To the Start of Something New

I like new. I like when something finishes and something new can begin.  I like new notebooks, new books, new yarn stashes, new projects.  I even look forward to finishing a bottle of shampoo so I can start the new bottle.   It's not the fact that it's new that I like. It's not the fresh scent or the crisp pages that I like.  I like that it means a new start.  I like imagining how I'll fill the new notebook, or what the new yarn will become.

It's like a new year. The whole year is filled with possibilities.  This year could be anything! Something amazing could happen, and this year could be the start of something great.  I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions, but I just love the promise and hope that something new brings.

So here's to new projects, new adventures, and new friendships this year.  And new life to old projects, old friendships, and steady adventures.

What's your hope for this new year?

Catching Up

This week has been one of catching up. Catching up on watching video lectures, catching up on my daily blanket, and catching up on being creative. But it finally feels like I'm getting somewhere - like I'm getting back to the parts of being creative and learning that I enjoy.

I had a dentist appointment on Wednesday, and I forgot to take my book with me for the waiting room.  But I had my sketchbook, so I took it out and started sketching. And not just rough sketching out shapes and sizes, but adding in the shading, trying to work out color patterns in black and white. And I loved it! I felt so inspired by it - I hadn't realized how long it's been since I did sketching like that.

And that simple sketching for 15 min in the dentist's office made me so excited to come home and work out things 'in real life.' I started working up these new potholders, using the corner to corner method I love so much.

It feels like a new start! I don't feel like I can only make these items I'm going to sell, and I don't feel limited at all. And I love this process.

Also - I finally finished up my placemats! I'm so proud of these - I even made the label all by myself with no help from Photoshop Wizard Husband.

Craft Day Workings

I think I've mentioned before that my friends and I get together for a craft day about once a month.  We all bring a project, open a bottle of wine, and spend the next few hours chatting and crafting.

I'm absolutely obsessed with my friend Anna's serving ware (is this a thing? I mean the chip bowl and the blue bakeware behind it).  So brightly colored and always filled with yummy food.  I'm convinced the goodness is because of the bowl. I won't lie, I totally copied her and registered for some of the same set for our wedding.

The weather this past weekend was absolutely gorgeous! Warm and sunny, such a nice change from the deary cold we've been having.  We opened up the windows and let that beautiful fresh air in.

Usually during our craft days, the women craft while the men play Xbox or do other manly things.  Not sure why it breaks down like this, as the men are fairly crafty themselves. I guess maybe it's a male bonding thing? This time, however, they made beer!

It seems that the only pictures I managed to take well were of the beer making process! So all I have to show for the craft projects part is a before picture of  my yarn...

...which didn't come out super great.  I snapped it in a hurry to get out the door, but at least you have an idea of my color palette for this project! It will eventually be a wedding blanket for a friend getting married this summer.  It's the exact opposite of the design I planned to do, and I love it. I'll do a picture wrap up of it here soon.

Do you craft with a group of friends?

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