Spring has sprung, and autumn's so well done.

It has been absolutely beautiful outside lately.  I don't spend enough time outdoors, really.  It's just that it gets so unbearably hot here, that if I'm outside, I need to be in the water.  The past two years, though, during Spring, I've been making it a point to get out and do more things.  It's a good thing I've got a boyfriend who likes to go outside and take tons of photos.  I plan to do a lot of swimming this year.  I wanna go to Krause Springs again.  I went last summer with Brandi, Haylan and Dena and it was really fun.  

And St. Edward's Park- I discovered this gem a while back with some friends and we used to go there ALL the time but it's been a while.  

I took these pictures almost 6 years ago.  It's hard to believe I haven't been back there in so long.  I actually sort of forgot how to get to this spot, and I'm paranoid about getting lost out there.  It's really secluded.  But this summer, I'm going with some friends to find my way back here.  

Something about this weather makes me want to go out and visit my parents more often.  I wish I could go every month.  I suppose I could, it would just mean either taking vacation days since I'm not off on both weekend days, or doing weird day switches that cause me to work 6 days in a row, which I do not like.  I'm going to see them soon, though.  Mom's birthday is April 1, and my parents are having a big party on April 17th, so I'll be going out there to celebrate spring and her late birthday.  I really love going out there when it's nice out, it's so pretty there, and I love to sit out on the porch while my dad plays his guitar, there's a nice breeze blowing, and I'm sewing or crocheting or doing some other sort of crafty thing on the porch swing.  My god, that sounds like a scene a Blue Bell Ice Cream commercial.  But it's kind of like that out there.   And when it rains there, it smells amazing.  And there is NOTHING like as surprise summer thunderstorm in East Texas!  I took these pics back in... 2005 maybe?

I just love visiting!  Anyhow, thanks for indulging my old pictures, I'll have to get some new ones of my favorite places soon, when I go back!  

New Embroidery and Some Books

I've been pretty busy lately, which has left me with not a lot of time to do crafts, which kind of sucks. 

Last weekend, we traveled to Louisiana to see Allen's parents, and then I had a weird work schedule.  This past weekend, my grandparents came to visit, and this week,  I will also have a weird work schedule.

It was cold, very windy, and rainy on Saturday.  I love love that weather, but was a little bummed because I wanted to take my grandparents out to see some sights here in Austin.  So, I made some coffee, shared some with my grandad, and finished up a few projects while visiting with my grandparents.  It was really nice.

I like how the boy and girl turned out.  They're hanging above our bar.  They're supposed to be arguing, but I couldn't think of anything clever so I just did XO.  

Sunday, my grandparents visited my Aunt Thelma who lives way south in Austin, and it was nice and sunny of course, so Allen and I went fabric shopping.  He wanted some nice fabric for backdrops for his photography, and I just wanted some nice fabric.  We went to Joann Fabrics.  I love that store.  I got some fat quarters and some more transfer paper for embroidery.  Hancock was nice as well, but we didn't find anything. 

There is a new fabric store on South Lamar called The Common Thread.  She has some really nice fabric.  It's a little on the expensive side, but a lot of it is imported, and it's an independent business, so I didn't expect any different.  She also had some books I want:

I actually purchased the One Yard Wonders book.  It's fantastic!  I bought some yards of fabric to start on some of these adorable projects!  Now, the only problem- figuring out which one I want to start first!

I also purchased 4 Sublime Stitching patterns:  Sexy Librarians, Dutch and Russian , Cute Little Heads, and Spaced Out.  I purchased 3 Wild Olive patterns:  Road Trippers, Springy, and the Solar System Set.  I also sent in my application for Sublime Stitching licensing application.  If I am accepted, I will be able to sell all sorts of stuff with Sublime Stitching patterns!  I can't wait to find out if I'm licensed.  

I've been working on working out and eating better- keeping under 1500 calories a day, aiming right now to burn 300 during my workout, eating lots of healthy snacks, and cutting out soda.  The drink mixes that Crystal Light makes, and the generic store brand ones, tend to give me heartburn.  And I get sick of just water all of the time.  So, I've been drinking, along with plenty of regular water,  Sobe Life Water.  It's SO good.  No sugar, no calories.  I've got Yumberry Pomegranate, Mango Melon, Apple and Fuji Pear, Cherimayo punch (which is probably my favorite), Black and Blue Berry, and Acai Fruit Punch.  They are so, so good, and I cannot recommend them enough if you're looking to cut down or cut out soda and can't just drink water all of the time!

Okay, and that's it for now!  Thanks for reading. 

Not craft related, but almost as important.

I'm really excited because I have just filled out my first Census!  Have you filled yours out yet?  It's important, guys.  It really is.  It determines how many representatives we get and the amount of money our area gets from the govt as well.  So DO EET. 

New Pillow

Here is a pillow I made for my friend Lori's birthday.  She loved it.  So did her son.  Apparently, he claimed it as his own, so she asked me to do a more boy appropriate pillow for him in exchange for an eyebrow waxing.  Deal!  I dunno what  I'll put on his, though...

Other stuff I'm currently working on- I embroidered part of a design I found by Cate Anevski.  I'll post the picture when I'm done.  If you want to see her art, though, here is her blog:
http://cateanevski.typepad.com/cateanevski/

I'm also getting another tattoo this weekend.  I'll be sure to share pics!  I'm very, very excited.  

Have you ever seen Freecycle?  Many cities have a Freecycle group, and Austin, of course, has one that I've been a member of for years.  It's basically where you join the group and post if you have stuff you want to get rid of, or post if you have something you're looking for.  It's all free, no one is selling nor buying on there, like they would on Craigslist.  It's especially good if you're moving and have odds and ends that a thrift store may not take.  I've used it every time I've moved!  Well, I just got a whole mess of fabric from a very sweet lady,  and also, some little crafty odds and ends, because I posted that I was looking for fabric and craft stuff.  I did have to drive a ways to get it, but it was totally worth it!   Fantastisch!

Okay, that's all for now.  I'm about to go pass out in my bed and watch some Star Trek:  The Next Generation. 

Stuff and My 5 Things

I don't have any photos to post right now, because I am busy with a bunch of other stuff besides embroidery, like MORE organizing.  

I love doing small embroideries.  Anyway,  I'm jumping on the "5 things" bandwagon all the cool kids are doing, and if you read this, and have a blog, I'd like to see what your 5 things are!

5 Things I wish I could do:
1. Grow my hair really fast, or maybe even STOP CUTTING IT!!

2.  Travel a ton.

3.  Go and buy every piece of clothing I like from Forever 21.  Sadly, a lot of it wouldn't fit an anorexic rat, much less a chubby gal like myself. 

4.  Speak every language in the world. 

5.  Keep on my healthy eating and working out kick.  I was doing really good for a while, and for some reason, I just can't really be bothered more than like twice a week.  Ugh!


5 Things I am looking forward to:

1.  Road trip to Louisiana with Allen this weekend!!  I will do lots of crafts in the car and take tons of pictures and eat really good food.

2.  Meeting my friends at Barflys tonight for some cheap drinks.

3.  My next tattoo, which I will be getting very soon.  Here's an incomplete sketch, but you get the idea.  I will be adding buttons and a tape measure spiraling down around the scissors, and "Sew is Life" in the banner.  It will also be in full color.  I'm getting it on my forearm, right under my elbow, but on the outside of my forearm, if that makes sense.

4.  Dying my hair!  It needs it badly.

5.  Taking a trip to Brooklyn this summer to see my friend Brandi!


 K, that's all for now! 

Beep Beep

Here are a couple of things I made today.

This was a request from someone to put on her GPS case.

 

And here is the final embroidery for my kitchen!

 

That's all I have for now.  I'm working on a pillow that I should finish soon, though!

Organizing and Pen Pal Goodies

Sorry it's been a while.  I've  been more into getting stuff organized and decorating than really crafting lately.  I finished an embroidery for the kitchen and am working on the last, and I am also working on a pillow for a friend's birthday.  I'll post photos when they're all done.  But here's a photo of the last kitchen embroidery that I did.  It was Allen's request.  It's a Red Velvet Art pattern but I used my handwriting for the letters.  Note the lack of vegetables on the burger.  That's how he likes his burgers. 

Today, I got a surprise package from my penpal/friend Jo, who lives in Wales.  She sent me the cutest things!  Thanks so much, Jo!

Until I get my other stuff finished, here are some pictures of cute tiny things that I collect!  Please excuse some of the blurriness- I'm not very good with a camera and some were taken with my iPhone.  Tiny things make me very happy.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

See ya!