Thursday 2 August 2012

It's Thursday..

..and it's my first chance to think out loud since I got back. So, what's been going round in my head?

- Taking up a knitting project again months after starting is hard. Almost impossible when you break a needle five minutes in (i know, stronger than I think, eh?). This cardigan doesn't like me.

- We're still on the driving lessons here. His dad came up with a bumper sticker idea - and he's threatening to use it. Am I driving well? Call Dad on - 

- Spotted a lovely new magazine due to come out here in September. Called The Simple Things, it's from the Mollie Makes stable - a little bit Martha, a little bit Donna Hay maybe, a little bit Country Living. I like the sample pages here

- Still looking and loving some of the new CHA releases. I know some of you aren't so interested in trends and new stuff and I see your point. I was, after all, brought up with a Mum who firmly believed that if you kept something long enough, it would come round again...but no harm in looking, is there? (or is there?). I'm liking Lilybee's Autumn Spice; Dear Lizzy; Pink Paislee's Portfolio; Crate Paper (found my Christmas collection there); and October Afternoon. What about you?

If you aren't interested in buying, have you been thinking about using some of the colours and motifs with what you already have? I am. I've spotted
Farm - October Afternoon, anyone? I was brought up in the country and spent years trying to escape. Now I feel drawn back..I'll be making some fresh air layouts soon I think


Feathers - I've been cutting these with my Aviary Slice card for a while now. But I've been seeing feathers with a little bit of wire behind, so I did some DIY with double sided tape and craft wire. It adds a nice bit of movement.


Now I just need to find a good way to get them on a page.

- I could sew them on, maybe? With a few tips from Clair's Stitching on Paper class. Here's the picture with sneaks from the other guests. It starts on Saturday with tutorials every Saturday and Sunday throughout August.


And finally for today - a reminder that it's Storytelling Sunday this Sunday, 5th August. See you there? You'd be very welcome



31 comments:

alexa said...

What a lovely collection, Sian! I've giggled at the car sticker idea (wit runs in the family, clearly), blinked at the needle-breaking episode (there might be a future Olympic sport in this?), and clicked over to see the new magazine pages - well, you know how I am drawn to anything with the word 'simple' in the title ... :). I might just have to subscribe.

Alana said...

Lovely feathers Sian, don't think you need an excuse to use them just stick them on. Can you cut anything else other than paper, make some accessories or something?

scrappyjacky said...

Am loving the the look of the magazine,Sian....though I really wish you would stop introducing me to more magazines!!!
Great idea with the feathers....and will certainly be looking at Claire's class....my sewing machine will soon seize up with lack of use....or burst into flames like the last one!

Ifa said...

I will be back on Sunday. Where did you get those chickens? They are adorable. I am going on a hunt...

Amy said...

The magazine does look nice, and I think I have had an Alexa moment ... I can see a page design idea!

It's going to be a big weekend of link ups .. all ready for StS down here.

Barbara Eads said...

Love that bumper sticker idea.

As for the new products from CHA---they are just starting to roll into the stores. I'm sure I'll succumb to a few purchases.

Susanne said...

Oh there is no harm in a little shopping, if you are choosey and if it makes you dip into your old stuff again and use it as well. As far as magazines go, if I have too many coming I peruse them so quickly that I don't pick up on the little details like I should. The same could be said for cookbook and scrapping blogs as well. Well, it looks like you've got me thinking on your thoughtful Thursday. What is it about Thursday that it lends itself to catching up on random stuff?

Karen said...

I'm always glad for the recommendations, although I've paid very little attention to the new lines introduced at CHA this year. When we are in Denver, I'll get to an Archiver's store. I know new products have started to arrived there already, so I imagine I'll give in to a few new purchases. I really need to use up what I decided to keep when I did my last purge!

Abi said...

I like a look of lots of the CHA stuff particularly the feather as you say. That new magazine looks lovely too! I will be back on Sunday, maybe a bit late as we are in the middle of a house move.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

LOVE the idea of the bumper sticker! LOL! And HOW do you break a knitting needle? ;o) I'm thinking about pulling out the crochet hook again now that my shoulder is feeling better.

Denise said...

Hmmm- I was wondering how you broke a knitting needle too!- I've just picked up a crochet blanket I started way back last November. I'm loving some of the new CHA releases- lots of Tim Holtzy stuff-his new snowflake die- and Glitz and Basic Grey etc etc etc !

Elizabeth said...

I'm still on my sock knitting craze and have broken several bamboo double points. Now I've switched to magic loop needles--they are much stronger! Love the idea of using feathers. That's one Slice card I don't have so I'll have to save my pennies to get one.

Sian said...

Yes! It was a bamboo knitting needle - and I was picking up stitches at the time.

Ifa - I cut the hens with the Aviary Slice card

Jennifer Shaw said...

Love hearing your thoughts! That magazine looks really good. Love the idea of it. Wish it was Canadian. Your die cuts look terrific. I too love the new Crate lines and PP Portfolio is calling my name. I need none of it but know I will cave. ;)

Nathalie said...

Fun read Sian :) It was nice to catch up with what you have going on. I love the bumper sticker idea, made me chuckle.

Alison said...

I haven't looked very closely at the new papers etc, but I'm sure I'll be getting around to that soon! See you Sunday
Alison xx

Sue Althouse said...

We must be working on the same cardigan. I'm just telling myself that summer is not the time for knitting and waiting for cooler weather. I have a whole Pinterest board of CHA goodies I would like to have. I'm not a patient person, so waiting for the releases is so hard!

Missus Wookie said...

Not looked - but one of the reasons for subscribing to a kit is to get new things to play with. I'll go looking and do an order later, once I've actually got time to play. Several friends send me links with OOOOH in the title as they know I don't look much :)

Like the feathers and chickens - just took photos of a chicken. Hmm that could be a v short storytelling Sunday story.

Speaking of which have that all set up and ready to go!

Lou said...

you really do get the use out of your slice Sian and everything you cut is beautiful! Chickens and feathers...i wonder what you'll come up with!! x

Sandie said...

I love random postings Sian. I will need to check out the new magazine, think about a post for Sunday, and look forward to Stitching on Paper on Saturday. That's me sorted!

Maria Ontiveros said...

I found it impossible to get back to old cross stitch projects on vacation.
Working on my story for Sunday.
Rinda

Ladkyis said...

oooh, story telling sunday - I'll be there!

Amanda said...

How on earth did you manage to break the knitting needle Mrs Muscles?

The feathers are beautiful and the new magazine sounds good.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

when my brother got his license in 1986 I sold him my car. He asked for personalized plates ($$$) and my dad paid for them without complaint. Why? My brother got his initials. And in our small town everyone immediately recognized his car so every time he did something stupid in it they knew who he was and told my dad all about it.

Ginger said...

I hear what you're saying about the country - I have those feelings too at times after leaving at 16.

I love, love, love those feathers! You know I wanted to buy the slice, but I was very disappointed when I found out they no longer sell it at Michaels here. It's fairly expensive to purchase it along with the cartridges online so I don't think I will be getting it :(

Thanks for the STS reminder :)

Gem's Crafts said...

Good for you picking up your knitting again, I've got a cross stitch that I started when I was 15 and still haven't finished!

Melissa said...

What an eclectic collection of thoughts this past Thursday! I've had a busy week but am getting caught up today & enjoying seeing what everyone's been up to . . . or what they've been thinking.

Clair said...

You broke an knitting needle - what are earth were you knitting? Steel? :)

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

I´ve been taking up an old needlecraft project about every other year since before my own tall one was born. He´ll be 17 next February. Yes, taking up after a while might be difficult.
My mom is like yours! *giggle*
There´s always pretty new stash to look at. :D
Nice magazine, thanks for the link. :)

Anonymous said...

I really need to finish someof my knitting projects. Thought it must have been a bamboo needle - i've always wondered about them

Jennifer Grace said...

I got a little bored of Mollie Makes, I think it was too graphic in styling for me, all the issues started to look the same, especially all the photos of clean white studio spaces - when I found myself wishing I had white walls and less furniture I cancelled my subscription. Sadly the new magazine looks like it will follow along the same lines. I like more colour and less order in my magazines (and my life)!

I love the wired feathers, great idea. You are tempting me into buying another slice design card now though... x

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