the marvelous something

Just wanted to post a couple pics of my first "fantastic piece of mail" (see goal #7), and the marvelous something I made to put in it. You saw that I was sewing the "something" a couple posts ago. Here it is partially constructed...


It's an elephant! I also drew an autumn silhouette on the CD to make it more fun to receive. Whats more fun than an autumn silhouette, after all?


So our little friend the elephant was shipped out last Saturday to my mama, as a Happy Fall! gift. She sent me some really good care packages during college, so I figured I owe her quite a few. She was really happy, too, so it was pretty cute. She left me a voice mail, texted me, and called me on my lunch break.

If you are interested in being a future recipient of a marvelous something or a fantastic piece of mail (though I can't promise anything on the LEVEL of fantasticness) you should drop me an email with your address. You could receive a little package in the mail sometime...

Goal Update (Busy Weekend!)

So. Long time, no blog.

We had a pretty eventful weekend. It started with me taking Friday off. I needed a day to recharge, and luckily, I still have some paid vacation days left. It was, I think, a very good idea. I'm feeling much better, physically and emotionally.

I got up at 8:30 (sleeping in for me since I'm usually at work before 8), got a bunch of house stuff done (some cleaning, some finances, etc.), and then I got to sew! I'm working on a cute little something to send off in an attempt to fulfill goal #7. Send some fantastic mail.


The cute little something (its finished but I don't want to ruin the surprise) will be mailed off to its new home accompanied by a mix tape (CD). Because I do believe nothing says "I love you!" quite like a mix tape. Or CD. Or whatever. I am feeling pretty excited about goal #7, so some (or maybe all) of you will get a turn to receive a marvelous something (and a mix tape, if you're lucky). I am a firm believer in the power of mail to make a day infinitely better.

Saturday we got up early, listened to the first session of General Conference while my pop-overs baked, and then munched them down with some bacon. Delicious. Then we changed out of our PJs and started in on goal #11. Recover the couches!


Though its probably hard to figure out why we're not SO fond of this early nineties fabric, we tore it ALL off on Saturday and started recovering it with a cream chenille.

Excitement:

When we pulled off the old fabric, there were a LOT of staples that came off with it. We were trying to wrangle them all, but alas, we stupidly barefoot newbies didn't get them all under control. And of course I stepped right on one, squarely in the middle of my heel, and screamed. Loudly. It looked like I had a vampire bite in my heel and it hurt "like the Dickens" as Steve puts it.

No photos of that. Too graphic.

Subversive Sewing

Steve bought me this book for my birthday called "Sewing Subversively." It is really cool, because it is mostly about a process called "Refashioning," meaning you make new things out of old things. Its perfect for me for two reasons:

1. We are on a budget
2. It means less difficult sewing

Basically the idea is to take something you already have (or something you buy secondhand) and make it into something you will wear. I have a lot of clothes with cute patterns or almost-perfect fits, and this has cool ideas about how to make them cute and fun to wear.

Yesterday I finally got up my courage to sew something real on the machine. I took a sweater that didn't fit quite perfectly, cut the sleeves off just so, and made it into a cute sweater vest. I know that sounds geeky, but I think it came out kind of cute. I figure I can wear it to work over a blouse. I'm also planning to cinch it in the back with a ribbon. I'll post pictures when it's finished.

The coolest thing about getting my sewing machine is that I just realized that I don't really dress the way I actually want to dress, but obviously we don't have the money for me to go out and redo my wardrobe. This gives me the chance to use what I have to make what I want.

DOORBUSTERS!

Steve and I were "DOORBUSTERS" this morning. Meaning we got up to go to the 8am-1pm sale at Penney's, because Steve needed a new suit, and Jenna's Steve had gotten a fantastic one from there. I was a little skeptical about Penneys, having had a less than fantastic experience with it as a child/young teen, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Steve of course, found a fantastic suit (which looks very nice on him). It is a tan wool/cashmere blend, retailed at over $400, he got it for $198 because of the sale. Sweet!

I got not one, but TWO dresses (both at 50% off--woo!), both of which I really like. Now I will only have trouble deciding which one to wear to Kevin & Rachel's wedding on Friday.

We also went to the fabric store, to stock up on stuff for my new (new-to-me) sewing machine. I bought thread it different colors (including hot pink and aqua!), a seam ripper, and a measuring tape.


I made this little guy (below) as a warm up. It's been a long time since I've used a machine, so he was fun. He appears to be a seal, though he was originally intended to be a porcupine. Obviously he had other plans. Even though he isn't the best looking thing, I love him, and I'm proud because he's the first thing I made myself on the machine. Steve named him Frederick.


This is my "sewing area" a.k.a. our kitchen table:



AND... to top off an already fantastic (I've used that word like 3 times, sorry) day, my copy of HARRY POTTER came in the mail today!


I am such a geek that I sat right down and immediately started reading it. Steve was very nice about it. Though as I sat down to post, he started in on it as well...


We might have to battle it out...

Weekend

It's been a nice, busy weekend. James went to the temple for the first time yesterday, so Allana and Jenna drove down from UCLA and Davis respectively. It was beautiful to see so many friends all in such a gorgeous place. We went to Islands for lunch afterwards, and everyone talked a mile a minute.

Steve kind of gave notice at The Melting Pot, too, and that feels good for both of us. He has been so unhappy working there, that I don't mind having a little extra income for a bit while he finds something he actually likes. We're of the mind that you should like what you do, or don't do it. Anyway, with MCATs coming up, he has enough on his plate. Just a month left and he will be done with them!

We' re up visiting my family right now. We went to a movie & dinner last night to celebrate my mom's and my birthdays, and today my parents gave me my birthday gift--a sewing machine. I am bubbling over with enthusiasm. I want to sew everything in the world. :-)

Dad and Steve are in the other room watching a movie. Cute to see them getting comfortable with each other. I think Steve and I are really beginning to feel a part of one another's families, and that is wonderful. I love having a bigger family!