Big news!!

We're married!

Now that the crazy year of planning is done, I hope to share more about our day soon!

Infinity scoodie

A few months ago I had a nice break from classes, and decided to pursue a new craft project- an infinity scoodie.  I wanted to make my own pattern and after some trial and error, pulled it off!  A friend saw mine and asked for own of her own and it turned out so good.  Here are some pictures of the final result of what I made for her:

Nicole picked some colors that I wouldn't have chosen on my own, and they were so perfect!  After I started, I couldn't get over how much I loved them together.  The yarn I used is super soft and the whole piece is really comfortable to wear.

I added some details that weren't on my original, including a cord with tassels to tighten the hood and a satin liner to help give the hood shape and for more warmth.  

The scarf part is really long (it reaches the ground when hanging straight down and loops around 3-4 times.

I love this scoodie and am looking forward to making more.  If you are interested in one of your own, feel free to contact me, either through blogger or my Etsy store.  (There isn't much on my Etsy shop right now, but you can send me a message and we can consult on an item.)  Thanks!

A DIY Christmas: Framed floral art

Because money is tight and I like to give personal presents, I've recently started working on handmade Christmas gifts for friends and family, and this is one of the first items I've finished.  

I sewed the flowers with this technique  and secured them to the backing fabric.  (Since I haven't done much needle art, I don't know what the technical term for the cloth is.)  I got a nice chunk of the fabric at  thrift store in a craft bag with some small skeins of yarn for $3.  I cut the flower pot out of some leftover Halloween remnants and sewed it on.  Then I looked at the pattern for my cat wall hanging to help with some stitches for the stems and leaves.  The stems were a stem stitch and the leaves are detached chains.  Then I mounted the picture in a $2 frame from the thrift store.

I love how this project turned out!  It was simple to make and totally different from anything I've made before.  It was also a really fun project because I winged the whole thing and got to use my artistic eye to decide where stitches should go, rather then following a pattern, counting stitches, or measuring pieces.  I can't wait to give this to my friend for Christmas!

Granny bunting: take 2

So, we had a potluck last night and a bunch of people came, so I had to show off my craft room to our guests.  A friend who was there commented on my granny bunting and how she'd love to hang some in her home.  And boom!  Perfect Christmas gift idea! 

I got to work right away today, and I definitely love my results so far.  I used more standard yarn so the stitches are more defined.  Then I figured out how to edge the triangles with scallops, which really gives them a polished look. 

I can't wait to finish these and give them to my friend at Christmas.  I'm thinking of keeping the whole thing shorter- maybe only five pendants, so it's simple and hang-able in more spaces.  Then, I'll definitely be making more for our own house!

Road trip 2012, part 2: Boulder, CO

After our night in the Badlands, we drove to Boulder, CO for a night in the mountains.  I had a few dear friends move there back in college, so I'd visited once, but not recently or long enough to know much about the town.  So, we explored, saw a few friends, and ate some delicious food.

First night in town, we walked up the creek to the downtown area for some dinner.  There were mushrooms!  Something severely lacking in out Badlands adventure.  I could not live somewhere without fungi. 

And yarn-bombing!  An entire tree!  It wasn't completely secured on the tree, but enough to make me smile when I saw it on the path. 

And then dinner at the Boulder Cafe- oysters followed up by shrimp enchilladas and trout with jalapeno corn cakes.  Yes, lots of seafood.  That seemed to be the theme of the trip- long days on the road with very few healthy pescaterian roadside options followed up by delicious, decadent fish and vegetarian dishes.

Then, one of my friends who used to live in Boulder came and met up with us for a little help navigating the bar scene in town.  It was so fun, and despite the time that has passed since we last saw each other, it was like we still eat lunch together in the student union every Tuesday.

The next morning we went discing with a view of the mountains.

Then we hiked in the mountains for a bit. 

After our day of hiking and further exploring of Boulder we went south to visit another friend.  We wound up back in Boulder for a lovely sushi dinner where I discovered a new favorite drink-an IZZE Hound: a twist on a greyhound with IZZE rather than regular grapefruit juice! Unfortunately, in the excitement of the evening, my camera went to the wayside, but it was a great night nonetheless!

More about the next leg of trip very soon!

An art project

It's been a while since I've done any digital art, so I decided tonight was the night.  It's easier when I work on a consistent basis, so hopefully this is the beginning of a productive streak!

Beth and I

I realize how passé moustaches are, but I like to draw pictures with props that I can use for a splash of color.  I also colored our black/white/gray tattoos.  :)

Art-A-Whirl

We went to Art-A-Whirl this past weekend- it's basically a huge multi-building, block-spanning open art studio event in NE Minneapolis where you can view and buy art in many various forms- prints, jewelry, painting, ceramics, etc.  It's so awesome to see what other people make.  Unfortunately, I didn't really take pictures of much of what I saw.  I feel kind of awkward doing that- I don't want people to think I'm "stealing" their art, but I don't know- maybe they wouldn't care at all.  I didn't even buy much (just a necklace and a magnet) but it was still a super fun afternoon!

 

Sculpture bench!

This was a tree where people could write down their wishes and hang them.  I love this one.  <3

The key to Art-A-Whirl: breaks, water, and water!  A 90-degree day can be pretty brutal in enclosed, un-air conditioned studios, so hydration is essential!

 Wooden mustaches on a stick.

And I love this:

It's a drawing of an actual giant snowman statue in the city I grew up in (and will soon be moving back to).  Mark thought it was too expensive, but I love it and may have to buy it for the sentimental value. 

So there we go- a successful day of art, fun, and friends! 

Another night (or two) of celebration.

Well, I wound up with three nights of birthday stuff: one with the friends, one with my family, and the actual birthday evening with my lover. These pictures were from the actual birthday... we went to the conservatory (and zoo, but that part appeals less and less each year), to a patio for drinks, out to dinner, and then out for a few more drinks- all before 10pm.

Orchids. Tulips. Hibiscus. More orchids.



Me- wearing floral, surrounded by flowers.









Full view of the Sunken Garden.


We decided to try a new Thai place- only to find this sign on the door. Oh well, some other time.




So we went to a different new place- a Nepali and Tibetan restaurant I've lived near for years, but never tried. I had Matar Paneer- a green pea curry cooked with Paneer cheese and tofu in cream sauce. Oh my gosh. It was so incredible. I would eat it for every meal if I could.



Mark had the veggie Thukpa- the biggest, spiciest bowl of delicious noodle soup I've seen or tasted.



It was a great birthday and I'm so glad we found a new restaurant to frequent. I got a few presents too (including an iPad that my parents gave me a few weeks ago and tickets from Mark to an upcoming music festival), but really, I'm just happy to have spent the time with people I love. Awww... getting older feels pretty good.

Birthday evening out

My birthday is happening on Monday. 27. I went out with a few good friends last night to celebrate. Our first stop was Suzi's in NE Mpls for some massive tiki-style drinks (seriously, our choice was a volcano full of dry ice and approximately 52 ounces of rum & pineapple yumminess... four of us split it), followed up by a karaoke bar down the street. I was hoping the weather would be nice enough for an evening on the patio next to the river, and while it wasn't too chilly, we opted to stay inside most of the night.


My friends are adorable.






Matty is one of my oldest friends. I think he's one of the most brave, kind, talented people I know. Seriously, rockstar hairdresser.



Others were out as well, but my camera wasn't, so I didn't quite get the whole night. I really appreciate having such wonderful people in my life and it was a great evening.

A little bit o' green.

I live down the road from one of the biggest Irish bars of the city, but when it came down to it, I decided to keep St. Patty's low-key and simple. It was a lovely (80 degree!) day, so we went to a local restaurant with tables outside and got a great vegan dinner.


No, your eyes are not deceiving you: it's a green burger. A green falafel burger with cucumber dipping sauce, garlic hummus, and sweet potato fries. Yum!!

I followed up dinner with a few beers in the backyard with the other tenants in my building. Simple & green: the way I like it.

See me on :dianapantz:!

Oh hey, I forgot to post this the other day, but I'm sponsoring my friend Diana's blog this month and you can read my mini-interview there!


That's us! Five years ago today on St. Patty's Day! Apparently denim skirts were ALL the rage back in 2007.

Craft night!

Spent my Saturday evening in, doing crafts with some cool ladies.

I made some felt flowers for a travel toiletry bag for my mom's birthday. (I'm TOTALLY addicted to these flowers and they will probably be on everything I own in, like, a week.) The bag was actually a purse I got at Target for $10, and cut the strap off.








I gave a short crochet tutorial to one of the girls so she could make an infinity scarf for her dog. It was more of a cowl, but the hostess's fine cat, Steve, modeled it.




I need to have another night like this very soon!

Seven years of 89.3, The Current

Last night I got to go to a show at First Ave for The Current's 7th birthday celebration. I've always wanted to go, but the tickets go on sale to MPR members first, and almost always sell out before they're available to the general public. Well, I just so happen to have a friend who's a member, got tickets to both nights of the event, and offered to let me tag along for one night!

The first two acts were Low and Night Moves. Low was a bit slow for my taste, but I really liked Night Moves- 70s-ish rock 'n' roll.

The third act was Dead Man Winter, featuring members of Trampled by Turtles <3, Dave Simonett in particular. They were, of course, great.






And the final act- Tapes 'n Tapes. I've seen them, what? Maybe 6 times now? I don't even care because they're so good and I can dance like a maniac (as best as possible in a sold out show, ten feet from the stage).






They ended the show with a rendition of Purple Rain. Hooray for Minnesota music!

Oh, and First Ave got rid of that staircase that came down to the floor and blocked major sight lines. Made a HUGE difference in the flow of the place.