Last First Day of School | Project Inspiration

by Kayla K on August 28, 2010

This week I celebrated my last first day of school!  My last first day with me as the student, anyway.  Hopefully at this time next year I will be celebrating my first- first day of me as the teacher! *crosses fingers* *curses budget cuts*

Gettiing adjusted to yet another new routine calls for some brain-numbing garter stitch.  My latest project:

log-cabin-baby-afghan

This log cabin baby afghan is knitted with unravelled sweaters.  The preppy stripes make it a little more “Baby Gap” than “hippie handicraft” which will make it a great gift for one of my many expecting friends.  It was really fun to knit in the beginning when the squares were small, but now I am knitting in solid blocks for a very long time.  Quite boring.  I am excited to try an applied I-cord edge on the blanket which is new to me.

rachel-zoe-slouch-hatMy mind is obviously craving something more exciting.  While knitting this afghan I spaced out to Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo.  I really like this hat and think it could easily be duplicated.

Lbooth-quilt-inspirationater in the week I was out for coffee with a friend and was distracted by the tapestry pattern on our booth.  Would this not make an awesome Kona-cotton mod-quilt design?

I better get plugging away on that baby afghan so I can start a new project!  My latest audiobook pick will keep my brain occupied.  I’m listening to A Prayer for Owen Meany which is 25 hours long!

{ 0 comments }

Hi all!

I am taking a quick break from all of the sticky slime that is canning peaches to tell you about my great trip that I took with Mom yesterday.  The sticky peaches are relevant…

We headed south to check out the Bent n’ Dent grocery store to find that it was closed!  Thursday is sometimes errand day for the Amish.  Luckily the general store was open so we could stock up on high quality stainless steel kitchen ware.  Mom was also able to purchase diaper pins for layettes at only $.65 per dozen.

Our favorite find was belts for our treadle sewing machines.  When we asked the lady gave us the leather belts that we are familiar with.  Then, she said “Wait… are you actually going to use these?”  Of course we planned on it!  She then gave us long plastic tubing and stuck a tiny metal attachment in one end.  She said the plastic was so much nicer because it could be cut with a scissor.  She said if the belt got a little loose after awhile we could just trim it and stick the metal into the tube again.  We are excited to try her suggestion!  She also said we can use the same needles as for our electric machines and gave us some pointers on tension.

The treadle machine experimenting will have to wait until the peaches are canned!  On our way out of the general store we saw a sign that said a shipment of peaches would be in at someone’s farm.  The general store owner gave us directions and we were able to purchase three large crates of peaches for $16 each which equaled about $.60 per pound.  We signed up for peaches and blueberries and will be expecting a post card at this time next year.

It is fun to have a “last hurrah” before school starts on Monday.  Mom doesn’t believe me, but I truly enjoy canning!

{ 1 comment }

My Messy Desk Monday #2

by Kayla K on August 16, 2010

Welcome to my weekly installment of My Messy Desk Monday!  A workspace can say a lot about someone.  Here is what my desk is saying today:

messy-desk-2Today marks the beginning of my final week of summer and I am spending some time with Spencer before I start school next Monday.

On my his desk today:

  • Bills paid online: I love online bill pay!  At the end of this year I planned to take a picture of the big stack of return envelopes I save by paying online but I finally got sick of all of the clutter and recycled them.  Many companies offer incentives for accepting online statements so I take advantage of this.
  • Computer, Printer, etc
  • Remotes for the DVR so I can get caught up on “Beekman Boys.”  I am pretty bummed that the season is over already because Spencer will be disconnecting the satellite dish after this winter.
  • Leftovers for breakfast

Okay so my desk isn’t that messy this Monday which has more to do with Spencer than with me. :)

This “computer desk” came in handy yesterday!  Spencer and I have met each other’s parents many times over in the four years we have been dating, but yesterday parents met parents. The desk was repurposed as a baquet table to seat both of our families.

I was only a little nervous!  I kept myself mostly sane by choosing food that could be prepared the night before and finished the next day.  Mom brought desserts that were delicious, of course.

But the important part is that our families got along very well and we all had a great time.  And, because we spent Saturday cleaning for company we can relax today!

What is your desk saying about you?

{ 0 comments }

33 Quarts Later…

August 13, 2010

Yesterday my mom and I worked to cater the county volunteer fire fighting meeting and also canned 33 quarts of salsa!  Our t-shirt aprons were no match for all of the mess, but I cringe to think of what I would look like without one.
After a late night finishing the salsa and cleaning up after [...]

Read more...

Two-Minute T-Shirt Apron Tutorial

August 12, 2010

It is Salsa and Fireman Food day at the Kramer house!  Mom is busy catering the county fire meeting and my siblings brought home 5 crates of tomatoes from their visit to my aunt and uncle’s house.  Makes for a very messy kitchen and busy day!
When you know you will be getting very messy (like [...]

Read more...

Propagated Succulents

August 10, 2010

In yesterday’s post I mentioned my excitement over my new south-facing window.  The view out is not great (a parking lot and the next apartment complex) but the light in is excellent!  South facing windows are the best for growing houseplants, including my new little succulent collection.
I enjoy floral arrangements that involve more texture than [...]

Read more...

Five foods you must eat, and thrifty ways to get them

August 9, 2010

I had the Today show on this morning and stopped to watch a segment about five foods you must eat and their health benefits.  You can watch the clip online here, or you can browse my list with recipes!

Cold Water Fish: The show suggested salmon but mackerel is also a fatty cold water fish, and [...]

Read more...

My Messy Desk Monday #1

August 9, 2010

Welcome to my first weekly installment of My Messy Desk Monday!  A workspace can say a lot about someone.  Here is what my desk is saying today:

My desk has a new setting this week because I moved recently.  My new bedroom has a nice little nook for the desk and I can look out a [...]

Read more...

Toilet Humor

August 2, 2010

I am sometimes hesitant to do posts such as this because it toes the fine line between frugality and stinginess.
However, I am quite proud of my new little invention and because I have my own bathroom in my new apartment no one will ever see it. So:
Here it is!
The home I grew up in [...]

Read more...

Free Knit Pattern: Double Brick Flip Dishcloth

July 30, 2010

I’m having a great time with all of the garter stitches in my new-to-me vintage needlework book.  Like last week’s free pattern, this design is not difficult despite the double-bricks.  Slipped stitches and garter stitch keeps it simple.  Best of all, no ends to weave in!
You will need cotton yarn in two contrasting colors.  [...]

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Read more...