Sealife and Xmas - a natural fit

I'm in absolute cute spasms over Futuregirl's Octopus and Seahorse patterns. How can you resist them?

I'm envisioning a Xmas tree covered in pretty colored sparkly sea life. And I've always had a super soft spot for Octopi. If only there was a jellyfish pattern to go with or a narwhal. (Hmmm.....maybe next year Futuregirl?). Anyway, I'm totally ordering these patterns and going to try to fit in a mass of ornament crafting in between all the other holiday crafting I'd like to do but haven't even started yet. Yikes! I have a hard time putting realistic restraints on my crafty projects.

Vampirey Goodness

Just finished New Moon by Stephenie Meyer today. Actually I was reading the last few pages during my lunchbreak and it was so noisy in the lunchroom that I holed up in my office with my door closed for a few minutes just so I could finish it un-interrupted.

Its all about teenagers and vampires and other creatures. Fun! Its book two in a trilogy so I've already reserved book three from the local library.

Books and magazine ponderings and surrenders

I've been reading a whole lot as always. Here's my most recent books.


How Sassy Changed My Life was book number 4 in my quest to read more nonfiction (from my 101 list). Obviously, I'me starting out pretty easy and girly on this goal. So far I've read two books about reproduction and two books about feminism. Who knows where I'll go next!

I liked this book. It made me wish I had another magazine to fall in love with. Right now I only subscribe to The Sun Literary Magazine and Cooking Light. I recently let my Lucky subscription lapse. I need some fabulously well-rounded magazine to fall for I think. Any suggestions?


Straight Man was good! Even funnier than Empire Falls. I quite enjoy Richard Russo's writing about middle aged men. Makes me think about my dad and make me think how I owe him a call.

Purple Hibiscus is gonna be a non-finisher for me. And I hate not finishing a book, but man! I'm listening to it on tape and my sense of dread for the family in the story is too much. I don't feel that much of a connection with them either, just dread. And I was so ready to mentally escape to Africa for a while.

Library Madness

I'm either the public library's best or worst user. The amount of books I have out right now is madness. Here's what I have:

-Setting Free the Bears - by John Irving. I'm determined to read all his novels, but so far this one isn't grabbing me.
- Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Agozi Adichie. Set in Nigeria, this story is making me so anxious, I'm listening to it on tape, and I'm not so sure I want to continue. The story is doing something to my nerves.
-A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. Next up for listening to in the car. A supernatural story set in a girls boarding school. Sounds very good.
- New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. So anxious to start this one! I may have to crack it open tonight. Teenage vampires!
- Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. I've heard so many good things about this book. Its about a household of thieves.
-Rosie Little's Cautionary Tales for Girls by Danielle Wood.I love fairy tales and short stories. This looks right up my alley. And a good breather book since most of the novels on my stand seem to have between 300 and 400 pages.
-Femme Fatale by Pat Shipman. About Mata Hari. I've had this out for far to long. I need to either read it or return it.
-Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I keep putting this off for other books. I think I'm a little afraid I won't love this as much the second time around.
-Clouds and Eclipses by Gore Vidal. Another I've renewed a ridiculous numbe rof times without opening.
-Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. This is the graphic novel version of a novel I heart very much. It shall be read soon and quickly.
-The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax.About a violinist. Another I've read raves reviews about.
-I Dreamed of Africa by Kuki Gallman. I've been in an African mood lately I think.
-Fabulous Felted Scarves by Chad Alice Hagen & Jorie Johnson. Cause while swearing not to start new projects, I still cannot help but think about them. I'm delusional I know.

13 books! I think maybe I have a bit of a library addiction.

Projects

I have this insane notion that I need to make some progress on my innumerable un-finished projects. Maybe if I make myself finsih two projects for every new one I start. I'm not sure that's possible - especially since I should make an exception for Xmas and etsy projects. Its an admirable idea though. Right now, I'd love to finish a softie for my 16 year old niece and a painting I've stalled on. There must be progress and maybe even completeion this month! Hold me to it. Plus that pesky photo album. Oh my - this could take a while.

One of these nights the whole world's going down

Love this song:

Monsters

We had these on our windows for the Halloween party. Also inspired by Martha Stewart. I love how the bird monster looks like he has intentions for the feeder.