Family Portraits

I love old photographs.

One of the antique shops that we seasonally frequent has a box of old photo's for sale. Mostly there are quite a bit of wartime photo's and family shots like the one's above.

The knowledge that these were once cherished memento's makes looking through them a bit odd and slightly morbid.

At the same time, I'm glad that as the owners don't care for them anymore, someone else can;

Much better than dusting up someone's attic or the rubbish can.

And, as the cashier at the shop said,

"At least they're in good hands now".

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What sorts of things do you keep an eye out for while you're shopping?

A few of mine are sentimental photo's, spoon rings, vintage fabrics, and depression glass.

{Recent Creation}

Here is another custom order crown that I donated to an auction.

You remember me mentioning the Frye family and their adoption process?

Well, I was very excited to participate in a Facebook auction to raise funds for their family.

You can keep up with them at their adoption blog, Walking in Faith;

Mr. and Mrs. F are currently in country on their first visit with Alice. It has been a sweet blessing for me to read their daily posts and what the Lord is doing there!

This project reminded me what I LOVE doing custom orders.

Each time I learn something new and am able to expand my creative horizons. This was my first time to work with sequins as well as the first time to add ribbon to the end of the crown as opposed to elastic--I like the ribbon much better :)

Sophie willingly agreed to pose for these shots as well as her bunny. Isn't she adorable?

{Apple Cider and Van Gogh}

{Vincent van Gogh}

I found this peaceful print in my studies for the Humanities exam and I think that it's the most non-van Gogh looking painting that I've seen yet. Quite a far cry from Sunflowers and Almond Branches in Bloom, San Remy, this simple piece is giving the viewer a peak at her knitting labor.

How did you like my ultra mini-Sister Wendy commentary?

I must say that I will be very sad when this exam is over; I've really enjoyed all of the art, literature, and music studies!

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Well, we are planning to spend the latter part of next week at my Grandparent's home in the Texas hill country. This will be our first Christmas with them in this great state; usually we would go to see them in frigid New Mexico but since they moved here last year, this will be different.

I'm very happy to say that the scheduled knitting/sewing projects are done for the month and I'm furiously working on a few side projects for my Dad, a sweet friend, myself,

and a new pattern. Hopefully pictures will follow of...

a Harry Potter-like hat and scarf,

a super cute and warm Longford and/or Republic hat,

a lavender, lacy cardigan, and

a sweet, yellow beret

(a new pattern from Stitch Nation that I

found--for free!--at Hobby Lobby).

Yes, the knitting basket is full again and I have this hankering for hot apple cider--again!

The urge came to me in Baltimore and I'm afraid has followed me all

around our travels and back here at home.

Unlike chocolate chaud, you can keep drinking apple cider without the fear of a sugar rush.

At any rate, back to knitting.

Happy Merry Christmas

November Highlights {in pictures}

{one lucky duck}

If you're in New York and in need of a raw food fix or just a really good salad,

Pure Food and Wine is the place to go,

just be sure your wallet can manage the cost it is to make the food

(I which case, I would highly suggest the Spicy Thai Wraps).

It was a bit like culture shock to come home to a Houston December after being in a New York November (as in a 25-30 degree difference!), but home is very sweet :)

Here are a few shots of the times we've had over the past two weeks,

enjoy!

My sister Caro enjoying a Gray's papaya hot dog!

Not sure it would make it after being shipped halfway across the country but it was pretty tasty.

{National Gallery of Art}

Soon after this picture was taken, I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk, neatly folded and screaming, "take me!". So I scooped the dust out of my wallet, place it inside, and named it "Lucky". Green proof that I don't miss everything.

A great window display outside a bookshop (ideas, ideas, ideas!).

22, November

Quail egg from Whole Foods!

For a mere $.89 you could take that cutie home with you--we we're pretty tempted.

Fun times with my very dear friend, Maria

A Very Merry Birthday

{Design*Sponge}

Thirteen more days :)

Twenty is a big step for me; I've never been twenty before

and that means I won't be a teenager anymore

--actually, I hadn't thought of that one (really, I hadn't!) until my orthodontist mentioned it.

It seems so much more than nineteen, so I'm hoping it will be a better balance for the braces:)

Seriously, I don't usually get so excited about my birthday but this one is

pretty special for two reasons--okay, maybe three:

1. We'll be in New York(!!!), thus the East Coast in the Fall.

I'm really looking forward to the accents, colors, and yes,

the cold!

Papaya drink and hot dog, roasted chestnuts, and NY pizza,

here I come!

2. I might be able to convince my family to go see an opera

(I'm thinking a matinee of Cosi fan tutte, we shall see).

3. We'll be with dear, sweet friends.

This is probably the main reason that thrills me the most :)

{bonus} For just one year it will be that much easier to calculate how far apart

Nicole and I are in age! Yes, that reason was free of charge

This is Grace.

She is small and very sweet.

She's also sporting the latest custom birthday crown; made with love for the party of a special birthday girl. I've branched out from the style I used for Mia; for example, with the one above, I covered the elastic with fabric and I did a few things different in the way I embroidered the pieces together. It was pretty fun to put together and I hope the Little Birthday Girl enjoys it!

{Inspiration}

This is a lightweight coat a dear friend loaned to us--isn't it adorable!

Yes, those felt flowers are sewn onto the sides of the light blue corduroy

I'm so excited to wear in on the plane!

We still have a few things to wrap up at the house and all of the packing to do!

Tomorrow we are planning to spend some time in Austin and are hoping to find some hostess gifts, other gifts, and general shopping. I know we just saw them

but we're all aching to see Nicole and the Stickies!

Dom won't be 17 months forever and I don't think we can see our family too often.

Are there any other Fall birthday people out there?

It's my favorite season and a pretty good month in which to have a birthday :)

{on the needles}

This is reason #562 of "Why I Love Ravelry"

(Beside the entire issue of free patterns)

A few years ago I misplaced a fabulous Spud and Chloe pattern (oh yes, I was super sad), but I've re-learned the Honeycomb stitch, so perhaps I can re-create it on my own since I can't justify re-buying the expensive pattern for something that I could probably knit without it.

It is my current "take with me everywhere I go because you never know when you will have a chance to knit" project.

Like a few rows at the park on a crisp-Houston-November day,

before going to adventure in the woods that is :)

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So, what are on your needles--or sewing machine, crochet hook, or loom?

{Happy November}

{Design*Sponge}

"Do what you can,

with what you have,

where you are."

~Teddy Roosevelt

That has been an inspirational quote for me this past year, and just about sums up my outlook on knitting, sewing, and just about every area! Coupled with setting goals and priorities, it has been so helpful as my small business has slowly taken shape and grown.

I love my crafts and I'm thankful that I am living in this time and season that I can devote time and energies to improving these hobbies. I also want to be so guarded with my time and not be so caught up with them that I forgo my responsibilities and place with in my home! Hence the setting goals and priorities! It is much easier for me to set aside a project when I know that I am on schedule; also, it's helpful for the happy customers!

Do you have goals and schedules? They're so handy, especially for this upcoming season!

I'd love to know what helps you the best and if there are any tried and true methods you would suggest!

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p.s. The birthday countdown begins--22 more days,

I'm so excited :)

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

{Design*Sponge}

As usual around this time of year, when people ask how I am doing I say,

"Oh busy, busy, but a good kind of busy."

"Busy"--Studying, sewing, knitting, hosting, travelling...you get the idea, LIFE.

But it seems that particularly, right around my favorite time of year, things happen.

For instance:

::Knitting like a crazy woman, preparing for trunk shows and custom orders::

::Planning a family vacation up the East Coast!!! We've wanted to do it for ages and, Lord willing, will be spending Thanksgiving in New York with some dear friends (!!!!!!).

I'm so excited ::

::Hosting Austin family this weekend for Semper Reformanda conference (looking forward to hearing Paul Washer!)::

::When I can drag upself up in the wee small hours of the morning, I study (currently for the English Lit exam--which I love)::

Right, so, it doesn't seem like a huge load when I type it all out

but let me tell you, there are lots of "little" things that fill in the day!

I'm learning to be more devoted to a schedule instead of the

naturally flexible and spontaneous person that I am :)

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What fills your fall days?

p.s.

As I research all of the literary time periods, I enjoy listing to this song, oh, and this one too. Enjoy!