A Practical and A Pretty

Hiya from a.,

Today I have two items for you to enjoy.  This first is a practical thing, but practical doesn't have to mean boring and not cute.  We exist right  now in a small space and will continue to do so for a few more months.  This means that if you are on the computer, the computer chair is in a main walk through hallway area that can be a little dark.  It is not the most comfortable situation for if you want to watch Doctor Who episodes you've downloaded (legally at that, because we are giant rule following nerds).  That means bringing the laptop over to the bed so that you can stretch out and get cozy.  The problem with this is that the laptop really sinks into the blankets, gets warm and if you move it bounces around.  The solution - a laptop board:

One of the advantages to where we currently live is the amount of scrap wood and tools that are easily at hand.  I went to the wood pile found a piece that would work and just had to cut it down a bit.  I then cut a couple pieces of this adorable fabric that e. from the flbs had got for me and used spray glue to stick it on.  I then went around with tacky glue and trimmed the edges with green ribbon.  Here is a closer look at the fabric:

It isn't an exciting project, but it was a useful one and you might as well make it adorable while you are at it.
The second project I have to show you is a necklace that I crocheted:

I am pleased with how this turned out.  It is just a bunch of chain crocheted rows with a different amount of stitches and a different beading pattern.  To add strength and stability on either side it is just plain single crochet ends:

I then used a bead and a loop for the back closure of the piece.  It was my first time playing with crochet thread and I like the results.  It is definitely small tight work and I wouldn't want all of my work to be with the crochet thread, but I will experiment with it more.

see you space cowboy...