photo shoot

I took this picture a month ago in my studio photography class. I was shooting my good friend Arlie, with leaves and feathers in her dreads. This is a shot of my set. You can see the dark profile of the view camera on the left.

The image below closely resembles the final product, a scan from my 4x5 negative:

doll accessories

As a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law (Austin's kid sister) I knitted and crocheted some accessories for her numerous American Girl Dolls.
The wrap scarf with the button is my favorite. I included some knitting needles and two skeins of yarn with her gift, and taught her the basics. She didn't quite get it, but I have faith that she will.

books

While I was out shopping with my mom today, I found several books I'd love to have. Among them, The Chicks with Sticks' Guide to Crochet by Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O'Connell. Not only does it have simple and pretty patterns, but it spends roughly 5 pages teaching about different kinds of yarn, which I thought was pretty cool. I wanted it so bad, but I couldn't bring myself to fork over the $20 for it. I did, however, snap a picture with my phone, below.

Other books I drooled over but did not purchase include: Boho Baby Knits: Groovy Patterns for Cool Tots by Kat Coyle, Easy Baby Knits: Clothes and Accessories for 0-3 Year Olds by Claire Montgomerie and Claire Richardson, and Not Your Mama's Crochet: The Cool and Creative Way to Join the Chain Gang by Amy Swenson.

I think I'll shop for used copies of these on Amazon. . .

christmas has arrived

Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas!!! So far I've had three naps, played with my child, watched A Christmas Story and am anxiously awaiting my eggs benedict and mimosas for lunch. Later I will have dinner with my in-laws and then probably come home and gorge myself on fudge and unbaked oatmeal cookies.

Hope everyone is having the happiest holidays!

nighttime knitter

Last night I stayed up till 1am (not really late, but feels like it when you know your baby is only going to let you sleep till 6am or so) knitting a loose, ultra-long, skinny, soft, pretty circle scarf. While I was at it, I shot a self portrait, which is below. You can't really tell, but Henry was sleeping right next to me on the sofa.


On the coffee table by my side: mimosa, empty mimosa pitcher (no worries, I had help consuming them), remote for controlling the volume of HGTV and Futurama as the night progressed, and remnants of Henry's bathtime.

christmas is almost here

We were a little late decorating this year, but mom and I finally got around to it. From the tree and stockings to the most beautiful wreath we have ever created, the house finally looks like Christmas. It's beautiful.





When I think about my apartment sitting empty for the holidays while Austin, Henry, and I spend the month with my parents, I feel a little sad for the only Christmas decoration there: the lonely wreath I pulled out from under the bed at the last minute, before I left for the 'Burg. I hope it makes people smile as they exit the elevator.

pseudopregnancy

Pseudopregnancy was the title for my final project in my conceptual photography class this past semester. I was curious to see how people that had never been pregnant before would feel about walking around in pregnant bellies. It was a very personal project, as I was recently pregnant myself and I felt overly self-conscious the entire nine months. I photographed my subjects in public spaces, and had them write a brief paragraph about their experience afterwards.


These are some photographs that my mom and I took of my finished piece - and me posing with it. It is currently hanging in the student lounge at VCU's photo building. I am very happy with the outcome of this project, and I can't wait to put the images up on my official website.

ruffle scarf

I found this simple crochet pattern for ruffle scarves a month or so ago. So far I have made four of them, but this one is my favorite. It's super soft cotton, and I love the natural color. I'm tempted to keep this one for myself.

jealous and inspired

Some things I found while browsing (a rarity for me these days) today. . .


Estela Lugo's animal pillows are absolutely precious. I desperately want them for Henry. . . maybe we'll just make a set together when he's old enough for paint.
These felted crochet bowls are so adorable! I found them on Modern Dose and am dying to make my own.

I found these handmade lights today on Design Sponge (http://www.designspongeonline.com). I want to make some!!! I've been knitting a lot lately, but these really make me want to get back to some crochet projects. I'm jealous because I didn't make these, and I'm not sure when I'll get around to doing something similar. I have so many ideas for lighting. Someday I will make a bunch of lights, whenever I can get some hands-free time again. In the meantime, I'll keep looking at stuff like this and getting inspiration overload.

early morning mommy

While I was sitting here with my coffee, I thought of this picture I took a couple of months ago, while still adjusting to full-time student and mommy-hood.

I am usually less than half-awake when I get up, and my hair is frequently a disaster. But I am always happy to wake up to Henry's smiles and giggles. . . and always unbelievably grateful for my morning cup of coffee.

mister adorable

Henry at six months old, watching in fascination as cars go by outside his "Mimzi" and "G'Pa's" house. It's amazing how much I love him. This picture makes my heart melt.

Fagot Stitch

I started this scarf last night. My step-cousin taught me this stitch last week while we were sitting with our ill grandfather. I'm using a chunky cotton-acrylic blend. It's soft and looks lacy when held up. I'm tempted to keep it, but really need to give it as a Christmas gift or add it to the small inventory I'm building for my Etsy store. We'll see.

P.S. I haven't actually started my store yet, but when I do my "Etsy" link will be direct to my page. I'll let you know.

First Post

I have never blogged before. They say there is a first time for everything, though. . .

Please forgive me, in advance, for all of the rambling I will do. I am overly excited about all of my projects (knitting, crochet, motherhood, and otherwise), and hopefully I'll post pictures of everything I've been up to lately in the very near future.