Starting a New Project...

... is a bit like falling in love!

Is this the real thing or will I end up with a broken heart?

This weekend I started a new project.  The Marlo Coat (MC).  And I realized it's a bit like falling in love - or at least like having a crush.  Let me explain.  It started when I got the the Sept/Oct issue of Crochet! Today magazine.  Flipping through I spotted MC.  I was drawn to the neckline and the simplicity of the pattern. But I was already committed to Juliana and Eleanor so I pushed it to the back of my mind. Every once in a while I'd pick up the magazine.  I took my measurements to determine my size and figured out if I would have enough yarn (I did)! I imagined what I would look like wearing my new sweater this winter (wonderful of course!).  Then I finished Juliana!  I was free to start something new!  Eleanor wouldn't mind.  She's my traveling project and get's to go new places all the time. I was so excited.  I rushed to my pattern and grabbed my stash of yarn.  Introductions were made by way of swatching.  I knew that I needed to find the right hook size and make sure I liked working the pattern before I made a real commitment.  After an evening with 3 different hooks I finally found the perfect size.  To my delight the pattern was easy to commit to memory and produced an fantastic looking fabric! I knew that it was meant to be and I set to work on the back panel that very evening.  Now MC is all I can think about!  I spend every free moment working those stitches and watching it grow!  It's only been a few days, and just like the beginning of any new love I'm giddy and talk to everyone about MC.  I plan for when I can get away and we can be together.  I know that things are moving quickly, and I really should be careful - but I can't help myself! So for right now I'm just going to bask in the happy feelings and keep my fingers crossed that it's the real thing and MC doesn't let me down!!

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Things Left in Books

Working at the library I meet a lot of different and interesting people.  I have regulars who I see often and can easily recommend a book to, and occasional visitors whose interest are as varied as the choices of yarn available on line.  The books that we choose to read are personal.  And during the time that you posses a book from the library it becomes a part of you.  For that reason, people have a tendency to use items that are closely related to whatever is going on in their life as bookmarks.  Often, these items are forgotten and returned when the book is finished. That's why we have an special spot for "Things Left in Books" at our library! 

You would think that folks would be more careful, but they're not! Most of the things that we come across are fairly mundane - a receipt from the grocery store, an appointment or business card and of course regular old book marks.  But there are lots of pictures too.  And birthday and anniversary cards.  We've found bills for auto insurance and copies of pay stubs.  But the most interesting are the letters.  People don't write letters often anymore, but over time we've seen some surprising stuff! Recently I came across a letter dated 1982 from friends who hadn't seen each other in some time. There was the usual reminiscing, but the line that caught me off guard was this one, "Have you told your fiance that you are a witch yet?" Wow!

Anyone who deals with books, from librarians to used book sellers, is likely to come across some crazy things. That's what prompted Michael Popek to write Forgotten Bookmarks - A Bookseller's Collection of Odd Things Lost Between the Pages.  In this charming little book, Popek shares his favorites from 30 years in the book business.  There are heartwarming love poems, recipes and advertisements (to name a few). Some are modern, most are antique and they're all fun to look at!  My favorite? A handmade invitation to a sorority Halloween dance from 1910 where they invitees are warned to "be prepared to meet your doom!" They're required to dress precisely according to 7 points including "have your hair curled in 12 curls" and "wear your 'jeweled' dog collar"!! Also they must be prepared to sing "Oh Where Oh Where has my Little Dog Gone?"  A final warning of "woe betide you if even one point is neglected!" and the skull and cross bones atop the page promise an evening of blood curdling terror!

Popek's book is a great peak inside the forgotten private lives of readers, and his blog offers a look at his latest discoveries.  Perhaps because of my own experiences I find it more interesting than others might, but it's charming none the less.  Click over for a look, and don't forget to check your books before you bring them back to the library!

Today I'll be linking up with the wonderful blogs.  There are always so many interesting things to learn about and be inspired by.  I'm sure you'll find something you just have to try!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!