Oh My...How Pinteresting!

I've tried to figure out this Pinterest craze for nearly a year.  After a couple days of pregnancy lethargy and reading apathy I figured I'd give it another whirl (the whole third times a charm thing).  I get it.  I completely get it.

I thought I'd share a few pins that have caught my eye recently. Instead of linking you guys to the actually pins, I've gone to the original source of the pin in order to give credit to the artists and creators and not just the "pinners."

Crocheted mug cozy

I love this simple pattern and it will really help me practice my French Knots.

A super easy baby blanket.  Since baby #3 and Atticus will be sharing a room I plan on making two coordinating blankets of different sizes. 

I love this idea.  I'm forever passing up vintage embroidered linens because of stains.  Now I have a reason to buy them anyways, salvage the good parts, and make a quilt.  Genius!

I'm not gonna lie.  I *HATE* summertime.  I found this recipe for pumpkin biscotti and I cannot wait to make it as a companion to my pumpkin spice lattes.  Oh, Autumn, I long for thee!

That's it for now.  Maybe I'll actually do a post like this again.  If you'd like to follow me on Pinterest click the button!

 

Making Monday, #2

A glance at what I'm working on and what I've done...

Bean Burgers and Summer Squash:

Granny Square Pillow cushions:

Peas are sprouting in the garden!

Blueberry Orange Muffins:

Making Monday

I need to embrace the fact that I'm really horrible with remembering to take enough pictures for my blog posts.  You'll have to content yourselves with a poor phone photo of a finished dishcloth sans the dreaded "weaving in the ends". 

It is a little wonky on that >>> side, but whatevs.  There are many more things in the works: 

• Our raised bed has been built and filled with good soil.  Which by the way, wheeling a wonky wheelbarrow filled with dirt down a steep hill is an AWESOME workout for the triceps and thighs. 
• Peas, carrots, onions, spinach and lettuce are in the ground!  Sweet potatoes will go in next week.
• Thyme is planted next to the oregano and rosemary in the front yard.
• I'm crocheting throw pillow covers for our sofa.  Hope to finish the first by the end of the week (I'm forever the optimist).
• Speaking of yarn, Michael's was having a sale and I bought 10 skeins of cotton yarn for dishcloths.  I usually keep some cotton and needles in my bag for work meetings and such.  It is easy to transport and pick up and keeps me from getting restless in long meetings.  I keep a stash on hand for gift baskets for teachers and family members.  I need to whip-up a stack of receiving blankets or bibs or hats because so many people I know are having bebes.  
• I'm still working on the same blasted embroidery piece.  I don't think I'll ever finish it.  GROAN.  When and if I do finish it will rock.

Next update I swear I'll have more pictures.... if I remember.

Thursday Threads: Finishing some WIPS and other plans

This week I plan on finishing two projects I'm nearly done with.  The first is an embroidery project I started ages ago.  I'm embellishing flowers on a thrifted pillowcase.  Then there will be some sarcasm and either couching or felt letters applies.  I cannot wait to finish it.

The second project is Hope's cowl.  I'm really sick of this thing by now.  There is actually a funny story behind this.  I crocheted myself a cowl and Hope balked at it.  Then she opened one of her tweenage celeb magazines and *SHOCK* Selena Gomez was wearing a cowl.  Now Hope wants one!  She asked for lots of colors and to make it long so she can make it "super loopy."  You're super loopy, Hope.  Harty Har Har.

Now, one to February projects.  My yarn project will be from this lovely book:

And I'm planning on making this:

I also plan to carry a skein of cotton yarn and some knitting needles to whip-up dish clothes.  My new favorite gift for teachers/family/friends has been baskets with a dishcloth, baked goods, and tea or coffee.  Folks seem to like them and I like being able to give folks something homemade.  I have plenty of cotton to keep me going:

Finally, lots of embroidery and sewing will be going on this month in the form of Valentines!  Atticus's toddler class sent home a Valentine day list (you know the list of names).  I feel silly sending scraps of paper to a bunch of under twos -- the paper valentines will be quickly destroyed and/or eaten -- and I don't want to send sugary junk.  So I've decided to make the kiddos these:

The pattern is from Belle and Burger.  I won't put buttons on as they are a choking hazard, but they will have wee stitched eyes and smiles and then the kiddos name on the back.  The pillows are small and there are less than eight kids in the class.  I should be able to whip-up these in a weekend.

I have a few other V-day stitchy plans, but they are secret and cannot be shared yet.

Snot Induced Idleness Leads to Super Creativity Powers (sorta)

I've been home ill with a sinus infection since Wednesday.  I finally went to the doctor on Thursday and I didn't go into work Friday and I'm out today.  You should know that I am the worst sick patient ever.  I love being busy; I hate seeing the house a mess and lying in a heap of blankets for days and staring at the ceiling or television is a literal hell.  During my snot-induced loafing I thought about why I hate being leisurely while ill.  It comes down to two things:  

1. I am going to die:  As in, Life is only here for a bit and we are quickly hurdling towards demise.  Therefore I should spend my time doing worthwhile things in order to eek the most I can out of my wee slice of time on Earth.  Of course, "doing worthwhile things" translates into making lists, buying books, and knitting most of the time.  I'm an Existentialist with embroidery patterns and cookie recipes. 
2. I have Mom Guilt:  When Sam -- who is hardly ever ill -- is sick or the kiddos aren't feeling well I send them all to bed, make pots of tea and stockpots of homemade soup, and dispense as many cuddles as tolerated.  When I am sick, I feel like I'm slacking on my "mom-duties".  I don't want to clean, or go to the grocery store, or -- the most guilt-inducing of all -- play with the kids.  Then when Sam is at work and the kiddos are at school (like right now) I feel like I should "do" something.  Laundry? Re-organizing the freezer?  Dusting?  On Friday, I decided to heave myself out of bed and tidy the house.  I spent 20 minutes loading the dishwasher, folding clothes, and making beds.  Then I had a huge coughing fit, felt utterly drained, and slept for another hour.  In other words, it is okay for Sam and this kiddos to be ill and rest, but I feel like the ultimate slacker-mom when I am ill and rest.  

My Not-So-Inner Feminist and my Inner-Reasonable-Person (she is buried deep) surfaced on Friday after I overdid it and decided to Take It Easy.  I finished the last 400 pages of Our Mutual Friend.  I did a little bit of embroidery.  I watched Downton Abbey.  I napped extensively.  I let Sam handle dinner, and Atticus's bath, and playing with the kids.  In fact, Sam took Atticus to the doctor (he has a little ear infection, but we caught it early on) morning and I stayed home and played Bejeweled on my phone.  

By Saturday night I was going insane.  I had to do something.  So I knifed and buried my Inner-Reasonable-Person and decided to organize my Craft Lair.  You can see the awfulness of my Craft Lair here.  Atticus helped.  He had great fun putting skeins of yarn in a laundry basket and then dragging them out again.  I diagnosed the problem with my craft lair.  I didn't have places to put things.  Well, I have places, but none of them good when there is a curious toddler afoot.  I let Atticus get into things as long as they aren't dangerous or impossibly messy to clean.  Therefore yarn and embroidery hoops are forever scattered around the house.  I needed a place out of the grasp of Atticus the Future Fiber Artist.... hummmmm......

Bingo....

Diaper boxes on top of the Craft Lair dresser!

Well, that worked, but was completely unattractive.  Then Creativity slapped me silly and I had an idea.

1 Diaper box + rolls of faux wood-paneling (rescued from the library trash) + thrifted pillowcases =  ATTRACTIVE YARN STORAGE.

I whipped these up in the space of 10 minutes and had all my yarn tidied away neatly.  I spent the rest of the evening working for 10 minutes and then resting for 50 minutes.  I got it done and when Sam came home from the tattoo shop sometime after-midnight the Craft Lair was a-sparkling.

Ohhhh.... ahhhhh....

They aren't perfect, but they look a heck of a lot better than undecorated diaper boxes.

Organization for the win!

A place for everything!

Accomplishing this really raised my spirits and it really didn't take too long or too much effort once I had a place for all my supplies.  Huzzah!

Making Me Crazy: a Plea to Crafters, Bakers, Stitchers, and Yarn Wranglers

Yes, the cat bed is on top of the craft table.

My beautiful craft area has become a veritable nightmare and the place where we put everything we don't want Atticus to chew on.  I am overwhelmed by the mess and all the projects.  I don't know where to start (or maybe it is when to stop!).  I have quit Pintrest temporarily because I am collecting more ideas and then doing nothing with them. 

My goal this week is to organize this wreck.  Then I am going to figure out February projects.  I think I need to limit myself to one project in each area a month.  I feel like a list may be in order. 

My question to all the creative types out there: how the hellfire do you organize /manage your projects?  Is this some sort of odd OCD?  Please help! 

Photo Friday: Finished Cowl

I finished up a warm and snuggly cowl Wednesday night.  I made it extra loose, because I don't like stuff strangling me.  Despite the awful splitting I love Homespun yarn.

Things I'm Loving...

1.  Bright green, thrifted cords

2.  Exciting Rumer Godden news from Virago (Thanks, Verity, for keeping us up to date!)

3.  Baking with apples.  I cannot get enough baked apples and I know I will be making some apple butter soon! 

4.  This autumn cowl (I'm starting it this weekend!)

5.  This be-cupcaked face:

6.  Easy birdfeeders!  

7.  A tattoo-idea.... This vintage owl embroidery pattern on my leg and the ink looking like embroidery stitches.  Whatcha think? 

8.  Made these pumpkin pancakes this week and they were FABULOUS!

9.  Super huge book sale!  I took a peek last night, but I plan on spending tomorrow hunting through thousands of books! 

10.  Lana Del Rey.  Lovin' her!

Photo Friday: Crochet Edition

Finis!

Remembering September and Looking to October

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October is here and it is one of my most favorite months; I adore fall weather.  September was disappointing as far as autumn goes -- we had temperatures in the upper 80s most of the time.

Now the air truly has a bite of apple crispness and find myself perfectly content to stay home with a large mug of warm milk and and an even bigger book.

Now, for retrospect followed by exciting plans....

Remembering September:

• I began life as a soccer mom (gasp!); and Hope is really loving the sport.  It is so nice to see her working hard and making friends.


• Baking:  a made some fall favorites (pumpkin bars and espresso brownies) and baked a new recipe, Cranberry Honey Drop Cookies.


• The adoption was finalized!  Sam is Hope's daddy for ever and always!


• I began a new embroidery project


• I had a wonderful date day with Sam to Athens.


• Several wonderful trips to the library and a phenomenal library book sale


• Celebrated Sam's 29th birthday


• Began taking Prepared Child Birth Classes


• Readying the nursery!


• Finally I have internet at home


• Craft night with friends featuring yarn, Thai food, coffee and gossip


• Read three books (only three!), Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir, Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone, and The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Looking to October:

• Blogtoberfest! The goal is to post every day in October.  I didn't accomplish this last year, but I sure did post a heck of a lot more.  My goal is to post every day, even if it is a tiny writeup, rant, or link.


• Finishing Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour.  This is a fabulous book, but nearly 1,000 pages long.  This is my "I must finish this book before Atticus gets here" challenge.


• Speaking of Atticus he *might* be here by the end of the month.  Needless to say I'll be nesting, baby prepping, and finishing childbirth class.  I'm looking forward to this being my last month of pregnancy and having my little man soon!


• Thrifting!  Tomorrow is the huge community thrift sale, because of Hope's soccer game I won't make it there until noon so I hope some deals are left.


• Working on my new embroidery project and finishing the blanket for Atticus.


• Organizing my photo albums.  I feel compelled to tackle the box of pictures and put them in order.


• Breaking out the sewing machine


• Making holiday plans and beginning my baking and gift plans early


• READATHON!  Next Saturday!  Yay!


• Staycation!  Hope has fall break week after next and we have plans to see a movie, have lunch with her Dad at work, take walks and watch plentiful amounts of Dark Shadows.


• Possibly a foray into Once a Month Cooking.... possibly


• Organizing my bookshelves.  I'm saving this for my nesting spurt.


• Baking big loaves of crusty bread and making jar after jar of pumpkin butter and apple butter.


• Audiobook stockpile!  I'm stocking up on audio books for when I function as a milk tank in late October / early November.  Pass on any recommendations!

There we have it, lots of stuff to look forward to!  In my immediate future I see a shower and hitting the pillow.  I'm tired and I know I'll be up 5o0 times in the night since Atticus has decided my bladder is the perfect squeeze toy.

Remembering August and Looking to September

Yesterday Hope stayed home from school because of a sore throat, sinus headache and some sniffles.  By two in the afternoon she was feeling much better and I began feeling crappy.  My throat hurts and I've been blowing my nose in Starbucks for the past hour (I'm sure the other customers are more than thrilled).

While I was feeling ill yesterday, I flipped through my journal and found something interesting.  On January 31st I listed accomplishments and memories from the month and then made another list of things I was looking forward to in September.  Seasonal allergies aside, there are many exciting things happening in September and August was a good month for me so I thought I'd revive the list.

Remembering August:

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• completed a 48-hour readathon


• baking - I made peanut butter bars, espresso brownies, strawberry peach cookies, and banana bread


• my friends Catherine and Shannon threw me a WONDERFUL baby shower


• lots of dinners and hanging out with friends


• another ultrasound and Atticus kicking and flipping like mad


• days at the pool with Sam and Hope


• Arcade Fire concert


• began crocheting a baby blanket


• Hope started the 5th grade and has really matured over the summer


• lovely stay-cation at the beginning of the month


• read 5 books (The House at Riverton, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Manservant and Maidservant, The Stolen Crown, and Time Among the Dead)


• made several trips to the library


• paid off a medical bill


• finished an embroidery project
  
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• saw the Dali exhibit at the High Museum of Art

Looking to September:

• another baby shower


• Hope's soccer season begins


• Carl's R.I.P reading challenge (more on that later)


• finishing the baby blanket


• Autumn baking (pumpkin and apple everything)


• leaves changing and cooler breezes


• breaking out my Docs


• getting internet at the house (hopefully next week)


• baking bread with friends


• completing the nursery


• adoption finalized


• library book sale


• new embroidery projects


• pumpkin spice lattes


• black fingernail polish


• childbirth class


• crafting thank you cards


• paying off my credit cards


• Sam's 29th birthday

I'm ready, September!

In the words of Eddie Vedder, "I'm still alive"

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Wednesday!  The last half of my week off from work flew by.  I accomplished a great deal, but, alas, I didn't have the time, energy, or any real inclination to blog.

So what did I do from Wednesday evening until today?

• Started a biography of Mary Queen of Scots


• baked Snickerdoodle cupcakes


• had my friend, Meghan, over for dinner


• went to lunch with my friend Erin and Hope


• bought the new Arcade Fire album and obsessively listened to it


• purchased yarn for a baby blanket and began furiously crocheting


• watched several movies with Sam


• had a day at the pool with Sam and Hope (I'm slightly burned)


• went to dinner with Sam and Hope


• cleaned the house


• did massive grocery shopping


• reorganized the pantry


• finished back to school shopping


• packed Hope off for her first day as a fifth grader


• packed Sam off at for his new job


• went back to work after 9 days of vacation and tried to catch up on work

WHEW!  I'm tired and amazed that summer vacation has flown by so quickly.   Between the two of us, I'm a bit glad that I'm back to my regular schedule.  I miss my routine and I honestly feel like I get more done when I have some order in my life.  Alright folks, I've a busy week this week but I am determined to get some reading done.