nova by tess ~ the busy life of one crazy swede

second chances

2012-02-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

I am filled with hope for the future.
I can finally see where my story is going.
Where I think it was always meant to go.

For a moment I almost forgot who I was.
What I was supposed to do.
How everything was supposed to feel.

Like a thrift store chandelier I've been brushed off
and brought back to life. Given a second chance.

I will find those tears of laughter
and I will let my heart overflow with love.

I am going to see the light again.
Be embraced by familiar surroundings.
Feel that special breeze gently touch my face.
Take deep breaths of the clean crisp air.

I am finally going home.

~tess

dreams of spring

2012-02-06T09:18:00.000-05:00

chandelier earrings

these have been ithe works since I bought my rolling mill...

which was quite awhile ago :)

But I finally figured out how they were supposed to be finished!

With gemstones and feathers.

I think I am longing for spring already..

This and another pair will be added to my shop on Wednesday!

Have a wonderful Monday!

love ~tess

A handful of Ocean treasures

2012-01-23T07:54:00.000-05:00

Coral Fragment necklace

Hold your breath and take a plunge.
Let the water drown out all the sounds
and the silence embrace you.

Reach the bottom and touch the sand.
Let your fingers dig deep and hold tight.

Resurface and open your hand.
Let the water wash away the sand.
Small pieces of the ocean remains.

A handful of Ocean treasures.
Fragments of a feeling.
 

find it in the my etsy shop now

love ~tess

time flies

2012-01-20T08:33:00.000-05:00

You should know by now I  cannot set a date and stick to it.

I got carried away in the studio and work on a gaziljon things...

I still need to take photos, write descriptions 

and calculate pricing... 

So shop update is pushed until tomorrow!

I'm sorry!

But here's a sneak peak at some of the designs.

I think the gloomy weather and the bone 

chilling cold has gotten to me.

All I can think about is color!

love ~tess 

reflections

2012-01-17T10:33:00.000-05:00

I've hadn't much to say lately. 
Lots going on inside my head but nothing worth saying out loud.

I've been reflecting more than usual. 

I don't even know how that is possible

There might be a big change in our lives soon.

A possible move.

A big one.

I think you know what I am talking about.

Maybe it's just time for me to come home.

I have missed it. 

Like a part of my soul was left behind and no matter 

how hard I tried to fit in and just be grateful and happy 

to be here there was always something missing.

It just wasn't enough. 

If we do go I promise I will take you with us

on our journey. I want to share it with you.

Meanwhile, how does a Friday shop update sound like?

Lots of earrings. Something about this winter and the lack

of snow has me longing for colors and bright light.

Here's a sneak peak on what's on my bench.

second generation of soul windows in the works... 

love ~tess

in the shop today

2012-01-06T09:36:00.000-05:00

just a few of the necklaces I will be adding to the shop today

love ~tess

an ocean filled with sea anemones

2012-01-05T22:17:00.000-05:00

look so many I caught in my net!

They will all be strung individually on a

delicate bead chain in sterling silver

and listed in nova of sweden

throughout the day tomorrow Friday January 6th.

and some starfish studs might also decide to show up.

I'll try to post some more preview photos

of a couple of the necklaces tomorrow.

Have a wonderful evening!

love ~tess

etsymetal charmswap in the works

2011-12-29T13:04:00.000-05:00

I signed up for the Etsy metal charm swap and thus I need to make 22 charms!

Of course I have been procrastinating and I figured it was about time to start.

So 22 little filigree seahorses are being crafted in my studio..

I've made the heads and the bodies. Need to make all their little details before I can solder them together.

And then comes the best part. I am going to fill them with different colored resin.

They are going to look so cool!

Now back to work for me!!

love ~tess

2011-12-27T17:37:00.000-05:00

I bet you've been wondering...

where has she been for the past couple of weeks?

Well there is lots of things going on over here in Audubon.

Some changes on the horizon.

Things I can't talk about quite yet as nothing is finalized.

But if everything works out I can't wait to tell you.

I think it will be quite exciting. :)

and I will have to leave you hanging with that.

And then there was Christmas.

And then it was over before it even started.

that's how it felt like

SWOOOOSCH

and now there is a dried up christmas tree in the living room...

But with lots of happy ornaments.

And there is still homemade Glögg and mustard for the Swedish ham.

So I think I will be able to stretch out the Holiday feeling a little longer.

On Saturday well be hosting a little New year party.

We are planning to kidnap our out-of-state friend and take

her firework shopping. You see if you have a PA license you cannot buy things that leave the ground. And although sparklers can be fun you need things that will leave the ground and explode in magical colors when it's new years eve...

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas

and I can't wait to see what the new year will bring :)

and before I forget!

Use coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR2011

in nova of sweden to get 20% of anything listed.

love ~tess

approaching

2011-12-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

I can feel it... 

Smell it in the air...

I think this will be a great Christmas.

Love ~tess

2011-11-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

all in the shop!

click here to see more pictures of them

have a wonderful day!

love ~tess

oh and there are colored pinwheels available in nova designs!

Shop update tomorrow Saturday at 3pm

2011-11-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

I tried to get so much done today that I ran behind...

These will be in the shop tomorrow at 3pm.

love ~tess

filigree kelp

2011-11-23T23:11:00.000-05:00

Not sure if the resin will set up properly.

I used an old hardener I've had for a while.

But I had to show you.

I think I am in love.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

love ~tess

a little sneak peak

2011-11-23T08:02:00.000-05:00

some of the designs I am working on for this Friday's update...

now BACK to work!!

Have a wonderful day

love ~tess

Sometimes on the way to the dream

you get lost and find a better one

2011-11-22T11:09:00.002-05:00

the transformation

2011-11-04T08:37:00.000-04:00

I think curlers has a bad reputation. They're kind of cool ha ha

In order to transform one must start with a blank canvas.

In this case it's called white theater make-up.

It's kind of chalky and I am sure it has clogged up my 

pores for months to come.

(did you notice my bloody shower curtain in the background?

I thought it was a nice touch to the party theme he he)

Second stage is scales. 

If I tell  you how I made them I'll have to kill you.

Just kidding :) But I spared you the visuals by not taking

a photo. You might think I'm crazy (in case you

haven't already come to that conclusion).

Are you ready?

I squuezed my head into a pair of fish-net stocking...

And used it as a stencil to apply green theater make-up.

Pretty Nifty huh?

 Then eye make-up. Dark is good. 

And to complete the transformation I added 

my snakes, and the creepy contacts.

I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

But I have to say I was pretty shocked by the

number of people (when we went out later that night) 

who didn't know who Medusa was.

Something is seriously wrong if you dont know

your Greek mythology. Maybe I am just THAT old. 

But I think you are missing out on some 

great stories.

The drink set up.

Lisa is chilling.

Of course it started snowing 

and the weather was just crazy that night. 

But a few brave ones made it to our pre halloween party

and we had such an awesome time.

 And after all the Halloween costume making

it's safe to say that the studio is a wreck.

Yikes. There is stuff everywhere.

I've been playing a lot with clay.

Have a ton of pieces that needs to be glazed and fired.

Sea anemones.

If the colors turns out the way I envisioned

I think this coral reef is going to be amazing.

A bunch of sea anemones waiting for color. 

and of course there's some metal coming!

I've had this stone for some time.

It's so beautiful. These pictures don't do my stones

justice. I took them last night with terrible lighting.

I just wanted to show you what I'm working on.

On the flip side rings. 

Drool worthy. 

And a sugarskull ring and a sugar skull necklace.

Some cleaning up, polishing and a dip in the 

LOS and these are good to go. I'm aiming for an

update sometime next week. I'll keep you posted!

This post got a lot longer than I thought it would.

Guess I had a lot to say today.

Probably cause I have been stuck in my head 

for a few weeks. That happens to me sometimes.

I just get so caught up thinking. Thinking about

everything from; how on earth are we going to fix that

speedometer on my car to what ARE we doing for Christmas?

Lots of other stuff going on as well.

But I'll tell you all about it another day!

I love you. Thank you for being here.

That plus the fact it's Friday makes

me giddy with joy.

Have a fantastic Friday!

~tess

the costumes

2011-11-01T14:21:00.000-04:00

me as medusa.

my husband. The shark attack 

I got these images from a friend of mine. 

I need to see if I can locate some more pics for you.

But I wanted to show you something!

Hope you all had a great Halloween weekend.

love ~tess

just like new

2011-10-25T10:56:00.000-04:00

Phew finally finished.

A $50 find turned into something wonderful.

Some day when we have more time we'll strip it down completely and just stain in.

But for now the white just feels right.

Guess what day today is?

It's my Birthday!!

I am celebrating with flowers and brownies :)

And a 20% sale in both novadesigns and novaofsweden

just use coupon code HAPPYBIRTHDAY2011 when checking out!

Have a spectacular day today!

love ~tess

an army of angry pumpkins

2011-10-24T07:52:00.000-04:00

Nothing says Halloween like an army of angry baby pumpkins on the porch.. 

My Medusa costume is coming along slowly.

I spent the weekend sewing and scratching my head.

I am not a seamstress (that's for sure).

But at least I wont have to go as a naked Medusa.

David's shark attack is coming along much better.

He is going to look amazing.

How's your Halloween plans coming along?

love ~tess

2011-10-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

There simply isn't enough hours in a day 

for all I want to accomplish.

When will they ever invent the "survive on 2 hours of sleep pill"?

Or maybe I just need to get much better at prioritizing? LOL

But anyways...I am sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile.

So what's new?

Hmmm... my Halloween costume is slowly coming along.

The house got somewhat cleaned up last weekend.

Slept in on Sunday and it felt great!

This week I am working on some more Soul windows...

I'll let you know when they will make an appearance in the Etsy shop!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and a fabulous Monday!

love ~tess

shop update

2011-09-30T09:36:00.001-04:00

soul windows 

large earrings

small earrings

necklace

Across the ocean necklace 

Mermaids tail necklace 

Barnacle ring 

Mermaids tail necklace 

going to the shop today!

in an hour or so :)

Happy Friday my dear friends!

love ~tess

He held her like a seashell and listened to her heart

2011-09-29T08:02:00.000-04:00

mermaids tail

One glorious ceramic barnacle created from scratch by yours truly.

Robins egg blue with little craters in pale pink.

A dangling scrumptious filigree seaweed kelp hangs 

below the barnacle.

She will be added to the shop on Friday.

But she won't be alone.

you never know what else will wash up ashore...

Could be another small mermaids tail...

 and maybe some small ceramics starfish studs 

for your lovely lobes...

and there could be more :) 

I guess you better come back tomorrow

if you're curious!

love ~tess

2011-09-28T08:01:00.000-04:00

I almost finished two necklaces with my 

little sea creatures yesterday!

and some soul window earrings... 

Photos? oh yes of course. I forgot in my excitement!

Better secure those socks for the preview pics tomorrow!

haha

love ~tess

nova is back

2011-09-23T11:06:00.000-04:00

I've decided to open novadesigns again!

I've missed my pinwheels...

It will be a slow start with limited inventory.

I will just have to see how I can juggle everything :)

But I am excited!

love ~tess

makers fair

2011-09-22T09:20:00.000-04:00

We went to the Makers Fair in NY last weekend.

It was a lot of fun.

LOTS to look at.

I was especially intrigued by the 3D printers. 

made my brain go into overdrive 

It's crazy how far technology has come.

 We also watched ArcAttack perform.

Pretty incredible. 

Read more about them here 

I also realized that super crowded places makes me 

a little uncomfortable and that paella from a tent doesn't 

taste like paella from a small family owned restaurant 

by the ocean in a small spanish village named Rosa...

love ~tess 

the second wave

2011-09-21T10:21:00.000-04:00

look what I found in the kiln this morning! 

experimental pieces... need some tweaking but kind of fun 

barnacles 

corals 

urchins 

my favorites out of this batch 

and some ocean bling for your lobes

a coral reef necklace in progress 

It's got barnacles, coral texture and sea anemones!

A little barnacle, sea anemone urchin thingie.

Did I tell you I love clay?

but don't worry!

There IS still some metal in the works :)

love ~tess

my first batch of sea creatures

2011-09-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

Some of colors didn't come out quite how I envisioned but 

I still love every single one of my little creatures.

The little dove gray spiky barnacles are my favorites.

Which one is your?

love ~tess

the beauty of being self taught

2011-09-13T09:19:00.000-04:00

I started glazing my little creatures. 

Pale ivory with little specks 

like a tiny bird's eggshell. 

Aqua and blue from the deepest of oceans.

Pink and dark rose from the inside of an 

empty seashell drifted ashore.

Gray like the smooth, round beach pebbles slowly 

shaped in the waves of the ocean.

I painted on my colors with tiny brushes.

Some layered on top of each other while 

others were left alone.

I am free to explore this in my own way. 

At my own terms.

Not held back by convention 

or thoughts of what doesn't 

work or what you cannot do.

The beauty of teaching oneself a new craft 

coral 

urchins, corals and barnacles 

barnacle 

 urchin

ocean pod

an army of sea creatures

Right now they are in the kiln

Firing

Thousands degrees to transform the

pastels to something else.

To what, I do not know yet.

I have to wait patiently until tonight.

love ~tess

medusa

2011-09-11T10:31:00.000-04:00

sketching my medusa costume

halloween is approaching

2011-09-09T08:30:00.000-04:00

I am dressing up this year.

In fact we are throwing a predrink party before 

we go out to mingle with other the ghosts & goblins.

I found the perfect fabric for my dress. 

It's SO ugly. It's perfect.

No I am not a seamstress. But I do ok most of the time.

Except last night when all I managed to accomplish was a 

whole in my new tank top. :(

I am going as medusa.

Snakes in my hair and all. I think it will be magical.

If I can pull it all together. ;)

What are you doing for Halloween?

love ~tess

2011-09-07T08:26:00.000-04:00

out of the heat

2011-09-06T07:56:00.000-04:00

twelve hours they kept me waiting 

but they all showed up for the party!

 After baking them in my kiln for what seemed like an eternity, 

this morning I could finally open the little door and take a look.

Fully prepared to face a war zone of exploded pieces...

I was stoked to discover that they all survived.

And they are divine.

(like any proud mother would say) 

The pale gray has turned into a beautiful rock hard ceramic white.

A clear canvas for me to paint with luscious glazes.

and while David fell asleep in front of design star

I made 4000 little starfish inspired studs.

Well maybe not 4000 but I made A LOT.

 :) formerly known as :o)

I was told by my younger (and obviously much cooler) little brother than NOBODY writes :o) anymore... 

Ha ha made me feel like a dinosaur

STUDIO UPDATE!

People we now have a soldering station.

*Applauds*

love ~tess

"Don’t waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window — or break down a door."

weird & wonderful

2011-09-02T10:07:00.001-04:00

It was really starting to get to me.

Not having my soldering station set up.

Not making things.

I wake up thinking about shapes, colors, designs.

I go to sleep thinking about it...

and then I continue in my dreams.

make make make make make 

It's who I am. 

And when I can't make things I go a bit nuts.

Lately I have been homesick too.

Missing the ocean.

Feeling trapped in a country who doesn't believe in 

sidewalks, long vacations or clean air.

I know that's not really fair but it's how I've been feeling.

I found some ceramic clay 

Or maybe it found me.

It felt good.

Making things again.

I went a little nuts. 

May I introduce Mr Barnacle?

I think he's kind of sexy :)

I squeezed the clay between my fingers.

I poked, prodded and smiled (a lot).

My heart was singing as these weird & wonderful

sea creatures took shape.

They evolved

the first babies

second generation

third generation

born with a lot more attitude!

I left my initials with each

creature to remind them where they came from.

And I smiled to myself when I realized how

pretty my new initials look...

Now they just need to get dry behind their ears 

before we can play dress up. 

I'm thinking a lot of aqua.

love ~tess

strong winds and shades of white

2011-08-29T08:52:00.000-04:00

We prepared for Irene 

David was kind enough to let me set up camp in the basement,

even though he probably thought I was crazy. 

Hey I am swedish! 

If someone says Hurricane. I'll take cover.

Luckily we could stay safe (and comfortable in our beds).

Only some big broken branches in the yard but no flooding or power outage.

I hope all of you are safe and sound as well.

Last weekend it was snowing upstairs...

...the nasty kind that gets everywhere.

The kind that makes you wonder if you are 

a complete idiot for not covering the floors.

Thew kind that takes hours of mopping 

and scrubbing to get rid of...

This week there was a different shade 

of white on our mind... 

but there can only be one...

and Betsy's linen was the right kind of white!

I can see it starting to come together now.

My work benches are being built this week...

EEEEEK!!

I am so excited!!

Lisa is just tired as usual... 

I have to apologize for missing my 

promised upcoming shop update.

I'm gonna wait until the pieces are done

and then announce a day. 

Right now I have to focus on getting 

our home and my studio set up.

Thank you for being so fabulous!

love ~tess

happiness

2011-08-19T15:38:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry for the delay

(life got in the way.. as usual)

I uploaded TONS of photos to my FLICKR page

so pleased drop by and take a look :o)

and as for my accountability friday...

well uhum...

let's say I'm aiming for next wednesday instead.

Love a little deeper...

life is so precious

~tess

2011-08-17T15:57:00.001-04:00

wedding photos

coming tomorrow!!!

(yes, that deserves at least 3 exclamation points) 

Yee-HAW!!!

(sp?)

love ~ tess

on the horizon

2011-08-16T07:55:00.001-04:00

I don't want to make promises I can't keep.

But without deadlines I seem unable to accomplish anything.

So this Friday will be a day of accountability. 

I think...

:o)

love ~tess

video vixen

2011-08-15T20:45:00.000-04:00

2011-08-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

and there was tears...

We got the photographs.

David and I sat glued to the computer.

Looking at one picture after another.

Quietly

Remembering

Was it only two months ago?

It feels much longer ago than that.

Like a lifetime ago

So much have happened since we said;

I love you

in front of our family and friends.

A move

A carsick kittie

A mohawk

Bangs

and lets not forget the glasses!

And so much more...

We are in such a happy place right now.

I feel happier than I ever have.

There is so much I want to share with you

but I hope you'll forgive me for holding it close

to my chest a little bit longer.

Have I told you lately how much you mean to me?

I don't think I've expressed it well enough.

Being so far away from my family and friends

I really appreciate your presence here.

Reading your comments always brings a smile to my face.

Thank you for being here for me

love ~tess

2011-07-28T07:52:00.000-04:00

the dry wall dust is everywhere 

I don't think my shoes will ever be the same...

but I can see a silver lining

after applying miles of tape last night...

I think we're ready to paint this weekend! 

I know I am ready for this project to be done :o)

and today we're meeting with the photographer 

to get our wedding pictures!

YAY!!

love ~tess 

dreaming in white

2011-07-25T09:13:00.000-04:00

It's been long hours and a lot of hard work 

over here at the nova homestead.

David is such a trooper.

He patiently showed me how to install dry wall.

Turns out I am quite good at it.

I don't think he saw that coming! HA!

A massive heatwave hit this weekend..

The sweat was running down our faces,

soaking our shirts and dehydrated our bodies 

to the extend I think my brain was starting 

to shut down.

I don't know about you but when it gets 

hot like that my brain wont work. 

I forget how to measure...

This week it's going to be much nicer 

to work upstairs. We installed a new window 

unit last night and the cooling air flowing out felt

amazing on our hot tired bodies.

So bring on the mud buckets! 

love ~ tess

words to live by

"Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."

c on f e s s i o n s

2011-07-21T07:47:00.000-04:00

Last night I came home from work and ate dinner in bed.

In front of the TV... 

That's where it lives until we get 

the living room sorted out... 

(and let me tell you that I am so 

against having a TV in the bedroom)

I think it's the perfect way to get less sleep and less romance!

So I laid bed, munching on a burrito.

(I felt guilty but amazing at all once ha ha) 

I glanced at some shows and started to get tired.

I swear TV sucks the energy right out of me!!

So I had to escape and I ran and hid in my little makeshift studio.

Looking at the little copper discs I started last week.

Piling them all in the palm of my hand. 

Feeling the weight of the metal, the smooth backs and 

the textured front as I moved my fingers across the surface. 

Feeling so incredible happy.

I am so blessed in so many ways.

I truly love what I do in the studio.

It's an extension of me.

I look at my work and I see the eclectic, crazy

whirlwind that is me. And it feels good.

I almost finished the first pair of soul windows... :o)

 Now I am trying to decide if I should wait to list 

this pair until the rest is finish... or?

Mmmm... I'm going to take another sip of my fantastic 

coffee and then get going with the rest of my day.

Thank you for dropping by.

BTW you look smashing today!

~tess

KAPOW!

2011-07-19T10:04:00.000-04:00

Refreshed all my images with this new 

awesome slate background. I am so loving it.

Come and take a look and tell me what you think.

And maybe I can tempt you to treat yourself

to some new fabulous jewelery while you are there?

Use coupon code: JULY2011 

when checking out at

nova of sweden

to receive the discount.

:o)

I am so in love today

glimpses through the window

2011-07-19T08:01:00.000-04:00

I am putting my soul into these earrings.

Sawing, shaping, bending.

It's almost like a puzzle where the pieces has

to fit in one and another. Tiny windows of the soul.

There is still a lot of work to be done but I 

just couldn't wait. I wanted to share them with you

right now.  I love the process of what I do. 

And it wouldn't be fair to just skip to the end 

and not let you see how I got there :o)

A small glimpse of what is going on inside my head right now.

I hope you'll love them when they are done...

~tess

words to live by...

"Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life."

sometimes big ideas require a big pencil

2011-07-17T18:50:00.001-04:00

2011-07-15T19:51:00.000-04:00

I am sketching.

Making bold filigree like swirls and growing leafs.

Letters.. one by one... 

Not for silver but for blogging.

You see the font that is up now is a free download and although very pretty 

I've been meaning to make one by my own two hands. The old fashioned way.

Taking my time.

Making every line count.

But boy am I having fun :o)

I adore Fridays!

~tess

soul windows

2011-07-12T15:15:00.001-04:00

I'm working on some earrings.

YES you heard right!

*this lady is finally working on something* 

just taste the words... 

copper

texture

filigree

soul

window

magic

:o)

building a dream...

2011-07-11T11:26:00.002-04:00

...makes a lot of dust 

For some reason we thought we would have 

the studio dry-walled by now.

But that wasn't very realistic. 

Between my arm acting up and our

"new" truck turning out to have severe rust damage 

to the frame (I know, isn't that such a bummer!?) 

Poor truckie at the dealership now for evaluation. 

Turns out there is a recall

on the frame for rust problems...

So cross your fingers and lets hope they'll

replace it free of charge.

I am gonna have a window with a view.

Makes my heart swoon just thinking of it.

And here's the man who is gonna make it all happen.

My very own super hero! 

Doesn't he look hot with spray foam insulation

stuck to his chest? ha ha

I am suffering from severe silver and stone withdrawal.

I think I have to go and pet some imperial jaspers...

Love ~tess

the forbidden room

2011-07-08T08:14:00.002-04:00

sniff sniff 

what secrets are you hiding in here? 

Smells kind of dodgy to me.

Like vinegar and some other weird stuff...

and WHOA look at all that dust!

People are gonna think you stink at cleaning.

Oh I see...

You made a temporary setup with all your

little gizmo's and stuff.

It looks a little tight though...

hardly any room for me...

and there's that strange toy you won't let me play with!

 –Stella hurry in and check out the forbidden room!

This exploring business makes me exhausted...

and a little bit hungry maybe. 

I think I'm just gonna chill out here in the bedroom

for a while. Maybe I'll rapport back on Monday with

the kitchen. These sneaky guys put up a screen door to keep me out. 

But don't tell them that I know how to push it open :o) 

Hello ladies!

So to add to the whole moving stress I started 

getting pains, tingling and numbness in my right arm. 

I am guessing 12 years of graphic design finally is 

taking it's toll. I have been going to the doctor constantly

(or at least it feels like it) and a physical therapist 

who told me that besides my arm problems I am also crooked! 

(my right shoulders sits lowers than my left... SO typical!)

So I've been doing lots of stretching and 

trying to straighten out.

I am also limiting my online presence 

while I work on getting better. 

So if you don't hear from me in a few days that is why!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

love ~ lisa & tess (reporting from the new homestead)

unfolding, unfurling and slowly unpacking

2011-07-06T10:25:00.000-04:00

Stretch...

Yawn...

*Rubs eyes*

Oh hi there!

Things at the new homestead is slowly coming along.

I feel like both David and I ran out of gas after the whole move.

Feel like I've been slacking a bit... 

I managed to set up a temporary bench while we 

work on putting up drywall in the new studio space. 

And I found some gorgeous raspberry leafs on a walk the other day.

And the rolling mill is staring at me from the dining room. 

So something is bound to happen.. Maybe earrings?

David turned 30 yesterday. 

I tricked him into wearing a v-neck t-shirt.

Oh my. He looked so good my knee folded!

We had a quiet night with a few drinks,

with some good friends, after work.

 Then we hurried home and ate chocolate cake in bed. 

Yes it is true. Chocolate cake taste better in bed!

love ~tess

the empty shell

2011-06-30T09:45:00.001-04:00

There is something so odd about seeing 

your old home stripped down. 

Bare naked. 

Like we removed all evidence of ever being there. 

Like it was just a dream.

the nova studio 

So many hours were spent in here.

Bending, shaping, hammering..

Dreaming, making, sweating ( a lot of that actually)..

I loved this room.

But I realize I loved it for what took place in there,

not necessarily the room itself.

 the wall

 Seafoamy greenish blue. My favorite color. 

I had a wall like this in Atlanta too.

Maybe there will be another one in the new house?

 the living room

the door 

I am going to miss this door

It opens up halfway to let air in.

The cats used to sit perched on top of the 

lower part of the door watching us while we

would fuss around in the kitchen or living room.

 The last truck load

the new living room

Must make room for actual living in there...

 the new dining room

 yeah, the dining table doesn't fit quite yet.

Give me a day or two and I'll squeeze it in.

the new kitchen

Those boxes I simply HAD to unpack right away.

How else would I be able to cook dinner for my hard working husband?

Did I mention that we are exhausted?

Happy but EXHAUSTED!

love~tess

2011-06-29T15:06:00.001-04:00

The boxes are stacked from floor to ceiling. 

Can't find my hairbrush. Or any of those important

papers I needed to keep track of... 

Arms are sore and bruised from moving.

Feeling exhausted yet so awake.

It's exciting.

Lisa and Stella are settling in quite ok.

Despite the incident in the car.

A 45 minute car ride proved to be too much for Stella...

who hacked up all over a terrified Lisa...

Yeah it was pretty gross.

Yet I couldn't stop laughing at the whole scene.

Stella looking seriously confused with a white foamy puke around her little mouth.

Lisa staring at me with giant eyeballs.. ha ha

The next morning I awoke to find Bruno in our bed.

Not an uncommon sight as Bruno often sleeps with us.

Slightly odd though since I had packed Bruno with the rest of

Lisa and Stella's toys...

5000 boxes and at least one tired cat

2011-06-24T09:05:00.000-04:00

photograph by Johan Blixt (my big brother)

Still waiting for the rest of my images from the photographer...

Packing is going forward but very slow.

It seems as we are both somewhat of pack-rats.

I think that easily happens when

two creative souls share a home.

You never know when that stump or copper pipe can come in handy!

The trick really is to make sure you remember what you have.

As I am rediscovering a trillion little things, opening

up taped boxes and closed drawers I realize that my

organization skills leave much to be desired.

I am quite successful in tucking things away.

Making it neat and organized.

But then my teflon memory kicks in and I

seem to instantly forget where I put what.

Or that I even had it in the first place.

So I buy a new "whatever" it might have been.

So now I have two. Hmm where to put it?

I find a perfect place for it

and tuck it away... And forget.

See where I am going with this? LOL

This time it's going to be different.

My studio space is going to be so much bigger.

I don't think words can describe how

excited I am about this move!!!

(yes it's worthy of multiple exclamation points)

Yesterday I tackled some fabric boxes I had.

Discovered some horrid curtains in purple and gold.

Sheer, glossy and quite ugly.

Not sure why I felt a need to save 6 pairs of them.

I must really have liked them at some point....

We're making giant piles for goodwill and only

tossing things that are broken or useless.

Lisa however is quite enjoying the tossed items.

Makes an excellent bed she says.

Happy Swedish Midsummer!

Tomorrow is the big move.

Wish me luck!

love ~tess

the art of downsizing

2011-06-21T08:58:00.000-04:00

–Mom says I have to downsize like everyone else

and get rid of some of my toys...

Like Mr fluffy and the little santa... *sniffles*

–Stella come and check this out! 

I am so not happy with this. 

–Hey, what you got in there? 

– Like half of my toys.. *heavy sigh* 

–Ok I'm all packed! When do we leave? 

the honeymoon

2011-06-20T09:40:00.000-04:00

There's not quite anything like doing nothing.

I like doing nothing.

No musts.

relaxing...

and lots of reading.

David read to me...

love novels ha ha.

And guess what? I think he liked them :o)

 walking...

breathing fresh air and 

getting moss stuck between your toes. 

speachless...

sleeping baby deer

the mullet... 

We decided to give David a new haircut. 

His long hair was driving him crazy 

in the gazing hot sun.

so of course I had to give him a mullet...  

before we made it into a mohawk...

I am really liking his shaved head.

SO HOT! :o)

...and I gave myself some bangs.

I know! I have totally been holding out on you!

I have this love/hate relationship with my bangs.

Today I am wearing them up... 

Maybe tomorrow I'll love them again and

let them come out and play...

sunsets... 

long talks about everything between heaven and earth.

Smores in the cabin. Lots of kissing :o)

diving... 

small confession...

I am a terrible diver.

I freak out. 

I can't open my eyes, so I can't see.

Scary stuff.

the cabana 

the jordans 

ahhh that week went by WAY too fast.

It was pretty crazy. 

It was the first real vacation we have had.

I mean we have traveled together but always 

to see family. Which we all know is usually more

on the stressful side then the relaxing one.

I can't wait to plan our next vacation.

Just him and me.

And a beach! 

happy monday!

love ~tess

2011-06-19T18:08:00.000-04:00

 It's time to make room for new memories

It's safe to say that my clothes have been spilling out from the 

wooden closets and the newly acquired gray dresser and slowly

taken over the bedroom (and possibly parts of the living room...)

They are out of control and needs to be taught some manners.

Seriously

Don't they know that they should crawl from the floor 

into the white laundry bins in the bathroom?

And the dirty socks seem to multiply in droves on the floor next to the bed.

And beside their serious lack of crawling abilities some of them

should have been taken straight to goodwill a long time ago.

Like the tops that have been washed so many times

I can't even remember what color they once used to be.

Clothing I purchased a lifetime ago.

Dresses, pants and skirts bought for a completely different life.

As I pull out each drawer, the memories are surfacing quickly.

It's almost overwhelming.

Memories of a much younger tess.

A hopeful and happy tess.  

Before heartbreaks and responsibilities.

Before life REALLY had begun I guess.

From a time when things were easy.

Matters were black and white back then (or at least that's what I thought).

Everything was OH SO clear.

As I unfold and sweep my hand across the soft fabric 

I realize that I have been holding on to these clothes for all the wrong reasons.

Not because they are my favorite pieces or that they make me look fab.

Honestly, most of them are way too small and just make me feel fat...

But I realized today that I was holding onto them as if they somehow

could stop time. Freeze it, and make the happy moments last forever. 

As if keeping them neatly folded in a gray dresser would 

keep me closer to my old friends 

and preserve those happy memories for eternity. 

Silly I know.

But I didn't realize that I was doing it until this very moment.

I wonder why? 

I am in such a wonderful happy place in my life right now. 

Married to my best friend.

Maybe I was supposed to hold on to them for all these years.

Waiting for the right moment to let go.

As I filled up blue IKEA bags with clothes, shoes, belts and 

purses I could feel myself breathe a little easier... 

Smile a little wider :o)

With sunlight in my heart and plenty of room in the memory bank,

I am so ready for the bright future!

I love you for reading my ramblings

~tess

the train of thoughts have left the station

2011-06-15T09:37:00.000-04:00

I have to constantly remind myself to slow down.

I know it's not the first time I've blogged about this

and I am sure it won't be the last.

When I am excited about something my brain goes into hyper speed.

It's hard for David to follow my train of thoughts sometimes.

HA! it's even hard for me to follow sometimes!

He says it's like I'll jump on the Express train while he's

still standing on the train station checking the time table...

I get frustrated. Putting unrealistic expectations on myself.

There is so much I want to do.

So many things I would like to try. To play with.

So much!

I am only 32 but I am terrified I am running out of time.

Crazy I know. But that's me. A little nuts at times :o)

So you're probably wondering what brought on this

crazy hyper speed train of thoughts today..

Not sure actually. Can't remember where it started! ha ha

Somewhere between planning my new studio space,

deciding that I am going to do craft shows next year,

realizing I need a booth set up,

wondering if I should apply for that square thing that lets you

take credit card,

needing a new iphone to be able to use the square,

thinking about Davids truck that died yesterday

(poor thing.... the truck that is, I think Davis is exciting about a new truck),

super excited to move into a new place,

I really need to sort through my wardrobe,

hmmm wonder if I'll be able to set up a

proper space for my enameling stuff?

Phew I am exhausting myself today.

I think it's time for another cup of coffee... or a nap maybe?

:o)

puss & kram!

~tess

a new set of eyes

2011-06-11T23:26:00.000-04:00

at first I was bummed...

haven't worn glasses since 2004.

Thinking about wearing them in the rain...

coming inside after been outside in the cold (fog anyone?),

leaving red marks on your nose...

Boo

But David said I looked sexy.

And suddenly things were looking a bit brighter :o)

And you know what? It is nice to see the world a little clearer.

Maybe I can get used to these after all.

Hope you are also having a bright and clear Saturday night!

love ~tess

2011-06-07T14:23:00.000-04:00

My favorite mug...

...until Lisa decided it looked better in multiple pieces..

Hmmm good thing she is so darn cute when she plays dead..

2011-06-06T08:39:00.000-04:00

Thank you for all your lovely comments on our big day!

I am waiting for the rest of the photos from the photographer so hopefully,

sometime next week I can put together a blog-post about the whole day.

It didn't rain! We got so lucky :o)

I am slowly getting back to the normal routine... meaning

we have to pack everything up and move to our new home!

Studio time will be a bit limited during the next couple

of weeks, because everything will be in boxes...

It feels strange not to have played with silver

and stones for about a month!

But my head is spinning with ideas...

love ~tess

in love...

2011-06-04T21:43:00.001-04:00

...completely and forever...

I am the luckiest woman in the whole world.

I wish you could have been there with me.

When I come down from the white fluffy clouds

I am currently floating on I will show you more photos..

It WAS a magical day.

love ~tess