Supernaturally Coraline!

I decided this weekend to do some craft projects that I've had languishing around in my mind. I finished up a gift for KA's birthday (pictures will have to wait until after giving.) I also finished the wedding tree details and acquired a tube for transport!

Finally made myself a set of stitch markers (since I have multiple projects cast on at a time and always need to find stitch markers). These were inspired by another's crafting of cell phone charms and bag charms. I made them a la Supernatural. :D Mostly they make me smile and I know that will help when I am knitting and need a pick me up mid row/round.

I have many charms left over so I will be making bag charms, zipper pulls, & cellphone charms for friends who are fans. Mostly I am terribly pleased with myself.

I've also taken steps toward making myself in to Coraline. If for no other reason than dressing up as her come Halloween. I don't know that I'll be making a mini-Coraline, that is still in reserve. I have also stumbled across peoples' plushies of The Cat. He might be fun to make, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be digging through my beanie babies for the panther one to carry about. I know my crafting limits...maybe. :D

In the mean time, there is a great little pattern I could use as a base line for The Cat. This was inspired by mtnb's flickr stream. It looks like it wouldn't be too complicated. Of course, too bad my cat is gone. Salem would have been perfect!

I did determine that I wanted to make a key necklace, a seeing stone necklace, and the three pearls she finds. I thought those would be cool. The results seem rather awesome. The pearls glow in the dark, which resulted since I bought the filmo intending to use with the seeing stone and forgetting that I wanted to paint the thing. Then I remembered the pearls. So having those to hang from my beltloop or something should be cool. :)

As I was searching for pictures of the key and seeing stone I came across a neat showing of Coraline inspired fashion.

Molding these didn't really take too much time. Yay for easy shapes. Actually it took most of my hand strength and time to soften the glow-in-the-dark clay. :P And there was a slight clay cooking malfunction. Hot glue was a no go, I was really hoping that it would work since there is no krazy glue in the house. I'm also too lazy at the moment to go out and get some. The painting and the glittering will have to wait.

FYI, my glitter thread has shipped and is in-route. Now to head to a LYS or online one and peruse the choices for base sweater. Still leaning to the cotton in a dark/mid range blue. I'm also wondering how to make a stripy pink shirt. Found a tye dying method that could work, but I'm also debating on doing it in paints or searching for one that is already out there. Then again, if I tye dye some of my old work under shirts, they are great for sleeping/working around the house in!

I am currently debating between making a steampunk shirt, gift plaque, glass etching, or knitting up a storm. I'm sure I'll end up doing at least two of these.

Coraline Sweater

I mentioned before about knitting a star sweater from Coraline and cosplaying as her. I think it would be kind of awesome. Not only cause it's a relatively simple outfit, but comfortable as well. :)

My biggest challenge will be getting the sweater made. I think it'll be a fun project.

Not sure what I'll end up doing with the stars. I think stitching them on after would be a good plan. I just need to wait for the glitter thread I ordered to come and determine the color blue I'd like to use. I'm leaning toward making a cotton sweater so that I'll be comfortable wearing it in heat and cold. I'm also thinking that making it fairly large will be good so that I can layer if need be in cooler weather.

If I go to Comic Con next year (like a really really want to) I might invest in an obnoxiously bright yellow rain jacket with matching galoshes for other days outfits. I will end up getting a short blue wig and need to see about the hair pins she uses. Overall I think it'll be a fun project adventure. :)

I think I'll have to also figure out how to make a little Coraline doll to carry around if I do the raincoat outfit. :D A lady on craftser has made a good inspiring version!

Here's to being creepy!

leaving a mark

My youngest cousin Kels is getting married and she's asked me to look after her guestbook. In addition to the guestbook she wants a tree. I honestly had no clue what she was talking about, but finally got some enlightenment from her. She was talking about a thumbprint tree, which is an awesome idea. She's also asked for use of my artistic talent in drawing the tree.

I've done some looking and determined a fairly good size I think. I had to call her and ask how many guests (around 300). Hopefully it's big enough. Though some of the ideas I've seen with "leaves" on the ground are kinda cool too. I have plans for both directions, be it so many or so little.

My biggest trouble was finding a tree that fit her. I know nothing of the groom... Heh.

Anyway I did a massive search and poked through various listings on Etsy. I honestly don't remember where I found the one that I really liked. I did a lot of it similar to the drawing, but added branches and smooshed it so it would fit my piece of paper.

In addition to the names for the bride and groom with the wedding date beneath, I thought a quote would be nice. I was going to do the love is patient bible verse, but decided I needed something shorter. So after googling a bit, I found a few. I asked Mum's opinion and decided on David Viscott's "To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." I thought that with the tree it was quite fitting. :)

So I've been drawing and tracing and erasing. Now my hand is very tired. I think that I'll finish it up tomorrow with details on the wood for the tree. I'll have to post pictures in a few weeks since I don't know if she pokes through here. :)

and sometimes, when you fall, you fly

I have a ridiculous amount of love for Neil Gaiman and his various works. I've read a few and have stacks of other to get through yet. But I don't know that I'll ever forget my first foray into his genius head.

I was in high school and a friend in my creative writing class suggested Neverwhere to me. After that I picked up other novels. I think it's a tie between Stardust and The Graveyard Book as my current favorite and I poke through The Sandman comics from time to time.

I love that there are a few references to his work in my favorite television show Supernatural as well.

He's created worlds that are simply awe-inspiring and incredible. The stories are often creepy with a good dose of humor in there to keep you on your toes. As I was stumbling about the internet I came across a video of knitting for the movie Coraline based off his book.

I can promise I was fascinated and enthralled.



Here's an actual person sized pattern of Coraline's sweater. I really really loved that sweater. I might actually have to make one for myself...yeah, that would be kind of awesome to dress up as at a convention. I actually have this awesome glow in the dark yarn that I could use for the stars. Hmmmm...this might be a good first sweater project.

In the mean time, I would love to see him speak. I've watched video and he seems completely awesome.

Ah well. One day.

Glomitts, take one...no two...oh whatever

I'm working on the last Pay It Forward Mystery Project, but I like to be working on a few things at once. I really liked this pair of glittens (mittens + gloves, get it!?). I found the original pattern and I believe I will be trying these out in the near future! (But most likely I'll alter the top design a bit. :))

I mentioned before my friend/co-worker that asked me for a pair of flip-top mittens. Well, I have the gumption for them now.

These convertible mittens seem to have so many names. Glomitts. Glittens. Whatever. Needless to say, I came across a masculine pattern on Ravelry (Soldier's Glomitts) since the pattern above seemed boring without a design and he wanted them in black or brown. He didn't want them in wool (it's itchy) so I found a worsted weight cotton yarn with acrylic in it.

I started them a few days ago and then really got to knitting yesterday and today. It has been an interesting experience. I like to choose projects that are going to be fun and challenging to knit. Especially if there is something new to be learned. This time it's a buttonhole, picking up stitched mid-pattern, and creating a thumb gusset.

I'm hoping they aren't going to be too big. I think they'll end up a little large on him, but I'd rather that then be too small. Also, I'm thinking they may shrink a bit in the wash when I block them. If they won't work with him, I'm sure I can figure someone out to give them too.

I almost finished the first mitt when I knew it was too big. So I frogged it. All that work down the drain.

*sigh*

I went hunting for a different pattern and came across two. The Beer Mitts fingerless gloves out of the Debbie Stoller's Son of Stitch 'n' Bitch and Tornado off Ravelry. I'm hybriding them. Making the base out of the Beer Mitts but adding the Tornado flap. Hopefully I can work this.

I was doing really well and the first mitt was knitting up pretty quickly, but I hit a slight snag. And I have to frog it again since I screwed up and made them a tad too long in the hand area.

It seems to be for the best as well since the cabling on the back needs to be worked over a shorter pattern than called for according to a few other ravellers. I'd also like to reverse the pattern a bit and do stockinette instead of reverse stockinette. I think it will make it easier for me to pick the flap up later. Overall, hopefully third time is the charm.

In the mean time I'm starting a neat swirl patterned hat for a friend who is leaving the country for very cold places. I plan to make her a pair of Podster Gloves too. :) (I'm also going to make myself a pair.)

This is of course in hopes that if I leave the glomitts for a bit, the third time really will be the charm.

My co-worker might end up with a semi-matching hat if I have enough yarn left over from his mitts as well. But all in good time.

Mystery Project 3 Complete!

I finished the Mystery Project 3...then tried to put it on and got stuck. So I had to rip out the cast off row and try that part again. Twice. :P

Otherwise it took me about 8 hours I think. Which...whoa. don't think I've knit something so quickly of this size. But, at the same time it was very frustrating. There was a lot of frogging and tinking as I went along. *puffs bangs*

I do like how it turned out. Once I got a hang of the pattern it knit up fairly quickly. The last few rounds of the pattern tried to thwart me, but I tinked and fixed without frogging the whole thing. Victory! Anyway the pattern is Greyhaven from Ravelry.

And a little bonus extra! Recipient of my Gates of Greyhaven project also asked if I would make something for her Geocaching. So I knit up this little guy (it only took a few hours)!

I feel like I should name him...hmmm...something that's writing related. I got nothing. Oh well. I'm going with Mortimer and I have no idea why. The newly dubbed Mortimer is from my pattern book Knitting Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec and he will be traveling somewhere.

Go me! Two knitting projects in one day (on June 26th)! It took so long to get the gifts to recipient, but finally got them there today!

defy gravity!

Going to see Wicked this weekend. In honor of that (and the fact that I've found various yarns that are fairy tale or Oz inspired), I went looking on Etsy for cool things. :)

I have way too much fun just poking through etsy.

A search on ravelry yielded some cool patterns. Always like the little wee dolls that can be made.

Wacky knee socks, a neckwarmer/cowl, and wrist warmers are awesome too. I like making things in the round. :)

Baby items aren't really my thing, but these booties are pretty freakin' adorable!

And for something completely different a wine bottle cozy!

Needless to say I'm pretty excited. I've heard a few snippets of songs and I tried reading the book. Keyword was try. But I've heard amazing things about the show. :D

possessing wit and learning

Just got back from seeing the film at midnight, in IMAX 3D! WAAAAAAAAAAH! It was pretty freakin' amazing. I liked the pace of the film (I didn't get bored) as well as the humor that was interspersed.

In honor of the film's release I went looking for Ravenclaw items (as that is my house.) :D I lean toward the movie version of blue and silver, but that's because I like the look of silver over bronze.

My only problem now will be to find yarn in fibers and colors that will match approximately with the sweater and tie I have. I will have to get enough for mitts and socks and maybe a scarf and hat. I feel like I should kit myself out completely. Might have to venture into making a sweater vest as well. :) Sunshine Yarns has some great Harry Potter themed colorways, but nothing that really fits with what I'd like to do.

I love these fingerless mittens. I've loved the pattern since I initially came across it. But after stumbling on a Ravenclaw version, I knew it was perfect. :)

I really adore these socks too. I really really want to make them or get someone awesome at color work and/or sock knitting to make them for me. I have yet to venture into sock making and am a little leary of it yet. But maybe someday soon it will be territory I enter!

There are great patterned to make a lot of the clothing for any Hogwarts' student in Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel. I made a hat but will likely end up making a scarf and a few other things eventually. :)

The Leaky Cauldron has an awesome listing of fan made crafts, knits, and other items!

I'll have to look around for other fun things. I did come across some stitch markers which reminds me that I wanted to make some Supernatural inspired ones. But I am starting to feel the effects of little sleep and it being time for bed. *yawn*

knitting and Harry Potter

I've been knitting for a bit, trying to finish up Mystery Project 2! I'm getting there and watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while doing so. I've watched the previous three while working this part of the project and the recipient should get a kick out of that when I tell her. :)

Also, Ten is in this one. So yes, he's an uber creeper, but still awesome! Yay for fandom crossover!

I'm about 80% finished!

I just printed off the pattern for Project 4 and am ready when this one is finished to get through that one. I've also got a few more projects in my queue.

While I was printing I was catching up on one of my favorite designers, SpillyJane. She patterned a pair of mittens off of one of my favorite book series, Kushiel's Legacy. I've attempted them a few times, but had to frog them. But I do hope to make them again soon! It was an important lesson in gauge. I discovered I generally have to bump the needle size up two when I knit something so it works on the proper gauge. I knit really tight.

She's also patterned a pair inspired by Terry Pratchet's Discworld series.

Geeky shirts

I don't know if this is known, but I think I buy all my tee shirts from three places now it seems. (They are all listed in the sidebar.) Pretty sure this means that I'm a large geek (and hopefully not news) and that my main geekness way of expression is through jeans and a tee. That being said, I bought 2 new shirts in the last few days.

That being said, I love my geek tees. I love that they make me laugh and that I like wearing them. I'd say 50% of the time Mum or Dad laughs at them too. Also, I have friends that like them, but the majority of the time I don't really care and wear them cause they crack me up. This is also why I say about 80% of the things I do. I like making myself laugh, who cares if anyone else does.

Now the Ravenclaw tee is ridiculously appropriate as I sort into Ravenclaw. Thus I also have a tie and robe that reflects said House. And yes, I will be sporting both at the movie on Friday at midnight. There is wizarding to be seen and done! Muwahahahaha!

Funny story too about the tee. I was finishing up school when the Quidditch thing was really starting to hit campuses nationwide. (I love that there's a league.) If I didn't think I would have failed all my classes I would have joined in the fun of running about the Commons grounds with a broomstick and fellow fans. Alas, my course load was kicking my butt and graduation was looming close. :( Maybe in grad school. Okay so maybe not funny, but a little sad. None the less, it makes me chuckle.

This tee is a bit more obscure, but no less amusing to me. I love Joss Whedon. His shows made up a good portion of my tv watching life. Be it catching them on DVD or actual TV. I think I'll always love Angel ridiculous amounts as well as Firefly. But Dr Horrible has many amusing merits too. The idea of Joss and superheroes/villains makes my geek heart flutter. Add in Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion and I might go catatonic. But I decided to get this since I said something about the status quo leaving the building to my mom once and she thought it was hilarious. Hilarious but true. Enough so she wanted to remember it for potential future reference. So, Ha!

Now if only they would stop printing awesome sauce shirts. I'm lying of course. They need to keep going, I'm learning restraint though and not buying all of them that strike my fancy. :D

*gasp* No knitting?!

I have been so exhausted from work the last couple of days that there has been no knitting. This is terrible as I've discovered that knitting for a bit during my awake time helps me sleep through the day better before going into the work at night. I hope to rectify this situation stat!

In the meantime here are a couple of teasers for my last two mystery projects (2 and 4)!

Also, with my developing obsession with crafting/knitting I stumbled across this little vid about Peruvian knitting, which is really awesome. I know that there are a few other styles originating out of eastern Europe I believe that hold the needles and yarn differently. I think out of South America too.

I think it would be unbearable cool to learn another technique. It just makes me want to visit Peru for more than historically nerd reasons. :D Ancient cultures and pyramids! *spaz*

I've already been plotting what to make when I finish up the Pay It Forward items. I think first on the agenda will be a pair of flip top mittens that a friend from work has been patient about me making. He's only poked me slightly about them. He got really excited the other day when I asked to see his hand in comparison to mine so I could gauge the measurement/size. Terribly scientific I know. But I am terrible with numbers and incredibly visual. Needless to say I was glomped in his excitement. So when I get those started there will be pics of progress. A few other ideas ruminating will have to be secrets since I think they'll make awesome Christmas gifts. Though one will go out earlier so it can be used. *secret smile*

un elephant qui se balance...

A few days ago one of my elementary school friends gave birth to a little girl. Now I didn't know this till today. Having seen this I decided to mark the event by knitting her (mother and daughter) an elephant plushie. This is mostly cause I really wanted to make the Rosie pattern from KnitWit but couldn't justify making it for myself.

It is really easy and I like the yarn that I found in my stash for it. It's dark purples and greens, but still seems appropriate for a little girl. :D As I've been putting it together it's been a little off kilter. I've also understuffed it a bit so that it is smooshy and soft. When I showed Mum she suggested stitching the eyes on so that she won't choke on them. Little Rosie can sit, but is very clutchable too.

The pattern also puts a felt crown on it, but I can't decide if I want to add it. I think with the color changes and such it makes it busy enough without the accessory.

Mystery Projects Update

I just finished Project 5 and I finished 3 a few days ago. I cast on for Project 4 and 2 is still in the works at 50% complete.

I'm excited to be midway through my goal. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but after realizing that the year was half over and I hadn't made one thing for the pay it forward part, I knew it was time to buckle down.

Now it's just time to finish 2 and 4. I imagine that I'll be working on a few other projects as well in the mean time. But hopefully I'll have everything done by July. :)