December!

Calendar of the Month Club

Here we are at the final paper calendar of 2011!  Where did that year go!  We're in big holiday prep mode with two birthdays and Christmas around the corner.

I was working at my desk on Friday and wished I could just tilt back in my chair and snooze like this nutcracker.

November!

Calendar of the Month Club

It's so refreshing to see this vibrant November calendar on my desk.  At times, early November seems like the dreary weeks between the crisp colors of Fall and the excitement of the holiday season.  It's as if the little bird were shouting, "November!"

I've started brainstorming holiday gift ideas.  Hopefully I can keep it in check.  Yesterday I came home from the yarn store with a big bag of treasures and I can't wait to dive in.

October!

Fall is here!

Calendar of the Month!

September!

Calendar of the Month Club!

It's September!  

The weather was beautiful this weekend, a little cooler, with just a bit of Fall in the air.  

We are shifting gears from the go,go,go of summer to the fresh start of cooler weather and a new school year.  

I have thrown away my summer RV and now have this shadow box that reminds me of scrap-booking, crafts, and the fun of projects!

August

I wasn't ready to give up my July RV (and I wasn't a big fan of August's robot surfer) so I just added a surf board to my camper.


Curiosity Calendar of the Month

July!

I really like July's addition to the Calendar of the Month Club!  I smile each time I look at it. (June's calendar was a blue whale that I put together so poorly that I don't think I even took a photo!) Our June was busy with travels and we're looking forward to finding more adventure to fill the rest of the summer.

I haven't spent much time crafting this summer, but here are the projects that I did finish in the last few months.

Little Blue Birds from Itty-Bitty Toys

I had intended these little birdies as Easter gifts and was just a few weeks late.  They each fold into an egg!  The kids were very excited (the pattern was one that my daughter had pointed out when she looked through the book.)  It is a little difficult to get the birds folded in to the eggs and I wonder how many times they can be folded without damage.  (Ravelry: Blue birds)

I used another Susan B Anderson pattern to make a birdie for the baby.  I think she has such great patterns and this one is free! (Duck-to-bunny pattern) He is quite well loved!  (You can see the bunny side at my Ravelry link: Duck/Bunny)

Mini-totes from sew what! bags

I created these mini-tote bags for gift bags to fill with little treasures.  Both were made from fabric scraps and measure about 10" x 10".  The sew what! book is always inspiring because it outlines the pattern, but leaves a lot of room for creativity.  Every time I make one I think of so many other bag ideas I'd love to try.

Nola's Knitted Slippers

These are super soft and squishy slippers.  I modified the pattern to fit a larger size and outlined those changes on my Ravelry page. (Nola slippers)  My brother was severely injured by a drunk driver a few months ago and I spent an anxious weekend knitting these and waiting for updates.  My husband was out of town for work and so I wandered around after the kids with my yarn under my arm and knit like each garter stitch held all of my hopes and prayers for his recovery.  Knitting is nice like that.  (My brother is recovering very well, considering, but has a long road still.)

Right now I'm working on a dress for the baby who is no longer really a baby...

Blossom dress

May!

 Hmmm.... we haven't been very crafty lately.  It's the last month of school and we're all looking forward to summer break!

Curiosity calender of the month

April!

Download your own calendar of the month!

March!

calendarofthemonth

February!

Well, January sure went by in a flash. I was kept busy with a variety of things, but I now feel like I'm getting my 2011 footing.

I had made a goal to keep track of where my time went for a week or two. I was too busy to even get that started! However I have been trying to use my time consciously, focusing more, multi-tasking less.

On the right you will see a list of crafting and food blogs that I read regularly. The blog title moves to the top of the list if it has an update.

I've mentioned How About Orange several times, including how it led me to the Calendar of the Month club. I have a little groundhog keeping me company this month. The RealSimple blog has a lot of random posts that are simliar to things found in the magazine.

I have found recipes that are now in permanent rotation on Orangette, Smitten Kitchen, and Moderate Oven. Moderate Oven is written by a friend of mine. I always wished I could sit in her kitchen and figure out how she put such good food together. Now I can! The Artisan Bread blog is connected with the awesome Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day book. I plan to post more about that soon.

There are quite a few knitting sites in my blog reader. Yarn Harlot, Mason-Dixon knitting, and Spud & Chloe are written by published knitting-book authors. Of course they often mention knitting related things, but I find Yarn Harlot really funny, Mason-Dixon knitting often mentions all sorts of non-crafty/interesting topics, and Spud & Chloe hosts knit-a-longs and gives lots of technique advice.

French Press Knits is written by a self-published pattern designer. I really like her designs and have knit some myself. TECHknitting has awesome tips and tricks if you are someone who knits.

Nissa Nicole is my talented photographer sister-in-law. I do not personally know the ladies who write Our Yellow House and SpiderWoman Knits, but they live in upstate NY and have great craft/household/gardening ideas. Ana White designs free furniture patterns. We found the plan for our picnic table on her site and I wish we had the tools and time to build more!

As always, I have a few posts in my head that I hope to get up here soon... but until then I hope you check out some of my favorites! If you are still checking in here, what are some blogs you read for inspiration?

Time waits for no Yeti.

We had a very busy December that ran into January and I feel like we are just getting the new year started now.

I printed and constructed this cute little Yeti this afternoon. (http://curiositygroup.com/calendarofthemonth) It makes me smile and takes the place of a very outdated photo on my desk. I'm looking forward to a super quick art project each month.

Many of my goals for 2011 can be grouped under better time management - more exercise, more effort in meal planning, more time to work and blog, more time spent focusing on one task instead of flitting here and there, time to do some organizing and decorating around the house, and so on.

My first baby goal of the year will be to take a hard look at my schedule next week. I'm going to print some blank daily calendars and fill in how I want to spend my time and where it actually goes.

I have lots of handmade gifts to post about in the next week too!

Happy New Year!