If you thought the hedgehog was cute...

Then you might think this guy is, too!

In case you can't tell, he's a beaver. And he is much cuter in person.

I also have two birds for you today, one little duckling...

And one fat penguin...

And two more cup cozies. I just really like making them. It goes fast, and I get to use the sewing machine!

We've been having cold, snowy, windy weather all week- hopefully it's nicer where you are! I started my new class, and I'm loving it. I enjoy the Westerns we're watching and my professor is hilarious. Also, he lets me crochet during class, and then I crochet when I'm watching the movie later on (normally in my room), so that's five hours of guaranteed crochet time five days a week. It's really helping me make some progress on my goal for things made for the craft fair.

What are everyone's plans for Halloween weekend? There's a ton of stuff going on around campus, and I'm sure I'll do some of it, like the free bbq's, three different haunted houses, and the big dance party tomorrow night. Everyone really goes all out for Halloween on campus, even if I don't. I'm meeting with Megan later to try to figure out cheap and easy to make costumes. We'll see. I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween and a great weekend!

Major happenings over Block Break...

So, second block is over! I had a fabulous time mentoring kids at Harrison Alternative Schools, and I'm hoping to continue if I can get a ride over there a couple of times a week. Robert came to visit for block break (he actually just got in a cab to go back to the airport) and we had so much fun.

Wednesday night we hosted a little get together here at the CC Inn for some people from my class and whoever they wanted to bring. We had a taco bar and talked and watched tv for a while. It was really great. Then most of us drove over to the movie theater where we watched Zombieland. I don't like scary movies, and I thought it was going to be scary, but it wasn't at all. It was hilarious. We were all laughing through the whole movie.

Thursday night Rob and I went out to eat with one of his video game friends who lives in Denver. Chris drove down to meet us. I thought it would be weird since neither of us had ever met the guy and Robert just plays Final Fantasy with him, but it was great- really comfortable and fun. He seems like a really cool guy. We went to Phantom Canyon Brewing Company for dinner, a semi-fancy restaurant downtown with the "best billiards hall in town" on the second floor. The guys ate huge steaks and I had pork chops and then we went upstairs to play some pool and talk. It was a really fun night.

Yesterday, Rob and I met my friend Megan for lunch and we walked to Panino's (yes, Mom and Trudy, Panino's like we went to on vacation, only the one by campus). The food was great and we decided that since the weather outside wasn't too bad, we would go hiking. The three of us and Megan's friend, Bridget, piled into Bridget's roommate's car and we drove up Gold Camp Road. Gold Camp Road kind of winds up a mountain, and has tremendous views. You drive through tunnels built into the mountain and it was really cool. There was a lot of snow up there, too, and I was wishing I had brought my camera. After driving to the top we hiked up a trail to a gorgeous waterfall that had a bridge and overlook at the top. It was so pretty. You could see all of Colorado Springs in the distance. After heading back, we all separated for dinner and then met back up to go to a CC Tigers Hockey game. We beat Michigan Tech 4-1 and it was pretty loud and crazy the whole game. I was glad that Robert got to go see it. When we got back to campus, Rob and I hung out with Megan in Mathias (the upperclass dorm where she is an RA) and played pool. Then we walked back to the Inn.

Robert and I were just sitting around talking, I was whining about him having to leave so soon, and asking why he couldn't stay longer, when he pops out a ring and says, "Look, crybaby, will you marry me?" Evidently he had been planning this whole romantic thing, but since I wouldn't shut up and stop complaining, he just went for it. It was the most hilarious thing ever. No, we won't have some sweet story to tell our kids, but it was perfect for us. We're not some sappy, romantic couple. We're always joking around and making fun of each other, so why shouldn't his proposal reflect that? It makes me laugh every time I think about it. So, anyways, here's the ring. (You know me, I can't pass up the chance to play around in Photoshop!)

It's actually just a little big, so I'm currently wearing my other ring on top of it, turned around, so it won't slide off. In case you can't tell from the picture, it's white gold, not yellow.

And then here are a couple of things I've made since I last posted. I've actually made way more than this, but most of them still need a little finish work, like embroidering the mouth or cutting out felt for the face. I'm really behind now because I haven't made anything since Robert got here. I'm going to try to catch up today and tomorrow. Two adorable little piggies...

And one sweet turtle.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering, I'm taking "Topics in Film Studies/Southwest Studies: The Western" starting Monday.)

(By the way, happy first birthday, Daniel! I hope everyone had a great time at his party!)

Crafty Goodness

In case I haven't told you yet...I adore my sewing machine. I love the idea of sewing and the process of sewing and the results of sewing. I love trying out new patterns and making up my own patterns and experimenting to see what I can make. I made this little apron yesterday. I'm not entirely sure on the sizing, but it's supposed to fit the 3-6 age range. Since I'd never made an apron before, I didn't use my most beautiful fabrics. It ties at the top and back.

This is what the pattern looks like.

It's completely reversible, but the back of this one is very plain.

I also made this pretty thing yesterday.

Doesn't it look nice? And it's lined with a coordinating color.

And this is what it actually is, a cup cozy. It's meant to be used on coffee cups, like from Starbucks or something, so you don't have to use the cardboard sleeves. You can just reuse this instead.

And I'm still popping out the animals. A trip to Hobby Lobby last week set me up on yarn, so I'm just working on making stuff for the craft fair in a couple months.

Aren't these little guys cute?

And who can resist crocheted food? Pumpkin pie with whipped cream...yum!

And lastly, a simple ice cream sandwich.

Happy First Birthday, Nico!

I can't believe Nico is already one, but he is! I'm so jealous of everyone who gets to be at his party tomorrow. I'll be thinking about all of you!

So, because it's Nico's birthday, I made Ari a skirt. :) Really, I just wanted to see if I could make a skirt, and I had some purple fabric, which just happens to be Ari's favorite color. I called an expert for some advice on what to add to the skirt, and Ella suggested I make a rainbow skirt. That sounded a little more complicated than I'm capable of, so Ella said I should just put a butterfly about to land on a bow. Well, I got the butterfly, at least! The fabric is really a nice purple color, it just isn't showing well.

I made this tote/purse a few days ago, I just hadn't taken pictures of it yet. The white dots are actually hearts.

Inside it has a pen pocket...

...and a regular pocket!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and whether you're at Nico's birthday party, Will and Megan's wedding, or hunting at Mom and Dad's, know I wish I was there, too! (Okay, maybe not actually hunting, but hanging out in the house.)