Sweet!

Okay, I think I have a new favorite etsy store!

tinaseamonster is my new hero:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=10085

I really want this shirt:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13759279

Still laughing uncontrollably and waiting for hubby to get home so I can show him!

More Juggling Geese!

I decided to do French knots for the eyes, mainly because I didn't want to try and pick out beads and deal with sewing them on. I have one finished goose and 5 waiting to be stuffed. I can't stuff them yet, because I was not specific enough went I sent hubby out to get supplies. I neglected to say that I needed nude colored knee highs or footies. I stuff the poly pellets into the toe of the nylons so that they don't try to escape through the knit fabric. If he'd brought home off white, it would have worked, too. Unfortunately, he grabbed off black which will show through too much, so the little goslings are just sitting there with unfinished seams honking at me because they want to be finished. Sigh. Maybe he'll get it right tonight ;)

Juggling Geese

I was watching through my Firefly dvd set the other day and an idea popped into my head. I was inspired by Wash to try to knit or crochet some goslings that could be juggled. And behold:

He still needs eyes, but I'm not sure if they should be French knots or beads. I still need to make a couple more to have a set to list in my shop. But isn't he cute? I used front and back post double crochet on his feet so they look webbed. Unfortunately, since they're black it doesn't show up in a picture :( He's still cute, though. :)

Oops!

Just fixed the pattern for the hat that I'd previously posted. I forgot a round in there. Sometimes my brain and my fingers just don't seem to be on the same page when I type. All better now, though.

Knit a hat to show your support

I recently worked up this hat for a breast cancer charity challenge. If you can't knit and would like one, please go to my shop. All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

It occurred to me though, that the pattern was so simple, I'd like to just share it with everyone who would like to make their own. I would request that if you make a hat from this pattern that you would please make a donation, no matter how small, to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

It's a very simple variation on a hat knit in the round from the top down. I made my hat out of sport weight yarn in two shades of pink with a set of 5 size 5 dpn and a 12" circular needle size 5. You can vary the number of stitches and round depending on your gauge, this is just an outline. Keep an eye on how your hat is looking as you work it and adjust the pattern as necessary.

With darker pink, cast on 4 sts.

Work I-cord for two rows (any more and your hat will be too "perky" thanks MissKnits for helping me figure out a way to describe that ;)

Round 1: Knit into the front and back of each stitch (knit increase). Divide evenly on four needles. Place stitch marker on first needle to mark beginning of round. I recommend that you place your marker between the two stitches so that it doesn't fall off and you can easily identify how many stitches are in each section.

Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit even.

Round 3: Knit increase in each st around.

Round 5: *K1, knit increase, repeat from * around.

Round 7: *K2, knit increase, repeat from * around.

Round 9: *K3, knit increase, repeat from * around.

Work from Round 10 on with lighter pink yarn. (If you're making a smaller hat, you may need to switch colors earlier.)

Continue working in this method increasing at the end of each of the 8 sections of the circle until there are 13 to 14 stitches in each section. Work even until hat measures 9" from the top or for desired length. Cast off in knit. Weave in ends.

My new pretty

I was looking through some antique books I downloaded and found a tatted edging pattern that I've seen variations of in almost every tatting book I have. This time, I finally really looked at it. It jumped out at me what an gorgeous choker it would make! So here it is:

I would write more, but my patience is at its end with dial-up speed uploads. Hope you like it. Check out my shop for more pics and some other new items!

I think I missed the memo

When did Halloween become Whore-oween?! Why are there no good costumes or even ideas for women that don't involved being the butt of the joke or looking like a harlot?

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. For me it's always been about being creative and intelligent and funny. Now it just seems to be about dressing like a tart. I just don't know if I have the time or the energy to make costumes for us this year, but we are probably going somewhere and need them. I decided to look around online just to get ideas if nothing else. Have you seen the couples costume sets lately? Convict and whore cop, pirate and whore pirate, etc, etc, etc! Honestly, everything is made with about two yards of fabric tops even the plus size costumes. I'm just so frustrated right now. I feel like I've been kicked out of the fun because I'm not willing to dress like I have no worth above my cleavage!

Maybe I'll come up with something over the next couple days, but if I'm going to be making stuff, I know I should start now. I just don't know what to do.

Gifts, Ghouls, and Giveaways!

Did a bunch of listing the other day! I finally found where I had hidden my blue and purple threads from myself. Now I just have to figure out where the pinks and yellow are hiding.

Purple being my favorite color, once I found the threads, I just had to set to work on some purple pieces! I particularly love the way this one turned out:

I've had a bunch of those dragonfly charms hanging out with my beads for a while. I made stitch markers out of them a year or so ago and didn't know what to do with the rest. I got this pattern to work around a bead and thought it was worth a try with the charm. I think it turned out well. I'm hoping someone will want some pendants for stocking stuffers this year. I've been putting them up in all the promotions forums I can on etsy trying to get a little attention. I have to make some for myself, too.

As Halloween is quick approaching, I figured it was time I gave a nod to my favorite holiday. So, I dug out the Halloween socks I bought at the thrift store a few months ago. They had never even been worn! I was really tempted to wear them this year, but they just had to be turned into creatures:

Their names are Boo (the big one) and Eek (the smaller one). The socks had little spots that had flashing lights in them and I transfered those so that each has an arm that lights up! They're so cute. Oh, and they've got some of my hand tatted spiders sewn to each of them!

I've teamed up with another etsian to do a giveaway on her blog! Actually, it's a team, but I've just been talking with one of the two through emails/convos. Anyway, here's a link to the giveaway of a batch of my hand tatted flowers:

http://raechele.blogspot.com/2008/09/keenaskreations-giveaway.html

Okay, off to put some more tatting blisters on my fingers. Working on a choker that should be gorgeous when it's finished. Assuming all goes well. . . .

I'll admit it . . .

I love bad movies. I like good movies too, but I really love bad movies. There are movies that I'm horrified with myself for liking. Movies with no cinemagraphic or artistic merit. Movies with bad writing, bad acting, bad directing, bad everything. Movies that don't even have a cult following that I can hide behind. Movies that aren't simply so bad they're funny, they're just bad. Yet every time I see one of these movies on television, I have to watch it. Sometimes, when it's late and I don't recognize the person behind the counter at the rental store, I'll even pay money for the privilege of watching one of these movies.

I'd never actually own a copy of any of these movies for fear that someone may find it and know that I like it. I'm afraid that one day I may accidentally quote a line from one and then my secret will be revealed. I know that there is no reason on earth for me to enjoy watching them, but I do. I can't stop myself.

Let me illustrate with an example so that you can understand my problem.

I love Troop Beverly Hills. Don't ask me why. There is no reason that I should enjoy this movie. It's terrible. But I will not pass it by if I see it. I've encouraged others to see it on occasion. My shame is great.

Perhaps there's a support group or treatment center than can someday help me rid myself of this terrible demon. Until then, I will bear the weight of it.

When your hobby becomes your job do you give yourself a day off?

The tatting blisters are back. The calluses had apparently gone soft from lack of constant taughtly-pulled thread being run across them so now there are blisters. The scratchy wool yarn from the decrepit old sweater in the back of my closet has irritated the palm of my hand. I'm going cross-eyed from retaking and editing photos all the time. Do I get a day off now?

Of course, if I took a "day off" what would I do? I'd knit shawls from prayer shawl ministry, I'd organize my yarn bins, I'd search online for patterns. I'd do the same thing I do every day! I need new hobbies! Any suggestions?