How have we arrived at the penultimate month of the year?!
I feel like I say this every single month regarding how fast the year’s flying by, yet 2025 has felt quicker than most. And with these weeks whizzing past, I’m pleased to say that my stitching bug has come back! Perhaps it’s to do with the earlier nights and that bite of cold in the air, yet all I’ve wanted to do as of late is sit down with my latest cross stitch and pour my focus into that.
Last month, I gave myself a weekend to finish my sardines tin and managed to do so! I also spent some time sorting out a floss box, as I’d bought more patterns from the lovely ColorfullySarah. I love organising, so I really enjoyed ‘shopping’ through my aida stash, searching for the perfect background to go with the colours she’d listed in the patterns.
Once cut, I labelled the pieces, making it even easier for me to just be able to go into my ColorfullySarah patterns box to pick out what I need for that project. It may not work for some, but by spending some time to sort this initially, it’s sure to streamline the process for future me. Fast forward to present day and I’ve completed her Cozy Fall Drinks design, and am making some decent progress on her Christmas Mugs pattern! I wanted to tick off the more seasonal designs; hopefully I’ll get around to pressing and fully finishing them, soon.
Much like any month, I like for my floss-sorting and incessant double-counting of stitches to be accompanied by a good listen. I feel like I’ve been spoilt for choice with what’s been suggested to me via my Spotify account lately, yet I’m sticking with my plan for this month and offering some great listens, along with a pleasant surprise I found. As always, please be sure to check your advisories and content warnings before diving in!
📖 Audiobook – The Crash – Freida McFadden
It’s not the first time a Freida read has been featured in these posts and I’m sure it won’t be the last. This month, I’m highlighting The Crash that came out back in January and not just for its winter aesthetic.
The Crash follows a heavily pregnant Tegan, a woman who’s keen to leave the life she leads behind her. As she heads out alone on the snowy roads, a blizzard soon hits and Tegan’s journey comes to a terrifying halt.
With no car and a suspected broken ankle, she’s found by Hank, an intimidating stranger who takes her back to his cabin in the middle of nowhere. Waiting at home is his wife, Nurse Polly, who’s keen to take care of both Tegan and her unborn baby until the storm passes and she’s able to get to a hospital.
Yet as the blizzard rages on and her stay in the cabin continues, Polly and Hank’s hospitality may not seem as genuine as it initially appeared…
Thrilling, tense and equally as terrifying, The Crash will have you on the edge of your seat as you work your way through your latest WIP.
🎙️ Podcast – Elias The Caretaker – Voyage Media
If you’re a regular reader of Vic’s Picks, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of narrative-led podcasts. A little while ago, I was searching for some new listens, as I felt like I’d exhausted my library. I’d stumbled across Voyage’s Elias The Caretaker and was pleasantly surprised with what I’d found.
Failing podcaster Bob inherits his parents’ mansion after their passing and, as he moves in, the cogs in his mind begin to turn. With rumours of a dark past haunting the walls, the mansion inspires an idea for a paranormal podcast – even more so as caretaker Elias appears to be quite the eccentric character.
As the days pass, Bob’s ideas to interview Elias for his new show begin to turn sinister, as the caretaker’s demeanor is quick to change when questioned.
As Bob’s quest for the truth continues, it’s clear that his journey will end one of two ways. The question is, what’s more important to him: his podcast? Or his existence?
Full of intrigue and one that brings the chills, Elias The Caretaker certainly feels like a bit of a hidden gem. With a complete series ready to listen to, you’ll be able to binge this as you blast through those rows.
💿 Album – Two Eleven (Deluxe Edition) – Brandy
Commonly known as The Vocal Bible and rightfully so, Brandy’s sixth album, Two Eleven, is a body of work that’s always worth a revisit. Named to commemorate her birthday and paying homage to her late idol, Whitney Houston, and her untimely passing that same year, 2012’s Two Eleven is a project about loss, love and living through heartache.
After rocky beginnings with production, what transpired is a project to be celebrated. Two Eleven showcases Brandy’s incredible vocals time and again, with her signature harmony stacking and spine-tingling runs peppered throughout many tracks on the album.
With the likes of Sean Garrett, Nathaniel ‘Danja’ Hills and Jim Jonsin, Two Eleven‘s rich tapestry is threaded with artistry and then some.
Favourite tracks for me include Do You Know What You Have, Wish Your Love Away, Paint This House and What You Need, along with one of the initial singles Wildest Dreams.
Brandy’s emotionally-packed vocals shine throughout, bringing such life and ocean-deep meanings to lyrics conceptualised on paper.
Regardless if R&B is your genre of choice, if you’re a lover of music, I’d highly encourage you to give Two Eleven a full-run as you craft away. I’m positive you won’t be disappointed and I’m certain that you’ll be wowed with the vocal richness and range that Ms. Norwood continues to offer us year after year.
That’s it from me for this month; thanks for joining me for another lengthy edition! Have you listened to any previous selections? If you have, let us know over on our socials using #WoolWarehouseNowPlaying and we’ll share some of our favourites 🎧