A new student..

Today I began teaching Kayla. I began te task of teaching her to crochet. It was a great day. We chilled at the library while I began teaching her to chain, though at times I feel like she was getting frustrated when she got the hang of it she was on a roll. By the time her and I arrived at Firefly she was set for learning how to single crochet. In fact she is currently working on her first project which is a cowl and I am so proud of her.

SALE

Sale at my etsy shop!

Ok I am not dead..

Just crocheting and forgetting my login.. >>"

Update on my life.

Right now I am in a less than favorable situation for me...

I am back home and job hunting due to situations that I had very little control of..

I have not been happy about much of the things that are going on lately...

Crochet Term Conversion Chart

North America:                United Kingdom:

skip                          skip / miss
chain                         chain
slip stitch                   slip stitch / single crochet
single crochet                double crochet
double crochet                treble crochet
half double crochet           half treble crochet
triple / treble crochet       double treble crochet
double treble crochet         triple treble crochet

Crochet Hook Conversion Chart

Metric:         Canada/UK:      USA:            USA:

2.              14              -               0
2.25            13              B               1
2.5             12              -               -
2.75            -               C               2
3.              11              -               -
3.5             9               E               4
3.75            -               F               5
4.              8               G               6
4.5             7               -               7
5.              6               H               8
5.5             5               I               9
6.              4               J               10
6.5             3               K               10.5
7.              2               -                -
8.              0               L               11
9.              00              M               13
10.             000             N               15

Job Hunting

It has begun.

I am currently job hunting..

I am also starting this blog back up with my projects.

Ah a thrift store masterpiece

While teaching Kayla how to crochet this weekend, Maggie and I took her out to find yarn. I found a great way to find yarn and to remain on a set budget. We went to the Brown Elephant a thrift store here in Chicago. While there Kayla got two scarf and a bag full of yarn for less than ten dollar. When we got back from the venture we were rummaging through the bag of yarn and found the knitted piece of this poncho and after dissembling one of the scarfs we had the rest of the yarn to work on this. All of this was made of thrift store yarn and reused buttons!

SALE TIME!

FREE PATTERN: The Golden Snitch

THIS IS MY PATTERN PLEASE DO NOT CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN OR TRY TO SELL IT.


Difficulty: Advanced Beginner

Finished Size: 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.81-6.35 cm) in diameter

Gauge: Not that important.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Materials:

• Preferably worsted weight yard (10-15 yards of yellow and white)
• E/4 - 3.5mm crochet hook
• Yarn Needle
  
• Small amount of stuffing/polyfil
• scissors

Abbreviations :
ch= chain
dec= decrease
inc= increase
rnd(s)= round(s)
sc=single crochet
sl st: slip stitch

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Directions:
This project is worked in the round.

Ball:

In desired color for the snitch, ch 4,then sl st into the first chain which forms a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, make 6 sc into the ring, Then sl st into the ch1. [6 sc]
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc inc around. (2 sc in each of the previous 6)Then sl st into ch 1. [12 sc]

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc sc inc around. (sc in first stitch,2 sc in the next repeat to ch1.) Then sl st into ch1. [18 sc]
Rnd 4: Chain 1, sc in each stitch.Then sl st into ch1. [18 sc]
Rnds 5-9: Repeat Rnd 4
Rnd 10: Ch1, sc dec,sc around. Then sl st into the ch1. [12 sc]
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc dec around. Then sl st into the ch1. [6 sc]
*Fasten/finish off leaving a tail of several inches. Stuff the ball. Weave the yarn through the stitches of round 11,pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Wings (make 2) :

In desired color for the wings, ch 4,then sl st into the first chain which forms a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, make 6 sc into the ring, Then sl st into the ch1. [6 sc]
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc inc around. (2 sc in each of the previous 6)Then sl st into ch 1. [12 sc]
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc sc inc around. (sc in first stitch,2 sc in the next repeat to ch1.) Then sl st into ch1. [18 sc]
Rnd 4 (right wing): Ch 5, sl st in first sc. Ch 5, sl st into second sc. Ch7,sl st into third sc. Ch 9, sl st into fourth sc. Sl st the next 14 sts then fasten off and weave in.
Rnd 4 (left wing): Ch 9, sl st in first sc. Ch 7, sl st into second sc. Ch5,sl st into third sc. Ch 5, sl st into fourth sc. Sl st the next 14 sts then fasten off and weave in.

Assembly:

Stitch wings to ball.

REVIEW: Wild in the Street (1968)

Wild in the Streets (94 mins.):

This is a movie from 1968 that is one of the weirdest movies that I have reviewed... The first five minutes I had no idea that the movie had started. I had originally thought that the beginning of the film was exploitation film trailers from earlier in the 60s....

One of the things that made me happy with this film is the cameos. Also I am happy to see that a young Richard Pryor is in it.He was between 27-28 in the movie.

It is a movie that both support and parodies the counter-culture, from the voting age being moved down from 21 to 14, to lacing D.C.'s water supply with LSD, and the rounding up of everyone over the age of 30 for "re-education" plus a constant dosing of LSD for the 30 + population.

The movie rotates around the character of Max Frost and his entourage. Where you see from his childhood straight to him being a "Jim Morrison"-type singer. A Presidential candidate named Johnny Fergus asks him to be a performer at the political rally. The 24 year old Max Frost incites a up-bringing by the song "14 and fight". Due to the "baby boomers" are coming of age they end up electing Max Frost as President. With the election of Mr. Frost to President, people from the age of 30 and up are rounded up and transported to the re-education facilities and put on a regiment of LSD.

In the great words of Maggie "frickin' weird..."

Up for Review:

It will probably not be in this exact order:

• Wild in the Streets (1968)
• Powder (1995)
• The Red Balloon (1956)
• White Mane (1953)
• Night at the Opera (1935)
• Finian's Rainbow (1968)
• The Blue Angel (1930)
• Joan the Woman (1917)

REVIEW: The Boy with Green Hair (1948)

The Boy with Green Hair (82 mins):
Should I tell you the plot of the movie..? Hell the poster tells the viewers, not to spoil it. But it is the best part of the movie. This is a twist the M. Night Shyamalan only wishes that he could make.

Teaser trailer:

The story revolves around a young boy by the name of Peter Frye. Moving in with an understanding retired actor named Gramps, Peter starts attending school and generally begins living the life of a normal boy until his class gets involved with trying to help war orphans in Europe and Asia. During the clothes drive, Peter is in the class room looking at the posters of the children that the clothes are going to, when a classmate refers to Peter as a war orphan. Thus inciting a fight between the classmate and Peter. The next day, he discovers he has green hair.

I am not going to tell you the rest of the plot, but I am going to say to those who find the trailer and the little information that I gave you interesting, the twist was satisfying. Though at times the movie can seem preachy but the movie in a whole is good for being slightly like a PSA.

New At the Etsy for July 20th 2010

Etsy:Lavender and Lilac Granny Square Blanket $15
Approximately 25 ins. (63.5 cm) x 25 ins. (63.5 cm)square, made from caron simply soft and caron pound of love.

Etsy: Lilacs and Creme Tote $15

This roomy over-sized tote measures approximately:
14" (35.56 cm) deep
20" (50.8 cm) wide (un-stretched) flat at its widest point
50" (127 cm) shoulder strap
Extra roomy with lots of stretch!

Etsy: Blue Raspberry Tote $5
Measurements:
Width:18 ins. (45.72 cm)
Depth:12 ins. (30.48 cm)

REVIEW: Freaks (1932)

Disclaimer: In this review I will use terms that were in the original movie in the summary of what the movie is.



I had the privilege of getting to watch this movie, I was very fortunate to have stumbled upon it on Maggie's and I weekly trip to the library.

The most widely recognized and memorable scenes from this movie:

Freaks (64 mins):
The movie opens to a carnival barker displaying a sideshow freak called the Feathered Hen and tells her story. Cleopatra, a trapeze artist with the carnival, is adored by a midget named Hans. Frieda, Hans' fiancee (also a midget), warns Hans that Cleopatra is only interested in him so that he will give her money. Cleopatra has an affair with Hercules, and when Frieda lets it slip that Hans is to come into an inheritance, Cleopatra and Hercules plan to get the money be having Cleopatra marry Hans. During the wedding reception, Cleopatra, although openly romantic with Hercules, is accepted by the freaks, but is revolted and mocks them.

I know in probably that paragraph some of you are slightly angered at me for using the terms but I am keeping with the terminology in the movie.

This movie feature famous side show acts of the time.Among the characters featured as "freaks" were Peter Robinson ("the human skeleton"); Olga Roderick ("the bearded lady"); Frances O'Connor and Martha Morris ("armless wonders"); and the conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Among the micro cephalics who appear in the film (and are referred to as "pinheads") were Zip and Pip (Elvira and Jenny Lee Snow) and Schlitzie, a male named Simon Metz who wore a dress mainly due to incontinence, a disputed claim. Also featured were the intersexual Josephine Joseph, with her left/right divided gender; Johnny Eck, the legless man; the completely limbless Prince Randian (also known as The Human Torso, and mis-credited as "Rardion"); Elizabeth Green the Stork Woman; and Koo-Koo the Bird Girl, who suffered from Virchow-Seckel syndrome or bird-headed dwarfism, and is most remembered for the scene where she dances on the table.

Some of the "human oddities"/ sideshow performs in this made a good living off their career. Examples from this movie is Hans and Frida (who in real life Harry and Daisy Dolls, siblings from a family of small people). Harry was in several movies before and after this one, and Daisy was revered as a tiny Mae West.


This is a movie that I do suggest people who have not seen it, to take a chance on. All I ask is when you are watching it is to not think of it as exploitative as some people make it out to be. And I firmly believe that this movie was before its time.

REVIEW: Paint Your Wagon (1969)

As of lately Maggie and I have been picking up movie from the Harold-Washington Library, we have been aiming toward older movies and movie that we think are unappreciated.Thankfully after the Missouri trip we had the AV Cable finally so I was able to restore my VCR .This week so far we have been able to find Paint Your Wagon,Boy with Green Hair and Freaks, Freaks on DVD amazingly and the rest on video tapes.



Paint Your Wagon (2hrs. 44 mins.):
This has been a bit of finding, this is a movie that I have heard about only by Maggie and her father.

Paint Your Wagon is a 1969 musical, that is set in during the Gold-Rush.

This is my favorite song from the entire movie:

Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood both actually sing throughout the movie. This at first tripped me up but I actually enjoyed this movie. I was a great adaptation from the stage version of this movie and the story even if it had not had the music it could stand rather well on its own.

There is a confirmed triangle between Ben (Lee Marvin),Elizabeth (Jean Seberg), and Pardner (Clint Eastwood), which in a weird way works in this movie.

This movie is on my very tiny list of musicals that I can enjoy. The list being "Little Shop of Horrors" and "The Blues Brothers)".

ETSY!

I will be back on Etsy probably by the end of the day.

But I am switching profiles.

I will keep you informed.

Joined!

I joined Craftster today. I am currently really digging it. Posting on there was a little different,and leaves somethings to be desired but for the most part but I am cool with it.

Avatar:The last Airbender Baby Beanie

This was a commission from a dA buddy of mine,Taigan I am hoping he digs it.

Sweet Home Chicago Part II

*after obtaining food and a day later*

I left off at the small backyard fire... No one was hurt.

The last part of the time in Missouri consisted of hazing on the Twilight series, washing and trimming the Westie's (Willie's) fur and de-ticking him....That little dog is a tick magnet. (I swear he was shaking them off in my shoes.)Also trying to walk the fine line with her mom.

The trip home, leaves things to be desired. The 2 hour layover in St. Louis is a trip killer..

All in all the trip was not terrible.

I learned a few things in Missouri:
-Katelyn likes kits.
-Fireworks plus Ron or Gus are dangerous.
-Spoons is a fun game.
-People there in her town are odd.

Projects from Vacation time.

Baby Nyota's Booties and Dress:

Cowls:

Bags and Market Bags:

I was unable to get pictures on Katelyn's gloves and bag, also I was unable to get photos of the bag that I made for Mingee.

Sweet Home Chicago

After the well needed 20 day vacation I am happy to say that I am home.

9 days in Indiana,2 days of layovers in Chicago and 9 days in Missouri. Oy Vey!

There were some good,some bad and some bloody times during this vacation.

And before you can ask about the bloody, here is the quick explanation. 2 days before Maggie and I were to leave on a trip for Indiana I was attacked by a tin can. It left a deep and long gash on the bottom of my foot, to say the least it hurt like hell.

The good times were primarily when we were on the train down to Missouri, we were fortunate to meet and interact with some of the unique people that we did. Be it the mother and son duo or Geanie and her yorkie.

The bad times were mainly me getting dental surgery, busting that damned cut open, attacked by mosquitoes, attacked by ticks, or helping put out a fire....

It was to say the least hectic..

9 hours in Union Station before boarding the train to Indiana... Met some cool people.

While in Indiana I had to get yet another dental surgery that I was not fond of... My wisdom teeth have decided to come in now that I am 22... aren't those things supposed to come in earlier like 16-18? Well anyways they are being bullies to my teeth in the back of my mouth and in the last 4 months managed to break two teeth... OUCHies. Next time that I am down there they will be taking out the bottom 2 wisdom teeth... oh joy...

During the splendid time of being on pain meds and unable to eat solid food, I found entertainment in crocheting and watching movies on Netflix. I got a ton of things done including baby clothes and two new bags for market.

Also while down there I got to send time with family. I am surprised at how good Hayley (my littlest sister) is getting at softball.I love watching softball about as much as I enjoyed playing it. Lexy (the middle child) is still like a mother to my little cousin Zack and a happy to see that my Mammaw (grandmother) is doing ok. My parents were a little frustrating at times but I think that is a parent thing.

By the time that I was back in Chicago it felt right to be home even if it was for less than two days. I felt nice to sleep in a real bed instead of on a couch... The two days there gave me time to recharge before the adventure of traveling to rural Missouri..

The trip to Missouri was rather enjoyable with meeting the great mother-son duo heading to St. Louis and Geanie and her yorkie service dog. The reason that I found the mother-son duo so great was it was the son's first trip on a train and he was 11. Him and his mother were rather frazzled before getting on the train. But they made for great company on the way down. When they left the train in St. Louis Ms. Geanie boarded with her service yorkie Zha Zha. That train ride I had been helping out people lifting bags and to their seats, directing them to dining car, the whole 9 yards... When she got on I was helping her with her bags, when she began telling me about her trip then about how she came to having a service dog. She was suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and how Zha Zha helps.The best way to describe her was Ms. Frizzle with white hair and a southern accent.

After getting off the train in Jefferson City, MO it was a ride in a car to the Logan's home in the middle of nowhere. Not saying that it is a bad thing, just saying damn...
It was 8 hours on a train and 3 more by car getting there I was exhausted...

I managed to actually kind of bonded with Gus (Maggie's brother),Mingee (his fiance), and Katylyn(her best bud). Gus bonded over games. I am the only one that managed to make Gus call a draw in Monopoly and also I think he liked me due to I had the Super Mario's game with me on my DS which he freaking beat in 3 days... O_O'. Mingee and me bonded over me making her a book bag for when she is off to the music academy. And Katylyn was a hybrid of all the great friends that I have back home.

On the 2nd I met JD one of Maggie's closest guy friends. He is awesome I am hoping to speak and hangout with him again when he is back from his tour in Afghanistan.

4th of July was awesome,ended up going to watch a display near Faith Fellowship.

On the 6th Maggie's dad (Ron) threw a firework like a grenade into the back yard starting a fire, which took out a patch of the backyard... I ended up helping out with putting it out.. To say the least this was interesting.

There is some much more to write about but alas I am hungry an a bit parched I shall be writing more later.

Finished 4x4 for Mum

This is a pic from early before I added all the nifty pocket and button:


Completed piece:
This was the first time that I was able to knit up the 4x4 Checkerboard pattern correctly..

I am quite proud of this project.

I am hoping to make a few more things before I hit the road for the 20 days of vacation soon.

Passing on the Love

My mother when I was younger made me 2 granny square afghans (blankets). Since moving out the laundry room in my building has devoured piece out of the both of them.I have decided to take apart and salvage what I can from them.

This is a WIP (Work in Progress) that will be going to my little sister:


This is made from some of the blanket and random yarn in my stash.

Want?

Trades and Lace

These are the latest projects that I have finished in the last few days.
The last two are trades.
But you can get the first one at:link

Gil and Gutter

Hats for Gil and Kai.

Lace Cap (Crochet) - Knitting Daily

Lace Cap (Crochet) - Knitting Daily


This was the main idea, behind the design of Stina's hat. I am thinking of trying to make this hat in the feature via the pattern to see how it turns out.

Newest Hat

This is for my buddy Stina for all her help before surgery.

The Two Gentlemen

You ever had one of those days where you are unintentionally drop in on people's conversation?

Maggie took me over to the Starbucks next to her school to avoid the annoyance of the lounge in the morning.

They're two well to do business types that are sitting talking of their children; Their conversation has been 'bunny-hole'ing,from kids to business,to paparazzi,the governor of Michigan, to Bruce Springsteen..

I finished my drink a little over 30 minutes ago and what they keep talking about just keeps me so interested I could stay here all day. I love listening to people that talk with a passion.

Hat that I finished today.

This is the hat that I started and finish today. I was looking for something different to try when I kept stumbling upon doilies and lace hats.

If you would like to give this hat a home:link

These are just a few...

In the past year I have made over 300 crocheted or knitted items.

These are some of the pictures that my buyers have sent me in appreciation.

April 6th 2010

Hi there.

This is my newest blog....

I have several lost to the vast internet.

Welcome to it.

My blog is my own and I choose my content based on my personal interest and the current goings-on in my life.