Don't be alarmed, it's only some bullet points...
+ I went to karaoke last night for the first time in 2010 (so overdue), and a fun time was had by all, HOWEVER, there are bruises forming on my thighs from the light up tambourines. Who knew it was such rough activity?
+ We recently tripped down to the electric Melbourne for a dear friend's wedding and a short break for shopping, eating, boozing and family time. I am still missing it, especially the shopping and Suga.
+ I am in the market for a new pair of jeans, and it seems to me that these steel plated jeans would be perfect for keeping my legs protected in any skirmishes that occur during my morning commute on casual Friday.
+ Mishka's Smokey Eye Tutorial: the only one you will ever need for your remaining lifespan (I don't claim to know anything about afterlife fashion, so I can't guarantee any further than that). I tried this last night, with 100% success, even being quite the makeup greenhorn that I am.
+ Taking a nerdy turn now, the upcoming Persona 3 Aigis Heavy Arms Version PVC figure is pretty special (the smoke and shells got me immediately). I would consider it if I didn't already have all the Persona 3 figure I needed in my delightful Elizabeth 1/8 Scale PVC Figure. Oh yeah, and if I was made of money. Something that puzzles me is the limited edition of this being SANS Heavy Arms. I like to think about big issues.
+ Tired of buying crappy plaster figurines for the unicorn enthusiast in your life? Take it to the next level with Unicorn Meat, and see just how much of an enthusiast they really are.
25 April 2010
17 November 2009
ding dong merrily on bloody high
My least favourite time of year approaches, and I look to one of my favourite things to try and keep off the annual Xmas blues - crappy craft. Obviously, Etsy is a source of awe and inspiration (and money wasting), but it also a hotbed of crappy craft. The most prominent examples of this can be found on the ever-disturbing Regretsy.com, which I am sure you know.
In a recent trawl, I came across one particular thing which stuck out as being totally non-crappy and fantastic, and I had to share - Christmas Goods Gift Claim Tags. I love these and what they are about, and if I had my own big family gathering to attend, I would snap them up (but I'll probably make up an excuse to get them anyway). They are such a great take on the big gifting ceremonies of Xmas morn, which I remember so fondly from the olden days.
+ This amputee panda USB hub is at the top of my terrifyingly cute Xmas list.
+ Hungry? Itchy feet? Feel like eating a flag? Me too.
+ Also helping get me through this tiresome month: Dita, Cascade Green, Simpkins Barley Sugar, and Worcestershire Sauce. Oh yes, and air conditioning.
In a recent trawl, I came across one particular thing which stuck out as being totally non-crappy and fantastic, and I had to share - Christmas Goods Gift Claim Tags. I love these and what they are about, and if I had my own big family gathering to attend, I would snap them up (but I'll probably make up an excuse to get them anyway). They are such a great take on the big gifting ceremonies of Xmas morn, which I remember so fondly from the olden days.
+ This amputee panda USB hub is at the top of my terrifyingly cute Xmas list.
+ Hungry? Itchy feet? Feel like eating a flag? Me too.
+ Also helping get me through this tiresome month: Dita, Cascade Green, Simpkins Barley Sugar, and Worcestershire Sauce. Oh yes, and air conditioning.
15 October 2009
Torquil
Allow me to introduce another special member of the family...
This is Torquil, the Earth Knight.
The pattern came from a book I received as a gift: Creepy Cute Crochet, by Christen Haden. This book was awesome: apart from the super cute patterns, I learned some invaluable lessons from the incredible attention to detail, the neatness and stitch choices within some of the more advanced patterns, and especially the exquisite finishing touches. This is not a book for absolute beginners, there are some real challenges here, but I would recommend it to anyone who likes crocheting small, cute, and occasionally creepy (though I'd be more inclined to call them geeky, not that I mind) amigurumi.
This is Torquil, the Earth Knight.
The pattern came from a book I received as a gift: Creepy Cute Crochet, by Christen Haden. This book was awesome: apart from the super cute patterns, I learned some invaluable lessons from the incredible attention to detail, the neatness and stitch choices within some of the more advanced patterns, and especially the exquisite finishing touches. This is not a book for absolute beginners, there are some real challenges here, but I would recommend it to anyone who likes crocheting small, cute, and occasionally creepy (though I'd be more inclined to call them geeky, not that I mind) amigurumi.
13 October 2009
The Three Heads of Allen
The last however many months have been filled with the humdrum activities of daily life in the suburbs, which I tolerate, the most noteworthy positive things being our holiday to Japan, I turned 30, my niece turned 1, and we moved into a bigger place.
Craft wise, the usual ebb and flow has occurred. I finally completed what was once my secret Christmas project for Nick somewhere between then and now, which was... a crochet Cerberus! This project was ambitious in many ways, and as usual, slowed to an extra crawl in the construction stages, but I made it! Cerberus was dubbed by his new owner: “Allen”.
Big props to MrsThallium for sharing her wondrous pattern, and Suncatcher Eyes, well, for the eyes.
Post Cerberus, I spent our mild winter making winter woollies for various people. I became obsessed with variegated yarn for a short while, since it makes things look more interesting than they really are, and the changing colours and textures kept my attention span in check. I have been particularly digging on tweed yarn, of which I originally bought a skein of the most hideous colours I could find for some hobo gloves for my brother. I then actually realised that it is gorgeous to work with, and can look very cool in the right context. A beanie for each of us followed, though I finished my own in the last week of “cold” weather we had, so didn’t actually get a wear in. Whoops.
I’ve more recently fallen back into amigurumi, and taken the daunting step into using purely my own patterns, rather than the splicing together of all the wonderful patterns out there. Who knows how it will end (or if it ever will).
Craft wise, the usual ebb and flow has occurred. I finally completed what was once my secret Christmas project for Nick somewhere between then and now, which was... a crochet Cerberus! This project was ambitious in many ways, and as usual, slowed to an extra crawl in the construction stages, but I made it! Cerberus was dubbed by his new owner: “Allen”.
Big props to MrsThallium for sharing her wondrous pattern, and Suncatcher Eyes, well, for the eyes.
Post Cerberus, I spent our mild winter making winter woollies for various people. I became obsessed with variegated yarn for a short while, since it makes things look more interesting than they really are, and the changing colours and textures kept my attention span in check. I have been particularly digging on tweed yarn, of which I originally bought a skein of the most hideous colours I could find for some hobo gloves for my brother. I then actually realised that it is gorgeous to work with, and can look very cool in the right context. A beanie for each of us followed, though I finished my own in the last week of “cold” weather we had, so didn’t actually get a wear in. Whoops.
I’ve more recently fallen back into amigurumi, and taken the daunting step into using purely my own patterns, rather than the splicing together of all the wonderful patterns out there. Who knows how it will end (or if it ever will).
16 April 2009
big brain am winning again!
On Monday, I decided to make some changes to my poxy website, upgrade my WordPress, change some colours and the like. It was all going well, until one wrong click or keystroke or breath and all of a sudden I had no website. Then I had a website with the new WordPress, but no posts. Then I had my posts back in weird format, but no admin access.
I have spent the days since in denial, weeping into my keyboard, having no idea what to do. I have been off work sick for two days, so you would have thought I might have had the time to look into it, but it all just seemed too hard and I had no clue where to start, since I had no admin access.
About 10 minutes ago I decided to face up to this embarassing little problem, and some light digging brought me to the most likely solution. Then, 2 minutes later, it was fixed. Who knew it would be so simple? I certainly didn't. To all wise computer geeks, this web luddite salutes you.
I have spent the days since in denial, weeping into my keyboard, having no idea what to do. I have been off work sick for two days, so you would have thought I might have had the time to look into it, but it all just seemed too hard and I had no clue where to start, since I had no admin access.
About 10 minutes ago I decided to face up to this embarassing little problem, and some light digging brought me to the most likely solution. Then, 2 minutes later, it was fixed. Who knew it would be so simple? I certainly didn't. To all wise computer geeks, this web luddite salutes you.
13 April 2009
unproductive times
I easily get sucked in to spending a majority of my time doing things I don't really want to do. This especially happens in Summer. I have spent most of this year so far in this unproductive state, with a minority of exceptions.
Crafternoons were absent from my life for a lot of this time, after a minor case of burnout after so much Xmas pressure, and also due to the growth of my niece, and her new level of mobility, curiousity and tactile fascination, along with the increased ability to distract via cuteness. One of my Xmas projects still remains unfinished, but I am aiming to get it completed before next Xmas. I wouldn't want to set an unachievable goal. Here are a few of my Xmas projects which were completed and gifted on the due date.
Recently, however, I have been easing back into it, with the return of Winter, and the help of a few friends and keen greenhorns, and have been enjoying the deadline-free element to the crafternoon. It begins again...
So, our plans for change and excitement have been postponed due to unfortunate global circumstances. However, to dwell on the fact would be to invite melancholy into this post, so I won't.
I turn 30 next month. I am quite unconcerned about this, and am taking the fresh approach of looking forward to it, and using it to make some much needed changes here and there. The one thing I did promise myself, and phrased it as such knowing the unpredictable nature of things, is that I would not be in Brisbane for my birthday. Thanks to this promise, and the freeing up of some savings from the aforementioned plan changes, we are heading to Japan for 11 days! This is the most excitement we have seen in a while, and is keeping us occupied with planning and the making of many lists - one of my favourite things to do, of course.
Crafternoons were absent from my life for a lot of this time, after a minor case of burnout after so much Xmas pressure, and also due to the growth of my niece, and her new level of mobility, curiousity and tactile fascination, along with the increased ability to distract via cuteness. One of my Xmas projects still remains unfinished, but I am aiming to get it completed before next Xmas. I wouldn't want to set an unachievable goal. Here are a few of my Xmas projects which were completed and gifted on the due date.
Recently, however, I have been easing back into it, with the return of Winter, and the help of a few friends and keen greenhorns, and have been enjoying the deadline-free element to the crafternoon. It begins again...
So, our plans for change and excitement have been postponed due to unfortunate global circumstances. However, to dwell on the fact would be to invite melancholy into this post, so I won't.
I turn 30 next month. I am quite unconcerned about this, and am taking the fresh approach of looking forward to it, and using it to make some much needed changes here and there. The one thing I did promise myself, and phrased it as such knowing the unpredictable nature of things, is that I would not be in Brisbane for my birthday. Thanks to this promise, and the freeing up of some savings from the aforementioned plan changes, we are heading to Japan for 11 days! This is the most excitement we have seen in a while, and is keeping us occupied with planning and the making of many lists - one of my favourite things to do, of course.
30 November 2008
kupo!
Like many others before me, I am a sucker for moogles, those mind-bendingly cute characters from the Final Fantasy series. I've been asking Santa to get me one for years, but alas, I am yet to wake up on Christmas morn to find one bouncing around the house. So, to fill the void, I had to settle for making one.
I did a lot of research, and ended up splicing parts together from various patterns (most notably, this one), and adjusting as I went along. The actual crochet part was a breeze, and especially rewarding when I finished the boring cream colour.
However, it was the assembly part which turned out to be much more laborious than I had anticipated. I'd estimate total assembly time at about 4 hours, over a few nights (including time for head-scratching and getting another glass of wine). This is mainly because I am such a greenhorn, but also because I didn't want it to be crap, or to disfigure myself with the hot glue gun in my haste. So he's not perfect, but I feel he is good enough to prevent me from dramatically throwing myself from a window (admittedly, this would only be about a 2 metre fall, but the sentiment is there).
I did a lot of research, and ended up splicing parts together from various patterns (most notably, this one), and adjusting as I went along. The actual crochet part was a breeze, and especially rewarding when I finished the boring cream colour.
However, it was the assembly part which turned out to be much more laborious than I had anticipated. I'd estimate total assembly time at about 4 hours, over a few nights (including time for head-scratching and getting another glass of wine). This is mainly because I am such a greenhorn, but also because I didn't want it to be crap, or to disfigure myself with the hot glue gun in my haste. So he's not perfect, but I feel he is good enough to prevent me from dramatically throwing myself from a window (admittedly, this would only be about a 2 metre fall, but the sentiment is there).
Ziggy the Moogle
b. 15.11.08
b. 15.11.08
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