Grow

I've tried to compose a post dozens of times now. I keep attempting to anticipate my audience when I have none. This summer I've spent a lot of my time researching on the creative business community and trying to prepare myself some sort of a game plan for these next four years. I guess I've been so dazzled by other bloggers that I've felt a little small and too embarrassed to post. Now I'm remembering why I wanted to do this in the first place--not to be adored and quoted--but to share my experiences as I grow. And to grow I have to make some attempts at composition. I know that six months down the road I'll smile and roll my eyes at my beginnings, but everyone has to start somewhere.

So, onward.

In three weeks I will be moving into my dorm room with my bessie mate, Amber. Over the summer I have accumulated a staggering number of throw pillows in preparation--I'm pretty sure I have a problem, but am not overly concerned. Today Amber and I are visiting Brenau to see our room, because we're design freaks and want to plan out the layout in advance. Hopefully I'll have some photos to share coming up.

I'm going to commit myself to posting at least once a week. I've found that in processing my experiences to arrange a cohesive post I'm forced to evaluate my progress. I look at where I've been and where I'm going. So tag along and we'll see where I end up.

Cow Tin Surprise!

It's such a good feeling to want to spread the news. Jim Haynes of JHPhotography has been incredibly kind while working with me on my Senior photos (he took the lovely cow shot for my banner), my Portfolio, and Prom pictures. He’s a true southern gentleman, a laid-back sweety-pie. On Saturday, he snuck in an additional surprise with my Senior photo wallets: a tin with my favorite cow shot! He’s such a good guy, and I’ll be posting more of his work within the next week or so.

Plastic Bags and Making Up My Own Mind

If I were to be honest with myself, I would say that my interest in the environment has never been born on my own steam: I’ve simply picked up my mother’s habits. I recycle and pick up litter when I come across it and feel sad when I think of sea turtles choking on plastic grocery bags. It’s like growing up in a Christian family and hearing the truth all your life, but one day having to decide to believe it yourself.

My mother has always said “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees” and now I am fast approaching the time when these decisions will be my own, no one is making me, and no one will be looking.

This video is well worth the eighteen minutes. Don’t be turned off by the strange narrator, stick it out until the very end: the last line makes the film.

Doily Tote

I found this project idea on Design*Sponge and suddenly knew what to do with the canvas bags I’ve been saving for a rainy day. This project is very simple, all you need is a canvas tote, black paint and a paper doily.

Either Way My Pants Still Fit

“There was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.”

----The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

What a way to begin a book. Round of applause for C.S. Lewis.

I can hardly remember what it felt like to be discouraged. I have 6 weeks left to go—of compulsory schooling, that is. I’ve been tinkering with this page bit by bit (I’m trying to peg my essence while simultaneously making it appealing and marketable) so I hope ode de Rachel hasn’t proven too stinky in its early stages. We’ll get there.

My past week has held 3 field trips, tie-dye, picky penguins, soccer, and the simple perfection that is white cotton. Details? Yes, I suppose they would help to clarify.

Tuesday—I Cantori (the advanced mixed choral ensemble) visited Piedmont to practice Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb for the first time with our new organist

Thursday—I Cantori performed Rejoice in the Lamb, scored straight Superiors, melted faces, and I had Zaxby’s and O’Charley’s all in the same day (still recovering)

Friday—Chem II went to the Georgia Aquarium clad in coordinating done-it-ourselves tie-dye. Oh, and the picky penguins? Those bad birds would try nibblies of each fish the nice trainer handed them and would then promptly spit them out.

Later that evening—I went to my boyfriend Cam’s soccer game with our two besties: Amber and Andrew and learned all about fowls and how there are only certain kinds of pushing aloud. We came back to my house and watched Rat Race while Cam and Andrew worked their way through one free coupon’s worth of Outback’s Blooming Onion and Pumpernickle bread. (I refrained, was still recovering from Zaxby’s, O’Charley’s and the Varsity we had to eat for lunch earlier that day).

Saturday—Slept in until 10:30 and then went to the Brenau Spirit Day with Amber, my bff and future roomie, and toured dorms. I managed to tuck away a little bit of BBQ in the dining hall and Pakistani later that evening when we went over to friends for dinner.

I will probably never need to eat again.

Oh, wait, I already have. Because today after church I went to the mall and picked out my exquisite white cotton graduation dress and had a kid’s meal at Little Tokyo.

And a Great American Cookie.

I suppose I’ve walked, sung, and cheered off all those extra calories.

Either way my pants still fit.

Crafter

I am a crafter. I’ve cut and folded paper all my life and for the next four years I’ll be at Brenau University pursing my degree in Studio Art. I want to design stationary, wedding invitations, etc. I’m not interested in art with a capital “A”. I just want to make small somethings that remind people that they have souls. I suppose I’m in the business of warm fuzzies.

I stumbled across Etsy about a year ago and am now a devoted follower of many shops and its blog, the Storque.

Here are some of my favorite products:

12 Double Lace Edges Aged Paper Lace Pack

Liberitae - Sailor Flats 6.5

A trio of teardrop terrariums- 3 moss terrariums

Under Construction

My name is Rachel and I am taking the first big-girl steps towards making something of myself. In the mean time, I'll just make something for you. Follow me as I attempt to emerge gracefully from these last tangled weeks of high school: I'll probably have scabby knees by the end, but at least I'll get to toss my graduation cap in the air.