Believe it or not...

As I recently acquired my very own Kindle, I have been looking at "outfitting" it.  There are so many options!  Cases, covers, skins (I love the ones at decalgirl.com), screen protectors... the possibilities are mind-boggling.

I was checking out some cases/covers on Etsy (cause who wants to have the same one as everyone else?!?), and realized I can easily make my own little sleeve/slipcase for it.  I found some amazing antique-esque suede at Joann's (see it here), fell in love and ordered a yard.  For one thing, I couldn't order any less than that online, and for another, we have high hopes of getting an iPad whenever #3 comes out (rumored this fall), and this can go toward a sleeve for that, as well (no telling what else I can think up for it).  For the inside, I plan to use some really soft minky-type fabric to reduce scratching, of course (and cause.. hey, it's soft!).  I ordered some samples to compare colors and get some more concrete ideas.  I plan on making a case/holder for it as well (something along the lines of this one with my own personal twists to it...)  And maybe.. just maybe.. if I'm very good, I will finally finish that skirt I started on so long ago!

Fabric ideas I love for my case: 

• brocade (this one is really pretty)
• linen (sooo many options, plain or patterned)
• wool (it's classy AND sturdy)
• corduroy (especially the wide look)
• eyelet embroidery (simple, yet elegant... if that makes sense)

I hate stupid questions...

Every day, my coworker asks me if I'm going to go to lunch.  One day, I'm going to announce that I'm fasting for the unforeseeable future and devoting all my time and energy to work... which barely keeps me busy at all. Seriously, I spend more time killing hours browsing the web than doing any actual work, and it drives me nuts. Yet I can't listen to music/audio books on my ipod, because it looks unprofessional, and the powers that be would ask why I'm not working.  I can't tell them that I don't have anything to do.  I have to sit there and pretend to be busy.  Gah!!

New Puppy, New House!

 I intend to update this post with pics this evening...  See below!

Yes!  I have another puppy.  His name is Barrett, he just turned 5 mos, and he is a long-haired, blue/tan dapple mini dachshund.  He is the sweetest thing!  Fortunately, Nora (our long-haired black/tan brindle mini dachshund) adores him, which is good since we expect some beautiful babies from them in the future!

He's slowly warming up to us.  When we brought him home, he didn't eat anything the first day, and barely touched his water.  I figured there'd be some small adjustment, but I didn't imagine he'd be that downtrodden!  He finally ate on Sunday (after bribing him with some cheese and a bit of pork), drank plenty of water, and saw to all his potty needs.

He's a cuddler.  He likes to stick close to me when we're outside, unless Nora can pry him away to play for a few minutes.  He really likes our mutt, Arya, but she's kind of stand-offish to everyone.  She considers herself more the "protector" of the family than a playmate, which is funny, because she is all bark and no bite.  I have to say, I like that he's more of a lap dog.  Nora has too much energy to sit still for as long as he does!  And that's ok, too, because she's a joy to watch.  We get some good laughs from that. =)  When I left the house this morning, they were stealing each others rawhides.  There is one for each of them in the crate, along with a battered toilet paper roll (Nora loves them!) and a small squeaky stuffed dog.  Naturally, they want whatever the other has.

Moving on, pun not necessarily intended, we are relocating into a smaller rental house this week!  Yay!  Less to clean, no roommate, a huge backyard that's fenced off, and several good shade trees!  We are very excited, and even though our house is pink, I think we'll be very happy there.  It also has a sizable deck in the back, and I just might have to see about building a couple of box gardens.  We currently have a tomato plant and a few strawberry plants in those upside down hangers.  I would love to grow some leaves such as spinach and turnips, as well as some spaghetti squash, cucumbers, and cantaloupe.  Now, I have no idea when you can plant which foods, so a lot of research must be done, but the desire is there!

As previously mentioned, I will post pics of Barrett (and Nora) later this evening.  Hope everyone had a relaxing holiday!

Procrastination...

It's not intentional, I swear.  It's just that I get caught up in other things.  =\  I think, however, that I'm going to let my game subscription expire and take a few weeks off.

I still have half of my cutouts done and sitting on the dining room table.  I had intended to work on it today, but my future in-laws have been planning a birthday bash for a couple of months now, and we offered to help them do some preparation-- helping with food, tagging along for the alcohol pick-up, making some last-minute costume changes, etc.

So, needless to say, I haven't touched my skirt.  I will most likely work on it tomorrow, however.  I was also distracted today by a little spending trip.  We got a yard swing for two (for $90!), I bought a couple of pairs of REALLY comfortable shoes, and some dishes... well, and a few more things lol.  But I don't usually go out on a buying spree, and most of my money is going to be spent on the wedding and getting bills paid off.  So I splurged a little.  =P


Anyway, I think I'm going to try to catch a few winks before the hoopla tonight.  Cheers!

Channeling Disney...

I am swiftly becoming obsessed with blogs- specifically DIY.  Who knew there was such a wealth of information at my fingertips?  And I like the personality they offer as opposed to, say, an ehow tutorial.

I mentioned on my facebook that I'd relocated an old blog and created a new one, and one friend mentioned that one of the blogs I follow is her next door neighbor!  I was trying to go back and find what it was that pulled me to ECAB, but it's eluding me atm.

So now comes the obligatory "it's a small world (after all)!" I shall now have that song stuck in my head for the better part of what's left of this morning lol... and possibly longer.  But seriously.  I love making discoveries like that.  It brings people just a little closer and gives you a sense of connection which, let's face it, we all crave.  It's nice feeling you're not drifting through the world wide web on some God-forsaken island.

But for now, I'm out to iron, place patterns, and cut some cloth... Wish me luck!  I'm a little nervous, and I know if it doesn't work out, I'll feel like some mondo failure, even though we all have to start somewhere.

Ideas I can't wait to try! (an ongoing, add-to list)

Egg carton fairy lights

A Quick Note...

I love, love, LOVE the idea of recycling old furniture (or anything really from cloth to vintage/antique items).  Today while perusing Stephanie @ Home's blog, I found this post on a project by Young House Love.  This absolutely embodies what I appreciate about DIY projects.

While I'm at it, I'd just like to jot down my (brief) mission statement... It is my goal to use organic, natural, or recycled materials when creating something.  It's better for the planet and makes me feel good about myself.  Besides, when it comes to things like furniture, they really don't make them like they used to... and if they do, they throw a hefty price tag on it, and I'm all about saving money rather than showering other people with it.

1st Jo-Ann's Trip

Okay, so tonight after work, my almost-hubby courteously went with me for my first trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics.  I went in with a vague idea of what I wanted, and what they cost, with the knowledge that I would probably not be getting everything on that mental list.  Half an hour later, I was getting back into the car a VERY satisfied customer, largely due to the discovery of a coupon lying on the pattern book table.

Here is the original price list:

* 1 spool of thread - $3.99
* McCall's pattern - $15.95 (x4)
* McCall's pattern - $18.95 (x1)

* Fiskar's 45mm rotary cutter - $14.99
* Fiskar's 6.5" x 24.5" acrylic ruler - $19.99°
* Fiskar's 18" x 24" 2-sided cutting mat - $29.99

 °Note: the price on the ruler is an approximation because I couldn't find this brand in this size being sold by itself.

Initial total: $164.23 (after tax)

Factor in the following reductions:
* The 3 Fiskar's items were a set for $49.99 (total now $136.73)
* The patterns were on sale for 99¢ each (total now $58.93)
* The aforementioned coupon was 40% off any reg. priced item

Final total: $42.14 (after tax)

By getting a $20 discount on the set and saving $78 on the patterns, my total was reduced by $122! Am I feeling proud of myself?  Yes, I am.  Now, it's possible that I could have paid less somewhere else.  But the chances of those places being local and not requiring shipping are very slim.

I'm quite happy with my haul, and look forward to attempting my first project this weekend - a wrap skirt made from the pink striped sheet I bought at the thrift store last weekend.

Keep Moving Forward!

The title is an oft-used line from one of my favorite movies, "Meet the Robinsons".  If you haven't seen it... well, you must.  It's excellent.  =)

I use it now because I feel bad for not using my sewing machine since I bought it.  There have been a number of new developments in my life in the last week, however, including landing a permanent job and announcing my wedding date (11/11/11!).  Plus I was low on funds and unable to get any fabric.
However, I went to the thrift store today and bought 4 rather large sheets for $12.

 One of them screams "pajama pants!", another one can't make up its mind between pj pants and a knee-length skirt, a third would look AWESOME as an apron, but I never wear those, so it will likely become a skirt, and the fourth... well, I believe that is what I will use to make my first convertible dress.  One pic was taken with my phone and one with my ipod, thus the difference in tones.

Today, I did mend a shirt I'd bought at Ross (or was it Marshall's?) several months ago.  I didn't realize when I purchased it that one of the sides had come apart at the seams.  Well, we're having a company lunch next week, and this shirt would be great to wear, so I bought some black thread, wound a bobbin, and set forth.  Considering it was my first attempt at sewing in at least 12 years, I think it turned out all right.  I wasn't too concerned with getting it professional.  There were a couple of hiccups, but hey!  It's a learning experience. =)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to discovering the new identities of my sheets!  I'll post pics when I do.

I've been wanting to dabble in the domestic arts for some time now.  I just haven't had the (insert one of the following: courage, money, motivation) to do so. However, I got a wild notion last week and cruised craigslist.com to find a practically new (read: only used once) White sewing machine. With this machine came a dozen bobbins and quite a variety of feet. My price? $40. Eeeeeee!
So I've been stumbling the web since in order to brush up my knowledge. I'm planning a trip to the thrift store and/or fabric store next weekend, and along with some crap fabric to play around with, I plan on attempting the items in my to-do list. I'm rather picky about my clothes, so I'm looking forward to being able to satisfy my own tastes.

Apart from the sewing, I'd like to:

* actually finish a crochet blanket
* knit myself a scarf (I've never so much as picked up a needle)
* start making my own bread & pasta
* grow my own vegetables, herbs, and maybe a few berries

Of course, after I accomplish these things, my to-do list should expand, but I think this is a good modest start. I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress! =)