My Makes · My Neighborhood

Messier mandala is finished + Spring photos

Hello friends! It has been awhile since my last post. A mid-term lull at work, new crafting projects, my dog, and prime weather have helped lift a brief bout of blues. I'm happy to get back to blogging and share a finished work, plus a heap of photos from my springtime outings. After a slow… Continue reading Messier mandala is finished + Spring photos

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Messier mandala WIP; craft studio visit

In my last post I mentioned a few things I’ve been working on that have been on the back burner for a very long time. One of these is a beaded mandala using Miyuki glass beads that I sourced in Japan last year. PHOTOS: Early days of the Messier mandala, using Scheepjes Catona yarn and… Continue reading Messier mandala WIP; craft studio visit

My Makes · Travel

Birch Aquarium visit + craft photo dump

Last week, I spent a wonderful morning with my mom and nieces at the world-renowned Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (locally known as just the Birch Aquarium). It's situated in a spectacular location in La Jolla, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I feel so fortunate that I grew up with this… Continue reading Birch Aquarium visit + craft photo dump

My Makes

WIP update – weekend makes

Just a quick one to give a progress report on some current projects. I’ve finally hooped up the Ukrainian mandala, which measures about 16 inches across. It isn’t as tightly stretched as I’d like, but still good for display. Now I’m inspired to do a bigger one, and maybe add fringe or even beads. I’ve… Continue reading WIP update – weekend makes

My Makes · My Neighborhood

“New Life” crocheted mandala is finished

The "New Life" mandala is done, just in time for Spring. This is a lovely pattern by The Guy With the Hook, designed to use an entire 1000m gradient yarn cake. I made mine with YarnArt Flowers and a 3.00mm hook. It is just big enough to trim my kitchen table (below, you can see… Continue reading “New Life” crocheted mandala is finished

My Makes · My Neighborhood

One Fine Spring Sunday + “New Life” mandala progress

Just a few photos and words to catch you up on one of my current WIPs, the "New Life" mandala. As of today, I've zipped ahead to round 34, and well into the green section of the YarnArt gradient cake (see photos below). I also have a few shots of today's walk around my neighborhood's… Continue reading One Fine Spring Sunday + “New Life” mandala progress

My Makes

Mini update: New Life mandala in progress

My semester is back in full swing, and I'm alternating between the classroom and Zoom classes, as the Covid protocols make the return to "normal" life a bit rocky for the time being. There are a couple of small projects I have started recently that I can fit into short bursts of free time that… Continue reading Mini update: New Life mandala in progress