Plants

The sewing is taking too long, and my fingers are sore from all the pin pricks, but it's coming along.
Check out some pieced together quilt squares:

and my toes

Not to mention a near perfect zipper install:

(alright maybe now I'm giving away that the big project is a slip cover for the couch, but this was the third seat cushion zipper install and I was really pleased with it!  I had to share)
And to fill in your desire for pictures until the rest of the project comes together, check out my cherry tomato plant:

 And my oregano and basil:

I got a grow light about a month and a half ago so I am very pleased to be able to grow plants again.  We don't get much sunlight in our apartment, so previous attempts have not made it.

Furniture for sitting on

For the record, this is my couch:

It's a bit beat up.  I got it in a thrift store in central Ohio in October of 2009 and it traveled home to my apartment with me in the back of my car.  The car didn't make the cut when we moved to New Jersey, but the couch did.  It even has a television in front of it now.
The couch isn't in the best shape, it has really scary stains on the (underside of the) cushions, and the color isn't one I brag about much.  As you can see it almost matches the boring carpet of our current apartment.  But, I do like it.  It is not high backed, which I like because it makes the space around it seem bigger.  It isn't too deep, and the seat isn't too tall, so my tiny little legs can reach the ground on it.  It's not cushy, but you also can't slide into it and spend an hour trying to get out.

Also, for the record, here are some photos of various fabrics:

Any guesses on my next post?

Spring in Hoboken

Spring came today to Hoboken, New Jersey.  It was nearly 70 degrees and sunny.  There was a breeze off the Hudson and the tourists were out for Carlos Bakery in droves.  The locals were out enjoying the weather too, playing wiffle ball and Frisbee with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop.  It was nearly idyllic.  How do I know all this?  I work in Hoboken and I got to enjoy the weather myself.  After work, I went for a nice long walk, but for the first time in months I wasn't cold at the end.  I took some pictures and who did I think of sharing them with?  All of you!

This one is an iconic one,  the clock tower is the Lakawanna tower attached to the train station.  The train station began construction in 1906 and opened in 1907.  If you are interested at all in the history, check out this website: Maggieblanck.

The breeze was quite brisk on the boardwalk, but the view was spectacular, and the clouds were so airy and puffy I couldn't resist snapping very touristy picture.  Here, for example, the empire state building.

 And of course Liberty Tower.  Fun fact, when we first moved to New Jersey, Liberty Tower was only about 10 stories.  It has been really interesting to see it grow.

I took all these pictures from the edge of the Hudson.  Jersey City has been developing its water edge for the last years and it is really nice now to follow the water, north or south and experience the changing neighborhoods.  These posts in the water are about where the border between Hoboken and Newport falls.  There were some mallard ducks swimming and chasing one another through the posts, but I couldn't get a focused photo of them.

I know this post diverges from what I have previously posted, but I have been somewhat stalled on my crafts.  I am working on a purse for a friend, and it is very slow going.  I will post on it when it is completed, but in the meantime I will try to keep you updated on what is going on here in other areas.  Thanks for reading!

Braided fun

A few months ago, I saw a braided, seed bead necklace on a woman.  I thought it was beautiful and it inspired me to make my own.  Mine is not like the inspiration, but still very elegant.

I wore the green one I made to work one day, and immediately was asked to make some for various people.

After making quite a few over the holidays, I have finally gotten some listings for them up on my etsy shop.

I took these photos on a hand made and decoupaged model.

My Favorite Science Fiction

As a huge, and I mean HUGE fan of Doctor Who, I became obsessed when K-9 returned (with Sarah Jane of course).  Also a big believer in tea (getting the British connection yet?) I decided that the appropriate form for K-9 to take would be. . . but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

 I painted it with acrylic paint, so it is not food safe, but I have been extremely pleased with it.  I still need to add a nose piece to emulate K-9's laser weapon, and a sensor plate to his eye area.

On a side note, I am loving taking pictures with my new camera, so expect a few more photo heavy posts.

Time Lapse

Well, it's been a couple of months and I haven't gotten a post up.  So here is a quick recap of the last few months for me.

First, you all missed my Thanksgiving feast, so here's a quick peak:

 The whole spread.

 Homemade cranberry in a mason jar!  Yum!

 Chocolate chip pumpkin bread!!

So Thanksgiving was fun and full of delicious foods.  Christmas came up fast, and gingerbread houses were the extent of our Christmas crafts:

 My favorite part was the jolly rancher windows.

I found this cool tutorial for woven paper ball garlands, so I tried them out:

I made them out of recycled magazine pages, and I found that a glossy mag works much better than a cheap catalog.  The paper balls turned out really well and I had a great time making them.  You can bet that as soon as we have our own Christmas tree, these will have an integral place on it.

Most recently, I got myself a new camera.  I won't put a photo of it up because my old camera won't do the new one justice, but I can assure you my photos will improve in the future.

Well, that's my recap, hope you enjoyed.

Gingerbread

Happy Holidays all!