More Journals

This weekend has been great! I actually bought a car! It's been at least 2 1/2 years since I've had a car. But this time it's my first REAL car. I had one when I lived in Las Vegas, but I only had it for about 6 months. Then I moved to Guam and rented a car for another 6 months. Other than that I've lived my life thus far without a vehicle. Is that sad? Maybe. I see myself as an environmentalist rather than just poor. It makes me feel better.

I was really afraid of buying a car because of all the extra expenses (I need new tires already) But it is so worth it - Being able to wake up on the weekend and go out to grab a bagel and coffee... I can even enjoy the city now! I might ACTUALLY grow to love Anchorage!

I made a couple new junk journals yesterday. I love using my scrap papers! These are very similar to my "Notes" junk journals that I posted earlier. I'm going to make a couple more with a different title and slightly different papers.

I think these little books are just perfect for scrapping about everyday life. The heavy chipboard cover is spiral bound and measures 4 by 6 inches. The inside pages are assorted colors, sizes and prints. It's small enough to carry in your purse. Bring along some washi tape, gel pens or sharpies and you'll be scrapping on the bus, scrapping in line at the coffee shop, in between classes or on your lunch break! Check out my Travel Journal for an idea of what you can do with scrap journals on the go.

More Wedding Stuff

I LOVE paper.

The first thing I thought of when my mom and I started planning my wedding was "OMG Invitations! Place cards! Programs! Table number cards! Thank you notes! Guest books!! Bridesmaid and groomsmen invitations!! I'm going to make them all!" I was SO excited! So far I'm almost done.

Guest book? Check. That was easy-peasy.

Bridesmaid and Groomsmen invites? Check. Already delivered.

Save-the-Dates? Nope. Not spending that much on stamps or paper (or printer ink!) Save the Dates seem redundant anyway. They will get an invitation.

Place cards? Check.

Table number cards? Check.

Programs? Working on it.

I posted a photo of my invitations before, but since then I've completely redesigned them!  I got some really nice envelopes delivered to replace the ones I made (yes, I made a bunch of envelopes from a roll of Kraft paper... they looked janky.)  I added a map I drew on the pocket side of the invitation. I think the black card stock is a little heavy looking but I'll just have to deal with it. I already spent enough money on paper so there is no turning back now! That's me, obsessive about design.

 It's a good thing I'm not so obsessed about everything else in the wedding. I would be over loaded!

Coconut Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is the best way to use up stale bread! I always have leftover bread so before it goes bad I throw it in the freezer for later. It's easy to make and you can add lots of different stuff in it - raisins, apples, banana, caramel syrup, chocolate, brandy or rum. I had some leftover coconut milk and shredded coconut from making Martha Stewart's coconut cupcakes. The toasted shredded coconut adds awesome texture to the pudding!

Ingredients:
6 slices stale bread, crumbled
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup milk
6 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 sup white sugar
2 Tbsp butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Preheat to 350 F

Mix sugar and eggs. Stir in milk and coconut milk.
Place crumbled bread into bread pan or similar pan and sprinkle shredded coconut on top. Pour the egg mixture on top. Press the bread in top down into the liquid mixture to soak it up. Sprinkle cubes of butter on top.

Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

Journal Making

All I've been doing lately is work, work, work! Yesterday was my only day off this week. I had a girls night on Friday with my Army Barbies. It started out classy at a wine bar, drinking champagne and dining on small portions of fancy food. As the night went on it got more and more trashy, singing karaoke and eating fried chicken. But fortunately we ended on a classy note - when the cab was taking too long to pick us up we opted for a room at the Hilton. The next morning was unpleasant to say the least, but we got some diner food and all was well again.

After I got home from work today I started putting together a couple of scrap journals. I got a little tired of the super froufrou style scrapbooks. They just aren't "me." I still love them, but it's so expensive and time consuming. I don't have a studio to make a mess in and I get tired of tearing apart my room just to make a few pages. I love how these turned out. I'm thinking about creating an Etsy store and this may be in my inventory.

I love the Hambly papers!

Textile Love

I've been interested in textile design for quite a while now, from classes in college, internships at textile wholesalers, learning to knit and to crochet. However I have never tried my hand at weaving, that is, until I read this DIY Wood Frame Weaving Tutorial by The Darling Ewe. I had to try it! I set two work removing the fabric off of a canvas to use the wooden frame. I got myself a hammer and some nails and embarked on my weaving adventure. Although I weaved too tightly, I think my first try is coming out pretty nicely.

I stopped in the library and picked up a book on textiles for inspiration. There are so many great pieces of work and styles out there. Many textiles look like they are telling stories. Check out the very bottom photo... I'd love to know what that story was!

Knitting Inspiration

I haven't been feeling very inspired lately to do any scrapbooks or knitting. I came across this video while searching for inspiration and it's really incredible! 

When I was younger my mother built me a dollhouse. I wanted to have all kinds of dollhouse furniture for it, but of course those things are expensive, so my father bought me an xacto knife set and balsa wood so I could build miniature furniture. I used to really love it. I remember being very proud of a grandfather clock I made. I have no idea if any of the pieces I created are still around, but the dollhouse sure is! I have fond memories of miniatures, which is why I was so inspired by this video. However I can't see myself picking up knitting needles THAT small anytime soon. I thought size 0 was small!

Map Bunting

These past few weeks have been really busy and really tough. I've had to work most weekends and I've barely seen my husband. I finally have a nice long four day weekend to myself. I can actually dress in my own clothes, paint my nails (maybe even get a manicure, which is badly needed!) I may even have an excuse to shop in downtown Anchorage! I'm really excited about it.

Even though I've been busy I still found a little bit of energy to make wedding decorations. My inspiration level was so low for a few weeks that cutting triangles out of old maps and stringing them together was as creative as I could get! But I think they will make cute decor. I hung them up in my kitchen just for safe keeping.