29!?!

A year ago Molly was in the hospital, my grandpa was sick. I spent my birthday alone, lonely, and worried about my sister. My then-boyfriend brought me a Hardee's biscuit (bacon, egg, and cheese) for breakfast when I told him I wanted to go out for breakfast. (I will never forgive him for that). Life was really, really different and I was a really different person. It's been a long year. But its been a year I wouldn't give up for anything. Among other things, it has been a year of self-discovery, self-analyzation, and self-realization. Realizing that I am a seriously awesome gal (!), that I am 100% capable of being alone (in all senses of the word), that sometimes things don't turn out as I expect, but everything really does end up for the best. I realized how lucky I am to have such thoughtful, caring, loving, special, talented, simply amazing, kindred-spirit friends. And lots of them. Friends I didn't even realize were my friends. For the first time in my life, I feel like I know who I am... I know where I'm going and where I want to go... and I'm happy with where I am right now. Its a pretty incredible feeling. I don't really think there is anything else like it.

So yesterday was a day to celebrate. I moved across the country two weeks ago, but I didn't spend the day alone! I went hiking in the mountains with two of my new co-worker friends. It was beautiful - a gorgeous day, not too hot and not windy at all. There were great views and cactus blooming (check out flickr for more pictures). I hiked 5.5 miles - the longest I have gone in a long time. On the way home, Frazier insisted that I stop at the store to get myself a treat, and of course I didn't really resist, I decided on a six-pack of local brew and a chocolate/hazelnut bar. Little did I know the little man himself went in a got me a treat too, and when we got home he fixed up a wonderful lemon tart with fresh strawberrys and blackberrys. Man, am I lucky to have that dog or what? He's so smart! We were pooped when we got home, so we ate our treats (of course I shared with him) and plopped down on the (new) couch to watched a move and knit and then went to bed exhaused and happy. A pretty darn good day. And I even finished those socks I started last September. We'll call them Jill's longest project ever:

Pattern: Uptown Boot Socks by Jennifer Appleby

Source: Favorite Socks

Yarn: Plymouth Yarns Sockotta

Needles: US 2

May Day Projects

First of all, It's FINALLY Spring here!!!

Second, I pulled out the sewing machine and the box of scrap fabric the other day, mostly out of boredom.... I granted myself 2 days off after a huge paper & presentation before starting to cram for finals... Here's what I came up with: A cute little skirt made out of a turquoise t-shirt, and the belt to a jacket I bought at Savers. The jacket looks better without the belt, and I just cut the shirt off at the armpits and sewed it right up to the belt, with a few tucks in the back (it fits a little funny but for the most part worked well). Pretty cute, but I'm not quite sure it is my style.
Next, I also came up with an apron out of a bunch of scrap fabric that I had.
I am going to give it to my friend Sarah for her birthday at the end of the month-- she's quite the baker, and I don't think she has an apron. Not bad for one evening's work!

We're Here!

We made it: me, Frazier, and all my junk:

And all my stuff was delivered today... So I've got lots of work to do to get everything unpacked and put away and organized. I am most excited about the kitchen. I've always wanted a cute little eat-in kitchen like this. I am planning on painting the kitchen yellow one of these days. I just wish someone else could do it for me!

Knitting was virtually non-existent last month. I think I knit, maybe, once. But now that I'm getting settled, the thesis is finished and turned in (yay!), and the first week of the new job has been survived, I think I will get back to knitting and sewing. I've already found a knitting group that I think I'm going to join this Monday. We'll see how that goes... I know it won't compare to my knitsters in Huntsville! I've got plans for lots of sewing too. We'll see if I ever actually do it. I always have plans for sewing but rarely actually do it.

Anyway, I've got unpacking to do! More pictures later...

I'm moving to Albuquerque!

Like the typical little sister I am, when Jill says, I'm moving to Albuquerque, I say, me too, me too!



I'm excited!

Busy Bee

The thesis is turned in.
The job has been accepted.

The move is in the works.

My mind is spinning.

But that doesn't mean I have put creative endevors aside...

This weekend I painted a couple pieces of furniture that have been sitting around for quite some time:

Here is a before picture of the record stand, but I don't have a before of the bench/table. I am so happy with how both of these turned out. I love 'em! I have a couple chairs to paint as well, but I don't think I'll get to that until I move. I also bought this chair at the thrift store a while back and I am going to try to recover it. I've been doing some research online about reapholstery and I think I can do it! I've been doing lots of thrift shopping lately... I really love finding neat old things. I have posted some of my treasures on flickr, if you're interested at all. The doilies and the scarf on the tables were all thrifted recently.

I found instructions for freezer paper stencils and decided to give it a try. It is so quick and easy. You can find stencils on line, I found mine here, or you can make your own. I got the paint at Michael's. I made the two in the back row for my friend who's having a baby girl and the two in the front row for a co-worker who's having a boy. This is a really quick and easy way to make a personalized baby gift. Me likes.

And last, but definately not least, knitting. I finished my brea bag almost a month ago, and finally put the straps on last week. I was working on making a lining this weekend. Until I broke the needle on my sewing machine in my finger (really hurt) and now I can't figure out how to put a new needle in correctly... and I can't find my instructions/manual for my sewing machine. I know its somewhere.... so, that will have to wait until I have more time. Until then, I am using it without a lining. I love it.

So two weeks from now, I'll be all moved and starting my new job. Crazy.

Yum

I worked on this Drops headband like the one I had made for my friend Julia for Christmas this weekend when I was flying to and from New Mexico to visit the last school on my list of options. I made it with the leftovers from the Tree Jacket, and ran out at the end, but it worked out because it fits really well. I wore it running today and it works well to keep my ears warm but my head cool and keep hair out of my face. Plus its super soft!
... And so, in the face of an important decision, what does one do? Why, make beer cupcakes, of course! Thanks for the recipe, Jill! Made with Bell's Kalamazoo Stout. The cream cheese frosting is a bit chunky since I don't have an electric mixer, but these are DELICIOUS!

one more time

I made some more, with a scalloped edge cuff, with some gorgeous gray yarn I had. Its wool, so they're a bit itchy, but I like these better than the last ones. More photos on flickr.