter an Iron Cupcake challenge so I can TRY and 'win' some stuff from them! :D (I'm out of work due to an injury, and my sick time and vacation pay is DONE!)

Leciawp said...

Beautiful!! Lucky you :)

Anonymous said...

OMG, excuse the typos and misspellings, my fingers are not working right tonight. Dang pain meds make me loopy..lol

Rue said...

Good morning Laura :)

What beautiful purchases! That Jen really is sweet, isn't she?

Oh and I have been skiing since I was 12, but for some reason I manage to have the same kind of dismount at least once on every ski trip LOL I'm glad you didn't break anything :)

xoxo,
rue

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love your goodies, girl, but what I love even more is your inimitable style! (I hope I spelled that right, LOL! I'm racing).

XO,

Sheila... who loves that quote by Thoreau and might need to borrow it for St. Augustine...

Anonymous said...

Laura!
You are back! The ski pictures are astounding; how fun! I'll never forget my first skiing experience. I was 12, and decided to go it on my own before my beginning lessons started. Up the ski lift, down the hill...with skiis straight together, mind you. When I realized I was blowing by everyone, straight as an arrow, I veered a little bit to crash in a snowbank just to stop myself (and missed slamming into the ski lift pole by inches). Ha!

Your Etsy purchases are stunning! I can't wait to check out the stores myself!

Good to read your blogs again. :) I've missed you!

Jen

Linda Lou said...

I am a total klutz Laura, the first time I skied I had major bruises all over my body the next day... trying to impress my date!!! Love the photo and adore the shirt-I am definitely gonna check out her ETSY webpage...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

All wonderful goodies you got there Laura! I love browsing ETSY shops and I've bought quite a few things as gifts over the past year.

Cupcake said...

Laura,
I have that problem with coordination also - if there is a potential falling opportunity in the vicinity I will probably find it. I do think that is gifted.

We are still gearing up for the puppy to come and live with us. She is such a sweet girl. I'll keep telling myself that when I find chewed toys and shoes and puppy piddles all over my house :-)

Thanks for visting my blog!

Fifi Flowers said...

OooooH my... that is quite a ski story! Getting off the lift can be complicated that's for sure!
You've received some lovely gifts!
ENJOY!
Fifi

Unknown said...

These are wonderful finds on Etsy. I saw your bicycle by the beach avitar on Pat's blog comment, and I had to stop by. I love the Jersey shore, I used to go to Spring Lake when I lived in Princeton. Your blog is lovely.
Karen

Julie Webb Photography said...

Laura, I'm so glad you like your photos... and that you weren't hurt during your dismount! :)

Joyce said...

Now this was a golden for you! Great gifts and funny story on the lift. Enjoy my friend! xoxo

j.cro said...

someday I will get my act together and sell my photos. What I'm waiting for I have no idea - but I guess a person needs to have goals, right?

Those note card images are BEAUTIFUL!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I am so envious of those great things. I am aan Etsy Fan too. LOVE it. There just inst enough hours in the day...and $$ in my bank account. LOL!

I LOVE your dog potrait. I would love to do that for my five dogs! That'd be great. And that little ornament. LOVE!!!

desiree said...

That photo is great. I love the notecards...oh I love it all. I'm definitely going over to check these etsy shops out. I love finding new peeps and of course new stuff to buy.