• Being Social

    FacebookTwitterYouTubeGoogle+Etsy

  • Sign up for First Century eNewsletter

    Read the Privacy Policy.

    * = required field

  • Twitter

 

The Blog

Heart Handmade and a Craft Show

Heart Handmade and a Craft Show

December begins this week. It has been nice to reflect on all that we are thankful for and to stop and rest. I hope you were able to do just that.

I made my pumpkin pie – it is pictured above. And to quote my brother, “This is how pumpkin pie is supposed to taste!” So everyone liked it. I am sure the chocolate crust didn’t hurt either. And the nice thing was that is was gluten free – so I could eat it too.

I am also happy to say that I got my first featured article. You can check it out over on the Heart Handmade blog. That is exciting over here in First Century Studios land!

And also, this Saturday is my last craft show of the year. So if you are in Ellicot, I hope you can stop by. The details are on the Shows page.

And of course before I forget again, check out December’s free Desktop calendar here.

Posted in art,Blog,craft,Featured,photography,Winter — by alicia on Monday, November 28th, 2011 — Comments (1)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving!

It’s Thanksgiving already? Who told the turkeys they could come so fast? There is a lot to be thankful for even in hard times. I am thankful for a roof over my head and food and clean drinking water. I am thankful for wonderful friends and wonderful family. I am thankful for a God that loves me and saved me from myself and an eternity without Him. I am thankful for you! For your support of my artistic endeavors. This place, this website, would be nothing without you.

And you know what, I couldn’t help it but I wanted to have a sale :-) So all week in my Artfire store everything is 10% off and Christmas Cards have free shipping too.

But I hope that while this time is full of shopping that we all make sure to step back and truly look at the things we are thankful for. And that we look especially at the things we take for granted – like clean air and clean water.

Oh and enjoy some pumpkin pie, turkey and giving thanks. I am making my pie from an actual pumpkin again and this time it has a gluten free chocolate crust – yum! I happen to know the the crust is yummy – yes i cheated and tasted it :-)

This photo is called Harvest Time.

Posted in Fall,Featured — by alicia on Monday, November 21st, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Middle November

Middle November

Well, it’s the middle of November and I can’t think of anything to blog about. Maybe I will think of something as I type :-)

It was brought to my attention that, while I made and posted the November Desktop calender, I forgot to share it with you all! Please let me remedy that right now. You may find November’s Calendar here.

I probably forgot to share that with you because I was doing many craft fairs at the time :-) The next one of those is December 3. But that is a very poor excuse.

I am busy planning my Thanksgiving baking. I am making pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. The pie will be different this year as I need to have a wheat free crust. So I am contemplating how to do that. Any ideas? A chocolate crust is at the top of the list at the moment.

The photo today is a rose I was given this weekend. Isn’t it beautiful? I call it Harvest Rose. It is gracing my desk at the moment.

Posted in Fall,Featured,flowers,photography — by alicia on Monday, November 14th, 2011 — Comments (1)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Cold Weather and Sewing

Cold Weather and Sewing

The weather is getting cold and I have gotten to enjoy my fireplace a few times now. I love a warm fire. It one of the few things I like about cold weather.

In the summer, I want to stay outside in the sunshine. But in the winter, I can stay inside and make things without feeling like I am cheating on the sun. So I have been using my evenings to sew.

I have developed what might be bordering on an addiction to sewing – mostly thanks to my sewing friend extraordinaire, Pam.

I wanted to share some of those projects with you. There are 5 of them …. yep that was 5 …. and that’s not even all of them :-)

These are in the order that I made them. First up is a lunch bag. It’s made from a shirt. I really liked the fabric but it didn’t fit correctly – so it gets a new life. I used the tutorial on this site: Oh, Fransson!.

Next was a make-up bag. This was also made from an old shirt. I love reusing things. This is the first time I have made something with a zipper. I made two and they snap together. I used the tutorial on this site: Flossie Teacakes.

Third, we have three tissue holders. I thought they were cute and always practical. I used this pattern. They were really, really easy to make, by the way.

Fourth, I made a drawstring bag. This is to go with the lunch bag actually. I wanted to have a lunch bag that could also hold my phone, glasses, etc in when I go to work. This bag holds those things and fits in the side of my lunch bag. I used the tutorial on this site: Sew Retro.

And lastly, I made this carrying bag, also from the above tutorial. I made it with handles and Velcro instead of as a drawstring. I made two of these actually. I saw this fabric at the store on sale and I really liked it.

I am still working on sewing projects too :-) I have some sewing projects in mind that incorporate my photos too – so be looking for those to come.

I have been also busy with craft fairs and special order Christmas card and coasters. It has been nice to work on these next to my fire.

Hope you are staying warm too. What projects are you all working on?

Posted in art,Blog,craft,Featured,sewing,Winter — by alicia on Thursday, November 10th, 2011 — Comments (1)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Second Snow and Custom Christmas Cards

Second Snow and Custom Christmas Cards

We had our first big snow last week. So I took the opportunity to take some snowy photos. The one this post is called, Quiet Dawn. You can see more of these in the Snow Portfolio.

I had my second craft fair last Friday also. Thanks to those of your who stopped by. It was fun to also see some old friends. And a special thank you to Emily for helping out! Thank you!

Speaking of craft fairs, for those of you in town who haven’t made it to one yet, my next one is this Saturday! At Sunnyside Christian Church at 2025 N. Murray Blvd. from 9-4. I hope to see you there!

As Christmas is right around the corner, I have had some requests for custom Christmas cards. Those are now available for special order. Yay! If you see a photo on this site, maybe in the Snow Portfolio :-) , that you would like on the cover of your Christmas cards this year, see the details for ordering here. You can have a custom message on the inside as well. You can get them in sets of 10 or 25 and they come with envelopes and special instructions that you can send along with them on how to frame the cards. It makes it a card and gift in one. Pretty cool, right? I think so :-)

Posted in craft,Featured,mountains,photography,Winter — by alicia on Monday, October 31st, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Fall and Winter Photos

Fall and Winter Photos

It seems that winter is trying to overcome fall around here. Today is cold and wet. While it’s not snowing yet, it feels like a day to sit in front of the fireplace and read a good book. Hmmm, I did just get some firewood….

In the spirit of the on-again/off-again seasons, I have changed up and added photos to my portfolio. Two new categories are “Fall” and “Snow”. I already have some orders for Christmas cards from the “Snow” category which is great.

I hope that you enjoy them! You can visit the Portfolio here.

Posted in craft,Fall,Featured,photography,Winter — by alicia on Monday, October 17th, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Special Orders

Special Orders

The snow is starting to fall and the smell of pumpkin spice and peppermint fill the air. A sure fire sign that the holiday season is here. With it comes the inevitable, “What do I get people for Christmas!? Do I get dad the generic tie? Do I get mom some generic gloves? Oh and what do I get Aunt Sue?”

Well, how about something a little more unique? Did you know that all the photos on the First Century Studios website can be purchased? Photos like the one here called, “Golden Stream”. Furthermore, did you know that you can have them put onto a variety of very special things? You could choose a stone coaster, a frame-able Christmas card, a frame-able print, or other things that you dream up!

So take a look through the newly updated Portfolio and see if any photos fit your fancy.

Visit the Special Order Price List

Posted in Blog,craft,Featured,photography — by alicia on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

And it’s October

And it’s October

Happy Fall to everyone. I got the opportunity to get out into the mountains this past weekend. What a beautiful day! And the trees were in their autumn glory. It was an incredible sight. And so I must share this one picture. I call it Autumn’s Arm. This photo is also this month’s desktop calendar. You can download that here.

I hope to get more of these fall photo’s up in the portfolio soon. But in the mean time I hope you enjoy this one.

It is time to start Christmas shopping too. No really it is :-) This week is special because it’s my first craft fair of the season! So I hope all you Colorado Springs folks can make it out. It is at Rocky Mountain Calvary on Austin Bluffs and Academy. Friday from 5 pm – 8 pm and Saturday from 9am – 1 pm. Hope to see you there!

I just wanted to also remind you that you can special order things. If you see a photo on this site or you saw one last year and you would like to turn it into your Christmas gifts – just send me an email and we can get it for you.

Hope you are having a great fall day!

Posted in Blog,craft,Fall,Featured,mountains,photography — by alicia on Monday, October 3rd, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Fall Craft Fairs

Fall Craft Fairs

Fall is upon us and that means of course it’s time for Christmas shopping! For those of you here in Colorado, here is the current list of my fall Craft shows. You can stop by and check out the merchandise and talk to me. So fun.

October 7 and 8 – Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel (4285 N. Academy Blvd, 80918). Friday from 5-8 and Saturday from 9-1.

October 28 – Focus on the Family (8655 Explorer Drive, 80920) from 10-4.

November 5 – Sunnyside Christian Church (2025 N. Murray Blvd,. 80915) from 9-4.

December 3 -Bible Christian Church of Ellicott (140 N Ellicott Hwy Calhan CO 80808) from 8-1

Posted in craft,Featured — by alicia on Monday, September 19th, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.

Stormy Flight

Stormy Flight

I spent the last week in Appleton, Wisconsin visiting my family. It was a crazy busy week, but it was great to meet my newest niece and spend time with everyone.

I was really looking forward to one thing in particular. The last several times, weather got in the way. Well, this trip was no exception. There is a lake about 30 minutes south of my brothers house that we lived by when we were little. I really wanted to explore it. When we got there, one of the areas worst storms of the year decided to blow through! So we got drenched and ended up at McDonalds. Not really my idea of a fun time.

But, because this is a blog about photography, it is important to note that storms are one of the best times to get great photographs. So I leave you with the storm across Lake Winnebago. The sea gulls were having a great time flying around. The photo here is called, Stormy Flight.

Also, for you avid blog readers and email subscribers, there is a September desktop calendar of the this photo for free to download.

In other news, September is a big month for production. I will be busy making great things that will make great gifts for Christmas and the like. So look forward to that – I sure am!

Here’s to a great start to the fall!

Posted in balance,Featured,photography,summer,Travel — by alicia on Monday, September 5th, 2011 — Comments (0)

All photographs are for sale - if you see one you like just contact me to order it.