Big News

Mike and I got engaged!

I just wanted to post some pictures; don't worry, I'll have the story up later!!!

Merry Christmas

DIY Dog Treats

If it was as easy as taking a picture and...

Editing it....

Would I change what I look like?

Would YOU change what you look like?

We live in a world where looks are just about everything. Of course I understand the importance of a first impression, but why do I value what people think of me so much?

Isn't it enough that I'm creative, funny, adventurous, silly, smart (to a degree), and have so much love to give? Why do I feel like I have to make people like my outside before they'll even take the time to see my inside?

If I could the way I looked in an instant...would that change who I am inside? As much as I want the inside to shine brighter than my outside, I ask myself; does my appearance affect my character? Does it affect who I am?

I think it does. If I think that I look great, then I'll act more confident. If I know I look terrible, then I tend to stare at the ground as I walk and mumble around. So yes, my outside does affect my inside.

So if I could magically change all my "flaws", would that change me?

I would like to think that erasing all my flaws and drawing in new physical attributes in their place would make me reach every goal I've ever dreamed. I would imagine becoming the girl I've always wanted to be... But then again...

Would I become proud and walk past my dear friends because I can do better? Would I lose everything I've gained going through the experience of being mocked for my looks in school? Would all those quirks that Mike falls for still be there?

I don't think so. If I'm going to change, I want it to be a very long and gradual change. I want to grow with my changes. If they would happen all at once, I feel as though I would lose who I am. I would be this other pretty girl, but the rest of me would be gone. I would feel empty.

All those flaws and quirks are characteristics that my friends and family know and love me by.

So no...I will not entertain the idea any longer. As I grow as a person on the inside, so will my outside change accordingly. (Perhaps not as I would like best, but maybe its the best for me.)

I will love the way I look, just like my boyfriend, friends, and family do now.

Wrapping Presents!

It's almost Christmas! Are all of your gifts wrapped and under the tree? No!?

Thats OK cause I've rounded up a bunch of tutorials, videos, and ideas on how to make your gift just as special on the outside as it is on the inside. 

First Up is the paper....

You don't need to use traditional wrapping paper if you don't want to. Here are a few ways to get creative!

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I also found a video series with step by step instructions on gift wrapping with newspaper. Go ahead and click on the tapes to watch.

Now...What about the bows? Or maybe you just wanna go with a creative topper for your gift... 

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I also found a few videos on how to make a bow to top off your gift. Check them out!

How to make a curly bow

How to make a twisty-tie pom-pom gift topper

How to make a traditional bow

How to make a missyellowshoes bow 

(this is mine!)

Don't forget that you don't neeeeed to tie up your gift with ribbon! You can also use yarn, twine, thread, or whatever else you feel like!

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One year, I wrapped all my gifts like this...

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I once collected stamps (not that what I have is ever going to be worth anything) so I wrapped all my gifts in brown paper. Then I made up fake addresses with the recipients name on it. After gluing on the old stamps I used a pen and markers to make the stamps and symbols that the post office makes when you mail a letter or package. I also wrapped some of the boxes with twine and yarn. 

Needless to say...they looked awesome!

Hopefully this post has inspired and helped you out a little bit. If you need a little more I made another video about the gifts that I've wrapped so far. You can see that here. (and if you really need help on the basics of gift wrapping check out this video here) 

I'll leave you with this cute picture I found while browsing the internet for gift wrapping ideas....

(Mike this is for you)

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Guess Where I'm Staying Tonight?

I am sooooo excited!

I live about 2 hours from this place (and visit frequently) but I never dreamed I would get to spend a night in the castle! I absolutely love the old city of Quebec and can't wait to take pictures of the European architecture. I still have some family on my Christmas list so I'm going to be looking into shops for some handmade gifts. 

I'll post ya all about it when I get back! 

Bye Bye!

Hot Chocolate...Mmmmm

Mom and I have this thing that we do...at least once a week. We get into our  Pjs and jump on the couch with a warm cup of hot chocolate. Sometimes we'll surf the web together sometimes we'll watch tv but whatever we do, it's always special.

So in honor of that little tradition, let's learn about the glories of hot chocolate!

"Back in the days of the Aztecs, cocoa beans were valuable not only for their culinary importance but also as currency. Cocoa beans were often given as gifts during important ceremonies and festivals. Even so, they also used the roasted beans to make a chocolate drink. Their version is much different from the hot chocolate we know today. The Aztecs actually drank it cold, flavoured with wine and chili peppers, and not at all sweet.

Chocolate was discovered and brought to Europe in the early 1500s by the explorer Cortez. After its introduction in Spain, the drink began to be served hot, sweetened and without the chili peppers. The Spanish were very protective of their wonderful new beverage, and it was over a hundred years before news of it began to spread across Europe.

When it hit London (in the 1700s), chocolate houses became popular and very trendy. It was the English who started adding milk to their chocolate and it was enjoyed as an after-dinner beverage.

It wasn't until the middle of the eighteenth century that chocolate began to evolve past its drinkable form. First, cocoa powder was invented in Holland. Cocoa powder blends much easier with milk or water, allowing for more creations to come. Then came chocolate as a candy by mixing cocoa butter with sugar. In 1876, milk chocolate was developed. From then on, chocolate has become more popular as a solid treat rather than as the drink it started from."

So here's a mixture of crafts and recipes that I found related to hot chocolate.

You can make this fake spilled hot chocoalte yourself! Click here for the instructions.

I could not find instructions for this little guy, but I am determined to figure it out on my own. As soon as I do, I'll post a video on youtube for you all.

Can you say yum? These spoons might not even make it into the mug of hot chocolate before their gone!

And this, is the icing on the cake (or the marshmallows floating in the hot chocolate)!

Oh my word! I think I just died and went to heaven!!!!!!

I seriously looked in awe at the mug for like...5 minutes when it first popped up on my computer screen.

So...In a large ovenproof mug combine 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1½ cups hot milk. Top with miniature marshmallows and place under broiler until golden brown and puffed.

I'm so trying this when I get home!

All I want for Christmas Is...

More Time

A mountain of yarn

A carriage pulled by a llama

(can you say awesome?)

More Sleep

Mad crocheting skills

21st Birthday Pics

I had a lovely 21st birthday last week! 

This is the birthday cake that I made for Jenni and I. It took me about an hour and a half to mix all the colors and bake the whole thing. I made it look super boring on the outside so that she would have no idea what was waiting for her once she cut out a piece! 

And THIS Ladies and Gentlemen, is the birthday present that Mike has been secretly working on for 2 months! He sewed me a pouch for all my crochet hooks and bought me a set of bamboo hooks too! Not only that...but he's painting each one for me so they'll all a little special in their own way. I was ecstatic when he handed this to me. He's never made me anything before and this is about the sweetest thing he's ever done for me. 

I love you Mike!

Here are the Birthday Girls!

(she turned 20 and I turned 21)

We're one year and a day apart.

This is a cute little chick plushie that Mike also got for me. 

We named him Freddy, and I crocheted him a little scarf because it's cold outside.

We also had a Christmas concert on Friday that Mike and I went to...here are a couple of pictures of that.

I hope your weekend was a good one. I've got 4 days of finals ahead of me (just took the first one this morning) and it's officially 12 days before Christmas!

Bye Bye!

Give your shoes a facelift

I was very excited when I found this tutorial today...I HAD to share it!

DIY- Scarves

So, it snowed so much yesterday and today that they closed down campus. We weren't allowed to leave and those already gone had to call in to see when they could get back. The weather was terrible with all the wind and running form building to building in knee deep snow. Days like today make me extremely thankful for hats, gloves, boots, coats, and scarves.

Today's post is a tribute to that last one...scarves.

Here are some scarf tutorials that you can make yourself (for fashion purposes or warmth)! 

Just click on the picture for instructions.