New projects.

It seems that I've been writing a lot about movies lately and not so much about crafting. I go through phases, I suppose. :) I have been making some things, though, so I thought I'd take a break from the Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical reviews to share.

Besides making things, here's a glimpse of what I've been doing:

-Reading a lot.

-Totally failing on my book-buying resolution this month (due to library book sales and the cheap bookstores in town) and on my walking resolution over the last couple of months (due to the sticky, miserable Virginia heat. Have I mentioned that I'm ready for fall?).

-Feeling nostalgic while playing MarioKart with my little cousins on their Wii {I used to have a lime green N64 and I was a big Mario fan}.

-Listening to The Artist soundtrack nearly-constantly.

Last November I finished reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts and decided to start my own list of 1,000 things I'm thankful for. This year I've been trying to add three things each day. I passed the halfway mark a couple of days ago (though I think I will likely keep going even after a thousand) and finished filling up the book I was writing them in.

Perfect excuse to make a new book, right? :)



This little book was super simple. Eight pieces of paper inside, folded in half. A piece of cardboard (recycled from a USPS priority mail box, I believe) for the outside, covered with a bit of fabric from some fabric quarters that a sweet friend sent for my birthday. Lavender cardstock on the inside covers, and a few quick stitches to hold it all together. The finished book is somewhere around 3.5 x 4.5 inches.

I am a bit obsessed with knitting just now. I ordered some extremely (ridiculously) cheap bamboo needle sets from eBay that came last week, and as soon as they arrived I couldn't help but start on my next project. I know that some expert knitters might cringe at the thought of cheapo no-name needles, but I've used three of the sets so far (a straight set and two circular needles) and have been very impressed. I'm sorry, but I can't afford to spend lots of money on expensive yarn and needles! Nearly all of the yarn I own was purchased on clearance or with a coupon. :)

{When I compared two of my bigger-sized bamboo needle sets, Clover brand and the cheap ones, I honestly can't tell any difference at all. Except in the price.}

I'm working on a hat. This hat, in particular. It's surprisingly easy so far! It's basically similar to a basketweave stitch pattern (like my scarf, which ironically was knitted from this same yarn, but in a different color). I cast on extra stitches because I was afraid the original amount would be too tight for my big head. :) But I think that was unnecessary because my yarn is really stretchy.

I've knitted a bit further than I had when I took these pictures, but I haven't started the decreases yet. So we'll see how surprisingly easy I find it then. :)

And finally, I've been working on a series of embroidery pieces for the Etsy shop. This idea has been floating around in my head since the beginning of the year, and I'm excited to finally work on it! I'm even considering having the patterns available in my shop, if I can figure out how to make a presentable PDF. :) Anyway, I won't share too much until I'm further along with the project, but here's a glimpse:

Until next time,