.Creating the Life I Love.

January 13, 2009

[ beta ]

Mom & I hosted Beta at our house tonight...it was a fun evening. The program tonight was about books. We all went around and shared about our favorite books, authors, and series. There were some great suggestions of books that I want to put on my "to read" list.

Tomorrow brings work and Youth Group. Maybe some crafting. :)

Jessica - hope you and Emersyn are feeling better. Seriously - Friday - you, me, Emersyn, and Baby Einstein. Are you game?!

January 12, 2009

[ Monday Monday ]

Not much to write today...busy day at work. I left a pile on my desk to tackle tomorrow. I hate leaving things until tomorrow, but c'est la vie.

Did anyone else love love love the spring-type weather today?! I changed into a short sleaved shirt after school and drove with my window down. Love it!

After work, I ran to town to pick up the rest of the fabric I need to finish my table runner project. I also went to this new store I found out about - Village Quiltworks on Keene off of Queensgate. When I was looking at their website, I saw that they had this adorable kit, so I called to see if they had any left and there was ONE, so I asked for it to be put on hold until this afternoon. I am now the proud owner of the fabric and pattern to make this:

(photo courtesy of http://www.villagequiltworks.com/info.html)

I realize it might be a little out of my skill range, but I might be good enough in the near future! No way to get there but to practice!

I came home and played around a little bit. I cut the fabric and batting for my table runner, but it requires mitered corners and that freaks me out. It's still in pieces.

So, I moved on to coasters that I'd seen in one of my books.

Here's my lopsided, but kinda cute coaster. It's growing on me. I had it in mind to give to someone, but since I don't quite have the straight stitching thing down, I'll keep it to remind me of my humble beginnings.

I was hoping to stop and see Jessica and Emersyn today, but they are both down and out - so

GET WELL WISHES TO YOU!!! GET BETTER SOON!!!

WE NEED TO HANG OUT!!!

Also - my Beta group is sponsoring a Crafter's Retreat January 30-February 1. We're needing some additional participants, so if you know anyone that is interested - have them call me (509-531-8471) or email me (marciekoch@gmail.com). Any and all types of crafters are welcome! The cost is $90 for the weekend. It's at the Clarion Hotel in Richland, so retreat participants can stay at the hotel if they choose. It's going to be rockin'!

January 11, 2009

[ learning to quilt on a weekend ]

Ok, so obviously you know that I want to learn to quilt/sew/create things. Not just that I want to - I feel the need to. It's weird and unexplainable.

So - on Friday at work, Jennifer taught me how to read a pattern and gave me some tips along the way. From then on, I couldn't wait to get home and try out the things I'd learned.

It was a frustrating evening. I learned to measure twice and cut once. Remember that fabric that I had double of? Well...I'm glad I had extra to spare. :)

I texted Jennifer several times with questions (thanks for responding...:) ) and finally gave up for the evening. As I explained it to Jessica, I turned off the machine, turned off the lights, and shut the door.

Jessica: "Oh, so you put your machine into time out? Classic."

Marcie: "Basically. Isn't that what you do when something makes you mad?!"

Jessica: "I swear and throw things. It's a personal choice."

Fast forward to Sunday.

(It would've been Saturday, but Saturday was our first Junior Miss practice and Junior Miss Committee Meeting - then I came home and took a three hour nap!)

So - Sunday - I was determined to make it work. I mean, seriously, how hard can this be?!

In the beginning...things weren't looking good.

Another text to Jessica:

"I've taken to your way of dealing with my sewing machine."

But then...an hour and a half later...this text to Jessica:

"Your method works! I'm a lot more successful!"

After many episodes of sewing and seam ripping - and a break for some Advil and a Kahlua -

here's the result:

These aren't great pictures - but I'm pretty proud of myself. Don't look close. The squares aren't straight or even. It's even quite a bit smaller than it was supposed to be. Not sure why.

But - beyond all of it's flaws - it's my first sewing project!! It's a table square/runner - it's more square than rectangle. I don't have enough fabric to do the outside border or the backing, so I need to head to Craft Warehouse for that - plus batting and fabric for the binding. I'm a little nervous for the binding part...and quilting.

I'm still interested in making some key fobs - where do I get "webbing"? I looked at JoAnn's, but didn't see any. Maybe I don't know where to look.

Anyway - I had to share my proud moment. I've still got visions of many things to create dancing in my head. More to come....

January 8, 2009

[ Happy Anniversary! ]

Happy Anniversary to these two crazy cats.

#32 is looking pretty good on you.

January 6, 2009

[ crafty update ]

I have visions of crafts dancing in my head...

Here's a scrapbook layout in progress:

And remember the project that Jennifer and I are challenging ourselves with in 2009? Here's the link to refresh your memory:

http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com/2009/01/scripture-challenge-2009-weeks-1-2.html

Basically, we get a word every week that we are supposed to ponder, find Bible passages about, study, and then choose a scripture or two that illustrates that word for you. Then - (the fun part) - we create an ATC (a 4" x 2" card) with the word on one side and the scripture on the other side. Then, we put them on this:

So - that's what it looks like empty. I'll post pictures periodically throughout the year to show you how it progresses. I'm excited about the possibilities of this challenge and for the fact that it will force me to study the Bible more...something that I, unfortunately, put on the back burner too often. That's a whole other post.

(But see those pink buttons behind it? Visions of a pink Valentine tree...Can you see it?!)

Onto my new obsession...collecting products relating to sewing! :) If only I was as successful actually sewing as I am collecting products!

My new library of books (which contain many many projects just waiting to be created!):

My sewing basket that I salvaged from my pile of extra Longaberger...who knew you could have extra Longaberger? It is possible. What is great about this basket is that it spins! Can you get a more perfect sewing basket?

Fabulous fabric that I picked up in Chelan at Woven Memories and at Craft Warehouse in Kennewick:

I got these cut off the bolt for $2.25/yard. That's good, right?

These are awesome precut squares...I think they're called a charm pack?!

Aren't these packaged so adorably?

Does the fabric above look at all similar to the fabric below?

Huh. Guess I really like it?! :)

I picked out the fabric above in Chelan...then came home with the fabric below from Craft Warehouse. I had no idea they were the same until I saw them next to each other.

Whoops!

I really like these colors! They're so unlike me, yet so complimentary to my personality, I think! How is that possible?!

I have visions of pin cushions galore!

My fabulous sale find at Target on Sunday - I love these wire tiered baskets (I had a cream one in this one's place that I relocated to my bathroom). This basket was $17.99 marked down to $8.98. Love love love Target!

Anyway - I thought it was perfect to display my fabric. And all those stamps on the bottom shelf were previously housed in the three tiers of the cream basket that had been located in this space. Much better.

So...now that I have the supplies and the inspiration...I need the skillz.

Anyone know of any classes around the Tri-Cities?

[ day #37 - journal your christmas ]

Today's journal is the last one...and am I proud of myself for sticking through the entire 37 days! There were just a few days that I missed and had to make up them up a few days later. But that's ok!! I have never done anything like this, so I'm excited that I have a finished product. Although it's not the type of journal the designer probably envision, it's my version and I love it!

The prompts really made me think and reflect on the differenct aspects of the holiday season. I hope it has been as much of a joy to you as it's been to me.

If you're interested in participating in 2009...here's the link: http://www.shimelle.com/classes/389/journal-your-christmas/

January 5, 2009

[ check it ]

I made Sour Cream Banana Bread tonight...yum!

Here's the recipe from chow.com:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 very ripe medium bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/2 cup sour cream
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the rack in the middle. Butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and dust it with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl to aerate and break up any lumps.
Combine sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes. Add bananas and sour cream, and mix until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add flour mixture, and mix until just combined.
Turn batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, the top is golden brown, and the bread is pulling away from the sides of the pan, about 1 hour.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Slide a knife around the perimeter of the pan, invert to release the bread, and cool completely on the wire rack before serving.

Enjoy!

[ Celebrating Life ]

I haven't had the opportunity to write about the loss of some important people around Connell...

Rep. Steve Hailey

Steve was one of the most upstanding men in Franklin County, ultimately being chosen to represent this area as a Representative in Olympia. He lost his battle with colon cancer last week. His life was celebrated on Saturday with a wonderful service recognizing his lifetime achievements, deep devotion to his family, and friendship to all. As it was said on Saturday, Steve had a footprint that extended across the nation and it will be impossible to fill.

Sandy Engelhard

Sandy babysat Melissa and I when we were kids...she passed away on Friday of an apparent heart attack. The loss of Sandy is sudden and so sad - but she was in so much pain that it is a comfort to know she does not have to deal with that anymore. I have many great memories of time spent at the Engelhard's. Sandy was the beloved wife of Mr. E. (a favorite math teacher at CHS).

My prayers are with both the Hailey's and the Englehard's as they endure these significant losses.

[ day #36 - journal your christmas ]

Today's journaling is about putting away Christmas decorations...which we haven't done yet! :) It takes so much time & energy to unpack the decorations and to put them up - it's such a shame that they're only out to enjoy for such a short period of time.

We enjoy our Christmas tree so much...I love the bright white lights illuminating the living room in the morning dusk. We usually leave our tree up well into January...knowing full well Christmas is over. It makes me sad that our lives are so date oriented that it seems to be "socially unacceptable" to leave a Christmas Tree up and Christmas lights on the house. It's always "onto the next thing..."

Just yesterday, some friends of Melissa's stopped by the house and they all made a comment about our tree:

"Oh wow! Your tree is still up...well, it's pretty."

"Isn't Christmas over?"

Yes! Christmas is over.

Yes! Every other American has taken down their tree.

But we haven't.

Deal.

We like it like that!!

As for the other Christmas decorations...we tend to enjoy snowmen because it is socially acceptable for them to stay up well into February or as long as there is snow on the ground. Which may be for a long time. (We received at least 3 inches last night which resulted in a welcomed 2-hour delay today!)

Oh - and for the record - our stockings are still up too.

January 4, 2009

[ Chelan and more ]

I haven't written about Chelan yet, but since school is starting tomorrow (boo hoo hoo), I'd better get my blog on. :)

Chelan was fun. Period.

Ha.

No really, it was really fun.

As we were preparing to go, Mom and I were talking about how it would be so nice to just stay home...but when we were preparing to come home, we both decided we were very glad we went.

I read a book. We watched a movie. We played Rumoli...and "May I" (the Heiders call it Progressive Rummy)...and "Trains" (the Heiders call it Mexican Dominoes). We shopped. We went wine tasting. We rang in 2009. We read magazines...drank coffee...talked with friends. We hung out by the fire. We went to the casino and played the slot machines (I won $12!). We bowled on the Wii. Mattie Jean KO'd me when we played boxing on the Wii. We frequented Starbucks. We watched it snow...and snow...and snow.

Love it. We have reservations to do it all again for New Year's 2010. Wow. 2010. Can you believe it?!

Wine Tasting:

Zeke & Melissa