needles galore

Savers had a 50% off sale on Memorial Day.

I don't know how many times I've gone to Savers with the hope of finding knitting needles... and not finding any. I really think I emitted a squeal when I found these:

Interchangeable needles! It doesn't include all the sizes (I really need a size 2, bum), but how cool is this? It has a 16" and 21" line. And it's all in this adorable little box.

I also found a pack of two size 11, 16" circulars, with these cute little purple needles. Purple! Could it be any more ideal? I think I'm going to give the extra size 11s to a co-worker who knits like crazy.

These, along with two big bags of towels for Dex, and a book, cost a grand total of $7. I think I said, "Whatta steal, whatta steal!" about 20 million times on the way home... R thought I was a little crazy, but I knew you guys would understand. :) The reason why I'm so psyched is a) I haven't bought any needles in hopes of finding some used ones, and b) I have some little projects in store... With all the babies around these days, I am excited for some baby knits. More to come!

life management

Hi friends--sorry it has taken me so long to post something new on here. Projects are on the table, but finding time to complete them has been pretty much non-existent. Bah. I've been finding myself either running, visiting with friends, or watching Seinfeld with R-man instead of sitting down in the craft room... 

I have, however, found time to begin reading again. I finished the Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman a couple of weeks ago, which sparked some fun conversation for the hubs and I (my top love language is Quality Time), and now I'm reading Life Management for Busy Women, by Elizabeth George. I picked up this book last week for some Godly suggestions on how to balance life and all its craziness, because really, the more advice, the better, right? :)

She begins by emphasizing spending time in prayer and the Bible before beginning your day, even if for just a few minutes. She likens it to giving the "firstfruits" of your day to the Lord, which is a good argument for studying in the morning... I've always been partial to do it at the end of the day as a way of unwinding, but after reading verses about David calling out to the Lord "in the morning," I'd like to try get some reading in before work. (I have the Bible on CD, which would be a great way to "read" during my 30-40 min drive to work.)

It's tough when you have so many things you want to do, and only so much time! I feel like I am constantly prioritizing, re-prioritizing... it will be nice to focus on the basics regarding the Lord, and letting the rest fall into place, which I believe will. My daily to-do list is always in flux, but on my creative to-do list this week:

-Thank You notes

-Finish sewing pillow covers for living room pillows

And that's all I'm committing to. :) Here's to managing time well... 

baby shower

Leez's sister and I threw Leez a baby shower last weekend... it was so cute and fun. She's expecting a little boy.

Little boy clothes are so cute... (See that plaid orange and blue shirt? We called that his little "man" shirt :)

And of course, there was lots of fun food... Cupcakes, meatballs, fruit, quiche, cheese balls, jelly beans, M&Ms, and Oreo Truffles. (Our theme was "polka dots," hence all the round food!)

I will be making these again undoubtedly. :)

OREO TRUFFLES

1 package oreo cookies

1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

2 boxes Baker's semi-sweet chocolate squares (8 squares each box)

Cookie sheet with wax paper

1. Crush whole package of oreo cookies; place in large bowl.

2. Add package of cream cheese to cookies--mix until mixture is thick and well-blended. Form mixture into 1"-2" balls.

3. Melt 12 squares of chocolate in the microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring inbetween intervals.

4. Once fully melted, dip oreo balls into chocolate, steading ball on a fork. Let excess chocolate drip before transferring to cookie sheet covered in wax paper.

5. Let cool in refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight) before serving. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Enjoy!

cheap art.

I love the look of mis-matching, monochromatic frames grouped together. I have such a grouping in my craft room, full of random goodies.

Some vintage shipping labels found in Downtown Littleton, $1 for 4. I think the elephant is my favorite. I was so pleased to use the vintagey background paper with these!

A card I received this week from my bf--I absolutely went ga-ga over this stamp, and how pertinent it was to our last get-together--we sewed the bumpers for her crib last weekend! (NOTE: During Christmas-time, I had a vintage postcard in this frame; I like the idea of switching out artwork as it comes my way.)

I love that this guy is carrying books in a wheelbarrow... I clipped this from a flyer from the Tattered Cover. (I think I had that flyer for 5 or 6 years before framing it...! So happy to finally put it to use.)

A cropped page from a mini 2005 calendar. It says, "Parrot tulips from Paris."

And some Audrey, a sweet gift from a close friend of mine after we moved into our house.

Hope you're enjoying your day!

sew simple. I mean, really.

Crafting has been slow to non-existent in my house this week. The sewing machine has been sitting quietly on the dining room table since last weekend...The craft room door has been closed to keep a certain nosy pup out of trouble, which keeps the messes behind the door perfectly preserved... :) (Out of sight, out of mind, right?) All is quiet in the M&R house craft-wise. 

Remember this fabric? 

I am super psyched to begin sewing with it, but I can't find the magazine (Sew Simple) that had the pattern in it! :/ I am completely irritated. I have combed through all areas of the house, my car, my parent's house... I hate that feeling of being positively sure you know where something is, and then it's not there. That awful sinking-in-your-tummy feeling. And then you feel like you're going crazy, because you were obviously wrong about where you put it, but can't remember where you actually put it. Exhausting, all of this remembering. I've been waiting three days for my aha! moment... you know, "oh YEAH, it's in the OTHER bookbag!".... and I'm still waiting.

So my search continues... and let me tell you, I am highly motivated to begin spring cleaning and finding a place for everything, and KEEPING everything in its place when it's not in use. It would just make life sew.much.simpler.