Browsed by
Category: projects

a new venture

a new venture

John and I have started a new bookshop online, hosted by Amazon.com. We decided that it might be a good way to supplement our income, and at the same time be a nice little home business for me.

It will work two ways: one, we are offering books that we either used or come across at thrift stores, and two, I am recommending books that I have read and enjoyed or profited from. If someone buys a book that we are selling we will obviously profit from it, but additionally, if someone buys a book that I recommend through the online shop, we will receive a commission.

If you are interested in buying one of the books we are offering, Amazon.com will usually offer to sell you a “new” copy. Ours though, are listed in the “used” category, and our seller name is PATHLESSTRAVELEDBOOKS. Other vendors may be offering the same book for a lower price, and if you would rather choose that one, please don’t feel obligated to buy from us!

I love the fact that I get to put all my years of recreational reading to use, as well as being able to pass on my favorites to others! We’ll still have to see how it turns out, but I am looking forward to it.

p.s. we may be doing a few other little “new ventures”, and we will keep you posted. :)

baby’s new dress

baby’s new dress

I used some rasberry colored linen that I had been saving, and the scraps left from the little blanket (with touches of pink!) that I made just after we heard that we are having a girl.
Sewing and knitting for her has been so much fun, and it will only get better when she will actually use the little things! Just picturing a chubby little one -with red curls? – crawling and toddling around in them is wonderful.

the nursery

the nursery

I am totally in love with Baby’s room. There are times that I walk and just sit and look and dream. She’ll be here so soon, and yet that time still feels so far away. It still seems unreal that in a few weeks there will be a real live baby here, sleeping, blinking, yawning, needing us. Our Baby.

I love this room.

Because it is on the North side of the building, the light is soft and glowy, kind of dreamy. I added a few more “bird” things to it, and now it almost feels complete.

Almost.
oh, the possibilities!

oh, the possibilities!

Hancock Fabrics is having their MLK, Jr. sale until Monday. Most of their cotton prints are 50% off, the Simplicity patterns are 5 for $5, McCall’s are $1.99, and a bunch of their threads and notions are on sale, too.
Baby dresses! My mind is picturing baby dresses! I have one almost completed ……….

more mommy-mades

more mommy-mades

Last night I finished a little cloche for Baby, altering the pattern a little from the one in The Expectant Knitter.
this pic isn’t true to color, but it shows the flower

nursery details

nursery details

wall art, done on white butcher paper by my uncle
homemade crib skirt, trying out the embroidery stitches on the sewing machine

ceiling decor

a few more birds, can be found here but I bought them here for mere pennies
framed art paper

counting cards detail

finished bird pillow inspired by this

Things are coming together in Baby’s room. Half of it is taken up by the guest bed, which at the moment happens to be covered in projects that I am working on and boxes that I am going through, but the other half is looking rather sweet. We have had so much fun putting the room together. Parts of it are still rather hodgepodge-ey, but I think the idea that I originally had is finally coming through.
Along the way we had a few course shifts from the original plan:
  • The crib, originally brown wood, stayed brown wood even though we were going to paint it a creamy white. We may still re-paint it, but then again, the wood looks fine!
  • The recliner that we already had ended up being a much more comfortable chair for feeding Baby than the rocker that we found and recovered.

There are still a few things that need to be figured out or “found”, such as, what are we going to use for a changing table? A dresser would be great – especially if it had shelf and drawer space. Also, the room doesn’t quite seem tied together yet. I can’t put my finger on it, but that little “something” just doesn’t seem to be there. Maybe I’m too picky, or just have been working at it so long that I can’t step back and admire. Anyone have an idea for how to bring it all together?

In the meantime, John and I are eagerly awaiting our Little One. We went to visit the mid-wife yesterday, and she was pleased at how we’re growing! Baby is 34 weeks old, head down with her feet up. Those little feet are pretty active, too! They tend to find their way up under my ribs, making it a little tricky to bend over or get comfortable. Soon enough, though, I know I’ll miss that feeling.

preparing for our little one

preparing for our little one

I’ve been working on another sweater for Baby, this one a little bit bigger than the first. The pattern is from The Expectant Knitter, and the yarn is a merino and bamboo blend. All that’s left are the sleeves, and putting on our Little One, of course.

bits from today

bits from today

:: sweater for Baby ::

“Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.”
– Mark 15:44

For some reason that phrase caught my attention this morning: he was known by the fact that he was awaiting the kingdom of God. Was he zealously waiting? Or was it just commonly known that Joseph from Arimathea was waiting for the kingdom of God?

Posted by Picasa
pillow #2, in progress

pillow #2, in progress

Today it’s a little chilly – well, I guess 67 isn’t cold, but it is enough for a California girl to grab a sweater – so I’m doing dishes, laundry, and getting started on the embroidered pillow. And I’m ready for my next cup of tea!
Posted by Picasa