Around the Traps -#4 the really good stuff!
So a few random things I am loving over the last few weeks. Really loving!
A Course
The first is that I have seen that Christine's online Pitch Perfect course is running through Squam for a second time. I paid to do this course last year as I was planning to approach some magazines about some of the things we talk about on this here blog (I haven't got around to it yet but maybe someday!) And even though I am yet to write a single pitch, I got so much out of it! It definitely isn't a writing course - it is a pitching course - that is made very clear from the outset. And while I agree that we weren't learning how to write, I do think the course made me a much more thoughtful writer. The aim of the course is to teach you how to write the perfect query letter to get your writing published. But for me though, the biggest thing I took away from the course was a new way of thinking; about planning your article (or in my case blog post), about the article's structure and about the audience you are writing for. This course material was one of those things that once learned, can never be unlearned. I really loved it. If you do any kind of writing then this is worth a look.
Some Collections
Two new collections that have been released in the last few weeks that I totally love are;
- Anthology II from the lovely Carrie (who I have featured on the blog before because I love her!). This collection is pretty perfect. She is a bit of a genius for all the reasons I mentioned in my post about her.
- Quince&Co have just released a collection called Home that I am just a little obsessed with. I adore this and this and this. All of them have joined my queue. But sadly not a single one of them is on #mymakinglist2015. Yet.
A Knitalong
The lovely Kylie (who until recently worked at the lovely Sunspun) has started a summer knitalong to use up those special single skeins of yarn that are sitting there waiting for the perfect project. I've cast on a shawl using yarn I've been saving for who-knows-how-long for who-knows-what (I could also add a who-knows-why to this). There is a rav group and a hashtag #summerofthesingleskein. Many of you probably have something lying around just begging to be used??
A List
Finally I came across this wonderful fantabulous list posted by While She Naps entitled the 20 podcasts to listen to while you're crafting. I love finding new podcasts; always good to mix it up and find something fresh. I have only just started to go through the list but I am totally loving Alec. Abby mentions This American Life in passing (it's not on the list), and while I don't want to tell you what to do, I need to say that even if you don't listen to it very often (or ever!) you must check out this week's. The episode is called Batman and it will change your perception about the world forever! I made the fella listen to it because it was just that good and he came up to me going "ohmygodfeliciahowamazing". "I know mate, I know!" He is British - so this is big big praise.
Enjoy lovely people. I'll see you Monday with some knitting tips.
Felicia x