A big hello to June and Happy Pride Month, to all! We’re six months into the year (already! Where has the time gone?!) and the previous have seen many of us crafting away. Last month brought a wonderful trip away and I ended up finishing my last WIP way before I left!
All finished below was my final abstract lady and I’m thrilled with how she’s turned out – especially as I had just enough space to frame her. I ended up unpicking some of her line work to give the illusion that she’s over one of the leaves, and I like how it’s broken up the colours I amended. I was going to start another, but I thought it best to spend a little time with my favourite adventurer, Lara Croft.
On the right was my starting point, so I had done a lot already, yet I’d come to quite the standstill. Thankfully, I’ve added a fair few stitches to the board, as you can see above, and I’m pleased with the progress, yet I knew I needed to take a small one with me for my trip.
Recently, one of my besties introduced me to Colorfully Sarah’s patterns; a designer who loves pastels, video games and all things cute – perfect! I fell in love with a fair few, but I had to begin the Pastel Magic Halloween pattern, even if it is rather early – but I’ll always stand by that a ghost is for life, not just for Halloween! Here’s my progress and what it will look like once it’s complete! Hopefully, I’ll complete this one soon and get back to Ms. Croft. I’ve discovered over the past year that I love having a smaller project to have on the go, so it’s quite fun to be able to switch between the two, rather than just have these absolute giants on frames with no end in sight!
Aside from holiday’s past of blasting the wonderful Jazz FM, I’m back with another three audio picks that have kept me more than entertained as I’ve been working through my WIPs past and present. As always, please make sure to check your content warnings as some of these suggestions may contain adult language, content and/or sensitive topics. Without further delay, let’s get started!
📖 Audiobook – All That’s Left In The World – Erik J. Brown
Over the years and across different platforms, I’ve made my love for Naughty Dog’s most prolific game, The Last Of Us, known and then some. Mid-May arrived and clearly my algorithms were working harmoniously, as the above’s HBO adaptation for season two clearly spilled into my book shopping, as I came across All That’s Left In The World. It’s rare for the internet’s stars to align for good, but I’m so thankful they did, as this beautifully written story is, without question, my read of the year so far.
Traversing a post-apocalyptic world is never easy, so stepping on a bear trap towards your next destination makes things that much harder. It’s the sad reality for Andrew, yet, quite literally, stumbling across a lone cabin offers him a sliver of hope.
Unfortunately, residence is taken by fellow teenager Jamie, another lone survivor after the Superflu ravaged the world, leaving little in its wake. After an understandably frosty introduction, Jamie offers more than just bed and board, as he sees Andrew’s leg worsening. It’s broken, and with a six-week healing window on the cards, the pair’s initial friendship deepens into something more than they could have ever imagined.
Sadly, the once safe haven of the cabin is compromised, it leaves them no choice but to head on their risky journey to Florida, overcoming numerous battles along the way in their hopes of a better future.
I absolutely flew through this book, as Erik J. Brown’s writing is not only heart-warming, but also comical, even in this tragic setting. The intricacies of the human existence is always what champions this genre for me, and Erik’s delivery of tender moments between Andrew and Jamie are captured so beautifully, as their love for each other blossoms and deepens throughout.
Well-paced by Erik and performed wonderfully by Andrew Gibson and Barrett Leddy, All That’s Left In The World is a courageous tale full of hope, found love, laughs and centred around two characters who you’ll be rooting for until the very end of both the book and your projects. Thankfully its sequel, The Only Light Left Burning, is available now, too.
🎙️Podcast – One Song – Hartbeat
For any regular readers of Vic’s Picks, you’ll know I’m obsessed with music production, credits and composition. I find it fascinating to either read or hear about how my favourite albums or tracks are conceptualised, so when I found One Song, I knew I’d be a fast fan of this show.
Hosted by Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY, the men of many talents dissect a singular track each week, discussing what makes that particular song so brilliant.
Give Me The Night by George Benson was the first episode I came to and I was honestly giddy. Hearing the isolated tracks and stems of the bass played and backing vocals, along with facts and stories from the recording sessions just blew my mind. Hearing Diallo and LUXXURY pick up on singular motifs, or catch a whiff of a certain interpolation makes me feel so seen!
It’s such a joy throughout each episode to learn something you may not have known already, or have your theories proved correct as they dig deeper into your favourite tracks.
Unlike their typical format, my favourite episode thus far has to be when the pair spoke to one half of Flyte Tyme – Jimmy Jam. Easily one of my favourite producers and writers of all time, Jimmy Jam speaks how he, producing partner Terry Lewis III and Janet Jackson birthed what many consider her ‘first’ album, Control.
Discussing interpolations and samples on the record that I never knew existed, hearing Jimmy, Diallo and LUXXURY wax lyrical about one of my favourite artists and albums was nothing but joyous for me to listen to, both as a fan and someone who is so intrigued about production. It’s definitely one for the music lovers among us crafters!
💿Album – Buzz – Steps
No guilt, it’s just pure pop pleasure for my final pick of the month! I’ve been a huge fan of Steps since day dot and Buzz is, without question, my favourite album of theirs. Releasing in 2000 and in my rotation ever since, this pop masterclass celebrates its 25th year in October. Safe to say when it got pressed onto vinyl last February, I placed my order quicker than you could say 5,6,7,8. Don’t groan, it’s a belter of a tune!
Buzz saw Steps move slightly from the classic Hit Factory sound of Stock, Aitken and Waterman, and introduced some other producers for their next life cycle of the band. Yet opening the album and almost on the back of their previous, Steptacular, Better The Devil You Know kicks things off perfectly.
Repackaging Kylie’s classic with their own twist and signature moves (I don’t think I’ll ever forget them, TBH), what follows also stands tall with single releases Stomp, Summer of Love and It’s The Way You Make Me Feel. But it’s the next track, You’ll Be Sorry, that’s forever in my top Steps tracks of all time. H’s lead vocals drip with emotion, as he delivers the lyrics with warning, holding his nameless lover in the track accountable for his heartache.
Album tracks on early 00’s pop records usually get fobbed off, especially back then, as many felt that Steps had run their course. Shoot to multiple tours after and over the past ten years have certainly proved that incorrect, but I digress! A few tracks are lead by other members: Lisa Scott Lee’s Never Get Over You stands strong, yet it’s If You Believe, a stunning ballad lead by Faye Tozer and co-written by Cyndi Lauper, that closes things out so beautifully. Turn Around, Paradise Lost and Buzzz are also deserving of a fair few listens, as these three are another set of stand-outs for me.
Not only will I give Steps their due-applause for being nothing but feel-good, it’s rare you’ll have a better time at a concert than this one. Their shows are pure celebrations of life, freedom and music, and as long as they keep touring, I’ll keep going. And if you think I won’t be doing the routine to Stomp at 86, you’ll be wrong.
Well that’s it for this month’s, rather in-depth, picks! I hope you enjoy them as much as I have both over the years and very currently, too! What have you been making? Be sure to share your WIPs with us over on our Facebook page! Also, if you’re enjoying The Craft Room, be sure to enter your email below and subscribe so you never miss a post ✨