Song-a-Day May: the ocho

Today is going to be even busier than yesterday, so we're getting Song-a-Day done early.

Schmitty would like to officially apologize to the internets for, as he puts it, "my terrible triplets."

Tomorrow stands to be slightly less overwhelming, at least during the day. And I think we're only triple booked for the evening!

(As an aside, I think Schmitty and I lack the vocal commitment we'd need in order to play punk songs. I'm not so good at yelling.)

New Year

I had a fantastic day yesterday, getting a tour of some of the better, more interesting and downright perplexing craft supply shops around Portland. I didn't get to have my own yarn spun at Yarnia but I did find some amazing insane old craft magazines at Knittn Kitten (expect vegetable bouquets to appear here in the near future), and some Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric at the Fabric Depot .

That's going to be my kitchen curtains. Seriously, it will be awesome.

But the most inspiring spot was Twisted. I invite all of you to visit me and we'll go there. There are couches, and tea, and wonderful people and they only have one (1!) yarn that has acrylic in it. I couldn't find it. They have patterns all over, books, you can sign up for lessons... and some sock yarn so stunning it made me want to conquer my fear of double pointed needles.

In between my new printer/scanner, my new camera, and the existence of Twisted, I am excited for what I can do this year. But here's the thing. I'm not going to assign myself anything. I'm not going to say now what I will and will not do this year. The only promise I'm going to try and keep is that I will finish the projects I start, in some form or fashion.

I have some old (1902) issues of Good Housekeeping magazine. So many articles and ads on how to keep busy with fabric and paint, home decorating and food. How lucky we are that these things we call "crafts" can be our comfort and solace, inspiration and meditation as they have been for generations before. I wonder if it isn't so much the finished project, but the work itself that is important. After all, how often is it that we keep the work for ourselves? But the time we spend in creation, that is ours, and ours alone.

Save some time for yourself everybody, and fill it with what you love. Happy New Year!

There are crazy people on the internet and they could be me

I guess I am feeling like I have too much free time or something equally deluded because I am actually thinking about this thingaday thing.

Yeah, the idea is that every single day in the month of February you make something new, any medium you want. They have a big ol' blog where everyone who signs up can participate.

See, this is where the craft thing gets me in trouble - eyes much bigger than my clock. :)

Why are granny squares so hard? There is something I am missing...

It's January, so free time is once again in my life. In case you couldn't tell...

Hey, I made magritte for my feet and it cost me less than ten bucks. (Hey if all those craftster folks can do starry night fake vans, i can do my nod to surrealism. I just wish I could use paint like everybody else.)

More projects I'm contemplating:
1. I want to make a blanket of some undecided 8-bit character out of granny squares. which means I will unravel the mystery that is the granny square. May take a while...
2. Collage some shoes! I have no idea why I want to do this. But I really do. What drives women to collage?
3. I got an amiguriumi book for Christmas, and I must make the duck. The duck is required.
4. Surly Carrot Cake!

That should keep me busy, especially the blanket. And since I tend to totally fade out interest wise in big projects, if I can finish it, go me!

what is this thing called free time?

I am very impressed by those who are committed to all handmade gifts this season.

Obviously none of them work for catering companies.