playing with Picnik

(no worries, not my real dress! but I do love the idea of this collage)

a show worth seeing

the show I've been working so hard on these last two months is finally ready for it's first showing on Friday. We had a dress rehearsal last night and we'll be having one today as well. I thought I would share a few photos with you; perhaps entice you to come check it out! I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far...

are you enticed yet??

a touch of spring for this dreary day

a quiet evening at home

much needed after so many long nights of play practice and in the middle of an extra-long work week...



Phil played a PS3 game with friends in New Zealand,



while I contentedly knit. (I'm working on an adorable sweater for summer!)



Miko and Boz were happy to just hang out



and sleep...



it was a nice break for all of us. But, alas, it's back to reality and the demands of this world... enjoy your weekend!

the shop is open!

That's right, folks. The shop over at twistedweave.etsy.com is finally up and running. I know, it's about time, right? I've uploaded a few items to the shop for now. And more will be added soon (i promise this time). For now, though, my eyes need a computer break and my belly needs some food!!

Oh, the wedding plans...

Let's catch you up to speed...

After the last post, I spent the week getting Phil ready for his three week trip to New Zealand. I took him to the airport for a 7.30 am flight Thursday morning. Then Miko, Boz, and I went north to my parents house to stay.


The first order of business there? My wedding dress! Now, you know I can't show you a picture here because of 'someone' having access to the blog. But I will say, it is going to be gorgeous! Simple but elegant. I can't wait to see the finished product...

I spent the remainder of the week making calls to get pricing and reservations for all those important pieces of any wedding. Saturday, my sister and maid of honor, Alyson and my sister-in-law and bridesmaid, Kim went dress shopping and flower hunting. We found THE perfect bridesmaid dress! You can see it here.

After visiting a few craft stores and looking at all the fake flowers available to us, (don't worry, there will be nothing but real flowers at the wedding!) we put together this bouquet for me.




I know the pictures are a little unclear, and they definitely don't do it justice, but trust me ... it's going to be awesome!

So what's left? Well, everything! You see, I have to wait for Phil to return so I can clear everything through him. There are only two things that we've discussed and agree on :: colors and photographer. The colors are clover and moss. And the Photographer? None other than Caitlyn Barker! Caitlyn and I went to high school together. I am so excited for her to be doing my wedding! Thanks, Caitlyn!

Well, Phil will be calling this afternoon. and we'll talk a little wedding. I'll let you know if any other decisions are made...

Keep checking in for updates and wedding preperation pictures. It's going to be an exciting few months!!

This week happened to be the sale that I always wait for.  Simplicity patterns for 99 cents each.  These patterns are usually $15.95 and up.  So when the sale comes around I make sure to add to my pattern collection.  

This time I had a few patterns in mind that I wanted to get.  I realized that I don't have any dress clothes that fit and I'll need some for the show's production.  I ended up finding a really cute top pattern and some beautiful plum-colored material. 

Of course, bozley couldn't handle not having all of mama's attention so I picked him up and set him on my table.  He loves to get up there and help me with whatever project I happen to be working on. 

ok ... so he thinks he's helping.  But really, I think I spend more time moving him than I do actually working.  But how can you not love that face!?  

And he was so good to stay right there, even when I walked away to check on the laundry.  He didn't offer to jump off, like he usually does.  And he posed for me for several different pictures without my prompting.  He is definitely the smartest dog I know.  It's like there's a little human soul peering out from those eyes.  All he needs is to learn how to talk!

Thank you for enduring my Bozley stories ...   I hope everyone stays warm out there.  Be sure to bundle up and watch that nose for frostbite!  'Til next time...

twisted weave is on blogger!

With a bookstore siesta coming up, I've been putting a lot of time into twisted weave. One of the biggies :: yesterday I started a blog here for just the business. You can also access it on the right-hand side of this blog under 'friends and inspirations.' There are going to be some really exciting new things happening over there throughout the next few months so be sure to check in and leave your comments. I really do appreciate them!

On a different note, some more exciting news :: I've been asked to stage manage the Freeport Community Players' upcoming show!! I'm very excited about this! I have a minor in theatre from USM and most of that work was done in the stage-management area along with dance and costuming. But for my first time out in the real-world-post-college theatre experience, stage managing a show is definitely an honor for me. Let us hope I don't forget everything I learned ... I'll keep you posted on how that's going along with show dates, if you're interested.

For now, it's off to pick up my new glasses and then head to work to cover lunches. Then I'm sure they will send me home for a nap. Phil thought it would be nice to bring home a few viruses with him from work. I've been sick since Christmas. Hopefully this latest round of craziness will be over soon! 'Til next time...

getting ready for christmas

we had our first snow fall here in the central part of maine on sunday. I always forget how beautiful everything is covered in a layer of white. It never fails to get me in the holiday spirit. I went in to work for a few hours to cover lunches and managed this great shot of one of the local hot spots for ethnic foods.





yesterday was spent in front of the sewing machine, working on those gifts that somehow get saved for the very last minute. as always, bozley was very helpful!








He was my official product tester for the day. i would say they are boz tested and approved, wouldn't you?

inspired by project 365

as the title suggests, i have recently been inspired by a few people to do Project 365. For those of you who aren't familiar, Project 365 involves taking pictures on a daily basis and posting the best one for that day (usually on a site like flickr) so that others can comment on them and possibly give you advise on how to improve the photo. The goal is to continually improve on your skills as a photographer.

My dilemma is this: I have a very short attention span. Tackling a project that is an entire year long is beyond my capabilities. So, I've decided to modify project 365 into a project 30 of sorts that I've deemed "30 days." The first set: 30 days of holiday. Feel free to head on over there and leave some comments if you wish.

I hope you all are enjoying your holiday season. Stay safe!

Sorry

about being MIA for so long. We have been really busy around here. But let me catch you up.

The middle of October saw Phil & I at our very first craft fair. The weeks leading up to it proved to be quite stressful but it was well worth it. We learned a lot about what to do, what not to do, and what people want in general. We even made a little money! When all was said and done, it was a great experience and I will definitely be at it again next fall.



To add to our stress level, Phil & I are in the middle of buying a house. Our offer was accepted just a few days before the above craft fair. So we have been busy ever since with the inspections and the bank and the other realtor. What a process! I'm glad that Phil has taken care of the majority of it. We actually have an appointment with our realtors tonight to talk about the next steps. Wish us luck...

In the meantime, we have a teething puppy on our hands and I am attempting to get Christmas gifts made. The goal is to make all our gifts this year, excepting the nieces and nephews (what 5 year old wants a hat and mittens?!?) so they are getting toys of some sort.

Here's Bozley enjoying his first ice cube. It's amazing how calm he was once I gave it to him ... that is until he finished it. Then he was back to chewing on my chair. And yes. That's my cutting mat he's on. He just loves to help mama when she's working!



Speaking of helping the next couple show just how helpful he was...





This morning, when I got out of the shower, I found this:




Bozley is laying on top of the clothes I just took off in order to get in the shower. Apparently, they were warmer than the floor, so he just helped himself!

Well, it's off to the realtor's for now. I will do my best to update more frequently, especially as we head into the holiday season. Have a great week everyone! We'll be seeing you soon...

ahh the joy that is bozley...

Phil & I met last night after work for dinner. After, I had to run an errand, so Phil headed home to check on Miko and Bozley. When I got home, I opened the front door to this:



Oh yes. Bozley managed to find some rolls of paper towel to shred while we were gone. That's right. Rolls plural. There were at least two partial rolls all over the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. When Phil brought Boz back in from going to the bathroom (which he didn't do) he attempted to tell him how naughty he had been.



This of course had no impact on Bozley. He just looked up at daddy and thought he was playing. When we finally made it into the kitchen we found another disaster, which I did not get a picture of. Replace all that paper towel with pee & poop and you get the idea (no wonder he wouldn't go when Phil took him out!). It took us at least an hour to get the place cleaned up. I made sure to clean up the spots in the kitchen with vinegar water but it wasn't enough. So Phil got out the mop and ended up mopping the entire apartment while I held Bozley in order to keep him from attacking the mop.



After we finally got into bed, Phil & I couldn't help but laugh. Who can be mad at a face like this?

one week later

the poor puppy still does not have a name. he's doing very well, though. as you can see above, he's definitely made himself at home! He and Miko seem to have reached an agreement as well. It took the puppy a few times to get it, but Miko had no problem putting him in his place. Now you'd think they've always lived together...



On a different note, my website is now up and running! My Fall 2008 Collection of earrings is all up and ready for purchase. My two current bags are being put up as they are finished (which will hopefully be at least every other day). Thanks to everyone for all of your support in this ... I wouldn't be doing without your encouragement. I'll keep you posted.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

our newest addition!

We've been very busy in the Jackson household. Between working 40 hours a week and starting my own business, I seem to have very little time these days to blog. I do, however, want to introduce you to our newest member of the family!



How can you not love a face like that!! Unfortunately he doesn't have a name yet :o( this is only the second day we've had him. But he'll have one soon. He's already a mama's boy, following me around the house and whining to be held at every possible moment.



He soon discovered that he likes our bed better than his own and when I brought him to bed with me this morning at 6am, he slept sounder than he has his whole life, I think! His favorite spot: right in the middle of daddy's pillow!

A new favorite spot was discovered today. I was on the computer trying to make an order for twisted weave and he whined to be picked up. I put him in my lap and about 5 seconds later, here he was...



...on the pullout keyboard drawer. Another 5 seconds he was out like a light!



As I write this now, he's in the same spot, sleeping soundly, happy and content to be near his mama. I'm sure many more blogs will follow, showing the cuteness that is my poopy dog. Stay tuned...