This Wednesday finds me working on little things. Mainly, these thread bookmarks.  I struggled the first time I tried this Gothic Cross pattern, but persistence and faith did the trick and now it's one of my favorites! I'll be making several of these to give as gifts this holiday season.

The weather here in New England remains hot and humid. And in this weather we've been moving the library to our temporary location where we'll be living for about a year while our building is renovated.  It's a huge project on many levels, and as exciting as it is, the work is exhausting. We decided to handle the packing and moving ourselves so we could spend the money we saved buying cool things for the new library. You can check out our progress here. By the time I get home I'm not good for much. Last night I kept falling asleep while trying to finish the blue cross.  After I dropped it for the third time I decided to put it down!

I suppose that may account for my inability to choose my next YoP project. Enlisting your help was the brightest idea I've had in a while and the response has been amazing!  If you haven't had a chance to cast your vote, please click here to add your input. It only takes a moment. You just point and click! No comments required (unless of course you want too!)

As for books - as usual I have several happening simultaneously. Last week I started Knit with Love by Lisa Bogart. This little book is sweet and full of wisdom. For me it reads much like a devotional so I'm taking my time with it and giving the words a chance to simmer together to reach their full flavor.

Over the weekend I finished listening to Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. This is the third installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. As much as I'd love to offer a full review, I'm just going to say this -  I liked these books. They have a lot to say for a Young Adult series and if you haven't read them I suggest you give them a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This week I started listening to Tom Brokaw read his book Time of Our Lives. I love Tom and his voice. He could read me the phone book and I'd listen raptly. Of course this book is much deeper than that as he explores life in America and the changes time has brought us. Interesting and thought provoking.

And finally a bit of murder among the beautiful people.  I'm pages away from finishing James Patterson's Guilty Wives.  It's been a long time since I read one of his books which seem to come off of a conveyer belt these days. I know that he has many fans - I used to be one. Not so much anymore.  This book, like the last several I've read, is just to formulaic for me. I knew from the beginning how it was going to end -  unless something totally out of the blue happens in these last pages. As much as I was hoping for more, I'm not surprised. If you've never read him, go ahead and give this one a try. Otherwise, unless you're a die hard fan I'd say your not missing anything if you decide to skip this one.  Maybe next time James!

On Wednesday there's always lots going on. I like to link up with my friends on there blogs and then I spend a while checking out all the cool projects everyone is working on. The links are below. I'd love it if you joined me - this  I guarantee will be fun!

That's all for me friends! Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Work is progressing on my Juliana Mod wrap. It was slow going last week as the heat wave we were enduring made work on anything that rests in your lap unbearable.  That lead me to search for something light and cotton to work on. Washcloth patterns are plentiful on Ravelry and I popped several into my queue. I decided on this simple star pattern. It's proven a good choice and I'm certain in no time I'll have a collection going.

Keeping the washcloth mojo going, as part of my Year of Projects I'm continuing my lessons in Tunisian Crochet.  As with any type of crochet technique there are simple stitches, and complicated multilayer stitches that take lots of practice.  I'm still getting the hang of working with the extra long hook, so complicated isn't in my future - yet! Check in on Sunday for my YoP  update and I'll tell you all about it!

The fiber theme continues into the world of fiction with the latest knitting  mystery from Maggie Seffton, Cast On, Kill Off. This is the tenth installment in the series. Set in Fort Connor, Colorado, the House of Lambspun is the LYS that keeps the varied cast of characters connected.  Plans for Megan's wedding are all coming together, until her seamstress is found murdered.  Then the gang at Lambspun put down their needles to figure out who-done-it so they can get back to happily ever after. I call these books "mystery lite". They're often more about the relationships than the mystery and so far that seems to be the case here. Easy reading after a long, hot day!

Wednesday is a busy time, with lots of project updates and books to hear about. I hope you'll come along and visit my friends at these great blogs:

Thanks for stopping by! I love it when you leave me comments and let me know that you were here. I always try to pop over an see what you're working on too!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

I've been inspired by fabric this week. Today I'm finishing up a tote bag and yesterday in just a few hours I made this sweet barrette. I owe thanks to Libby (Truly Myrtle) who showed me how in her pincushion tutorial. I knew when I saw it that I'd be wearing flowers in my hair! Here's what I did:

I know that this doesn't really "go" with my flowers, but I'd like to share it with you just the same.  Only recently I discovered SoCS. A weekly prompt for five minutes of writing in the raw (like Five Minute Friday). I've been doing them both, but it feels awkward since they're only a few days apart and so similar. It turns out that I don't have to worry about it anymore because Fadra, our host has decided after two years it's time to move on and today is the last SoCS. I wish her well as I've enjoyed the Sundays we've spent together.  There is a bit of serendipity at work here because I was facing another Sunday conflict. I've decided to participate in the Ravelry Group - Come Blog-A-Long. The Second Year of Projects kicks off today, July 1 and weekly updates are posted on - you guessed it - Sunday! With SocS ending I don't have to choose where I want to do my weekly writing exercise or worry about overextending myself on Sundays!  I love it when things just fall into place like that.

So without further ado, here is my five minutes of writing on today's prompt:

What does it mean to reinvent yourself?

Recently I reinvented myself – well not entirely. I think it’s more like I found my true self and I’m letting her out.

I used to worry about fitting in, what people think, keeping up with the Jonses all that kind of stuff, and then a few years ago after some very bad things happened I decided it was time to let go and move on.

To find out who I really am and to be true to her I had to do a lot of soul searching and praying and meditating and simply letting go of all the old ways that were not working.

I started to believe in myself. I began to do things just for me. Because I wanted to and because I need to take care of myself.

I stopped trying to control everything and everybody in my life.

It has been so liberating! So freeing.

I think differently and respond differently and I’m happy. I face difficult situations with faith and optimism that I can and will get through. I enjoy my life. I appreciate little things and little events. I work on being in the moment and being happy now. There’s no reason to wait for the big long list of things to be done and then be happy when I can just do it now.

I hope you enjoy the small things that make up your day! I'll be linking up this week with the lovely Nicole and her family on the farm at Frontier Dreams: Keep Calm and Craft On. There are always lots of wonderful works to see. Why don't you join me? Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Today for Week 7 of the Holiday Stashdown Challenge we're sharing ideas for projects that can be made with one skein or less. What's the first thing that you think of? For me it's hats. There are so many patterns available that utilize every type of yarn imaginable. There are fancy hats and simple hats. Hats that keep you warm and hats that just look good. There is truly a hat for every head!

Along with hats, I think of cowls, scarves, gloves, mittens and wrist warmers.  None of these take much yarn, can be whipped up in no time, and would make an excellent gift for anyone on your gift list. Here are a few of my favorites.

Motifs are terrific for using bits and scraps. Last year I found this Snowflake Garland pattern in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Crochet Today! It's so pretty (and I'm so lazy!) that it still graces the doorway between the living room and dining room! I was also inspired to make thread snowflakes from the book 60 Crocheted Snowflakes that I borrowed from the library. (Sorry no pictures, but they're easy and beautiful and can be used to decorate your tree or add flourish to gift wrapping!)

If you've never crocheted with thread, you should go ahead and give it a try. I was nervous at first, but quickly became comfortable with it. I enjoy the variety that working doily and motif patterns offers. Plus it's travels well and is perfect in hot weather! It's also inexpensive and you can make an amazing number of items from one ball of thread! Here are a few things I've made with thread:

There are so many other projects that come to mind. Do you have a favorite? I'd love to see which pattern is your go to for hats, cowls and fingerless gloves (or anything!). When planning our holiday gifts it's so easy to get in to0 deep with projects that overwhelm us. To big or complicated they end up causing anxiety instead of pleasure.  This year I vow to be reasonable in my choices. Whatever I make, I'll do it with love, and hope that the recipient feels it!

In addition to visiting Marie, stop by Frontier Dreams and remember to Keep Calm Craft On. This is a terrific place to meet new crafters and see what beautiful projects they're working on.

That's all for today friends, until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!