angelina la dawn tomato

vegas, baby!

2011-05-17T09:22:00.001-05:00

a few weeks ago we were contacted about a teaching couple position with a reputable organization that works with at-risk youth. i haven't even mentioned it for fear that it just wasn't going to work out and it almost didn't! we initially thought {as did they} that we would go to their site in chicago, but that wasn't a good fit. we visited and got to see the program, but we simultaneously knew the chicago site wasn't for us but the position was. luckly, they had an opening in las vegas and i am pleased as punch to tell you that we were offered and accepted the position on friday!!

so yeah, we're moving to vegas! and although it's not a place we ever imagined living and it's so very far from family and friends, we are really looking forward to it! we've spent the last week and a half researching it and i think we're going to love it there! {goodbye debilitating allergies}

i'm so excited i could scream and so terrified i could run and hide {almost!} we just know that this is, without a doubt, what we want to be doing and an organization we can't wait to be a part of. we will be living in their facility, in a big house with our own quarters, and playing the role of surrogate parents to 4-6 kids who live there anywhere from 6-9 months. it's going to be stressful, it's going to be rewarding, and we just can't wait to get started!

we've gotten off one roller-coaster to jump directly onto another: we fly out there the last week of may to do some paperwork and check everything out, come home for a couple days and then head to their headquarters for a two-week training. then we come home and move to vegas in june. it's going to be crazy! and really, we wouldn't have it any other way. i don't think we could wait another minute to start this new adventure!

i could go on and on, but i'll stop for now. i've got so many other things to share and i'll be doing my very best to document this big change. thank you all for your lovely thoughts and comments, they really helped me stay positive on some tough days!

news {or lack there of}

2011-05-10T12:23:00.001-05:00

i'm so excited to show you more of my bedroom changes, but lately life has taken over my....well, life. and yes, i'm aware that doesn't make sense. but you get the over-all gist, and i don't care if my husband graduates with a masters in english comp {on thursday!} my writing can be non-nonsensical if i so choose. and i do!

anyway, trying to keep you posted on changes in my life over the past 2 weeks would look something like this:

we might have a job!

90% sure we have a job!

gave up 2 jobs for a sure thing!

i think we're moving to chicago!

ok, definitely not moving to chicago, but maybe some where else?

nevermind, we might be moving to chicago no matter what!

or perhaps we will both be unemployed in a few short weeks.

so basically absolutely everything is up in the air and any update i give you will likely be void within a few days {or hours!} some days we're rolling with the punches and some days i think my head will explode and that we've made all the wrong choices.

only time will tell.

until then, i will continue to do what keeps me busy and my mind moving- namely, avoiding long stretches of time at the computer {which provides way too much time for mind-wandering and worst-case-scenario dwelling} and deep cleaning my apartment {that we may or may not be moving out of any time soon.....}

ah, life! someday we will look back at this time and think it was all worth it {at least i hope so!}

new bedroom art!

2011-05-04T11:33:00.000-05:00

my new bedroom art revealed! i know, i know, you've been sitting on the edge of your seats for weeks just waiting for the big reveal, and i did my very best to get some decent photos, which i'm not thrilled with, but whatever. the time has come!
here it is:

a couple weeks ago i found this amazing artist and was completely inspired by one piece in particular. i like to think i'm a unique person with my own ideas, but i just felt the need to recreate this for my bedroom. it's slightly different, of course, but very obviously not my original concept. with that said, i still really love it!

piece of tan linen from the remnant bin, plus a couple skeins of embroidery floss and a frame i already had on hand made this a cheap project! and much more cheery than it appears in my photos...

i had some leftover materials, so i grabbed an empty frame from the vintage store in town, painted it black, and made another one.

lyric from one of our favorite songs {mentioned before because i love it!}

this is the most accurate photo for the color scheme. and while i'm still a novice embroiderer, i think my stitches are getting better!

little change #3

2011-04-28T19:51:00.000-05:00

so i keep lots of my crafting supplies {as well as just about every card i've ever received} in boxes. many of which i've had for years. most of them have been either upcycled or re-covered at least once {such as the zebra print box i've had since high school} but a couple of them were overdue for a makeover. i covered them in brown craft paper and tried out this stamping technique i saw making the rounds on pintrest a few weeks ago:

inspiration:

source

my results:

i wrapped some scrap yarn around a block and used a sponge brush to cover it with acrylic paint. i wasn't very consistent with my application and the paint wasn't spread very evenly, but i like it anyhow.

i always like trying something new and this was a pretty simple and low-risk project seeing as how anything i don't like can be covered with new paper.

lucy makes cadbury eggs

2011-04-27T13:06:00.001-05:00

well, here i am again gracing the internets and your computer screens with my presence. lucky you! i haven't been around much lately for no reason other than sheer lack of motivation. hubs and i are having lots {and lots and lots} of conversations about our future and dealing with all the little {and big} ups-and-downs of life that seem to be coming all at once these days. and while next year still has a big question mark next to it, i can definitely say i've kicked my funk and am feeling myself again. this uncertain time is a chance for us to define ourselves and look at life as an adventure again, not an obstacle, and i'm excited about the possibilities. even if that ultimately means staying in kansas one more year. {also, hubs passed his thesis defense! great news indeed} {also also some things are in the works that i might be sharing with you soon!}

so, moving on, happy belated easter! it's no secret that i'm in love with dessert of all shapes and sizes but husband really isn't. that being said, he's obsessed with cadbury creme eggs and i've kept a constant supply of them in the house since they appeared. since they'll be gone soon i tried my hand at making my own {with these instructions}

they taste ah.mazing!

unfortunately i didn't want to get molds and i'm really not good at dipping things in chocolate and i made a huge mess in the kitchen {and on my hands. and on the floor...} i felt like lucy at the chocolate factory.

good thing my stomach doesn't have eyes!

little change #2

2011-04-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

i got this adorable little lamp a couple months ago and i love all it's kitschy character. unfortunately the color scheme seems more suited for a nursery than our living room, so i decided to make some changes.

i love how it turned out! and it really wasn't that much work.

i sanded it, primed it, and spray painted it {while the neighbors looked at me like i was crazy} and recovered the shade {using this tutorial}

it's still just as charming and unique, and i think mozart here looks much better in yellow!

paint chip art

2011-04-17T19:27:00.001-05:00

i haven't been around blogland much lately and i'm so dreadfully behind on my blogroll. i don't feel that i've had much to blog about either, especially since i've been focusing all my energy on redecorating my bedroom. and of course any good project of mine comes with a healthy dose of craft therapy. i'm trying to keep myself busy which has resulted in multiple trips to the craft and hardware stores. on one such home depot trip i grabbed a bunch of paint chips and came home to create these little masterpieces:

i'm using several different bright colors throughout the bedroom, and i had these 3 matching frames so i thought this worked out perfectly.

i like how simple they are. and not too hard to make, either. lots and lots of paper cutting, but that has it's own de-stressing properties. win win.

{is it just me or do all these photos seem grainy??}

i think this is the best project i've done in a while, but of course i'm biased. i'm trying to take photos of some of the other projects i've got going, and hopefully i'll get my lazy self around to post them soon!

sisterly love aka best package ever!

2011-04-10T19:23:00.000-05:00

so my birthday was just over a week ago, but i have to show off the most amazing birthday package from my big sis:

i wish i could put it on display. her hubs told her she was crazy for putting so much work into a box because i would just throw it away. yeah right! i think he's the crazy one.

"a sister's love means everything especially when i can call her friend!"

the most special feature- each section opens up with more goodies!

and this box is chalk full!

i love the cat artwork she made me, because let's be honest, i'm a husband away from being a crazy cat lady.

although, it's a close race between scrappy kitties and a birthday frog cookie.

of course, the art work has lasted a lot longer...

little change #1

2011-04-08T09:31:00.000-05:00

yellow doilies + old cans + art supplies

{with a little double stick tape thrown in there}

i've been looking at so many photos of beautiful rooms this week and have finally figured out that the secret is in the details. so i'm working on changing our details around.

i think this is a good start!

hard times

2011-04-05T11:48:00.001-05:00

it's time for a little honesty: i'm a generally happy and upbeat person, but sometimes you just get in a funk and instead of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, suddenly everything is tinted crummy. i usually keep it out of my blog, but the unavoidable truth right now is that we're going through a rough time. last week was hard and brought some very difficult choices to our doorstep. the last few months have been a roller-coaster ride of job interviews and rejections and while it is good to finally have an answer to the "what will we do next year" question, the answer is hard to accept.

we will not be moving.

and that pretty much sums it up. it's going to take some time to wrap my mind around spending another year in kansas, and so very very far away from the people we love, surrounded by allergens that seem intent upon killing me oh-so-slowly. but i know that it's the right choice. of course that doesn't make it easy. at all.

so, in light of this news, i'm launching myself into some major craft therapy meshed with a desire to have a beautiful and comfy home. after all, we'll be here one more year. i've already made a lot of small changes, but my new project is the bedroom, which i've never been very fond of. it currently feels like a second thought- a room where all the leftovers go. and while pursuing pintrest i found my perfect inspiration:

the colors, the words, everything is beautiful perfection.

so i'm off and running with this image in my brain. and since it's sold {for $540.00!} i'm going to be recreating it with my own {slight} twist. which makes me feel like a low-class art thief {sad} but honestly, if it keeps me busy and gives me a beautiful bedroom then i will just have to live with low-class-theify self!

and if you happen to be having a low week, or even if you're not, then maybe you can find some cheery inspiration from rachel castle too!

the arrival of spring

2011-04-04T14:31:00.000-05:00

the weather here has been gorgeous. really really gorgeous. we've had the windows open which, besides providing a wonderful springy breeze, has the added incentive of creating a kitty incubator.

i really did not think they could sleep more, or be any cuter, but i was wrong.

i hope you're enjoying beautiful weather, too!

april fool's fun

2011-04-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

last year i had a great day of pranks & goodies planned for the kiddos at school, so this year i was anxious not to disappoint! i went old school with the jokes- a water-squirting flower pin and a whoopie cushion. hilariousness ensued.

an april fool's day craft for everyone to make:

and what birthday celebration would be complete without cupcakes? these just happen to look like real food.

vegetable lo mein:

fried rice:

and fortune cookies!

all made with caramel, cereal, frosting, and lots of candy!

i wish it were my birthday every day!

no joke!

2011-04-01T14:45:00.000-05:00

holy cow! I'm 27!

somehow i don't feel that old...

friendship bracelets

2011-03-29T21:15:00.000-05:00

hello! i'm home from my wonderful week away and much to my dismay, we seemed to have jumped back into winter. i know kansans can't be the only people experiencing this crazy weather swing! i mean seriously, i thought this was supposed to be spring!

regardless of the weather outside, i'm already bringing out my summer wardrobe. which for me always includes a bunch of friendship bracelets! which really doesn't take much explination- they're iconic and elementary school kids have been making them forever and a day.

some how i've never kicked the habit and i've been making new ones each season for years, so i've built up quite a collection. these are just a few of my favorites

and of course, sometimes i even make them for friends, because nothing says "love" like some knotted embroidery floss!

on the road again

2011-03-20T20:12:00.001-05:00

it's finally spring break!

birds are chirping, there is fresh coffee in the kitchen, and did i mention

it's spring break?!

{::cue music:: "oh what a beautiful mornin..."}

ahh yes, spring break. that magical week that comes never-too-soon and always just in time to cure the i'm-about-to-pull-out-my-hair stresses. so husband and i are headed out of town to spend some time with my little sister and family and friends in chicago. i love a good road trip with the hubs! {and all that quality time with my long-distance loved-ones}

and for the road, i've packed the last of our cuties. am i the only one who has noticed their adorable stickers and is it possible that it makes them taste better?

happy spring break friends!

{and if you don't get a spring break, then i wish you lots of sunshine}

lists 14-19

2011-03-19T19:09:00.000-05:00

for the 30 days of lists project.

{click image to enlarge}

list #14: things i love about spring!

#15: on my shopping list

#16: places to see in manhattan kansas {my current home town}

#17: words that are hard to spell.

i'm a bad speller, always have been, so i'm putting off doing this list. in fact, i may just replace it with something else! i'm just waiting for inspiration...

#18: road trip must-haves

#19: recipes i want to try

{lots and lots of cupcakes!}

day of silence

2011-03-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

text the word "Quake" or "Japan" to 80888 to make a $10 gift for disaster relief and response in Japan through The Salvation Army World Services Office.
The Salvation Army in Japan is responding to the earthquake and tsunami that brought devastation to the north of the country. Joshua Smith from has designed a shirt to help raise funding and awareness for those affected by the disaster. The Japanese Kanji on the shirt translates to "Save World Army"

100% of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will go toward The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan

today is a holiday

2011-03-17T07:46:00.000-05:00

while the rest of the world celebrates st. patty's day, i'm celebrating my adorable nephew's birthday! he's a bundle of pure joy and i'm sad we don't get to spend the day together, so i crammed, jam-packed-to-the-brim an envelope of goodies.

like these crayons i made:

which are to be kept in here {an old tazo tea can}:

and these fun recipe cards:

plus a handmade card and paper bunting:

and a little craft kit, zoo stickers, toy story sticker pack, coloring book, mini bottles of bubbles and easter window clings:

all topped off with origami luck stars and candy!

whew!

i spent like a week putting it all together, and i loved every second of it! my big sister said he had a great time opening it and sent me this as proof:

added bonus: he's wearing the yo gabba gabba hat i made him for valentine's day that sis says he tries to sleep in.

could he be any cuter??

cookie appreciation

2011-03-15T10:26:00.000-05:00

last week we did staff evaluations at work and i realized that i have an amazing staff that i love working with! i wanted to show my appreciation and nothing says "i appreciate you" like homemade cookies. yummy yummy cookies.

these are my most favoritest cookies. i made them for thanksgiving and husband's birthday.

{you can get the recipe here}

a little red string, some doilies, and 80 cookies later the staff mailboxes were stuffed full of goodness! {and i made sure hubs got a handful, too}

lists 7-13

2011-03-14T08:55:00.000-05:00

my most recent lists for the 30 days of lists project!

{click on the image to enlarge}

#7: blog goals

#8: what's in my bag

{it's really just an extra-extra-large wallet. the left swatch is a leftover piece of fabric}

#9: my wishlist {to do with my love}

#10: favorite websites

#11: date night ideas

{i've mentioned it before, but the biggest downside to living in manhattan is the restaurants. they kinda suck. so my dream dates mostly center around eating good food together. like indian food. we miss it so much i listed it twice!}

#12: weekly rituals

#13: diy's i want to try

ted talks: andrew bird

2011-03-13T12:43:00.002-05:00

just watched this with the hubs and i had to share.

if you're not already an andrew bird fan, prepare to become one!

book wishlist

2011-03-11T12:37:00.000-06:00

since we've recommenced with the gift-giving traditions, i've opened the flood-gates and i've got a birthday list a million miles long. i can't stop! i already shared some of my etsy faves, so i thought i'd share what's on my book wishlist. let the gift-giving begin! {cue evil laugh. mwahhhahahhaa!}

{this one has been on my list for years.}

{this one too}

{so pretty!}

{i really do heart macarons}

{awesome!}

{not really a book, but i have to include it}

{and one more japanese craft book to finish}

i really don't need more ideas, but i want to know what would be on your book list anyway!

new look

2011-03-10T19:41:00.001-06:00

i've been having a weird week. i was cranky for a couple days, and now i'm just in this goofy, giddy place. it's really not a bad place to be. i think i'm just so ready for spring!

i need color!

i need sunshine!

i need birds chirping!

and while most of those things have already arrived, they haven't stuck around long enough for me to believe they can't just suddenly be ripped away- like on tuesday when it literally rained down slush. slush! it was falling from the skies with reckless abandon! and while i usually treat these restless feelings of the-winter-blues-meets-spring-cleaning with a healthy dose of hair therapy, i can't. my hair is still growing out and i just reached teeny-tiny pig-tail length {yay!} so instead i went out and got me a new pair of glasses.

they're kinda goofy and just the little burst of sunshine my week needed!

we all know about my self-portrait awkwardness, so i'm just going to go with this shot, which seems to sum up my feelings this week:

nope! too crazy!
maybe i should stick with something a little more age appropriate and melancholic {it was taken during the slush storm}

so. ready. for. spring.

ipad case

2011-03-08T13:12:00.000-06:00

i mentioned that husband got an ipad for his birthday {that he lets me play with!} so i decided not to take "the lazy way out" {aka buying a case}, got my tub o wool out and made him one myself!

velcro flap, heavy-duty interfacing, and some batting.

i also tried my hand at a little free-motion name tag. it looks kinda like jish or jssh, but i'm not worried about it enough to redo it.

and some of the top-stitching is a little crooked, but for the most part it's quite fulfilling to imagine a result and make it a reality all in one rainy afternoon.

of course, i think my sewing machine needs a check-up now, it started acting a bit wonky at the end.

lazy sunday

2011-03-06T19:50:00.000-06:00

husband had lots of work to do, and i had several different projects to juggle, but we still found time for some relaxing.

i love a lazy day together. and it couldn't have come at a better time.

30 days of lists

2011-03-05T16:02:00.004-06:00

personally, journaling doesn't do it for me, but oh how i love a good list. and then i stumbled upon this and it called my name.
"angie! tomato! hello! i'm am the perfect project for you right now!" it said.
so, i came to the party a little late and made a few lists of my own {with lots of help from all my old catalogs}:

{my handmade notebook}

{so many of the things i'm looking forward to this year are wrapped up in whether we move or not and where to; it made this a short list}

i heart music! i knew i either had to do a small list or open it up to 209 songs, so i choose just these 2 and included the lyrics: "such great heights" will always be a special song for the hubs and i, and "not your year" has been in my head for months. it's somehow very uplifting for me.

so are any of you participating? i want to see what's on your list! {and it's never too late to jump in}

etsy wishlist

2011-03-04T19:47:00.000-06:00

so for the first time in 2 years husband and i are exchanging birthday gifts! yay! he got an ipad {more on that later} and i'm enjoying putting together my own wish list. i loved the simplicity of not giving gifts and the thought that went behind that decision, but i have to say that i'm excited to be getting something new this year!

so my first stop? etsy! let me share with you my budding birthday wishlist:

black quartz necklace

crafty bird

what's on your etsy wishlist? any suggestions for me??

{i may be one step away from going wishlist crazy!}

violins as decor

2011-03-02T14:54:00.000-06:00

i display my love for the violin around my house.

like these beautiful bookends i got from my sister-in-law a few years ago:

love them!

and i love this print, a gift from a student:

{i keep it up here and i know how badly it needs a frame}

and the other day i got this little beauty from my favorite vintage place. i think it looks just like an f hole {i just need to figure out where to hang it!}

i'm excited for the day when i have my own craft/music room and i can hang my instruments on the wall, too. but for now, they're better in their cases.

confession:

2011-03-01T11:48:00.000-06:00

i'm feeling crummy. this morning i was so out of it i wore two different shoes to work.

and didn't notice for over an hour.

{although pretty understandable considering the similarities}

spring break cannot come soon enough!

winner winner!

2011-02-28T13:31:00.000-06:00

i have a giveaway winner!

i wrote each name on a slip of paper, folded and folded it into a star

and put them all in my lovely tomato jar {fitting, right?}

and pulled out a name!

congrats michelle!

i enjoyed this. let's do it again soon.

{and lets just focus on how cute the stars are and not think about how ridiculous it is that i spent all this time making them just so i could draw a name. i'm not crazy! i'm going to use the leftovers to pad my nephew's birthday package. see? it's clever! not weird, ok?}

last chance!

2011-02-27T14:25:00.000-06:00

my giveaway ends tonight!

the head and the heart

2011-02-25T19:10:00.001-06:00

occasionally i'll come home to find husband reading on the couch, cuddling with his kitty, listening to good music. i love coming home to find him relaxed and stress-free. i love it even more when he's listening to an amazing new band like the head and the heart.

and being a sucker for good harmony, this is my favorite track:

don't you love them?! hubs found them through npr of course, where you can hear more. or better yet, just go buy the whole album! we did. and then spent the rest of the night relaxed and stress-free together.

music is such a good thing, isn't it?

who are you loving right now?
ps- don't forget about the giveaway!

post-birthday breaky

2011-02-24T13:31:00.001-06:00

after partying all night long {read: staying up way past bedtime and talking} we headed to breakfast at the chef, one of my favorite manhattan restaurants.

{husband and caitlin. she came in from boston}

{hubs and i. lets not talk about how tired we all look}

the food was great, but the highlight was really caitlin's gift for josh:

some assembly required:

fresh-squeezed orange juice success!

{how i convinced my ultra camera-shy husband to take this....}

and you might not know it, but caitlin is adorable and she made these for me:

told you, adorable!

my handsome husband has a happy birthday

2011-02-22T10:47:00.001-06:00

today is husband's birthday.

he's pretty adorable.

always has been, actually.

and even though we're not doing much to celebrate, we get to be together.

the added bonus being that a bestie from boston is coming today and we all get to eat at the birthday boy's favorite little thai place.

so, if you're reading this, maybe you can send some good vibes his way today!

{ps- will it annoy you if i mention my giveaway every day until it's over?? i'm just excited!}

handmade giveaway!

2011-02-21T10:56:00.001-06:00

i've been stocking up on giveaway goodies and i thought reaching 200 followers would be the perfect excuse to send someone some love! plus, i like to make things. and i really like to make things for people i like! so here's what's up for grabs:

this {completely handmade} journal:

{filled with handmade paper i upcycled}

and this little cutie {as promised}:

and last, but not least, a paper bunting banner, like this one.

so, down to the nitty-gritty, to be included in the giveaway you must:

1- be a follower!

2- comment on this post with an interesting fact about yourself {be sure to include your email address and/or blog link!} and that's it!

simple is good, right?!

make sure you enter by sunday night, and i'll announce the winner next monday. good luck and thanks for following along with me :)

forest friends

2011-02-19T20:10:00.006-06:00

i've been whipping up a whole batch of owly key chains. or maybe i should call them key cozies? regardless, i dropped them off at t.la.re to find new homes.

i just love digging through my wool tub {yep, i have a tub full of wool fabric. bonus: it's all upcycled!} and picking out new patterns and creating their little faces.

and then i decided to branch out and try some other woodland creatures.

like hedgehogs:

and foxes. i do love foxes:

cute sidenote: a few girls at school/work saw my owl last week and fawned over it. one girl said, "i wish i had keys..." it was adorable.

anyway, i've made about 20 now and think i'll be taking a break from my wool tub.

so if you live in manhappanin' ks you can go snag one for yourself! otherwise you'll have to wait until monday, when i surprise you all and give one away! {along with a bunch of other goodies!}

sound good?

memories

2011-02-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

i love this time of year- watching the season change each day. its getting warmer, the birds are starting to sing and the days are getting longer. but as much as i love it, it also makes me miss "home".

{get the print here}

they say that smell is the strongest memory trigger, but for me it has always been music. {plus, because of my crazy bad allergies, my sense of smell is horrible} music has the power to instantly take me back to a moment in time. these songs have always been favorites and i love turning my ipod on and feeling like i'm "home", even if it's just for two minutes:

does music hold the same power over you?

what songs are tied to your favorite memories?

a little more love

2011-02-15T14:01:00.005-06:00

i love my bestie. so i used the holiday as an excuse to send her a package, all wrapped up in red and pink.

it included {among other things} this most ridiculous-but-yet-perfect card:

{it makes sounds, too}

and this little owly keychain. i made one for myself a couple weeks ago and i just knew sarah would love one too.

{here's mine}

yep, even our keychains are besties!

it's valentine's day!

2011-02-14T09:55:00.001-06:00

oh valentine's day. what a controversial holiday. and not one that i have ever particularly liked or celebrated- hubby and i rarely acknowledge the day, except maybe for a small love note or two. i do love making things and telling people i love them, so i made some cards for friends, and then i made some more for all my kiddos at school.

i found these over at mer mag and thought they were perfect.

i made a few changes and personalized them a little so that each kid wouldn't get exactly the same thing.

i think pirates arrrr adorable!

{groan....sorry, i couldn't help it....}

well, whether you celebrate it or not, i hope you're all having a beautiful day!

indulging the obession

2011-02-13T14:08:00.001-06:00

i found this big herringbone cowl on the purl bee a little while ago and i wanted it.

i needed it.

i had to have it!

so i spent a vast majority of my down-time knitting a new cowl.

theirs {of course} looks better, but i do really like mine. i stuck with the cream color, but used cotton yarn so it's dreamysoft {yup, it's a word}

and i think with this project i may finally have kicked this knitting habit. not that it's a bad thing, but i have so many other projects i've been neglecting because i just can't seem to put the knitting needles down.

just step away from the needles lady!

stuff on my cat...

2011-02-12T17:07:00.001-06:00

ok, not to be too whinny, but those snow days really threw me off my schedule.

and then i got sick.

{i know, whine whine whine...}

anyway, you thought i was bored? husband resorted to piling stuff on the cat:

but don't worry, i've spent my time curled up on the couch and away from the computer well, as evidenced by my crafting/scrap/trash jar. it's crafty strata!

i promise to start sharing the projects tomorrow when i'm fully recovered from all my time off {yes, it's true. like when you need a vacation from a vacation...}
also, i'm putting together something special for next week!

snow daze

2011-02-03T12:42:00.001-06:00

we don't really know how to handle snow here in kansas. and by that i mean that when news of an impending snowstorm reaches the school district offices they close school preemptively. this is my only explanation as to why we've had 3 snow days in a row, when it didn't start snowing until the afternoon of our first day off....

not that i didn't enjoy it!

day 1: use the day off to be extra productive and get lots of stuff done. the roads really weren't that bad so i ran a lot of errands but had my afternoon-at-the-library plans ruined because they closed due to the weather, too.

day 2: knit and watch grey's anatomy {which i started watching from the beginning a couple weeks ago} both activities were done from the couch, in pj's, continuously all day, with only an occasional bathroom break.

day 3: boredom. too many days without structure is disastrous for me. i had to find new ways to entertain myself.

so did you get snow, too??

the highlight of my weekend

2011-01-31T20:25:00.000-06:00

ok, well that sounds really lame. i'm not actually saying the highlight of my weekend was watching my wonderful hubby cuddling with his adorable kitty {i kid myself and think that cache is my cat too, but he's in love with josh. so really, he's his cat} but back to what i was saying- this photo is really more symbolic than literal. i love my weekends with my husband and adorable kitties {even when they prefer him over me}

yeah, that's pretty much it. i just love...this.

{and don't be fooled, cache may look annoyed, but he loves this}

my reading nook

2011-01-29T08:01:00.002-06:00

so, i've been wanting a digital reader since they amazon announced they were making the kindle. i really really really wanted one. i may not be the most avid reader ever, but i'm still in the club and this little device definitely appeals to me.

so i splurged with my christmas money and got one.

so far its been, well, awesome!

i wasted no time in renewing our new yorker subscription on my nook {which husband loves to use, too}

and then i got lazy. instead of pulling out my sewing machine, i took the easy way out and bought cozy for it. i figured i would just by the material from etsy anyway, so why not skip a step and buy one? plus, i saw this and immediately described it as "crazy cute".

{i just couldn't resist turning it green, either}

i got it from sakizome and {in my humble opinion} she has the best ebook/ipad cases and the most adorable fabrics. i had trouble narrowing it down. plus, she sent a couple vintage book postcards with my package. how cool is that?

so, i've already got a couple books read and a couple more on my list, but i want to know what you recommend. stumbled across anything good lately??

for when it gets cold in kansas

2011-01-26T19:53:00.001-06:00

i got a coat from my mom this christmas.

and one of my favorite parts is the lining. seriously, i'm a sucker for a cute lining {even if it is the most unimportant part of clothing...}

i was pretty excited about it. so as soon as we got home i made myself this matching cowl. it knit up in no time, considering i used super bulky yarn.

and then i made some matching mittens. i split the yarn to make them, so there are lots of loose fibers, which makes them extra fuzzy. in fact, the look a little ragged, so i like to call them my oscar the grouch mittens.

i'm staying warm and toasty, and i love my new coat even more now!

our little get-away

2011-01-25T13:48:00.000-06:00

so maybe most people don't consider visiting family a "get-away" but our trip to my big sister's house in new-mexico-but-almost-colorado was just that.

we got to spend some quality time with her and my brother-in-law, but my little nephew is always the highlight {sorry big sis, he's just a whole lot cuter than anyone else i know}

and these two together? hilarious. {and extra adorable}

we're already planning on visiting during spring break. even if we have to hitchhike there and back!

2011-01-21T09:41:00.000-06:00

what a week!

husband and i are spending a special weekend together.

i hope yours is wonderful, too!

photo

goodbye hair helmet

2011-01-20T13:09:00.000-06:00

i got a haircut!

can you tell?

well, that's ok, not many people noticed. and really, it looks exactly the same from the front. i just got the weird mullet-y part in the back cut off.

and why don't i have a picture of the back, then? and why are the photos so far away, you ask? well, after struggling to take a decent photo myself, i asked husband to step in and take the photos. the thing is, i get really awkward. so it works better if he doesn't stand so close. it limits my deer-in-the-headlights look which can quickly turn into cranky-wife face. longer distances are better.

{also, this is my mom's vest. she made it in college and i love it.}

friday nights

2011-01-18T14:42:00.000-06:00

friday night is our date night. we don't do anything fancy, just cuddle on the couch, indulge in our latest tv obsession, and eat pizza {usually frozen, sometimes delivery} this week it struck me as completely ridiculous that we haven't been making our own. seriously, we have a bread machine and making crust couldn't be any easier.

before it goes in the oven:

{tomato, red onion and yellow pepppers}

when it came out:

so yummy!

although i needed to flour the pan a little more, the bottom layer stuck a bit!

as for our tv obsessions, most often it's an old hbo show. early this year it was the wire. {seriously almost-unhealtily-obsessed with that one} and now it's carnivale- it's like a combination of water for elephants and grapes of wrath {plus there's magic}

and speaking of water for elephants, i'm so excited for the movie! although i just discovered that robert pattinson is the lead. am i the only woman in america who is not attracted to him. at. all?

kicking the knitting habit

2011-01-16T19:48:00.000-06:00

today i made my first non-knitting craft project since novemeber! {although i did check out a couple knitting books at the library}

i finally made myself a jewelry organizer. my sister-in-law and i made one for her {tutorial here!}, but i haven't felt the need to make my own until recently. i don't have a ton of jewels- just enough to start getting messy.

my bathroom counter:

cooped-up in the english pub ash-tray that husband's grandpa gave him. things get tangled.

side note: this is the glass frog votive i've had since sixth grade that holds husband's wedding ring:

my bathroom wall:

i found a beat-up-price-reduced frame at hobby lobby and painted it green {to match our other bathroom decor} i added the black ribbon to disguise a few major gashes, and hung with grosgrain ribbon. i like it. although the black doesn't exactly fit the color scheme, but i was working with what i have. and i'm really trying not to let the fact that one necklace in particular is just way too long. sister-in-law would never allow this to happen to her...

and since it's already out, i thought i'd show you one of my favorite christmas gifts: this cutie from my bestie {she has one, too!}

i wear it most days :)

although husband is always awed {thrilled, impressed, pleased...you get the idea} with all of my many {and messy} projects {he's so supportive}, he really thinks i should add some of these to my shop.

opinions? i'd love to hear what you think!

a little knitted rebellion

2011-01-15T10:06:00.001-06:00

this year for christmas i did something new. it's not unusual for me to make all my gifts, but this year i knit them all. which, consequently, meant i spent all my free time from thanksgiving to christmas knitting. i barely got some of the gifts done in time so i didn't get any photos of the results, including the awesome {and red} convertible mittens i made for my mom.

but, as it turns out, after wearing them to work one day, she discovered that they are against the strict dress-code. that's right, my parents work at the salvation army training college and, while they have the freedom to choose either a red or black scarf to match their black {strictly regulated} winter coats, that is the limit of their personal choices. {is my this-is-a-little-ridiculous tone coming through here?} so, upon my return home, i started on a new pair. exactly the same {except for a few tweaks i made to my first pattern} but in black.

and, according to my mother's wishes, i added this little surprise:

bam!

i absolutely approve of this little addition and these really are much cuter than an all-red pair. {plus, red, yellow, and blue are the salvation army colors, so quite acceptable, i think}

kinda wishing i could have kept these for myself, but i sent them off earlier this week so she wouldn't have to keep breaking the rules. who knows how long they will put up with her blatant disregard for the dress code!

welcome home. we hate you now...

2011-01-12T12:32:00.001-06:00

...would be the note our kitties wrote us when we finally came home from our christmas vacation. how do i know this? i was immediately greeted by this:

our once cute little christmas tree. destroyed.

i'm still looking for some missing ornaments.

and a stray evergreen bough or two.

but according to these cutie pies, we deserved it.

he destroyed the tree:

and this one hid for two days straight and had our kitty-sitters convinced she ran away:

{they look so harmless while they're sleeping}

the good news is they eventually decided to forgive us for leaving. but not before they made it very clear that we are not to do it again. i tried to unpack that night, and as soon as i turned my back...

access denied!

well look who decided to show up....

2011-01-10T13:41:00.000-06:00

hello?

is this thing on?

it's been so long i feel as though i should re-introduce myself.

hi!

i'm angie {or angelina, as my friends call me} who would have guessed that a short break from the computer would lead to this mini-sabbatical i've been on? {as i'm calling it now}

it's been so long since i've seen you, how do i look?

since my last post i've travelled to omaha nebrask, chicago illinois, and grand rapids michigan, rung in the new year, let my hair grow {and no, i don't want to talk about it. it's awkward.} gotten dreadfully behind on correspondence {email, snailmail and swappy thank-yous} and returned home again.

i would love to recount all my wonderful holiday stories for you, but i don't think i could do them any justice. it was great to be surrounded by family and friends again. and this year, inspite of my usually rather weepy good-byes, i surprised myself by actually looking forward to coming home. i adore the people in my life {who all seem to be so far away!} but there really is nothing like sleeping in your own bed {even if husband left his pillow in chicago and yours in omaha!} and of course, the kitties were thrilled to see us {not that you can tell from these photos, which are the best i could get...}

{aria is less than thrilled with my attempts at cuddling}

{and cache is just annoyed. and huge!}

but enough about me, how are you! what have you been up to? i can't wait come around and say hi!

short inspiration

2010-11-28T16:46:00.000-06:00

i'm bored with my hair. so i'm letting it grow out. in a couple weeks it's going to be time to go get it reshaped because it's starting to look pretty shaggy.

i'm thinking something along these lines:

also, i'd like to take a second and mention how crazy my husband is for not thinking that emma's new 'do is completely adorable.

all images via we heart it

scenes from our little thanksgiving

2010-11-26T11:08:00.000-06:00

we had a wonderful thanksgiving {and i hope you did, too!}

i was extremely proud of myself for making us a feast and getting it ready on time {i don't cook often, so it's nice to know i can if i want to}

the menu:

-rotisserie chicken {we're not big meat-eaters, so husband grabbed one of these from the store}

but everything else was made by me:

-homemade bread

-cranberry relish

-cheesy potatoes {we cheated and made these the night before and had them for dinner!}

-stuffing

-green bean cassarole

- chocolate crackle cookies

we borrowed a table and had dinner in the middle of the livingroom, with good music in the background, and the football game on mute {i don't know how the lions are able to keep fans when they're always so disappointing and heartbreaking, but husband always goes back for more} he sat on a desk chair and i sat on an ottoman.

and besides the food, i also made some decorations. {told you i wanted a leaf theme!}

like some leaf swags:

and leaf candle holders {using jars i already had}:

and some mini pumpkin votives, too:

i got a remnant of cream-colored burlap a couple weeks ago and made it into a table runner:

i embroidered leaves on it, with one side mirroring the other:

{the middle}

{with graduated colors}

{from dark brown}

{to green}

and even though it was just the two of us, i had a little fun with "place cards" using our initials:

i convinced husband to take this photo quick, before we ate:

{and don't be fooled, we put on sweaters over our pj's for about 2 minutes, and then quickly switched back the rest of the day}

so, even though we were far away from family and friends, we had a wonderful day together, with way too much food!

and then we went and saw harry potter.

i wish thanksgiving came more than once a year!

happy thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T09:38:00.000-06:00

it's just husband and i this year. we're happily settled in and watching the parade and planning to have our turkey dinner in pj's.

i hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones!

happiness is a violin lesson

2010-11-23T21:20:00.002-06:00

{here}
do you ever have one of those moments? you know, a moment when you're just glowing with happiness from the inside out? you want to shout it from the rooftops, smile at even the crankiest-looking strangers- maybe even run up and give them a hug?

i just had that moment.

all week long.

part of it is the impending holiday, but mostly it's because i got myself some violin students! {and a violist or two as well} and really, there's nothing in the world like doing what you love. rediscovering your passion. remembering that yes, i do love to teach and i'm good at it!

after my 5th lesson of the week i really don't think i could be happier. unless maybe i got a new pair of shoes. scratch that, i think i'm flying high on that just-bought-10-new-pairs-of-shoes-and-still-guilt-free-about-it feeling.

it's not "don't rain on my parade" it's "you couldn't rain on my parade if you tried!"

so yeah, i guess it's been a good week :)

what have you been up to??

ode to my favorite season

2010-11-15T18:02:00.000-06:00

i love all the beautiful colors.

{outdoors}

{and indoors}

not even adorable kitties can resist a beautiful, crunchy leaf.

jackets are necessary {because i'm always cold and i like to hide in a big turtle neck}

but socks aren't! {because, really, who likes socks?}

i went on an acorn-cap hunt and came home with handfuls

and everything just seems bigger.

i just love fall!

{what's your favorite part??}

watercolor fall leaves

2010-11-14T14:30:00.001-06:00

i thought it was about time i posted a tutorial. i've made them before, but never for my own blog and i loved painting these leaves this week, so i thought maybe i'd share {plus, how else am i going to post all these photos of my beautiful thumb?}

supplies:

watercolor paper

a paint brush

scissors

a pencil

art masking fluid {with the painting supplies at any craft store}

watercolors {which i forgot to photograph. but i think we all know what they look like}

step 1: trace some leaves onto a sheet of watercolor paper. i downloaded a leaf template i found on martha because i can't draw, but feel free to make your own!

i tried to fit as many leaves as possible on one sheet.

step 2: use a fine paintbrush and the masking fluid to paint the leaf veins. the masking fluid will block the watercolors, so only paint where you don't want color. the masking fluid is slightly yellow, so you can see where you've painted. it can also really gum up on your paintbrush {you can see it on mine} so make sure you don't use your favorite brush and wash it right away. i can't always get it completely clean again.

i painted from the stem to the tip of the leaf, and then from the main vein out. this keeps globs of masking fluid from collecting at the end of the veins, which doesn't look as natural.

step 3: let it dry and then paint with watercolors! i like "dabbing" the paint on rather than using strokes and making the leaf all one color. make sure you don't leave any white spots and you go over the edges of the leaf. just paint right over the masking fluid, the color won't leak through.

step 4: after it is completely dry you can pull off the masking fluid. i use an eraser to get it started

and then it just pulls right off!

step 5: finish pulling the rest of the masking fluid off of all the leaves and then cut them out.

i'm thinking of making little "bouquets" of leaves for our thanksgiving table or attaching them to a wreath. they're not nearly as gorgeous as the real thing, but much more sturdy and the colors won't fade. plus, i can't resist trying something new!

more macaron love

2010-11-11T19:51:00.001-06:00

orange macarons with chocolate filling for halloween:

husband doesn't especially like sweets {how i fell in love with a man who skips dessert is beyond me...} but he finally tried my macarons. and he loved them! i said i was surprised, and then he told me he was too. because he really didn't think he'd like them. well ha! i finally found a dessert he can't resist :)

but this batch? my absolute favorite.

ever.

fresh strawberry buttercream {which i froze after making a batch in late september} with a dollop of chocolate in the middle.

so so yummy.

i'm becoming seriously obsessed. we may have these for thanksgiving this year.

would you like some cheese with your whine?

2010-11-10T18:53:00.001-06:00

is it only wednesday?

seriously?

cause it feels like this week should be over by now and i'm certainly ready for it to be.

oh well, i'll make it through and just keep doing what i'm doing- focusing on thanksgiving and all it's yummy and leafy goodness!

{i'm not sure what i'm going to do with all these leaves i've been painting, but i'm excited about it!}

random afterthought: my email address was jediangel11 until after i got married. at the age of 22. how silly. {and a little awesome?}

brand update

2010-11-07T21:52:00.016-06:00

i just took a whole armload of bags over to t.la.re to sell during the holiday season.

if you live in kansas and are in the manhattan area, go take a look! this little store is full of vintage and handmade goods and i promise you won't be dissappointed!

and if you're not a local, you can always check out my etsy!

{faux bois tote}

{country picnic clutch}

{owly tote}

{vintage lace clutch}

crafty FAIL

2010-11-06T19:00:00.000-05:00

a few years ago while perusing my local yarn store i found a pattern for felted slippers and i knew i had to have some. i bought the pattern and told the store owner this was the perfect project for my first major foray into knitting. she stopped in her tracks, asked me how long i'd been knitting and almost laughed when i told her "about 2 weeks". she told me this might be a little too challenging and they offered classes on this pattern and i could sign up. i politely let her know that i would keep that in mind while secretly thinking, "lady, you don't know me!" because when i get my mind set on a project i am rarely detered.

so, i went home and made my mom's christmas present- a pair of felted slippers.

luckily they turned out awesome, and i had no trouble at all with the pattern {although it was by far the most advanced thing i'd done}

which brings me to this project.

i wish i could say that my latest pair turned out as well. since the weather has been turning colder i've been in serious need of some new slippers {husband gets mad when he wanders around the house looking for his only to discover that i'm wearing them}

everything was going fine and i was super excited about having warm and toasty toes over the weekend.

but it didn't turn out so well.

since they get felted they are knit several sizes too large, checking that they are going to fit before felting isn't an option.

its as big as my magazine {which is obviously much bigger than my foot}

and one sole is different because i ran out of black and used it as an opportunity to stash bust a little. i used the same yarn but in green {and a little blue, because i ran out of green, too}

i thought everything was fine, until i felted them.

and they came out too small, and different sizes.

how this happened is beyond me. maybe mixing yarn was the problem? although i really doubt it because it was the same brand/weight. i think i must have messed up the pattern {although why i'd rather take the blame myself than blame it on something arbitrary like yarn is beyond me...}

oh well. they're ruined. at least for me- i'll felt the larger one a little more in hopes that i can eventually make them the same size and then give them away to some needy relative with smaller feet. in the mean time, i had my heart set on new slippers so i'm already working on a new pair. hopefully i don't screw those up, too!

thanksgiving trial #1

2010-11-05T14:02:00.001-05:00

today i began preparing for thanksgiving. we haven't come close to planning the menu or anything, but there are a couple items on the menu we know will be included: cheesy-potatoes {a holiday must-have in our family} and home made bread. yummy!

so today i thought it was time to take a crack at the bread because i want a few practice runs before the big day. and seriously, after mentioning home made bread it's all i can think about. my mom always makes the best bread! and i have no excuse for not doing the same because we actually have a bread machine.

that i've never used in over 4 years.

i keep insisting that even though our apartments seem to get smaller and smaller, finding room for an appliance we never use will some day make us very happy. and today is that day! this morning, i dumped all the ingredients into the machine, pushed a button, and had fresh bread 3 hours later.

seriously, why haven't we done this before/?!

i set the crust to medium brown, but i think i'll try light next time.

it tastes amazing {i'm eating some right now!} and there are few smells in the world like bread baking.

i can't wait to make french toast in the morning. it's going to be....wait for it....legendary!
{it's amazing how proud i am of something i really didn't have anything to do with. the little oven did all the work and i take all the credit!}

jumping the gun? nah.

2010-11-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

husband and i recently came to the conclusion that going home for thanksgiving just isn't in the books this year. travel is so expensive, and i only get a couple short days off of work, so the idea of spending 2 days traveling for 2 days at home just doesn't seem practical.

i have to keep reminding myself of these facts because, well, thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday and the idea of not being with family is kinda sad. to me, this whole holiday is about family. i remember so many wonderful thanksgiving dinners together and every few years or so we would go around the table and say what we were thankful for. but most years we didn't. i always felt like we didn't need to. it was obvious what we were all thankful for.

we were thankful for our family.

we were thankful to be together.

so in an effort to convince myself that a thanksgiving dinner away from family will be fine, i've actually found myself getting really excited about the prospect of starting some new traditions just for the two of us. a quiet weekend filled with our favorite foods and music and lots and lots of cuddling on the couch.

i think it's going to be incredible. and a thanksgiving to remember.

so even though it's early, i'm already dreaming up ideas and scouring the internet for inspiration. i'm thinking of going with a leaf theme. {for the table, that is}

{here}

how about you, are you thinking about thanksgiving already, too?

are you starting any new traditions?

and most importantly, do you have any ideas for me??

a message from the king

2010-10-31T21:30:00.001-05:00

happy halloween!

sisterly love, of the embroidered kind

2010-10-30T16:29:00.001-05:00

i made this for little sister {the elephant lover}

i got the design from a printable valentine, here.

for sister-in-law {the math lover and teacher}

originally found on graphjam.com

i love that i doubled the nerdyness by embroidering it. it's nerdy squared!

big sister's project is currently in works this weekend. {and super secret!}

wedding rings {a chronology}

2010-10-28T15:59:00.003-05:00

i recently posted about one of husband's tattoos. but i also wanted to share this one, too.
it's the reason we went into that parlor to begin with:

his {tattooed} wedding band.

he's not a jewelry person, and i always knew that he wouldn't be crazy about a ring, so this was perfect. growing up my dad never really wore his wedding ring {i have no idea why} so i always just thought it was kinda optional for men, so it really wasn't a source of contention that his wedding band may not be a permanent fixture of his left hand.

add to that the fact that my sister {the maid of honor} forgot his wedding band during the ceremony and we had to make due with her teeny-tiny little ring. seriously, this thing was small. it wouldn't fit over his first knuckle! so i always joke that he didn't get a ring during the ceremony so why would i expect him to wear it?

but to go the traditional route, we still got him an {all metal} ring as well, but he lost it within a couple months of the wedding. although to be fair he was an avid rock-climber at the time and he was always having to take the thing on and off.

so i got him one for christmas:

he helped pick it out from this shop on etsy. all wood and very light and comfortable. he wore it all the time, but after about a year it broke {see the crack?}

so then i got him this one {from this amazing shop}:

probably my favorite. nope, definitely my favorite! i like that it's a combo of the first two rings: metal and wood together. he still doesn't wear it much and so i did sometimes, but he thought it was weird so i stopped. i don't know, i guess it is kinda weird...

and just so i don't feel left out, here's mine {which could use a good polish, i see...}

i absolutely adore it and you'll never catch me without it.

husband picked it out all on his own from a local shop, and later we got the wedding band made especially to go with it. i wanted something simple that didn't take away from the unique shape.

and i love it most of all. because of all it stands for, because it's my very own one-of-a-kind, and because it was chosen by my very own greatest love!

current style icon

2010-10-26T22:30:00.007-05:00

"icon" may be an exaggeration.

{ok it's definitely an exaggeration, but it's the word i choose to use.}

i love chuck from pushing daisies, and i love emma from glee, but honestly, as much as i admire their clothes and whole "look", it's just not me. and it probably will never be me. so choosing them as my personal style icons would be silly and impractical.

you probably saw inception this summer {and if you didn't- you need to immediately find your bootlegging-downloading friend {cause we all have one} and get a copy to watch. tonight.} but am i the only one drooling over ellen page's wardrobe?

seriously?

i'm in love with the simple, dressed-down almost vintageness {it's a word} of it all.

and the scarves.

i think it comes down to the scarves. i'm obsessed with them. i wear them all the time and i was so excited to them in the movies. {really. i leaned over and squealed in husband's ear. much to his displeasure}

she may just be an absolutely adorable person in general.

ok no. she definitely is.

{although i must confess at this point that i still haven't seen juno. *cringe* i know! i know! it's in my que}

it's all fine and well to aspire to be audery hepburn, but that's just not really me. i'll take someone with a little more down-to-earthy-ness thankyouverymuch.

all images via we heart it

bias tape brooches

2010-10-25T20:15:00.000-05:00

in between planning for what is quickly becoming a day-long halloween party at work {the kids are out of school this friday and it's my job to keep them entertained all day} i got out my ribbon drawer and played with an idea i had runnning around in my head.

pinwheels? spirals? odd flowers? i don't know exactly, but i like them.

{made of bias tape, ribbon and embroidery thread}

so i stuck a pin-back on them and i'm calling them brooches.

i love how this one looks on my favorite fall jacket.

i may be making a few more of these this week. they took no time at all and i like the unique look.

chalkboard doodles

2010-10-24T18:35:00.001-05:00

just before my gloomy week i did this little chalkboard doodle.

it was a great reminder and helped me {try} to stay positive.

i loved it so much, i took a walk today and left these little doodles all along the way...

and i couldn't resist my staircase...

i may have found my new favorite sunny-day activity.

highest highs & lowest lows

2010-10-22T18:19:00.000-05:00

this week has been....something else. to say it's been a roller coaster ride just doesn't quite cover it. it's like the week that never ends.

it started with my mom's {major} surgery on tuesday morning, which went well. yay!

high!

but then she had complications, and was back in the hospital for 20 hours. my dad sounded a step away from distraught, and with no family nearby him to be supportive and a mom in a "precarious" situation, my siblings and i were all freaking out. a lot.

low.

but then she went home and things have been all clear ever since.

high!

wednesday husband had his final all-day interview with teach for america.

high!

but the interview was in lawrence {a couple hours away} and the night before our car broke down. disaster.

low.

but then a dear friend came through with a car to borrow. she's amazing.

high!

{and oh yeah, he nailed the interview}

double high!

so now it's the end of a long long week and everything has ended on a good note, but i'm still reeling from, well, everything.

i'm looking forward to a calm weekend.

a weekend of recovery. {especially for my mom}

just holding my foot...

2010-10-20T14:05:00.000-05:00

blog-buddy-crafting-love!

2010-10-19T10:02:00.001-05:00

i've been crafting so much the last several weeks, but there's really only so many things one can make for themselves. so i decided to spread the love a little!

i sent these zippered pouches out to a couple lovely ladies:

{for brandi}

{for lauren}

and this itty baby hat for caroline's new little boy joy {and she sent me the most adorable photo of him in it!}

but of course, my favorite project was for my bestie. she is such an inspiration {even when she's so far away!} so i made her a little embroidery from this photo of a miniature love note she left for her hubby.

{the note}

{the embroidery}

i've just finished projects for each of my sisters and i'm sending them this week. the worst part now is the waiting! and the mail here is so. slow.

i hate waiting!

sugar baking high

2010-10-17T19:59:00.003-05:00

so this weekend i looked at my life and realized that what i'm missing is french pastries in a rainbow of colors. plus all the uppity snotty-ness that goes along with being a master baker! which is laughable because the only things i can do in the kitchen is make mac and cheese and cupcakes. look at me branching out and growing up! {and lets not focus on the fact that all the things i can make are really unhealthy in large doses}

so. macarons. i've been seeing them everywhere lately, and they look so yummy and adorable {is that a word i can use to describe food?} all at the same time. i keep describing them as "the next cupcake" because that really seems to wrap it up. so this weekend i attacked them! i scoured the internets for directions and a recipe and relied heavily on this one. which i followed as closely as possible.

these are the results:

batch #1

success! these little babies got feet! which is huge, but unfortunately the only good thing about them.

problems: texture {i didn't sift the mixture well enough}

i over-beat the egg whites

i didn't cook them long enough {they were gooey inside}

very inconsistent shape/size. who knew circles could be so difficult!

but they still tasted pretty good. and they look, well, pretty!

{they're purple in real life, not this weird grey}

batch #2

success! i am in love with these. they're much lighter and the texture is finer. and they didn't just get feet, they got big feet! yays! i got the size and shape much more consistent this time, too.

i made them yellow and filled with nutella {which i just noticed makes them look like mini-burgers...} and then ate way too many before bedtime.

luckily the only supply i didn't already own was a kitchen scale, so i just got a cheap one. now i think it may be time to invest in an awesome macaron book, too. i'm pretty proud of my new venture, and i'm already thinking of some halloween macarons!

not perfect yet, but oh so close and oh so yummy!

have i ever told you?

2010-10-15T16:24:00.002-05:00

...how much my husband loves me?

a lot.

i'm talking get-my-name-tattooed-on-his-wrist-a-lot.

less than a week after our wedding we walked into a tattoo parlor and this is what he came out with. it was kind of a big deal. i mean i knew that we'd spend the rest of our lives together, but a tattoo feels a little more permanent than a piece of paper.

this is my very favorite love letter.

ever.

exciting awesomeness!

2010-10-14T10:12:00.001-05:00

how is that for a title, huh?

but it really is exciting awesomeness cause i'm famous now!
yes, it's an undeniable truth that i'm awesome and now everyone in the city knows it {of course you already knew of my awesomeness, didn't you? well aren't you smart for being friends with me before the fame. that's how i know who loves me for me and who just wants a mustang for christmas}

you can see the article written about me in manhattan magazine here {i'm on page 54}

and don't worry, i'm not letting it go to my head. my agent says i'm staying very grounded :)
{but on a more serious note, i've already gotten a phone call about a teaching opportunity, which is amazing. teaching the violin is truly my passion and i'm thrilled that someone wants me!}

and while we're here, i thought i'd share this video done by the students and faculty at my alma mater. at this point we've all seen a lib dub video or two, but this one is worth a look even if you didn't go to school there. {but watching it will make you want to go there. i miss that beautiful campus!}

reasons to love manhattan #3

2010-10-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

the sky!

and don't bother me with silly details like the fact that everyone has the sky. i'm telling you, if you want big wide open spaces, move to kansas. this time of year i really start missing michigan and all it's trees and beautiful color tours, but it's hard to beat all this:

bright skies:

and some gorgeous sunsets that seem to stretch on and on:

my annoying cats

2010-10-12T19:19:00.000-05:00

always crawling into things {whether they fit or not}...

... like my half-open drawers:

and rubbing cat hair on the bottom of all my sweaters:

and an open cabinet door is an open invitation:

this one will chew on anything:

and sleep on anything...

... like this bookshelf:

... or in my ribbon drawer:

... or in a box full of clean socks:

it's a good thing we love them so much! {and it helps they look so cute when they're asleep}

embroidery is fun

2010-10-11T17:27:00.001-05:00

so last weekend i learned a new crafting skill.

embroidery.

which actually doesn't sound all that exciting. but it really is!

i've been wanting to learn for forever and i checked out this book at the library, bought a couple hoops from my local junk/thrift store and flung myself head-first into some new projects.

my first project came directly from the book:

the stitches are a little uneven, but i kinda love it. although i have no idea what to do with it now...

{what a mess!}

for my next project i wanted something we could hang. husband and i are huge fans of arron sorkin's work and one of our favorite movies is charlie wilson's war. and in our favorite scene of this favorite movie is the line "don't be an idiot". it's hilarious and we say it to each other all the time.

so i embroidered it!

my last project is definitely my favorite. and most ambitious.

{i worked on it all weekend while watching football with husband}

{not so bad!}

i'm just obsessed with this one. and embroidery in general {which still seems so dorky to say out loud} well whatever, i fly my dork flag high and proud!

knitting spree!

2010-10-09T14:02:00.000-05:00

with cooler weather clearly on it's way i've been on a knitting spree. husband has been asking me to knit him a new winter hat for a while now and i finally found a pattern i liked. it's knotty but nice from knitty.com.

i'm pretty excited about how it turned out. i only consider myself a casual knitter and i've never used a cable chart before. success!

{as i may have previously mentioned, husband hates having his photo taken so you'll have to accept this flat photo as an action shot}

i also made a new pair of fingerless gloves for me. i love mittens and gloves {of the fingerless variety} and this pattern is actually the reason i learned to knit. i stumbled upon it years ago and immediately bought stitch 'n bitch, taught myself how to knit and within 10 days made myself a pair of these.

unfortunately i lost one glove last year and needed a new pair. and since i live in wildcat country now, i thought this was fitting:

and then, just for fun, i whipped up one of those big chunky cowls i've been seeing all over the place {ahem, etsy}

i used some light blue/grey wool from an old sweater i frogged last year. i'm thinking about making some matching mittens out of it, too.

i think i've satisfied the knitting itch.
for now.

a little wallowing. and a thanks too.

2010-10-07T18:53:00.001-05:00

your recent comments have been so wonderful and put a smile on my little face.

{photo}

lately i've been dealing with severe allergies. severe severe allergies. i've had them since i was a kid, so i'm no stranger to pretty much every symptom that goes along with that- including eyes that swell shut.

but living in kansas has made things even worse. my asthma is out of control and i've been sleeping at least 11 hours a day, and if i'm not at work i'm wallowing on the couch.

and it's been miserable.

if i was a normal person i would have realized that being this miserable isn't normal for anyone, but i've just grown to expect it so my whole base frame-of-reference is off. but this week i reached my breaking point and made a doctors appointment.

so after a steroid shot, two new inhalers with increased potency, and an additional pill prescription, i am very hopeful that i will be feeling like a normal human being again. {although it might all just be too good to be true}

anyway, i'm taking the night off and basking in kansas football and my newest craft obsession {which i promise to reveal soon!}

so again, thank you all so much for all your wonderful kindess! i really needed it :)

my new fall bag

2010-10-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

fall finally feels like it's arriving! so to celebrate {true to form} i made myself a new bag.

it's pretty simple. just an extra-long squared-bottom tote made with grey wool. i used an old belt for the straps, and added a magnetic closure.

i just love buttons.

big. red. buttons.

misti liked it so much i made a couple more to sell in her store this holiday season.

and a couple more on the way!

halloween cupcakes!

2010-10-05T11:50:00.001-05:00

i made some halloween cupcakes.

they're wolves, hooooowling at the moon! {i resisted the urge to set up a photo shoot with three cupcakes and a fake moon a la this shirt}

i used marshmallows for the ears and muzzle, m&m's for the eyes, fruit rollup for the mouth and chocolate sprinkles for fur {instead of piping all the fur on. too much work for a whole batch of cupcakes!}

now of course my biggest problem is what to do with all these cupcakes! i think i'll send them with hubby to share with his officemates this time.