Candy Pickle?

I think that might be what my nephew named this squeezy amigo, I can't quite remember. Anyway, s/he was a birthday gift for my niece:



Pattern; yarn = Paton's classic wool, in aran, and, I think Shepherd's Wool worsted (in some white or other) which I dyed w/ Kool-Aid (a proud Nebraska product). Size 5 or 6 needles, I think.

I like the swirly feet:




. . .

ghana glam

Using these easy instructions, I made these earrings (+ some other pairs) using beads handmade in Ghana, plus some little blue ones I had from a stretched-out bracelet.






. . .

the truth-telling bradley turns 41

And gets a birthday present:





If you give them cuffs, they should fit bottles too.


Evidently the tabs on MHL cans are not similarly situated w/r/2 the can design. Fascinating. So much to learn about the high life.

. . .

DMB+MR 5/24/09

DMB & MR (got married and) received some nuptial napkins (I hope I'm not ruining the surprise here people) on Sunday.


A few notable new design elements for ACMcS Napkins Co. include: one set/different fabrics (this one is my favorite);


color-coordinated thread (this is a lemon yellow, tho it appears white);


the doubled hemline;


and (a new skill and part of the reason for dreaming up the doubled hemline), attempts at mitered corners.


Here's an member of an older set I've been visiting in Boston for the past few days:

Hand-sewn, wider hems, and brains!
. . .

I ran this

. . .

mountains levelled

(This is mostly an excuse to use the webdings font.)
Mountain #1: the recycling in my laundry room. a
Mountain #2: thank you notes. a
Mountain #3: dirty dishes. a
Mountain #4: laundry. l
Mountain #5: the dining room table.a (mostly)

I'm slowly spanking this place into shape. My birthday provided a lot of inspiration, actually. Among the wondrous bounty I received are a painting, two framed photographs, and a big map plus I bought myself a birthday painting too. They need hanging, and it seems shameful to hang them in the box of clutter that is my house. I'm really truly attempting to clear out some of that silly detritus (a nod to MVA and the faraway days at 7 College Ave.) that I've been hauling and storing for years and years. I'll never be a minimalist, but I can try to avoid being trashist too. I'm too tired to think of what kind of ist that leaves me. Maybe a goodist?

. . .

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

I bought a microwave today for a dollar at a garage sale. (I also got a beautiful quilt rack for $5 at another garage sale, but that's not what this post is about. I included a picture just for kicks though.) Anyhow, I can't remember the last time I owned a microwave. It might be never. Here are the ever-so-fascinating reasons why I decided to rejoin the world of nukers:

• It's probably more cost-effective and environmentally friendly to reheat food in two minutes rather than the half hour it usually takes in my toaster oven; and
  
• My gratification is more instant; and
• It was $1 (although I confess I was pricing them in Walmart and actually carried one around in my cart for a while there earlier this week); and
• It has the crucial "minute plus" function I love so much.

So pained visitors be assuaged! people who hate the thought of we microwaveless (you know who you are) be pacified. For now I nuke.

And although it does beeeeeeeeeep unpleasantly, it lessens my need for the chicken timer (found! by the way--hiding out in the spare bedroom for reasons she doesn't care to share), which, to be fair, has herself something of an unpleasant timbre.

And here are some gratuitous pictures of Lulu. They prove she has eyes.





and one fine tail. I like how feathery it is, although this picture does not do it justice.

Happy Saturday, all.

. . .

it is finished.

I've graduated.