New book to read

I finished the last book I was reading, The Heretic's Daughter, earlier last week. Unfortunately, I was not that impressed. The storyline didn't pull me in and I did not feel an attachment to the characters. The parts I did enjoy were learning about life during the Salem witch trials. I liked hearing about the chores they did, the farming, and how they lived such simple lives that were fulfilling.

My next book is "Little Man What Now?", a book written before Hitler had control of Germany. I got this book in Novemeber when I went to visit my good friend Libbi in San Francisco. She took me to Green Apple Books, aka heaven in a bookstore. The book cover grabbed my attention (that's my nerdy design side coming through) and I bought it on an inpulse. Let's hope it doesn't let me down!

My BFF in Sunset magazine

I went to a Christmas party for my work in 2006 when I barely knew anyone. Luke and I sat next to the sweetest people ever and I have adored them ever since. In fact, we jokingly call each other "BFF" when they come into my work.

Today I got the new issue of Sunset magazine in the mail and to my surprise I see a full page ad complete with my BFF's picture! How funny. I am going to tease him and say that I didn't know my BFF was a celebrity! :)

Quilting class number four

First, I would like to give a shout out to my friend Smitty. Today she came into my work and brought this book to me as a gift!!!!! How sweet and thoughtful! The photos are good, the typography is great, and the projects look fun. What mote can a girl ask for? I have some upcoming design/marketing projects that I am going to be working on because of her and I am very excited.

Tonight I went to my fourth quilting class and it was my best yet! I talked to more people and joined in on more conversations. Sometimes that is hard for me to do in a group setting because I get nervous. It's funny, I feel like I am learning more about myself as a person since I have joined the class. Going in and knowing NO ONE has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone, in a good way.

And thank god for my class!! I had a terrible day at work and once I started sewing I felt so much better and more calm.

Now that the fabric is cut and the blocks are sewn, the next step is attaching everything together to make the quilt top. So far I have sewn the first few columns and have a few more to go. I like the technique of linking without cutting the string in between. It makes me much more organized.

Of course Stella couldn't resist jumping on my quilt when I wanted to take a picture.

List

Today I have done the following:
• went to breakfast with Luke.
• repotted orchids in the house and put my fuchsia in a pot.
• Luke hung up my Topsy Turvy and I planted tomatoes in it. This will be my first time planting tomatoes, cross your fingers for me.
• planted green onions and cat grass.
• cut out 31 rectangles for my quilt (see above right).
• cut and sewed 20 squares (see above left).
• read over 100 pages in my book.
• made the recipe for butternut squash gnocchi from my favorite food website, http://www.addictedtoveggies.com
• watched a disgusting amount of the NBA playoff games.

So far I have had a very busy Easter - and it's not over yet! I just wish I had family to spend it with :(

Meow meows

I live in a cat land and I like it!!!

Hi

My brother in law just turned eight, so I bought him these books. I chose Luke's favorite Roald Dahl book and my favorite book Roald Dahl book. I got Jakey "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" after he decided that the movie was "the best movie ever." He loved the book, so hopefully he will like these!

My friend is having a baby boy and her theme is going to be "sailor." Cute! Here is the fabric I am using for her surprise gift. I love making things for people!!!!!

And this is for me! My grandma would probably hit me for buying this from Wal Mart, but it is so cute and only $10 a yard for this canvas. I want to make an oversize bag for myself. I love having a bag large enough to fit a book or two!

Quilting class #3 with some Daymakers

My sister and my mom read this book about being a "daymaker." The whole point of the book is to stress doing nice things for people/strangers because even the smallest gesture can make someones' day. My sister believes in this so strongly that she has "daymaker" tattooed om her fingers!

On Monday night I went to my quilting class. I felt self conscious because everyone in the class is very skilled and my squares looked so bad! Things were cut wrong and not everything matched up. Embarrassing! I was reluctant to let anyone see my work because it wasn't all that great, but the Daymakers in my class made me feel so much better. One lady complimented me on my color choice. Another said I did a good job making sure the fabric was facing the right way. These ladies truly turned my night around!

Now it's my turn to be a daymaker :)

The Heretic's Daughter

Last night I finished reading Ask the Dust. The book is definitely in my top five favorite books. I love Fante's writing style, his sense of humor, and the fact that his descriptions didn't have to go on for pages in order to get his point across. The book wasn't long, only around 160 pages or so, but his words are so thoughtful. It was hard, but I read the book in small doses in order to soak it all in. I look forward to reading more from him!

My next book is the one pictured above. Initially I picked out the book because I loved the texture of the cover, but it had good reviews, so that is what sealed the deal.

Tonight I have my quilting class, hurray! There has been a two week spring break and I am ready to get to quilting!

Busy day

I was supposed to sew today. I got canvas to make a bag and some cute fabric to make my friends baby a gift. And I totally would have worked on my projects, but I was super busy taking pictures.

Sister

My sissy is so stylish.

It's funny, we were never close growing up, I was mad at her for years and we didnt speak, and now we are really close. I think about a lot of my "friends" and I think she is truly my best friend. We talk practically every day and text each other funny pictures. She is the only person I can really talk to with the exception of Luke.

Vintage Photo Friday

It's my boy! I love Artie Shaw!

Here is what I don't love today: being inside when the weather outside is amazing. Beach day tomorrow? We will see.

We're off to see the wizard...

Last night I decided I wanted something new to wear to work today and decided to make this Dorothy inspired skirt.

Next time I will wear red shoes!

Cooking

I can't wait to cook this week! I am especially excited about the kabocha squash, which I love. Supposedly, it is easy to make and you even eat the skin, so all I need to do is cut it and roast it. Easy!

Although I don't eat meat my husband does. I am cooking something in the crock pot for him that is so easy. It's a recipe from my coworker Devon (the one that gave me the pink tea kettle).

• one pound stew meat
• one cup burgundy wine
• a can of cream of mushroom soup
• a package of onion soup mix

Mix all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for three hours. It smells so good that it almost makes me want to forget that I don't eat meat!!!

Stella the mess maker

I lied in a previous post. I said that I had to make eight more squares for part of my quilt when in reality I had to make eleven! I laid out all the squares to try and show off to you guys, but Stella had other ideas.

I can't say that I am happy with how they turned out. Long story short, I had my sewing machine on the wrong setting and discovered it after I sewed and cut eveything. Bummer. Oh well, live and learn, right? I know I wont ever make the same mistake again. Now that I have finished my "homework" for the week I need a new project. New skirt for spring? I'll keep you posted.

Ask the Dust

Bukowski liked John Fante. I like Bukowski. Hopefully, that means that I will like John Fante too. I am starting the book today, so I'm going to find out!

The beginnings of a quilt

Today's project: work on my quilt. First, I sewed three strips of fabric together to make one long strip. I did this three times, two sections have more dark fabric and one section has more light faric.

Next I cut the strips into 2.5 inch pieces.

I took two dark sections and one light section and sewed them together to make this block. One down, eight more to go! I won't finish tonight, as I am going out to dinner with Luke, Brandon, Libbi, Krista, Matt, August and one of Libbis friends. Should be fun!

Vintage Photo Friday

This weeks photo doesn't come from Old Hollywood, it comes from my family! My grandma is the little girl, second from the right. She was born in 1919 and raised in southern California on a farm. The little baby is her brother, who I call Uncle Moss. They are still very close to this day and are the last surviving people from this photo.

Rain rain go away

Today it is raining. I keep daydreaming about being at home eating grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup with Luke while we watch old movies in front of our fake electric fireplace. In reality I have to work until 5:15, do some design work on my computer, bake a cake for my works potluck, go to the grocery store, and go to the gym. I'm no fun!!! Hopefully I can squeeze in an episode of Mad Men!

Fabric wishlist

I love these fabrics!!! Flowers for spring...? All I know is that I want them. But what should I make? A dress? Shirt? Skirt? I need to justify my spending! :)

Let's go Clippers!

My husband Luke is the biggest Clippers fan ever. Well, besides "the red and blue guy" that goes to every home game, wears half red and blue suit, and drives a half red half blue car. Seriously. Anyway, Luke and I went to the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the game. Our seats were definitely nose bleed seats, but the Staples Center isn't too huge, so I still felt like we had a good view!

This is one of those "try and take your own photo, but it never really works out" kind of picture. I just wanted to show off my Clippers headband that I made especially for the occasion.

I finally got the nerve to ask the guy next to us to take a photo.

Luckily the Clippers won!!

Lucky Nekos

I like Lucky Neko cats! Can you tell?

"Take your wings outside, you can't fly in here. "

I like this picture.

Luke and I are driving to Hollywood right now to stay with my sister. We have a weekend of adventures planned, but right now I need to get back to my Alkaline Trio sing along with Luke.