elliebelle

Vegas, baby.

So here I am...with pictures of VEGAS! :)  What better way to cure the winter blues by showing vacation pictures?  Truthfully, we haven't had such terrible weather here in Wisconsin lately.  Though the snow on Friday night put me in a not so good mood.  But when the snow was flying off my car the next day as I drove north (where they had no snow), I was feeling pretty darn good! ha!

So...where to start?  We had a great trip to Las Vegas.  I had to go for work for the International Textile Expo at the Rio but I went 3 days early and brought Joe along so that we could make a vacation out of it!  Both of us really enjoy Vegas - all the lights, the hustle bustle (Joe's like), the shopping (My like - obviously), and the show (both of us love!).  We stayed at the Flamingo for a few nights before heading to the Rio.  We, of course, had to get yard long margaritas at our place from last time.

 

And Joe with his new glasses purchase...yeah, they quite compliment him, don't you think? haha.

 

Oh, and outside of Planet Hollywood I compared my hand to Shaq's.  LOOK at that!  My hand fits in his palm!!!  Ridiculous!

 

On Friday night we hit up BB King's restaurant in the Mirage after a Kevin James sighting!!!  Woohoo - our one and only celebrity sighting. (no we didn't get a picture).  The BBQ and the music were fantastic at BB Kings.  We really enjoyed ourselves.

 

After dinner we headed out to Margaritaville at the Flamingo for what else, margaritas!

 

Oh and you gotta have a pic of Joe too...

 

Here we are in front of Caesar's Palace.

 

And Saturday night Joe was such a sweetie and took me to "O" at the Bellagio for my birthday.  It was wonderful!  I've been dying to see that for quite a while and it was really a treat to go. Cirque du Soleil is quite amazing - I must say!

Here we are in front of Treasure Island.  I think this was on Saturday right after Joe tried sushi for the first time.  What a guy!  Wasn't his favorite...but that's ok!

Joe would like you to note his "Sweet Ass Locs." (his sunglasses).  Joe informed me that back in the early 90s they were quite popular amongst the Gangster rap scene.  I had no idea about them...Joe's cost 10 bucks. haha.  And they actually look pretty darn great on him! :)

I also decided I needed an Eiffel Tower margarita! heehee...

I don't really know where we were at this point - but I like this picture. We match. :)

 

I like this one too...and we match again!

 

Here I am in front of a GIGANTIC slot machine. haha! Too bad the pull thingy didn't actually work - it was just there for show. boo.

 

Here's me and my big win.haha.

 

This photo is for my mom, who once bought Joe a king can of Bud Light that he drank while my Grandma was around...he was a little embarrassed at the time...but we sure laugh about it now.  So he got this beer in honor of her.  hahahahaha! Look at that face!

 

So this was a totally random post with lots of fun pics.  You can see lots more here. 

We really had a great trip, as you can see! :)  I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  Hopefully soon I'll be back with some projects...the creativity is just slowly starting to come back.  Eventually it will be back full blown. :)

Take care!

I've been absent...

Man, it's been almost a month!  What have I been doing?  Hmm...I don't know! haha.  It was February, dark, dreary, and just kind of blah.  I seem to have lost my creative juju.  I know it will come back, I just have to wait patiently.  I feel badly though that I haven't been keeping up my resolution of blogging twice a week!  I've been doing well on the other resolutions.  I learned cable knitting!  I've read more than one book a month!  So...hmmm...little blog, I need to get back to you.

There was a trip to Vegas last week, so there will be pictures of that very soon.  I always love showing vacation pics. :)

Since I don't have much to say, I thought I'd share some pictures of my dolls for all you other doll lovers out there.  Yes, I know, I might be a little bit of a freak for loving dolls.  But I'm ok with that! :)

 

From left to right they are Lulu (in honor of my Lululemon love), June, and Viola. Aren't they cute???

I really want to sew up some cute little dresses for them. I have so many great fabrics and a couple of vintage Skipper sewing patterns so I have all the supplies I need, I just need to start.  Maybe that's the problem with my lost creative juices, I just need to start, and then they might start flowing again. Hmm.

I guess we shall see. Sorry for this completely rambling post, I just decided I needed to check in on this space and try not to let it get too terribly neglected.

I hope everyone is enjoying the early spring weather!

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

 

Gifts for Mei

My Zumba teacher recently adopted a little girl in China. As a gift, I made two things for her little girl. The first item was a sweet little hat.  I love the way the textures and the colors come together for such a girly look.

 

And then I just HAD to make her a doll.  I used the free pattern from The Black Apple.  This is the pattern that was shown on the Martha Stewart Show.  It's an incredibly easy pattern but has such a great result.  I love the adorable look of the doll!

She's so cute.  I love her little red legs.

I will definitely make this pattern again - it's perfect for a very young child as there is nothing that could be a choking hazard.  Plus, think of the different looks you can create just by using different fabrics! You could even turn it into a boy doll.

Anyway, one side note, has everyone been enjoying the Olympics?  I LOVE the Olympics - it' so much fun to see the world come together in one place.  I am always so inspired by all of the stories told during the games.  Just wonderful. :)  

 

Resolution #8

The yellow sweater is done!!!!!!!  I can't believe it.  My February Lady Sweater is done - and what month is it?? February! I'm pretty sure I started this sweater almost a year ago...but oh well, here we are with a finished project! I'm so happy and excited to have accomplished my very first sweater.  And it fits. And I got lots of compliments on it at work.  Really, I lucked out! Half of the things I've sewn I've never worn, or worn only once. So this is reason to celebrate.

 

(Joe was my lovely photographer.)

One of the best parts was the fact that I finished it just in time to wear to our first knitting group night! I helped organize a group of ladies from work who like to knit (or do other hand projects).  A portion of us have decided to start the Central Park Hoodie. I cast on last night!  WOOHOO!  Mine is going to be red. hmm...I wonder why RED has been such a fun color for me recently?

It is interesting to see the difference in my sweater than the sweater on the pattern and all the gazillions of February Ladies on Ravelry.  I think because my yarn was slightly bulkier, the lace pattern almost appears more cable like.  I love it anyway, and the color is so fun!

This is also the first time I did any blocking!  Instead of getting it completely wet, I spritzed it with water and laid it out on a towel - then pinned it to the carpet - pulling the body slightly as I did it to lengthen it ever so much. I think it worked!

Obviously, I'm pretty proud of my first (fully finished) knitted garment!  I am so thrilled that casting on for the Central Park Hoodie has been so exciting!  I can't wait to make more sweaters! (and this is coming from the girl who just a few months ago proclaimed that she much preferred small projects! ha!)

Craft Swap

I joined the craft swap that Katie at Skunkboy Creatures hosted.  I love doing swaps with people because it is such a fun surprise to get something in the mail that you have NO IDEA what it is! :)

My partner lives in California and said she liked to bake.  So this is what I made her.

 

I used a vintage tablecloth I had to make an apron and matching potholders:

(I spy Sophie!)

 

I also knit two washcloths:

 

I also made a fun fabric flower - just for a little decoration.

 

It was fun trying to imagine what my partner might like.  And it sounds like she did like what I sent. Yay! And I LOVED what she sent.  I haven't taken any pictures of it.  But here are links to the Flick pictures. She made me this super fun headband. (it also had a matching hair clip, pin but that isn't in the pic). And she also sewed me this cute tote. So much fun!  Craft Swaps go to show how much GOOD there really is in the world, even when sometimes (after watching the news, it seems) it doesn't seem that way. Thanks to Katie for being the organizer!
 
 

 

 

A Christmas present

Ahh...I'm not keeping up with my New Year's Resolution of blogging 2 times a week!  Sorry about the hiatus, I was in California for a few days, and then also a little preoccupied with Zumba as I was leading the class for 2 weeks while our instructor was in China adopting her daughter!  (that meant I had to practice a lot so I didn't forget the routines! haha)

But my Zumba teacher is back, I'm back, I have things to blog about, so let's go!

I figured I needed to talk about the mukluks I made my mom for Christmas!  Actually, she got the supplies for Christmas.  haha.  But I did manage to finish them during my stay there.  I was so happy with how easily and quickly these went together!  I used some of the hand spun yarn from my Yarn o Plenty basket so they are a little lumpy, but still fun.  I used the pattern that comes with the soles from Somerset Designs.  I couldn't find these online anywhere, but luckily they had the right size at Iris Yarns in Appleton.  I had a friend pick them up for me, give them to her husband, who works with Joe, who brought them home.  Did you follow that?

 

This was actually my first time picking up stitches.  I was a little confused at first, but after a glance in my sister-in-law's Stitch and Bitch book, I figured it out!  

Here's my mom's cute feet modeling them. :)

I will definitely make these again as they are a perfect gift!  But I think in the future I will use a heavier yarn so that there are less gaps and it gives a "tighter" fit and feel to the slipper.

Anybody need any slippers?  haha, just kidding.  They were really fun to knit though.  

What has everyone else been knitting???  I have half a sleeve left on my February Lady Sweater, or "yellow sweater" as she is affectionately known on my New Year's Resolution list!!!  So pretty soon another resolution will have a big 'ole check mark next to it!!!  Woop woop!  Good thing too, since I'm starting a knit-a-long with some co-workers to make the Central Park Hoodie.  Cables, here I come! (another resolution!!!)

I'll be back soon with items I made (and received) for a super fun craft swap.  Oh man, I LOVED what I got!  

 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

Amazing...

 

For the last few days each morning we wake up to the most beautiful Winter Wonderland.  Literally every single tree is covered from top to bottom in gorgeous ice crystals.  It's truly mesmerizing. You feel like you are either in an alternate universe or possibly a movie set.

 

Each branch is a work of art!

Even the fence had snow crystals on it!

Obviously, I was a bit obsessed with taking pictures of the frost/snow crystals.  It was just so amazing!  It makes winter so much more bearable when you get some of Mother Nature's true works of art.

And because we all need a little humor in our lives...

 

Joe and I died laughing after I took this shot!  It's just SO Chelsea - all up in your face with her goofy block head.  Joe's mom thought the funniest part was the itty bitty tail in the background.  haha!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Resolution #13!

AHHH!!!  I did it!

 

This is my new Ladybug!  I picked her up on Saturday after buying her Wednesday night.  I am SO excited!  I love the car so much.  It's perfect for me.  And a fun fact, my parent's first car was a red bug back in the 70s!  

It was definitely nerve-wracking making the deal and signing all the paperwork - but I did it and I'm so glad I did.  I've driven her back from Appleton, and down to Madison today and she was great!  What a fun zippy car.

I am so glad that I have a nice reliable car now.  Plus having heated seats rocks!

 

So you know how Harley riders have the Harley wave, and Corvette drivers all wave at each other?  Well, I think the bug needs a wave, what do you think?  After I picked her up on Saturday I was so excited that I waved at a lady in another bug when I drove by.  She waved back, but I think she was confused. haha! Plus now I have total bug radar!  I parked by a yellow one at Fleet Farm, saw a red one leaving the grocery store, drove by a ton of others - basically I see them everywhere!  I definitely need to instill a bug wave.  What do you think about giving the peace sign?  That seems fitting.

It feels great to knock off another New Year's Resolution. (though when I made my list I knew buying a car would happen soon - just wasn't sure exactly when.) 2010 is starting out with a bang!

I am uploading a bunch of pictures onto my Flickr right now too - in case you are interested. (Mom and Dad) 

And since we're talking about bugs - here is a quote with a bug in it...

"If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito." - one of my fortune cookies - seriously!  Isn't that awesome? 

Lost in Wonderland

For the last month or so I've just been obsessed with Alice in Wonderland.  It started when I watched this movie. And then I started searching "Alice in Wonderland" on Etsy. Ooo, the treasures I've come up with. Now, obviously, I am not the only one interested in this story at the moment as it seems to be quite a popular subject on Etsy.  

I did receive the book for Christmas though and I am very excited to start reading it! I also want to watch the Disney movie again after not seeing it since I was a kid!

So here are some of the fun things I found:

From The Juicy Peach.

 

From Record Man 09.  Wouldn't it be fun to have an old record player? 

Aww...an old Madame Alexander doll...cute.  From Giggle Snort Society.

 

Another doll item - this time an adorable outfit for Blythe!  I love the tiny key. From Blythe Love. 

Slightly creepy paper dolls.  Still kinda cool, even with the angry faces.  From Wotdoin.

 

A sweet coin purse.  From Mish Mash Designs.
  

Perfect tiny bunny earrings!  From Untamed Menagerie. 

 

A fun print.  From The Poppy Tree.

 

And my two last favorite things:

I just LOVE this necklace!  How fun is it to just say, "We're all Mad here."  Fantastic!  From Untamed Menagerie.

 

And the sweetest, most fun ring I've ever seen:

From Anoriginal Jewelry.

 

Did you get lost in Wonderland too???

"Which road should I take?" said Alice.

"Where do you want to go?" said the Cat.

"I don't know," Alice answered.

"Then," said the Cat, "It doesn't matter, if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

 - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

 

image from We Heart It. 

The "Stop Doing" List

I was inspired by this post on the Lululemon blog. It's all about what some of your "stop doing" goals are.  It made me realize that it's not just the "to do" goals that are important - it's also to realize what thoughts, behaviors, etc aren't healthy and something you want to stop. 

Image from We Heart It.

 

Here is what I came up with:

1. Stop wishing I was somebody else - Quit comparing - Just DO what I love not what I think I should love just because someone else (someone I admire) does.  I am unique enough to follow my own inspirations.

2. Stop wasting time online looking at things like Facebook!  All I do is compare myself to others when I look at that. Use your time productively!

3. Stop criticizing myself and others - it is not nice - not good karma and just hurts myself in the long run.  Celebrate all people for their differences, even if they might drive you a little batty.  Look for the beauty - it is there.

4. Stop constantly thinking of the future.  Revel in the now and take strength in it.  Realize that life IS now, not the future.  There is so much to see and enjoy each and every day - make a point to see it.

5. Stop fearing what you don't have and realize what you do.  There is so much there - you are so lucky. Remember even if you are comparing yourself to someone who apparently has it all - they are looking at someone else and comparing.  Don't waste your time.  If you always want you will never realize the greatness of what you have.

6. Stop thinking of past events. You can't go back - you can't change anything.  Things do fall into place and no matter what, you have learned your way through life.  Look forward at today and next week - but not too far! (notice #4. heehee)

7. Stop putting things off.  Do them today - you will be SO glad you did.  Even if that thing sucks - just do it - get it done, move on. The pleasure in that will be amazing!

So that's my stop doing list?  What's on yours?

Quote of the day:

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life.  But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.  This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness.  Happiness is the way.  So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.  Happiness is a journey, not a destination."  - Souza