freebie alert

New week, new month, so how about some freebie links to kick off? :-)

• Looking for some Halloween and autumn craft projects? Lion Brand yarn, one of my favorite sources for patterns and inspiration, has more than 70 free patterns here, for both crocheting and knitting, and beginners, too!

• The University of Chicago Press has released their free e-book for October, the novel Loving Little Egypt by Thomas McMahon. To get your download, go here.

• Lastly, Northcott is offering a free pattern download for its Child's Play with Kate and Nate collection crib ensemble. For details and your download, here's the link.

Happy Monday!!!!

the count is on

Let's be honest, I know no one is quite ready to accept the fact, but it won't be long before Christmas decorations start creeping into shops and catalogs fill our mailboxes. As I'm making most of our gifts this year, I've already been busy sorting through patterns and my yarn baskets and stocking up on supplies.

Lots of people on our list will be getting one of these wool hats this year. The pattern is easy, is FREE here, is available in both children and adult sizes, and the colors can easily be changed so that everyone can wear their favorite team or school colors = win, win, win, win! :-)

Oh, and in case you're wondering, 103 days until Christmas and counting!

last week's view

Work is not always required . . . there is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.
---George MacDonald

Yes, I'm back and have no intention of leaving again for awhile. After a couple months of intensive work, we corrected the imbalance by spending two weeks at the sea, during which time my major accomplishment was perfecting the beach nap. :-) I also had a lot of time to think, and one of the many realizations I had was that I missed writing for this blog. So expect regular postings here again---and often! :-D

As I am catching up with my e-mails and reading, I have a bunch of good links for you today. First, a link on 5 Ways to Preserve the Summer Harvest, including other methods beyond the traditional canning. Also, a few seasonal recipes from Kripalu. I am a huge fan of hot chai tea during colder months, but I am curious to try Kripalu's suggestion of having it cold on hot days, too. Next, a free knitted dishtowel pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. Man, do I love this pattern---all the yummy colors! Great way to use up random bits of yarn as well. Finally, a reminder for me as much as you that for real productivity, less is truly more.

Keep enjoying these last weeks of summer, and if you find yourself frazzled, take it from me---get outside and do nothing! Until tomorrow....

freebie alert

Hope today finds you all recovering from a potato salad and flag-waving stupor. :-) Between lounging about and reading your latest beach novel today, make time to head over to Knitting Daily and download this free 10-page e-book titled Knitting Techniques for More Successful Knitting (and sign up for a free issue of Interweave Knits while you're at it). Although geared more for beginning knitters, I have been knitting for at least 10 years and still found much of the information new and useful. So check it out---it's FREE! :-)

read it forward

Hurry to the Crown Publishing Group's Read It Forward web site to enter your chances to win a FREE copy of their June offerings. Deadline is TOMORROW, June 15, so don't delay!!!!!

freebie alert

Many years ago, my grandmother was at her weekly hairdresser appointment, and one of the other customers shared with her a crochet pattern for dishcloths. Until my grandmother died, no one in my family had to buy dishcloths ever---our kitchen drawers were pack solid with them.

About six months ago, though, I noticed that some ours were looking a bit ragged, and I just couldn't bring myself to buy some generic, factory-made dishcloth after decades of homemade.

Luckily, I'm a big fan of the easy and quick knitting projects that I can whip up in an evening. And this free(!) pattern from Lion Brand Yarn for the Long Beach Washcloth is perfect for summer, with its cool blue, maize, and lime colors. Download it now!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!!

freebie link love

I have praised the merits of CreativeLive (previous CreativeTechs) before here, and as another of Molly Murrah's painting classes is being offered, I need to again tell people what a great opportunity these FREE courses are. If you watch the classes online live, there is absolutely no charge. During the period the class is on offer, the entire course may be purchased for half-price; afterward, the full charge applies, but even that is low considering the value of Molly's instruction. So check out CreativeLive's complete class schedule and help spread the word of this great learning opportunity. :-)

Also, a couple months ago, I posted about another freebie from Oprah's Book Club. Every month a new chapter of David Bach's Start Over, Finish Rich is available as a download. The first THREE chapters are now available here.

Enjoy!

books books books

Crown Publishing offers chances every month to receive free copies of selected great new reads. The books on offer for May:

• Twelve Rooms with a View by Theresa Rebeck
• Ten Minutes from Home by Beth Greenfield
• Ancestor by Scott Sigler

Excerpts of each are available online as well, and the giveaway entry process is simple. Just don't delay: the deadline for this month's giveaway is tomorrow, May 11!!!

friday freebie alert

Free Spanish course from Berlitz, but you must sign up TODAY!

friday freebies

It's been a long time since I've posted some Friday Freebies, and today I finally have three for you. First, though, please let's admire the supercuteness of my new niece, aged 11 days. Isn't that just the sweetest little face?! And o the red hair!

Ok, enough auntie gushing. First freebie, the latest in MIT free open courses here. Subjects covered are varied and include, for example, project management, game design, engineering, and robotics, as well as courses in the humanities like English novels, political theory, and women and gender studies.

Second freebie, Oprah's Book Club is offering a new free chapter download each month from David Bach's Starting Over, Finish Rich: 10 Steps to Get You Back no Track in 2010. The first chapter is currently available here.

Third freebie, for the knitters out there, Knitting Daily has made the "Not a Feather Cap" pattern available as a free download here. Check it out---it's a really sweet multiseasonal hat.

Speaking of sweet, look at my niece's cheeks. Aren't they just so squeezable?! Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!!!

keeping happy in hard times

Although some have declared the Great Recession officially over, for those who are still struggling, who are still without jobs, this declaration does little to ease the worry or make the rent or mortgage easier to pay. Regularly we need to remind ourselves to take one day at a time, that we are not to blame, that we still have a reason---and a right---to seek joy and happiness even during difficult economic times.

Which is why Dr. Robert Holden's article here is a must-read for anyone who has been affected by the current recession (and who hasn't!) and who is seeking to turn this time of financial uncertainty into a positive life lesson. I can say from personal experience that the rough times that affected my family during the dot.com bust of the late 1990s and the subsequent soul-searching we did then have helped us immensely to cope during the Great Recession. We were forced to examine what were the priorities in our lives; we also redefined what a happy and successful life meant for us, not for society in general or marketing executives or our neighbors or anyone else, but US.

Dr. Holden refers to this in the article under "The Real More" and "The Reality Check" sections. Other points he highlights include taking responsibility for your finances, making time for the important relationships in your life, taking stock of your blessings, scheduling time for having fun and self-care (which you still need and deserve whether you're a full-time employee or a full-time homecarer or a full-time job seeker), maintaining a positive attitude (as much as possible) and keeping the faith, and remembering to invest in yourself and others. For example, I have signed up for free courses at Creative Techs, who provide educational online webinars on subjects like Photoshop, creating iPhone apps, watercolor, and photography lighting. And did I mention they're FREE?!! :-D

Now I am off to spend the rest of this glorious day with some of my most precious blessings, my family. The husband has made a huge pot of leek and potato soup that smells amazing and is perfect for a chilly Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the rest of YOUR weekend! :-)

holiday freebies

Busy, busy here now that my work computer has been rebuilt and I am playing catchup on more deadlines than I care to think about. But at least there is crafty stuff to help me unwind in the evenings.

Speaking of, 30+ FREE holiday patterns here at Lions Brand, sure to keep your sticks busy from now until the holidays. :-)

tgif freebie

TGIF, TGIF, TGIF! Whew, what a long and crazybusy week it's been. I will be so happy to shut down the computer when my work is done and start relaxing into the weekend. Aren't weekends just the best?! :-)

Oprah's book club has another freebie download. The first story from Uwem Akpan's Say You're One of Them is currently available here. Oprah and the author are planning an online discussion of the story in conjunction with CNN.com on November 9th, so mark your calendars and make some time this weekend to spend with a treasure by this amazing writer.

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

free candy corn, yum

Hope everyone had a relaxing and fun weekend! Here is a FREE pattern for making these fun (and very low calorie :-) pieces of candy corn, just in time for Halloween, too.

For more October craft ideas, check out Lion Brand's web site and just search for "Halloween".

Happy Monday!

full moons

Last night's full moon and some howling winds cast a spooky pallor on our town. Which got me thinking about October's classic holiday, Halloween.

If I were superorganized, I probably would not have waited until the month was upon us to start pondering costumes, decorations, and party foods. Because I am just merely organized, I rely heavily on the Internet for ideas and inspiration. And one of the first places to look when in a pinch is good old Martha. :-)

For do-at-home Halloween ideas, she does not disappoint. At Halloween Central there are ideas for pumpkin carvings, costumes, decorations and crafts, tons of ghoulish (but tasty!) recipes, and free clip art for invitations, party favors, and even the cool lanterns pictured here. Everything you need in one place, awesome! Now, should we have the "I Scream Sandwiches" or the Graveyard Cake for dessert? They both look positively creepy. In a good way, of course. :-)

tgif freebies!

I have TWO freebies to help you celebrate this October's first TGIF! (Less than three months until the holidays, people!) Both freebies are for the crafter readers, and both are for great handbags! They are brought to you, once again, by Knitting Daily. :-)

The first bag, pictured left, is for those who love to crochet; the pattern and instructions can be downloaded here. The second pattern is for a knitted market bag, although it would be great for lugging all sorts of things: books, yarn, or that bunch of bananas; the pattern and instructions here.

We're miraculously pretty caught up on our housework, so tomorrow we're sorting through wardrobes one last time before heading to our local charity shop to drop off our donations. Then I intend to divide the rest of my free time between my own various craft projects (MUST block and sew up that hot pink cardigan, which I finished knitting a month ago) and playing in the kitchen. :-)

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

3 months and counting!

No, I've not gone cuckoo. Check the calendars, people---only three months until the holidays arrive! Truly, I can barely believe it myself. September, in particular, seems to have absolutely flashed by!

One of the reasons I love autumn, though, is that the weather seems perfect for evenings in, working on my latest craft project (which I hope to have pictures of for you soon! :-). But after today's reality check, I realize I need to step up my gift-making into high gear.

Thinking about making some of your gifts this year, too? Well, if you are looking for some inspiration may I guide you to today's freebie alert. :-) STC Craft | Melanie Falick Books have selected twenty (20!!) awesome patterns from their book collection and made them available as FREE downloads. There's a little something for the knitters, the sewers, the paper crafters---all look such fun (and dare I say, pretty easy) that I'm not sure where to start first! Do check out this great web site, and see if you can't find a project to keep you busy this weekend. :-)

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone! The weather is turning even cooler here, so I am thinking apple crisp may be on the menu, yummm. ;-)

holey font!

As a self-professed greenie, I am always on the lookout for ways to cut waste and conserve resources (and perhaps also save a little money along the way). Which is why I love ecofont---it scores a trifecta of good green sense. :-)

I think the company's mission statement sums up its aim perfectly: "After Dutch holey cheese, there now is a Dutch font with holes as well." Why is a holey font better? Well, the font remains completely readable on the printed page (and computer screen too) but uses up to 20% LESS INK! Oh, and did I mention the font is available as a FREE download on the ecofont web site? The download is quick, and clear instructions make the font installation very simple. Another innovative idea and great product that receives The Happy Recessionist seal of approval!

recession humor (plus a freebie!)

A sense of humor is vital, I think, to living a long and happy life. But during tough times, having a laugh becomes even more important.

Which is why I love Case-Mate's special iPhone 3G/3GS recession case for just 99 cents! Or better yet, stock up and purchase the "bailout bundle"---10 cases for $7.99!

Someone working at Case-Mate has a cheeky sense of humor, and The Happy Recessionist wholeheartedly approves of recession fun. :-)

What are your plans for the weekend? We're spending tomorrow cleaning out wardrobes, packing away swimsuits and sundresses and replacing them with jeans and turtlenecks. And finally taking the bags of donations we've collected since June to our local charity shop!

Sunday is our quiet family day, and this week I am setting aside more crafty time. If you're still stuck for an autumn project (or two or four!), here are the latest eight FREE patterns from Knitting Daily. Now which to choose first....

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone, and most importantly, be sure to have a good laugh (or two or four!).

eMusic

After yesterday, I realized that my music collection seemed to be seriously lacking in the John Denver department. So I went off to remedy this situation and visited my favorite music download site, eMusic.

If you're not familiar with eMusic, let me fill you in. Even with their recent subscription price restructure, tracks still work out to be half---yes HALF---the price of tracks from iTunes, a savings that is difficult to ignore. True, their library is not as extensive as iTunes and some of the other providers. However, for fans interested in hard-to-find indie music, eMusic is hard to beat. Additionally, with their recent Sony acquisitions, plenty of more mainstream music is now available.

Several monthly subscription packages can be bought, and if you find yourself with zero credits and are DYING to download to a track before your next credit refresh, it is possible to purchase an extra bundle of tracks to tie you over. Also, if you have a Facebook account (and who doesn't), there is a special eMusic widget that allows you to download a free track every day, which means another (average) 30 free tracks a month. Cool or what?

Quick point: if you already use iTunes (and again, who doesn't), eMusic downloads automatically are copied into iTunes, so there is no fussing with importing or exporting or any of that nonsense.

Right now, eMusic is offering a special free 10-track offer. All members who rank 10 albums before September 30 will receive 10 free tracks in October. I did my 10 rankings this morning, and I believe it took all of 5 minutes, if that. So if you're not already a subscriber, I recommend you mosey over to eMusic.com right now and check it out. :-) Happy listening!