Mar 27th 2007 08:17:24 pm

I love this color – kind of in between light blue and turquoise. It is my favorite. I just love this daybed from Pottery Barn. I just got the newest catalog and I am not a huge fan of the new summer seashell stuff, but I am a sucker for painted furniture. I am trying to figure out how we could fit this daybed into our office… we may have to block the door to the bathroom… hmmm. I also love, love, love the new Surf & Sand Eye Palette from bobbi brown. I have been loving my violet palette that I got for my birthday from Chelsea, and I am no where near to finishing it up, but the new blue eyeshadow just looks so pretty! I also really like these polka dot bermuda shorts from Anthropologie. I really love Anthropologie, but I usually have to wear a larger size in their clothes which is a bummer…

So far this week (my spring break) I have managed to exercise every day, work on Swap-bot a lot, do some of my research work (but not as much as I should), and start watching the first season of Battlestar Galactica with Travis. We are on episode seven. It is quite good, but I don’t like Gaius Baltar.

I also finally put up a new banner on Lamble Family. We had some sad events occur within the family and a few of our pets our no longer with us – in real life or on the banner. It took me some time to get up the courage to erase them… However, Amber’s dwarf hamster, Thora, has joined us and she is pretty cute, so that makes me feel a little better. Although, be careful because Thora has been known to bite.

3 Comments » Categories: Family, Favorites, Home, Just for Fun, Make-up & Beauty

Mar 26th 2007 11:30:50 am

I have been trying to think of something that is interesting enough that it needs to be shared with you, lovely Internet. However, I don’t have too much going on. I am on spring break this week and I should be working on my research, but so far I have only managed to sit around a lot and make banana muffins. I have found a new running trail which is making me happy…

On running: How can I motivate myself to go longer distances again? I have been running since I joined the Cross Country team in high school. I have never been good at it and it never came easy (my fastest ever mile was 7:16 in a 2-mile race when I was 17 – not too fast), but it is the best workout I have tried. I even ran a marathon in college and joined a running club in Kansas City after I got married. Anyway, I have continued to run here in Oregon, but I am having a terrible time trying to make myself run long distances. I usually go 2-3 miles a day, a couple times a week. And, the 2-3 miles includes a bunch of walking. Ugh. I still really like running – I think once it is a part of you it will always be your best workout – but I just can’t make myself spend hours running anymore. Any suggestions? I know the obvious solution is to train for a race, but I have run lots of races and I just don’t think it will work as a motivator for me this time… Anyway, if any distance runners are out there, what motivates you to go the extra distance?

5 Comments » Categories: Exercise, Photos

Mar 22nd 2007 02:37:16 pm

This is how I get to and from school most days: The Eugene/Springfield EmX. It is new and it is free! I have to walk about a mile to the bus station, but then I hop on this baby and it is a quick ride to campus. I took these pictures on the ride home from school today. Today is the first day of my Spring Break 07, and I won’t be back on the bus for 10 days! woohoo! I do have to work very hard on my research project over break, but at least I get to hang out at home. I plan on exercising everyday, cleaning my house, cleaning up the yard, working on my brother & sister-in-law-to-be’s wedding invites, working on Swap-bot, applying for a student travel Visa for Italy, and completing the majority of my research project. Do you think I can do all of that in 10 days?

Sidenote: Have you tried these Kettle Bakes Pretzel Chips? They are delicious! The Fully Loaded flavor is the best. I can seriously almost eat an entire bag in one sitting. If you haven’t tried them, I recommend going to the market right now and picking up a bag , or two. They are low fat, with NO saturated fat, and they are made with organic flour. I actually like them better than potato chips…and, they taste great dipped in peanut butter!

1 Comment » Categories: Feeling Happy, Food, Just for Fun, School

Mar 21st 2007 08:02:00 pm

I found these two pieces of “knit graffiti” on the University of Oregon campus this term. They are very similar to the radical city tagging done by Houston’s Knitta, Please! Maybe not the scarf on the sculpture, so much, but the bike rack wrap is definitely in Knitta-style. I don’t know if the original Knitta, Please! group minds having emulators, but I love the fun, colorful accents around campus!

Totally random anecdote: The house three doors down from us has a super-cute little table sitting on the front stoop. The table is so cute that I almost want to steal it – almost. I won’t steal it. Anyway, before Halloween they put a pumpkin on the table. They have since left the pumpkin there for almost six months. When I walked by the house today the pumpkin had literally turned completely into a black pile of ooze. How could they leave a pumpkin there to rot right outside their front door on such a cute table?!

3 Comments » Categories: Crafts, Just for Fun, School

Mar 17th 2007 08:08:48 pm

I couldn’t decide whether this salmon burger photo was too gross looking to post full size, but it was a pretty tasty sandwich and I don’t have many other good photos to share. Travis and I walked to our local fish market this afternoon to get the salmon burgers. They were cheap and healthy. We spent the rest of the day working on Swap-bot. I worked on fixing up the FAQ page, and Travis is getting closer to releasing the Swap-bot Forums. I also worked a bit on homework and Travis watched a lot of basketball. We went for a walk in the evening and I took this generic photo of some daffodils. Yep. That is pretty much our life… and it is sweet.

No Comments » Categories: Feeling Happy, Food, Photos, Swap-bot

Mar 14th 2007 06:59:03 pm

It is still spring. I planted some daffodils in the flower boxes on our front porch and they are starting to grow! They make me happy. Another thing that made me happy this week is my Balloon Frame essay exam that I was working on two weeks ago. I got it back from my Historic Preservation professor yesterday and I received a 96% and he told the class that is was a good concise writing example! I made a new page for this website called “Portfolio – School Work” where I am going to put some of my writing samples and research work. I will put up the Balloon Frame essay as well as my PDF presentation on living history interpretation at the Plimoth Plantation Museum. I don’t know if anyone will find them interesting, but some of my classmates suggested I make them available. Also, once I get my research project done I will post it so that all of the participants of my “Indie Crafter” survey can view the results.

In other good news, Travis and I set up the corner desk that we bought last weekend. It gives us a lot more work space and now we can work together on computer stuff in the same room. There are photos of the new and improved office on my flickr account.

And the goodness continues! My March Sampler arrived today. I wasn’t even expecting it and it was a really good one this month – a fat, heavy package delivered by the postman this afternoon. Like always, I have picked my favorites:

• On the left is a large group of sixteen 7-inch squares of fabric samples from ReproDepot.com. There is even some Amy Butler fabric in the assortment! Plus, they included an adorable little sewing kit with all of the fabric – a very premium sample!
• Above the little sewing kit is a cd by Awesome Animal Ambulance. I have listened to the whole thing and it is very subversively cute, or maybe, cutely subversive – lots of synthesizer and sweet female vocals singing about saving animals. There are multiple references to squirrels, but my favorite line is “i want to kick you in the gut and say you’re a disgrace to the human race.” And the cd jacket is illustrated by Suzy Coady of Wonderland Q, so that is pretty much totally awesome.
• Below the sewing kit is a greeting card from sugar lily. I always pick sugar lily cards as my faves when they come in the Sampler. They professionally packaged and simply beautiful.
• To the right of the card is a little, glittery cupcake charm from julie*ann handmade goods. I don’t think you can go wrong with cupcakes and glitter.
• Above the cupcake charm is a fabric wristlet from Carly Couture.
• Above the wristlet is a fabric magnet from button arcade…
• And a crafty scissors button from paper zombie and pixel by pixel.

2 Comments » Categories: Crafts, Favorites, Feeling Happy, Home, School, Website

Mar 13th 2007 08:15:03 pm

Crafty Wonderland in Portland was great for the second time. All of the crafters are so talented and kind. And the place was hopping! I hope everyone made a lot of money. I know I bought some great stuff.

Here is a list of my loot (as seen in the photo above):

• On the far left is the Crafter’s Guide to DIY Portland by the very kind Diane, of CraftyPod. Diane was giving out these guides for free! It was great meeting Diane in person and chatting with her a bit more about swap-bot. She is very nice. Check out her new DIY Alert! website. It is a great resource!
• Next to the Crafter’s Guide is the newest issue of CROQ zine. CROQ is a very cool zine for crafters. I am definitely going to work it into my research somehow.
• In the middle foreground of the photo is a beautiful screen printed card by Vanessa Kauffman. I don’t know if she has a website and I didn’t manage to grab her card, but her illustrations were all beautiful.
• Above the card is beaded ring by Piddix. I spied this ring when I was doing my first walk around the room handing out my survey. I had to go get some cash and I was so afraid it would be sold when I got back, but it wasn’t! whew!
• Above the ring is an irked carrot pin cushion and matching “i love vegetables” button from button arcade. I have wanted one of these cute dudes forever. There are also cheese, meat, and tofu versions. I think I need to start a little collection.
• Next to the carrot is a microscope button from The Crafty Scientist.
• The four pack of buttons is from Squid37. The buttons are super cute. Plus, the Squid37 website is very well-done. There is a video game – check it out!
• Below the buttons is a little blue magnet with a bunny painted on it. It is by Bend Rivers (who I also can’t find a website for) and it was only $2. What a deal!
• The neon green wallet was just too cool to pass up. It is a good size for holding business cards. It was made by Jesseca McCloskey of Paper Treasure. She had all sorts of cool journals I was also coveting.
• The big pink thing and the little blue notebook are from the same person – Beth Myrick of adorable spraypaint art. Beth was very cool and she designs and creates all of her stencils for spraying by hand. The big pink thing is actually a spray painted record. I am going to hang it in my craft room/area.
• Ok, finally… Last week I received another lovely package from my friend Jen of Piddleloop. She sends me the greatest stuff! When I got her package I immediately ripped it open and started using everything inside. It all got dispersed before I could get a good photo. The group of things in the upper left of the photo is all from Jen, but it is only a some of what she sent. She sent me a new fabric keychain and tissue holder made with sushi fabric (so funny), three gel pens and two pretty pencils, a zippered pouch, and some cute candies and a little thing of lotion… there may have even been more. I was just too excited when I opened the package to keep it all together. Thank you, Jen! You are awesome.

I know that was a long list, but I really wanted to show off the awesome stuff that independent crafters are making. I just love that everyone has their own unique style and voice and it comes through in the things they make. So, support independent artists! It promotes diversity in the marketplace, innovation, and ingenuity. Plus, you are helping people do something they love. xoxo

1 Comment » Categories: Crafts, Cute Things

Mar 11th 2007 10:09:39 pm

I am exhausted. We had a good day in Portland, but man, a weekend goes fast when you are driving four hours a day. I handed out my survey to the vendors at Crafty Wonderland. Here is a picture of me in front of the sign for proof. All of the crafters were just lovely and so kind. I already received seventeen of the surveys back today. My goal is to get twenty. I gave out thirty-five and the people who didn’t give me theirs today have envelopes to mail them to me. So, I think I will reach my goal easily. If anyone from Crafty Wonderland is reading this, thank you so much for your help! I also bought a bunch of great stuff at Crafty Wonderland that I will photograph and post about later. There are so many amazing craft artists out there!

After handing out the survey, Travis and I went to Chipotle for lunch and then went and finally bought the extension corner desk for our office. We are too tired to set it up now, but I will post pictures once I find some energy. I am so excited that Travis and I will actually be able to work in the same room together from now on!

(The top photo is from our front yard. The bushes and daffodils are blooming. Spring comes early in Oregon!)

1 Comment » Categories: Crafts, School, Trips

Mar 10th 2007 11:47:43 pm

This is a group shot of all of the AAD peeps who went to Portland yesterday. I had a pretty fun time even though it was rainy and gray all day. It was nice hanging out with friends from school and commiserating about grad school hardships. We got to tour the Portland Center Stage Armory theater. It is an old building that has been remodeled in an eco-friendly way. It was very cool inside. We also went to some galleries, like the Upper Playground boutique and gallery. Then we toured the new location of the Contemporary Craft Museum which is currently under construction. It was an exhausting day, but I am glad I got to see all of the places we went.

Believe it, or not, Travis and I are headed up to Portland again tomorrow so that I can pass out my master’s research survey to the vendors at Crafty Wonderland. I am surveying them about their internet marketing strategies as part of my major master’s research project. We always have fun in Portland, but this weekend I am just so exhausted. I hope tomorrow goes well.

1 Comment » Categories: School, Trips

Mar 9th 2007 08:26:46 am

i am about to head out the door on my way to Portland with my Arts & Administration department. We are going to tour a theater company, some cool galleries, and the new location of the Contemporary Craft Museum & Gallery. I am excited about the galleries and the Craft Museum.

This has been a very tough week. Two huge projects due and a meeting with professors that made me cry. not very fun. I don’t think I am a very professional person. I can accomplish professional work, but I have a hard time acting professional. It feels like a lie to me. Anyway, I think I am going to try to put my presentation for American Building Construction History class about living history interpretation at Plimoth Plantation Museum up on the internet if I can figure it out. That way you can have an idea of at least one thing that has been keeping me so busy.

I’ll take photos today (even though it is gray & rainy) and post them this weekend. Happy Friday!

(p.s. I really like these short pants.)

3 Comments » Categories: Clothes, School, Trips