Eurybia Shawl

After getting this shawl kit as a gift (full post details here) I was almost too touched to start it. I just kept looking at it and admiring it for all its beauty. I just wanted to do it justice. But somehow the urge to finish it made me start (does that even make sense?), also it really helped that I loved the color of the yarn. Since October it has been patiently waiting for me to begin. So one day this January I stepped into my closet got it out and was off!

I feel so proud not only of finishing it so quickly but also by how much more I learned!
Knitting it made me learn how to add beads with a crochet hook, which was easy, this was the first shawl project I had worked from tip to tip, and also I learned several new stitches.

It makes me feel so happy.

My very talented mom took the photographs for me.

The beads add such a nice little touch, and a subtle heaviness to the shawl. I really love the drape of this yarn. It hangs so beautifully.

The pattern is supposed to mimic waves, and since I have always loved going to the ocean it just makes it that much more special.

Perfect pattern. Perfect yarn. Perfect gift of kindness from Wendy.

Thank you so much Wendy again!

Birthday flowers

My birthday came and went this year. It was splendid really, so much love and thought went into all the gifts I received, and all the little details of my birthday celebration. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I was even given a bouquet of flowers from my mom.
:)
I enjoyed them immensely for a week.

One day while out with my mom I bought this lovely little owl planter, that I filled with some trimmings of succulents. They are growing like crazy!
Not only that, but I found this little wind up goose, that I have named Mathilda. I literally gasped when I saw it since I had been mooning over this one for some time and was pleased to find its female counterpart.
I just got a new job. Hoping that everything runs smoothly for it.

Everything about my birthday this year was swell.

Hope you have a great Friday!

xoxo, Callie

the magical bean

Illustrated Tumbler and Inspiring Blogs

I just finished this little drawing of an owl, hedgehog and mouse sipping some tea for a tumbler. All I can say is that I really love it!
I was on the search for the perfect quote about tea, and almost chose this one..
"You can never have a cup of tea big enough, or a book long enough to suit me..."C.S. Lewis
until, my mom kept saying this little ditty she made up, "Drink tea with me, the best is yet to be!". I loved it right away, and decided to swirl it around up at the top there.

I used colored pencils mainly and then pen for the quote.
I, of course, had to add some little mushrooms :).
Like the little thimble used as a cup?
Hee hee
Also I thought I would share some inspiring blogs I have been frequenting lately:

Beautiful textile art on Fiona Wilson
Really inspiring crochet home goods on Attic24 (how have I never seen this one before?)

Lovely illustrations on About Today, especially this post makes me want to have an illustrated travelogue
Some really great fashion+illustration+day to day goodness on Paper Sparrow

Also Carly (of A Girl and Her Blog) got a new blog called She Loves Libraries, be sure to check it out!

Hope your day is marvelous!
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

Tiny Mittens

I got the idea to make these after seeing some tiny mittens on a line(they were knitted though) at Anthropologie, which I loved but didn’t want to spend the money. I have a hard time doing that when I know I can make it! I got to work on it, and made four so far, but gave one set away to my mom. I want to have enough to have a line of mittens someday… but so far this is all I have left. I didn’t use a pattern, just made it up :)

I have been thinking about sharing it as a free pattern on my blog someday; just haven’t sat down long enough to do it yet.

I thought I'd leave you with a little photo of lovely little Sheila, inside my drawer, 'hiding'.
She thinks I can't see her.
:)
Silly cat.
Happy Tuesday! I have a huge test I have been busily studying for Philosophy today. Wish me luck!
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

Happiness is A Quilt

How can I even begin to express how happy this quilt makes me?

Maybe I should just show you instead.

Because I went a little bit crazy taking pictures, and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg.
No joke.

But really, what's not to love?

The sock monkeys, the polka dots, the stripes, the sunflowers, the swirls, the stars, the patchworkiness and wonkiness of it all makes it so perfect to me.

It is my second quilt I have made in my entire life, and this one was all by myself (as in no help from my mom)... I love it!

This is my happiness quilt.

Have a happy happy Valentine's day!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Doily Rug

While perusing etsy a bit ago, I stumbled across this gorgeous rug. I immediately began thinking about doily's and how they could actually function as a rug if made with large enough weight of yarn, and hook. So I could hardly contain my excitement, or hands from starting! :)

I decided to use a free pattern I have made again and again that has the shape of hearts in it, since I didn't want mine to be too holey.

This is it (below) in regular doily size.
By now my rug has progressed to the point that I ran out of yarn. Drat! Also I am thinking I want it to be bigger so I need to get some more yarn, and am working on editing the pattern to make it larger...

I guess I will just be crocheting the day away. Wishful thinking really, I have too much homework.

I have been really sick this past week, with the flu.

No fun there.

I took quite a bit of naps like Sheila here, and even slept through all Wednesday.

I am just now feeling much better. So on to creating!

Hope you have a great Sunday!