Embellishing Bath Towels

A Trippy Towel Trial Run

I'm not sure about the "psychedelic" yarn yet, but the more I look at it, the more I like it!

Welcome Friends!
So glad you stopped by.  Recently I realized that (once again) I am spending too much time on the computer. Which means I don't have enough time or energy left in the day to work on the projects that I want to write about!  Since the goal is for this to be a craft and book blog it seems appropriate (and necessary!) that I spend more time crafting and reading, and less time flitting about on the internet!! I'm sure you know exactly what I mean!  How many times have you sat down just to check your messages and ended up 20 sites away looking at Pinterest or reading about cute baby animals?? It happens to me all the time! So I'm trying to discipline myself and limit how long I'm in front of the monitor each day.  Hopefully it will result in more progress and more compelling posts.  Honestly how many times do you want to see the same unfinished wrap no matter how lovely the yarn is?

Today I thought I'd share my idea for a Christmas present. Right now I'm in the planning/trial/practice phase. Here's what I'm thinking... I'll embellish a  set of bath towels with granny squares or flowers, or maybe granny squares and flowers.  I came across the idea in Granny Square Love by Sarah London.  I think she did hand towels with a line of small squares across the bottom.  They were so cute! It struck me as a great gift for the person who has everything and needs nothing!

I picked up the yarn and a test towel yesterday.  My choices were limited, which left me with  "Psychedelic" (that's what it's called - from Peaches and Creme) and "Sunshine". I'm not feeling a groovy kind of love for the yarn yet, but maybe once I turn it into something it'll turn me on! I thought I'd try out a few different patterns and sizes to see what looks best.  If it comes out anything like Sarah's I should end up with a pretty hip gift - can you dig it daddy-o??  Stay turned for a preview coming soon!!

On the book front, I just started an interesting new novel called the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. A co-worker suggested it. She said it was really well done and even made her cry! I trust her judgement implicitly so I started straight away.  I'm about 75 pages in and finding it quite enjoyable (no tears yet!).  Harold is a simple English chap who finds himself having the most interesting adventure of his life as a result of the only impulsive decision he ever made! I can't wait to find out where he ends up next!

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and for my Ravenous Readers a Wicked Good Book Review

Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich
Bantam Publishing
June 19, 2012, 320 Pages

Wicked Business is book two in the new Lizzy & Diesel “Wicked” series from Janet Evanovich.  Lizzy is a pastry chef.  Actually, she makes cupcakes at Dazzles Bakery in Salem, MA.  Finally she is putting her life in order. And with the exception of Diesel and his monkey Carl things couldn’t be better. Diesel is her on again/off again partner.  He’s extremely good looking and smells like Christmas cookies.  Their partnership is a bit of a mystery. Diesel is a bit of a mystery.  He has special powers. He can find people and things and there isn’t a lock he can’t open. He’s also (almost) immortal.  I think you can kill him, but it’s quite hard to do. Lizzy as it turns out has “abilities beyond the ordinary” too.  Hers seem to be along the line of being able to tell if people or things are enchanted.  That may not be the right word, it’s more like she can tell if they have special energy. Diesel works for an organization that has assigned him to find and protect the stones of SALIGIA.  They are old and mystical and are thought to represent the seven deadly sins. If you combine them all together they will unleash mayhem – the equivalent of hell on earth.  Diesels’ cousin Wulf (short for Gerwulf Grimore) and his medieval minion Hatchet are their main rivals.

Rumor has it that the stones of SALIGIA have surfaced in Salem.  In particular the Luxuria Stone which is said to be infused with the power of lust.  The murder of Harvard professor Gilbert Reedy sends Lizzy and Diesel on a quest to find the stone.  Hopefully before it falls into the hands of Wulf or the devotee of lawlessness and chaos know as Anarchy.

Now that you have a little background on the series and this book, let me tell what I think.  I have been a fan of Janet Evanovich and the Stephanie Plum books since that series started.  Truthfully though, after 18 adventures I’ve grown tired of Stephanie. Lizzy reminds me of all the reasons that I became a fan of Janet’s so many years ago.  I love this story line. A bit of magic and mystery, dark menacing villains and a riotous cast of characters create a diverse ensemble.  Lizzy is a funny, quirky woman.  She’s smart and sassy, but not cocky. She’s not exactly sure what’s happening around her, but she’s a trooper and she’s willing to do what she can to stop the total destruction of the planet.

The book moves quickly right from the start and there’s lots of action to keep you interested. It had been a while since I read Wicked Appetite (book one) and I forgot how much I enjoyed it.  Book two did not disappoint. There’s great chemistry between the characters, and while I feel an occasional shadow of Pluminess it’s not enough to turn me off. I also like that this series has a finite number (7). I’d hate to see a good thing go bad just because the formula works. Even too much of a good thing can be bad for you – like cup cakes…

If you’re a fan of Janet’s then you’re probably already on the list for this one.  If you’ve never read her and are looking for a quick, light entertaining read than by all means go for it.  You could read this as a stand alone, but I suggest starting with number one.  Chances are once you start, you’ll be hooked!

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On Wednesday I love linking up with my friends at these awesome blogs.  I guarantee that you'll find something that catches your eye and inspires you!  There are so many creative folks at there, and I'm thrilled to be part of the gang!  I hope you'll click on a link and see where it takes you!

That will do it for me this time.  Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. 
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!