Thursday, April 9, 2009

Bits & Bobs

Here's what I've been up to lately...
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Trying out for dream jobs...
Anthro Display Sketches
Anthro Display
Anthro Display
Sketches and miniature display for a Display Coordiator job at Anthropologie... I didn't get it :( But I can use the display at home for spring!
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Playing with dolls...
New Home
Buttercake
Buttercake
In the dollhouse I just finished making! I'll post more/better pics when I get some furniture done. By the by, these dollies still need names. I'm thinking of "Wren" for the Petite Blythe (2nd one)...
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Making crazy posters.
Animal Spirits
Poster I made for my friend Todd's movie (his design).

Thursday, April 2, 2009

New and Improved!

Lemon Drop
Lemon Drop's new dress (with ReMent boots). I had meant to make her candy themed from the beginning, and I finally got to it! She also has a candy striped heart for her new pull. I was a bit put out when I saw the new My Little Candy Blythe, but I like mine better!
New Pulls
Lemon Drop & Astrid (yes, I finally decided) showing each other their new pulls!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Gifty Paintings

Two paintings, same frame:
Pudge
This one was for my mom (for her birthday)... Pudge is her Pomeranian/Chihuahua (that's right, pom-chi) and is always with her. It's gouache on paper.
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Painting for Joan
And this one was a commission by Joan, my MIL's best friend, who has a new little nephew! It's oil on canvas.
I'm taken with ovals at the moment... and I love that frame! I may have to go stock up on them at some point. Now I have to get around to painting something for myself...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Bobble Coif: Now with FREE PATTERN!

Bobble Coif 1

Bobble Coif 2

I made this headband/hat thing after being inspired by this one worn by Emily (here too). I had to make up the pattern, since there is no Seaplane near me (sad face) and I Had To Have One. I can post the pattern if I get a few requests...


UPDATE!
Here's the pattern:
MATERIALS
1 skein Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted in Aran
#6 DPNs
#7 straights
Tapestry needle

G
AUGE
4 sts.=1 inch (exact gauge is not vital)

DIRECTIONS
With DPNs, CO 3 sts.
Work I-Cord for 6”.
Switch to straight needles and begin to work from chart (download here).

When chart is completed, switch back to DPNs and work 6” of I-Cord.
Weave in ends and block.
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Please let me know any errors you come across... I've only knitted this once! And I'd love to see any completed projects!

Monday, March 16, 2009

New Girl!

Sally Rice is here!
Welcoming the new girl
Lemon Drop getting to know Miss Sally Rice
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MSR needs a new name... I'm thinking about Astrid or Lily maybe... suggestions? I think Lemon Drop looks pretty good in the Pullip Greggia outfit I picked up (since I can't afford Greggia!).

Also, I sandmatted Lemon Drop... it turned out really well! My very first custom work... I think I will try carving her lips next. I'm pretty sure I will keep MSR stock, though, I like the Takara shine on her! Thanks to pariszhenpink on TIB for sending MSR my way... I'm in love already.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

House•Work

Chris and Kathryn are having a show opening this weekend! The show is really fantastic (I'm not being biased, really!), and anyone in the Sacramento area should try to make it out. If you haven't done Second Saturday, you're really missing out, so this is the perfect time to start! It will be up the whole month, though, if you can't make Saturday.

The show is at the Viewpoint Gallery, which has a nice slideshow of some of the work.
Kathryn Mayo and Chris Fraser: House•Work
March 11 to April 4, 2009
Second Saturday Reception — March 14, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Tinies!

Introducing Cotton & Candy!
Cotton & Candy
CC Playing
They are Petite Blythes (originally Squiggly Squirrel and Feline Fancy, mohaired by I Love George, Re-Ment accessories, outfits by me!)... re-named Cotton & Candy by me. I wish I could find some blue/green boots for Cotton's outfit...
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She needs a name:
Squirrel Picnic
She's a Mini Pullip Anne Shirley (in Squiggly Squirrel's outfit), with Re-Ment and mushrooms knitted by me! Any name suggestions?

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Dogs Named Laika

I started a flickr group recently for Dogs Named Laika...
Laikaaaaaaah
Laika eats her feet
You've all seen my ridiculous beast.
So if you know any Laikas... send 'em my way!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Day.

Heart (front)
Heart (back)
Knitty Pattern
(imbellished, of course, and worsted instead of fingering)
Valentine's Day gift for Chris...

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Beatrix's New Dress

Beatrix needed a dress to wear that isn't a wedding dress...
Beatrix's New 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.
frosty frock lemon drop
And here is everyone:
Family
I'll have pics of the Mini Pullip & Petite Blythes soon...

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Finally.

Best Friends
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.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Slouchy Pirates (now with more eyepatch!)

We Call Them Pirates (pattern here)
We Call Them Pirates (Slouchy)

We Call Them Pirates

We Call Them Pirates
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).

Friday, January 30, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Louisa Harding at Babetta's!

This morning I got to meet the incomparable Louisa Harding
at my favorite yarn store, Babetta's...
Louisa Harding
She was doing a book signing and had stacks of knitted samples from her books:
Louisa Harding
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!
Louisa Harding
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!).

Monday, January 19, 2009

Another one.

Another neckwarmer...
Cable Neckwarmer 1
Cable Neckwarmer 2
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...
long kitty
He's certainly long enough.

Monday, January 12, 2009

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
Valley of the Dolls Box
I ordered her from The Valley of the Dolls, who had super fast shipping and super cute packaging... it was like a present!
Beatrix in her box
In her box.
getting her hair done
Getting her hair redone... it was really messy out of the box.
Beatrix 1
Beatrix 2
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
Malecon Ave
Malecon Ave
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
Frosty Frock in Box
FF 1
FF 2
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?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

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:
Pink Chalk 1
Pink Chalk 3
They are very courteous and friendly and have the most lovely selection of designers...
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Pink Chalk 4
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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Pink Chalk 2
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!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

I have so!

See, I have been knitting!

Red Scarflette
Pattern: winged
Yarn: Jo-Ann's Marvel (unraveled from old skinny scarf)
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Orange Scarflette 1

Orange Scarflette 2
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)