A trip out West inevitably translates to a shopping spree of sorts. I figured I might as well stock up on things that aren't readily available at home.
Who can resist Japanese craft p*rn?!?
Yeah! My favourite craft magazines!
Something to help me beef up my knowledge about bookbinding!
I've pretty much limited my stamp purchases to cling stamps because they don't take up as much storage room as regular stamps. At least that's what I keep tellin' myself.
Adding to my collection of fabric inks and inks for altered art!
OMG yarn of 80% baby alpaca/20% bamboo in a neutral mustard shade. The moment I picked up this yarn, I couldn't stop, erm, fondling it. I also picked up some bamboo needles because I thought I might want to knit while I was on vacation....but that didn't happen. 
Gobs of trim and a new ruler!!!
And then, there was fabric *sigh* Lots of fabric *embarrassed*
A canvas panel and waffle weave fabric
Fat quarters
1/2 yard cuts
1 yard cuts
2 yard cuts
2.5 yard cuts
5 yard cuts
I have some plans for the larger cuts of fabric (a kimono? some totes? pj pants? sarongs?) but the smaller cuts are "just because they're purdy" buys. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out how much fabric I purchased, but I think I'd rather not know!
I don't usually bother with resolutions, but craft-related resolutions might be doable. So in random order, here goes...
#1 Use my craft books to create items (and not just for their craft p*rn value)!
#2 Destash. Destash. D-E-S-T-A-S-H.
#3 Make a conscious effort to curb impulse purchases of craft supplies.
#4 Make a list of Christmas projects right now!
#5 Start and finish at least 50 unique projects in 2010!
#6 Learn how to bind books. Properly.
#7 Find a charity or special needs group to craft for.
2010 is gonna be a fabulous start to a new decade!
Blue Sky ATC - Bristol board, cotton quilting fabric, corduroy fabric, cotton/poly thread, chalk.
Olive U ATC - Bristol board, markers, watercolours, pigment ink, chalk, pen.
To be honest, I haven't been all that well-behaved in 2009. Instead of destashing my craft supplies per my new year's resolution, I've been on a paper and rubber stamps buying spree. In fact, I've also fallen off the wagon and brought home fiber, yarn and fabric when I wasn't supposed to *grin* If you feel like granting a few of my crafty wishes, I promise I'll try to do better in 2010!
Wishes, wishes, wishes
* Chemistry themed items (for my inner geek)
* Handbound journals (because I've yet to learn how to bookbind)
* Handspun yarns & hand dyed fibers (there's always room for fiber & yarn)
* Bracelets / Earrings (simple, classic styles)
* Art for my craftroom (anything goes!)
* Bento accessories (because I'm trying hard to stay away from fast food)
* Plush animals (cute/quirky)
* Anything is scented with lavender (love the medicinal scent of lavender!!)
* Knitted or Crocheted lace items
* Anything that is made by you!
NOTE: This is not a typical post in my craft blog...it's for the STS secret swap on Craftster. I hope my partner finds the list somewhat helpful :)
Yep. I finished the "Shag" scarf (from Lynne Barr's Knitting New Scarves) a lot faster than anticipated. Once I figured out the pattern, it was simply a repeated series of stitches. Mindless, really. I love how it turned out though!
Over the weekend, I bought another knitting book to add to my stash of craft p*rn. Reversible Knitting, also by Lynne Barr, has all kinds of cool stitches in it. 
Some reviewers have complained that the stitch patterns in her book are a) not for the beginner knitter and b) not truly reversible. Honestly, I do agree with both evaluations. But meh, I'm looking for interesting geometric stitch patterns, and Lynne Barr delivers. So all is well in my world! Now I need to decide which project I should tackle first *glee*
Матрёшка/Matryoshka ATC - Bristol board, Russian text, origami paper, cardstock, chalk, markers, pigment ink, pen.
The Good Mould:Penicillium notatum ATC - Bristol board, SEM image, glazing medium, copper tape, markers.
Ida Saxton McKinley Crochets ATC - Bristol board, lace piece, markers, chalk ink, pigment ink, repro photo.
Finished shrug and the start of another knitting project...
1 comments Posted by loves2experiment at 3:12 PMFinished the mini shrug, oh awhile ago, but never got around to wearing it or taking pictures of it! It was wear-a-shrug weather this past Monday, so voila!
Now that the shrug's done, I'm working on a scarf from this book:
I quite like the patterns in this book!
Sushi ATC - watercolours, page from a Japanese book, menu from sushi bar, 120# watercolour paper, chalk, pigment ink, markers. 
Mixed Media ATC - Tyvek, page from Japanese book, metal brad, paper towel, vellum, silk thread, paper scraps, watercolours, 120# watercolour paper, chalk, pigment ink. 
A, my colourist, did a fabulous job on my latest experiment with hair colour. Depending on the lighting, the highlights are either ultraviolet or a brilliant blue. Me likes!
These measure approx. 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, and they're pop-up ATCs with a Halloween theme!
The Raven - Based on Edgar Allen Poe's poem, the background is an excerpt of the poem and the wing flap of the raven hides the quote "Quoth the Raven. "Nevermore.""
Mr. Bones - Skeleton with a few articulated joints that extends beyond the 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches format when expanded. 
Haunted House - A transformation style (pull-tab) of paper engineering with day glo and night time contrast.
Pumpkin Boo - Another pull-tab featuring a combination of two popular halloween icons!
Trick or Treat - Volvelle paper engineering with a cut-out window to highlight trick and treat options.
Little Ghouls - My favourite halloween-themed stamp...so much so that I had to figure out a way to use this in an ATC! 
I never seem to tire of making these. These bags are quick to make, and perfect for destashing bits of patterned fabric (leftover from other projects?) that I can't bear to throw away!
The weather is getting cooler, but I'm not quite ready to give up my tanks and summer frocks just yet. After an extensive search on Ravelry, I've decided that I quite like this pattern! So I figured a new shrug would be the way to go, and that's what I'm working on right now! 
Yes, sock. There will not be a second one in the making because I miscalculated and this sock turned out bigger than I would like it to be. Having said that, it was good practice for future adventures in sock making!!
I finally started on a tubular sock that I've been meaning to knit for the past couple of, erm...years. 
Let's hope I'll get around to finishing said sock, and that I'll be challenged to make another one to complete the pair!!
For another round of inchie trading :)
Ticket To...
1 <3 Seuss
Not So Square
Lost In Translation
Inked On Text
Inchie Stamps
Flower Power
Cute As A Button