I really like thursdays.

and I am not too sure why.
I like that it's almost the weekend.
and I like the way it sounds.
Thursday.
I think it has a nice ring to it.

So, I have met all of my future classmates/roommates that will be attending SBI, and I think we are going to have an awesome semester. It will be different for me, seeing it is pretty much all girls... I am not used to that (I know that there is all girls in my family, that's not what I mean), I have many more guy friends than girl friends. It's just the way I am I suppose, I don't like drama that we girls can create. Anyways, I am sure we will all become close, seeing we will be the only Americans in Italia... or at least that region.

So the other day, I went over to Crafter-holic's blog, and a love was reborn. She featured a DYI project one of my favorite artists.
When I was in elementary school, fifth and sixth grade to be precise, I lived in Germany, so we went to the DODS schools on base. It was here that I meet one of the most influential people in my life. I give him the credit for making me interested in honing my artistic abilities and learning about art history. His name was Mr. Clyde Huyck. and he was the coolest art teacher EVER. There is no one who could compete. He treated us like adults, didn't put up with the boys' foolishness, and really loved to teach us. My favorite part of art class (other than the art itself) was fifteen minutes before class was to be let out, he would make all of us go to the Art Wall and sit cross-legged in front of it. He would then get his magnificent plaster of paris pointer in the shape of a hand, and in a booming voice say "Is anyone up for the challenge today!?"
Everyone's hand would shoot up; no one made a sound though, or else he or she would not be picked. I sat waiting, hoping I could beat my last score which still got me into the 75 club. I knew I could make the 100 club though, I just knew it. I sat looking at the wall scattered with small images, and I KNEW the pieces and the artists. My heart started beating as the pointer came to my face, "You're up Chels, let's see what you've got." Mr. Huyck took out his timer, set it for two minutes, then said in a cool voice, "Go." My heart raced as I went across the wall pointing at the small pictures, "Snap the Whip-Homer, Nighthawks-Hopper, Guernica-Picasso, School of Athens-Raphael Persistence of Time-Dali..." I went on, and on, I lost track, but knew Mr. Huyck was ticking marks for me. When I was down to ten seconds left, everyone would countdown. I would keep naming as many as I can, but I always saved my favorite for last, "3...2...1..." "STANDING WOMAN! by ALBERTO GIACOMETTI!!" I would yell with delight. Mr. Huyck tallied up my points, and looked at me with a kind and proud expression. He turned to everyone and said, "We have a new club, ladies and gents, the 150 club." Everyone cheered and I took my seat with my jaw dropped. Mr. Huyck chuckled, "Why do you like Giacometti so much? Good Job Chels, I knew you could do it." He passed the pointer to another classmate, eager for their turn to beat my score.
I never did answer his question.
And you know what's sad.
To this very day, I couldn't tell you why I liked Giacometti so much.
I just do.
























"Standing Woman" 1959, Alberto Giacometti

this is the end.
chels.

letting you all know:

about my other blog that I will be starting when I arrive in Italy:

An American Bambina

this is the end.
chels.

I'm feeling good.

So, if you know me, obviously something came up on Saturday... but a good thing came up. to the tune of three impromptu photo shoots! I took family portraits, Cameron and the Eighty Eights promos, and Curtis Ray promos. don't worry, pictures to come. I've been insanely busy: family was here this weekend, I was gone all day Saturday shooting, Sunday was "shopping day" (I got my luggage and jacket! and sheets too!), and yesterday I worked 10-6 then zoomed over to Methodist to hang out with Haley and Jasimina! I did manage to squeeze one crafty thing into the mix, I made a "countdown." hard to explain but I will upload the pic soon.

guess what else I did.

~ you ask: "what Chels? were you a responsible adult, who actually bought a ticket since you are leaving in 23 days?!"
Why yes, YES I DID!! and my camera/laptop backpack!
~ you say: "but Chels, you don't have a laptop!"
Guess what is coming in the mail... MY MACBOOK PRO!!!

ahh, it's all coming together. I love days like these. tonight is dinner and a movie night with my dear friend Stephanie. I have to write a 250 word essay (pahaha, 250 words...) for Liberty's application, quick as I can fill out a FAFSA form (yeah right) and they will let me know this week whether I got in or not.

So because I don't have any pictures ready to upload (even though I said I would), I thought I would share this picture of a cute baby hedgehog...

I want one...



this is the end.
chels.

♣

I am so excited tomorrow is Saturday.
because I have absolutely nothing to do!

so you know what I will do?
CRAFT LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW!!!

I just looked at some of the blogs I am following, and I am so inspired! So many cool things to make!! Of course, they won't be of immediate use, seeing that there is limited room in a suitcase, but most of what I will make I can hang in my room until I go off to a school (hopefully Liberty) and then I can use them in my dorm.
Oh and I will take pictures of my thrift store finds too. The owl pitcher I found was too cute, and the embroidery pictures are adorable.

one of my co-workers came up with a sneaky idea to buy a ticket (it's legal, don't worry), and it saves me almost $400! I might buy a lens with the money I save.

this is the end.
chels.

urban outfitters is too amazing.

oh the things I must buy...

I need:
-A Ticket (shocker)
-Luggage
-Duvet Cover
-Warm Winter Jacket (like Northface)
-Camera/Laptop Backpack

and I could go on.
but I won't. don't worry.

I wish I had money I could spend, cause there is so much that I would love to buy... Urban Outfitter's is the devil!! They are trying to steal all my money:














































I do have a new owl pitcher... I will have to post pictures of my thrift store finds from HHI.
when I find my battery charger (grrrr.)

this is the end.
chels.

time is running away.

Me and one of my best friends, Andrea!
I have more pictures of the rest of the gang later.

The reunion was amazing.
The beach was rainy. And I lost my camera battery charger, so I have no pictures from the beach... sorry.

I have a lot to get done, I am trying to leave September 1 to get on Space-A flights. It's coming so fast...

this is the end.
chels.

►

I had such a great time last night!! But then I just remembered... I didn't take any pictures! GASP!! We made super cool necklaces! and Josh's going away party was super entertaining, I felt like I was in a private concert haha! Madison's was awesome, even though there was a giant "toad"... ;]

So, I have to go buy some goods for tomorrow's road trip to VA! I am so excited! I get to see people I haven't seen in a year! It looks like I will have to drive back on Saturday though, which is pretty sad and depressing, but oh well I guess. Sunday we go to the beach, so I won't be updating the blog for awhile... (I don't think anyone really ever reads it, so that's ok! ha!) Exciting news, I get a .25 cent raise! WOOT! But I will only be here for the month of August before I go to Italy. I STILL HAVE TO BUY MY TICKET!!! That WILL happen tonight... I have to pack for the beach before I leave tomorrow... send in paperwork... why is this stuff not done yet Chelsey!? get yourself together!!

this is the end.
chels.

manic monday.

I wish it was Sunday.... ha!

So, I have to send my paperwork today. I am going to see if I can fax it. I think that would be awesome. I have everything together!! I just need to buy my flight before Friday... But in reality I have until Wednesday night to buy it, because I leave on Thursday Morning.

The Pilgrim's Journey Bookstore:


More pictures of the inside to come! It is out on a farm, so I had fun taking random pictures there too:

mushroom obsessions.

this is the end.
chels.

I'm a mess!

I am so excited! Madison (who is pretty much brill at everything, including writing) and I are going to have a craft night next week! WOOT! There will def. be pictures!

So, my room is somewhat clean(ish). I still have a lot to go through, and I completely forgot about my closet... Next week I go to VA for a few days to visit some very dear friends of mine, and then leave on the 2nd for the beach. I love the beach, and especially HHI (which is where I am going) because of the THRIFT SHOPS!! They have this map, and they call it the "Treasure Map" of all the different thrift stores. oh, its just heaven!!

Here are some of my finds from WVa.


Cute Keys, dontcha think? They were 25 cents a piece. And the brooch was 50 cents.

The Silvertone Guitar! 20 bucks! I just need new strings and a new bridge, then this baby will be ready to play!!

























this is the end.
chels.

if you were...

If you were a season : Spring

If you were a month: April

If you were a day of the week: Thursday

If you were a sport: Soccer

If you were a school subject: Art

If you were a job: Photographer

If you were an historical period: Ancient Greece and Rome

If you were a music genre: Indie

If you were a piece of clothing: skinny jeans

If you were a precious stone: emerald

If you were a fruit: blackberry

If you were an ice-cream: mint chocolate chip

If you were a holiday: April Fool's

If you were a country: Italy

If you were a planet: Juno

If you were a capital vice: pride

If you were a feeling: paranoia

If you were an element: wind

If you were a word: belonephobia

If you were an animal: fox

If you were a song: (impossible to answer)

If you were a place: forest

If you were an instrument: acoustic guitar

If you were a band: (impossible to answer)

If you were an object: pepper shaker

If you were a flower: wisteria

If you were a tree: willow

If you were a book: Brave New World

If you were a day time: evening

If you were a direction: north-east

If you were a furniture: futon

If you were a historical figure: Sacajawea

If you were a color: purple

If you were an emotion: visionary

If you were a car: Honda Fit

If you were a movie: Into the Wild

If you were a tv series: LOST

If you were a famous man: Max Bemis

If you were a famous woman: Melanie

If you were a food: Pad Thai

If you were a city: Ravenswood

If you were a number: 14

see where I'll be?

so I got my shots today. phew.
I had to leave the room while she prepared the needles, then looked the other way when she shot me. Of course they didn't hurt, but my mind is weird.

I love google maps. the yellow star is San Lorenzo (the city is definitely not that big though...):

The closest "big city" to us is Udine, and it's about twenty minutes away. Venice is approx. 40 mins. south of us! I am getting really excited. Looked online for flights again last night, found one for $460! I am going to wait just a little longer, see if the prices drop anymore! Hopefully I will find my flight in the $450-$600 range.

Tonight I am going to the "Sew Whatever!" class at the shop. Maybe try to figure out how to make my blanket (except we don't have black minkee! grrr...), or possibly a top that I have been wanting to try. I want to find some cute patterns for my luggage tags. Or I guess I could just make some up!
Still sorting through clothes. And I have a lot to give away. I will take everything with me on Thursday... I am getting my passport then. Oh! Everything is coming together!!
I really wish I could go to the Avett Brother's Show at the House of Blues Friday... but I have other plans. bummer. I need an address book... Found a cool backpack for my camera and computer on Amazon... and I will probably get my luggage from Ross, because they are nicely priced.

this is the end.
chels.

I am terrifed of needles.

I went to get my shots for the fall today...

and I didn't get them. Because I chickened out.
and cried like a little baby. cried hysterically!
I'll go back tomorrow with my daddy... haha!

I am going through my room, getting rid of a lot of stuff, and taking it to goodwill. It's a good excuse to go to goodwill.

Also, I got the coolest fabric from a family member, and I plan on making a blanket (using minkee on the backside) for my bed in Italy!

I deactivated my facebook, I need more time to have me time. I won't re-activate for a while. I will try and update my blog, add pictures and stuff (I mean my blog url is the foto bug. I swear I do take pictures!), I will find random pictures and try to add at least one per post.

I took this Saturday... I think I will crop it. these sunflowers are huge, about the size of my head times 2!

I go to a sewing class tomorrow night at my work. It's crazy I work at a quilt store but have no idea how to sew. The girls at work are going to be so excited, they have been trying to sell me a machine and think that classes will get me hooked! Berninas are so nice, and also expensive. So, that's not happening anytime soon.



I have to still buy my plane ticket, luggage, and get my shots. After that I should be set to go!



this is the end.

chels.

---

I'm so inspired just by seeing a few other blogs!

I need time to craft. write. take pictures.

I am almost completely done with my paperwork for SBI! I need to make an appointment at the passport office, and then figure out flight plans.

I will take pictures of our bookstore, then post them later.

this is the end.
chels.

updateish.

so my vacation.
or should I say, "vacation"
because it was so stressful.

I won't even go into details.
I love West by God Virgina.
Indiana. Yeah, not sure when I will be going back there... ever.

I have SO MUCH to accomplish before I leave in the fall.
Oh, it's 99.9% official, so I might as well spill the beans about where I am going in the fall:

Saints Bible Institute.
In San Lorenzo.
Italy.

check it out:
Saints Bible Institute

I have a lot of forms and stuff to fill out, I am working a lot.
And my family is opening a homeschool bookstore...
phew, I didn't know how busy I could be until now.
this means I won't really have "friend time" which is pretty depressing... but I will try and make time. I have to work as much as I can, because I really need the money.

this is the end.
chels.

feeling crafty.

so tomorrow I leave for the Fourth 0f July, and following week! I am super excited, I get to see family that I haven't in YEARS!

Plus, I will have a lot of free time to craft!

I love this idea:
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/04/21st-century-window-beads.html

So I might try that.
I also want to make tons of other things... I bought lights that I want to cover, and also I was going to make a cover for my camera strap, and a cover for my ukulele.
I am going to have time to make jewelry again! YES!

No work for a week is going to be awesome.

this is the end.
chels.

drinking a coke icee.

these last few days have been tough.
I have been thinking, am I doing what I am supposed to be doing?

last night was covenant group, a small group my church assigns people to, I am in the "singles" and yeah, I, the eighteen year old, am totally the youngest one there... by a few years, if not 15... ha! We are watching "The Truth Project" (awesome, I have seen it a couple times and I am still learning) and we got off subject a little bit and started talking about are we doing what we are supposed to be doing??

I have already been freaking out about this... and now here are these late twenties, early thirties singles talking about this really deep, philosophical question... I have never felt so small, meaningless, insignificant and unintelligent in my whole life.

So, am I supposed to go to SBI? Should I pursue a four year degree? Stay at home and help with a plan? These meaningless questions are huge to me, because in this time of my life, that is what I think about...

I can't even explain it. Or concisely word what I am trying to say. So this post is pointless, I am sure.

this is the end.
chels.

beepbopdooodeeedott.

I love sleep so much.
its like, therapeutic.

so.
I GOT MY UKULELE!!
I just need to get better strings, cause the strings I have now are not holding the tune AT ALL.
I will get pictures up soon of stuff that has been happening. I am just working a lot lately...

I got accepted into a "school"
its a semester thing...
I will post more about it once I know FOR SURE I am going.

I saw a bunny today.
this is the end.
chels.

well done Chelsey, you just made a complete fool of yourself!!
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!!!

I should be so excited, but I'm not.
I should be happy, but I'm not.
I'm down in the dumps.

I'm so tired. I need a break. I need to get out.

I can't stand myself right now.

this is the end.
chels.

mehhhh.

so tired.

must... sleep...

but I can't! So many things to do!
I have exciting things planned, hopefully they will all happen.

I will have to post a blog when everything is set in stone. Oh, the future is all of the sudden exciting.
I am pretty busy this weekend... plus the ACT.

anyways, check out some good music:

The Weepies

One of my new favorites, love love love them.

this is the end.
chels.

CUTENESS OVERLOAD!

ok.
so I may not have any money this summer, because I am tempted to spend it all here:

www.superbuzzy.com

They have the cutest fabric, like this:



and so many more............................


including notions and books and gifts, OH MY!

it's pretty expensive... but...

cute cute stuff. just thought I would share!



I want this mushroom fabric. SERIOUSLY.


this is the end.
chels.