Oops

I accidentally managed to delete some bit in my template (I think the mouse moved and then I typed and a large portion disappeared), so I decided that rather than trying to resurrect it, I'd just choose a new template and hopefully manage to put all the links and stuff back in (I didn't delete them at least!).

So now I've got a new template. I think it's quite pretty, although I can't seem to get the posts drop down menu to appear, but I'll have to leave that for another day, because I've got work to do, and I've procrastinated enough already today.

Mmmmm wists

I've got in on the craze and set up my own wists list.

http://www.wists.com/starberrii

It's amazing once you start thinking about it, how many things I would love. I'm generally a pain to buy gifts for because when asked, I generally say "I dunno", but now I have a solution! There are a few things on there I'm planning to buy or make, but then there are also beautiful creations by other crafters which I know I'd never be able to duplicate, so they'll have to remain dreams.

Crochet Hook Case Design

I thought I might include a few things I've sketched that I would like to make - if I had a sewing machine or knew how to use it! I am debating buying a sewing machine but it's a big investment because I'm not that sure I can use it. Plus at the moment I don't really have anywhere to put it...so at the moment I'm not going to buy a sewing machine.

Anyway, back to this. It's basically what I would like in a crochet hook case, hopefully it'll inspire someone else, plus I'm sure I'll lose the bit of paper I drew it on, so it's a nice record for me if the whole sewing machine thing ever eventuates!


Crochet hook case design 

New craft goodies

I went shopping on the weekend, lots of fun! Anyway, K-Mart was having a sale on yarn so I bought some alpaca wool, and I'm going to try a felted/fulled project which should be fun. Although I don't really have access to a top loading washing machine other than one which is used for dog blankets, and some of them are pretty gross, so once I make something with it (eventually) I might try hand felting/fulling it. The other wool I'm thinking about making leg warmers with. I just love the warmth of the colours. It's so yummy.


Crafting goodies 

While I was out shopping, there was one of those discounty stores closing down so I got some cheap beads and stuff. No plans for these currently, I'm sure something will inspire me though!

Afghan progress

The last week at work has been absolutely frantic. I think I worked 14 hours on Monday and ended up spending the rest of the week trying to stay awake, so I've had an excuse for being lazy this week.

Other than that I went in the RSPCA Million Paws walk today. Because I don't have a dog in Adelaide I borrowed one, and she was, lets just say enthusiastic! It was a fun morning though, and for a good cause, but I should sleep well tonight!


Nearly there 

I think I've got most of the afghan sewn together now. I just need the white/dark blue border at the top and bottom, and the mid blue around the edge and then the pattern calls for a border just to finish it off, so not long to go. It actually looks like a blanket now, rather than just fragments, and I've included a CD for size comparison.

Afghan progress

I'm getting on with stitching the afghan together, although I must admit that it's a little hard to get motivated on it now. I guess I enjoy the crocheting more than the sewing.


Afghan progress 

Here's a strip of it to give you a bit of an idea of how it looks. I'm putting it together more in blocks that lines so I can see how it's going to look a bit more. I think I've probably done about half and hopefully I'll be done soon.

It's getting a bit cold here so I'm vaguely thinking of making myself a blanket once this is done but I'll do one that doesn't need as much putting together...or weaving in ends.

Self Portrait Friday

I thought I'd start off with little self-portraits, give you a few pieces of the puzzle before the whole thing. So how about 'the window to the soul', the eyes?

I reckon I've got pretty cool eyes. They're green, but the colour changes to match other greens. The other day I had a random guy at a petrol station comment on my eyes, which I was pretty chuffed about.

As well as the colour my eyes work well too. I don't have glasses and I can focus pretty close up and read little writing at a reasonably distance. Going through uni, where at a guess I'd say 70% people in my year had glasses or contacts, I think I'm doing pretty well. Hopefully I'll be able to maintain good eyesite for quite a while. My dad is really lucky. He has the old age degeneration except his eyes are going in opposite directions with one eye getting long sighted, and the other short sighted, so his brain is compensating and he shouldn't need glasses.


Self portrait Friday 

Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to get a nice focused picture of your eyes, but hopefully you can see the colour.

Books

Because I've been tired and haven't got my camera out for a bit, I thought I'd talk about something I love apart from crafts, books.

I'm a voracious reader, and start to go a little bit nutty if I don't have a good book to read. My favourite genre is fantasy, I find I can really lose myself in a well created world. I've actually banned myself from reading in the morning before work because I then spend the whole day wondering what happens next.

So because of my love of books, and reading, I've been journaling all the books I've read this year at bibliophil.org. It's really good, you can see who else has read the same book and what they rated it. Plus there is a wish list feature, although I haven't spent much time on that. There have been a few books I've read that the site couldn't find, but overall it's pretty good. So if you'd like to see what I've read this year (and a few more) click here.





Another booky thing is BookCrossing. It's pretty cool. You register books, and then give them away. I've left a few in shopping centers, on trains, stuff like that but I've only had one that's been found and journalled, but hopefully there will be more. I was lucky enough to get a whole box of books from another BookCrosser soon after I moved to Adelaide so that's kept me from going too insane but I'm about due to release some more. I've given a few straight to friends, but no one has journalled anything on the website, but hopefully I'll get some finds. The one 'catch' I got was very exciting.



My bookshelf is here