[ image from here. ]

When I’m curled up in front of my sewing machine for a few hours, I often listen to music. But sometimes I get a little bored, and wish to engage my mind a bit more. One solution would be books on cd, but another (more recent discovery) is the world of podcasts with a decided creative flair. I have only just started to explore the vast array of podcasts available through iTunes, but they have been such a fun way to learn new techniques, generate ideas, or listen to interviews with some of my favorite crafty authors! I thought I would share my favorite listens with you all; they’re perfect for putting on while crafting, doing housework, or during a quiet evening when you don’t feel quite like having the television on…

Do you have any favorite podcasts (of the creative or not variety) or web-radio shows that you enjoy listening to? Please share!

Anyway, enough rambling! Be sure to check it out and add me as a contact if you’re over there!

[ cold snap. the weather called for layers and close toe shoes! ]

Our weekend was lovely–most of all the weather cooperated and turned out to be a delicious peek at proper fall weather! I spent Sunday afternoon roaming about with my camera in hand, taking snapshots of things I saw. I’ve been trying to document day-to-day life in photographs. Other bloggers who are perpetual shutterbugs inspire me to no end, and I would love nothing more than to make picking up the camera throughout the day–even to capture the little moments–a habit.

[ fire alarm. I love things that are bright red! ]

[ Spanish Moss grows in the trees all over. it looks so spooky blowing in the breeze. ]

[ gigantic leaves grow and fall right outside our building. each is about 1' across! ]

[ stump texture. I couldn't resist taking a shot of a tree stump that was covered with a green mold-like plant matter. ]

Speaking of some of blog reading, these are a few that I’ve been reading and enjoying quite a bit lately (in no particular order):

I normally try not to re-post links that others have already publicized on their blog, but when I saw the link to What We Wore over at the lovely Betsy’s blog, I couldn’t resist! I adore old photographs; beyond the clothes and interest in how people wore the trends of the day, I find it equally compelling to study expressions and poses, wondering what sort of people they were. I hope you’ll enjoy this link–it’s definitely worth spending a little bit of your afternoon browsing through!

Aren’t these dresses so cute? I really love the vintage feel to many of the frocks at Shabby Apple; they’re just so feminine! Rhonda from Shabby Apple contacted me recently to let me know that in celebration of their spring line, they’re offering 15% off anything on the site if you use the promotion code SASpring2009 (good through April 18, 2009). Now, considering spring is right around the corner, and a gal can always use a new dress to add some zip to her wardrobe, this is quite tempting…

And not to steal the thunder of the dresses, but be sure to check out the shoe and handbag offerings too. I’m drooling over this and this! Alas, the latter are more appropriate for cooler weather, but they are pretty darn cute! *sigh* But then again, I’ve had shoes-on-the-brain syndrome lately! haha!