Hello, August! Eight months in and I hope you’re all doing well with your planned projects…aaand those ones that may have bumped themselves to the top of the pile because they’re just too cute. Hey, I’m not judging, I’m just as bad!
As I’ve mentioned previously, my crafting wound to a go-slow due to editing and my own writing work. Yet, I did give myself a few days off from that recently and managed to complete my pastel Halloween project!
It’s been a nice piece to get back into and once I’d started again, I felt like I just had to sit and finish it. I’m really pleased with how it turned out and I’m glad that my colour switch outs worked!
With the stitching bug back for that week, I had a flip through my folder and thought I’d make a start on Tiny Modernist’s Holly Jolly Santa. Starting lead to finishing it the next day, but I just need to figure out how I want to display it. The original pattern tells you how to make it into a wall hanging; something I have done previously with Caterpillar Cross Stitch’s Stitch Into Christmas.
I think I might try and make use of some fabric remnants and grab myself a magnetic frame hanger. We’ll see! I’m sure I’ll give you an update when I have a bit more time to finish it, but for now, I’m pleased that’s another one off the list and a good use of a remnant. I’ll save the real pressing and tidying for then!
Rounding off the crafty week on the next project to thread up, I went for Happy Cross Stitcher’s Can of Sardines pattern. They’re an Etsy seller who have a wealth of Sardine tins to choose from! Not only do I love me some Sardines, but I’ve always loved the art designs that you tend to find on them. I recall seeing a person on Instagram some years ago who’d collected tins from all over the world and displayed them in their kitchen; they just looked ace. Vivid yellows, bright reds and cerulean blues stood out, so when I stumbled across their patterns earlier in the year, I had to grab a couple.
I’ve currently got two, but they keep creating more and more and I’m having to refrain from adding them to my basket! For now though, I’ve managed to get some stitches down and I’m pleased with my choice of aida: DMC’s 14-count in Sandstorm. Above is where I’m at and what the finished piece will look like. I did switch out a couple of colours for a little more of a punch of colour, but the blues are all the same. Colour switching seems to be a bit of a habit of mine lately, but hey, I’m not mad at it.
As for what’s been getting me through these projects, I’m feeling the throwbacks this month! While these have been well-loved over the years for me, they may be a present-day hit for you. But before I hop into my time machine, as always, please remember to check your content warnings as some of these suggestions may contain adult language, content and/or sensitive topics. With that in mind, let’s dive in!
📖 Audiobook – Asking For A Friend – Andi Osho
Back in the day, watching Live At The Apollo on Friday nights was the done thing for me; I loved discovering new comedians, as well as appreciating newer material some of my favourites. Those Friday nights was where I first discovered the brilliant Andi Osho; fast forward to 2021 and shopping for more books I didn’t need, I found her debut novel Asking For A Friend and thank goodness I did.
Although best friends Jemima, Simi and Meagan are all at different ages, they appear to share the same disastrous woes when it comes to their dating lives.
Sick of the most shallow pools, the ladies decide enough’s enough and play the game by their rulebook, but with a twist. Ensuring no woman gets left behind, Simi, Meagan and Jemima are all at the mercy of one another, as each of them pick their dates for one another, proving playing matchmaker can go wrong but, in some cases, go oh-so right.
Filled with laughs, charm and a whole lot of heart, Asking For A Friend, read by Andi herself, will have you flying through those rows.
🎙️ Podcast – 5 Week Countdown – Audiohm Media
If you’re a regular reader of my monthly posts, you’ll now that I’m quite the lover of a story podcast Yet for my ‘typical’ narrative-driven podcasts, 5 Week Countdown has taken that element and involved the listener, as you’re required to solve the clues each week to locate the captive. Before diving in, I would heed my content warning, as the themes woven through Countdown are a little darker than most, so please be mindful when listening.
The augmented-reality series follows Whitney in its first episode, kidnapped and locked in an escape room with 50,400 minutes on her clock – the five week countdown.
Whitney needs your help to figure out who the elusive K is and, ultimately, escape. Why she’s been targeted is your mystery to solve and what a ride your in for.
Each episode’s show notes will link you to the clues to help you solve the ultimate puzzle. It’s worth keeping a pad and pen handy near your latest WIP as you may want to make some notes for this one!
Sadly, it’s stuck in 2020 and hasn’t had any new releases since then, yet with two seasons and a lot to solve, there’s plenty to dive into and figure out as you ponder away completing those projects.
💿 Album – Thinking It Over – Liberty X
There are some albums that stay sat in my regular rotation and Thinking It Over is one of them. Popstars winners Hear’Say stormed the charts with Pure & Simple, yet the five finalists proved strong chart challengers as Liberty X were soon formed. Branded as ‘Flopstars’ by the unrelenting British media, they’d quickly silenced critics with a strong debut. Thinking It Over fused Pop, R&B, Funk and Garage across 14 tracks, many of which were written by the band themselves, further shedding what many felt was the ‘manufactured pop’ sound of that time. Mostly known for their third single Just A Little, the deep cuts on their first album are well-worth a listen.
It’s no great surprise that their UK Garage-infused first hit and title track, Thinking It Over, is my favourite on the album. Being such a fan of UKG, seeing celebrated artists such as the Artful Dodger’s Pete Devereaux, The Wideboys and Michelle Escofferey on production and writing really solidifies the track’s staying power, almost 25 years on.
Other standouts include Everyday, Doin’ It, their excellent cover of Mantronix’s Got To Have Your Love, and Right Here, Right Now, a closing track that’s remained a favourite of mine all these years.
Thinking It Over is a cohesive body of work from start to finish and, as a group, Liberty X gels together perfectly. Although the slick and rich vocals of ‘lead’ singers Kelli Young and Kevin Simm are standouts on the album, vocals from Tony Lundon, Michelle Heaton and Jessica Taylor are also to be celebrated. In an era that was quick to fade ‘secondary’ group members’ vocals in the depths of studio arrangements, hearing every single member still feels incredibly refreshing listen after listen.
Well that’s it from me for yet another month! Join me in September where I’ll be offering a cosy element in my picks to get us ready for a season change. If you’re enjoying these posts, as well as our free patterns, tips and tricks, be sure to subscribe to The Craft Room below so you never miss a post from us ⤵️✨