One Pink Hippo

Twelve Days of Christmas Domo

2012-01-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

Contrary to popular belief, Christmastide, which is celebrated by the familiar carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" begins on the day after Christmas, or Boxing Day, if you're not American. It concludes on January 6th, Twelfth Night, which apparently isn't just a Shakespeare play, but marks the beginning of Epiphany. The carol proved to be great inspiration for a daily photography project: The Twelve Days of Christmas Domo. I had a lot of fun with this project, especially figuring out how to fit the theme of each day when I didn't readily have supplies, such as turtle doves or pipes.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a Domo in a Christmas tree!

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two Domos scaring the living daylights out of a turtle.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three Domos learning French.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four calling Domos.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five golden rings.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six Domos-a-laying.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven Domos-a-swimming.

Disco said he can't get his glitz wet or he'll rust. No one's really convinced, but he's allowed the HMS Hippo just in case.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight Domos-a-milking.

Well, more like praising a glass of chocolate milk, but you get the idea. And of course chocolate milk. That's the only milk Domos will drink.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine Domos-a-dancing.

Everyone was so excited to dress up for the Domo Formal. Hawaii Five-Domo said his date was going to be late, but no one really believes him. Disco and Grimace treat everyone to a traditional Candy Cane Dance to bring peace and good luck to the new year.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten Domos-a-leaping...?

"C'mon guys, leap!"

All: "We ARE leaping!"

No, your feet can't be touching the tub. You need to get lift, get into the air.

All: "We ARE lady!"

Hawaii to Disco: "We're leaping...right?"

Disco: "It feels like it!"

(Bonus points for finding Adalind.)

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven Domos-a-piping.

Wait...piping, you guys are supposed to be piping! I thought we went over this yesterday!

Pink Mama Domo: We're cleaning pipes... with pipe cleaners. Thus piping.

...

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve Domos-a-drumming.

Final day! I just happened to be going to my friend's house on Twelfth Night and he's a drummer! So that's why I packed everyone in and off we went.

A Domo a Day

2012-01-15T02:09:00.000-05:00

For 2012, I've decided to do a Project 365. This is A Domo a Day, where I take a picture of one of my Domos each day. There aren't any rules and no specified camera - I can use my iPhone or Charlie (DSLR) as long as it's a photo of a Domo each day. I made a special tumblr to keep track of them all, and will be keeping track on Flickr as well as the page above. It'll have the links to everything, the monthly mosaics, and a Flickr widget, if I can find one. I won't be posting a picture a day here, but will make a monthly review mosaic and post it.

Since it's the 15th (technically, it's 2 AM) I'll post the past 14 so we're all caught up.

001: Happy New Year's

002: Free her! Arise!

003: Skeletor Domo and Original Domo Win Best Dressed

004: A Domo-napping in Progress

005: Low Light Original

006: Take ALL the Domos!

007: The Lone Domo

008: Onward!

009: Snow!

010: Skeletor and I go over my mom's discharge information.

011: Dr. Domo warns about the hazards of medical waste.

012: Double Exposure Christmas Twins

013: When in the bathroom...

014: Shopping achievement unlocked: Chipotle

Enjoy the Domo!

Dear Blog (and followers, if there's any left),

2012-01-12T00:06:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry I've neglected you.

Please forgive me.

I have plans for you, though.

I have many posts for you.

I'm going to give you a complete makeover.

I'm going to fix the pages at the top.

I'm going to post here whenever something happens, be it something actually crafty or Blythe related.

I thought about abandoning you and starting a Blythe blog.

But we can never leave our first, can we?

We've been through so much.

So you might eventually turn into a blog dedicated more to dolls and dolly crafts, but I'm sure you won't mind.

And hello followers! I hope you're still there.

I have a list of "10 things since I last posted" post.

And then all those posts.

And more!

But my dear little OnePinkHippo, first ever blog, first craft blog, blog that started all the madness: I haven't abandoned you!

So be prepared for your makeover and plenty of posts.

xoxo

Jillie

ADAD 001/365: Happy New Year's!

2012-01-01T03:25:00.001-05:00

ADAD 001/365: Happy New Year's!, a photo by OnePinkHippo on Flickr.

AVERT YOUR EYES, MOTHER!!!*

2011-12-19T02:07:00.001-05:00

Four episodes of Bones and one skein of yarn later:

So, two balls of yarn and eight more episodes means I should hopefully have this done by Christmas. The only thing I'm worried about is my daddy's scarf. It's knitting, so it's taking me a whole lot longer. But all six seasons of Bones are on Netflix Instant, so I should get it done.

Blythe and Therapy

2011-12-15T02:16:00.000-05:00

When I was a child I would spend hours playing with my Barbie and American Girl dolls. And I mean hours. Not only would they go on a million different adventures, courtesy my over-active imagination, but I could sit and change their clothes and style their hair for hours on end. I recently rediscovered my American Girl doll wardrobe, which is in a small suitcase, and I had a lot of clothes for them. When I was 8, I wasn't making too many clothes and I surely wasn't going around taking pictures of them in different places. Usually I dressed them for an occasion. Sure I played with them, and they acted out things, but one of my favorite things to do was dress and redress and redress them. Maybe there was some solace I found in that, some sort of calming effect. Because now that I collect Blythes, I find that same aspect is one thing that really draws me to them and has an incredibly calming affect. Everyone has hobbies, sure; normal ones, such as yoga, or not-so-common ones, such as taxidermy, (hopefully Blythe falling into the former category, but adults playing with dolls can have a Rule 34 connotation) and we usually laugh it off as being "cheaper than therapy" but in a way, it really is. Sure, an $100+ doll isn't really as cheap as a session of therapy, depending on where you go, but each session, medicine, books, etc can add up and it can be. For example, I was quite stressed a few hours ago and was on Flickr and BlytheKingdom and was inspired to change my girls as they'd been abandoned in the stress of finals. By the time all 4 of them had been changed and their hair restyled, I felt incredibly calm. I have problems with the obsessive part of OCD where I can obsessive over a single thought like a song that gets stuck in your head, but during the whole process my mind was blank, and free, like I was in this trance and just naturally playing with pieces of plastic and cloth. It may sound silly to someone who hasn't been battling depression and/or anxiety, or someone who doesn't collect Blythe or have any sort of collection/hobby for that matter, but if at 1.30 AM I'm able to calm myself down with a doll and prevent a full blown panic attack, or turning to something worse, then I think that's all right. If I'm 24 and play with dolls, then fine, I play with dolls. It keeps me sane. And if my dolls are what keep me sane, and able to get through the day, then I see no problem with that. It's just such an interesting observation, as I have noticed the calming affect they have had on me before. Good thing I've found them, then.

Although, this means I'll justify buying plenty of Blythe dresses and such as being "therapeutic."

Meet Adalind

2011-11-30T01:42:00.001-05:00

I bought another Blythe for myself as a motivation present, as I had a mini breakdown a few weeks ago and needed something to help me get back into going to classes (and getting out of bed, period), as well as an early end of the semester/birthday/Christmas present. She wasn't due until around the time of finals, but arrived early. I was so thrilled I decided to open her up! Meet Adalind!

The girls were really excited!

Zooey was especially thrilled, since when Lola came Zooey was in pieces. Zooey was quite dismayed when she was put back together and Coral had made fast friends with Lola.

The Domos are familiar with boxes, since they order so many of themselves, but they were a little confused as to why this box was so big, and what that big headed thing was inside.

...so the Domos tried to make off with her accessories. They're like little kids, I swear. (But she did come with some neat accessories. Sunglasses and an awesome leather jacket, as well as a necklace that I'm having trouble joining round her neck because it's so tiny, and some kick ass boot that I want in my size!)

She was a little miffed I was taking so many pictures rather than taking her out.

The Domos thought they could take her out of the plastic, but she was not having it! She's quite vain about her hair.

Here she is, fresh and clean from cardboard and plastic. She's quite the drama queen. She's told the girls she's a model from California and talks in a British accent, dahling this and dahling that, much to Lola's displeasure. She's already gone through the girl's wardrobe and decided that none are really her style, so she needs me to make her something real quick. She's an RBL* mold, though, my first different mold from Coral and Zooey, who are FBLs,** not counting Lola. She doesn't have the same "cuteness;" she looks more sophisticated. She's my first doll with extra long hair, (I cut Lola's to mid thigh length) so I'm having a ball being able to braid it and have more freedom to give her updos. It's a bit staticy, so I think all three girls (poor Lola) are going to be in for a Spa Day.

I have some more pictures of her I have to upload, as well as an adventure of Domos outside in the leaves, and a lot of Blythe dresses. Also Sarah and I's joint venture, EssHippo Blythes, is really taking off, and we are opening an Etsy shop! I think she'll have items in it sooner, as I'm still doing Christmas gifts, but Adalind helped me make the first prototype! They're currently just called Little Ears hats, but I have a lot of plans for them including colors and decorations:

I crocheted it up quick using some bulky yarn and an H hook, while watching Terra Nova and House M.D. I also had a migraine, so I'm sure I could make one an hour, at least, without interruptions, like wandering around to get snacks, or laughing at silly commercials.

I always say I need to get better at blogging, but instead of saying it, I need to just do it! Here's to more posts in the near future!

*RBL: "Radiance" Blythe mold: fourth Blythe mold; possibly closest to the original Kenner; largest eyes; first released in 2005

**FBL: "Fairest" Blythe mold: first released in 2009; my personal favorite mold

A Domo's Guide to Making Cupcakes

2011-11-20T21:37:00.001-05:00

Starman Domo and Snowflake Domo would like to show you how to make cupcakes.

Snowflake Domo: This is a big grape!

Starman Domo: Indeed, but I don't think we can put it in the cupcakes...can we?

Snowflake Domo: Probably not. It's too big!

"I'll get the oil."

"I'll get the water!"

"Next we set the oven for 350 degrees. That's Domo Melting Temperature, so be careful."

"We have to attach the beater thingy to the big mixer."

Domos like things that are their size.

Snowflake Domo: "This is our little secret to make box cupcake mix not taste so boxy. A little bit of vanilla extract always helps baked goods."

Starman Domo off camera: *snickers* "can we call you Martha Stewart Domo?!"

"These cups are rather large, Snowflake Domo."

"I agree, Starman. I thought these would be Domo sized?"

"These are BIG."

Starman Domo: "Can we use these?!"

Snowflake Domo: "But it's not Halloween!"

Starman Domo: "What? So! Look at these little spears!"

And then Starman Domo proceeded to chase Snowflake Domo round the counter with little spears with happy pumpkins.

Starman Domo: "I like these much better."

Snowflake Domo: "ay gov'na."

"It's party time! These are much more fun than beer bottle caps."

"Oy, I got me a top hat gov'na! Oy, tall lady! Can we send um to me mates 'cross the pond?"

Yay, filled muffin cups!

"Can we use these now?"

"Is it spear time yet?"

"I know we need these to make sure they're cooked! You can't try to tell me otherwise! I READ IT!"

Waiting for cupcakes is so HARD and takes so LONG.

"Yay cupcakes!"

23. Leaves are autumn's equivalent of spring's flowers.

2011-11-14T23:33:00.001-05:00

23. Leaves are autumn's equivalent of spring's flowers., a photo by OnePinkHippo on Flickr.

Dropped Stitch in Completed Project

2011-11-12T21:59:00.001-05:00

I finished a Blythe hoodie tonight, and was seaming up the sleeves when I noticed I had dropped a stitch in the back:

I stuck a crochet hook through it to hold it, but I have no idea how to fix it. Frogging it back is not an option. Can I just pull a piece of yarn through and tie it? Think it'll hold?

Thanks!

22. Lola's Adventure in Wonderland

2011-11-07T23:04:00.001-05:00

Lola and Domos had an adventure and explored the autumn leaves and playground behind the house the other day! I love this weather, and autumn is my favorite season. Plus, there's tons of leaves and wood-chips for Domos to use for fights. Silly Domos. More information on them later.

I also tried to crochet a Blythe dress, but the bodice came out too boxy.

I'm not too sure why. It could be because the yarn is stiff, or because I need less stitches for the underarms. I'll frog and figure it out, after Christmas gifts.

And I had an amazingly productive weekend, on the Blythe clothing front, so once I find some time to take some pictures I'll post those as well.

Poor dear abandoned blog. I'm sorry! School gets in the way, and I had a weird emotional week that had me out of things for a while, but all is good and back to normal now.

Christmas crafting time!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T23:53:00.002-04:00

New Eyes!

2011-10-30T00:53:00.004-04:00

School has done a great job impacting my crafting and Blythe time, but I try to sneak it in there, at least a few rows or rounds a night. Even though Coral had been finished a few weekends ago, Zooey laid around in pieces for a bit until last weekend when I finally had time to put her chips in and her body back together. I made a quick mosaic of their new chippies. Both girls got slightly matted with a magic sponge, though I kept both girls' eyeshadow and lipstick, as well as Zooey's blush.

Coral's New Eyes:
Top: Floral from milkywayblythe; Yellow Actionoid from CoolCat
Bottom: Green 20 line; Yellow and pink Plum Blossom, both from CoolCat

Zooey's New Eyes (I wanted her to have more natural/normal looking eyes, whereas Coral could have kooky and crazy ones that went with her personality.)

Top: Pale gray Plum Blossom; Dark pink Actinoid

Bottom: Dark green 20 Line; Brown Plum Blossom, all from CoolCat

Both girls have left facing greens! I did that on purpose.

And next I'll introduce my new girl, Lola, by the brilliant Sarah/EssHaych, who by creepy coincidence, has left facing greens as well!

Mosaic Mondays: Coral by Four

2011-10-05T00:17:00.001-04:00

20. Coral by Four, a photo by OnePinkHippo on Flickr.

This was an accident, but I really like how it came out! I just got around to uploading it today, though I made it on Monday so it still counts! I also just got around to putting all my pictures on Flickr.

Poor Zooey's still in pieces, and Coral hasn't had a decent photoshoot yet, but the weather is partly to blame for that. I have started a hoodie for her.

Hopefully I'll have more time this weekend to blog. I'm being swamped with readings, quizzes and tests for school.

And since it's October, that means I need to start Christmas gifts! I have everything planned out and all the yarn, I just need to get started.

More updates sooner rather than later!

Hippo Progress & Granny Daughters

2011-09-18T22:35:00.001-04:00

I really need to get back into using my cameras, both my DSLR and point-and-shoot, as I've gotten lazy and rely on my iPhone. It can take okay pictures, but it's main purpose isn't as a camera, so it doesn't have the best.

Anyway, more progress on my hippo, Pastiche:

I've started decreasing for the head. That big blob of red that looks like lipstick is where the snout will go. I love the pooling!

This is how I usually am sitting though:

And yes, she's sitting right on the pattern. I usually have to move her at least once a night. She sits on anything I'm working on, be it the computer, a knitting pattern, or homework. She's there. Silly Arwen.

And I found a possibly handmade knit sweater in an old box that had American Girl doll clothes in it, and of course had to put it on Susie!

After seeing my friend Jeanette lay out all her granny daughters I had to do it with mine:

So many! I couldn't fit all the rounds around because of the furniture but it's a good idea of the size. Unfortunately, I think I'll need a few more swaps and a couple hundred more to make it fit my bed. Last count was 563 so I'll need 157 more to make it to 720. With two partners that's...like a swap and a half. Not too bad! Now to just join them all. But the "join as you go" technique isn't that bad.

What I really need to do, now that I'm inspired, is to lay out the squares for other blankets I have/need to finish:

The Amoeba-Ghan

Grandma's 80th birthday afghan, which looks like it's 81st birthday now

2009 Afghan, using 12" squares from Craftster and Ravelry CALs and 6" square from the Ravelry CAL

Happy Summer Hexagon

oh, and my Homespun Primary Colors Granny Square afghan

The Happy Summer Hexagon afghan I think I've done two hexagons? I think I need to buy some more yarn for it. But it's the perfect motivator to find the cord for my point-and-shoot and get snapping!

Evolution of a Hippo

2011-09-17T23:25:00.000-04:00

Harriet the Hippo

by Rebecca Danger

19. I want a Middie!!

2011-09-12T23:43:00.001-04:00

19. I want a Middie!!, a photo by OnePinkHippo on Flickr.

My next girl might be a Middie! They're so cute and delicate!

Two Of Us

2011-09-12T10:54:00.002-04:00

If you read this blog religiously, than you've of course heard of my good friend, the lovely, talented, and totally awesome Sarah/EssHaych. Way back in March she jumped on the Blythe Bandwagon with me and purchased a Simply Thumpty Thump, the sister of Coral. (For non Blythers, Takara released a set of three 'Manga' Girls, Simply Sparkly Spark, Simply Bubble Boom and Simply Thumpty Thump.) We have about 10 emails going back and forth, one dedicated to Blythes. We share shops, photos, clothes we've made, and customizations. Unfortunately there's a large mass of salt water more popularly known as the Atlantic Ocean that separates us; I'm in the United States and Sarah is in England.

I was reading the blogs I follow, and after seeing Mason Dixon Knitting got a wonderful idea. Why don't Sarah and I start a blog like them!?! Theirs is mainly knitting, and they're separated by distance as well; Kay lives in Manhattan and Ann lives in Nashville. For their posts they write to and update each other on their crafty progress. Why can't Sarah and I do that, only with the theme of Blythes rather than just knitting? Of course we can. Thus EssHippo Blythes was born!

Ours not only has posts concerning Blythes, but free (!!!) patterns and a Blythe database. When we get the blog on its feet we hope to have shop reviews and interviews. So definitely check it out! Even if you haven't been bitten by the Blythe Bug, after reading the blog you just might!

So what are you stil doing here, silly? Go check us out!

Dyeing Yarn: Day II and the Finished Yarn!

2011-09-11T21:53:00.002-04:00

I've finally gotten around to blogging about my finished yarn! It's divine, and I love the process. Next time I think I want to try hand-painting it, but I really liked the ice cube method.

After the ice cubes froze and I soaked my wool (smelly!) I laid the yarn in a Pyrex dish and arranged the cubes so there wouldn't be two reds right next to each other.

Domo helped.

Here they are in the dish:

Hearts and bunnies!

I only had to leave them out there for about an hour before they melted.

OoOoO pretty!

Then I had to cover it with plastic wrap and microwave it so the dye would set. The resulting steam made a funny bubble.

Then I rinsed it twice, once just in water and again using Eucalan, and let it dry. Then I made a Kool-Aid cake!

Yay! I love it! I like how there's still spots of white in there. I started knitting a cowl, but I think I'm going to make a hat instead. Here's what a few rows of it looks knit up:

And the details:

Name: Children's Colorbox

Method: Kool-Aid Popsicle Dyeing

Bare: Wool2Dye4 Tweed

Weight: Worsted

How much: 181 yards/100 gram skein

I'll definitely be doing Kool-Aid dyeing again. In fact, I splurged at the grocery store yesterday:

And by splurged I mean 15 packs for $3. I have some colorways in mind, and some will be sent to England, but I love how cheap Kool-Aid is, and it creates beautiful colors on yarn!

I can't wait to buy some more bare yarn and dye, dye, dye!

Après moi le déluge

2011-09-09T12:05:00.000-04:00

Hopefully this will be one of the last Apocalyptic Weather/Mother Nature Gone Awry posts and I can get back to my regularly scheduled crafting, but it's been raining for days and shows no signs of letting up. Between Hurricane Irene and this, the remnants of Hurricane Lee, we've had maybe two or three days of sunshine. It's been pouring rain since at least Monday, along with thunder and lightning. DC is in a swamp, and there are a lot of low-lying places around here. Yesterday evening was the worst for rush hour, as half the Beltway was closed due to flooding! The ground is saturated and like a sponge, and there's cricks that have turned into rivers all over the place. At Mason we have a nice sized pond that houses fish, turtles and a flock of geese who my friend and I go and throw bread to at odd hours of the night. (Last time we went it was 3 AM. The geese were happy though!) I wasn't feeling too well yesterday, I had this weird dizzy feeling, and was antsy about driving, plus the rain, plus the fact 4.30 is around the start of rush hour I wanted to get home. So I decided to leave early and heard girls talking about road closures in the bathroom. I checked my email, and it said Mason Pond had flooded and part of the road was closed. I knew I was definitely leaving. Walking towards the parking lot, this is what I saw:

Yeah, that brown? That's the road! The pond had overflowed down the road!

Here are some more shots of the road:

We had to walk down and cross at a raised crosswalk and a bridge over the outflow ~~crick~~ river.

It looks like the Everglades.And here's a shot of the Coca-Cola truck braving the waters:

Fairfax County Public Schools are closed today but Mason's classes are still on. Since I don't have class on Friday, I've decided to take advantage of the nasty weather and turn today into a craft day, so except to see FOs soon!

Weekend Projects

2011-09-03T09:02:00.000-04:00

I really liked having a "thing to do every day" again, but I don't think it's really going to happen with school. I really need to focus this semester if I want to graduate, and so I can just take two classes next semester. So I've decided to start a new feature, Weekend Projects. I'll still have Mosaic Monday, WIP Wednesday, and Squares on Sunday (so long as squares are being produced) but no more Favorite Things Friday. I haven't done that in a while anyway. So for this weekend I need to finish my Blythe sweaters for Flickr user mellow is me. Look at the cute skirts I'm trading for!

(clicking the image will take you to mellow is me's photostream)

I have one almost finished except for the sleeves. In between migraines it's been really hard to try and knit with size 0s. Thankfully my neurologist gave me a 12 day Prednisone, so I'm back at school and migraine free. I've been trying to knit those sleeves, but have had to frog it like 5 times. I'll set that one aside, and start the second one, which will have ribbing on the collar and ruffs, rather than the first one's garter stitch/roll collar. Then they'll be sent out!

I also want to try and fix my sewing machine, and this is a four day weekend, so I might be able to get to it, especially since I need a pencil case for my art class, but I don't want to put all that pressure on myself and be unable to finish. We'll see how the weekend goes.

Classes were good. This semester I'm taking:

Greek Art. A good size class, and plenty of people who haven't taken an art history course before and are wondering if the pictures she goes over in class will be in the assigned reading or do "we have to search around in the book." Direct quote. My friend and I just sighed and rolled out eyes. 300 level course, use the index!
AVT: Introduction to the artist's studio. I've been dreading this class, which is why I've waited to long to take it. It's a drawing class for non-art majors, but it's required for my major. I'm terrified because I can't draw, but the professor is an ethnomusicologist, and he said he can't draw stick people. His TA is the artist. So I don't feel so bad. We drew our hands on Thursday, and mine didn't look that bad. You could tell it was a hand. There are some people that do worse, and some that are better. But he's grading us on attendance and our willingness to learn, so I'm not too worried. Go and draw for 75 minutes.
Meso-American art. There's about 14 people in this class! I took a Meso-American anthropology class a few semesters ago but dropped it (migraines) and would have preferred to focus on the art anyway. I really like Meso-American cultures, and it's great when you briefly discuss Teotihuacan and then it's on Ancient Aliens later.
Western Medieval art. Big class again. I'm hoping this gets more interesting, but we just went over Rome. I think next week is the Romanesque and Early Byzantine art. I like when we get into the meat of the classes, and not all this syllabus stuff.
Monuments and memory in Asia. A seminar, which means 3 hour discussion of: the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, Bamiyan, Dunhuang, Forbidden City and Mao's Mausoleum, Potala Palace, Angkor Wat and Nikko and Katsura. I'm taking it with one of my favorite professors, so it won't be that bad.

I might also be able to get a minor in folklore and mythology, which would be great. My main interest is in mythology, and the art works that have come from the myths.

Hopefully this weekend I'll find some time to get caught up on all my FOs! I've finished 22 but have only blogged about 2.

A Domo a Day!

2011-09-01T10:33:00.001-04:00

A Domo a Day! , a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

A Domo a Day wrap up! (I accidentally missed a day.) It's going to be weird not having to take a picture of my Domo every day, but knowing me, and he's so small, I'm sure I'll take him round with me everywhere.

Hurricane Irene hits Upstate New York

2011-08-31T22:26:00.000-04:00

My grandparents live in Upstate New York outside of Albany and between Saratoga Springs and Schenectady. They were hit really bad by Hurricane Irene. This is my grandparent's house; those trees have been up since my dad was young.

!!! Crazy. And this is a burger place on the Mohawk River at the bridge between Schenectady and Scotia, just down the river from where we cross on our way to my grandparent's house. It looks like a scene from Katrina!

Insane!!

More crafting soon, as I have finished (and started working with!) my yarn from the Kool-Aid Popsicle Dyeing, I just need better pictures. And there will be a new feature for the weekends as well.

I'm all shook up.

2011-08-30T22:11:00.001-04:00

One week ago, I definitely was. I was sitting on my mom's bed on my computer, and my mom was in her chair to my left, reading. We were sitting here, minding our business, and suddenly we hear a low rumble. We look around at my mom's chair, because when the cats run back and forth they seriously sound like a heard of elephants. There weren't any cats to be found! The house was still shaking, and we were looking around, wondering if a really really heavy truck had gone by or if someone was working on a neighbor's roof. (We live in a townhouse.) It suddenly dawned on me that we were having an earthquake and should probably get into the door-jam, but before my brain could send the command "move!" to my arms and legs it was done and over with. I think we sat gaping at each other longer than the actual quake lasted. "Was that just an...a...an earthquake?" Sure, we watch a ton of movies and History Channel and know what they're like, and what to do when one strikes, but in Virginia!? Unheard of! (Well, in 2006 we had one, I believe, but I don't know anyone who felt it.) My mom and I took our cell phones and the land-line downstairs to look out the window, because it seriously still has to be a truck. All our neighbors are outside, saying "did you feel that?! Because I did!" We tried calling my dad in DC, and finally got through on the land-line, as the cell lines were down. He felt it too! The first time I ran back upstairs to check the TV, coverage about Gaddafi was still on. I rapidly texted like 5 people, as texts run on a different system than cell towers. We slowly went back inside, and got on the phone with my aunt who had been through the Whittier Earthquake in 1987. She was freaked, and was like "yeah, definitely a quake." CNN was finally updated, and texts started to come back in from friends up and down the East Coast saying that yes, they had felt it as well. After I rounded up my forever kitten, Susie, who had hid under the guest bed in the basement and whose tail was fluffed all big, and fed Arwen, who didn't do much during the quake except it apparently made her hungry, we watched the breaking news.

The East Coast suffered a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. The epicenter was in Mineral, Virginia, about 87 miles outside DC. (Between Fredericksburg and Charlottesville, for folks who know.) It was 3.7 miles deep, and was felt up and down the east coast, into "Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Martha's Vineyard, Boston, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Detroit and up to Toronto" or so the scattered notes I took last week say. My aunt who was vacationing in Cape Cold felt it. We also had two aftershocks within the next hour, and a 4.5 magnitude aftershock at 1 AM.

I've collected some information, and it turns out that even though we're in the middle of a tectonic plate, and that there are two earthquake-susceptible zones, the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, where this one occurred, and the Giles County Seismic Zone. THIS website has a lot of pictures and information about Virginia earthquakes. It also turns out that due to our location in the middle of a tectonic plate, seismic waves travel "disturbingly far in such stiff, cold rock" which could be why it was so widely felt. (Source)

This was the damaged we suffered:

Poor Zooey fell over. (Zooey, the Blythe formerly known as Hester)

The box of tissues, along with my mom's books and binders fell over.

I know it's not much, and nothing to get excited about, but it was completely unexpected and a very big wake up call.

It was very unnerving. I not only had dreams I was in an earthquake for the next few nights, but as a bright and sunny autumn Tuesday, it really reminded me of 9/11. I was in middle school then, and at school when everything happened, but when I came home I remember what it was like, and it was too similar: the constant news coverage; the frantic phone calls and telling my dad to come home NOW. (he was in the middle of a telephone hearing, and didn't leave! He works near Capitol Hill, and the Capitol and CNN building on the hill had been evacuated but he didn't leave. Silly man. Then it took him 3 hours to get home because the Metros were crowded and then there was a fire. I know, right.) It was definitely a jarring experience, because no one really thinks that we're at risk for earthquakes. I just hope we don't get any more aftershocks, though Amy Vaughan, a geophysicist with the USGS Earthquake Information Center in Colorado says "'for the size earthquake that occurred, I think the number of aftershocks so far has been remarkably low. I don't know if that's an indication of things to come or not. ... There's likely there will be some more, but I don't know for how long and how large.' Aftershocks could be expected 'for days, if not weeks,' Vaughan said. 'A size like this probably wouldn't go into months, but it very well could.'" (Source)

Interesting earthquake links:

the Washington National Zoo's press release about animals reacting to the earthquake
Five myths about earthquakes (that we all believe)
DC earthquake devastation photos (definitely click this!)
Even Domo was unnerved!
and, why having a Twitter comes in handy:

(xkcd)

Now back to regularly schedule crafting posts, and hopefully no more Apocalyptic earthquake/hurricane combination weeks.

Oh! I forgot to mention the best thing. My grandparents have a house on Lake George, and when one my aunts called to see if they felt it and were ok, my grandpa told her a big wave had come and washed part the dock away! Hahah! It didn't, and they didn't feel it, but they did get hit pretty bad by Irene.

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T17:51:00.002-04:00

Hurricane Irene aftermath., a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

The horror!!

I just turned on CNN, and there's some bad flooding in Vermont, so I feel quite lucky that we didn't suffer from anything. We didn't lose power, and I'm on a hill so there's no flooding here. I'm sure in low lying places in DC have flooding, but it does with any heavy rain. I haven't driven around at all, so I don't know if any trees are down, but we didn't get anything bad. It's still breezy outside and there's no humidity, so thanks Irene!

Yesterday it got really bad after 1am, only because the winds picked up. I think it started lightning as well. I had a massive migraine, so I was asleep for the majority of the day. One of our window screens fell out, and another window sprung a leak. My mom and I could also hear the chairs scraping across the deck, but that was about it. Seems like we were just really lucky, especially since we aren't anywhere near the coast.

Here are some pictures of Irene, in all her destructive beauty:

Caught by the NOAA/NASA GOES-13 satellite, two days ago, when she was nearly a third of the size of the entire East Coast.

The International Space Station passed over Irene Wednesday.

My photo from Friday when my dad and I stopped by the grocery store. On the mayo was left! They were also selling boxes of 6 1 gallon jugs of water, and people were buying those up right quick.

Click HERE for pictures from the Flickr Blog.

And here's a video of a newscaster who's really depressed all these people are out and about. (NSFW, one guy flashes the camera.)

Hope everyone is safe and dry!

Dyeing Yarn: Day I

2011-08-26T21:56:00.001-04:00

A few Fridays ago I mentioned my Try It/Dye It Kit from Wool2Dye4.com. In between migraines and earthquakes (more on that later) I was able to start!

I decided to take advantage of the Virginia summer's heat and humidity and follow the tutorial I found on Kool-Aid Popsicle dyeing. Fun, easy and solar powered, just the way I like it. Yesterday I decided I would make my ice cubes. Turned out into a bigger event than I thought it would be, because things for me are hardly ever easy.

All supplies ready! I didn't have any plain square old-fashioned ice cube trays, and had to use hearts, Santas, bunnies, and long thin rectangles that fit in water bottles.

Yay primary colors! Except for green. Stupid green.

I need things to be really precise so I mixed 1/2 cup of water with one packet of Kool Aid. From top to bottom: Cherry (red); Berry Blue (blue); Lemon Lime (green); Mango (yellow). And then I had to pour them into the cute little cubes.

Now I really thought I'd end up with perfect little multi-colored hearts and Santa Clauses to put on my yarn, but I apparently don't have a steady hand, and am a complete failure at pouring liquid into ice cube trays.

Exhibit A.

Kool-Aid also stains, so I had to watch out for our white kitchen counter, and threw a cookie sheet under there. Thank goodness for stainless steel, or whatever it was, because the Kool-Aid liquid mixture didn't stain it. (It ended up mixing all together, and making ucky brown.)

I ended up doing another round of Kool-Aid packets, and then didn't gauge the room in the freezer properly, so I have about 3/4 cup of blue and green Kool-Aid and water sitting on my counter, waiting to be turned into bunny cubes.

Here they are, sitting in the freezer, looking nice and pretty, not like the little evil demons they were to create.

Hopefully before the hurricane hits us tomorrow, I'll be able to throw them outside and let them do their thing. If not, I have to wait until Monday.

I also learned a lot while doing this. Such as...

Kool-Aid smells disgusting. The mango mix smelled good, but the cherry was overpowering, and I don't even know what the berry blue and lemon lime smelled like. Then they all mixed together, and it was this sweet, fruity nasty smell, like fruit had been rotting in my kitchen.
Kool-Aid stains. This was a given, as my kit and Maiya Knits said "make sure to wear your gloves!" I'll make sure to wear gloves then I throw the cubes on the yarn, but when I was a kid and made this stuff, I don't ever remember it staining my hands or clothes.
Which brings me to another point, I drank this stuff. What American kid doesn't like Kool-Aid? But it dyes yarn, what the heck did it do to my insides? Sure, coffee, tea, berries all stain and we eat those, but those are natural, and since this is some weird powder, it just creeps me out. Like, if it turned out Tang was actually ground up asbestos.
My children will never drink Kool-Aid.
Square cubes would have been much easier, for pouring purposes especially. It was a lot easier for me to pour into the long rectangles than trying to get the bunnies and hearts filled nicely and without spilling.
Make sure to measure the freezer next time, so I don't have a glass of Kool-Aid sitting on the kitchen counter.
Thank goodness for water's concave meniscus. The what? It's is the curve in the upper surface of a standing body of liquid to the surface of the container or another object, and water has a concave meniscus which occurs when the molecules of the liquid attract those of the container's, causing the surface of the liquid to cave downwards. (via) If it wasn't for that, when I carried the trays of cubes to the freezer, Kool-Aid would have been everywhere. I could even see the little 'bubble' or curve and was just thrilled the water didn't spill over.
Do dark colors first! A little yellow in your blue won't make green, but a little blue in your yellow will. (Which is why it looks like I have all green bunnies.)
Paper towels are the best invention ever.

All in all, it was fun, and probably would do it again. I just can't wait until I get to start working with the yarn!

And once we survive the hurricane, I'll update everyone on the Virginia Earthquake. (Yeah, we felt it!)

18. A Domo a Day Week II Wrap Up

2011-08-15T22:09:00.001-04:00

18. A Domo a Day Week II Wrap Up, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

WIP Wednesday!

2011-08-10T23:49:00.002-04:00

WIP Wednesday!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

I love this new app I found for my phone, PicFrame. I can easily make mosaics using the pictures on my phone instead of uploading and doing it on the computer.

Anyway, current projects:

Top: working on the legs and snout for a pig amigurumi I started making at the end of May. Woops. I just hate sewing on those bitty parts.

Bottom: acrylic squares for the Knit-a-Square charity.

Right: Domo modeling a Blythe sweater for a swap.

17. A Domo a Day Week I Wrap Up

2011-08-08T23:32:00.002-04:00

17. A Domo a Day Week I Wrap Up, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Squares on Sunday

2011-08-07T22:16:00.000-04:00

First block joined for my grandma's afghan! This will be the center square. Since I've unfortunately been sick I haven't been able to join any more, and am not too sure if the afghan will be ready for when my daddy goes and visits the 15th, but I'll try.

On the top left we have #129 Anemone, then #94 Gothic Square. On the bottom left is Easy as ABC and then #42 Lacy Wheel. All block patterns except for Easy as ABC came from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks. (Easy as ABC came from HERE.)

Since I was sick but still wanted to knit, I started a charity project which I'll post on more later. But when I frogged a square, Arwen decided to help.

Last 3 days of the 30 Days of Knitting Meme

2011-08-07T01:03:00.002-04:00

It's about time I finished this! I started this in what...February? And since I only have three days left and I'm wide awake I figure I'll finish them now.

Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides knitting? What are they, and did learning to knit come before or after learning these other crafts?

(This question should be what crafts don't I do.)

I learned how to crochet a month before I learned how to knit. I was visiting my grandma, and asked about what she was doing and she taught me. I came home with an I hook and fugly acrylic yarn and crocheted funny little gauge swatches. I decided to visit her a month later and she said she would teach me how to knit! It took me a lot longer to learn how to knit, and for designing purposes I understand crochet better. Maybe because the stitches are like Lego blocks and are just stacked right on top of each other, but I just understand it better and the composition. Even though I can understand it, I wouldn't describe myself as being solely a knitter or solely a crocheter. I love both crafts and am grateful I know how to do both. (I know way too many people who can do one and not the other.) Sometimes I will crochet for a few months straight and then come back to knitting, and sometimes I can knit and crochet in the same night. It just depends.

I also know how to sew. I learned how to sew from my mom when I was little, but I only stitched by hand. I wanted a sewing machine, but with elementary and high school, along with extra-curricular activities (and all my other hobbies) it wasn't feasible. After I hopped on the knitting and crocheting train, and found crazy mom quilts amazing designs I realized that I did want a sewing machine. I really enjoy sewing, though not as much as knit/crochet. I have a serger as well and just found the instruction manual so I will be serging soon. (I also found a pattern to make a little monster online that requires a serger. Perfect!)

My mom also taught me how to cross stitch when I was little. I like it, but it takes a long time. Since then I've branched out into embroidery, but neither are as serious as knitting or crocheting.

As for new crafts I'd like to learn? I have a yarn dyeing kit, a drop spindle with roving, and a "learn to needle felt kit." I just can't get enough!

Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from knitting?

Off the top of my head the only one I can think of is doing the cable cast on with a crochet hook. I used to do the "knit on" cast on technique, but when I was knitting a Blythe sweater the cast on row looked really bad. I never liked doing the cable cast on because I could never finagle it properly and the yarn would always split. The other day it dawned on me to use a crochet hook, and it works perfectly! So just instead of using the second needle, using a hook!
*KnittingHelp.com's webpage on Casting On*

Day 30: What’s your name on Ravelry? If you don’t have a Ravelry account, why?

My account on Ravelry is OnePinkHippo. I also have progress bars for my WIPs on the right sidebar. If you don't have Ravelry, I seriously suggest you sign up. It's not in the beta stage anymore and you can get an account ASAP. It's the best way to keep track of my stash and projects. My mom isn't too technically advanced (Baby Boomer!) and keeps track of her project details in a little notebook, but I love using Ravelry. I can easily access (as long as the Internet works...) a project and see what size needle/hook I used and what yarn. Since I love photography, it's also convenient to keep pictures on there along with all the details. One of the best things is that you can see what other people's FOs look like; hear their complaints or praises for a design, yarn, project; see different yarn; and talk to other Ravelers on their message boards. It's the best website I've found for people that share my love of knitting and crocheting. They recently expanded it to include a hand-spun yarn category as well as a weaving category.

Well that wasn't too hard, was it?!

Favorite Things Friday: Dyeing Yarn!

2011-08-05T21:57:00.001-04:00

Please bear with me. I'm completely out of it. I'm on a cocktail of Butalbital and Prednisone to cure a migraine and I feel completely stoned out of my mind. I've slept all. day, and I'm not even exaggerating. But, as a dedicated blogger, and because I'm so excited about my wool dyeing kit I felt it was necessary to yammer about my dye kit. So if this post seems rant-y, or doesn't make sense you know why. I apologize.

I just bought a knitting magazine, and you know those few pages of advertisements they have before the patterns? There was a "how to dye yarn with Kool-Aid" kit from Wool2Dye4.com. It was only $20, and since I've always wanted to dye yarn and it will fulfill a requirement for my 101 in 1,001 I decided "what the heck" and bought it. It arrived today!! In the one hour I was awake I was able to open it and was all excited.

(Domo not included.)

I decided to get the Try-It/Dye-It Neckwarmer Kit so along with all the items necessary for dyeing (heh) it also came with a neckwarmer pattern. It came with spoons, gloves, two sample packets of Eucalan wool wash, directions, yarn...basically everything. What a great idea! I got four packs of Kool-Aid: Mango (which I'm guessing will be yellow?), Berry Blue, Cherry, and Lemon-Lime. I can also refer to THIS for what colors, but I'm not too sure about how it will come out because I'm not dyeing playsilks, and I don't really care which color it turns out to be as it's my first time!

As soon as I recover, hopefully next week, I'm going to dye yarn, and of course photograph every step. I found a tutorial on Kool Aid Popsicle Dyeing and I think I'm going to do that method rather than using the oven or microwave. (I heard if you use grape flavored Kool Aid in the microwave then your kitchen will smell like grapes for a few days!) I really like the idea of it being solar powered, adore the colors she came out with, and will be able to use the Washington DC heat and humidity to my advantage. (An hour? Pff, mine will melt and set in about 15 minutes.)

I'm really excited and wish I could try now, only it's night and hasn't been sunny outside, and I can barely walk from the bed to the bathroom. Curses migraine medicines!!

Stay tuned for Kool-Aid dyed yarn goodness!

Outtakes Wednesday: Week 1 // WIP Wednesday

2011-08-04T00:50:00.003-04:00

I've had so much fun taking pictures of my Domo in public I end up taking more than one. And it's so hard decide which one should be the picture I've decided to make a mosaic on Wednesday with the "outtakes." I know when I go to New York City in a few weeks I know I'll take like 20 pictures a day of my little Domo. So I present to you Outtakes Wednesday, Week 1:

Outtakes Wednesday: Week 1, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

1. (top left) from ADAD 1: Milagro does the Domo mouth!

2. (top right) from ADAD 2: Lord of the Eggs

3. (bottom left) from ADAD 2: Alex O'Loughlin! He's our man! Woo!

4. (bottom left) from ADAD 2: I found a video about Britons exploring a Wal*Mart. One of the things they thought was quite strange is that we keep our iced tea in petrol containers! After sending the video to Sarah/EssHaych she commented on it that it was quite strange. And when I was in the store I had to get a picture!

Stay tuned for Monday's week 1 wrap up!

WIP WEDNESDAY

Oh no, normal features will not be interrupted! As far as WIP Wednesday goes:

1. I'm knitting two Blythe sweaters for a swap with mellow is me on Flickr. (to be finished ASAP)

2. As previously mentioned I'm joining the squares for my grandmother's afghan. (to be finished by the 20th)

3. My Blythe sized Domo Sweater Dress prototype is on hold until I finish #1. (Did I mention I frogged the Fair Isle because it was too tight? It's looking better now.)

4. Stephanie Sun replied to my question about her Commuter Fingerless Mitts. I feel a lot more confident on finishing, as I was quite confused on how to switch from DPNs/in the round to the straights. Even though #1 and #2 take precedence I might need to sneak these in somewhere. :3

5. I was crocheting a piggeh amigurumi for my friend Dana but I only finished the body and never got around to making legs, a tail or the snout. I know it'll only take me an hour, but I've been putting it off because I hate attaching pieces to ami's. Gr. There has to be an easier way. They're so fiddly, and I get annoyed when they're not on perfectly. I really need to finish this by the time August is through.

Photography projects for August

2011-08-01T23:11:00.015-04:00

ADAD 1: Domo meets Milagro, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Two photography projects are going on in this nice hot month of August.

A DOMO A DAY

The first is going to be similar to Every Day in May. Every day, using my Instagram Camera App on my iPhone, I'll take a picture of my Domo-Kuns. I haven't decided if it'll be a month of Snowflake Domo, but that's what I'm leaning towards. He's smaller and more portable, especially when I'll be in New York City later this month, and school the last few days.
I think, like EDiM, I'll keep a running chart of all my photos on here. You can see them every day on the ADAD Flickr Set, and on Mondays I'll post a mosaic so as not to spam ya'al with Domo love.

Day 1: Domo meets Milagro
Day 2: King of the Yogurt
Day 3: Sick Day, In Bed All Day
Outtakes Wednesday: Week 1
Day 4: Domo feels quite small in a rather large world
Day 5: Domo interprets my dreams
Day 6: A tisket, a tasket, a Domo in a basket
Day 7: Domo makes first contact.
Day 8: There's something lurking in the soda aisle...
Week 1 Wrap Up
Day 9: Vroooooom!
Day 10: Hospital waiting rooms are boring.
Day 11: Domo enters Khazad-dûm
Day 12: Domo and Co.
Day 13: Hold Me Closer, Tiny Domo
Day 14: Domo in pieces
Day 15: Domo isn't speaking to me since we aren't in NYC
Week 2 Wrap Up
Day 16: Ready for a journey!
Day 17: That's some serious hummus.
Day 18: So many tomatoes!
Day 19: It's very empty here.
Day 20: Just Domo
Day 21: Domo had an adventure today!
Day 22: Little known fact, Domos don't like water.
Day 23: Domo feels the effects of the Virginia earthquake.
Day 24: Skipped! Woops.
Day 25: Domo taunts the rain gods. "Show me your worst!" he yells.
Day 26: Domo and the Brain
Day 27: Domo chooses my nails for the upcoming week.
Day 28: Domo helps with Kool-Aid Popsicle Dyeing.
Day 29: Domo is pleased with today's classes.

AUGUST SCAVENGER HUNT

Not happening. Will try again for September!

Happy Photography August!

Squares on Sunday: Squares Complete!

2011-08-01T00:35:00.002-04:00

Squares complete!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

I've finished all the squares for my grandma's afghan, and have begun joining them! Soon I'll have a list of all the squares I've done and where they are in the afghan, but not tonight. I'm wiped!

Goodnight!

Favorite Things Friday: New Domo Edition

2011-07-29T21:12:00.002-04:00

New Domo!!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Rich Domo in da hizzouse, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Yarn lava, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Celebrating Domo-Kun!

WIP Wednesday: Early Morning

2011-07-27T01:01:00.001-04:00

*yawn*

This is one of my (many) WIPs. I had an idea the other night to make a Domo sweater for my Blythe. I found yarn in my stash in brown, white and red, though it's worsted and sport weight. I'm knitting in it Lion Brand Microspun, and even though I'm using US 1s it's coming out chunky. I think it's going to be a chunky sweater coat rather than sweater, but that's ok. Plus, my stranding/Fair Isle is a little tight, but it looks good! I hope to work on more tomorrow.

Goodnight!

A-Line Blythe Dress

2011-07-26T15:06:00.002-04:00

7: Baby Blue, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

This is the first item I sewed for Coral! It was a test to make sure I could sew small things on the sewing machine, and to sew clothes in general. I don't have much experience with that. The pattern is from PucchiCollective, a great information site for Blythes. It wasn't that bad, actually. It was just one piece. The worst part was sewing the blue fabric to the grey lining, especially round the armhole and neck. I think I got the hang of it now. I also need to learn how to cut better, because the two pattern pieces didn't match exactly. (I can't even cut in a straight line! I don't know what I'm doing cutting fabric, let alone not redoing kindergarten! Heehee.)

I have a few more waiting to be sewn, but my sewing machine bobbin has a glitch and makes these nasty little knots. I think I need to give it a good cleaning and replace the needle.

Speaking of machines, I found my serger book! My parents have me a serger like 3 years ago, and then for the past 2 years I didn't know where the book was, but I finally found it so I can get serging. I even found a pattern to do, a little monster. Once I get more comfortable with it, maybe it'll be easier to make Blythe clothes? We'll see.

16. Domosaic

2011-07-25T14:03:00.002-04:00

16. Domosaic , a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Squares on Sunday

2011-07-24T23:59:00.002-04:00

Grandma's Afghan!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Almost finished my grandma's afghan! I laid out all the squares, and have found a different layout. I'll put four 12 inchers in four corners, and then have the 6 inchers in double rows in the middle. This way, at the time of this photograph, I had only one 6 incher left and one 12 incher left to do. I've finished the 6 incher, and am almost finished the 12 incher. By next Sunday, I should have the complete layout.

I'm going to join using Priscilla Hewitt's flat braid joining technique in purple, and then I think some sort of granny square round border, one round in white, one round in green, and then perhaps one more round in purple.

Now I'll be able to give it to her in August. Unfortunately, almost a year and a half late, but at least I'll have my wish of giving it to her in person.

Donuts!

2011-07-24T00:04:00.001-04:00

My mom was sewing a little bag to keep our Scrabble pieces in, but she had all her pins in the little plastic bag it came in on her nightstand. That's not too cool, especially since I have nosy cats who like to steal sharp objects. So I made her a donut:

A donut with sprinkles, that is!

Donut Pincushion by Nevadamama

Yarn: Caron Perfect Match in Brown; Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Natural Heather

Hook: US 3 (3.5 mm)

Somehow I didn't follow the directions exactly, and instead of crocheting it circularly, I ended up having to join it. I did the frosting correctly.

It crocheted up quite quickly, only a few hours.

I think I'll be making another for my aunt who sews!

Zooey!

2011-07-22T23:05:00.002-04:00

Zooey spam, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Formal introduction of my new girl, Zooey!

Dolly clothes and FOs/WIPs to come, ASAP!

Blog Award!

2011-07-14T00:26:00.001-04:00

The lovely Sarah/EssHaych has nominated me for the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award! Thanks a bunch, my dear! ♥

To continue the trend, here are 7 facts about myself:

I've played the violin since I was 10. I'm 23 now, and play it occasionally, but really need to get back into it.
I really enjoy going to the grocery store, and getting the mail.
My dad started me on my love of art. When I was little we'd go to DC to the Natural History Museum (which I called the Dinosaur Museum) but before we went home we'd always stop by the National Gallery of Art.
My favorite band is Pink Floyd.
If I could go anywhere right this very minute I'd go to England.
My favorite place in the world is Lake George, New York.
I learned to knit and crochet within a month of each other. I learned to crochet first, and found knitting more difficult, but I eventually got the hang of it.

And to nominate three blogs, even if they don't see this post...

EssHaych, though you don't have to do it again! I just love your blog.
Attic24, for her colorful crocheted goodness.
Mochimochi Land, for her stunning knit amigurumis.

State of the Blogger Address

2011-07-12T22:39:00.000-04:00

So, I've been thinking about this blog, (because it's totally normal to daydream about one's blog...) and the direction it's heading. I'm not really good at keeping up with it, though I know I can be. And I'm getting more and more addicted to Blythes, and thats where the majority of my crafting has gone into. I was thinking to make a new Blythe based blog to stop spamming my followers. But then I thought I only have like 15 followers anyway, and I'm probably not going to become Blogger famous anytime soon, and why did I even start this blog? For me, about me and my crafting endeavors. If people want to join the ride, that's fine by me, the more the merrier, but I didn't create this blog as a "comment and love me so I'll become popular" type thing. It was just a way to track what I do, as a journal for my creativity that's available to everyone and that I can accent my entries with pictures. So I've decided to keep up with this blog, and just let it do what it wants. It may turn into a Blythe blog, but I'm okay with this. (It is my blog, after all) If people want to read, I'll be glad to have you, and if people don't, that's fine. This is just one of my many pieces of the internet, this one specifically for crafts, Blythes, and photos.

♥

WIP: Fingerless Mitts

2011-07-11T23:51:00.001-04:00

Meet Zooey!

2011-07-09T02:05:00.002-04:00

My Chocolate has arrived!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

A lot has been going on recently, but I had to let everyone know my Simply Chocolate arrived today! She'll be opened in the next few days. *squee!*

15. Goodies from Sarah/EssHaych

2011-06-29T02:02:00.002-04:00

15. Goodies from Sarah/EssHaych, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Fun package for Coral from EssHaych! Blythe related items include: hangars, which I need to find a Barbie wardrobe or something, because I want to hang all her clothes up; an earflap hat that she wants to wear now; a Domo sweater!!; an adorable miniature letter from Zoe; a baby blue Eggbert to go with the pink one she sent me earlier; an Eggbert TLC kit, because the aforementioned pink Eggbert(a) has one leg left; and a miniature yarn basket! I need better pictures of it. There were also goodies for me in the form of candy and scented pens (yum!) and tons of Royal Wedding items for my mom, including a little teapot! Thanks dear! I'm working on getting one out to her by the end of the summer. I have a little stack of Blythe clothes on my sewing table.

The dress Coral is wearing is a Donutzie dress by the talented kimberlymunn on Etsy. Fabulous! It's a little donut!

Recently I haven't even finished anything "human" sized. Everything is Blythe sized. It doesn't take long, maybe a night or two or crocheting, and that instant gratification is awesome. And I think it wakes up the little kid in me. :]

Mosaic Mondays: Chocolate

2011-06-21T21:55:00.002-04:00

15. Blythe Simply Chocolate, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Celebrating Simply Chocolates this week, because Coral is getting a sister!! She's my prize for, once again, getting through a semester. This one has been tough, though it's only been 3 weeks, filed with a lot of migraines, depression, pure laziness, and even a panic attack. So she will be well received.

Post Day #1

2011-06-08T22:45:00.001-04:00

Today I had a great post day, and bought some things at Wal*Mart as well. Of course, they're all Blythe related, but that's ok. (I suppose I should say Coral had a great post day.)

Anyway, I...er...she received 5 pairs of shoes from Taiwan today! We got four pairs of Mary-Janes, and a pair of orange Wellies. We got four because the proceeds went to the Japan relief funds. In Wal*Mart I went into the doll aisle to look for some clothes, just to see what they had. I know Blythes can wear some Barbie clothes, and I believe Moxie as well, whatever those were. I saw some Lin doll clothes and got Coral a jacket that fits very nicely. I also got some lightweight white cotton that I'm going to use to make a fancy dress, maybe from THIS pattern. I've already made the A-Line dress from puchicollective, and I like it a lot.

Anyway, Coral with all her new loot:

I lovelovelove her new coat! Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to go outside and get better pictures, as it's more turquoise rather than blue. It also came with some armwarmers, which might turn into legwarmers. As you can see, Coral loves her Wellies. We have some plants to get into pots in the next few days, so those will come in handy.

I also laid Coral out with her entire wardrobe. Whew, the girl has a lot! There are some goodies in there from EssHaych and Etsy that I'll be talking about in the next Post Day Post, and some items I've made I haven't blogged about yet.

Here is Coral in an A-Line dress I made for her (pattern from puchicollective) wearing her new shoes from Taiwan, which smelled delightful to Arwen, as she was all up in her grill. Usually The Girls don't care too much about the dolls, but today she was quite interested in what that foreign smell was! Silly kitty.

Bunny Nuggets!

2011-06-07T22:51:00.002-04:00

Bunny Nuggets, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Bunny Nuggets by Rebecca Danger

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Bonbon Print & a worsted blue
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Made for: the multi-colored one is a graduation gift for my friend Laura, and the blue one was an Easter present for my mom. They have little pom-pom tails as well!

Instead of knitting the ears separately and attaching them, I just used 4 stitches at the end of their head and knit an i-cord up that way, then stitched up the top of their head. It was a lot quicker, and less fiddly than attaching them.

Squares on Sunday

2011-06-05T21:14:00.001-04:00

One square finished for my grandma's blanket, and four that were just photographed.

Like all squares for this afghan, they were made with an I hook, Lion Brand One Pound in Lavender, Red Heart Soft Baby in Rocking Horse, and Caron Simply Soft in White and Soft Green. All patterns are from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton. You can see the whole set on my Flickr HERE.

#69: Fudge

#157: Boxed Square

#42: Lacy Wheel

#117: Granny in the Middle

#19: Lacy Cross

Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favorite?

2011-06-04T00:44:00.000-04:00

I would say I'm unable to acquire yarn now, according to my New Year's resolution, but that didn't stop me from buying 6 balls of Sugar 'n Cream that I didn't need at Michael's today. I usually get my yarn at Michael's, a 'large chain craft store' to go with their terminology. It's cheap, and I don't mind acrylic, since I make a lot of 'ghans and amigurumi, and I'm a poor college kid without a job. For more expensive yarn I like LYS's, especially one on Capitol Hill I found which I can't remember the name, and the Brooklyn Yarn Cafe on Flushing Ave. where I got my Noro Kureyon. I love KnitPicks, which is cheap, but for expensive yarn and new fibers I really like to feel it and squish it and see the colors in person. And when it comes to Noro, smell it. (If you've ever used Noro, you know the Noro smell I speak of.

On a non-meme related note, today was a fabulous mail day, thanks to EssHaych and kimberlymunn, so there will be many photos soon. And I need to start sharing my FOs!

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a knit-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

2011-06-02T11:41:00.000-04:00

Remember this?

I have been part of a KAL. Probably more than one, but I can't really remember. I do remember the most recent KAL was for the Effortless Cardigan. I was really excited, but it took me a few times to cast on and stay with the right stitch count. Then it was plain stockinette, which was boring, and I was super busy with school, so it's in hibernation right now. Hopefully I'll get back to it over the summer.

(Actually, writing this just reminded me about it! Back on the to do list it goes!)

Every Day in May, Round III

2011-05-31T23:17:00.002-04:00

Every Day in May, Round III, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Recently...

2011-05-31T00:08:00.000-04:00

...my seeds that I planted a few weeks ago have sprouted. I'm not too excited though, because all I have is 12 basil plants. My mom is freaking out. "What are we going to do with all this basil?!" But apparently I can mail them. (?) If you want a bitty basil plant, let me know!
...have nothing about migraines to report!
...saw Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End. It was ok. Visually great, plotwise not so much. But I liked the cameos of Judy Dench and Keith Richards. And Jack Sparrow is just awesome.
...have been taking a picture every day for EDiM III! My inspiration has gone down, especially with classes, but I have taken a picture every day. I haven't cheated or anything, so I am proud about that. It's weird that after tomorrow I won't have to drag Coral and my camera up and down the stairs with me everywhere.
...found a new iPhoneography application, the Pudding Camera, and have been experimenting with it. I have a new set for it over on Flickr; check it out.
...had a Star Trek film marathon for the past two days, and am Star Trek-ked out.
...finished a lot of projects I need to blog about in the upcoming days.
...finished my semester with a 2.89 GPA, which wasn't what I wanted, but I passed on my classes.
...and started summer classes. An astronomy lecture Monday through Thursday from 9.30 until 11.45, and a lab Tuesday through Thursday from 12 till 3. Waking up is a pain, and class is boring, so much so I've taken knitting!

EDiM III Week III Wrap Up

2011-05-23T21:12:00.002-04:00

13. Every Day in May III Week III Wrap Up, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Mosaic Monday: EDiM3 Week II Wrap Up

2011-05-18T13:04:00.002-04:00

12. Every Day in May III Week II Wrap Up, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Baby's First Handknit Item

2011-05-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

Baby's First Handknit Item, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Shrugs and Kisses by Maggie Baird

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Mango, which matches perfectly with her stock dress
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
Started & finished: May 4

Very quick knit. It was just a parallelogram. It could have been wider, as she doesn't really have sleeves. In fact, it's only sewed together by one stitch. And there's an odd roll in the back, but it fits!

Knitting for Blythe is instant gratification.

Mosaic Monday: EDiM3 Week I Wrap Up

2011-05-11T01:27:00.002-04:00

11. Every Day in May III Week I Wrap Up, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

WIP Wednesday

2011-05-05T00:43:00.002-04:00

WIP Wednesday, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Coral and I had a great mail day Tuesday. Not only did I get $146 back from the government (!!!) but Coral received some beige pants from BlytheKingdom. She doesn't have any shirts (yet!) so she's modeling the front of an unfinished sweater. I also made a little shrug for her tonight, so there will be information on that soon.

Mosaic Mondays: Susie on Green

2011-05-02T23:30:00.002-04:00

10. Susie on Green, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Susie poses on a green garter stitch shawl made by my mom.

Every Day in May Part III

2011-05-01T15:08:00.017-04:00

May 1st! This is the kickoff to the third Every Day in May! Year 1 it was just a picture a day. Year 2 it was an artsy picture a day, taken by Charlie. I was going to do the same thing, but then looked at the calendar. If you haven't noticed, I was set to open my Blythe, Coral, on May 6. I knew that the first five days were going to be pictures of random things, and then from the 6th on they'd be all Coral. So I changed it. I'm opening Coral tomorrow (actually later today) and it'll be 31 Days of Coral! Every Day in May, the Blythe edition! I'll probably keep them on on my Flickr, since it's big into Blythes and every Monday have a mosaic from the past week, to keep the Blythe spam down. I'm so excited!

And in this post I'll be keeping track of all the days.

Enjoy the Blythe love! ♥

~

Day 1: Free at Last
Day 2: Green Eyes, the Spotlight Shines Upon You
Day 3: Coral Meets Arwen
Day 4: May the Fourth Be With You
Day 5: ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Day 6: New Arrival
Day 7: Baby Blue
Day 8: New carpets
Week 1 Wrap Up
Day 9: Strawberry Fields Forever
Day 10: Hangin' Out
Day 11: Going to School
Day 12: Picking out Fabrics
Day 13: Strawberries!
Day 14: Bunny and Bitty
Day 15: Sick Snuggles
Day 16: Rain, Rain Go Away
Week 2 Wrap Up
Day 17: Black Holes
Day 18: Measurements
Day 19: Orange Sun
Day 20: Coral Weasley
Day 21: The Rapture
Day 22: Sick With Migraines
Day 23: Miniatures
Week 3 Wrap Up
Day 24: Eyes as black as tar.
Day 25: Baby's got new clothes
Day 26: Is this how it's supposed to go?
Day 27: Cute hat, Coral
Day 28: Orange again
Day 29: Blue through blue
Day 30: Hershey kiss
Day 31: Goodbye friends
Month Wrap Up

Recently...

2011-04-30T00:57:00.002-04:00

I had a lovely Easter, which included planting seeds (I have sprouts!) and dyeing eggs.

Have been having off and on migraines and went to 3 out of 9 classes this week.

And stayed in tonight with my kittehs and knit.

(Afghan crocheted by my grandma.)

Tomorrow: Every Day in May Part III!

WIP Wednesday in Numbers

2011-04-20T23:59:00.000-04:00

18 out of 24 6 inch blocks done for my grandmother's afghan.

3 out of 6 12 inch blocks done for my grandmother's afghan.

80 granny daughters finished for the Granny Daughters Swap Round 7 on Craftster.

10 granny daughters for my personal blanket.

7 "hexagon cookies" finished for my amoeblanket.

Recently...

2011-04-19T00:56:00.003-04:00

I've been out with a migraine, yet again. It's really unfortunate. It seems as though they've really increased this year, which is disconcerting. It was about a 6 day thing, Monday and Tuesday of last week being separate events, then Wednesday night until this morning. Nothing was working and I was in a lot of pain so I went to the emergency room, once again.

Doesn't everyone's mom take pictures of them as they're snoozing in the ER?

They started me off with a mix of oxygen, Benadryl and Reglan, which is apparently a stomach medicine, but when combined with the Benadryl has good results for migraine patients. It didn't work too well for me. It did take away the nausea, but then I was given three things (I'm not sure if it was vials, or cc's or what.) of morphine, and two prescriptions for Fioricet (a butalbital/caffeine/acetaminophen medicine) and Vicodin. When I got home I unfortunately had to work on a research paper, ironically about migraines, but with the Fioricet and plenty of water I managed to get it done. When I woke up this morning I took another dose, and have been fine! I was able to go to both my classes and even do a bit of shopping, along with some homework, so I feel great. I'm going to watch my triggers, especially since I think orange soda gave me the migraines last Monday and Tuesday, and see a neurologist once this semester is over.

Though I was in a lot of pain I still got out to enjoy the nice weather last Friday.

I've been making some "cookies" for my amoeba hexagon blanket.

A practice dress for Coral, my Blythe. She will be unboxed on May 6th!!!! and I want to have some clothes to put her in and take her around and photograph.

Cat butt!

Seed Thyme!

2011-04-11T23:13:00.001-04:00

Excuse the pun, but since it was around 80 degrees today, I figured it was best to stop by the Home Depot and pick up some seeds and start them!

I got this little greenhouse thing that I got last year. It was pots of soil and you just stick the seeds in, keep it watered, and put the plastic top over and it works like a mini greenhouse. (And it was like $6 for 72 seed pots, so I'm happy.)

For the seed pots I got:

poppies
peppers (Carnival Hybrid mix. I got this last year, but I only got yellow and green. *crosses fingers for purple!*)
thyme (common thyme; my favorite herb)
catnip (for my Girls)
basil (sweet basil; mmm, basil, mozzarella and tomato paninis!)
parsley (single Italian plain leafed; pesto!)

And for our backyard, our grow bed we got from Gardner's magazine:

lettuce (gourmet blend)
carrots
cosmos (they grow really good here, and are tall, so they'll be nice to have in the back amongst veggies)

We're also going to get cherry tomatoes, big tomatoes and I think cucumbers, but most likely from plants. I might get some green onions; we have a lot of room in that thing.

WIP Wednesday

2011-04-07T00:56:00.001-04:00

My Noro Striped Scarf, still going strong at 51 inches and I still have some to knit. This is going to be luscious when its finished.

Day 25: Do you have a knitting book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, size measurements? Post a picture of it!

2011-04-01T14:35:00.000-04:00

Wow, remember this meme? Let's try to complete it, yes?

In the little notebook I keep ...notes, patterns and ideas. In the binder behind it (which has the schematic for my grandma's afghan) I keep projects I'm working on now. I have three binders that aren't pictures: one for printed knitting patterns, printed crochet patterns, and printed sewing patterns, which includes small patterns.

That wasn't so hard was it?!

Goodies from England

2011-03-31T22:03:00.001-04:00

Currently:

reading: The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown

listening to: Autolux

drinking: ginger ale

wishing: I didn't have a migraine and could crochet!

I got some goodies from England via my Pen Pal Plus, EssHaych/Sarah! (Go check out her blog!)

First package was some sweet notes and some stamps!

I'm no stamp collector, but I saw that the UK was issuing stamps with fantasy characters on it. Cue geek/nerdom. There's two from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (which I need to read), two from Harry Potter, two from Arthurian legend and two from the Chronicles of Narnia. (which I need to reread) They're really little works of art, and I'm lucky to get them in a fancy schmany package. Now I just need to find a place for them. They are NOT going to be pasted on postcards.

Then I received a box!

Inside was Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro, which is apparently now a movie, but I've never heard it of. (They probably didn't have it over here. Lame.) I look forward to reading it. I think it'll be next. And an adorable unicorn journal! It's so cute! I want that plushie.

And because we share candies as well:

Awesome chocolates! These won't be eaten, they are so cute! The "MADNESS" hamster one says "Every night they visit you/ Every night they come/ And bit by bit/ They steal your brain/ And feed it to their MUM." Kinda unnerving. I would have been freaked if I had gotten a hamster as well.

Thanks so much, and look forward to a package soon! I have everything, just need to box it up.

Oh, and a knitting 'toon:

(via lumensilta)

Progress

2011-03-29T22:38:00.000-04:00

Progress on the Primary Colors Guilty Pleasure Granny-ghan. It's coming along nicely, it's very warm when I work on it. And there was a sale at Michael's (when is there not!) and bought another skein of Golden and Colonial. (the blue) I really liked the way the blue frames it, and I wanted it to be a bit bigger. I'm looking forward to see how it turns out!

(And no, I haven't broken my 2011 resolution to buy no more yarn. That was there mainly to prevent me from buying yarn to ~~hoard~~ stash. Besides, this is stashbusting!)

Mosaic Mondays: Blythe Edition

2011-03-28T18:54:00.001-04:00

1. just Bubble Boom, 2. campari, 3. Pretty in pink, 4. Simply Bubble Boom. Candy Chips., 5. ginny, 6. Astraea Modeling a New Sweater Tunic/Dress, 7. This Time She is RBL face mode . Woooooo!!!, 8. Scarlett, 9. Scarlett

Celebrating Blythe's Simply Bubble Booms because I just bought one!

I don't have details or better pictures yet because she's my "yay, I ~~survived~~ finished another semester" present for myself, and the semester doesn't end until May. I really want to open her up and play, but I have to wait until at least the end of April.

Soon she will be formally introduced. Along with her miniature fabulous handmade-by-me wardrobe.

Mitered Crosses Blanket for Japan

2011-03-24T21:24:00.001-04:00

Kay Gardiner of Mason Dixon Knitting has created a beautiful blanket square pattern. All download sales will be donated to the Mercy Corps for Japan earthquake/tsunami relief work.

It's a beautfiful square, especially when knit is gorgeous shades of Noro. So go forth and download, donate, and knit a blanket using luscious Japanese yarn!

Purchase via Ravelry.

A Large Square for Sunday

2011-03-20T23:36:00.001-04:00

Please excuse the horrid lighting in this picture, but this is my newest project. Despite the fact I have a lot of projects to do, and a lot of other afghans to do and finish first, I decided to gather all my Lion Brand Homespun together and crochet a big granny square. I have 4 balls, so I'll probably need more, but I'm not there yet. It's all primary colors: I have two skeins of red, a skein of gold and another of a dark blue. It'll be red, yellow, blue then red again. Hopefully (crosses fingers!) it'll be a decent size by then and I won't need to buy anymore. Since I've been stressed recently it is nice to do granny rounds, which I love, and make something that's for me and doesn't have a due date. It's just a nice project to enjoy and watch grow.

Recently I...

2011-03-18T23:02:00.002-04:00

was out of commission for two weeks with a rebound migraine. It was pretty intense, and I was given a shot of steroids which made it go away the next day.
had a midterm, an essay, and abstract with annotated bibliography due the week after I recovered, but successfully got it all finished, and hopefully excellent grades.
am on spring break.
am not in New York City like I had planned, but stayed here to catch up on all the readings I missed, which turned out to be a lot more than I expected. I'm actually glad I did; I think I'll be really prepared for my upcoming exam on the Silk Road.
enjoyed the nice weather.
have pictures to post from St. Patrick's Day, but cannot locate the camera cord to my DSLR (Charlie).
cleaned my room, bathroom, and sewing room.
made a delicious uber veggie soup, which I will post.
started a granny square afghan out of Lion Brand Homespun.
finished a hat for my mom, a Christmas present.
jumped on the Blythe bandwagon.
want to keep updating this blog regularly!
and have more reading to do before I fall asleep.

Oh migraines.

2011-03-05T13:59:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day in about three weeks where I feel more than 50% okay. I'm tired, but that's probably from all the medicines. It's the first day this week without a migraine, where I can see and think clearly, and actually get stuff done. I don't even know where to start, but I have a lot of homework to do.

It seems like I gave myself a rebound headache:

The overuse or misuse of pain relievers -- exceeding labeling instructions (such as taking the drug three or more days per week) or not following your doctor's advice -- can cause you to "rebound" into another headache.

When the pain medication wears off, you may experience a withdrawal reaction, prompting you to take more medication, which only leads to another headache and the desire to take more medication. And so the cycle continues until you start to suffer from chronic daily headaches with more severe headache pain and more frequent headaches.

Pain reliever overuse appears to interfere with the brain centers that regulate the flow of pain messages to the nerves, worsening headache pain. (WebMD)

I get a minor headache and get scared it will get more powerful and I'll miss class so I take medicines. It starts a cycle where each small headache I get requires more medicines, and the frequency increases, so I'm stuck with off and on headaches, thus taking medicines. I thought that me getting glasses would help, but it was already too late; I had taken way too many. I suppose I had basically overdosed. I was then struck with one of the most powerful and violent migraines I've ever had, though now powerful enough to drive me to the emergency room. (I did beg my mom a few times.) It was sharp, like a hot needle was stuck in my brain, and it was so recent just typing about it I can remember what it felt like. It also switched sides, so I knew it wasn't a cluster migraine. Those are in one area for a prolonged period of time. I know on Wednesday it went from the right side of my head, to my left, back to my right, and by the time I went to sleep that night it was on my left. It was so terrible, and I couldn't take any medicines because that would just make it worse. (In fact, I did break and took some Vicodin and it made it worse, then later took Treximet and it came back with a vengeance.)

I was finally able to go to the doctor yesterday and we rearranged my medicines. I definitely need to work on exercising, and have gone full vegetarian, so I'm forced to eat more vegetables = a lot better. My meds have been increased, and now I know a lot better how to not give myself a rebound migraine. She also gave me a shot of steroids ~~and some Charlie Sheen~~ and I feel so much better. My arm still hurts, but I'm awake and able to type and when I read I can fully comprehend what I'm reading. (Which means I can read for school. When I have migraines and try to read none of it sinks it.)

I just really have to watch what's going on with my medicines, because there is no way I'm letting this happen again.

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out?

2011-02-24T20:54:00.000-05:00

I have yet to dye my own yarn, but I have two crochet block patterns!

Vera's Spike Stitch Daisy

Wagon Wheel Granny Square

Which reminds me, I should take better pictures.

Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?

2011-02-24T00:07:00.023-05:00

Another blanket! I am such an afghan and blanket crocheter. I have four in progress (granny daughters, happy summer hexagons, my grandma's 80th birthday and swap hexagons) as well as squares from 2009 that need to be joined, but I'm jonesing for another blanket fix.

Granny Stripe Afghan // Attic 24

I might have enough yarn to do this. I have a bag of random full skeins of worsted yarn, but I'm tired of having scrapghans. I'd like something with a set color combination.

Color Bar Blanket // Cat Mazza, from Stitch 'N Bitch: The Happy Hooker

I love granny squares. And color. I want to do one of these so bad. I have an image of color bars that I'm going to use, but I really can't afford to buy more yarn and where would I even put it? Plus, I have like 5 WIPs and various UFOs all over the place. Maybe some of those single skeins of worsted I can put towards this.... hm, idea!

Babette // Kathy Merrick

Log Cabin // Kay Gardiner and Anne Shayne, from Mason - Dixon Knitting

photo courtesy justfeltcreative

And I would love to do either of these in a specific palette, maybe pinks for the Babette and muted tones for the Log Cabin.

Oooo, now I'm frustrated because I want to start all of these!!

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them?

2011-02-22T23:16:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately. For a time during my senior year in high school I had three best friends, and I made them all fuzzy Fancy Fur scarves like my first project. I never saw them wear the scarf and promptly scratched them off my list, though one friend who spent a year abroad in China was put back on the list and received an octopus holding a Chinese flag for her birthday.

Day 21: Do you knit gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?

2011-02-22T23:15:00.000-05:00

Yes I do, though the presents are usually late. My parents always get something for Christmas, and I'm two behind on a set of placemats and coasters for my aunt and uncle. I've got my grandma's 80th birthday afghan still unfinished, with about 8 square to go, and for my other grandma I have a ripple shawl planned. Her birthday is March 4th, and I haven't started so I doubt that will get done.

Day 20: Do you knit in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?

2011-02-20T23:15:00.000-05:00

I do. I've taught a few people, though I'm not sure how much it stuck because they didn't have needles or yarn with them. Usually people are pretty curious about it. In fact I was knitting before class and this guy was fascinated by it and was just staring at me, mesmerized.

Day 19: Do you watch movies and/or listen to podcasts while knitting? What are your favorite things to knit to?

2011-02-20T00:12:00.000-05:00

I usually watch movies or TV when I knit. The TV's almost always on History Channel, so it's not like Jersey Shore is on all the time. Sometimes I listen to music, but usually I'll listen to some of my records since they aren't portable. But I just got glasses today for distance, and I was trying to knit earlier, and had my glasses on to see the TV, but can't focus close up so I had to ditch the glasses and move to the floor so I could be closer to the TV. I might be sticking more to watching movies on my computer or listening to music now.

I've tried to listen to audiobooks as well, but those are a snooze-fest. You can't beat a book.

Day 18: Do you knit English or Continental?

2011-02-20T00:10:00.000-05:00

I thought it was Continental, because I hold the yarn in my left hand. But apparently "the motion of bringing the yarn forward with the needle held in the other hand" is picking, which I don't do. So, I guess it's more of a hybrid method.

Either way it gets the job done, and I enjoy it.

Day 17: Have you ever had a project that you loved become ruined? What’s the story behind it?

2011-02-20T00:06:00.000-05:00

This was one of my first "real" projects. I think it was the first one after I graduated from simple garter stitch scarves. It was a 1x1 rib with a slit in it. After you were finished, you'd gather the ends together and have two pom poms.

Here it is modeled by Muttsey:

I was really thrilled, because it was a muted camouflage color yarn, and I had beige worsted to make the pom poms. I think I wore it twice and a pom pom fell off.

After a few dozen failed attempts at making pom poms (they're difficult to get so even!) and my cats being loaded down with pom pom toys, I decided to just give it a fringe.

It's not nearly as cool. If I still have it, I should suck it up and make some pom poms for it, because it really was cute, and I worked hard on it. This was back in the day when 1x1 ribbing was a pain in the ass, and doing that slit in the middle was the hardest thing I had ever done.

Day 16: Have you ever had a knitting related injury?

2011-02-16T23:26:00.001-05:00

Actually I have! I had tennis elbow a few years back, which

...is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is commonly associated with playing tennis and other racquet sports, though the injury can happen to almost anybody.

Tennis elbow is an overuse injury occurring in the lateral side of the elbow region, be more specific, occurs at common extensor tendon that originates from the blah blah medical speak... (source)

Apparently it's because I was use my left hand to throw the yarn. (apparently I knit Continental?) I think it was more from crocheting, but it didn't stop me or slow me down.

Day 15: What was your least favorite pattern and why?

2011-02-15T20:23:00.000-05:00

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any. I know I've had problems, but I think they've been with me. I know I've had problems with some 12 inch square patterns that I've had to ~~translate~~ get clarified but nothing that I can even remember.

Day 14: What’s the worst yarn/fiber that you’ve worked with and why?

2011-02-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

Novelty yarn, ugh.

I hate it because it's so temperamental and obnoxious. Trying to work with it on its own is impossible, so using it with a strand of worsted acrylic makes it less tedious, but I'm still not much of a fan.

That being said, I still have a lot from the Dollar Store (it's yarn...for $1!) and it's great for adding things such as hair and details to amigurumi.

Day 13: Do you have yarn that you love but can’t find a project for?

2011-02-14T23:16:00.000-05:00

I have two skeins of this Knitting Fever Cashmere Luxury Chunky, one each of the teal and purple, and don't know what to do with it. I think I only have enough for a hat.

And I have some Malabrigo, worsted weight in Dusty Olive on the left, and lace weight in Purple Mystery, but I'm not sure if I have enough or what to make out of either.

And I have some gorgeous handspun yarn, but only a skein or two of each and don't know what to do with them! I need to flip through my One Skein book.

Day 12: Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!

2011-02-12T23:06:00.000-05:00

Ah, my beautiful, glorious, humongous stash.

It's been reorganized since. In the blue box on the far left has yarn I've purchased with a pattern in mind. The big yellow box has my true stash, just yarn yarn yarn. And there's some SpaceBags in the back with unfinished afghans and cotton.

For 2011 I'm working on decreasing it. We'll see how that goes...

Day 11: Do you have a “Knitter Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share!

2011-02-12T15:33:00.000-05:00

Gosh, there's so many. Just a few...

Knitting:

Knitting in the Red
Knit and Company (the best knitting pictures of tumblr)
and I recently stumbled upon Kathryn Ivy's blog.

Crochet:

EssHaych, though she needs to update more!!
EASY
Bunny Mummy

I have a ton on my Ravelry favorites, so check those out, too.

Fiber Friday!

2011-02-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

This post has been delayed for ages, I apologize.

A few weeks ago I received some amazing fiber packages in the mail from Jeanette! The first was full of fibery squishyness.

My first roving! The one on the left if Corriedale, and the green was is from her first spinning kit, and she hand-dyed it herself! Yummy.

These colors are so her.

And a little lace heart!

Then the next day I got a package from KnitPicks, the New to Spinning Set!

It came with a handy bag, bare Wool of the Andes roving, a view sizer thingy and a Turkish spindle!

I'm so excited to start spinning, though I don't think I have the time now. I think spinning is going to be what I do over the summer. Thank you so much Jeanette! ♥

Day 10: Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?

2011-02-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

I don't have a favorite "go to" pattern, except for washcloth ones, but I do have some favorite designers:

Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land. I was lucky enough to take a class with her to learn how to make her adorable baby gators. I love her quirky knit amigurumis.
Beth Doherty of GourmetAmigurumi. Another amigurumi maker, this time working in the traditional crochet. I love the colors she uses and how she adds fabric and other cute details to give her creations personality.
Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed. Just go look at his beautiful knit designs and photographs. Go. He really has an understanding of fibers and knitting construction, and his designs are just fabulous.
Lucy of Attic24. I am incredibly jealous of the colors this woman uses. It's like a color-gasm reading her blog. As a fellow color lover, I am enamored.
Jan Eaton. She's my afghan square goddess, author of both 200 Crochet Blocks and 200 Knit Blocks. Check out her Ravelry design page; she's done a lot more than these two amazing books. (And these books are totally necessary for every knitter and/or crocheter.)
Stefanie Japel. I have Fitted Knits and I want to knit everything from it. I just love the sweaters and cardis and such she designs; they can fit in any wardrobe. Her blog is a good read as well.
Hansi Singh. I first found her on Ravelry with four of her realistic amigurumis: a cuttlefish, octopus, dumbo octopus and squid. Since she's expanded to include more patterns (like a chameleon) and wrote a book, Amigurumi Knits. In comparison to Mochimochi Land's and Gourmet Amigurumi's amigurumis, Singh's are more realistic, rather than cutsey and kawaii, but they're cute in their own right.

Day 9: What fiber or yarn do you love working with?

2011-02-10T21:06:00.000-05:00

I'm too cheap to be a yarn snob, and will use acrylic, especially Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice. Wool is okay. It's a bit scratchy. I don't think I could wear a pure wool sweater. I'm just starting to use an alpaca and wool blend for my Effortless Cardigan - Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light - and it's a dream.

But I think my favorite is cotton. I love cotton yarn. It's cheap, comes in tons of colors, and can be used for everything. I normally use it for washcloths or cat toys, but it can even be used for sweaters. It's soft yet strong, and gets better with washings. I love it.

Day 8: What’s your most challenging project?

2011-02-09T00:09:00.002-05:00

It's turned out to be the Effortless Cardigan. I'm in the knit - a - long for it, so I should have all the help, but so far I don't require help from other people, it's just me. I'm not feeling it, I guess. I've already had to frog it twice, the first I didn't have enough stitches and the second because the increases got messed up.

I don't know how to do the M1L and M1R increases (where is this bar in the middle?) and I have a weird way of casting on so it comes out all loose. I think I should just suck it up and do it, especially since on the cast on row I'll be picking stitches up so it'll hide it. I've just been busy and when I do have the time to knit I don't want to do something complicated, especially if I'm winding down in front of the television. (Which means my Noro scarf is growing rapidly.

Maybe I'll get to cast on [again] this weekend.

Day 7: Your least favorite?

2011-02-08T00:42:00.000-05:00

I can't really name one because they usually get frogged. I can say that I've had more problems with crochet patterns than knit. But because that's a lame answer, I definitely think my least favorite was the first time I tried to knit socks. They've since been frogged, but I have the pictoral proof.

I started last April, a nice variegated baby yarn to get me into the hang of knitting them before I moved on to my nice sock yarn. Everything was going ok, all 8 inches of ribbing, except for a few ladders. I put it on hold for a while (actually, until October) when I came back and decided I didn't need to sit in a quiet room when starting the heel, how hard can it be? (I usually watch TV or movies when I knit.)

I ended up with this:

See the problem? Most socks are supposed to look like this:

...where the heel is on the same side as the cuff. In my picture my heel is on the left side and the cuff is on the right. I turned the heel perfectly fine, it was just on the wrong side of the sock!

I debated continuing and making a hybrid monster sock thing, but eventually decided to frog

But hopefully soon I'll knit that cake of yarn into a legit pair of socks.

Day 6: What is your favorite piece that you’ve knit?

2011-02-06T23:24:00.000-05:00

Probably my Reverie Beret. It's the handknit I wear the most.

Day 5: How long did it take from the time your learned how to knit, to finish your first project?

2011-02-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

Probably a few months. I don't remember, honestly. I know I made 5 of those Fancy Fur scarves, and was pretty much done with garter stitch and novelty yarn after that. I didn't keep as better track as I do now, mainly because now I have a blog I can yap about them on and Ravelry. I have pictures on my other computer, but I'm in the middle of doing homework, and if I start looking at old pictures and reminiscing things will never get done. (Though this reminds me to check out those old photos.)

I think the same goes for crochet. It was a long scarf crocheted lengthwise in a rainbow yarn. I think it was an old version of Caron Simply Soft. It's taller than I am, has fringe, and I still wear it, I love it. It's more of a muted rainbow and the dominant color is pink. I'll try to take pictures ~~tomorrow~~ when we get sun, because it really is beautiful. I know I chained like 200, then did 5 or so rows of sc, 3 or so of hdc, 2 of dc, and then went back down. It was like a sampler scarf, I suppose you could say.

Hopefully these questions will get more interesting and I can post pictures!

As far as progress, everything has pretty much come to a halt because I am loaded down with homework. I knit my Noro scarf for about an hour last night while I watched Fringe (which was intense) and that's about it. As far as my Effortless Cardigan goes, it's languishing in a bag, the cast on and set up rows down, and I'm waiting to hear back from people in the KAL if I can get away with doing just M1 increases or if I should really go and learn how to do M1L and M1R. I'd like to learn the new technique, but I don't want to mess up my sweater, but I want it to be wearable. And don't even ask about Christmas presents, ugh.

(Now I wrote all this in about 3 minutes, but my simple 3 - 4 paragraph blog post for my 400 level seminar has me stumped. Curses higher education!)

Day 4: How did you learn how to knit?

2011-02-04T23:53:00.000-05:00

My paternal grandmother taught me. She used to knit, crochet and quilt like a bad ass, though that was before the arthritis took over her hands. I have two quilts from her, dozens of hats, and at least two sweaters. In fact, I think I was the only grandchild to get this intarsia sweater that had a big bear on the back. She made it too big but I wore it anyway. I know I have it in a box downstairs somewhere.

I went to visit one summer and she was crocheting a large afghan. For some reason I asked what she was doing and showed me the basic stitches. I took to it immediately. (Now I want to go find my old swatches!) I came home, bought some yarn and made a scarf. I went back to visit a month later and she decided to teach me how to knit. It was a lot harder, but after a lot of practice I learned it as well.

Now I'd say I'm equally talented in both crafts, though I find it easier to design in crochet. I'm really glad I can do both; I know a lot of people that can just do one, and that the other is so difficult, but for me I can so straight from crochet to knit and back again and it doesn't phase me at all. There are definite differences, and each has their strengths and weaknesses, but I like how I can do both.

Day 3: Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?

2011-02-03T21:09:00.000-05:00

Yes. I don't think I've ever had just one WIP.

Currently I'm still working on my Daddy's Grumpasaurus for Christmas. I freaked out because it was ripply, but the nice people on Ravelry helped and said to stuff him a lot and he'll even out. I finished the majority of his head and body, but am waiting to put his face on because I have to embroider, and have to be more awake to embroider than I am right now, even if it is just few straight lines.

I'm also doing squares for my grandma's afghan, but the Noro Scarf has taken precedence.

I had hoped to cast on this weekend two other small items, but I have a lot of homework and readings to catch up on so I'm not sure. I want to make John a "magic" mushroom, and my mom an amigurumi owl for Valentine's Day. I also want to make myself a heart garland from this pattern a la Bunny Mummy, but I doubt I'll have the time for all that.

But since blog posts and homework is finished I'm going to go cast on for my Effortless Cardigan, yay!

Day 2: What is currently on your needles?

2011-02-02T15:09:00.002-05:00

A Noro Striped Scarf!

Day 1: What was your first finished project?

2011-02-01T23:13:00.001-05:00

My first knit, like most knitters was a scarf. I can't remember which one was "first," but I remember the first few I did. The first was a garter stitch scarf for my Daddy in a beige mystery yarn I probably got from my grandma who taught me to knit. I got bored with it and there were plenty of holes in it, but I cast it off and gave it to him and he still wears it, even though it's quite short. (He has another short garter stitch scarf, which reminds me I should make him a proper one.)

The second, or other first scarf I made was from Lion Brand Fancy Fur, which is now discontinued. It's this stuff:

image via aneemull

It was just this yarn with no plain acrylic like a lot of knitters use with novelty yarn, in this exact colorway on US 13s in all garter stitch. It was a fast knit which is probably why I didn't get bored with it as quickly. I wore it a ton, even though it looked like a fuzzy caterpillar around my neck. It turned out to be one of the warmest scarves I own, and I still wear it today.

I made more scarves like this, but that story is going to wait for Day 22.

One Pink Hippo

Twelve Days of Christmas Domo

A Domo a Day

Dear Blog (and followers, if there's any left),

ADAD 001/365: Happy New Year's!

**AVERT YOUR EYES, MOTHER!!!***

Blythe and Therapy

Meet Adalind

A Domo's Guide to Making Cupcakes

23. Leaves are autumn's equivalent of spring's flowers.

Dropped Stitch in Completed Project

22. Lola's Adventure in Wonderland

Happy Halloween!

New Eyes!

Mosaic Mondays: Coral by Four

Hippo Progress & Granny Daughters

Evolution of a Hippo

19. I want a Middie!!

Two Of Us

Dyeing Yarn: Day II and the Finished Yarn!

Après moi le déluge

Weekend Projects

A Domo a Day!

Hurricane Irene hits Upstate New York

I'm all shook up.

Hurricane Irene

Dyeing Yarn: Day I

18. A Domo a Day Week II Wrap Up

WIP Wednesday!

17. A Domo a Day Week I Wrap Up

Squares on Sunday

Last 3 days of the 30 Days of Knitting Meme

Favorite Things Friday: Dyeing Yarn!

Outtakes Wednesday: Week 1 // WIP Wednesday

Photography projects for August

Squares on Sunday: Squares Complete!

Favorite Things Friday: New Domo Edition

WIP Wednesday: Early Morning

A-Line Blythe Dress

16. Domosaic

Squares on Sunday

Donuts!

Zooey!

Blog Award!

State of the Blogger Address

WIP: Fingerless Mitts

Meet Zooey!

15. Goodies from Sarah/EssHaych

Mosaic Mondays: Chocolate

Post Day #1

Bunny Nuggets!

Squares on Sunday

Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favorite?

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a knit-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

Every Day in May, Round III

Recently...

EDiM III Week III Wrap Up

Mosaic Monday: EDiM3 Week II Wrap Up

Baby's First Handknit Item

Mosaic Monday: EDiM3 Week I Wrap Up

WIP Wednesday

Mosaic Mondays: Susie on Green

Every Day in May Part III

Recently...

WIP Wednesday in Numbers

Recently...

Seed Thyme!

WIP Wednesday

Day 25: Do you have a knitting book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, size measurements? Post a picture of it!

Goodies from England

Progress

Mosaic Mondays: Blythe Edition

Mitered Crosses Blanket for Japan

A Large Square for Sunday

Recently I...

Oh migraines.

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out?

Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them?

Day 21: Do you knit gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?

AVERT YOUR EYES, MOTHER!!!*