Sparkly Blue Nails

I have always had difficulties with my nails.  For as long as I can remember, I have been a nailbiter.  I go through phases where I let my nails grow, but eventually I always end up destroying them again.  The strange thing is that I have been able to let my nails grow during some of the most stressful times of my life and have destroyed them when feeling totally calm and at peace.

As I mentioned in a recent post, Pinterest has sparked my interest in nail art.  I thought it would be a great inspiration for me to keep my nails healthy.  So this weekend I tried painting my nails for the first time in many many years.  Sorry for the blurry pic :)

Sally Hansen's Blew Me Away covered with Old Navy's Holiday

It's really weird having blue nails but I am totally digging it.  They surprise me every time I see them and have made me smile so many times today :)  I can't wait to try the next color and, hopefully, get better at applying nail polish.

Eat, Pray, Love ... Inspire!

A friend of mine gave me this book after seeing on my Pinterest board that I wanted to read it.  I have already seen the movie, but had not read the book.  I started reading a couple of days ago and I am in love!

I love Elizabeth Gilbert's writing style in this book.  I have never read anything else by her, so I don't know if she always writes this way.  But I am inspired.  I have already started writing a series of autobiographical essays.  I have been wanting to write a memoir of sorts, so it's nice to feel a little inspiration :)

BTW:  I know I have been neglecting this blog a little recently.  I am trying to stick with my New Year's resolution of blogging more regularly, but I have been distracted this month by the A to Z challenge that I am participating in on my other blog.  There are over 1,000 blogs participating, and I have been trying to visit as many of them as possible.  It's a little daunting, but it's fun to see all the different blogs that are out there.  You can visit them here, if you like :)

Star Trek Phone Cozy

Tonight I whipped up a quick crochet phone cozy for my husband's phone.

Size G crochet hook
Red Heart Super Saver yarn in red and black
Black felt

Chain 24 (or however many are needed to fit around your phone)

Join in the round and sc in each chain
Continue in a spiral, 1sc in each sc until cozy is long enough to cover your phone

I changed color a little over halfway down the length of the phone to represent the red shirt and black pants of a Star Trek officer

Fasten off and weave in ends

Cut a piece of black felt in the shape of the Star Trek emblem
I attached mine with hot glue, but I think I will end up sewing it on tomorrow :)

When I gave it to my husband, he burst into laughter and hugged me.  Such joy!

Pop Tab Crochet

I teach an English class twice a week. One of my regular students has a crocheted purse made with pop tabs, and I love it! I want to recreate this purse! I already have a good collection of pop tabs, but I think I may have to collect a whole bunch more if I want to really tackle this project. Tonight I snapped some pictures. Even the strap is pop tabs :)

The crocheted pop tab fabric is amazing. I love the repetitive pattern that the pop tabs create. And I think it looks really classy.
Hmmm. Guess I'll have to start drinking more canned beer. I think I can make that sacrifice :)

Pinterest

So I recently received my invitation to Pinterest. If you have not yet joined this website, proceed with caution. Pinterest is basically a website that allows you to create virtual pinboards. I was immediately intrigued at the possibilities. I saw some great potential for using this website to organize all the craft projects I had bookmarked on my computer, and I quickly discovered that this is a great use for Pinterest. I now have all my crafty inspiration and ideas and plans in one place. Organization is a new thing for me, so I was understandably excited.

I decided to get even more organized. I really like to read and keep lists of books that are recommended to me or that sound interesting. Recently I wanted to read a particular book that I recalled writing on one of my many lists, but I couldn't remember the title. I searched everywhere I could to find that list, but alas, it was nowhere to be found. Aha! Why not use Pinterest to organize all these ideas too. A whole virtual pinboard to help me remember all the books I want to read. Another wonderful use for Pinterest.
Then, I found myself looking at other people's pins to find new inspiration, and all of a sudden, I am excited about things like nail art. I just have to wait for two of my nails to grow a little bit more and then I can start trying all of these creative designs. Who knew that I even cared about nail art? Not me, but now I am excited about buying some nail polish and going for it :)
So if you are a Pinterest addict like me, check out my boards and follow my progress as I organize my current projects and search for new inspiration.

If you haven't tried Pinterest yet, proceed with caution. It is addicting, very, very addicting. Make sure you have lots of free time to dedicate to your new obsession: pinning!

Marian Cowl Complete :)

Pattern: Marian Cowl

Knit for: My sister

Needles: Size 19, 29 inch circular

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in Grey Marble (1 skein)

Modifications: I used a longer circular needle than the pattern called for and added 6 extra stitches. I also knit a little longer than the pattern called for, since I still had yarn :)

I love this cowl. I might have to knit one for myself :)

Marian Cowl

I am currently knitting the Marian Cowl for my sister. It knits so quickly with the super bulky yarn and large needles. It is my first time knitting with this size yarn and needle, and I l♥ve it.

The seed stitch looks really nice in this yarn. This cowl has a neat twist in it. I can't wait to finish it and post final pics before I mail it off to her.
Back to my knitting :)