25

I got tagged and posted these on the facebook, but I thought I'd go ahead & put 'em up here, since I don't know y'all there!

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you

1. I have a sleeping disorder called hypersomnia… it’s like narcolepsy but not as bad. I don’t nod off in the middle of conversations, but I have to be really careful driving if I’m tired.

2. I collect things. Almost anything I decide I like, I collect. Yarn, skulls, jadeite, sweaters, rocks with holes, rocks without holes, dolls, fox-related objects, magazine clippings, pyrex, etc.

3. I am a super nerd. No, even nerdier than you think…I used to go to Ren Faire (No, I did not speak with the accent. I did, however, dress up.) and, as a child, I made several scale models of Star Trek vessels.

4. I didn’t want kids until I was with Chris.

5. I forgot how to ride a bike. They say it’s impossible, but I proved them all wrong. I had an accident, didn’t ride for a couple years, and when I got back on a bike (even though I fully expected to just go), it was like I’d never been on one in my life.

6. I’ve only been drunk once, and it was when I was 30 years old. See, I have a ridiculously high tolerance for alcohol, so I really have to be trying to get drunk… but it’s not worth it. I don’t get silly or fun, just sick. And I’m not keen on the taste. I only like drinks if they taste like candy.

7. Speaking of, I haven’t thrown up in about ten years. I get really nauseated, but no throwing up. I don’t think it’s psychological… I’m not scared of it…

8. I’ve only touched snow once. I’ve seen it out a window a couple times.

9. If I could live anywhere, it would be the UK or Ireland. With my own petting zoo.

10. I wish I could be vegetarian, but I will literally dream about meat if I haven’t had it in awhile.

11. I’m addicted to food. I can’t go a day without it. No, but seriously. And it’s the only addiction you can’t avoid, right? Like, you wouldn’t say to a heroin addict, hey, just have a little bit of the smack… just keep it under control, right? Oooo… I’m hungry.

12. I’m also addicted to TV. Even if I’m not watching it, it has to be on the whole time I’m home. Chris & I made an agreement so he doesn’t kill me, though- I only have it on when he’s home with his OK. It really is an addiction, but I have no interest in stopping. I watch some terrible shows, though. Judge Judy comes to mind.

13. I love music, but I’m not musical. I can’t play an instrument, sing, keep a beat, or dance. I can’t whistle, either, but that’s not because it’s musical, just in addition to.

14. I hate the word “artist”. It makes me cringe. I’d rather say I paint pictures. That sounds douche-y, too, now that I write it. Damn it.

15. I’m not sure I’m an artist (uuuuugh) anyway. I’d rather knit than paint, which is pretty much an indicator, right?

16. If something is miniature, I will probably love it. Furniture, animals, dessert, you get the idea.

17. I have a deep water phobia, but I would like to live at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

18. I’m also afraid of the dark. I’m oddly superstiticious for a borderline atheist.

19. My wedding ring was also my great grandmother’s wedding ring. It’s an alexandrite. Chris went and got it from my grandmother without me knowing, which may be the most romantic thing he’s ever done (you haven’t met my grandma). Heating up water on the stove last week so I could take a bath at our hot-water deficient house may be a close second.

20. I’m thankful every day. I think about how lucky I am every day, for every meal, pet, warm room, relationship, etc. I have.

21. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.

22. Sometimes I cry if I’m having a bad day and then someone is nice to me.

23. I am a pessimist, but in a pretty optimistic way… see, I just assume the worst will happen at all times, then when it doesn’t, it’s like Christmas!

24. You know how people like to say they’re young at heart? Well, I’m old at heart, I think. I have hobbies like knitting and sewing, collect tchotchkes, watch show like Monk, and have a penchant for dressing in a lot of cardigans and sensible shoes. Chris argues that he is much older at heart, but I think I’m pretty good competition.

25. Everything it seems I like’s a little bit stronger, a little bit thicker, a little bit sweeter, a little bit fatter, a little bit stranger, a little bit harder, a little bit harmful for me. Ok, those are song lyrics, but it pretty much sums it up.

Louisa Harding at Babetta's!

This morning I got to meet the incomparable Louisa Harding

at my favorite yarn store, Babetta's...

She was doing a book signing and had stacks of knitted samples from her books:

They were amazing... I really wanted to just put all of them on at once, or maybe just roll around in them. I was pretty tempted to pick up all of her books, but my knitting diet prevailed :(

Louisa was very sweet and friendly... she told everyone about learning to knit and design, brought mock-ups of her next couple books (which I want to knit pretty much every project in), and complimented my hat!

I met some lovely people and had a lot of fun. By the by, if you haven't been to Babetta's, you must. It's the friendliest yarn store I've ever been to and the selection is amazing (and lucky me, it's local!).

Another one.

Another neckwarmer...

Celtic Cable Neckwarmer

Yarn: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande, Pattern: here

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I swear I am happier about this neckwarmer than I look in the picture. I unraveled an old cable cowl that was a bit too small a bit too plain for me... I've made so many plain scarves that I've given away or abandoned. So now, I've been playing a little catch-up since I don't actually have many scarves to wear... and no black scarf! That's crazy talk.

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Though I could just wrap Black Kitty around my neck...

He's certainly long enough.

I like dolls! You wanna make something of it?!

So, I've been wanting a Pullip doll for a few years, and this year I needed some retail therapy, so I took the plunge... It took me awhile to get up the courage/funds for such a thing. Chris is none too happy.

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Pullip Erternia

I ordered her from The Valley of the Dolls, who had super fast shipping and super cute packaging... it was like a present!

In her box.

Getting her hair redone... it was really messy out of the box.

I named her Beatrix (after Beatrix Kiddo), since she's The Bride... get it? Chris said, damn, that thing is creepy, to which I said, wait 'til you see Blythe! I'm going to make her an outfit soon, but I can't decide on whether to go with grey/green tones or a Snow White-ish fairy tale thing. Maybe both, huh? But which one first?

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J-Doll Malecon Avenue

I had a hard time deciding between a Pullip and a J-Doll, but after I ordered Beatrix, I saw this one on the TIB forum... She was nude, so I made her this dress. It's not perfect, but it was my first try... The J-Dolls have the exact same bodies as the Pullips, just different heads, and Blythe patterns fit both. She needs a name... suggestions?

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Blythe Frosty Frock

And I tried to resist Blythe, but no such luck. I'll admit, she creeped me out at first, but after trolling the Blythe group on Flickr, I fell in love. I keep seeing my favorite bloggers (here, here, here) falling under the spell, too! I had to wash her hair several times (it was super frizzy and icky). I want to do a few mods to her- sand matte her face, first of all. She needs a name, too... I think something icy, snowy, wintery... what do you think?

Thanks True Up & Pink Chalk!

This was awhile back, but I just realized that I never posted pics...

I won a $100 gift certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics from True Up!

I tried to save it for when I had a project lined up, but I'm an instant gratification kinda gal. Here's what I got:

They are very courteous and friendly and have the most lovely selection of designers...

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These are the stack packs I got... on the left is "Sugar Snap" by Melissa Averinos and the right is Amy Butler's Daisy Chain (in the pink colorway). They will be quilts at some point. You know, when I learn to quilt. Don't look at me like that. It'll happen.

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These are the single pieces... mostly 1/2 yards, some full. I don't have any specific plans for them yet- an apron or two for sure, Blythe/Pullip clothes (more on those ladies soon), Nutcracker Dolls, small things like that. I'd love some suggestions!

I have so!

See, I have been knitting!

Pattern: winged

Yarn: Jo-Ann's Marvel (unraveled from old skinny scarf)

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Pattern: Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks (buttons added)

Yarn: Araucania Aysen (Colorway 804)
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I have just been pretty distracted from knitting lately... I have a couple more projects in the works right now (as always) and a few abandoned:

Sweater #9 from Rebecca #33 (too big, wrong yarn I think)