Theme-a-licious Fangirl February Wrap-Up

Sorry I'm a little later than I wanted to be with this post...we just got back from my birthday weekend away. =)

This month wasn't as productive as I'd have liked, but it's a short month, so let's give it a pass. ;) My plans for my favorite designers were

• Teresa Wentzler: Peacock Tapestry
• Moss Creek Designs: Blackwork Band Sampler...or maybe Ye Shall Prosper.
• Mirabilia: I should be good and work on Autumn Queen (in progress AND on the WIPocalypse list). But what I really want to do is start Dancer, since Dasher needs company. And since it's my birthday this month, that's probably what I'm going to do. =)
• Cookie A: Bex

I didn't get anything more done on Peacock Tapestry since IHSW, except for a little backstitching, but here's a reminder:

 

For Moss Creek, I decided to work on Blackwork Band Sampler. I was able to finish the bottom most motif and start on the double satin stitch border that surrounds the WHOLE THING.

I was hoping to put in some of the vine and flowers that twine around it, but that didn't happen.

As anyone who's been paying attention at all should have been able to predict, for Mirabilia, I did not act like a responsible person and work on Autumn Queen...I started Dancer.

(Pardon the terrible picture.) Careful viewers may note that this blob is approximately the same size, though a different shape, than it was last time. That's because, unfortunately, I was not a very careful stitcher and had to frog an entire deer leg. =(

I did get a whopping two rounds done on Bex in the car on the way to my birthday getaway. I didn't take a new picture, because the socks still look pretty much like they did last year:

 

Next up is...
March Madness

Stitch or knit on something different every day...it's madness...of the funnest possible kind.

Now a quick word about March Madness...I realize that not everyone can do what I do, which is utter madness. If you don't want to try that (AND I DON'T BLAME YOU), think about what might shake up your stitching routine a little. If you've got a lot of WIPs, why not pick a random one each weekend day? If you're a committed one-at-a-timer, why not start an ornament each week? Or let a friend pick your next project? Whatever seems like "madness" to you, that's what you should do. =)

Here's the vessel of my Madness:

Behold, the Sparkly Compote of Decree!

I have a slip of paper with each of my WIPs on it (and a few blanks, which are "wildcards" and let me stitch whatever I'd like during the day...which usually translates into starting something I've been wanting to start ;). In the morning I draw a slip from the SCOD. If for some reason I don't want to stitch what's on the slip (for example, I pull my most complicated project on a night I'm going to stitch group) I can pick another slip, but I HAVE to stitch that project, and I have to work on the first one I drew the next night. I am allowed to work on something I've already worked on during the month as long as I ALSO work on a project from the SCOD. Even when I'm being random, I gotta have SOME rules. ;)

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So how did your Fangirl February go? Please add your link below (to your wrap-up post). We're going to use the links WITH the thumbnails again, but if we want to keep those, I need to get a silver membership. I think they're cool, but if you guys are ambivalent, I'll probably go back to the plain old links. So let me know in the comments what you prefer!

Our next post will be on the 15th, when we'll see how the Madness is going! And don't worry if you haven't posted before...just jump in whenever.

Orchid Daze

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Orchid Daze is happening right now at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The "theme" this year, besides OMIGOSH LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY ORCHIDS, is "Hanging Gardens".

 

Just inside the Conservatory door, the gorgeousness begins!

 

 

Just off to the side of the entrance are some terrariums with colorful frogs. You have to stop for a second and see how many you can spot. But this time they had some new varieties and these Glass Frogs were so cute, I couldn't resist taking their picture.

 

Also: new camera with its movable focus spot is awesome! I never would have been able to get this shot without it.

Back to the flowers!

 

For Orchid Daze, they always do a big display in this foyer. And often, it's something they've constructed...a craft project that houses lots of gorgeous flowers. I loved the hanging display they made here, with metal pots sunk into the wooden slats and the whole affair painted copper.

 

Stunning.

And it houses lots of beauties like this one.

 

And these...

 

These guys showed up again in the main orchid house as a backdrop to these amazing pale yellow orchids. They somehow remind me of birds in flight.

 

The lattice normally holds orchids; during Orchid Daze, it just holds...

 

MORE.

Another great hanging display is behind the reflecting pool in the main orchid house.

 

These orchids almost form the perfect ikebana arrangement naturally with the points of heaven, man and earth.

 

Hey, how about if I just let the flowers do the talking from here on out??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one's my desktop background now. =)

JiffNotes
And I was able to get these without inconveniencing all my fellow Orchid Daze goers by plopping my tripod down at every point on the path or climbing on the benches. I'm looking at you, lady with the giant purse and dude in the hat.

February TUSAL

(What's a TUSAL?)

I got tired of trying to overcome the glare on my monthly ort jar, so I just dumped the fuzzy little blob out.

 

Since he's bottom-up now, the sparklies on top are from Les Rubans, the yarn is from Helena, and the bottom sparklies are from the temari. There are some other orts in there, but they are much less voluminous so you can't really see them.

Tomorrow: Orchids! Or camellias...not sure which...I've got lots of gorgeous pictures of both!

Craptcha

This is a public service announcement for those of you with Blogger (blogspot) blogs that have "word verification" turned on for your comments. You may not even know you HAVE "word verification" turned on if you're on the new interface! As it stands now, I can barely prove I'm not a robot when I try to comment at a lot of blogs! I've seen a lot of complaints out there, so here's how to turn off those wretched Captcha codes if you'd like.

The trick is...if you're using the "new" Blogger interface, you'll need to switch back to using the old interface to change this option. To do this:

• From your blog's main administrator page (where you start a new post, or check on your stats, or edit your pages), look in the upper right-hand corner, and you should see a button with a gear on it.
• Click that and it will drop down a menu.
• Select "Old Blogger interface" (don't worry; you can switch back).

From the old Blogger interface...

• Find the "Settings" link (or tab) and click it.
• Look for "Comments"...now don't click the "Comments" tab that sits between "Posting" and "Settings" at the top. Look for the one underneath "Settings" and click that.
• Scrolllll down and look for "Show word verification for comments?".
• Click NO!
• Now click the "Save Settings" button at the bottom of the page.

Finally, to switch back to Blogger's new interface by going back to the top of the page and looking for the "Try the updated Blogger interface" link.

(Hint: for most of these, you can "search" for the text to find where to go...Ctrl-F in most browsers.)

Hope this helps someone...if you need pictures, I can try and put them up later!

The Geekend That Was, 2/19

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Saturday morning we headed to the Botanical Gardens again because Orchid Daze has started! I want to do a separate post because I took a LOT of pictures. But here's a taste:

 

The day turned misty and rainy, so we headed home, making a perfect evening for hermitting. =)

The hermitting was aided greatly by the hubby's acquisition earlier in the week...

 

Oh yeah. Even the Christmas episode.

I managed to finish the second lesson on my temari ball. I'm still a week behind, but at least I'm catching up. I had a tough time finishing the marking and doing the first round of stitching on the ball. I learned a lot, though. I really should write it down so I actually remember it. =P

 

It doesn't look too bad, although there is a technical term for the way my shapes (pentagons and hexagons...see 'em?) came out, and that term is "wonky." =)

Then I pulled out Peacock Tapestry and decided that instead of continuing to wallow in pear leaves, I might be better motivated to finish it if I had a pretty peacock to look at while I stitched. So I started on him...see his little birdy feet?

 

There was no stitching on Sunday...after church we went to Michael's parents' house and played two games of Settlers of Catan (BOTH of which Michael won, ONE of them by UTTERLY BETRAYING ME) and then saw War Horse. I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected, but that could have been because of the interference on the digital projector (the lighter scenes of the movie looked like they were shot through a continual drizzle), or because of the couple eating Doritos out of a VERY CRINKLY bag the ENTIRE MOVIE.

JiffNotes
I'll take two days of hermitting next month, please.

Keeper

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Valentine's day brought cupcakes...

 

...flowers...

 

 

...and home-cooked dinner!

 

Lovely wonderful steak with Brussels sprouts and pears.

JiffNotes
He's a keeper for sure.

Rant On

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People:

• A "boarder" is someone who rents a room from you. A "border" is something that surrounds an area.
• "Broach" is when you bring up a new topic. A "brooch" is a decorative pin.
• For bonus points..."stationary" is when something is standing still. "Stationery" is pretty paper for writing.

<rant-off />

JiffNotes
Sorry. My inner grammar nerd gets the best of me sometimes.

Theme-a-licious Fangirl February Check-in

I'm afraid I don't have as much progress to show as I'd like. First up, a Mirabilia project. BEHOLD MY BROWN BLOB OF REINDEER GLORY!

I decided to forego all that silly "work on existing WIPs" stuff and just start something new. =) So someday, Dasher will have a friend, Dancer. And if you're wondering why there's just a teensy little spot of red, rather than a nice swath, well...I blame the frogs that appeared! There's also a lot less brown than there might have been. =(

Next, I did a little bit on Moss Creek's Blackwork Band Sampler.

I plan to do some more on this, then move on to my all-time favorite designer, Teresa Wentzler. Will I work on the massive Peacock Tapestry? Or will I wimp out and put a few stitches into something smaller? Stay tuned!

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So how is your Fangirl February going? Please add your link below (to your check-in post). I'm trying out a new linking tool because it allows us to have thumbnail pictures! So once you link to your post, it will prompt you to pick one of your pictures to feature and ask whether you'd like to crop it yourself or just have it default. Please let me know if you have any problems with this...it may not refresh automatically. Our next post will be on the 29th, when we'll wrap up Fangirl February and make plans for March Madness! And don't worry if you haven't posted before...just jump in whenever.

Now a quick word about March Madness...I realize that not everyone can do what I do, which is utter madness. Yes, I actually do stitch or knit on a different project every day of the month. If you don't want to try that (AND I DON'T BLAME YOU), think about what might shake up your stitching routine a little. If you've got a lot of WIPs, why not pick a random one each weekend day? If you're a committed one-at-a-timer, why not start an ornament each week? Or let a friend pick your next project? Whatever seems like "madness" to you, that's what you should do. =)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I wish I could take credit for this lovely piece, but I can't! In fact, at this moment, I can't tell you who you should give the credit to! Jo at Serendipitous Stitching had a lovely idea and has put together the Secret Stitching Sweetheart link party. She sent me this picture to post and now I wait with anticipation to see who claims it! Isn't it perfect with the question mark and all? Maybe by the time you read this there will already be a commenter identifying herself as my Secret Stitching Sweetheart. =) I'll be visiting blogs to see where my picture ended up. Join me in seeing all the pretty Valentine's eye candy by visiting Jo. Bonus: No calories!

Edited to add: Lesley has 'fessed up! And guess what? That's her own design! How fortunate am I to have such a talented Secret Stitching Sweetheart? She's even made the design available on her lovely blog...check it out!

Edited again to add: If you're interested, my piece wound up here. I need to "step up my game" next year!! =)

The Geekend That Was, 2/12

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The camnesia was strong with me this weekend, so no pretty pictures this post! =(

There was a whole lot I wanted to do on Friday, like watch every video for my temari class, but all I really managed to do was restart Mass Effect 2. Yup, I said I was done, but I think we all knew that was me just trying to convince myself. I am way happier with my character now. Basically, I can turn myself invisible and then take my time lining up the perfect killing sniper shot. BOOM!

OK, sorry for the violence there. Saturday was C-O-L-D, cold!!! Not only was it cold, but the wind was gusting up to 30mph! We did venture out to see a movie, and from the looks of things, the rest of Atlanta was doing the same thing. Fortunately, our theater was not very crowded, so except for the lady who kept fishing who knows what edible out of a VERY CRINKLY shopping bag, and the theater employee who kept wandering in leaving the door to close with a BANG, we were undisturbed. =) We saw The Artist, which is a (nearly) silent film. It was a GREAT movie. It's one of those movies where you're not sure what will happen because it's not sold as a "happily ever after" kind of story. I would tell you about the plot, but I enjoy movies more when I don't know very much about them going in. Suffice it to say that's it's worth seeing! (And don't worry; you won't be reading tons of dialogue...they are very minimalist in that sense.) On Sunday, we were sucked in to watching a movie on Netflix (expiring soon!) starring the two leads from The Artist...that's two hours of my life I'll never get back.

After the movie, we went by Clarks (my favorite shoe store) because I had a coupon burning a hole in my pocket! I wanted to get some hiking shoes for our upcoming trip to Asheville/Highlands and also some new black boots because my old ones were killing my feet. As it turned out, if you bought a pair of shoes (hiking shoes, already 27% off, plus 20% off coupon = 58% off), you got 50% off all boots! So of course I got two...pairs, of course! Four boots. =)

My most wonderful hubby told me on Thursday (? I think??) that he'd gotten us tickets to see the brand-new ballet The Princess and the Goblin on Sunday (I wore one of my new pairs of boots =). This ballet was WONDERFUL, AND we got to sit in the second row! It's based on a book by George MacDonald (here's a link to the free Kindle edition). I love ballet, but I have been to a few productions that were, to be honest, boring. Not so with The Princess and the Goblin! The choreography was done by Twyla Tharp (who I am now a HUGE fan of). And the dancers did such a great job "acting"! They had to do some very different dance moves than they are probably used to in classical ballet. The goblins, in particular, were very stylized (and FUNNY!). If you live in Atlanta, I highly recommend going to see it. You can get cheap seats for 20 bucks, but be sure to take your binoculars so you can appreciate the facial expressions!

I'd like to say that after the show I went home and stitched up a storm, but sadly I already had the perfect storm of laundry going. I did manage to accomplish fixing a clock that's been broken for...four years? Longer?? It was definitely "time" for it to be fixed. Ahahaha. Ha....

JiffNotes
So many things I could have taken pictures of...alas.

Distraction by Temari

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Thank you for all the kind comments on Helena! I'm most pleased that it was delivered before the little one was...not little enough anymore. =)

Sooo...I had a list of what I was going to be working on this month. How's that been going for me, you ask? Well...I kinda registered for two online classes, which started February 1st and 3rd. I have spent zero time on one of them, and an inordinate amount of time on the other! As in, I got started a little late and completely underestimated how much time I'd need to put into it! It's a temari class. If you don't know what a temari is, it's basically a thread ball that's geometrically divided and then stitched on. The craft originated in Japan (some say Buddhists brought it over, but the Japanese definitely perfected it). I think you'll be able to see a picture of the temari on the group page here.

When I signed up, I knew it was going to be on a larger temari than I'd worked before (you usually start off your career on balls that have a 3"--about 7.5cm--diameter styrofoam ball at their core). Like this:

 

(Measuring cup included for size reference.)

So when the dimension was given as circumference, in centimeters, I didn't really pay attention. I just "assumed" that it was going to be on the slightly larger 4" (10cm) styrofoam base, kinda like this one I bought in Japan:

 

IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when I started wrapping and wound up (heh. Wound, like wrapping the ball) with THIS:

 

HOLEY SHAMOLEY.

It was a lot like the Three Stooges around here as I wrapped the thing. It constantly popped out of my hand and flew across the room. I even managed to knock over an entire glass of water in the process! Hmmm...I should've taken a picture of me holding it to illustrate. Maybe if I'd played more basketball (and by "more", I mean "some")...

If the size of the ball isn't enough, try and wrap your head around the size of the needles...

 

I've never used "proper" temari needles before.

I've also never done a Combination 10 division before, either (shhhhh...I think I was supposed to have done one as a prerequisite, but I'd done a C8, so I thought I'd wing it).

Here's the C10 division completed. This class teaches us how to do 32 centers on the C10 (don't worry, I'm not sure what that means, either!). Here, I've started putting in the extra pins necessary to complete the marking.

 

Just in case you've done temari before and are interested (and so I will remember!), the method I used to mark the C10 was to just use the V-ruler to place 12 pins on the ball. Your other choices would be to start from a simple 10 division or from a simple 4, apparently. It worked out pretty well...only one of my triangles was off, but I suspect that happened because my ball wasn't totally round (and I suspect THAT happened one of the times it flew across the room and thunked onto the floor...as opposed to the times when it just zipped over and thwacked my hubby. Hilarity!)

I'm going to need a few more cups of tea before this is done!!

JiffNotes
You know you're in trouble when the directions say, "If you've never done this before, allow 9 hours for this step." !!!

Helena Fini

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Enough teasing!

Helena is finally finished!

Helena (my Ravelry page)
knit in KnitPicks Swish DK in Amethyst Heather

I still couldn't get the color just right. It's a little richer and dustier than this. But I went for well-lighted pictures rather than perfect color.

Because...

 

Just look at that lace! It was a very easy lace pattern, and very easy to memorize, but I will probably never get over how much blocking does for things. Here's what it looked like before blocking, for reference:

 

This color is probably more accurate, as well.

The picot hem on the cuffs!

 

Sleeve detail...

 

I'm beyond pleased. I'm actually feeling a little smug. ;) Maybe I should knit a "real" sweater for myself? (Tubey doesn't count!)

JiffNotes
If only it were this quick to knit sweaters for big people.... For more Finished Objects, head over to Tami's! To join in a virtual Stitching Party, head over to Susan's!