Just got lucky with some crafty finds and online book shopping!

I don't really spend much time and money 'shopping' (or do I ?)...but last week I chanced upon a rare find at the Japan surplus shop in my area. Its a vintage Clover knitting set. At first I thought it was just an envelope purse, then to my surprise it was a very neat set of knitting needles! The colored ones are plastic, and the gray ones are aluminum. There's one tunisian hook also, a size 5mm, which I'm sure I could use. As for the knitting needles, I actually have similar ones already, mostly Tulip brand...but for such an affordable price, I wouldn't pass up on this Clover set!

I also bought a pack of used sewing notions and supplies, which included an almost finished crocheted table runner made up of squares with a spider stitch pattern design. Its a lot similar to this free pattern from Red Heart, but more detailed and delicate. I have to finish the other triangle motif at the end, so I could display it. I want to hang it at the side of the shelf, which is adjacent to my working table. Its quite an nspiration :)

As for online shopping, I seldom buy stuff online, but this time I went on a shopping spree....heheh. Actually, I bought 4 books from The Book Depository, when they had a 24-hour sale last March 5. Books on sale are listed every hour until it sold out...I was hardly able to follow the books as they sold out fast (and I had to sleep!), but I managed to buy some. Except for the Wheat-Free Cooking book...I bought them for future gifts. All 4 books amounted to only $27.31 and that includes free shipping! I think I got the best value with the Oxford Illustrated Children's Dictionary, which was only $8.28 then. Even without a special sale, all books are reasonably priced. If you want to get email notification on their offers and special sales, just register on the webiste at: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/

Two Knitting Mags and a Crochet Book

I went to the nearest mall last Saturday, looking for crochet magazines. I didnt find any, but I found a knitting magazine at a price I couldnt resist :p

I enjoyed looking at the projects especially since its a summer issue. Maybe next summer I will be knitting...

Yesterday, I received what my sister sent me, another knitting magazine :D This one is perfect for when I start to pick up my needles again. The projects here are cute and simple. It has a crocheted bag in there too, with crocheted flowers :) Thanks again, sis!

Not content with the knitting magazine I found at the bargain bookstore, I looked at all the craft books in there and the only crochet book I found was this. The price is about the equivalent of $4., yes! I have not made an afghan yet, and maybe one day I'll make one from this book. It has so many designs that appeal to me ;)

Knitted Swatches

Yay, I've knitted some swatches! Just to show how these multicolor threads look when knitted. I'm amazed how little thread was needed to make these, yet it takes a while to knit just one swatch!
Maybe the same time it would take to make this:


Striped Keychain Purse