Ravelry!

It's official! I'm on Ravelry.
Thisolthing is my username :)

Movies.

I have definitely been enjoying movies including the following people (whether actors, actresses, directors, etc.):

Nicholas Cage.
Steve Corell (I almost put Michael Scott!)
David Lynch.
Brittany Murphy (why do I even like her?!)

IN OTHER NEWS:
1) I have been FELTING and KNITTING away in my cute, comfy basement.
2) I haven't been to my sewing studio in almost a month [I simply haven't had the time because of school.]
3) A new girl is moving into the sewing studio! She actually, ironically enough, used to be my best friend in middle school.
4) My parents hired a guy to re-create the folding roof above the stairwell outside of my bedroom, which leads to the outdoors. IT DOESN'T WORK! THIS MEANS THAT I CAN'T TAKE PICTURES ANYMORE IN THAT SLIGHTLY GROSS STAIRWELL BECAUSE THERE IS NO MORE NATURAL LIGHT!
5) #5 is actually a GOOD thing because thsi will force me to take pictures of new creations once a week in the studio! So I'll be forced to return to the studio.

Vegetarian Month

So my brother is living with us now...
I was in Yoga class the other day, and the instructor told us that OCTOBER is World Vegetarian Month (October 1st is World Veggie DAY.) My brother and I have decided to participate. I'll be photo-doumenting our little veggie journey.
I couldn't do anything without the help of my trusty veggie cookbook, VEGETARIAN BASICS.

So far I've been doing great! I haven't even craved meat. I really have a weak spot for hearty chicken dishes, but I'm doin' good!

Try THIS recipe (this is my version of the Roasted Veggie Sandwich):
SERVES 2-3 HUNGRY PEOPLE!
Preheat your Broiler.
Slice the following:
1 green/red/yellow bell pepper, 1 Medium Onion, A handful or more of Grape Tomatoes in half.
Throw them in a casserole dish and toss these vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Put them in the broiler for 8 minutes, making sure they are 4"-5" away from the fire. Stir halfway through cooking time.
While they are cooking, slice an avocado and toast hearty wheat rolls.
Take 1/4 C Mayonnaise and sprinkle in dried basil and garlic powder. Stir.
Spread on each half of the wheat rolls, Pile roasted veggies and fresh avocado on top of the roll.

Knitting and Music Session

My brother's 25th birthday was two days ago, so he had a bunch of friends over for a PIZZA PARTY!!! Christopher, my darling friend/2nd brother who plays in the band "1994," picked up a rotting guitar which we have sitting in our living room, and began to playyyy... I'm always mesmerized by the melodies he comes up with.

FOUND: Knitting Stuff!

SO I went into the security office at school to report my missing yarn and other knitting supplies. It was so funny because they were joking around with each other being like "Ohh, yeah, that crazy yarn person around the school probably stole it.." I was like... "I AM that crazy yarn person.." Hahaha. The next day I asked my teacher if he had found anything, and he had! He had to unlock the laboratory for me.

So I'm working on a 5 page paper, and flashcards for my HUGE HUGE HUGE biology exam on Wednesday. I woke up early to work on my in-text citations and works cited page for bio. Now I'm going to Dandon's! And then I'm filling in for someone at work, even though it's my weekend off. But it's weekend pay, so I'm good. HA!

Alright. BYE!

Missing Knitting Bag

I brought some knitting to school yesterday.
I was knitting before Biology adn then we entered the laboratory,
where I shoved the bag of supplies and yarn (including GORGEOUS handspun by girlwithahook.etsy.com) under the lab desk,
and when I got home, I realized I hadn't retrieved it with my other items upon leaving....
Yeah.. I was hoping to prepare for FIRST FRIDAY TOMORROW (!!!) by knitting a few more hats to add to my collection..
However, that will not be happening because I don't know where the knitting bag is.

The Breast Chef of America

My dad and I call her that.

I really enjoy her recipes, however.

One thing you may not know about me is that I love to cook.

WISHLIST:

Experimental Skirt

AH! SO I have been experimenting lately..

I have a huge stack of tshirts that I've been saving up for years to reshape and reconstruct.... I decided it was time to use this really sweet black tee that had a really great graphic with olde english text surrounding it.
I started cutting away and sewing.. and after many stitches I turned it into a really sweet skirt!

It's kind of gothic looking, however I really enjoy it.
You can also wear it as a tube top.
Also, the ruffled part in the front can be warn in the back for somethin' a little sassy and sexy!!!

So here are the photos of it:

Crafts and Coffe, Dried fruits, and Yogurt.

MMMM..
My cabinets are filled with dried fruits (rasps, blues, bings, crans!) yogurt, granola, peanut butter crackers, pudding cups, and blackberry pie!! Oh and cinnamon swirl coffee ;)


So.. I have recently connected with Hermeone of perishables.etsy.com and he and Laura of hierapparel.etsy.com are doing me the gracious favor of letting me take photos of them with my items!! I've been working on some nature goodies! Mmhmm. I have taken my branch and dried nature collection out of its box and begun mixing it with felted pieces and fluffy yarn!! I'm making some necklaces...
My goal is to make some natural necklaces for them to model and maybe some handmade bags and other pieces...
Meghan is coming with me and we are going to make a day trip of it, and spend time in Philly and at her apartment there!!!!!

I'm keeping my hands and mind busy on the sewing machine, sewing up some bags and pouches for the PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET this Saturday at the Chameleon Club!!!
I really hope I do well there.. I didn't get the chance to participate in the PRFM in October as I was visiting my friend in Olympia!!!

Also I just shipped out my round robin journal to Rachel today... My theme is NATURE.

I also shipped out a top to FINLAND! I was so excited to ship there!!!


ALRIGHT- Bye For Now.

Fellow Etsian Wedding :) & Haircuts.

These two cuties got married on Saturday! They are in Thailand right now for their honeymoon.
Look at Katie's etsy!!! katiepatatey.etsy.com


And do you ever look at etsy, and say, WOAH. I want that haircut?
Well .. I want these girl's haircuts:







Also- On another note:
Rachel-Marie of knittydirtygirl.etsy.com, Amber of raimbowtree.etsy.com, and I have started a circling sketchbook/journal.. with themes.
We basically mail each other one of our journals and the other person draws in it, write in it, whatevers in it!! I'm so excited. We're going to rotate monthly..
I need to get mine over to Rachel. I plan on mailing it out on friday for the month of May :)

Cutest Link. Ever.

http://www.wikihow.com/Crochet-a-Cat-Hat
HOW TO CROCHET... a cat hat.

Vintage Refurbishing Videos

One:


Two:


Three:

Kitty!

Can I please just share with you this precious photo of my Kitty?

Coffee.

Oh man. It is 5:15am. I have officially been up for a little over an hour.....
Everytime I stay at Dandon's and he gets up for work, I can't sleep for about an hour!!! He wakes up at 4am! Yuck. He works so freaking hard and such long days!!

Anyway. I wanted to write this to say two things.
1) I WANT COFFEE. SO BADLY RIGHT NOW. MORE THAN I HAVE EVER WANTED IT IN THE MORNING... EVER. !!!!! I don't even know why!! I think it's because I haven't drank coffee in about 3 days... It really is addictive, isn't it?
2) I am SO excited about jewelry making! I went to the craft store to get supplies and I'm obsessed with it. I got toggle closures, chains, jump rings, pendants, these fuzzy velvet beads in red and grey, and THEN CANDICE GAVE ME A MILLION NECKLACES TO TAKE APART!! I'm dissecting them and upcycling them ;)

I'm getting into the chain and bead look.... Strange.

So far I've made this:

and I just love it!!

I also have been REALLY passionate about my Olympia shell necklaces.. but guess what? No more Olympia shells.. I seriously think I'd have to go to some obscure beach to obtain more shells with the beautiful natural holes in them.....

Here are some views of my newest Olympia Shell necklace:




I just really love making them. They are like precious gifts! The smaller ones are SO light weight too. I'm just so happy to have created them!

Video Journal 2a - Girlwithahook

Mentioned in video: girlwithahook.etsy.com (AMAZING hat that I am wearing! So soft and adorable.. Incredibly unique.)
knittydirtygirl.etsy.com (Little felt balls on my earrings are from this lovely lady)

:):):) I promise I'll have a video of me actually crafting soon!

My own video journal! # 1a, 1b

SO I decided to start my own video series for this craft blog and these are my first "entries." They were taken while I was on my way to classes! I realized after watching them that I am a huge dork. Trust me, I am aware of this :) Anyway- Hope you enjoy! I'll have some REAL videos of me in action while crafting soon.. :)





PinkFireDesigns.etsy.com

No Subject...

You know you have it bad when, instead of studying before class, you sit in your car in your college's parking lot and spin yarn.

............ Sigh. I'm getting a little frustrated trying to juggle many things at once. I have a ton of schoolwork coming up. I'm scared of not doing well. Especially in Algebra class!

But- I just sold 2 pairs of earrings. I finally sold the vintage mustard ones which I upcycled!!! I am rather excited.

Rachel and I have been crafting, Candice and I have been also crafting regularly!!

I'm in the cafeteria right now, looking at prices on my laptop of crockpots. Rachel taught me how to dye fiber the other day! We tried to dye it neon green and dark purple, but it ended up being just neon green. I love it though! It's lovely.
I have become frustrated with not having anymore shells to work with. I hope I somehow find some soon!

Seashells.

I am really really really needing some old seashells with natural holes in them.
Ugly ones are good.
Does anyone have any? I'd be glad to buy them off of you or take them off your hands!

Also I really enjoy these shells:
http://www.seashells.com/cutsshells.htm

Etsy Ain't Workin'.

It just ain't.
WHY!
I WANT TO LOOK AT PHOTOGRAPHYYYYY WITH splatters all over it.

New Experimental Yarn!

I spun some really delicate yarn that reminds me of Dr Seuss.





i'm sort of afraid to knit with it. i tend to be a little rough with my yarn when i knit!

and.... the most amazing headband came in the mail today. from none other than the lovely miss raimbowtree.etsy.com!!
check it out!:

It's my birthday :]

My boyfriend just wrote, "happy birthday, butthole." on my myspace.

How endearing.


TODAY I spun yarn with cofygirl.etsy.com 's wool scrap pack. I might call it chunky dr seuss yarn because it reminds me of just that!
I also played a massive game of Rummikub with my grandfather, mom, and aunt after my birthday dinner which included JEWISH KUGEL and RASPBERRY APPLESAUCE JELLO!

A lift of the spirits!

So for a little over a week, I had made 3 hats and sold 0!
I obsessed over knitting the Cherry Hum Bohobo Hat yesterday.. it is GORGEOUS! I am so excited about it. It's reds and pinks with DARK BLACK.... and it sold a little over 10 minutes after I posted it! That made my day.
Today I ship out 2 more hats as well- a custom order for Miles, and a custom order for Sarah!
I received 2 more messages of interest in custom hats, but I haven't heard anything as far as color goes.


Here is the Cherry Hum:


I also never heard back from the greeting card woman for the 1000 Greeting Cards book.
But here is my entry:



And here are some random pictures to ease the mind (one of my Boo and one of his Kitty):

February has ended :) & it's almost my birthday

So Dandon told me that he was going to make me dinner tonight!! WELL, little did I know that he had been planning a surprise birthday party (MY FIRST Surprised Bday Party EVER!!!) for the past few weeks! All the band boys of Lucy and their girlfriends (Lucy is Dandon's Christian Band) were able to come.. People like Chris, Meghan, and Julia were unable to make it unfortunately :( BUT it was still so amazing and fun!!!!!!


This is my man :) I thought I looked so crappy, I totally was not prepared for a surprise!!


These are my GIRLS! They are fellow Etsians.. Katie is working on bringing her site back. She has 2 jobs and is planning a wedding! Candice is SO inspiring with her gorgeous creations. She always has such awesome new ideas. I LOVE crafting with both of these girls.


Have you seen these boots in my shop??! They are so fun!


I'm becoming really infatuated with handspun yarn:




Here is a fun little hat!:

I'd rather knit than do homework ANYDAY!

For those of y'all that don't know:
I am a full time Psychology student.
I work 16 hours a week at a Nursing Home.
I am a full time knitter/crafter/vintage shopper/Etsyian.
I am a girlfriend.
I am a daughter/sister/niece/granddaughter/cousin.
and I am the mommy to a cat named Mynerva, and an aunt to 2 cats named Henson and Gracie.



............................. Life is busy. Balance!

Greeting Cards TAKE 3 HOURS!

Proof:

BEAUTIFUL YARN STORE!

Spiritual Retreat Weekend!

SOOOOOOOOOOOO This weekend I am going on a spiritual retreat/girls weekend in Willamsburg, VA with Katie, Candice, Steph, and Heather!!! I'm sooo excited! It will be really nice to get away. I hope I get some homework done because I have an entire essay due, and I have to READ 2 essay, do math homework, aja;gjdkldgkljsdgkljasdgsg;klasdg It stresses me out just to think about it, man.

I have to go to class soon. Environmental Science. Lalalalala. LAAAAA LAAAA LAA.

I miss my boo. It was nice to cuddle last night!! I haven't been seeing him since he started his day shift job.

OH also, I cut Michael's hair/got lunch with him the other day and he GAVE me this beautiful painting that I will be sure to take a picture of and post. It's gorgeous, He jus' gave it to me.

AND THAT MOTH HOLE HAT. That i posted earlier- the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen - yeah, the girl is going to let me pay for that in increments. I am SO EXCITED.

Blocking! + Kitties

Well here are the photos [well, just one photo] I said I'd upload and share with you all, of my yarn being blocked!!!


As I was doing this, I caught my kitties cuddling on the recliner. We always tease the black one, Henson [named after Jim Henson], about being gay because of some strange actions. He was licking Gracie's [named after Grace Slick] head.




and here is my handspun skein all finished.. I went crazy with taking photographs of it!

The most beautiful hat I've ever seen.

www.girlwithahook.etsy.com
absolutely Beautiful items.

More Craft Dates :)

I forgot to write on Friday that I met up with Candice at Sq.1 Coffee and knit with her! We had some really intense conversations! It was really great, and I am ever thankful for having her in my life!
Rachel Marie and I set up another craft date for Monday! We are entering a contest for a book of greeting cards. You can enter here: http://www.quarrybooks.com/entries.asp?id=101
I will be posting photographs of a new skein I am currently blocking on the kitchen cabinets (thanks for the tip Rachel!) later! :)

Day of Crafts & Cancelations!

So my craft day with Rach was only going to last about 2 hours.. but it ended up lasting 4.5!
We spun yarn, she showed me some tricks for blocking and acid dying..
Pretty sweet. I figured out a way to spin, without flicking the drop spindle... it takesa really long time and is totally not the correct way of spinning, but it comes out really smooth!!!!! And Rach is right... as long as I'm spinning, however I may do it, I'm happy. At least I'm spinnin'.
Spinning is really addictive. I wake up in the middle of the night and get the urge to flip on the light and spin for a little while.......
Pretty sick, huh? Right now, one skein is "blocking" around the kitchen cabinet upstairs :)

Here's a piece I just knit!:


and a closeup of the yarn (some of the yarn is from knittydirtygirl.etsy.com)

Yeahs! and Woes!

Let's start out with the woes! Drop-spindle spinning is QUITE frustrating! The hardest part is flicking it correctly to get it to spin for a long time, allowing your other hands to pull on the fiber! I just can't get the hang of it! Here it is:



Now the yeahs! I have been going Nutzo with making hats. I just mailed out 4 of them yesterday!
CREATIONS: The first was for Nick, my friend from Massachusetts that I met on a mission trip 4.5 years ago! I made him a donation hat for his curly-haired head on his trip to Ireland with his church! I also sent on a little donation to go towards his trip :) I made my FIRST baby hat for little Octavian, and a hat for his mommy Rachel-Marie. Finally I made Nikki, my darling friend, a really funky hat using hand spun neon green yarn from knittydirtygirl!



SALES: I sold the Mynerva hat to a woman in the Netherlands who has a beautiful cat named Lotja [pronounced LOT-yuh]!! I sent out the Extra Tall Bohobo Whatwhat Hat to Julia in Philly. She wanted to wait until she came back to Lancaster to visit, but it's so COLD that I didn't want her to freeze with her new short haircut! I also sold the second version of the Earthen Bohobo hat. I am sending out the Autumn Dew Hat today!

Drop Spindle

So I have begun my first batch of handspun yarn, using some gorgeous purpley-green goodness from knittydirtygirl.etsy.com...

Let's just say, I feel it's been rather unsuccessful! It looks really pretty but I just don't feel that I'm doing it right! Rachel and I are going to get together to craft and hopefully she can give me some tips about spinning!

Rach sent me some instructions, and I did exactly what it told me, but I decided to search around for some more instructions.. maybe another set could tell me something the first set couldn't:
http://www.handspinning.com/lollipops/spininst.htm

this is a great site with videos on how to spin. it is very step-by-step oriented:
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/HowToDropspin.shtml

KnittyDirtyGirl Package!

So Rachel, Knittydirtygirl.etsy.com just sent me a HUGE package of all different wonderful lil items!
I am so overwhelmed with happiness right now! I can hardly describe how excited I am to use all the little goodies!
She sent me a drop spindle, a brush to card fiber with, little balls of delicious felty goodness, yarn which was handspun by her, fiber, more yarniciously yummy goodness, instructions, and a magazine!

She has been so incredibly encouraging this past week, and has inspired me to craft my heart out for about 2 years now! I am just so excited. She's like my crafty big sister!!!
Thank you SO MUCH Rachel!

In picture, clockwise, starting from little colorful felt balls:
Felty Goodness for crafting, dyed and carded batt for spinning or felting, assorted yarn, handspun yarn by knittydirtygirl.etsy.com, beautiful deep red mill end superwash, a drop spindle & carding brush (?) & instructions for drop spinning & a magazine, fiber scraps, fiber needle and business cards!!!!

KNITTYDIRTYGIRL.ETSY.COM !!!!!!!

etsy crazy!

I am currently going etsy crazy. In between playing dominoes, rummikub, and trivia with the elderly at the nursing home where I work, and classes, and homework, and spending quality time with family and friends, I have been knitting hats out the wazoo. I am putting the vintage stuff on hold at the moment, because I want to knit as many hats as possible to share with people before winter ends!