Homework and Etsy...

College. Good grief. There is this time that happens every semester, about halfway through, when a hundred things come crashing down at once. I have so many tests/projects/presentations due this week. I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed, to say the least. And sewing? I've taken to taking the cover off my dear Brother (I should name my sewing machine) and just looking at it, making sure I remember where everything is. It's now been nearly two months since I've sewn anything, and it is driving me crazy. That is why I am looking foward to spring break so much- only two more weeks! I'm going to sew like a lunatic that week. I'm going to sew until I get sick of it. =) I've got plans for a yellow and white seersucker skirt with white eyelet around the bottom, a shirt out of some yellow/white fabric, and a few clutches or wallets.

So, I have come to the conclusion that having homework to do on the computer is not a good thing. Because everytime my computer is on, whether I'm typing a paper in Word or researching a nutritous children's snack on Google, my finger magically manage to type in etsy.com. Because I love that website. I can spend hours there (and that is not a good thing). I get a dozen new ideas for things I want to make and find a dozen (or two) things I want to buy every time I get on there. I've never made a purchase from Etsy before, but yesterday I finally took the first step and said, "My name is Kristin, and I'm addicted to Etsy." No, not really. In fact, the first step was creating an account. So now I can actually buy stuff or even set up my own shop eventually (which I don't really see happening). I'm planning on ordering some sew-in fabric labels this coming week. But some of my favorite stuff on Etsy is jewelry. I don't wear a lot of jewelry, usually only necklaces. But they have some incredibly creative, quirky stuff on there that I love. And it's usually not even too expensive. I'm always finding stuff that I love, but when I go back to look for it, I can't find it. Which is another cool thing about making an account...I can add sellers or items to my favorites. I love this bracelet (I love the Eiffel tower):

This awesome necklace is a locket type thing with a clock inside of it! Sort of like an old-fashioned, feminine pocket watch. I don't wear a watch, but I would wear this! =)

And I love this necklace with a birdcage and bird:

Until next time,

Spring fever and farm animals...

I had the TV on earlier and was half-listening. A commerical was on, and at first I thought it said:

"Are you insane? Are you having trouble finding a physician who cares?"

When I realized what it really said ("Are you in pain?"), I had a wonderful laugh. I laugh at myself a lot, especially lately. Like the other day, when I wiped out on our icy driveway in my rubber boots, ending up with a sore shoulder/arm and a bruise.

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and I'm developing spring fever. I did homework this morning, and my room felt so warm and stuffy that I opened my back window and sat there for a while, reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," breathing in the cool, fresh air. Jack loved it, too, and sat on the window sill. After I closed it, he had to manage with this, which always makes me smile (he reminds me of a little kid):

Yesterday afternoon and this afternoon, me and Mom had to do chores at the farm. Dad was at a farming meeting/convention thing in town, and he usually does the chores. Honestly, I really enjoyed it. I do love the farm, but I'm usually so busy with school and things, especially this time of year. I help out a lot more during the summer, when there's more to do. Here are some of our sweet goats. I get to name all female animals on the farm, and I have a good time with it. =) The large black spotted one in the middle is Lucy. Her daughter is Ethel. The small black one near her is Beatrice (Bea, yes, from "The Andy Griffith Show"). Some of our sheep are Lost/Gilligan's Island characters.

My mother, the shepherd. =)

I was so glad to see the sun!

Part of the vineyard. That huge tree stands in the cemetary on the hill.

I had to laugh when I saw these two watching us filling up the water troughs. Penelope (Penny) is on the left, Bella is on the right (she's huge!). Bella is not a "Twlight" reference, by the way. It means "beautiful."

Until next time,

Just like Dorothy...

This was a long day. College has its ups and downs. Its days of evaluating picturebooks and making things out of cardboard boxes for preschool classes, and days like today. Good grief. I feel like Dorothy in Oz at school sometimes, only I haven't met the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, or the Cowardly Lion yet, and Toto didn't come along for the ride. I am so different from those people. Different in nearly every possible way. Different in small ways, like that I adore the Chronicles of Narnia books and to them, it's just a drudging assignment in Children's Lit and a waste of time when there's a movie. Different in huge ways, like that I can't accept homosexuality as an "alternative lifestyle" and can't casually mention abortion as a "woman's right" (like my PSY professor did last semester), because I believe it's murder. I walk through the hallways that smell like stale cigarette smoke and then sit in class with people who can spout out more swear words than the main character in an R-rated movie. And it wears on me. I replace my Frank Sinatra CD in the car with some kind of Christian rock, because I have to have something that encourages me. Something that reminds me of what I believe in, because being in that kind of environment for so long can really mess with you.

It's not always like this. Sometimes little things happen...little miracles. A few girls will wait to walk out with me after class because the college is in a shady part of town and they know my Mom doesn't want me walking out to my car alone after dark. A guy will hold the door open or stop and let me cross the street instead of plowing me down in his huge truck. The girl who is so critical of all the other girls seemingly takes up for me when someone makes a potentially hurtful comment. And when these things happen, I'm reminded of the Brandon Heath song. And I ask God to let me see people through His eyes, because I don't know the whole story.

Until next time,

Putty noses and icy trees...

On the way home from school tonight, the sliver of moon was positioned so that it looked exactly like the Cheshire Cat's smile.
Speaking of the Cheshire Cat, I am very much looking forward to the new "Alice in Wonderland" movie. I hope it will be good.

Today I found this adorable fabric that I'd been eyeing about a month ago, on sale for $2 a yard because it's after Valentine's Day.

Hearts are cute all year round!

We stopped by this bargain/discount store in town that has a huge book section. I looked through and found four Christian chick lit books that are pretty recent releases, for only a few bucks each. Among them are books 3-5 of the "Carter House Girls" series by Melody Carlson. I got the first two books for Christmas the year before last, and they're pretty good. I really love her books, and while these aren't my absolute favorites (that would be the "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series), they're cute. Light modern fiction for teen girls with a Christian message. Anyway, I was excited to find them, especially for less than half of what they would have cost at the Christian bookstore. =)

I usually watch an episode of "I Love Lucy" every evening. I have all the seasons on DVD, and I watch through them in order. I've just started the Hollywood episodes, in season 4, and they have to be my favorites, with all the old movie stars guest starring. Especially the one I watched tonight, "L.A. at Last." It's absolutely hilarious, and William Holden guest stars.

I took these about a week ago when we had some ice on top of our snow. The trees were beautiful.

Until next time,

Matters of the heart...

♥ Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. ♥

Last night, our youth group held a sweetheart banquet at church, to raise money for our snow tubing trip next month. It was a lot of fun, even though I was exhausted by the time it was over. I was also reminded of why I don't wear those cute shoes very often. We decorated everything in hearts and pink and red and white. After the spaghetti meal, my dad hosted a game with four couples, asking questions as to how well they know each other. It was very funny, with questions from "Where was your first date?" to "What kind of flower would you describe your wife as?/What kind of car would you describe your husband as?" =) The pastor and his wife won, beating my cousin and his wife by 1 point. I got to choose the background music for the evening, and I used the "Pride and Prejudice" soundtrack (with a few of the country dancing songs deleted). I wanted to sneak in a few Sinatra/1940's songs that I think are romantic, but I wasn't sure how everyone else would feel about them.

My day has consisted of church, too much chocolate, and chick flicks. I started watching "Emma" yesterday and finished it today, and it was even lovelier than the first time (I think the DVD has a few extended scenes and one added scene that wasn't on PBS...there was some dialogue that I didn't remember from the first time). I'm watching "Pride and Prejudice" now. I know I watched it not long ago, but it's one of my traditions to watch it every Valentine's Day. I usually indulge in a large bowl of ice cream sometime during the movie, so that may be in my future this evening.

I'm not one of those single girls who bitterly despises Valentine's Day. I actually like it a lot. It gives me a real excuse to watch chick flicks and overload on chocolate. Love, relationships, and boys fascinate me. I like to observe them. I know I don't write about those things very much here (apart from the occasional Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley swoon). That's probably because it's more appropriate for my real journal. I like Valentine's Day, but I think I would like it far better if I had Mr. Right to spend it with. I am attempting to be patient and wait for God's perfect timing for bringing these things about. I know, deep down, that I'm not quite ready yet. But I am often discouraged by the young men around me. Most of them are such shady characters that I know I couldn't date them. And even the few "nice" guys I know are...would it be so terrible to use the word "goobers?" I'm referring to a general lack of common sense. I embrace cleverness. Mr. Knightley says that men of sense do not want silly wives...Well, I say that women of sense do not want silly husbands. I should probably stop now before I begin to sound heartless. But even the threat of being an old maid (which is a frightening thought to me-how ridiculous that must sound at 18) could not persuade me to settle for a Mr. Collins or Mr. Elton.

Let me just say that I am one of those girls who is trusting God to write me a love story far better than I could imagine...even better than Lizzie and Darcy's. Valentine's Day is a perfect reminder for me to look at myself, who I am and who I should be, and to pray for my future husband. And to realize what true love really looks like:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Until next time,

Embroidery and Emma...

Guess what came today?

I'm so excited about watching it! I wanted to watch it all the way through, but it might be a week or two before I get to, so I'm just going to start it and watch it on and off this weekend. At first, I didn't think that I liked the DVD case, but it's pretty cool when I really looked at it. The outside of it is like a hardcover book. It snaps closed, too, which I didn't notice at first. I'm glad it came just in time for Valentine's Day! =)

I started playing around with some embroidery stitches yesterday. It was really fun and most of them were a lot easier than I expected! I'm terrible at hand-sewing, so I guess I thought embroidery would be just as hard for me. But I'm really enjoying it. I love "Doodle Stitching!" That book is seriously adorable. And the explanations of the stitches are great. I can't wait to try some of the designs.

On the right is my first attempt at a flower, but something went terribly wrong with the French knot in the center. The left is my second try, which I think is pretty adorable.

The teens at church are hosting a "sweetheart banquet" tonight as a fundraiser, with spaghetti and a version of "The Newlyweds" game. =) I think it's going to be a lot of fun, but I'll write more about tomorrow.

Until next time,

Psychiatric help: 5 cents...

In honor of Valentine's Day, I watched "You're in Love, Charlie Brown" yesterday. I got the 1960's "Peanuts" collection for Christmas, and this was the first time I had seen this special. It was so colorful and very funny.

Who doesn't love that blockhead?

Or sweet Snoopy?

Until next time,

Survivor and picturebooks...

I have a confession to make. I'm a "Survivor" nerd. I've been watching it ever since the first season...which means I was like 8 or 9 years old when the first season aired. So of course, I'm watching the 20th season premiere right now. How could I not? Some of my favorite people (and some of the meanest) are all together on one season. There's Rupert, Colby, and JT (seriously, how adorable is he?). And Coach, who makes me laugh so hard that I usually end up in tears. And of course, Russell. Sure, he's arrogant and obnoxious. But he is pretty much the best Survivor player ever. He found three hidden idols...with no clues. He really deserved to win, no matter how much of a villian he was, and I hope he wins this time. =)

I know that, just a few days ago, I was talking about how frustrated I was with college. But this week, it's actually been pretty good. I have been involved in a class discussion about the artwork in children's picturebooks and looked at pictures of famous paintings and took notes (for my art, music, and movement class). How often do you get to discuss picturebooks and read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" in college classes? =) I guess it's just the cool program I'm in. I sort of get to play Peter Pan. I also ended up making a 95 on a test that I was really worried about (I was already feeling insecure about it, then the teacher kept talking about how disappointed she was with our grades, and I felt like I was going to throw up). It's been a good week. =) Not to mention, my "Emma" DVD should be here any day now!

Until next time,

A few changes...

I'm really excited that Blogger has added the option of having the new links at the top of the page! I had been wanting to do that for a while, but didn't want to go through a whole lot of trouble. Now it's so easy, and I'm looking foward to getting mine up. They will be: an "about me" page, book recommendations ("Book Shelf"), movie recommendations (particularly old movies- "The Brown Derby Classics"), some of my photography ("Through My Lens"), and a links page. All coming soon, hopefully! Depending on how much time I have, I also may be making a few more tiny changes to the blog...nothing major, though. Just organizing things a little better.

I know this is a boring post, but there's no time for more yet. I'm supposed to be doing homework (I'm pretty sure I say that every time I post, now).

Until next time,
Kristin (missvintagegirl)

Emma...

I loved it.

Warning: The following may contain "Emma" spoilers...

This is now my favorite "Emma" adaptation, no question. I like it much more than the Gwyenth Paltrow version. The ending last night was lovely. Seriously, I was crying during the last 20 minutes. Everything was perfect.

I do admit that at first, Emma was a little too giggly...slightly overwhelming. But she had changed by the end, and this actress looks exactly like I pictured Emma to look from the first time I read the book. And I loved her hair. I'm usually not impressed with Regency hair styles (all those curls plastered right around the face...eesh), but I loved the way they did her hair. It was always graceful and elegant. Okay, enough about Emma's hair. Mr. Woodhouse was great. I just wanted to give him a hug.

And Mr. Knightley. I wasn't too sure about him at first, but he grew on me. Now, I'm rather smitten. =) Still not too sure about that hat, though.

Did I mention that I loved the end? And that they didn't leave it with the proposal or wedding, like so many movies do (or the dreaded double wedding). It did an amazing job at showing how much Emma loved her father, and how Mr. Knightley respected that. And where he took her for their honeymoon? Sweet, romantic, perfect. The DVD is released tomorrow, and I will be ordering it, since I don't think any stores around here will have it (plus, it's not too expensive on Amazon).

I want to say more, but I want to watch it again, straight through, and then post my thoughts. Besides, school is two hours late today, and I'm supposed to be studying for a test right now...

Until next time,
Kristin (missvintagegirl)

Surprises and stitches...

Wanna know a secret? Promise not to tell?

We are standing by a wishing well...Sorry, couldn't resist. That's "I'm Wishing," from Snow White, if you're wondering. =)

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. We had a big supper last night for him. Me, Mom, and my brother had been planning a small surprise party for him tonight. Well, things didn't exactly go as planned, and the secret was out. But we still had a fun evening and get-together with family and friends. I got to spend it with my two most favorite kids in the whole world. Jackson played "rescue motorcycles" in the floor with a Batman action figure, and Maya asked for tickles and "read" me a story. Seriously, they are so creative.

It's been an unusual weekend. I've had a lot of studying to do (three tests coming up this week. Good grief) and some projects to work on, but things have been so crazy that I haven't got much done. I haven't touched my sewing machine in weeks, which makes me incredibly sad. I also haven't been able to start trying out any embroidery yet. I bought a hoop and some embroidery floss to practice some stitches out of "Doodle Stitching," which I got for Christmas. But I haven't got the chance to try yet.

Sometimes college is so frustrating.

Until next time,
Kristin (missvintagegirl)

Grosgrain Giveaway...

Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I love the Grosgrain blog, and she has the coolest giveaways. I always look but have never entered before. Now she's got one for this sample pack from Etsy sellers, which is a really awesome idea. So check it out. Why not enter? There's nothing to lose. =)

I don't have time for a real post tonight...I'm supposed to be studying for a test as we speak, and I need to get in the bed early. Tomorrow will be a long day. More snow this weekend? =) Very possible!

Until next time,
Kristin (missvintagegirl)