it's been a while

i realize i haven't taken the time to update this blog in like ten years. but, i've been busy. no, i haven't had 3 kids, bought a farm, and started beekeeping.

but, i have been doing things i haven't ever dreamed of. well, maybe i dreamed of gardening. but, i thought i had the black thumb. i have killed cactus. in the desert. how do you do that, you may ask? too much water. at least i learn. i signed up eagerly this spring for 2 plots at the community garden. i have visions of tomatoes and lettuce. good things to eat. it would be effortless. it wouldn't be in my yard. i would get to know the community. it is organic.

oh wow. well, i started off strong. i had 2 different varieties of lettuce, snap peas, onions. my plot mate planted carrots, beets, radishes, nasturtiums, and strawberries. we were excited. but growing organically has it's definite challenges. it sounds so good and delicious and green. but, let me tell you. it was a constant battle with bugs.

now, i'm in the second growing season-fall/winter. i'm actually loving this part. not as much upkeep. i don't have to worry constantly about water as it rains more in these months anyway. i'm growing broccoli, cauliflower, baby bok choy, 3 varieties of carrots, spinach, 2 different kinds of beets, and brussels sprouts. much of my seeds came from a dear friend who passed away last month. but every time i eat something from her seeds, i smile.

i'm also growing a new life inside me. I am 15 weeks pregnant with baby number 2. looking forward to this new season in my life. can't imagine our family growing from 3 to 4. it will be an adjustment, for sure.

i am making some changes in my parenting habits, too. i realize that i've gotten lazy and lost sight of what i am suppose to be doing with Adrian. because he is not in school yet, he is still with me all day at home. it's tough at times, but i'm learning new skills. right now, i am implementing less t.v. time. i understand it won't happen overnight. i had to say no several times today. it forced us both to either play with neglected toys, cook together, or craft together. we had fun. plus, we were able to LOOK FORWARD to the movie time or t.v. time at the end of the day. this will now take place after supper and bath. wind down time. treat. it's nice. part of what i'm working off of is The Happy Child Guide i recently downloaded from the internet. Adrian is hitting phases i no longer feel confident managing. i felt it necessary to explore other ways to communicate with him. wish me luck!

my photography business continues to grow. i feel so fortunate to be able to work from home, do what i love, and be a part of other people's lives. a new fine art project i started this year is about loss. i hit the ground running, feeling it fulfilled a deep-seated need i had since art school. but, after two of my friends that i photographed as part of the series passed away, it's been hard to get back on track. i really want to see this project to fruition, to share these people's stories. i feel responsible for that. i just don't know how to get the momentum going.

sounds like so many struggles. but i'm grateful to be a part of all of this.

update!

holy cow! it's been a long time since i've been on here. a friend of mine recently looked at my blog and commented on the day of scattering my grandparent's ashes. i was appalled that this was my last post. my commitment of doing this every day has simply fallen short. i feel like i have missed almost a whole year of recording adrian's growth. also, a lot has happened in my personal life during the months i have been absent. here goes:

adrian vega is almost 3! he spent a few months in daycare at a baptist church this summer, getting used to the routine. he really enjoyed making new friends and absolutely adored his teacher "tessa". it was a great experience, but came to an end as i unexpectedly lost my job in june.

the economy has forced me to take a hard look at my career and make some big changes. going from a 1 1/2 hour commute and working full time to staying at home with adrian, running our new shop STRANDED art cooperative, and pursuing my photography full time has been a huge change for me. i love it, though. i never could have imagined that my life would be exactly what i had always dreamed. so grateful.

one of my biggest projects has been the building of my own photography studio in our sweet backyard paradise. i love the modern look of the structure, based loosely on a design in ready made magazine. it is complete with studio lighting, ceiling fan, and heat pump/air conditioning. it is such a lovely space to work and just relax.

my new website is : www.toniaedenphotography.com this website was an interesting undertaking, as i have never built one before. i think it properly represents me and all my funky ideas floating around in my head.

a ginormous blessing also came to me with the addition of my photo assistant, aimee elizabeth simonton. she has helped me every step of the way in my photo editing and even shoots. she is truly a loving and generous person who seeks to support me in any way she can. she even cooks me amazing meals! what a gem!

our shop, STRANDED art cooperative, has also kept me busy. working with artists that i know and deeply respect has been such a joy. i am honored to sell their beautiful things in our funky space right here on main street in montevallo. supporting my local community and raising the bar for all montevallo businesses to create a lovely downtown we can be proud of, has always been on my mind since we have moved back in 2005. now, we are getting that chance to shimmer and shine! we are located at:

STRANDED art cooperative

620-A Main Street

Montevallo, Al. 35115

my boy is 2!

we have been excited to celebrate the littlest one in the house. Adrian turned 2 yesterday and he got a photo shoot. we are gonna party hard this weekend with a monkey themed party. Patrick made some killer felt banana invites and envelopes. i can't wait for the festivities to begin!

library visit

i took adrian to the library for the first time the other day.  he was so excited to see so many books.  he absolutely loves books.  they had paper on the tables so he could draw on them and tiny chairs for him to sit and read in.  lots of cute ikea furniture to play on.  i rented the velveteen rabbit dvd for home.  it is not a movie, rather stills from the book and someone reading it.  oh, how my mother loved to read me that book when we were kids.  there were so many books i look forward to reading to him... james and the giant peach and the narnia books.  but some new ones that are so colorful and intelligently written, like a poetry book about harriet tubman that was just so beautifully illustrated by jacob lawrence.  oh, it is so exciting the world of books just waiting for him to discover!

having a hard time with posts lately because i am waiting for my new camera to arrive!  my old point and shoot is on it's last leg and i am upgrading to a proper digital slr like a good photo grad.  finally the prices have fallen for little old me to afford such a luxury item.  (or we got more back on our refund than we anticipated!)  anyhoo, look forward to some better shots soon!  hoping it is going to be a night/day difference.  

this is a few weeks ago at the magic city art connection.  so fun to splash in the water.  Patrick taught the kids a project by artist mel chin called the fundred dollar bill project.  it was a hot day, but lots of people came out to support the arts.  maybe one day i can show my work there, rather than chase after my toddler.  definitely cannot do both these days.  

had two beautiful days out at petals from the past in the country.  antiques in the garden is their annual festival that we participated in.  if you ever get a chance, please go down and visit jason and shelly.  it is a family run business.  they have such a magnificent variety of plants and trees.  looking forward to their black and blueberry festival in june!  yum!

new sewing stuff!

so, i have been busy in my sweet little spare time.  which is so rare, i swear it flies by before i realize.  made some gifts for a friend's children.  new baby and 3 year old girl.  the onesie has an applique bird over the heart.  i made a little muslin bag for it to fit nicely into.  even has a little bird on the outside!  i am thinking about selling these at a show in april.  we'll see how many i can get done.  the art smock is from bend the rules sewing by amy karol.  i love her book and am really pleased at how this turned out.  the fabric is so fun and youthful and the pockets are actually from sheets we got while visiting this couple when they lived in alaska.  so, there is a bit of recycling thrown in with sentimentality.  first time to do bias tape, i am embarrassed to admit.  but it was fine.  it will get easier the more i do it!  does anyone dig this?  tell me what you think...

i heart adrian vega

i am loving my son today.  of course, i love him everyday, but today is st. valentine's day!  thinking of all the reasons i love him - smart, funny, beautiful... and of course, my wonderful husband and i  took a break from traditional art making and created him.  that is hard to compete with once you have made your best work.

tagged!

so, i've been tagged.  i am supposed to go to my 4th folder of photos and my 4th photo in that folder to show off.  of course, it is of my darling adrian at his 6 month pictures i took in the front yard.  i have been meaning to take 1 year photos and he has carried a mark on his face of one sort or another.  so, i have not photographed him in this way - black and white portrait style yet.  this was the perfect weekend, tho.  as the weather turned unusually warm and sunny.  a perfect 70 degrees.  we had a yard sale and a picnic this weekend.  adrian started to eat a stick on the ground and i tried to pull the stick away, but only succeeded in scratching his face with my fingernail.  so, alas, it will be another week before i can get those sweet milestone shots. 

i am tagging new people to carry on the game of tag...

littleleaps.wordpress.com

blessedbeyondbeliefx3.blogspot.com

blue phrog art gallery grand opening

so, here we are at the grand opening of the new art gallery in town.  so excited to be a part of it all.  my friends, phil and suzanne have really created a beautiful spot.  wish them well, of course.  and lots of sales... of mine and my husbands work!  this shows patrick sold a piece opening night.  how fortunate!  my big beautiful camera is on display too.  

first birthday party planning

i have officially abandoned the monkey/banana theme.  i found these rad napkins at ikea and am using these to base the whole party off of.  crazy, eh?  i am going to publix to see if they can make a cake with at least 2 or 3 animals on this napkins and fill the rest in with mushrooms.  FUN!  ordered party favors the other night that are water-bird whistles.  so cute!  it's on!

i'm a little airplane now

here is the finished product!  the airplane is finally finished.  originally a gift from breeze and stuart a year ago, craig pimped out the plane with pinstriping and initials.  he is truly an artist.  thanks, craig.  it totally makes this airplane sweet.  patrick and adrian reassembled it and tonight he rode it for the first time without help and dismounted perfectly by himself.  yesterday, he was 11 months old!  

caps to cap haitian project

here is a sampling of my baby hats for the project.  these are so cute and fast and fun!  i am going to make some for my friends who have new babies too.  recycling is good.  you can tell which one is my shirt and which are my husband's.  but that is okay.  experimented with the double knot cap.  too cute.  my son had a few of these when he was born.  so, off to the postal office to soulemama.  congrats on the new baby to you too.  check out www.mamatomama.org to see the progress!

pinky

this is "pinky".  he was created by christy daniel-camp.  she also designed the poster and t-shirt for the event this year - Artwalk 2008.  this was our fabulous artwalk find.  and at half price too.  thank you christy.  we had a blast!

hair art

i spent a little extra time in the shower yesterday...well, it WAS labor day.  and i figured i spent 27 hours in labor and i deserved an extra 15 minutes in the water!  this is what happens when i have time.

apron rebirth

i need to feel inspired.  i am lacking something these days.  well, lots of things...more importantly time, but also energy and quiet.  i don't make stuff anymore, i realize.  i haven't entered a show in a year!  i thrifted some material this weekend to sew on.  need some new aprons.  and recycled fabric is perfect.