you are beautiful.

a simple photo shoot from a cold cloudy day.
Bemma you da best!

lurv you too Dily.

i then continued to tie random red balloons on cars.
it was great.

fagan

a simple snow.

Alabama pulled through pretty nicely last minute. and let it snow! all day the flurries fell through the blistering cold. the first full snow of the year so perfectly placed on Christmas day.

full bellies i have from gathered family and friends. full thoughts as well of meaningful gifts. this Christmas has been quite a splendor of surprises and affection. so share with you i will a bit of a poem i received from a very close friend.

these words do mean more than boxes or bows.
tied up in phrases, gifts of the thought.

Not unlike mountains

Not unlike mountains
an unwavering boldness
with a core that penetrates stone

Not unlike the arrow
sifting through unwanted targets
for home

not unlike the moon
with empty newness
and waking fullness
only to rebirth again

not unlike the deserted soldier
whose treacherous young heart
fights brave quick battles, yet
not meant for the vastness of war

not unlike the ocean
with shallow depths
come deep awakenings

not unlike the apple
forbidden sweetness
with a crisp to your liking

not unlike the winds,
she binds,
she floats,
she dances.

She is not unlike mountains,
but more importantly
she is the true girl who will
be to be.

-christian becraft

chest of fairytales- a favorite illustrator

Dil and i catching the tiny bits of snow. when we were younger we gathered bowls and bowls of snow to store for the rest of the winter. why you ask? well, to make snow cream of course. the snow however never quite kept it's consistency. you think we would learn after a year or so, but we still packed the freezer with bags of melting snow.

snow cream:
2 handfuls snow
1 handful sugar
6 drops vanilla.

mix and enjoy. you get the idea.
quite a splendid treat.

i wish everyone a splendid new year.
i hope it is filled with laughter and thrills.

fagan

i miss this.

i have been playing a disappearing act of sorts.
how i have missed.. snapping shots of my mind, and sharing in time.
but for now i will simply just wait.

in the process of updating my entire technological bag you see.
a working computer. an existing camera.
i am so close!

after holiday cheer, full bellies and stories
i will return with big news
i promise none boring.
but for now i will share with you a story book of secrets
tied in knots of course in ETSY wishes and desires...

a few books i found from a used book store recently.
pop up limericks... look it up (such an incredible gift)
also. Chilean street art. an immediate favorite.

with soon to follow. new year hopes.
site launched.
new tools to blog.
camera & computer
a trip to Europe?!
studio shops opening


oh and i get a kick out of this at work.
learn while you play!

http://www.ted.com/talks
/oliver_sacks_what_hallucination_reveals_about_our_minds.html


another find i thought today.
i have an inkling for watch hands, keys, graffiti, and small boxes.

do have a happy holiday.
see you in the new year.

fagan

Holiday Craft Bazaar

this week i will be getting ready for the
5th annual Holiday Craft Bazaar!!
Lily and I will be located at Bottle Tree.

Please come visit us!
You're sure to find the perfect gift for that special someone.
So mark your calendars.
Get all of your holiday shopping done early, all kinds of hand-made goods made by local artists at great prices.



Friday 3rd 5pm to 9pm
Saturday 4th 10am to 4pm
Sunday 5th 11am to 4pm

hope to see you there!

care to join?!

it is quite an incredible feeling to get mail. It is better when you know this mail does not contain either
a. a bill
b. useless coupons
or
c. alumni letters...also asking for money!
(WHAT? are you kidding i have not even paid of my student loans, and you think its funny to ask me for more money?!)

anywho.....

I adore getting mail.
I have been pretty bad recently about sending it,
but oh boy do i love receiving it
(I'm thinking maybe a new years resolution in the works
...no email, just MAIL!)

I once thought it would be a really good idea to have a few pin-pals.

if any of my pin-pals are reading this, i am profusely sorry i have not written you back. (you guys are sitting nicely in a vintage suitcase in my craft room) i pull this mail out often, laugh and smile as i read it, and then get distracted and forget to write back. one day you will receive something really great, that makes up for my lack of quick response.


OK so here is the BEST part.
if you would like to take this adventure with me.
i promise you wont be disappointed!
i am cleaning out my craft room, and stock of
vintage clothing/knick knacks and i feel that it would
be interesting to pass it around to like minded crafters.

i only ask for one thing in return. some sweet tunes.
(or anything weird, unusual, unique to you!)

so... you send me a mix CD of your favorite songs , and I will send you the most random mix of crafty/vintage materials you could imagine.

if you are interested.
please email me:
cfmontgomery23@gmail.com

ps. new blog name. Reeves & Fagan.... will explain plenty very soon.

CARRIE FAGAN

(photos compliments of the world wide web)

it is all relative

Lets be honest , art repeats itself. If you try and tell me that all your artwork is original, then your just being silly and naive. You drew inspiration from someone, something, one moment, a thought, or a passing person with bright blue shoes. It does not matter really, where or how you found it, all that matters is the satisfaction in creating it.



To me, everyone is an artist, whether you abuse this right, or simply don't acknowledge that its true, i wish and hope to believe that everyone strives for a meaning in their lives. it can be as simple as doting your I's with hearts, or wearing the color purple three days in a row, you are expressing yourself in a way that influences emotions and senses.



Have you ever looked up the definition of art? Well, I will share it for you here. Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging symbolic elements in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions and intellect. (thank you wikipedia)

I often tell many of my friends that art is my religion. This is a bit broad, and a great excuse to get out of a long Jesus/religion debacle, but in a sense it is very true. I have a faith in art. Just like others have faith in their religion.



I compare emotions, people, instances, imaginations, circumstance and morals in relation to art. Reading this you might be lost, somehow it makes sense to me. Making judgments of value requires a basis for criticism right? Whether you are classifying someone as being an artists or a christian, the criteria to be considered as such is completely relative, and in most instances your own personal judgment.



a penny for your thoughts?



So relax, and create! no matter what it is or how you choose to express yourself, just don't be afraid to do it.
but if your a little afraid at least support those who create for a living- the local artists, musicians, performers.
this just might bring you a little bit of happy.



(the pictures above are graciously taken from the world wide web, i have to be honest, i have quite a large collection of photo/idea inspirations. so I cant give credit to whose work this is, but it is not mine,and I am simply borrowing and sharing it for selfish purposes)

OH...one more thing. I am changing my blog name and url.... i promise you guys wont get left behind... just a little warning, sometime soon there will be a big blog reconstruction project. I was never really satisfied with the appleseed...now i simply have to find a name/style i will actually stick with. we shall see....

CARRIEFAGAN

Create it. Because you can

bippidy bop.

sorry for the lack of posts. I have been missing my blog like crazy.
its been a fluster of a ride these past few weeks.
Oh what a chaotic delight.Between craft shows, sister sister visits, attempting and failing at buying a new car, workshops, crafting, and crazy mothers... my life could not be more complete. Now i simply have to prioritize, something I can honestly say I have a little trouble doing.

can you spot my bight blue front door?? it makes me smile every morning. I dunno what it is about bright blue, it just makes you giggle.

Just a short recap.

I got a JOB woo!- my boss and coworkers are truly a delight to work with... and I really love what I do... so i consider myself very lucky.

I am still meeting some pretty interesting people in the HAM - all good news! i'm hanging with lil Dily every chance i get. as seen below- poems for a dollar. genius. I don't really see the older sis much. i need to make time to do that.

This past weekend was one of the most rewarding and exhausting craft shows I have ever done. By far the best part was bartering some goodies off to other VERY talented artists. Ill have to share some pics of my sweet trades. one of which included an amazing tooth brush bowl. with two squinty eyes.

I am finding that I have very little free time, between job and crafting. I terribly miss my friends and I think sometimes i might scare new ppl off a little because I just want to badly to find someone to relate to... tricky. thats for another day though.

did i mention i went to a Beautiful concert the other night. If you have not heard of the Punch Brothers, then man you are missing out. they are truly amazing, beautifully talented boys!

side note...

i have so much to look forward too. I am still determined to open my community craft center, and connect crazy talented artists all over this town. until then. i will diligently work toward staying happy and spreading creativity any way I can.

alright so get this. my lil sis is cray talented. and she just so happens to have a super inspirational rhyming mind. Her poems are a perfect mix of Salvador Dali and Dr. Seuss. I will share a couple with you below, these guys were written at her poems for a dollar stunt. She made about 24$/hr. no joke.

pure talent.

I just got an anonymous letter in Z mail.
susch a horrible and incredible idea.

i am pretty sure i will try this with sketch books!

ok then.
miss this.
chat soon!

carrie

OH so Loveley Funky

some people are just so darn talented these days...
for real... i could get lost on the internet searching through blogs/paintings/etsy/design sponge...now if only i could bring everyone here to Birmingham... it would be like a craft party everyday.

(picture above)

ha... confused? this is the start of a new project. the broccoli will be transformed into wearable art.. i promise to keep you posted. but hopefully they will be incredibly GReat!

here is a hint.



now you can always be healthy....
and thought i would share some sweet finds.

purple print



lucious space



incredible outfit....



can i please get married here.

gosh darn this weekend was funky.
full of Halloween candy, horse back rides, and beautiful weather.
i was a little bummed.. i went to Sams Club to stock up on some candy... and i only got TWO tricker treaters...(HUH?)... that is what i get for living at the top of the hill:(

now all of the candy is nicely scattered throughout the house...
OH and I got some super sweet finds from the thrift this weekend.

good times.


alright so if you were not already aware i found TWO really great blogs....
here they are.... (kind of amazing)





also... does anyone have a favorite illustrator on ETSY...
I'm looking to buy some prints for my room.

Just another Waste of Time

I think it has been past due time for a watch. I have never worn watches religiously. My sporadic self usually finds a broken watch at the thrift store, wears it for a week or so, then realizes that is quite silly because it does not even work. Yes I often wear watches that do not work. It is just hard to justify paying 45$ to fix a watch that I payed 2.50$ for. So I have finally decided to break down and buy a very beautiful custom handmade watch.

ETSY watches

I just cant quite understand the trend of those goofy looking huge crystal watches with brightly colored plastic bands. I honestly thought I liked them, until I saw everyone and their mom wearing them. They even sell them for like 20$ at those awful kiosks in the mall.. NO thank you
I would NOT like a watch that 3/4s of American women own.
I also like to support etsy sellers whenever possible.

but when not possible- i go for the other end of the spectrum Japanese watches!

Here are a few other options....
do you see the trend? maybe i should just get two!

retro green watch



lime green watch





bright yellow!



super duper

so which is your favorite? I'm leaning toward the super duper!
Have a great weekend!

Just another WaSTe Of TiME

Holi Color Celebration

Gavin does nothing normal. So naturally for his birthday he wanted to celebrate in a very unique way. the main goal... to please and delight as many people as possible with incredibly delicious home cooked food, vibrant color powder extravaganza, and a simple in kind donation to none other than your everyday goat giving organization.

this sounds absurd. but is completely normal in Gav's book. A birthday is for celebration, but MR. Giving G took it a step further, he wanted to raise money for someone a bit less fortunate than himself. He asked for donations at his bday party to be put toward an organization (sorry i forget the name) which provided livestock (GOATS) to a family in need. Success? i dunno yet. i still owe him 20$ but a kick booty idea if you ask me.

the celebration was quite a splendid event. generous portions of squash casserole, chick pea salad, and banana raisin bread pudding with espresso chocolate sauce. YUM! and of course HOLI POWDER.

here is the prezzie Dily and I made Gav for his Bday...
still a work in progress. his own personal creepy shrine.



to say the very least. the food was yum. the friends were a delight. and the colored powder was sweet!
Happy Birthday Gav.

Fall Sale. and pumpkin time.

(read more below)

Fall is officially here. This means I'm feeling a little generous!
I have carved one pumpkin, worn plenty of sweaters, and eaten one too many pumpkin flavored deserts already.

This October has been filled with oh so many surprises and changes for me. I have officially settled into a new city. I recently got a truly inspirational and rewarding job. I have met so many new friends, oh and did I mention HALLOWEEN is just around the corner?

let me simply explain.

I accepted a position at Mitchell's Place, a comprehensive treatment center in Birmingham for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Job title: Development Associate, basically organizing and helping with fund-raising events and conferences as well as development goals for the school. The staff has been so welcoming and encouraging, and the kids are simply an inspiring delight to be around. I am very excited to be joining such a wonderful team.

so on to more super news... Everything in the shop will be 40% off until the end of October.
the discount will be reimbursed when you check out.
you MUST send me a message which reads: 40OFF please!
(excludes shipping prices)

I am trying to clean house a bit to get ready for fall crafts and holiday parties.

and i have so many ideas running around in my head for Halloween costumes... first on the list Poison Ivy. i just really want to either a. wear a wig...or b. be in complete disguise.

hope your having a super splendid fall.
sorry for the lack of posts recently.
my life has been wow busy.

poems for a dollar.

My lil sis lily decided to bring one of my typewriters
to the market to sell poems for a dollar.

I cannot even begin to tell you how big of a hit this was. There were people lined up just for a poem from lil. It was crazy. The poems were pretty clever very much like Dr Seuss mixed with cheezy hallmark cards. The idea was you pick a topic, and she writes a snippet of a poem. Here is one she wrote for some old man looking for a gift for his girlfriend.

I don't want to buy you something cheezy or corny.
so I wrote you this poem, which might just make you horny.
my hopes and my dreams
all revolve around you
and if you leave i will cry
and be ever so blue
so stay baby stay
please stay just for me.
I will take you away, we can sail on the sea,
you will see, have some tea,
your the pod to my pea,
stick around for good times,
fun for you, fun for me!



This is proof of the last weekend at Pepper Place. It could not have gone better. One of my best friends Emmy traveled up from Florida to visit for a bit. We kicked booty at Pepper Place, then hopped over to the Greek Fest for some falafels and Greek doughnuts. There was also a film festival going on this weekend so we headed to the beautiful Alabama theater for a very interesting/creepy film about a family who taught there kids that cats were the devil and they were kept in their home learning improper meanings for words and interactions.

Check out a little more about Dogtooth the film here.
http://www.avclub.com/articles/dogtooth-director-giorgos-lanthimos,42525/

I hope your having a SUPER week.

a few purple crazies.

ill share a few pics from them antique stores we stopped by in Atlanta, GA. Lily and I (my lil sis with the purple hair) seem to get lost in thrift stores and antique shops. We usually find ourselves taking more pictures for art ideas, than we do buy items.Lily found this super cool paper mache fox head. It was a little too pricy, but most certainly going on my craft list.I felt inspired to share with you a touch of one of my favorite colors.

Purple never really goes out of style, and it just seems to match everything right? well almost everything. I would have to say one of my absolute favorites... the elf jacket. Beautifully crafted from recycled sweaters. I keep reminding myself that ONE day I will create something very similar with all of the grungy sweaters I have kept over the years. I cant seem to throw away anything these days.

ALSO. do you like the new tape accents? I finally found someone who offers them as freebies. Check it out here.This gal has oodles of other wonderful goodies.

I hope everyone is having a splendid week. I am most certainly looking forward to this weekend. It will be my last Pepper Place craft weekend, and my BEST friend EMMY is coming to visit.
Oh boy things are gonna get crazy.

oh. and i am thinking of redesigning my blog again.
why? you ask. well i just like change.

have a splendid weekend.

purple shoes
crazy quilt elf coat
purple suede jacket
magic burrito
mysterious unicorn

Before and After a beautiful sitting device.

Everyone is guilty of keeping ugly furniture...determined to reach the day when you will make it pretty. I usually purchase one too many chairs at a thrift or estate sale determine to fix that wobbly leg, or slap a fresh coat of paint on the rustic wood. More often than not, they sit unchanged for weeks or months until I finally get a sudden urge to fix something.

This lucky chair was actually my roommates. She brought it back from her dorm days living in Auburn. When I saw it I immediately knew it was in need of a little TLC. Someone had obviously attempted previously to fix the poor thing. It had hand painted moss green splotch paint (disaster) and a really awful stained gray colored upholstery finish.

I have been keeping this hand stitched butterfly wall hanging for a little over a year now. The frame was broken and I could never find the right size to fix it. It has certainly been put to good use. I simply detached the round cushion and stapled the new butterfly stitch fabric on the stool. I next painted the metal chair a fresh coat of zesty yellow. These colors work beautifully in my kitchen.

The chair now proudly sits next too a stack of old suitcases and some fresh garden flowers in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy.