New Beginnings

Things are moving forward quickly and our move is imminent! I'm officially done with work. Our apartment is almost completely dismantled. Our bags are literally packed. It's a bit nerve-wracking and completely exhausting. I'm excited to finally get on with it, but I'm definitely sad to be leaving the place I called home for the past 8+ years. So many of our friends have been so supportive and it's been wonderful spending time with everyone. We will miss you all dearly. I can't even begin to describe the emotions and thoughts that are running through my head all day and night. I'm excited, scared, nervous, happy, relieved, exhausted, anxious, and everything else all at the same time. I'm hoping that this move will give us a kick-start into new and amazing parts of our lives. There is so much to look forward to and I haven't truly expounded on all that there is to come. Basically, all aspects of our lives will be thrown for a loop. A new house, new job prospects (Freelance, here I come!), new environment, new (and old) friends, family. This may be my last post for a little while, but we're going to try to set up shop ASAP so we can keep you up to date on all things shiny and new. Take care and see you on the other side.

Fondly,
Crystal

Friends of Mine

Many a month ago, I made a doll from a pattern I found in one of my Japanese craft books. Maybe you'll remember him as the hipster bear with his little flower-y shorts and jaunty neckerchief. I was quite happy with how he turned out, but I wanted to try to make him my own by changing things up a little bit.

Since then I've made quite a few, but haven't yet had a chance to post about them. This one I made for my dear friend Chandra over at This Is For That, for her birthday. If you remember the original one I made was more bear-like. I consider this new incarnation more dog-like in the face. This one in particular is the only one I've made thus far that has the roundy hands and feet. I'm not skilled in the ways of pattern-making so that's why the hands and feet are more like flat ovals than rounded balls. Ah well, next time around. He's also more squat in the body while the others I've made have a body more like the hipster bear, just with the dog face I created. I have a love for mismatched fabrics which probably stems from my childhood obsession with Holly Hobbie. I've always wanted to dress like her. The idea of being able to get away with wearing a bonnet and brown boots intrigues me.

Here are more photos of him standing around by the window.



Fondly,
Crystal

The Final Countdown

We're moving in 20 days!!! I still can hardly believe it and yet it's all happening before my eyes. What hasn't been happening is me sitting down in front of the computer to post about the million things that I've been wanting to post about.

First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and New Year.

Second, we've made so many things in the past couple months that I couldn't possibly post all about them at once. Especially, since I'm sitting in my pajamas about to go to bed. I thought I should at least check in so no one thinks we've fallen off the face of the earth. Almost, but not yet.

A little while back, Andrew and I bought a new computer. The monitor is an enormous 24-inches! The screen is so big that it's almost too bright to look at without squinting. It's unbearable to have an all white desktop image. I'm a big fan of Nintendo, Super Mario especially so I found this tiny image of the opening screen of the first Super Mario:

I wanted this image to be our desktop image, but it's super super tiny. I decided to employ my ever expanding Photoshop skills and create this:





It probably took a lot more time than it was worth, but I think it's slightly hilarious and awesome nonetheless.

Next post: Handmade Presents - Birthdays and Holidays

Fondly,
Crystal

Happy New Year!

We hope everyone has a great one!!!