Looking Ahead {St. Valentines}

{MarthaStewart.com}

The first thing I noticed when I saw the recent edition of Living was the "Valentines Crafternoon" ideas on the cover. Looking through the magazine, I was so inspired by the different shades of red and most especially the calligraphy. I'm semi-planning to purchase some red, white, and black ink the next time we go to a craft store (youtube tutorials, here I come!).

I don't usually peruse through the MS site but I'd encourage you to glance through in your spare minute, especially the Valentines ideas!

In other news, I've been reminded that one of the biggest craft fairs in

the country is making it's round to Austin!

Yes, Renegade Craft Fair will be there May 21 and 22 and the Palmer Events center

and you still have eight days to submit your application!

Anyone thinking of submitting and/or attending?

It looks like an inspiring and exhilarating experience!

Special Friends and Finds

{Part of today's finds at an estate sale}

This morning we all marched out into the crisp air and headed to a promising estate sale!

This one was pretty reasonably priced and held a variety of treasures;

there were marine uniforms from WWII as well as a collection of beer, wine, and whiskey barrels (all empty). It was interesting to think about the previous owners but I try not to think too deeply when I'm going through their belongings.

{I simply adore Tennyson's poems and

I'm so glad this collection includes so many of my favorites!}

I found a lovely, worn copy of Tennyson's poems, a 1960's coffee table book of Da Vinci, a big basket (A great deal, Aunt Amparo!), and a cute Dutch tin--not quite sure what I'll put in it but I know it will be a super cute replacement for something!

I just love it when birthday's seem to go on forever!

Yesterday some dear friends gave me this yarn as a belated birthday gift! They purposefully waited to get it when they travelled up to Montana to visit family.

This yarn was from the 2010 spring shearing batch from Serenity Sheep Farm Stay and I'm thinking that my first pair of handknit socks may come from these!

For now it will reside in my birdcage of treasured yarns, no really, I have a metal birdcage in which I keep yarn. Mostly it's filled with different yarns from Scotland, England (Both via Dad), a sweet friend, and now yarn from the happy sheep in Montana!

I realize that all yarn is local somewhere but I really like to buy yarn from local farmers in whatever area I happen to be in, kind of like buying organic at a farmer's market. It's fun to think that the sheep and people who spun the yarn don't live that far away from where you bought it, I even love the uneven way the dyes come out in the yarn; makes the end product that much more handmade.

It's one of the little things that make knitting fun and relaxing.

So, if you're ever in an local yarn shop and you happen to think of me,

go ahead and buy a few skeins :)

"I Died Last Month"

{Design*Sponge}

I know, you're super curious about the title for this post but you're just going to have
to wait for a bit while I get a few details out of the way.

Well, this past week has been full of traveling, Spanish, and paella (yummy dinner!).
I'm pleased to say that I have quite a few orders from our out of town excursions and and new yarn balls waiting in the wings. It's exciting to have so many projects on hand as it pushes me to greater heights of time management!

Do you have any special way of organizing projects? I'd love to hear how you manage your creativity, so send me an email/comment with your methods and they could be shown in a future post!

Now to the post title.

A sweet sister, Emily Rose from Simply Vintage Girl, posted her latest article entitled,

I Died Last Month

Which greatly challenged and encouraged me. I think it is important to read carefully, pray about, and ponder what she has to say, I hope you'll be challenged as well.

Here is one of my favorite bits from her post,

But that, in itself, is one of the beauties of Christ’s love.

He takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the proud and makes them humble.

He takes the clay, He molds the clay.

Happy Friday

{Remnants from a past project}

How is your Friday going?

Today has held very much studying (microeconomics--very different from studying for the Humanities exam!), thinking, writing, and planning. I'm very excited to be helping to plan a semi-surprise birthday party for a friend. Semi-surprise meaning that the Birthday Person knows there will be a party, just not the details. I'm also making a hat for the Birthday Person which will be pretty fun to have in the knitting basket!

Recently I've been enjoying the musical collaborations of

Mark O'Connor, Yo Yo Ma, and Edgar Meyer, particularly in their Appalachia Waltz album.

My new favorite is "First Impressions", I've been listening to it constantly,

along with Edith Piaf of course :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sea Glass

{Design*Sponge}

Color B is one of my favorite "I really don't know the name of it" colors. It reminds me of a day on the California beaches when I found a piece of sea glass, lost the sea glass in a move but I still have the memory. It also reminds me of a cozy little cottage by the sea in England, and a particular room in that cottage where you can smell the salt and feel the brisk air but still have the comforts of a wool sweater and cup of something.

Not quite sure where that is either but it makes for a nice thought :)

This week I am working on a lace scarf for my sweet friend Amanda, as she is temporarily moving up North (Brr!). The yarn is the same used in the hat that I made her but I am trying out a different lace pattern. It's just complicated enough to keep me from being bored but just simple enough to do while talking--perfect!

I'm also planning out an embroidery project for my sister,

check out Amanda Soule's shop banner for my inspiration! I'm afraid I can't tell you more until the unveiling at her casa (I want the final product to be a surprise).

Stay tuned!

What is keeping your work basket full these days?