Monday, December 24, 2012

A year in review


Baby Blankie #1
after a very long weekend, it is finally Christmas Eve, and I am so ready for the two and a half days off work. Hooray!!
Blankie #2, green and purple

Blankie #3
accomplishments this year: four completed baby blankets, one finished fall lap-ghan (only a year late), read 28 books and counting, couple of little wooden name boards
 (one failed :-( due to typo), wedding monogram, key to good marriage framed, five vases, bouquets, and I'm sure more.

The pictures are not the best, my color appears to be off. But the baby blankets used a majority of the same yarn. Started with a yellow yarn that I am working with for Blankie #5 still. Moved on to a green/purple mix. This blanket was one of my favorites. Very easy pattern and forms a neat little look without all the ends hanging off from changing colors (which I hate).
Blankie #4, white with a little green

After this I used only the green for a lacy type blankie, with a big bold seed stitch border. It drove me crazy, but in the best way possible, and I'm sure only I will see the mistakes ::rolls eyes:: (the lies we tell ourselves)

Blankie #4 used up nearly the rest of the green (mint) yarn, and a nice "white" (has mixed in colors) baby yarn. Still have more of that to use up before the move happens if I plan on following through on my 5drawer plan.

Healthy baby boy @ 7lbs
The baby name boards are fun, and I still love doing them. Some how the artist in me has developed ESP and I can read the minds of pregnant mommies I've never met. Baby Gage's daddy works with us, and says the board matches the nursery perfect! Usually I at least stalk the registry for ideas.

Like Brady's board:

I panicked when I saw a facebook post from the mother talking about little Bradey coming soon. Since I would not be able to attend the shower I didn't want there to be an awkward exchange of gifts where mine was a giant mis-spelling of the baby's name. Tried to fix it, but ruined it more. So I just gave the registry items without the craft.
((Advice from this, always trust your instincts, and the Grandmother!))

A big event this year was my own wedding! And of course I had fun planning that :-) and all the great crafts that came with.
wedding flowers

wedding vase, pre frosty spray
monogram pre-scrapbook



beginning of project
My fabulous Maid of Honor was in London leading up to the wedding. And in an adorable shop she found the "key to a happy marriage". So of course I had to frame it! 
finished project



Now I am lucky enough to be helping her plan her wedding! Don't know if I can top her speech, but maybe an already crafted key to happiness or something before the speech will help. ;-)

A few more random crafts/projects:
card for a coworker

set of 4 frames







And that is my year in pictorial review. I hope I have kept you entertained. And/or given your creative juices something to enjoy. Hopefully before the end of 2012 I will update my books of the year. But as hectic as times are no promises ;-)
So enjoy a cup of cocoa and a VERY Merry Christmas :-)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

finisher

forgot to mention in my rambling post, I finished two books off the 30 before 30 list!!
plus another baby blanket!
Secret Life of Bees, saw the movie first, so the book was a quick read. I think the movie did well at living up to the book.
Handmaid's Tale, not sure what I feel about this book. I got involved with the character, but then cliffhanging ending to the book... so lame, now I have no clue what happened or why the story was important because it just....stopped. So she made no progress, or amazing progress and got out of there? but not either... ugh
pictures to come on the blanket, ends still have to be woven in

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

ramble ramble

it seems the waiting game is maybe possibly, almost coming to a close. Hubster has had multiple phone chats with corporate, and after another voice mail yesterday, all seems to be the stars are lining up. Guess that means I better really start cleaning that second bedroom. Still waiting on at least two more check marks before any dates and cities are discussed. Tricky part there is OF COURSE its the holidays, busy busy season. So maybe when these other check marks get taken care of they'll tell us it'll be closer to Valentines Day before anything happens, which is okay, and not okay.
So, meanwhile my own waiting game... they finally made me a bartender! woo now instead of $2.65 I'll make something like $4 an hour (plus tips) hahaha...
also less than two weeks until exams, lots of studying being avoided in this household... errr, happening? My tutoring students were still all A's in Algebra and Chem before Thanksgiving (woo hoo!)
and I'm going line dancing tonight :-D
this was supposed to happen at the beginning of the month, but then I got called with another student to tutor, but she didn't like me, and then I had a test, and then it was Thanksgiving, and finally the LAST wednesday of November we are going! I get to wear my boots, and I'm stoked, pictures? that could happen...
and now I'm rushing out the door to get to campus...

Thursday, November 8, 2012

early resolutions

I know I know, its only November, we haven't had Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, why am I already making resolutions? simply because I can. and I found this on pinterest:
http://www.ludlowandco.com/2012/08/bookaholics-anonymous/
while I may not be in a quarter life crisis at the moment, sometimes I wonder :-P
Reasoning pro:  a lot of these were already on my "to-read" list, 2012 I set the goal of 30 books without starting in January
Reasoning con: next spring will be my first semester as a full time student since 2008, and I feel like I don't have time as a part time student.
But, we are going to try it, because... I LOVE reading!

So here is the list of 30 books suggested,
1. Confessions of a Shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella
2. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
3. Girls in White Dresses – Jennifer Close
4. The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing -Melissa Bank
5. Bitches on a Budget: Sage Advice for Surviving Tough Times in Style – Rosalyn Hoffman
6. What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self – Ellyn Spragins
7. The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan
8. What Did I Do Wrong? – Liz Pryor
9.  20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman’s Guide to Balance and Direction – Christine Hassler
10. Single: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled, and Independent - Judy Ford
11. The Awakening – Kate Chopin
12. Daughters of the North – Sarah Hall
13. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
14. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
15. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Milan Kundera
16. The Portable Dorothy Parker – Dorothy Parker
17. The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
18. The Edible Woman – Margaret Atwood
19. A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life - Bethenny Frankel
20. The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd
21. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) - Mindy Kaling
22. Bossypants – Tina Fey
23. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) – Jenny Lawson
24. Me Talk Pretty One Day – David Sedari
25. Night - Elie Wiesel
26. Heartburn – Nora Ephron
27. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
28. Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea – Chelsea Handler
29. Mother Night – Kurt Vonnegut
30. The Rise of Enlightened Sexism: How Pop Culture Took Us from Girl Power to Girls Gone Wild

I've already read: 1,2, and 4.
In the process: 20

Edited Jan 7th:
Read 1, 2, 4, 12, 17, 20, 22. In process: 3, 6

Edited Jan 27th:
Read 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 17, 20, 22. In process: 21, 24

Monday, October 29, 2012

the ultimatum

well I would call it a goal, but there isn't a definite end date.
three crates of unfinished projects
Alright, it appears I've started at the end of my story. So here's the beginning... I'm messy. Very messy. And I'm addicted to yarn. Therefore, my stash has grown, and grown and grown, and quite possibly is out of control....
drawer of yarn from completed projects....

a tub full with extra on top in the closet

lots of new yarn... seriously, I might be addicted






 So, the decision today was to buy this 5 drawer tower. All of my yarn will go in it... if it doesn't fit I need to get rid of it. I must knit with it, or get rid of by the time we move out of this apartment, or need the second bedroom closet...like for a baby, or a long-term house guest. Since there are no plans to move, and no babies on the way, really I have forever to get rid of the yarn... but I'm going to try to at least head that way, and TRY to stop buying it every time it is on sale.

When I get that going I will buy a second set of drawers to contain COMPLETED projects (or unfinished in the top drawer only?) and if I'm not selling/giving it away, then there is no room to knit more. And I will have made a nice stock for selling without cutting into my profit.

So that's the plan... but I'll get started tomorrow ;-)

Monday, October 15, 2012

ponderer

seriously thinking about selling my crafts again
so working on building up a collection of knit blankies, and pondering better storage for my other craft supplies. I need an area to create if I'm going to supply for paying customers... so cleaning, organizing and knitting while contemplating how/where/what to sell
I made a knit hat with a Tigers D on it in less than 24hrs with a shift at Logan's in that same day, with them playing in the ALCS it would be a great time to sell them, I could charge $10-15 and make a nice profit, but I don't have any ready to ship... hmmmm
Personalized wooden signs for baby gifts (or sorority big/little even) are easy and quick to make, but a little hard to ship...
many pieces of the puzzle have to fit together, but... knitting, studying and staying busy

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

First day!

Headed back to campus, new jeans, new last name, same old tennies on my feet :-)

All my days start in the chemistry building (finally) I might actually meet people I'm graduating with these next two semesters. The other best part of the chem building is that the bus stop is directly across the street.
Also finished "Life of Pi" last night, which means my new book is tucked in my bag for bus/between-class reading.

This nerd is ready to get studying again!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

BTS shopping!

School starts in just a week!! so along with books, and bus pass, and things... I wanted new jeans (no peanut residue from work) and some comfy tops that I would feel studious in
So I got the loan refund back, and gave myself a small portion to spend... and spent all of it (oops)

how'd I do?
the final count was: two jeans, one hoodie, pair of shoes, three tanks, five sweaters (though grey/pink there might be on borrowed time) three tees, and a dress (which isn't so much school wear, as I need/want it to go with my nashville boots)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Forever Learning

New idea: connected I-chain (as a finishing edge)
I had never heard of this idea, but found it on a pattern last week, and plan to try it out after work today on the baby blankie I just finished (yes! one done!)
Good thing I already finished one because word has come around of two coworkers (one former) who are expecting a second child each. This takes my tally to 5 known pregnancies

Idea I should have known: binding off
Apparently I never learned this correctly! All my knitting life I have knit two, pass one over, continue knitting one at a time, passing the first over...turns out I should have SLIPPED the first stitch! what a silly little thing I have never noticed

Always looking for new things to learn to keep my knitting fun!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Girls night In

and by Girls...I mean me.
Just got off work for the evening, ran to Family Video (which i haven't been to in SOooo long) and rented "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Water for Elephants" tried to get "A Clockwork Orange" but someone didn't return it. I'm having a books-I-read-this-summer-movie marathon!! Yes, the Olympic closing ceremonies are on... but I have been meaning to watch Elephants for a while, and I have the night to myself, so I just jumped on it.
Roughly halfway done with baby blankie #1, and I have some holiday crafting I could start on... so movies sounded like a good evening.
This coming semester I have already made plans for some fun reading, and girl time. Tuesday is my light day at school, so I planned for no work, and make it my study night (I wont be burnt out from long lectures, and hopefully would be more productive) but today talking with some lovely ladies at work decided we needed a breakfast book club!! but then classes started early enough that we would be meeting at dawn, so we changed to a wine and book club, meeting around 7pm or so.
School starts in less than 3 weeks, and I'm both excited and dreading it... gotta get the rest of my summer in before I get stuck studying away!! :-) hope all the rest of your weekends are great

Sunday, August 5, 2012

blah blah blah

Three repeats and nearly a thousand stitches into this baby blanket, and I've "almost" got the hang of it...
oops, guess just because it looks pretty doesn't mean its an easy pattern. You would think the geometric shape would be a simple enough pattern... and sometimes you would be WRONG :-)
Luckily I shrank the blankie a little (hooray, successfully too) so I should make it through before the little one gets here... but when I get a little overwhelmed in the pattern I start flipping through the book, and then I just want to make MORE blankies! oops... not helpful
Hanging with the in-laws today... if only I cleaned my closet more often and could find the outfit I want to wear... oh well, only myself to blame :-P can't decide if I wanna bring a book for the car ride, or the knitting...hmmmm

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The drought is over!

...but we still need rain.
I'm knitting again... thanks in part to baby season, I may or maynot have two pregnant sorority sisters, as well as two close girls that may or maynot be in the process of conceiving, and knowing my co-workers, someone is about ready to misuse their birth control and end up knocked up. So I'm getting a head start!
Had some hours to kill while waiting for the carpet cleaners to finish, and the apartment to dry out, so I spent one of the hours wandering the craft stores... and wound up buying two baby afghan books, a new circular needle, and a pound of yellow yarn (all on sale). So as the Olympics start another night, I'm casting on!!
Also I still have a few projects to finish, so I better get going before I overwhelm myself during school season. ... Here's hoping I finish something before the baby shower invites get here... or before Christmas at least :-)

Friday, July 6, 2012

hot hot hot

knitting is definitely on the back burner right now. As mild as our winter was, summer is NOT following suit. 104ish today? eww
started a new knitting book though "Knitting Under the Influence" only a chapter or so in, but I'm sure it will keep me entertained/amused, and a lot lighter than a knitting project on my lap!!
Hope everyone else is staying cool out there, and doing light weight crafting only!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

"Me" Time

Haven't had much to post lately. Sorry if you are dying to see my crafty/knitty/random thoughts...
since the wedding I have done a few crafts, and taken pictures, but still need a few finishing touches. Classes are done, and I'm working on RELAXING... I have been a crazy book worm, I've read a pile of books in the last month, and I LOVE it. Work has been shifted around into a new schedule, and I'm slowly getting used to it. With the new schedule I'm able to go to a Zumba class a few times a week, which is GREAT!! I miss dancing, and these sweaty sweaty classes really help fill that void.
Hopefully I will get some crafting/cleaning/organizing motivation soon. After that you, lucky followers, will be gifted with some great blogging... but for now, I'm going to be lazy :-) and enjoy every minute of it.

Monday, April 23, 2012

wedding monogram

scrapbook paper modpodged over the letters, fun ribbon from the mom-in-law, little hot glue and a matron of honor to make the bow... craft accomplished.
Also good thing there was a brother-in-law tall enough to put them up :-)

Saturday, April 7, 2012

wedding crafts


Collected my supplies... a pile of old newspapers, masking tape, 5 glass vases, frosted spray paint, and a bag of rubber bands. We are working on center pieces for the head tables. Luckily the wonderful weather made getting out on the balcony for painting an option.
After taping down the newspapers (windy day) I wrapped the vases with rubber bands. And SPRAYED like crazy, tried to get all sorts of weird angles, and just coat all nooks and crannies with the frosty-ness. Allowed them to dry, then did it again. Allowed them to dry more... then moved them inside to dry for a full 24hrs.
After drying, the rubber bands were removed, and TA-DA! Frosty vases with clear swirly areas. Now these vases will be set on the head tables, and the bridesmaids will set their bouquets in them during the reception. Instant (or 48hrs) centerpieces!
Second project... wedding monogram. Simple cardboard letters from JoAnn's and a book of black and white scrapbook papers... just some scissors and modpodge, and HOORAY! reception decorations! Completed pictures to be posted later.
Wedding is TWO weeks away!!! woah

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

mild winter

well, looking out the window today, it seems that winter is over. Gorgeous day for some wedding crafting too!! Taking pictures, but items are still drying, so no full post yet.

here's the rest of what has been happening while I've been blog-less

January
Lots of school, and working on a lap-sized afghan for my sister that was supposed to have been finished in 2011. Started in the fall, and therefore it is layered in fall colors. Love entre-lac but may have bitten off more than I could chew. Still an in-progress project, but slowly gaining. When I get the chance to pick up the needles.

Sister who the gift is for, requested I start on another project. And I'd agreed. It needed to be done before February when she was returning to the tour she was on (more to come in my next update) and I had planned to see her in the end of January. So I set down the lap-ghan and started a Tigers hat!
I've shown one before on this blog, so I knew I could knit it up quickly.
Took less than a week (closer to 24hrs really) with knitting nearly non-stop. Liked the end result, but still don't like working color block much.
Double knit is my favorite way to make designs, but then they are so thick! Not great for a hat, unless you are walking through a blizzard.

February
It started sinking in that the wedding was right around the corner. Invites had already gone out, and I was starting alterations on the dress. I'd had so so many diy ideas for money saving and cuteness for the wedding, but time was getting short!! I'm still hoping to get some/most of the ideas done, but I'm learning to let go a little (gotta control that stress level). Using a fabric swatch for my accent color I went shopping for flowers.

These are the bunches I found. Luckily Hobby Lobby has sales every other week, so I can shop and stock up as needed. I wasn't sure when I started how many flowers each bouquet would need. But I knew my colors.
It was tricky at first. I searched pintrest and google, and looked for do-it-yourself helpful tips. Most of the tips were for using fresh flowers. I wasn't going to be able to make these last minute. The week before the wedding is going to be BUSY enough already. Plus the school work that would be building up about the same time. Fresh flowers require completion JUST before they are used. Can't stock up and get to it when there is time.
So silk flowers it was. I have since created three bouquets. But the picture on the left is the first attempt. So far it has been the best. I'm not sure how to get myself back in that mindset, or pick out the exact right sets of flowers.
Crafting for today has to do with the flowers. I am painting vases. Rubber-bands and frosty paint. Couple other little bits and pieces too.
Thank goodness the weather is nice today, the paint needed it, and I need time in-case I hate them. (but i shouldn't)

Lets see... that should about wrap up the highs of what I didn't blog about for six-ish months. Paint drying on the balcony, paint drying in the living room, and scrapbook paper that needs cutting. Next update will have a lot of wedding craftiness!! :-D

Sunday, March 11, 2012

2011 Resolutions

Lets Review: I wanted to...

* Put money in Savings Account
* Read more Classics
* Have ME time

the only one that I did GREAT at was reading. I read Little Women, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, and started in on two more that I still try to keep reading...just can't pull me in the way I want books to
That brings me up to 15/100 on that list. There are a lot on that list I still want to read, but I have a lifetime to get back around to that.

Money in the savings account. I put here and there a little, but mainly I just spent well, and then realized I needed ME time, and spent some on FUN. I got more pedicures, and new dresses, and things that I usually wouldn't budget for. I let myself get rewarded for saving well in the past. This year I will continue to work on putting money away and not spending it, but I'm comfortable right now with where my finances are.

I think 2011 was a really good year for me. I was responsible, did pretty well in classes, and still came out sane (mostly). There were a lot more things I wished I'd had time for, but then I would not nearly have worked enough hours to make sure rent, car insurance, electricity, etc were paid monthly.

Speaking of working enough hours... double today, then spring break is over and its time to get back to bed early with those dang alarms waking me up for school. :-)

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Long overdue

Lets start off by saying "Sorry followers!!"
I'm busy... I love it, but you miss out on all my fun multi-tasking. So trying to recap the last six months may take more than one post. I will try to remember everything and let you in on what happened.

September
School started back up, I was taking CalcIII (Multi-variable), Bowling, and Boxing Conditioning. It was SOOoo much fun. I started my school days with bowling, had a great team that was able to just relax and wake up with an hour of bowling. Loved it, and I was actually getting better which helped :-)Boxing was AMAZING!! at first it was sweaty and gross, and I was weak and tired. But I got my strength back, and could finally feel some ab muscles!Joey won a trip to the Tigers game on a MillerLite sponsored bus. No driving, no parking fees, and free tickets. We made sure to ENJOY it


October
no fun Halloween pictures to post, I didn't even make a costume :-(
Halloween crafting is some of my FAVORITE because you craft yourself, but I was working, and not looking for a party to jump to right after work. So I relaxed and studied, and used facebook to post my old childhood costumes (some of which are Legen--wait for it--dairy!!) it was a good time.
Instead I was working on crafting some baby blankies!! Because of my busy-busy-ness I have started making much smaller blankies. No longer do I knit large over-sized blankets, but focus on "car seat size". Not only does it help me, but for the new parents there is less to get caught in seatbelts, or bunched up when you try to snuggle with that little bity one.
Two coworkers were expecting, so my needles were burning. I did similar weave patterns, but different enough that I didn't get bored and unable to finish.


Novemberclasses, are winding down. I was baking (a lot) and I was starting to STRESS!!
one of my bestest friends was moving from Ohio to Tennessee. She'd gotten a job, and had a few weeks to pack up her entire life and transfer it. I made two quick weekend trips with 5hour drives each way to help pack and party with her. Lots of miles, lots of gas, and not a lot of sleep. But I love this lady, so WORTH it.
She wanted me to apply to the company, and since we have the same undergrad degree, I understood what a good idea that would be. But I didn't feel I had the time. I knew the holidays would go quick, and after that we would be headed quickly towards wedding day. I felt like I had NO time at all.

December
Found the time to improve my resume, and sent it off to the company. Within the week I had gotten a call back. I knew that Bestie had given them my name, so things would be sped up, but DANG that was fast, and intimidating. Luckily I must have come off as confident because I was put on the calender for a follow up in February.
Exams, holiday hours at the second job, and visiting two families. When I said busy, yea...no exaggeration. Spent New Years Eve at work. When we finished closing went home, changed and just cuddled up on the couch. Midnight passed with a kiss, woo!

January
New semester. Calc IV (Differential Equations) and Quantitative Analysis.
More to come on 2012 in a later post!!