Forgotten Projects

I went on a bit of a cleaning and reorganizing spree.  I cleared out my knitting corner which had yarn in bags and half finished projects lying around, and I moved some furniture.

After sorting through my skeins, I found a forgotten project - a mystery knit-along hat to which I had all the clues, but only had knit the first 3.  A few other projects that I decided to frog and the single socks I've yet to knit the mates for (Damn SSS!).

I didn't get much knitting done today, but I at least have a bit of a cleaner environment to work in.
I suspect tomorrow I'll do a bit more cleaning and reorganizing as well.  I still have far too many Christmas gifts to knit, and there aren't many in the Christmas box.  This is going to be a rush knit year!

Let It Snow hat:

This is the forgotten hat mentioned above.  I knit 2 rounds before remembering I didn't have a before picture!  I hope to finish this one before bed, and send it straight into the Christmas box.  This hat is now available for purchase on Ravelry (it was a July MKAL).  Let It Snow Hat - for only $3.00!

Racing Socks:

This is the progress I've made on the sock.  Like I said, I haven't done much knitting today - in fact it's a bit pathetic, but I'll be able to settle in tomorrow and knit some more in the evening.  It currently measures 4", another 2.5" before the gusset for the heel.

Sweater Envy!
I've forever envious of knitters who seem to make numerous sweaters throughout the year - I've only ever finished one full adult sweater, but always yearn for my own cushy handknit luxury ones.  With that in mind, I  recently bought another 2 skeins of Tosh Sock to finish my Tempest Cardigan.  I made a few modifications - mainly lengthened the sleeves (which is why I ran out of yarn!).  Anyway, I cast on in Flash Dance and Lepidoptra back in June - this project seems to be put on hold a lot, then worked on for a good chunk, then put on hold again (for details on how my progress has been, see here.)  Sadly, I don't have a picture of any of the pieces - I'll upload some when blocking the pieces.

A word on beading!
We're doing a Secret Santa at work, and we're to make a handmade gift (maximum of $10).
Originally, I thought of knitting something, however it would all depend on who I drew from the "Santa Hat" (aka a ziplock with our names, lol).  After I pulled my name, I knew the perfect gift.  It wouldn't be knit, but beaded.  I went to work straight away - bought the beads, printed off my pattern, and completed the focal the next two nights after work.  After finishing, I decided maybe I could alter the project by adding to it.  This didn't work out, so I decided to make a secondary piece the first would attach to.  I'm roughly halfway done with the second piece, though it's be hibernating for a while now.  I have to have it finished by our Christmas Party on the 16th, so plenty of time.  I could finish it in half an hour max if I'm in the mood, maybe I'll bring it to Bead Night on Wednesday if I go.  I won't be able to share pictures until then, but let me tell you, I think I may need to make one for myself!

In other beading news, I have the geometric bead work book, and I love making the 3D peyote stars.

My first star

I also played around with different sizes, and made my smallest yet - the size of a quarter.  The one below was made in size 11 delicas, however I could probably get one even smaller by using size 15s.  Sadly, I don't have many size 15s available in a wide range of colour - I may have to shop around online.

I've been asked to make another star for a Christmas gift.  The star will be in lovely colours and perhaps I'll try out a new design on it.  It shouldn't take more than an hour, depending on how I decide to design it, but I'll post pictures along with some others I've made once I decide to work on it!  I believe this one needs to be done before the 20th, so I'll likely have a bead night soon and work on a few other gifts as well - I have a few Swarovski gifts to make as well!

For now, however, it's time to curl up with some tea and knitting and watch Sleepy Hollow on Netflix!

Making an Attempt

I've been catching up on my once favourite blog, Wandering Cat Studio (it's not that it's not my favourite anymore, more that I haven't caught up on my blogs in a good year... odd; I know.) and decided to make an honest attempt to actually post more.

After a long weekend at work, I've curled up with my needles and cast on a sock Christmas.  I was asked for a pair of handmade socks... but unfortunately wasn't given much more to go on.  I knew I had to use a superwash wool, something that could be tossed in the wash and dryer - basically no fuss, hand knit socks.  I wasn't given a colour - just that they wanted them to be stripey- and in general this isn't an easy person to shop for.  After searching for some grey/white/black striping yarn at a reasonable (with shipping) without luck, and after Knit Picks discontinued Felici in Monochrome (I have a skein set aside for a specific project, and I'm not giving it up) I settled for Regia Racing Color sock yarn in 8883.  I'm not sure how pleased I am with the stripes, as it's thin stripes of black, with wide bands of black and white jaquards... Hopefully they'll like them.

Here's what they look like so far:

I'm using ChaioGoo Premium Stainless Steel needles, in US size 1 (2.25mm), and just doing a simple toe-up sock design - I fell in love with toe up socks after knitting my first pair, then again after knitting Dagger for the scary sock knit along (even if I only managed to finish one during the competition.  I still need to cast on the second sock, but I have more pressing projects).

Eventually I plan on getting a better camera, but until then I'll be using my crappy phone cam - My battery for my digital camera is dead and I can't find the charger.

Nerd Wars Round 2!

As promised, I give you round 2 projects for nerd wars!

Dissertation:
This round was the mid-way check in point.  I hit the mark, and was able to submit it on time:
a photo of the current status:

A written update: I’m exactly half way through this shawl (half way through chart 3 of 5). Unfortunately I can’t get a proper picture without putting it on a life line and pinning it out (I’ve never used a life line and don’t plan on starting now!). Currently measures about 13” in length, not sure of the wingspan though.

 Flexible Schedule:
November 21 is False Confession Day. Whether you did it or not, we want to hear about it! So this month to celebrate, you can make up any story you like, no matter how crazy; as long as it’s false.
Let’s be careful though, we don’t want you to confess anything that might really get you or others in trouble (we don’t want to know about that body in your back yard).

Base points for completion: 5 for each project
Maximum Team Spirit points: 3 

Project #1
What craft was used? Knitting
Project page link if possible: Double Bubble, Toil and Trouble
This is not a pair of socks, but a cauldron I found while wondering the Everfree forest. It has a fancy camouflage button that turns it into something wearable for transporting it - none will be the wiser!
Before:

After:


Team spirit: There are quite a few cauldrons in My little pony, including the ones Zecora uses, and the one Rainbow Dash was almost cooked in.

Project#2
What craft was used? Knitting
Project page link if possible: Neon Jester Hat
This hat came to me while a random jester hopped out of the cauldron above, started singing quite off key, and then jumped back into the cauldron! All she left was her hat! I have a feeling this show was for someone else, to keep them distracted; and when she saw I was not who she was expecting, she quickly made her escape.



Team spirit: Inspired by the outfit Pinkie Pie wears while entertaining at the Crystal Empire.






Total Points Awarded: 13

 Nerdology:

I AM A NERD! Say it loud and say it proud!
There is always the one moment in time that if we look back we realize we have been nerdy for a very long time. You were probably nerdy before you even realized you were nerdy. We want to know which of the other team nerdoms (not your own team nerdery) that had made you wave your nerd flag.
Craft something inspired by a different team’s nerdery that brought out your flag! Wave your Nerd Flag high!!

Base points for completion: 13 Team Spirit points: 3

Project page link:Kresh n Tank
I had a hard time choosing which other team I should choose! I have strong affiliations with so many nerdy teams, but after realizing most of the time my knitting breaks are interrupted by gaming, I knew I had to go with team 1-up.

I love to play wow. The yarn colour was chosen for the night elves, like the one above.


The pattern tie in is for the optional boss Kresh, a turtle/tortoise that drops a tank shield in wailing caverns.

Team spirit: My team spirit tie in is Tank, Rainbow Dash’s pet tortoise. I chose him, not only because he’s a turtle, but because his name is Tank (and as previously mentioned, Kresh drops a tank shield, that looks like a tortoise shell).

 Points Awarded: 16

Encyclopedia:
In popular music, a cover version or cover song is a new performance or recording of a previously recorded song. This may mean an artist performing a different rendition of another artist’s track, or an artist creating a different version of their own track (such as with MTV Unplugged).

Your challenge this month is to take inspiration from an existing craft project - either one of yours or someone else’s - and craft something new.

Base points for completion: 13
Team Spirit points: 3

Project page link:Fairy Cuff
I made the Yarn Fairy’s Beaded Bracelet for my Discovery challenge, and wanted to do a cover on it.
I made a few modifications and changed it to be a continuous cuff rather than a button up bracelet. I also doubled the center pattern and started with a provisional cast on.

Team spirit: For team spirit and team unity, this pattern choice was influenced my the hoof-wrestle in the episode Fall Weather Friends. The lace angles on either side of the center represent the angles of the arm (hooves) while they wrestle. And the yarn is for Rainbow Dash’s coat; as of the two ponies this episode centers around, she would have to be my favourite choice.


Points Awarded: 16

Discovery:

Each year deciduous trees lose their foliage. In the temperate northern hemisphere this is happening now, and the leaves are turning the most amazing colours before they fall.
These colours we see and love are due to the tree withdrawing green chlorophyll from the leaves and two groups of chemicals being revealed: the carotenoids (the yellows, oranges and browns) and the anthocyanins (reds and purples).
These two groups of chemicals are responsible for many of the colours we see all around us from carrots, salmon, apricots and flamingos to red cabbage, purple pansies and geraniums.
Your challenge this month is to craft something in the colours of carotenoids or/and anthocyanins.

Base points for completion: 13
Team Spirit points: 3

Project page:Fall Weather Friendship bracelet
The yarn I chose represents the change in colour of the falling leaves.



Team spirit: For both team spirit and team unity, Fall Weather Friends was the inspiration for the colour choice for this project; specifically this picture:

 Points awarded: 16

Giving Geeks:
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Dr. Suess.
Children are often the most vulnerable in society. They do not have the resources to care for themselves, so must rely on others to help them.
Show the smallest among us that you care. Give to a group that brings joy or help to children in need.

Base points for completion: 13
Team Spirit points: 3



Today I donated to Give Kids The World.
I frequently donate to these children’s health boxes at restaurants and coffee shops. I was mid-way putting in this time’s donation and thought about the challenge, so snapped a pic!
Team spirit:

If we could have enough donations, we could make every child on their list smile like these three ponies! (Cutie Mark Crusaders, equivalent to “child age” ponies.)
 Points Awarded: 16.

Round 3 starts in a few hours, so I look forward to seeing what challenges they've come up with!



 

Nerd wars: Round 1!

It's been a while.
Last I wrote, I was participating in Nerd Wars.
Round 1 has passed, and we're now nearly finished round 2.  I thought I'd update my progress for round 1!

I managed to complete four of the five challenges, and still work on my dissertation (which I'll update about at the end of the month).

Nerd Wars!

It's that time again!
The start of Nerd Wars on Ravelry.
What is it?
A tournament to show off your love of geeking, nerding and crafting.
I participated once before, I believe T5 on Team Macabre.  I set up a ridiculous dissertation (a project proposal that takes 3 months to complete) where I decided to knit a full length coat - with a ton of cables - when I had never knit a sweater and barely knew a thing about cables.
To m surprise, I managed to get the entire back and sleeves done of The Winter Wonderland Coat... on top of staying a straight A student!
Now that was June of last year...  Now I'm a grown up witch (ok, just a little bit wiser with my crafting plans) and I'm playing again!
Stepping out of my world of death, macabre and horror and into the world of friendship and magic...
That's right, this Tournament I've decided to join Team Equestria! (Aka Team My Little Pony).

Homemade Skin care regimes that actually work... And some that don't.

We've all heard of them.
When we get a zit, an aunt or grandmother telling us an age old remedy to quick fix it.
Recently, I've tried a few homemade skin care treatments to see if they live up to expectations; or if they're being passed off as half truths and whole lies.


First up: Flour and Milk face mask




I'm not sure where I first heard this, but flour and milk are supposed to brighten your complexion.
I was hesitant to try this at all, due to the fact that paper mache paste is water and four...
And my hesitations weren't unjustified.
The idea is to mix 1 part flour to 2 or 3 parts milk, apply to face (or body) and allow to dry, or wait half an hour.  The mixture shouldn't be thick or cakey, and should apply smoothly to the skin.




After applying the mixture to my face, I was pleasantly surprised.  It was not only soothing, but cooling as well.  Watching tv, I started noticing my face feeling somewhat tight - but the mixture was not yet dry, nor was my 30 minute program over.  Long story short, by the end of my episode, most of my face was tight, and most of the mixture now dry... and I was feeling very much like paper mache. Not only did it hurt to make facial movements, as the mask cracked and pulled, but it also began to itch where parts were dry.  On top of the discomfort of the mask itself, it wasn't easy to get off.  I had to use an exfoliant, regular face wash, and ended up using a rough face cloth before it would actually come off, and even that was with effort.


This is definitely not a mask I'm likely to repeat.  I've heard of rice flour or rice paste and milk being another good mask, however after this experience I'm not likely to try that either.


White Vinegar

White vinegar is supposed to be a great skin cleanser, and even an astringent used to after traditional face wash to cut oils and just generally keep the skin clear.

This one actually turned out to work fairly well.  The acid in the vinegar kills bacteria, and will help cut sebum (oil), and removes dirt from pores.  If you have a few black heads, or pimples, it seems to zap them out immediately.

Applying this one is simple, dip a cotton ball in vinegar and apply all over face (I say steer clear of your eyes!).  Some say to allow to dry then wash off, others say to just leave it on.  The problem is, if you're using this straight from the bottle, it ends up burning.  Not just in sensation, but your skin will actually turn red and hurt for a while after.  Other options include diluting it 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water for an astringent, or a half and half cleanser.

Down side of this, is if you don't dilute it enough, your skin is going to hurt... and you're going to smell like a french fry until you wash it off.

Lemon Juice

This is one I grew up with.  I have very fair skin, and freckle during the summer.
I wasn't too keen on having the few dark freckles that would pop up after an entire summer in the sun, even if they looked "cute" with my red tinted hair.

In high school, I met a few goth girls who were obsessed with skin lightening.  Obviously, none of us were going to buy skin bleach to maintain our typical "goth pale skin" (unlike most of them, I didn't need to wear white face cream, as long as it wasn't summer, my skin was pale and freckle free); so each insisted on a skin bleach that was homemade and better than the next.  Most of them sounded silly or dangerous to me (one girl had said if you mixed regular clothing bleach with water and put it on your face, you would be paler faster), the only one that seemed to make any sense was lemon juice - after all, we'd used it to put streaks in our hair one year at camp.  Now, this method doesn't really bleach out your skin (and doesn't have the dramatic effects that it does in your hair), but it does lighten freckles a little; or at least enough that I didn't notice that I had a few that were so much darker than the others - they seemed to fade after a few applications and were gone until the next summer.

The problem with using lemon juice to lighten your skin, freckles or age spots? It does make your skin photosensitive - meaning that you could end up with more freckles or a burn if you don't wear sunscreen! If you've put on lemon juice that day, remember to slather on the spf as well.

Aloe Vera

Being a pale, red head (not a carrot top, but still red), you burn easily.  Most summers, I spend my time away from direct sunlight, and even then wearing 110 spf sunblock and re-applying frequently.  During the winter I usually drop down to a 30 or 40.  That being said, before finding the exact time between re-application, and before the higher spfs were available, I spent many hours with painful red skin, being burnt after less than half an hour in the sun.

Aloe practically saved me from trying to crawl out of my skin.  Not only does it cool the skin, but it has the added benefit of pain relief.  Another benefit is it brightens your skin and makes it look healthy.  You can slather on a layer of aloe before bed (I'd let it dry before hitting the pillow though, so you don't stick to it!) or even some on in the morning before running around in a pre-work haze.

More To Try

There's a list of home skin care treatments I haven't tried yet, but may soon!

- Chamomile Tea: Supposed to be good for skin irritations, sunburn and preventing acne
- Yogurt and honey mask: helps hydrate and nourish the skin
- oatmeal mask: exfoliant

I'll likely find and add more at a later date.

Blessed Lughnasadh!

Today we celebrate the first harvest.
 We're starting to notice the change of the season, and recognize the sun doesn't stay out as late as it has been over the summer.  This year, we may even start to see the seasons change a little earlier than usual.

In olden times, a ritual was done during Lughnasadh/Lammas, so ensure a plentiful harvest season.  As with many holidays, it is a time to reflect on ourselves; our gain, loss... to think of changes we wish to see in ourselves, and put into fruition.  

There are many great write ups on this holiday, and I won't pretend to be as knowledgeable as, say, a High Priestess.  However, I do know this is a time of celebration, and how to make a mini feast for someone on a budget (aka students!).

It's all about the Grain 
As this is a celebration of harvest, the feast vastly orients itself around grain and fruit.
I found myself unable to put together a proper feast - as I don't normally eat a lot of the typical Lughnasadh meals.
After riffling through my cupboards, fridge and freezer, I came up with a modern, (although rather processed) easy make meal for the holiday.

For the grain of it all
Often, breads, meats and fruits were eaten in celebration and ritual, along side with mead, ale and wine.

I rarely drink, so I don't have any beer or wine in the apartment, but if you do, this is a great time to drink it!
Instead, I have some pomegranate tea (for Persephone).  Other suggestions, if you have them, would be apple cider, fruit juices or fruit teas.

My main meal included garlic bread, and beef patties - both were cheap at the grocery store (and I had them in my freezer already).  I've heard of people also making taco salads or taco dumplings, lamb or beef patties or burgers.

For an easy, no fuss dessert, I have wild berry toaster strudels.
Apple pies, fruit jams and tarts are also excellent options!

Normally, I would have liked to have things like corn, stews with fresh baked breads, fruit tarts... This year, that wasn't an option, but I have to say I still enjoyed my little celebration; even if it wasn't very traditional!

Excellent Reads
Here are a few sites with more information on Lughnasadh and other holidays
Lammas (About)
Witch School (has a variety of classes, and information; sign up required though)
Witchvox
Wiccan Tradition (UK) 



I personally prefer pouring over books (even the teen witchcraft books like Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation - one I have in my bookshelf and read through many times a year.), so if you're really interested in getting to know more, I'd definitely suggest doing research outside the net.