Ok, Blog. We're Doing This.

It's time for the first post of 2010. I've been wanting to write posts for MONTHS, but...it's scary. And, I don't know what to say. And, I don't have a lot of time to make things. Whine, whine.

But the world needs to see your Knitted Heart and All of It's Glory!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Behold!!

The Heart on my Bookshelf!

Hooray!! It's so great! This was my favorite Christmas present. (Just don't tell JK, or Mom and Dad.) Although, I want to let you know that it's JK keeps showing it off to people who come visit us!!! Even when I forget! You should see his man-friends politely entertain his pride in your knitted heart!! It's awesome!!! I should have taken some pictures of the posterior side... but, I have to get better at taking pictures in general.

I think my New Year's resolution (Is it too late to make a resolution in the middle of January? Is it weird I keep spelling this month "Janruary" like February is spelled, and then realizing that only Scooby Doo should say that?) should be to post more often. Because, there are crafty people out here on The Google talking about crafty things, and I want to talk about crafty things, too! What are you crafting these days?

More to come: Pictures of my Christmas Quilt, which was finished yesterday, also in the middle of Janruary. But I will be labeling it Christmas Quilt 2009, anyway. Because, who's to know? And, I was close, kinda.

Love,

Me

Some cutesy artwork

Hey Beans,

Finished up that Etsy-inspired mixed-media painting, and I thought I'd show it off for the world to see. Maybe it's a little corny. Clearly, it's a good thing I decided not to become a professional painter, since my rendition of John and I came out a little bit more Chimpanzee-like than I had originally imagined. Maybe we're the missing links. Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

Aren't we cute?

Love, Mooser

Ode to Les Fleurs

Hey Beans,

I've got a smidgeon of free time after my exam yesterday, so I've decided to post a tribute to the beautiful flowers that you and Mom got me as a house-warming gift in July. The hanging plants have been blooming aaalllll summer! And they're still going strong.

I don't know the name of the pink one, but I love it.

You'll notice that first one features an out-of-focus shot of the porch chairs that Mom and Dad garage sale'd for me!! Still need to be painted! Of course!

And just this week I got a huge amount of blossoms off of my interesting purple "mounding" plant! So I decided to make a mini-bouquet of them so I could trim back the bush before it gets really cold.

Too bad you can't smell them!

And finally, the promise of some sweet, September roses! I can't wait.... taking a picture almost feels like jynxing them. But, the weather has been warm and the rain is still coming in spurts, so I'm confident they'll make it.

Hooray for flowers!

Love,

Mooser

Come out, come out, wherever you are!!

Beans!!!

You've been eaten alive by the school whale. The good news is, so have I! Maybe we can hang out together in the gut of the whale, Finding Nemo style. Please tell me you are dreaming up fun projects despite the complete lack of time to be crafty. Mom mentioned you were moving into the house soon! I want pictures!!

I am submitting a picture of Concernicus. He is awesome, although now that he's getting stronger, he's getting a little more greedy about the food business. In this picture he looks a little evil, but he actually has a really sweet face. I want to get him a collar and tag so that everybody will know his name, but I don't think he'll let me put a collar on him.

Love,

Mooser

My First Heather Ross

Beans.

I bought tadpole fabric designed by Heather Ross. I don't think I can cut into it. It reminds me of my summers in Ophthalmology working on little froggies though. How cute is this little guy?! He looks so surprised!!

That's all for now, I'm afraid. Med. school is going to make my posts considerably shorter. But, thanks for your encouragement and your space looks great!!! I agree about the book shelves. Maybe paint the squares anyway and you can figure out where you want your book shelves after...then if you rearrange your furniture you'll still have squares in different spots? Hmm.... :) Is this laziness or overkill. I can't tell!

Can't wait to post more on the WIP quilt... if I ever get it done.

Love,

Mooser

About the House

Hey Mooser,

Another post! I finally feel like I can breathe again, and just in time for school.

There is much going on at the house. I am very excited to report that my "space" is almost finished; the only thing left is the closet, which is being framed.

I wanted to share some "before" pictures. It seems that I can only upload so many at a time.
As you know, the house was once used as a religious school. I met a woman at work that said she used to teach there, though couldn't remember the names of the classrooms. I believe my "space" is in St. Paul's classroom, though it could be St. Peter's. There is also a mystery classroom and I was told that I might be able to find answers at Notre Dam.


This is the room I finally decided on for my space. Its rival, now know as "the bee room" for its infestation, would make an excellent home theater, though this may be too expensive a project for our budget. I'm planning on dividing the space with a curtain. We have the rod in place across the ceiling and I have the curtains picked out. We'll see how it goes.


The light fixtures will definitely be replaced though sadly the ceiling will not. You can't tell from these photos but it is in pretty poor shape. Nothing a bit of paint won't fix, though. The squares outlined at right will eventually be painted with accent colors, as below. I'm still deciding whether or not I like them. I also havequite a few tall book shelves that will make some of the squares pointless. I was hoping that they would break up the color in such a large room.
There will be framed art or pictures in them.



We also have the downstairs bathroom complete. Before it was covered in butterflies, a sun and cloud motif as well as some V birds.

This bathroom is very hard to photograph because of the awkward shape and positioning of the door. After fixing the toilet, re-caulking and cleaning the shower, replacing the vanity, painting and putting down the floor (which is the faux-tile vinyl similar to what you have in your kitchen), I can say with finality that I am satisfied with the result.

Will post more as things happen. I know I should be spending my free time painting/renovating or knitting the blanket, but I read a Terry Pratchett book this weekend and it felt really good.
I hear you start classes tomorrow, so good luck! I know every one's been trying to psych you out, but I know you can do it. If you aren't feeling overwhelmed I may hit you up for some Human A&P help.

Love,
Beans

Busy, Busy!

Hey Mooser,

I'm glad to see you have a new quilt in the works! I am so impressed by how much you always seem to accomplish. I really love the fabrics you picked out, and I agree that the blocks look much more jazzy sideways. I can see the quilt with and without sashing, but either way I would pair it with dark and rich blues. I think that the calming blues would do a lot to balance the business of the fabrics and pattern. I love the coasters, too!

I enjoy the colors in the fabric that you picked out, and I approve your decision to use batiks for my SUPER AWESOME Enterprise quilt (from the pattern at right) that you promised me. And since this is the internet, you are forever bound by that promise!

I've grown a little weary of knitting, to be honest. I keep going on the blanket, but since the rest is a bit repetitive it is harder to see the progress that I am making. I have decided on the overall layout; now I just need to finish it. Since I've already missed both deadlines I set for myself I'm feeling a tad discouraged.

Since it's still technically a "surprise" I am posting only these images:

My cat Nermal enjoying a nap on the COMPLETELY FINISHED and pieced Center Panel and cabled border, and the beginnings of a side panel, done in honeycomb with two subtle cables running up either side (not pictured).

I hope to finish it soon, but lately my wrists and fingers have been sore. I do the test you showed me for carpel tunnel often and am getting much better with doing wrist exercises I was shown during employee orientation. Carpel tunnel is one of my biggest fears.

That's all for my knitting adventures. Expect a post on the status of the house.

Love,
Beans.

p.s. I bet the rug cleaner I brought down to you is still by the front door, isn't it? Odoban will work in those things, just use it sparingly. I know there is a type of odoban (if not all odobans) that is anti- viral and microbial. It should take the smell out! I hear you made her an outdoor cat! That must be exciting. I continue to spoil and shelter my kitties.