Sweater revamp

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Becky

I got this sweater at Eddie Bauer a few weeks ago because I was really liking the green color. This isn’t the *exact* color of the sweater. I didn’t have the flash on, so the color actually looks quite a bit different in daylight. But here’s a visual anyway:

I like the highs and lows of the yarns, and it’s probably one of the softest sweaters I own. Two huge pluses for a sweater person such as myself. What I didn’t like was the ruffles on the front. Not because they aren’t pretty or aesthetically pleasing, but because they’re just not me. I’m not exactly a floofy or frilly person, in case you haven’t noticed.

Step one to making this sweater into the generic grandpa cardigan that I wanted: Carefully remove the stitching around the applique.

Step 2: Gently pull all the threads out.

Step 3: Iron the front on a low setting to get rid of any indentations from the stitching.

Stay tuned for outfit photos tomorrow!

Back in the saddle again

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Becky

I dusted my sewing machine off last weekend so that I could make these burp cloths. The theme requested by the buyer was “shooting, off-roading and fishing”. This revelation is going to knock you off your chair, but those are very difficult fabrics to find. Luckily I found a cute fish pattern and rounded the set out with some camo. Definitely the manliest burp cloths I’ve ever made, but if I do say so myself they still turned out pretty durn cute.

Next on the agenda, in case you’re dying to know, is to make an owl wall-hanging based on the owl quilt I made last year. Visual:

How am I going to do that you ask? I have no idea. But I’m open to suggestions. All I know is a co-worker asked me to make it months ago and I’m still interested in the idea. Which is always a good sign. As always, stay tuned to see the finished project some time in the near-ish future.

Cyber Monday

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Becky

Today is what was coined in 2005 as Cyber Monday - the biggest online shopping day of the year. I really have nothing up my sleeve to buy (except maybe this, this or this at an additional 25% at jcrew.com if I’m feeling real crazy), but I thought I would take this opportunity to share that my brother Derek is offering 20% off of his entire Etsy shop today only. Need some magical and interesting Christmas cards? He’s your guy.

Use coupon code CYBERMONDAY at checkout.

Still Thankful.

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Becky

I end up with so many photos of trees and changing leaves in my iPhoto history during the month of November it’s not even funny. But it is my favorite thing about Fall. (This photo was taken in Columbia City a couple of weeks ago.)

After a wonderful Thanksgiving with Steve’s family I decided to go to Target at midnight on Black Friday.

Pshaw. Do I look crazy? I did show up there at 9am though, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made the day after Thanksgiving. (Unlike last year when I went shopping at 3am. Don’t worry, I judged myself the whole time.) It wasn’t crowded, there were no lines and the first shift of employees had already gone home to sleep so nobody wanted to murder me when I asked about the $89 GPS. Which I totally got by the way. I also got pillows, a Christmas ornament and a Rudolph doormat at Macy’s. That burning in your chest right now? That’s jealousy.

A week of thanks: Day 2

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Becky

Yesterday I had what we’ll call a mediocre day. Nothing terrible, but things just weren’t quite right. I got to work early, left late, wanted to workout but couldn’t because Steve and I had to figure out our health insurance open enrollment nonsense, etc., etc.

But then I was reminded that it’s pretty darn amazing that we both have health insurance. I went for so long with out vision coverage that I appreciate my glasses every single time I put them on. Every. Single. Time. I told Steve the other day that I can’t wait for it to snow just so I can see what it looks like coming down with glasses on. It’s the little things, right?

Then I thought about how last week the pipe at my brother’s house broke and he had feces coming up through his shower. It could always be worse you guys. The silver lining to that story is that the pipe was the original one put in the ground in 1904. It lasted over 100 years! Does that BLOW YOUR MIND or what? Oh, and the whole thing has been taken care of so no need to worry about my brother.

To recap, I am thankful for:

Job, health insurance, glasses, not showering amongst my crap or the neighbor’s crap.

A week of thanks.

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Becky

Last year I dedicated the entire month of November to recognizing all that I was thankful for – see those posts here. After re-reading them a few minutes ago, it actually blows my mind to see what has changed in such a short amount of time. Nothing was bad then, it’s just that for the most part every aspect of my life has been altered in some way. I have a job that I love. I live in an apartment that I love in an area that is perfect for us right now (Ballard!). After 8 lovely years, Steve and I got married. And I won’t lie to you – it is exactly the same with the fun addition of being able to say “husband”, and of course the perks of asking, “Should I use the joint account?”. I am honestly overwhelmed with all that I have to be thankful for in the last year. I think what’s at the core of that gratitude is having had the opportunity to spend so much quality time with friends and family because of the wedding. Whether it was pre-wedding events like the bridal showers or bachelor/bachelorette parties or the actual wedding day, we really saw how lucky we are to have such an amazing group of people in our lives.

The stress of what photo would go best with this post is just too much for me right now, so I will post one that I took while waiting for my bus last week. Which will prompt an ‘If you give a mouse a cookie‘ type phenomenon where I will mention that I am very grateful to own a camera, to have a warm bus to ride to and from work where I can sit back, relax and get some reading done. (Or some facebook stalking time in. Whatever.) I am also so happy that it’s fall right now. The layering of clothes, the changing leaves, the hot cocoa and mulled wine. Boy-oh. It really doesn’t get much better than this.

Four Seasons Kona

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Becky

No, we didn’t actually stay at the Four Seasons. But we did eat dinner there, and believe me when I say that that was enough of a splurge for us. It is absolutely gorgeous there though, and if we do start crapping money that would definitely be where we stayed. It beats the Kona Hilton by a landslide in my opinion (photos of that to come.)

Unfortunately we didn't eat at this table. But since it was a few feet away, it was easy to pretend. Until they asked us to stop staring.

Those are real turtles! Just don't go within 30 feet of them or you'll get snipereed.

My second favorite tree.

Kona

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Becky

I haven’t done anything with our honeymoon photos – the only reason they’re not on my camera anymore is because I wanted to clear everything off before Steve and I went to Canada last weekend. Otherwise they’d still be hanging out on the memory card for sure. We’ve looked at them a few times, I just haven’t actually done anything with them yet. Until after having a fairly stressful and very busy day yesterday, I couldn’t not post this today. Can I go back yet?

Holiday cards!

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Becky

Since I didn’t make these I can say without hesitation that they might just be thee best holiday cards I’ve ever seen. Anything that can go outside the norm of your standard run of the mill holiday anything, and still be magical gets an A+ in my book. As you may have already guessed, my brother Derek created them. What I like about them, in addition to the artwork, is that they can be sent as a postcard (cheaper stamp!) or put in an envelope as more of a ‘card’. I think what I’m going to do is make some fun holiday envelopes (like I did here) and then Steve and I will have the entire space on the back to write on. My favorite? Definitely the Pacific Northwest Santa. It just radiates Christmas magic.