Things Treasured

Stitch markers

2011-10-27T14:56:00.001-05:00

This new set of stitch markers was made for the Ravenclaw Postal fundraiser yardsale. I’m about to go put it up now. However, I’ll have sets just like these in a multitude of colors very shortly when I get my etsy shop open. It’s very exciting. I love these little stitch markers.

In Progress

2011-10-26T17:36:00.001-05:00

And a few tidbits to show you of in progress projects!

Crochet fun

2011-10-26T17:31:00.002-05:00

I’ve been doing a bit of crochet lately. I was attempting to make a messenger style bag. I need a new ‘purse’. Well I sort of just designed this as I went. It’s a lovely green strip, and then a variegated green stripe around and around in a circle. It’s definitely durable because I made it out of cotton. However, it really turned out too larger and too round. I discovered I really don’t want a round bag on my side. But it will make a lovely beach bag I think.

Crochet fun

2011-10-26T17:25:00.002-05:00

You know, sometimes you need to make something just because it is fun. This past weekend, my best friend and her son, her mother, my husband and I went to the pumpkin picking farm. While I was there I bought some sunflowers to keep on my nightstand.
Now if you follow my other blog at all, you know how zombie obsessed I am. You would know all about Plants VS Zombies by now.
Without further ado… my Pea Shooter! He lives on the nightstand with the sunflowers. Naturally.

Badges

2011-10-15T10:51:00.002-05:00

New creations for Diadem Days.

Baking

2011-09-29T18:41:00.002-05:00

As it turns out, I like baking. Who knew? Also, diet friendly baking – even better!

Do you want to see pictures? I thought you might!.

This was my first venture into baking lately. Two Banana breads. They came out moist, and banana-y and a little sweet. Just perfect.

I enjoyed some with my tea. It was a perfect treat.

Here Is another banana bread and a honey loaf. Oh my word, this honey loaf is amazing. It’s a little denser than the banana bread but it’s spiced, and sweet from the honey. The little nuts on top are ever so tasty!

In between those two baking experiments, was a pumpkin bread. Apparently though, I never got a picture of it. I’m still working on perfecting the recipe for that one. It came out a bit on the dry side. Tasty experimentation however.

T-Shirt Refashion

2011-09-29T17:50:00.001-05:00

I’m not 100% sure this counts as a refashion. Who writes the rules on what does and does not count though. I’ve certainly taken a plain purple t-shirt and turned it into something special however.

Note the stained t-shirt

Note the purple butterfly.

Note AWESOME NEW BUTTERFLY SHIRT!!!

Paper and Knitting and Glue! Oh My!

2011-08-27T13:38:00.001-05:00

I’m currently making a slew of stitch markers in anticipation of opening my etsy shop. Also, Iove making them, so it’s a win/win situation. I discovered I needed something sturdy, and pretty to keep them in.

I have just designed the CUTEST stitch marker holder. I’m going to show you now.

Ready???

How adorable is this thing? If I can figure out how to seal the outside (decoupage maybe?) I might offer these in my store also. I have all sorts of different designs in paper around. I’m so chuffed with it!

WIPS

2011-08-27T13:34:00.001-05:00

Ha, I am actually still working on WIPS despite all of the excitement going on around here. My current project that I am determined to finish is my Balmoral. I have a progress picture, but it isn’t very easy to see the progress because it is on a small circular needle. However, here it is in all its lovely green bamboo glory!

My KnitPicks order just arrived. I picked up some cable joiners so I can easily slide this onto a longer needle so that it can be spread out and photographed. However, that probably won’t be for another couple of days yet. Things are a bit busy around here. I’ll get to it though!

So Much to Share–Anniversary

2011-08-27T13:29:00.001-05:00

My Anniversary was this month! Yup. I’ve been blissfully married for 9 years now. My wonderful husband has always been very supportive of my creative side. When I became interested in yarn and knitting and all that it entails, he held on and was as supportive as ever. Well, for an anniversary gift, he really blew me away.

Do you want to see it???

I can’t believe it! (Oh, excuse the messy room if you will please.) I am so excited! I have tried it briefly, and right now, I am not very good. I admit it. But I am so willing to practice. I’ve gotten my book out that talks about spinning on a wheel, and I am requesting a couple of books from the library. So far I have two major issues. One is keeping the wheel spinning in the same direction. It wants to change on me. I think that is a treadling issue? The other is that I am not building up enough twist and the yarn is falling apart on me. I have the opposite issue on my drop spindle where I often build up too much twist. So, I need to learn how to control my twist.

Anyway, I am looking forward to completing my list of obligations, cleaning a perfect spot for my new wheel so I can sit comfortably and practice. I have read that just 15-20 minutes a day is ideal. I’m such a lucky, thankful, and happy girl.

Thank you my love for all that you do and in all the ways you are supportive.

Hexipuff Madness!!!

2011-08-27T13:13:00.003-05:00

I am supposed to be working exclusively on WIPS right now. However, a new madness has struck the tower. This is a bit like when Ysolda fever hit the tower hard. I was never struck with the Ysolda fever even though I admired her designs. At the time, I could only afford to knit free patterns. Though I just picked up Whimsical Little Knits 2. So I may succumb to that fever yet.
But back to Hexipuffs. Hexipuffs are these hexagon shaped little puffy things. (We use all the technical terms here) They are knit in the round and then lightly stuffed with batting. Once you have about a bajillion of them, you connect them together to form a quilt. It is the top, batting and bottom of the quilt all in one. I have to say, they are quite addictive. There is something soothing about knitting them, and something delightful in holding them. I like watching them gather together as I finish them. Some of the colors compliment each other, and some clash, but they all work well together. I’m really very pleased. I’m in no hurry to ‘finish’ this project. I will just happily knit puffs when the mood strikes me until I have somewhere near a bajillion of them.

Interested? Check out Tiny Owl Knits - Home of the Hexipuffs This is the creator of the “Bee Keepers Quilt” which is comprised of hexipuffs.

Tell me that doesn’t fill you with delight even a little? To egg each other on in this epic hexipuff project, the Tower is participating in a mini skein swap. Here are my contributions.

I just want to hold them and squish them about for a while. Seriously. Remember, Hexipuffs equal love. If someone infects you with the hexipuff lust, don’t hold any ill will toward them. After you make your first one, you will understand the love!

Gems

2011-08-11T14:05:00.001-05:00

I have finished the Gems Socks. I am so happy with them. I love the colors of this yarn. It positively sings to me! An interesting thing happened with these socks. You will remember me saying how well they fit. Well, they still fit well, but they are now too big. I’ve lost 30lbs since starting them and it’s really evident in my feet! But no matter. They are still beautiful and I love they way they feel on. They are going to go into my DnD bag. When I am playing DND is most often when I wear socks. Comfy ones are essential! Without further ado…

I’ll be adding a better picture of the heel this evening. It was an interesting short row heel with no wraps and no gaps. It was slightly tricky to understand at first, but once I got the hang of it there was no problem with it.

The yarn is Premier Yarns Serenity Garden in the colorway Gems.

Eric’s Blanket

2011-08-08T10:59:00.003-05:00

I finished the baby blanket in time for Sandy’s baby shower! I am really pleased with how it came out. I won’t be tackling this pattern again because the edging was a nightmare. I don’t think the pattern is written quite correctly. Or it could have to do with the fact that I needed to adjust it because I didn’t crochet the blanket full size as called for in the pattern. Had I continued as far is it said to, that baby blanket would have fit my queen size bed.

I really do like the pinwheel pattern it produced though. I may try that again with a simple shell edging. It’s really quite beautiful a blanket. I was very flattered to find that when I went to the house of the expectant parents, that the blanket is draped across her glider. I’m very honored. I am so happy they like it also!

That is my latest FO. I’m still working on my lovely GEM socks. I’m going slow on them because my hands have been giving me trouble. The next post will likely feature some drawings I have been working on for the table top RPG I am playing in right now. I haven’t done drawings in a long time. So they have been taking up some time also. But drawing hasn’t been bothering my hands as much as knitting or typing. But let me get to the pictures.

Still creating

2011-07-28T14:06:00.000-05:00

I haven't knitted in a month or so. I feel kind of lost! But I've been working on a gift for this weekend that I hope to show. But in truth, I haven't touched that in about a week or 10 days. I'm just not motivated.

What I have been doing is drawing though. I play in a table top Role Playing game with my husband and a couple of really good friends of ours. I've been drawing characters from the game. It's nearly halloween in game time. My character is going as little red riding hood... I hope to get those pictures scanned and posted. It's been a lot of fun.

Swaps!

2011-06-23T10:18:00.001-05:00

I do so enjoy a good swap. I started doing swaps through Reducio Swap. I had so much fun that I told my best friend all about it and we decided to do one ourselves. Who doesn’t love some thought out gifts, even if they are small?

We decided the theme would be inner goddess. So our packages were designed around honoring, celebrating, and bringing out our inner goddesses.

In my package that I gave to her I included a card, with hand punched paper stars, some glittery pens because I know her inner goddess is glittery, and some knitted items. I also included a few knitted items, and a small purple notebook. I do know how she loves notebooks! I hope she will use it to write about all her goddessy qualities.

This is the tea wallet I included that I knit. It’s stuffed with delicious tea!

And this is the Goddess table cloth I included that I knit for her. I hope when she is ready to start practicing again, that this will be an asset to her. In the mean time, it would look awesome as a wall decoration I think. If I ever get an altar together, something I’ve meant to do for years, I hope to knit one of these for myself for my altar.

The package from her was delightful!

She included yarn, goddess hair in my favorite colors, hand drawn goddess art, face lotion, a mystic river rock, from my 1.5yr old nephew, a beautiful card and instructions on how to love and care for my inner goddess and the Knitting Goddess book. Can you believe it? I can’t believe she found such a book. She is clearly awesome, and clearly divine!

I love it so much! She must have also because we immediately began talking about the next one. We have chosen the theme. It’s going to be “My favorite things” where we try and include each others favorite things in the package and share a couple of our own favorite things as well. I’m excited. We have until the end of August for this one, and I am going to certainly need the time for something I have in mind.

Handspun and Rainbows

2011-06-20T11:28:00.002-05:00

I have some new things to show! First off is some handspun yarn.

This was spun on my drop spindle from some Corriedale light grey roving. I am still working on consistency. So there are lots and lots of thin and thick sections in the roving. But I am getting better at the drafting and spinning process going nice and smoothly. I rarely need to park and draft anymore. I was told to wind the single into a center pull ball so that I would be able to ply it on itself. I did that. The process was a disaster. I eventually had to have hubby hold the ball and carefully feed each end of it to me while I plied. So that took a long time. But this is the result! (the one on the top) I'm pretty happy with it. This two ply is going to be dyed with egg color this week. Process photos to come!

This second single I am spinning is actually coming out really thin and lovely. I may attempt to chain ply for the first time when this is finished. I may or may not be dying this one. I'll know better after my experimentation on the first plied yarn.

The next thing I have to show you is COLORFUL!

This is some Debrah Norville yarn I have had for a while in the colorway Gems. I bought it without an idea of what to do wit it because I fell in love with the colors. They are just vibrant and saturated and I love them. So I decided to turn them into socks finally. I am using a formula to work out my stitch counts based on the measurement of my foot, but the pattern is mine! Well, I am using a stitch from a stitch dictionary, but I am designing these socks. It's very exciting. I hope they fit when they are finished! I also hope I am able to get more of this yarn. It might be my favorite color I have ever seen. I do love it so!

In the works

2011-06-10T17:57:00.002-05:00

So I have a few things in the works at this moment. I have two swap packages that are waiting to go out, and I will show the goodies contained within once the parcels have arrived at their respective recipients. I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.

Right now on the needles however, I have a shawl. The pattern is called Sargasso and this is a picture of it from the pattern page.

It’s absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to have it finished. As it turns out, it is knitted LONG ways. So each row is 308 stitches long. These rows take a LONG time. However, the pattern is relatively easy. Last night however, disaster struck. I dropped a section of the shawl off my needles and in trying to fix that, I made a huge mess. I contacted the local yarn store via Ravelry and while they kindly got back to me quickly, the news was not good. They told me that lace was extremely difficult to repair once it has been dropped, and the only lady who could probably help would likely charge me for her help. Well.. I am actually already overdrawn on my spending money this month, so that was a no go.

I took a very deep breath, closed myself in a room with no distractions, and began to frog (that is unravel for you non knitter) the shawl. I took it back five rows and ever so carefully began to put the stitches back on the needles. Can you believe I actually got all 308 stitches back onto the needles? It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I did learn while fixing the shawl that the pattern reverses at one point (row 11 actually) and I missed that the first time through. As fate would happen, the row I put back onto the needles (completely by accident) was row 10. So, three hours later, the shawl is all fixed, the pattern is correct and I have inserted a lifeline. I have admittedly, put it aside for the evening. I need a break until tomorrow.

Oh, I’m making it in this lovely squishy beautiful yarn.

You can be jealous. It’s ok.

Now. The other thing in the works is not on my needles. It is in fact on my spindle. I’m working on spinning some lovely grey roving into some lovely grey yarn. Why grey? I have no idea. It was the roving that spoke to me so I grabbed it and started spinning it. I’m getting faster with my spinning, but I’m still having trouble with consistency. But that takes practice and I haven’t exactly done A LOT of spinning or anything. I think part of the consistency issue was I was trying to make a slightly thicker yarn, but I keep defaulting to a thinner yarn. I plan to ply the yarn with itself though so hopefully it will all even out to a relatively consistent thickness.

I am wondering though, if I add Easter egg dyes to an already grey yarn of the colors will come as deep jewel tones. I might just leave it grey though. It is a lovely color. It may end up in my etsy shop, or it may end up as a finished item in my etsy shop. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Latest Projects

2011-05-26T12:04:00.001-05:00

I am still not posting here as much as I would like to. However, I do have some things to show you!

This is my monster chunk! How cute is this little guy? He worked up in just a couple of hours and I love him. There will absolutely be more of these in my future. This one went with R. To work. He wanted a little creature for his desk and so I thought this would be prefect. I used bulky yarn for the body and worsted for the feet. These little guys absolutely make me want to get ahold of some super bulky. Also, this is from the author of the Big Book of Knitted Monsters. I must get ahold of this book, especially before I manage to get pregnant.

This little guys is my baby red dragon. He was made with cotton worsted held doubled. This KILLED my hands. But it came out adorably. So I really can’t complain. With all of these little creatures, I really need to get ahold of safety eyes at a good price though.

This is a book scarf done with thread and a tiny hook. I was really afraid of tackling crochet this fine when beads weren’t involved. But it came out really lovely! I’m really pleased with it. Here it is demonstrating, holding the page in my design journal. This is going to be a gift in a swap package though. I’m going to have to make myself one I think.

And here we have my first pair of spats! They are super soft and the colors are really rich in person. The one mistake I made with these, is the top of the cuff though. I made it too small to fit my calf. So I need to wear them with the cuffs turned down which ends up hiding the really pretty ribbing work. Also, the pattern called for 1.2” buttons which I used and they hold… some of the time. I probably should have gone up just a little bit on the button size. I really wanted to add some steam punk buttons to them, but budgeting got in the way.

I have one more project to show, but that is going to have to wait for a week or so. It’s going into a swap package and I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

I’m also currently working on a baby blanket. But I haven’t decided if I am going to show that before it is gifted or not. That is what is new if knitting land though!

Yarn Duh of the Day

2011-05-01T11:33:00.004-05:00

Today starts a brand new term over at HPKCHC. Over time I’ll be adding past projects to my blog here. I just really need to inventory what I have shown already. Silly me.

There are a couple of things going on over at the tower. I am no longer running monthly challenges over there. We as a staff have decided there is so much going on that at least for the time being, we should let group projects creep up organically. It’s working so far. There is a Steam Punk along in progress. Everyone seems really excited about it.

As it happens, the History of Magic prompt is perfect for getting my steam punk inspired project into a class. I printed out the pattern today and checked how much yarn was needed. about 213 yards. Perfect! I ran to the closet, dug through the sock yarn and pulled out some lovely dusty purple – 221 yards! However, as I held the yarn in my hand and looked at the pattern, I just couldn’t believe this one skein would make the item.

Reread the pattern…. WORSTED WEIGHT.

Well shoot. I really didn’t have what I wanted in WW. But since I can’t just be running out to buy yarn, I’m making the pattern in a worsted weight acrylic I have on hand. It’s beautiful yarn, just not the texture I was going for as it does have a bit of a halo effect. But it should be lovely.

I’m going to be making these

In this yarn

I found the most amazing buttons, but I really can’t afford them right now. I also think they might be a little to large, but as far as steam punk buttons go… how perfect are these ones from Twin Rose Designs? Gear buttons? How grand.

So I am off to cast on my project. I have a lot I want to accomplish this month.

New Icon

2011-05-01T10:47:00.001-05:00

My proposed Quidditch robes!

Another badge

2011-04-14T18:48:00.002-05:00

My wonderful house of Ravenclaw has done it again in the HPKCHC. So I’ve done another badge to celebrate!

My Poor Neglected Blog!

2011-04-13T11:06:00.002-05:00

My poor Blog! It’s been far too long since I’ve come and written and more importantly, showed you all what I have been working on, I can’t even remember what it is I haven’t shown!

Here is a selection.

So behind

2011-01-20T12:35:00.004-05:00

I am so behind on showing things. I am trying so very hard to get organized. As soon as I do there will be pictures of projects! But for now, pictures of good things!

Cascade 220 Sock Yarn

Malabrigo Sock Yarn

My New Awesome Huge Laptop (It's name is The Beast)

New Stitch Markers I made in Ravenclaw Colors (Pencil eraser for scale)

New DPN's From my Hubby (For Christmas)

Graphics!!!

2010-12-12T13:42:00.001-05:00

These are badges I've been working on for the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup. My most noble house of Ravenclaw has won again this term, and we had the pleasure and honor of sharing that win with the lordly house of Gryffindor!! It was a Tie!

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-29T22:20:00.002-05:00

Do you know what is more awesome than 50000 words in 30 days?

50000 words in 29 days!!! WINNER BABY!!!

Progress

2010-11-17T12:31:00.003-05:00

I haven't been updating too much. This is largely in part because I haven't been knitting very much. The hubby and I are dealing with some issues with the house and being unemployed at home right now. So I've been distracted and focusing my energy lately. I'm still getting things done, just at a much slower rate. Right now in progress...

Sylvi. I've also got both sleeves and one front panel finished. I want to get this finished so badly. Other things just keep jumping in my way. I have the other front panel, hood, seeming, and the flower petals to do. Really, it isn't THAT much.

Swallowtail. Now this is an inprogress picture of the one that is already finished. But imagine this in black and it's a near acurate view of the one I ma working on now. Yes... I said BLACK.. hence why it is taking so long. Well that and the fact that for some strange reason, this is a challenging pattern for me. It is, thankfully, easier than the first time though.

Balmoral. This one is in hybernation, but I thought I would show it to you anyway. I love the yarn, and I am in love with the shawl. I just got overwhelmed during the crafting process as that is when everything started going nuts here at home. I'm a good deal further than this, but I don't have a current project picture. It's probably 2-3x's the size in the picture. But I'm only 10% into it or so. This will likely go on hold until the weather warms up again. It's just not high on the priority list right now.
And then of course I am working on NaNoWriMo. I am behind at the moment, but not desperately so. I still think I have a good shot at completing on time.

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-05T21:57:00.001-05:00

So NaNoWriMo is upon us again! For those of you who have no idea what this means, it stands for National Novel Writing Month.

30 days, 50000 words. GO!

I'm making good progress this year despite the fact I started four days late. Root for me!

New things!

2010-11-05T21:48:00.003-05:00

Here are a few things I haven't shown you yet. I REALLY must get better about updating this a bit more regularly. I do love showing you what I have been up to recently.

This is my Halloween Travels shawl. the yarn was an absolute joy to work with. It's Kroy sock yarn and I think I am in love. I am also thankful to have some knitting friends with the same taste in yarn that I have. I ran out at the end and two people from over at HPKCHC sent me their leftovers so I could finish!

I've also been working on a series of tea wallets. I really like them. They are quick, cute and allow you take tea with you anywhere. They can also be change purses or really carry anything you like. I'm still working on perfecting my owl design one. But I do like how this came out.

The two pictures above are of the wallet I did for my sister's birthday.

This one is mine. I keep it in my purse.

This one I made for my swap partner in reducio!

So there are a few more things. But I will save them for another post.

Frsutration!

2010-09-02T23:08:00.003-05:00

i AM ALL SET TO START KNITTING A TEST KNIT FOR A FELLOW RAVELER.

Well, I thought I was. I cast on and began knitting. At the end of the second day I was 15 rows in, lifeline inserted and ready to start the first decrease round. When... uh oh. Extra stitch. This means the foundation row is wrong, and that is a problem because after it is knit, you then go to the cast on edge and knit a lace border onto it. Ugh. Also, It was coming out too large.

So I ripped it all back and began to cast on anew. I HAVE TRIED TO DO THIS 5 TIMES NOW. I am so frustrated. I like using the long tail cast on for knitting in the round. I can join it easily and it doesn't leave a funny gap. But I have not yet been able to get the right length of tail. Either MILES too long, and by that I mean somewhere in the ballpark of 8 feet... or way to short... 14 stitches or more. WHY CAN'T I DO THIS?

I am measuring the yarn the same I way I did the first time I cast this on and it worked. So now, two days later I have zero progress... a mess off yarn and very frayed nerves.

Socks!

2010-08-22T11:53:00.003-05:00

I finally finished my two at a time no purl monkeys. I as upset, because as I finished them, they really didn't fit very well. However, after a good blocking, I can now get them on and off. The lace pattern doesn't show up hardly at all, but that is the fault of the yarn I chose. Also, I am not sure if it's worth messing around with the numbers on the needles, since I am trying to lose weight anyway. But I really think I need to figure out how to increase the stitches around the ankle and leg. My leg is to thick so I can't pull the sock up all of the way. And, getting it over the diagonal area where my heel is, and my foot bends to become my leg is the though part. So for my next sock, I migh try added 4 stitches and see how that works. I have a slew of ankle socks to work on. So those won't be of much help in that area, but I will definitely be able to see if the 64 stitches is the right amount of stitches for my foot.

Also, I worked them on a size 3 needle. I don't have a 3 circular needle, but I do have size 3dpn's that I could try. That might increase the size slightly. Hmm, decisions.

The House Cup!

2010-08-13T12:10:00.002-05:00

Hurray! My most awesome house of Ravenclaw won the house cup in the HPKCHC!!!! I made this to celebrate. :D

WIP

2010-08-05T12:16:00.003-05:00

That stands for Work In Progress for those not in the know. I am in love with this scarf. I hope i have time to finish it soon! I am currently working on two other WIPs that I will take pictures of to show. This is a recent picture though so I thought you might like to see it!

Owls!!

2010-08-05T12:11:00.006-05:00

How cute are these little guys? They are push pins for my cork board! I mean obviously, they are owls but they are push pin owls. The flas whashed them out a little bit, the stitch definition is better than is showing. I just think they are adorable, and from start to finish take maybe 10 minutes. AWESOME! They are kind of big though. They worked up to be about 3 inches tall. I think I want to try making some smaller ones the for board too.

For the Kitties at WARL

2010-08-02T12:33:00.003-05:00

My friend Robby volunteers at the Washington Animal Rescue League in Washington DC. She talks about it often and naturally when it came out we would be crafting for our own chosen charities this term, I thought of her immediately. So for my quidditch contributions to HPKCHC, I crafted lots of catnip toys for the kitties at WARL! I've been trying to explain to my kitties, these toys are not for them. They are for the Shelter Kitties waiting for their forever homes. You can just see Orion's face in the picture with the cat nip elephants.

My turtles are even being featured on the pattern page now! To keep them safe I have them in a shoe box with two rubber bands around it! Boots actually managed to steal a purple mouse before it had ears! So I had to craft a new one of the shelter kitties so there would be three. I hope they are enjoyed!

The Swallow Tail Shawl

2010-08-02T12:22:00.006-05:00

Around the beginning of July I finally finished the Swallow Tail Shawl for Mom. This is the shawl that became known as the Shawl Of Doom. I had such trouble with it. This is the 4th attempt at this shawl. It was a gift for Mom's birthday - IN MARCH - but alas took me a wee bit longer to complete. I do have to say though, I am absolutely chuffed at how it came out. It's beautiful! I learned a bit about lave weight yarn. The mere fact it is lace weight makes it that much more difficult to work with. I am actually willing to try this shawl again, but I think it will be with fingering, or better still worsted weight yarn.

Some people have asked what I did to make my Swallow Tail so much larger than the finished one in the directions. I went up several needle sizes. That is all. For this term in the HPKCHC we needed to swatch our OWL proposals even if they did not require a swatch. I am glad they did because I swatched it on a few different needle sizes and found it looked better and better as I got larger. so I went with size 8 needles.

It ended up taking just over 1 skein of yarn as I ran out during the last chart. But on even slightly smaller needles this would have been a one skein project.

Convocation Badges

2010-08-02T12:09:00.003-05:00

Now that the term is over, it is safe to show the achievement badges I designed for the Convocation of eagles in Ravenclaw House. I am very proud of these. They were a lot of fun!

Goodies for the Eyes!

2010-07-30T23:42:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since I have posted! I have actually been busy however. A sampling of what I have been up too.

OWL progress

2010-06-26T10:35:00.004-05:00

And now to show you all how I am faring with my two large projects. These are the ones that must be completed by the last day of July. Whew, it's going to be a busy month.

The Back of Sylvi

The Sleeves of Syvli

Swallowtail Shawl - It looks all bunched up here because my lifelines are short and pulling it together.

Lifeline = A separate thread run through live stitches while they are on the needle and fastened off to itself. This holds your place basically. Then if you make a mistake and need to rip the stitches back, they won't unravel all of the way back to the beginning.

June Projects

2010-06-26T10:26:00.006-05:00

It is once again time to show what I have been working on in the month of June. There will be one project not shown until sometimes later however. I try not to show gifts until they have been delivered after all. :) So without further ado, this months objects, and the Harry Potter inspired stories that accompanied them to class.

Do NOT Look at the following website if you have issues with seizures.

Inspired by this language in the omniglot. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/alfakinetix.php

Specifically by Libo (thousand) and Laksa (10,000).

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw Tower submitting this months assignment.

You charged us with studying another language form the Omniglot this month. When I happen to stumble across the Alfa-Kinetix writing system developed by Frederick Victor Paredes Añana. It is based on the Baybayin alphabet both of which are used to write the language Tagalog. Tagalog is a language spoken by approximately 57 million speakers in the Philippines. Tagalog means Resident Beside the River. However, now, the actual Baybayin writing is used only decoratively as the Latin alphabet is used to write Tagalog now.

The Alfa-Kinetic alphabet takes the same principles of Baybayin and adds motion. Each of the symbols has characteristic movement of some sort. Most of the letters have a dot that moves around the symbol or as part of the symbol, while numbers and punctuation deal more with blinking lines and symbols such as squares.

I have chosen to represent the language by two of its symbols. The symbol for 1000 is a circle with a line moving through its center. The symbol for 10,000 is a circle with two lines moving across its inside.

According to the creator of the alphabet, Frederick Victor Paredes Añana, his goal has to been to save his dying language. The Baybayin writing system has become almost extinct. Since he is of the Philippines himself, his goal is to make the language more complete by the creation of his alphabet. He sited how the Chinese alphabet has changed over time to make it more complete and he reasons doing the same for his own language will help preserver it.

He does point out, his only goal is to modify the extinct language and not the ones still in use. This is quoted from his site where he talks about his E-Book and the creation of the writing system.

“My goal is to modify only the extinct Baybayin variants and not those that are still surviving. The Mangyans (Buhid & Hanunuo)of Mindoro and the Tagbanwas of Palawan are still using their ancestral script. So let’s not meddle with their writing system. I’m not sure if they”ll allow someone else to modify their script.”

Thank you for this chance to learn a little more about the way other people speak and write.

All finished, stuffed with catnip, and ready to go off to the needy kitties at WARL.

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw turning in her Herbology assignment! For an assignment based on food, I took a walk down into the Hogwarts garden. I do believe I have spent this entire month inside and around the place! I decided to create something from the garden for my assignment. Also, taking a page out of the classroom as it were…

Leaping Toadstools - or - Dude, You Gonna Eat That?

I decided to create something I don’t eat very much off. On that note, I present to you…. RADISHES! Yes radishes. Lovely little red white and green bundles of goodness… that I don’t especially enjoy. However, these radishes will be dearly loved. LOVED I tell you. And now I shall tell you why. These radishes are simply STUFFED with catnip. Each one has been stuffed full of this herb that drives cats mad. At the end of the term these radishes shall be winging their way to Washington DC to some kitties that have not yet found their forever homes and are still living at the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL)

Dear Professor,

Thank you for making us study the marvel that is the Mirror or Erised. Sometimes being faced clearly with your desires, gives you a new perspective on how to go after them.

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw turning in her assignment. When faced with my most coveted desire, I was not surprised to find an image of hubby and I with our first child. This desire has been eluding us for several years now due to several factors. However, it is my most desired wish to have a family of my own. Faced with this, I am working harder than ever to attain this.

While I won’t get into all of the sordid details, part of the assignment was to think about how one might attain such goal. Well some of my obstacles are health related. So I have, this year, been working on a healthier living lifestyle. In celebration of this class and chasing my desire, I vow to become more accountable to myself.

And so I have something to remind me of this and keep me going on the days when I am not feeling strongly that I can do this, I have created a two (a pair of) miniature baby booties. To ensure I can take them with me wherever I go, I have fashioned them into earrings!

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw turning in her Charms assignment. When you charged us to explore the relationship between light and dark, my mind immediately went to nature. After all, magic is a natural force and is best studied under those conditions. While I was contemplating how to best show how light and dark could live harmoniously together, a large bumble bee went zooming past. Clearly the bee exhibits such properties of light and dark as its bright yellow and black stripes coincide together on its fuzzy bumbley body! I followed the bee around all day noting how it gathered it’s nectar from the beautiful flowers blooming in daylight and then took it back to the dark hive it resides in to turn it into beautiful golden honey that I will store in a dark dark cupboard!

However, I spent so much time examining the bee, I completely lost track of time and found myself alone in the dark near a bee hive.

This is how I stumbled onto my potions assignment Professor!

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw Turning in Potions! This month we were to demonstrate something that lights the way. Boy did I ever need something to light the way as I was lost in the dark next to a bee hive! I didn’t want to draw my wand and cast lumos. What if I woke the bees up!? Are they light sleepers? Would I suddenly be chased through the darkness by a million groggy bees!?

But just then, I noticed a gentle glowing. It appeared first near my feet, and then along the bark of the tree that the hive hung on. Soon the shrubs, grasses and air dance with small twinkling lights. For here and there flew Lightning Bugs! Yes, cute adorable bugs with blinky butts I could follow back to the castle! Some of them floated about in the air trying to attract mates, and some landed on the ground to lay their eggs so the next generation could come forth and save poor lost witches and wizards from the darkness! Thank you little glowy butt bugs!

Stitch Markers

2010-06-25T12:57:00.003-05:00

I found these little charms on Clearance one time and absolutely fell in love with them. I am glad I bought an extra set so that I could have one, and give one away. This set is for Margie in the HPKCHC. I am sending her a little something because she wasn't eligible to win the prize for the may Flowers competition. It was entirely my fault. I host the competition and I left her off the list entirely. So, in light of spring, June and Flowers... I made here this growing, blooming, beauty, thriving, sprouting set of stitch markers. These are really neat actually and I am hoping to find more of these findings soon in different sizes. These probably won't fit needles above a 9 or so. But they make complete closed circles, however they can be opened if you should accidentally run your life line through one. They won't just pop open on you however though. I really like them. I hope she does too.

What do you think?

I hope I can find more of these. I would love to put some of these on Etsy.

Sylvi

2010-06-16T13:17:00.002-05:00

I am currently working on the Jacket called Sylvi.

This is what it looks like. Mine will be in green, and in an extra large. This one I think is probably the extra small. It is the largest project I have ever undertaken. It is also the most complex cable work I have ever attempted. Now, I finished the sleeves with relative ease. I had a small freak out from not understanding the instructions, but the 'Claws straightened me out. I have also been going along merrily on the back and getting through all of those cables and enjoying myself. And then I hit the decreases. The decrease section of the back is so ungodly confusing. Maybe if you are used to raglan decreases it makes sense to you, but for me it's like it's written in Greek. No worse than that. I was translating the Greek that is working from charts. The decreases are like being written in cuneiform!

It took probably 10 hours yesterday from me to get from row 100 to row 109. That's more than an hour per row folks. The most frustrating part is if a few sentences had just been written into the pattern to explain some of the directions, I wouldn't have been in such a mess yesterday trying to figure out why it wasn't working.

What is the point of having a chart if the stitches you are actually knitting don't match? Why then wouldn't the information be presented in written form which is so much easier to understand! (for me anyway) The part that exploded my brain last night was that k2tog are marked in the chart with this symbol '/', So you k2tog and continue on with the pattern as written. Once you get to the dec rows, the symbol appears to k2tog just as normal, but you somehow magically need to know that you now need to SKIP the next stitch as it is written. You don't do it later, you just SKIP the thing. HOW IN THE WILD WORLD OF SPORTS are you supposed to know this?

Fortunately my husband is very mathematically minded and after I completely lost it with this pattern he sat down with me. He had me explain all of the stitches and what they did and then he worked on the pattern mathematically. He is the one who figured you that you need to skip the next stitch. OH and to make it more fun, you also need to skip the stitch BEFORE the SSK... fun eh?

And to think... I am actually thinking ahead to making another one of these? At least I will have been through all of the crap first!

Stories as Promised #6...

2010-06-10T10:15:00.004-05:00

HPKCHC Spring2010 Potions

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw submitting her Potions Assignment.

I was ever so glad to don my gloves, goggles and robes and begin experimentation with potions! I spent a good deal of time perusing my manual of potion ingredients trying to find the perfect combination. I had known the effect I was going for. If my experimentation in the fine art of potion brewery was successful, I would have something to adorn myself with that would be both alluring, lovely, and sweet.

So into my cauldron I added one part Chinese Chomping Cabbage, one part part Unicorn Hair, and one part Powdered Sugar. The mixture started out a sickly green, then turned a muddy yellow. After a few hours it became a lovely shade of purple and when it finally finished brewing, it was an iridescent white color. My results were as follows…

Stories as Promised #5...

2010-06-10T10:13:00.000-05:00

HPKCHC Spring2010 Herbology

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw submitting my Herbology assignemnt.

THe Puffapods were so exciting to work with! I watched carefully in the greenhouse while you showed us how easily they were to get to root. Just drop one down and POOF!!! A flower! How amazing.

Unfortunately, I was a bit careless with my puffapod and accidentally dropped it right on top of my assignment I had turned in for Ancient Runes! Within a moment it had sprouted into a lovely bloom right on my protective headband. Well, since the headband will protect me I consider it good luck the Puffapod was able to bloom there!

Here is my (now) embellished Headband featuring my new sprouted Puffapods.

Stories as Promised #4...

2010-06-10T10:12:00.004-05:00

HPKCHC DADA Spring2010

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw submitting her DADA assignment.

I had never seen an extendable ear in person before. It kind of grossed me out to be honest, but the possibilities for mischief.. err, I mean LEARNING were endless!

I spent a great deal of time just nonchalantly listening about as students walked by. Then something caught my interest! vacantmuse was mentioning a project she had lined up to work on. It was Knitted Bunny! Well I could barely keep my wand still. I needed to bring this little bundle of fluff into existance!

And now this little fellow will be gifted to my best friends baby son.

Stories as Promised #3...

2010-06-10T10:09:00.005-05:00

HPKCHC Spring2010 Charms

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw submitting her Charms assignment.

I was most intrigued by the study of the Draconifors charm. I’ve read the stories from the last Tri-Wizard tournament to take place at Hogwarts countless times! Let’s be honest though, I really just want to meet Viktor Krum… ahem..

As was clearly reported, the dragon he so bravely fought off with the Conjunctivitus Curse, was a Chinese Fireball. My text states…

Chinese Fireball (Liondragon)
native to: China
habitat: mountains (?)
appearance: scarlet with a fringe of golden spikes around its face
eyes: protruding
flame: mushroom-shaped
food: pigs, humans
eggs: vivid crimson speckled with gold

How gorgeous this must have been in real life. Determined to see one of these magnificent creatures for myself… (after all, I CAN cast the conjunctivitus curse) I set about Charming the picture on my text to life!

Clearly I need more work on this spell Professor. All I was able to bring forth to life was a ring of scales in the brilliant reds of the Dragon. However, the scales do fit nicely around my head!

Stories as Promised #2...

2010-06-10T10:05:00.004-05:00

hpkchc spring2010 History Of Magic

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw submitting her HoM assignment. Since we began studying the Chamber of Secrets, I have been enthralled with the idea of the basilisk. I had real all of the information provided in class!

Basilisk: A wizard-bred Dark creature of enormous power, this extremely poisonous giant serpent (up to 50 feet in length) is brilliant green in color with long thin saber-like fangs and bulbous yellow eyes. A basilisk can live for at least 900 years given an adequate food supply, and as it can eat most vertebrates (including humans), this is not difficult to achieve. The male can be distinguished from the female by the scarlet plume on its head, but basilisks are usually magically rather than normally bred.

How terrifying! I was on a mission to find evidence of this enormous and deadly creature. Armed with my wand I descended into the depths of the Chamber. I brought the illustration from our text!

Stumbling around in the semidarkness my foot caught in something and I took a spill forward! My wand skittered out of my hand and bumped against the wall of the Chamber. Something was under my hands, it felt like leathery paper. I picked up my wand and called forth Lumos Maximus!

In my wand light I saw the shed skin of a massive serpent! This was it! This is what I came looking for. The green had gone out of the skin and it was a pale papery color. I cut a piece of the skin from the mass of shed coils and Tucked it into my bag.

When I had finished exploring the Chamber with the class and returned to Ravenclaw Tower, I took the skin into the lab. A bit of magical experimentation later, I had fashioned it into a continuous circle, returned the flexibility of its original state, and enchanted it to no longer decay. I present to you with pride, my Basilisk Headband!

Stories as Promised...

2010-06-10T10:02:00.004-05:00

HPKCHC Spring2010 AncientRunes

Dear Professor,

Silverwing26 of Ravenclaw turning in her Ancient Runes assignment. Naturally being a Ravenclaw I was eager to begin studying. I creaked open “Magical Mysteries Resolved: Interpreting your Runes 2nd edition” to begin reading. Naturally, I got a paper cut the moment I opened the book. I scanned briefly over all of the descriptions and meanings. With my nose jammed in the book, I wasn’t watching where I was going and tripped right over my Fabulous Twin boppingbeth while she was busy studying.

Just then, our Head of House drew our attention to a magical door that had appeared in the common room! It caused such a flurry of excitement that I momentarily forgot about my studies. There was a lot of chatter about how we might get such a mysterious door OPEN!

Of course we tried Alohamora… and for some reason my wand backfired and I got a nasty sting in my hand. Thinking it might have been an odd sort of boggart that took the form of an unsolvable riddle, I tried Ridikkulus!! But It sort of rebounded and I got a nasty headache.

Well I gave up and went back to my studies. My eyes fell on the rune Algiz.

Algiz - Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

With the luck I had been having, and this new adventure of trying to get this mysterious door open, I decided THIS was the rune for me. So I whipped out my wand and embedded the rune over and over and over again into my headband.

Headbands

2010-05-17T17:18:00.005-05:00

Summer is here! I don't care that it is only MAY. It's Florida, and it's been in the 90's everyday! Whew! I am currently growing my hair out, and when ever I am outside I wear my hair up. WAY UP. I typically have it clipped to the top of my head.

When I am in the house however, I usually like to keep it out of my way, but down. Typical headbands give me wicked headaches. So I knitted some that would be soft, and pretty, and not pinch my head!
There of course are going to be submitted for the HPKCHC and will be submitted for Charms, Ancient Runes, and History of Magic.

Many New Pieces

2010-05-10T17:25:00.004-05:00

I'm still out here crafting away! I was working on a rather large piece. However, it's a gift so I can't show it until it has been gifted. But, very soon I'll be posting three headbands I just finished, and progress on two of my larger projects I am working on. All in all it's very exciting!

Interrobang!!!

2010-04-25T09:46:00.005-05:00

This crazy thing is called an Interrobang. It is my entry for the Chicago Manual of Style challenge in the HPKCHC. Being Ravenclaws, we generally tend to get excited and geek out over strange things. So why not academia and punctuation and grammar.

This is my very first pattern that I have created and I have to say, I am rather chuffed with it. Three cheers for me. Hip Hip Huzzah! Hip Hip Huzzah! Hip Hip Huzzah!

Some definitions...

The interrobang, interabang^[1] (pronounced /ɪnˈtɛrəbæŋ/) or quesclamation mark, ‽, is a nonstandard English -language punctuation mark intended to combine the functions of the question mark (also called the interrogative point) and the exclamation mark or exclamation point (known in printers' jargon as the bang). The glyph is a superimposition of those two marks. It is sometimes referred to as "the spork of punctuation" due to its internal duality.^[^{citation needed]}

The Chicago Manual of Style

Meet Terrence!

2010-04-20T10:48:00.005-05:00

I finally finished him. He didn't actually take very long to knit, but I am new to seeming. On this little guy, there is a lot of seeming. But I love him so much!!

So for as you may know by now, I participate in the Harry Potter Knit/Crochet House Cup. I am a Ravenclaw and many of us in the tower have familiars, or Merry Beasts as they are known. So now as a third year, I felt I was qualified to bring mine to the tower. So here he is! Meet Terrence!

Socks!

2010-04-11T13:16:00.004-05:00

I am loving knitting socks. My last pair, I made in the traditional way on DPN's (Double Point Needles) this time however I decided to try a different method. This method uses one very long circular needle and knits both socks at the same time. I also experimented with toe up, instead of cuff down. It was awesome and I am very happy with the results.

I call these my Muddy Puddle Socks. They are inspired by the April Showers.

Socks and Blankets! Oh my!

2010-03-30T12:48:00.005-05:00

For your viewing pleasure...

I completed my granny square blanket. I've worked on it intermittently over the last three months while I was getting everything else finished. It was my Potions OWL for the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup. I used the Join as You Go method that I learned from Lucy over at Attic24. If you like crochet, color and a wonderful sense of wonder with the beautify found in a normal day, head on over. She's a total Doll.

I have also completed my very first pair of socks! I adore them I simply adore them. They are so much more comfortable then store bought socks. I am completely amazed with them. They also were no where near as hard as I thought they would be. I used Ravenclaw Colored Sock Yarn since they were also turned in for the HPKCHC. I've learned so much and gotten so much done thanks to the community over there! I'm totally chuffed!

The zodiac, in dishcloths.

2010-03-15T00:58:00.002-05:00

An update full of pictures!!!

2010-03-15T00:47:00.001-05:00

Birthday Goodies!!

2010-02-13T13:58:00.004-05:00

Do you want to see what I got for my birthday!!???

The big box of goodies!

Knit Picks sock kit with yarn and patterns for -7- pairs of socks!!!

Aren't the colors just AWESOME!

My Size 1 circular!

Annnnnnnnnnd... The HARMONIES 5" set of DPN's!!!!

I have the greatest hubby in the world. Thank you my love!

I don't have pictures of it yet, but my sister and her family got me the most wonderful smelling candle in a glass jar. The topper for it... it's a SNOWMAN!!! She even gave it to me in a snowman bag! (Serious snowman crush here)

My mom gave me $$!! I think I am going to get a ball winder with it! OOh, and maybe sock blockers!

Cabled Fingerless Mitts

2010-02-13T13:47:00.004-05:00

I have completed my birthday gift to myself! I made my very first pair of fingerless mitts... with cables!!! I adore the way they came out. Simply adore them. I was so chuffed to wear them last night when we went out to dinner for my birthday, but then I forgot. LOL. Oh well. I am wearing them now and they are awesome. I used this beautiful yarn that changes color from royal blue to almost a burgundy color with shades of blue and red and purple in between them as they mix together. It's awesome.

Belated Christmas Gifts!

2010-02-05T19:52:00.002-05:00

Andy and Sandy if you're reading this, I would close my eyes if I were you. You'll ruin the surprise.

This whole gift knitting thing is tricky. I have bunches of projects I can't show! I'm holding Sandi and Drew and Patrick's gifts off the site until I see them after my birthday. There is less chance of Andy and Sandy seeing them though.

Anywhere... Here they are! I am very proud of these cabled scarfs. I think they came out beautifully! Also, I am getting much better at Steam Blocking. That is helpful. They are made with this chunky acrylic called Serenity. I am IN LOVE with this yarn. Totally in love. :lesigh:

Crochet and Sparkles

2010-02-05T14:45:00.005-05:00

Here are two pieces I have completed recently. I am noticing my love of beads is re-emerging. It never went away, but my muse had gone in a different direction. I think it's swinging back towards beads, but not away from yarn and thread at all. So I expect to two to intermingle a bit. I am also trying to get my hands on several beading books that my heart has been set on forever. THIS one in particular, follow by this one and this one. However, on the beading, and fiber crochet front, I also have my eyes on this one. Man, I love books. Anyway.. Peeeeectures for you.

The beaded dragonfly is not part of the necklace. But I am considering putting it on a pin so it can be worn with the necklace. I haven't decided yet.

LOVE-ly Stitch Markers

2010-02-04T13:04:00.004-05:00

This is a set of stitch markers I have made to be awarded as a prize in the Love Yourself First event in RCT.

Drawing

2010-01-27T18:53:00.004-05:00

A drawing I did recently for an event we are going to be having in RCT.

Oh baby baby!!

2010-01-24T23:05:00.004-05:00

My baby loves me! I was gifted with a gift!!! For no particular reason, my love decided I was worth a gift. I must just be that awesome. :D I have had my eye on a knitting bag for a little while. unfortunately, they are CRAZY RIDICULOUS expensive. But we had an idea. The Bealls Dpt. store was having a sale today. 20% off your entire order including clearance and sale items. WOOT! So we went out looking and I got the most amazing bag ever. It was 50% off and then and additional 20% off for the sale! Rock on! A bag this size that is designated a knitting bag is between 70 and 150. I got mine for 40!!! DEAL!

The Bag and front zip pocket

The inside of the large compartment

The included zippered pouch

Inside of the smaller compartment with zipper pocket small pockets, and what I have decided are crochet hook holders.

Squidling!

2010-01-21T16:21:00.004-05:00

This is my baby squid I just finished. I am calling it a squidling, because its was cuter than calling it a fry. It was crafted for my kitties, but inspired by the HPKCHC. Here is the story that goes with it. I hope you enjoy.

When I was very little, my mother used to read to me. While I had all of the normal bedtime stories, some of my favorites were marine biology books. Jacques Cousteau’s massive table top book was one of my favorites. It had breathtaking pictures of ocean wonders. Mom would read to me and I would memorize the names of the sea creatures.

One of my favorites was the giant Squid. Architeuthis. So little was known about them then. Only a few had ever been found. As I have grown older, I’ve marveled at how more and more has been discovered about them.

Imagine my utter delight when I discovered that a giant squid was living in the Black Lake at Hogwarts!! I couldn’t believe it. Being a Ravenclaw, I do like to study up on something that peeks my interest. Well it wasn’t long until I discovered that our Head of House had an interesting relationship with the giant squid, one might even call it a rivalry.

I wonder if such a creature could be domesticated! I consulted with the noted Marine Spellologist - Gilly Sandybottom. He assured me that the process would be utterly dangerous, as one would first need to FIND a giant squid, then manage to get one of it’s offspring away from it, before the process could even begin. An adult squid would be too set in its ways. However, if one were to somehow get a hold of a squidling, the domestication process COULD be completed.

Armed with this knowledge, my Ravenclaw whit, and some courage I borrowed from the Griffindors, I plunged into the black lake. I might add how thankful I am to have taken some Defense Against the Dark Arts! I was almost done in by a pack of Grindilow before I remembered petrificus totalus. It seemed to me though, that I had interrupted this group of them. Something lightly colored reflected from amidst the seaweed and between their greenish brownish bodies.

Working quickly, I dug through the seaweed to see what it was. WHAT LUCK! Apparently they had been tormenting a SQUIDLING!! One of it’s legs was badly damaged. I think they were pulling on it! I quickly ascendio’d my way out of the lake, used aquamentia to fill my oil skin bag. I put my squidling in and took it straight away to Gilly Sandybottom. Well, with a flick of his wand, Gellious Mendioso he enchanted, my little squidling was well on the way to healing.

Gilly tells me there is even a magical attunement process the little squidling could undergo so that he, or she (we’re not quite sure) could learn to live quite happily on land! He cautions, keeping an eye on it though, especially when small animals or children are involved.

And that Professor, is my utterly dangerous assignm

ent that I am turning in for Potions class!

The nitty grotty of it, worsted weight acrylic stuffed with fiber fill and cat nip!

Meeces!!!

2010-01-14T18:29:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite gifts I made this year was actually cat nip mice for my kitties. The pattern was so easy, and I just had a delightful time making them! I had to change the pattern however as I didn't think it worked up nearly large enough. So I kept adding rounds until I felt it was the right size. Oh the adventures with catnip around here though. they keep breaking into the bag and spilling it. Then of course the spend days making out with that spot on the floor. Watching them play with their mice though was precious. PRECIOUS. The boxes smelled like catnip also, so at one point Boots, got his head wedged up into the box and was just crawling across the carpet trying to squeeze himself into a box that is maybe 4 inches square!

Beret's for my Nieces!

2010-01-14T18:22:00.004-05:00

For Christmas this year, hubby and I decided to make berets for our two nieces. I crocheted the purple one for JoAn and Roger crocheted the pink one for Ashley. I really like this pattern. I have a huge floppy beret made in cotton for me, and one in super soft acrylic for Roger. His is not floppy though, it looks awesome on him. But both of these Christmas berets were made with acrylic and came out awesome. As an added accessory, I made them both large rose brooches. I attached them to the hats and while one niece wore hers on her hat, the other wore it in her hair. I think it looked fantastic that way!

Dice Bag of Doom!!!

2010-01-14T18:16:00.004-05:00

For Christmas this year for my hubby, I wanted to make him a dice bag he would be proud of. I had so much trouble with this bag!!! I redesigned it probably 8 or 9 times. I was never happy with how it was coming out. I scoured many many patterns on Ravelry, but nothing was what I wanted.

I had started making a bag of my own design with a cable I found in a cable stitch dictionary. But the cables were so small and I didn't know enough ot put sections of stockinette stitch between them so it was looking terrible. I ripped that all out. What I opted for instead was a customized hat pattern. I had made a cabled hat for Patrick.

I discovered I really liked the pattern. So I went down a size in needles, and added many repeats to the pattern until it was a good size. I followed a pattern from a bag I found on Ravelry to put in the holes for the draw string cord and then knitted an I-Cord for the strap. I think it came out wonderfully and was definitely worth the work!

Gratuitous Puppy Picture!

2010-01-12T10:37:00.002-05:00

I've been knitting and crocheting away like crazy. I will have pics to show soon. Some of the projects I haven't photographed yet, and others are gifts so I am not sure I want to show them until they are given. But in the mean time, here is my girl on Christmas Morning. :)

Holiday Hurray!

2009-12-10T14:08:00.003-05:00

ETA: Mom if you're reading this, better stop now or you will ruin the Christmas Surprise.

Contrary to the 'progress' shown by my blog, I actually have been getting some crafting and art done. I've mostly just been enjoying the warm glow of Christmas. Miraculously, Florida actually cooperated and gave us a few COLD days. I don't mean chilly, I mean COLD. It hardly ever gets cold in Florida, at least not to me. The weather came at the perfect time too. Roger and I have been happily buzzing along decorating out HOME for Christmas. Yup I said it. The crazy red neck built house actually feels like a home right now. I've been trying to get good pictures to show, but it's hard to photograph lights you know? But I did take some pictures. Roger and I even got a couple of ourselves enjoying some HEAVENLY cocoa by the glow of our lighted window. (I can make some killer cocoa if I do say so myself)

So I will get those photos posted up soon. Today I am nearly finished with a Christmas gift for one of my nieces. I haven't decided if I am going to show it before the holiday or not. I am not sure if they look at my blog. I don't think they do so it should be safe.. LOL. I just need to finish sewing a pin back into something. But to do that I need to get a pin back. So I am waiting on that. I have a few more gifts to work on this month. It's going to be busy. I have the other niece to finish a gift for, mom, dad, Roger, Sandi, Drew and the pumpkin. Though he will probably get the hats I am still working on as his Christmas gift. :) Since the chances of my getting them into the mail before then is slim anyway. LOL

I hope his head is still the same size. It's a good thing hats stretch!

ETA: I really have been doing too much. I just realized I FINISHED the gift for mom and dad. Do you want to see it? I know you do. I made Christmasy inspired love birds for them. How cute! This time of year is personified (as far as birds go) with Robins and Cardinals. So I made them a pair of Robins. I think they came out really nicely. They are based on the birds over at Attic24. If you've never been to Lucy's blog, you should definitely check it out!

The Shipwreck Reveal!

2009-11-26T12:09:00.004-05:00

It's finally finished. And I might add, I am damn proud of myself for finishing this. I started this shawl on September 14th and finished binding it off on November 23rd. However, it finished blocking and drying today, November 26th. It's stunning! I learned a lot on the process of making this.

1. I learned how to do the magic loop method of starting a circle... Learned How... not Mastered How. But it is fun and I think I will be doing it again in the future.

2. Life Lines are the savior of knitting! I didn't use them in the beginning and at one point during the bleeding heart section, had to rip completely back to the beginning. Near the end during the fagot lave section, I got complacent about them and lost 12 rows of the never ending (yo, k2tog). USE LIFELINES.

3. Never ever again will I spend all day knitting along happily and then try to bind of a large project. The rows near the end of Shipwreck are quite substantial. I managed to get my speed down to about 45 minutes a row. Binding off took me 2 and a half hours. From what I understand, I made good time. I should have waited until the following day.

4. Blocking is my best friend in knitting. When I finished the shawl I was disappointed with it's size. I wanted a large shawl. I had the option to knit a few extra rows onto it and I decided not to because I wanted to finish in time for Thanksgiving. It barely wrapped around my shoulders and just covered my back. So I blocked it. I am happy to say I can cover my head with it now and it still touches the backs of my knees. It wraps around me with out issue now.

5. Beaded knitting is a PAIN. The knitting part of it is a breeze. It didn't slow me down at all. Moving thousands and thousands of beads down hundreds and hundreds of yards of yarn on the other hand... I found the best way to do this is to unravel the whole ball or hank, space the beads out along the entire length then wind it up.

6. Hubby's are invaluable to a big project. Not only did my hubby take it upon himself to space out my beads for me so I could keep knitting and finish in time, he also used his ingenuity to make us a swift out of k'nex since buying one is not in the budget. Hubby's - never leave home without one.

What it comes down to, is I am smitten with this shawl.

This was my first big knitting project. When I started it, I had never done lace before, never used a life line, never used a stitch marker, never used magic loop. I had never done anything then short rows of Knit and Purl. I was a complete novice. This was one of the most fun and rewarding projects I have ever done. Don't be afraid to try it!

2009-11-24T10:57:00.002-05:00

I finally was able to edit my blog layout. As a result, on the right hand side, you will see widget that shows off my projects for Ravelry. You have to be a member to look at the projects over there and while membership is free, people who don't knit or crochet probably have no interest in being a member. So my projects can be seen there. I try and post updates here when I do them. Sometimes when it's a project I am squeezing in under the wire for HPKCHC, I might forget. So enjoy!

Shipwreck Progress

2009-11-22T17:39:00.006-05:00

I am knitting away on my Shipwreck shawl and I am still trying to finish by Thanksgiving. I should have no problem finish by the end of the month but I need to do at least one more project. So I would really like to have it done by Thanksgiving. Here are pics at just over 75%

~~Okay wth... not only will blogger not let me update my layout... now it will not let me post pictures!?~~

Well I finally got that part fixed...

Aggravated

2009-11-13T01:16:00.003-05:00

I have some things I wold like to add to the blog as far as layout goes. However, for DAYS now the layout function has not been working. Blogger say they are aware of the issue that anyone having custom content is not able to use their layout feature right now. AGGRAVATING.

There has been no update on the blog so as far as I know there hasn't been any progress. Naturally, I leave my setup alone for ages at a time. When I finally found someone to help me add a function I have been looking for, blogger decides to not work.

Grrr

Care of Magical Creatures

2009-11-02T23:07:00.004-05:00

There is a contest going on over at the HPKCHC on Ravelry. Care of Magical creatures was one of the choices for the OWL exam this term and they need a badge for completion. Here is my submission!

A few new things!

2009-10-28T01:36:00.004-05:00

So you may remember that I have been bitten by the yarn bug. :) I've been working very diligently on a shawl I plan to have finished by the end of next month. However, I have managed to make a few smaller things in the mean time. These have all been made for the HPKCHC on Ravelry. You need to be a member there to look at my project pages though. (It's free) So here are pictures of my snails, turtle, and a couple new pictures of my scarf.

(Yup, that's a beer bottle. Don't you know a fantastic way to get snails and slugs out of your garden is to put a little dish of beer in the garden. It's true!)

(We had to knit our animagus. I chose a cute little turtle. I'm not 100% sure if I were to have an animagus that I would be a turtle.. but I wanted her. So here she is!)

(And here is that shawl again. Since I presented it it for Divination and pointed out how it represented my zodiac sign Aquarius, I have it pouring out of my glass water jug and across the table in waves.)

Drop Stitch Scarf

2009-10-12T10:12:00.004-05:00

So this is the scarf I have been working on to wear to Andy and Sandy's wedding. I am really loving the way it has come out. It is sooo soft and it drapes beautifully. I am also going to be submitting it for one of the classes on the HPKCHC forum, but I haven't written the submission up yet. When I do I'll update the post with the write up. The pictures of the scarf blocking are on my mothers camera. When I get those I will add them here also. But here it is finished!

Progress on Shipwreck.

2009-10-11T11:42:00.003-05:00

I thought I would take a moment today to share my progress on the Shipwreck Shawl. I am absolutely loving this knit. Yes it's tricky and parts are difficult, but I love it anyway. I had to tear back progress to a lifeline the other night so that was discouraging. But I am making progress again which feels wonderful. I had to take a break from it for a little over a week while I completed a project I intend to wear at Andy and Sandy's wedding. However it is still blocking and drying. When it's finished I'll make a post about that.

So I have some pictures for you. The first one shows my progress before I had to rip out, and the second one shows after. They both represent the same place in the pattern I think though. It's really lovely so far. It's just hard to show in photos because of it being a circle. There isn't a good way to spread it out. That of course will change when it is finished and I can block it all.

Harry Potter Part 09

2009-10-06T17:10:00.005-05:00

This Sunday the 4th was the second Annual Harry Potter Party at my house. It was so much fun that all of the planning and work was worth it. Yey! It's always grand when that happens. Everyone's costumes were wonderful. I really appreciated that even though money is tight for everyone right now, that the effort was made to come in costume. I was really chuffed. Here are just a couple of photos.

Gifts for a new Mommy

2009-09-16T20:54:00.005-05:00

As you may remember there was a second fabulous box I showed you all. The second box had gifts for the new mommy inside!

A Star for Patrick

2009-09-16T20:49:00.004-05:00

Remember when I showed you the photo of the fabulous box. Do you want to see what was in it???Here's a little peek...

Oh, a little more!

Tada!!!! It's a star shaped baby afghan! As you can see, it takes up my entire dining room table. I am very very proud of this blanket. It is crocheted with a size F hook and baby yarn. :) It's the largest and most complicated project I have completed to date! I hope he likes it when he finally has his birthday and joins us all!!

Crochet Markers

2009-09-12T17:30:00.005-05:00

So one step at a time as far as tackling the small mound of things I need to post to this blog. Right now though, I am sick and not up to tackling everything all at once. There are too many forks in my fire right now.

But I did complete a small project today. My yarn and knitting needles from Knit Picks arrived today. I also got these little markers that you can put on your knitting when you are done for the day to remind you what size needled you were using. I thought that was brilliant so I devised a way to do the same thing for my crochet.

These are great little charms that have the letter of the size crochet hook on them. So far these are the only hooks I own that I use regularly. As I increase my collection, and the supplies to make these LOL, I will make more markers.

The Luna Lovegood Scarf

2009-09-04T17:53:00.006-05:00

I have completed my new scarf. I am really really chuffed with it. :D it was my first time doing a picot edging. I ran into some trouble somewhere as the picots on one edge do not exactly match the picots on the other edge. But looking at the pattern, my mistake was somewhere in the beginning and I did not catch it until almost the end. I was not about to tear it all back. SOOOo I am very very happy with it. :D

Buttercream Beret!

2009-08-28T10:14:00.004-05:00

I finished making the cutest most wonderful hat ever... EVAH! It was my first attempt at a hat and I am really very chuffed and tickled pink over it. The yarn is Lily Sugar and Cream in the color buttercream. I wanted something that would be easy to care for, since it is a hat. So I chose something from my yarn stash that was 100 cotton. Natural fiber is very very warm though. This is Florida. So for now when it is still warm, this is one WARM hat. I am starting on in acrylic so that it will be lighter and hopefully a but more suited to our Florida weather. So, what do you think!?

One MORE Fabulous Box

2009-08-28T10:06:00.005-05:00

This is a very fabulous second gift box! I cannot yet show what is inside! I very dearly want to though. Soon! Inside this lovely box is a gift for a very special person. Inside this box is a load of fun! Roger and I had a wonderful time picking out its contents. I also learned a great deal about certain things as I made some of what is inside this box. I cannot wait to show you all!

Paper Carnations...AGAIN!

2009-08-28T10:01:00.004-05:00

I finished the paper carnations for the baby shower! Whooo! Now, today I will be decorating the little pots they go into. It should be much fun! But to show you what I have been doing... well that parts I can show you. Here are the carnations!

One Fabulous Box

2009-08-13T08:32:00.005-05:00

This is one fabulous box. I adore hat boxes. There is just something about a hat box that makes me so happy. But this hat box is not for me. This hat box is a gift. But the real treasure is what is inside the box.

I am not going to show you! NOPE! Inside this box is a gift I have worked on for many many days. I learned quite a lot while working on it and perfected some skills. I had a glorious amount of fun making it and am THRILLED and PROUD of the results. BUT alas readers, you will have to wait until the gift has been presented before I can show you what is inside.

Carnations!

2009-08-10T19:23:00.002-05:00

So I got to work on the paper carnations for the baby shower today. I have one fifth of them finished. Half of the red bunch all done! I wanted to take pictures but the batteries in the camera are DEAD. So I will have to photograph them when the batteries charge. It's really rather funny to sit there and realize you are trying to scheme ways to cut a better circle! LOL. But I figured out how to twist the chenille stems to make each one have a small flower and a section that is a bit sturdier for if it is put into a vase. Overall they came out quite pretty. :)

What a great idea

2009-07-23T11:42:00.004-05:00

I really really really want to make these. They are the most awesome shoes. I think they would be prefect for Ren Fest.

Now... where yo get a hold of some leather, and laces and a hole punch thingie....

Artful Update

2009-07-18T17:23:00.004-05:00

I was browsing my older blog entries today and kept getting drawn into how DARK my blog was. It was deep and mysterious and delightfully moody. While I loved it, it didn't reflect my art well at all. It at least does not reflect where I am right now with my art and my creations. So I have once again updated my blog template. I find it to be colorful, uplifting and fun. I find this complements where I see my art and my creative force going much better. Do tell me what you think of it!

I realize many of the older entries are going to be hard to read because of the colors I used in the old blog template. I will update them over time to make them readable again.

Carnations

2009-07-17T13:24:00.003-05:00

I found the most precious tutorial in the Folding Trees Blog.

http://foldingtrees.com/2008/08/flower-week-tissue-paper-carnations/#more-454

It is for paper carnations. They are so easy and I am really thrilled with how they came out. I think I might make some for my bedroom. These four I gave to my mom since it is her tiny teapot and I thought they looked too good there to move them. Enjoy!

2009-07-11T08:55:00.002-05:00

I very much need to post something new and wonderful. Things have been so buys I haven't had much time to produce anything. Undertaking major projects in the house seem to monopolize me. am working on something special right now, but I won't be able to show it for a while because it is a gift. However, once I am finished with that I will be working on the favors for my Halloween Party and those I will be able to show. Whew... it's been a busy year thus far!

A few more Bento!

2009-06-11T15:38:00.004-05:00

This bento was egg substitute cooked in a really thin layer with sauteed spinach and green onion layed on it, topped with a little turkey bacon and rolled up. I sliced it into sushi like rolls and stacked in the box with a tomato and spinach salad and an apple sauce!

This bento was salami and liverwurst on whole wheat with Dijon, spinach and cucumbers. A spinach, cucumber and tomato salad on the side and around the sandwich. I also gave him a peach but it wouldn't fit in the box.

The first photo of this bento shows the bottom layer. Kiwi, tomato, carrots, cheese, spinach and a tuna stuffed sweet pepper. The second photo is a picture of the crisp stars I made him. I took a flat wrap, used a cookie cutter to make the stars and baked them on a sheet sprayed with cooking spray. They are resting on a piece of wax paper.

The first photo shows the bottom layer which was rice and lentil pilaf. The second layer is tomato sauce and a container with black berries and a peach. In the ramekin is shredded Parmesan!

That's all folks!

More bento

2009-06-01T11:42:00.003-05:00

Go where your creativity leads you right?

So I made another bento lunch for my hunny yesterday. I hope he's enjoying it right now. :) The first photo shows about 1-1.5 cups of stir fry that I added some chicken to. Then in a silicon baking dish (to avoid juice transfer) are two rice triangles. I think they are called nigiri. To stabilize it all from rocking around and to add some raw nutrients, the side is stuffed with grape tomatoes! YUM.
This second photo shows dessert! I added some beautifully ripe strawberries to a cupcake wrapper and sent them on top. I also stuck one in by the rice, snapped the lid on and sealed it with a kiss! These are really really fun. I suggest you give it a try. Now my hubby has diabetes and we're still very new to learning how to take care of it. But this seems like a pretty easy, fun and let's just call it what it is... PRETTY way to make sure he's getting the right foods to eat. :)

Not Beads.... BENTO!

2009-05-29T13:13:00.005-05:00

I have been an admirer of Bento since I first found out about them. Today I mustered up the courage to give it a try. THIS is my very first Bento!

The first picture shows the 'bottom layer'. There are two rice triangle things... which have a name and I don't know it yet. I shaped them myself :) There is also a portion of palm hearts. I put the rice an the palm hears in a silicon baking tray (rectangle) and put it in the bottom of the make shift bento bot. Next to that is about a cup of mixed field greens.

for the second photo and the 'second layer' I added 10 blackberries in a cupcake paper and six turkey meatballs. I also added in a packet of soy sauce. I don't have a proper container for it yet, but I am going to check out dollar store for a little squeeze container that would work for salad dressing.

Not pictured is a little surprise I added for my wonderful hubby. I took some wax paper and folded a no-glue envelope. Then I wrote him a little note, tucked it in the envelope and then tucked it in his lunch. :) I think he'll be thrilled! This was so fun. Now I just need to add up the calories of the lunch so I know if I am giving him enough food for his lunch. I am really pleased with myself. :)

Information on Bentos can be found here
http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-basics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_hbPLsZvvo
Nifty no-glue envelope
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1026491/perfect_diy_envelope_video_instruction/

Opinions??

2009-05-15T15:35:00.001-05:00

I am about to start a new project. I have some beautiful acrylic cameos that I want to use with a necklace. So yesterday I bought the size 8's I need to go with it. Now I need to pick the size 11's to compliment it. I picked out a silver lined orange... but in case that doesn't go well I also picked out some gold colored seeds. I plan to use a gold tinted drop to embellish the cameo when it's finished. I'm just not sure on the orange. I have another orange seed, but it's pretty blingy.. almost neon and shiny. I thought it was too much. Thoughts? Does the orange I picked compliment the cameo and the 8's?

Prom Time

2009-05-15T15:29:00.005-05:00

My niece is going to Prom on Saturday. When her older sister went to prom, I made her a necklace and bracelet to match her gown. I really wanted to continue this tradition with my younger niece. I had very limited time to make this piece as I only found out what color she was wearing YESTERDAY!!!!

However, I happen to think it came out beautifully. My niece is lovely and quite spunky and a little funky. She reminds me of me. :) So I wanted to make her something that was pretty, but a little bit funky and that she would be able to wear to more than just Prom. So I think this will go beautifully with her dress (crossing fingers as I haven't seen the dress) and I also think it's suitable for dressing up some jeans. What do you think?

The necklace and bracelet were made with teeny tiny bugles in a silvery white color. I think the finish might be called Ceylon? I am not sure though. They are really lovely in person though. The seed beads are size 11 silver lined. I simply adore this color. I might have to find my way back to the shop to get more. :)

A perfect day includes shopping for beads...

2009-05-15T12:22:00.002-05:00

So life here in our little house bounces along as always. Yesterday was a most awesome and wonderful day. Roger had a doctors appointment in the morning. She told him she is very impressed with him and he is doing very well. So that was wonderful happy news.

From there we stopped at the publix and bought a large bowl of fruit for breakfast. It was so fresh they weren't even on the shelf yet. We went to the fruit lady and got the first bowl she made. It was absolutely delicious! Fruit for Breakfast is AWESOME.

Then we drove out to Gainesville. My wonderful hubby took me to two bead stores while we were out there. We spent a bit more then we intended but had so much fun! I picked up beads for several projects that I want to be working on. They were mostly size 8 seed beads with a couple of cabs I couldn't resist. I also bought a beautiful... BEAUTIFUL Czech glass button which will become the focal point of a new necklace. I also bought beads to match these gorgeous acrylic cameos that I have. I am very excited.

After the bead shopping we stopped at TCBY for a treat. I had forgotten just how wonderful they are. I also discovered yesterday that they make the best waffle cones I have ever tasted. Oh my goodness! I was so tempted to walk back up to the counter and ask them how much they wanted for just another cone. :grins:

After that we headed home. It was a wonderful fun day out but it was INCREDIBLY hot and we were happy to be home. We hopped on the computer together for about an hour and played some WoW until about 5:30. Then we headed over to Mom and Dads for dinner. Mom just got a new stove and she made the most delicious roast chicken. It was so tender and the meat just fell off the bone. It was quite a triumph.

After dinner we headed home and played a but more WoW. Then we headed off the the living room where Roger was finally able to get our surround sound working. We have all the right pieces now thankfully. :) And I started beading while we watched a film. For our first movie with the surround sound we chose Independence Day. I really like that movie. It was very fun with the new sound system and we're excited to try Jurassic Park next.

Well thats pretty much it. That was yesterday. Today I am hard at work trying to finish that beading project I started yesterday. It is for my nieces prom which is TOMORROW... UGH! But I asked them ages ago to let me know what color she was wearing for the prom and when it was. The info was finally givem to me YESTERDAY... Good grief! Well here I go back to work. :)

Oh, edited to add pictures of the beady goodness peppered throughout the post.

Spirals and Flowers

2009-05-11T10:05:00.003-05:00

I am a day late in posting these pictures. This piece was finished yesterday in time for my once a week project, but with the holiday I didn't have time to post pictures. My mommy does take precedence. I finished my very first Russian Spiral. I think it came out wonderfully! I have not recieved my book yet, but I found these directions on line from a PDF of a Bead and Button project. It has made me so excited to recieve my book that I am having a hard time not standing down by the mailbox waiting.

But on to the project. It is a lovely russian spiral using size 6 blue transparent seeds and size 11 seeds in a opalescent dusky purple grey color. They are very hard to describe and I got them in a bead swap at one time so I have no idea what they are called or where they came from. The size 6 beads are from 7 echoes. I also bezelled my very first SQUARE cab. This was much trickier than a round or oval cab. However, I am very glad I tackled the rivoli first. I used the exact same technique to bead around this square. I am not sure what this square is. At first I thought it was a stone, but after working with it, I think it might be painted porcelain. Whatever it is, it is BEAUTIFUL. It reminds me strongly of looking down into the water and seeing the sand and rocks strewn about the sandy floor in patterns only nature can do. The square is bezzeled in the same two seeds. I added a picot decorate element using the hard to describe purplish grey seeds and then added a row of drop beads. They are mostly clear excelt the hole is lined in the same blue as the size 6 seeds. I think it looks adorable. I finished it all off with a magnetic clasp.

Also, I promised pictures of my gift to my mother when she had opened it. So here that is also. And naturally, one cannot use a bookmark if one has nothing to read. We also bought her a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. Oh! And two baloons as well! Who doesn't love a balloon!

So Excited!

2009-05-05T13:12:00.004-05:00

So upon receiving some much appreciated good news this afternoon, hubby spoiled me by ordering me a new beading book.... THE WHITE BOOK... it's a Russian beading book that is pretty hard to get a hold of. I've had my eye on it for quite the long while. Well I finally found it in stock somewhere so hubby went ahead and ordered it for me. I can't wait!

BATCies

2009-05-02T18:07:00.003-05:00

This odd term came to my attention via the All About Beads forum on Delphi. It stands for Bead Art Trading Cards. I signed up to the do the BATC swap this year. The cards are not due until October. However, my muse has been a little quite lately since I got sick. Well I am better now but apparently the muse is still recuperating. So in an effort to get the juices flowing a little bit, I sat down and started on one of the cards. This is only the very beginning but I already had a ton of fun. I am really enjoying this whole concept of combining paint and beads! There are no beads added to the piece yet, but there will be. So here is a a picture of my starting efforts. I don't actually know yet whether or not I am supposed to show pictures before the swap is finished. If it turns out that they are to remain secret until the time of the swap, I will simply gift this one to someone else and make new ones for the swap. :)

Mother's Day

2009-04-25T13:17:00.004-05:00

As you know Mother's Day is approaching. Since I needed a project this week, AND I actually knew what it was I was going to do for Mother's Day, I finished my mother's gift. However, there won't be any pictures or descriptions this week, because my mother is very capable of reading this blog. So.... just know that my project is finished on time and I'll post pics as soon as I give it to her. :)