Coin-Operated Viewfinders

I took these photos last summer during our trip to Clearwater, FL of the viewfinder on the pier. Clearwater is where Kyle and I met, and we sometimes walked out on the pier to talk as we got to know one another. There's something about the warm sunset lighting that grazes across the surfaces that I love!


I recently framed and hung them in our powder room for affordable art. The viewfinder looks like a face, with a gentle grin.


I found these amusing viewfinder photos online. See what I mean?


I wouldn't mind taking more photos of these as we travel. I think they would be very interesting as a collection!

Feels like I'm Back in School

Meet my new best friend. I've been spending a lot of time with this book, and that's not going to change any time soon. I'm sitting for the NCIDQ exam October 1-2 of this year. A two day exam isn't my idea of fun, but it will be worth it in the end. The NCIDQ is the professional exam for interior designers, and it's required in 26 states (although not currently required to practice in North Carolina). It focuses on the aspects of interior design that affect public health, life safety, and welfare - no creativity required. The test itself includes one day of multiple choice followed by a day of drafting. Whew! Needless to say, I can't wait to have it behind me!

Thanks for Your Prayers!

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement. Kyle had surgery earlier this week to remove the skin cancer on his chest, and everything went really well! It was caught very early and stayed superficial. As far as we can tell, his scar will probably just be round.

But trust me on the sunscreen...

We got some news earlier in the week. In Kyle's own words, he said "I got the skin cancer." He called me just after I'd gotten to work with the results of his biopsy - basal cell carcinoma. I immediately started to tear up and didn't stop for a little while. I cried several times throughout that day. Not because he's going to die (at least not from that), but because we're twenty five, because the word cancer is scary, and because there's nothing I can do to change it. I'm the one with blond hair, blue eyes, and visited the tanning bed a few times in high school - not Kyle. It took me by surprise and reminded me that life can't be taken for granted. God doesn't promise us health or wealth. We cannot know the number of days that we have; we can only worship Him with them.

I'm reminded of the song that was popular back when we were in high school, Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen).


I took this picture on our honeymoon, a little over a year and a half ago. The little red spot you see on his chest has grown since this was taken, and it will be completely removed next Wednesday. We'd appreciate your prayers - that they would get it all and that it wouldn't return. Kyle's also hoping that the scar from the surgery "looks really cool and turns out to be in the shape of something, like a chicken drumstick or an Abraham Lincoln silhouette."

80's Kickball Tournament

A few weeks ago, our Community Group participated in Sports That Serve's first annual kickball tournament at Oakwood Park. Rob Shields, a friend of Kyle's from UNC, started Sports that Serve a few years ago after working at an orphanage started by Mother Teresa in Ethiopia. He began the non-profit to impact the youth in America by running sports camps that raise money for orphans in Ethopia.


Here's Kyle giving our team, Cobra Kai, a pep talk. His headband makes it look like he as a bowl cut!


Which clearly jazzed everyone up!





Despite our efforts, we came in last place - but we had a lot of fun!


Justin and Ashleigh sit in the shade as they watch the championship game.


Go Cobra Kai! Sweep the leg!

Local Find: Furbish Furniture

Yesterday I was on my way home from the Junior League of Raleigh's 2010 Showcase of Kitchens Tour when I spotted this lovely shop on Glenwood Avenue: Furbish Studio. Jamie Meares opened the space about 5 months ago, looking for a fresh change of pace from the corporate world.


She refinishes and recovers furniture, making it adorably cute. The pieces have lots of personality with a dash of funk. Just what Raleigh needs if you ask me. :)


Here are some photos from the store, borrowed from the Furbish Studio blog I Suwanee. Clever quotes are placed throughout the space, like the one above.


I love this chevron settee! She said that she started with a collection of furniture she had stored in her basement, and she shops estate sales for new pieces.


Her dog Rowdy (yes, like the dog from Scrubs) is so cute! I love all the colorful pieces in the space. It's a wonderful mix of old and new. Be sure to check it out if you're around Glenwood South! Or read her interview with Decor8 here.

Photography = My Latest Hobby

For Christmas, I told Kyle I wanted to take a photography class. With work and everything else, it seemed an online class would be the most convenient. I got a digital SLR camera for graduation from my parents back in 2007, but I left it on the "Auto" setting most of the time. I didn't feel like I was getting the most out of the camera I had. Sharon Clark came along and changed that! I took one of her workshops and really enjoyed it! Here are some of the photos I took during the class. {She's offering the next online workshop in May if you're interested!}


I learned how to achieve bokeh (or wonderfully blurry backgrounds that make the subject really pop).



I love the creative ring shots that wedding photographers take, so I decided to try one of my own with a play on Kyle's nickname for me, Egg.


Kyle was excited for me to take the class but not as excited to serve as the subject matter. ;)


I can now shoot in fully manual, and I know how to have control over the camera to get the look that I want.


Now I just need a new camera and a new lens or two! Isn't that the way technology works these days? :) But I'm trying to be patient, at least until next Christmas.


Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.
Exodus 35:30-35

God has given me the desire for all kinds of crafts. Growing up, I enjoyed drawing, painting, cross-stitching, and making collages. When we first got a computer, I spent a lot of time in Paint creating and printing designs. I had a Barbie house, which I loved, but I spent more time rearranging the furniture and making pillows and blankets for it than anything else. In college, I had the opportunity to take classes in so many things, and I don't think I've met a creative subject that I don't like. There is certainly a desire within me to create, and I can't imagine living in a time without the technology that we have today!

(Belated Post) Advent at Vintage 21

I love that our church has a design team, that our God is a creative god, and that I have the opportunity to serve with the gifts He's given me! For the Advent season, the design team worked to incorporate our version of Christmas decorations, to tie in with the sermon series and help visitors feel welcome. A few pictures I snapped in the sanctuary are shown below.


This idea started with Christmas stories that often begin with ornate drop caps. (For inspiring daily drop caps, click here.) As we worked through the concept, we settled on using the text of the scripture to create the words peace, joy, hope, and love.


We wanted the design to be interactive and to encourage others to remember the life of Christ by loving others, just as He did. The "Christmas tree" served as a drop off for cans of food, to be donated to those in need. Words that speak of the spirit of the season emanate from the communion stations.


The lobby functions as an art gallery each month; photographers in the church took pictures to illustrate the words used in the series.


Acrylic letters surround our painting of the Raleigh skyline.


What a beautiful season it was!

Friends Since Birth

My dear friend Isabel got married about a month ago in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I was so disappointed that I couldn't be there - we were born only a day apart, and we've known each other our whole lives. (I spent the whole weekend taking a prep class in Charlotte for the NCIDQ - not nearly as fun!) Here we are about three years ago, playing with the wedding ring favors at her sister's wedding.


And here are a few pictures from her wedding day by Ashley Merritt Photography:


Beautiful!


The church has striking architecture!


Such a cute couple! And isn't her ankle-length wedding dress gorgeous?! I finally got to meet her husband Wyatt this weekend at their reception in Shelby at the Owl's Eye Vineyard.




Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Bradford! It was so good to see you both!

And We're Back

After a blog hibernation this winter, I'm back on the bandwagon (thanks to a little encouragement from Lisa this weekend). We have been busy over the last few months with weddings, birthdays, Christmas, a cruise, work, classes, church, community group, and more! I'll try to go back and blog about some of it over the coming weeks.

To start things off, we were in Greensboro yesterday celebrating with Ryan and Lyndsay Semchenko! Their wedding was absolutely beautiful and such a testimony to the work that God is doing in their lives!


The reception was held at the LEED certified Proximity Hotel, which I loved!


Asian details reflect their mission work and where they started dating. The Chinese writing on their delicious cake says "Love." They will return to Asia later this year, but we're excited that they'll be in Cary as they raise support before they leave.


And here's Daniel, who told me that he is keenly aware when someone is trying to take a candid picture of him - and he makes a face like this. I took it as a challenge. I got a few candid shots when he wasn't looking, but I had to be so quick that they turned out blurry.


I also headed to Shelby for Isabel's wedding reception - I'll post some pictures from that soon. And now that we're back - is there anything you'd like to see me blog about?