missing my studio.

it's 97.8°F and humid today

July & August have been nearly the same forecast

with the exception of a few select days

wouldn't be so terrible... but my studio happens to be at nature's whim

[no temperature control there]

and so on these sweltering days, all i do is dream of firing the kiln

floating saw blades through metal

and bring pieces to life.

luckily i snagged the opportunity last week

when a slight break offered up 86-degree days (two in a row!)

these were born:

they remind me of the ocean's secret waters

perhaps in a cove

where visitors do not frequent

doesn't that sound refreshing?!

perhaps a creative mirage

but i'll take it!!

enough whining, lynsey.

how about you? ...are you keeping cool?

or is the entire continent boiling?

what about you... in another country?

xo,

Lynsey

p.s. no developments on my parents

we're all in limbo

but there's a lot of love here

to keep us safe

... thank you. for your thoughts, prayers, and words!

seeing it through - exploring new designs

this summer has been a welcome friend

one i haven't seen in some time

but the kind you relate to instantly

despite years apart

she's open and adventurous

no rushes or pressures

the luxury of playing has returned

and i DO mean playing

creating in my studio has been rejuvenating

i'm exploring new territories

and the excitement seeps from the kiln

fusing itself to the copper

existing almost as if nature

it was meant to be there

organic

how's your summer play?

xo,

Lynsey

soft summer whispers

i'm feeling more gentle than usual

wearing earrings more soft

beautiful shades,

laces and ruffles

these are my new little favs in shop

sigh... light, glowing, effervescent

in cleaning my old room at my parents' house

i came across some of my poetry

what a terrific reminder to set time aside

to observe and imagine

i'm hoping to write a bit more this summer

perhaps in my dainty earrings

with a glass of sun tea :)

hope your July is going swimmingly!

-L

pretty things before the weekend

catch a glimpse of these

my mother has grown the most beautiful hydrangea blossoms

and we're praying they are here next June

Patrick and I have set our wedding date for June 25, 2011 !

and wouldn't it be nice if these could make an appearance?

i love everything about these...

their petals, shape, and color

after some bargain hunting

my collection of tiny glass vases is well underway

ah, the kitchen is full of cuteness at the moment.

i'm tickled...

pink

ah, yes, we Phelps love a good pun

hope everyone has a blessed weekend!

i'm off to a little getaway with some pals

cheers,

Lyns

Walking Barefoot in the Grass : summer goodness

walking barefoot in the dirt and grass is something i long for

especially when i'm stuck in the city for too long

sometimes the will is so strong when i drive home from campus

i'll pull over to a remote road

open the doors and plop my feet onto the Midwest's floor

i'm not sure exactly what it is

but i feel more connected to myself

the world

and the people i love

so simple really

all it requires is a moderately picked up lawn or field

and your willingness to kick off those shoes

perhaps your sole will get dirty

but not your other one

if yours is like mine

it needs the soil

the tickle of grasslings

sunshine warmth

so thankful summer is here!

what's something you get the urge for in the summer?

xo,

Lyns

feeling sweet : new enamel post earrings

ladylike or daring?

perhaps it's all in the way you wear them

i had fun playing around with a pair i made (for me!)

don't worry... there's a matching pair for someone else out there too

a large enamel stud earring pair

these have my earlobes adorned

i feel refined... even the old shirt being worn

it's so refreshing getting ample time to hop in the studio

i want to continue

making

exploring

and discovering

armed with saw blades, files, and a kiln

i'm sure there's more to come

this summer

how's your summer going so far??

-L

Century Bike Ride: 100 miles of storms and sun

i underestimated how difficult it would be to ride 100 miles though.

(thinking we both did)

we began pedaling around 7:40am...

made it about 10 miles when a wave of severe thunderstorms rolled in

we sought shelter beneath the cover of a local's barn

(thank you, kindest sir!)

after waiting half an hour for the storm to ease

lightning and thunder passed

Patrick and i seized the opportunity to ride through the rain

we made it another 10 miles

stopped for a rest... and noticed Patrick's tire had a slow leak

replaced the tube and were off again

through the Illinois countryside

my legs felt great! we were flying past other cyclists

another 10 miles (or so) down the road

my revolutions suddenly felt lagged

where was the strength?

maybe it was the headwind?

i pushed on... hoping to overcome this stretch

then i looked down and noticed my flat tire

(it was a relief to know it was the sagging rubber slowing me down, not any lack of strength so early in our 100 miles)

changed. and onward!!

luckily these were our only two flats.

we pressed forward together

through pain

through wind

and sun

i found it almost metaphorical when we traded pulling and drafting

we can always rely on each other

to be strong when one needs support

pulled through something difficult

going it together

we do have some nasty sunburns

we're tired

but boy-oh-boy do we feel wonderful!

any adventures you've done lately??

-Lyns

stormy Midwest summer still sweet: blueberry skys

hello from the ever-changing landscape (or skyscape) of the Midwest!

my neighbors, bless their hearts,

invited me over to pick blueberries yesterday afternoon

(they advised i may wish to do so quickly as a(nother) thunderstorm would be rolling in)

i grabbed a small quart and skipped over to the blueberry patch

92 degrees and humid

the bushes were teaming with ripe berries

*pluck* the first one i popped into my mouth

and splattered a smile across my lips

YUM!

thunder rolled

sounding like a gravel truck on an old country road

i crouched low to find a wealth of overlooked bunches

when a wall of cold air took the breath from me

with one quick push, my surroundings dropped 15 degrees

i looked up to the sky

noticed that it was the color of my blueberries

almost as if the Earth was being wrapped

the nimbus-clad blanket was stretched overhead

i ran home

trees bending after me

minutes after reaching the front door

the sky opened up

releasing waters from near and far

i think these swift storms are magnificent!

anyone agree??

summer inspirations

summer has moved swiftly into the Midwest

humidity lingering from evening thunderstorms

waves of sun-convected heat

despite the heavy warmth around me,

i can't help but plunge into the studio

(now that i have a little time from school)

here are some creations that have come about

thank goodness for maintaining so cool and refreshing schemes