abowerbirdsnest

You know that feeling you get when you finish two projects in quick succession? The one where you feel like you're on the biggest of all rolls - watch out craft pile, I am conquering you! It's such a good feeling. Unfortunately, at least in my case, it's usually a misleading one. It's a false sense of success that, when looked at more closely, is revealed to be a complete lie.

While still enjoying this short-lived high I decided to lay out all my projects - I mean, if I'm going to fly through projects so quickly, I should capitalise on this and finish up everything in my cupboard, right? Right? With every incomplete project I piled up I felt that feeling of accomplishment drop away a little more, until all I was left with was a very unbalanced finished/wip ratio and a sad feeling.

But still, there is a part of me that really wants to reclaim that victorious feeling, and so I am going to own my crafting shame, list every incomplete item and vow to finish them!* On the plus side, they're all already under way so they should go past pretty quick right? Right?

Noro Striped Scarf

I'm starting off easy with something that is only newly started and so the guilt level is pretty low! I'm working on this one for Christmas, so there's no up close photo today, but it is sitting next to be right now and is my current take-everywhere knitting due to it's simplicity. I am very nearly 50% done.

No-Fuss Shade-Loving Shawl

I'm at the awkward part of this project where I'm still loving the beautiful colour changes and dreading the part where the stripes will get thinner. It's at this part of any project that I remember why I secretly hate using variegated yarn. I have three balls of Noro for this scarf, and I'm about 3/4 of the way through the first ball.

Geek Blanket-a-long

I had some ambition for this project. I loved it (still do) so much and foolishly thought I would get it done by Christmas. And then I learnt that I hate, hate, HATE double knitting. So much. Which is why I'm only half way through a single square. Ellen has suggested that I ditch the double knitting entirely and just line it with some fabric, and I'm thinking she's right.

Vivace Socks

As is the way with all socks, I completed one whole sock before the project languished away in the drawer. This should be a relatively quick finish, so I'm hopeful for this one.

2014 Mood Blanket

I almost didn't list this one here as it's ongoing for the remainder of the year, but I'm a little behind in my squares (thankfully I've kept a chart!) so it's here to prod me along.

Naturally Yarns Cardigan and Hat K611

Of all the projects on this list, this one is probably the oldest (I say 'probably' because that air of uncertainty makes me feel better than knowing it's been sitting there for nearly two years). I put it away because I got stuck on the finishing and put it away in frustration. I pulled it out again last night (right before I had dinner with the now toddler I initially cast it on for. Ouch.) and was annoyed to see that the finishing was actually quite easy and it's now nearly done.

Mysterious Lace Reversible Scarf

Okay, maybe this one has been in the drawer for the longest. I'm not really sure why this one was abandoned. I remember it being a relatively easy project. Unfortunately, I haven't done much on this one, so it's not much of a head start.

February Lady Sweater

This one is just a massive pile of garter stitch at this point - more interesting photos as I progress.

*Note that I sidestepped the whole 'by a certain date' part of that vow.

False Progress

by Rebecca Johnson on Tuesday, July 08, 2014

You know that feeling you get when you finish two projects in quick succession? The one where you feel like you're on the biggest of al...

There's nothing like a lazy Saturday to recharge and make you feel better about the world, is there? I've been enjoying the winter sun (best kind - just warm enough) and surrounding myself with all kinds of pretty things: pianos, and lanterns, and nice thick woollen scarves. And, of course, what Saturday morning is complete without a stop in at your friendly neighbourhood antique dealer?

My favourite antique store is my favourite for a good reason - it's owned and run by a wonderful family. I have worked with, taught and had many a chat with all of them, so it's always a treat to stop in on my way through town. I particular love that the owner knows the kinds of things I like and often points out a thing or two to me while I'm poking about.

I popped in this morning in the hopes of picking up a coat rack or something similar to hang my scarves on. No such luck on the coat rack, but I did find myself a nice wooden ladder which should do the trick just nicely. It's already been moved about my house five times - it doesn't quite seem to know where it wants to live yet.

While browsing, however, I found something I couldn't resist buying (though, I will confess, I didn't try very hard - especially when a few dollars were knocked off for me). The owner had been doing some scouting about and he had come across some old boxes and cases. This one, in particular, was in good nick (see the latch still attached!) and was pretty interesting.

What I thought was just a cool looking box was actually made to be a dynamite box (thankfully now sans explosives). From there it was re-purposed as an artist's case. Now, in it's third incarnation, it is happily residing on my coffee table just waiting to be filled with all sorts of trinkets.

I haven't officially decided what's going in all those beautiful little sections, but for now I'll enjoy filling them up and moving them about.

Oh, and speaking of pretty things, I just have to include the flowers I've been toting from room to room for a splash of colour.

Warm tea and pretty things

by Rebecca Johnson on Saturday, June 21, 2014

There's nothing like a lazy Saturday to recharge and make you feel better about the world, is there? I've been enjoying the winter ...

One of the things on my 101/1001 list was to see a sunrise and a sunset in the same day. You know how it is, you put it on your list because it sounds like a pretty thing. But then you realise you actually have to do it. And that's not as good. This is why it has remained untouched on my to do list since the start (and, if I'm honest, looked likely to remain so).

But then! on this last school holidays we headed to Albury/Wodonga for a geocaching event (more to follow)... and it necessitated an early start... and it occurred to me that this was likely my one and only chance to fulfill this task without crying. Of course, my brain took a great deal of waking up before I realised this, luckily for me we left around 4:30 am and so had some time to spare.

And so, for your viewing pleasure. The sunrise and sunset of the 3rd April, 2012.

Sunrise...sunset...

by Rebecca Johnson on Monday, April 30, 2012

One of the things on my 101/1001 list was to see a sunrise and a sunset in the same day. You know how it is, you put it on your list becaus...

One of the things I've been meaning to do for the past few weeks is to go in and update my 101/1001 list as I knew there were a few things I had managed to complete. Which meant that, per my own mandate, I was to blog about.

The first of which was #64 See a drive-in movie. Slack person that I am that was, this night was over four months ago. The night was a surprise outing from Brett (we got all the way there before I realised where we were going) and we had a great time (we may be drive in converts). In any case, I thought I'd just share some of the photos of the night and then move on to the other posts I'm behind on *gulp*.

"WOW! I can hear things!"

I was rather enamoured with the lightning bolt speakers

Drive by posting

by Rebecca Johnson on Monday, April 30, 2012

One of the things I've been meaning to do for the past few weeks is to go in and update my 101/1001 list as I knew there were a few thi...

Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

You know that determined feeling you have when you park outside the library, the one where you're telling yourself that you're only going in for one book? What's more, you even know which book you're looking for, and exactly where it is shelved so you'll be in and out so speedy, nothing will be tripping you up today. You know that feeling?

I hate that feeling.

Because I know it's a lie.

I tell myself this all the time, and even trick myself into believing it, but even so, my inner self - the one nestled deep down in my brain, happily munching on popcorn and just waiting to revel in the fall out - knows that it is a complete and utter false belief.

All this is my way of saying that I've given up on the pretense. Having added the sixth book to the pile in the crook of my arm, I have secured myself a table and am sitting here telling the world of my inability to control my book gathering tendencies before I delve into my nice little pile.

Written Lives - Javier Marías
The Country of the Blind and Other Selected Stories - HG Wells
A Reading Diary - Alberto Manguel
Letters from a Nut - Ted L. Nancy
Should We Burn Babar?: Essays on Children's Literature and the Power of Stories - Herbert Kohl
80 Great Poems: From Chaucer to Now - Geoff Page