Completed Crafts 2009
Posted on: January 13, 2010
I finished off a few projects towards the end of last year. Here’s a run down.
Tinkerbell
This came together really quickly after I started to focus on it. The above picture is of it finished, about to be packed up and shipped to America. I met Alannah’s mother through an Real Life Forums, and I knew that Cheryl is a huge Disney fan. When I asked her if she was interested in it for Alannah (or for herself) she jumped at the chance. Cheryl and Alannah loved it, so job well done. I actually really like how it turned out. I wish I had friends who were having babies, because I so would just spend all my time making cute clothes and cross stitch samplers. Ah well.
Bear for Jodi
When I originally spoke about this piece, I referred to it as the ‘ugly, ugly teddy bear for one of my mum’s friends’ and I must admit that my feelings towards the project have barely changed. I’m still not a huge plan of this project, but at least now its done. Excuse the photo in all of its unironed and badly lit glory, that is how un-enthused I was by it. My mum loved it and I believe its in the process of being framed right now. She’s going to give it to Jodi when she visits mum later this month. I do have fond memories of working on this piece. My boyfriend and I were housesitting for his ex (not as awkward as you may think) and they have the full range of Foxtel. Now I used to have Foxtel as a kid, but well that was awhile ago. There’s a whole bunch of new channels, my favourite being CI which is a true crime channel. The sort of crappy programming that I just eat up. So I stayed up for hours at a time working on the bear while David and his friend played video games in another room. Was a very good weekend.
The Happiest Little Cthulhu
I had to learn how to crochet for a different project (which is so enormous, its going to get its own post when its done). I did rows of the regular stitches, then I got bored. I had seen the Cthulhu pattern ages ago, and decided that I would make it one day when I could. So I figured I’d use it as practice once I figured out the basics. He’s by no means perfect (I apparently forgot how to count at some point while I was doing the rounds), however I love him. He now sits in front of our TV in the lounge room. I can’t wait to make more friends to go with him. I have a huge list amigurumis that I want to make once I finish my big project.
Not a bad batch for the last few months of the year. Once I finished the bear cross stitch (I have no idea what its actually called) I actually had no cross stitch WiPs for the first time in about 5 years. An odd feeling really. I’ve started a little beagle cross stitch for my mum that she asked me to do, but its still feels really weird not having a big project hanging in the background that I feel like I need to work on. But that will be in a different post. 🙂
This year I hope to finish/work on more projects. I took this big break last year and I don’t know, I guess my heart just wasn’t in it for a bit. I think I’ll get more done this year.
Long Overdue Update
Posted on: January 5, 2010
I’m not going to lie, this is probably going to be a trend, me not posting for a few months at a time. I might go back through an post some drafts that I have floating around – I do actually write, but then don’t get around to publishing because I’m crazy/lazy.
I’ve been in a really odd headspace for the last few months. I want to write, I plan posts in my head. But ultimately when I finally sit down and write I feel that most of what comes out of my fingers is utter drivel. I’ve become pretty unfocused when it comes to most things, and it becomes worse as I type. I have a real stream of conscious way of talking, and it doesn’t really look good written down. It doesn’t help that because of the lack of focus my typing is suffering – I make the same silly mistakes over and over again and have to read back through what I’ve written many times before I feel like I can post. I guess its the re-reading that makes me feel like my posts are just drivel.
I’m going to try and loosen up when it comes to writing – and just post the drivel. I may try to just publish each post then read it once it hits the front page – that way I’m forced to edit rather than just letting it hang out it drafts.
Other than my writing problem, life is pretty fucking fantastic. I’ve had a few downs (which I will expand on later – hopefully tomorrow) but mostly I’ve been on the upswing.
So. Freaking. Excited.
Can’t wait!!
More to come later, with what I bought/thoughts on the show.
!!!!!!
[edit 13.01.10]
Geeezzzzz talk about leaving something hanging. Bad Jess, bad!
Well, the concert was quite a few months ago now, and it was incredible. In a nutshell, I fucking loved it.
It all happened pretty quickly as originally I thought I wasn’t going to be able to go. I saw the notice for the concert aaaages ago but didn’t buy a ticket back then because I’m just not that bright. Thankfully a friend of mine mentioned Liza Minnelli on Facebook about a fortnight before the show. At the time (who am I kidding even now) money was a bit tight, so I didn’t think I was going to be able to go because I hadn’t budgeted for it. But then! My boyfriend o’awesome bought me a ticket! He didn’t get one for himself because he wasn’t all that interested in going, he just knew that I really wanted to go. I didn’t mind because OMG I had a ticket.
It was on a Friday night after work, so I went home, had tea got changed and heaed out. I didn’t mind being there alone, I just listened to music on my iPhone (RIP), bought stuff and found my seat. I was in the nosebleed section, but with those HUGE screens they have in the Adelaide Entertainment Centre it really didn’t matter I could see everything I wanted.
I absolutely adore old Liza. She’s nowhere nearly as amazing as she used to be, but she is still really good. She sang songs, told stories, made fun of herself and it seems like she had a great time. Between (and sometimes during!) songs people in the audience would walk up and leave her little gifts on the stage. She picked up and talked about each one, it was very sweet.
Before the show started I bought a program (oh how I love theatre and show programs) and a tote bag that I use for knitting projects.
It was just such a good night, and I feel really lucky to have seen her at all.
🙂
More completed crafts!
Posted on: September 30, 2009
Over the weekend I finally picked up my cross stitch needles again and completed my Mario Through the Ages cross stitch (with the added help of Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring & Two Towers).
Once I finished that I went through my craft folder and dug out some old projects. They were looking pretty sad because they had been packed away for quite awhile, so I gave them a good iron out. I’ve decided that I’m going to complete a Tinkerbell cross stitch once and for all that I started many years ago, and that my (now ex) girlfriend even worked on for a bit.
One thing I found in picking the project back up is that counting wasn’t Clare’s strong suit (:P). I spend a few hours a few nights ago unpicking a fair amount of stitching (while trying to salvage some of the thread…I may still need to buy more though) and fixing a few mistakes. Nothing major and ultimately fixable. I’ve now promised myself that I won’t start any other projects until I finish this one. I’m moving pretty swiftly, and I think if I keep up the pace I could finish the piece before the end of the week.
I’m thinking I might give it to one of the women I know in the US who have little girls – I’m not a huge fan of Tinkerbell myself, and have no where to hang it anyway. I think I might alter the pattern to have the child’s name and birthday in a circle area instead of the work “TINK” (I haven’t completed this part yet, so you don’t get to see it, ner ner). I think it would look really nice. Now just to send out messages seeing if anyone wants it! It always makes me nervous for some reason.
After I finish Tinkerbell, I’m going to do at least 2 weeks on the ugly bear for my mum’s friend. God I hate that project….
I’m a diabetic. Its part of my life, and I tend to not let it get me down. I do tend to eat the wrong sorts of food most of the time, but I’m doing ok.
For me the part that really, really sucks is the blood tests that I have to get done every few months.
Its not because I’m squeamish of needles (I have to inject myself numerous times a day when I’m being good with my medication) or that I can’t stand the sight of blood or anything that silly.
Its because I have very tricky veins.
Example from today:
I had to have a fasting blood test done (no food for 12 hours prior to test, just water). This means that I had to get up early on a Saturday (grumble grumble) and leave the house without eating anything and drag my sorry arse down to the closest IMVS that was open on a Saturday (luckily it wasn’t too far). Not too big a deal, a minor annoyance really. I get to the clinic and there is about 6 people in front of me – oh crap. I sit down and try to wait it out, but I started to feel sick after only 2 other people had gotten there tests taken. I got up and grabbed the nurse before she could call in the next patient and told her what was up – she let me go in front. I felt really guilty, and I got glared at by the other people in the waiting room, but I think they would’ve prefered that to me passing out at there feet (not that I’ve ever passed out from diabetes complications – or ever – but I figured then would not have been a good place to start).
So I go into the room and sit down. The nurse bumbles around a bit, grabs my name stamps the forms etc. I told her the best vein in my arm to try and hit, and she gives it a go. No dice. The spot didn’t even fucking bleed once the needle was taken out! It was mocking me! So she tried to get the same vein on the opposite arm, all the time apologising continually. I told her it was fine, and that I did have tricky veins. The second try was also a bust however, but the first spot had started to bleed so she re-tried there. It was after that spot once again yeilded no blood for her, she told me she wasn’t going to be able to do it today, and that I should go and try another clinc. Joy of joys
So out I went of the IMVS, all the while getting glares from the patients still waiting, and off I went to another IMVS. This one was near The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (which I’ve never been to before) but it was where I was going to have to go for my appointment on Wednesday (the whole point of getting this blood drawn). I get to the new clinic, go through the awesome fun of finding a car park (grr) and walk up to the doors of the clinic. Doors no open. Shit. I look around for a sign and see a guy from inside the clinic guesturing to me to walk around the building to get in. Whew, crisis adverted. By this point I’m starting to feel really sick. I was also seriously grumpy and pissed off, but that’s generally what happens when I get blood taken.
I go in and once again jump the queue and speak to the nurse (more dirty looks, but fuck’em). I had to wait for a bit while she finished someone else off, then I was in. Luckily the whole time that I had been waiting at the previous place and driving I had been drinking water. Water helps the veins be easier to find (don’t ask me how). It looked like I would be in luck! She spotted a good vein straight away, and went for it. Once again, nada. I’m pretty much ready to cray at this point, all I wanted to do was go home and eat some glorious, tasty, needed food. Luckily the nurse was really nice and just kept talking while doing stuff so I calmed down. She went for the same vein again and success! We had blood. Thank fuck.
So yeah, that is a pretty typical experience with me having blood drawn. I end up with a bunch of bandaids, dirty looks and feeling ill. I would kill for a good, strong easy to find vein.
Tips that I’ve learnt:
– Drink a truck load of water. Seriously, as much as you can handle. It makes the experience so much better.
– Put a heat pack on your arm before you go, this makes the veins easier to find as well
I wonder what adventures my appointment on Wednesday holds….hopefully no more blood needs to taken.
Completed Crafts!
Posted on: September 18, 2009
Huzzah! I’ve actually completed some stuff from my craft to do list from awhile ago.
Here are the completed handwarmers that I gave to my friend Clare last week (17th) when she was in Adelaide for her one night only before darting back to Melbourne.
I also managed to finish this for her:
I’m really happy how these both turned out. I don’t know if I’ll ever do two coloured cable knitting again – it looks good but it really did my head in as I was doing it.
I also made a purple Star Trek face washer, and I’m experimenting with the idea of a two colour one – red background & gold Star Trek logo. I think that whenever I don’t have a pressing project to do I might do a some of these squares. Maybe one day I’ll have enough to make a blanket for the lounge room or something. Would beat using my cat as a lap warmer – although I don’t if I could give up that lovely snuggle time with him.
I also bought myself a sewing machine a few weeks ago, and set up my desk and bookcase in the study. I’ve got most of it sorted out – quite a bit of organizing.
I think I’ll try to finish some of my unfinished cross stitch projects before I throw myself into any other projects.
Happy Birthday, sister dear
Posted on: September 9, 2009
Last week was my little sister’s 19th birthday. On Saturday night she decided to have some friends meet her and town and have some drinks.
Here’s a picture of the two of us, I’m the one in the striped dress/with long hair.
The night went really well. One of my sister’s big things with her birthday is that she likes to get a cake every year. So that afternoon I went to the Cheesecake Shop and picked up her favourite cake – Baked Continental Cheesecake – and I carried that into the city with us as well. It was a big hit! Even though I felt like a bit of an idiot at the bar with a cake box.
My boyfriend, my housemate and one of my old friends from high school came along, and we kinda had an ‘old and boring people’ end of the table, and Kirsten’s friends were up the other end. The night went great, I got to meet some of my sister’s friends (something I haven’t done much of since she moved out), her new boyfriend (who likes like Edward from Twilight – and hates it) and her new housemate, a pretty nice guy by the name of Maz.
About midnight the group had dwindled down quite a lot, so we made the epic walk to Hungry Jacks (me half carrying Mia, one of Kirsten’s TINY friends, and then supporting Kirsten the rest of the way). Bad food was had by all, then we split our separate ways into taxis.
Kirsten said that she had a good night out, which is all that really matters. It wasn’t as crazy as she had hoped, but she got some cool gifts, free drinks and to spend time with her friends. Plus cake!!
