Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday 12/8/2019: Let it Snow

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog…
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists….

Good morning and happy Sunday. I hope you are well and enjoying the holiday season. How is your December going so far? I’ve been MIA from blog land due to the usual, life has kept me busy and blogging takes the back burner. I worked a full day of overtime yesterday then we got together with family last night for dinner so I am really beat but I decided to log on this morning and finally get an updates post up. Our Christmas tree will be up later on today, I can’t wait. I usually have it up sooner but just have not had the time lately. We had our first snowfall of the season here which turned into a snow storm which then resulted in an early dismissal from work last week. It was definitely pretty to watch.

Onto my bookish updates…

Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects by Salena Baca

source: Netgalley / Rowman & Littlefield
title: Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects
designers: by Salena Baca, Danyel Pink and Emily Truman
genre: crochet patterns / arts and crafts
published: Stackpole Books (April 1, 2019)
pages: 152 pages
rated: 4 out of 5

blurb:
Looking for a quick crochet fix? Crochet in a Day has 42 sure-to-please patterns that can all be started and finished in a day or less. From wearables like cowls, hats, slippers, and even a poncho, to home items like place mats, dish cloths, and baskets, every item will crochet up fast!

This is a book you will turn to again and again when looking for a fun, speedy project that doesn’t require a large time or yarn commitment. Perfect for using up stash yarn or to create something from that perfect skein you were saving, these patterns are creative, colorful, modern, and stylish. Get your hook ready, and crochet something today!

my thoughts:
Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects contains several crochet projects that are meant to be worked up in one day. I myself don’t really ever look for the time a crochet project will take but these types of projects are nice for when you are looking for something a little faster and easier. I would say the patterns here are for beginners and on and some of the patterns are a little bit more advanced using techniques like Tunisian crochet.

“My favorite types of crochet projects are the ones that look complicated by are actually quick to work up. The pieces I’ve created for this collection use yarns that are readily sourced or substituted and are easy to approach with stunning results.”-Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects 

Sunday Post 8/25/19: Reading/Watching/Crocheting

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog…

Happy last Sunday in August. I cannot believe how fast these few summer months have gone by. After a mini-heatwave Monday and Tuesday and then a mid-week rainstorm, we’ve had some really nice weather with this weekend in the high 70’s. We drove out to a farm with a country store I like for their homemade pie and raw honey recently. Mmmm very berry pie.

Onto my bookish updates…

Dishcloths to Crochet Fun Designs to Brighten Your Kitchen! by Pat Olski

source: free review copy courtesy of NetGalley / Dover
title: Dishcloths to Crochet: Fun Designs to Brighten Your Kitchen!
author: Pat Olski
published: April 18th 2018 by Dover Publications
pages: 64
genre: crochet patterns/crafting
rated: 4 out of 5

blurb:
Crocheters of all skill levels will delight in these playful patterns for crocheted dishcloths—they’re as fun to make as they are to use! Animals, flowers, and fruits are among the themes of the 25 patterns, which include Sweet Strawberry, Perky Pig, Dandy Daffodil, and other designs.
Full-color photos accompany the easy-to-follow instructions. The directions also show how to convert any of the dishcloths into a potholder with the simple addition of a ring. Great to stitch during warm-weather months, the dishcloths make cheerful displays, and the textured stitches are ideal for efficient dish-washing. They’re great gifts, too!

my thoughts:

Dishcloths to Crochet: Fun Designs to Brighten Your Kitchen! is a collection of 25 whimsical and kitschy dishcloth patterns. Included here are Cheeky Chicken, Proper Penguin and Perky Pig among others. These are previously published vintage patterns from 1982 that have been updated and revised for this collection.

Lalylala’s Beetles Bugs and Butterflies A Crochet Story of Tiny Creatures and Big Dreams by Lydia Tresselt

source: free review copy via FW Media / NetGalley
title: Lalylala’s Beetles Bugs and Butterflies: A Crochet Story of Tiny Creatures and Big Dreams
author: Lydia Tresselt
genre: crochet patterns/crafts
published: November 2017
pages: hardcover 128
rated: 5 out of 5

Blurb:
Hello bug lovers and crochet adventurers!

Grab your research equipment (magnifying glass, flask of tea, crochet hook, scissors and yarn) and follow us into a world full of magic and science, a microcosm of tiny creatures and big dreams! In this book you will find not only a charming selection of crochet patterns to create scrabbling beetles, beautiful bugs and fluttering butterfly crochet amigurumi, but also a wonderful story to read out loud and ponder on: a tale about growing up; accepting change and the power of dreams.

Watch tiny creatures hatching from their eggs, look on as they munch through a green world, and be astonished at their marvelous transformations when they finally slip out of their cocoons. The wings and hats are interchangeable so you can use the patterns in this book to create new outfits for your little insect friends. Give your caterpillar a new set of wings for every day of the week, or cover your beetle in the most colourful wing suits. Be inspired by nature to make creatures of your own creation. It’s a great little world full of possibilities. We wish you lots of fun on your journey of discovery and learning!