Corinne Elaina

Songs & Such

2008-05-30T14:42:00.002-07:00

Anyone out there listen to Relax Tracks on AOL Radio? Isn't it amazing? Getting to know the works of bands such as The Innocence Mission, Kings of Convenience and Air bring a real joy into a sometimes very hectic work day. Haunting tracks that repeat daily slowly seep their way into my head, and I find myself singing, humming or tapping along completely oblivious to the fact I now know the song that's on. It’s a fantastic sort of osmosis. What's even better (thrilling even!) is hearing any of these delightful tracks on our local public radio station KXCI 91.3. An ordinary trip in the car turns gleeful in an instant. So, if you catch yourself in the doldrums and you need a little soothing music to make your day go better, you know where to look...

The Journey

2008-05-10T08:00:00.003-07:00

Today is a very good day. After a week of working very hard at my day job, coming home, working hard at my passion, sleeping, eating, and all of the other things people do, the week is over. I have a lot to show for all my hard work and I am very, very excited for the tiny rest that next week has to offer. Today is also our anniversary and tomorrow is Mother's day!

Every once in a while, we're severely bitten by the travel bug. Most of the time we say "get away travel bug, not now, we're busy", but recently, we gave in. So, a trip is in the works! If you've ready my other post "travel is a muse", then you'd know that... travel is a muse. I love, love, love to travel. If I could be a professional vagabond, nomad, or RVer, I think I would. I am keenly jealous of those retirees who sell everything and take up permanent residence in an RV. I think it would be the life! Ok, so maybe the grass is greener and maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. After all, RVers have to spend a lot of money on gas and every once in a while they have to empty out the... I honestly think it would be and is a beautiful life for so many.

What awaits today? Breakfast, visiting with good friends, a lovely dinner tonight, and lots more! Happy Mother’s Day all you moms out there!

Spring is Almost Summer

2008-05-06T18:57:00.004-07:00

Where did Spring go? I think it fled Arizona sometime between the working long hours day and night and sleeping. Luckily for me, today is a cool, overcast day, so I get just a little taste of what Spring must have felt like. I really miss Spring already, but I am bracing myself for the extremely hot weather that is about to take over the Old Pueblo.

On a superbly happy note, it is Teacher's Day. This goes out to all you teachers out there who work so hard for so little money to influence the generation of today and tomorrow. You're great!

I haven't posted in quite a while. I'm really bad about keeping up on my blog or my flickr. It seems I steal sleep to keep up my site, which is great, but not enough to extend my footprint further onto the web. When I'm not working, I'm creating. When I'm not creating, I am wandering outside taking photos of all the gorgeous life sprouting from everywhere. When I'm not wandering, I'm driving, and that's another subject all together. Let's just say it's a little miracle I haven't gotten a ticket in a while, hurt a pedestrian or hit another car. I thank the heavens everyday for that!

We've been on a coffee kick lately. I've been on an ice cream kick. I thank the dude or gal who invented coffee ice cream. Kudos to you coffee ice cream dude/gal.

Well, I hope to start updating weekly. Maybe I'll incorporate some more adorable pictures. I'm thinking of showcasing some new and fabulous finds from around town. If nothing else, more nature pictures to come!!

Goodness & Grace

2008-01-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or do you find that when you make something, sometimes it is almost impossible to part with? The piece you see to the left is really and truly my favorite piece. I think I will part with it, but it will not be easy. When we produce something from within, a creative piece so filled with goodness, we must have the grace to let it go and continue evolving in our artistic lives.

On another note, I have decided to start a business officially. I am somewhat overwhelmed by all the information I must absorb, but I will do it! This is very exciting. If there is anyone else out there who has started a business and would like to share some of their insight, I would be more than happy to hear from you! Was it Ford that said, "Plan the work, the work the plan"? Whoever said it, that's how I intend to tackle this new challenge in my life.

-Corinne Elaina

Rosa Verde & Oro Collections

2007-06-30T20:20:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking a lot recently about creating a collection or two that does not have just one of a kind pieces, but rather, have pieces that can be replicated if necessary. That got me thinking of line sheets and other big business stuff and yeah, I think I can do it. Eventually. I updated my store today with new pretties, but thought I'd drop a few pictures here as well. The Oro Collection was completely inspired by gold. There is something magical about a simple gem dangling from gold. The Rosa Verde Collection is completely inspired by pink and green. All of Rosa Verde is accented with sterling silver and white pearls. I really hope folks enjoy them. They were such a joy to make. If you have feedback, please let me know! You can always email me at corinneelaina@yahoo.com

Seedlings

2007-03-08T23:05:00.000-07:00

Based on what I've seen, most blogs start out like a date with an explanation of who one is and what they do. It may also describe age, gender and likes/dislikes. I want to break from the example that seems to dominate the blog world and start with something simpler. Instead, I'll explain the name of the Blog and reveal just a peek of it's meaning.

Recently, I've had a lemon tree on my mind. Not one particular tree is influencing me in any way. Rather, I am swayed by my love of lemons and the beautiful plant that grows them. Grapefruit are the wrong kind of sour, oranges are too sweet and limes are best kept to key lime pie and margaritas. Lemons awaken food and pucker lips. What other fruit makes you kiss when you eat it.

Lemons are zesty, vibrant and a good example for me to live by.

Travel is a Muse

2007-06-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, late at night or while trying to accomplish some mundane task (brushing my teeth, boiling pasta, whatever), I play this mental game. I try to name all of the different cities I traveled to in the last, I don't know, one year, two years, three years... You get the picture. It is hard because I travel often. It isn't anything glamorous and it is not even for work. I just like to travel. Then it dawned on me just a few weeks ago. I enjoy traveling so much because it is a major source of inspiration. I'm talking about plug-me-in-Billy-I'm-going-to-the-moon kind of inspiration. Not that I'm some astounding artist, but I need my outlets. And if being an artist were judged on how much crap you harbored in your car because you need an outlet, I'd win hands down. I believe we're all creative in some way. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that to be corny. I really mean it. Even those who claim to "not have a creative bone in their body", they're creative. Sometimes people don't know that making dinner is a form of art. Or that guy who is always asking for money and finds the most bizarre ways of keeping afloat - he's creative. So, travel is a muse and travel is a must (for me at least).