October is moving along

The weather has been lovely these first few days of October, while still in the low 90's and upper 80's the air has been drier and this morning while pulling my trash can to the curb the breeze was cool.  I'm posting the image of sunshine to reflect my mood today.

I worked on a cute little stitchery yesterday it's a free pattern from Lori Brechlin of Not Forgotten Farm, I'm a member of her Facebook Group and every now and then Lori shares one of her lovely designs.  Here is a link to her Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/notforgottenfarm

I think it will either be a little sachet or the start of a needlebook.  Here is a link to the Website
https://farmhousenotforgotten.blogspot.com/

I won a give a way last week on Facebook,  I had been waiting on the new Faerie Knitting book by Alice Hoffman and Lisa Hoffman, since I first read about the book in an issue of Faerie magazine, for a few years Alice Hoffman has had lovely stories grace the pages of the magazine and last Autumn issue was dedicated to the release of her book The Rules of Magic. The Faerie knitting book is just lovely, each fairy tale written by Alice Hoffman is woven from the knitting pattern designed by Lisa Hoffman.

Faerie Knitting

Charm Bags pattern

Since my knitting skills are a little rusty I am going to start with the Charm bag and then tackle a few other patterns but first I must read the stories.   I have to say I have read many of Alice Hoffman's books and happy to say there are a few that I haven't read yet, Practical Magic is one of the few books I have reread, a rare occurrence for me and lat year right before after I read The Rules of Magic I went onto Practical Magic. Check out Alice Hoffman's books here http://alicehoffman.com/

 I also indulged the pages of the 2017 autumn issue of Faerie magazine and all the love photographs and article to get me in a festive mood.  This year the autumn issue of Faerie magazine is focused on Outlander, the book was made into a television series as I understand though I never saw it.  I did

start reading the first novel years ago when it was first published though I never finished reading it at the time and returned it to the library, so when I mentioned the issue of Faerie my friend sent me her copy of Outlander to read, she just finished it recently, she has watched the series and decided to read the book series.

I'm just about done reading The Library at the Edge of the World so I may give the Outlander novel a try when I finish it.  Speaking of finishing things, I am currently putting the finishing border on the Granny Square afghan I am crocheting for my sister.

It will be a round of single crochet and two or three rounds of double crochet. I will begin working on this long vest, the pattern is from this Etsy  shop  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TAInspirations

I will be posting today at  https://www.gsheller.com/2018/10/yarn-along-october.html  for the October yarn a long. Where bloggers share what they are reading and making with yarn.

The last Slow Sunday Stitching for 2017 and a little peek ahead

Once again we are find ourselves on the last day of the year and hopefully looking back you have all had more good times than not. I looked back on my January 1 entry for 2017 and I'm happy to say most of the goals I set for myself were met. The most important one however still eludes me and that is getting better control of my health so that once again becomes my main goal.

I will say I did rather well on the Be More Creative goal I am avidly pursuing my love for hand embroidery perhaps to the point of ignoring everything else so I do need to remember I have other interest that shouldn't be ignored. During the week I worked on a few little embroideries the hand I plan to work into a larger project in the coming year. I will be linking to Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching. https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2017/12/slow-sunday-stitching-new-years-eve.html

Bruja

The little Goddess with the candles I made for a friend, I just need to press and finish it with a hem.

Goddess for St. Brigid's Day

I'm once again going to be more creative in 2018, to start the year off I have the first block for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project ready to embellish. 

January block

My blocks won't look like the usual crazy quilt blocks you know those very lovely recognizable blocks that I see all over Pinterest, Facebook etc.  I'll be using this book as my guide and perhaps a few of the block layouts too. I'm also going to be using fabric from my stash of scraps. 

There is still time to join the CQJP 2018 the deadline to sign up is December 31st here: https://crazyquiltjournalproject2018.blogspot.com/p/crazy-quilt-journal-project-2018.html

This year I plan to read at least seven new to me authors rather than my usual 5 this year and to read more, I don't know what happened this year I have plenty of books to read and I started off doing quite well then after my vacation I seem to have not only forgotten I have books I forgot to open those books to read them because hand embroidery was all I wanted to do in my spare time. I bought the book The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman, I waited months for the book to be released, pre ordered it and when it came I had planned to start reading right after Halloween, when that nasty flu hit me and I could barely keep my eyes open for days, I didn't get any embroidery done during that time either. So the first book I will read in 2018 is The Rules of Magic.

first read in 2018

And to be sure I do more reading this year I will join the 2018 Library Love Challenge. http://angelsguiltypleasures.com/2017/12/sign-up-open-2018-library-love-challenge/

Also I have joined the Try Something New Challenge to be sure I keep my goal of trying at least 7 new to me authors in 2018 here is the link for this challenge:
https://theherdpresents.blogspot.com/2017/12/try-something-new-challenge.html

Another goal for this year fell short so I'll try once again to take monthly hikes in the some of the Florida State Parks. I did so well in 2016 I don't know what happened this year. I will take part tomorrow morning in the First Day hike at Silver Springs State Park, these hikes are nationwide so if you are up early and near a state park check one out.

A few other state parks I plan to visit this year are:

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Crystal River Preserve State Park

Big Talbot Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park

Falling Waters State Park

There will be other parks to visit but these were on my list last year and I didn't make it. Big Talbot Island and Honeymoon Island both have beaches. I love hiking and really need to do more of it this year here is one of my favorite quotes:

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” -Thoreau

For most of these hikes I will be going solo, but for the Crystal River parks my sister and little grand niece Tessa may come along.

I would like to take a few crafting classes this year, not quite sure what at this time. I also want to try my hand at Gold work embroidery, try a larger Sashiko project, and let loose with my artistic side and really immerse myself with those things that interest me that I never seem to have time for. 

This year will be about making the time and taking the time, I have so many ideas in my head that need to get out, not to mention all those sketches and notes in my journals. I did make a little beaded scissors fob and needle nanny this week too.

scissors fob and needle nanny

Here's a photo of my orts for 2017, not as many as I thought but I use my thread until I can't pull the needle through most of the time. There is even a few strands of yarn in there from a crochet project and some plain sewing thread from hemming my pants. 

January to December 2017 Orts

This is the fullest my orts jar has ever been I am really pleased at how much stitching I did in 2017. 

orts jar 2017

I thank all of you for your comments throughout the year and wish all of you a safe and Happy New Year!

This week I am reading

I decided to buy a copy of Alice Hoffman's The Rules of Magic rather then wait for it to be available at the local library.  So a few days ago I pre-ordered it from Amazon.  This is a prequel story to Hoffman's Practical Magic book one of my favorites. I can't wait to start reading it.

I was reading the Autumn issue of Faerie Magazine oddly enough the Practical Magic issue when there was a knock on door the postal carrier was delivering my book. If you have a chance to look through a copy of Faerie Magazine do pick it up and have a look the photography is amazing and some of the stories are short and sweet.  Alice Hoffman contributes quite often as does author Charles de Lint.