Yeah yeah yeah...I know....

The longer I waited to write, the lazier I got. So I took some time off and just enjoyed my summer...and then some more summer, and a bit of fall (wink).

I've missed you all! Without further ado, some excuses and photos in a semi-coherent package:

Lots of rollercoasters at Hershey Park with my best friend, godson (cutest boy alive), Mike and about 20 of their closest relatives.

An end in sight to hundreds of fabric flowers. I have this down to a 2o step art that takes 1.5 minute per flower. Ghetto of course, but they'll hold up and have their volume.

Enjoying the oil paints that I received for my super sweet Bridal Shower from one of my best friends, Heather. She was certainly listening when I said I wanted to start oil painting. It is so much fun!

Starting small, with color studies. But more to come!

A bit of tie-dying and fabric dying to create some more fabric for those billions of fabric flowers I made. I don't regret it actually, and I saved them all to make some big fabric filled pillows when my callouses heal. Just kidding.

Packed and partied and packed and planned and packed and left town for our wedding in July! Road trip from Philly to Ft. Lauderdale to get hitched in my hometown.

I decided to just keep going with the fabric flowers. It was 20 hour drive, so why not finish up the stash of fabric I had? As you may guess, these flowers will be a recurring theme in this post...

Shoeboxes and my organizational and resourceful nerd skills came in handy. It reminded me of roadtrips with my family when Andrew and I would create our own little spaces for all of our belongings, lest we get bored! And if we crossed that invisible line, madness and hitting would ensue.

I made a ringbearer pillow from scratch from Philly to Baltimore. I was quite impressed with myself. It even had a little fabric handle on the back side.

We arrived in Florida, and had a few days to enjoy with family and friends in town to finish up some last minute stuff. Excluding the fabric flowers, we really didn't go crazy with the DIY stuff. We only made the chuppah (Mike built it, and I'm not sure what the term for it is if you're not Jewish, but that's what I've been calling it since I'm a South Floridian), fabric flowers for the chuppah and the faux-to booth backdrop, programs, some paper goods, etc...

We had a wonderful day, and we didn't expect or want everything to be perfect. I slid down a floating ramp while taking photos (before the ceremony, so that we could have more time to party), skinned my elbow and nearly fell into the intercoastal. And you know what?! It was hil-arious (mostly since nobody got hurt). Thankfully, I stuck in that position from the boning in the dress and lack of abdominal muscles from laughing so hard, so I had time to yell out, "Take a picture!!!!"

I cried and laughed repeatedly at the same time for two days straight. I'm such a girl....

My dad and I danced to "Rainbow Connection" by Kermit the Frog. And I cried some more. Then him and my BFF Brooke both made speeches that had more than just me crying.

How cute are my mom and dad below?! I had them both walk me down the aisle, since they're both equally important to me. Plus, my dad wouldn't have had it any other way!

I threw my bouquet at the girls, it hit the ceiling and with my water polo goalie reflexes, I caught it myself.

Yes, I caught my own bouquet. I backhanded it a second time, because I am not doing this again!

All of the colors worked out beautifully, and our wedding party looked gorgeous. We had told them to just buy any dress that fit into a palette of poppy reds to oranges and yellows. They enjoyed having the choice, and it was better than if we had even tried to plan it.

You can see a short blog post of our photos from our brilliant photographers, Ashley and Philip Colhouer here. I can't say enough great things about them. If I move back to Florida ever, we are so hanging out! You'll also see my crazy self and friends making insane faces for the faux-to booth, including a couple who ended up knocking the thing over, cracking up and kissing. I love my family and extended fake family.

We had people from Sweden, France, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Philippines, Canada, Missouri, DC, California, etc. We were overwhelmed with love.

I talked to everyone that I could, tried to stay in the present and focus on all of our loved ones, and just enjoy the ride.

We watched a storm roll in off the ocean, and swam with friends. Found out about new babies and engagements! Went on a short cruise in the Carribean since a road trip with the whole set of Fiesta Ware that my mom scored for $30 at a yard sale (!!!) and other super-generous gifts and my 100K mile car just didn't seem feasible at the time.

It was perfect, and we had time to get back to Philly in time to hang out with my mom and her twin that was visiting from the Philippines for our big day. So I ditched the new hubbie after a few days and took a road trip to NYC with the twins. We had a blast and saw Mamma Mia and ate lobster for lunch at Bergdorf Goodman, and tons of Filipino food. Mmmm!

We wrote millions of thank you cards and didn't mind it one bit. We were so grateful for all the love and generosity.

We've been cooking and baking A LOT. Having knives that aren't broken off at the tip make such a difference. Bliss....

A glimpse of the Fiesta Ware. My mom is the best. That and an Audobon bird clock are just about our favorite gifts.

Bread has been baked.

Dutch babies and muffins have been baked.

Farmer markets have been visited. Books have been read from the library. And someone you know has gotten hooked to True Blood and Arrested Development (on Netflix).

Oh, and an iPod cake was made for one of my favorite Apple obsessed uncles!

Thanks for visiting me again! I'm glad to be back.

Love,

Marissa

Shout-Outs

I don't even remember how I found out about crafting and design blogs. But once I started reading, I was hooked. I love the glimpses into people's lives, and seeing how there are infinite ways to live. It seems to make the world a bit more connected and smaller. It's fun to see how quickly ideas and information can spread. And I love seeing the pretty things that people are making.

One of the first design blogs I started reading was Holly Becker's Decor8. What I like most about Holly is her positive attitude, and desire to share her knowledge and put more goodness into the world. When she announced that she was teaching an e-course, I knew it would be a fun experience! Although the course is over, I wanted to share a small slice of the three layer cake that contains my classmates' blogs.

I rediscovered Sarah Ahearn, a mixed media artist who's work I've been following through Flickr. She seems like a sweetheart, who also happens to be extremely talented!



Michelle Ward is a life coach with this bubbling personality that shines through on her blog. Checking out her blog puts a smile on my face, and she asks great questions to think about, like where do you want to be in 2 years? Cue the pugs for me!



Lady Ann de Borja has introduced me to some amazing videos. For example, I had never heard of TED Talks. She linked to one featuring Elizabeth Gilbert. I then listened to Dave Eggers, Isabel Allende, Amy Tan and cannot stop! They leave you wanting to change the world, and are rib crackingly hilarious.



Lauren Paradise and Courtney Davis run Kelly + Olive. They have a fun concept for budget friendly design consulting, and I wish them well in their new endeavor. I also love their tips and fresh attitudes.



Elizabeth Floyd recently started creating art full time, and paints daily still lives. She makes me want to raid Mike's oil paints and get to it!



Now I'm off to clean my house. Work before play, right!

I Heart Calaveras

Ever since I saw and purchased a Piddleloop bag in an Alexander Henry pattern, I've been enthralled by calavera images. Like their popular cousin (the regular skull), I find the calaveras much more festive.



I drew my own last year, and really need to draw some more soon!



So, when I saw this print from by my crafty-printing-blog pal Shona in her shop (LaLaDexpress), I had to order the last of this limited edition. It's a letterpress print with a traditional Day of the Dead poem, in Spanish and English side by side. She included her own art on the top and bottom. I love it!



Shona is one of my favorite people that I've met through blogging. I would have scoffed if you told me three years ago that I would become friends with people I had never actually met (in person). But there quite a few of you that I now consider my friends! When we do meet one day, we'll have a beer or a cup of coffee and it will totally be normal. I'm sure of it!

Yeah, I'm officially a complete nerd. But I think y'all knew that!

Koigu, With a Side of Mush

Disclaimer: Mushy post with photos of gorgeous yarn thrown in. If you can't handle the emotions, just look at the pretty photos instead, from our recent "knit-out" in Rittenhouse Square. (wink)



In the time since my brother has been gone, I've noticed that I have subconciously categorized my life into "before" and "after". Things that have happened and people I knew before he died, and events and friendships I've made after. Knowing there would be an awkward moment where they would ask about my family, and I'd have to test out what to say. That was in the beginning though, it's much easier now. I now know how to put the person at ease, but to not diminish the loss.



That was not the case with my blog. It spanned both my old world, and the strange new place I was still working my way around. My blog became my safe place. I was able to sort my feelings out, to figure out how my life was different, but also a way to to look for the positive in each day. When I couldn't write about him in my personal journal, because it was still too raw, I was able to write about it on here. By doing that, I could alleviate my fear that by not writing it down, I would forget him. I was also able to just talk about it, and not worry about making people feel weird.

And then I found when I wrote about it, I received such unexpected support from acquaintences, old friends and people I had only met through the internet. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was a place where I could speak, and people were comfortable with that. I didn't have to worry if they didn't want to listen, because I knew that they had the choice to not return or read.



I never guessed I would create real friendships with people across the country based on our similar senses of humor, aesthetics and design sense. People who have made me laugh, brought on tears with their kind words, stories and support, and who have brightened my days.

I also never expected to make such wonderful friendships with the women in my knitting circle. Let me tell you, the first time I went, I was terrified, and the only person that spoke to me nearly scared me off. Thank God I went back! I would have missed out on so much, mainly pints of pear cider, alpacas and many brunches. I can't tell you how important these ladies have been to my Wednesdays, or to my daily life in Philadelphia.

So thank you, friends and crafty community, for being so good to me.

I'm also happy to show off the 300 grams of Koigu mill-ends I treated myself to. This was a combination of my economic stimulus check, my Rosie's 20% coupon, the yearly mill-end opportunity and the result of bragging about the lowly $36 I had spent at Sheep and Wool.

In honor of my anniversary, I'll do a meme that I was tagged to do from Yarn Therapy. It asks for 5 things about myself, I know I've done this before, but I'm a sucker for surveys (wink). You can do it if you want (unless you're Susan, since I know about your feelings on memes!).

1. One of my dreams is to own a house on a bit of property, about an hour away from a big city, with a barn. The barn will have a woodshop, and a studio for Mike to paint. My studio may be in the barn, or in the house. I will refurbish furniture, do some upholstery, interior design part time, and draw and paint. Maybe I can have the grandkids my mom has been jonesing for. And a mutt, a pug, an outdoor cat, a few alpaca, a garden and a bike with a basket. Er, that's a lot for the first one!

2. I can't stand pickles. They gross me out. I'm one of five people in the world who dislike pickles. When I was at the Renegade Craft Fair, they had a Mr. Pickle booth and I had the heebie jeebies. They all think I'm crazy, but I think you're all crazy for liking them! And yes, I now like cucumbers, and even pickled cucumbers. But I'm holding out based on my ridiculous principles.

3. Everything I learned about good customer service and business relates to working as a waitress at an Italian restaurant when I was 17. In fact, my whole philosophy on life could be based on what I learned as a waitress. The most important thing was to prevent fires rather than spend time putting out fires. Not real ones though, although I did get locked in a freezer.... For example, if you get quadruple sat and will not be able to serve drinks for ten minutes, do yourself a favor and acknowledge your guests and let them know you'll be right there. Otherwise, they'll sit there wondering if you even know they're there and get pissed and leave a Spawn comic book as a tip. In my work environment today, I make sure to keep my clients updated with the status of things, especially if there is a delay. As long as they're kept in the loop, they're not going to go pickle-crazy wondering what is going on. It's amazing how a one minute email or phone call can keep people happy, and how many people don't bother to do this.

4. A psychic once told me that I would become a household name, but that nobody would recognize my face. I was excited to hear this. Would I be a ceramicist, a clothing designer, a water polo player? Excited until my dad reminded me that Charles Manson was also a household name. "Daaaaaaad!" said Marissa in a whiny seventeen year old voice.

5. In sixth grade, I won first place in the state of Florida for a 50 word essay describing the utter importance of the podiatry profession. I wrote it quite tongue-in-cheek, and in a rush to finish reading whatever Baby Sitters Club book was in my hands. The intro stated, "If we didn't have podiatrists, people would be walking on their hands every day because of all of their warts, corns and bunions."

Don't forget, you chose to read this! (wink)

xoxo, Mariss

P.S. Why yes, that's a progress shot of Mom's Lace Ribbon Shawl, on the Rittenhouse goat. I love you, lady.

Amapolas (Poppies)

I treated myself to this delightful print below. It is from the fabulously talented, Geninne, whose blog, photographs and illustrations I have been admiring. She's quite an inspiration, I can't help raving.



Please visit her etsy shop here. Even her two sons are wonderful artists, and have their own blog. Awesome...

Here's Muir below...or what was left of it before I ripped it out last night. I had made a few too many mistakes for only 18 rows, so am starting over. Why? I think my mama's worth it!



I better go. I have chili cooking and should not be blogging while waiting for water to boil. Mike is nearby though -- and we have a fire extinguisher...

Eight Random Things

I didn't mean to have such a long blogging absence. I've been busy and decided to enjoy the last bit of summer. I also had to let Mike use the computer at night to work on teaching assignments, which is a worthy cause if you ask me!



In the meantime, I'm co-hosting a bridal shower for a friend this weekend. (More excuses for my absence!). Below are a preview of the invites. Let me tell you, they are tres cute.



I've also been knitting and crocheting a bit, but will show you that later too. I'll do the infamous Eight Random Things instead...

1. My Lolo Basa (Grandfather) was the first registered architect in Davao City, Philippines. He also raised 9 children by himself, after my Lola and Tita (Aunt) Alice died in a tragic plane crash. I didn't get to see him very often, but I always loved him so much. I've heard I get my artistic talents and love of reading from him. (sweet)

2. I was a springboard and platform diver from the age of 8 until 18. I can even do handstands on the platform!

3. I went skydiving once, but only because my mom wasn't home when I called to ask. It was very spur of the moment, and was unbelievably fun. Once is enough though, don't want to tempt the fates. Until I'm 78 -- when all bets are off!

4. I am glad I was dorky in middle school. If I didn't go through that rite of passage, I wouldn't be who I am now. Which is that person who talks to people in line at the grocery store. It makes life more fun, and the stories more interesting.

5. I used to pull up my dress as a little girl to play with my bellybutton. I did this at a school play, when I was the innkeeper's wife, and at my aunt's wedding when I was the flower girl. I was 3 though, and got over that stage!

6. I scar very easily. I get keloids, where your body doesn't know when to stop making scar tissue. It's more common in people who have more melanin in their skin. But I'm lucky, and don't have a scar from my old eyebrow ring (ha ha) or earrings. In a way, it's like I'm genetically superior, like Wolverine...

7. In 5th grade, a flasher was following around my friends and me at a public library. It was really creepy, but we reported it to the police and the guy was eventually arrested due to our report. We were really proud, after getting over having to say the word penis to the officer.

8. I am very fussy about socks. I used to change pairs of socks up to 3 times when I was a kid until they felt okay, and my Velcro shoes were comfortable. I also used to roll down my knee high socks when we went to the ballet. I still can't wear uncomfortable socks now. (Keep in mind, I wore only flip flops until I was about 18!)

Sorry about all of the run-on sentences and sentence fragments...and nobody is tagged, as I'm the only person in the world who has not done this one!

Grandma Huber

Florida was fantastic. I didn't get much knitting done, but spent a lot of time with my family and best friend, Brooke. I also had a piece of cake, pie or key-limey goodness with every meal for 4 days.



I didn't get much knitting done, but spent a lot of time with my family and best friend, Brooke. I also had a piece of cake, pie or key-limey goodness with every meal for 4 days.

I read The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. There's a reason that book is so popular right now. Go out and buy it...or borrow my copy.



I didn't want to leave, but it's good to be back in Philly so that I can see Mike, enjoy this spring weather and finish the baby quilt. Oh that's right...and my sweater which is actually almost done!



Remember this hat? It was done and looked great. I decreased so that it made a nice twirly star on top and fit exactly how I wanted it to.

But I wasn't in love with it.

However, my darling cousin, Cara loved it. I had wanted to make her something, but wanted her to pick out the yarn and project. She responded that she wanted a hat just like the one I was wearing...in the same yarn.



Well, that hat snapped right off of my head and right onto her gorgeous one full of hair that will soon be donated to Locks of Love.

That was a quick project! I'm always glad to find a happier owner to something I feel tepid towards. It looks much cuter on her too, but that could be the fact that she's twenty and beautiful and has the longest lashes of anyone I've met.

While we're speaking of knitted items and my cousin, Cara. I must show off our grandma's best scrap yarn ripple afghan that my aunt gave to me, much to Cara's dismay.



My paternal grandma was an amazing knitter and crocheter. She taught me to crochet as a child, but I couldn't pick up the knitting. I thought it a task impossible, akin to juggling. Ha.

Grandma Huber grew up during the Great Depression, and everything was saved of course and re-used. Over her life, she must have made so many projects, including gorgeous sweaters with intarsia, and she let us choose the colors. In fact, for the sweater that she let me pick out the yarn ended up being "pink and puh-ple". (Mind you, God-awful purple that I wanted. Look at the picture again and find the ugliest purple on the afghan...yes, that's it!)

For some reason, my Aunt Sissy decided that I should have this particular afghan while I was visiting them in St. Louis during college.

Thank you, Aunt Sissy. You don't know how much that meant to me...and it was a crappy year of heartbreak (wink).

It is so colorful and crazy and I loved it immediately. All the scraps of yarn are from projects that my Grandmother worked on over the years. Some of the ripples are felted now, the few that were wool. There's a hole in it where my cat caught her claw and I had to cut into the blanket, which almost made me cry, but of course I did it.

It is one of the most treasured items to me because it is one of the only things I have from my Grandma. Being a knitter myself makes it even more special.

And Cara is still jealous, five years later. But I don't feel to bad for her, since Aunt Sissy is making a new one for her.

Yes...me too...

I was inspired to blog in May, a time where I was obsessed with reading other people's knitting blogs. Many hours were probably wasted...

I thought, "This could be fun!"

Until I remembered that I am a project starter, not a finisher, have "issues" with procrastination and like to think about knitting, but don't always love to do it. (Mainly because I'm sick of my projects!)

I love to knit, but am generally not inspired in the summer. In fact, I only go to knitting circle to see the people and to fondle the yarn. My secret is out.

However, fall has arrived and I'm feeling inspired again. My knitting circle buddies have referenced me in their blog, so I guess it is time to come out of the closet! I'm going to attempt to blog, and will need to make progress so that I can have pictures to show you! And since I know that photos make blogs more interesting...here's the view from my old apartment on Spring Garden at sunrise.