Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I decided to stop in and say hello and fill everyone in on what's been going on here lately:

Ryan and I played Cards Against Humanity last weekend. I love this game. The issue is that we have no friends so we have to invent fake players. Okay, they're not fake...we set up some of Luna's stuffed animals and pretend they're people. It's a bit like a 5-year-old's tea party except we're 25 and drinking alcohol. One thing I've learned....Those stuffed animals have dirty minds:


We had "Steak and Cake" at my parents' house for my mama's birthday. For a store bought cake, it was delicious. (I didn't have steak, I made myself some shrimp. Luna didn't have steak either. She got smooshed peas.)

I also took this picture of Mr. 246 while we were over there. We decided he looks like a giant midget or something. The proportions are just weird. Maybe something to do with the ceilings in the background?

We made some AMAZING flatbread pizza. Seriously, these were delicious. So good we decided that we're having these on Saturday night instead of take out.

I got my first letter from my pen pal! I immediately wrote one back and put it in the mail the next day. (It takes 3 stamps!) I even decided to write a letter to a friend back in Ohio. I think I might even write one to my brother soon. I just love the stamp she used. So fancy and European, haha:

I made Luna's Valentine's Day hat! (I've since then added two more rows to make it a "slouchy" beanie, but I haven't taken a picture of that yet.)

Luna went on her first "big girl" stroller ride. Up until this point we had her in the car seat snapped into the stroller:

Luna also continues to say "Nom nom nom!" when she's hungry:

For weigh-in today, I gained 1 pound. I figured I would. I only tracked food and stayed on goal for the past 2 days. The rest of the week I just ate what I wanted. I lost too much last week so instead of just eating a little bit more, I just ate what I wanted. Oh well. Totally worth it. Who says food can't buy happiness? (Spoken like a true fat girl.)

Last, but not least, I'm making progess on our new bedroom quilt. Here it is so far, Ryan's holding it up side ways. There's still about 12 or so more rows to add onto it for the top piece:

So yea...that's what we've been up to. We don't have any plans for the weekend, but I'm glad to be at home. I am having a slight urge to redecorate or reorganize something. We shall see! Have a good weekend.

-Ms. 246

Tree Smeller

Mr. 246 is a funny man. We went on a walk this afternoon. I sneakily took a couple picture of him as he decided he needed to smell this tree. When questioned about it, he claimed it was "for education." Here you go:




















I also got some good action shots while he was doing his pull ups/playing on the playground: (While I was writing this post, he saw the pictures and entitled them "Fat Man Tries to Fly.")






































I love him. We laugh so much it's ridiculous. I was telling him today that I get so excited when it's the end of the work day. The level of excitement I have about coming home every day is about the same level as the night before Christmas when you're a kid. I am extremely happy with our little family. :)

-Ms. 246

50 Projects in 2012 (Part TWO!)

Alright folks, I'm back. The countdown to 50 projects for 2012 continues...25 more. I haven't counted in advance, but I'm trying to see if I can or have already hit 50 craft projects for 2012. Read more about it and see the first 25 projects in this post. Let's get back to it...

#26: Baby crib quilt - Purple border, yellow background
#27: Baby crib quilt - Pink border, orange background
(Again, I apologize for the crappy picture.)

Does a pinterest fail count? If so...
#28: "Rainbow Sugar Cookies" These things made me resort to drinking with how horribly it all turned out. Every time I go to bake I seem to forget that I can't stand baking.

#29: Tie-Dye Onesies - I made a couple, some others were made by friends for my baby shower.

#30: Re-Upholstered dining room chairs. Mr. 246 helped with these. They were originally that brown swede and we chose a green/yellow swirly pattern. So freaking easy. I may have to change them again and again.

#31: Crocheted squares for Knit-A-Square charity project. An organization sews them all together to make blankets for AIDS orphans in Africa. Inspired to make these due to the S.P.E.W. (HP Charity Crafting) craftalong on Craftster.

#32: Small Cuddle Texture Blanket out of a scrap I had. Sewed it all up nice for Lunabeaners.

#33: Another S.P.E.W. Project. This one was for Snuggles. You make soft snuggly blankies for shelter animals. :( The way that this lady feels about cats is how I feel about shelter dogs.)  It's a double-stranded crocheted mini blanket. I think it's about 30x30 inches.

Another shot at the blankets brings us...
#34: The second blanket in the pile is a blanket for Lunabean. (I had originally gotten the fabric on clearance to make blankies for the doggies, but it was so lovely and Luna liked it a lot so I made her one as well.)
#35: The "snuggle" on the bottom of the pile is for the Snuggle project as well.

#36: Set of "Defense Against the Dark Arts" HP ornaments made for the "Back to Hogwarts 3" swap on Craftster. They include (from left to right kind of):  A boggart trunk with a boggart of my partners worst fear - losing control, Mad-Eye Moody (Mr. 246 helped since unless I have therapy before hand I cannot work with clay), a set of three mini chalkboards with lessons on the Unforgivable Curses, in the back there are two DADA textbooks, a small Scabbers in the middle, two hand painted, decoupaged Prof. Umbridge kitty plates, set of three "In case of dementor attack" chocolates.

#37: Another project for the "Back to Hogwarts 3" Swap based on my partners favorite store - Weasley Wizard Wheezes.

#38: We nicknamed these "Jackson Pollock's Balls", but they're really Oreo Truffles. Quite delicious but also quite decadent. You definitely can't eat a lot of these.

 

#39: Crocheted Owl Bag - Made for my pseudo niece (my brother's girlfriend's child) since she was starting kindergarten (and it was her birthday). Her mommy said she loved it and was carrying around socks in it. Yea....I don't know. Haha.

#40: Crocheted Infinity Scarf: Modeled by Mr. 246 who now wants one of his own. ("Is this a girl thing? Can guys wear cowls?" "I think so!") Based on a pattern I found on Ravelry which I can't find again at the moment.

#41: Tiny Pumpkin - Made just yesterday in honor of Halloween.

#42: Chalkboard Calender - We are lost without this calender. It's kind of fun 'cause I get to decorate every month.

#43: Moon and Stars Baby Hat - Followed directions for a newborn size and unfortunately it never fit.

#44: Ear-flap Baby Hat - mentioned in previous post

#45: Slouchy Crochet Hat - not pictured. Made for a friend for her birthday and I forgot to take a picture.

Whew...so I've made it to 45! I'm impressed. There's probably a thing or two I'm forgetting, but I'm still impressed. I have a couple long-term projects that I work on from time to time - a granny square blanket which I work on when I have nothing else to work on. Here's a sneak peak (sorry for the picture quality, it's from my phone):

It's got about another half row currently. I know it doesn't look terribly wide, but once it's done (It's going to be 12 squares x 12 squares) I'm going to made a pretty wide border. 

The other in progress project I'm working on is my Harry Potter quilt. I'm following the pattern here from HP Paper Piecing. I must admit, though, since Luna's been born I haven't broken out the sewing machine too much. I don't have a designated spot to sew so I just set up at the dining room table. When I do paper piecing there's a bit more involved because you have to iron so much and it's just a big production I feel like. I can't wait for the day I have a craft room.

Well, I think I can make 5 finished projects by the end of the year. I'll update as I go. Then I get to start planning crafts for next year. First I must get through the holidays. (I finally feel like an adult because I am somewhat dreading the holidays. Not enough time to get things done, we have to travel with an infant, there's too much to fit in in too little time. It's just forced. I'm dreaming of a relaxing Christmas, but I have a feeling it won't happen this year. Anyway, this topic can fill a whole other post. I'm just being a Scrooge about Christmas today. Hehe.)

Thanks for looking!

Kindest Regards,

Ms. 246

birthday bunting

March has been fickle this past week. I get entirely too excited that "Spring has sprung!" and then it decides to rain this whole past week. At least there's been a glimmer of sunshine today. My snow crocus' have decided to make an appearance finally. When I planted them, I didn't know they were such tiny little flowers/bulbs and I have them planted in one of the biggest pots....oh well. I'm a "learn-as-you-go" type gardener.

I finished Ryan's (the boyfriend) sister's birthday present yesterday and I'm quite pleased. Since I've been feeling so crafty and in the mood to hand make everything, I decided I'd make her some bunting with her name on it for her room at college. Like everyone else online lately, I'm also quite on board the bunting craziness train. Here's some of the springtime bunting I did:

 I just love the mini-bunting on the branches! It makes me smile every time I pass it. :) Anyways, onto zee most recent project....

Here's the fabric I picked out. She said her room has maroon with some light pink, white, gray in it. You can't see well from the picture but the white fabric has a faint light gray design. I like all things bright and colorful, Ryan's sister, however, is quite classy so I had to try to tone down any kitschy-ness.

 Although I hate the tracing, I absolutely love little piles of fabric all cut out and looking perfect. One of life's joys. Then I traced the letters (have to remember to flip the letters backwards!) onto some Heat N Bond (one of the best inventions ever)...

Then, cut them out and iron them on...

Why aren't these triangles cut out you might ask?

So I can embroider around them. The Heat N Bond works well, you don't have to sew it on or anything, but I like the detail of embroidery and I haven't done it in a while. Oh, yes, you can't embroider without a good snack, hence the jelly beans.

I discovered that Boo actually likes jelly beans. After he figured out how to eat this first one he kept trying to get more. Anyways, so after embroidering, finish cutting out, I sewed them all up. Here again, love little piles of fabric - all perfect and same-sized. Oh, and after my first attempt at bunting I looked a tutorial (I unfortunately don't remember which one to give proper credit) and learned 2 easy bunting "shortcuts": leave the tops alone while sewing them up, and then get double bias tape (so it's already pre-folded over, pin the little flag part sandwiched between the bias tape and sew on up. Super easy and super quick...

The final product:

Ta-da! From far away the font kind of makes the whole thing look medieval, but in good way. Hopefully the colors will match her room. I do hope she likes it. (She's nice enough to pretend anyway.) I had to guess on the proper colors since I've never seen her room at college. In real life I don't think it looks so Valentine's-y. Oh, and I love the wrap job I did to:

I cut a brown paper bag into an envelope thingy and tied it off with a strip of left over fabric. All we have is Christmas wrapping paper and I attempting to spend less money on random unnecessary things. Truth be told, I love this much more than store-bought anything. :)

Of course, I can't go a day currently without having some kind of project to work on. I'm feeling a bit slow and have the pregnant-lazies currently, here's a sneak peek of what I'm working on now:

Crochet, super-awesome, lovely, happiness time. Just what I need. :)

two-forty-six

apartment two-forty-six

 Hi there. Welcome to my new blog two-forty-six. I hate long introductions so I'll get right to it and introduce everyone and explain everything.

alexandrea!

• I recently turned twenty-five this past Groundhog's Day.
• I currently live in northern California. I moved here from Ohio two years ago. I have no official hometown, however. My father was in the military. I've moved nine times through out my life.
• I work as an RN for a nearby school district. School nurse sounds awesome, but it's actually mostly paperwork. Bonus: I work a "school year schedule." If the kids don't have school, neither do I.
• I'm currently six and a half months pregnant. I'm due June 24, 2012. It's a girl. :)
• I don't have a lot of friends in the area and spend most of my time making things and hanging out around the apartment.

And now for the rest of Apartment 246's occupants:

Ryan, the boyfriend

Luna, the soon-to-be daughter

Boo Radley, my fiesty but lovable chihuahua

Scout, kitty with the largest tail you've ever seen.

The fish, collectively named "The Ministry of Magic."

Hermit crabs "Crabbe" and "Goyle". They're hiding. You can't see them.

And what will this blog include you might be wondering....anything that might be occurring in the land or with the occupants of apartment two-forty-six:

• Whatever various crafts I'm doing at the moment. I have no exact craft, I do a bit of everything. One day I may crochet, the next I may make a quilt, or paint plastic dinosaurs.
• I don't happen to cook often, so if I do, I make it worth it. Or at least try to. Maybe a better name for this section would be "How to Cook Slop."
• Various pictures of my animals 'cause I'm one of those people.
• Any pictures period. I went out one day and bought myself a fancy-schmancy camera to persue photography. I'm not very good, but it makes me happy and that's all that matters.
• Whatever pregnancy/baby related topic I feel like. I'm currently six and a half months pregnant.
• Any stories or anecdotes from our lives or the things we do here. 

Anything you'd like to know, just ask. Hopefully I can keep things interesting.