Friday, February 25, 2011

The One Where I Pretend To Be A Quilter

I get this magazine every month courtesy of a free subscription card I hijacked from a library book.

I *heart* quilting! I even made a quilt once! Mind you, I did not say finished. I've never taken any formal sewing lessons. I just decided one day to buy sewing maching and some fabric after I saw a pattern in a magazine I really loved. The dude i was dating at the time, his mom was into sewing and quilting so she got me started. That was about ten years ago. Poor quilt, unfinished.

I do love this magazine though. Yes, they have quilt patterns but they also include other sewing projects. This month was especially nice because they had cupcake pincushions! And we all know how I feel about cupcakes! I'm also very in lust with several of the quilt patterns.

Sigh, so many lovely hobbies, so little time.

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Oops...I did it again

I forgot to post last night!

I meant to and then the battery on my phone got low and I was too lazy to sit at the computer. Then I was gonna post when I went to bed since my charger is next to the bed. Then I fell asleep. Oh, well.

Quite an exciting weekend! We finalized our invites, but in my excitement I forgot to take a picture. Since we had time afterwards, we also went to the jeweler and picked out our wedding bands. Yay!! While we were there I also got two new charms for my pandora bracelet! The cupcake and a purplish/pink glass bead, love them!

Sunday, matt went out and ordered his tux while I had a lazy day at home stitching. Yesterday I had off work, but the majority of my day was spent at the car dealership getting work done on my car for a recall and oil change.

We had a bit of snow last night and got about a foot of the white stuff. Matt and I both took a snow day and bummed around the house. More stitching time for me!

As you can see I've made a lot of progress on venetian. She is coming along quite well!
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Friday, February 18, 2011

Lazy

No post yesterday....so bad! I have to keep reminding myself to post now, whereas before it was just an automatic thing. I guess this week was hard to post because I didn't feel like I HAD anything to post. I haven't been stitching this week, although I was able to carve out some time last night while watching Grey's and Jersey Shore. Wow, Jersey Shore, what a train wreck. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if I had acted like those people in my early 20's. I'd probably be in rehab and have a history of STD's....or I'd be a friggin millionaire like they are. LOL.

This is going to be a busy weekend, but I am very excited because tomorrow we go to the printer to see the mockup of our wedding invitations!! Some people are questioning why we had our invites custom made when so many people are diying and, "omg, why don't you just get one of those kits from the store?!" First of all, I don't like those kits. I am sorry, but I think they are kind of tacky, kind of plain, and kind of a pain in the ass. They usually only come in packages of 25-30, we need 35....what was I gonna do with the rest of them? Why don't I just light the grill and burn some dollar bills?!

Also, I would spend the better part of my time downloading templates, and picking fonts, and figuring out wording only to print one out and its not aligned right or the paper gets jammed. Oh crap, Ive ruined all these invites, we have to buy more!! I have better things to do, like get my friggin' bouquet done (and that's a saga for another day). No, thank you. Secondly, we only needed 35. 35! Its not like I went into the printer needing 100 custom made wedding invitations. So, yes, even though we spend money on something we hadn't really planned to get, it was worth it in the time saving department. I didn't feel half as bad after ordering them, when the girl next to us was paying $600 for 100 invites, and still needed to add envelopes and rsvps.  Plus, we decided we are not doing favors. They are crap and stupid, and people throw them out. Not to say they won't throw out the invitation, but whatever. I'm the bride, it's what I wanted.

After we go see the printer, our day is pretty much free. Although, I did invite Matt's mom to go along with us, so I am sure we will get roped into going on her errands with her. Which is usually fine, but she tends to get tunnel vision when we are with her. She loses track of time and we are too nice to just be like, okay, we are tired and hungry and we want to go home, because we know how happy she is to spend time with us. So, it usually ends up being around 8p.m. before we can extract ourselves and make the 45 minute drive home and the house is still dirty, laundry undone, and dishes in the sink. But, she is a lovely lady and I am incredibly lucky to be getting her for a mother-in-law.

I am hoping that tonight while Matt is at work, I will get some quality stitching time. I was at Target yesterday during my lunch break and they had a bunch of new movies on sale for $9! I was so excited! I picked up Toy Story 3 and Inception for $20, it was like getting one of them for free since they are regularly $20!! Yes, this is how I rationalize shopping, don't lie and say you don't do the same thing. LIAR!! The best thing stores ever did was put that little line on the bottom of your receipt that says how much you SAVED. Matt is also supposed to be meeting up with some guy friends tomorrow night, so maybe I will get some stitching done then. Sunday he is going with his mother to look at suits/tuxes for the wedding. Hopefully, he finds something he likes that doesn't cost us an arm and a leg.

Monday I have off work for the holiday! Yay!! I had planned on stewing in my pj's all day and stitching while watching some daytime TV, but alas, it is not to be. There was a recall put out on my car and when I called for an appointment to get it looked at, all they had available was a 10:30 a.m. appointment. The middle of the day! Dang it!

So I've got a three day weekend and it is so appreciated. I am tired. And my house is dirty. Soon to be remedied this weekend if I can manage it. The weather has been very nice here the last couple days and I am hoping to at least be able to get one good day where I can open the windows in the house and let in some fresh air and sunshine!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Venetian Progress

I've been in quite a stitching slump this week. I haven't stitched since last Saturday. How sad is that?!

Tonight Matt and I had our fiest meeting with the pastor that is marrying us. He is a very nice man who knows Matts family well and helped them through the passing of Matts stepfather a few years ago. It was a bit emotional for me to talk about my own family who has zero interest in my life, but both Matt and the pastor were very supportive. It was also nice to hear the pastors observation about how impressed he was with Matt and I as a couple and how we support each other.

I had thought I would get some stitching in after we got home, but there were too many distractions. Tv shows and that Danielle has me playing a game on my phone, words with friends. Its like scrabble on crack.

Hopefully, tomorrow I can have a sit while Matt is working. Ill be glad when Friday comes, I've got a three day weekend!
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I Desire.....

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Day

Todat is Valentines Day. Pretty much just another day.

This past Friday, Matt and I wrnt out for our vday dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Yummy!! Saturday morning I met up with Danielle for some stitching and we also signed up for stitch night at The Stitching Poat. I'm very excited about this! I've never been before and Danielle said it was very nice when she went. That night, Matt worked so I planted myself on the couch and got a good bit of stitching done on Venetian. Sunday we let ourselves sleep in and the did a bit of shopping, ending the weekend with a visit to Matts mom and grandparents.

I've just seen on the abcstitch website that Mirabilia has it's monthly release listed. No picture yet, but I'm definitely excited to see it!
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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Progress and Stash!

Lots of progress on venetian since last week and a picture of the stash I picked up at the Super Bowl sale!!

Happy Thursday!

P.S. Greys was fantastic!!
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wacky Wednesday

I received an email from my swap partner so I can finally reveal that Astrid was the recipient of a package delivered yesterday. She also said she is waiting until Monday to open it, if she can resist. So, no picture of the goodies will be posted yet, sorry!

Earlier tonight I was stalki...um, I mean browsing on etsy, looking at more bouquets. I always seem to gravitate to rbk (really bad kitty) creations and tonight I was not disappointed. This combination of red, black, and white felt is stunning! Love, love, loooo-oooove!! I've already attempted to integrate some of the embroidery into my own bouquet and made myself attempt the french knot, which was very successful.

Hope you are finding something that inspires you to try something new!
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Gifts received!

Yesterday after a particularly long Monday at work, I walked into the house and found a box! Alllll for me!! It was my gift from the valentine swap!

Inside the box were lovely gifts from Sheila in Idaho!! The hearts are very pretty, crafted by Sheila herself, and I'm searching for the perfect place for display! She also included a yummy vanilla scented candle, and chocolates made by her friend. Cant wait to bite into those!

Thanks so much for your gift Sheila!

Have a great day!
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Monday, February 7, 2011

Superbowl Sale and Angry Birds

Yesterday was the big Super Bowl sale at The Stitching Post. I met up with Danielle right as the store opened so we could get our shop on and oh how we did! After making the round of the store I had quite a few things in hand, mostly new charts, and had to tell myself to just put some of them back.

I allowed myself to get two patterns, one of which was actually a kit. I got the last mill hill vanilla cupcake bead kit! I also got JBW Designs butterfly pattern. I love butterflies AND its in pink! I got the missing Kreinik for venetian and a bunch of threads. Mostly more Weeks threads for another Blue Ribbon Design. I also picked up two pieces of fabric. It was a good shopping trip and it felt nice to go in knowing what upcoming projects I had in mind to get supplies for.

After our haul at The Stitching Post, Danielle and I went down the street for coffee and chit chat. It was a lot of fun!

I had to rush home to do some quick house cleaning before the big game after that. Matt had invited over a couple that lives a few houses down from us last minute, so I had to gather up all the dirty drawers and throw them in our bedroom and shut the door so they wouldn't see what hogs we are. We had fun though and it was nice enough to make some hot dogs and burgers on the grill!

Hope you had a great day!

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Friday, February 4, 2011

The Suspense is Over

I know I have been talking in the last few days about working on Venetian Opulence by Mirabilia. A few people have asked for pics so here she is!

The first picture is just around the new year when I put her down to do my sampler. The second was taken last night after picking her back up and working her for the last week or so. (edited to add: the first picture is a better representation of the fabric color. Its more a blue grey and not at all green like it looks in the second picture.)

I've skipped around on her a bit as I am missing the Kreinik thread I need, which I plan on getting this weekend.

She is stitched on 28 count fabric, I forget the color, but I knoe o have the label for it somewhere. I love the jewel tone colors of her gown, so gorgeous!

Last night I finished my handmade gift for my vday swap! Can't show you yet, but I'm excited to send my gifts and hope the recipient loves them!

Happy Friday!
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Thursday, February 3, 2011

TUSAL

Well it's the new moon, time for my TUSAL jar update!

Most of the threads are from working on the sampler I just finished and the closer to the top start the threads from Venetian Opulence.

Off to add more to the jar, have a great night!
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Inspiration

In the course of planning my wedding over the last year I have found wonderful and creative ideas on etsy.com.

Have you visited this site? You must!

It is a craft mecca. A lot of items I would like to have at our wedding are ideas and/or items I've gotten from etsy. The first was my bouquet. When I first started planning I knew we would be going non floral. First, because they are expensive, and they die. Second, they are expensive, and they die. I also wanted my bouquet to be something I could have as a keepsake and not have to shell out bucks to have it preserved.

Of course, a lot of people these days are going to silk flowers, but again, I wanted something different. Thus began my obsession with etsy. My first discovery was button bouquets. I found a lady that makes them in Australia and has a NINE MONTH waiting list, they are gorgeous! Made completely from buttons of varied sizes and colors I fell in love. But, I soon came to realize I just didn't have the time to collect the, literally, thousands of buttons needed to complete my bouquet plus bridal party accessories. Scratch that, but I could still drool..er, dream.

Realizing my button dream had to be adjusted, my search began again for ideas and I stumbled upon felt flower bouquets. Perfect! Flowers cut from felt, accented with embroidery and buttons. I could do that! I also discovered vendors on etsy that sell the felt shapes precut, so after ordering all I have to do is finish them with embroidery. My first order was for antique white flowers, but after getting my dress I've decided to also get black and grey flowers. Our colors are black and white. I've gotten a fair few of the white flowers embroidered, so I'll soon be ready to assemble the stems and bouquets.

Soon I will have to cut myself completely off from my stitching to work solely on wedding projects.

Hope you are all having a great day!
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Reading

I picked up this book last Saturday while out with a friend. I had been eyeing it for awhile on amazon.

I was excited to find it as it has been getting good reviews and I had a coupon at Borders!

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Blog Blondie

I can't believe I forgot to post yesterday! I wasn't even so busy yesterday/last night that I have a good excuse. We had some freezing rain in the morning, and while I could have stayed home from work yesterday, I chose not to because we were supposed to get morning last night into this morning. So, I went to work about an hour later to avoide traffic. Worked throughout the day and got caught up on alot of things in anticipation of not having to be there today. Of course, we got nothing but nasty, boring rain and I had to go to work today. Boo! So, I worked through yesterday and went home to relax and stitch. Since I have finished the sampler, I went back to working on Venetian Opulence. Wow, going from working on 40 count fabric back to 28 count is quite an adjustment! But, I love it, the colors are so beautiful! It wasn't until I was laying in bed reading a book on the kindle app on my phone that I realized that I missed my blog post for the day. Dang it! Now I owe double for today, so I'll be back with more later!

Anywho, there are some exciting things happening in the blog world. One of my fave designers and the nicest lady in the world, Belinda, of Blue Ribbon Designs is celebrating reaching over 400 followers on her blog and is having a GIVEAWAY!! Woo Hoo!! Its a lovely little stitching pouch complete with goodies!!

Also, this coming Sunday is the Super Bowl and my LNS, The Stitching Post is having a sale!! So excited! I've been looking forward to this for weeks AND I am meeting up with the lovely Danielle for some shopping and coffee at a local coffee shop. I am hoping to come home with lots of goodies!

This week is also time for my TUSAL update and finishing up my gift package for the Valentine's Day swap being hosted by Parsley. Such an exciting and busy week, I better get to it!

Hope you are all having a good week so far, and  those experiencing the big storm blowing through are able to stay safe and warm with needle flying!