Reviewing January Goals and Looking Forward to February

Since the end of the month is almost here, I thought it would be a good excuse to look back on what I have achieved throughout the first month of 2014. Early on in January, I set myself some targets that I wanted to achieve, and I am pretty happy to say that I managed to achieve most of them! 

The first goal that I completed was to finish the pair of beanies that were in the set that my Grandma got me for my birthday. These were a pretty quick make and I really enjoyed doing a small project for a change!

 

Next I could cross off completing James’ Valentines’ Day present, but I can’t share that yet because I want to keep it a surprise! I can share the next couple of projects with you though, I completed my ‘January’ square of my Fairytale Sampler in just a few evenings, so I am on track for completing each square on time each month, although I do have some more work to do on the border as I go.

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What I’ve Been Up To Recently…

Well, yesterday I handed in the final essay of the semester, which gives me two weeks off before I start semester too (that’s ignoring the fact that I have 30 books to read for next semester but still…) so I am enjoying (relative) freedom, around the reading and my overtime at work. Since I have been so bogged down in essays though, I haven’t had chance to share my recent activities on my blog. I have been doing quite a bit of crafting in general, and I have been making small steps towards some of my 23 before 23 goals.

Getting Organised/Having a Clear Out:

So, two of my goals were part of my aim to get myself organised and de-cluttered! While these are likely to take a long time to achieve completely, I have been making a start! I scoured Pinterest for some ideas on room organisation, and I created my Organisation Board, to get me in the mood. It certainly worked, because last week I had the urge to start my sorting with my wardrobe and drawers (which I generally hate…) I try to sort out my clothes pretty regularly, but they were well overdue. After a couple of hours pulling things out and trying things on, I was left with a bin bag for the tip and two boxes for the charity shop! There wasn’t masses to get rid of, but just clearing out some of my unnecessary stuff felt incredibly satisfying. I didn’t just stop there though…oh no! I put some of my Pinterest tips into practice to make my clothes storage work better for me. I began by adding some drawer dividers into my socks and underwear drawer, to prevent it from being such a free-for-all when I was getting ready in a morning.

My second drawer holds my t-shirts, hats, scarves and gloves, now nice and accessible.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! 

Bits & Pieces

Argh, it is coming to my attention that my blog is in danger of being neglected again! I am hoping this is only temporary while I get into the routine of my new university timetable, but the step up from undergrad to MA is more of a giant leap, so bear with my while I get my head around it!

Anyway, I thought I would do a post about all of the things I have been meaning to blog about in the last few week but I haven’t had chance! It is mainly bits and pieces that I have picked up since I got back from my holiday.

Firstly, I want to show you what James got me while I was away. When I was on holiday, he went to London to work with Microsoft at their Campus Party, and while he was there, he got me some presents! First of all, he picked up some items from the campus party for me:

 

He got me some pink t-shirts which are going to come in useful for layering up in winter, and I have dedicated one as a ‘workout t-shirt’. He also got me a screen cleaner (I’m always getting foundation all over my phone…) and a memory stick, which will come in handy for university.

He also made a trip to Liberty while he was there though and he certainly knows what to buy me!

 

The Knit Parade: The Most Versatile Knitting Book Around!

Author: Rebecca Rymsza
Genre: Non-Fiction, Crafts, Knitting.
Published: September 2013
Pages: 111

I first became aware of this books a few months ago when I was scouring the internet for future craft books, and I featured it on my post, ‘5 Craft Books I Can’t Wait To Get My Hands On…’ I was lucky enough to be offered the chance to review it, making it the first of the 5 books I have actually ‘got my hands on!’

What first attracted me to the book was its striking design and unusual concept. This book offers a range of bold, statement jumpers that are like those you see in the high street shops today, but the beauty of these ones are that they are completely customisable!

The book contains the patterns for 12 jumpers that you can knit to your own size requirements, using whatever colours that you like. These patterns can easily be adapted t get your ideal jumper to suit your own personality, and style, without having to hunt around the shops to find it! And if that wasn’t enough, the book also offers an additional 6 patterns for you to experiment with, offering almost limitless combinations.

Knits Men Want: The Ultimate Father’s Day Gifts

Firstly, my apologies for the massive break in blogging! I finally finished university last week and the run up to that was hectic to say the least! Since then I have been at work and this is the first chance I have had to blog but I promise it was worth waiting for!

Author: Bruce Weinstein
Genre: non-fiction, crafts, hobbies, knitting
First Published: 2012
Pages: 56 (advance ebook version)

Now, if you are like me and come from a family inundated with male members, you will know what a nightmare they are to buy for! Having my dad, boyfriend and 17 year old brother to accommodate can make holidays a headache! Men are difficult enough to buy for but to make gifts for, well, that just raises a whole load of problems! Trying to find something to make for men is difficult enough, but finding something that they will like/use/appreciate is near enough impossible! With father’s day just around the corner and my pledge to make my Christmas presents has meant that I have been on the hunt for men-approved gifts to make, but for knitters, Bruce Weinstein has done all of the hard work for you!

Ebay Win! And a few more craft books for good measure…

A little while ago I came across a beautiful knitting project on Vic’s Knits. The project was the Chablis jumper from Rowan’s knitting book, Parisian Nights. I instantly fell in love with the design and the more I looked into the Parisian Nights book, the more I knew that I wanted it! The book contains twelve stunning patterns and more than half of them I want to get started on straight away!

even though my knitting skills aren’t advanced enough to tackle the projects yet, I had a search on eBay to see if there was a second hand copy for sale – I was in luck! There was a copy listed for the bargain price of 50p but it was an auction item. I love buying items from eBay but I rarely opt to bid for things because I often forget when items end or the prices shoot up beyond what I can afford. This time though, I put a bid in for 50p and, remembering only 6 minutes before it ended, I checked the item again and put a final bid in as there were other bidders fighting for it and miraculously I won! And it was an absolute bargain at only £5.25 including postage!

And this is what dropped through my door yesterday:

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts: A Review

Author: Joelle Hoverson
Genre: non-fiction, crafts, hobbies, knitting
First Published: 2011
Pages: 144

As a person who is new to knitting, I am constantly looking for quick and easy projects that I can make to practice new techniques without losing momentum. I also spend a lot of time looking for inspiration for simple projects that would make great gift, both for friends and family, and occasionally for myself! This book combines everything you could want, from simple, speedy projects to those that take a bit more love and attention and you’d be proud to give any of these items as gifts.

Knit Your Socks on Straight: A Review

Author: Alice Curtis
Genre: non-fiction, crafts, hobbies, knitting
First Published: 2013 by Storey Publishing
Pages: 144 (advance ebook version)

As someone who is knew to knitting, I am still learning the basics. One thing that I can’t wait to start knitting is a pair of socks (nothing beats knitted socks!) but, although I have knitted in the round before, I am still trying to get my head around it properly and socks seem slightly adventurous for my skill level. Well, this book is the solution to my problems!  It is unlike any other sock knitting book in the way that it offers 19 sock patterns that are specifically designed to be knitted on straight needles.

Stash-Buster Challenge 2013

Well, I have been crocheting for 8 months now and knitting for just a few weeks but I have already noticed that my stash is quickly becoming out of control! My stash really took off when my Grandma donated lots of unwanted yarn my way, but since then I have added to it a fair bit!

I tend to be good when buying yarn and only buy it for specific projects that I have in mind but getting round to doing the projects isn’t always as easy as I imagine! I also have a lot of Ravelry projects in mind to use up any odds and ends that I have lying around but so far I haven’ t got round to actually doing any of them!

Well, that’s all about to change because I am taking part in: