Tom Tom thing thing

So this week I got a GPS because I was sick of getting lost in Boston and ending up on Storrow Drive even if I wasn't near it in the first place. It's cute, and I may or may not be getting the Darth Vader voice for it... >_> I mean I could wait until August and get Han Solo!! <3 <3 <3  I mean......

Oh! Look over there! Something not nerdy!! ---------------->

Anyway, since objects that enter my purse usually do not come out unscathed, I figured it would probably be wise to create some sort of protector case for the Tom Tom. Yesterday morning I was delaying before I went into work, and decided to make a mock-up of what one could be like using some crappy felt.

aw yeah, check out my too-short ribbon!

I kinda like the idea of it, but not the execution. I like the cross-stitch along the seams. I am going to make the foldy-top part [that's a technical term] longer, and use one of my 18 billion-trillion antique buttons from my grandmother. And I'm gonna embroider some flowers on it. I do like the color combo, though, even if it is unusually girly for me. (I suppose I should stop pretending I am still a tomboy at this point, considering how froofy my bedroom is and the number of heels I own.)

Also, I am thinking that I am finally going to be able to start decreasing the size of my yarn stash. My company is planning on starting a "knitting and networking" group that would meet during lunch once a week. Consistent knitting FTW! I know what everyone is getting for Christmas this year! :P

And, just a warning (though I am pretty sure no one besides my mom and sister read this), I am 97.3% sure that I am not going to post next Monday. It's a holiday and all, and I will be in the White Mountains with my awesome family. But maybe my mom will loan me her sweet new laptop ;) and let me post if I end up making something sweeeet this weekend.

What I've been up to: aka, picture-spamming my way to forgiveness.

Ok, I said I made lots of things, and I know you want pictures, so here we go! Things I have created recently include:

A knit bunny. Mostly a prototype, I'm planning on making a larger one later. Not sure how well it will work out, but it's a cute (and easy) pattern from my knitting calendar. I'm hoping it will look a little less like an evil white ant with ears next time.

And as usual, cupcakes for my coworkers!

These were for a meeting to go over editorial standards. I wanted to butter up the writers so they'd be nicer to me. ;) They were my tastiest yet; I had coworkers coming to my desk the next day to see if there were leftovers.

These were for a group outing. I had a lot of fun making the sugared raspberries. The left is gluten-free chocolate with vanilla icing, middle is coconut-lemon meringue with lemon-curd filling, right is vanilla filled with wild berry jam-filled and topped with vanilla icing and a vanilla-sugared raspberry. I picked the berries for the jam, too. :) The berries on the cupcakes are from the supermarket, though.

My Mom's birthday cake. I know, I am an awesome daughter. ;) I didn't have any more pastry bags, so I ended up using my cookie press to do the frosting decorations. It's not really even close to my best, but my mom was happy, and that's what counts. That bonsai tree in the back is also for my mom. You can't see it too well, so another pic.

Also for my mom's birthday. A lil' fishin' dude. A long time ago, my mother and I were looking at bonsai trees. She saw a lil' fishin' dude similar to the one here, and said, "Oh! How cute! I want one!" (or something close, it was over a decade ago, gimme a break!) I said, "I could make that." And I did. Then that lil' dude was broken, and so I made another. I think that story was too long.

I also made this totally sweet flatware organizer out of duct tape and cardboard. I couldn't find any that actually fit in any of the drawers in my new kitchen, and doggone it, I can't have my chopsticks touching my spoons! They'll just fight and make a mess! Especially the Nesquick Bunny spoon. That guy is fiesty.

Ok, does making a dandelion wreath count? My parents' dog really liked it! And by liked, I mean, liked to chew on it. (I also just really like this picture.)

I made... a ... fort? Does that count?? Ok, now I'm stretching. I think this is where I stop and admit that I didn't really make all that much stuff. :(

Anyway, plans for the future involve a lot of knitting, embroidery, painting barbies, and making doll clothes. :D

How embarassing...

So... it's been a while. How are you doing, blog? Feeling neglected and unloved!? How could you say that!? I know it's been a while, but you've been in my heart and guilt-laden thoughts! Every time I create something I think of you, and how I should be posting here, oh, and there's all that other stuff I need to post and that is gonna take an awful long time. And you know I just moved and it really does take me a month to unpack. Oh... it's been two, near three, months? Uh, you're right. Like always.

So let's get back together. We'll take it slow, k? I'll show you a few things I've done, then you can talk about your feelings some more.

First, and I think this is the most important... I have a craft room! It's not really organized yet, and frankly I doubt it will ever be as cutesy or clever as the craft rooms I see on the internets, but it speaks to me, and is my space. That's what counts. I will devote an entire entry to it later.

I also finally learned how to knit a hat. I'm actually really proud of myself, because I pretty much just taught myself and went from there. It was surprisingly easy! I also FINALLY finished knitting the red scarf I've been working for, oh... two years approximately. Here is a pic of me wearing both!

Yes, the wallpaper, I know.

Also, I'm taking the plunge again this year (because obviously I love to torture myself): I'm doing NaNoWriMo. Again. I just realized today that I had no plot, so I thought of one. It's about three sentences right now. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. OMG DED.

I have about 20 more things I have made that I need to post, but we'll take it slow. Now tell me again how much you missed me.