Doodle Stitch Along week 3 part 2

This plus the mushrooms below were our pattern for this past week in the Doodle Stitch A Long. It has been so much fun participating in this, not only did I make some SUPRA (yes, thats su-pra {it's a Homestar Runner thing}) cute goodies but interacting with the other ladies was really cool. The comments and discussion on the Flickr page are so nice and encouraging.

I just started the last pattern and could finish it now if I felt like it but... we (my rootless family) plan on trying out a new church in the morning. We can't really say we are new in town anymore since we have been here since August, but we just haven't found a church yet. So the plan is to go to what I call a mini-mega church down the road called Compass Church. We'll see what the Lord has planned!

100th Post! Pay it Forward

For my 100th post, I am participating in a little crafty pay it forward campaign. I have been super excited about doing this and can't wait to see who I get to craft for!

"I promise to send something handmade

to the first 3 people who leave a comment here."

If you have a blog, post this again or if you don't blog simply send 3 handmade things to 3 lucky people. They do not have to be extravagant, a simple handwritten letter works in my book!

Anthropologie field trip!

I saw these little lovelies months ago but could not bring myself to fork over 30 bucks for measuring spoons/buds. But guess what?Today I found them on CLEARANCE !!!!! It was very fortunate that my movie was sold out and Shannon and I decided to window shop instead! Yeah, right, if I have spare cash and see a clearance sign, Lee Lee is buying something! I can't wait to cook something!

Jane Eyre 2011

How pumped an I? While the most recent version is outstandingly close to the book, I am interested to see a big scene, big budget, big star rendition.

Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) is our home girl Jane Eyre.

Judy Dench (Pride & Prejudice among many others) is to play the house keeping Mrs. Fairfax.

Sally Hawkins (Persuasion) will be the horrid Aunt Reed.

Imogene Poots, yes thats her real name, (Miss Austen Regrets) complicates true love as Blanch Ingram.

Tamzin Merchant (Pride & Prejudice) will be Mary Rivers.

Jayne Wisener (Sweeney Todd) is the maid Bessie.

Simon McBurney (Harry Potter, The Duchess) brings oppression as Mr. Brocklehurst.

Now I know some of these are name and titles you have never heard of but I STRONGLY encourage you watch them!

Making funny movies

Who hasn't seen the funny Geico commercial with the bear/dog things taking about how their commercial was made in only 15 minutes and their voice is that typical computer voice? Well, I found the website that lets you make your own! It sooo much nonsensical fun. After you sign up, you basically get one free video and then you have to just start paying...or... make 10 fake e-mail addresses and just sign all them up! Sneaky sneaky! Here is one I made spoofing Pride & Prejudice (Disclaimer: I can make fun of it cuz I love it, if you hate on P&P don't watch!!). And above is my blog greeting/about me movie. SO get on over to xtranormal.com and make your own!

Doodle Stitch Along 3rd week

Ahh! How cute are these little nublin's ?? We got 2 patterns to follow this week, and I have yet to finish the second. So excited to have them all ready to do something with. I'm still pestering my mom to quilt them for her future grand babies. We'll see in the end won't we?

ReMarthable Craft Idea Contest

Two words, Martha. Stewart.

One word, EmbroiDoodles.
:)

If I win this ReMarthable contest, I could have the best career starter out there!
To be able to say my idea was even considered by Martha Stewart will help me out immensely! Wouldn't you pay to have an EmbroiDoodle Party for your little Picasso by the one and only EmbroiDiva featured on Martha Stewart? Yes you would!
These are some of the pictures I sent to the contest organizers to hopefully air on Monday's show. The top 5 winners win a trip to be on the show and the grand prize wins a BMW! Carlisle Cullen drives a BMW!!

Thrifty Nifty!

A dear friend and fellow craftastic blogger Dana found this awesome bit of vintage fashion at a thrift store for less than 3 bucks!!!! Check out her post for more details.

The inside is soo Anthropologie dont-cha think? Its blue velvet outside and satin inside.
Its so cute and actually fits me, its a little hard to drive in it but as long as I look good, who cares what my driving is like? :)

Dana had the most creative wedding I had ever heard of. Most of it was hand made and so beautiful! Her dress, the men's ties and boutonnieres, and of course the bouquets. I am planning on stealing some ideas when the time comes.

Here are some shots from the DIY photo booth she has set up, it was so fun and there was a line for it most of the day! Here is me and my cousin Bri. Her bride's maid dress was handmade by the Dana using an Amy Butler design. Kudos for that, Amy Butler is not the easiest stuff but so pretty.
Here we are after a fun night of Cupid Shuffling, Cha-Cha Sliding, and general booty shaking. Notice how sweaty my shoulders are, we were drenched, not pleasant but worth it for such a fun night outside in the middle of Oklahoma under stars and twinkle lights. Me, Bri and Dana. There were probly about 20 other people in this picture, fyi.

Thanks Dana!

Last First Day of School

Is it really here? Am I truly almost done with school? No more FAFSA forms? No more advising and registering drama? Let me give you a hint...

Well, when a class (that I had thought was going to be another Feminism 101) starts of mentioning Mycenaean sculpture, Minoan snake goddesses and the goddess Athen, you know Alicia is going to be paying attention! I really could have gone to school for classical studies or anthropology but then I would have to take latin, eww.

This is a relief of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, civilization, strength and most importantly... CRAFTS! See the appeal there? Well, all this is to say that I am looking forward to this class! And the end of my college career!!!

Stitch-a-Long

Since this is supposed to be an Embroidery Blog, I should probly post some what? Embroidery! My current project is a Stitch-A-Long with the Lark Crafts group. Each week we get a free pattern from Amiee Ray who wrote the book Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection.

Phew, thats alot of links! Now to show off my awesomeness!

This was last weeks pattern and I stitched him that day and was too impatient for the second pattern. Happy little Gnome by his Mushroom so adorable right?

Here is this weeks little lovely! Woodland children, what is cuter? Amiee says she is going to make a mini quilt with hers and I really like that idea but I don't quilt. Thats where mom steps into the picture. She insists that I do it, but when I tell her that I kinda like the idea of decorating my nursery with a Story Book theme she may change her mind for her unborn grandchildren! The DMC floss I picked for this project are Pink 760, Dk Brown 3021, Lt Brown 3790, Red 321, Nude 950, Orange 3853, Blue 3761, Green 704 stitched on Muslin.

Waist Management update

Good news! Lost 4 lbs this week and about 1/2 an inch on average so YIPPY!!!! Polka dot swimsuit here I come! That puts my BMI at 25.3 which is just .4 points away from the Normal weight. I started this at 27.1 so there is some joy in my heart needless to say.This is a super cute cover-up from where else dear reader but Anthropologie.Don't you think that if I pull this off and get into a size 8 I deserve a cruise after graduation? YES, the answer is YES!

Love

My best friend Amber is the daughter of Robert Morris who co-founded Love146. For me to even begin describing what they accomplish is not possible, however, I can tell you their main goal is to end the trafficking and exploitation of children.

I had never heard of this issue until 2007 when Am and I were sitting in the living room of our "apartment" and she explained that there is a whole industry out there that sells children. Shock, then disgust hit me. What evil is in the world? And what can I do about it?

Her link above takes you to her personal website where she explains a project she is inviting you to be a part of, please take 2 minutes to hop over there after you check out this next link.

Irving Bible Church is teaming up with Love146 during the Super Bowl season to do it's part in spreading awareness and so much more Love146 | NJO will give you more details.

"Love146 Human Trafficking Awareness Event – January 28, 2011, 7pm

IBC is joining with a number of other local churches to support Love146 in their efforts to create awareness of and reach out to victims of human trafficking surrounding the Super Bowl, which is coming to town next month. We’ll be hosting an event here at IBC on January 28, 2011 at 7pm that is designed to help inform and mobilize our community to respond to this pressing issue.

There will be a time of worship and prayer along with an opportunity to hear from Lamont Hiebert, co-founder of Love146, who will be sharing about the vision behind the Super Bowl campaign. This will be a great opportunity for us all to get further informed about the issue and to find out more about what we can do to respond. Visit the table in the Town Square to find out more info."

Again, please just take 2 minutes and do some research into what Love146 is about and see how it changes your life from here on out.

Jane Austen Font

Thanks to Fonts101.com I have found some of my favorite fonts. Its real easy to do so I recommend it to anyone. You just add them to Word and can have all kinds of fun!

Well Jane and I were pen pals up until her untimely death July 18, 1817. Spooky isn't is Meg?

We were BFF.

She loved my little sister too. They got along great since they were both the younger sister.

I KNEW she was Team Edward! How could she not be?

Go to my Happy Place or Inside the Mind of a Crazy College Girl

Go to my happy place! Go to my happy place!

I am in my little blue frame house with the red door in Van. The green ivy creeps up the window in the corner. My short, white picket fence has just been repaired and gleams in the sunshine.

Rosemary Clooney croons from my Bose Sound System.

My boyfriend is spending the day with me helping me plan for my next EmbroiDoodle Party while I put or Lean Cuisines in the freezer. Oh yeah I wear gloves too.

The windows are open and a cool breeze helps dry the paint and glue that are drying on my various craft projects.

I have mastered the art of the sewing machine. Every textile in the house is either made 100% by me or has some little handmade embellishment on it.

My fridge is stocked with lactose free everything, ready for snack time.

SO this is where I will retreat during my crazy days this semester. This last semester, wow, my last first day of school. I don't believe it. Something else will fall through and I will break down! I just know it. But thats ok, when they lock me away in my padded room, I will really be in the blue house with the red door, happy, crafty and crazy!

Hunger Games (no spoilers)

Man! Not satisfied! I really REALLY got into these books (ok, so I really get into most book series I read but still) and this ending has me down in the dumps! When I'm finishing a book and there is less than a centimeter of pages left, I start panicking about how in the world will this end Happily Ever After? So far all the books that I... um... lets say, that I love (understatement) have somehow managed to provide a satisfactory ending in 5 pages or less.

NOT THIS TIME!

Apron Project

Oma, (my grandmother, who I look just like when she was my age) gave me a few boxes full of old craft stuff, trims, ribbons and some sequined appliques that should never have seen the light of day. You may remember a previous post were Allison and I had a good ol' time going thru the boxes before she dumped mine in her dumpster! The nerve!

Well, my favorite object in the chaos was this lacy white apron. I didn't get a picture of it before I "pulled it to pieces" as Lydia Bennet would say. It had a little, and I mean little pocketed top half, it looked too silly and so pointless. So I CHOPPED it! Now I just have the bottom skirt part.

I love the bottom skirt section still and I knew it needed a touch from the EmbroiDiva, so I added my own handmade embellishments. I want Shannon to keep it as an heirloom since she has the tiny waist and it looks so good on her!

One lovely day at Joann's Fabrics, I saw these 3 linen threads hanging in such an inviting manner! Their hues just scream Pride and Prejudice don't they?

Working with linen thread is a bit more complicated than good ol' cotton DMC. It's coarse and stiff, sometimes it breaks which isn't fun at all. However it looks so vintage I got over the inconvenience.

Fun Fabric/Etsy Finds

This has got to be one of my favorite new things! The color scheme is so vintage and fresh. Plus I LOOVE pennants. This is found in the beautiful Etsy Shop BlancEtCaramel.

I am telling yall, YoYo's are in! But you can make your own now so, your welcome. :)

Now that I have my own sewing machine I have my eye out for cute fabric more than ever. Here is some brand new stuff from Scarlet Fig.
I love LOVE love chairs! I want to re-upholster a great vintage-esque chair I made my parents save from the trash heap. Wouldn't this fabric be too perfect????!!!

Here are some samples from Pat Bravo that are so Spring-Summer-Happy-Time. I would love to make just a plain pennant banner with these, but I already have two banners hanging in my room and no wall space to space, dilemma.

Waist Management back in motion!

As you probably know, the holiday season is now over, no more red velvet cake pops, fudge, or cookies in the shape of...a dinosaur?

He started off as a gingerbread man but had a near fatal accident that left him in need of my superb cookie decorating abilities. You should have seen last year's Shawn White cookie creation, he had skied into a christmas tree and broken his leg.

Well, anyway! The excuse for sugar overkill is expired and I must, must, MUST stop this eating for pleasure business and get down to business, well, get down to a size 8 actually.

2 sizes in 5 months, sounds easy enough right?

I've done it before, total I have lost 40 lbs! Yay me, yes I am bragging but if I don't feel proud about getting in shape somethings wrong.

Before... (shudder)

So tomorrow I will measure and see what damage I did during the Christmas-feast-fest.

I can do this. Now for the motivation, I LOOOVEEE THESE! So vintage and charming! Audrey would be proud.