Monthly Archive for July, 2010

Audio Books

Published on July 27, 2010 in Daily Rambling. 1 Comment

So during my 4.5 hour daily commute, I have started listening to audio books. My first was Eat, Pray, Love… and I loved it. It was read by the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have started on my second book… and I don’t know if it is the subject matter or the person reading it, but I just can not get into it. It is “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan read by Scott Brick. And it is BORING.

So besides David Sedaris and Anthony Bourdain, does anyone have a favorite audio book/author?

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Today’s morning

Published on July 23, 2010 in Daily Rambling. Closed

Instead of a song, this morning it was a phrase: Hot in, hot out. Come on ice cream!

Why, do you ask? I wish I could tell you.

But I can say this: I know you will be a life friend when you can easily talk about bodily functions during dinner.

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The Good Night Sleep

Published on July 22, 2010 in Crafty and I'm healthy. Closed

This morning I woke up with a song in my head. The last time that happened was back when I lived in my studio apartment in Davis. Maybe the day after my qualifying exams? It is somewhere in the archives. I tried to find it, but to no avail.

Last night I thought I was going to have a hard time falling asleep. Mostly because when my head hits the pillow I begin thinking. Mostly about clothing patterns and measurements. Sometimes about savings and financial goals. And last night wasn’t looking any different.

I started thinking about the top I had made and how the neck was absolutely TOO big and what I could have done differently to make it fit better. (Look, I know that more terrible things keep other people up at night. And trust me, when I thought I was going to lose my paycheck – I worried about all kinds of scary things. I am glad for what keeps me awake these nights.) But then, for the first time in a very very long time, I meditated.

Was it Eat Pray Love that is bringing me to this? Probably. Does it embarrass me that it has taken a book to get me back into the spirit? Maybe it should, but it doesn’t.

Do I wish I could do it more often? ABSOLUTELY. And I plan on it.

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New Links!

Published on July 19, 2010 in Daily Rambling. Closed

I would say it has been years since I have truly updated my list of links… like I might not have done it since I first did it 6 years ago. Well since then, I have probably changed focus like a million times and I have a million stored little links. So I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you a little about what I have been reading lately and what inspires me about them…

Spirit House Designs – This crafting lady is one of my most favorite people in both the “real” world and the “internet” world. She has been a loyal and wonderful companion through all kinds of crafty experiments. We’ve even expressed ourselves through the genius of tap together.

Posie Gets Cozy – I have her to thank for my new interest in french sewing patterns as well as quilting.

The Sew Weekly – This amazing lady makes a new piece of clothing every week! (Well almost every week.) She does a lot of repurposing as well as shopping at an antique market that I must someday visit.

Kuky Ideas – I first came here when I was trying to learn how to use Japanese sewing patterns, even though I know NO Japanese. I have since returned because of her illustrations and sense of humor. I love that her daughter loves all of the handmade goodness.

There are more…. and I will do another post like this soon. But until then, these links have been added to my links page.

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Summer Crafts: A List

Published on July 15, 2010 in Crafty. 1 Comment

I would like to make the following:

A hexagon quilt. Perhaps queen-sized, though I have never made a hex quilt before and think that a queen-sized one is a little ambitious. But with a tutorial on how to machine stitch, maybe it won’t be so bad? Eh? (current status: some fabric has been purchased. Batting purchased. Hexagon templates made.)

Repurpose the bunting from the wedding and try to sell it on Etsy. This should be an easy project. I just have to find some sort of binding to sew along the top of the flags. (status: triangles made. Now to find binding. Sew together. Post.)

Jewelry Organizer for my bathroom. Something like this, involving embroidery hoops… but with corkboard fitted in the smaller hoop so that I can stick my pins up, use straight pins to hang my necklaces and rings, and some ribbons to put up my earrings. (status: all supplies are purchased. Just assembly needed.)

My mom just sent me an article about how different people like to organize. For a long time I thought I was disorganized because I like to see my stuff and consequently, my house always looks cluttered. Turns out that if I can make my things look nice while they are sitting out, and I can find everything, technically I am organized.

Now I just need to hang up our sunglass containers by our front door and we will be ready to rock.

Oh… and here are the clothing projects… probably the most ambitious of the bunch and I will not get them all done this summer, but the tank top is the first on the list. The first four are Citronille patterns (SWOON!) and the last two are Amy Butler (double SWOON). I have actually made the Lotus AB pattern, but have lost the dress in my last move… so sad. I know.

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