tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78807574391941883912023-11-16T02:06:03.817-05:00Waiting For My Real Life To BeginEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-41847292327751765882010-12-22T01:29:00.017-05:002010-12-22T02:01:16.902-05:00Holy Update Batman!Why hello everyone! It's been months since I've updated this thing. Needless to say, a lot of things have changed since I last posted. I think I mentioned that I was starting a new job - my first big girl/adult job. I started back in the end of August, went through some orientation, then was thrown into the fray of being off orientation. Luckily all have gone well and I feel I've been handling all the changes fairly well. It's really a great amount of stress, but it's helped me to learn a lot about myself and start paying off those damn student loans. It's a relief to finally start getting those out of the way.<br /><br />I still knit and crochet, just not nearly as much as I was before I started having a job. I have less free time, obviously. I joined the Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup group on ravelry (yes, I am a super dork). This allowed me some incentive on starting and finishing projects. Each month there are "classes" and you have to make projects as "assignments" to get points for your house. I was sorted into the house of Slytherin and the people in the group are very nice. They are funny and made my first year (which was only 3 months, whatever) enjoyable. There are three semesters per year and each semester = one year. So I'll be a second year starting in January. Here are some of my assignments from this semester. These were completed from September - November:<br /><br />The Beatnik Hat<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGcux8N5fI/AAAAAAAAAM8/7WSUno5hEyw/s1600/IMG_4310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGcux8N5fI/AAAAAAAAAM8/7WSUno5hEyw/s320/IMG_4310.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553392143018354162" /></a><br /><br />Slytherin Snake Toy (for the kitties). It looks slightly phallic, but that was completely unintentional...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGdIJsww2I/AAAAAAAAANE/LZTsZue7OFI/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGdIJsww2I/AAAAAAAAANE/LZTsZue7OFI/s320/IMG_4319.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553392578892710754" /></a><br /><br />Sparty Dishcloth - A new design that is available for free under my rav name canadiadry :D<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGdgcIc-OI/AAAAAAAAANM/1CFV1jDZzDM/s1600/IMG_4335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGdgcIc-OI/AAAAAAAAANM/1CFV1jDZzDM/s320/IMG_4335.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553392996157552866" /></a><br /><br />Sweet Eleanor hat using my hand dyed yarn from forever ago<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGd29O-TgI/AAAAAAAAANU/xhK51xYOp10/s1600/IMG_4340.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGd29O-TgI/AAAAAAAAANU/xhK51xYOp10/s320/IMG_4340.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553393383000395266" /></a><br /><br />Hand dyed yarn using kool-aid and wiltons - colors based off Michigan Autumn colors (really proud of this one!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGeJQJYjjI/AAAAAAAAANc/5kMjZDneUJU/s1600/IMG_4356.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGeJQJYjjI/AAAAAAAAANc/5kMjZDneUJU/s320/IMG_4356.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553393697314868786" /></a><br /><br />Squiddy, the squid cat toy. I tent to default to cat toys when I'm drawing a blank on assignments.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGee4y-TaI/AAAAAAAAANk/TP9bMz09i-g/s1600/IMG_4347.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGee4y-TaI/AAAAAAAAANk/TP9bMz09i-g/s320/IMG_4347.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553394069003980194" /></a><br /><br />Some corded cat toys<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGe_Skv4pI/AAAAAAAAANs/ftI4Ple_t54/s1600/IMG_4365.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGe_Skv4pI/AAAAAAAAANs/ftI4Ple_t54/s320/IMG_4365.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553394625679450770" /></a><br /><br />A "Dirty Dishes Suck" dishcloth and two "chinese waves" dishcloths (bottom). Unfortunately the words on the "Dirty Dishes Suck" cloth don't show up well in pics.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGfe5JIy2I/AAAAAAAAAN0/Ym1ERmzyS14/s1600/IMG_4429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGfe5JIy2I/AAAAAAAAAN0/Ym1ERmzyS14/s320/IMG_4429.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553395168608570210" /></a><br /><br />A paw print dishcloth<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGf2kDNC3I/AAAAAAAAAN8/vk8S_Kom8vc/s1600/IMG_4359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGf2kDNC3I/AAAAAAAAAN8/vk8S_Kom8vc/s320/IMG_4359.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553395575263398770" /></a><br /><br />Three felted mice (no I wasn't kidding about defaulting to cat toys)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGgYlcVQNI/AAAAAAAAAOE/IN37CZvsEpk/s1600/IMG_4437.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGgYlcVQNI/AAAAAAAAAOE/IN37CZvsEpk/s320/IMG_4437.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553396159752782034" /></a><br /><br />A knitted Christmas ornament for my sister<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGgzsf97oI/AAAAAAAAAOM/anlqFTjstdk/s1600/IMG_4439.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGgzsf97oI/AAAAAAAAAOM/anlqFTjstdk/s320/IMG_4439.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553396625503547010" /></a><br /><br />And, lastly, some malabrigo thuja socks for the boyfriend. Obviously the socks are too big for my feet, but you get the idea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGhTBO6vlI/AAAAAAAAAOU/5q2Flsf7o7g/s1600/IMG_4458.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGhTBO6vlI/AAAAAAAAAOU/5q2Flsf7o7g/s320/IMG_4458.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553397163645124178" /></a><br /><br />I have a few more projects in the works, but I'll post them (maybe? hopefully?) within a few months, hahahaha. I also will most likely be making my first sweater (GASP!) in January. $5 in Paris sweater knit along for the win! Hopefully by knitting with others, I can finish it in a reasonable amount of time!<br /><br />That's all for this post, I guess. I can babble about my job, but it's basically busy and stuff. I act professional for about 40 hours a week, then come home and fart around on the internets for a while. I even see friends sometimes when I'm not working!<br /><br />And I'll eventually get back to the doublevision blanket. I promise...<br /><br />I leave you with a pic if Izzy. I know you're all excited about it ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGh4-wohyI/AAAAAAAAAOc/S4wREGLbKyA/s1600/IMG_4291.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TRGh4-wohyI/AAAAAAAAAOc/S4wREGLbKyA/s320/IMG_4291.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553397815816259362" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-79250644260535956782010-08-24T00:32:00.017-04:002010-08-24T01:37:05.548-04:00Blanketmania and SHEER MADNESSAs I said in a previous post, this past month has been INSANE! A little over a month ago, I found out that I got a job across the state and I'll be moving there to work full time. I'm super excited and nervous, but I can't wait to finally make some money and use my college degree. Hooray! I got my apartment and will start working at the end of August. So overwhelming but so awesome!<br /><br />I participated in my first swap in July! It was a lot of fun. The goal was to dye your partner a skein of sock yarn in their preferred colors. My partner's preferences were on the bolder side, so I used kool aid and went all out and used all four of her preferred colors: red, blue, green, and purple. And the result is:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNPW3vcjaI/AAAAAAAAAL0/2uhsU_CW3DE/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNPW3vcjaI/AAAAAAAAAL0/2uhsU_CW3DE/s320/IMG_4159.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508834023542918562" /></a><br /><br />Here's what my partner sent me. My preferences were to use fiery colors or blue/green/purples. They went with the fiery theme and I can't wait to knit up some socks! I also got a sweet Ravelry project bag. I use it all the time now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNPqhlP-HI/AAAAAAAAAL8/dNshoqleYf4/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNPqhlP-HI/AAAAAAAAAL8/dNshoqleYf4/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508834361191954546" /></a><br /> <br />Another random thing is that I received two drop spindles from someone because I mentioned I would like to learn how to spin. I've practiced with them, but I'm still not that great at it, so I hope to take a class or further myself in that area sometime in the future. Obviously working full time and learning a new skill like that MIGHT not go hand in hand at first, haha.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNQdMYsfBI/AAAAAAAAAME/y4N7jIF2ydI/s1600/IMG_4105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNQdMYsfBI/AAAAAAAAAME/y4N7jIF2ydI/s320/IMG_4105.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508835231675481106" /></a><br /><br />In the past month, I have taken part in a challenge on Ravelry called the "Exploding SNAP". It's hosted by the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup and the goal is to finish as many WIPs (works in progress) in the month of August. I had a few still on the needles that definitely needed finishing. I ended up finishing the test knit I had for my most recent pattern. It's a dishcloth that uses the block S logo for Michigan State University, my alma mater! I loved how it turned out and am glad that I'm now up to three published designs on Ravelry!<br /><br />Here's the MSU dishcloth:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNM3gxWnhI/AAAAAAAAALc/bY6PlW7c6G8/s1600/IMG_4218.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNM3gxWnhI/AAAAAAAAALc/bY6PlW7c6G8/s320/IMG_4218.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508831285777702418" /></a><br /><br />And my other design (not a part of the "Exploding SNAP") that I haven't posted about yet. The black outline isn't part of the pattern. The dunking basketball player pattern is for a dishcloth, but this is the blanket square the dishcloth pattern is based on:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNNZMJ1REI/AAAAAAAAALk/1cJuUgqTbAM/s1600/IMG_4150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNNZMJ1REI/AAAAAAAAALk/1cJuUgqTbAM/s320/IMG_4150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508831864358782018" /></a><br /><br />The blanket square in the picture is for the comfortghan I'll post about later.<br /><br />Another project I finished for the "Exploding SNAP" was a pair of socks. I don't like making socks (have I said that before? Haha) but these were actually fun to make. The yarn was beautifully variegated and it was a very fun pattern - Nutkin.<br /><br />Before Exploding SNAP:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNOrGG2bCI/AAAAAAAAALs/YLFMAgqHaRY/s1600/IMG_4192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNOrGG2bCI/AAAAAAAAALs/YLFMAgqHaRY/s320/IMG_4192.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508833271484935202" /></a><br /><br />Finished:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNQ8s-oEoI/AAAAAAAAAMM/1U2bToGl-lE/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNQ8s-oEoI/AAAAAAAAAMM/1U2bToGl-lE/s320/IMG_4264.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508835773000454786" /></a><br /><br />Another big project I did for the "SNAP" was to finish my Monthly Adventures Block of the Month Afghan. I went ahead and made the squares from September-December in order to finish the blanket before I started working. I know in a way it kind of defeats the purpose of "block of the month", but I did complete the March-August squares during the correct time period, so I think that counts for something. I was worried that if I didn't try to finish the afghan before starting my job, it might have been put on the back burner until who-knows-when. I want to give it as a gift for the holidays, so by finishing it now, I don't have to say "OH SHIT! I NEED TO FINISH THAT BLANKET!" the week before Christmas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNRZTETBoI/AAAAAAAAAMU/iLZsCpi7Wxc/s1600/IMG_4274.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNRZTETBoI/AAAAAAAAAMU/iLZsCpi7Wxc/s320/IMG_4274.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508836264261125762" /></a><br /><br />Although it's encouraged to only work on WIPs during "Exploding SNAP", it's also ok to start new projects as long as you finish them before the end of the challenge. I decided to start two projects for a fellow raveler who lost all of her ornaments in a flood (the lady who gave me the spindle, actually). These were my first knitted beading projects and I LOVE how they turned out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNR7ZCUiwI/AAAAAAAAAMc/EY_1t9bbRtI/s1600/IMG_4277.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNR7ZCUiwI/AAAAAAAAAMc/EY_1t9bbRtI/s320/IMG_4277.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508836849979001602" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNSNYcjDZI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Y6nVVhNdqV8/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNSNYcjDZI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Y6nVVhNdqV8/s320/IMG_4280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508837159058214290" /></a><br /><br />Lastly, the project I am most proud of from the "Exploding SNAP" (and in general), is the comfortghan that I have mentioned. It was made for a young man I graduated high school with who had leukemia. He had to move to Texas in order to receive treatment for his disease after he relapsed. I decided to use my resources and time to organize a blanket for him. I originally proposed to my local knitting group and an online ravelry group (the Amazing Flying Squirrel Karma Team) 20 12 inch squares for the blanket so that the final size would be about 4 feet x 5 feet. I soon learned that there was so much interest that a 30 square blanket could be made. I had about 15 people involved from all over the country (and out of the country - Canada) to make this blanket that turned out to be about 5 feet x 6 feet. I used red because it's one of our high school's colors and gray because I wanted a more neutral color to complement the red. The red squares were used as texture squares while the gray squares were meaningful pictures put into the blanket. I made 9 squares of my own and seamed the squares together. After seaming it together, I sent it to Texas. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNVALkASoI/AAAAAAAAAMs/xwWCu4TZE1E/s1600/IMG_4242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/THNVALkASoI/AAAAAAAAAMs/xwWCu4TZE1E/s320/IMG_4242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508840230796413570" /></a><br /><br />A few days later, the young man lost his battle with leukemia. I later learned that the blanket made it to him before he passed and that both him and his mother were VERY touched by the gesture. There's a little more to it than that, but for privacy reasons, I don't want to disclose anymore of it. I can't really find the words to say how happy I am to know that I was able to be a part of something to help comfort someone who was really in need of it. I feel that any words I do write about this will fall short of saying how I really feel about it. Even though I didn't know this young man very well in high school or after high school, I am so grateful I am able to help anybody in that capacity. I feel that there will not be another project like this comfortghan project for a very long time, if ever. The whole thing is so much bigger than I am, and I am glad that I was able to use my talents to help it come to fruition.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-57596920136421066592010-08-04T22:50:00.002-04:002010-08-04T22:53:13.029-04:00WOWAll I can say is that so many things have changed since the last time I posted. I'll post a more substantial update later, but I'm just so surprised with how things have come together in was I didn't expect this last month or so. Crazy.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-4837000581017579692010-07-10T23:19:00.001-04:002010-07-10T23:21:09.454-04:00Why Walk When You Can Fly?In this world there's a whole lot of trouble, baby<br />In this world there's a whole lot of pain<br />In this world there's a whole lot of trouble<br />But a whole lot of ground to gain<br />Why take when you could be giving, why watch as the world goes by<br />It's a hard enough life to be living, why walk when you can fly<br /><br />In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow<br />In this world there's a whole lot of shame<br />In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow<br />And a whole lot of ground to gain<br />When you spend your whole life wishing, wanting and wondering why<br />It's a long enough life to be living, why walk when you can fly<br /><br />In this world there's a whole lot of cold<br />In this world there's a whole lot of blame<br />In this world you've a soul for a compass<br />And a heart for a pair of wings<br />There's a star on the far horizon, rising bright in an azure sky<br />For the rest of the time that you're given, why walk when you can flyEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-1559376324340915702010-07-02T22:30:00.016-04:002010-07-03T09:08:26.153-04:00So Many Things!Lately, I have definitely felt that at last, it's summer! I've been trying to be outside as much as I can while also trying to avoid the heat and such. I try to watch sunsets often and get to see fireflies out at night. It's really great. I love summer. It kind of makes me sad already that the days are getting slightly shorter, but oh well.<br /><br />I was watching a sunset on the lake the other day and there were a good number of people around doing the same thing (along with taking pictures and ohhing/ahhing). Of course I love taking pictures of the sunset, but it's also funny to see people's reactions when the sun actually sets. Kids will say things like "BYE SUN! See you tomorrow!" which is adorable. The other day, people started clapping when it set because it was a great sight, but it was kind of humorous on the other hand because the sun sets everyday and we're just now clapping for nature, I guess. Also, we usually aren't able to take the time to appreciate little things like sunsets or other beautiful natural sights. I love sunsets.<br /><br />In the knitting world, I made a pair of socks for Bundles of Joy. They are trying to collect as many socks and slippers they can for the elders on Pine Ridge Reservation. I made size 11 men's socks out of Fishermen's Wool. I used the Thuja pattern that I've used before, because I LOVE IT! It uses worsted weight yarn (a bigger yarn) and they go much faster than normal sock weight yarn socks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6kMuSE_VI/AAAAAAAAAKY/NiLXCQcZ76c/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6kMuSE_VI/AAAAAAAAAKY/NiLXCQcZ76c/s320/IMG_4072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489505534300454226" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6kdn0w1ZI/AAAAAAAAAKg/ezg4pz6okpA/s1600/IMG_4073.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6kdn0w1ZI/AAAAAAAAAKg/ezg4pz6okpA/s320/IMG_4073.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489505824624661906" /></a><br /><br />When I finished these socks, I still had a good amount of wool yarn left. I decided to use some of the Easter egg dye I got on clearance a few months ago to brighten up the "oatmeal" colored yarn! I based it on the June theme of the "Kool Way to Dye" ravelry group which was "Fairy Light". When I thought of fairy-type things, I thought of bluish/purple hues. I liked how this turned out, even if I almost accidently dyed my kitchen in the process!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6k2Iz7OHI/AAAAAAAAAKo/rxwL5zA2uBo/s1600/IMG_4088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6k2Iz7OHI/AAAAAAAAAKo/rxwL5zA2uBo/s320/IMG_4088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489506245796378738" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6lNVs6DwI/AAAAAAAAAKw/XGxsjuGUEvk/s1600/IMG_4089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6lNVs6DwI/AAAAAAAAAKw/XGxsjuGUEvk/s320/IMG_4089.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489506644393594626" /></a><br /><br />Additionally, Easter egg dyes use vinegar as the acid and I used the microwave for the heat source.<br /><br />vinegar + wet wool + microwave = "EWWWWW" smell<br /><br />Luckily the smell didn't stay around long :)<br /><br />A recent project has come up and taken a LOT of my time lately. I'm putting together an afghan of blanket squares to give to a young man with leukemia that I graduated high school with. I have a few people from a ravelry group and our local knitting group doing squares. We have already reached the original goal of pledges for squares, so it's going along very well. The blanket size has been increased because so many people have pledged a square for it. I am making a few for it, of course, but I needed to do some improvisation on a few of them.<br /><br />I wanted to make a University of North Carolina (UNC) blanket square, but oddly enough, there weren't really any patterns for a blanket square with the interlocking NC logo on it. I charted out a picture of the logo onto a grid, and knit a blanket square out of it. Easier said than done, but I decided to take my hard work and put it on ravelry as a dishcloth pattern! I never thought I would submit a pattern because I don't have the creative "designer genes" (see what I did there, haha), but I figured that people would hopefully appreciate an interlocking NC logo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6nRGVaD4I/AAAAAAAAAK4/URzpWzW-GM0/s1600/IMG_4093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6nRGVaD4I/AAAAAAAAAK4/URzpWzW-GM0/s320/IMG_4093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489508908011229058" /></a><br /><br />And here are two more squares I've completed.<br /><br />University of Texas<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6oSeIl9yI/AAAAAAAAALA/EUTytYtJA7o/s1600/IMG_4096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6oSeIl9yI/AAAAAAAAALA/EUTytYtJA7o/s320/IMG_4096.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489510031091431202" /></a><br /><br />University of Michigan<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6o4DiremI/AAAAAAAAALI/J4sbih6kn24/s1600/IMG_4082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6o4DiremI/AAAAAAAAALI/J4sbih6kn24/s320/IMG_4082.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489510676788116066" /></a><br /><br />I'm very excited about this blanket. Mainly because I've been meaning to do something like this for a while and it's finally taking shape. People have responded very positively to the idea and I can't wait to put it together. I feel it'll be a great thing for the young man and his family to know that so many people have come together to support him in his battle. I'll post pictures when blanket squares start coming in and things come together for that.<br /><br />And one of these days, I'll get back to the double vision blanket, I promise! :D<br /><br />Lastly (on a totally different note), I recently watched a documentary called "Stranded: I've Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains". It's intense and about a group of Uruguayan athletes whose plane crashes in the Andes. A group of them are able to survive for TWO MONTHS before they are able to be rescued. It's incredible. The group returns to the area of the crash thirty (I think) years later with their families. I can't imagine going through something like that. If anyone has Netflix, I recommend it! Not for children AT ALL though because some of the subject material is really intense.<br /> <br />Izzy sat behind me while I wrote this, so here's a webcam pic of her (bad quality, sorry!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6qkyZtBrI/AAAAAAAAALQ/U0fWhBnZSos/s1600/Photo+on+2010-07-02+at+22.33+%233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TC6qkyZtBrI/AAAAAAAAALQ/U0fWhBnZSos/s320/Photo+on+2010-07-02+at+22.33+%233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489512544792807090" /></a><br /><br />That is all :)Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-20996777110083574332010-06-20T14:44:00.002-04:002010-06-20T14:48:11.826-04:00Animals, More animals, and Some KnittingALRIGHT! I'm back from another busy week of doing crazy things. This time it was in Atlanta, where my sister is currently moving to. She accepted a job there and needed help looking for apartments. They definitely call Atlanta the nickname of Hotlanta for a reason - an average high of 95 degrees + humidity the time I was down there! Whew!<br /><br />I got a lot of knitting done in the car rides on the way there and back (yes we drove from Michigan to Atlanta). I got to make a stop at the zoo and get some neat pictures while I was there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2ScRXwhrI/AAAAAAAAAJA/H-YoDY2OvaY/s1600/IMG_3992.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2ScRXwhrI/AAAAAAAAAJA/H-YoDY2OvaY/s320/IMG_3992.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484700935604176562" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2TyNJ6xmI/AAAAAAAAAJI/9Gp4xmHakK0/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2TyNJ6xmI/AAAAAAAAAJI/9Gp4xmHakK0/s320/IMG_3999.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484702411941135970" /></a><br /><br />One of the best things about Zoo Atlanta: they have pandas! They're only one of four US zoos to have them. This is the momma panda, Lun Lun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2UKq-7SGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/-JWrntubWHk/s1600/IMG_4004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2UKq-7SGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/-JWrntubWHk/s320/IMG_4004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484702832264956002" /></a><br /><br />And here's the baby panda, Xi Lan! These pandas are probably some of the cutest things I have ever seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2Ua6X3D7I/AAAAAAAAAJY/ER6IiS9CSYc/s1600/IMG_4009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2Ua6X3D7I/AAAAAAAAAJY/ER6IiS9CSYc/s320/IMG_4009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484703111273975730" /></a><br /><br />Also, they had a demonstration on training. They used otters to show how training can help in daily routines with animals. I knew this before, but it's really neat to see, of all things, otters doing little tricks with their trainers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2U4jaH6tI/AAAAAAAAAJg/jDZ9WT_e2ro/s1600/IMG_4021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2U4jaH6tI/AAAAAAAAAJg/jDZ9WT_e2ro/s320/IMG_4021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484703620505529042" /></a><br /><br />I also thought the turtles and snakes were really cool :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2aHIaZQcI/AAAAAAAAAJo/v3KZUWTzeSM/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2aHIaZQcI/AAAAAAAAAJo/v3KZUWTzeSM/s320/IMG_4034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484709368515084738" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2ap5CTF_I/AAAAAAAAAJw/UM8_c16de9E/s1600/IMG_4038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2ap5CTF_I/AAAAAAAAAJw/UM8_c16de9E/s320/IMG_4038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484709965682907122" /></a><br /><br />I have a funny video of a gorilla catching food from a trainer, but unfortunately I can't figure out how to rotate the video :(. Oh well. It was a very wonderful day at the zoo!<br /><br />Now it's time to discuss the results of the crazy long car ride to and from Georgia. On the way to our destination, I finished the 6th out of 12 squares I'm making to put together as a blanket! They're turning out very well so far and I can't wait to do some more squares.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB5g2t9JSfI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/EKG1v6U1m48/s1600/IMG_4064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB5g2t9JSfI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/EKG1v6U1m48/s320/IMG_4064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484927889349102066" /></a><br /><br />On the way back home, I started on a sock (the pattern: Thuja) and got pretty far with it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2dk0HoN7I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/_woRKQtFoaE/s1600/IMG_4042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2dk0HoN7I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/_woRKQtFoaE/s320/IMG_4042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484713176998623154" /></a><br /><br />Opie approves, also.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2e35LYVTI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ii7Kc_79jc8/s1600/IMG_4046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2e35LYVTI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ii7Kc_79jc8/s320/IMG_4046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484714604285678898" /></a><br /><br />Yes, He's actually in mid-meow in this second picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2ffvtAjSI/AAAAAAAAAKI/gizxO7ydf4A/s1600/IMG_4044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TB2ffvtAjSI/AAAAAAAAAKI/gizxO7ydf4A/s320/IMG_4044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715288937139490" /></a><br /><br />He's such a charmer... :PEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-77694371602539853382010-06-19T01:01:00.005-04:002010-06-19T01:10:45.515-04:00Blue True Dream and Leaping SpiritsHere's a poem I like from E.E. Cummings:<br /><br />i thank You God for most this amazing<br />day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees<br />and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything<br />which is natural which is infinite which is yes<br /><br />(i who have died am alive again today,<br />and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth<br />day of life and love and wings; and of the gay<br />great happening illimitably earth)<br /><br />how should tasting touching hearing seeing<br />breathing any – lifted from the no<br />of all nothing – human merely being<br />doubt imaginable You?<br /><br />(now the ears of my ears awake<br />and now the eyes of my eyes are opened)Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-29688421069690627502010-06-12T01:37:00.008-04:002010-06-12T11:38:54.172-04:00Picturesque FelinesSome random pictures of my kitties - Izzy (brown) and Opie (orange and white) :D<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMeYCFs9II/AAAAAAAAAIY/9Bhb0w6DIzY/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMeYCFs9II/AAAAAAAAAIY/9Bhb0w6DIzY/s320/IMG_2858.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481758569666507906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMfUIExqCI/AAAAAAAAAIo/niBOIoSVawM/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMfUIExqCI/AAAAAAAAAIo/niBOIoSVawM/s320/IMG_2859.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481759602065385506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMeu3zw3cI/AAAAAAAAAIg/yNZg9U7Tg0Q/s1600/IMG_2900.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMeu3zw3cI/AAAAAAAAAIg/yNZg9U7Tg0Q/s320/IMG_2900.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481758962043903426" /></a><br /><br />I wish I could sleep like these pictures...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMgfybbE7I/AAAAAAAAAI4/aqv9EUMywtU/s1600/IMG_3541.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMgfybbE7I/AAAAAAAAAI4/aqv9EUMywtU/s320/IMG_3541.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481760901924852658" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMfu0aGlQI/AAAAAAAAAIw/Zd82cuEbqhw/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TBMfu0aGlQI/AAAAAAAAAIw/Zd82cuEbqhw/s320/IMG_3927.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481760060642596098" /></a><br /><br />Speaking of sleep, goodnight all! ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-5483415048308601022010-06-11T01:24:00.000-04:002010-06-11T01:25:42.909-04:00PerfectionThe thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.<br />- Anne QuindleinEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-13820133169449799182010-06-08T17:45:00.008-04:002010-06-08T18:39:04.479-04:00GagafiedOk, ok. I apologize because I don't have any crafts to share with you right now, but I swear I'm working on them! I've been out of town many times this past month and haven't been able to spend as much time knitting/crocheting/whatever than I have before. The break has been both good and bad - good in that I am able to avoid burnout and bad because now I feel as if I have a ton of catching up to do. With that said, here's another random post featuring a group of youtube videos :).<br /><br />Whether you love her or hate her, you have to have an opinion on Lady Gaga. Sure she's a pop machine, but maybe the point of all her music, crazy antics, ridiculously creative stage performances is that the pop music culture has become too cookie cutter and predictable. Her music may fit the sound of pop music, but her performances, music videos, and fashion are what keep people talking. I have a prediction with Lady Gaga that once her Gaga persona gets to be outgrown or grow cold, it will be "killed off" in favor of a newer, fresher one (a la Madonna). Who knows. I can't help but be fascinated with Gaga.<br /><br />As an example, here are some of her music videos. Most of her videos are so over the top, that you just can't help but watch them for the first time and think "...what the hell was that" (at least that's what I tend to say to myself). With more viewings, they may not necessarily make more sense (well, maybe a little bit - if that's possible) but they are so innately creative that I can't help but keep looking for more.<br /><br />Just an FYI, I am not responsible for the ridiculousness of these videos, so consider yourself warned! With that said, join me in saying "...what the hell?" as I post some Gaga-licious videos!<br /><br />Alejandro (released today, June 8th, 2010)<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/niqrrmev4mA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/niqrrmev4mA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Paparazzi (currently at 22 millions views)<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d2smz_1L2_0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d2smz_1L2_0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Telephone (at 31 million views)<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GQ95z6ywcBY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GQ95z6ywcBY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />And my favorite, Bad Romance (now at 222 million views and counting)<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qrO4YZeyl0I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qrO4YZeyl0I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />In the random spirit of this post, <a href="http://www.jimspancakes.com/">here's</a> a website featuring pancakes in various forms!<br /><br />Bacon and Eggs pancakes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jimspancakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bacon_eggs_pancake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.jimspancakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bacon_eggs_pancake.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A biplane pancake?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jimspancakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/airplane-pancake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.jimspancakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/airplane-pancake.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And lastly...TETRIS-CAKES!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jimspancakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/tetris-pancake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.jimspancakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/tetris-pancake.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In that vein, also head on over to one of my most favorite blogs ever, <a href="http://www.cakewrecks.com/">Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Horribly, Hilariously Wrong</a>! I can spend HOURS on this site, no joke, and still keep coming back for more.<br /><br />Example. An adorably cute baby cake!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5hYuhy28gc54Ak2xtORBBELw0WZVEf6czjJESEwlk9vd84Joah40YvJiaqC4v4hJcDGDW90_h1j2nkGTpoJNKMLv3gaOV2oY89RM2_SPVbORSDHxHSy5XVD97q9EvRodQXdwIIECeBk/s400/8718_128115554221_500049221_2256345_6346226_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5hYuhy28gc54Ak2xtORBBELw0WZVEf6czjJESEwlk9vd84Joah40YvJiaqC4v4hJcDGDW90_h1j2nkGTpoJNKMLv3gaOV2oY89RM2_SPVbORSDHxHSy5XVD97q9EvRodQXdwIIECeBk/s400/8718_128115554221_500049221_2256345_6346226_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />"What's so bad about this cake?" one might ask. It's the cutting of the cake that the problem occurs...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jvPm8dFyqyKIoum0ROpNl0xbl4IWdQt16z16OYh3xKnS90T_3HQl3PN8TuCR_SZ4RJXmQspaKnycRUSqwLuVI-9WfOLwQHEO1xJkfuInft3aqpHG9tKv2kQmnSkuMSMBoEgBhwX_etk/s400/8718_128117129221_500049221_2256356_1280834_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jvPm8dFyqyKIoum0ROpNl0xbl4IWdQt16z16OYh3xKnS90T_3HQl3PN8TuCR_SZ4RJXmQspaKnycRUSqwLuVI-9WfOLwQHEO1xJkfuInft3aqpHG9tKv2kQmnSkuMSMBoEgBhwX_etk/s400/8718_128117129221_500049221_2256356_1280834_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Anyone want a piece of a baby cake? I think I'll pass...<br /><br />Alright, I'm done rehashing other blogs, haha. I'll leave you with a picture of one reason why I enjoy living near the Great Lakes! Taken from my camera phone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TA7GSwGecZI/AAAAAAAAAII/53l_j0AfFJY/s1600/sunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TA7GSwGecZI/AAAAAAAAAII/53l_j0AfFJY/s320/sunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480535822008480146" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-13927803359389565062010-06-01T23:59:00.007-04:002010-06-02T00:23:55.079-04:00Still Seeing in Double VisionI just finished the next step of the Double Vision Blanket: I'm done with the 3rd "L"! This brings the total square count up to 51! I'm past the halfway point of the square making and am glad! I have 49 to go!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TAXX-w_wbpI/AAAAAAAAAIA/SiGBHGWY0qg/s1600/IMG_3874.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/TAXX-w_wbpI/AAAAAAAAAIA/SiGBHGWY0qg/s320/IMG_3874.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478021995070254738" /></a><br /><br />I need to add a black border on the one side of the "L" and tuck in the yarn ends. Once those are done, I will begin the home stretch of the project! It's starting to be a little monotonous, so I'm trying to put some other projects while I'm making this blanket. Ironically enough, one of them is another blanket (block of the month). Oh well.<br /><br />Here's some videos I have from "So You Think You Can Dance?". These are four of my favorite dances they've had on the show that I've come across.<br /><br />The first one is a more upbeat and intense routine that is a sort of a "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" dance.<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UXnJboJvMMA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UXnJboJvMMA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />The next two are both more similar in theme. This one is to "Calling You" by Celine Dion and choreographed by Mia Michaels.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7C18rL6kGPM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7C18rL6kGPM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />And this one is to "Dancing" by Elisa. It features Lacey Schwimmer who was also on Dancing with the Stars.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DXBVHRtxbPk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DXBVHRtxbPk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Last but not least is "Time" choreographed by Mia Michaels. This routine is very touching and well done. Gives me chills, too. This also features Lacey Schwimmer.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IsU6wq8BKtg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IsU6wq8BKtg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-29476866285980367252010-05-28T00:49:00.010-04:002010-06-01T18:37:33.394-04:00RecoveryThis week, I stumbled across a project on Ravelry. I recently joined this group that specializes in charity knitting and contains a ton of different projects group members can participate in. There are some that are applicable to me and some that aren't, but one really stuck out to me. It's called the <a href="http://recoverybuddies.blogspot.com/">Recovery Buddies Project</a> and focuses on creating, basically, smiley face pillows that are sent to those in recovery from various forms of mental illness. It was posted on the Ravelry group because the project leaders have a large wait list and they cannot keep up with the need for these buddies. Since I need a momentary distraction from the Double Vision Blanket, I put these on my to do list. The summary of the project from their blog describes it better than I have: <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Recovery Buddies Project is a team of people from around the world who hand knit "recovery buddies" to help people through a variety of addictions including eating disorders, self-injury as well as others. We strive to remind people that they are not alone in their addictions, and that they don't have to be alone in their recovery.</span><br /><br />If you go to the website, you can see pictures of the different buddies that have been created throughout the project. Each buddy has a name and a story in order to make it a more personal experience for the recipients. I made two buddies in the last three days and will send them soon. They knit up very quickly and were a very easy project.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S_9OmRSCuoI/AAAAAAAAAHY/lKjR-9ckwCw/s1600/IMG_3842.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S_9OmRSCuoI/AAAAAAAAAHY/lKjR-9ckwCw/s320/IMG_3842.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476182091286887042" /></a><br /><br />Making these buddies had me thinking - why don't I base their "stories" on people I know? I decided to take my own twist on that and base them off of people that have hurt me and I have had trouble forgiving. Although I didn't name them directly after the people, I won't post any more information on them or the stories because I don't want that information floating around blogland. In addition, I obviously don't want the actual buddies to have any negativity for the people they are intended for, so I wrote stories that pointed out the positive aspects of these people that I need help forgiving. I think that they are symbols about how I can turn my own hurt into something that will hopefully help someone heal from their own struggles. For some reason forgiveness is sometimes a confusing subject to me because it balances on the line of letting go of the pain caused in part by others and protecting yourself from future hurt. I think it's fair to say that forgiveness is a form of recovery, and that we are all in pursuit of recovery in one way or another.<br /><br />"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."<br />- Mark TwainEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-18077051288196368222010-05-18T23:30:00.010-04:002010-05-18T23:55:38.285-04:00The Lost/Dixie/Rainbow ConnectionTonight is the airing of the second to last episode of Lost. It answered some questions (more so than most of the episodes so far) and, I think, did a decent job setting the stage for the series finale this Sunday. Although I'm not a Lost fanatic, I do have some theories that I wonder about for the finale and will try to be concise in explaining. I believe that Jacob and the Man in Black are, in addition to being a "good and evil" pairing, that they reflect both the obsessions with human nature (MIB) and the innate goodness of humans (Jacob). Also, I believe that Kate is going to play an integral role and end up being the "protector" of the island in the end. All of the survivors ended up on the island by accident, so why can't the protector of the island become the protector by accident? Additionally, out of the "flash sideways" sequences, Kate has the least to live for off the island than the other candidates, so it would makes sense that she would rather be somewhere she belongs rather than a pursued criminal off island. In the present time, she took care of Aaron after leaving the island, but without him, there's no reason to go back. That's the end of my Lost rant. I just wanted to write all this down before the finale airs. I'm sure I'm completely wrong on all counts, but at least this show is getting wrapped up before it gets even more complicated (if that's possible).<br /><br />In random news, I made my first phone call to Indonesia to my friend Diana today. Talk about crazy. I joked with her that 20 years ago it would be much more difficult to even think about making a phone call that far away. It cost me less than $2 to talk with her on her cell phone for 10 minutes. With email, skype, and other technological advances, it makes it feel like she isn't that far away since I can just call her up on my computer (well it's a little more complicated than that, but still, this technology stuff is really great).<br /><br />The last Netflix documentary I watched was "Shut Up and Sing" about the Dixie Chicks. This documentary follows the group from the time of the start of the scandal to the tour and album afterward. I think the whole debate brings up a great argument of freedom of speech in that an offhand comment at a concert can cause a culture (country music) to boycott and turn their backs on one of their beloved groups at the time. Regardless of how you view the original comment, the media circus that followed and blew things out of proportion threatened to ruin the careers of these women. The comment had happened on their world tour, so it took a while for the group to perform in the United States due to the international tour schedule. Despite their worries, the first concert was greeted with cheers and applause by the audience while a group of protesters practiced their right to free speech outside. Instead of ruining their careers, they come back with a Grammy award winning song and album. The scrutiny surrounding this album put a lot of pressure for them to even decide what kind of music they wanted to pursue. One of the parts in the documentaries describes a death threat Natalie Maines had in Dallas and how they still went on with the show despite the risk. Interesting documentary.<br /><br />Here's one of my favorite songs from them that is lesser known (from what I can tell). Slightly depressing, but I think it's thought provoking about things like faith, how we treat those around us, and our legacy after we are gone. It describes a man who was mistreated by his mother, thus taking out the lack of love on his wife and daughter. Even without the music video, the song is really hauntingly beautiful (duh, good music shouldn't need a video). With just the song, it can be a lyrical take on someone who didn't have faith in their life (to a higher power or what have you) and is realizing that they should have done things differently in retrospect.<br /><br /><br />Top of the World by the Dixie Chicks<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yrNkuQUhh3A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yrNkuQUhh3A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />This week marked the 20th anniversary of Jim Henson's death (May 16) and the 30th anniversary of the Mount St. Helen's eruption (May 18). I put one of my favorite Dixie Chicks songs up, so now I am putting my favorite Henson song here.<br /><br />Rainbow Connection with Kermit<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jSFLZ-MzIhM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jSFLZ-MzIhM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />And to end this post, I'll add two songs that were sung at Jim Henson's memorial service. I watched a few of these videos and the whole service is incredibly touching. It's both a celebration and a mourning of someone's life.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lrZyMptC2eQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lrZyMptC2eQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Zzfdlxjx4Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Zzfdlxjx4Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-89815570043976869462010-05-14T11:27:00.013-04:002010-05-14T12:15:09.794-04:00AHH This Blanket is Nuts!Good news! The second "L" is done! I had a chance to go down to Texas to visit my sister. We ended up driving there which is both good and bad. It's really bad because it is a very long and (mostly) boring drive from Michigan to Texas and we usually have to split it into two days. The good news is that it gave me a ton of time to work on some more of the double vision blanket. I finished 18 squares total on the trip! With the second "L" done plus one more square, I have 37 squares finished! CRAZY. I still love this blanket so far, although tucking in ends and doing the black edging are both extremely tedious. I'm lucky that the blanket is a complex enough pattern that it keeps me engaged, but is not too complicated to be frustrating. There are times in the pattern I thought "WTF, how do I do that?", but I always seemed to figure it out...so far.<br /><br />OMG SECOND "L"!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-1tXvYnkRI/AAAAAAAAAFs/fAVMqrtHu3g/s1600/IMG_3758.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-1tXvYnkRI/AAAAAAAAAFs/fAVMqrtHu3g/s320/IMG_3758.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471149376949162258" /></a><br /><br />I feel like this blanket is going to be more and more difficult to photograph the bigger it gets. It's supposed to be about 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) square when finished. I already had to stand on a couch to get this picture and if you look at it, you'll realize when I finish the squares, it will be out of this picture. I'll have to figure out something to do. Until then, I'll work on trying to conquer this beast.<br /><br />I bought some Texas based yarn when I was visiting my sister. It's a Madeline Tosh worsted yarn in a very pretty green. I don't have any pictures of it (or any ideas for it) yet, but soon....very soon I'm sure I'll figure out something.<br /><br />I also got to go walking with some flamingos at the zoo when I was down there. I'm not going to say what zoo (because it's "behind the scenes"), but those are some of the perks you get when you have a family member as a zookeeper ;).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-1ubmydN6I/AAAAAAAAAF8/z4y7Un3828s/s1600/19128305711_ORIG.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-1ubmydN6I/AAAAAAAAAF8/z4y7Un3828s/s320/19128305711_ORIG.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471150542872721314" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-39385661192816360442010-05-06T18:00:00.002-04:002010-05-06T18:02:26.577-04:00This is Getting a Little More SeriousLast time I posted about the Double Vision Blanket, I had just started it and was admiring the yarn I ordered. Since then, I've made about 25 squares and finished the first "L". The way the blanket is put together, there are 10 separate "L"s that have to be seamed together near the end of the project. The first one has 19 squares, the second one 17, then 15, 13, etc all the way down to 1. By finishing the first "L", I didn't complete 10% of the blanket, but 19/100 squares (if that makes sense). I also can't say I've finished 19% of it because there's a lot more work such as arranging, seaming, and borders that are going to take a lot more work to complete. Here are some progress pictures of this enjoyable (so far) blanket.<br /><br />First side "in progress".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M5Wx0NymI/AAAAAAAAAFM/TKI4ShggFhg/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M5Wx0NymI/AAAAAAAAAFM/TKI4ShggFhg/s320/IMG_3693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468277436050164322" /></a><br /><br />First side complete!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M5j1ao7eI/AAAAAAAAAFU/_Pc_z_as8uM/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M5j1ao7eI/AAAAAAAAAFU/_Pc_z_as8uM/s320/IMG_3696.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468277660354932194" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M5vgc7WgI/AAAAAAAAAFc/aSEVtb0oEjI/s1600/IMG_3698.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M5vgc7WgI/AAAAAAAAAFc/aSEVtb0oEjI/s320/IMG_3698.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468277860885813762" /></a><br /><br />First "L" complete!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M584ao7BI/AAAAAAAAAFk/4OqgWgBM4Qw/s1600/IMG_3733.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M584ao7BI/AAAAAAAAAFk/4OqgWgBM4Qw/s400/IMG_3733.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468278090656967698" /></a><br /><br />At this point, I am almost complete with the actual knitting on the first side of the second "L". Then I will need to make a sort-of border in order to start the second side. It might be confusing to some, but it makes sense in my brain ;). I hope I don't get burnt out on it! So far it's going well! <a href="http://ravel.me/canadiadry/tlwjy">Here's</a> the public link to the project!<br /><br />In the meantime, feel free to check out some of the blogs that I've linked to on my page!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-7938637609391634872010-05-06T17:36:00.003-04:002010-05-06T20:01:52.287-04:00Evan Lysacek and Charity Knitting Go Together Like...Actually, They Don't Go Together...Oh wow, I haven't updated since Apr 19th! It doesn't seem like that long ago, but the more I think about it, the more I realize it was a while ago and, yes, I have been working on a few projects here and there, haha. One of the main things is that I finished up another package to send to LOWO on Pine Ridge Reservation. This will probably be the last package I send for a while since it kind of takes some time and resources to organize things, look for cheap (but good quality and sendable) items, the right sized box, etc. Not to mention making any knitting or crochet projects. I've been fortunate with both packages that I had many things that I was able to donate from around the house. My family is in the process of cleaning out the basement and getting rid of all of the items we have been unnecessarily hanging on to for years. We donated a bunch of these items to a garage sale to benefit a young man I graduated from high school with and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Getting rid of things to help benefit someone whom you went to high school with is a great motivator for that process. That's a whole different topic, but my point is that you don't realize how much "crap" you don't need until you go through it and put it in bags to give away. That and when you have to move from one apartment to another. That's also when you realize how much stuff you have ;).<br /><br />In the box are: 5 blankets (4 knit/crochet, 1 fleece), 4 scarves, 6 adult hats, 2 sleep sacks (mentioned in an earlier post), 4 toddler hat and mitten sets, 10 pairs of girls socks (sizes 6-8 1/2), 10 pairs of boys socks (9-11), 6 stuffed animals (only 5 pictured), 1 pair of gloves, and 1 baby sweater (also mentioned in another post). Here's some pics of the LOWO box:<br /><br />Everything at once:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LkiJxKfMI/AAAAAAAAAEk/K3WCf7t5XlY/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LkiJxKfMI/AAAAAAAAAEk/K3WCf7t5XlY/s400/IMG_3669.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468184172970015938" /></a><br /><br />Stuffed animals I bought on Easter clearance along with some I had around the house. I added one more that's not pictured; a clown fish I got for a dollar, so I couldn't resist. I really like clown fish (random, I know. Don't ask me why).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LV9LpC0VI/AAAAAAAAADs/jSHkMrX0aRk/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LV9LpC0VI/AAAAAAAAADs/jSHkMrX0aRk/s320/IMG_3675.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468168144654881106" /></a><br /><br />There's also some hats and scarves. Some of the hats are from around the house or ones that I don't use anymore (the MSU one, in particular) and others I got for 50% at the dollar store for winter clearance. All of the scarves are ones my family doesn't use anymore.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LW-C_I6BI/AAAAAAAAAD0/vuTlT6aITVc/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LW-C_I6BI/AAAAAAAAAD0/vuTlT6aITVc/s320/IMG_3676.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468169259023132690" /></a><br /><br />The hats I bought from the dollar store. The toddler hat and mitten sets I bought at the dollar store for 90% off!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Lk-EOKCGI/AAAAAAAAAEs/AAUVhDjpcrw/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Lk-EOKCGI/AAAAAAAAAEs/AAUVhDjpcrw/s320/IMG_3563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468184652517345378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LXNDnbkLI/AAAAAAAAAD8/oM8nm_rt9EI/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LXNDnbkLI/AAAAAAAAAD8/oM8nm_rt9EI/s320/IMG_3677.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468169516890165426" /></a><br /><br />Also, I included one of those fleece blankets that you cut, then tie the ends together. The main reason I'm specifically pointing this out is how incredibly cute the fabric is. It has baby-looking lions, giraffes, and elephants eating things on it with various words such as "MUNCH" and "CRUNCH". IT'S SO CUTE. If I knew people with babies, I would've given it to them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LX2OZFaDI/AAAAAAAAAEE/TeDO71Kua5w/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LX2OZFaDI/AAAAAAAAAEE/TeDO71Kua5w/s320/IMG_3679.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468170224157419570" /></a><br /><br />Other blankets I made were the alphabet blanket and the crocheted "bubble blanket" I mentioned together in a previous post. In addition to the blankets I made, my mom also added two blankets. One of the blankets she knitted a while ago (who knows when) and never knew what to do with it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Lgb1vQPAI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FEuAaZmnrS0/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Lgb1vQPAI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FEuAaZmnrS0/s320/IMG_3685.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468179666467568642" /></a><br /><br />And she specifically crocheted this blanket to donate. It's absolutely beautiful!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Ljn0f_eAI/AAAAAAAAAEc/3KwJ7eYBmJg/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Ljn0f_eAI/AAAAAAAAAEc/3KwJ7eYBmJg/s320/IMG_3680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468183170828433410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LjZGPFTzI/AAAAAAAAAEU/nu7OZSanuN0/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LjZGPFTzI/AAAAAAAAAEU/nu7OZSanuN0/s320/IMG_3692.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468182917891313458" /></a><br /><br />So that's the LOWO box. I feel accomplished to be able to send all of that stuff. My hope is that it gets to the people who really need it and that those people will be able to appreciate it and use the items as much as possible. My next project that I want to do for Pine Ridge (for now) will be to make blankets for the elders. That won't be for a while though, so I'll probably make some blanket squares in the meantime.<br /><br />While I was getting this box ready, I had the opportunity to take a spinning class at a local weaving store. I told my friend I was taking a spinning class and she said, "OH! Like on those exercise bikes!" :). Nope, I mean with spinning wheels and wool. I have never been able to try it, nor have really never wanted to try it until recently. I figured that a class will be a perfect way to know if it's even something I would want to do in the future. I don't own a spinning wheel and I don't have the means to acquire one at this time, but I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow one for the class. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the wheel, the wool, or the "yarn" I made (all 6 inches of it). I did enjoy it and would like to possibly purchase a wheel sometime in the future. By future, I mean NOT the near future. It'll be more of when I am more settled and have a "real job". All in all, I am very happy that I was able to try spinning, even if I was terrible at it, LOL.<br /><br />Another thing I did was make a few squares for another Pine Ridge group. This one focuses on making and donating items for children in need. A lady in this group volunteered to take afghan squares and seam them together to make blankets and donate them in the fall. Her goal is to make and collect a total of 130 sets that include blankets, hats, scarves, and mittens for children. Here's my contribution (bad photograpy - was rushed to take a picture, sorry!). I used a bunch of yarn I had from my stash, instead of buying all new yarn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M0AasmrYI/AAAAAAAAAFE/UxsMRDeiTLk/s1600/IMG_3709.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-M0AasmrYI/AAAAAAAAAFE/UxsMRDeiTLk/s320/IMG_3709.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468271554328964482" /></a><br /><br />On a completely different note, I have been watching Dancing with the Stars (don't hate). It's not the best show in the world, but it is definitely entertaining with the exception of the very drawn out results show. My mom and I decided to go see Stars on Ice, which Evan Lysacek (the gold medal ice skater and DWTS contestant) is currently on tour with. He spends Sunday-Tuesday in LA for DWTS and then Wednesday-Saturday skating for Stars on Ice. We made an entire day out of it and went shopping. We decided to check out a local yarn store, which was really nice! I didn't intend to buy anything, but ended up purchasing a beautiful skein of worsted weight yarn called Het Schaapje (Dutch for "Little Sheep"). It's spun and dyed by a lady in Delaware and the color is stunning. Unfortunately a picture can't truly capture what it looks like in person, but trust me, it's definitely eye catching. I want to make a scarf or a hat out of it (I haven't decided - any ideas?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Loee8flWI/AAAAAAAAAE0/H9QJoktKY0I/s1600/IMG_3724.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-Loee8flWI/AAAAAAAAAE0/H9QJoktKY0I/s320/IMG_3724.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468188507981714786" /></a><br /><br />Of course, I have to include a picture of Evan Lysacek. We actually had great seats, the pictures just didn't turn out very well. It was a fun show though! This was during the week he was training before he received his first perfect score on DWTS!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LovQjNkhI/AAAAAAAAAE8/vmTzAVSh_TU/s1600/IMG_3723.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S-LovQjNkhI/AAAAAAAAAE8/vmTzAVSh_TU/s320/IMG_3723.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468188796175356434" /></a><br /><br />That's all! Go Evan Lysacek! :PEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-63165881858602611842010-04-19T23:47:00.008-04:002010-04-20T00:04:19.107-04:00The Beginning of InsanityAfter doing some charity knitting, I am now wanting to make something more for myself. The blanket I'm going to make is called the <a href="http://www.woollythoughts.com/afghans/double.html">double vision blanket</a>. It's made up of 100 squares using 10 different colored yarns and there's 55 different shades that are created through the combinations. I absolutely love it, and I'm kind of nervous about starting it (hoping I don't mess it up!). <br /><br />Here's the yarn colors I'm going to use in the order I'm placing them in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80ltQMn4QI/AAAAAAAAADU/NFKU53Onffg/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80ltQMn4QI/AAAAAAAAADU/NFKU53Onffg/s320/IMG_3632.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462063382442533122" /></a><br /><br />And here's the amount of yarn I'm going to use for the colors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80mIWAmGoI/AAAAAAAAADc/KMgr_JVUtgs/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80mIWAmGoI/AAAAAAAAADc/KMgr_JVUtgs/s320/IMG_3630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462063847859165826" /></a><br /><br />Tonight I made my first square! Sorry about the bad lighting and weird background (my couch).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80lZ1E5AYI/AAAAAAAAADM/0A74XlCEd3o/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80lZ1E5AYI/AAAAAAAAADM/0A74XlCEd3o/s320/IMG_3655.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462063048744829314" /></a><br /><br />1 down, 99 to go! EEK! Wish me luck!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-28426275933481043312010-04-19T23:30:00.003-04:002010-04-20T00:03:33.664-04:00Alphablanket and Other Craft-Like ThingsOh noes! I haven't posted in a while! Also, I didn't realize I was receiving comments. I don't know what's up with that, I'll try to fix that. I've been up to a few craft things, of course. CAUTION: This is a picture-packed post (yay, alliteration?)! One of the big things I made was this ABC crochet blanket.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80TsSW4ToI/AAAAAAAAAB0/X8UctFTNHvc/s1600/IMG_3603.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80TsSW4ToI/AAAAAAAAAB0/X8UctFTNHvc/s320/IMG_3603.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462043574633254530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80T--sWcII/AAAAAAAAAB8/skuITZlMPj0/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80T--sWcII/AAAAAAAAAB8/skuITZlMPj0/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462043895772115074" /></a><br /><br />This took a while to make (almost a month) and I think it turned out well. Some of the letters don't "pop out" too well, but it was fun to make. That being said, it was a lot of work for a charity blanket. Although I enjoy making things for charity, I feel I would use this blanket to give to a friend rather than make to give away. I feel that I could use my time to make things that would be quicker and easier to create than spend a lot of my time on one blanket.<br /><br />I've also been busy making a few more things to donate to Pine Ridge Reservation. These will all go in my second shipment that I will (hopefully) be able to send soon. These include a crocheted blanket that I made around the same time as the alphabet blanket. I worked on this mostly when I got sick of the ABC's and everything involved with that. Here's the other blanket:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80WUocwB8I/AAAAAAAAACE/ZoE5kXHVNBM/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80WUocwB8I/AAAAAAAAACE/ZoE5kXHVNBM/s320/IMG_3638.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462046466781480898" /></a><br /><br />And a close up picture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80a8b35waI/AAAAAAAAADE/FJ6s4J9bQOI/s1600/IMG_3639.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80a8b35waI/AAAAAAAAADE/FJ6s4J9bQOI/s320/IMG_3639.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462051548646982050" /></a><br /><br />I also dyed some more yarn! I feel geeked out about it all, but it's so much fun! I dyed some more Paton's wool with cherry and orange kool aid. Watch out - picture overload coming up!<br /><br />These first two pictures are of the yarn immediately after I got done dyeing it. The first picture is right out of the microwave with the yarn still in a ziploc bag (yep, I microwave it to help the kool aid not bleed out of it later!).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80XM6IhAtI/AAAAAAAAACM/5hTriGOXkS0/s1600/IMG_3574.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80XM6IhAtI/AAAAAAAAACM/5hTriGOXkS0/s320/IMG_3574.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462047433601123026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80XotxFkLI/AAAAAAAAACU/tW-NcsEcel8/s1600/IMG_3575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80XotxFkLI/AAAAAAAAACU/tW-NcsEcel8/s320/IMG_3575.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462047911317967026" /></a><br /><br />These next pictures are of the yarn wound up into a ball, then wound into a hank. The hank is a way to help display the colors they way they would blend in a pattern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80YVqW6LdI/AAAAAAAAACc/UeMHtxtvQd4/s1600/IMG_3584.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80YVqW6LdI/AAAAAAAAACc/UeMHtxtvQd4/s320/IMG_3584.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462048683496975826" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80YqhvkdSI/AAAAAAAAACk/6oQsWvtSYSQ/s1600/IMG_3586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80YqhvkdSI/AAAAAAAAACk/6oQsWvtSYSQ/s320/IMG_3586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462049041961743650" /></a><br /><br />BUT OF COURSE, the point of yarn is to make things, so I made this into another "baby bag" for LOWO.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80ZcYpqolI/AAAAAAAAACs/8WIZYhUvTM0/s1600/IMG_3624.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80ZcYpqolI/AAAAAAAAACs/8WIZYhUvTM0/s320/IMG_3624.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462049898514522706" /></a><br /><br />And then, some pictures to compare the first bag to the second one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80aCE55FcI/AAAAAAAAAC0/hQqU1VNhoDc/s1600/IMG_3613.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80aCE55FcI/AAAAAAAAAC0/hQqU1VNhoDc/s320/IMG_3613.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462050546048898498" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80ap8nO9tI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Ve4PZZWtXB8/s1600/IMG_3617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S80ap8nO9tI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Ve4PZZWtXB8/s320/IMG_3617.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462051231017924306" /></a><br /><br />So many pictures! Hope I didn't blow up anyone's computer. Also, don't forget to feed my fish over to the left with a mouse click. They're getting hungry ;).Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-11641751840558856292010-04-07T17:46:00.009-04:002010-04-19T23:15:36.089-04:00I Lessthanthree Neil Patrick HarrisRecently, I have been on a documentary kick with Netflix. Although I love my docs, I found something completely different yesterday. I had the privilege to discover and watch Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Neil Patrick Harris is so incredibly adorable and likeable as the sinister Dr. Horrible. I didn't know what to expect, but I saw it on netflix and decided to give it a go. It had been made and posted during the writer's strike a few years ago and is a mix of a superhero plot, some catchy songs thrown in the mix, and a great cast to make a fun miniseries. It was definitely a great find, and supposedly there's a sequel in the works. That would be fabulous and I'll for sure go to see it whether it's posted online or made into an actual movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S76EqOR1jCI/AAAAAAAAABs/fRgmamPBZbk/s1600/horrible.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S76EqOR1jCI/AAAAAAAAABs/fRgmamPBZbk/s320/horrible.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457945659341900834" /></a><br /><br />I'll say that sometimes it's hit or miss when it comes to netflix, but every great movie makes up for (most of) the awful ones. Especially when it involves Neil Patrick Harris.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-55460119074866394372010-04-06T00:21:00.009-04:002010-04-19T23:14:11.208-04:00Indoturtle and a SweaterRecently, my friend Diana left for Indonesia with the Peace Corps on March 15th. She's going to be gone for 27 months. As a going away present, I made her a small little "talisman" that she could take along and take pictures of in random places. The first update a few days ago was that Indoturtle (and Diana, of course) are enjoying their new location and home on the other side of the world. They have a nice picturesque view of the local volcano (eek!) and some beautiful mountains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S7q3k3g17XI/AAAAAAAAABU/LzORAFDzOAQ/s1600/indoturtle.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S7q3k3g17XI/AAAAAAAAABU/LzORAFDzOAQ/s320/indoturtle.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456875742517652850" /></a><br /><br />He's made with red and white colors because these are the colors of the Indonesian flag (which is red on top and white on the bottom). Hopefully there will be plenty of adventures for Diana and updates from Indoturtle (lol) in the future.<br /><br />I finally finished a project I had been working on which was a baby sweater made from fingering weight yarn. I won the yarn from a type of contest called the Ravelympics. It was basically an event that took place during the time of the 2010 Winter Olympics where each participant had to challenge themselves in their crafting. I ended up making a buttload of projects in the short time of the Vancouver Olympics (mostly hats, but some other things, too).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S7q7cWbOr1I/AAAAAAAAABk/GNIAEmEZwRM/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S7q7cWbOr1I/AAAAAAAAABk/GNIAEmEZwRM/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456879994243297106" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, the sweater is made from super thin fingering weight yarn that takes much longer to work with using much smaller needles. I didn't like the colors at first (made me think of too much rainbow-like colors making it look possibly "clown barf"ish). Fortunately, I was just worrying too much and the finished product turned out really nicely and the pattern (not my project) was even mentioned in the next newsletter of the Threadbear Fiber Arts Studio in Lansing because I shared it with the Threadbear group on Ravelry. I'll donate it to LOWO on behalf of Bundles of Joy since I don't know any babies that I could give it to, haha. Oh well.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-28291666848795014972010-03-28T01:05:00.009-04:002010-04-19T23:14:30.194-04:00Kool Aid Art, Ghana, and DisabilityAs I mentioned in my last post, I dyed some yarn with Kool Aid. I made it into a little sleep sack that can be used for a baby. I was happy with the finished product.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/25433075/IMG_3565_medium.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/25433075/IMG_3565_medium.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I really like the color variations in the bag and how the lighter colors seem to "wrap around" the bag. The yarn is 100% wool, so that will be nice for someone to use. I'll include this in the next box I send.<br /><br />Recently I've been on a sort of documentary kick. I get them from Netflix because there are TONS of them available from the website and I really enjoy watching these informational films. One that I recently watched was called "Emmanuel's Gift" about a Ghanian man who was born with a deformed leg. This caused him to be labeled as "disabled" which is, in many ways, viewed as sub-human in the country of Ghana even though as many as 10% of the population is disabled in some way. Through hard work, a supportive family, and refusing to succumb to the plight of the many disabled people in Ghana who have to resort to begging, he was able to bike ride across the country to raise awareness about disability. This led to a trip to the United States and a subsequent surgery to allow him to be fitted for a prosthesis. Withing a few weeks of the surgery, he participated in a triathlon relay. He helped to change the plight of people in his home country by giving disabled people wheelchairs and change perspectives of the common people. It was an empowering film and really brought to light how much perspective can affect a person or group of people.<br /><br />I also heard about the story of Nick Vujicic who was born without arms and legs. He's a motivational speaker who's only 25 years old and has a following all over the world. There are many videos on youtube about him, but mainly he speaks about his experience and how perspective is very powerful. "Attitude is altitude". He stated that he didn't see having no arms as no legs as a big disability. He defines the word "disability" as something that stops you from doing what you want to do. One of the most interesting things he said is that the biggest disability to everyone is their mind. I thought that was a very big statement. He talks about being thankful for what you have and your opportunites rather than focus on what you can't do. The videos are very inspiring and leave you feeling better. It's refreshing.<br /><br />On a completely unrelated note, I just realized today that the cereal "Froot Loops" was spelled "FROOT Loops" and not "FRUIT Loops"! For some reason, this completely blows my mind. I don't think I realized the misspelling of "fruit" because I was always distracted by the delicious looking cereal o's that replaced the actual o's on the package. Whatever. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around it.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-4217414624945317662010-03-22T23:29:00.008-04:002010-04-20T10:37:13.806-04:00Adventures in DyeingWhile I'm at home and have some downtime, I figured that I would try new things. One of these things is dyeing yarn and I tried this a few days ago. Why do I feel the need to dye my own yarn? Your guess is as good as mine. Actually it sounded like a lot of fun and I found some tutorials where you can use household items and not have to buy expensive supplies to do so. After a trip to Jo Ann fabrics for some yarn and a grocery store for some kool aid (yes, kool aid), I was ready to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g3pXHn4VI/AAAAAAAAAAs/t_J8sp2x9ZI/s1600-h/IMG_3535.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g3pXHn4VI/AAAAAAAAAAs/t_J8sp2x9ZI/s200/IMG_3535.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451668532652138834" /></a><br /><br />I decided to do dye everything outside on the picnic table in the backyard. This was just in case disaster struck and I got dye everywhere in the house. Besides, it was one of the first nice weather days of the year - in the 50's and sunny! That's nice for Michigan! Granted, a few days later, it ended up snowing. Go figure.<br /><br />Anyway I got my supplies ready and started putting my dye into the yarn. I used lemon lime kool aid and lemonade kool aid. Kool aid works because there is citric acid in it (which sets the dye) and no sugar (which can cause problems with how you heat the yarn). After basically squirting the yarn with dye, I threw it into a ziploc bag and put it in the microwave for 2 minutes at a time . The heat also helps set the dye so that it, theoretically, won't bleed or lose the dye when washed.<br /><br />Then I had to hang up the yarn to dry and kept it there for a day or two.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g4LbvUlTI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ngUzUCvmuyM/s1600-h/IMG_3539.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g4LbvUlTI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ngUzUCvmuyM/s320/IMG_3539.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451669118007940402" /></a><br /><br />After this, I had to wind up the yarn into a ball so I could put it in a hank (third picture). I like the colors and think it turned out very well considering it's my first dye project! I think I'll make a hat out of it or something.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g5Ys_-1pI/AAAAAAAAAA8/XZtywccFors/s1600-h/IMG_3544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g5Ys_-1pI/AAAAAAAAAA8/XZtywccFors/s320/IMG_3544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451670445491148434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g5ZUjzdyI/AAAAAAAAABE/_npTejCIlF8/s1600-h/IMG_3545.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g5ZUjzdyI/AAAAAAAAABE/_npTejCIlF8/s320/IMG_3545.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451670456110380834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g5aGfjMqI/AAAAAAAAABM/6ZoGuc3eZhw/s1600-h/IMG_3548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6g5aGfjMqI/AAAAAAAAABM/6ZoGuc3eZhw/s320/IMG_3548.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451670469514310306" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-56886470365072310082010-03-18T22:41:00.017-04:002010-04-20T10:38:18.351-04:00Sending to LOWO<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6Lmo_g7ofI/AAAAAAAAAAc/584yKQYN1DY/s1600-h/IMG_3527.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6Lmo_g7ofI/AAAAAAAAAAc/584yKQYN1DY/s320/IMG_3527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450172090990436850" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday (St. Patrick's Day), I sent my first box to LOWO. It contained a bunch of items in it. Including a starghan (star shaped afghan), color block blanket made from scrap yarn (far left), toy giraffe, a yellow baby hat, a pink cables and bobbles baby outfit, a <br />"little man baby sweater", the blanket and stuffy I mentioned in an earlier post, 2 pairs of booties, a set that includes a baby hat and booties, another crochet afghan that I made probably 15ish years ago when I initially learned to crochet (purple and green one), and a cat with kitty ears on it (hey now, it was cool when I started it...6 years ago).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/24986471/IMG_3513_medium.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/24986471/IMG_3513_medium.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I made a number of these items recently, but there were a lot that I had in my house that just accumulated throughout the years. I'm glad that they are finally going to people who will hopefully appreciate them and get some good use out of them. It felt awesome to send this box - making crafts for this cause has helped me to find something I'm passionate about and gives me some drive to try new projects.<br /><br />And to top it off, I mailed them in a dog treat box...be jealous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6LmbFMomSI/AAAAAAAAAAU/ZPkCmyRO0OI/s1600-h/IMG_3525.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6LmbFMomSI/AAAAAAAAAAU/ZPkCmyRO0OI/s320/IMG_3525.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450171851997747490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6L269LPmJI/AAAAAAAAAAk/OLxsWf6vu_Q/s1600-h/IMG_3515.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GUMFzFYb4u0/S6L269LPmJI/AAAAAAAAAAk/OLxsWf6vu_Q/s200/IMG_3515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450189991786289298" /></a><br /><br />One of the projects I included (the pink outfit) I entered in the local county youth fair back in 2005. I ended up winning Reserve Grand Champion for knitting and crocheting and I just recently found it in my room after all these years. I'm very excited that some little baby will have this outfit and hopefully make the parents and baby happy.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-6036846520501279072010-03-16T22:37:00.018-04:002010-04-20T10:38:04.166-04:00Crafting, take oneIn the past week, I have been working on two projects in particular. The idea was to make a baby blanket and a matching doll. I've completed both and here's the results. I think it turned out pretty well. I nicknamed the doll "Stuffy" since the pattern is <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/24929070/IMG_3507_medium.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/24929070/IMG_3507_medium.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>called "Stuffies". Makes sense, right? I made it in unisex colors so it can be for a boy or a girl. I knitted the doll using the magic loop technique (which hurts my hands A LOT) and I crocheted the blanket using a large size M hook. I used an acrylic yarn (Red Heart) for both. Sorry about the technical details, I'm a geek ;).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OH NO STUFFY!!!! (jk, this was before he was put together)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/24929260/IMG_3499_medium.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/canadiadry/24929260/IMG_3499_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />So you might be thinking, "Great? So why are you making this? You're not pregnant are you?!?!?" The answer to that is a resounding "NO!". Haha, instead I'm making them for charity. I joined a group on ravelry called Bundles of Joy that gets a group of people together to donate items (baby, child, and adult) to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota - mainly the OB ward. I'm donating mine to Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi, Inc or LOWO which is a child welfare agency and a family assistance program. If you've never heard of Pine Ridge (neither had I really until I joined the group), it is one of the most impoverished places in the country. Here's a little tidbit I found on it:<br /><br />"Pine Ridge Reservation is the poorest spot in the USA. The average life expectancy for residents is only 47 for males and early 50s for women. The unemployment rate is 90% and the teen suicide rate is four times the national average. Basics such as running water, heat and food are scarce for many residents let alone jobs and health care. These challenges are particularly difficult to deal with given the geographical isolation of the Rez and the incredibly harsh climate."<br /><br />After hearing about this, I figured that I would get stuff together to donate items that I had accumulating around the house and make a few to send. You'd be surprised that since I've started knitting in 2004 that I had actually made a lot of baby things and blankets that could be donated. In fact, almost all of the things I have submitted to the local county youth fair has been baby stuff. Obviously I won't use these items anytime soon (I would hope), so I'll give them to people who would appreciate it more than I would.<br /><br />In other news, I submitted some more apps. Hopefully something awesome will pan out.<br /><br />Today's video is in honor of my current Avatar on the Ravelry site.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/32UGD0fV45g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/32UGD0fV45g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880757439194188391.post-8881389054221912982010-03-15T23:44:00.009-04:002010-04-19T23:13:45.963-04:00The Glory of the InternetWas surfing the internets today and found this gem:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/32vpgNiAH60&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/32vpgNiAH60&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />So this chat roulette thing sounds...interesting. I've heard about it before, but haven't done it yet. That's probably for the best.<br /><br />My friend D left for San Francisco this morning on her way to Indonesia for the Peace Corps. It's weird cause two of my friends are overseas now. I'll be (hopefully) finding a job soon, so I won't know where I'll be living even a few months from now. All of my friends are scattered all over the place since we're all graduating college and taking the next step in our lives. This is part of growing up, right? It's exciting and terrifying at the same time. It's also something that tends to keep me awake at night.<br /><br />I worked on a few things today craftwise. Maybe if I feel ambitious I'll post some of my recent projects and such. Not right now though. For now, just enjoy basking in the glory that is chat roulette.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09735251454734496646noreply@blogger.com0