This week I joined a CAL over at the Crochet Shoulder Wrappers on Ravelry. What a terrific group this is!  I just couldn't resist the Sweet Eleanore Scarf that is on tap for August. You may recognize the yarn I'm using. It's from the stash and it was going to be socks. Since that never happened, I decided to use it for this funky little wrap. I can't get enough of them. The Juliana Mod is also from a CSW CAL.  I stalled a bit in the sweltering heat, but I worked on her during the opening ceremonies and I can see the end is near! If you've never done a CAL/KAL I really encourage you to give it a try. I've gotten excellent tips and pattern explanations from the group, and they're all so nice!

Button Holed, by Kylie Logan
Berkley Prime Crime Publishing, NY
September 6, 2011; 288 Pages

Welcome to the Button Box, a specialty shop located in a converted brownstone in the New Town section of Chicago.  Josie Giancola, the young proprietor is quickly establishing herself as one of the country’s leading experts on all things buttons. She has invested her life savings in opening the Button Box and it looks as if her dreams are about to come true.  Hollywood starlet Kate (the Great) Franciscus has picked Josie to find her custom buttons for her wedding gown. This could be the client who puts Josie and her shop on the map.

Imagine her surprise (horror!) when she finds Kate the Great dead in her shop and an antique button hook looks like it’s the weapon. Now it’s up to Josie and Homicide Detective Nevin Riley to figure out who ended the career of America’s sweetheart right before her royal wedding to Prince Roland of Ruritania.

I picked up this paperback while I was packing. I don’t usually read them, but the buttons on the cover caught my eye, and I’m a sucker for a catchy cover. I was hesitant though, because my recent experience with this kind of book has been less than stellar. By this kind I mean mysteries in which the protagonist is the owner of a craft/specialty shop. There are many about knitters, quilters, foodies and the like, but this is the first about buttons.

This book is the first in a new series by Kylie Logan, and I think she really hit the mark. Josie is funny, spunky, smart and human. She’s believable and I could feel her love and obsession for the buttons she has dedicated her life to.  In addition to Josie, there is a terrific cast of characters at play. Some are specific to this story, but others – like Nevin the hunky detective; her sexy, unreliable con-artist ex-husband Kaz; and Stan Marzcak, her fatherly neighbor who’s a retired Chicago police officer are sure to show up again.

Here’s why I liked it: The book moves quickly, and the dialog is smooth and often funny.  There are twists and turns as Josie tries to put the pieces together to figure out who the killer is even though he’s doing his best to stop her. She finds herself in a variety of situations that I can actually imagine happening. And here’s the best part – I never knew who the killer was until the final pages! That is a big plus for me.

When I closed this book I had a smile on my face. It was entertaining. The author was always a step or two ahead of me keeping me anxious to find out what happens next.  I like Josie and the other people in her life. She reminds me a bit of the early Stephanie Plum, the heroine of the Janet Evanovich series. (The movie version of One for the Money was released earlier this year, and  Notorious  Nineteen is due out in November of 2012.) If you’re a fan of Stephanie and her gang, I’d say there’s a good chance you’ll be hooked by this one!

Now that I've had a chance to tell you about my projects, I'll be heading out to link up and visit with my friends on their blogs. These are  diverse, creative and interesting groups and I always find something that takes my breath away. I'm sure you will too!

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

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!

Greetings friends! So happy to see you this fine Wednesday. As you know, I don't knit, I crochet. Today in addition to the 3 fun crochet projects I'm working on, I have 2 books themed around knitting to share with you. I recently received a copy of Knit with Love: Stories to Warm a Knitter's Heart from the author herself, the funny and charming Lisa Bogart. I've only just begun, but already I feel a connection to the people and their stories as Lisa tells them. I'm looking forward to this one, and to sharing my review with you next week.

On the hook with this week's book is another washcloth. This one is a square and it goes quite nicely with the circle I made last week! The pattern, I Love this Washcloth!, is a simple cobble stitch. It's working up quickly and is producing a fabric that's sturdy and flexible at the same time. 

Cast on, Kill Off by Maggie Sefton
June 2012 - Berkley Publishing / Penguin Group

I really wanted to like this book. I tried really hard, but it just fell short for me. The gang at House of Lambspun are excited to be planning a wedding for one of their regulars. All the events have been organized, menus are finalized and the ladies are putting the finishing touches on the shawls they're knitting to go with their bridesmaids dresses. Everything is perfect until Zoe, the seamstress making the gowns turns up dead. Who would want to murder the dressmaker? Everything points to her abusive, alcoholic husband.Or is it her sister Vera who steps up and takes care of finishing sewing the gowns and slips easily into running the shop. Then there's Leann who publicly accused Zoe of stealing her (award winning) wedding gown design.

There are plenty of suspects for amateur sleuth Kelly to ponder.  All while balancing her flourishing accounting career, rekindling her love life,  playing softball, knitting the shawl, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. (They're all very busy people!)

So why didn't I like this book? Because of the dialog. It's stiff and proper and way to formal for a group of young friends hanging out at the yarn store, or at dinner, or driving in the car. It made the characters all feel flat and phony. I just didn't believe anything that they told me. It was like a poorly acted Sunday movie - you know the kind I mean.

I know there are lots of you who will love this book so I won't tell you who did it. Sadly, as much as I love fiber arts this one has way too many dropped stitches for me!

At the library Tuesday, my co-worker suggested that we should start including my book reviews on our web site.  I was surprised and flattered. Surprised because I didn't know she read my blog, and flattered because I do know that she reads a lot of reviews! For her to deem my book thoughts worthy is a great compliment, and I'd love to share them with our patrons.  In the meantime, I'll continue to write honest, uncomplicated book reviews for regular people who read regular books, and share them here with you!

There's so much to see and do on Wednesday.  I link up with my friends at their wonderful blogs, and then I like to stop in and visit the other crafters. I always find inspiration and encouragement in the variety of projects people are working on. Why don't you join me?

Until next time friends,
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!

Last week I had such fun making flowers that I decided to whip up a few more. In my stash I found this solid red and patterned blue fabric. (The colors on the right are what they really look like.)  To go along with the flowers I decided to make a coordinated hair tie by crocheting fabric around an elastic.  Here's an easy way to attach fabric strips together without sewing. It's like ribbon yarn!

You can attach the strips as you go or do a bunch at the same time (that's what I like to do).  Then I just take a I/9-5.50mm hook and single crochet the fabric around a plain hair tie/elastic. While working around, keep smooshing the stitches together. You want to fit on as many as you can. Slip stitch into the first stitch, fasten off and you're all done!  This afternoon I'll be adding more of these easy hair accessories to my ever growing collection!

Even though it's been hazy, hot and humid all week, I've gotten a few (okay one and a half) more rows added on to Juliana Mod. She's coming along, slow and steady. The pattern continues to be a pleasure. The yarn (Bernat Baby Sport from the stash) is nothing to write home about,  but it's washable and durable without being too stiff. With the bead work I plan to add to the end, I think this will be a pretty, functional piece.

No matter what else is going on in my world, I always, always make time for books. Before I tell you about today's pick, let's talk about a few of the others.  Catching Fire, the second in the Hunger Games Trilogy, kept me interested and entertained straight through to the end. I've been pleasantly surprised by this set of Young Adult books and have the final installment, MockingJay, on CD and ready to go. Next, I read Nora Roberts' The Last Boyfriend. This is also a second in a trilogy called The Inn Boonsboro.  It's light and easy with  beautiful people living beautiful lives. I'd say it's a good one for the beach or a weekend escape. 

Last week it was finally my turn with Fifty Shades of Grey. There has been so much hype and media attention surrounding this trilogy of books I wanted to take a look for myself. I read the first two chapters and was not impressed with the dialog or story telling. If I hadn't waited for two months I would have stopped there. I pressed on cringing at the way Anastasia spoke and behaved. It was a strange blend of  hip college student and spinster great aunt. And then it turned into smut. Pages and pages of it. I blushed and was embarrassed - even though my husband had no idea what I was reading.  I'm not a prude, but I couldn't do it. I know lots of people love it, but it's not for me. I look for something different in the books I read, and I can't say I'm surprised by my reaction. I returned it to the library so the next person in line can decide for themselves if it's worth the wait!

After that I was happy to start There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder. I'm more than halfway through and enjoying this light and breezy slice of chic lit. Funny dialog, devoted friends, love, marriage and a cake pull that shows some very unexpected things will soon be happening. This one is much more my cup of tea!

There you have it. We're laying low and staying cool on this Independence Day.  Before I get back to work on my patriotic hair accessories I'll be stopping by to visit Ginny, Tami and Sue.  I'd love it you came with me.

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

Yesterday was a wonderfully inspirational day! The library is having a mini sewing workshop led by the multi-talented Jean W. Last week they made lounge pants and this week tote bags! Unfortunately, I have to work so I can't participate. Fortunately, Jean (who organizes our knit/crochet group too) filled my fabric void with a hearty stack of 8x8 inch squares and a copy of the tote pattern. So I'll be dusting off my sewing machine this weekend and giving it a go!  In the mean time, I'm itching to do some hand stitching so I'm making a batch of flowers following the (fabulous) pincushion tutorial Truly Myrtle posted recently. I won't be making the pincushion though as I'm planning on attaching the flowers to barrettes or a headband for my hair.  Keeping with the sewing theme, this wonderful new book, 101 One Yard Wonders came home with me yesterday as well. With sew many (sorry!) neat things and instructions that seem clear and easy to follow I'm not sure what I want to make first. I'm torn between a holder for my hooks or a new apron.

I continue to make swift progress on the Juliana Mod Wrap. Last night I finished the set up row of the mesh section. Working the 2DC Cluster is a little awkward at first, and it took a bit to get my grove, but it's easy to memorize and in no time I was at the end. I panicked for a moment when it looked like I was one stitch short (I counted 240 three times!) but I worked into the top stitch of the turning chain below and breathed a sigh of relief! The even rows of this section are a breeze. I'm so glad I decided to give this a go!

Now, how about that Nora Roberts book?! I am literally pages away from the end her latest offering, The Last Boyfriend. It's book two in the Inn BoonsBoro trilogy.  What do I think? I'll fill you in on my thoughts on this one and Catching Fire (another book two!) later in the week. Guess what's up next? Finally it's my turn for 50 Shades of Grey. It's gotten so much hype - can it really be that good?

Just a few more stops to make before I have to get to work. I'd love it if you'd join me while I visit Ginny, Tami and Sue. We can take a look at what everyone else has been inspired by this week. What inspires you?

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

What a productive week! Finishing my cardigan seems to have given me a spark and today I have three projects to share. First up is the Angry Red Bird Hat. I'm testing this pattern for Sue, you may know her blog: SusanD1408 Crochet Addict. When she asked for pattern testers I just had to volunteer for this crazy, fun hat. As you can see, I'm very nearly done - and pleased to report the pattern has been a breeze to follow.

Last week I started a wrap using some of the stash wool that I received from my knitting/crochet club. The Spring Snow Shawl pattern is an easy repeat of fan like stitches. One row is worked in dc and the next in trc. These alternating rows work up quickly and so far seem to be a suitable way to show off this rather stiff yarn. Today the temperature is in the high 90s (F) and humid, so I was happy to set aside the wool for my next project!

This morning I began the Juliana (Modified) Wrap. Mary from Needles and Hooks and Books, oh my! is hosting a CAL for this pattern on the Ravelry group Crochet Shoulder Wrappers. They started at the beginning of the month, but that's worked out to my benefit! I was able to take advantage of a pattern modification that produces a half-circle shaped garment instead of the half-oval the original design creates. I'm using the Extended Single Crochet stitch and I'm really pleased with the way it looks and how fast it's going.  I was afraid the white was going to be boring, but now that I see it I think it's going to be pretty. I'm going to add beads to the trim (see the 3 white ones?) for a little something extra.

This week I'm reading Catching Fire, book two in the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  I really enjoyed the first book and was worried that this one would let me down. It took a few chapters to capture me but the author has succeed again and I find myself reading just one more page even though I can barely keep my eyes open! In the kitchen I've been listening to Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner. I've read several of her books and always enjoy them.  This story of a mother and her adolescent daughter hasn't disappointed.

That's all for today friends! I just looked at the clock - argh! I'm late for work!!
Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch and read with love!

Don't forget to check out the wonderful projects and books my crafting friends are working on:

Setting up to take this mornings picture I realized a color theme had developed. Funny how that happens when you're occupied with other things! This week has been challenging as health issues have reared their ugly head and demanded my attention. It's been necessary and therapeutic for me to keep my hands and mind busy on some simple projects.  So I decided to give amigurumi a try.  The spiral that you see is the beginning of Sammy Snail. I imagine that he'll be whole by the end of the day.  I don't think the same can be said of the socks. But that's okay.  I'm still working on finding the perfect sock pattern for me.  That's why I have two toes started here. One from my default pattern  - Socks That Fit, and the other is something new called Round and Round Toe Up Socks.  I'll let you know where my preference lies after working them each a bit more.
This week's book is Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, the second installment in the Hunger Games Trilogy.  I haven't started yet as I just closed the case on The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page.  Stop in tomorrow when I share my review.

I'm off to check out other great projects and books with Tami, Ginny, and Susan.  Why don't you join me?

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

It's been a busy and productive week!  I have several irons in the fire right now, but I'm very pleased to report that instead of feeling overwhelmed by this I am in fact very EXCITED!  Balance is so necessary to me, and when I start to waiver I need to remind myself to step back and take time to meditate and pray.  This allows me to calmly evaluate the things that are going on.  Then I can make decisions and assign priority to things that are important. It also helps me to see where I'm wasting energy on things that don't deserve it. And then things fall into place and I'm having fun and enjoying life instead of fretting!

Now about those crochet projects!! Marie at Underground Crafter is hosting the Holiday Stashdown Challenge which has been helping me to get organized and motivated.  One of the projects that I'm making for gifts this year are her adorable Chubby Sheep!  The pattern is a FREE Ravelry download and has been a breeze so far. (I made this much of him last night - after 10 PM!)

Last week I was gifted (by my knitting/crochet group) this great sock yarn of unknown wooly goodness that I've named Autumn Stroll.  As you can see I haven't made a lot of progress, but truthfully, getting the toe started is still a little hard for me and takes some time.  With it done I'm at the point I can just start rolling round and round until I get to the heal decrease/increase.  I'm following my go-to guide for Socks-That-Fit which has proven to be invaluable!  

In case you're wondering, I'm still not done with the cardigan - but I have finished the sleeves!  One more row on the body (it's not quite long enough) then a little trim and voila! Ready to block and wear.

This week I'm reading The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page.  This is a Faith Fairchild Mystery. I have read several in this series whose main character is Faith Fairchild, the owner of a catering company called Have Faith, and the wife of Reverend Tom Fairchild a pastor in a small Massachusetts parish.  Faith is down to earth, funny and spunky and can't resist a good mystery.  I've enjoyed all of the titles I read in this series.  Even after several they are fresh and always draw me right in.  This book is the story of how Faith and Tom met.  I'm only 40 pages in, and so far it hasn't disappointed! Check in on Thursday when I'll review the book I just finished: The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark.

Now I'm off to see what everyone else is creating and reading this week and Tami's Amis WIP Wednesday and Small Things Yarn Along.  I'd love it if you joined me!

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

So it goes like this... I stall, I make progress, I stall again, then I make a  little more progress.  Honestly I'm a bit embarrassed that I'm once again talking about this cardigan.  Will I ever get it finished?  I suppose if the weather were cooler and I could wear it when it's done I might move a little quicker, but that's questionable. The progress report goes like this: I have reached what I believe to be the desired body length.  I'm unsure so I've left the ball of yarn I used attached just in case I want to add another row or two.  Last night I began sleeve one.  Like my recent foray into socks, this pattern is more of a guide than a step by step and it leaves a bit to interpretation.  Note to self - this is best done before midnight when you're able to think clearly. The instructions told me to attach on the 7th stitch of the under arm, ch 3 (first dc) and work in pattern across.  (But it's really around) Join with a slip stitch, turn and continue to work in pattern to desired length. I tried.  It didn't work.  I ripped. I have encountered patterns in the past (for mittens) that wanted me to work my round by turning.  I'm sure it can be done and there's a reason for it, I just haven't figured out how.  Being the creative problem solver that I am I did this instead: join in 7th stitch, ch 3 and work in pattern across.  When I got to the beginning ch 3 I joined with a slip stitch and then put another slip stitch in the next dc to bring me to the right place to begin the pattern.  I continued working the pattern in the round joining each this way.  So far I've done 6 rounds and it looks great. (Pat on the back here!) It feels good to have encountered a "problem" and created a "solution".  For me this is testimony that my skills are advancing!  Now if I can only stay motivated long enough to finish this thing!

The book that I'm reading today is The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark.  I'm a mystery fan, and haven't read a MH Clark in a long time.  This story centers on a the murder of a biblical scholar who may have discovered the only know writings of Jesus Christ.  A letter to Joseph of Arimathea thought to have been stolen from the Vatican in 1474 AD.  Who is responsible for his murder? His wife who's suffering from advanced Alzheimers?  His mistress whom he has just broken things off with? Or maybe one of his colleagues who is intent on possessing the  parchment? Face-paced with plenty of  twists I'm enjoying this interesting bit of fiction - when I'm not working on my sweater of course!

Don't forget to to stop by Tami's Amis and Small Wonders to see all the great projects going on today!

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