Happy Day.

Knitty Pattern

(imbellished, of course, and worsted instead of fingering)

Valentine's Day gift for Chris...

Beatrix's New Dress

Beatrix needed a dress to wear that isn't a wedding dress...

I decided to go with grey/silver tones because I thought they would go with her coloring really well... I just used scraps of fabric and ribbon I had around.

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I'm working on a dress for my Blythe right now... it's candy themed! Of course, you say, if you've ever met me. By the by, I named her Lemon Drop. Perfection, no? Here is a lovely pic of her by the ever talented Doug.

And here is everyone:

I'll have pics of the Mini Pullip & Petite Blythes soon...

Finally.

Best Friends

16x20 oil on board

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I haven't finished a painting since graduating... until now! Yaaaaaay! I have been so engrossed with new hobbies and burnt out on 2D that I just couldn't get anything done, but now I have a new (well, old and re-gessoed) stack of canvases waiting to break the curse. Although I did start a quilt and make some doll dresses last week while staring at said canvases. Wish me luck.

Slouchy Pirates (now with more eyepatch!)

We Call Them Pirates (pattern here)

My first fair isle!
I added an eyepatch to the middle row of skulls a la vikingmaid on Ravelry.
Sooooo… I had gauge, but I didn’t do a swatch to wash. I know, I know. It grew quite a bit after washing, but I think it looks pretty darn cute slouchy. I’ll just have to check if Tasha likes it that way (it was a request).

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)

Xmas Sigh...

Well, it's over... and we're finally home!

Here are the last of the Xmas pics (I hope)...

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Jamie's present... a bookbag/accessory set- not quite as good as the gift she gave us- she took Chris & I to Of Montreal, which was for sure added to the Top 5 shows of all time for me. The image set I used was from the lovely Danielle Thompson, here.

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Xmas candy gifts, 'cause we be poor. And it wouldn't be Christmas without me trying to throw my back out over ridiculously involved food gifts... There is peppermint bark, fudge, peanut butter balls, and spiced nuts in there. Cute Martha packaging from Michael's.

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Cranberry Orange Vodka

I'm big on the food gifts... surprise...

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Table set for Xmas brunch for my fam. My new tablecloth is so freaking adorable that I want to leave it out year-round! I suppose I feel that way about all our holiday decorations, though. The Roseville castle has been leaving their lights on year-round... maybe I should join in...

Swedelicious!

This Christmas I decided to make some Swedish themed decor... Every Xmas Eve in my life has been spent at my Swedish grandmother's (and non-Swedish grandpa, but you know, he didn't decorate) house, until this year (Chris & I have decided to start switching locations year to year instead of trying to do both family celebrations). Anyway, I decided to have a brunch for my family before we leave town to make up for it, and thought I needed some Sweden in the house for it...

Swedish Hearts

Wool felt with blanket stitch edging.

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This year's Christmas Cards

I carved a block for printing these and finished them with stardust pen details.

For non-Swedes, the Julbock (or Yule-goat):

"is a ubiquitous symbol of the winter holidays in Scandinavian countries"... continue at Altreligion

Now, it's mostly thought of just as a cute Xmas decoration, though...

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Lucia Doll

This is the first doll I've made with yarn hair, which was a bit tricky, but she really have to have the braids. The crown-wreath is loop knotted yarn with felt/tiny pom-pom candles. And she's even got Dala horses on her tights!

"Lucia Day, December 13th, initiates the Christmas season by marking the beginning of brighter days to come in Sweden. It is customary that the eldest daughter as Lucia... dresses in a long white gown with a red sash around her waist and wears a crown entwined with sprigs of myrtle greens on her head. Five or seven lighted candles in the crown spread a luminous glow around her."
-American Swedish Institute
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Next year, I'll make some tomte... I just ran out of time...

It's beginning to look a lot like...

...sweetness.

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Invites to my fam for a Holiday brunch... made with Martha Stewart stamps- on my new (repro) Christmas tablecloth... I'll post another pic of it, I'm sure.

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Our outdoor wreath... it's very sparkly. I bought the base wreath (which is glittery and has pinecones and dried leafy stuff) and put silver sparkly leafy stuff in it... Here's a pic you can see it better in:

Yes, White Kitty is trying to eat it.

I leave it up all winter, since it's not strictly "Christmas-y".

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Our indoor wreath. Hmmm... as I look at it now it doesn't seem terrible Christmas-y either. Maybe I should leave it up all year! I made it years ago, with a grapevine base, moss, sparkly fruit, leaves, berries, and glitter.

Both wreaths have a Labyrinth-y (as in the movie) look to me... natural, mossy, glittery... sigh.

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We don't have a mantle/fireplace, so I started using our new (to us-thanks D&K!) entertainment center as such.

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My Grandma gave me this a couple weeks ago... it's been up at her house every Christmas for as long as I can remember and I love it sooooooo very much. I'd hug it if it were more cuddly.

I lucked out! I was explaining to her how Ebay works & told her I had been looking for a tree like that one there, and she said something along the lines of "that thing? You can have that! Take it home today!". Yaaaaaaaaaay.

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This is a cardboard ornament I just finished painting... I made a hole in the bottom so you can poke a tree light though to make it light up. There are more handmade ornaments a couple posts down...

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The whole tree. Sorry it's not a great view, but honestly, it's shoved between three pieces of furniture, and I just couldn't get a good shot. You get the idea, anyway, right?

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Next up, I'll be posting more X-mas stuffs... all along the Swedish theme! Yaaaaaaaaay Sweden! Uh, you'll see.