KNIreading

I've been KNIreading.  What's that?  Well, it's a word I made up for what I do when I don't want to be reading.  To KNIread I take half of my concentration that I should be using in my reading, and apply it to some simple knitting that I'm doing at the same time.

Don't tell any of my professors or TAs!

(By the way, this word is pronounced with the K sound, because it's better that way, and I can make the decision since I made the word up)

(In case you were curious, the picture is of the largest retirement village in the US.  I was reading about ideas of community...at least I think that was what it was about...I was definitely doing a seed stitch though, I know that!)

Powder Blue and Plum

New treasury, inspired by a new listing, Carolina Skies:

 

I took the color and mod feel of this necklace for a new treasury, and added a little plum!

 

 creaturefeature             aBreathofFrenchair      3squares 

   strawberrypaintbrush    beckaboo                    impurevessels 

     HAREandDRUM        seventyseventyone       orangetwist 

       thescrapbookqueen      theleahsaur                  solsticejewelry

click the picture to check out the treasury, for as long as it lasts

New sandpaper!

The last couple of days have been kind of, well, crappy, if you'll excuse my use of a kind of crass word.  That made me all the more excited to recieve some nice sandpaper that I ordered.  Sandpaper, exciting?  Well to me it is!

I wanted to buy some sandpaper that would last a little longer than the kind you buy at Lowes, and I also wanted a nice variety pack.  So, I went to a wood working site called woodcraft.  I wasn't positive about its applicability to polymer clay.  Here's the sandpaper, and what happened when I used it:

It was a little pricier than I would have liked.  But I say that it's for a greater good; succeeding at my New Year's resolution to finish what I start.  I have control over that aspect of my life at least.

...and sandpaper is all about finishing!

Inspiration Wire

For Valentine's Day my wonderful and supportive boyfriend (I just found out he actually reads this stuff :P) bought me Handmade marketplace by Kari Chapin.  In many ways my friends and family support this craft habit more than I do, and they are amazing for it.  Anyway, Chapin suggests making an "inspiration wire," which can be a ribbon or wire or piece of string.  You hang it on your wall in your work space, or wherever and hang pictures, text, anything inspirational off of it using paperclips or clothespins.  I thought this was a beautiful idea, and is officially my next project.  Thanks Mitchell, it's a great book!

New Year's Resolution

My New Year's Resolution was to finish things I start.  Why am I mentioning that now?  Well, the truth is that I have not been immensely successful with it.  My intention for my resolution was for "finish what I start" to get me from creative idea, to creation, to finishing, to photos, to posting.  That's a lot of steps with a lot of ways to get sidetracked.  So, here's my sole piece of organization in my room (I promise the rest of it is a ridiculously embarrassing wreck, that's why you will not see it here) that is meant to help.

 

What was your new year's resolution?

and more importantly, how's it going?

Come by and brag about your accomplishments, or get a little sympathy!

Submission Accepted

Another craftgawker submission accepted!  Overall 3 accepted, and 9 denied.  I guess that persistence does pay off! craftgawker

Picture is linked to etsy post

Valentine's Day

So I have to admit that despite myself I was pretty excited about Valentine's Day.  I hate that I started liking it once I was in a relationship!  Anyway, we went out to dinner, but my beloved is sick, so we're going to have to finish our celebration on another day.

During our short Valentine's Day Mitchell kept opening my door, and pulling out my chair, and paying for dinner even though it was my turn.  Therefore, I proposed that I would have to make a new holiday where I treat him.

In Japan there's a holiday on March 14th called white day, where men reciprocate the gifts women give them on Valentine's day.  I've decided that I'm going to have a holiday that's the reverse of that.

Also, restaurants will be a lot less crowded and there won't be so much pink everywhere which will be very nice!

Chocolates--gone at 8:30 AM on Feb 15, excellent despite their transience

Rosy Fingered Dawn

So I stayed up kind of late last night, and woke up before "rosy fingered dawn" approached to finish my paper, only to find out that my first class is canceled!  I'm already awake, so I figured that I'd use this little bit of stolen time to post my additions to my Dusky Glow treasury. 

I'm calling this mini treasury Rosy Fingered Dawn.  My boyfriend loves classics and has told me (maybe a couple of times :P) about how this is a common phrase in Homer.  It is a lovely image, if I'd thought of it, I certainly would have used it more than once too!

 

1. greenislandstudios 
2. pdlugos  
3. calloohcallay  
4. MountainMist 

 

Dusky Glow

To represent the mystery and romance of that time between night and day.  Victorian style:

 

 click the image to see the treasury and see more from these lovely artists (and please do)

To come soon, a few additions to this showcase in a rosier shade, but right now I have to write an essay about Victorian marriage :(

Always more treasures!

When it comes to treasuries Rachel (the other sister in the ajoeynamedroo team) and I seem to always be on the same page.

The same page in that every time I'm ready with a treasury, she snatches it up!  One time I was literally about to type my treasury's title and it suddenly disappeared.

How can I be angry though when what appears is always interesting and unexpected.  Here's the newest combo from the creative mind of Rachel:

To the Circus! (suck it winter)

Click the image to find out more and comment... please.  Stay tuned for my treasury, which will hopefully appear soon!

Amethyst Sunset...Sky on Fire

Rachel (the other sister in the ajoeynamedroo team) made this lovely treasury that was inspired by some homespun, hand-dyed local yarn that she bought.  Here's the cowl that I made from it (the picture is linked to the listing on etsy)

And here is the gorgeous treasury, click the picture to check it out

What we do

 

I've been collecting quotes on etsy, and this card made by localwisdomcards  seemed perfect for the beginning of the work week.  When I get really busy and stressed I find it's easy to forget that what really matters in life are people. 

I think that in every interaction I both give a little of who I am, and shape who I am becoming.  That's what I take the second part of the quote "we make a life by what we give" to mean in my life,

I just wanted to mention that Winston Churchill made a living by leading a nation at war, which seems like a little more than "what we do!"  It's funny for a man with such an important job would make a statement such as this.