Reading up... on Extra Yarn

I found a link to this sweet little book recently.  It's called Extra Yarn.  It's about a knitter named Annabelle,  and her magical box of yarn.  

 
I think it's a really cute storyline and the illustrations are very unique.  What a colorful, warm little story to spotlight as we all try to make it through these cold brown and grey winter days, isn't it?

You can take a look inside this book HERE.

It snowed

 One magical afternoon or two ago, it snowed here in our corner of Kentucky.

Listening to the snow fall was calming after a hectic but nice holiday.  I hope you all had a nice holiday and are all feeling as inspired as I am to start some new goals this year.  One of my goals is to get my photography shop up and running.  I hope to be able to announce that pretty soon. 

Anyone else making any noble or crazy goals to see accomplished this year?  I would love to hear about them.

Winter Project Ideas

Well it's getting colder outside and it's really making me want to be working on projects.  Something that lets me sit in a comfy chair by the woodstove and preferably with some soft yarn. 

I've been thinking of a few ideas for the winter that sound really warm and cozy. I recently made myself a cowl from a really soft cotton variegated yarn and it is probably the perfect accessory.  Mainly because it's warm, but also because it stays out of the way (unlike the ends of a scarf) and it looks really sophisticated!  

Don't they all look so happy, wearing their pretty little cowls?  I think I'm going to try making the top left one.  It's from Red Heart.

I was also checking out the pattern for a soft and fluffy rug.  The one shown above is crocheted from recycled T-shirts.  I am hoping you somehow magically don't have to worry about the rug scooting, making you slip and fall when you step onto the rug... otherwise that's going to mean inventing some kind of non-slip texture on the back.  Which does not sound that fun.

This is an image of a "healthy" fudge recipe from Aida S Cuisine.  It sounds interesting.

Here's a project that for sure won't include a non-slip texture strategy: making homemade fudge.   I don't have a candy thermometer, and I don't use the mixer.  I just do it the easy way where you dump the ingredients in the pot kind of like this recipe.

Well I hope to be able to share some of these completed projects with you soon.  It's nice and cold outside now, so I'd better get started on one of these.

What projects are you working on or hoping to get started soon?

Winter is coming

It may be 70 degrees and rainy in our part of Kentucky today, but I can still feel winter coming as the nights turn colder.  I'm already getting in the mood for cutting out snow flakes!  Here are some really dazzling finds that are keeping me inspired today.

Winter Birch Trees project found here!

Isn't this a neat little project?  You can find out how to make this enchanting little scene step-by-step.  Just visit Kathy Barbro's blog Art Projects for Kids.  I love that Prussian Blue against the crisp white.  I think this would be fun for adults too!

Winter Textures by Grant MacDonald

The long shadows in this photo by Grant MacDonald remind me of our recent time spent in Northern Michigan, my birthplace.  Pretty much all day it looks like it's around 4:00 in the afternoon there during the winter.

How to make paper snowflake ornaments

This simple snowflake tutorial from Martha Stewart makes it very easy to create your own personal indoor blizzard.  I also like to make garland out of them.  I think I will go browse the rest of her neat craft ideas there.   

Snowflake Cake recipe

Isn't this cake pretty?  What an intricate design of white chocolate snowflakes on the top.  The cake is made from a yellow cake mix with pudding added for extra moisture.  Sounds good!


What are some of your winter inspirations or traditions?