Knot Sew Crafty

Wall Decal Crazy!

The whole world covers my bad patching job of Bea's wall:

Allows the fairies easy access to the kitchen:

And one more door for the upstairs fairies:

All these decals are from Wilson Graphics on Etsy.

Sick Day

Today is a very slow day in the Knot Sew Crafty household.

Beatrix is home from school with a fever, and I think India is coming down with it, too. Willa seems fine so far, knock on wood. It is very windy and grey and chilly, too, although it is May 12th. I hope it warms up in the next few days, so that our poor little garden can thrive instead of just hanging in there. I feel a little bit like that myself. I need some sunshine soon, because the chilly weather just makes me want to curl up with a cup of tea and a book like The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket of yarnstorm. It won't be out in America until September, but if you can't wait, as I couldn't, you can get it at Amazon UK. Be warned however, that if you are a crazy book person like me, you might find yourself ordering books from the UK even if you can get them here. The cover artwork is often so much prettier there!

Hooray! The mailman just brought me some cheer in the form of new yarn from WEBS.

I have a fear of knitters

There. I've said it.

I had been looking forward to going to Colorful Stitches in the Berkshires for a long time. I extricated myself from the family for a precious hour during our trip and headed to downtown Lenox. I entered that store and it was even more beautiful and fabulous than I had imagined. Unlike other yarn stores I've been to, they actually even had crochet books and hooks for sale, but I was still overtaken by feelings of inferiority because I CAN'T KNIT. The salespeople were very friendly but I couldn't shake the feeling that I am still unworthy of such incredible yarn. Maybe I'll stick with Lion Brand Yarn, which I can buy at those huge, impersonal craft stores, until I feel more confident, or at least until I master casting on.

Did I Say No-Spend April? I Meant No-Spend May.

No-Spend April is not going so well. CMR was away and (close your eyes, CMR!) the recommendations in the back of The Creative Family looked so good that I had to get as many of them on Paperback Swap or used on Amazon as possible. I also ordered wooden musical instruments from Willow Tree Toys because I am determined that we are going to be the kind of family that has impromptu hootenannies, as described by Soulemama.

So cool!

I have also been eating take-out Thai food.

No-Spend Rules

Allowables:
Gas
Food--not including takeout, except for pizza when absolutely necessary.
School things--i.e. payment for India's school photos, Willa's school trip fee.
Ongoing activities--Bea's piano lessons, the gym
Shipping for Paperback Swap requested items
Not allowed:
New clothing or shoes
Books, DVDs, CDs or other media
No Etsy purchases :(

You wouldn't think that would be so hard, but I bet it will be, especially since a really amazing Thai restaurant just opened in the next town over and also because I am drawn to Target like a moth to a flame!

Moore is Less

I went to the nearest craft store to my home today. I don't want to name names, so let's just call it "B. D. Less." Am I alone in thinking that those big chain craft stores are the most depressing places on earth? Most of what they stock is awful and tacky and there's almost nothing that anyone with any taste whatsoever would want to make, let alone display in their homes when they are finished. I'm also pretty sure that the cashier is tuburcular. Are there secret stores or fantastic websites, full of artistically inspiring and beautiful raw materials, that I just don't know about? I will have to do some web-searching.

I did manage to get two small, easy cross-stitch kits that are not too hideous and were 50% off. One is an Irish phrase that I believe means "welcome" and the other is a country scene of a barn. I can't imagine what I'll do with them when they're done, but it'll be fun to try them.
I also got some wool and crochet hooks to make a baby blanket for my impending nephew. Baby blankets are good because you don't have to measure the gauge, and if it turns out a bit messy, you can just tuck that part UNDER the baby and no one will be the wiser.