Summer Summer Summertime

 I like the idea of making a wish list at the start of each summer of all the things I'd like to do before the students return to campus and the days begin getting shorter.

 Last summer I was able to accomplish 6 out of 10 (to be honest, the red dress was bought just a few weeks ago...but it's before summer 2012 so I'm counting it).

1) Visit both families
2) Celebrate our 5 year anniversary
3) Buy a red top and red dress
4) Go for a run on the beach
5) Read five books of my choosing
6) Bike around the Arnold Arboretum
7) Ride the swan boats in the Boston Public Gardens
8) Make curtains for our bedroom
9) Run a 5k
10) Take a sewing, knitting, or crochet class

 I have a number of things I want to do this summer, but here are the top 10:

1) Buy a condo (or at least find a place to live in September)
2) Go to Ocean City, NJ (this is planned for June 30th! can't wait!)
3) Bike around the Arnold Arboretum
4) Watch season 2 of Game of Thrones - preferably over a single glorious weekend
5) Kayak on the Charles
6) Run a 5k
7) Have a completely unplugged day - no computer, no phone, no tv
8) Buy a new sewing machine
9) Get strong arms and back
10) Relaaaax

Kindle Love

Oh hey blogosphere! It's been over two and a half months since I've last visited. I promise to be more diligent in the future. The main reasons for my lack in crafting/cooking are that I've packed up my super cool but super old (and therefore frustrating to use) sewing machine and I've been having some stomach problems since March that have resulted in a not-so-interesting diet.

ANYWAY

I've pulled myself together and sewed myself a Kindle cover by hand:

Pretty, right?! The exterior fabric is from a friend of mine and the case is lined with tan and white felt to provide some cushion for the kindle. I used this pattern. As you can see I decided to only do one strap and went for adhesive velcro instead of fussing with a button.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I'd definitely change a few things though if I were to make another one. You can't really tell from the picture above, but the measurements didn't quite work out - no matter how much I pull, tug, and push, that kindle will still peek out of the top the tiniest bit, even when the tab is closed. Also, I'd trim the edges in addition to the corners of the lining before inserting it into the exterior fabric. The 1/2" seam allowance on the exterior fabric and the 1/2" seam allowance on the interior fabric don't lay nicely together so the edges are a little wonky (this could also be due to uneven sewing by hand).

It was easy to do and I've used it lots this past week while carrying my kindle during my daily commute.