This crazy beautiful weather has been distracted in so many ways.

It makes me realize that July 10th is way closer than I think; therefore, I must tackle my wedding to-do-list every chance I get. It also forces me to think every waking second of my day should be spent outside (no complaints there, but I'm not accomplishing much "work").

Wednesday evening I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning to finish the commissioned baby blanket! I have pictures and will post them later. Needless to say, the next day I was exhausted, but fortunately my students kept me awake and happy. I was also fortunate to have my semester observation completed on Thursday as well. As mentioned, my students are incredible people and I am so lucky to work with them, so when it came time for my observation, I wasn't nervous at all---I was just happy to have an administrator see how awesome these typical "bad kids" can be. The observation went well and now I have the rest of the semester to myself (other than the occasional drop-in or visit from another teacher).

Tonight Cory and I are driving to northern Virginia to eat dinner with our caterer. Suzi is a family friend and is kindly catering our wedding AND baking our wedding cake. She is so awesome and I am so excited to see how she puts her own spin on my peach chicken. So far we're looking at a salmon dish and the peach chicken I mentioned before. I will try to grab a few pictures tonight so you can see what I'm talking about!

Anyway, I better run. I have a few errands to complete before we head down the road.

Daylight Savings Begins!

(source)

If you know me at all, you know that I am very sunshine sensitive. No, I don't burn easily...but I need a LOT of sunshine to be consistently happy. It's no surprise that Daylight Savings is my favorite day of the year. I don't usually mind "springing forward" because I know it's leading me into warmer weather, less layers of clothing, and longer days.

Until this year. I am having the toughest time adjusting to the new time! Last night, Cory and I watched "Who is Clark Rockefeller?" on Lifetime. Granted, we're not big Lifetime watchers, but the previews really appealed to my curiosity (so if you know any of their marketing agents, give them kudos). Unfortunately, it so thoroughly freaked me out that I couldn't relax until nearly 12:30 this morning! My alarm clock rang oh so early...and it was dark outside. Ouch.

Anyway, I'm trying to get into the groove and say "You know what--sleep is awesome--but not this week." I have so much to tackle this week--and I know it will pay off in sweet rewards.

Right now I'm really hunting for an interesting non-fiction book to read. I haven't actually sat down and read a book in MONTHS (which for me is absolutely crazy). I'm thinking that I might be able to get into non-fiction though. If you have ANY recommendations of memoirs, biographies, whatever whatever, please please please let me know! Tomorrow this beauty is finally being released in paperback:

I have been waiting to get my paws on this biography of Flannery O'Connor. It's really hard for me to get into hardback books (they remind me of textbooks), so I'm THRILLED this is finally out in paperback! In fact, I just realized if I stick around long enough--I might be able to slide over to Barnes & Noble and they *fingers crossed* will have it on the shelf before they close. I hope, I hope!

Anyway, I need to tackle some plans for school tomorrow and then spend some quality time with my baby blanket.

Have a wonderful Monday evening!

So much to tell!

So just realized I haven't uploaded my Nikon memory card in OVER a month! Yikes! There is so much to recap...

1) I reorganized my studio space to make it more work friendly. Unfortunately, right now, it's the home of a lot of wedding stuff, but I trust that it will look this pretty again soon...

2) Cory and I went away for Valentine's Day and stayed in downtown Baltimore. He took me to see a wonderful caberet show and I gave him a night in the Hilton. Our room had incredible view and these are some of the shots Cory was able to get:

3) Karla sent me this adorable pattern. After mastering it in white as the pattern suggests, I was able to give it a friendly spring twist. I wore my white necklace to work last Tuesday to add some pep to my bland brown skirt w/aqua tee and some of my female students went crazy over it. After I finish a few other pieces, I'm goign to make them their own!

4) I tackled a few "springy" jewelry ideas I had floating around in my head for the shop update/Muse debut... what do you think?

And my personal favorite:

There are a few more items over in my shop...check 'em out!

As you know, yesterday was my artist highlight at The Muse. I thought it was very successful and I had a blast hanging out with Whitney. I am so fortunate that I had many good friends and work buddies come visit and even purchase a few items! I was able to pass out some of my new business cards and meet a few local artists as well! I left many new items at the shop, so if you're looking for a fun day trip and unique handmade products, you should definitely stop by.

Saturday Reveal

Although I have been failing at all attempts to beat whatever sickness has overcome me, I will ABSOLUTELY be presenting a new mini-collection of Donna's Decembers jewelry at The Muse this Saturday.

Sneak peak? Hmmm...

Here's a new necklace...

The pendant is really only 4x4 so it's not as large as it may seem. It's made with 100% cotton yarn with a sterling chain. Really adorable when thrown on with jeans and a basic tee.

Okay, I need to go take a little more medicine, find some grub, and keep on crocheting!

Happy Wednesday to you :)

I'm alive, I swear!

I am so sorry that I have been so MIA recently.

Our internet still has not been re-connected and I have been working on many commissioned orders. So, I've been dilligently working on school and Donna's Decembers.  Anyway--with an impending March 19th deadline for the baby blanket, and a spring collection reveal this Saturday, I am busy crocheting away during my free time. There's a good chance I will have to take off work on Friday to get everything accomplished in time! Ah--crochet madness!

What else have I been up to? Well...this week is Frederick's Restaruant Week which leaves me wishing for a bigger "spending budget", but alas, I am sure we will choose wisely. Also, this past weekend Cory and I accomplished MANY items on our Wedding To-Do List! It leaves me feeling excited and balanced, all at the same time!

A few things I'm excited for:

1) RVA's Spring Collection which you can get a taste of here.

2) This amazing bag from Anthropologie, for a few different reasons. a)it's adorable and b) peanut butter is in the name! ahh!

Well--I hope you had a great Monday. Can you believe it's the 2nd Monday in March? It hit 61 degrees today! Yay for sandals and pretty toes :)

(image)

Happy sMarch!

Hey, hey!

I am so thrilled that today marks the first day of March. Can anyone else feel the beginning of spring? It's still bitter cold in Maryland, but I'm hoping that we can suffer through the next few weeks and ease into sandal weather!

Today I received 6 custom orders. SIX! I have 4 orders for my little letter carriers, 2 pair of earrings, and a big, big order = a baby blanket!

So, by the end of this, I'm going to live in this:

At least I can hope!

Image found at weheartit.com

Happy March to you and yours :)

National Craft Month

Hey, hey!

Sorry it's been such a long time since my last post. A number of events have occurred since you last heard from me... in no particular order:

1)Cory's sister had her baby! Beautiful Sloane is home with mom and doing wonderfully!
2)My grandmother passed away. We enjoyed a beautiful snow shower on the day of her service and burial that wrapped us together and kept us peaceful.
3)Maryland prepared for 50+ inches of snow within 4 days. Needless to say, I was snowed-in and had a week off work.
4)My students took, and (the majority) passed their state mandiated (graduation requirement) test.
5)Our internet/cable has been unplugged due to me needing a major "unplug, rejuvinate, refresh" month. I'm feeling much better now!

So, I need to start fresh (notice the new layout, hey!) and get back into the blogworld. (Shoutout to Ashley who designed the background and is so super awesome and talented!)

Next week is March, which I am so excited for. This means spring is right around the corner, and a ton of local craft celebration! What kind of celebration, you ask?  The Muse, a local handmade shop where I sell Donna's Decembers products, is showcasing a local artist each weekend! I will be on show on March 13, 1-3pm crocheting and mingling up a storm! If you have never spent quality time in downtown Frederick, you should schedule a day trip right away! There are tons of adorable, local shops and restaurants.

I have sooo many new crochet designs to post, I am so exited! The time away from TV & Internet has really pushed me to create many of my own patterns, which I hope you enjoy!

What have you been up to since I have been gone?