Jiggywinks!

Well, last week I made an impulse purchase at Wal-Mart: an ice cream churn! Not fancy, but it gets the job done. I used this recipe  from fellow blogger Amy at Chew Out Loud. Pinterest is the bomb... I picked this recipe because I didn't need to cook it ahead of time, therefore I could churn it that same night instead of having to chill it for a day. I churned it for about half an hour, then stuck it into pyrex to let it cure in the freezer. It looked like ice cream... it smelled like ice cream... Next day at lunch--ice creamy deliciousness!

So, I got married. And moved. Into an apartment that did not come furnished with a piano. Fortunately, we're on the first floor right next to the front door, so it wasn't too difficult to move the piano I found from the giver's house (two blocks away) to my living room. Just one thing--the piano is a 1956 Everett, used to belong to the School District of Beloit, and came to me third- or forth-hand. There was animal dander, hair, pencil graffitti, and just a few decades of finger grease on it. First I washed it twice with rags and dish soap. Then, I took an old toothbrush and vinegar water and scrubbed the keys--they felt so much better afterwards! No more sticky! Two weeks later, my sister came over to help me paint. The day before, I had the piano tuner over, and he fixed it up and told me what parts can come off. So, I took out the panels and vacuumed inside (lotsa dust bunnies) and taped off whatever I didn't want painted. All together, I took off the front a...

     Well well, what's my excuse this time for my protracted absence from a blog only a couple people glance at? I'm lazy. And newly married. But mostly lazy. Projects done? I have: embroidered a dresser scarf (Christmas present for my then-fiance's grandmother) knit a toddler cowl and hat set (knit the hat twice after making it too small the first time--I was working without a pattern) knit another men's scarf for my friend Justin maid of honor for an August '17 wedding, and de-factor wedding planner wedding coordinator/planner for an December '17 wedding, (with 5 weeks notice). I was the one to lock up the reception building when we left. Made wedding scrapbooks for the afore-mentioned friends Planned and coordinated my own wedding (June '18!) (technically) finished the pink afghan I was restarting last year (see below) hired someone to make me my 60s bathrobe and 40s nightgown/bedjacket combo--ain't nobody got time for that! made a black ...

     My project life has gone downhill recently. Besides a few stitches of embroidery and re-potting a couple houseplants, nothing much has happened.       Part of that is because I'm now a brand-new Wal-Mart Associate. Yessir, I'm a checker. Another 15 hours (at least) per week on top of my full time job. Honey's got money! Lately all I've been doing is working, sleeping, eating, hanging with my boyfriend/'s family, and thinking about how much I want to lose a few pounds. Apparently, enough to think about it all day, every day, but not enough to actually start exercising. Maybe I should go back to school and walk it off.         I also am trying to think about ways to get more involved with my family. I want to visit my grandparents and parents more often, but usually by the time I have "free time" I'm too tired to do anything besides sit and veg. So instead of going to family and having to be sociable and answer questions, I...

    A few months ago, I bought six pounds of grey wool roving, intending to make a super-chunky knit blanket, al la pinterest. I researched the process, and several bloggers insisted that it was possibly to use roving instead of the very expensive super chunky yarn, by "lightly felting" the roving in the bathtub. I saw the pictures of cozy stay-at-home moms and their lovely blankets. "and I spake unto myself saying...I couldst do that"....    Well, let me tell you. Six pounds of wool roving wet is closer to fifty pounds of wool roving. Wet wool roving smells like a herd of non-too clean sheep. And once it's dry, it still smells like sheep and it's not fluffy enough to justify the work to knit a giant blanket. Besides all of that, despite being slightly matted and less shed-y, it still didn't look very tough.     So, I told the person I was going to make it for that the project fell through. She was super nice, and I wouldn't let her pay me for th...

It's a quote from Toy Story , so don't you dare correct my semantics. :p Well, that forest-green infinity scarf I made for a Secret Santa gift has been recreated in a mauvey-pucey color for a last-minute Christmas gift. Same brand of yarn, exact same type, only different color. I think it turned out rather well. Here it is laid out flat: And here it is modeled by the humble author, wrapped twice around. 

That hateful, hateful zipper in the blaze-orange hunting suit is done! I handed it off to the man yesterday morning. I charged him $10, partly because my stitching, if sturdy, was not very pretty. My sewing machine was not of the caliber required. :/ Also because I had it more than a month. But it's done!! That stinky eyesore is gone from my dwelling! And I don't think I'll do any more alterations. I have enough projects of my own. Next stop...an afghan for a friend. :)