Jon & Ash

Jon & Ash

16x20

acrylic on canvas

a commission

Art All Night 2016

Another Art All Night came and went. It's a one day art show for anyone who wants to join! I usually participate every year. It's always a fun time.

I don't have a lot to say, except wanted to show you some photos from my day! ^_^


First thing we stopped at Thick Bikes. I got a new seat, and boy is it sweet! (LOL Why am I rhyming today??) Right outside the shop were several Baron Batch pieces. Love!


After a short bike ride, we went on over to Church Brew Works. What a fantastic place! It's literally a restaurant inside of an old church. So weirdly awesome. The beer = awesome.


Ever since living in Alexandria, VA, we've been on a quest to find pizza as good as Pizzeria Paradiso. Up until this point we've had no luck. I'm so excited to say, that Church Brew Works is a good second! We got their five cheese pizza and added lamb sausage. Pretty darn delicious.



Art All Night... Always fun with loads to see and do.


Spotted a photo by our friend David McCandless!


Lastly stopped by my painting. LOL. It's always fun to sneak up and see who's looking and listen to their comments...since they have no idea that you're the artist and you're lurking nearby.

If you're an artist of any time (beginner, or professions) I'd definitely recommend submitting to Art All Night next year. It's great and it's FREE!

Our time living in Northern Virginia/Washington DC

Some of you may have heard that Travis and I are moving back to our home town of Butler, PA! We're very excited about this. I've been trying to come up with words to express my thoughts about our time here in Alexandria. I always wanted to live somewhere else at least once in my life, so when Travis got offered the job we went for it. It was so hard to leave Dustin at home and take a leap of faith.  I missed him so much but thankfully with texting and facetime it really wasn't too bad. Travis and I got to experience some new things...such as relaxation! We realized how over extended we were back in Butler. We committed to way too much and were just WAY too busy. Here in Virginia we got to step back and enjoy life a little more. It was a wonderful time to just hang out with Travis and have an adventure. We did SO MUCH bike riding and it was fabulous! We took lots of walks and explored Washington DC. We went out on dates. Well I mean, our whole life down here was one big date! It was great.  I became an avid reader! Now THAT'S crazy. I never thought I'd blow through 29 books in one year, but that's what happened! I had fun living in a small apartment and appreciated the ease of cleaning it. Somehow through it I learned to appreciate minimalism (kinda sorta). I now love to declutter and don't hold on to anything that just takes up space. Those are just some of the fun I will never forget.

At the same time we never really settled in. People here are different and it wasn't really what I expected. I guess I thought it was going to me more like a "regular" big city. I think DC area is different than usual cities. So many people are only here for short periods of time. It's a very transient place.  I really yearned to go back to where I could be with friends AND make friends easily (which really did not happen here.) The crafting community wasn't the same either. Shows were sparse, more expensive and harder to get into. This place just wasn't for me.

So anyway, Travis applied for some other jobs and we now are able to transfer back. We still have our old house in Butler, so it should be an easy transition! I'm excited to get back into my old studio and do a little redecorating! By the end of April we should be settled back in. I'm so looking forward to being back home. I love Butler and I love Pittsburgh! Yinzer for life! :D

I'm very thankful for this great adventure for the last year and a half. It was exactly what we needed and the way it was meant to be. I'm now excited for the next chapter.

Burgatory.

Burgatory. 

Helluva Burger. Heavenly Shakes.

Instant food coma. Instant bliss. 

Handmade Arcade is this Saturday!

I'm so excited that I'll be a part of Handmade Arcade for the Holidays this year!

It will be held this Saturday November 12th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

There are going to be so many amazing artists and handmade goods. I really would love to actually go shopping...but I'll be lucky if I get out of my booth at all. ^_^

I've been sort of quiet here on the blog, simply because I've been so busy getting ready for these shows. Hoping to get back with it soon. My life has been pouches. Pouches, pouches, pouches. I finally finished them all up last night! Don't they look cute stacked so neatly? 

What kind of projects have you been doing lately?

Donora! They make me so incredibly happy. Last Friday was their CD release show at the Rex Theater.

It has been over a year since I saw them last, so I was extremely excited. If their music doesn't make you smile and want to dance, I don't know what does! 

Here's their latest music video...I can't get this song out of my head! 

Here's my other favorite videos of theirs. SO CUTE!

Death Cab For Cutie!

Over the weekend I got to see Death Cab For Cutie at Stage AE! This was the first time they had been to Pittsburgh in over five years, so it was pretty darn exciting. I had never seen them before, so it was one of those long awaited concerts for me.  

Photo Credit: Hugh Twyman

I didn't get to take any real pictures, because all I brought was my phone. I did end up getting some video though! They actually played "Some Boys" which was not on the anticipated set list! WOOHOO!

I think that is my favorite song off the new album.

They were ...amazing. 

The night of this show, the new Batman movie was being filmed in Heinz Field, along with a sold out Pirates game at PNC Park. Stage AE is sandwiched in between these two stadiums pretty much. Pittsburgh was NUTS that night! Needless to say, I did a foursquare checkin to "Gotham Stadium" because I COULD! Buahha!

David Bazan & Jimmy Eat World @ Club Zoo - Pittsburgh

Yesterday, hubbie and I went to Club Zoo in Pittsburgh to see David Bazan and Jimmy Eat World! It's funny. There will be long periods of time when I don't make it down to Pittsburgh at all, but for some reason I'll always end up going like two or three times in one week! Friday I had a craft show in Pittsburgh, Sunday was Eisley, and yesterday was Jimmy Eat Wold. Craziness. So as usual, here are some pics and videos from the show!

David Bazan

David Bazan with "guest singer", Jim Adkins.

Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World

It really was an amazing show. Both bands were absolutely flawless. The sound was great and I could actually see (that's a big problem when you're 5'0" tall.) Not to mention there were only two bands, that both played a decent amount of music. Perfect. Club Zoo is not my favorite club, but overall it was the most pleasant experience I have ever had there!

Eisley @ The Altar Bar in Pittsburgh!

Yesterday I got to see Eisley at the Altar Bar in Pittsburgh! This was my third time seeing them. Such a magical band. . .  Opening the night were the Chapin Sisters, and closing the night was Rooney. I wasn't familiar with either of the other bands, but they were delightful nonetheless. I especially loved the Chapin Sisters, their voices were beautiful.

Check out a few of my videos from the night!

Oh...and one more thing.

HOLY crap, congratulations Arcade Fire!!! 

That grammy couldn't of gone to a better band.

My favorite Arcade Fire song...

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

The Decemberists

Yesterday I got to see The Decemberists at the Byhame Theater in Pittsburgh! It was amazing. They played their latest album "Hazards of Love" in its entirety, and then another full set of older stuff. Both of their sets were both beautiful and flawless. Worth every penny.