eep! the nantucket quilt is so close to done

the center square: embroidery by me
backing and closeup
I love this cute little lion with the crown on his head! my favorite square
really really pink


I only have to sew the backing to the front at the little intersections :]

♥ a

and so it is

I opened presents today with my family. I got some great, very thoughtful, and I just realized, nerdy, gifts.

just the act of ripping the paper off of something to reveal what's inside is exciting! my new gifts make me so happy. they are so ME :]

so, today...


earlier in the day I made a pot of homemade clam chowder! I made it up as I went along (I've done this before, don't worry) and it turned into seriously GOOD clam chowder! I was very proud of the results!



I also cleaned my room and put up all new behind the door inspiration. I always like to change it. different things inspire me on different days. I really should change it more often. I have piles of ripped out magazine pages to choose from. I have a tiny addiction to magazines (ok, it's a large one) if you haven't been able to tell :]



well, what do you think I'll be doing for the rest of the day?? what's that you say?? an Office marathon?? that sounds perfect.

so just come over, I have leftover soup and 22 new episodes of my favorite show

♥ a


ps: I have some finished projects and some in progress to show you soon. can't wait!!
AND I made a great silly playlist

a little different

I have been feeling very moody lately. just keeping to myself and trying not to irritate people with my certain unpleasant state I am in.

but, I am slowly crawling out of it

I went to the bookstore last night and spent way too much but I don't feel guilty about spending money on books (this IS coming from a future libraian) I was with Marissa and she and I could stay for hours in any store really. we are lingerers. we were in whole foods a couple of nights ago for what seemed like hours. it was about an hour. no one should ever send both of us to "run in" anywhere. we will end up being in there way too long. anyway, I purchased some books that were highly recommended by the lovely M. I have been hearing her talk about Middlesex for a while now. she said it was like crack, and well, it is (I guess?). I can't put it down. I put another book on hold because I couldn't wait to start it.



this is why I love M. she gets me excited about things. we talk about everything. she listens and I listen. I feel like I can reference something and she will know exactly what I'm talking about. she is my new best friend. I really don't know alot of people around here that I can actually talk to so it's a real gift when I do.

anyway, I just wanted to say that to say this, I think M is pulling me out of my funk. you will be hearing more from me because I am excited about things again. I have a few different projects going at once. I am reading alot and watching wonderful movies. I feel inspired and no longer well, blah. this last semester really took alot out of me with commuting and everything. I am so glad to have a break right now. it's great to sleep until 11. I don't normally like to get up at 11 because I love my mornings. I love getting up early and having more of a day. I could wake up then, that's all.

I made a playlist for my moody self



I think I'm done with it, I don't need to keep myself in that


I'm good now...

♥ a

inspiration (in pictures)

from
dharmalemon
from
something to seefrom
wallyfordfrom
ireneadlerfrom
me

listen

I have been hooked to my new ipod.

here is a list of all the musicians and bands that I love right now
they are all pretty amazing ♥:


emily wells
laura gibson
leah siegel (thanks e)
anna waronker
let's go sailing
seabear
mariè digby
the brunettes
shocking pinks
the virgins
new young pony club
the national
islands
adam merrin
the most serene republic
the frames
sara bareilles
girl in a coma
the glorious ninth
beirut
the 1900s



ps: if there are any bands that you think I might enjoy, comment me ♥ al

yum yum

made these today...so good! sugar cookies with almonds on top! gluten free of course! I just borrowed the gluten-free girl recipe for sugar cookies and improvised with sliced almonds! don't they look yum yum?