Butterfly Gold - And Now We Know!

Internets, I have a feeling a Corelle pattern is stalking me. No really!

Remember a few weeks ago, I posted a few plates, and the tea cups?
That yellow-flowery pattern. There were 3 large dinnerish plates, and one saladish sized plate.

Today, I was out and about and found another of the saladish sized plates. Just randomly amongst the plates and bowls and saucers in the Goodwill. Same store I got the other plates in, but still an amazing feat, don't you agree? This is some time later! Same pattern, same size, amazing.

Close up of the pattern, because it really is quite cute. A very silly colour, but I have a feeling it's a 70's pattern, based on the colour alone.

Now, remember I found a Pyrex square dish that had a very similar pattern?

Ya, that one. There is also a Pyrex that I've seen a few different times (and in a few different sizes) that is the exact opposite of this almost.
Never got one, because they were always at the vintage stores, and highly priced.
Well, not so much today.

Seriously, this is almost an exact negative of the Corelle. But it's Pyrex! No, no lid, but I have a lid to another orange piece, that would probably fit, if I was really interested in that.
And when we consider this was 1.99$ instead of at least 5 for the others I've seen (for the same size, even!), I couldn't really pass it up.

I really do like this pattern. If I could keep this up somehow, and end up with more of a set, that would be fantastic! I don't see that happening, but why not try?!

On a completely different note, I also found these tea cups. There were more than two at the store, but only got the two. No need for any more, really.

Very cute. Least to me.

Right now, actually, I've discovered (thanks to Google), that the yellow flowery Corelle pattern is Butterfly Gold and I'm fairly certain that's a good description. Other than the part about how it seems more flowery than butterfly-y to me, but oh well.
And the cups are Strawberry Sunday. And a set of four tea cups is on sale for 10.99$ on eBay right now. While I paid .99$ each for mine!

Gah, yes, I did a quick search and ended up on the Corelle website, with a list of all their discontinued patterns. Which I really ought to bookmark.

xoxo, Jess (who proclaims a love of Pyrex, but apparently is not too brand loyal after all)

Almost Complete Plans

I was in the process of making Valentine's Day, remember Internets?
Well, we are one step closer to completion! All I really need now is the Martinelli's - but I can't get that yet or else we will drink it all before the proper day! Then again, I don't think we would be sad over here if that happened!

Anyway, dear Internets, let me show you how I have been successful.
I did a Ravelry search a few days ago on how to crochet a heart. Yes, I know, shame on me for not knowing how to already. It's just something I've yet to try, really, little decorative hearts. At one point I had a dream of doing a whole bunch in a ton of colours and filling up a jar or bin of sorts with them (small-ish size, you know), but never could think of a good reason to have them/make them. Other than I wanted them!
On Ravelry, I found this afghan square.

Via Here - Ravelry

This of course led me to a Red Heart pattern. Which I downloaded. Red Heart makes decent yarn. I like it, it's decently priced. Their patterns are so/so. But they are free. And you can learn a lot of new things from them, I promise. Oh, yes, it's a whole afghan of 12 heart squares, each different, and can be found here if you are interested. I don't think I'll be making the afghan, but I have so many patterns for things I'll probably never make anyway, why not keep it?

I didn't want a square, though, I wanted an actual heart. Like place-mat sized. But of a heart. And I like granny squares. They are good, and simple, and much faster than single or double crochet. Granted, with the other two you end up with a complete fabric (no holes), but I don't really mind the holes.

I gathered some yarn. Loops & Threads. Which I do believe is a Michael's stores generic yarn. I cannot say that I am correct in that, but I'm pretty sure it's the case. I picked the "Snuggly Wuggly" which is a baby sport yarn that I had in the drawers of doom I showed you a while back. Got out a hook, and got to working. It took two evenings, with half of my attention, but I ended up with something almost heart-shaped.

Yes, I pinned it to the door to take a picture!! It's a pink colour, very hard to describe, kind of fruity in a way. It's called "Soft Red", though, so I really have no clue.

For size comparison, but also so you can get a better idea of what my plan is. Mwa-ha-ha, oh so close now!

It's a rather simple make, though.  If anyone is interested, I would be more than happy to give instructions, but considering I just kind of guessed as a I went and hoped for the best, there are no notes. No worries, though, I didn't forget what I did, which is more often than not the case!

xoxo, Jess (who is rather fond of how this turned out. she was all ready for disappointment, really)

Now, We're Out Of Monies

The thread was acquired, dear Internets, and we started in this morning while D was still asleep.
Such is how the weekends off go - I'm up first most of the time. I then stay up for a bit, and crawl back in bed, hoping to wake him up.
Most of the time, though, he is not to be bothered with the idea of "getting up" and I end up falling back asleep as well. Let's not mention the time we were finally both out of bed, but it is a very unlovely time to be finally getting up.
Either way, things were a'started this morning, and we're not very far, but it's coming along.

Yes, it's resting on my laptop. So, no, it is not very large yet.
I had no intentions of it fanning up at the top, I originally wanted it to be straight. However, I think this will work out. And considering it won't be laying down, per-say, a non-straight edge will be just fine. Not only a few more miles of thread to go! Nah, just kidding, but it will be a few days before it's done.

Now, I started this morning, but did not work on it all day, because we were out and about. Had intentions of buying only work shoes.

And work shoes were bought.

But, for some reason, the middle of January calls for "40% off lowest marked price" clearance sales. Who thought this was alright? And yes, the swimsuits are out in full swing - and already on sale! Craziness!
Either way, sales were shopped.
I finally got a good fitting (perfect fitting, if I do say so myself) grey pair of pants. Very trouser-y, and I am in love. Very warm, as well, added plus! And a belt! One of the skinny-varieties, and it is a grey colour, as well. Grey goes with everything, really, and not as dark and dreary as black.
Shirts were also acquired.

It is a bit hard to tell, but it's more of a blue than a green. And yes, it is a sort-of-see-through zebra print! There were all sorts of colours and there was either zebra or leopard, but this one stuck out the most. Well, that and the neon yellow, but that didn't come home with me, sadly.

Another mesh-ish top. But a white t-shirt variety, and of roses instead of zebra.

I love these, really, simply because they could go with anything. And I have so many tank-tops, and now two more things to wear with them!

A long dark grey cardigan was also purchased. Nothing very fancy. Long neckline, buttons, and cute little square pockets on the front. I have a feeling pictures will be taken once it is actually worn with something.
Worn with something summery! It kills me that all the things I want to wear right now are summer items when it's literally 35 degrees outside and therefore unwearable. Sad indeed.

xoxo, Jess (who really hopes to get to go out tomorrow, just to wear that cardigan!)

Explanations of the Crochet Bits

So, about the other day, Internets. With that hint of a black crocheted something or other.
I suppose I better spill my guts about it, before I  lose all  sorts of interest in it. That tends to happen with me and this type of crocheted something or other.

And by something or other I mean clothing.
This is a pattern I've tried before. I got halfway, if not more. And then killed it. Which made me sad. Because I do like the finished garment - at least from the images posted of it on the Paton's website.

Image via Ravelry & Patons - here

You will need an account with Paton's to see the pattern, however. They're stingy like that. Oddly enough, a lot of yarn-type websites are like that. But they don't email you, unless you sign up for that type of thing, so really, why not?

It's a good pattern, I think. But I am changing it.
Of course I am.
Firstly, black sparkly yarn. That was a giveaway.

Secondly, I want it to be a shorter version. Top-of-hip-length. I've liked this type of cardigans for a very long time, and have had only a few. So why not make one? It's easy enough, I'm hoping, just need to make it 13.5 inches and then shape the armholes, according to the pattern, instead of the suggested length. At least this is my goal. Also, the 13.5 inches is of my own measuring.

My only issue with this type of garment is the fit. I am not a slender individual, and I'm not self-conscious, per-say, but I don't like attracting attention to that area. It's not my best. Let's put it that way. You may have noticed already from some pictures I've posted.
However, there's a level of...I-don't-care-what-anybody-says...that one needs to have about these things.
I feel like at least pretending I think I'm fabulous (as one should, from time to time,  dear Internets), and this is a good way to start.

And, I'm going to blame you, Internets. For you led me to a lovely images of such things!

These are from one webpage alone, Bettie Page Clothing, which I want to buy lots of things from, but a bit out of my price range for the time being.
However, you get the idea. It's awesome stuff, right there.

And that's the style I'm going for. Because I've always liked it.
And why not do what you like, right? Right. Glad we agree, Internets.

xoxo, Jess (who wishes her red hair would do like the lady's in those pictures!)

Successful Thursday

OHHHH Internets!!! Today has been the day.

First off, in news that is not mine, D's gun finally came! Since he won't get his butt in gear and do his own internets typing, I'm going to do some for him.

It is a Beretta 92FS INOX (which means it's stainless steel, I guess).

It is pretty and it is heavy and we've been waiting for it since before Christmas and it's finally here!
Fantastic! So tomorrow, after a few morning errands we will be heading north to D's parents' house for some shooting and whatnots. Hopefully it won't be snowing!

Before all this, though, we went to the east side of town, to a place called Monticello Antiques. Which was huge. It really was. But there wasn't anything really fabulous there. Sadly. There were cute things, and there were pretty things, and ugly things - what you'd expect from an antique/vintage store. But nothing that I was dying to have.
Sadly, though, they had a lot of things in glass cases. Which is nice, for them I suppose. But not nice for me. I like being able to shop on my own. I don't even really like having to go buy video games at the store because you have to have them get them for you, even though there is always someone close.
This place, nobody to be found anywhere near where we were looking. And, of course, while they're all locked up in the glass, you can't really touch it and hold it and see how shiny it is (was a lot of pins and jewelery and pretty things) - or see how much it cost. Which is also important to me. I want to know price before I get to attached, I'm working with a limited budget here!

Either way, a good store, might go back in a while, might not. We got lost three times on the way, which was alright, but it really is in a weird part of town.
I, however, did not leave empty handed.

Just some white glass beads. I like them. They're not real fancy or anything, but enough to be flashy. And considering I'm not a flashy kind of person, for the most part (I don't wear much jewelry), this is a good start.

And this is just a pendant. It's rather cheap, from the back, but it was only 5$ and hopefully the "gem" won't come out. It reminds me of a flower, except the green in the middle means it is not flower-like after all. But, home with me it came.

Internets, let me tell you, I truly have the best fiancé ever. Let me tell you. I bored him to death with the antique store. Made him sad for telling him he didn't like any of the things (entirely different subject we might come back to). And then he stopped off at Value Village after all this still.
Yeah.
Because I had said I wanted clothes at the antique store (which I did, and they had just about none - I looked hard, too). And he saw it, and so he stopped. Because I had wanted clothes.
Isn't he lovely. No really, he is. And also armed, therefore I have to be nice to him.
...just kidding.

Either way, I got a few things at Value Village.

 

This is just  a black button-up-front dress. Which has terrible shoulder pads in it, might I add. I have to remove those. Promptly. It is a tad small, but considering it would have to be worn with a tanktop and tights/leggings anyway, I see no fault with that - get a belt (I keep saying that!) and treat it like a jacket. Problem solved!

 Terrible sepia-based picture...but to show the buttons and hopefully you can see the side-seaming-part, so it's darted in, for waists and such. Whatever those are!

 Ohhh flutter-esque sleeves! This I actually really love.

Close up of the pattern.

Neither of these are vintagey, I know, I know, but I'm trying to...grow my collection of pretty clothes. It's been far too many years that I've been wearing Batman t-shirts. I like Batman t-shirts, don't get me wrong.
However, we've survived the end of the world (and, according to your memes, dear Internets, we lost Twinkies instead of our lives), why not do somethings one has wanted to do. No reason not to. Right?

Internets, it's the same reason I dyed my hair. Why not, after all? There's no really good reason not to. I can convince myself otherwise all day long, but there's not a good reason.
Least that's how I see it.

xoxo, Jess (who is really trying to just say "why not?" instead of coming up with answers to that question)