Merry Christmas

I really love Christmas and I was a little worried that this year wouldn't feel as festive since we didn't do our normal Christmas tradition of driving to Iowa. That probably doesn't sound like much fun to most people, but I really LOVE going every year. I love seeing everyone up there and there's always snow on the ground, so it really feels like the holidays. My uncle is an amazing cook and we eat like kings, including the beloved 'soup night' - this is a fabulous night of decadence. He makes four or five soups - all completely amazing and then we play cards or watch movies or hang out in the hot tub. It's a blast.

Anyway, so I have a new job this year (yeaaa), so i couldn't take enough time off for us to make the trip. We decided to get a cabin in Blue Ridge for a few days and I was surprised to find myself really excited to go. I realize that I may sound a little bratty. 'really amanda? you were excited to go to the mountains? shocking'. but as i get older, i rarely get excited about trips. i used to be excited for weeks, even months ahead of time. the anticipation was almost as good as the trip. but now i rarely feel that anticipation. guess it's just one of those things.

So anyway, when we got to the cabin, it was decked out - I mean, like seriously decorated. there was a HUGE 10' tree and every square inch of space was covered those little knickknacks that cabins always have. They didn't take down their normal decorations, so it was packed with bears, deers, roosters, and little snowmen...everywhere. No room for even a glass on the coffee and side tables. But it was vey cute. We spent the days eating, cooking, snacking, drinking, a little hiking, playing games and hot tubbing and more eating. *Sigh* it was so much fun and totally beautiful out there.

So that was Christmas, but we also had a very lovely Pre-Christmas a couple weeks ago in Oregon with my brother and sister-in-law. That was really fun, even though we bombarded their fabulous, but not massive home with five extra people for six days. yes, we were those in-laws. but it was really fun and again, we ate really well. The Portland branch of the Armington family knows a thing or two about cooking great meals. yummm. I also got to check out Portland State University. I am applying for grad schools (Masters of Public Health) and PSU is in the mix. I was thrilled to check out the campus and talk with someone from the school for little bit. Very cool. Great vacation.

and it's not over yet...My sister and I leave on Wednesday night for Winter Park, Colorado for four days (and New Years) with my best friends. Only sad thing is that Ben can't come. such a bummer. he'll be missed.

and it's still not over. Up until last night it was, but as I got in bed and picked up my book last night, an envelope slid out.

Now, Ben and I didn't do gifts this year. None, that was the deal. I looked at him and he said, 'before you open it, I know we're not doing gifts, but this kinda just happened and I really wanted to do it.' oh, you lovely man. Inside a very sweet card was a ticket to Lady Gaga!! OH MY GOD, NO WAY!!!!! I had really wanted to go with my sister, and Ben's sister and a few others, but the tix were so expensive and I've been spending too much lately, so I decided against going. What a guy. I'm a lucky girl.

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday.

love this...

so it's been awhile

A long long while. I was pretty much going to scrap this blog, as I have pretty much scrapped the idea of selling my handbags (it takes sooooo long to make one), but my sister told me I was lame, so here i am, writing again.

Basically, i'm going to writing about, well, my life. i think i mentioned my reluctance to write about myself for all the world to see, but since i enjoy enjoy reading other blogs so much, i figure, why not.

To get you all up to speed...lots has happened since the summer. A new job, a new place to live, a trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, an unsellable home and a new plan for the future. Are you exhausted yet? I know.

Actually, i'm really excited and happy about all the changes that have happened since july. The first is my super rad new house with my sister, Linds. We love it, my commute is about 12 minutes (i'm thinking about starting to bike it), i get to live with my puppy again and the house is just so cute! I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

I have a new job. Not the best job in the world, but it's a job and it'll do just fine. I have to say that there is some craziness that goes on, and not in a good, fun way, but i'm trying to coast along til it's time for grad school. I'm making a paycheck for the first time since June of 2008, so this is a good thing.

In July, Ben and i took the most amazing trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. And Fort Collins too, where my very good friends let us stay with them and take their car on our long journey - yes, they gave us their car for five or six days. They are really really good friends. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy....

Just entering Grand Teton National Park

A gorgeous hike to Hidden Falls, by Jenny Lake

Mammoth Hot Springs

Our campsite view on the first morning

Our rad friends who let us stay with them and drive their car all over creation

On our way back to Fort Collins with the Tetons in the background

350.org

I think this is pretty awesome.

It's short - only two minutes of your time.....

please spread the word and this video if you feel it's important.

i do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqof641pWys&feature=channel_page

motivation

do you ever just get stuck? Sometimes it's hard for me to get moving and stay moving. I've had a couple week hiatus with my purses and it's not because I don't have something to do. In fact, I have enough completed to get them up on etsy. For some reason I'm dragging my feet at the final stretch. I just need to take the pictures and put them up. Simple enough, right? It should be.

I'm not so sure that it's simply laziness. I think it may have more to do with my perfectionism and fear that they're not just right. I really don't want to sell anything that's not 100% fantastic. Does anyone else feel this way about their art? I guess I'd better just get over it and put them online.

On another note, does anyone know anything about the field of cardiac sonography? Some of you may know that I've run into some problems with going back to school this year (grrr, georgia state), and if I want to get my degree in speech language pathology, i'll have to wait til fall 2010. This means I won't be done til I'm 33. Arrrrgghhhhhh. That number does not seem to have anything to do with me. Wow, thirties. Just around the corner. Geez.

Anyhow, so, I'm considering some other options. SLP isn't out (in fact, the more I volunteer at the hospital, the more I enjoy it) - I just want to see what else is out there. If you know of another field that you think I may enjoy, please suggest it.

beautiful things

I want to share Avie Designs with you. Avie does gorgeous stationary, wedding invitations, baby announcements, bookplates (a GREAT gift idea), return address labels, calling cards (think biz cards for yourself or your side business) and lots of other cool graphic designy things. For those of you who don't know, I work a few hours a week for Avie, which is great fun and always inspiring. So, check out the Avie store here on etsy: http://www.avie.etsy.com/. Here's a few pictures to whet your appetite:

the willow wedding suite

dots and stripes bookplates

mums calling cards

Also, my flowers are blooming like crazy right now, so I thought I'd share a few pictures. I've been waiting for these guys to bloom for weeks!

pictures...

I have my camera back and have downloaded pictures of my trip to Blue Ridge as well as the latest two bags I've created. Enjoy!

Ben and I about to leave our cabin for a hike.



The cabin was lovely.

I think this is mountain laurel - sumac? Not sure, but it was beautiful.

We had such a great time on this hike. It was a pretty easy 6 mile hike and it misted on us the whole time. We felt like we were in a costa rican rain forest. Side note: my sister, Lindsey was also on this trip, but I have, at times, posted some slightly unflattering (so she says) pictures of her and she's not a fan. I don't think she can take bad pictures, but, hey, she's entitled to her opinion. I didn't have any on this particular trip that I thought would pass her inspection. :)

Who would guess this is less than two hours from Atlanta!?

And the bags. I'm crazy about this fabric. It's a purple and white luxurious linen so light that each panel is doubled to make sure all you see is the fabric rather than any inside material.

The first has one exterior and one interior pocket. No closure.

The second has two interior pockets and a light purple zipper for closure.

Check out a close up picture of the linen.


Two interior pockets.

So obviously, I've not been doing a ton of sewing, but I DID make it to the fabric store again this weekend and am excited to start on a slew of new bags. I also do have three other bags to show you all, but am having a hard time figuring out a beautiful way to showcase them. Any photography suggestions? I'm at a loss here!

Today, my good friend Katie is driving in for a short lunch visit on her way back home to New Orleans, and tomorrow Ben and I leave for four days in Tampa to visit with his family. I'm so excited to see everyone. I really hope to have my esty store open next week. I'll keep you posted!