Bit of this, bit of that...

As promised, here are a couple of things that I've been working on, have finished or have added to my stash of supplies.  I'll probably add a few things over the next few days, as I pull out some long forgotten works in progress (or WIP).  I'm hoping as I begin to do this, the creative vibe will come back to me in a big way, and that I'll improve my photography skills.

The Granny Square Mountains

 First up is a handful of the one-colour granny squares I've made.  Ultimately, they'll all be joined together in a yet to be determined pattern to form a blanket.  I'm not sure how long this particular project is going to remain unfinished and for once, that's not because I'm lazy!  Every single time I've gone to the store to pick up more of the royal purple wool, there has been nary a skein to be found!  I'm planning a trip to Ikea in the next couple of weeks and that will take me near another store that I can try for the wool.

  

Before I began these squares, it had probably been over a decade since I had done any crocheting.  I had forgotten how much fun it can be.  I need to re-learn how to do a lot of stitches, and how to do many that I'd never tried before.

I've also got a few ideas in mind for some small pieces using fine thread.  I'm thinking accessories and jewelry (minus the jewels).  I dug up an old set of hooks that I forgot I had.  I think my mum might have found it in some relatives old stash.  It's a little red, zippered case and holds some of the tiniest hooks.  I probably should have taken a photo of that.  I'll make a note to do that because it really is quite a neat little tool kit.

This little guy is a paper tree that I made one night when I had nothing to do and there wasn't much on television.  I don't have individual sources for all of the papers I used but I believe that most of it came from either Opus or Island Blueprint.  I cut out each of those leaves and glued them on one at a time.  It didn't really take all that long.  It's hard to tell scale from the photo's but the finished piece is 2x3 inches.  Whack it in a frame from Ikea and voila!  Homemade art.

My most recent addition to my (rather large) collection of materials and tools is a set of Winsor & Newton drawing inks.  I've never used these particular inks before but I have used W&N oil and acrylic paints and have always been happy with those.  I've yet to put these to use but they will be unleashed over the next couple of days.  I don't want to say on what just yet, but I will post pictures when I'm done.  In the meantime, look at how lovely these boxes are.  How could I possibly resist?

Pot of Blood.  Awesome.