Spring Shower

      This weekend I had the privilege of hosting a baby shower with two other lovely ladies.  I was in charge of the decorations and games.  The parents to be decided not to find out the sex of the baby so I chose gender neutrals green and yellow.  I have a fabulous collection of milk glass vases all from goodwill and thought they would be perfect for a baby shower.   I went to the florist earlier this week with a list of flowers for the larger vase, non of which they had.  So I went with tulips, daises, hydrangeas, baby's breath, and something that I forget the name of  at the moment.  I made the "oh baby" sign from cardboard and yarn.  They loved it so much that they are going to hang it in the babies room.

Saw the idea for popcorn party favors on pinterst. I found the bags at Joann's then used Microsoft Publisher to make the labels.

Baby carriage cookie cutter

Everyone had so much fun decorating a onsie for the baby.

So much delicious food!!!!

 

Whats New?

     Whats new you say?  Well, lots.  As you know I started working again which has left little time for blogging.  The job has been going well.  I am doing the same thing I was in State College but its seems to be very different.  We are living in a very rural area with high unemployment and low income.  Unlike State College where there were many highly educated individuals, infinite amount of resources, and involved parents with the means to raise thriving children.  The kids here are not so fortunate and my heart breaks on a daily basis when I hear some of their stories.   I feel better when I think about the difference that I am making  their lives.

      On a lighter note here are a few photos of new things around the house.

       

New buffet.  Its in rough shape but it was FREE.  I am considering painting the three little drawers without the detail gray, changing out the hardware, and putting a piece of marble on the top.   I am afraid its past the point of being able to be refinished,  the veneer is chipping of on top and I am not sure I handle re-veneering.

New mid-century modern nightstands.   Found the pair for $30 at the local antique store. They don't match the other bedroom furniture so I am going to paint them and change out the hardware.  I hate to paint over wood , but I have way to many refinishing projects as it is.  Also new lamps from Target.

New bkr bottle.   I love this glass water bottle with silicone sleeve, there is something about drinking out of glass that makes the water seem like it tastes better (as opposed to a plastic water bottle).  Ordered it from Pigment ,  free shipping and I was super impressed with their customer service.  I ordered a color that wasn't in stock and Carissa called me the next day asking if  the color "Fog" would ok.  Turns out I liked it more than the color I originally ordered.  When it arrived  there was a very sweet handwritten note from Carissa. 

New milk glass planter from goodwill.

New blooms on the tree in the back yard.

New visitors in the backyard.  I collected my scraps of yarn for the birds to use  to build their nests.

New hydrangea......LOVE! 

More Terrariums

I finally set up the terrarium I found at the local antique store a few months ago.   I think it still needs a plant or two more, defiantly something with some height like a mossy fern.  The moss I have in there now I found in my backyard.  The little fawn has been sitting in my Mom's curio cabinet since I was a little girl, and when I was home last month she gave it to me.  Find the how to in a previous post here.

Spring is in the air

I've been busy the last couple of days with trainings for the new job.  The husband is in San Diego at a conference he goes to every year.  Last year I was able to go with him.  We had and amazing time; we visited the zoo, went to a concert, and played frisbee on the beach for hours.  Most importantly it was during this trip that we got engaged.  For this reason and many others, San Diego will always have a special place in my heart.  I was really sad when I found out that I had training this week and I wouldn't be able to go.  At least the weather has been nice here and with that I was motivated to put out my spring decorations. 

Crocheted these coasters from vintage pattern.  Quick, easy, and I love them.
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Saw these cute little birdies on pinterest and started looking for the pattern.  I used this pattern but altered it a little on the beak and the tail,  made the beak smaller and the tail a little bigger.

I struggled to get a good photo of the entire mantle.  I don't know if I like the giant mirror and don't know what I would do with it if I took it down.

Rug and Done

I finished my rug for the foyer a few days ago and here are the photos.  I am really happy with how it turned out and I would like to make another one for the bedroom.  I used 4 skeins of burly spun 100% wool yarn in oatmeal from Brown Sheep Company.

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Pattern:
Using a size P hook.

Start with 8 chain stitches (ch) and close them to a ring with a slip stitch (sl)

Round 1: ch 1, 15 single crochets(sc) to the ring, 1 sl to close the row

Round 2: ch 6, skip one stitch, *1 double crochet (dc), 3 chs, skip 1 stitch*, repeat *-* 6 times, 1 sl to the 3^rd chs to close the row (=8db)

Round 3:  ch 3, 2dc, 1ch, 3dc into same space, *ch1, into next space 3dc, ch1, 3dc* for entire round, at end of the round ch1 and join with a slst to 3rd chain of original 3ch.

Rounds 4 and 5:  ch3  into the same space, make 2dc, *ch1, 3dc into next space* repeat until end of round and join with a slst into 3rd ch of original 3ch.  Each 1ch space should be filled with 3dc each cluster separated with 1ch.

Round 6:  Just like round 3 but increasing every 2.   Ch 3 into the same space, 2dc, ch1, 3dc, *ch1, into next space 3dc, ch1, into next space 3dc, ch1, 3dc* repeat for the entire round and at end of the round ch1 and join with a slst to 3rd chain of original 3ch.

Rounds 7, 8, and 9:  No increases just repeat round 4 

Round 10:  Increasing again but every 3. 

Rounds 11, 12, and 13: No increases repeat round 4 

Any subsequent rounds repeat sequence of rounds 10, 11, 12, and 13 until it is as big as you want it.

Note: Don't end on an increasing round make sure you follow it with 3 regular rounds.  Increasing rounds are a little misshapen and it takes 3 regular rounds to normalize.

I am not exactly sure how many rounds I did, I stopped when I ran out of yarn. 

Edging:
Ch 3 into the same space, 1 dc, *ch 2, into next space 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, into next space ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 2 dc* repeat for the entire round then ch 2, 2 dc into the same space as the first st.  Join with a slst and fasten off.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Birthday

Yesterday I celebrated my 28th birthday.  I slept in, received a package of burly spun yarn from my in laws, used the yarn to get started on my rug for the foyer,  ate my favorite dinner marinated lamb and red skin potatoes, drank a bottle of cab, and watched 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, and the Office.  Not my most eventful birthday but just as good as any other.

The pattern is a combination of 2 different  patterns.  I found one that I really liked and started it but couldn't figure out one part of the directions.  I really liked the center so I kept it and  just started doing a granny circle.   The round shape is perfect for in front of the spiral staircase in the foyer.  I will be posting pictures as soon as I finish!

100% wool....Love!

Card from my Mom.   Perfect for me,  I laughed so hard.  Although my husband kind of liked the idea.

Spinach salad with my homemade vinaigrette.

I made the marinade the day before.  Its ever so simple but oh so delicious.  I start by heating EVOO in a pan then add onions, once they are translucent I add garlic, rosemary, and pepper,  let it cool  then add balsamic vinegar. 

Peanut butter rice krispie treat with chocolate and butterscotch on top.

Making Progress

When I was home a couple of weeks ago my Mom taught me how to crochet a granny square. It was her second attempt at teaching me and I was determined to figure it out this time.  After a few successful granny squares  I started this blanket.  I was making it for the dogs, but my husband refused to let me give it to them and suggested I give it to him instead..  I decided to make a giant granny square instead of a bunch of little ones because I thought it might be a little easier and go faster considering this is my first blanket.  Its almost finished.