Hello, 2025! Let me begin by wishing you all a very Happy New Year! I hope this year brings you a lot of happiness and good health; but before we go forward, I’m going to go back a little to share a completion that I couldn’t before!
Of course, I mentioned back in December that the poppies are finally finished – safe to say, my mom’s very happy with them!
I also made Vault Boy from Fallout for my partner; I made him another a few years back, but with our shared love for Las Vegas and a healthy flutter on the tables, this gambling themed piece felt like the perfect pattern. I’m really pleased with how much the DMC stranded cottons pop on the green Aida.
It took quite a few presses after this photo to get the hoop marks out, but I feel as though that’s what us stitchers focus on after a completion – thankfully, he didn’t!
Up next, I’ll be focusing on a couple of my WIPs rather than starting anything new, so for now, I’ll carry on with Lara – hopefully this year is the year that she’s finally finished. As always, my listens help me get through the colour changes so without further ado, let’s have a look at my picks for January!
Please make sure to check your content warnings as some of these suggestions may contain adult language, content and/or sensitive topics.
📖 Audiobook – Over The Influence – Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque
I’ve always been a fan of JoJo ever since she launched with ‘Leave (Get Out)’ back in 2004, when she was just 13.
Keeping up with her music and artistry, I knew about her being locked in her contract with defunct music label, Blackground, which sadly meant Joanna was unable to release new music as the label owned her voice. Yet hearing about it in her own words and just how deep this ran was both interesting and heartbreaking to listen to.
Over The Influence focuses on her early life, how she got into the industry, her fight for her voice and music, to where she is today.
Joanna’s story is one of resilience and bravery, and one I was keen to learn more about. Whether you’ve been a fan since day one or otherwise, Over The Influence is nothing short of an insightful listen.
🎙️Podcast – Writer’s Routine
I’ve listened to Writer’s Routine for a few years now and each episode always proves interesting.
Dan Simpson chats to a different author a week about their processes, the little things in their day that are essential to writing their next masterpiece, and even what their ‘golden’ writing hours can be.
As a published writer, but a currently unpublished novelist, it’s an extremely interesting conversation for me to hear about the different journeys authors have been on. From how their initial ideas blossomed, to what inspires them, each episode is incredibly insightful, especially in those that feature some of my favourite authors.
Even from a reader’s point of view, hearing the ins and outs on how your favourite book came to fruition truly is a great peek behind the curtain.
💿Album – Trying Not To Think About It – JoJo
I know I mentioned her memoir earlier, but there’s far more to JoJo’s discography than just her debut single. With her new EP, NGL, out later this month, I’m taking you back to her last with Trying Not To Think About It.
Released in 2021 in the height of lockdown, JoJo turned the mirror on herself during that time. Her lyricism explores her anxieties as an individual and as an artist, as well as past delving into past relationships.
It feels harder to nail down my favourites with the journey the EP takes you on, but my standout tracks include the incredible moody bass in Dissolve, the honesty of Spiral SZN and the solitary contemplation of Fresh New Sheets.
With Porcelain and Too Much To Say out now from NGL, I can’t wait to hear what JoJo will share with us in just a few short weeks.
I hope these keep you powering through those projects like they have for me! Remember to share your WIPs and makes with us by using #WWCrafters. I’ll be back next month with some more audio delights; until then, happy crafting!