Your opinion matters

First, some blog news. This is my 100th post. I feel like I should do something to celebrate. So I offer you this lovely shot of the sunset one day last week -- or maybe the week before last. Recently, in any event.



Now, on to other things.

A while back I mentioned that I had signed up for a coaster swap. I've been checking out some of the other coaster-makers and they're pretty impressive. So, of course, I'd like to do something impressive as well.

This what I'm working with right now.



The front side reminds me of cathedral window quilts, so I thought -- quilted coaster! Now here's the dilemma. Maybe you noticed that I've done a little quilting on this coaster already. Maybe you haven't -- it's a little hard to see in the photo. But I'm not sure that I like the design. Here's the front with some lines drawn on it so you can see the design.




The lines are kind of wonky. I think my sewing is a little straighter and more even. In most places. So my question -- should I keep this design? Or should I go with something more like this to highlight the cathedral window aspect?



Or should I just quilt them like Martha?

So many possibilities. I'd love to hear your opinion.

It's a nice day for a white wedding

Today Brian and I had our first oral exam in German class. Just so I don't keep you in suspense for too long, we both did well. We don't have the grades yet, but we are both confident that we passed with good marks.

The whole thought of an oral exam was a little intimidating, but I had a lot of info going into it, so that helped put me at ease. I knew that the proctor administering the exam would not be my regular teacher, I would have to speak over three topics and it would last about 5 minutes.

First, I had to introduce myself and tell why I was in Vienna. Then I had to speak about my favorite object -- the one I presented to the class earlier in the semester. I knew both of these topics prior to the exam, so I was completely prepared for them.

For the third topic, my teacher gave the class a list of possible questions earlier this week. Then when it came time to speak over the third topic, I had to draw a card and answer the question. Some of the questions were really easy. Talk about your last vacation. Where did you go? What did you do? But some of them were a bit more... abstract. What do you think about the future?

Fortunately, I drew a pretty easy question. I'm visiting your hometown for 3 days. What attractions are there? What do you recommend I see? This question was especially easy because it's the exact same question I drew during the practice exam yesterday. So I felt pretty confident in answering it.

The hardest part of the exam was knowing that the proctor could ask additional questions at any moment. She could ask something about your family. Or some detail about your hometown. Or whatever.

I know the proctor asked a few questions, but only one sticks in my mind. While talking about my favorite object (a wedding photo), she asked me whether I wore a white dress.

I'm not quite sure what she was getting at.

The most boring post ever

I don't really have anything to write about, but I feel compelled to write. It's a sickness, I think. So I've decided to show you some recent pictures. I hope you enjoy.



This is a sign for what is perhaps the most famous toilet in the world -- the Opera Toilet at the Karlsplatz U-Bahn station (right below the City Opera building). For a small fee, you can use the facilities while listening to the Blue Danube Waltz or something similar. The fee, in case you're wondering, is 60 Eurocents -- more than twice the price of the facilities at the train station which are an odd 27 Eurocents. I only took a picture of the sign and not the actual bathroom because I thought it was a little rude to snap a photo of the bathroom.



I don't know why, but I really like this old-timey Strassenbahn sign. Maybe because it's so ornate compared to the modern Strassenbahn signs. Although, I must admit, I prefer the digital signs that display how many minutes until the next Strassenbahn or bus arrives.



I was using the auto-timer on this photo. The camera makes a loud noise right before it takes the photo, which is what caused this quizzical look on Sharkdog's face.



If this is the first time you've seen this photo, head over to Sharkdog's blog for more details. And go ahead and add his blog to your regular reading list so I don't have to keep sending you over there.

Dreaming in deutsch

I had some trouble sleeping last night and decided to get up for a little snack. A few minutes later, Brian realized I wasn't in bed and called for me. I returned to the bedroom to see what he needed. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was looking for something to eat. That's when the conversation got a little strange.

Brian: "Did you tell the neighbors it was ready?"

I had no idea what he was talking about so I asked him to repeat what he had said.

Brian: "Did you tell the neighbors? That the food was ready?"

Me: "I don't know what you mean."

Brian: "Nachbartisch." (This is the German word for the neighboring table, like at a restaurant or cafe.)

Then he giggled, rolled over and went back to sleep. I asked him today if he remembered the conversation and he said he didn't.

But he still thought the word "Nachbartisch" was pretty funny.

Kultur und Kaffee

One of the girls in our German course is in Vienna to receive training as an opera singer. An opera singer! Isn't that crazy impressive? She invited the class to a concert organized by her singing instructor. It was amazing. I've heard a lot of singing in my life. Just yesterday morning on our walk to the u-bahn I heard Brian's rendition of an R Kelly song. But I've never heard anything like this.

Several other classmates were also at the concert. Afterwards, Brian and I joined two of the other students for coffee -- at Starbucks. Here we are in a city known for their cafes and we end up at Starbucks. But that was okay with me. Starbucks is the probably the only place where you can get your coffee without second-hand smoke. Probably the most impressive part of the whole thing is that we spoke German most of the night. The girl we were with speaks English and prefers English over German. But the guy either doesn't speak English or prefers German -- I'm not sure which one. But either way, it was nice to speak to someone whose first language is neither English nor German. You both get to struggle a little. Although, there was definitely more struggling on our side of the table.

Music and coffee -- that's what this city is all about.

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In other news, if you haven't checked out Sharkdog's blog in a while, I recommend moseying on over there and taking a look at the first installment of Sharkdog Adventures. (Click on the photos to view a larger image.) And don't be afraid to leave a comment. Sharkdog thrives on positive affirmation.

Coasters for everyone!

I decided (rather late) that I was going to make small gifts for my family for Christmas. I didn't have a lot of sewing experience or a lot of time, so I decided to go with something simple -- coasters.


I made two two-coaster sets, each with a matching case. One coaster says "Mine" and the other says "Yours." I also made two four-coaster sets that were the same design, only with different words or designs. This is my favorite.


All of these coasters are from the pattern in Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing book. I also made a four-coaster set based on the criss-cross coasters tutorial at Allsorts. I wanted to make them round instead of square, so I increased the size (5.5 inches instead of 4.5, I think), then after pinning the layers together I traced a circle on the back and sewed it. Nice and easy.

I made a few things other than coasters as well. You can check them out in the Made by Me set on Flickr if you're so inclined.

And if you like coasters, you may be interested in this coaster swap over at Ibby Bee. She's only taking 30 participants and is close to the limit, so hurry on over there. (She'll post an update when the slots are filled.) I've already signed up. :) Sorry, folks, it's full. If you're really itching for a swap, you can check out the options at Swap-bot.com.

Baby's got new shoes

Remember the shoes I showed you on Saturday? Well, I finally got around to making another pair for Emmy. One side is chocolate with tiny red, pink, white and blue flowers. The soles are pink.

Why yes, that is the lovely hippo fabric in the background.

The other side is white with colorful flowers. Also with pink soles. This is the same fabric I used for the original shoes. Since I'm new at sewing, I don't have a stash of fabrics to select from. Although, all the fabric for these shoes came from my scraps box. That's another great thing about the shoes -- you don't need much fabric.


Please don't wear them like this. Pick brown or white, not one of each.



And just for fun, here's the classic front- and side-view photo. I don't know why, but I have to take a photo with the shoes positioned like this. It's a compulsion. I can't resist it. So now you must look at it.



Just in case you missed it the last time, these shoes are based on a tutorial at Bare Maked. If you know of any little baby toes that need some cover, check out the tutorial. I enlarged the pattern by 10%, but that was too much. They ended up looking really long, but not too wide. So I shortened them a bit and it all worked out. Well, I don't know whether they'll fit Emmy, but then I've never seen her feet.

My apron pattern arrived today, so I hope to give it a try this weekend. Don't worry, this blog won't become completely devoted to sewing. I'm also planning on making some journals soon. Okay, just kidding -- it's not going to be just about crafting. But I do have a great journal idea brewing. And I will be telling you about it. But that will have to wait -- maybe a month or so.