This is the Bobble Hat by Fabled Needle.  I’ve loved this pattern for, oh, about 2 years now.  I think it may have inspired me to take up crochet in all its cuteness.  But then I remember trying to crochet it one night to no avail.  I guess I finally acquired enough skills to tackle it.

So I made it for Emily.  I used an H hook to achieve the smaller size.  Then I made an i-cord to weave around it instead of ribbon.

Now all it needs is a matching scarf.  Oh, and maybe some flowery embellishments.  Why not?  Everything looks cute on Emily.

For those of you who don’t know, On My Desk is supposed to be a Wednesday thing.  But I notoriously participate a day late every week (or every other week).  My apologies to kootoyoo.

Honestly, my desk and work area are scaring me, so I daren’t show you everything.  Instead, here is a little pile of things I’ve been working on this week:

Another pair of flannel pajama pants for Emily, a pair of lacy wrist-warmers from Purl, some other wintery accessory on the needles, and a pattern from Posie that I’m considering for one of these.

All last winter, I wanted to make a set of wrist warmers, but the honest truth is that I was scared of dpns (double-pointed needles).  They kind of remind me of this guy.  When I saw this pattern though, I got over my fear and just went for it.

Mine are a little wonky, but I think the lace pattern is very forgiving.

It looks like my wrist is in some weird cast, doesn’t it?  Maybe it’s the way I posed my fingers.  Awkward ballet fingers.  Hm.  Anyway, I’m not gonna care what they look like when my hands are warm and happy this winter!  :)

Let the crocheting and knitting begin! I couldn’t resist this pattern by Jaybird Designs (via Craft). It’s another one of those projects that makes you jump-up-and-get-to-it. And hats are great like that. You can almost finish one while watching Singin’ in the Rain. Almost. I find myself a bit obsessed when it gets to the halfway point. I must have a final product before I can rest easy.

Just so you know: I had to decrease more frequently when I got to the fitted part. It was probably the yarn I chose (super-cheap Red Heart, I believe). But I had to repeat *sc in 2 sts, sc2tog* on the dec row. Again, I didn’t bother with checking my gauge, so I have no doubt this was an operator-error type of situation. ;) However, it worked out just fine, and I love love love my new hat! Thanks again, Jaybird!

I got a lovely email this morning telling me that the latest issue of Small Magazine was available. I’ve shared this once before. Every new issue inspires me so much that I just can’t not mention it.

This time, more than one photo made me want to knit a red hat for Emily.

Aren’t these Polaroids great?

And I pretty much love everything about this spread:

So feminine. So sweet. Braids. Dresses that I could totally make. Dancers. Fruit. :)

Well…

I’m decidedly not knitting a hat for the girl. But I am making a kerchief which may become a shawl. If I have enough yarn.

Funny thing - I cannot retrace the thought-process that led to me not making a hat. Huh.

But I will make her a dress like that pale peachy one.

If I can remember.

Jacob made a new friend today.

Or, I guess, I made a new friend for Jacob today.

I love how the bunny kinda looks like a sleeping baby.

Pattern found here via Meet Me at Mike’s.

Through Pink Paper Peppermints, I found the cutest tutorial today at joybucket.  These little hairpins took about 30 minutes to make (if that long).  I decided to do French knots instead of seed beads in the center of the flowers, but the possibilities for these are endless.

I’ve also been surprised again by the bounty at our library.  I found Uncommon Crochet there, and I love it.  This little clutch really appeals to me, and I think it’s the diagonal lines with lace and fabric added.  I certainly don’t need a clutch.  It seems these days that any bag with less than 2 cubic feet of space is pretty much useless to me.  But I like it anyway.

This is making me feel sad today.

On that note, I’ll see you tomorrow.  I’m going to play with Emily now.

I’m finally making something for Jacob.  Despite my many plans while he was in the womb, I only ever managed to purchase some flannel and start one of these dolls.  I made one for someone else’s baby, but I never finished the second one.  It’s still on my desk.

Anyway, this cute little teddy pattern is from Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Amigurumi.  And kyuuto, of course, means cute.  I haven’t decided on the stripes yet.  Evan wants me to make it a pirate teddy.  I’m just not sure how to crochet a hook for its hand…

So Amy Karol lost a shoe.  It may have gone out with the recycling.  When I saw the missing shoe, I sorta went nuts for it.  I really like these shoes.  And I’m really sorry for her that she lost one.  And my husband thinks I’m crazy for talking about fellow bloggers as though we know one another.  And for coveting aforementioned blogger’s shoe.  Well, preferably a matching pair.

I have ever so bravely decided to join in with Jenny at allsorts in A Post a Day in May.

So on this second day of May, I plan to casually peruse my latest finds from the Tulsa Library system:

I saved these books for a quiet moment. Aren’t those little bears so cute?

And I may begin to paint and decoupage this charging station that Evan’s brother made us for Christmas:

This decoupage stool on Craft gave me a bit of inspiration.

Yesterday, I broke open my new watercolors and tried this simple project to get me going. I plan to do a few more little paintings before I share. It only took about 20 minutes from start to finish. So if you have a watercolor set, I highly recommend moving your creative muscles with this project.

I seem to have all the inspiration I need right now. Just need some extra time and energy! :)

Update on my Flickr dilemma: Evan has agreed to let me sign up for a pro account on Flickr, which I think will improve the quality of pictures I post on my blog. So it’s a win-win. Or maybe even a win-win-win.

The weekend makes me tired.  I think for most people, the weekend is a time to recharge.  For me, it’s my chance to get out and get things done.  So sometimes I overdo it.  And then I crash.  I napped on Saturday and on Sunday, just as I did last weekend, and then I suffered from slight insomnia last night.  Just couldn’t get it quite right.

It was a lovely weekend though.  I went to the tried and true Quality Thrift Store a quarter-mile away and picked up some neat finds.  Instead of crocheting my own, I found a random-stripe ripple afghan for $5.  And it’s already broken in.

I also found this tediously embroidered tree.  No lie–about 7 people stopped me at the thrift store to comment on it.   Lots of Oh, that’s interesting!s.  I agree.  Though it is also a bit strange.  I’m thinking of embellishing it somehow.  Perhaps with birds or flowers.  Any ideas?

And here is my Mystery WIP.  I began it while watching Barton Fink with Evan, and it evolved into I don’t know what.  A scarf?  A purse?  A pillow?  I really don’t know.  At first, I was working from a pattern in Pretty Knits.  I knew my gauge was off, but I didn’t realize how off.  I decided to make a ruffle to slim things down, and now I don’t know what this is anymore.  But it started as a bag.  Hmmm…

Speaking of Barton Fink, Evan is doing a Coen Brothers Month over at Movie Zeal.  He talked me into watching all 12 of their films sequentially with him.  I’ve never studied a director (or two) in this way before, and it’s very interesting to see their work evolve.  I find that I feel strongly about every film–I either love it or hate it.  But then I also think Perhaps this will be better upon a second viewing…  I don’t know.  I’ve always loved Raising Arizona.  Since I was about 8 years old.  Knowing the quirkiness of this film helped me appreciate Blood Simple.  I couldn’t help but notice similar themes, camera angles, and even a splash of their Coen humor.  But when we got to Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink, I was pretty disappointed.  But like I said, maybe if I watch them again?

Last night was The Hudsucker Proxy night.

And The Brothers redeemed themselves.  At least, for now.