Crocheting with plastic bags

I started running low on yarn after I finished the granny chic scarf, so I started a new project using plastic grocery bags. I learned how to turn the plastic bags into "yarn" from Gooseflesh, one of my favorite blogs, and then borrowed the pattern from another online source.

I really like my bag, but it's a bit wider than the one in the pattern. I think I messed up somewhere along the way and worked in an extra stitch. But I decided to just go with it and let it take whatever form it may. This is still a work in progress and I'll post the pictures when it's finished.

New Black Boots

My new black boots...I LOVE them!!

The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill

John and I visited a bizarre art installation today, "The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill". At first glance it is just like a regular pet shop with cute animals in the window, except the animals are actually mechanical and personified in strange ways. Some of the "pets" were not even animals at all, but consumer products like fish sticks swimming in fish bowls or chicken McNuggets made to look like baby chicks mechanically dipping themselves in BBQ sauce. Here are some more pictures from the New York Times.

This little bunny wearing pearls and filing it's nails was probably my favorite.
This monkey was watching a video of monkeys in the wild and having sodas and pizza.
From the street, this looked like a real cheetah lounging on a tree branch. It's tail was even swinging! From inside the pet shop, you could see that it was actually a fur coat.
This part of the installation was the most comical - hot dog weiners and sausage links were housed in glass cases similar to how reptiles or spiders would be on display for sale in a pet shop. They too were mechanical and wiggled and gyrated...it was very bizarre!

John and Cassie's Day of Fun

Cassie and John sitting in Washington Square Park. In one year and 10 days, we'll be posing like this for our wedding pictures!


Pumpkins and candy...two of my favorite things about Halloween.
This picture almost looks like it was taken somewhere in the Mediterranean. We were actually in the West Village.
You would never know it was autumn by looking at this lush, green garden...

but you would certainly know fall is here by looking at these trees in Washington Square Park.

Ferrara Pasticceria - Our late night trip to Little Italy

John and I treated ourselves to a late night trip to Ferrara Pasticceria in Little Italy last night. This place was amazing! The rows and rows of pastries and cakes in the display cases looked like something in a Wayne Thiebaud painting. It was like dessert heaven!

John had coffee and I sipped lemoncello.

I ordered a delicious Key Lime tart...
and John had a slice of decadent New York cheesecake.
Our bellies are so happy! While in Little Italy, we walked past La Mela, a fantastic restaurant that is very special to us.

On our walk home, we saw this building on Broadway with dramatic lighting...it was a lot cooler in person.

Hearts and Squares

I finished my scarf tonight! I don't know if I will actually wear it outside (it looks like something my grandmother may have worn in the 70s), but it is still my creation and I had a lot of fun making it.

I didn't notice this until after I took the picture, but I love how the squares on the scarf play off the squares in the Donald Baechlor print on the wall.

I noticed after taking this picture that the scarf is made up of 13 squares...and I finished it on October 13...how weird is that?!

John came across this heart on the sidewalk the other day and sent me a picture. I love you sweetie!

Precious babies, crochet, and cupcakes

Tracy sent me this picture of her son, John, who is picking his nose in the pumpkin patch. I love this picture!

Joley sent this picture of Amira to us today from the rooftop of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. She is so adorable!
I finished the Frank Stella crocheted blanket Thursday night. I'm on to the next project - a scarf of joined multicolored granny squares...it's going to be very granny chic!

Kristina made these totally cute pink heart cupcakes the other day and sent me a picture. I'm glad I could inspire her inner domestic goddess.