Fiddly Distractions

I hadn't realized how much I needed some green in my life until everything started blooming at once. It's lush and green and amazing here right now, and it's like a balm to my soul I didn't even know I needed.

Following the recomendation of Katie, I downloaded the A Beautiful Mess photo app this week. I was not disappointed. For only $1 I've been able to add scribbles and doodles to my photos. It's been a fun way to fiddle around, pass the time, and amuse myself.

I even got ambitious and wound some yarn I've had lying around forever. 

It's been a mellow week here, slowly but surely I'm feeling more like my summer self. I'm excited to dive into new weather and new projects.

Babys and Puppies

It's pretty hard not to love baby animals of any kind but even HARDER not to when they have faces like these!!

A few weeks ago I flew the coop for Michigan. Favoring $11 pitchers of my favorite beer and some cute cute faces all around. The fact that everyone drives 70 in Michigan? Just icing on the cake.

It was great to relax and get out of the city and away from real life problems for awhile. There's nothing quite like sitting on the front porch of a log cabin and knitting your worries away.

and it's even better if it includes some great lady friends. 

possibly the best when you match without meaning to.

Summer Knit Along: Week 1 AND 2

Well, things have been busy busy busy around here recently. I'm participating in the Sweatshop of Love Summer Knit Along. There are two options to choose from. A more simple pattern and a more complex and advanced pattern. Like a crazy person I am knitting BOTH.

My justification to myself it they are both tank tops so that's less time right? Well, that's what I'm telling myself at least.

Unfourtunatly I am already behind. Classic. I know. BUT considering that last time I started three weeks late, and only ended two weeks after everyone else. I think I'll be just fine.

The first summer sweater aka tank top that I am knitting is Make Up Your Mind.

From Knitty.com this racerback tank is made up of five different stitch patterns. Its sure to keep me on my toes. I'm using Knit Picks Fingering Comfy in Blackberry. It doesn't have stretch like the yarn called for but at a much more reasonable price I decided to use it anyway.

Our second sweater is the Loop Enterlac Tank Top

A Sweatshop original design this involves enterlac, the complex looking, but fairly simple technique that gives the straps their woven effect. I'm using they yarn called for, Knit Picks Comfy Sport which I've worked with before and absolutely love.

So far my progress is only a little past to week one on Makeup Your Mind.

And my enterlac is withering away, I'm only still on my first strap.

Luckily I've still got two more days to bang out some inches to get ready for week three. Can't wait to get knitting!

easy living, summer time edition

switching jobs for me means that I no longer have to work weekends. This is very exitting especially as we move into summer, it not only leaves more time for crafting but more time for RELAXING as well.

it goes with out saying that I am very excited!!

To celebrate I went out to visit my friend Maggie (check her out here at Chrohn's Chronicles) who was house sitting for her aunt and uncle in Naperville. I took this opportunity to do something I can't at my apartment.

take a bath!

As an unfortunate shower only apartment dweller I don't get many chances to take baths.

With a spread laid out like this waiting for me

it almost felt like I was at a spa.

There was some knitting that went on, I swear! But I'm going to update all about my first week of our Summer Sweat Shop of Love Knit Along later.

because really, when you start your day like this:

nothing else matters.