crochet weather

here in the Great Northwest, the weather has turned cold and drippy again. the bright-colored leaves are always a treat to see fluttering down and it's sad to know that soon all that will be left of the trees are brown sticks coming up out of the dirt. meanwhile, it's the perfect time of year to get cozy and crochet. i have been in a slipper-making mood and found a great pattern in the Crochet Today! magazine. they are quick to do and give me a real sense of accomplishment after the summer of creative inactivity. secondly, slippers are a great way to go thru some of my yarn stash from the past many winters. i also plan to be working on hats and scarves again, as well as  few more market bags. bring on the sleet and snow!

end of the summer

...and here we are already at the end of the summer. school begins on the 2nd of September. it's been such a busy season of work, work, a little play, and more work. i'm actually looking forward to the cooler months because they usually bring more time to sit and relax.
with the change in weather, i find that my crochet hooks are calling to me. i've already started a Fall wrap and perhaps by the time the really wintery days arrive, i will have made myself a sweater too.  i'm also looking forward to long afternoons with my sewing machine again. my brain has been brewing up lots of ideas... it's time to let them out and have fun.

being a tourist

today i was up and out of the house much earlier than usual. i planned a little adventure to a local art & framing shop to have a large Monet print framed for hanging in my newly re-arranged living room. i walked down the main street practically skipping while i held my rolled up poster. it was such a nice feeling to take a detour from my usual day and do something fun. it helped having the sunshine to gently sweep me along. i walked in the frame shop and didn't know where to start- with so many choices, i could have easily been there all day! eventually i decided on a rustic-looking frame with mats that matched the wall color and sofa in my living room. when i finally placed my order and left the shop, i continued on my way thru downtown and had a treat at a little coffee shop where i feasted on a lemon-blueberry muffin with glaze drizzled over the top and my usual coffee drink **tall-half decaf- mocha-with whip** (some days i take a chance and try other coffee mixes but i always come back to the good 'ol mocha. it's just a slightly "grown up" hot chocolate but sooo yummy). i sat and ate at a little table for 2 in a corner. i felt like a tourist, watching the different groups of people coming and going and it was so calming and energizing at the same time. if you haven't given it a try for a while, take a walk down your town or city's main street and have a little adventure- even if it's just to enjoy a muffin and a mocha!

buy local

the idea is simple yet super smart!

1. pick 3 local businesses that you would greatly miss if they disappeard.
2. spend $50 each month at a locally owned business.
3. feel amazed that you helped to generate about 42.6 billion in revenue and save your local economy.

for more info on check out The 3/50 Project. and go shopping!!

have you heard about Dibspace?

i was recently introduced to Dibspace. and now i find myself checking it out every day (sometimes even several times a day) to see what's new and what's being offered. it's a great way to barter without feeling like you are getting cheated. so far, i've "dibbed" a manicure and i'm in the works of getting help with a worm bin (cool!). it's a great way to share your talents and enjoy treating yourself to something that you may not have otherwise tried. take a look!