goody-goody

New Spring Wreath

Spring..which isn't quite here yet. But a gal can hope, even with freezing temps last night that sent us burrowing beneath our down comforters. I could have added so much more but tried to control myself. I used the tutorial at Take Heart and added a few other springy bits. Wrapping the wreath was the most time-consuming part because I repeatedly got the whole ball of yarn tangled into a nasty mess. Everything else was a breeze.

Shopping List:

skein of yarn {on sale} $2.50

floral berry spring {on sale} $.69

straw wreath base {on sale with coupon} $1.79

felt squares {4 @ 1.29} $5.16

already had glue gun + rick rack

TOTAL: $10.14

 

Geek dreams and lookie this!

Sometimes I dream of a girlie version of Tron where I get to leave my grubby, kid-clutter filled home and live...say, in Martha Stewart's website. Forced to spend my days in beautifully decorated spaces with crafty bits at my fingertips, tall brightly lit rooms, and artfully presented gourmet food.  No fingerprints or food crusties on everything. No Texas-sized boogers lying in wait on the bathroom floor (for real). I didn't recognize it as such accidentally picked it up with MY BARE HANDS.

I have never (until now) been a fan of these paper punches. Maybe because I tend to run screaming from things that remind me of my tacky scrapbooking days. But now that has changed. I want. all.

Please please please suck me into the Martha mainframe. And if there happen to be Light Cycles there, too, that would be awesome.

Photos and paper punch garland tutorial can be found here.

First Round of firsts

You may notice a little badge on my sidebar about trying new things. It's courtesy of Amy who is trying a LOT of new things these days. She's made some really courageous, inspiring decisions in order to push herself and embrace the fun (and fear!) that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone. My firsts are kind of lame compared to some, but we're challenging ourselves--and that's all that matters, eh?

1. Started a new project over on my painting blog. Giving away art!

2. Limiting my shopping to mostly necessities. I am a huuuuge impulse buyer. I am requiring myself to go home, think about it for a night and if I still think I need it, go back for it. (Most times, I decide it's not worth the hassle) This is new for me. My old motto was more like: buy it now and if I feel really guilty, take it back later. Guess what? I never took much back.

3. Brussel sprouts. Tried them again for the first time in decades...and hello! They're yummy and grown right here in California. What was I waiting for? I tried this recipe from Real Simple and next will be this one (above) with pancetta and balsamic which my sister-in-law recommended. Delish.

It's only three things, but it's a start. It's addictive, too! I'm already looking forward to all kinds of firsts I can experience this year... Yippee!

 Go visit Amy's site, grab the badge and start some firsts of your own. Whatcha waiting for?