What's worse?

Situation 1: I picked up my iPhone to put it in the microwave rather than the mashed potatoes I intended to heat only narrowly noticing my mistake.

OR

Situation 2: Thomas striding into the kitchen to let me know he's hungry but instead proclaiming, "I'm pregnant!"

Design of the Day

Bird nest and handmade beads

I would never claim that my home fits into a certain decorative style. Everything that's in our we have on display has a good story behind it (like the sleeper sofa I scored for 50 bucks) or we just really like it (like all those martini glasses on every shelf, I really like those.) That includes this little bird nest. I found it nestled in a white rose bush, took it home and gave it a place right on our fireplace. It needed a little something more so, like colorful little eggs I tucked these hand-felted wool beads into their new home.

Is it Friday yet?

Here it is Monday again. We're all having a rough time getting started. The weekend went by too quickly and I don't think we've had enough time to recover. Friday started with a fun night of baking, drinking and playing Wii. Well, the guys played Wii while Jane and I talked about everything from unnecessary vodka packaging to Jazzercise moves. Jane says I no longer look like a marionette but rather a Rockette! Sadly I am a tiny bit too tall to be in the famous Rockette lineup, but I'm sure if I let them know I was available they'd change the height requirements just to let me perform.

Saturday was busy, Thomas and I ran errands where I tried to convince him I need one of these. My efforts have not been successful. But we did see the Matrix or maybe it was part of the Trench Coat Mafia, not sure. This guy was in a full-length black trench-coat. Did I mention it was an absolutely perfect 72 and sunny? I guess that's why I like going to Fry's with Thomas - for the ever-exciting people watching. We moved on and had sushi for lunch. Later we met up with a group of friends for a crazy night of cocktails and dinner.

On Sunday things didn't slow down. I got up for 8:15 am Jazzercise and even stayed for a second class immediately following the first. (I got overly excited because on Saturday I fit into a pair of pants that had been obscenely tight in previous months.) I came home to a recumbent Thomas so I decided to snuggle in and work on my knitting. I've been working on the Manos del Uruguay Four Seasons Throw.

Block 3 is really throwing me for a loop (pun intended). I don't normally make many mistakes on my knitting but thanks to Thomas tying me to a chair and propping my eyes open with toothpicks just to get me to watch a TV show he likes, I got all out of order on my rows. I was marking down that I had finished rows three ahead of where I currently was! It's his fault. I know it.

Even after minor defeat I was still feeling crafty and decided to haul out my summer skirt project. A few weeks ago I bought the Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt pattern from Sowing Sisters along with a cute fabric by Kitty Yoshida.

The pattern is a lot of pieces but it was a lot of fun to sew. It's fully lined with muslin and nearly done. I just have to stitch the hems. I hope to wear it on Wednesday, I know all my knitter friends will be so (sew?) excited about it! I wish I could sit down and finish it right now, but my Monday morning list of things to do is long, but I know I will power through it all because this charmer greeted me when I let the dogs out this morning.

Design of the Day

Twistori

Thomas found a cool website today that loads Twitter feeds that contain certain phrases. It's fascinating and captivating to watch, oh and it totally sucks you in for undocumented amounts of time. You can choose which keyword you watch.

love
hate
think
believe
feel
wish

From the sublime to work-related to bizarre, I watched phrases like, "I wish that today could start all over!" and "I wish adobe illustrator had a shortcut for 'Place', like InDesign or Flash have for "Import.'"

What? "Don't have to buy a new toilet. Do have to find a roofer to patch a hole.
I think this calls for ice cream to celebrate..."

Go check it out. twistori.com

Café Crochet

My fabulous sister, Nancy Queen, has just launched her fabulous new book, The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet.Go get it. Now. It's worth it. If you're a seasoned crocheter it's a great addition to your collection. With over 30 patterns the book has everything from pullovers to tote bags and cardigans, vests and hats. If you're just a beginner the Guide to Crochet has great, no fear instructions that are straight to the point while having a sense of humor. You'll never get bored with The Chicks with Sticks!

Of the 30 fun to work patterns, three are mine. I designed, as the resident California girl, the Surfer Chick Quick Cap, a fun fan-stitch hat. It really does work up fast and, of course looks adorable.

The Chicks' Felted Zebra Slippers are a creation of mine too. These soft and fuzzy slip-ons are all single crochet so that makes them perfect for beginners.

And my personal favorite, Heather's Cafe Cardigan. This top-down raglan cardi totally fun to make, especially while you're sipping coffee at the corner cafe. If you're anything like me that caffeine buzz will have you finishing this in no time!