Yarn Along

I just started working on my striped area rug, so there really isn't much of that to post. I came across this adorable pattern for a kiwi potholder on the Garnstudio website, so I decided to give it a try. It really turned out cute!

I was hoping I would use up some of my Sugar 'n Cream skeins, but I still have quite a bit left over. I guess I'll just have to make a few more. :)

I've started a new writing book, Writing Active Settings by Mary Buckham. This is book 1 in a three book series about writing settings. I downloaded it to my Kindle for just $2.99! It is really interesting. I am looking forward to ordering the other two books, as well.

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Yarn Along

I have so many DIY and handmade projects to do this year that I figured I'd better get a jump on some of them. If you saw my living room style board post yesterday, you know that I am crocheting my own area rug. This is a HUGE task, but I think I am up for the challenge.

Instead of doing a chevron rug, since my throw is grey and white chevron, I have decided to make yellow and white stripes. I found this rug somewhere on Pinterest and am using it as my inspiration.

The good news is I have a ton of yellow/mustard/gold yarn that I got several years ago from a family friend. 

I am so glad I can destash some of it. Yes, I have more than in this picture!

The white is actually more of a snow white than a bright white. Since I have a canvas couch, I thought the bright white would be too white.

I did a swatch last night to see how I liked the stripes.

At the time I did, but now I think I'm going to make the gold stripes a little larger and the white stripe smaller. I'm thinking 10-12 rows of yellow to 6 rows of white. Or maybe 8 rows of each. I'm still not sure, so I'll be doing another swatch tonight to see which works better.

As far as my reading, I picked up Writing the Fiction Series book at B&N. I've decided to make my book into a series, so I thought this book would really help me. While it offered some useful advice, it really wasn't that great. I am glad I used my B&N gift card on it and didn't waste my money.

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Yarn Along

I am slowly but surely getting my craft juices flowing again. I am doing well with smaller projects, so I think I'll stick with them, for now. 

This little piggy is going to my cousin's new baby girl in Pittsburgh. Isn't she cute?! Once I add the tie to the top, it will be transformed into a bib and all ready to go!

I used the free piggy bib pattern from the Lion Brand Yarn website. I switched up the pattern a little and went with circular ears instead of pointy ones. I also decided to give her sleepy eyes and embroidered eyelashes, which instantly turned her into a girl pig.

It was a really simple pattern, which turned out super cute! I might have to make another one to use up the rest of my pink yarn.

I am currently reading Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. I have had this book checked out from the library almost all winter. I don't know why, but I have been dragging my feet with reading it, until yesterday when I was notified that Cress, Book 3 of the series is ready for me to pick up. I've got to get Scarlet read before I can start Cress, and with 68 people on the waiting list at the library I can't take too long.

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Yarn Along

It has been a wild few weeks here in the South. We've had snow, wind, and ice! You'd think with me being stuck in my house for days I would have gotten a bunch of crocheting done. Nope! I am really struggling with getting my crafty mojo back. I just haven't been in the mood to craft lately. I am hoping spring will bring some life back into my craft projects.

I did whip up a little crocheted cookie. I used the super cute amigurumi cookie pattern from amigurumifood.blogspot.com. Super simple pattern and really cute. I love making play food!

I really haven't been reading too much either, except for cookbooks and reference books. Not too exciting, but very useful.

On January 1 of this year, I decided (along with the advice from my doctor) to start a clean eating diet. I use the term "diet" even though it is more of a healthy eating lifestyle change. The Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker cookbook is the first clean eating cookbook I got, or actually won. It has really been a lifesaver for me. I really do not enjoy cooking, so being able to throw a few ingredients into a crockpot and letting it do the work is awesome!

I have been on the "diet" now for almost 2 months. I have learned plenty of things to do and things not to do, but I am still learning. I've had a lot of my friends ask me about clean eating. So, I thought I would post a little about what clean eating is all about, what is working for me and what is not, and some recipes that I have tried. I'm going to designate Mondays as "Clean Eating Mondays". I usually only cook on the weekends, so Mondays will be perfect to let you know what I cooked over the weekend and how it turned out. This Monday's post will explain clean eating and offer up a really quick and yummy recipe.

I have been using a lot of the recipes from the above book, so while I will tell you what I cooked I will not be able to give the entire recipe. If you are interested in clean eating and crockpot cooking, I definitely recommend picking up this book. It is really great!

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Yarn Along

I finished the first of many destashing projects for 2014. I had originally bought 5 skeins of Hometown USA yarn in Billings Brown to make a floor pouf, but ended up buying one instead. Now I have all of this leftover yarn and I have no idea what to do with it. Usually, when I have no idea what to make I crochet a scarf. So, that is what I did.

I actually made my first infinity scarf. I am really not great at crocheting in the round, so I crocheted one big, long strip and then whipstitched the ends together. It really turned out pretty nice, and it is super warm!

Unfortunately, I still have a little of the yarn left, so I can't add it to my destashing challenge. I need to find a small project to finish up the yarn, like a flower. 

I am still reading Coriolanus, although I am pretty close to the end. I got sidetracked watching The Hollow Crown, which was really, really good! Hopefully I can finish it this weekend. I have another book I want to start next week. 

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Yarn Along

Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

One of my goals in 2014 is to get back to reading the classics. I decided to get a jump on it a few weeks early, and who better to start with than William Shakespeare. 

I had read plenty of Shakespeare in college, but had never heard of this play until I read that Tom Hiddleston is starring as the lead in the London production. I was curious to see what it was about, so I headed to my local library and checked out The Pelican Shakespeare edition. I am enjoying it, so far, as it reminds me a lot of Julius Caesar, but I keep getting a little confused with some of the characters. This edition makes it easy to switch back and forth from the text to the cast of characters, which is really helpful. 

I am glad I started reading it now, so it will get me prepared for the National Theatre Live broadcast of Coriolanus. I treated myself to an early Christmas present by buying a ticket to the closest show. Many local theatres are simulcasting the live performance from London early next year. I think it is wonderful that those of us who are not local will now get the opportunity to see the performance. I was also happy to see the another live broadcast last week. While I wasn't fond of the choices for the lead characters in The Sound of Music, I really enjoyed the premise of a live musical. I hope this is the start of many more live Broadway and theatre shows on TV and in local venues!

I'm really excited and can't wait to start the new year off with a little Shakespeare and Tom Hiddleston. :) If you are interested in seeing if your local theatre is broadcasting the performance, click here.  

As far as crafting goes, it has been a quiet few months. I lost my crafting mojo for awhile, but it is slowly coming back. I figured it be best to start off with a few small projects, so I whipped up this little crocheted bow brooch.

It was a super simple project that took me about a half an hour to complete. I used Craftiness is not Optional's free pattern, Sugar 'n Cream yarn in country yellow, a little DMC thread, and a pin back.

It is going to make a very nice Christmas gift for somebody's winter coat. :)

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Crocheting and Reading - Leaf scarf

Crocheting:

Working on some new items for my Etsy shop, including some leaf scarves. Below is the beginning of a really fun Halloween inspired one.

I'll also be making a scarf with fall leaves and, hopefully, a holly one for Christmas. The Halloween and fall leaves scarves should be in the shop early next week, along with some Halloween play food, like my Halloween felt doughnuts.

I love Halloween!

Reading:

Getting pumped for NaNoWriMo in November. In between crafting and decorating the house for fall, I am preparing for the ginormous writing challenge that is NaNoWriMo. I really need to get my characters set, my setting in mind, and my plot outlined, so I have started reading First Draft in 30 Days. I've really only got the month of October to prepare, so I'd better get cracking. Once November 1 comes, the writing begins!

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Crocheting and Reading

Crocheting:

I've been working on some new scarf designs for my Etsy shop. So far, I have designed four scarves and four lariats. They are all going to be very different and pretty fun!

This is the first design. It doesn't really look like much now, but once I get my felt numbers sewn on it should be pretty cute. 

Any clue as to what it is going to be? Hint: It will be in the shop by the beginning of September. :)

Reading:

I'm going old school this week with Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None. I haven't read an Agatha Christie book in years, but I saw this at the library and thought it would be fun to read it again.

I was also doing some research over the weekend regarding various types of mystery books. I've been trying to narrow down the sub-genre on my book. After reading several books and websites, I realized that the first book in my YA mystery trilogy is a lot like an Agatha Christie book. It is part cozy, part amateur sleuth, part whodunit, and part locked room mystery. So, what better way to understand the sub-genres better than to read the "Queen of Mystery"!

I'm hoping reading this particular book will help me "knock off" my sub-genres down to only one. :)

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Crocheting & Reading - Cherry Potholder

Thanks to all of my new followers and those of you who wandered over to my blog via the Crochet Camp, Where Bloggers Create, Hookin' on Hump Day, and the Yarn Along.

Welcome!!!

Crocheting:

I haven't joined the yarn along for several weeks due to my lack of oomph. I have been feeling pretty run down and not really inspired or crafty lately, that was until I saw the first pattern for the Crochet Camp. I just had to make a pretty crocheted cherry potholder for myself.

I really like the way it turned out, especially the colors, but I wish I had made the cherries a little cockeyed. They look too much like the wheels on a bike to me. Other than that, I am super pleased with how it turned out. It will look nice in my kitchen, if it ever gets fixed!

Reading:

Even though I haven't been crafting much, I have been spending the last few weeks finalizing my handmade Christmas list. With this kitchen mess looming over my head, I have decided that I won't be buying too many presents this Christmas. So, I will have to make my handmade gifts really count.

I picked up One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet at the library a few weeks ago. In it, I found the cutest little project for all of the ladies on my list. Sorry girls, this one won't be knit. I still haven't quite figured out the whole knitting process yet, but it will be a pretty cute crocheted item.

Not only is it super cute, but it looks pretty simple too. I'm hoping to whip up several in no time and then move on to my more complicated presents. :)

Linking to Yarn Along and Hookin' on Hump Day.

 

In other news, I made a gigantic boo boo with my last crochet project, my granny square afghan. I put the one square I had completed away for several weeks, and when I picked it back up to make more squares I used the wrong hook. What a mess!

I'll be sharing that debacle with you next week. In the meantime, check back tomorrow Friday for a fun and super simple tutorial to ensure you won't make a similar mistake!

Crocheting and Reading

Crocheting:

I have several crochet projects in the works, including my bobble blanket, granny square throw, and  alpaca yarn pillow. I hate to have so many WIPs at the same time. It makes me feel nothing is being accomplished. But, I did finally finish one project I've been meaning to complete.

Remember my little bobble bow? Well, I finally figured out what to do with it. I added it to my new rosebud pillow. I was originally going to stitch it directly onto the fabric, but decided it would be easier to make it into a pin. This way, if I want to remove it for any reason I can. I think it looks cute!

Reading:

I picked up a few YA books at the library book fair last month. I stacked them up against the wall and basically forgot about them, but while spring cleaning and organizing last weekend I found them again. The one I am most intrigued to read is Mob Princess by Todd Strasser.

I am a huge fan of anything mafia. I know it isn't the greatest topic to be interested in, but I find it really fascinating. I am particularly interested to see how the author incorporates the mob into a YA book. I've been toying with the idea of adding a mob enforcer/hit man to my YA book, so we'll see if one is included in this book and how he is handled.

I believe there are only three books in the series. I picked up the first and third at the book fair and am now on the hunt for #2. With less than 200 pages, I should have this book read in no time. Can't wait!

Linking to Yarn Along & Hookin on Hump Day.

Crocheting & Reading

Crocheting:

I spent my Memorial Day weekend cleaning and crafting. Unfortunately, my organizing was pushed aside, so I'll be posting more of my 14 day organization challenge as I complete each task.

I did get around to doing one of the craft projects that has been on my todo list since the winter. I've been wanting to revamp my living room with some softer and more feminine colors. My inspiration is English cottage and Cath Kidston. I've been living with a Pottery Barn type look for awhile and I think it is time for a change.

The first project was to recover my pillows. I have been stockpiling fabric as I find it, especially when it is on sale. This past weekend I hit the jackpot at Joann Fabric with an extra 50% off of their sale fabric. I got a really pretty pink and rose fabric for $1.50 a yard! The lady at the cutting counter said it looked very vintage. I told her that is exactly what I wanted.

Before

After

I really like the way the new pillows look. Plus, it lightens up the room so much. It helps that I took the leopard throw and pet hair cover off of the couch too.

Daphne was my helper while I stitched all four of my pillows (the fifth is going to be cross stitched). She didn't leave my side the entire time. It is funny how the girls never slept on the couch when the cover was on, but now that it is gone they are never off of the couch. Go figure! Oh well. That is what lint rollers are for.

At least she tried to stay awake to help me. :)

When I got all of my pillows done I started to think about my recliner. I am still working on my bobble throw, but I am now thinking I'll use that on my recliner instead of the couch. I need some sort of throw for my couch too, so I went through my yarn and found some bluish-green that matched my checkered pillow perfectly. I added some white and pink and made my first granny square. I guess I'll have a granny throw for my couch after another 30+ more squares! 

I also found some really soft alpaca yarn, on sale of course, at Joann. They only had one skein left, so I decided to make a small pillow for either my couch or chair. I don't think I'm going to have enough on this skein to make both sides of the pillow pink, so I'm thinking of maybe a pink side and a white side. We'll see. 

Reading:

I know I just said I was moving away from the Pottery Barn look, but they do offer some great home ideas. I was surprised when I found a couple of Pottery Barn decorating books at the library. I didn't even know Pottery Barn had their own books. I checked out the living room, outdoor spaces, and storage & display books. The bedroom book was already checked out, but I should be getting it in the next few weeks.

They are all pretty nice, with a lot of pictures and ideas to decorate, design, and organize your home. They also have layouts of different shaped rooms. I really like that since my living room is such an odd shape. Unfortunately, they didn't include a shape like mine, but I still got some layout ideas that I hope to try out in the next couple of weeks!

Linking to Yarn Along.

Crocheting and Reading

Crocheting:

I finally finished my bobble glasses case. The original pattern was for a sunglasses case, but I wanted to make one for my regular glasses. My glasses are super thin, so I made the case significantly smaller than the pattern. 

My glasses fit perfectly in the case, but every time I look at it I think of a cigar case. Maybe it is the ribbing from the bobbles. Still, it makes me laugh. I also used my neon yellow and neon pink yarn, but still have a ton left on the skein. What to make next?

I'm happy to say that I am a pro at the bobble stitch now. I picked it up so quickly that I have decided to move onto a really large, bobble project. 

photo credit

The Nearsighted Owl has a super cute pattern for a bobble stitch blanket. This is my next project! I am planning on using pastel colors and use it as a throw on my couch. I hope to have several rows to show next week. :)

Reading:

I'm finally onto Book #2 of the Lunar Chronicles. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, is the second book in a four book series, and this time focuses on Little Red Riding Hood. I LOVED Book #1, Cinder, so I am really excited to read this one. If it is as good as Cinder, I should have it read in a few days!

Linking to Yarn Along & Hookin on Hump Day.

Crocheting and Reading

Crocheting:

I've been working on stocking up my online shop for the summer. I've got a lot of ideas floating around in my head, including some flowery items. These little rings are super cute and very feminine. I made several in spring colors using cotton yarn and an adjustable ring base. 

I think I might make a pink one for myself too. :)

Reading:

I'm taking this spring to revamp my house. I don't have a lot of money, so I am just going to change the color scheme and move some furniture around.

I have been checking out some design books from the local library. Most of the books are designed for modern homes, which is not my favorite look. I like cottage and shabby chic, so a lot of the books have gone right back to the library. But, I have found a few that I've liked.

Best Little Houses is a nice book for those of us who have a smaller house. My house isn't too small, but it is a weird shape. My living room is very long, with the fireplace positioned in a strange way. Of all of my furniture, the couch is the hardest to place. I was happy to see in this book different room layouts and ways other homeowners placed their furniture, including their couches. It gave me some new ideas!

**And, don't forget to enter my giveaway for a set of felt heart-shaped cookies. They are perfect for a little girl's tea party!**

Linking to Yarn Along & Hookin on Hump Day.

Crocheting & Reading

Crocheting:

I finally learned how to crochet the bobble stitch. I don't know why I was scared to try, because it really is simple, as long as you know how to make a double crochet (dc) stitch. It is a little time consuming, though, since you are making 5 dc stitches for every bobble. But, it really is a fun stitch and looks really nice when finished. 

This little bobble project is the sunglasses case that I posted about last week. And, this is my neon yellow yarn, though you can't really tell how bright it is in this picture. Trust me, this yarn is bright! 

I'll be bobbling all weekend, so look for my neon case next week!

Reading:

I've been crocheting now for about 8 years, so I really felt odd checking out a learning to crochet book from the library, though I don't know why. Teach Yourself Visually Crochet is a fantastic book for both the beginner and even the advanced crocheter.

I'm a visual learner. I need to see exactly where to put the hook and how to wrap the yarn. This book is perfect! I learned the bobble stitch the first time I tried, and that never happens. I'll definitely be adding this book to my arts & crafts bookshelf. :)

If you have been wanting to learn to crochet, or have been struggling with the how to give this book a try. It worked for me!

Linking to Yarn Along.

Crocheting and Reading

Crocheting:

I am starting to think about Christmas presents, so I have a lot of crochet projects on my mind. I figure I better get anything I am making for myself done soon. So, I am back to working on my doily afghan. I finally finished my first square, but I am not sure I like the size. The original pattern showed the doily just fitting on the square, but mine is quite a bit bigger.

I've just started the second square, so if I am going to frog it I'm going to have to do it soon. After thinking long and hard about it, I think I would really like it smaller. And, as much as I hate to start it over I think I'm going to frog it and make it the size I want. :(

Reading:

A few weeks ago I stocked up on some Christian fiction. I have been having a difficult time finding Christian mysteries, so I was thrilled when I came across this book, Rest in Peace by Frances Devine. I'm only about 2 chapters in, but I'm enjoying it, so far.

Since I am currently writing a Christian mystery, I am really paying attention to the way the murder is handled. I notice it is a lot like in a cozy mystery. I also realized this is part of a series of Christian mysteries, Hometown Mysteries. I am going to have to check out the other books in the series.

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In other news, I just finished a blog makeover. What do you think? I liked the other design a lot, but some of the links weren't working anymore. Some of the links are still not working, but I'm hoping to have everything up and running by the weekend. I tried to locate my blog designer, but she has fallen off the face of the Earth. So, I decided to redo it myself. I really do like the brighter colors (a little like Cath Kidston) and the one sidebar layout instead of two.

I'm also working on posting on a more regular basis. I miss crafting and blogging about my crafts, so I'll be changing that in the coming weeks. I'll also be taking part in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day.

I still haven't decided what I will be giving away, but it will most likely be some sort of play food item.  I also have a fun new series I am working on. I'll be posting about it early next month. Lots going on around here, and I'm really excited about it! :)

Linking to Yarn Along.