It really was a nice day for a white wedding.

So, I've finally finished the pictures from Emily's wedding. (I know, I know, the wedding was over a month ago...) And we're back to Chatterbox. Now that I think about it, I used Chatterbox on almost every wedding page (and it was all CHA new releases). This was kind of the wrap up spread, with all the pictures from the reception and other leftovers. With all those photos, I still didn't have a lot of room for journaling. I think I'll just print off the relevant blog entries, instead, and slip it in a page protector.

I don't remember what Em was laughing at in the 'Human Chair' picture. It appears to have been something Mike was saying. Anyone? Anyone?

I just noticed I've been using a lot of brown backgrounds lately. In this case, at least, it's appropriate since they are the Browns.

I'm kinda bummed, though. I got a new Cutterpede trimmer - replacing the one I've had for 2 years, the ruler is really broken this time, I already fixed it once - and I seem to have gotten one of the ones that doesn't cut straight. I had heard that that happens sometimes. Now I'll have to go back to Hobby Lobby... oh darn.

It's cuitans for you, pally. Cuitans!

*said in best '30s-gangster voice*

So, this is Sewing Project #2: Operation Block the Intense Late-Afternoon Sun (And Stop the Neighbors Seeing In, I'm Sure They're Nice People and All, But Still). I got some sheer white material at JoAnn's for, like, $1.99 a yard, and cobbled these together. I'm not sure if I like the cafe rings at the top, or not - I'm thinking about sewing some little ribbon loops, instead. (Come to think of it, JoAnn's has those new American Crafts ribbons by the yard... stop! Bad scrapper! Stop!)

I still need to do the ones for the living room, although I think I'll try doing the top differently. They're not anything fancy, after all, but still it's nice to feel like I'm somewhat competent, after the Hammer Pants.

In other news... It's only one more week until the NCIS season premiere! Oh boy, I can't wait. Of course, I am scheduled to teach 'Crazy for Cardstock' at the Scrapbook Corner that very same night. Which only goes to show that I love scrapbooking the most! (Don't think I won't have the VCR all set up to record it, though.)

new addiction

I think I love American Crafts almost as much as Chatterbox.

You probably can't tell from the scan, but those rub-ons are silver. And they include a bunch of swirls and flourishes along with the letters.

Celebrate

Happy birthday Matt
Husband's thirty-two today
I let him sleep in.

Kids enjoyed the cake
Some genius gave them ice cream
Wasn't MY idea.

Presents were unwrapped
I gave him a preppy tie
and a white dress shirt.

Pants turned out okay
Matt thinks I think he's pudgy
They're a little loose.

Happy birthday, too,
to fabulous Luv2 girl
lovely BethieO.

Pride has a color. And it's PLAID.

So, I got my check from Primedia a while back. I was pretty excited, because I wasn't expecting to get it until October. I got $50 for my page, "I Feel Pretty," that will be in the Nov/Oct issue of Simple Scrapbooks.

So, I turned around and bought something I've been wanting for a really long time. I finally got a sewing machine! I got the Janome Sew Mini, which was on sale from Hancock Fabrics (with free shipping, even!) I got it last week, and it's adorable. It's a tiny little sewing machine that only does straight stitch and zigzag, which is just perfect for someone inept like me.

The weird thing is, the daughgetr of a woman who can make three bridesmaid dresses in one night, doesn't know how to sew at all. I mean, I've never sewed anything. Fortunately, I've watched my mom make enough prom dresses that I at least understood the basics. And my little machine is very user friendly. I think what always scared me off in the
past was using the foot pedal - I don't know, inretrospect, why that was so intimidating to me. But I also didn't learn how to drive until I was out of high school.

Anyway, Matt's birthday is on Sunday, and I really wanted to make him something. So I went over to JoAnn and got a few yards of plaid flannel. I already had a pattern for pajama pants, and that's what I made him. As you can see. And I am inordinately proud of myself.

Hopefully, Matt won't notice how crooked the seams are, or how I made no attempt whatsoever at matching the plaid. He doesn't have to know that a 2-hour pattern took me three days, or that the first time I did the outside leg seams, I messed them up and turned them into M.C. Hammer pants. (Can't touch this.) It will probably escape his scrutiny that I did a lousy job cutting the pieces out, so the edges are all choppy. Or that I didn't want to deal with making the drawstring out of flannel, so I just bought some twill tape instead. If he's a smart man, Matt won't point out that since they lack pockets and a button fly, these pants are actually inferior to the adequate number of pajama pants he already owns.



But I made something! I've never made anything before (not counting the kids). I think I'll be able to live off the pride of that for a long time.