THE BIG REVEAL

Yeah, so this may not be a big reveal, but considering my rate at doing and then posting projects in the last year. I'd say this is pretty big.

So that hint. As much as I love that cotton candy guess. (You see, I am a sucker for anything fair related. For all you Bachelor watchers, that surprise fair date with Ashley this last season...yeah, pretty much my ultimate dream date.) But the answer to my hint...was actually none other than..dum, dum dum...batting!! Batting for my new pillows!

Several blogs online show quick easy ways to create pillows from placemats and fabric napkins. It is unbelievably easy and thrifty. You can get super cute pillows for around $5 a pop. Plus, it only takes about 5 minutes to make (no joke) from start to finish. I fell in love with these placemats from Target but am not in the stage to be committing to colors for a kitchen. However, as a pillow, they would be way more versitile. Just the small bit of convincing I needed. I am obsessed!

A HINT

I just started a new domestic project that I'm in love with!! I'll reveal the final results later, but here's a hint to entice you...

Any guesses??

Plus, I scored these babies on my shopping trip for 50 cents a pack. That's cheaper than the dollar store! I couldn't pass up a bargain like that for these cute thank you notes.

LOVE

So in honor of February (and soon to be Valentine's Day), here's a sneak peek at my valentines! If you're loved...be expecting some little red envelopes in your mailbox soon!

WAITING ON WESLEY

My shower for Jess & Wes...


We started off with food...


Even pretend cupcakes (which are actually made from baby socks and washcloths)...


We welcomed him with festive decorations...


and the cutest gifts...


We played fun games and offered advice...


We smiled for the camera (but left room for Aunt Brittany in Turkey)...


And ended with little favors in baby food jars...


Now if only Wesley will hurry up and come!! (or at least kick for his Aunt Jen)

BABY SHOWER!

I thought I would include a photo of my baby shower invites I sent out at the end of last week. I know I promised forever ago that I would post my Christmas party invites and never did...but I am hopeful that a new year means better follow through...hopefully!

I don't think I am more excited about anything in my life than becoming an aunt. Don't be surprised if you see my nephew sporting everything from onesies, to hats, to jackets, to blankets with "i love my aunt jen" on them. I am working on a whole baby line with just such an insignia. It just worries me about how much more this could be magnified when I have children myself. Although, I am skeptical I will be as excited since I will actually have to take care of them all the time and have no one to pass them off to when they get unruly...well maybe my future husband. Hah..No, but I really think aunt is the way to go.

Anyways, those invites are for a baby shower I am throwing for my sister-in-law before I head off in February. I am excited that I won't be missing out on this part..because most likely I will miss his actual birth. (tears most likely will be shed in Cambodia.) However, I was right about the sex of the baby, so since I put the day I come back to Memphis as his birthday...I am hoping I am right about that as well. I can't think of a better welcome home present! :)

YES

I actually finished..well at least got something up on my new Etsy shop!! I am really excited about it! Please check out my scarves! ...Plus more will be coming in the next few days. I have just run out of time to list them today. Just look to the right of this post and you can easily click on my stuff! (I rearranged a few things for your ease) Happy shopping!!

51 DAYS

My latest domestic venture is happening tonight. A friend has instituted a craft night on Wednesday nights, and this week will be my first week to join them. I am excited as I will a) get to be crafty, b) won't have to sit at home in my room and knit all night, and c) hopefully I will get some Christmas presents done and out of the way.

Yes, you heard right, if you are close family and friends, expect some handmade gifts coming your way this year. I seem to always get myself in trouble by doing things like this, because making gifts takes me significantly longer than just popping into Target. And when I start thinking I can make everything instead of buying it, yep, that is when I end up underneath a pile of yarn, paper, and art supplies. It happens every so often. I take on more than I can actually do. Hopefully I will learn moderation one of these days. It is just easy to get carried away, especially when you know you can make such and such item yourself.

However, with these new domestic projects underway tonight, don't expect pictures anytime soon. I want my presents to be a surprise. Just gotta wait 51 days...

POWER TOOLS

I want a cordless drill. I did not trust myself to actually use it tonight to hang my new wall art, but how cool and tough does having and using your own drill sound! I say...fierce! That is my kind of hobby. I like thinking I am super tough..and a cordless drill would help my cause, because my skinny little arms just don't seem to do it. Although, in my defense, I lifted about 100 40lb. boxes at work today. Gotta keep up with those architects. Hah. Not a usual part of my job description, but let me say, I am glad I have been doing some weight training lately. Otherwise, that could have been, potentially, very embarrassing.



So what you see photographed here is another attempt to actually put something up on my walls. Like I have stated, I am horrible about taking the time and money to decorate my room. So since my beloved Jim (from my favorite show of all time - The Office) poster came down, I needed to put something on my bare walls. And yes, I know you may be thinking I am a little old for a boy poster on my wall...but I have legitimate reasons I promise! Ones I will not bore you with now...


So I learned tonight, finally, after my completed window had been sitting in my room for a week, how to actually hang something on a wall. I learned about wall anchors, hangers, screws, and last but not least, cordless drills. It was interesting to actually use some of my education and know what the walls are made of, how thick they are, about how far the studs are located, etc. Not that any of that is of real significance, but hey, at least those pieces of information related to something in real life. Not like learning all those complex math equations or the periodic table.

Now let's just pray that there is not an earthquake, like the one that is predicted here in Memphis, because that window above my head...probably not the best placement. (Insert Dave impression right here...for those of you that know him) Anyways, I am just thrilled to have something on my walls...and best of all, something that didn't cost a penny!

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Following directions is not always the way I like to approach a project. I am a rule breaker in the most innocent of ways...which I realized while working on my latest project. My room has been severely lacking for quite some time now. You would think as an interior designer that my room would be out of control amazing. Yep. So not the case. You see, my room is more my guinea pig. I try out the things I would not be willing to try if I knew I had to live with them forever, but considering I only have 3 more months in this little space, there is no holding me back.

So now I have probably led you to believe that I have constructed some sort of space ship or whatnot in my room..when in reality..it is just something I picked up from the local target. You will learn whenever I refer to my room being adventurous, I am almost always referring to the "passionfruit" paint on the walls. (And yes, I do buy paint based on the name.) So anyways, back to my latest domestic endeavor. No cooking or mending this time. It was about time for some home improvement. And every time I think of "home improvement", I always think of the tv show with its quirky characters like Al and my previous dream boyfriend...JTT (sigh). However, unlike those experienced craftsmen, this was my first attempt to build anything...at least anything that will be usable and functional.

So from start...(note: that is MY tool kit..every diva's gotta have one)


to finish...


I love my new bookcase and the fact that my room seems a little more like a room and not like I just moved in. Finally!

MEASURE OF LOVE

I love knitting THIS much!!

LABORLESS WEEKEND

Here's a picture that displays the only type of domestication I had this last weekend. Mainly, because I, instead of accomplishing a long list of to dos, got to spend it with two of the coolest people ever....my grandparents. Not only that, but my grandma gave me some knitting tips which hopefully will help me complete a scarf by winter. Well maybe winter 2010 considering the rate at which I am going.


Nonetheless, that is me and my g'ma...knitting away. My yarn I bought was a little tricky to use, so my grandma gave me some new yarn which was much easier. However, since my first scarf was designated for Drew to wear while hunting, I am not so sure he will appreciate the black to pink color change...

WORSE THAN CHOPSTICKS

So in all honesty, it ends up being more frequent than I would like that I discover new things that I am absolutely horrible at. My latest...knitting. I started learning this week after a quick trip to the dollar store. Random...but did you know that you can actually buy knitting needles, yarn, and a how-to book..all at the dollar store?? That is a grand total of $3 for a new hobby. Pretty inexpensive if you ask me. And completely worth it, unless, of course...you are me. I don't know that I will actually be able to produce an item worth keeping. My friend and I decided to learn together one night after work this week. She, of course, quickly taught herself how to knit, while I on the other hand, awkwardly handled the needles in an effort to keep up. She has had to demonstrate countless times. Each time I admire the ease at which she maneuvers her knitting needles. And each time she hands it back for me to try...I cannot seem to get it. This is where my comparison to chopsticks comes in. I am about as skilled eating with chopsticks as I am with knitting. My needles flail and never go in the direction that I want. It ends up with a messed up ball of yarn instead of neat rows of stitches. But the advantages of knitting, if I can ever master the talent...

1. My coordination in general would be improved
2. They say "idle hands are the devil's workshop"...I think I would like to avoid that!

3. And finally...it is a hobby you can do anywhere...even Starbucks

(Pictured below is my skilled instructor)

(And me..it requires ALL my concentration)

I want to give a shout out to our new friend at the dollar store too! I am always excited for new readers!

Oh and check out my talented coworker...she definitely qualifies as a domestic diva!

CRAFTINESS

There is a difference. It can easily be mistaken. I understand.

But I am not crafty...at least when it comes to crafts. I know that graduating with an interior design degree means that I should be creative in all aspects. But I am not. Yes, I could tell you the best sort of wall material to use or how far apart outlets should be placed. However, the design of a bulletin board, or a fun craft to make...I am at a loss. I don't know where to begin or what to do.



This all came rushing at me last night. I think partly because my ideas are so over the top. And reality sometimes pales in comparison. You see, I had to decorate a room for a Christmas theme last night. I know..Christmas in August. Actually kind of fun. And I definitely listened to my new Christmas tunes on the way to work this morning too. But how I pictured my room turning out...was somewhere along the lines of how Buddy decorated the toy shop in the movie Elf. Yeah, I realize this is not possible for one person to do in an hour. But that was my vision nonetheless. Mine turned out a little more Charlie Brown than anything else..my puny strand of half working lights and my tiny little tree were all the room had going for it. A little sad. And NOT at all what I pictured.

So how does one go about become craftier? Maybe practice. Maybe its natural. I don't know. But I am slightly envious of all those teachers out there that can bust out craft after craft...