That's not what I said

I said I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, not a white... oh, nevermind. I'll take it.

If you live somewhere snowy you're probably thinking 'whoopie-doo". But snow that sticks to the ground is a big deal in this part of Oregon.

Other exciting news around here: my "baby" is two. I'll see if I can find her birthday dress and take a picture to show you.

You won't be seeing the cake. I took my eyes off it for two seconds and she took full advantage. Up until that point it was a bear.

Its hard out here for a squirrel

There are no acorns on our trees this year. None. Someone told me that acorns are biennial, which would explain the problem but I'm not sure if that's true or not. If that's so you'd think the trees would talk it over and decide to how to stagger their vacations so we aren't left hanging.
This is annoying for me since I had planned to enjoy some acorn craftiness, both the grown-up kind and with my girls.

But I imagine the poor squirrel has that same sick feeling I get when I check my bank account balance.

I went for a walk today

past the squirrels scolding me from the tree tops.
Up hill and down, past the wildflowers in bloom.
Past the field where a coyote stopped being sneaky to watch me pass and the Herefords, who seemed unconcerned about the coyote, stopped munching to stare at me like I was nuts.
Past the Killdeer running in the road and calling to distract me from their nest.
Right up to the home of the German Shepherd, with his deep bark and shedding hair that stands out in crazy clumps and patches.
Then I turned around and went home.

I'm fickle that way...

I get bored making the same thing over and over again.

Once I become fixated on a certain project or craft, I try to learn as much about it as possible; to the exclusion of all else (ie: dishes, laundry). But when I get bored, I'm ready to move on. So I've been in a crafty slump lately. Too bored with my many works-in-progress to be bothered with them.

I haven't had a new obsession lately. Until now...

(Image via lizix26's Etsy shop)

(Image via galit's Etsy shop)

Must. Learn. To. Crochet. Jewelry.

The Crazy

Judging by the concerned messages I've received from family members, setting a dress on fire is not a rational thing to do.

I guess I should clarify that I did not come unhinged after a small setback.
That little charred pile is actually the end result of several days and many hours of work down the tube (sleep deprivation may have also played a small role).
Now I'm kind of feeling like I've been caught with my pants down. Whoops, I showed the world a little too much crazy. I thought about deleting the post so other folks wouldn't stumble across my little lapse, but I think it should all be here: The Good, The Bad and The Crazy.
Speaking of which, I've tried to go back to the fabric store twice and I think I have a new psychosis to explain when I pursue therapy after this little episode.
Does anyone else suffer from FabricStoreophobia? The symptoms include breaking out into a sweat, inability to make a decision, sensitivity to the antics of small children and alternating between holding back hysterical giggles and holding back tears of self-pity.

Anyone else?

No one?

Just me?
(Note to self: next time you snap your bean, don't write a blog post about it. You're scaring people.)

I Lost My Temper

We have to go to the store today so Buggy can pick out new fabric for her Easter dress. I can guarantee you it won't be JoAnn's Tutti Fruity fabric.

I Can Go Backwards

My latest obsession isn't crafty and it isn't going very well.
I have a new (to me) big girl camera. But no lenses yet. *sigh* So that's why I haven't been a very prolific blogger lately. It irks me to have to use the little point-and-shoot when there is an awesome camera on the shelf mocking me.
I am happy to report that my knitting is going much better. I can even go backward now!
I started on the different pattern with some success. Then, when I had enough rows done to make it a tragedy... I screwed up. So I HAD to figure out how to remove the needle, unravel my hard work and figure out how to get it back in. I'm halfway done so I should be able to show you guys in the near future.
In other news, I have my very first customer in my Etsy shop. That's REALLY exciting.
I'm working on aprons right now and a tutorial for a vintage-style apron. I have big plans and lots of good stuff coming up and, hopefully, better pictures of it all.

Its Too Quiet

That makes me nervous. What do you suppose they are doing?
Oh, there they are.

What's so interesting? What could have possibly held their attention for so long they forgot to argue about who is getting the sippy cup?

*gasp*

A little deer is tearing up my carefully manicured lawn!

Ooo, the landscaper is going to be livid!

I'll zoom in so you can have a closer look. He looks pretty rough. We have a parasite in this area that makes the deer shed their hair in weird clumps and patches. Poor little guy.


Wait! Don't feel too bad for Scruffy. See that iris behind him that is just beginning to come up? Yep, gone.

New Banner

I worked really hard to make a new banner with a winter-y theme. I tried so many times to make the bare branches look like branches and not blood veins. I abstained from stealing a Graham & Brown wallpaper and modifying it for my banner, even though it looked 100 times better than what I made, because that would just be wrong. I was good! I toiled over this thing! I double-checked the html to make sure I was making it the right size.
So will somebody please tell me why the blasted thing hangs over the side of the banner area?

I did it!

But you can't say it regular, you have to say it like somebody crazy.

Say it like.... like Bobcat Goldthwait. Ya, all high pitched and freaking out. Because that's what I'm doing right now.

Look at my little Etsy Shop thingy in the sidebar. *eeeeeeeeeeeek*

*deep breath*

Okay, I know its customary for crafty bloggers to have a giveaway when they add a new item to their shop, but... since I only have a handful of readers (half of whom I share DNA with) it seems a little silly. So if you can think of someone you know that cooks with cast iron and would like to have a set of these mitts, refer them to my little blog and we'll do a giveaway:

I have Analytics and I'm not afraid to use it, so all you lurkers get out there and drag your friends kicking and screaming to my blog. I'll do my part and go soliciting readers and we'll meet back here for the give-away, lets shoot for February 1st. How does that sound?

And do yourself a favor and go to that YouTube link for Bobcat, I just about fell out of my chair.

Perfect Storm

My eye is twitching, its too much.
The delivery man just dropped off a package of new books including this one:






Remember this post when I mentioned I'd like to splurge on some delicious yarn? The really tiny town I live in has a really great yarn shop! I'd never visited before so I almost died when I walked in and saw the floor to ceiling cubbies and baskets filled with yummy, soft yarn. And a table with chairs where a couple of ladies were knitting and clucking about grandbabies. It was all so wonderful but I forced myself to make a decision and came home with this:

This yarn is a wool, alpaca and silk blend and it. is. heavenly. *squeals* I am not blessed with knitting skills but with yarn that is such a pleasure to hold in your hand, who cares!

Plus, I have some corduroy that I found on the sale rack when JoAnn was having the 50% sale. It has an acorn print, which Buggy is wild about, so I've been working on a jumper for her. I took a few pictures and I'd really like to finish because I'm excited to share them with you guys.

I'm surrounded by fabulousness and I just want to immerse myself in everything at once. So now you're wondering how all this combines to make a perfect storm?

1. The landlady is visiting on Friday so I need to kick some of the toys under the couch and try to keep the house somewhat clean until then.

2. The baby is getting 4 teeth all at once.

Just like that.