Some New Books and some FOs!

I was greet yesterday when I got to work with a new book on the hold shelf for me: Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games series. Knowing that I was at about the same place on the list for this book and the next one (Mockingjay), I feel the need to read quickly. Also, my life just keeps getting busier, as I have 8 days of teaching coming up in the next few weeks. I was talking about books with a group on Ravelry, and someone just started reading Laurie R. King's Touchstone. She said she couldn't put it down. Has anyone else read it? I didn't check it out from the library, as I still am reading a few other books. I am a terrible polygamous reader. [The person who suggested it actually said I should start with one of her other books.]

For Finished-Object Friday over at Tami's Amis, I have 2 things to share.
I finished blocking my cabled cowl, and got the buttons sewn on. I noticed a little mistake when blocking, but I hope no one else does! I also finished my crocheted button cowl, but have decided against making a set.
(I am extremely frustrated this morning, as my internet is running slow, and does not want to upload my pictures. I was all set to share some pictures, but I guess those will have to wait. Sorry.)
I also have a huge stack of crocheted flowers that will go onto hair elastics or headbands in the near future.

(This is the only picture I have, because I took it a few days ago)

Stash Bashing Thursday: Warm Weather Edition

Here in the Midwest (US), we've been having some un-seasonally warm weather. I love it!! I've painted my toenails and brought out my flip-flops.
It was so nice that when I came home after school yesterday, I grabbed my hook and a bag of yarn and sat outside to crochet. Afterwards, I came inside and dumped my scrap yarn bucket on my bed.

I've really been trying to clean up these odds and ends, but hadnt figured out how to do that yet. I was inspired by Anne over at Building my Catholic Home to use up odds and ends by holding multiple strands of worsted acrylic together to make a basket. My scraps were a lot smaller than hers, so I haven't quite gotten as far (also, I've been getting better at using scraps... I think) So I've been working on that, as well as more squares for my Lenten blanket.
I am sad to say that I haven't been doing as well on that, especially since school just decided to hit me in the face again, but I'm trying. It's halfway through Lent today, so I should have 20 squares. If I count my 6" squares individually, I'm right on track, but somehow I feel like that's cheating. However, you can see that I have been working on them.


I should have more 12" squares to add to my pile soon- crochet is a good outlet after days in the classroom.
I'm linking up with Tricia's stash bash today!! Let's see those stash piles disappear!

WIP Wednesday: short edition

Today I'm busy preparing for a psychology test (blergh) and worrying about lesson plans- I have to teach a 10th grade history class next week. So I'm keeping things short- head over to Tami's Amis for more excitement :)

I'm working on a scarf with yarn recycled from a sweater. The pattern is one that I just pulled out of my stitch pattern book:

I know you can't see it super well, but I'm hoping when it's done and blocking that it'll look better.
I'm also working on a how-to for my flowered headbands:

Hopefully I'll finish taking some photos and have it posted for the weekend!

That's all I have for now!
Thank you for stopping by!

Reading: Non-Fiction to Fiction

Even though I was busy subbing this week, I still had time to do a bit of reading between classes and on my lunch. I finished A History of the World in 6 Glasses, which I really enjoyed. The section on beer was probably my favorite, though I did really enjoy reading about tea. The section on Coke was interesting too, especially in relation to globalization. But I'm a nerd and I like that stuff.

Moving on from that, however, and into the fiction section with A Mystery of Errors. As the title may suggest to you, it is Shakespeare related. I'm not far into the book, but I laughed to myself when one of the characters talked about ale being the prefered drink of many, because water was not good to drink. I couldn't tell you for sure if I would suggest this book, but when I've gotten into it a bit more, I'll let you know.

FO Friday: New Headbands!

I've been busy doing a million things, but I have finished some things this week! I'm linking up with Tami's Amis to share my success :)

I'm sure everyone's noticed the current fashion of large flowers for hair- I've definitely gotten into that, as I have shared before. This week, however, I have a few flowered earwarmers. I shared a picture of me in one that I made here, but the ones for today are a bit different.

The original one I made was 100% wool, recycled from a thrift store sweater, made to keep my ears warm and to match a cowl I knitted. But I didn't want to sell stuff in 100% wool, due to washing problems. So, back to acrylic. These are entirely washable, as well as being fashionable- you can keep your ears warm without ruining your hair.

Books: A History of The World in 6 Glasses

I'm on spring break (yay!) and I actually have time to read.
My current, non-boring, non-fiction read is A History of the World in 6 Glasses, by Tom Standage.
It's divided into 6 parts, each about one of the beverages that was important during a pivotal point in world history. I'm enjoying it mainly because it isn't bogged down with tons of facts about one time period. It goes through the timeline quickly, and it peppered with witty lines and quotes from ancient (and less ancient) writings.
I've mostly been amused by the little facts that imply why alcohol consumption used to be good for people- beer was 'liquid bread', and helped stabilize the diets of the ancient civilizations; rum, when mixed with sugar and lime juice to make "grog" helped to fight scurvy in sailors.
I'm halfway through the section on 'spirits', which closes out the first half of the book. The second half does not focus on alcohol, but rather tea, coffee, and cola.
I would suggest this if you are a history person. If you are a beer/wine/liquor person, you might enjoy those sections. It's a fun and interesting read- I bet you'll learn something new!

Nothing Finished today

I have nothing finished to share this week, so I'm not linking up to Tami's, but I still wanted to share what I was working on.

My crocheted button cowl that was in the works on Wednesday is finished except for the buttons- I have them picked out and everything, just not sewn on. I have more than enough yarn to make a complete set- I'm thinking a pair of fingerless gloves and a nice headband/earwarmer. Not sure if I'll sell it, as it's 'one-of-a-kind' and those don't seem to do well at the craft shows.

I've been working hard on my Lenten afghan, and as today is the 10th day of Lent, I should have ten squares. To be honest, I only have 9 right now, but after work tonight, I plan on working up a few more. I've sewn the first 8 together in pairs, which should cut down on my finishing work. I have about 8 6" squares with ends waiting to be woven in, and I'm planning on sewing those together either in strips or to make 12" squares. I haven't quite decided yet.

The BAMCAL March squares were released Wednesday night, and I have them all printed out. So far I've been able to work the 6" squares- Never Fading Flower- and it works up a bit small, so I added a few extra rows so they match my others. I'm debating about adding 6" squares to my 'official' BAMCAL afghan-- if I do, I will make a set of 4 to create a 12" square.

I've also been doing a bit of knitting- testing out some cabling for another button cowl. This will definitely have a matching headband/earwarmer, but again, still not sure about selling them.

I am sadly without pictures in this post, as I have been so busy trying to get everything done before Spring Break so I can relax, that I just haven't had time to take pictures. Maybe I'll add some tonight.