Sunday, February 27, 2011

Aussie YA Reading Challenge 2011

I've just signed up for the Aussie YA Reading Challenge 2011 hosted by Nic at Irresistible Reads. The challenge is...

Read at least 12 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

Here are a couple of titles that I'd like to read this year:


Halo
Tomorrow, When the War Began
Enticed
Everything Beautiful
Stolen: A letter to my captor
Embrace



Nicki's favorite books »

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I haven't sought out Aussie novels in the past. In fact I have ignorantly believed that if Aussie novels are anything like Aussie movies then they are best to be avoided. However, this year I'm challenging myself to embrace what Aussie authors have to offer. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Monday, February 21, 2011

What Books do You Recommend?

As you may be aware Borders Australia along with other RedGroup Retail operations (e.g. Angus & Robertson) have gone into voluntary administration as part of a restructure process. I'm currently holding onto a Borders gift card and I am eager to use it before its no longer valid. As it is, I have to match the value of my gift card dollar to dollar in order to redeem it, which I think is ridiculous but nevertheless that's the way it is. I've already, just recently, purchased the books on my wishlist, so my question to you is: 

What books should I purchase? Any Recommendations?

Read more about the RedGroup voluntary administration here.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

In My Mailbox #1


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren about what new books we have received in the mailbox (or from a book store or library), over the past week.

After numerous recommendations, this week I've added the following books to my collection:

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Whats is your mailbox this week?

Friday, February 18, 2011

Follow My Book Blog Friday #1

Today I am participating in Follow My Book Blog Friday, hosted by Parajunkee's View.

If you're a new follower, please leave me a link to your blog in the comments below so that I can say hello!

This week's question from Follow My Book Blog Friday:
If you are a fan of Science Fiction what is your favorite book? If you haven't read Science Fiction before...any inkling to? Anything catch your eye?

Interestingly I watch a lot of Science Fiction movies and TV series (i.e. Fringe, Eureka and Firefly to name a few) but I have read very few Science Fiction books. One series that I have read that I think fits this genre is the Dark Angel series by Max Allan Collins. These books follow on from the Dark Angel tv series created by Created by James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee. I loved the Dark Angel universe and whilst the books wrap up many loose ends left by the TV show I wish that the story had of continued further.

Crochet Rabbit

Wherever I sit in my house there are books and crochet nearby. When my daughter sits with me she immediately reaches for those books and crochet projects. She already has plenty of her own books so I thought it was about time I gave her something crocheted of her own that I don't mind her putting in her mouth (rather then my scarfs and tops!).

Introducing Rabbit... 

Rabbit is from Sue Whiting's Weekend Crochet for Babies. For this project I used a 3.5mm hook and leftover yarn: Cleckheaton Baby Cocoon (70% merino wool & 30% nylon), 2 x 50g ball of white, 1 of pink and a very small amount of blue. It has been stuffed with machine washable toy filling.

I worked on it for a couple of hours here and there over about 5 days but I suspect that it could be done in a weekend. The pattern is quite simple and involves a lot of repetition; it is therefore quick and easy to get the hang of and can be completed whilst watching TV.

My daughter loved playing with each little piece as I created it. She now enjoys chatting away to her own little bunny, and of course she loves to chew on it too.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Cactus Flower Scarf



This lovely scarf is one of the crochet projects that brought my knitting to a halt. When I opened my Winter 2010 edition of Interweave Crochet I couldn't resist this Cactus Flower Scarf by Edie Eckman.

I've completed this project using Moda Vera Merino (100% Merino Wool) in grey and pink, 100g of each. When substituting with this yarn I again used the wpi yarn substitution method, along with matching the hook size and yarn type.

The pattern was easy to understand despite being quite involved. After completing a couple of squares I found I could stop checking the pattern every 10 seconds, however I still needed it close by for reference.

I'm thrilled with the outcome. I love having at a completed project that looks like the picture presented in the pattern!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Lacy Cables Scarf Update




Just a quick update to show off the progress I've made on my Lacy Cables Scarf.






I'm really happy with how its coming along. It still has a long way to go (I can't believe how slow I am at knitting) and I can see quite a number of hiccups but I think it looks pretty good for a beginners effort :)


I must confess I have been a bit distracted by a couple of crochet projects. However I've made it a goal this year to learn to knit, so I'll keep coming back to this scarf and one day (hopefully soon) I'll finish it.