new frames!

I finally got new glasses frames!

new:

 and for comparison, the old frames:

The new frames are bigger and a little darker, but I think they suit me. 

My last pair have been broken for about two weeks and I've had to tape them together because they were apparently unfixable. 

Since I wear glasses everyday, I'm really super picky about how my frames look. 

These were literally found at the last optical place we went to. 

Also, they're Burberry, so my glass case is Burberry plaid, which is neat.

Cutest family picture.

This is my grandpa, Pappy, fixing the linoleum in his kitchen in the early 80's. 

His little rat terrier Maxie is attempting to help him!

I want a helpful little puppy too!

I may have gone to private art school in Maryland, but I'll always be a Jayhawk at heart!

I'm so sad the hawks lost to VCU in the elite eight today... no more dreams of another NCAA championship in 2011! 

Did you know I made art back in 2008 about KU's NCAA men's basketball championship title? Because I did, and no one in my life drawing class got it...

derby hat... even though it's not May 7th yet

I love this giant hat.

I think I need it in my life. I should stop buying things from work though.

New music finds...

I saw this Ben L'oncle music video in french when I was in Paris last month. 

The french version of this song seems a little more lively, but I couldn't find it in music video form anywhere online. 

Listen to the french version here. The english version has the same vibe though. I really like his voice.

Asa is an internet find. She's a Nigerian singer, and I love the 60's soul vibe of this song.

Plus her outfit is super cute.

in utrecht, nl, where I did not buy any art supplies at all...

Oh hey, did I mention that I saw the Rietveld Schroder house 3 days ago? 

Because I did.

My passion for architecture/buildings/houses continues.

If you don't have any clue what the Rietveld Schroder house is, here is a pretty general overview of it's history.

 Colin was there too.

guest post for MORGAN!

Up today, is a guest post! 

My bestie Morgan doesn't usually blog, but decided to break into the world of internet crafting my writing me a post. YAY!

I love her and you will too!

(Morgan and I at Graceland circa January 2010)

Hi!

My name is Morgan and I am Katie’s BFF. Besides being my confidant, # 1 people watching buddy, and driving skills judge buddy, she is my knitting coach. 

Back up! In case you didn’t know from readying this blog, Katie is a knitting genius. She learned the basics in middle school and self taught herself the rest. By high school she was knitting backpacks. At the time knitting was “cool” so I invited her on a family road trip to con her into teaching me to knit as we drove across Kansas. Ever since she has slowly been teaching me her ways.

Last December I called her and told her that my boyfriend wanted me to knit him a hat. I thought the whole thing was ridiculous because the hardest knitting project I had attempted to date was a shawl, which is still partially done in some drawer. She, on the other, thought I was serious and very blasé said, okay we’ll go to the knitting store when you back in town.

The day I got back in town for Christmas, Katie showed up in her Crown Vic to drag me to the knitting store. We bought yarn and off we went. 

For a first time hat knitter, I thought this pattern was fairly simple and easy. I actually knit half of it once and then took it out because it looked bad, and did it again. The second time I finished it in about two days. 

On an aside (and not being biased at all) if you need an knitting teacher Katie is the gal for you! If she can put up with my crankiness and stitch dropping dramas, she can deal with you. 

We called it ‘Evan’s Hat’ because that is what it is!

CO 8 sts

Round 1- knit all stitches

Round 2- (k1, p1) into each st across (16 sts)

Round 3- (k1, p1) across

Round 4- (k1, p1, k&p into same st) Rep 4 times (24 sts)

Round 5- (k1, p1) across

Round 6- (k1, p1, k&p into same st) Rep 4 times (32 sts)

Round 7- (k1, p1) across

Round 8- (k1, p1 into same st, k&p into same st) Rep 4 times (36 sts)

Round 9- (k1, p1) across

Round 10- (k1, p1, k&p into same st, k&p into same st) Rep 4 times (48 sts)

Work in k1, p1 rib for six inches or until you like the length. Bind off loosely.