Late Night Painting

I have been working a whole lot and this had been resulted in trying to create things late at night. I have been doing a little of everything into the wee hours of night. As you can see also had to take these pictures late as well, so they aren't the best quality. Woops.
I found this watercolor book at Hobby Lobby a while back and was so excited! I couldn't wait to begin to paint, and so I did :)

This is the second page, a little owl carrying a basket.

I have been wanting to make a crochet blanket for some time and just started making little blocks from leftover bits of yarn. While listening to my ipod, everything seems to go by so quickly lately. I can hardly believe summer's almost over.

I just started reading the second book by Muriel Barbery called Gourmet Rhapsody. I read The Elegance of the Hedgehog a while ago and loved it. I immediately set out to see if she had any books and viola I found another! I've read so many good books this summer, as well as some bad ones, but all in all this was a summer of delicous books.

Yummy reading :)

Better pictures to follow on Thursday.

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Randomness Abounds

1. lucy's froggy bonnet & booties, 2. Sunflowers, 3. Yoke, 4. Green, 5. Bow competition in my blog, 6. good morning!, 7. -, 8. Untitled, 9. little visitor, 10. Far far, there's this little girl. She was praying for something good to happen to her. Everyday she writes words and more words just to speak out the thoughts that keep floating inside., 11. Aimee Creating, 12. sunday, 13. Perfect timing, 14. [02.05.09] squishy, 15. Wheat and Sunflowers, 16. babette's granny's terrain, 17. The Bass Rock, Scotland:), 18. Things I Love Thursdays, 19. Little horse, 20. vintage velvet mustard dress, 21. One Year, 22. Polaroid, 23. Tiny Things Collection 1, 24. La piccola fiammiferaia, 25. Mitten Kit

This summer is ending all too soon. I wish I could make each moment go slower somehow. But in reality I am happy for the coming year. Albeit there will be some major changes coming up, but I welcome them. Today I was off from work, and was seriously glad for the reprieve. I spent the day, crocheting, cleaning, and cooking. Not all at once of course. Lately I have been reading so much, book after countless book, that I feel like I have my own mini narrator running through my mind, complete with an important sounding voice and a philosophical attitude about life. Its strange. Just like this post. I have been running low on sleep, as you can probably tell. I am off to sleepy- time -land. Will talk more soon.

Hope your Sunday was relaxing.

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

(P.S. This is probably my favorite Mumford and Sons song, from their new album. Enjoy!)

Lumberjack Gnome

Look who's hiding in my garden??? A little lumberjack gnome!
I love his little mustache, notice his little belt buckle, green boots, pointy red hat, and divine mustache and beard. What more could a amigurumi lumberjack gnome ask for??!!!

This little gnome was crocheted from the pattern Amigurumi in the Garden and as usual I edited it from the pattern. It doesn't look anything like the original but then again that's why I like him.

Hope your Friday is great!!

xoxo, Callie

Texas State Cemetery+ Giveaway Received!

We went to the Austin State Cemetery, on our way home from our trip.

There were many neat grave sites of so many famous people straight out of Texas History.

^^^Stephan F. Austin's grave. :)

Isn't this pond beautiful?

Also Pip received my giveaway package and did a post about it on her blog, Pip and Life. Click here to go by and see it. It's so sweet and cute! Thanks Pip ,for all your kind words, so glad you like your winnings. It was my pleasure :)

My New Polariod Camera!!!!

I got a Polaroid camera!!!

I had recently gotten some gift cards and because I have yearned for this little camera for some time decided it was time.

The first packet of film was gone within the first hour of getting it, so heady my happiness was over it. It's little bubbly cuteness makes me smile. I am already planning a little crocheted cover for it...

(The first picture above is my sweet kitty Sheila's whiskers, the next is when I forgot to change the setting from indoors to outdoors while taking a photo of some sunflowers, and the last is me and Sheila!)

This is a Fuji Instax Mini Camera 7s. It's pictures are smaller than the older Polaroid we used to have, but that just makes it all the more cute! :)
(The first one below is my sister Jessica of Jessica Leigh La Lou, the next is Kaitlyn of My Baloney, and the third is my mom of Maria's Secret Garden.)
We had just gotten back from Garner State Park and were all looking a little tired, so probably not the best time to take portraits of everyone in my family but I couldn't help it!

The best thing about this camera is that it is instant joy, with just the click of the button, and viola! A new photo!

( The first one below is Sheila, my brother Michael, and Schatzi. I actually took two pictures of Sheila but the first one she moved and all I got were her whiskers, which seem rather ghostly.)

Here they all are lined up in all their Polaroid wonder :)

Here's a little song to brighten your day!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Amigurumi Octopus

I made a little amigurumi octopus for my sister Kaitlyn on her birthday two years ago. It is from the book Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet by Ana Paula Rimoli.
I crocheted it with crochet thread to miniaturize it. Kaitlyn was pleased with it, but she also knew what I was making, since she picked it out.

Have you seen those Silly Bandz that are so popular right now? Well, my brother has some and this one was an octopus that he gave to my sister.

I couldn't resist this little picture of Ranger plopped out in the sunshine while I was taking these photos.

Note the quizzical brow?

I'm about to go to work... see you soon!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Dallas + Old Red Courthouse

Day one of my family's vacation led us to Dallas.

We stopped in to see the Old Red Courthouse and their extensive museum upstairs. It was fascinating!

There was this strange little old house in the courtyard before the courthouse. It is kind of quaint, don't you think?

I couldn't help but feel a little proud that my brother used my shawl in the drive there as a blanket.

Doesn't he look so serene?

Sorry the picture of him is a little blurry, it was a bumpy ride.

Just a pretty piece of sky I saw in the car.

We saw the place where JFK was shot.
It was saddening.

It was a fun trip. I love learning about history and this was just that.

Very enjoyable.