Fiber Fool

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I kept my nose to the grindstone for the most part due to a personal request for that arrived late on Thursday that I promised a delivery of today :-/ I did take in a few fav movies while working and snuck in some novel reading whenever possible. As my left arm is really bothering me right now I’m having to take very frequent breaks from both the computer and knitting so I managed to nearly finish the novel I started last week.

Crafty:

• I love the paint chip silverware kit on this post at Sew Many Ways, though there are several more options
• If most of my studio walls were not taken up with shelves, I’d love to use this wall-mounted storage system for colored pencils - practical and decorative all at once!
• Turning an old T-shirt into yoga pants? - I may have to give this a try as all my yoga pants are falling down once again. BTW, I have an entire board on Pinterest dedicated to T-shirt refashions if that is of interest to you!
• This free Eva Dress pattern is going on my sewing bucket list! That neckline is flattering to everyone and the seam lines and such are wonderful!
• Did you see Yarn Harlot’s Netherfield socks she knit? I’m so excited that they are not yellow!

Yummy:

• I adrore root vegetables and recipes that easily adapt to what you have on hand so I’m intrigued to give this Rooted Stew from MayaMade a try soon!
• Dairy and Wheat Free Pumpkin Muffins from Alisa Burke - yes, it is after Christmas and even New Year’s but my love of pumpkin doesn’t fade…
• Make your own decorative chocolate cups to hold candies and treats - this would be great for a Valentine tea or Mad Hatter Unbirthday party! I think I’d try using our silicone lines though.
• If your new year’s resolution includes being more organized or healthy, you may find this post on beginning meal planning to be helpful - I only dabble in doing so every now and again, but it is great for the budget and to avoid falling prey to bad foods

Naturally:

• Make your own solid perfume stored in an old pocket watch case, locket or pillbox - I have a sensitivity to sprayed perfumes and am really best off with solids or roll-ons so making my own sounds like fun!
• Winter Salt Soak for Sore Muscles - a few of the ingredients likely need special ordered for most (I know I can’t get black pepper essential oil locally, but it is on my list to order soon)
• Homemade Coffee Body Lotion - caffeine is purported to reduce cellulite or at least the appearance of it temporarily

Pixely:

• dPS’a 15 Minute Exercise to Improve Your Photography - I think this may be a good one to do on a regular basis, perhaps monthly in the same location to really learn how your natural light changes throughout the year perhaps?
• Scott Bourne has a FREE e-book on taking sharp photos - I have a few of his ebooks and they are great, I’m sure this freebie is no different, though I haven’t had a chance to sit down with it yet.
• They say the best camera is the one you have on you, since that is my photo, these 10 iPhone Photo Tips will surely come in handy!
• Nicoleesy.com shares a video tip for adding texture to photos in Photoshop - it is amazing what that can do to a ho hum photo!
• MCP shares the methods she finds best to install Lightroom Presets and Photoshop Actions - I use some of their actions and find them wonderful time savers in my workflow

NK Blog Tour

From most recent posting in reverse chronological order.
• Tina at Peacefully Knitting gives an overview
• Knitting Scholar reviewed it
• Anne at How the West Was Spun gives a spinner’s perspective
• Mrs. Pao did a gifting-centric interview
• PoMo Golightly interviewed me
• Deb Robson at The Independent Stitch talks about the role my Monday knitting group had in Nourishing Knits
• Twisted Knitter interviewed me
• Kathryn of Alpacamundo talks about watching the book take shape and cast-on a project from the book!

Well, I hope you found a few things to ease your way through the first day of the work week!