And the "Best Boyfriend Award" goes to.....

Brian!!!!

Yes folks, he's done it again! Always a fantastic gift giver, Brian outdoes himself again with the most perfect of prezzies. A much desired sewing table!!!! No more cutting fabric on the floor, sore backs and knees, or kitties playing with pattern pieces! Paired with the cutting mat that I will be getting with the Joann's gifts cards that his parents got me it's the absolute ultimate Christmas gift. A million thank yous go out to my dearest love and his wonderful parents!!

Meet the babies...

Isabella

















Jackson

Sorry for the crappy pics. I had to use ones off of my phone. As soon as I get new batteries for my camera I can post better ones. These will have to do for now though. :)

25 Days of Christmas

Here's the latest Scrapfreak blog challenge:


1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? - hot chocolate with marshmallows
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? - everything is always wrapped
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? - both
4. Do you hang mistletoe? - not normally, but now that Brian and I have our own place I should.... ;)
5. When do you put your decorations up? - Decorations are brought out the weekend after Thanksgiving. We have a lot to put up and it takes a while to get everything situated.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? - turkey
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? - having my cousins up from Nashville and all 7 of us kids opening gifts together. It was always CRAZY.
8. Do you collect anything for your Christmas decor? - I don't but my grandma does and that pretty much fills the house.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? - yes, but you can only open one
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? - I usually put it up and do the lights and Nathan puts on the ornaments
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? - Don't mind snow, just hate the wind and slush that has to come with it.
12. Can you ice skate? - yes but I prefer roller skating
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? - anything my dad has ever made me, those are always the best
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? - being able to show my family how much they mean to me
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? - Death by Chocolate
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? - putting all the decor AWAY
17. What tops your tree? - an angel that was my great grandmother's
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? - giving. I hate getting gifts.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? - silly: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, serious: Little Drummer Boy
20. Do you send Christmas cards? If so, handmade, store bought, or photo cards? - nope
21. Favorite Christmas movie? - A Christmas Story... a total classic and as an extra bonus - set in Cleveland!
22. What do you leave for Santa? - cookies
23. Have you ever shopped on Christmas Eve? - guilty as charged
24. Red or green? - red
25. Do you get ready before opening presents on Christmas morning or do you go straight to the tree PJs, bedhead, and all? -PJs and bedhead all the way

Motif Scarf

I felt like crocheting the other night and wanted a quick project for a skein of yarn that I've had laying around forever so I grabbed the Motif Scarf pattern from Lion Brand.com and went to town. It came out really well so I think I'm going to give it away for Christmas. It's really easy and quick and I loved working on the pattern so I'm probably going to end up making a few more. They're so pretty too and the style is perfect for a couple lovely ladies that I know. I really puts me in the mood to crochet though and I'm dying to run to the store and buy up some nicer yarns and bust out a couple more projects. Right now all I seem to have is a bunch of mediocre acrylic - not ideal for the gifts I want to make. Hmmm... Anyone know where I can get a money tree...?

little kitties!

Yesterday Brian and I became the proud owners of two adorable little kittens. We have a brother and sister, 8 weeks old. They are as rambunctious as all kittens are, and perfectly sweet when they are asleep. At first I was just going to pick up a little girl, but while I was there I couldn't help noticing how cute the boy was and well, I had to have them both. I sent Brian a text asking if we could have two. "Really? Send a pic" was the reply. I did and when i didn't hear back from him with a yes or no I made the executive decision of a yes! When he called a little while after I got home and asked me if I brought home two and he just laughed when he heard the answer. He loves them though and didn't mind a bit. Jasmine, on the other hand is NOT pleased. She'll get over it though. :) We have yet to name them since we wanted to wait a while to see each of their personalities so as soon as we do I'll post them.

the knitty gritty...

So yes, I've finally begun to delve into the wide, wide world of knitting. I've dipped my toes in and the water feels fine!















Being a crocheter, I wasn't sure how I'd handle the two needle thing. I'd heard of so many people who can do one fiber craft and not the other that I was honestly a bit nervous. Could I do it, will I fumble around like a buffoon? Only one way to find out. I loved Debbie Stoller's Happy Hooker book so much that I figured her Stitch-n-Bitch book would be a good way to go. I found it on half.com, grabbed some needles from Joann's, some yarn from my stash and $10.00 later I tried my hand at becoming a knitter. I cast on with no problems, and started in on my first swatch. A little lopsided, some small mistakes, but nothing I didn't learn from for the next swatch around. Garter stitch - no prob! On to purling. Click, click,....click, click.... a swatch completely purled. Not so bad!. :) Now onto stockinette. Deep breath. Cast on....knit...purl....knit.... purl.....got it! A lovely stockinette swatch with hardly any outrightly noticeable mistakes! I can totally do this! I then made ribbing and seed stitch swatches. Whee! I really think I'm going to like this! Now I just have to learn to increase and decrease and I'll be well on my way! :-D

Scrapfreak Blog Challenge...

this week's blog challenge is to answer the following questions:

What are your...

5 favorite paper manufacturers? basic grey, Tim Holtz, Junkitz, 7 Gypsies, KI

4 favorite things to scrap? travel photos, Brian, my friends, travel photos :)

3 favorite techniques? distressing, embossing, stamping

2 favorite trends of the moment? huh. I'm not sure! lol

1 favorite reason to scrapbook? there's no right or wrong way - just YOUR way!

Cabin Fever

Yes. It's setting in. All I do is work and on my days off sit and crochet or practice some knitting, or do some other crafty business and think about a trip. I don't really go anywhere these days, I can't even afford to just drive around let alone leave the state. It's really frustrating. I'm getting a bit cabin-feverish, and there's no cure in sight. I've seen some good shows on tv and watched some good movies, but nothing quite compares to walking ruins, gazing at scenic vistas or meeting someone new from a faraway country. The restlessness is getting overwhelming and I need to get out.