Spring Has Arrived!!

I was able to plant and put out all our flowers, fruits, and herbs yesterday:) Last year we had a little rose and some strawberries. Here's what we have this year:

 There's a dove nesting on our downspout:)

Red, purple, pink, and yellow primrose:)

 This is my favorite: Chocolate Mint:) I'm excited to dry leaves to make tea:D

The rose bush is getting very tall and is sprouting new leaves all over.

Jack keeping a weary eye on things.

We inherited some daffodils from Dave and Fran, which have already bloomed. But there's a stow-away morning glory working it's way up the stems.

And, of course, the strawberries are back:)

There's also an african violet that I'm proud not to have killed yet, but I forgot to take it's picture:P I'm excited that everything is blooming because it means we're getting closer and closer to summer and warm weather. I'm really hoping to be able to plant these plants in my yard (which I don't have yet) either this summer or next:)

An Easy Cover for that Kindle

I got bored last weekend and popped out a new cover for my Kindle:) Super easy! I'm working on another one right now, so I'll post a tutorial soon. I think at least one sewing project per season justifies having a sewing machine and all the bells and whistles that go along with it...Although I know Tim would be happier if it spent less time on the kitchen table:P

See? Looks really easy:)

It was a snug, perfect fit. Which made me really happy because we all know I suck at Math and patience.

Side view; not too bulky.

Back view. Kinda boring, but you get the idea.

Things that turn out this well make me really happy. Because, lets face it, domestic goddess I am not!

The Infinity Dress, Part 2

Awhile ago, I had posted links to information and directions on making an infinite (or convertible) dress with only one seam. (See here).

And, awhile ago, I did finish my own Infinity dress:) I used a wine-colored, 98% rayon jersey-knit fabric, which was a little too stretchy, I think, since I had to stretch one layer of material and contract the other while sewing the only seam to make sure that the waist would be the right size. This turned out in my favor, since it made the plain circle skirt that makes up the bottom half of the dress more interesting.

If you have a free couple of hours, some stretchy fabric, a sewing machine, and need something to do, I recommend making yourself a convertible dress. I've worn it to the last two weddings I've gone to. It's comfortable and flattering to a variety of body types:)

Here are the two tutorials I used:
This post from Rostitchery
This post from Knuckle Salad

A few hints:
-Use a ball-point needle for sewing stretchy fabric. The staff at the Joann's was able to point me towards the right needle for the fabric I was using.
-If you're on the modest side and don't trust those two straps to keep you covered, you can sew a tube and add it to the waist at the same time you attach the
-Measure twice, cut once! Use some tailor's chalk to mark your measurements.

Enjoy!

Snow Day:)

There's enough snow on the ground (finally) for us to have a random day off. Usually, when this happens, Tim works from home. But the internet at his office is down, so he can't remote in to get anything done. So, aside from digging out the cars this morning, we've just been really, really lazy:P

 The view from the Apartment.

 Tim making me breakfast:)

 Throwing snow around with a normal-sized shovel this year:P

The complex mid-dig out.

Wayne & Christy's Wedding

In early December, we attended the wedding of two of our oldest friends, Wayne and Christy. I've known Wayne since elementary school, and we were in marching band with both of them all through high school. So it was our pleasure to be part of their day:)

Here are some of the photos from the rehearsal dinner and the wedding day:)

 The square in Gettysburg at Christmastime.

 The Pub at Christmas. They always light up nicely that time of year.

 First Dance

With the bride and groom:) (Hey, look! It's that dress I made).

Wishing all the best to Wayne & Christy.

Mini Monsters

For Christmas, my brother gave me Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots and more! I had never completed any amigurimi patterns before, but I was determined to finish at least a couple of these. So, after a trip to the craft store for the necessary parts not already in my stash, I got to work:)

This book also introduced me to visual patterns for crochet. I had never seen these symbols before, and it took a little research to figure that out, as well. Luckily, Brother also got me a stitch bible:P

I stumbled my way through a ninja and a robot (which are now on our desks at work!) and a knight (which I haven't taken a picture of yet). They're a pretty quick project, but I had to stop making them or else I'd have little monsters lurking in all the corners of the house:)
If you need an army of mini-ninja minions, I recommend it;)

Wow.

I'm sorry for not posting, Tim. And Mom. It's hard to make posts about the crafts you've been working on when most of them have been Christmas presents:P

And I'm sorry for being a fair-weather blogger. And for being one of those bloggers who apologizes for frequent hiatuses.

Things got pretty hectic here with preparing for the holidays, actually participating in the holidays, and recovering from said holidays. I also got a promotion at work, which has eaten up more of my energy and free time than I'd like.

So here are some photos from our travels since November:

 

Liz watching the kids (Frank, Grace, Tim, Greg, and Dan) at the playground after Thanksgiving dinner.

Emily retaliating after Dan smacked her butt while she was on the swing.

Dan and Emily playing on the see-saw with Frank and Grace.

What a weirdo.

Grace playing her flute for Mamaw & Papaw.

Sunset from Mom's yard.

 Max was a little disturbed by all the Christmas decorations.

 Tim can pout all he likes--I'm still going to take his picture:P

Tradition--Mom unwraps while we put everything on the tree. 

Christmas present for Tim's parents: Restoring this old family photo. Before.

After:)

Everyone gathered for the gift exchange at Mamaw & Papaw's house.

My aunt Pam with Max and Cinnamon.

Liz's fiance, Greg.

Frank ready to test his new nerf gun.

Timmy:)

Cinnamon chasing down Frank's nerf darts.

Christmas Eve @ the Rohrers'.

Bokeh of Tim's parents' Christmas tree.

Fran showing the ornaments on the tree to Zach.

Zach waving around the light that came with his little hard hat.

Max chewing on the little hamburger toy from his stocking:)

Jack playing with the little bird toy Mom sent for him:)

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and you're sticking to your resolutions (if you made any). We have a big year ahead of us this year. We're looking at buying our first house and moving back to south-central PA, so we should be pretty busy trying to get all of that sorted out. But on the bright side...there are only 54 days until Spring!