My grandpa had given me a bunch of things that my granny (great grandmother) had left behind when she passed in 2002. I’ve been using some of her materials (embroidery thread, fabric, pins, etc.) to create some of the things I’ve been making. I’ve had 10 quilt blocks that I’ve been hoarding that she had made a long time ago. The fabrics were impossible to match with modern-day or even reproduction fabrics. The block pattern was too complex for me. So, I’ve been sitting on them.
Last weekend my mom and I went to Valley Junction and found some really amazing vintage blocks that matched pretty well. So, I finally got out the blocks and made a quilt top.
I’ve been realizing lately that I have undergone a lot of changes in the past year … and for once my outward appearance has reflected it.
Before January 2009, my hair was the same since 8th grade. Between chin and shoulder length. Various shades of blonde ranging from golden to platinum, curly and thick. The only change was whether or not I had bangs. I didn’t dare do anything drastic (aside from the time I colored the underside pink and black — but the top was still blonde).
In January of 2009 I cut my hair super short. I kept randomly cutting it shorter and more asymmetrical as the year progressed.
I went through a breakup last fall and I colored my hair super dark to remind myself that things were different and that more importantly that I was different.
Anyway, a while back I was talking with my boy and his roommate and they said they hardly remember the long-blonde-haired Calee, even though that’s what they knew for so long. I didn’t realize until then just how different I look now. I mean, it’s probably partially the attitude that I have too — so much different. I feel like I can conquer the world.
I went out last weekend with my friend, Shelly, and we both looked pretty hot. So I took a few pix of myself for my “mugshots” album on facebook, especially since I looked like a total rocker chick.
So I started going through my facebook pictures and noticed just how much I changed. I found the album of “pinups” that I’d taken a couple years back. One photo in particular showed me with my “rocker” look. I had my bass guitar and a killer look on my face. This used to be my go-to super-hot photo.
So, then or now? Ignore the camera quality … webcam vs. a nice cam.
I even got a new ID last week for work. I lost my old one, so I now have an ID that looks like me!
I took today off since I had to take my mancandy to the airport at an obscenely early time and wanted to sleep/clean/catch up on crafting the rest of the day.
Needless to say, I didn’t get a whole lot of cleaning done (I did put the dishes away!), but I got a little sleeping and a LOT of crafting done. I finished off both sets of wonky log cabin blocks I’ve been working in — one with my repro fabrics, and the other with Wonderland and Amy Butler fabrics that I’ve been hoarding. I have 17 of the repro block and 24 of the Amy Butler/Wonderland blocks. I’m going to make a queen-sized quilt with the AB/W blocks, but not sure what I’m going to do with the repro blocks.
Here are some of the more fun blocks from the repro log cabin set (8″x8″).
And here are some cool ones from the Amy Butler set …
Eventually I’ll make these into quilts, but until then, they’re just pretty patchwork pieces.
I can’t believe I’m already into week 3 of my half marathon training. So far, so good. I haven’t missed a run yet and I’ve been keeping up with my cross training on my off days (except last Saturday — but I danced my ass off at prom).
Today’s a cross-training day, so I’m going to hook up with my favorite trainer, Jillian Michaels, for some hard core cardio in my living room.
Anyway, my runs have been pretty decently paced so far. I ran outside for my first 6-mile run (in the snow) for week one and managed to keep it at 8′25ish per mile. Last week’s 7 mi run was on a treadmill and averaged 8′17/mi. So pretty decent. If I can keep my pace no more than 8′30/mi on longer runs, I think I’ll have a pretty decent time for the race considering I’ll likely step it up a notch.
Every year Ames has a throwback prom to raise money for American Cancer Society and this year’s theme was Night of the Living Prom. Zombies. Prom. Zombies. Prom. Prombies?
Of course, I had to cram myself into this awesome black dress I bought for last year’s prom that isn’t made to actually fit a human being. It’s a size … ?? I don’t know. 28 inch waist with 24 inches for a chest? Hmm.. yeah. I turned the back into the corset and laced it up to fit me. Frankensteined a dress for zombie prom.
Mark and I decided to do 80s glam punk — Billy Idol style. I made Mark a shirt out of a PBR t-shirt and some fabric scraps. And of course, I made us a corsage and a boutonniere.
It was a good mix of zombies and prom goers. We had a fabulous time. The band showed up in Ghostbusters costumes (complete with proton packs) and played the ghostbusters song! Thriller was played halfway through the night and a group of us danced to it. I didn’t learn it, but I jumped in and improved anyway.
That’s about it. Free beer and punch. Lots of dancing. Lots of fun times. Undead. And alive.
Once again I’m attending the fabulous charity prom put on by Sigler Companies in Ames. This year’s theme is Night of the Living Prom. So, you can go as a zombie or as whatever you want. So really, the only difference from last year is the zombie part. Last year’s theme was Revenge of the Prom.
Anyway, Mark is going with me and I kind of fed his ideas for what he was going to wear and let them snowball into something really cool. So originally he was wanting to wear an old-school tuxedo t-shirt with weight-lifting gloves and a jacket, but I suggested we go to the Atomic Garage in Valley Junction to see if they had any cool vintage attire. There, we found an epic PBR t-shirt, which is perfect because him and all my guy friends are notorious for drinking PBR since it’s the cheapest pitcher you can get. But it was too small. I bought it anyway assuming I could craft it into something.
Today I tried on my black dress that I’d bought last year that has never quite fit (it tapers to the top — which makes no sense, but whatever). I decided that it was too cute with the electric blue and black lace tights I had on and that I HAD to make it work. Coincidentally, at the same time I tried the dress on, I got a text from Mark saying that he was going to tuck his jeans into his boots, old-school punk style.
*idea!*
So we’re going punk.
I’m going to add a hook and eye closure where the zipper stops zipping on the dress, and add loops so I can lace the rest of it up like a corset so it will fit. There’s only about 6 inches where it won’t zip, but I figured it’d be an easy fix and I won’t have to take the zipper out to do it, so if by some miracle of God or if I lose some ribs then MAYBE it will fit someday and I can un-frankenstein it up.
The PBR shirt is getting cut up and patched onto a charcoal grey t-shirt along with some electric blue accent fabric. Also — safety pins. He’s wearing the gloves and jacket along with the tucked in jeans. It’s going to be awesome.
I already made the corsage and boutonniere for the event, including some awesome houndstooth fabric, sequins and of course, safety pins, with a little bit of electric blue ribbon. AWESOME. I hope it’s not too girly for him to wear.
Well, not really, but we did go to the townie bar. Well, they’re all townie bars I guess.
I took Mark home last week to meet my family and my friends. My family loved him (I mean, what’s not to love?) and my friends did as well. We went to the Eagles Club where my friend Lindsay bartends and did karaoke and danced the night away. Here are some lovely photographs from the evening …
So in honor of my favorite celeb, this year’s prom theme is Night of the Living Prom. Well, not sure if it’s in honor of him, but either way, we’re learning the Thriller dance so most people can do it and it will be awesome.
In case you forgot, Prom is a charity event in Ames that is held every year. It’s a throwback prom with a cool theme. Last year’s was Revenge of the Prom.
Anyway, last weekend they held a group practice to learn the dance, but I went home for the weekend to introduce Mark to my family (which went really well, BTW). So, needless to say, this uncoordinated chica must learn this thing on her own.
So, I began.
And, I’m going to be videoing my progress and blogging about it that way I actually get this thing learned so I don’t look like a tool and so I can pay homage to the King like I always wanted to. Plus, life isn’t complete until you know how to dance like a zombie.
I’m super excited about this, but it’s probably pretty boring to most of you.
So I finally decided to decorate my apartment, you know, after I’ve lived here for a year-and-a-half and right before I move out in May. I guess better late than never.
I rearranged my bedroom last weekend (finally) at the suggestion of my friend Shelly several months back. I ordered a few cute accessories from UrbanOutfitters. I don’t have any before pictures, but here are some after pictures.
Bedroom — with my Amy Butler sampler quilt courtesy of my friend Adria hanging on the wall and with my new chandelier light hanging above — which, by the way, I totally installed all by myself thanks to the HerTools(tm) set I received for Christmas from my mom *cough cough* I mean, Santa. No mechanical engineering expertise from Mr. Awesome needed. (I feel so empowered! I can use a screwdriver!)
Closeup of the chandelier.
My dresser with jewelry and some cute fabric swatches on the wall
a more “artsy” shot …
I hung all my scarves and hats up on my shelves with hooks … and I realized that I had a piece from my friend Kim that she’d painted for my friend Flip’s band, The Half Hearts, for their first album After the Flood. I dunno if this goes to Flip or not, but for now, I’m going to keep it since apparently he hasn’t missed it …
And my living room with my daybed and the new tapestry hanging behind it. I’ve had the same daybed since 8th grade along with the ugly floral sham, but it works well with the pieces I’ve made and acquired over the years. The white and purple quilt is from my great grandma, and I love how it matches everything so perfectly. I keep designing around it even though it’s almost completely fallen apart.
My friend Molly had her annual Christmas party this year and I was lucky enough to be invited to the festivities. Molly makes the most awesome food and it’s always fun to get together with these girls — usually full-on crazy.
I was really excited to go because I finally got to introduce my fabulous beau to all my friends. Granted, he’s met most of them before — just not in boyfriend context. We’ve been good friends for years so our circles have overlapped already a bit anyway.
Anywho — I made a giant spinach/spring mix salad and an awesome Better than Robert Redford cake. (yes, robert redford — because of the mixed bag that reads my blog!)
It was a fun time. We had a lot of wine and a lot of good food. Lots of good conversation and fun times with friends!
Here’s a few photos from the event … I’m hoping I captured the crazy as well as the cuteness of all the adorable people there! (I can haz cute friends?!)
But it was too small. I bought it anyway assuming I could craft it into something.
