What I've Been Knitting: Feb. 2013

Baby Hats!

They're so quick and easy to knit up...I usually end up making them two or three at a time!

This apple hat is an original pattern I created last August for a baby shower where we didn't know if it was going to be a boy or a girl.  This is the 4th one I've made...they're great for gifts so it doesn't hurt to have one on hand.

The two pink hats are the "paper bag" style where you knit a tube and then thread a ribbon or eyecord through to gather the top.  These are great for using up leftover odds and ends...the one with the purple polka dot ribbon was leftover from a scarf which is why I had to make it so tiny.  It'd be perfect for a brand new baby or doll!  The light pink with the striped ribbon was knit the same way, just slightly a larger size.

She's Crafty

So here's an old bookcase (Target Home Collection circa 2005) in a new location:

To it's left is the door that leads from the Study to my bedroom and you can see the daybed to the right.

My goals was to corral all of my knitting/sewing/craft books and information in this area and also cover the cable outlet that sticks out like a sore thumb on that wall.

Here it is all stocked up:

On top we have my sewing box and new little mannequin pin cushion I got for Christmas.  The first shelf holds all of my more substantial books as well as a pincushion that belonged to my great aunt and I always loved when I was little.

The middle shelf holds my sewing machine which can be pulled out and plugged in for easy use and the bottom shelf has my 2 binders where I organize knitting patterns/inspiration I've printed from online/torn out of magazines.  The three magazine holders on the bottom shelf corral all sorts of odds and ends: 1 contains my knitting magazines, 1 contains the less substantial knitting pattern books (usually sold in the magazine racks on the knitting aisle in Michael's) and the last one has all my inspiration tear sheets/magazines for other types of crafty projects.

I like how it looks full but there is still plenty of room to fit new purchases!

New Year's Resolutions

I'm a few days late on this one but I thought I'd post a quick list of my resolutions for 2012.

1) Conquer The Hill Cafe menu.  I go to this restaurant so frequently I think I should expand my palate a little more than the 5 things I usually order.  I think the strict requirements on this one will develop some as I go along...I went to brunch there on the 1st and ordered the Cuban Roast Pork Omelet which I have never had.  It was good and I'm glad I got it.  I also would be willing to try an Eggs Benedict which is not something I would usually consider...the Sausage Gravy Biscuits, however, are not on the list.  So most of the menu, including some things I would never order without this goal...but not EVERYTHING on the menu.  If that makes sense.

2) Knitting goal: finish all of the knitting projects I have started and never finished.  I can think of a few off the top of my head but I know there are more in random knitting bags in my room and just laying in my knitting trunk.  I will post a more detailed listing of the projects once I get everything organized (hopefully this weekend) as well as my progress/completion of each.

3) Make headway on my Unread Library.  This concept is stolen from the blog Pancakes and French Fries but I have had an Unread Library pretty much my whole life.  I don't think I'll be able to read ALL the books I own and haven't read by the end of the year.  But my plan is to spend the entire year reading only books I own and not purchase a single one for myself.  This will probably get hard as it's the 6th of the year and I've already been into a Barnes and Noble where I was tempted to purchase a calendar just so I didn't feel like I was leaving empty handed.  My love of books and my love of shopping makes a bookstore the most tempting place on Earth.  Thus the face that I have an Unread Library in the 1st place...

4) I also want to continue my "try new Richmond things" resolution from last year.  I attended a lot of festivals, tried new restaurants, and even made my money's worth of my VMFA membership.  I want to continue this year by making the measurable goal to do at least one NEW "Richmond thing" I've never done every month.  It can be a new exhibit, a new restaurant, a new festival, a new museum, pretty much anything!  I already have a few ideas including some small local bookstores I've been dying to go into...hmm, should those wait for 2012??