Computer trouble

I bought my first computer in 2007, when I was a student. I had just met Y, and him being a computer junkie, helped me pick the right one out. He came over, attached this wire here, and that wire there and voila.
A year later we moved in together and my computer became our computer. I still had all my mega heavy junk files on it, and Y would do backup sessions, add more memory, reboot and all the other things computer guys know how to do to get your computer working.
Over the years, the only thing that remains from "my computer" is the box. I think every single component has been upgraded, removed, replaced or just thrown out. But I still think of it as mine.
Last week one of the memory drives went kaput. Y tried to save what he could, and rebooted everything. I started to save all my work, and anything I actually cared about on an external drive. We got that up and running, and so for now we have a Microsoft default screensaver and about 3 programs.
None of my graphic programs would work, the whole computer would shut down. All we have is paint. I don't even know how to use that. Even my phone has more functions that my computer right now. But I hate to think that this old box will have to go, we've been through so much!
I really wanted to blog about my Sew Lux BOM, or my I Heart you quilt, I took pictures, but they really need some working on, I can't even crop.
I'll just have to write about them, and take more pictures later.

I am really, really enjoying this BOM. I like to wait until I have 2 blocks and then make them together. They're quick and easy to put together, and so much fun. It's a lot less stressful, I don't have to worry that I'm taking too long, or getting bored, I'm just sewing them as they come.
I will definitely be joining in the next BOM, which is supposed to be up for viewing next month.

old BOM pictures

My I Heart You quilt is so close to being finished! I completed the top panel and cut the border. I have the binding all cut and pressed, I just need to buy some plain white backing and filling. I think I'll go simple with straight lines. I still need to my master free form quilting!
I can't wait to share it, I am so proud of myself, I truly love that pattern.

What a boring post without any pictures, but I do have one to share!
2 weeks ago we got a new kitten, Y picked him out and gave him his name- Albert. I think he looks like one, he's got a little beard and I think he's quite smart.
He's a fun little guy, way to energetic! I love the little guy and he's growing like crazy, I just think of him 3 weeks ago when we picked him out how absolutly tiny he was!
I know right now we sometimes have a hard time keeping up with him, but that soon he'll just be a lazy cat and we'll miss those days he always wanted to play.
Now, if I thought taking pictures of food and fabric was difficult- taking a picture of a kitten is way harder!
Meet Albert ♥

14 projects for 2014- Part 1- knitting

This next year I'm going to try and focus on actually completing projects in my queue. I've got way too much yarn for my own good, all bought for specific projects, that have obviously not been knit.

So here's my countdown:

Image taken from the Brooklyn Tweed Website

1. Y really wants a new sweater, and he's more into knit items this past year than before.
I let him look through Brooklyn Tweeds mens collection, and he really liked Hugo by Veronik Avery.
It's a favorite of mine as well. I can't wait for Y to wear it.

 

Image taken from the Brooklyn Tweed Website

2. My hands are usually cold, like, freezing cold. This is new this year, I don't ever remember my hands being this cold. It's the worst in the morning when I'm driving to work, last year Y drove us both to work, so I had my hands wrapped around my coffee. I have gloves, but isn't a handmade pair much better?
I've had my eye on Shipyard Mittens by Carrie Bostick Hoge since it came out. I just need to find the 2 perfect colors to go together. Maybe a nice gold with cream.
Carrie has such beautiful patterns, I've made both her immie blanket and Imogen Cowl (which I'm wearing right now!) and I've got so many more in my favorites.

 

Sheepish, by Alana Dakos, Imageby Alana Dakos

3. This just might be the first project I favorited when joining Ravelry.
I don't think I need to say anything else about it but CUTENESS!!!

 

Image taken from the Ravelry Project page

4. Wee Austin Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio. And of course anything else by Connie. I loved the adult version of this hoodie, but the little one is way too cute. It's got a little pointed hood, and it's made with fingering- awesome for our warmer weather.

Image by DavidWhitfield, Taken from the Ravelry project page

5. My sister "gently" hinted that she's like a new knitted garment for her little girl.
Her kids are picky about their clothes, and I would like them to have something they can use over and over again, and not just this winter. We use our blankets all the time, and Y has asked me to make more, they are so warm and cozy, and so homey.
I think a blanket would be best. Plus, I love knitting blankets. And you cannot ever go wrong with Anne Hanson!
Hazard, by Anne Hanson, can also be knitted as a wrap, in either fingering or DK weight. I think I'm going to go with the small throw,  but the baby blanket just might work as well.

So these are the projects I will most definitely have knit in 2014 (hopefully!) I hope I can squeeze in some more knitting projects, I'd love to get a pair of socks done for Y, another throw for our living room, a stole for my mom, and the list goes on...
(I really want to knit this, but don't want to commit just yet!)

What are you planning on knitting in 2014?!

Goodbye Twenties

I have a birthday coming up this week. The "big" 30. I am so ready to say goodbye to me twenties, which although have been full of wonderful things (meeting my wonderful husband, marriage, career, our first home/mortgage), I feel like I'm more than ready to move on and say hello to my thirties.
It's got to be better.
These past few years have been, well, horrible. Unemployment, disappointment, and then, loss.
This past year has been nothing but pain, tears, sadness and loss. I'm not going to get into it, I feel it's still to personal, but 2013, 29, good riddance. I had such high hopes for you, but you really dissapointed.
I'm ready to move on.

Have you heard of Jonathan Carrol? Did I mention him before?
I can't even remember how I heard of him, but I follow him on Facebook, and I always look forward to his posts. (Please follow him here! You won't be sorry!) Most of them are amazing quotes by others, and amazing photographs. Every now and then he adds a quote of his own. I've yet to read his books, but they are on my list.
This was one is from his feed today:

"“There are times in your life when, despite the steel weight of your memories and the sadness that seems to lie at your feet like a shadow, you suddenly and strangely feel perfectly okay.” 

 -Kevin Brockmeier

I'm trying. Sometimes it's just really hard ♥

I've made a huge mistake

No really, I've made a huge tiny mistake. Any other Arrested Development fans out there?
Once I found out I made a mistake (and a stupid one at that) Mini Gob immediately sat down on the speaker next to the table, crossed his legs and laughed uncomfortably.
I buried my face in my hands. How did this happen?!
I say tiny because it's somewhat fixable.
A while ago (I can't remember when, if I could it might solve a few questions) I ordered white fabric. It wasn't Moda. It was Riley Blake, and I have no idea why I ordered it. And I don't remember how much.
I always buy Bella solids bleached white (which really isn't all that white. It's more yellow. Thanks Riley Blake).
I started my Snow Blossoms quilt with the Riley Blake white. I started my I Heart You quilt with the Bella bleached white.
I finished half the snow blossoms about a month ago, before we moved, and just the other day took out the rest of the fabric to cut. Yesterday I cut the white fabric, today sat down to piece everything together and to my horror realized I had cut the bleached white instead of the (snow I'm guessing) white.
I spent all morning going over my orders in the past year looking for some kind of white. It took me a while to remember it was Riley Blake and not another company. But I remember it being a part of some collection... Which is why I'm remembering snow. Maybe Santa's Workshop white? Why are there so many whites?! None of the orders had anything in them, and most of the shops I buy from, while they do have an account page, they don't have recent orders.
Why do I care so much- because I probably don't have enough white to finish the Snow Blossoms. What a quilter rookie I am. I'm so embarrassed.

I'll be buying some of Santa's workshop and hope it matches. If not... Well, half a quilt can still work :)

Now, let's have another bit of Gob to make me feel better!

Back to the beginning- building a stash

I have a few favorite quilting blogs, one of them being Blue Elephant Stitches. I found her a few years ago on etsy, and was delighted to find her blog.
Her quilts are simply, the fabric choices are amazing. There are some really simple quilts, and the fabric- they definitely make the quilt! I have been inspired by her quilts, there are more than a few I have on my checklist.
I just have to find the perfect fabrics for them- like hers.
A pattern is always pretty simple, and you see hundreds of people who have sewn it- they all look different. A pattern is a pattern, but you bring it to life with the colors, and fabrics you choose.
I guess that's why I like flickr groups, to see one quilt, the same pattern, different in every picture.
It's no secret I have a hard time matching colors and prints. Always trying to be perfect, but perfect only comes together once the quilt is sewn together, binding and all. I'm still on fat quarters, charm squares, perfectly matched collections. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's wonderful to have that choice, but I so do want to try a mishmash of different collections.
Jolene Klassen, of Blue Elephant Stitches, put together a "quilt course". I am following of course! I want to know her little secrets and tips, I definitely want to know where she got some of her fabulous fabrics from, some of them look seriously soft! And I'm really interested in what she has to say about batting and quilting.

Starting off is fabric selection, or "Building a Stash", of course it starts there. It is really helpful, and I know I'll go back to it and read the posts again and again. I need to get it through my head to experiment a little! Try!
Damn perfectionism!
Jolene must know her fabric choices are drooled over, so she offers pre-cut "charm pack"s of different fabrics in her etsy store, like below.
I think I'm still playing it safe by buying a "charm pack" like this from her, but it is a start!

Blue Elephant Stitches etsy shop

BOM #1

A while ago SewLux started to advertise their BOM quilt kits. Hell yes, sign me up!
I've never done a quilt-a-long, or quilt kits, or anything of the sort, so I was more than excited. (think kid in candy store). And I had to go with the Happy-Go-Lucky kit from the lovely Camille Roskelley.
As an international, I needed to go with the 2 kits shipped one every other month. Shipping costs are already a fortune, so whatever helps cut the cost. (There are still some kits available!)
I picked up the package yesterday, yippee!

Of course I peeked...

 The pattern was quite easy and I finished in a short while. I thought of maybe waiting for the July block as well, but who has the patience?! I'll play along with everyone else, one block a month.

Finished block

When signing up I definitely considered going pattern only, and trying to play around with my stash. I don't think I'm at that point though. I love how everything is already put together for me, if it was up to me- I would spend the next few months just pairing the perfect pattern and color together. Plus, this is a great chance to try a beautiful new collection!

 Closer up

 I also decided to go with the backing and binding kits. Same reason as before- I have a matching problem. Easier to go with pre picked. Besides, it is a kit!
Got the thumbs up from DH on the dark blue backing, this is going to be very different than the rest of my quilts!
Now, I have a year to master free motion quilting... Doable, right?

Binding and backing kits

This past week I finally placed an order with Amazon for Camille Rosekelleys new book- Simply Retro. The shipping date is estimated July 31st (yikes) but if I know amazon, it just might be here by next weekend.

I have my eye on her new line Scrumptious, and can't wait for it to be available.

So much fabric, so little time!

See you next month!

What I learnt from quilting this week: 

If you ever poke yourself with the needle/pin, wait until you stop bleeding...

Getting back on the horse

Via bluebicicletta, Etsy 

I've had a tough couple of months. It seems like just a few weeks ago it was pouring rain, February, and we were bundled up in sweaters and thick socks. 

Right now, I'm torn between that feeling, and the feeling that February was a zillion light years ago. 

I know I have a lot to be thankful for, My health, my dear husband, our families and their health. What really more do you need? It's hard to believe that though.

This past week I've started to feel more up to it. Like I've gotten one foot in the saddle. Was is because of the acupuncture I've started, or has time started to do it's thing? Not sure, but at least it's helping.

I haven't really touched my sewing machine in a month. My latest project is draped on the chair, waiting.

Knitting, eh. I can't really find the perfect project to knit right now. I actually blocked 2 projects this week. I still have to graft one, maybe today I'll get some pictures.

Trying to stay positive, here's a list of things that happened this week that made me happy! In the order they happened...

1. I have about 4 Hoya plants scattered around the house. I fell for them hard years back. Sadley, they didn't really bloom. I know it can take a while, but 5 years?! The biggest Hoya, in our living room bloomed, but only once a year, in one place the past 2 years.

This past month the biggest started to bloom. When the flowers fell, we saw another bud! An another! Right now the third bud is in full bloom, and while peeking outside, I saw our Hoya outside is just about to bloom! This is the first, and I'm wondering what the flower will look like. 

April showers do bring May flowers ♥

2. The Great Gatsby- We went out to watch it last Friday, it was awesome! It was the regular version, 3D give me headaches. What a FUN movie! I loved the dresses- they are right up my alley! Loved the music, dancing, everything. Go see it!

3. We signed a mortgage on our new apartment. And now the wait begins! We get the keys on August 15th and I'm so excited about it. I should probably start packing stuff, I know time is going to fly.

4. My new shoes. Need I say more?

Via Liebling Shoes

5. Sew Lux BOM. Signed up. Am super excited about it. I never was in a quilt-a-long, or a block of the month, or bought a quilt as a kit. So I'm excited to get my first shipment and begin. Anyone want to join me?

6. I got a Zuko Pop maker! (We got the duo one) I've wanted one for so long but kept holding it off. This week I saw an ad for it and went for it! The weather here is already unbearable, and I think we'd enjoy some healthier snacks. Cannot wait to make some creamsicles! Now I need to make room in the freezer!

7. Dear Creatures. I just got a box of 3 Dear Creatures dresses from Emerging Thoughts. 

I LOVE to buy from them, amazing customer service, and great selection. I like to support indie, and prefer to buy from them! 

The Dear Creature dresses fit perfectly, and I cannot wait to wear them with my new shoes ;)

And, speaking of Dear Creatures/Emerging Thoughts, There's a new Arrow dress, (isn't it adorable?!)which is on my list. I might get it as a cheer me up dress, or just because I think I deserve it.

8. I found the perfect pizza crust recipe. Next time I'll half it and roll it out much thinner. I also used 1 cup whole wheat 2 cups white, if anyone is interested. Pizza nights just got better.

It's the small things that can make a change.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and may we only see the cup half full ♥