i finally finished my tree skirt!  i am so pleased with the finished product, and very proud of my work.  i am so grateful to my mom for giving me the sewing gene (as well as buying me my sewing machine for christmas!).  i also am super-duper grateful to misha's mom candie, who has been teaching me how to sew and being very patient with me- i couldn't have done it without her help!

i've also confidently sewn together a few pillows/cushions for our living room and porch from a very fun IKEA fabric.  i did these all on my own, and while they are just about the easiest thing ever there were still road bumps in the process and i learned a lot.  i'm so glad i've finally learned to sew, and am able to channel my creativity into making functional objects.  next up: a cute spring dress, pillowcases for misha's sister, and my first tote bag!

spring has sprung!  a pair of house finches (i think they are house finches, based on a little google research) have nested in our hanging pansy plant, and i discovered their nest on accident.  since then i have been discreetly and carefully photographing it, and the baby birds have officially hatched!  right now they look like aliens, but everyday they get bigger and bigger!

getting to photograph these birds is easily one of the coolest things! they are amazing.  i will post more photos soon- i try to wait awhile in between photographing to let them grow/not freak the mama and papa out!

i finally got to create a sign/board at work, and it was a very fulfilling and enjoyable experience.  i definitely want to keep doing this, as well as cake decorating.  i am so happy whole foods has become a vehicle for creativity and fulfillment, and hope it continues to be until i am able to do my own thing entirely.

i finally got a car! an 06 scion xa.  i LOVE it.  obviously, i felt the need to hug it.  also, misha turned 24, and i made him what i think may be the coolest birthday cake ever- a three tiered, beer themed carrot cake.  i'm not trying to brag, but i am mighty proud of it! :)

i love my pin cushions!  the one on the left i got for my birthday, and the one on the right i just bought from my former college admission counselor, former coworker, and friend, the talented danamarie hosler.  she has long run her shop, greenstarstudio, on etsy selling wonderful handmade plush toys for kids.  recently she opened her second shop, the small craft advisory, and i love all the hand-cut and hand-sewn felt items in it!  i can't wait to put pins in my new cushion! thanks, danamarie! :)

i think i finished a painting i started a couple weeks ago.  i hung it in our living room (bottom picture).  the jury may still be out, but i'm happy with it for now.

trying my hand at cake decorating....peach cluster flowers on mini cupcakes.