Would you believe...

that I have been spending most of my time trying to upload Biz Markie's Just A Friend to my phone for a ring tone? You wouldn't? Good. I have been knitting up a storm, spying on my friends and family on Facebook, gardening, plotting against my evil neighbor, cooking, partying, brushing my pets' teeth, going to A-town and biking. Here is a photo of the sweater I made from Twinkle's Big City Knits, I spilled wine on it mere hours after its completion, but if I can't get it out, at least it only took 6 hours to knit. Seriously. 6 hours.

Also, I am done with the Gilmore Girls. They are just so...girly. I can't handle it. Instead, I checked out Quantum Leap from the library. It is still completely awesome (unlike, say Knight Rider).

If I had a girl group I would call it the Kindrettes.

I have finished my giant Amy Butler pillows at last! I really hate doing the piddly finishing stuff at the end, but I took a page out of the Rx's book and powered through. I watched The Squid and the Whale whilst sewing, and was disturbed/impressed. The other thing was, Walt (the older son) looked like a combination of older Pete from Pete&Pete and the young Rx, and its always strange to see your husband's doppelganger doing horrible things. Well, I can't put it off any longer-on to quilting. Joy.

FO's and Finds

Quilting...not as easy as it looks. After rolling and tugging and marking all day on Thursday, I decided to let the quilt sit for a few days and turn my attention to other things. I purchased Knitting Without Tears and No Sheep for You and thoroughly enjoyed both. Elizabeth Zimmerman is like a crazy, wise, knitting fairy godmother, and Amy Singer totally made me want to knit with non-wool yarn. I picked up some cheapo Peaches n' Cream cotton, opened my Vogue Stitchionary and proceeded to make a daisy chain dishcloth. Remembering EZ's advice about knitting LOOSELY, I overcame my fear of cotton yarn and lace in one fell swoop. (I have a feeling that my kitchen sink is going to be extra fancy from now on.) As a matter of fact, I even ordered the pattern for Rusted Root and am going to knit it in either the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece or maybe the Knitpicks Cotlin. I also have about a million tiny scraps of fabric left over from my quilt that are too beautiful to let go to waste. I now understand why you can't just make one quilt. Fabric is a terrible obsession that can threaten to overtake your entire house. Heads-up everyone-get ready for a handcrafted x-mas. I have made a small inroad into my stash, however, with this headband.
I also acquired another piece of furniture. Erin and I found this beaut at a very sad flea-market on the North Side. I have a feeling that unless I suddenly become a genius at upholstery, this $2 dollar find will probably set me back another hunnert or two at the upholsterers. Such is life.

Credenzarama

Our long search for a sideboard is finally over. We purchased this from Atomic on Park Street, which is the best place to buy mid-century modern furniture in Madison. The proprietors are also super nice and very knowledgeable.

The rest of my fabric arrived from fabric.com yesterday, and I have now cut and pieced all of my Amy Butler quilted throw from her book In Stitches. Most of the fabric is Amy Butler, but there are also some from Moda and Alexander Henry. I am going to attempt to finish it today, and will post when it is done!

jolie laide

My ripple afghan is coming along nicely, now that it has been frogged and re-crocheted 3 times. I think that the colors are working together in a very nice, jolie laide, je ne sais quoi, grandma-ish sort of way.

Domestic Goddess

Yesterday, when I got home from work, I installed flagstones in our terrace. It was harder than it looked. A lot harder.

Also, our neighborhood is really alive between 5:30 and 7. Usually we aren't at home at that time, but my work schedule has changed, and I have been getting home earlier. I think I saw everyone except the WWttW!

After all the backbreaking labor was accomplished, Ryan showed up. We went downtown for sushi (Wasabi for me) and dumplings (Pel Meni for him). It was delicious! Afterwards, at home, I made baby cakes from Nigella's Domestic Goddess cookbook, and we watched all the deleted scenes from season two of The Office. (In case you were wondering, the baby cakes are also good for breakfast the next day!)

The wall of rock has returned! This is its 3rd incarnation, and dare I say, its best?

Etsy Shop

Bellwether Industries is back after a looooooong hiatus. Check out my etsy shop at bellwether.etsy.com. In case you haven't been on etsy before, beware, it is totally addictive!

the darling buds of May

Ryan planted over 100 bulbs for me on a freezing day last fall. The fruits of his labors have arrived!

However, after reading this article, perhaps 100 bulbs wasn't nearly enough...

Rippling

The yarn for my ripple afghan has arrived! As you can see, everyone is super excited.