LHN - The Sampler Lady

I started on Little House Needleworks "The Sampler Lady" a couple nights ago. I've been sitting in front of the tv, just stitching away on this one. It's really enjoyable and I'm loving the way it's turning out. It's being stitched over two on 28ct. Wichelt lambswool linen.

I also made lasagna today. Well... I guess you can't call it lasagna cause I had to use rigatoni instead of the lasagna sheets, but it was still de-lish either way.

Brightneedle - Dollhouse

I know I said I'd be finished with brightneedle's dollhouse a couple weeks ago, but that hasn't happened. I have completed a bit more than this photo shows- I think I'm about 3 hours from finish. I can't wait until it's completely finished, the only problem is... I don't feel like stitching it at the moment! I bought a board for the mat, which is a mauvish color, and I think it'll go well with the stitching along with a deep brown frame I picked out. I am partial to frames with molding- I really love the extra detail and character it brings to the piece.

In the meantime I got started on Little House Needleworks' "The Sampler Lady". I am enjoying working on it cause it's much smaller in scale compared to the dollhouse. And I can actually see a good amount of progression within 30 minutes. I shall post pictures of it soon~

Ciao! Have a wonderful evening!!

Skype

I've recently discovered the beauty of skype! And I must say it's a great way to keep in touch with your long-distance friends. :)

A Yum and DONE

I spent some of yesterday cutting mats and framing. And I probably always say this after I frame something and while it's fresh in my mind- but, my hats off to those who frame their creations themselves!
The bulk of the time was spent trying to straighten/stretch the linen so that the stitches are in alignment with the mat. I had to re-do it like 15 times, literally. It's still crooked, but I suppose that's the best I can do. But I do, I do love the frame and the double mat. Cutting mats and framing are not my specialty and never will be, but nevertheless I will continue to do it cause I can and I am a poor college student.

Brightneedle "Larsen's Farm" double mat and framed

I made vietnamese spring rolls again! This time for my grandma- it was her first time trying it and *drumroll* she liked it!

Yumminess Overload

Today my best friend and I had a feast of very random foods. We haven't cooked together in a long time and we just needed a breather- she's up in Santa Cruz while I'm stuck in the valley, so this was a once in a blue moon kind of thing. From vietnamese spring rolls, grilled mozzarella cheese sandwiches, yubu chobab, to red velvet cupcakes, it was a feast alright.

Yubu Chobab {Japanese- inarizushi }

Yubu Chobab is seasoned rice (sweet and sour) stuffed in fried bean curd.

Iced Red Velvet cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcake

They were moist and just the right amount of sweet.

It'll only make us stronger

It's such a great day out, sunny with a wonderful breeze. And today was the first day I wanted to welcome that brightness back into my life. The past month has been really tough on my best friends and I. It still is, and I know that we all need some time to heal.
Having to process the loss of loved ones in such traumatic ways has changed us, inside and out. I never knew that such unfortunate events could come to us like so, in a chain reaction- moments of shock, disbelief, which led to denial. But now we know anything can happen at any given moment. I've been grateful for what has been given to me, but now I can say it's truly heartfelt and it's not something I just know in my head.

Larsen's Farm finished

Yesterday I put my last stitches in Larsen's Farm by Brightneedle. Now I just need to get a mat and a frame for it. I'm probably going to cut the mat myself, but I really do hate all the measuring. It brings back nightmares of the day and night I spent cutting and matting all my pieces for my illustrative storytelling final.
One of my classmates came into class with a bandaged finger which was later revealed to be an exacto knife accident. She was cutting down the mats when she accidently sliced her finger to her bone and had to make a trip to the emergency room. This is what happens to sleep deprived artcenter students. Fortunately for me, I just came out with a sore/tender hand.

Rain, Rain go away

내 머리 위에 먹구름 한개가 떠있는것만 같다.
많은 것을 겪으면서 힘들었던 만큼 나 성숙해졌음을..
그런데도 마음은 찢어지게 아픈걸...
죽음도, 새로운 생명도 우리가 원하는데로 되지않는걸 이번에 확실이 알아버렸어.

Brightneedle - Larsen's Farm

I started stitching Brightneedle's Larsen's farm a couple nights ago. My stitching has been getting progressively slower this month, probably because I'm so physically and emotionally drained. I'm hoping to get re-energized this coming memorial day weekend.



I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Organization

We've finally got the bookcases from Ikea. My mom and I assembled them and organized/cleaned for 8 and a half hours on Friday. Then we went back to Ikea on Saturday and got a whole bunch of boxes, and other smaller furniture pieces. everything is in order, I just need to get used to what is where now.

Some of my books along with my kitty I painted at Paint a Dream on my 20th birthday.


My very small Dunny collection along with my postcard books and a couple of my paintings.


My fluffy flowers are guarding my collection of dictionaries.

Old magazines.


Our class' collection from archetype press. I picked Naomi Shihab Nye's 'So much Happiness' poem.


A couple pages from the book. Poem by Naomi Shihab Nye. Book design, hand-set, letterpress printed by Grace Kim.

A page from the book. Poem by Naomi Shihab Nye. Book design, hand-set, letterpress printed by Grace Kim.

w & whale

I've been totally hooked on w & whale, a korean band who was formerly known as W [where the story ends] until a female vocalist, Whale, joined the group.

This music video is so fun and quirky, I love it!

"맘껏 나를 믿을 뿐, 나를 버리지는 않겠어."

That's what friends are for

These lyrics just pierce my heart and I can't find any other words that can better express the way I'm feeling.

"That's what friends are for" Dionne Warwick

And I never thought I'd feel this way

And as far as I'm concerned

I'm glad I got the chance to say

That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away

Well, then close your eyes and try to feel

The way we do today

And then if you can remember
Keep smilin', keep shinin'

Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for
Well, you came and opened me

And now there's so much more I see

And so by the way I thank you
Whoa, and then for the times when we're apart

Well, then close your eyes and know

These words are comin' from my heart

And then if you can remember, oh
Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are forIn good times, in bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

Oh, that's what friends are for
Whoa... oh... oh... keep smilin', keep shinin'

Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for
Keep smilin', keep shinin'

Knowin' you can always count on me, oh, for sure

'Cause I tell you that's what friends are for

For good times and for bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for (That's what friends are for)
On me, for sure

That's what friends are for

Keep smilin', keep shinin'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtGF2m102Wg

Deary, please remember that I'm here for you whenever you need me. I love you.

"For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for"