Internet meets real world

Last Friday I had one of those days that turns out entirely different than you expect. My plan was to go right home after school and get to work. I had a much better day instead.

First I had to go to town to pick up Anna, so I got to swim. I am really loving swimming every day. It's amazing that I never thought to join the YMCA before now. I swim a mile 3 times a week, and about 1000 yards the other days. If I time it right, I get done in time to change and watch the last 30 minutes of Days of Our Lives while walking on the treadmill, and then I pick up Anna from school.

Anyhoo-back to my day. Then Linda called and told me she was reading a poem at GCCC, and that I should go and meet Shauna and her family there. What a treat! I haven't seen Shauna in years, but we're connected via this wonderful Internet.

Here's Linda's poem, a delight as always.

Like Pudding by Linda Lobmeyer

It can be an instant sensation-

like pudding, like chocolate,

which tastes best from the instant,

or it can be like butterscotch,

which is much better from

the cook-n-serve (stirred

and stirred). Smooth,

spongy on top, sweet

on the tongue. It's simple

pleasure: love like pudding.

A heart reaches

for a spoon and punches

through the skin to eat mushiness.

We eat because it feels right.

We are happier than we were

without the pudding.

Then I got to chat with all of those fun people while Anna and the girls played at McDonalds, and then, tiring of that noisy place, we all gathered for dinner at my house. The girls (who never met, but have watched each other grow up on the blogs) had a wonderful time and the rest of us had some wine and conversation. What fun!

Way better than the day I had planned.

Jenn Higerd

My friend Jennifer is one of 10 Women who are on display at the Arts Center on Main.

Retreat

She's a ceramics artist with some very lovely work. See lots more here.

Absence

And I don't just think that because I like her.





She'll be on display through Christmas, so hop on down and buy something! (I, for example, would be very happy to unwrap a Cantaloupe bowl on Christmas morning).



All pictures (except that one above) stolen from Jennifer's website: jennhig.com

Mystery Christmas Crochet Project

I've never done one of these before, but it sounds like fun, and I have some white yarn I've been needing to use in something... (All pictures from Sarah London)

Mystery Christmas Crochet Project.

The first installment of instructions just posted. Looks like we're starting with Granny Squares, which I'm especially excited about because I've never made any. I know! They're a crochet staple, but I've just never done one. Getting started tonight!

Installment One.

She has lovely step by step pictures and instructions, and says any shade of green will work, and any white yarn. Anyone else in?

Scrap Busters

They're having a "Scrap Busters Month" over at Sew, Mama, Sew.

I'd love to spend some time perusing ideas, but Anna keeps telling me "Quit piddling, Mama!"

Maybe after she goes to bed.

I certainly have some scraps...

Bitty Bitty Bows

Anna's been going crazy about Halloween, but I cannot buy one of those scratchy princess outfits from the store, and I'm not crazy about encouraging the whole Disney Princess infatuation. I don't mind princesses in general...anyway, she was a princess last year.

We came across a booth at Whimmydiddle with lovely soft tutus, made from chiffon maybe? instead of tulle?
Anna looked and looked and finally chose this yellow one, so she's going to be a ballerina bumble bee for Halloween. Much better. And the tutus were really so reasonably priced (too low, probably) so we bought a giant hair bow to match.

Bitty Bitty Bows

Supporting rural Kansas, shopping local, buying handmade, avoiding Disney Princesses, all in one perfect purchase. :)

Lilac Lane

Last weekend I went to Whimmydiddle (Wow, Scott City needs a new picture) with Katrina and family. It's always fun for me to see what people are making and selling, but sometimes I have trouble buying things because I know I could probably make it myself. This is not an attitude that supports crafters though, so I decided on this trip I would buy something...for myself! Because I rarely actually make things for myself, though that's something I'd like to change.

So I wandered by Lilac Lane and really liked her color and fabric choices, and talked with her a little bit about what it's like to make lots and lots of the same thing (the reason I don't think I could ever be a professional crafter. I don't like to do things more than once).

And I bought myself an apron! (I am still continually fighting myself, as I think of people that I could give it to, but I'm going to try my best to keep it. I probably ought to hurry up and stain it).

I also got a couple of other things, but they're little gifts, so they're secret-y.

Pura Vida

Some of you know Molly and Patrick from GCHS days, and the rest of you are missing out. :)

Molly's a doctor, Patrick's an attorney, and they're living in New Zealand for a year.

Live vicariously here.

And leave comments! We want to keep them blog-happy. :)

Crochet-along!

Craftzine is doing a yarn month and a Crochet-along to make this adorable panda. (A crochet-along is a group project. There's a teacher, and instructions, and everyone follows the same pattern, making adjustments and changes as they'd like, and everyone posts pictures and discusses the project. An internet craft party)

I'm excited. I think lots of us should participate. Amigurumi is really pretty simple, using just a few stitches, and it doesn't take too long. Those of you with nice tight stitches will do really well. Mine usually end up much too floppy, but I'm going to try!

Here are the instructions.

Any other takers?