- A
Double & Capital WOooo-Hooooo! No wait, Yeeeeeeee-Hawwwwww! Contents:
12 *vintage buttons (pictured here)
2 vintage spools of Belding Corticelli Mercerized cotton thread
1 hand & machine-stitched fabric box
Location: N. Vancouver, Canada
Finally, after 3-1/2 weeks of traveling through a reportedly "slow postal system," my Vintage Button Swap Deux box found itself at my swap partner's doorstep! And thankfully, too, because (1) I had already received her package, before the mailing deadline
(2) this was the first swap for each of us - we need good memories
(3) I hadn't documented my package contents, so it was nice to see them again (and prove that they actually did exist)
(4) and finally, I think the fun of anticipating and reading their swap partner's response is 1/3 of the reason people participate in these (plus 1/3 the adventure of shopping & preparing the package, & 1/3 the surprise of opening your partner's package). I almost missed out on 1/3 of the fun!
- A
Well, I haven't been up to much except fielding interest from research subjects, testing subjects, teaching BBC, and transporting myself to and from home-school-parks, etc.. I've amassed over $10 in parking downtown this week alone, which is huge for us - we are Public Transport. believers. I need a break from this stuff. I will say that I'm getting research subjects, though slowly.
That is not to say that I've ONLY been doing those three things over the past 2 weeks. No, I'm also taking my last grad. course; I helped teach a super-fun Mother's Day BBC class, attended by 60 moms; Paul and I test-made another 1/2-bake and freeze meal (coming later); and I made myself the shirt pictured. I forget I'm a size smaller on top (or a size bigger on bottom - which sounds better?), so yay me, I get to try again in a sz. 10. Oh, and we also fixed a special popcorn and ice cream dinner Thursday night. Sound familiar to someone?
And if you're wondering, yes, this is the famous Simplicity 3887 pattern that everybody in Blog-land is making. [Hey, let's all start Simplicity 3887 Flickr Group! ...er, maybe.] Anyway, I personalized it a bit - quilted the collar and added contrast lining - for my eyes only, I've realized.
Also, you girls who have been asking, I found that page where I learned how to make my own banner/header on Blogger. It's so easy (once you find the 'false')! http://bloggeruniversity.blogspot.com/2006/11/blogger-beta-using-widgets-for-your.html
Ok, back to not work!
-A
I'm writing with happy news about my research today: 3 subjects down, 22 to go! Really, it's going better than that (with fingers crossed). A suggestion from a guinea pig-guinea pig (my first subject) to post an ad in the FREE section of Craigslist has skyrocketed my interest e-mails.
Check it. We love a deal!
Paul and I decided to enjoy the temptations of spring today by getting out to the outdoor hot spots before it gets nice. First we slipped and slid up and down the Leif Erickson for my first 60 minute plus run of the year (yo, my legs are like Jello). On this not-quite-perfect weather day, the trail isn't too too crowded, but at the St. Honore Boulangerie, business is apparently (OK, obviously) not affected by threatening clouds and cool air. After we found parking, we got in line, which was just beginning to creep out the door We actually found a table - hallelujah! Paul and I declared while waiting in line, eating our brunch, and driving home, that any item on the menu would receive the same review: freaking amazing. He had a chicken salad and sliced hardboiled egg sandwich on baguette bread, and I had the Normandy Apple toast (which is bread pudding in disguise - jackpot!). The baguette reminded us of po-boy bread at Pirate's Cove, so crispy on the outside and soft and spongy on the inside. The apple bread pudding was moist yet firm, so I could eat it with my hands. Their drip coffee is yummy too. We SO earned that brunch!
So much to say....
Okay gang, expect my posts to be intermittent for a while. I have much 'ado about school and more: it's mid-term week and it's also time to buckle down and do the thesis. "Bear with me," is all I can say. School ends July 20th.
So for now I have a teeny Blog dump and some updates.
First, the results for the Button Contest are in. Thanks all who voted! There were so many great professional ones, even in "The Team" (runners up).
And, people may be talking madly about the revolution my (second) hometown is working on: The Farmer's Market Lifestyle. Now the "buy local" buzz is nothing new, but these folks are doing specifically Farmer's Market local, except for what they can grow themselves or is not offered locally (for example, there is no local toilet paper producer). Ask to join if you're interested - those Iowans are nice folk.
Last weekend Paul & I visited St. Louis to see nearly entirely everyone from 1/2 of my family (my dad's half), Paul's dad and step-mom, and our College friends -- all within <48>
Paul's parents picked us up from the airport and put us up for our first night in town. It was nice to catch up in person instead of on the phone. And the dinners they fix - grilled Ginger-Pork-Kebabs, and grilled potatoes, bacon, and green peppers (I know, sounds weird but they're awesome!).
Our friends are expecting twins any day now - she's on house arrest with a 2-year old. Can you imagine (OK, so some of you can)? Crazy that "we" used to start drinking at noon, ride bikes drunk, and slide down wooden stairs together for fun.
We were actually in town for a less-than-joyous occasion, my Grandma V's memorial. It was very nice to hear how others remember her. I hadn't known she had taught other grandchildren to crochet, and that she stored fabric scraps under her bed! I think everybody but a few family members were able to come. The last time we were all gathered at my uncle's house like last weekend was in 1985, for my cousin's wedding. They are both fond memories now. :)
-A
Hey,Busy Beaver
One of your designs was selected!
It was hard choosing the top 100 or so out of 235 designs, but it is
up and ready to vote.
Tell all your friends:
http://www.busybeaver.net/soandso
Top 20 most voted for buttons will get into the machine and get 200
buttons of their design.
Best wishes and there's no "I" in team or in losers, either!
Thanks for your submission.So Go Rock The Vote!
I tell you what, I've already had my Friday the Thirteenth. Since my last post (04.09), I've experienced a series of trying events. Light peeped through at various times, such as Monday afternoon, when a little package containing vintage buttons (pictured above) from my Vintage Buttons Swap partner arrived. She also fashioned a little felt envelope - just for me! Check out her Etsy shop.
Also, I got a great workout from a friend on Wednesday, with whom I'm swapping personal training sessions - me first, then her, post-baby. Also on Thursday, some of us BBC instructors got together for a brainstorming session. If you're reading this as a participant, all I can say is get ready for some new & creative kinds of hurt!
I also got in a little a visit here and a little coffee talk there, and my usual PSU school. Not a bad week, you say?
Okay. Here's the rest:
Tuesday as I was driving to BBC class, my clutch completely stopped working; got stuck to the floor, namely. So I rolled over to the curb, grabbed my backpack and ran the 2-ish miles to class (wasn't late, whew!). After a class filled with much toddler concern over my 'broken' car, and several ride home offers (which I accepted), I called and got the tow truck and the garage arranged.
Now, I guess tow truck guys expect the driver to call immediately after a breakdown occurs, and then wait (and wait, and wait), and swoon when they finally come to our rescue. So, when the dispatcher called and said, "he's there, do you see him?," I had to defend myself. "The other dispatcher said he wouldn't be there for another half hour, which is why I'm not there yet." Miffed, he was (how dare I make them wait).
My plan was to ride my bike the 2.5 miles back to my car so I could give the guy the keys. I hadn't left yet when they called because I'd run into a problem: my tire pump was in our trunk. After banging on my neighbor's door and then remembering that it's probably the middle of the night for him, I recalled that I had CO2 cartridge 'air.' I squirted some into each tire, eyeballing the pressure, and set out.
Who knew along the way that my phone would be getting automated tow truck ETA reminders every 15-minutes (despite knowing that the guy's already there)? And then, picture this:
As I ride through the Foster/Powell intersections, an woman tears by me and then makes a right turn. I half T-bone her, half slam the brakes hard enough to fly over the handlebars. She's going so fast that by the time I actually hit her, I get her bumper instead of the side doors. I hit her, as I'm flying, and then hit the deck. Great. There goes my city cycling confidence. I actually came out with no road rash & no damage to my bike. I had a nice conversation with the crying driver, who "Totally didn't see" me. I reminded her that she's lucky that I'm not a bitch, seriously injured, or one of those people who sues over just about anything.
So then I continue on to the (totally bummed out) tow truck driver. I say hello and apologize for being late, and get a grunt & no eye contact in return. Okay, let's up the ante.
"I would have been here sooner but I got into an accident." Another grunt, followed by a poor attempt at summoning mild concern.
"Oh, really?"
Nevermind.
I handed him the key and went home. I posed the rest of the week's travels as a challenge to find alternate modes of transportation. I walked, jogged, bicycled, and Trimetted. Yay for me. Now somebody buy me a drink. It's Friday the Thirteenth!
-A
Oh, and we could have bought flatware service for 72 with our repair bill, so I'm sorry to say that we'll all have to keep holding our breath on that big decision.
And this does too, which we did this evening... plus fresh corn on the cob (silks were still yellow). Where was the ice cream truck?
Oh yeah, the 80-degree weather yesterday and the "humid," balmy air today also made it seem like summer. Nice tease, anyway.
Thanks a bunch to everyone's flatware finding suggestions. Tomorrow evening we'll give you an update - oh boy ;)
Happy Easter e'body.
-A"Which set should we get?"
For matching info, I should mention that we're growing weary of our chipped/nicked/cracked china (they're Pier 1, yellow with blue flowers or something), and are looking toward getting a set of pure white, not fancy, maybe a circle, maybe square.
I made the filling the day before (b/c it has to cool for at least an hour before being used). I made the dough at 5:45, rolled it out and started cutting circles at 6:10. With Paul's help, I finished cutting filling, folding, & crimping the pockets shut by 6:30. They came out of the oven at 7:05, and I got the party at 7:15. Not too bad...
Aside from a coffee run and a walk with a friend, most of my day was spent in the kitchen yesterday.
I made:
- brownies that weren't good enough to shareI have to digress and say a few words about Grandma's salads. I think I loved them all as a kid, and remember having at least one to choose from at every family gathering; vegetable marinades, jello with sprite and fruit molds, jello with vegetables, fruit salads, cold spaghetti, 4-bean, that one with peas, bacon, and white dressing... what am I forgetting?
- Chocolate Ginger Cookies that I did share
-a dinner entree sample that I also shared, at a BabyBootCamp mom's night out recipe exchange (and after sampling all of their entree & recipes, I've determined that I have a decidedly different idea of what is 'quick' and 'easy' for parents with young children to cook!). I made "Camel Pockets" from this guy's book.
- the famous no knead bread start
- Grandma Patterson's cauliflower salad, pictured.
I also spent some time in Grace's kitchen yesterday:
... and in Danielle's for MNO (forgot the dang camera).
... and then again in my kitchen (Paul helped!):
-A
- as in Wake Up (echoing in sync with those terrible repetitious question-marked meows at my bedside at 4:30 am)! I know, you're saying, "6:45 really isn't that early." That's just when I start making coffee.
I guess I could plug practically any musically-inspired quote into this pic. It's a black square, nearly a blank slate. This is my kitchen early Monday morning before daylight. This coming weekend would be the one when the time normally changes, but dubya made it happen 2 weekends ago (in order to reduce our energy use - by .1% of 1%, or something like that) . I'm really enjoying the light evenings, but waking up is a bitch, especially to that alarm clock.
No matter, its Spring Break! Woooo!! Its unfortunate that I have to share it with those pesky primary/secondary school kids, but what'cha gonna do? I've been trying to treat the week like a break, doing some extra sewing, taking naps, watch the MTV Spring Break show (so it really feels like SB), and baking/cooking some fun stuff - like brownies & my newest recipe: mung bean salad. Paul & I are also entertaining the idea of taking a hike, either in the Gorge or St. Helens (??). Any recommendations?
I'm trying to be a good girl, too. My thesis data gathering is on hold until I get 'permission' (human subjects approval), so in the mean time I'm trying to get the Lit. Review done. I put myself on the "Paragraph-A-Day" plan: sit down and write one paragraph each day. Its nice, not overwhelming, but I need a sponsor. Yesterday I wrote 2 sentences.
-A
Over the last 2 weeks, I've had an involuntary break from sewing, first to get my act together for my thesis, and then for my mom's visit. This and Wednesday morning, I did get some stitching done. This pic is of part of the kitchen project, which may be finally coming to a close. That's a good thing, as Martha would say. Other rooms need attention too.
Speaking of school, Spring Break is here! Tuesday I had my Proposal Meeting, and am approved to move forward. I'm planning to start collecting data as soon as my Human Subjects comes back next month, and then defend in late June/early July. I think it's weird that people plan whole studies and pretty much know what is going to happen. It's almost like cheating. I can't say with extreme confidence that I know what my results will say, which seems to freak my adviser out. Whatever. And before you start spelling out h-y-p-o-t-h-e-s-i-s in your comment, I know, I know It ain't true 'till we determine it's true, and even then it's still not truth ("even gravity is a theory," says Paul). Still, I think researchers try to "cheat" a bit in a preemptive, if I may, face-saving maneuver. Anyway...
Doesn't Mr. G. look pissed off? That's because I took him to the vet yesterday. He has a case of kitty acne, evident by the itchy flaky black bits falling off his chin. Kitty acne seems to be one of those medical mysteries, like ulcers in humans (until recently, I think - except for mine, another story). Possible causes/diagnoses of kitty acne: fungal, dirty pores/dirty food dishes, stress-induced, contracted from other kitties, or flea-related. Possible treatments: antibiotics, infection shampoo, flea drops, washing kitty dishes, or the contents of a teenager's medicine cabinet (Stridex & B. Peroxide). We're administering the former 2 twice daily.
I hate taking the poor dude to the vet. First, he always pukes either on the way there or on the way home (though this time was extra-special - puked to & foamed at the MOUTH from. That was freaky.) Anyway, he also wails like a baby, and enjoys being treated like a baby - likes to be held and offered a finger to suckle. He growls at the vet & assistant. It's just no fun. wAAAAA!
Oh, check out these napkins. A friend gave us a set of these beautiful things plus place mats back from Guatemala for helping out with her cats. After using them for the first time a couple weeks ago, I started rinsing a stain out of one (in cold water), and look what happened! The one on the left was rinsed, the right one was not. I'm about to try heat setting the color, but is there anything else I could try? I'd love to salvage the rest of the pile.
One more note - Paul & I will be DVR'ing this Discovery Channel show
Amazing!
- A
We've moved about half the pile so far. Just add vegetation...
We crossed the Steel Bridge.
Hiked up to Burgerville for a Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake, a biennial treat. Then took the Max back downtown to Pioneer Square where enjoyed some some sun & watched people. Caught the 19 home and made our favorite pizza. Gluttonous.
My Faves:
Paul: "Did you get chocolate chips?"- A
Me: "Yep!" (proud that he put them on the list.)
Paul: "Mmmmm, cookies."
Mom: "I thought you were out of cocoa powder?"
Paul & I: "We are."
Mom: "Oh....?"
Me: "Mmmmm, brownies!"
Technically speaking, I guess a pear patch would probably have to be constituted of 11 or more pears (2 is a pair, 3 is a cluster, 4 is a group, and you know the rest, right?).
My mom is visiting us from Iowa this week. Among other things, we may find ourselves gardening, shopping, sewing, and/or antiquing. We can pretty much do what we want, since the weather is really shaping up. Last time she visited it was almost 100 degrees outside!
This weekend and today, I'm attempting to tidy up the guest room, which also happens to be where I do my crafting. I framed a brown burlap quadrilateral and propped it up on the shelf in the guest/craft room sometime last year, thinking that working at near-eye level to a 'blank canvas' would eventually motivate me to stitch something to it. I pushed it off, convincing myself that there was artistry in undisturbed, framed burlap. Well, there's nothing like a house guest deadline to motivate inspiration! Atop the fabric shelf are also 3 wool felt plush pears in peach, orange, and red. I figured a green pear might be a nice addition. (Unfortunately the light has been poor lately, so the photographed greens aren't quite right - maybe I can re-photo it sometime this week).
Back in the frame it goes, and I'm one step closer to preparing for my mom's arrival!
-A
I just finished patchworking over the stripe in the kitchen towels on the right. I did the same with the ones on the left back in ought 5, though the towel came from the Depot.
Comparing the two got me wondering... can things evolve in reverse? I mean, can it get worse as time goes by? Not that I think that my towels are an example of such a phenomenon. They are organization is so... intelligent (I am pleased). Wait, I'm sorry. What about Charles Darwin? Regarding his theory, we are assuming that there is no possible way that the construction of latter kitchen towels have regressed in comparison with the former kitchen towels. I'd like to agree, but I don't know if an idea or a vision can be held to the same standard as a cellular being. Oh well. I like 'em.
Another thing I've been working with: invisible thread. It's like fishing line, and it sure beats searching for the spool cap every 5th minute! I see it used a lot when I'm out trolling for inspiration in the Home section of Anthropologie. Their aprons are very inspirational, by the way. On top of that, I stumbled upon more apron inspiration yesterday. Ready to tackle the next one. :)
- A
Today we had the first good sunny day (all day) since President's Day Saturday. It was wonderful! While it spurred our neighbors on to take a dying tree down to its little nub, it inspired Paul and I to build - with wood - and hammers, etc.!
I made a trellis with the goals of it fitting in the 70 x 112" opening that is our front porch, and using up as much of the wood leftover from our Arbergola build last summer. Check, and check.
I just finished it a couple hours ago, and its such a monster that I'm a little afraid to hang it just yet. That's right, hang it. It'll be a seasonal trellis; up during climbing vine season, and down during the rest. Any suggestions on what to grow up it? (an annual, receiving full sun from noon to 5 pm-ish, can get sufficient water - if I water it).
Paul put together 2 wonderful Adirondack Chairs in half the time it took me to do the trellis, not counting the hardware run. They were a Christmas gift from my Mom & John - I know you were hoping we'd put them together over the holiday break, but we didn't want them to turn moldy green before we ever got to use them. The chairs are a clean palate, or ready to go minus a cup holder, depending on who you ask.
-A
This winter has been nice and relatively routine: the weather, school, work, cleaning, meal plans, running, holidays. It was comfortable, though I felt like I was in limbo most of the time - between fall and spring.
But now everything around me seems like its at the precipice of a tipping point. Honestly, it must be! I've been in a holding pattern for quite some time, (all winter, in fact); waiting for my thesis research to get off the ground (and therefore waiting to graduate this spring), waiting to hear about another part-time (but big potential) job, waiting to hear updates of my Grandma's declining health, waiting to sew with that surge of original creativity, and waiting to get out and garden & teach outdoor BBC. A few things on that list are beginning to turn, and I just hope that they're a sign that things are moving again!
-A
"But you sure have a lot of potential." Keep working hard.
That's what they say to people who just fall short on a job offer, team try-out, or a bad first attempt at a recipe. That's what I say about this apron. By the end of the ordeal, I was cringing a little, short of the ric-rac. By then I was wishing for a racy little number, maybe more lace or more leg. Maybe I'll like it better when I'm older...
But hey, I got to experiment with piecing and using my new cutting wheel/mat. Oh, glorious straight lines!
-A
And I finished my first trim box a la All Buttoned Up. I graduated (I think)! Everything looks great except there's a little extra loose fabric on the inside. Hmm. I'm gonna try tacking it down. On to media boxes, desk organizer boxes, and button boxes.This is an idea I got from somebody's Blog - remind me whose, if you've seen it. I finished the edges and hid the seam lines on both sides with either ribbon or bias tape. That way when it's open, it still looks pretty! It worked great except I installed the hooks uncomfortably close to the ceiling, and made the loops too small. I broke into a sweat yesterday trying open it to a triangle. Maybe small magnets would work.
Anyhoo, I'm pretty pleased with the results, which is good, since I live here and all.
-A
I love easter candy.
5th Place: Jelly Beans!
4th Place: Chocolate-covered Marshmallow Egg/Bunny/Carrot
3rd Place: Chocolate-Covered Coconut Eggs
2nd: Mini Robin's Eggs
First: Cadbury Creme Eggs!
Note to self: don't visit the grocery store alone until after April 8.
-A
Greenback? As I stood in line at Home Depot yesterday, I flipped to the Martha Stewart Living Table of Contents (by chance) and spotted something interesting listed for p.49. It was a tutorial on how to force bloom flowering perennials.
"Ah-ha," I say to Paul, "Look how hip I am." (And as Liles pointed out, I ruined it by saying 'hip.')
That very morning I had pulled from my basement a vase of carefully-tended force-bloomed Flowering Quince out of my neighbor's overflowing tree. Today they started to bloom. How nice. :)
-A
How-to here.
Last week was a big week for the Great Gatsby. He swallowed 2 catnip toys, 2 hair bands, and another unknown object. Mr. G. Love spent the better part of the week at the vet, where he's become a legend of sorts - clawing and biting anyone who came close. Kung Fu Kitty. What's more impressive were his intense cries, scowls, and growls. The G events culminated last Saturday with a trip to a specialist who determined that whatever was stuck in his secum all week was now gone. Big sigh, followed by, "Little Bastard." He's got 6 lives left...
