I'm in trouble

I finally got my birthday present from Zach. It is late through no fault of his. Nintendo kept delaying its release date. Last week I finally got it. It is called Harvest Moon. All you do in the game is farm and try to make friends. It is kind of lame, but it is soooooo addictive. I just can't help myself. It is the reason the last time I updated was in September. That and I have been really faithful to the sweater so I haven't had much to update about it.

But I did get a few things done before it sucked me in

As you know I had been wanting the Interweave Felt magazine so I could get the pattern for the needle felted beagles. Well I did, and this is what I came up with. It turned out pretty well. The eyes are kind of big and give it a "precious moments" kind of look. But Heidi makes that face all the time, so I thought it was appropriate. I used Llama fiber for the brown. That was a bit difficult because the fibers are so long. So the needle felted version is a lot fluffier than the real one.
















I also took part in a swap on my Harry Potter Crafts Yahoo Group. We had to transfigure one of those little mint/candy tins into something else. I made an emergency potions kit. Hopefully I'll have pictures soon of what my partner sent me. I can't wait. I've seen the stuff she has made for previous swaps and I am super excited.

A small distraction

I figure the best way to keep myself faithful to the sweater is to distract myself every now and then. So I did a bit of needle felting yesterday. I made the fronts to a bunch of cases, and finished a couple that had been sitting around. These are some of the designs that I came up with.

I took them to SnB and did some market research. The girls came up with some great ideas. I think I'll be offering a whole line of needle cases. From small sewing needle cases, crochet hook cases made from the small sheets of felt, the DPN case, straight needle cases, and as of yesterday a circular needle case. They gave me some construction thoughts and ideas about how to tie them closed (which was becoming my biggest problem). Even some fun new design ideas.

Tiffany and I talked about my relationship with projects. Often I am the love 'em and leave 'em type. I become quickly enamored with a project. I get all wrapped up in it and work on it constantly for a couple days. Then I see another project and I stray. I leave my old project alone, in pieces, with the rest of my old projects. I begin the whole process over again. Every now and again I dig into my little black basket (it is actually blue but it doesn't work with the theme I'm going with here) and pull out a project to fall in love with all over again. That is the only way they ever get a bit more love.

So this time I am cheating to stay faithful. If that makes any sense. I dabble in little side projects so I don't get bored. A little needle felting, A small cell phone holder, little things. If I can't take the rows of stockinette, I grab something from the WIP basket and do a couple rows on it. But I have to say, this doesn't feel like the same sort of whirlwind romance I have with projects. I camly approached the project slowly. I warmed up to it and became comfortable with it. I am committed. I will finish this sweater. I am in it for the long haul. I was able to look past its 8 inch section of 115 stitches of stockinette. In fact, I have made it to the lace pattern.

Not much to take pictures of

Not much to blog about really. Waiting until it isn't too early to go hang out at the coffee shop and wait for my Stitch 'n Bitch. Still working on my sock and the scarf and another present. Cast onto a scarf for Theresa. A charcoal and long version of the purple cabled scarf in another post. But not really enough of it to take a picture. I am hoping to finish my FIL's scarf tonight. Then get the other present done this weekend. And since I finished my Booga Bag, that would give me the opportunity to cast onto a new project. Whatever shall it be. Well I know. It has cables and will be blue, actually it will match my slouchy puffy hat but it is bigger than a hat. But I can still wear it. Ooooo the suspense.


Here is El Booga Bag in all its needle felted glory. A little abstract, but would be perfect to carry around a single knitting project.

















I am now participating in two swaps. The Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap and the Harry Potter Crafts Valentine's ATC. The HSKS I have until April 4th to finish and I only have to make a bag and some stitch markers (I do have to buy sock yarn, a sock pattern and needles but that won't take too much time). The ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) are almost done. I would post a picture, but that would ruin the surprise. I promise to post pictures and patterns when they are sent out. Speaking of patterns, I am getting mine typed up. Maybe posted by the end of the month. **gasp**

Update of Epic Proportions

Nah, not really. But I really should update more often so I don't end up with super long posts. Last weeked was Hannukah with my Dad and that side of the family. I had lots of fun. Got lots of silly little presents. Got a scarf done for which I promptly stole some buttons from my Grandma. Although she is probably going to end up with this scarf so technically I just borrowed them. Right?

Used some lovely wool from Knit 'n Hook. **digs around for label** Well I don't remember what it is. But click on the picture for more detail. The yarn gets thicker and thinner throughout leading to a cool look. It is very warm, but wool makes my skin turn itchy and bright red (thankfully not my hands) so it will be gifted.

Speaking of gifts. Remember these lovely slippers. Well my dad and Donna took me to Crafts 2000 in Parkersburg and told me to get whatever I wanted. Very dangerous proposition. But I restrained myself (sort of) and got the supplies to begin needle felting. Since the only thing I had felted were these slippers, they got the brunt of my beginner hands. I think they turned out cute. Next is a bag. Blue with some green blueish brown roving. Not sure of the design. Might just wing it. The pattern I am using is loosely based off of a design from:

Everyone ooo and ah. My first knitting book. I chose this one because 1. not on my wish list 2. I am a member of a Stitch 'n Bitch 3. I wanted a minimal begginner/more intermediate book with lots of patterns but still some explanation.

This one has turned out to be perfect. I hate beginner books. I (beware of EGO ahead) catch on pretty quick. So I move through the beginner stages of most crafts during my first project. After that, I want something that will challenge me and more importantly, keep my attention. But I don't want it to be frustrating i.e. I am running between my beginner "how to knit" guide and the internet trying to figure out a stitch. This book has that and more. Each pattern that uses a special stitch explains that stitch in the beginning of the pattern. There is even a glossary that shows all the basic stitches (knit, purl, cast on, bind off, etc). Also I loooooove the patterns. No stodgy old scarves for me. It gives me cute and hip bags, scarves, hats, sweaters, everything. And in the beginning of the book is a long section on how to adapt patterns to make them my own and to fit me like they should. So this book will have me covered from beginner, to intermediate (some playful stitches), to advanced (where I severely alter/design my own patterns). Oh that and I had a 30% off Borders coupon and just needed to spend a bit to get my Border's Bucks.

Have I mentioned yet that I am becoming obsessed with Amigurumi? No? Well I am. Here is proof. Not content to follow patterns, I must make my own. But didn't she turn out cute? Except the eyes. I hate her eyes. I am thinking I will use felt next time. Heidi likes her too.