Good thing I am not easily deterred!

Lately I feel like all I do is dwell on this impending move and how much work is left and blah blah blah. I am boring even myself.  So I have started to think ahead to all of the cool stuff I am going to look forward to — and one of those things is looking for a place to live with more space.  And – are you catching on? — some of these banned activities!  Oh yes.

I think many people long for a big house with a garage and spacious backyard because they want kids or a dog or barbecues.  In fact, I think many people are hoping for all three.  My big dreams are a little more… shall we say, whimsical?  Here are my real-life aspirations:

#1 – Turn My Backyard into the Set of Edward Scissorhands

Sure, I have never successfully kept a house plant alive for more than a week, but should that really stop me from pursuing my dream of trimming all of the plants into topiaries?  My parents gave me an instructional book for Christmas, so I’m pretty much all set.  I also watched a 2 minute clip explaining how the gardeners at Disneyland do it as well as the excellent documentary, A Man Named Pearl.  What additional education is necessary?

I just need an electric hedge trimmer and a really tall ladder.  That’s cool, right?

Husband Acceptance Factor: Medium.  He says I can trim the plants if I use safety scissors and wear protective chain mail.

True story: One home we looked at had a 28,000 square foot lot.  (Ridiculous.)  There was totally enough room to make a life-sized tyrannosaurus rex out of box hedge.  I promise to take pictures.

#2 – Set up Acrobatic Studio in Spare Room

[Image credit: OneFlameintheFire via Flickr]

Several years ago.  Ok, more like 10, I took a class on aerial arts.  (Think circus.)  Sure, it was just one class and I wasn’t able to do most of the moves, but that has not stopped me from wanting to have my own acrobatics studio in my home.  I loved the tissu — you know, the long flowing fabric that people wrap themselves in and hang from.  I figure we can just hire a pro to fasten that stuff to the ceiling and then I’ll practice — starting out very low to the ground.

I know some of you are worried, but that’s what the mats are for.  Heck, maybe we can get one of those big foam pits like they have in gymnastics studios.  We weren’t really going to use the guest room anyway.

Husband Acceptance Factor: Low.  He claims that this poses structural risks to the home.  (I know.  He’s trying to trick me using physics.)

#3 – Buy a Scroll Saw

[Image credit: Popular Mechanics]

This was the first year that I did not even bother putting “scroll saw” on my Christmas list.  I knew it wasn’t going to happen.  My husband and parents have ganged up against me on this one.  But how else am I going to cut out all of the gingerbread fretwork for our windows and the two story guest house I am building out of Popsicle sticks in the backyard?  Clearly, I need this.

Did you know with the right blade, you can also cut shapes out of metal and acrylic?!  I will make Christmas ornaments for everyone on the block.

Husband Acceptance Factor: Lower than the electric hedge clippers.  Claims I will be even slower to fold laundry when I have 9 fingers.  Also, husband does not want to share the garage with me.  Something about getting wood dust on his car.

Ok, so what about you?  If money, space, and rules were no object — what would you do? I’m sure I’m not the only one.

This year, in addition to writing out my holiday to-do’s, I grabbed a sheet of paper and jotted down some things I’d like to do just for me.  I think that might sound a bit selfish at first, but the list isn’t grand or anything.  I just want to make sure that I set aside some time to savor those simple activities that make such a difference.

My Cozy List:

• Spend some time in the woods. Someplace like this will do just fine.  I love the combination of chilly air, quiet, and trees.
• Cook a prime rib.  Serve it at a table with handmade place cards. Just need to find some willing holiday guests.
• Sew a corduroy dress. (Might save this one for January.)
• Knit something Scandinavian-inspired. I recently discovered this incredible duo, Arne & Carlos, and their incredible Christmas ornament pattern.  Alas, it is written in Norwegian.  I’m not sure if I can wait until the English version of their book comes out in 2011.  I’m on the hunt for a project to tide me over.
• Make cinnamon ice cream and/or, possibly, a croquembouche. (Oh, who am I kidding?  I definitely want to make both.)  Do I have any willing holiday guests yet?
• Drink something festive in the evenings. Hot cocoa.  Spiced Cranberry Cider.  Eggnog.  (Also: run in the mornings so as not to blow up like a holiday balloon.)
• Write more while the mornings are dark and quiet.
• Start a gratitude journal. I found a really nice gratitude journal for a present recently, and it made me realize how much I would like one for myself.  I would love to write down my weekly list of thank you’s as well as noting some truly amazing answered prayers.
• Round up some cozy in-front-of-the-tv projects. This kit is at the top of my list.  However, I’m also in the mood to sew something with felt.  I mentioned I want to make this in front of the TV, right?
• Volunteer somewhere. I would love to find somewhere to donate my time this year (would love to help make a craft at a local shelter).  If you’re in the LA area and know of a need, I would love to hear from you.

[I also have one crazy decorating project on my personal wish list.  However, I'm keeping it a secret for now since I'm not even sure it's physically possible to make this thing.  But first, I have some sewing projects that I am running seriously behind on, so I must clear the decks before I can begin.  More on that soon...]

Anyone else with a special holiday list – just for you?  I’d love to hear what’s on yours.

These are my unicorn shoes.  You have no idea how much I love being able to write that sentence.

They are not quite this bright in person.  The picture at Zazzle is closer, but they are a tiny shade more pink than purple.  It’s very cloudy outside today, so I had some trouble finding a sunny spot to take this picture.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m going to tell you that these are a size 11.  They sent me the (extremely) wrong size by mistake.  However, I think we’ll get this straightened out.  They still make me smile.

I’m working on another beginner-friendly post about how I edit my photos in Photoshop Lightroom and another one about lenses, but it’s taking me some time.  Thanks for being patient!

V is for Velvet

Velvet is hands-down my favorite material.  Drapes, couches, dresses.  I have not done a lot of sewing with velvet (and I’m sure there are some challenges with that), but it’s only because velvet can be hard to find.  I’m always hesitant to buy velvet online because you can’t feel it first and the drape and nap can very so much.  However, when I do find it in the stores, it seems to be the standard colors of black, red, and forest green.  Does anyone have a secret velvet resource up their sleeve?

In the meantime, I decided to satisfy my craving with some velvet ribbon.  I ordered a swatch card from M&J Trimming (which I posted about here), and spent some time pouring over their color selection.  It was a little bit of a splurge because of their order minimums, but I love having these ribbons at my fingertips.

Ok, spill it!  What V’s did I miss?