One thing that’s concerning me is my self imposed knitting deadline looming in at a mere 34 days. So far I’ve finished three cowls, one pair of mittens, a kitchen towel (and a half), and one scarf. Three of these are wool and will be avoided like the plague by most of my relatives so it seems I need to take a closer look at my projects and conserve energy to only the most important projects….my biggest problem is not knowing what the men in my family would actually use. Scarves and socks seem like easy projects but they would quickly be discarded. Fingerless mitts might work although would also likely meet the discard pile. The question is, what Would they use. One option I found was a remote control holder for the couch. The other option is to find something in a completely different craft area which might work out better in the long run because I might have a boost of enthusiasm to get me through a new project. Currently I’m looking into some ideas with leather because my father likes most things leather.There is also the option of metal stamped items since I’ve got the whole set up already it would be easy enough to find the right thing to stamp or if I’m feeling really brave I could try sewing something. I’ve seen some really cool re-purposed men’s ties. Soo many options and sooo little time!

Hubby prepping the cake with strawberries on an amazing! 8 layered chocolate mouse cake with whip cream frosting…mmm.

Waiting for the pizza to arrive, still not sure we’re allowed to eat that at our ages.

Not a great picture but I didn’t get very many during the party. Mostly we ate pizza, cake, veggies, homemade coconut and blueberry marshmallows, played Dominion, joked about my crafting obsessions and generally had a good time. My brother was the only family to make it but I did have family well wishes from afar. Mom even felt well enough to talk for a few minutes before she got tired.

Birthday music did happen.

I almost forgot to get a picture of me so here I am at 30 in a crummy pic but it was better than nothing. I look a bit tired. What do you think of my new hair style? I thought 30 deserved a new look. After a week I’m still loving it. A hair straightener does the trick on this thing pretty quick….not that it shows in this pic after a long day of partying.

The necklace is new too, thanks hubby!

Friends treated me to a manicure and pedicure.

I just have to share the funny gift from hubby.

Yes, that’s a peg board….and yes I put it on my wishlist…..and no I didn’t think he’d buy it for my birthday. I laughed and laughed over this one! Hopefully it doesn’t take another year to get it installed to organize our tools.

All of that celebrating got me in the mood for some crafting fun. I managed some very comfy felted slippers and the hot weather dried them out quickly so I’m already able to wear them.

These were so much fun that it got me researching Youtube for other felting ideas and came up with this really quick and fun project. I’m not sure what it will end up as but since I had the warped loom with alpaca sitting since last year I thought merino pencil roving would make for a quick weave. Already I’m loving how soft this is. I’ll need to felt it at least a little so it stays together but hopefully it will keep it’s softness.

I can’t claim this is warped right but it looks ok to me.

Time for bed now before I waffle face my keyboard. Onward and upward…..bring it!

Hand balm pearl and yummy lip balm in sweetened Chocolate Coconut Coffee.

My first attempt at rebatched soap. I didn’t read any instructions while I was working on it so it was all from what I remembered reading (inspiration here). It didn’t go as well as planned but I love the final soap. It smells a wonderful vanilla lavender scent. There was too much water added so the soap foamed around the bowl and the pot was too hot so it scorched a bit on the bottom. Not enough to make the soap smell burnt thankfully.

And antiperspirant tester and gardener’s hand balm for a friend. Two different batches with different concentrations of wax, vanilla, and lavender.

Taking photos of life in a desperate attempt to preserve it.

Sleepy Peaches.

A miniature rose bush I’ve decided to nurture at my day job. Lots of work! It’s perfectly fine during the week but weekends I have to over water it and leave my desk light on. Over the weekend it shot up with bright green leaves and then started drooping by Monday morning. I’m already worried how it will survive weekends over the summer. I might have to take it home.

Trying out my 4 year old Scooba for the first time. It was stashed brand new in the garage ever since we moved to our condo. Very cool and fun to watch by both cats and people.

Sunset out our font patio.

Hail and thunder woke us Sunday morning.

Microwave brownie using batter “leftovers”. I can’t be expected to wait 35 minutes for a brownie!. 30 seconds in the microwave with a tiny bit of extra water mixed in the batter.

mmmm!

And baking sugary treats to feed to friends who helped me forget my anxiety for a few hours and laugh and be spontaneous with. By the way, if I haven’t mentioned before, the game of Dominion is fabulous!

Today is another waiting day and with all the cold, rainy, windy days I’m starting to get the urge to make these Solid Exfoliating Scrubs or some baby onsies for my cousin who just announced she’s pregnant! Hm, maybe both.

Deodorant has been a BIG hit this summer which has been a challenge. A main ingredient is coconut oil that melts at 76 degrees. Packaging became a REALLY big challenge when it started leaking before I could ship it so back at base I re-made and re-packaged in “fancy” ziplock bags. Some assembly required.

This beautiful necklace with the word FLY was a custom request from a friend. It’s destined to be gifted to a book author who just published a book on flying. I will ask if I can share her name here.

This pearl “firecracker” necklace and matching bracelet were also a custom pieces for a co-worker who planned on gifting them to a mother-of-the-groom this last weekend. No word yet on how the wedding went since my co-worker is still on vacation. I’ll be sure to share the outcome on this one too.

This beautiful gray necklace was also for my co-worker. This one is pearl knotted, and I must admit, a lot of work. The plan was to have the pieces finished before my big company picnic at the local water park but the necklace had other ideas. Third time was the charm and after a long day of hauling (over 650lbs) of food to the water park, spending the day in the sun, and supervising the food prep I was in no shape to pearl knot but there was nothing for it but to sit down after a long day and knot these beautiful pearls. In the future I might send my co-worker to pick out all of my pearls. She had amazing taste. Both necklaces had wonderful luster, shape and color. I’ve never worked with “firecracker” pearls before so it was a lot of fun to see what they could do. Several new pearl strands will be arriving in my IndenturedMason store soon as a result of this necklace.

Other things I’ve been up to

Cream colored scarf I actually finished before but have been putting off taking pictures

My multi-colored seed stitch scarf that just keeps going and going. This is on ball 2 and I’m pretty sure I need at least one more.

Chai Tea goats milk swirl soap with Moroccan red clay. Smells yummy and is wonderful to wash with, creamy with a little bit of slick texture.

I’ve also ordered a few more jewelry supplies that are really exciting. They should inspire new pieces in my shop (or my jewelry box). Can you tell I’m liking the birds lately?

A semi new type of project I’m trying out that is pretty easy at this stage, a knitting loom. Basic projects are hats and scarves like my cream scarf a few pictures up and this soon to be hat or  tube scarf depending of if I like the hat idea. Hats are not my friend so I’m not sure about this as a hat.  What do you think?

new ball winder with

The yarn is Squoosh Fiberarts merino silk lace in cranberry approx 130 yards. Also planned to post some baby blue wool stuff not can’t find the pic.

and a bonus pic’s of the jewelry collection I made for my friend Candice for Christmas.