Fall Camping

Last weekend, Steph invited a few friends to join her at her family’s property by the Morgan-Monroe State Forest.  We took a beautiful hike in the late afternoon, stayed up to all hours with a fire and then survived the frost in the morning.  It was a great time and a nice get away.

This week at work was crazy, but I survived and am now enjoying the weekend even though we’ve gone from a cool summer to a cold fall.  I have no Halloween costume ideas and forgot to get pumpkins at the grocery today.  Maybe at the market tomorrow.

INDIEana

After the huge million pieced quilt, I forgot how quickly a baby quilt can come together.  Bliss.  This is the same pattern I made last year for Mark’s baby, and same situation where the parents, who are SLIS friends of Tim’s, don’t know the gender of the baby.  The Beatrix Potter blocks work perfectly for pulling in lots of different colors.  I will never get sick of this pattern.  Year of Making Stuff?  Number 32!

Today Kyla and I drove up to Indy to go to the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange.  We got massively lost looking for lunch, but after being fully fed from the Old Lady Cafe, we both made some pretty significant purchases.  Most of what I bought will be holiday gifts (so no pictures), except for a cute little poppy bobby pin for myself and a signed print from Jeremiah Kuch that I LOVE!  It will probably live in Tim’s office.  I scored a deal on this one.  I crossed a lot of people off my holiday shopping list, so overall a very nice and productive afternoon.

Also, is it too early to get out Halloween decorations?

Labor Day Weekend Fun and Work

Labor Day weekend…worked 1 out of 4 days, not too bad.  We went to Bedford for my first time jumping in the quarries.  I had a grand time, though I didn’t jump off the highest ledge like Tim did.  Also?  Finished a quilt top for a donation quilt!  Yay! All I have left to do is quilt and bind it.  Shouldn’t take too long.

Holiday Weekend Traditions

This is my second year in a row going to St Louis for the weekend of the 4th.  I had just as much fun as last year, even more with the addition of Cynthia.  We watch fireworks, went swimming and picnicking at Johnson’s Shut-Ins, shopped, watched movies, drank beers and in general had a great time just being together.  Tim also spent most of the weekend with his childhood friends and made the trip to Holiday World!

Cynthia also received her apron (YOMS: Week 24), so the full picture:

P.S. It is really hard to take your own picture in an apron!

Year of Making Stuff: Week 20

I decided to make a flash tattoo t-shirt after being inspired by someone at work.  I originally had other plans in my head, but I am happy with the results and would like to play around with this a little more.  I didn’t have tracing paper (my favorite marking tool wouldn’t show up on the black) or stabilizer for embroidering on a tshirt, but think the “winging it” method actually worked best. Swallow tattoos are traditional for sailors (no really!) indicating both long voyages and returning home.

Memorial Day weekend starts early for me, but I will be interrupted with work on Sunday.  Tomorrow, though it is off to Bedford!  Yes, because we are fancy.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 6

I bought this gray and black floral fabric on clearance to make some lounge pants from Amy Butler’s In Stitches.  But yesterday looking at the pattern, and not feeling the color and print for pants, I remembered I had a pillowcase pattern.  These pillowcases are made using a really easy roll up method and french seams so everything is clean and neat, even on the inside.  Once I figured it out, it only takes me about 15 minutes or so for each.  The purple cuff is left over fabric from the queen sized quilt for our bedroom that is in the works.  I can’t wait for it all to come together!

I hope everyone had a lovey Valentine’s Day yesterday.  Tim and I had a late lunch at Esan Thai, then did some shopping downtown.  Last night we watched the beginning of the John Adams HBO series based on the David McCullough book.  Its fantastic!  It was a lovely day spent with my favorite valentine.

Happy Happy 2009

Of course we forgot to take a picture of the floor before, but just picture crappy linoleum.

Today I put aside crafty plans and helped Tim install a new floor in one of the bathrooms.  We are going to put the same flooring in our bathroom too.

Today is New Year’s Day which means that 9 years ago I had my first date with Tim and he made me grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches and we drank rum and cokes with his roomates at his place on Prow. We had grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches again today.  I’m a little tired, but couldn’t be happier.

I wish everyone a healthy, happy and hopeful 2009.

Beach Vacation

Tim and I spent a glorious week in Southwest Florida visiting his parents for Christmas.  I missed being with my family a lot, but had to settle for amazing sunshine and beautiful beaches.  In addition to some beaches around Ft. Myers, we took a day cruise to Key West which is incredible.  I’d love to go back with more time.  We also checked out the Naples Zoo (with the monkey island boat tour highlight), ate great seafood and played some wii with Tim’s parents.

I am a firm believer in seasons.  But come February I am going to miss walking in the gulf waters.

Hope everyone had a great holiday and looking forward to 2009 as much as I am!

Happy Early Festivus!

Everybody likes presents!

In strange news, my bag that was stolen from my office showed up at work this past week after being missing for almost 2 months.  It is sort of mysterious how it got there and lots of things were found inside, but a few things are still missing.  I am happy to have what I have back, but feel strange all over again about the circumstances.

Paper Snowflakes

I’ve done very little holiday decorating this year.  In addition to my shiny snowflake garland, and my recycled card tree, I cut out paper snowflakes.  I am all for cutting your own and creativity and blah blah blah, but sometimes templates are exactly what you need.  These are quick, easy and always beautiful.  I’ve used these templates for displays at the library in San Antonio (both at Central and Carver!) and now here in Bloomington too.