What's in your project bag?

This week it's Tie-Dye, Pincushions and Camo (don't forget the books!)

Hi there!

I don't know if it's hot where you are, but in north central Massachusetts the mercury has blasted through the top of the thermometer and the humidity is residing consistently in the "tropical" zone.  As far as I'm concerned this weather is inappropriate for anything except exotic plants and certain members of the animal kingdom.  Humans (especially this one) not included!

At our house we have one air conditioner.  It's centrally located in the dining/living room and we gather around it in hopes of maintaining some margin of sanity.  So far so good, yet I question how long we (my family and the A/C) can hold out!

The one thing that the heat has not stopped me from doing is starting new projects.  It must be some sort of condition that I suffer from that causes me to thrive on juggling multiple tasks .  It's not just in the crochet world, but in the book world too, as I always have at least two novels and one audio book going as well as the reviews that are in the works.  It used to worry me, now I just go with it!  Eventually things get done, and those that don't must not have been that interesting anyway.

So here's a look at what's in my project bag today:

First is this fun peace sign granny square in psychedelic colors.  The pattern is available for free at Petals to Picots (a wonderful place to visit if you've never been). I'm making a thank-you gift for a young lady who volunteers at the library.   She's taking part in our summer sewing program, and has kindly offered to make a new apron for me!  She's really into tie-dye and the whole 60's thing so I thought I'd make her a hippyesque pincushion for her sewing kit.  I'm having a few design  issues, but I'm pretty sure I've got it worked out.  Fingers crossed I'll finish tonight.

Next up is another pin cushion.  I guess it's a theme with me these days.  There's something about them that I'm drawn to.  I think it's because they're practical,  they don't take long to make,  and there are so many possible designs.  I find them to be a great creative release.  So this little gem is actually a variation of a pattern from the April 2013 issue of Crochet World.  It's called the Petite Spring Hat by Patricia Ritchie.  Patricia designed hers to go on top of a small tape measure.  I didn't have one of those, but I did have this little glass jar that I'd been using to hold stray buttons.  With a few mods I made the base fit the top of the jar.  Now I'm working on the hat.  I think it's going to be lovely when it's done.

And finally, I'm still working on the camo baby cocoon for my co-worker.  You can see the coordinating hat that I made in thispost.  I was going to snap a picture for a Yarn Along post since it seems like ages since I've done one. I laid out my work in progress and book on the table for a quick shoot.  Well look who just has to get into everything and watch over me to make sure that I'm doing it right.  Yep, our kitty Princess.  She truly is the supreme ruler of her kingdom.  No matter what, she's where the action is.  Come to think of it though, in this case it just might be that she's where the air is coolest - see our hard working air conditioner behind her?

Turns out I never did get to that Yarn Along post.  I will tell you that the book, The Sisters Brothers is a quirky delight.  It's a western set in the 1800's and the main characters are outlaws.  But truly they are the most endearing hired guns you're likely to ever encounter!  Good reading if you like off-beat humor and unconventional sentence structure.

There is one more project that I've been toiling with this week - Hats. Specifically for the My Mountain project (more on that soon!) I'm working on some designs that combine my favorite granny square and doily components with traditional cloche styles.  I finished one that's good, just not perfect - yet... but don't you worry, I'll be sure to show you what I come up with!

So that's what's in my project bag today.  How about you?  What do you like to work on when the temperature hits broil? I'd love to hear how you stay cool.  I was also wondering how many of you work on multiple projects simultaneously.  And if you do, what's your secret for getting them finished?!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Even though it's Thursday, I'll be linking up with some of my favorite Wednesday blogs!  Scroll down the sidebar to see who I'll be visiting with.
Until next time friends,
Stay cool, be blessed and stitch & read with love!