Fabrics

I recently got a bunch of "new" vintage fabric.

 Today I'm sorting, washing and ironing it. I think my favorite one is mos def the tabby print.

Down by the river.

Nathan and I went walking by the river the other day. We're trying to enjoy this nice weather before the heat knob is turned up aaand we don't have a house which really forces you to get out there! ha. And there are the weirdest trees here, cottonwoods, that litter tiny white fluffs everywhere. I keep calling it summer snow, because it flurries in the sky then coats the ground. We didn't have them in Birmingham, you know so they're weird.

Home.

 I went to Birmingham, a few weeks ago, but I haven't posted pics yet.

I had gotten so homesick and with all the stress of our house search, I couldn't get there fast enough. As always much fun was had...

Me and the bro.

We got matching tats. Somehow mine ended up being bigger...maybe cause someone changed theirs at the last minute? I dunno...

I also finally got my peace sign tattoo.

Me and the mom.

There was a little of this:

And a little of that:

Izzy! She climbed into my lap numerous times. She's so sweet.

My uncle and dad grilling out.

We went to see my dad at the shop. I was excited to finally see some of the things he's been working on. He built this cabinet!

FYI this machine will make you yawn when in use. You may need to click the picture to see why. My mom and I thought this was hilarious and my dad thought we were weird. Nothing has changed. haha

On Sunday afternoon, a tornado came through. The sirens kept going off and that's the cue to go out onto the front porch, right? I have become mildly obsessed with weather, something I got from my dad...apparently. There is nothing quite like a thunderstorm at my parents house.

The older I get the harder it is to be away from my family.

(I made Zac some tea in his favorite mug.)

For real.

We moved out last weekend and it was the worst move I've experienced and I've moved halfway across the country. It seemed like there was a never ending amount of things to get out of the house and we had been organizing and packing for 30 days! Seriously, it has taken me a week to recover! We are staying  at Nathan's parents while we house hunt. They have been more than gracious to allow us and the three kitties to pretty much take over the upstairs. We're trying to look at it like a mini-vacay. We've been eating out almost every meal, which we never do. Kinda fun. The cats are adjusting well, even though the car ride over was rough. (Sherman just about had a panic attack! So unlike him.)

On Sunday, I created myself a little sewing nook in Nathan's old bedroom. This is the room where he wrote and recorded his first albums (aw) so I'm thinking there are some creative vibes up here. I've already made a bunch of rings and bobby pins for Collected Thread in OKC and tonight I'm finishing up some new key fobs. That is the most I've gotten to work on TKO stuff in months! 

Later this week I'm heading to Birmingham to see my family!! SO EXCITED. 

OCD can come in handy...

My, oh so organized, husband came up with a creative way to give us more floor space! 

We're packing it up and moving out this weekend...more details to come.

Wait, what?

On Saturday, we got 7" of snow, cause you know...that's normal. 

Spring fighting with winter. 

Sherman had to check it out.

I normally get pumped about snow, but I have been enjoying the warmer weather and wasn't really into a random snow storm...at first. Then we went outside and I was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to build a snowman and a snow fort. It would have been the perfect snow for that! I kept telling Nathan that it reminded me of the Blizzard of 1993. He always looks at me funny when I talk about the Blizzard of '93. I'm originally from Birmingham and well, it doesn't snow there very often. Imagine what happened when we got 13" of snow one March! We were out of school for an entire week with no electricity. We played in the snow all day long and my dad put chains on his 4 wheel drive Jeep and drove around town helping people get groceries. I remember the snow was up to the bumper. My whole family slept in the living room by the fireplace the whole week. It was seriously awesome. My dad even had one of the t-shirts that said, "I survived the Blizzard of '93" 

Cause I have so much time...

So, today of all days I started working on a laptop sleeve. I've been wanting to make one for over a year now. In the midst of having half my craft room in boxes, I get the urge to sew. I plan to sell these. Hopefully, I'll have time to make some before my next show.

This is merely a prototype, so please do not judge its imperfections. It is lined with wadded up plastic bags. Though it is a good way to recycle them, it makes for a crinkly sleeve. I haven't added a closure yet. I'm debating between velcro or a cute button. Thoughts? 

Only 25 days until we have to move out, but my computer is warm now. Priorities people.

Packing it up...

For the past couple of months, we've been planning to purchase the home where we currently live. We adore this house, but it's an older home that needs some repairs. Unfortunately, the people who own it have been less than easy to negotiate with...I will move on for lack of having something nice to say about the matter. 

We hadn't known for the past month whether we'd be going or staying. Since we've decided not to purchase the house we have until April 20 (happens to be my birthday) to move into a new place. We are still planning to purchase a house, just not sure which house yet! I have been so stressed out with the whole matter, but I can at least focus on packing now. We're going to see a potential place tomorrow. I know that everything will work out. I'm just glad to be done negotiating with people who don't know what they're talking about!! Oh my gosh...

Did you know that if you go to Walmart Neighborhood Market after they've started restocking (10 p.m.) you can just grab the shopping carts full of empty boxes? Well, you can and the cereal aisle has the best ones. Sherman was sooo excited when I started putting the boxes together. So many fort options! 

So there's an update on why I haven't been around much lately...

Practicing Selflessness

He gave her about 10 minutes in there before jumping on top of it, 

causing it to collapse and forcing her out.

Cat Nap

It is very rare that this happens. When it does Sherman is always in 

the middle, cause he gets along with everyone.

We should like have a party...

This is my 300th post! Geez. I started blogging right after getting married and moving all the way to Tulsa from the lovely south. It began as a way to keep in touch with my family and make some use of my English degree. So, I thought it would be funny to look back through some old posts...or maybe just fun to me and like my mom. You can stop reading now if you want. 

Our old security guard: here

A newlywed moment: here

I didn't think I could love an animal as much as Isabell and then I met this fellow: awww

And of course, the squirrel post.

Sleepy Cat

In case you don't understand why I love Sherman so much...

...he is not ashamed to cuddle.

Hint of Spring

Dear Weather, 

Thank you for today. The warmer temp. was much needed. Though I know we have more chilly days ahead, it reminded me of what is to come, the euphoric feeling that only Spring can bring. I feel much better now. 

Amby

P.S. Sherman enjoyed it, too. 

Craft Night with the Mafia

A couple of weeks ago we had a craft night at my house. (I just realized I never posted pics.) Everyone brought something they were working and something edible. 

Much fun was had by all.

Thom and Christine.

Emily, Brigid and Holly.

Tony and his amazing scarf!

Renee.

You can find links to everyone's etsy shops here: Tulsa Craft Mafia

Hiiiiiiiiiii

You know as much as I love winter, it's totally bringing me down. Perhaps, if there were snow it would be better, but alas nothing yet. There is ice in the forecast for next week, so here's hoping.

So yeah, I have a lot of things going on that will hopefully be tied up next month. I desperately want to get back to work and I'm trying to muster up some motivation. My sewing machine is starting to collect dust. My knitting needles, however, are burning it up. I recently took a knitting lesson at a local Tulsa yarn shop, Loops. It was a private lesson, so I was able to ask for help on a couple of different things I've struggled with figuring out. I started my first project on circular needles and unfortunately, um it's not looking so hot. The lady at Loops said I could bring it in for help, but I'm too embarrassed at how bad it looks at this point. Isabell is helping to hide some of my mistakes. The yarn is soo pretty though! I think I may start it over and then take it in! 

I also got my hair cut this past week. I realize it may still look long to some people, but this is the shortest it's been in like 5 years. I don't think I have the guts to go shorter though. 

I hope everyone is staying warm and toasty. I'm ready to watch a movie and knit.