It's Knittin' Time!

With fall getting ready to knock on our doors, I've picked up the trust knitting needles once again.  I've been knitting bits and pieces over the summer, but not consistently.  This needs to be remedied. 

I have started some Podster Glittens in two colorways.  One is for a co-worker who ask many moons ago for flip-top mittens.  I enjoyed making them, but they are trying too. 

Thus I decided to knit a few projects that are quick and gratifying.  One's to be a gift, so that'll have to stay hush hush, but the other is very Autumnish!  It's this cute pixie hat in the amazing deep orange colorway.  My photo does it no justice!  I'm looking forward to posting as I finish some projects.

Along with a few new projects, I have some cast-on that I should finish.  One is my Clockwork Skies Cowl.  Love that pattern! I'd really like to finish it so I can wear is this Fall/Winter.

I knit the wurm for my BFF.  It was a glorious hat.  I have some left over yarn from my Octopus Mittens (★).  I feel that the wurm would make an amazing matching hat for the yarn.  The switching colors looking like the tentacle suckers!  :D

I've also got a few other craft projects of the non-knit variety in the works.  Again, for Christmas.  Hopefully I'll finish all that I would like to have finished by then. 

In order to have something to do while knitting, since I need to stay engaged on multiple levels, I normally watch tv.  Today it has been D.Gray-Man.  Imagine my amused surprise and delight to look up and see the Millenium Earl knitting away mid-way through an episode (22 I think).  XD  I love when characters knit randomly for no apparent reason, or for good reason. 

But tv can get boring and you have to stop to change discs so  I've been looking in to audiobooks too. 

I've been reading Martin's A Game of Thones.  As an extraordinarily long book and series, I feel this would be a good invest for the knitting!  Maybe even The Wheel of Time Saga as well as The Lord of the Rings.  Let's get the fantasy reading...er...listening on!  ;)

*gnaws* Knitting a Shark is...

As I mentioned many moons ago, I was asked to make a shark sleep sack thingie for a co-worker's baby. It was an amusing proposition so I thought, what the heck. Let's do it!

While trying to workout the best way to construct it, I came across an article about a woman who photographs her baby girl in these amazing sets. It's really adorable. When I saw it, I thought of him since he promised silly photos. :D She made a book, but I think this one was my favorite. Or the elephant riding one. :D

This was quite the experience.  I don't improvise project much.  I haven't reached a level of knitting where I really understand the stitches and construction well enough to feel comfortable with doing so.  However, this seemed like a fairly easy challenge, so I went at it full steam ahead.

As it is basically a really large hat I had a good idea for the knitting.  To give it some texture I knit-through-the-backloop for the body so it made a twisting pattern.  That was the easy part.  Tedious and boring, but easy.  The complicated part was deciding to knit the thing as one piece.  I discovered while knitting plushies that I really hate binding limbs on.  The extra stitching is irritating and doesn't look as nice.  That being said, I practiced the increases for the dorsal fin and the side fins.  That was an interesting exercise.  I had to monitor how they grew slowly every other round in relation to the length of the swaddler.   When the fins met my length requirements, I had to determine when to start decreasing to make the tail and close the bottom.  That was a slight challenge too.

I remember plotting early on about the eyes being sewn so the little one couldn't swallow buttons.  I also decided on making it look slightly less realistic and creepy, but still pretty recognizable as a shark.  Thus, no red gums like in the photos, not was I making mutliple rows/sets of teeth.  I like that the four teeth make it look a bit goofy.  Also, the XO for the eyes was amusing to me, but not sure everyone is going to see the hugs and kisses thing like I intended.  It does look sort of silly demented, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I also had to buy a slightly different weight of yarn to finish the project out.  The manufacture stopped producing the one I'd originally bought and pulled it from stores.  So when it came time, the weight is a little larger on the new skein, even though the colors match.  I ended up using way more yarn than projected.

A lesson in many things this project.  I learned kitchener stitching as well as that I don't really like knitting thing that don't provide quick/instant gratification.  If I do a swaddler again, it will have to have some sort of pattern to keep me entertained while knitting it.  The monotony of ktbl for about 16 inches was torture.  Fortunately I didn't have to pay overly much attention and could watch movies while knitting without fear of screwing up.

I started the project in January and finished the first of July during the large East Coast power outage.  Yes I did finish it while out house was without power for a little over 48 hours in the dark by flashlight/candlelight.  Once I gifted it to my co-worker, there was much delight, and it only took about five seconds for him to pull it over his head. 

It's Always Tea Time!

Last weekend, Mum and I went to see Alice (in Wonderland) the ballet.  It was extraordinary.  They did minimalist sets and focused instead on the dancing and the lighting.  It was gorgeous.  In honor of that event and the amazing way the dancers interpreted the story, I decided I should share some of the things I've made recently that are Alice inspired. 

I made these a few weeks ago while working on many projects that are gifts.  This would be why I haven't made many entries lately.  I have been busy with work and class, but the project I have worked on in the crafting arena haven't been gifted yet.  Soon...

But back to Alice things.  I had found a photo of a tattoo and knew I wanted to put it on the side of a mug.  Lo and behold, I found a wonderful purple mug for it.  :)  I also found a tea bag/ spoon rest and decided I needed that as well.

I'd also come across a little individual tea pot, which I'd been looking for after having a pre-graduation tea party for my BFF's sister last year.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find it.  But I waffled on what to draw on the lovely chartreuse canvas of porcelain.  But the other day I was browsing Etsy and came across this set of headphones with an Alice design painted on them (see treasury below).  I drew inspiration from them and painted it today.  Tomorrow I'll fire it.  :D 

And who knows, after the firing is done, perhaps I shall have a spot of tea.  I did recently order some loose leaf tea from ThinkGeek.com and they look highly entertaining.  Timmy's Tea Sampler and Monkey Picked Tea, I am looking forward to the tea time adventure!

I've been continuing my reading list for the year, and I am actually currently in the midst of an Alice inspired adventure.  Hatter by Daniel Coleman (he also wrote one called Jabberwocky).  I'm really enjoying it.  The Mat Hatter and the Cheshire Cat are two of my favorite characters in the stories.  I just love that madness.  XD

As always I find myself on Etsy when the crafting bug hits or something sparks my interest.  That being the case, I made an Alice inspired treasury:

Pay it Forward '11 Reflection

In January of last year, Facebook had a Pay It Forward Project meme going around.I'm a bit late in getting this done, but better late than never. I wanted to write up something on the five Pay it Forward projects that I finished in the last year.

The idea was simple:

Pay it forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment. They must in turn post this and send something they made to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that....it must be handmade by you and it must be delivered sometime in 2011.In the midst of completing and gifting the projects I started to think about it all.

And I wanted to collect the links for all the projects into one place.
MP1: 11's Sonic Screwdriver (completed: June 15, 2011 ; gifted: June 18, 2011)
MP2: Anti-Possession Mitts (complete: July14, 2011 ; gifted: August 1, 2011 )
MP3: Gates of Greyhaven (completed: June 26, 2011 ; gifted: July 23, 2011 )
MP4: Grape Wurm (completed December 25, 2011: ; gifted: January 2-5, 2012 )
MP5: Blueschief (completed: July 1, 2011 ; gifted: August 21, 2011)

All posts related to Pay it Forward '11.

It was fun picking patterns and yarn to go with the patterns that I felt reflected the recipient. I put thought into the pattern choice. I also put thought into the yarn choice be it color or fiber.

Overall, the project helped me get a lot of knitting done. It also helped me delve deeper into the fiber world. I ended up visiting a proper knitting store for the first time. That was a fun experience. It made me wish that there was a knitting store closer to home. Also, it would be nice if there were little cozy cafes near by that I could sit in to knit, read, or write from time to time. The main stream never has the same feel that the little independent stores did when I was at college. Though I didn't get around to visiting them too often.

Speaking of reading, I was inspired by a fellow tumblrite, Airiz, in her post about the gathering of her top books of the year. (Her blog is fantastic btw.) It was something that made me realize that I had stopped keeping track of the books I'd read, what I felt about them, how long it had taken me to read, and other such things. I miss making my list and seeing what I read and how it coincides with my life. I read a lot in high school and through college, but the habit fell by the wayside before I graduated. This year, I would like to start it up again and keep track of everything. Hopefully I'll be able to post about some of the books here and encourage reading.

So this year, I'd like to complete a few knitting projects that have been languishing on my needles. I would like to put a dent in my stash of yearn before buying anymore *crosses fingers* I have enough projects and yarn pairings to get my through for a bit. And I'd like to read. Be it from a physical book, on either of my Kindles, or an audiobook while knitting away. I want to get back to doing more things that will relax me and help to keep the stress levels low.

Of course, I hopefully will put a major dent in my MBA course load as well. But like I said, taking the time to read for pleasure is something I haven't been really consistent on in the last few years. I'd also like to try and read things outside of my usual fantasy novels. I want to read more classics, maybe some non-fiction, or other authors that had previously caught my eye but I'd never gotten around to picking up their books.

Let this be a year of knitting comforting projects and reading.

From a mountain of chunky yarn, Bellissima accessories...

A while ago, when I was renewing my interest in knitting, I stumbled upon a fun knitting book. That book is Vampire Knits by Genevieve Miller. Most of the contained patterns have something to do with Twilight which I could care less about. But a few of them are awesome in spite of that book series.

However, the pattern I was knitting up before, is a direct inspiration from Twilight. I was gifted yarn for my birthday, tons of it in fact, in a really neat blue. So when I decided I wanted to knit up the Bellissima Mittens, I pulled out that yarn.

I really love the length of them. They are floppy and big going over the cuffs of my coat well. If I was to knit them again, I would use a solid color so that the cables were really visible. With this yarn they are a bit hidden and I really do like the large link cable that goes up the back of the mittens.

Since I had lots of yarn left, I went looking for a hat pattern. I figured there had to be one out there. And low and behold, I found one. It took me a few hours to knit Bella's Hat which was pulled together from various Ravelery patterns of the mittens from the movie.

Yes, I got a little foam head to put things on. Partly for modeling hats, since I am horrific at taking pictures of myself; partly for my blue Coraline wig.

But whatever the reason, I like being able to photograph my hats at any angle. This doesn't really show the big link cable to well, but it looks neat paired with the mittens.

I actually wore them together on an excursion where it was quite chilly. While wandering about, I decided I would need a scarf too. And since I have a good chunk of the yarn left I would like to make it cabled and long.

Perhaps I'll get to the scarf one day, but for now the mittens and hat will have to do. 

Crochet mystery cracked!

I always find cute things I would like to crochet, then I read the book and get horrifically confused. I'm 75% sure finding such awesomely cute patterns was the reason I decided to learn to crochet. Anyway, I've had this cool Creepy Cute Crochet book.

The whole starting part was always very confusing. I really really wanted to make a little grim reaper and a ninja and...ok I wanted to make most of the little critters inside. I also would find more amigurumi books (like this one) that I wanted to make little animals from. The real kind, not the creepy. And of course while browsing for the other ones I found Crobots! I might have to put it in my queue!

Therefore I'm beyond excited that while browsing Gleeful Things, I came across her video. Now I know I could have googled for it, but she makes tons of them from what I can see and it is nice a clear. I have learned most of my knitting techniques in the past from the internets, so don't see an issue with continuing the trend! :D

So this little dream that I've put by the wayside out of frustration might actually see fruition soon!

Gifting fun giftys!

Got together with KA and her lifemate Bean. I'm going to be screwed when they get married since I've known the girl by first and last name forever...I don't know that I'll be able to change it in my head.

Anyway, had dinner with them and finally gave birthday gifts...a month and seven months late. Eh hehe. Yeah. Figuring schedules, so not my strong point.

Interesting, and humorously, enough Bean and I wore the same shirt without consulting. HAHAHA! That's what happens when you are nerdtastic.

Anyway, I gave each a coffee cup cozy that is hand sewn and reusable from sewtara's Etsy shop. I actually had to get one for myself since I got a ceramic coffee cup with lid that didn't come with a cozy. *pouts* Ah well, I picked a good one.

Along with that KA got a little panda pouch. I am a firm believer that one can never have too many pouches to store things in. Bean got a set of teacups that are cupcake molds. KA had told me when we were last out and about that he wanted them, soooooo. Yesh. :D

As you can see I knit a panda plushie too. This was for KA. She's a big panda fan. It was entirely too entertaining making this little cutie from Katie Boyette's KnitWit book. I have plans for a few other patterns within. *cackles*

There was also a knitted little wonder for Bean. KA and I discovered that there was a mutual love for Dr. Who. That being said I decided Bean needed 11's sonic screwdriver a la yarn.

In the midst of the shopping and browsing of Etsy, I realized I forgot to include a small item for each. *headdesk* I'll have to remember for next outing with one or both of them. *sigh*

They actually got me something pretty freakin' sweet too. KA commented that she loves journals, but doesn't journal well. So I reap the benefits since I do both things. Well, perhaps not well, but I use journals for various things. Anyway, they gave me Keri Smith's Wreck this Journal. I'd seen this when I worked at BN and always meant to buy it. Muwahahaha! I was doing a little googling on it and came across pictures of people following the journal's directions. It got me thinking, I might document this and post about that. Then I found a blog that is doing so. She calls it Wreck this Journal Wednesdays. I'm not sure if I can stick to that schedule, but I can certainly take pictures and post what I do to it.

Yes...this is going to be entertaining. :D

knitting in pop culture

I've been really amused to come across a few knitting references in movies and literature lately.

I think another part of this is the yarn bombing movement. It's been making the news so putting knitting in the spot light. I really love the Wall Street Bull yarn bomb. :D

Dumbledore refers to knitting the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

"No, I was merely reading the Muggle magazines...I do love knitting patterns."

Mostly, I completely understand this compulsion. I have ridiculous amounts of fun looking at knitting patterns. Whether I knit them or not is irrelevant. They are creative and inspirational. Then again, I like to stock pile them away in hopes that I might knit them in the future. I also have a compulsion to buy yarn. My stash is huge.


Tangled refers to it twice. I love that Rapunzel knits. Look at Pascal hidden in her scarf! He's so freaking adorable. Hehe! She's knitting English style too.

And one of the ruffians does later on in the movie. It's part of the listing all their dreams.

If you haven't seen it, go and watch. One of the better animated non-Pixar movies to come out of Disney's studios in a while. Cracks me up every time I watch.

I look forward to finding more knitting references.

Pottermore

So my dear friend Lucy alerted me to a site that was established for Harry Potter fans to enhance the experience by Rowling. It is Pottermore. It looks very exciting.

Right now they are on Day 6 or 7 for early admission. It goes up for all in October. The way they do it is quite interesting. They open it up at random times for a short time with a clue. You solve the clue and find a quill. Then register. :) I finally got in today after trying yesterday unsuccessfully and missing the window for a few days.

I look forward to exploring the world and gaining new insight. Now I wait for my email confirmation.

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!

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.

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

Brillant day!

I had a fun day with a friend from high school. We have a very difficult time syncing schedules up in order to get together. It was lots of fun. I had errands I wanted to run and it wasn't too hard to ask her to come along. Granted they were places she enjoys: bookstore, craftstore, and Target. Hopefully it wasn't too boring.

I had a book to return that was gifted to me for my birthday last week, but I'd also just gotten it for myself. >_> He he. So since that store is a bit out of my way we looked around at stuff so I could spend the money. Got a few knitting books KnitWit by Katie Boyette (which I see she has a sequel coming out in the fall) and Knitting the Threads of Time by Nora Murphy. I also got a few amusing odds and ends.

This was facilitated by our discussion of my love of Batman and Robin things. KA had spotted a little Robin figure somewhere and hadn't gotten it. We deduced that I already had gotten it for myself and she was pleased. As proof of it and the awesomeness you can see it on my desk! Actually the take your place plaque was also a gift this year from Chez. She also got me a kite. Mum suggested we take it North for Kels' wedding. :) I think that is an excellent plan. *nods*

Anywho, I love having friends that share interests/passions with me since it makes for lively and entertaining discussions. Also excellent gift giving. While we were perusing the bookstore, KA spied an ice cube brain tray. It was instabuy for my birthday. :D I washed it and put it in the freezer as soon as I got home.

I have plans to gross out my parents tonight. Muwahahaha! I need something green to drink. Which I don't have. Maybe I'll drop one in Mum's water...


I also had to buy these for myself as they were ridiculously cute. I will likely not make cupcakes, but will find another use for them. Or maybe cupcakes. For when KA and I get together to marathon Dr. Who, as I discovered today she and her lifemate Bean are fans. This makes plans and plotting so much more entertaining for them now.

I got my copy of World of Geekcraft by Susan Beal today. I was flipping through and there are a few projects I'd like to do, or things that I can adapt to my likes/needs. I also came across Yarn Bombing by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain. There were a few amusing project possibilities in there as well. Might have to get that one later down the road.

Overall it was a rather fabulous day and I hope that we can get together again once Bean comes home from Africa. :)

Let the summer begin!

Too fraking cute! I love the summer (hate the heat), but s'mores and camp fires are amazing. I have many good memories of gathering around that burning log, marshmellows flaming, and songs being sung.

I know that I am going to have to make this by the end of the summer. XD

It also reminds me a little of Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle (the book and the anime film).

Speaking of films, came across this scarf. I need to decide on a friend who is completely obsessed with film to make it for. I really enjoy that the pattern also comes with color ideas for the various genres of film. Hilarious!

Since I just got my car detailed I won't be purchasing this, but it is still amusing. I might get it for a later date actually. Overall, I have a few friends that this would be good for. :D It would make a neat birthday/christmas/holiday present add on.

Okay, so this post is actually about the nifty tree branch magnets, however that is an amazing to do list. I feel the need to put one up myself. Because I think everyone needs a reminder to BE AWESOME!

And something really awesome? It's Memorial Day. I like to use this day as a marker of the beginning of summer, but also for it's actual purpose. The day of remembrance for those who served.

I went on a little search hunt for neat patterns. Didn't find too much, but there is a cool initiative out of New Orleans for WWII vets and it seems like something that could be expanded. Getting something handmade is exciting for everyone. But it sounds like a nice thing to show appreciation for some of those who have served and survived. Might have to look into the or make something random for a few of the service men/women I know.

This reminded me of some books I've come across that address the issue of what happens after you knit things for you. They talked about the progression of a knitter in most cases. They start by knitting things for themselves, then move to knitting for people they know, and then for people they don't. There are a few books in particular that I liked; Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time by Betty Christiansen and Kiriko Shirobayashi and Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch by Betsy Greer. I'm mixing my stages and want to do it all at once!

Since I've developed my renewed interest in knitting, I've been reading books. Tons of books. Books on patterns, but I am starting to really branch out into the ones about fiber. I also have a keen interest in the ones on the history about knitting. This one struck my fancy Knitting America: A Glorious Heritage from Warm Socks to High Art by Susan M. Strawn. I may have to put this one on my Kindle queue.

Rise of Geekdom

I'm a proud self proclaimed geek. This has been proven by the fact that a guy at work (who I don't know all that well) came in with scruffy facial hair. Now he looks like Wolverine, and it is marvelous and hilarious. Some started calling him Wolverine, and he laughed. I told him it was better than Logan. He paused, blinked at me, and then declared his shock I knew that. *falls over laughing* When I related this to another co-worker (who I do know a bit better) he seemed surprised more didn't know what a geek I was, since something comes up and I go off on a geek tangent.

I already have this shirt, but it continues to amuse the hell out of me. Even if Mum tried to revoke my geek card for having issues with her PC. I'm sorry, computers aren't a really huge interest of mine, thus I haven't kept up with the technology trends as much in recent years.

There was mass explanation that there was more than computer things on the shirt and for the application of geek.

Mum just kind of shook her head. :)

Anyway, on with the geeking. I was looking into knitting patterns for Thor, (don't ask, my mind is an odd place), and I came across this Crafting Valhalla entry at GeekCrafts.com. *falls over* I have the original Creepy Cute Crochet (I have yet to make anything, but the little grim reaper calls to me). Anywho, I am loving the blog. So much geekness love condensed. *rolls about like a puppy*

As I was reading GeekCraft recently came across a few projects that were in a book. Now I want the book, mostly because they have Pow and Zap magnets to make. :D World of Geekcraft, I will be acquiring you.

I'm sure it is a bit apparent that I like geeky things. :D But this really got me. I do love Etsy. So many quirky things, but still wonderful! I have found awesome presents for people there. Now if only I could think of someone who would really really appreciate this!

*sigh* Too bad. But it's still funny! :D