Been awhile...

I haven't posted in ages. Not that anybody probably really reads my blog much or anything, but still. Things have been chaotic and messy and rather distressing during the past six months, and I've had no desire to put it all out there on the internet for the whole world to see.

Good news is: God is in charge. He protects me and will deal with the problems and people (and problematic people) in my life in His own way and time. He has also given me an incredible, loving fiance (soon-to-be husband in 35 days), who goes to great lengths to ensure my well-being and sense of security.

If not for them, I'm not sure what I would do.

I want to design more and such, but it seems unusually hard to accomplish anything lately. I can only hope that I will feel less drained of energy and life in the near future.

Museums

In January we hit three museums in Tacoma all in one night! The pic above is the illusive WWI button/pin which the boy's team (James, Joey, and Tyler) found but the girl's team (Mom, Kayla, and me) just couldn't seem to spot, fro the Washington State History Museum's scavenger hunt game.

The next two are the outdoor water sculpture exhibit from the Museum of glass. SO beautiful! The pictures just don't do it justice. It is a must-see, especially at night!


James, Joey, mom, and Tyler doing the scavenger hunt.
Kayla has always wanted to have her own covered wagon. :)

Engaged!

This is a few weeks late, but on February 1st, my boyfriend asked me to marry him! Yay!
(And, yes, I knit my sweater. It is "Louisa" from French Girl Knits, made with one ball of Cascade Yarns Eco Wool.)

It's SO sparkly! He cut out a circle in the introduction of the book and put the ring in it, tied to the ribbon bookmark.

:D

Beginning Crochet Ruffle Scarf

For Renaissance Yarns beginning crochet class

By Lexi Cushing

Supplies

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade Yarns Cascade 128
Hook: K
Notions: 1 large button
Size: 1 size fits all

Pattern
Ch 13

Row 1: Skip first ch, hdc in each ch, ch 1, turn. (12 hdc made)
Row 2: Skip ch, hdc in each hdc, ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until scarf measures 15 inches or desired length.

Button hole row:
Hdc in next 5 hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in next 5 hdc, ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 once.

Ruffle:
3 hdc in each hdc, ch 1, turn. (36 hdc made)

Repeat Row 2 three times.

Fasten off. If desired edge the scarf with single crochet.

Sew button on the end of the scarf which does not have the ruffle.

Weave in ends.

Enjoy!

Flooding cookies... mmm...

Today I attempted my first cookie flooding venture, and they turned out really beautiful!

Super easy. Super yummy.

(The upside-down T is for my little bro, the car is for my dad, and the heart that says mom, obviously, is for mom)

I started by outlining my homemade gingerbread cookies (which Tyler helped me cut out) with a thick royal icing. Then with thinner icing I filled the space inside the outline with a spoon.

For my sweet friends M and D:

D's kind of leaked at the lower right corner. :( But, hey, it was my first try.

...and James:

This one is for me!

Near perfection!

Fleur de lis for the boy scout in the family:

Everybody's favorite.

Authentic gingerbread men for the foreign exchange students:

(It's not flooding, but it's still pretty cool)

And stars for my grandma:

Ta da! Now, only now that they have had their pictures taken, can the cookies be eaten.

Silver Lining Bag

The Silver Lining Bag

By Lexi Cushing

When I was teaching a friend of mine to knit a few months ago I pulled out a bunch of my finished projects for her inspiration, including this little number (after dumping out my car keys, cell phone, wallet, and half a dozen pens), which I had just finished designing. She spotted it right off and exclaimed, “Oh my word, name your price!” I was loath to part with my new handbag, so I typed up the pattern for her instead.

This bag is simple enough for brand new knitters, and a great introduction to knitting in the round. For the more advanced, it is instant gratification. It knits up so fast! Another thing I love about this bag is that it only takes one skein of yarn,
making it a fabulous last minute gift item.

Modeled by Kayla Cushing

Ode to PLU's deplorable parking

My Bout-Rimés (Pre-Raphealite poetry game) Italian Sonnet for English 452.

Rules: The last word of every line was chosen for me. 14 lines, 10 syllables each. Italian or English rhyme scheme.


A day in the life of a commuter student

Some things are frustrating and make me blue
And there’s a place with colors black and gold
Whose lack of parking spaces soon gets old.
Driving round and round is kind of fun, it’s true,
But I’d rather not spend my day this way.
It’s not too bad in morning at first light,
Or even if I get here late at night,
But often it seems really rather gray.

So from my distant parking space I tread.
My commute would be much faster could I fly.
If I’m lucky I can park in the shade.
And even though I’m feeling angry, red,
And I’m driving in circles crying, “WHY?!”
Once I find a parking space it does fade.

:-P