Terrarium

My dad has a thing for junk. He has a lot of it. All kinds of things that no one wants or has a use for anymore. Old film projectors, spot lights, motorcycle parts, radio broadcasting equipment, pretty much anything you can think of (and things you probably don't realize exist). He has built an entire mini radio station in his backyard from mostly free stuff that other people were going to throw away. He is finishing a little camping trailer that he has built from other peoples' "trash". He is amazingly resourceful.

When I was growing up, he took an old vintage blender (you know, the cool futuristic silver ones) and turned it into an aquarium. With fish in it. It was incredibly cool. He also gutted a computer monitor and made it into a terrarium. It was the first terrarium I had ever seen and I have never forgotten it. And since then I've been a little bit obsessed with them.



Lately it seems that I've been seeing a lot of terrariums on the bloggernets and I've been wanting to make one for a long time. And thanks to the sweetest, most generous girl on earth, I finally have! I recently won a scarf give-away on her blog, and because she is so sweet and knew of my longing for some moss with which to make a terrarium, she included some moss and 3 adorable little mushrooms she made herself with my scarf (which I love!). I squealed many times in opening the package.




The other day, William and I finally put this terrarium together and I LOOOOVE it so much. Who knew 2 fish bowls, some rocks, moss and little mushrooms could bring so much joy into my life? Maybe I'm some sort of freak, but isn't it gorgeous?? And so easy! You should seriously considering making one of your own.

Oh yeah, and before the month is over I had to show you this page of my calendar. Doesn't that paper about kill you? Crap I love it. I need to do something incredible with it. The only question is WHAT?

Etsy Mail

I recently placed an order on The Lucky Button etsy shop! One of my favorite things about buying stuff off etsy is how cute everything is always packaged. It's always a fun surprise to see what different sellers do.

Darling little bag!


With even darling-er gift tags inside!


And amazing vintage button bobby pins which I love love love!

I found The Lucky Button because Christen posted on her blog about this dress that is for sell in that shop.


Ack. The top of that dress just kills me. Like, slays me to death. So amazing.

I'm a Winner!

That's right -- I won something! And it came in the mail yesterday which was a fantastic surprise. I'm always hoping to win a give-away from one of the lovely blogs I frequent (it seems like there have been a lot lately -- so many generous ladies!) and I finally did!



The give-away was held by Marné at hey lucy -- one of my favorite blogs! You can read about the give-way here and read about me winning it (and see a great list of recommended books), here.

I am almost half-way through the book already and I love it! It is really good. It's about a young girl growing up in Germany during WWII (as told by the Grim Reaper) -- a period that has always interested me. Ever since my grandparents took me to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. when I was twelve years old, I've felt a draw and a strong interest in the events during that time period. I have probably read 15-20 books -- fiction and non -- about the holocaust and surrounding events. It's just so fascinating and disturbing. It's hard to believe it happened. And that things like it still happen today. Humans are strange beings, to be sure.

Along with the book, Marné sent the following:



Isn't this pin cushion the sweetest?? It's super tiny -- perfect for my "take-along" sewing and knitting projects -- and in a tart pan! I've been using it while tie-ing my quilt to hold my needle.



She also sent a cute handmade notebook (how will I ever decide what's worthy to write on those pages?) and a nice note. It was so fun! I love getting mail (yeah, yeah, you've heard it before) and I especially love getting fun free stuff! And even more -- fun, free, CUTE stuff!

John is gone for most of the evening at a last-minute video shoot so William and I are at home alone -- listening to Lily Allen, working on the quilt and going on a walk. Thanks for all of the anniversary cheer yesterday -- it was a nice one, if much more low-key than previous years. So that's what happens when you have kids, huh? ;)

I Love Getting Mail A Lot

Getting things in the mail really is one of my most favorite things ever. I almost wish that email, texting and instant messaging didn't exist so that we'd all be forced to write good old fashioned letters and cards more often. Though, knowing most people, I'd probably never actually hear from anyone.

So, I just have to order things online to get mail. Seems like a good enough reason to me...but I'm sure John would beg to differ. :)

Here are my fabulous fabric orders I've received recently. This one is from Cia's Palatte and both are Denyse Schmidt prints. And both are WAY brighter in real life than online. I did bleach out the yellow one before using it for its intended project (which I'll post about after it's gifted) and it made a big difference. I like the bright pink though.


These next fabrics are from Superbuzzy. Some baby boy fabrics and some for gifts.




The one finished project out of all of this that I can show off now is this apron I made for Nellie's birthday. The pattern from Amy Karol's (aka Angry Chicken) new book Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I LOVE this book. The patterns are so simple but darling and different. Not to mention all the great tips she has at the start of the book -- a couple of which have already really improved my technique.


Not the best picture ever but I had to get it taken and packaged for the post since it was already 2 weeks late. Ooops!

More finished projects soon!!