LOL

I guess it's not a huge secret I've been depressed lately.
I've been trying to find more things that will lift my spirit, but it's not easy. Sometimes when I do find something that makes me happy, all of a sudden, right there in the middle of a giggle or smile I feel the tears forming.
It's hard.
My Acupuncturist told me I need to laugh more. See a comedy, stand up, go to laughing therapy. I am not even sure what that is. I promised him I would do something that would make me LAUGH this week.
The other day I watched Saturday Night Live. I'm a big Lena Dunham fan, I just adore her and everything she stands for. I admire her a lot and hope she can (this sounds dramatic, I know!) but actually make a change.
Did you see SNL? Oh my goodness, I have not laughed that much in a long time! And you know what? It felt good. It was nice to let go and just laugh at nonsense. Having something to remember later on and make me chuckle to myself.
Laugh? Check!

On my list of things that have made my week slightly brighter:

-  Another big plus for me watching SNL was discovering The Nationals. New instant love.
I love finding new bands and songs to listen to, Ane Braun, Daughter, Nicolas Jaar, Skye, those are just a few of them.
My current favorite song on repeat mode- I Need My Girl. This song and video makes my heart ache with love.

-  Wes Anderson has  new movie! I cannot wait to see it! Hotel Grand Budapest, doesn't it look amazing?
I remember when Moonrise Kingdom came out, we saw it in a small and intimate theater. I felt lucky being able to share that experience with others who appreciated it as much as I did.
All of his movies remind me of how much I wanted to learn film making. How I would love to live inside his head!

-  Tula Pinks new fabric line, Fox Field. I just bought a fat quarter bundle and will be pawing at it forever when it comes. I be be most definitely be #MakeSomethingAmazing with it! (now just need an instagram account!)
Check it out on her FB page
A while ago, before I understood anything about designers and who's who, I bought some of her fabric from the line Nightshade. It was cool, I liked it. Little did I know that it was TULA PINK. I still have a bit of it left, which of course I cherish, since it can't be found anymore, and if you do find it, it is quite costly. Which I don't get.
So, now when I see a designer I know I love, yardage is bought, ASAP. I do not want to be looking at beautiful yardage that costs 75$ for an eighth quarter. gulp.

-  Why did I allow myself to buy new fabric? Because I have finally finished off 4 quilt tops! Yes, I know that the top is only half down, but still, by finished a top I made a lot more room for new fabric! I am sup[er proud of myself, because I am also "mastering" free motion quilting. It still looks a bit sloppy, but practicing every day or two is definitely paying off. In the meantime, I'm still going with straight lines.
Pictures soon!

My goals this week are to:
Go to Pilates
Swim
Finish off a quilt
Have a nice relaxing bath
Laugh more. Actually, I really did enjoy it!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ♥

14 projects for 2014- Part 1- knitting

This next year I'm going to try and focus on actually completing projects in my queue. I've got way too much yarn for my own good, all bought for specific projects, that have obviously not been knit.

So here's my countdown:

Image taken from the Brooklyn Tweed Website

1. Y really wants a new sweater, and he's more into knit items this past year than before.
I let him look through Brooklyn Tweeds mens collection, and he really liked Hugo by Veronik Avery.
It's a favorite of mine as well. I can't wait for Y to wear it.

 

Image taken from the Brooklyn Tweed Website

2. My hands are usually cold, like, freezing cold. This is new this year, I don't ever remember my hands being this cold. It's the worst in the morning when I'm driving to work, last year Y drove us both to work, so I had my hands wrapped around my coffee. I have gloves, but isn't a handmade pair much better?
I've had my eye on Shipyard Mittens by Carrie Bostick Hoge since it came out. I just need to find the 2 perfect colors to go together. Maybe a nice gold with cream.
Carrie has such beautiful patterns, I've made both her immie blanket and Imogen Cowl (which I'm wearing right now!) and I've got so many more in my favorites.

 

Sheepish, by Alana Dakos, Imageby Alana Dakos

3. This just might be the first project I favorited when joining Ravelry.
I don't think I need to say anything else about it but CUTENESS!!!

 

Image taken from the Ravelry Project page

4. Wee Austin Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio. And of course anything else by Connie. I loved the adult version of this hoodie, but the little one is way too cute. It's got a little pointed hood, and it's made with fingering- awesome for our warmer weather.

Image by DavidWhitfield, Taken from the Ravelry project page

5. My sister "gently" hinted that she's like a new knitted garment for her little girl.
Her kids are picky about their clothes, and I would like them to have something they can use over and over again, and not just this winter. We use our blankets all the time, and Y has asked me to make more, they are so warm and cozy, and so homey.
I think a blanket would be best. Plus, I love knitting blankets. And you cannot ever go wrong with Anne Hanson!
Hazard, by Anne Hanson, can also be knitted as a wrap, in either fingering or DK weight. I think I'm going to go with the small throw,  but the baby blanket just might work as well.

So these are the projects I will most definitely have knit in 2014 (hopefully!) I hope I can squeeze in some more knitting projects, I'd love to get a pair of socks done for Y, another throw for our living room, a stole for my mom, and the list goes on...
(I really want to knit this, but don't want to commit just yet!)

What are you planning on knitting in 2014?!