ashley(t)wright

trippin' down memory lane...

2011-06-10T10:51:00.003-04:00

...and apparently I tried to start a blog a little over two years ago, but then later abandoned it. Fail?

So I'll go ahead and clear the air about the name of my blog: it came off a SoBe cap, from a beverage consummed approximately five years ago. That cap went on to inspire the name of the band my brother and I had: Full Thrown Magic.

Yes, I was in a family band. And no, you weren't invited.

We had a purevolume page and everything, complete with a fan club comprised of approximately three people. We were living the high life that only wannabe garage bands can live.

And now, five years, later, it has served to provide me with the name of my brand-spankin' new blog. If that's not going green by recycling already-present resources, then I don't know what is.

So now you know part of my mission: saving the world, one SoBe cap at a time.

give(thanks)

2010-11-25T00:22:00.007-05:00

Come, let us return to the Lord;

for he has torn us, that he may heal us;

he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

After two days he will revive us;

on the third day he will raise us up,

that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.

[hosea 6:1-3]

Life is very good. And I, well, yes - I am very grateful today for this truth.

...Well hi there, sweetheart.

2010-08-08T05:41:00.007-04:00

Yea, yea, I know. It's been a while. And life's been full. But we can either dwell on the past or we can move forward towards a prosperous future together...yup, that's what I thought.

Unfortunately, I haven't had quite as much time to get my craft on recently (you have the fantastic Mr. Fox to thank for that). But the few bits I have done, I've enjoyed.

Moving into the apartment (oh, yea, about that...) means I lost access to the free gift wrappery that was available from my mother's stash. And given the 18,432 gallons of milk the mini-me's consume each month, wrapping paper isn't very high on my shopping list. With this in mind, I've devised a creative alternative...this went over very well tonight, with both recipients of these nifty little packages.

...I also found these super fabulous mahjong tile-like beads a few months back and knew I had to have them, but was temporarily lost on how to use them in a snazzy way. Then one night, with a Drumstick in one hand, a Newcastle on the table, and Superbad playing in the background, I put this little bracelet together.

I'm one of those people that wakes up some mornings and goes, "Gee, today would be a really neat day to wear something from Anthropologie." And by some, I mean most mornings.

And so, with this desire for something very pretty in mind - but without $48.00+ dollars to spend on it - I devised this Anthropologie-esque necklace. I love it, and I love that it was so much more budget-friendly.

All right, incredibly poor photo quality aside (I have a Blackberry, after all), this last project was one of the more fun ones I've undertaken in any kind of recent history.

...Yes, those are comic book coasters, mid-production. And yes, they're super awesome. But no, you can't have them. They've already been given away to someone =]

you stay classy, southwest virginia.

2010-02-03T18:25:00.004-05:00

My great-grandmother has this old Chevy. Like, really old. I'm fairly positive the dinosaurs made way at crossings for this car, at one point in history. But it was one of the first cars I was allowed to drive around on the farm, and for years before that my grandfather had transported me around the land on the long, wide front seat. I love this car, and if I were ever allowed to drive it every day, I would take it over a brand new Cadillac CTS, every time. [That's a big deal for me]

part two. meaning, lots of crafts.

2010-01-02T04:45:00.011-05:00

This Christmas presented a lot of opportunities to practice my craftiness. Food goods. Decor. Jewelry. The works, yo. Below are some examples.

thanksgiving | christmas | and now, a new year.

2010-01-02T04:02:00.017-05:00

Many things have happened. I made a list of things I want to do, over this next year. Notice I did not say "resolutions"? Yes, I am proud of myself. There are ten things on my list. I am willing to share five of them.

1. glorify. and enjoy.

2. love my kiddos until they're sick of me.

3. graduate. yes.

4. flourish in my new promotion.

5. generate "x" dollars a month in business.

Now with all of that said, I present photographs. Lots, and lots, of photographs.

crafty is as crafty does.

2009-11-20T23:56:00.013-05:00

Hi.

...yes, that's all I've got for now. So, some photographs...for the interim.

And now, since it is finally completed and safely on its way to its intended recipient, my non-jewelry craft project for the past little while:
My first self-published work since grade school...I got a little carried away with the Mod Podge there for a while. But otherwise, lots of very responsible fun was had. The end.

everything that rises really must converge...

2009-10-19T01:25:00.014-04:00

Hello, blog.

Yes, I've missed your face too. But do not fret. I have many photos and some good news to present you, today. And fall break is next week, so I have many fun adventures planned that will hopefully include many more photographs and accompanying good news.

Before that, I simply want to include a quote by the magnificent Clive Staples that has been resounding in my head for the past two days:

Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.
We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with
drink and sex and ambition

when infinite joy is offered us...
We are far too easily pleased.

I really think I have been too easily pleased, for a great deal of my adult life. Granted, that is not a horribly large chunk of time - but it is still far too many wasted years. How many more marvelous things could God have been yearning to allow me to experience, but that I shrugged off because I was sated by the mundane?

I want to start desiring more strongly, more passionately, more completely. I want everything that God could possibly want to give to me. I want the best things in life. Not merely the convenient or the acceptable.

Thanks, C.S., for reminding me of the truth of what I am created for.

Now, about that good news...as long as no significant hiccups occur, Stonetree Stamps and Jewelry will go live next Saturday.

The townspeople are doing some mad rejoicing right now. Stay tuned, folks.

Ladies Fellowship Night...

2009-09-24T12:33:00.005-04:00

...took place here. Again, at one of my favorite places in the world. And it is fast becoming a habit for me to be involved in one group or another that usually closes the place down. I am okay with these types of shenanigans, however.

But as we sat around two wooden tables, basking in what has affectionately been dubbed "Mood Lighting, Cafe Style," there were no shenanigans to be found as we discussed what God has been teaching each of us. How God has shown us we are each weak. How we have found that in this weakness, there is perfect strength. But perhaps what struck me most is realizing that weakness does not mean complete inability. Or being stagnant. And it certainly does not mean ceasing to move forward, onward, and upward.

It means realizing that every move I make is upheld. Enabled.

And I am one hundred percent okay with this arrangement.

I also, once again, had fun with Emily's sparkliness. The aforementioned mood lighting wasn't a match made in heaven with my feeble lens, but after some Photoshop fun I am a big fan of this one...

Almost through with Week 5 of 8 for the first school session. Perhaps there is a light at the end of this tunnel after all, folks.

school = 3. ashley = 0.

2009-09-13T02:25:00.006-04:00

Yes, my life is pretty full right now. I'm learning a lot, doing a lot, trying a lot, and just being a lot.

With all that in mind, I believe I'll just put up a couple photographs from the last two weeks.

eased, quenched and...achieved? (=kicking it old school)

2009-08-30T01:13:00.002-04:00

from journal entry, july 26th of 2008

all my life i've heard contentment mentioned in conjuction with peaceful words...solace. rest. waiting. ease. solitude. quiet joy. stillness. quenching.but it has taken me all my life to realize that contentment is not a state of being achieved by merely embracing any of those words.honest contentment takes real, and hard, work.

the effort to every day stand before God, no matter what circumstanceshe's allowed to surround you, and say, "it's all about you."the struggle it is to kneel before God, when things are excrutiatingly difficult, and say, "your will be done."the soul-wrenching requirement, when every single thing you hold dearis stripped away, to lay at his feet and say, "you've given, and you've taken away.blessed be your name."and then when you are there in his presence, having nothing in your hands butyour own sin and misery and short comings, bringing nothingof any value before the throne, he cleanses your guilt-stained hands.the moment your soul cries out...take this world, give me Jesus...

he's opened the eyes of your heart. and you see, clearly now, that contentment was never something "achievable" on your own terms.refining fires. true work of the spirit. "if i live, i praise him. and if i die, i praise him."

there are no pronouns rich enough for that brand of contentment.

*humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. be sober-minded; be watchful. your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. and after you have suffered a while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. to him be the dominion forever and ever. amen.
(1 peter 5:6-10)

I know this post could very easily be interpreted as a filler, to try and cover my laziness. But after a very bad day (think Fuel on performance-enhancing drugs), I re-read some of my older journal entries. And I see just how much God has faithfully brought about.

...and my heart, my silly little heart, is content.

the times, they are changing indeed

2009-08-29T03:42:00.007-04:00

In the bliss of a four month summer holiday (I know, I was spoiled), I forgot the insomnia that seems to be intrinsically linked to the school session being in. It's 345 a.m. I am still writing responses for my ENGL 410 class. I only just finished starting the essay for the ENGL 377 class. My pretty cup has been refilled with hot chocolate three times, much to the chagrin of my midsection.

But it's all good. Flight of the Conchords has been on repeat for the last several hours. I think I'll pull through this one.

It simply seems as though life has been in a constant state of change for the last fourteen months. Sure, we expect those infamous "seasons" of life - the ebb and flow are natural, of course. But fourteen months of just change, after change, after hard things, and then more change? It kind of makes a girl wonder what God is up to, sometimes.

...but, do I really need to know? I mean, really know? Life in a very short time frame will once again make dramatic and permanent changes. Into utterly unkown territory. And that's quite frightening most days.

Yet, God hasn't changed. He hasn't wavered. He has still exhibited steadfast love and mercy. The days I was not sure how I would be able to accomplish all that needed to happen (and just trust me when I say it's been a lot recently), God's hands were beneath me, upholding. And just to prove once again to my infinitely stubborn brain just how mighty he is, he brought around a great crowd of friends and family, all eager to care. And pray. And mourn. And hope.

Is there anything I really need besides this?

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

[ecclesiastes 5:18-20]

And now, a photo that has brought me insane joy:

Yes, yes indeed. One of my best friends is getting hitched. She lent her beautiful sparkliness to me for a bit during our wedding planning extravaganza, so that I could try and snap some artsy photos.

It was horribly poor lighting around the dining room, but I do like how this one turned out.

...something else fantastically exciting? I get to do their engagement shoot. Say wha? :]

week(s) in photo

2009-08-24T22:55:00.009-04:00

School has started.

School starting = very little free time.

Very little free time = a couple photographs, to make up for a lack of writing.

= The end.

One of the new items I added to the website this week...there is a lot of glee about how quickly things are moving towards an official launch.

It's LOGO time!

2009-08-15T13:18:00.005-04:00

So last weekend, whilst the kiddos (and the rest of the family, for that matter) were away, I took some time to do some business-y things. Like add content to the website...edit the website...do stuff with the website. You get the idea.

But I also took the time to take some photographs, in an attempt to create the logo for the store. I played around with a few ideas, but settled on this one...and after running it through Photoshop, I think it turned out very satisfactory.

And thanks to Moo, there are now snazzy MiniCards bearing this new logo on their way to my casa. Ooh, man. Things are getting serious now, in the best way possible.

And now just for kicks, one of my favorites from the last few weeks:

Jesse & Nicki | August 1

2009-08-02T21:08:00.011-04:00

My memories of Jesse include: growing up literally across the street from each other. Setting the bamboo in the backyard on fire. Shooting BB guns in a residential neighborhood. (For clarification, this would be Jesse, his brother, and my brother...I did not partake in these adventures other than observation)

Memories of Nicki are a bit more tame, and more feminine: shopping on her trips into Richmond, before she relocated here. Photographing in J. Crew, on the sly. Commentating aloud about the Mothman Prophecies, while driving around lost (on location).

The memories that have been created of Jesse and Nicki together are simple, beautiful, and natural. They flow together...both exuberant, but with different outlets. They do the quirky, fun, and spontaneous things that couples like to do together; however, they also live average, daily, normal life together well.

And as of yesterday, they are now scheduled to take photos/do quirky things/explore the pyromaniac inside/live life well for the rest of their lives...does it get much better than that?

[feeesh!]

[my brother, a groomsman, and his lovely ladyfriend]

[every photograph looks 45.23 times better with a baby included. it's science]

mimosa and coffee beans.

2009-07-28T17:06:00.006-04:00

This past Saturday was pretty much a grand old time.

A 7 a.m. walk with Rachel reminded me just how beautiful my city really is. Hill Drive is hands down one of the prettiest streets I've ever traveled, I do believe, in my entire life. Have you ever stopped to smell fresh mimosa? Nirvana cannot be bottled, I am convinced.

Though, of course...because it was about two hours earlier than I would normally be up on a Saturday...I did not have the foresight to take my camera along. Next time, folks, next time.

About three hours later (following a five mile walk and then a short drive to Starbucks, for breakfast with Rachel), I made an extended stop at one of my favorite places on earth. This marvelous place is certainly hip and classy in its own right, but truthfully my affection has nothing to do with the place itself and everything to do with the company I keep there. At this little local setting, I've met friends for homework sessions, gone out with the ladies from my care group to get dinner, had friend dates to catch up with some of the wonderful gals in my life, spent time in personal study and reflection by the fireplace...

Over the past year, though, this place has become particularly endeared to my heart because it has been the single place I've gotten together with Maya, to have unsweetened flavored iced tea and a very long chat. When we meet there for prayer and discussion in the evenings, we are always the last to leave. [And the staff, to their credit, has always been the epitome of gracious about our late presence] There are times I feel like carving a miniscule "Ashley Was Here" in the perfectly distressed bathroom wall; somehow, it just seems like it would be fitting.

Then some days, like this past Saturday, we have the foresight and opportunity to meet in the morning or early afternoon. It's a different feel, for sure...no live music or wine tastings, more high school students and families. Though even at noon, they still go through the cafe offering small samples of wine, proving all over again just how fabulous their establishment is. And the people around and the small noticeable void of local entertainment really do not matter, as long as my dear friend is there to laugh, cry, converse and pray with. And as long as they have means to provide me with a large unsweetened flavored iced tea.

my father is pretty cool.

2009-07-25T22:15:00.004-04:00

What else do I really need to say? He's a movie buff who considered film school but chose politics instead. He is a fan of John Williams, but loves to sing too much to be a purely instrumental guy. (Plus, he actually sings good. Yes, I said good, grammar nazis) Not to mention, he managed to woo my mom, which takes grand skills.

And in addition to being an avid philatelist [=person who collects stamps], he also collects ties. Yes, ties. The family joke at any and every birthday, Christmas, or general gift-giving occasion is that the receiver at any given point is going to open the box and find a crisp new tie nestled within. Whether rocking the double-X's or mixing it up with a Y, you are receiving a tie - until the contents prove otherwise.

In honor of this pretty cool, albeit idiosyncratic, habit, I snuck into the parentals closet yesterday to take some photos of these ties. Enjoy.

Now that the picture is in, I have entertainment and reading recommendations:

1. Go listen to "Daylight" by Matt and Kim. It will make you smile, I promise.

2. Watch Murder by Death (Neil Simon). It is one of my favorite movies - hands down, no question, absolutely. I just watched it for the 4827.32nd time, so you should go watch it too.

3. Just Do Something, by Kevin DeYoung. Best (and shortest) book I have read so far off my list. If you are looking for a summer stimulant for your mind and spirit, voici! I wish I had more thumbs to offer in praise of this little collection of pages. Superb.

rain, rain...come this way...

2009-07-18T16:35:00.004-04:00

There were definitely the coolest roll-through thunderstorms for about three hours yesterday. Steel skies, sideways rain pour, illuminating lightning - all the fabulous ingredients. But, like always, they didn't stay long enough to become chummy. And it's been very hot and super humid outside ever since their brief pit stop. Dang.

So yes, that's the excitement of my weekend. Continuing with the photos I took with Beth at Stony Point, here is one of my friend's favorites.

baby, it's hot outside.

2009-07-16T21:29:00.011-04:00

July is a very busy month around this household. Verrrry busy.

Birthdays, pool extravaganzas, summer cleaning (yes, that's how we roll around here), and other wonderful festivities.

The new July 2.1 model, out this year, also features (1) launching a business with my dad (2) gearing up to teach for the 2009-2010 school year, and (3) indulging my interest in and love for taking photographs.

...speaking of launching my business [my portion of which is jewelry and accessories, for the record], the website will be up and going hopefully on 7.29.2009. To stay current on different happenings with the store - and ensure you receive notice of nifty deals - become a follower on Twitter!

And now, from the week, one of my favorites...