Inexplicable Candor.

Letters of Appreciation: #1 Mid-Columbia Library

2011-11-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Mid-Columbia Library,Though the first letter is a lot of pressure, I have chosen you to start with because you're at the top of my mind. I must mention that despite writing to you first, my letters will be in no particular order; I do not appreciate your organization and services more than I do, say, my family. It's just that I was thinking of you and it seemed as good a time as any to

Appreciation and Gratefulness.

2011-11-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

In general, I'm a negative person. I'm a hopeful pessimist, and I am bitter more than I am grateful. These are things I would like to change about myself, but it seems about as easy as changing my feet into fins, or my hair into leaves. You might remember that I'm getting my Masters in Social Work degree, and, as a requirement of this program, at my university, at least, a Social Work and

Nine Things About New England:

2011-04-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

(I am spending three days in Massachusetts and Connecticut this week for work. This is my first trip to New England, and it has been informative.)1. In the Boston Metro Area, I can't not think of Julianne Moore on 30 Rock when I hear women speaking. Particularly when she says, "You're a wackadoo, Donaghy." 2. We have driven all over MA and CT, and I have seen not a single Starbucks.3. I have,

Currently... 4/7/11

2011-04-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

Reading:BossypantsDevouring:See's Vanilla LollipopsListening:Adele, 21Marking (up):Post-it Super Sticky Gridded Note PadTrying:Mio Water Enhancer

The Difference

2011-04-06T12:13:00.001-07:00

...between then and now is, surprisingly, a lot. If I were to give you the condensed version, I'd tell you that I graduated in December from my BSW program, and that I'm signed up to begin an MSW at another university in June. I'd tell you that aside from hockey scrapbooking and bedroom redecorating, I haven't been very creative. I'm mostly okay with that.I'd confess, in a whisper, after you

Baby Matt's Felt Name Book, Part II

2010-01-22T09:07:00.000-08:00

Back in July, I posted the beginning of Baby Matt's felt name book, and never put up the rest of it. Probably because I suck (and/or forgot). Here goes:The cover page. The black is glittery felt.The wonky dedication page.M is for Mittens.A is for Apple.T is for Tree.T is for Train.H is for House.E is for Eggs.W is for Whale.He seemed to really like it - so many different textures to touch and

Allison's Mini-Swap Package

2010-01-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

My friend, Allison, and her girlfriend, G-Jet, write some pretty awesome zines. Awhile back (before Christmas, at any rate), Allison and I arranged to do a mini-swap: crafts for her, zines for me. Here's what she got:A cable-knit cuff/coffee cozy.The aforementioned knitted thingy, as modeled by my water glass.Some bubble magnets made from old paper. The one in the middle is from The Cider House

Yeeeah, I Think I'll Go Die Now.

2010-01-18T11:33:00.000-08:00

With no access to my craft photos, I offer you up an embarrassing exchange, which took place approximately one month ago:SCENE: Hockey team Booster Club Christmas party; near the end of the night. I see the team captain, for whom I am scrapbooking, and decide, heart in my throat (because although he's barely older than a teenager and not exactly famous he's kind of a celebrity in my world), to

Ennuigator.

2010-01-11T22:14:00.000-08:00

So I missed a post yesterday. I think that disqualifies me from Nablopomo, but I care not. Such attitude has been characteristic of this day; it was a day of nothing great or terrible, but entirely "meh." I keep hoping to get inspired or at least act a fool and have something to report, but as the days of the week blend into one another and I spend them all sitting in front of a monitor, I'm

Testing...**

2010-01-09T22:11:00.001-08:00

...Blogger's post via email function. If this works, it will be so fabulous. I can't access Blogger at work or from my phone, so now these lame posts will be twice as easy for me to make!**This totally counts as a Nablopomo entry, right?**It worked!!

Reasons I Might Be 84 Instead of 24:

2010-01-07T22:07:00.001-08:00

I stay up past my 9:30 bedtime......Scrapbooking.I rarely make it to midnight on New Year's Eve while at home in my pajamas, much less out at a party.I enjoy sweaters and cardigans of all shapes and sizes.I also have a thing for lace.I knit.I like small dogs and cats.I love my tea.I will take a crossword puzzle over a fashion magazine any day.If you are feeling down, I make you cookies or other

Quilt #2: Your Mom!

2010-01-06T19:39:00.000-08:00

...or mine. My mother is possibly the world's hardest person to shop for, but she is always cold. Thus, gifts for her tend to fall in the blanket/slipper/loungewear category. This year I decided to take it up a notch and make her a simple lap quilt with Moda Simple Abundance charm packs. This is the first time I've actually quilted; I did this whole thing by hand because I still lack a

Some Math.

2010-01-05T21:55:00.001-08:00

As previously mentioned, I'm making a scrapbook for one of the players on my hockey team this season. This is my second scrapbook, the first consisting of stickers, mementos and pictures from my teenage years glue-stuck onto random paper, without any sort of theme to either the book or the individual pages. Therefore, it has taken me quite by surprise how much time and money (and anxiety, of

Currently... 1/4/10

2010-01-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

Reading:Unaccustomed EarthWatching:Gilmore Girls: The Complete Seriesand:Jersey ShorePlaying:The Sims 3: World AdventuresTrying:Philosophy Magical Minis Starter KitAbusing:Cuisinart Waffle Iron

New Year's Quiz 2009

2010-01-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

I know the hype over the New Year has been done to death by now, but I thought it would be good to do Linda's New Year's Quiz again this year. Last year's is here.1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?I made Thanksgiving dinner for two, went to Vancouver, BC, bought season tickets to a sports team, and made my first and second quilts.2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions,

Resolved.

2010-01-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Resolutions. Of the New Year's variety. I'm not usually one to make them, and when I do, I'm not one to keep them. Therefore, for the past... many years, I've neglected to enter the shame-spiral that is resolving to do a thing and then giving up on it.This year, however, I have decided to make a few; comprised of things to keep in mind throughout the year, rather than finite "I shall lose XX

Did You Miss Me?

2009-12-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

Wow. I am bad at (consistent) blogging. Since my last post, almost six months have elapsed, during which time I have worked a lot, passed eighteen credits with a 3.85 GPA, and crafted only a little. Though I've been on break from school for nearly three weeks, Christmas shopping, crafting, and festivities have eaten up most of my time, and it's only now, with the New Year on the horizon,

Summer Jam*

2009-07-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I had never made jam, but I always wanted to. When one of the honchos at work brought in a huge haul of cherries from his orchard, I saw potential. So I took several pounds of them and asked my stepmom to teach me how to to make jam.After searching awhile for jam recipes with cherries, I decided on a recipe and bought some blueberries. We adapted this recipe for Blueberry Cherry Jam, and

Patchwork Pillows & Futon Cover

2009-07-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Remember when I made my first quilt, and saved the scraps and leftovers for pillows? I finally made them!Before I tell you about them, I need to gush about the triumph that is my futon cover. Notice the tan serving as the background to the pillows and quilt. This is possibly my finest work.See, once upon a time, I got this futon for free from a friend of my dad's. It wasn't like any other

Baby Matt's Felt Name Book

2009-07-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

The trouble with "I'm back" proclamations is that after you make them, you have to have something to say. Since my last report, I have secured a job; I'm almost five weeks into a new gig as a Sales and Marketing Assistant, which has been interesting, to say the least.So blame my (extended) absence on the stress and learning curve of a new job, on summer break, or on a lack of crafting. Until a

Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Crafting...After This!

2009-05-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

I've been M.I.A. again, I know. I have a really decent - nay, GOOD - excuse this time, however: I am being laid off, and therefore have been on the job hunt in a hardcore manner. I was informed in the middle of last month that my position would be eliminated at the end of May, and that in the meantime, my hours would be reduced. SUCK.I know that my plight is nothing new in the current economic

Quilt One: Amy Butler Blues

2009-04-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the Pants Project, I decided I would try my hand at a throw quilt and use less important fabrics. I collected a bunch of Amy Butler fabrics that had light and robin's egg blues as either the main or accent colors and cut the fat quarters into nine 5 1/2 inch squares. I have a fair bit of fabric leftover: this will be made into a throw pillow or two, and whatever's left over

Game On!

2009-04-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

As you may recall, the first time I went to a hockey game in the Tri-Cities, I fell in love. By now Chris and I have gone to a dozen or so games, but we keep track of the team even when we're not at the games. I visit the team's website several times per week, and I regularly read a blog with awesome game commentary. Chris and I have a lot of discussions about hockey, hockey games, and the Tri

On Marital Finances

2009-04-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Having been married almost eight months at this point, you'd think Chris and I would know by know how to handle our finances. The truth is, we have been trying different things for random periods of time and nothing has stuck. Part of the problem is that neither of us has any idea how other couples keep track of and plan for their money, so we are limited in our knowledge of options.We have

Portland Goodnesss: Part Two

2009-03-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

A few days before going to Portland, I came across Yarnia's Facebook page. Intrigued, I went to the website and dubbed it the coolest yarn shop ever. Yarnia, "Portland's only DIY yarn store," has tons of different fibers that you choose and combine to create your own yarn. Awesome, right? Furthermore, they charge by the pound, so it's pretty good bang for your buck. My Portland companion and

Another One Bites the Dust

2009-03-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

I have a new obsession: the Twilight series*. I was able to avoid it for long enough, but eventually my curiosity got the better of me, and I downloaded the Twilight audio book to entertain me on my drive to Portland a few weekends ago. I figured, if I didn't like it I could listen to something else, but I wouldn't waste any time that I could have been spent doing something else - and driving is

Portland Goodness: Part One

2009-03-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I spent the better part of two days in Portland visiting friends. Though we did a lot of really fun things, I have two that I really want to share, The Portland Museum of Contemporary Craft being the first. They had two amazing exhibits (for free!) that kind of blew my mind:1. Dare alla Luce by Mandy GreerPictures via the Museum websiteThe museum's website doesn't have any photos

Currently... 3/4/09

2009-03-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Making:Real Simple's Chicken & Vegetable Pot PieListening to:"It's Not Me, It's You" by Lily AllenAnd:Twilight: The AudiobookHoarding:Cadbury Mini EggsReading:WatchmenAnd:The ReaderAnd:One Hundred Years of Solitude Abusing:Henckels 7" Forged SantokuWatching:Mad Men, Season OneAnd:Sopranos, Season Four

The Pants Project: Beginnings

2009-02-16T12:59:00.000-08:00

My brother-in-law, Matthew, was an avid lover, wearer, and apparent collector of vintage plaid pants. These pants were such a staple of his personality that they even merited a mention in his obituary. I think that there were only two occasions when I saw him wearing any pants that weren't part of this collection: his wedding, and mine. Therefore, when I was asked to make a quilt out of part

25 Things...

2009-02-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

...about me in the form of random facts, habits or goals. This one has been making its rounds and has been done by many, many other bloggers. Since I'm bored at work this morning, here's mine:1. I freak out if I inadvertently touch mold. I have to wash my hands, immediately and repeatedly, upon contact.2. There is a Swiffer Duster in my car for the express purpose of cleaning the dust off of

Your Bones Got a Little Machine

2009-02-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

This, I think, is the third in a series of lazy weekends during which I only get dressed about once over three days (I don't work Fridays, so every weekend for me is a three-day). I haven't been sick, just feeling rather in need of a life hiatus and to watch an unhealthy amount of television in my pajamas (the video games aren't helping my desire to hang out at home, either).This weekend, we

We'll All Float On, Alright*

2009-01-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

I almost hesitate to post this, because then you'll know what a nerd I am. I guess you probably already know, I'll just cement it. Here we go:Chris and I have been amusing ourselves for the past two days with an X-Box 360 and Rock Band 2. I was incredibly adverse to buying an X-Box to begin with, because A) Who has time to sit around and play games? B) If we did have time to sit around and

Inspirations

2009-01-19T17:08:00.000-08:00

A few things I've been daydreaming about lately:Making a blanket of felted sweater squares...from Recovergirlfrom Yes, I MADE That!Making a quilt of different patterns and hues from the same color family, and another one of multicolored scraps...from LaupreHaving a tidy closet craft space, rather than the dining room corner my supplies currently inhabit...Current craft spaceFantasy closet craft

Made Over

2009-01-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

If you are one who visits often, I'm sure you've already noticed: Inexplicable Candor got a makeover! I worked with Ellie from Rainy Day Templates, and she did a fabulous job. Thanks, Ellie!I just put back in the sidebar content this morning, so if something isn't working, please let me know. So: what do you think?

It's Just That Kind of Day

2009-01-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

When I came home on my lunch break today, I threw together the ingredients for a chicken, rice, and broccoli dish and put them into the slow cooker on low for tonight's dinner. This was partially because I was feeling industrious and partially because I knew that I would be in class until late evening, and wouldn't feel like cooking (oh, and Chris is bedridden with a thrown-out back, so he

The End of Christmas

2009-01-10T09:30:00.001-08:00

As you may recall, I posted previously about the gifts and other crafts I had been working on for Christmas. The closer it got to Christmas, the less time I had, and I am only just now getting around to writing about what else I made. Here we go:1) Stockings for myself and ChrisChris' stockingBoth stockings flanking my bird painting, above our table.My stockingOur initials hanging on them are

Currently... 1/6/09

2009-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Reading:The Time Traveler's WifeAnd:One Hundred Years of SolitudeListening to:SModcast ArchivesBuying:Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2009 CalendarDrinking:Archer Farms Wildberry Italian Soda (from Target)

Partying Like it's 2009*

2009-01-05T09:46:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone!**Can you believe it's 2009? I can't. Especially since New Year's Eve and the following day were so anticlimactic for us. We spent New Year's Eve in bed with pizza and popcorn watching movies, and went to bed around 10:30 (in our defense, Chris had to work the next morning at 5 a.m.***), only to wake up to the sound of fireworks somewhere near our apartment. New

New Year's Quiz

2008-12-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Linda over at All & Sundry has posted a New Year's Quiz. Since I read her blog regularly, am a big fan, and had some time on my hands this morning, I have completed the quiz. My answers are below, but if you want to answer it for yourself, visit Linda's blog and copy/paste the questions! Here we go...1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?I got married, knit mittens and socks,

Hoarding for the Holidays

2008-12-18T13:16:00.000-08:00

The holiday season always inspires in me the urge to hoard. I have recently found myself at the grocery store on a daily basis adding the most ridiculous things to my cart, just in case. Guava? Sure, I may need it! Eleven cans of chicken stock? Obviously! Heavy whipping cream? Why not!I think this stems from my mother's similar behavior around the holidays, though hers made a bit more

Back in the Habit*

2008-12-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

First, before I begin, let me thank you all so much for your supportive comments on my last post. Chris and I are doing better and it gets a tiny bit easier with each passing day. We have moments that are difficult and other moments where we almost forget to be sad, but in all, progress is being made a little at a time. All of the comments I received were so helpful, and I appreciate each

Radio Static

2008-11-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

I failed at Nablopomo. This, in the wake of everything else that has happened recently, is of extremely small consequence. I am nevertheless disappointed.My brother-in-law, Matthew, passed away on Wednesday quite unexpectedly. He had just turned twenty-two and was my husband's best friend and brother. He was also recently married and had an infant son. I didn't know him well, but it has hit

Apparently This Exists.

2008-11-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

I have to share something with you that just blew my mind.The Band from TV.Apparently, many of the people that I like to watch on TV (Teri Hatcher and James Denton of Desperate Housewives, Greg Grunberg and Adrian Pasdar from Heroes, and Hugh Laurie from House, among other people I don't know) are in a band together.Freaking weird. (And don't ask me to explain why, I don't know. It just seems

Graphic Design Fail

2008-11-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

People, I need a revamp. This blog design is tired.I am having difficulty with my elementary graphic design skills. My problem is that I'll see something that looks simple, which my mind translates to easy, and then suddenly I'm knee-deep in wedding invitation designing and making millions of tweaks that just look wrong.This happens to me over and over again: "I don't want to PAY for that. I

Present Progress Rundown

2008-11-23T18:22:00.000-08:00

Recently, in a quest to make headway on my Christmas list (cheaply!), I have finished:1) Stenciled t-shirts for my brotherI downloaded a couple of wingding fonts from DaFont.com and printed choice "letters" onto cardstock, then cut out with an exacto. Add some paint, then presto and voila, custom t-shirts. I bought the blank shirts for $2.50 apiece, and already had the printer ink, paint,

Curse of the Matching Pair

2008-11-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

For one of his Christmas gifts this year, I wanted to knit some mittens to match Chris' beloved Jayne Hat, as seen here:I had never knit mittens before, and had major difficulty with previous attempts, always resulting in frogging of the entire project. I finally finished an entire recognizable mitten, and was ever so proud. It was much, much too big for me, but figured that the size was

To Knit, With Love

2008-11-21T21:50:00.001-08:00

My "To Knit" list has blown up as of late. I owe this entirely to Christmas shopping, but in two parts: 1) Some of the knits are gifts for others, and 2) while searching for gifts to make others, I find gifts that I would like to make for myself. Currently, I have one half of a pair of mittens (more on that tomorrow) finished and another 2.5 pairs to go. In addition, I want to make a ribbed

Trumpy Love

2008-11-20T22:14:00.000-08:00

Remember, a long, long time ago, when I promised pictures of the puppy? Well, he's not so little anymore, put here's one of him from when he was a wee bit smaller:The day he came home, sitting on Chris' lap.People, I love this dog. Seeing him jump around and act like a crazy person makes all of my troubles melt away. Except when, in his craziness, he is causing more trouble for me. He is

Gloating

2008-11-19T20:43:00.000-08:00

Our landlord installed a new showerhead today. It massages, or sprinkles, or drizzles like rain. It has multiple settings, is what I'm sayin'. I tested it out this afternoon and I honestly don't know how I ever showered without it....And that, friends, is a completely empty post for the purposes of Nablopomo. I'm sorry, I'll have more to tell you tomorrow.

Currently... 11/18/08

2008-11-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Knitting:Country Wool Basic MittensWatching:Ugly Betty, Season 2Eating:Andes Peppermint CrunchLusting Over:Gap V-Neck Crazy Stripes SweaterSmelling:Panache French Vanilla Body Lotion

Christmas Creepy

2008-11-17T18:18:00.000-08:00

While we're on the subject of Christmas, I have to tell you that I made my Christmas list today. While looking back over it, I had to laugh, because apart from copious amounts of candy, here's what I've asked for:-yarn: Noro & Cascade 220-books: 1 novel, 1 craft-an underwear/sock drawer organizer from Ikea-Chef soap (brings your hands back to their original non-stinky state after handling garlic

The Grinch Who Loathed Christmas

2008-11-16T19:53:00.001-08:00

I have spent many days recently planning for Christmas, actively shopping for materials and packaging for presents, and being generally merry. Contrary to previous years, I have not yet griped about Christmas music appearing in stores (already) and am drawn to the holiday aisles of stores instead of avoiding them. It is slightly surprising to me that it isn't closer to Christmas. I've gotten a

Amanda's Big Adventure

2008-11-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today, on a whim, I went to Seattle. Four hours away, alone. And aside from getting lost constantly, I had a very good time. I went to Ikea, Archie McPhee, and Cupcake Royale. I bought some things for stocking stuffers, a couple of little treats, and of course, some cupcakes. And it was good.What did you do today?

Wallet, Meet Noro.

2008-11-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, today I am a real, live knitter.That's right. I have made my first purchase from an actual yarn shop (or LYS, if I'm feeling decadent) rather than my usual haunts of Michaels, Jo-Anns, Craft Warehouse, et al. And that wonderful, wonderful purchase consisted of two skeins of my very first Noro. Behold:Photo from here - same color and dye lot, though!This is what my

Sew Craft Blog

2008-11-13T21:40:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! I was just accepted into Sew Craft Blog. It's a community that features other crafty blogs and has a growing repository of general craft, sewing, fiber arts, scrapbooking (and more) blogs to read. Check it out!

Currently... 11/12/08

2008-11-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

I'm going to introduce a new "feature" tonight. I'm going to call it "Currently..." and model it after notmartha's "Up to" posts. It'll be done... periodically. Whenever things change, I suppose. It's gonna go something like this:Re-reading:The World According to Garp by John IrvingDrinking:Starbucks' Peppermint Twist MochaPlaying:Mobsters on MySpace

Eat the Meat.

2008-11-11T16:29:00.000-08:00

My grandfather is a... well, he... he does something with cows. What I do know is that he usually has one or two in his yard, sometimes including a calf that he dotes on, and subscribes to catalogs from which you can order bull sperm. I also know that periodically my family has a boon on beef. My dad, grandparents, and aunt get ground beef, steaks, roasts, stew meat and bones. Everyone is

Nablopomo Update

2008-11-10T20:36:00.000-08:00

Nablopomo is kicking my ass. I just can't be as interesting as I usually am when I have to post every single day. I don't want to be posting daily "what I did today" lists, but that's about what I'm down to. Although, when I have the time, I do want to write about the following topics:-Myself, the grinch-Eating the meat you know-Puppy love-SymmetrySo... I'll leave you to wonder what that means.

Weekend Update

2008-11-09T20:24:00.000-08:00