i wish i majored in crafting...

..."it's called folklore". So Ashley says at least. 

Such discussions are had while deep in the crafting.  Lisa and Ashley came over and we got to work, each on some random small projects.  

Lisa worked on knitting a hat in Carolina blue of course.  

Ashley first made these adorable magnets from old bottle caps that had rock paper scissors on the inside! Adorable. 

Meanwhile, Ashley had wrapped my Christmas present with my name on top! so cute. I turned it into a pin. You never know when you're going to need a nametag...

Then I made some more pins.  The rosette pins are super easy.  I followed this tutorial and they turned out awesomely. I made a few and turned some into pins and put others on a headband.  

I also made these dahlia inspired pins.  It's a much smaller version of this (full tutorial here).  Mine are only about three inches in diameter. I used a hot pink and regular pink felt. I cut the petals and put my hot glue gun to work to first crimp the petals and then attach them around a one inch circle of felt.  I topped it off with a mini pink button (after consulting the ladies of course). 

Meanwhile, Ashley was hard at work on another, more seasonly-festive project.  She had seen these faux snow globes here and of course wanted to make some.  Since then we've seen them all over pinterest and she found them at anthropologie: 

But these were on sale for $38! Ridiculous.

Good thing Ashley keeps a heavy stock of glass jars at her house.  We picked up the small trees at hobby lobby and she found the fake snow at target (hoblob was all sold out).

She first made the ornament version for Casey's mom, so frigging adorable:

 

Then she set out on the jars.  The problem was the old drink bottle, the slender hole appeared to be a problem for the tree. But no worry, Ashley is a crafty version of MacGyver and created a toothpick contraption to get the tree in safe and sound:

So impressive:

Go be crafty!

xoxo

peace and crafting

The semester finished and Ashbash and I rewarded ourselves with a trip to the HobLob.  Hobby Lobby is my favorite craft store.  It is superior for a variety of reason but it really offers a great selection with amazing deals every week.  Who doesn't love a sale on scrapbook paper and glass containers?!  If one is near you, I highly encourage you to discover it. It will change your life. Promise.

Now a trip to the HobLob also means a trip to the Sonic.  Both of these establishments are a bit away from us in CH, making them a true reward. 

We went early in the day so we had breakfast at the Sonic (and yes it's the sonic; just ask Jake)

We had some breakfast sandwiches with some drinks, I had a peach tea, and Ashley a vanilla coke.  And of course: tots. 

Now tater tots are like the frosting to a Sonic cake.  Yeah, just go with it. They have all these amazing drink combos and comfort food and you get tater tots! While eating our tots we ended up discussing the superiority of the tot, Ashley referred to it as Totology or  Totlogistics.  Things we should have studied in school. 

And in case you doubted the awesomeness of the Sonic Jonathan had us ask the ever important question: can you get a route 44 of coffee? The answer: "yeah, you can do anything. We've had stranger requests, like a route 44 of ice cream!" Seriously people, no competition. 

But back to crafting... After that important stop complete, we headed to hobby lobby for some exploring and shopping.  While gathering some solid crafting supplies we were able to appreciate some items we would not be purchasing...

Like these Santa hats

And this giant wreath, it's almost bigger than Ashley

Or these inspired Christmas trees

But of course, the best part about hobby lobby is finding those items that remind us of our childhood, like this awesome ribbon clip:

All in all it was a fabulous reward for a semester done that left us full and ready to craft.

xoxo

a new standard in town

No literally. It's a new bar called The Standard. And I approve. 

We had a roommate outing to check it out since we had all been anxiously awaiting its opening. 

Inside is very chill with mellow colors, reasonable lighting, awesome music, and fun knickknacks. We all got a solid california vibe from it. Mike said they stole his ipod and Ted called it budget classy.

The drinks were good. Basic and cheap. The G&T met my approval. 

And there is food. Good food. We had a pizza, it was tasty. 

All in all it's a solid neighborhood bar. And oh so convenient. 

I think we will be chilling there a good bit.

xoxo

Another last for 2011

Yes yes. I've been posting things about the end of the semester and here is another:

After classes finished a few of us headed to Crunkleton, one of my favs., along with some of our professors to enjoy a cheers to the semester.

I had a "Carrboro" 75 but with Gin, aka a French 75.

Crunkleton was all decked out for the holidays.

So lovely.

xoxo

The Superior Cut

There is nothing like day drinking to celebrate the last day of teaching for the semester.  

And that's just what I did after class finished.  

I met up with the boys at R&R for an extra-refreshing beverage and some lunch.

It may be in the back of the BofA building, 

but once you get inside it's a chill place with good service and tasty food.  

I of course had a G&T.  For the food I had the pesto chicken sandwich with mozz on a brioche bun. I love when I can get brioche, it feels like I've found a quarter on the ground or something just as randomly pleasing.  

Oh, and the best part about R&R? 

Their fries.  

They are steak fries, obvi the best cut. Absolutely delicious. 

After our last final, the girls and I headed over here again from more drinks and more fries.  

Still the best.

xoxo

Too much of a good thing?

So yes, PT's is RIP. and we cry. 

But we move on and appreciate the other fine offerings in CH, like Buns.

Buns is delicious. I'm not going to lie, I eat there often. Probably too often given how much food they give you.  It's pretty ridiculous. Their burgers are huge and you can put just about anything on them (including a fried egg!) and then there are the fries. The sweet potato fries that is. So good and so many! One meal from Buns is really like 2 or 3 in proper proportion but it doesn't always pan out that way...

What do we have here? Oh yes.  Turkey burger with andouille sausage, avocado, caramelized onions, lettuce, and tomato. I think there was some cheese on that thing too, maybe pepper jack? Whoa. I'm full just remembering how good it was.

xoxo

catching up

The semester from hell is done.  

Yes it's true, I never thought it would be over, but it is.  

And we finished everything on time. Amazing.

And now it's time to catch up on all the food and crafts that have been happening.  

In between our massive number of due dates, Ashbash and I stopped into 3 Cups for a work session.

I really like this place. It's pretty small, very quiet, and peaceful.  It offers tasty drinks of coffee, tea, and wine and some delectable edibles as well. 

This trip I had a french press of a Columbian bean and a ham & cheese croissant. 

Yes, they give you a timer to prevent my impatience from hindering my caffeine intake. 

Ashley had some tea and a big hunk of plum coffee cake.

All was good, as usual. And we were so productive! Such a good combo.

xoxo