My Wedded Bliss...

I am truly my father's daughter. Put a great camera in my hands and I can't get enough!

I accompanied hubby to Bellingham and while he was working I wandered around and took photos, then I messed with most of them in editing. I have fun taking the photos, but I didn't say I'm that good at it yet!









And of course, one of hubby:

 

I just stopped and thought about what I ate for dinner tonight...
1. peanut butter & jelly sandwich
2. a little cup of applesauce
3. a glass of rose

Sounds like the dinner of an alcoholic 8 year old.

 

Hubby's grandparents recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. 60 YEARS! I am inspired by their committment to each other and their family. They have been surrogate grandparents to me and I will forever be grateful for the way they welcomed me into their family.

I had fun editing this photo on Flickr. This is the cross processed feature. I love how it looks old fashioned...



Here's their dog penny wenny "boosted" in editing...

 

My brother and I both had a commencement this year. Sean graduated from high school and I walked to receive my masters. The commencement was in June and I'm not really done until tomorrow (july 24th) but I got to walk anyway. The best part is that this time, I was "hooded" by one of my professors. Not many people in my program walk, but I see as a once in a lifetime opportunity and a chance for my hubby, my parents, and my in-laws to see what their love and support of me has helped me accomplish. Sean was in Cabo at the time, but I know he would have been there if he could...







 

The whole summer could go by without taking a trip to Pike Place Market. I love it down there...but you have to go in with patience and a lot of time to spend. There were two cruise ships docked, so that a lot of white hairs wandering through the market very sloooooowly. Mom and I decided to walk down to the market before seeing Mamma Mia downtown. (BTW...GREAT MOVIE, but it was a little awkward watching Colin Firth & Pierce Brosnan sing)









It was fun being a tourist at home...I plan to go back soon. The prices are cheaper than the grocery store now and much better quality!

We had a great Father's Day...the weather was perfect! Click on the photos to see more...



And since I missed it last month...
Here are some Mother's Day photos as well:



I love you both!

I have been so uber-busy that I have totally neglected my blog and the 3 people who read it! (Hi Rachel!) I always think about it, but never get there. I was on Flickr the other day and made a few mosaics of my current fashion obsessions...
Think of this as an accessory montage of the last few months that I've been away...

First is belts, I have been scooping them up at thrift stores like crazy!


Next is bags...can you ever have enough? Lately I'm all about these vintage ones with the quilting and chain straps...


This one is my absolute favorite:


I found a real vintage Chanel bag that looks just like it (except for the whole real leather thing)I found this photo at bagborrowsteal.com. Mine was $7 and this bag can be rented for only $213/week! I can't even imagine...


Last is jewelry...


I have to add this necklace I got in Maui also...


I'll try not to be a stranger! Only 5 weeks of school left!

...not the kind I was hoping for, but I feel lighter!
Before...

After...

They all answered Today's Question, but not one of them got my joke. Not one even tried to correct me and say that "Good" shouldn't be capitalized. Maybe I need to review capitalization...

On a side note...as you can see in the picture the oi/oy sound was the sound of the week. One child tried to give an example of this sound by raising his hand and saying "oil cookie." After looking at him puzzled, another boy interpreted...he was saying "Oreo cookie". If you say "oil" enough times, it does sound like a 7 year old with a slight speech problem saying Oreo...just another day on the job! :)

You have to turn the self timer on first.

I don't have a lot to share, but I do have a few odds and ends.
First, I made a linen drawstring bra and panty bag for traveling and my gym bag. I found a tutorial on Flickr by SommerDesigns.


I changed the tutorial a little and attempted a french seam because linen ravels so much. Did you ever think about the words "ravel" and "unravel?" They mean the same thing.


I also finished up our class auction project...it didn't take much. I just got a frame and made a "key" for the back using a class picture. This way you can see the face of the kid for each letter.




I also wanted to share a few recent thrifted items...
This fabulous trench with plaid lining that can be unzipped and removed...it's London Fog and I found it for $4!






And this fun sweater vest...


Finally, I got a new cookbook! I can't wait to give it a test run...there are some great looking recipes and they are all healthy.

I have started looking at fashion magazines more intently. I actually bought a Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, which I don't think I've ever done. I might glance at one at the hair or nail salon, but that's it.

I've been having fun finding looks I like that I can recreate using the clothes I have or to keep in mind while shopping or thrifting. Here are some of the recent things I spotted and pieces I found that acheive a similar style.


First is Safari Chic and the trench I found that I love...for $4!


Next, is Florals and Army Green...I found this skirt at 75% off...now I'm on the lookout for something floral.


This article is about what to buy, keep, or store for this season. I had some khaki bermuda shorts last year, but I found these for less than $5.


Not that I would have really cared, but I was reassured that Metallics are still in this spring, so the purse that hubby bought me for my birthday in October is still in fashion.


Last is my new obsession...a large white bag...I see them all over the magazines and I'm on the lookout for the perfect one!


I think I want this one from Target...

After so many posts without anything handmade...I finally made something. It was quick and easy which is all I can wrap my mind around lately.

My Aunt Wendy made this afghan for Nick and I. She said it was an early 2nd anniversary gift instead of a very late wedding gift. She worked on in 16 different states as they traveled. It is such a sweet gift; a true heirloom for Nick and I.


Well, as a thank you card, I finally tried out sewing on cardstock. I had some super cheesy thank you cards that I had saved for this purpose. I like how it turned out, it could be better, but I like it anyway. It was a lot of fun...I think you'll be seeing more of these in the future!


If I had some extra cardstock, I would have covered the stitching on the inside, but I don't think it's so bad.

I am totally inspired to make these items I saw in J Crew...





Using these patterns...






Only because they're J Crew do I think I could sew them for cheaper than I could buy them. I really excited to try the dress. The J Crew version is a cotton pique...and I love the detail on the shoulder.

Now all I need is another day in the week and a swift kick in the pants!

Here is the project I did with my 2nd grade class for the school auction later this month. I like how it turned out. It is being printed as a 16x20" poster size. I will then frame it and hope for the best. I love how all their little hands look. Tovit even had a band-aid on his finger...very cute! I hope the parents like it and will bid on it!

This morning began like any other...
I went to the kitchen in the school cafeteria to get a milk to have with my healthy granola breakfast. (The lunch helpers put the milks that the kids buy, but don't drink back into the fridge, so they don't go to waste.) I realized that I did not have a bowl in my room, so I peeked in a few of the cupboards. I did not expect to stumble upon the stash of unopened cereal leftover from breakfast. There I saw some Lucky Charms in a ready to eat bowl. I threw caution to the wind and indulged myself. As I ate, Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer and creator of the Best Life Diet) stared at me with his judging eyes, saying "Kim, I don't endorse Lucky Charms as part of the Best Life Diet...or any diet for that matter..."

I moved the box.




When I was almost finished, I realized what I was doing...just as I had done as a child, I picked all the oat pieces from the cereal ensuring that the last few bites would be all marshmallow (if you can call them that). Old habits don't die!

I just found one of my pictures on my favorite embroidery blog! She found my photo in the Embroidery Pool on flickr and used it in her blog! How cool...

Check it out here!

A few weeks ago, I was at Value Village and I saw a vintage iron-on transfer alphabet pattern. I think it was McCalls or Butterick...I didn't buy it fearing the transfer wouldn't work anymore. Well, the next day I saw this on flickr and I adored it! I have kicking myself ever since for not buying the patterns I saw. 



It was taken by hyena-in-petticoats. I emailed her and asked if she would be so kind to send me copies...I could use an iron on transfer pencil to get them on the pillowcase. She said she would, but she also gave me the info on the pattern. So I googled it and low and behold, someone in ebay land had it...actually 5 of them, so I snatched one up! It cost me $4 after shipping...instead of the $1 I would have paid at the thrift store, but it's mine nonetheless!



I've got pillowcases and thread already...I can't wait to show you how it turns out! 

Now that the day has passed, I'm happy to share my attempt at artistic Valentine's gifts for hubby. I didn't want to just buy him something because I feel like it defeats the purpose. So I went the creative route.
First I took this picture...(I had seen one similar with a ring in a bible, so I already knew that the shadow would show a heart)



Then I made it black and white, added a black border and put in it a frame for hubby. I named it "Love's Shadow" Did you notice that it's near the definition of marry and marriage (actually the definition of marriage is pretty funny!)
Here is the gift all done:



I also made him this pillow...I picked things we like...things that go together really well (just like us)

With the wood grain fabric, I think it looks like someone carved it on a tree











I think he liked them...or at least he saw the time and I love I put into them and liked that. He's a sweetheart!

I received the cutest card this morning...perfect to share with you...





As you can see, I've been hit with Cupid's arrow and hubby is running for his life as I chase him. You can really see the fear in his eyes!