02.01.13

Hello from Utah!

9am this morning; clear skies; absolutely beautiful

I hope everyone is doing well!

Here is what's new in my world:

• I got a part time job at Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts
• I'm working on re-branding With Love Handmade
• I'm currently knitting a lilac colored baby blanket
• I'm currently reading "Applique Your Way"
• I'm also currently reading "Stitch and Bitch"

I decided that I want to expand my skill set so I want to learn applique. I can't start yet because a few weeks ago, the foot pedal on my sewing machine went all whack.  Basically, it kept sewing when I took my foot off. So, I called Singer and they said they're sending me a new one but I'm still waiting... As soon as it comes in, I want to start the first project! In the mean time, there are some hand-sewn applique projects I can try! Also, there are plenty of new projects I can knit out of Stitch and Bitch as soon as I finish the blanket I'm working on.

Also when my foot pedal comes in, I can finish the heating/cooling bags I've been working on for With Love Handmade. Right now, I only have two listed but as soon as I get my new pedal I can add a handful more.

Click here to view this item in my shop!

Click here to view this item in my shop!

 Not much else new is going on right now. Today is my only day off of work this week so I'm going to take advantage of it by picking out some meals to cook this week & go go grocery shopping!

Have a great day :]

01.07.12

Wow! So much has happened since my last post.  I had to put my shop on vacation for almost a month.  In early December, Eric and I moved out of our rental house so we were living out of our suitcases until last week.  After we moved out, we spent some time visiting friends and then we spent the holidays with our family before heading off on our new adventure - Utah!

It's so beautiful here! But it's also very cold. Since we've been here we've gotten our new apartment situated, driven around the area a bit, and went shopping at the cutest farmers market in an old historic barn. Today, Eric started work so I spent the day job hunting online. So far, everything is great other than missing family and friends of course!

Right now, I'm looking to work somewhere part time so I can focus on my business! That was my plan a few months ago but I was so overwhelmed with making 99% of our family's Christmas presents that I barely devoted any time to my shop!

Anywho, I hope everyone had very happy holidays :]

Until next time!

11/06/12

It's been over a month since my last post! I started working more often and I got pretty busy with Christmas presents. I told my husband that I'm never making this many Christmas presents again! (but that's probably a lie). I love making presents because they feel more meaningful - I just hope the people receiving them feel that way.

Anywho, yesterday was my last day as a baker at Kroger! No more 4am shifts. It was time to quit because there is too much going on.  Thursday we leave for St. Louis, Monday we fly to Salt Lake City, Utah for apartment hunting.  Later that week, we come back to Rolla for a day then head to Dallas, Texas for our first Thanksgiving then back to St. Louis for our second Thanksgiving.  Next we go back to Rolla for a week or so until I head to Milwaukee to visit Courtney! Then Courtney and I will spend a day & night in Chicago (we're going the German Christmas festival)! Then I'll fly home to St. Louis, head back to Rolla for a few days and Eric and I will go to Alabama to visit Goodlin and his girlfriend. Then we'll headback to Rolla again. Next, we'll go to St. Louis for all the Christmas celebrations!  Finally, at the very end of December we'll be all packed up and moving to Salt Lake City.

SO MANY PLANS. But, we're excited :]

I've FINALLY listed some knit items in my Etsy shop if you'd like to check it out:

Chunky Aspen Tweed Knit Cowl

Chunky Dark Gray Knit Scarf

Nothing else is really new in my world but I'm sure the next time I blog I'll have much more to talk about.

That's all for now!

Happy November :]

10/01/12

So!! It's been awhile since I've posted. Happy October :] I've been busy - at least it feels like it. I've conquered quite a few knitting projects and yet another sewing project:

It looks stretched out because I wore it twice before taking this :P

It's an olive green knit dress which I am in love with.  Also, this past weekend I got my hair cut & colored! I went with a pixie cut and burgundy hair and I must say I am very happy :]

9/29/30

So what have I been up to?  I've been baking at Kroger! And honestly, it's quite exhausting which is why I have not felt like blogging.  My manager scheduled me quite a few days last week so that I could get a hang of everything.  Now, I should be back to 2 days a week :]

Over the weekend, Eric and I went home which was nice.  We spent time with both of our families.  And we went to the Strange Folk Festival!! My favorite weekend of the year! I got a beautiful yellow feather headband, a patterned jersey knit ear warmer, a pumpkin spice soy candle and a card for Michael & Mandi for when the baby comes :]

Knitting-wise - I'm working on an "Urban Wrap" (aka shawl) with some very festive-looking Spice Berry yarn.   Tomorrow, if I'm feeling up to it, I'm going to make an ivory version of the dress I have pictured above!

That's all for now :]

09.15.12

It's another rainy day here in Rolla. It gives Eric and I an excuse to lay around all day like usual :-P

Yesterday, I finished the green basket weave scarf I've been working on:

The pattern up close.

Eric modeling for me :]

FINALLY! That pattern takes FOREVER especially with that tiny yarn.  But the yarn is made with bamboo and it's very soft. Last night I also finished this delicious champagne we got for the wedding:

Yum :]

Around noon yesterday, my sewing machine arrived! Already! It was supposed to take 5-8 business days and it only took two! Today I finished watching the instructional DVD and reading the manual.  Tomorrow I'm going to start the sewing 101 classes I referred to in my last post.

Yesterday I started my training for Kroger and spent five long hours doing training videos - BORING.  I start tomorrow at 5am with the bakery manager. Then I work one more shift with her and I'm on my own.  I'm excited and nervous.  I'm glad the job has a lot of autonomy and that it's an early shift.  That way I have the whole rest of the day. My shifts will always end between 11:30am and 1:00pm which is awesome.

That's all for now. I'm going to relax before yoga at 5pm.

09.13.12

Hi everyone. I'm Amanda and I own With Love Handmade, an etsy shop where I sell jewelry, tote bags and soon enough, knit items! This is my personal blog about my life in general & what I'm up to including cooking, baking, knitting, crafting, sewing, etc.

Today I made Giada's Ricotta Parfaits for brunch & I must say - they were absolutely delicious! And surprisingly filling.

Click here for the recipe.

This afternoon I baked some yummy oatmeal cookies for my husband, Eric and myself. Ever since we've moved in together, I always keep baked goods in the house :]
 
So far, I've baked cupcakes, lemonade squares and nutella doughnut muffins.

 I also added some new earrings to my Etsy shop - check it out if you'd like.

With Love Handmade

So, I've been unemployed for about two months now - I got married and moved to a new city.  But, I've finally found a good, temporary job working in Kroger's bakery for two days a week - I start training tomorrow. On my off days (which will be most days!) I'm working on items for my Etsy shop, knitting Christmas presents and getting back into sewing! My grandma gave me her old sewing machine and I was so excited! 

Unfortunately, after I had it cleaned and "repaired", I discovered that it's not working properly.  Something is wrong with the bobbin case and I don't want to pay another $75 for them to tell me they can't do anything about it.  I'm super bummed.  I'm still going to have my mom take a look at it but in the mean time, I ordered a new machine:

!!!!

It's my Christmas present :] I can't wait to start some new sewing projects. I've already spent about $40 in new fabric to make a couple of shirts & dresses! But first, I want to tackle the free, online Sewing 101 classes by Kim from Retro Mama featured on the blog, Craft Snob. 

That's all for today. We're going to Waffle House in a bit to have breakfast for dinner!