tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73121796862416096372024-03-13T05:07:24.365-04:00Iggy's StuffYou know, stuff! Books, television, pop culture, movies, knitting, all the things that make life fun!iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-46281934667192758782014-03-26T13:07:00.002-04:002014-03-26T13:40:21.898-04:00Celebrating my 6-Year Knitting Anniversary! – Knitting Is…..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHz-S4CmrQjLEHPQ6iA8QzJ4Atfz7Hq382gdQFjmyaOfJh1qqHI5M_vDYavpWs6R_9gjSSjQgcYJf3dWvHAJLeSfaITXTY9ipyCbHxyGhjzx9rHP1dD6EUKwwXLa9NtP3KsyTl2TwkGU3/s1600/i_love_knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_605656="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHz-S4CmrQjLEHPQ6iA8QzJ4Atfz7Hq382gdQFjmyaOfJh1qqHI5M_vDYavpWs6R_9gjSSjQgcYJf3dWvHAJLeSfaITXTY9ipyCbHxyGhjzx9rHP1dD6EUKwwXLa9NtP3KsyTl2TwkGU3/s1600/i_love_knitting.jpg" uta="true" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">If you don't know this about me....you don't know me AT ALL!</div><br />
I just looked at the calendar and what do you know, my 6-year knitting anniversary passed a few weeks ago on February 28th (yes, I know the exact day I knit my first stitch). In celebration I thought I’d write a post detailing WHY I love this hobby so. For the most part, unless you’re a knitter or I should say, a dedicated crafter or maybe just a dedicated geek who loves a thing hard, you might not get it, so allow me to explain.<br />
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Prompted by an internet friend (who I consider my knitting Yoda) to try something new when I mentioned that I casually stopped into a local yarn store, I took a class. Since then knitting has become a passion of mine that is as integral in my life as my adoration of cinema, all things geek and ranked right up there with my lifelong love of reading. I had no idea how deep down the rabbit hole I’d fall when I picked up those needles. <br />
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<b>Knitting is fun!</b> First and foremost I enjoy the process as much as I enjoy the product. Knitting keeps the mind nimble; it’s a scientifically proven fact that it has therapeutic benefits for the mind and body. It relieves stress and triggers “feel good” chemicals that make one feel calmer. I’m never NOT stressed sooo you kind of always see me knitting.<br />
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<b>Knitting is portable.</b> If I have a wait in any line, have time during a long travel, or even while visiting a friend, I can work on a project, bringing to mind another point. <b>Knitting is multi-task friendly!</b> I can absolutely knit and hold a conversation, watch television or a movie and regularly listen to audiobooks while knitting. Two great tastes that taste great together!<br />
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<b>Knitting is an easy-to-learn skill.</b> As with anything that is learned, there is a learning curve. However, it’s just two needles, one in each hand, and yarn being wrapped around and pulled through one loop at a time. I’ve never mastered chopsticks and I can knit. I don’t have amazingly fine motor skills or masterful dexterity and I knit. Some people hate the phrase, “If I can do it, you can.” But from me it’s merely to highlight that all you need is the desire to learn a set of needles and yarn, because a regular, very non-crafty person such as myself did.<br />
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<b>Knitting is complex, but totally not at all!</b> Knitting is sneaky as it can appear to be complex, especially intricate lacework with its delicate stitches and airy aesthetically pleasing “holes” that produce awesome scarves and shawls, but a knitted work of art is just made up of stitches, knit again…one at a time. But then there are patterns or techniques that still challenge you, prevent boredom, without making you want to burn your needles. Like good jigsaw puzzles where it takes a bit of patience and tenacity, but the pieces eventually come together and you have an awesome puzzle that you never glue and put on the wall like you intend to do. See knitting is better because you can wear it instead of throwing it back in the box!<br />
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<b>Knitting makes you special. </b>Yes, it does. Well for one, the aforementioned paragraph touched on the incorrect perception that learning to knit requires one to fall into a box of radioactive yarn, being reborn as some kind of shirted, female and probably not as fit Wolverine (although I do know a female bodybuilder who knits and could probably take him on with her nickel-plated needles). So sometimes I allow people to think I have magic fingers since they persist on such a notion. But in a real sense you will always make one-of-a-kind items. I’ve seen patterns on Ravelry (the knitting social network I want to marry) where hundreds of people have knit the same shawl. They all are unique, if by changing the pattern a bit, using a different size needle or just using a different weight, fiber or color of yarn. That, is the very definition of special.<br />
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<b>Knitting is rewarding.</b> Heck, I rarely knit for myself because for those who appreciate handmade items, a knitted gift is a treasured thing. And by treasured I mean worn until it falls apart which is the only way to love a hand knit. I smile when I see someone love what I’ve made them. It’s the good gift that keeps on giving. A physical expression of love for the craft and the recipient. Also, in just finishing a project I give myself a little victory cheer. I did it! I MADE a thing!<br />
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<b>Knitting is NOT CHEAP (but it can be).</b> If you catch the knitting bug then you’ll fight against SABLE..Stash...Above & Beyond Life Expectancy. I…have given up this fight. Plus you’ll want more needles, and more expensive yarn, and bags too; you have to have project bags. Um, but it can be inexpensive as you’d like too though. There are affordable versions of anything expensive yarn, tools, etc. You can buy everything you need at a local Joanne Fabrics, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Don’t be like me people as I've acquired the taste for expensive and thrity alike so my stash of yarn and tools is just ridiculous.<br />
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I think of knitting as my perfect hobby and nothing could add to it more except finding at least one like-minded individual or gasp…a small group of like-minded yarn lovers. I have some true obsessive internet pals that will talk about knitting with me at 2:45 in the morning if I want about the finest detail of one particular yarn and would be willing to do a Skype knit along that early in the morning too, but I’m missing someone in meatspace who is willing to share even a percentage of my enthusiasm for yarn crafting. Oh, I’ll take a crocheter too, I don’t discriminate! I have many knitting supporters, those who will go with me to fiber festivals (which are amazing, yarn, swag, bags, doo dads, tools, classes. Be still my geek heart.) or who patiently act like they aren’t going to fall asleep standing up while I browse in the yarn store, but I can’t seem to ask (yup), beg (yes), bribe (tried it with my daughter) or coerce (desperate times call for desperate measures), anyone among my friends, family or acquaintances to join in on the fun. I haven’t even found any current yarnies who’d want to partake in the lovely group aspect of knitting, like a regular knit circle. You know how going a comic-con, big event sci-fi spectacular or equally adored artist at a live concert, is that much more amazing with people who share your feelings, so can the knitting experience. It can be a very communal activity and while I’m still looking to find my personal community I’m totally ok with doing my own thing and have preached enough on the topic to everyone who will listen. It would be fun to be joined, but it’s not to everyone’s liking and I’ll find that real-life group one day, but if not you know what?<br />
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<b>Knitting is an awesome solo adventure!</b> All I really need my needles, some yarn and I’m blissfully happy. <br />
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So that’s my ode to knitting. I could write a book and this post is almost as long as a book, but there are some really funny knitting books that exist by much more eloquent knitters. Yup, I read books about knitting too! Nerd (of knitting many other things. Hey if you’re going to love something, love it passionately I say.) and proud of it! <br />
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</div>iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-29292485723288956602014-01-02T14:10:00.000-05:002014-01-02T14:10:01.901-05:00It's 2014! Keep Up the Good Job, Yo.It's 2014 y'all. My main goal of 2013 was to do "better". Better in life, health, reading, knitting and manicures. With the exception of fitness, which was an epic fail, I did do better. Let's get the health thing out of the way. I didn't do it. I not only fell off the wagon, I stayed on the ground while subsequent wagons rolled across my backside. As far as reading, in a recent post I listed seven books that I've started and dropped. Sorry, I have to finish them, I have to! That was in October and it probably was a big stretch to think I'd finish them all by the end of the year. I only finishing one, which is still an accomplishment (let's think positively). I knit pretty consistently last year, several pairs of socks, some scarves. I was really on top of things with my manicures, getting through at least 50 of my untried polishes. <br />
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For 2014 my goals I've assigned the motto: "Keep up the good job and continue improving". I still think I have a problem with overcommitting, as seen by the sheer number of book challenges I joined. They all look so shiny and fun, I get to join in with a group of other readers who have similar goals while culling recommendations for my to-read list. But I joined too many, didn't focus on one, didn't finish one. First and foremost I'll be finish the six unread book in that stack, then perhaps I'll chose a challenge to focus on. Overall I just want to read more because reading is fun and relaxing. Audiobooks as well as actual physical books (those are never going away) and books on my iPad.<br />
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<b>2013 Reading </b><br />
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Hmm, don't quote me on some of these titles, many are audiobooks that I really don't know if I may have finished at the end of 2012. The confusion will make it look like I read more and that works for me. ;) <br />
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<b>Wool - Hugh Howey</b> (Dystopian fiction, ironically not a book about yarn.) <br />
<b>Knit One, Kill Two - Maggie Sefton</b> (Cozy mystery, so cozy as to be a bore. Meh.) <br />
<b>World War Z - Max Brooks</b> (Infected persons make a world wide epidemic, the movie only vaguely resembles the book, both are good though.) <br />
<b>Self-Inflicted Wounds - Aisha Tyler</b> (Personal memoir, very funny and surprisinly inspiring.) <br />
<b>Is Everyone Hanging Without Me - Mindy Kaling</b> (Another hilarious personal memoir. Mindy Kaling is my best friend and she doesn't even know it! She is really unaffected by celebrity and I love that.) <br />
<b>I Want My MTV! - Craig Marks</b> (An account of the start and history of the most important cable channel of my life, when they played videos even.) <br />
<b>What the Dog Saw - Malcom Gladwell</b> (Social Science-y compilation of a variety of stories. Interesting read.) <br />
<b>Wild - Cheryl Strayed</b> (Chick goes on a solo hiking trip to find herself. She'd hate that I called her a "chick". I don't care. An OK book, but I found the writer to be irritating.) <br />
<b>Seed to Harvest - Octavia Butler </b>(Sceince Fiction compilation by my favorite author. This deserves its own post in honor of her writing.) <br />
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Uh, I thought I read more than that, lol. <br />
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Improving my health needs to be an immediate, urgent matter to be addressed like yesterday. I'm on too many medications for my age and it's ridiculous. Also, I kind of committed to do a half-marathon with a friend and at my physical state I would probably pass out on the course. Basically, I need to get to the gym where I pay a membership fee every month. Three to four times a week is reasonable, go to sleep in my gym clothes, get up at 5 am (because after a hard day work I can't even begin to fool myself that I'll workout in the evening. Not.gonna.happen.), hit the treadmill. Along with my physical health, continue to improve in my mental and spritual health. Thinking more positively, cultivating a calmer personality and focusing on my spiritual side first and foremost. <br />
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Knitting and crafting. Just more, more consistently. I want to have something on my needles at all times and as far as goals I <b>will</b> finish a sweater for myself this year, since my work sweater very shamefully has a hole at the sleeve. A work sweater will be my first order of the day. I'd also like to finish a very nice lace shawl for myself this year. Other than that using more stash and buying little, if any, new yarn. Also, I really like how quickly it took me to complete the one crocheted hat I hooked and it's a favorite of mine and of my daughter. So one or two crocheted projects and at least one cross stitch are doable for this year.<br />
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<b>2013 Knitting </b> <br />
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Stuff I made:<br />
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My nails! This year is more of the same. The goal is to do one or two manicures a week, more nail art, more stamping, using more of my X number of polishes, buying only truly unique colors and indie brands. Overall enjoying the process of making my nails pretty.<br />
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<b>2013 Manicure Madness!<br />
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Sparkling digits:<br />
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Ooh, wouldn't it be nice if I blogged more two people who lurk and read my blog? Maybe once a month, I'm not promising anything.<br />
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That's it, 2014 looks bright as a diamond and full of possibilities!<br />
iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-34112821205017147872014-01-02T11:17:00.000-05:002014-01-10T09:07:09.734-05:00Sike!Bet you thought I posted twice already in 2014, huh? Nope, that was just a draft that got published incorrectly.<br />
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I'll just leave this here for your trouble. :D<br />
iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-41407787578588266202013-10-21T13:01:00.002-04:002013-10-21T13:15:38.031-04:00Ridiculous Amount of Unfinished Books!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<b>Unfinished Book List </b></div>
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Restaurant at the End of the Universe – Doug Adams</div>
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True Blue – David Baldacci</div>
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Nerd Do Well – Simon Pegg</div>
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The Passage – Justin Cronin </div>
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Patternmaster – Octavia Butler</div>
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Gulp – Mary Roach</div>
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Yes, Chef – Marcus Samuelsson</div>
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<p>Technology has caused an entire generation to develop some for reals ADHD. Everything consists of quick cuts, bits of information, faster, quicker, shorter, Facebook blurbs, Twitter tweets, instant information with just a picture and a sentence via Instagram. So as proved by the above list of unfinished books, I realize I’ve fallen victim to the condition myself. Seven unfinished books, for shame! None of these were deserted because “life is too short to read a bad book”; these are all good stories, fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies where my attention just went…elsewhere. When I was younger I spent entire summers with my nose in a book, rarely leaving the house because outside could not compete with living in a Little House on the Prairie, thank you very much. Even as an avid television watcher, that didn’t stop me because I would use the boob tube as mere background noise. So to have this number of books that I've picked up and put down for no real reason other than I can't sit for an hour and delight in reading is outside my norm.</div>
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<p>Now I sit with a stack, well not a literal stack because some of these books are on audio format, which is even worse that these aren’t finished as I can very well plug in my headphones and knit, killing two hobbies with one stone and since I have quite a few unfinished knitting projects it would be awesome if I like, did that. Oh by the way, multiple knitting projects, i.e. ADHD because I can’t keep my attention on finishing even a preemie hat which takes only about two hours to complete…lame. Ok, so my audiobooks, the books on my Kindle/iPad mini (yes, both). Oh and I have actual physical books too for that old school feel.</div>
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<p>And it’s not about not having enough time because I spend enough of it in the aforementioned activities. I’ve just gotten to the point when I see something over a paragraph or two I’m impatient, “When will all of these words end already?” or “Why does this person have to be so long winded with their half page of thoughts?!” or “Can’t they self-edit this down to the standard 140 Twitter characters?!” Then I proceed to spend hours on forums or looking at posts about what people ate for lunch, instagram shots of new shoes, hoarding knitting patterns, reading about knitting, but not knitting, or scouring forums about nail polish, the new ones, the ones are impossible to find and once I find them I'll share in my victory and store said polish amongst the 300+ untried polishes because I'm a horde..no a collector of things, when I should be immersing myself in a good story and finish…these…books. I have the time!</div>
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<p>I’ll be focusing on completing these seven books by the end of the year. It’s a doable goal and then I can start fresh for 2014. Not that I’ll be trying to really increase the number of books I finish in the coming year, but I must train myself to keep my focus and finish what I start!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDcvTD77cFlKrvHu0YCGmnvCVZJKxZn_q6t5wztn-0w1KZR55P_J9fR32D9bovgk97dqULiGqJ55JYFW7dMDJw1FM_MPWLV1pijjOuICmA5sGAMR8_KUAny_dOKF9osRzdg2DsZnt5dw8/s1600/reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_401586="null" height="217" isa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDcvTD77cFlKrvHu0YCGmnvCVZJKxZn_q6t5wztn-0w1KZR55P_J9fR32D9bovgk97dqULiGqJ55JYFW7dMDJw1FM_MPWLV1pijjOuICmA5sGAMR8_KUAny_dOKF9osRzdg2DsZnt5dw8/s320/reading.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to do this....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF3rPJJ5gjR2DMUQU8tAelq4dMpCHYY4YGF1Rpz2cfABZp6fYFFSXTcYY39ZsgDsrl4_2QqgAUk7lMBP2Qr0MlUYTfqOWLAPqZeLHxJrUr3bfV4Gbu5CKZuIvnztQnkhFsG00UHe8-74S/s1600/instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_401586="null" isa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF3rPJJ5gjR2DMUQU8tAelq4dMpCHYY4YGF1Rpz2cfABZp6fYFFSXTcYY39ZsgDsrl4_2QqgAUk7lMBP2Qr0MlUYTfqOWLAPqZeLHxJrUr3bfV4Gbu5CKZuIvnztQnkhFsG00UHe8-74S/s1600/instagram.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not this...(I promise I probably won't care about such a picture .02 seconds after I take it and neither will the rest of the world. I know you guys "like" some of my stuff just to be polite, LOL!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXJWVneZra-gRlmptcs7O1e_6mmwEtngw6rAF7AojaA_qbiYl9esQoN8P7cqZHR4xZYr-0d7xZfKKmqiIbiul7xYOwV1vb3b2Pl38JMsUYYu5pce8jUEohU1n0bI1XtNg-rdl9Pzz4k9b/s1600/audiobook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_401586="null" height="136" isa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXJWVneZra-gRlmptcs7O1e_6mmwEtngw6rAF7AojaA_qbiYl9esQoN8P7cqZHR4xZYr-0d7xZfKKmqiIbiul7xYOwV1vb3b2Pl38JMsUYYu5pce8jUEohU1n0bI1XtNg-rdl9Pzz4k9b/s320/audiobook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or this..(Douglas Adams is awesome!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PxdU8yhtDXsjKcICjnhgzRNh_ZIklnvw6aukdBOXGvqqG3heem9vdobQGtZnaekMKXHe639vY5w3r4x5rB99FkOPmR-AWW04-kQveSwxBth9q5SQzzG3Q382frs-8yYzgn9pIbgJTlK2/s1600/knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_401586="null" height="216" isa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PxdU8yhtDXsjKcICjnhgzRNh_ZIklnvw6aukdBOXGvqqG3heem9vdobQGtZnaekMKXHe639vY5w3r4x5rB99FkOPmR-AWW04-kQveSwxBth9q5SQzzG3Q382frs-8yYzgn9pIbgJTlK2/s320/knitting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While doing this...because the fifteen unfinished projects I've accumulated are sad and yearning for attention. (Hmmm, I'm quite sure these needles are being held very, very incorrectly, btw.</td></tr>
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iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-26722565901442195832013-03-11T12:38:00.000-04:002013-03-11T12:51:10.304-04:00Happy Knit-versary! Here's to 5 years!In Febrary of 2008 I began what would become one of my greatest journeys, that of becoming a knitter. I say journey because what started out with a few stitches, blossomed into a steady hobby and has progressed to be a pastime that's as important to me as my love of reading. Anyone who knows how much I love to read, how I've spent entire summer vacations as a child in the house with my nose in a book, will see that this is a profound statement. As much as my identity includes being a bookworm and a lover of sci-fi, I <em>am</em> a knitter. Knitting has allowed me to explore untapped craftiness, lovingly gifted others, relaxed and challenged me. My yarn stash is now out of control, my knitting gadgets plenty, I'm rarely seen without a project and my adoration for this craft continues to grow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKUAJf5MTivU57ObhQiD92uxroX98DWsZiOslAQ3xoT3o0GejGEPrkHAy5tr877QkrqzHRhQQN9zfDeCbLRkWX5SBovVfr7iH9ebwMQlVDbZXf3afqfg1Gmy_iquAd7JZncDlZ-C7Vzmf/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKUAJf5MTivU57ObhQiD92uxroX98DWsZiOslAQ3xoT3o0GejGEPrkHAy5tr877QkrqzHRhQQN9zfDeCbLRkWX5SBovVfr7iH9ebwMQlVDbZXf3afqfg1Gmy_iquAd7JZncDlZ-C7Vzmf/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here I am the other day with my very first scarf. I'm never getting rid of this thing. :)<br />
From the humble beginnings of this sampler scarf I've tried my hands at many different types of projects:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gu9GiuCLONvcqL4oz66e6_ra-UarGK8baW0cdGfygyflCl-EWEp4kps8e_m6c60sEKFZlFbKnhhlMI_bEPmETs9HuUL1_sJOGf5Fwy5FVQymO7SPTtu0lZA6X_PGN1omDERm_w9mA26z/s1600/Babyhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gu9GiuCLONvcqL4oz66e6_ra-UarGK8baW0cdGfygyflCl-EWEp4kps8e_m6c60sEKFZlFbKnhhlMI_bEPmETs9HuUL1_sJOGf5Fwy5FVQymO7SPTtu0lZA6X_PGN1omDERm_w9mA26z/s320/Babyhat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Hats...</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTNTjS9Qk1HlHiDqIB9CfQkpAkNrb8wguEQzKwtqJY30Lynyy4qYjbsh01OMmpFcojeinxAEoPmz80Xa8z12jfwa4eygntDTy5D8mujGcFZEkUJbKH_o3xnK1GESZ1OI2EHO7SUS7XCuT/s1600/004_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTNTjS9Qk1HlHiDqIB9CfQkpAkNrb8wguEQzKwtqJY30Lynyy4qYjbsh01OMmpFcojeinxAEoPmz80Xa8z12jfwa4eygntDTy5D8mujGcFZEkUJbKH_o3xnK1GESZ1OI2EHO7SUS7XCuT/s320/004_medium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Gloves...</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D63YknCkU3yVv5TMVClZBA94hjSfAA9YM8NzzhYqab1XFG3OLEhYBgFxkd6nN_D0tYXAxCp7c3nTV9cWDI0BjKadkK05Z8fK_tMsJB-pV1n3OOu1vYAg2W2VyPCXN7BpCDuetLlYeoc7/s1600/7655475312_206aaa2ae3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D63YknCkU3yVv5TMVClZBA94hjSfAA9YM8NzzhYqab1XFG3OLEhYBgFxkd6nN_D0tYXAxCp7c3nTV9cWDI0BjKadkK05Z8fK_tMsJB-pV1n3OOu1vYAg2W2VyPCXN7BpCDuetLlYeoc7/s320/7655475312_206aaa2ae3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Toys...</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEcwKjoSWxDUpGVA3sLm4FQgRxy8Ci-RNrzZKEJ9b3a8Gh9BeqQ_YbHrO3Yc7sXo1Wyck9dG14c0b_ZYxSBpkhIceoiY40hx0YVTdtS6kuRBjfsK8ZEGN4GcfZbPHHdZaygPm7E9RrJ8P/s1600/Colorwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEcwKjoSWxDUpGVA3sLm4FQgRxy8Ci-RNrzZKEJ9b3a8Gh9BeqQ_YbHrO3Yc7sXo1Wyck9dG14c0b_ZYxSBpkhIceoiY40hx0YVTdtS6kuRBjfsK8ZEGN4GcfZbPHHdZaygPm7E9RrJ8P/s1600/Colorwork.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Colorwork....</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nP6RMyfjPtNXiOFHcssDc35_oDuftiuDd2dX-ObvuWHbeXdwcYACTkdFFqrhRaHs19x5v3AjFia9IaWWfzgTMMO4kmkz_lx8BBS6j3DRBoUxwEoNcAQ6UFete8bYCOWD4uuMB9O3iDE7/s1600/Lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nP6RMyfjPtNXiOFHcssDc35_oDuftiuDd2dX-ObvuWHbeXdwcYACTkdFFqrhRaHs19x5v3AjFia9IaWWfzgTMMO4kmkz_lx8BBS6j3DRBoUxwEoNcAQ6UFete8bYCOWD4uuMB9O3iDE7/s320/Lace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Shawls and lace....</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSenAnJfDFs_ssYYzaXfgYk5qk22Z_rHMIuiZJRqgjJPWlEpbIvLkI4JIgEdhMmEhM7tgIlJVN6Dkx_LGwqbLl-L2aNaCQo135siXJ835YntztIuxOYyIGt0vqhv8R3Db2t6j0tfeUDM_/s1600/Kool-Aid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSenAnJfDFs_ssYYzaXfgYk5qk22Z_rHMIuiZJRqgjJPWlEpbIvLkI4JIgEdhMmEhM7tgIlJVN6Dkx_LGwqbLl-L2aNaCQo135siXJ835YntztIuxOYyIGt0vqhv8R3Db2t6j0tfeUDM_/s320/Kool-Aid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Tried my had at a bit of dyeing (with Kool-Aid)....</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC3EihVUmDt4nhHewVnjzqp-niV6EAlLDQibto13RzrgjcVe8fEtkxWrfKibrwVE3BGRJwDnsTz6s8eYWAkXH_eZkSZblOs5XGptQVQbEbjo8PmpIyrYuTr5lPMZ54d14GZbullnh77g-/s1600/Cables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC3EihVUmDt4nhHewVnjzqp-niV6EAlLDQibto13RzrgjcVe8fEtkxWrfKibrwVE3BGRJwDnsTz6s8eYWAkXH_eZkSZblOs5XGptQVQbEbjo8PmpIyrYuTr5lPMZ54d14GZbullnh77g-/s320/Cables.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Cables...</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl_WsIpmtnRXg4u3nWlKQQ-h0K4_HekJ51aXgX9P3lcCzTldQp5wBJRoTW2KkM0XmWBjcS59VDH7jUFO1iyfG2Kogu_9lIhB70bHwvfK8nTKScrGvAuO3L273__ebwG05Grxny8u427n6/s1600/Hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl_WsIpmtnRXg4u3nWlKQQ-h0K4_HekJ51aXgX9P3lcCzTldQp5wBJRoTW2KkM0XmWBjcS59VDH7jUFO1iyfG2Kogu_9lIhB70bHwvfK8nTKScrGvAuO3L273__ebwG05Grxny8u427n6/s320/Hats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>More hats....</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNd6rDP4PsjW2XIri29tJZQH_BKfYYGzOqJ9IIcZUPnrUF-g6pNTycq0UcRJ1vg0vc3JPYTJmzjZZp118CExTX9r8IDP3FdaBgmmzNB2ZzAuUm-csg1LseADG1lWIeSBeZcP6Ep6HrREzE/s1600/Gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNd6rDP4PsjW2XIri29tJZQH_BKfYYGzOqJ9IIcZUPnrUF-g6pNTycq0UcRJ1vg0vc3JPYTJmzjZZp118CExTX9r8IDP3FdaBgmmzNB2ZzAuUm-csg1LseADG1lWIeSBeZcP6Ep6HrREzE/s320/Gloves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>And gloves...</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFEqQWV_SUqAzzPwHrY52G_56aJ4NrLKkT8i-oFC5vfwBHtGw2FgSmtoEKNuB_ZOg3bARmhZJHJJr1XZSqlJcTWNDENoRSh9z5u8Fhhl77LroZ7CHJJERBk8-KXDZahfva4X0u3taUBfR/s1600/Socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFEqQWV_SUqAzzPwHrY52G_56aJ4NrLKkT8i-oFC5vfwBHtGw2FgSmtoEKNuB_ZOg3bARmhZJHJJr1XZSqlJcTWNDENoRSh9z5u8Fhhl77LroZ7CHJJERBk8-KXDZahfva4X0u3taUBfR/s320/Socks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Socks too!</em></strong></div>
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That's just a small sampling of the things I've knitted over the past five years! I may not have accomplished much as far as larger items, blankets, sweaters, etc., but I've tried a bit of everything and that's important in being a well-rounded knitter. Looking foward I would really like to tackle more garments and that first sweater. I have the yarn to knit at least three or four and the pattern candidates as well, but I really want to make sure I have the time to carefully craft something that fits and I'll love, but it's coming soon. Also, I need to make sure to take good care of my wrists and elbows so I can continue knitting for years to come.<br />
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Also, an indispensible resource and place to commiserate has been Ravelry. When my desire to knit has waned, this place has added fuel to the fire every time!<br />
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I love you so hard Ravelry, you don't even know.<br />
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So that's it. I happily look a future that includes two needles and yarn in my hands always. :)iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-10190776659732505752013-02-16T15:16:00.000-05:002013-02-16T15:17:43.973-05:00New Manicures!I'm slowing going through my stash...and acquiring new polishes too, I bought one last week and was gifted a few others, egads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HNGtbycip_HoIsP6Jek7s9wIqwFyGNJI1g6R5r0Dt6Q9NPRGOUlD8lsOukrZPoiFTxhM_6AktWDPS2M5zlQrgBFkEo0GqWlTrzTKtMnodjofXCaTJfle7u4XD1gtAikbclBEEry_7l6Y/s1600/FairyTeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HNGtbycip_HoIsP6Jek7s9wIqwFyGNJI1g6R5r0Dt6Q9NPRGOUlD8lsOukrZPoiFTxhM_6AktWDPS2M5zlQrgBFkEo0GqWlTrzTKtMnodjofXCaTJfle7u4XD1gtAikbclBEEry_7l6Y/s320/FairyTeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one just glows amazingly, doesn't it? One of my all-time favorite combos for sure. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Fairy Teal with two coats of Spoiled Use Protection. I could write an entire post on oddly named nail polish.<br />
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Ulta Pink Flamingo with Julie G Light it Up on top. Fun and glittery. I was feeling young this day.<br />
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Again another duochrome because I never tire of them. This was gifted to me, OPI Just Spotted the Lizard from their Amazing Spiderman collection. The new thing is for lots of new movies to have nail polish lines too. Being I love Spidey and nail polish too, this works for me. It's a dupe of a million other colors one of which I already own, Jessica Iridescent Eye. It's green and flashes to teal. Beautiful!<br />
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<br />iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-82883639914620394162013-02-08T18:41:00.001-05:002013-02-08T18:42:10.471-05:00Book Review - Knit One, Kill Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton (unabridged audiobook)</b><br />
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<b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainer4091905462376385507">"Kelly Flynn never picked
up a pair of knitting needles she liked—until she strolled into House
of Lambspun. Now, in the first in a brand-new series, she learns how to
knit one, purl two, and untangle the mystery behind her aunt's murder."</span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainer4091905462376385507"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainer4091905462376385507">This book falls under the category of cozy mystery, little violence, no graphic material, the writing equivalent of a "Matlock" episode. This subgenre of crime fiction has a huge following and you can often find books with themes such as knitting, sewing, baking, you name it. Sometimes one might want to do some light reading, perhaps featuring a particular hobby. Being an avid knitter is obviously what drew me to this title.</span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainer4091905462376385507">That being said, I wanted to like this book more than I did. This is my first foray into cozy mysteries and even knowing a bit about the genre it still felt really, really thin on everything, story, character development, etc. I certainly enjoyed the knitting portions of the book, the description of the yarns, the yarn store, Kelly's first tries with knitting made me nostalgically think of my own. All in all, it was a sufficient story, but not challenging enough for me to thoroughly enjoy it.</span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainer4091905462376385507">I'll probably give another cozy a try, if I feel the same way then I'll conclude this genre isn't for me.</span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainer4091905462376385507">2 out of 5 Iggystars</span>iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-83093348925360626862013-02-01T17:49:00.003-05:002013-02-01T17:51:44.679-05:00All the nails!More untried polishes. I was tempted to participate in a nail polish challenge, a different theme for each day in February, but really I just don't have the energy and gumption to accomplish such a feat. Plus I have two knitting tournaments just starting (more on that in another post). Wet nails and knitting do not a pair make.<br />
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To maximize the number of polishes I'll be using while hanging on to a bit of laziness, I'll be doing a polish change those couple of times a week, then finding a suitable, similar shade that I can layer on top without having to do a whole acetone deal. Above is <strong>Pure Ice Alter Ego</strong>. Pure Ice being that awesomely cheap Wal-Mart brand that only costs $2. It's a chocolate brown with silver flakes. Too bad my photo is horrible otherwise you could really gaze at its greatness.<br />
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Look upon the beauty that is <strong>Barielle Elle's Spell</strong>!!! No, really look! A deep red jelly with golden flakes. The website's picture, as well as mine, does it no justice.</div>
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Whoa, grab your shades. Here's <strong>Zoya Kimmy</strong> which is a foil finish and this just glows, doesn't it?</div>
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That's it for now. I'll be back in a few days with more untrieds. If I can stop buying polish perhaps I'll make some headway.</div>
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iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-46072012445147464402013-01-24T17:12:00.000-05:002013-01-25T05:29:01.534-05:00Book Review - Wool Omnibus<br />
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<b>Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey</b><br />
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<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
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Wool is the story of a post-apocalyptic society struggling for survival. What's left of Earth's population lives underground in Silos, hundreds of stories deep, which offers protection from the inhabitable surface. Order is kept in this society by a few, as the severest punishment to be had is sentenced for the mere expression of wanting to bet let out into the world above. Those who want out get exactly what they ask for.<br />
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<b>Review:</b><br />
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This book was suggested to me by a fellow knitter and certainly knowing Wool had a bit of knitting in it, was a draw. But it was the thrilling Part One that captured my attention and whet my appetite for for the excellent story that lay ahead. I found the setting to be quite interesting, civilization burrowing underground instead of the sci-fi trope of trying to look to the stars. The plot is a main focus, while the details of everyday living, the societal structure and background serve to move the story, with its many mysteries, forward. I immediately cared about the characters as well, they were very believable and I loved that motives and actions had a kind of moral ambiguity. Sometimes cutthroat decisions were made that a decent person would never agree with, but were in a sense, kind of logical.<br />
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This was a "page" turner (I actually read and listened to some of Wool) that I really found hard to put down.<br />
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This book started out as a short story, it's subsequent parts being
released over a six-month span. Right now it's only available in
digital format on Amazon for the ridiculously low price of $6, but Howey recently got a publishing deal and it should be available in print early 2013.<br />
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4.5/5 Iggystarsiggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-55214062471659111992013-01-24T17:04:00.000-05:002013-01-25T09:48:27.099-05:00Enough polish to open a salon! Literally....I'll admit to being a bit overzealous when I start to enjoy a hobby. As with my yarn stash, my nail polish stash has grown to epic proportions. I love finding new polishes colors, colors that are unique and hard-to-find, it's like a little treasure hunt with the spoils ending up on my nails.<br />
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I need to try and wear as many polishes as I can this year with a concrete goal of using 100 - 150 untried colors! Crazy, right? (The goal <em>and</em> the amount of polish I now own, lol.) Well, by doing a polish change on my hands twice a week and one on my toes once a week, not to mention by doing accent nails, funky frenches or glitter bombs over another color, I should be able to reach that goal. Also, it only takes me fifteen minutes max. to change my polish and thirty for a full-on shaping with cuticle care so success is totally possible. Look out for lots and lots of manicure posts!<br />
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Two from this week:<br />
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Do you see the glitter in this manicure? Neither do I which is why I hate polishes that tease me with glitter and then once I put the polish on my nails I can only see it if I'm shining a direct light on my tips. This is a pretty milk chocolate, <strong>OPI's Wooden Shoe Like to Know</strong>, but the shimmer is barely apparent and that literally makes me angry. If I want to buy a creme I'll buy one! Stupid downlow shimmer! (ROTFL, no it isn't that serious.)</div>
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See, now this is better. Glass flecked polishes never fail to deliver, although the picture isn't the best. This is <strong>China Glaze Grape Juice</strong> and even with poor lighting you can see its sparkle. I liked this color so much I immediately purchased two more from it's collection. I have to stop that because purchasing polish is counterproductive in keeping my untried percentage in check.<br />
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iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-77837425272844940852013-01-18T13:09:00.001-05:002013-01-20T03:19:41.776-05:00Reading and Challenges 2013A few years ago I discovered reading challenges. A simple activity used to encourage reading, bond with fellow book lovers and find out about new titles from the reviews posted in the challenge. I excitedly overcommitted myself to a bunch, read some books from a few of the challenges and didn't finish one!<br />
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So this year following the theme of "Better" I decided to give it another go. I've joined only three this year (click on the challenge title to link to the actual challenge page), hoping the more reasonable goal will allow for success. There is a fourth challenge that I've created just for myself which I'll detail at the end.<br />
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<a href="http://bookmarktoblog.blogspot.com/p/nerdy-non-fiction-challenge-2013.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Nerdy Non-Fiction Challenge 2013</i></span></b></a><br />
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This challenge focuses on non-fiction in categories such as, biographies, music, science, sports, adventure, crime, animals and so on. Particpants are encourgaged to pick books from the varying categories, not reading more than two in each. For some reason I love non-fiction in audiobook form, in fact most of my audiobook listening has been in the non-fiction category. <br />
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I'm aiming for the Geek level, 4-6 books in 2 -3 categories. I already own enough to reach that level.<br />
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<a href="http://teresasreadingcorner.com/2013-audio-book-challenge/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>2013 Audio Book Challenge</i></span></b></a><br />
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Reading + knitting = awesomeness! I'm an audiobook convert! Not that I've given up on the printed (or electronic) format, but when working out, knitting, doing housework and driving I've found absolute enjoyment in listening to a book. <br />
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I plan on at least making the Flirting level of 6 audio books. There should be no reason not to reach this level as you can cross challenges. Any book I listen to can apply to another challenge and with the number of non-fiction books I have in my Audible library I should be good to go.<br />
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<a href="http://blogoferised.blogspot.com/2012/11/dystopia-reading-challenge-2013.html"><img border="0" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Masai666/DRCbutton.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://blogoferised.blogspot.com/2012/11/dystopia-reading-challenge-2013.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Dystopia Reading Challenge 2013</i></span></b></a><br />
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Dystopia: A <b>dystopia</b> is a community or society, usually fictional, that is in some important way undesirable or frightening. It is the opposite of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia" title="Utopia"><i>utopia</i></a><i>. </i>Sounds like a bummer of a genre, huh? But for some reason I really enjoy dystopian fiction. These books usually feature some really interesting hypothetical situations, those "what if" kinds of themes involving govermental rule, society, often with some good sci-fi or tech thrown in. I wholeheartedly recommend books such as Ready Player One, The Hunger Games, 1984 (that book will never, ever leave you). So this challenge is particularly interesting to me since there seems to be a boom in this kind of fiction especially seen in the YA category, which I have quite a few titles having a teenager in the house.<br />
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Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books) seems to be about my speed. <br />
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With the Audiobook Challenge allowing me to listen to titles that I can use for the first and last challenge I'm looking at reading at least 12 new titles this year. I'd go for more if it weren't for this fourth challenge.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #0b5394;">Are You Serious? Finish the Blasted Book Challenge 2013</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I was actually hoping to find a challenge focusing on half-read books, but I guess for a real book lover that's kind of lame. I never used to have unfinished reading, as a personal point of pride if I started a book, I finished it. There's a saying, "life's too short to read a bad book", but I've watched enough horrible reality television that I can't in good conscienc use the "life's too short" adage. Plus, my unfinished book stack contains perfectly good reading it's just somehow along the way I've developed a bad case of start-itis A new book looks interesting and off I go. Well, I'm finishing those books this year and posting my triumph of tackling this pile.</span><br />
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Ok, lastly...I have a Kindle Fire HD! I love it to pieces. I got it basically for free as I had a horrible experience at Best Buy where they had to give me<b><i> lots</i></b> of gift card money. I originally bought it for the Amazon Prime Instant Video content. I thought I'd catch up on some shows like Firefly and Fringe, then use the device for apps and magazines. Well, I like reading on it too as I can adjust my settings to my liking. It's really nice to read while laying in bed while the lights are out too.<br />
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2013 the year for reading in all formats!<br />
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<br />iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-51824497650603298072013-01-16T23:16:00.000-05:002013-01-18T16:32:09.248-05:00Manicures for the new year!Here are two of my first manicures for 2013!<br />
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Club Color: Port-folio<br />
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This is a duochrome that flashes between purple and green. I love duochrome finishes, it's like a two-for-one special of nail polish awesomeness. I have plenty more in my collection of (won't say the number because it's ridiculous) polishes.<br />
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Pure Ice: Touch Me Softly<br />
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One cannot go wrong with the Pure Ice brand. So many colors and finishes at only $1.99 per bottle. This one was pretty hard to find as part of a collection of velvet finishes. Normally I love my polishes super-shiny, but this velvet (a.k.a. matte) finish is a nice change of pace.<br />
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That's all for now. More (many, many more) manicures to come this year. <br />
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<br />iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-85697168640557389412013-01-16T23:00:00.001-05:002013-01-18T16:32:31.319-05:002013 - Better....Wow, it's been almost a year since I've posted. I'm not going to harp on it but to say sometimes posting is a daunting task for me. I want each one to be perfect and witty, then I start thinking about the photos, the layout and the energy I'll need to remember how to work all the that here on Blogger...last year all of the details tired me out then I just didn't post.<br />
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But it's 2013 and with a new year comes the feeling of a fresh start, new goals to attain, new challenges to meet. I recently checked out the post with my 2012 plans. I think I was able to improve in some ways. I certainly knit more consistently, I read quite a bit. I did nothing by way of health and exercise, but that's all in the past now. My theme for 2013 can be described with one word: Better. That's all. I'm not going to try to set the world on fire or overachieve, I just want to improve on my goals for last year. Overcommitting does me no good. In the rush and excitement of shiny new possibilities I want to do ALL the things, all the knitting projects, fifteen book challenges, two half-marathons and then that feeling of being smothered by my own goals creeps in, I throw the baby out with the bath water and get very little accomplished.<br />
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So I want to do...better, slowly making changes that will last so they become a part of me and my lifestyle. This year I want to do more crafting, including cross stitching, crochet and possibly sewing. I'm going to try to actually finish a few reading challenges, including one for audiobooks which is awesome to do while knitting. I've already begun new healthy changes, eating better, cutting out pop, exercising. I also want to pay better attention to my appearance and since I've amassed enough nail polish to open my very own nail shop, going through my collection and using my growing stash of untrieds is a priority.<br />
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Oh, and blogging at least twice a month would be nice too. I'll do better this year, promise.iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-9439991860150652972012-02-29T05:37:00.011-05:002012-02-29T06:54:53.798-05:00Manicure Madness!You know how I do. I'm a geek by nature and once I get into a hobby I dive head first and don't stop. Come to find out that nail polish is a certified hobby and as with any hobby there are avid enthusiasts. I'm not talking about ladies who like to go to the salon, get acrylic tips or a pedi. I'm speaking of women who enjoy collecting nail polish, searching for hard-to-find colors, trying to "catch 'em all". In this subculture the focus is on the DIY manicure, keeping nails healthy, doing one's own designs by freehand or with stamping. There are countless blogs devoted to new collections and individual polishes that feature swatches, reviews and tutorials. Well, seems at though I am now one of those fanatics. <br /><br />I won't even get into how many bottles of polish I've acquired in a relatively short period of time, but my collection now encompasses the full ROYGIBV spectrum. Since I've seemed to run out of colors to buy and not wanting to purchase duplicate shades, I'm now focusing on different finishes:<br /><br /><strong><br />Mattes</strong> - dull finishes with no shine, but very rich in color<br /><strong>Duochromes</strong> - polishes that show two (or more in a multichrome) colors depending on how the light hits it, for example it could be a purple finish, upon angling the nail a strong blue color will show<br /><strong>Jellies</strong> - shiny and translucent shades, with a squishy-looking finish<br /><strong>Holos</strong> - these are really interesting, metallics with almost a 3D effect, showing the full spectrum of the rainbow within the glitter when the nails are angled.<br /><br />Also, unique glitters and independent specialty polishes and themed collections. China Glaze just released its much-anticipated line based on The Hunger Games books/movie. OPI has a Spiderman inspired line coming out in a few months (you think this geek isn't getting one or two of those?). <br /><br />Nail polish can be some serious business. Check out Lynnderella's Connect the Dots or Chanel Peridot on E-bay and you'll see how much money women are willing to spend on a single bottle of polish. Nerd Laquer on Etsy, who sells cool colors named for every aspect of sci-fi geekery you can think of, recently updated her shop and sold 1,500 bottles in 18 hours ($10+ a pop, you do the math). Stocks of Lynnderella polishes have been known to sell out in minutes with all kinds of drama surrounding when and how to buy these gems. Heck, I've been tempted to head to Michael's and try to start my own line.<br /><br />I've found that this new love of mine can be, as with any hobby, as expensive or inexpensive as you'd like. I buy lower end lines that can be found at various drugstores with coupons, during sales, at online discount stores that often have selections at greatly reduced prices. Those expensive independent lines often sell mini bottles at a fraction of the price of a full size, so I've gone that route as well. <br /><br />Women from all walks of life, mothers (who's hands are in water all day..it can be done), doctors, office workers, even truck drivers have been drawn to this sparkly nail craze. For most it's not just an exercise in vanity, it is just as much about the fun of the hunt, the admiration of color, the expression of a bit of art on the hands and much needed pampering and relaxation after a crazy day. Since I'd been neglecting the caring of me for quite sometime, it's a refresing and fun addition to my roster of hobbies. Nope, knitting and crocheting isn't going anywhere (plus, the combo of knitting and pretty nails is a fierce one)!<br /><br />Here are some of my latest manicures. You know what I might get into next? Photography. These photos leave much to be desired.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPZcnnguN_juK5v5OOucOyjWhOEax8G7mIIGL_BvOGUanmiTVcJS88qaBcbMZ4x5Yhl-Yo0H6BaIXyZgdsRZnYr6G44rR0ec-zdlEw2rxn0oc5ZzL9-fPSO_iGJGmWxRhmSovqa4uIgwm/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPZcnnguN_juK5v5OOucOyjWhOEax8G7mIIGL_BvOGUanmiTVcJS88qaBcbMZ4x5Yhl-Yo0H6BaIXyZgdsRZnYr6G44rR0ec-zdlEw2rxn0oc5ZzL9-fPSO_iGJGmWxRhmSovqa4uIgwm/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714521197896283266" /></a><br /><br />Sinful Colors Mint Apple, with a poor attempt at Konad stamping on my accent nail<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPCW027cK9cfML5K8y6VX85NE0dfJM_2irV_n78XxhNT0nmCI0oqNIArJdSpK_g-RtamsXN1XT9i6b1dogPhBt1ZmGSraSn6dDHh4ddgUDdf3u3jAX6aKsIWREmf5eJsnm97-ow7RG2JL/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPCW027cK9cfML5K8y6VX85NE0dfJM_2irV_n78XxhNT0nmCI0oqNIArJdSpK_g-RtamsXN1XT9i6b1dogPhBt1ZmGSraSn6dDHh4ddgUDdf3u3jAX6aKsIWREmf5eJsnm97-ow7RG2JL/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714521724202545170" /></a><br /><br />Essie Vintage Wine with NerdLacquer's Data Squirrel on the accent nail. By the way, I'm a huge fan of the accent nail. It seems to be a bit more work/age friendly, a way to wear a glitter-tastic color without going overboard.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmrbSndSPkywHVh0UlHwwq2ipgU-n2mVHKgVQtee7QVe6nGzVLkJYwfbxsPfzjO2Hcub7CRgqXa4wYzsL4C1Vz_4SCqUw-5GERQPToNETm2hFAI8-mcOTfmwT7mLXrQda-jjW8IW4g_bG/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmrbSndSPkywHVh0UlHwwq2ipgU-n2mVHKgVQtee7QVe6nGzVLkJYwfbxsPfzjO2Hcub7CRgqXa4wYzsL4C1Vz_4SCqUw-5GERQPToNETm2hFAI8-mcOTfmwT7mLXrQda-jjW8IW4g_bG/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714522288610778370" /></a><br /><br />China Glaze Techno Teal from the Tron-inspired Tronica line (geek alert!). This is actually a holo polish, a more subdued version though. Hopefully you can see that scattering of rainbow glitter from this pic.l<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8gXuItJkhfwYQDtWXKIYwfIiNNm65qcLR2ax77i5N2LuC21yO7kgInoVFARWzQ7YlXnq4wCCi9NgPHTzUrXIgx6Eb2Q3Qlv5f915K8yVqkoXesgXprgZ9ksSZVj2zxKu3a2JtOfrjbkk/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8gXuItJkhfwYQDtWXKIYwfIiNNm65qcLR2ax77i5N2LuC21yO7kgInoVFARWzQ7YlXnq4wCCi9NgPHTzUrXIgx6Eb2Q3Qlv5f915K8yVqkoXesgXprgZ9ksSZVj2zxKu3a2JtOfrjbkk/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714522866653359490" /></a><br /><br />China Glaze Fast Track from the Hunger Games line. Another themed polish collection. <br /><br />With the sheer amount of polish now in my collection, my color changes will be every three to four days so there will be more many more future manicure posts to go with the knitting and reading ones!iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-84336413902143966962012-02-04T20:23:00.005-05:002012-02-05T03:17:52.483-05:00New Manicure Pics & Stuff<em><strong>My Nails</strong></em><br /><br />I'm still keeping up with my nails and with all of the polish I've accumulated I'd better be doing two manicures a week for the next year.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/57f6da77d85d.jpg" border="0" alt="Untitled"></a><br /><br />This one was from late last week/early this week. Wet 'n Wild - Disturbia. Meh. It's a blackened plum color that I thought had some shimmer. Well, there's shimmer, but it's not discernable unless I have my nails all up close to my eyeballs. It's a perfectly nice color that suffered from not meeting my high expectations. (Am I excited about The Amazing Spiderman? Why do you ask?)<br /><br />I must say though, WnW's Megalast line lives up to its name. I did all kind of work, cleaned the fish tank, you name it without nary a chip.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/Photo-0219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I like this one much better. Wet 'n Wild - Ebony Hates Chris, a shiny black creme, with two coats of Revlon - Scandalous, on top. I'm in love with Scandalous! A black jelly base with fuschia hex and round glitter. The glitter give it a pop without it being over the top. (Yes, my photo skills suck.)<br /><em><strong><br />Audio Books</strong></em><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/150212181.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I finished listening to Rob Lowes Biography, <em>Stories I Only Tell My Friends</em>. It was a great read! I didn't know much about Rob Lowe except from the impression he made with his Brat Pack fame, but I learned that he's more than just a pretty face. He's insightful and very grounded about his looks and stardom. He goes as far as to say that some of his interactions with fans, such as being mobbed by a group of girls, made him feel crappy instead of elated as he'd imagined it would. It's not that he doesn't love his fans or appreicate the adoration, he does, but he attributes some of these encounters to media hype, being the "it" actor and in his earlier brushes with fangirls, "group think and hormones being whipped up by Tiger Beat". He prefers real interactions with his fans and if I ever got a chance to meet up with him, I'd feel perfectly comfortable doing so as I wouldn't be trying to rip off a piece of his clothing or ask for an autograph while one of his loved one lays sick in a hospital bed (which happened...ugh).<br /><br />The book glosses over a few of the more scandalous parts of his life, the sex tape scandal, his infidelities and his stint in rehab, but that was OK with me. I don't need sordid blow-by-blow details in order to get the full flavor of a person's life story.<br /><br />Equally enjoyable is his recounting of how he got his break into acting, especially the audition process and shooting of The Outsiders which was one of my favorite movies in the 80's. So many crushable actors in that movie based on an amazing book (I read just about all of S.E. Hinton's books in my teens). Anyway, I enjoyed hearing his experiences on set, as well as general information about the audition process, how child actors are handled, how negotiations work, etc. I also though the story of how him and his wife, of now 20-years of marriage, started their journey together.<br /><br />I seem to really enjoy biographies on audiobook, there's something about this format that works for me with this genre. Rob did the narration himself and has a uncanny ability for doing voices that made me laugh. <br /><br />Let's see now I'm listening to Stephen King's time-travel thriller, <em>11/22/63</em>. I loves me some time-traveling books and I love Stephen King's non-scary-giving-Iggy-nightmares books (I'm am NOT a horror fan), so I have high hopes this will be a good one.<br /><br /><em><strong>Crafts</strong></em><br /><br />It's time for the new rounds of knitting games. Somehow I got mixed up with the Nerd Wars sign ups, so I'm not participating this tournament and am a little salty about that. But it's all a go for the Starfleet FAC and I'm working on chemo caps in colors for men. Actually I'm currently looking for the one I started as I've misplaced it somehow. <br /><br />That is all for now...until next week!iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-57899981713996370212012-01-24T09:12:00.009-05:002012-01-24T19:03:33.408-05:00Manicure of the Week & Stuff<strong><em>Nails</em></strong><br /><br />So far I'm keeping up with my reinvigorated love of keeping my nails cute. Here's this week's manicure:<br /><br /><a href=" http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/DSCF77152.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src=" http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/DSCF77152.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />(I know this pic it crazy small. I did something funky with the editing and will fix it later.)<br /><br />There, that's better.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgeg_mPFjbLa4dOCbKPFzof-G1he6bCoS6okQ441nZL2go8i3QOZM048FN3qvDONg_-lNRTmx5IGlYJ_Tdm6XWMej3qk2jQ9iftx0cmCe0RLxoDV_9w04d2-_Dsfzb0cik-pk_0kzBGIa/s1600/77309181f1cb.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgeg_mPFjbLa4dOCbKPFzof-G1he6bCoS6okQ441nZL2go8i3QOZM048FN3qvDONg_-lNRTmx5IGlYJ_Tdm6XWMej3qk2jQ9iftx0cmCe0RLxoDV_9w04d2-_Dsfzb0cik-pk_0kzBGIa/s320/77309181f1cb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701353118125587218" /></a><br /><br />I love this look! It's two coats of China Glaze Icicle topped off with the excellent China Glaze Crackle color Black Mesh. I remember first seeing crackle polish over a decade ago and I guess it didn't quite catch on then. It's in full swing now, or it might be getting played out. I'm old enough to only care if I like something, not if the masses think that something is still cool.<br /><br />Being busy and all (have to still do housework even with pretty nails), in order to maintain my manicure I put a clear coat every other night and touch up the color as needed. I do a cuticle oil massage every day and the entire process only takes minutes. <br /><br /><em><strong>Books</strong></em><br />On the reading front, I'm currently listening to Rob Lowe's autobiography.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/150212181.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I only selected this book because of the great reviews and several recommendations. Rob does the reading and so far it's a very cool "read". Rob has never really been a blip on my radar because he's impossibly handsome and I like my guys to be less traditionally gorgeous (y'all know how I feel about a slight overbite, or long nose). In fact, I think I preferred his brother, Chad because he had a little goofiness mixed into his looks. So other than starring in some great "Brat Pack" fare, I wouldn't have gravitated to his biography.<br /><br />But again, I'm finding it interesting to learn how he got into the business. I'll post a proper review later.<br /><br /><em><strong>Crafting</strong></em><br /><br />My mojo is a bit off right now but the wax and wane of feeling like crafting is normal. I'm still trying to finish the gift for my latest yarn swap which was supposed to be mailed by Saturday. I'll throw in some extra goodies to make up for my tardiness. I also committed myself to knitting some chemo caps in colors for men, because they often get forgotten about when the call for caps is made. Men undergoing chemo lose their hair too, so a nice, soft cap should be a nice charity knit.<br /><br />That's all for now!iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-11365829891583407622012-01-17T11:52:00.005-05:002012-01-17T12:08:09.019-05:00What I'm Working On (and Nails!)Below is my current knitting WIP (work in progress). A pair of fingerless gloves for a swap partner. For those not up on the goings on of Ravelry. There are many groups, with varying interests. Some of these groups host thematic swaps, where you get a package together based on your partner's favorite things (and I'll receive a package as well from my secret partner). This swap is based on your favorite color, but there are others, tea swaps, dishcloth swaps, ones that have a inexpensive dollar limit, etc. This one is the "Color Swap" and my partner's colors of choice are red and aqua. The gloves a nice 100% cotton, which is her favorite fiber.<br /><br />The project bag the knitting is resting on matches very well, but is not a part of her package. I won that bag by entering a drawing from one of my favorite video knitting podcasts, "Craft Stash".<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/DSCF7709-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />For this week's manicure I used the base coat and top coat of choice, Orly Bonder and Seche Vite which provides a nice shine. The actual polish is Zoya's Suvi. I tried the sandwich method of polishing, in hopes my polish won't chip as badly as the China Glaze mani from last week. Base coat, color, another layer of base coat, color, then top coat. I also was careful to wrap my nails good, which is putting some of the polish on the edges and under the nails to create a nice seal. I adore green and really like the shiny, shimmer for this color.<br /><br />That's it for now. I plan on using a different color each week and posting.iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-60710207556512967832012-01-13T11:20:00.004-05:002012-01-13T11:38:46.978-05:00I'm Fancy, Huh? Hair Done, Nails Done, Everything Did...Look at me all up-to-date with the Drake lyrics, lol. My daughter would be proud, or embarrassed one or the other.<br /><br />Alrighty, I got my hair done in kinky twists with extensions:<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/01d4b56d3983.jpg" border="0" alt="Untitled"></a><br /><br />It goes without saying that I hate this picture. What am I doing with my mouth? I can't stage a photo if my life depended on it. However, I love my hair. The girls used a different color this time, a mix of reddish-brown and black. They layered it quite nicely too.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/a9551164691e.jpg" border="0" alt="Untitled"></a><br /><br />(Is that a look of sanity? I don't think so. Plus, Photobucket did something weird with the picture, but whatevs)<br /><br />After my hair grows out of this style I'll be giving it a rest from the braids to prevent hair loss. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but I'm researching now.<br /><br />On my lips is some Cover Girl lip stain. I don't know exactly which line because I got it out of the clearance bin. Somehow my lips evolved to kind of hate the feeling of lipstick or lip gloss but I love the stain. I can't feel it on my lips, but they are soft (which they always were even when I wasn't wearing lipstick. No crusty lips here)and have color to them. <br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/iggycomet/84210a53d16b.jpg" border="0" alt="Untitled"></a><br /><br />I'm totally flipping out on the nail polish, I'm picking them up whenever I shop, I'm checking out the blogs on the new colors. You know a geek has to go all the way with whatever they do. It's fun! I've worn tips before but I prefer my own relatively short nails and I have some crazy colors on the way.<br /><br />I'm wearing China Girl Ruby Pumps with an Orly Bonder basecoat to prevent yellowing and chipping (which didn't stop the chipping) and a Seche Vite top coat, that is supposed to be fancy, but seems like just another top coat to me.<br /><br />I recently bought those silver stackable rings at a great discount from a co-worker. I think I'll buy more, you can get lots of looks from stackables.<br /><br />Ok, until next time!iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-54176348892450391612012-01-02T09:25:00.010-05:002012-01-13T11:18:16.769-05:002012 PlansIt's 2012, a brand new, fresh year. Last year I hopelessly overcommitted myself to all sorts of goals. I had crafting goals, wanting to learn how to sew, quilt and make jewelry. The sheer ridiculousness of the book challenges I intended to finish is laughable now. I think I signed up for seven book challenges and didn't complete even one. I didn't walk a 5K last year, much less the two half-marathons I had penciled myself in for.<br /><br />When a new year rolls around, it's natural for a person to look back, evaluate the previous months, with a view to making improvements in the twelve months ahead. But I got weary, overwhelmed with the sheer number of tasks I set out to accomplish and didn't follow through.<br /><br />For 2012 I still have my sights on challenging and improving myself, but I have a more streamlined vision.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Crafing a.k.a.: the new spelling of Crafting obviously<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />I love crafting. For most of my life I considered myself to the type of person who had zero aptitude for being crafty, so to learn how to knit in my late thirties, fall in love with my needles and branch out to other crafts has been a joy. I want to do it all, more crocheting, knitting techniques, learn to sew, etc. But there's only so much time in a day and money in my wallet, therefore I need to temper my enthusiasm with a bit of rational planning. <br /><br />Last year I did quite a bit of knitting, participated in some KALs (knit alongs), knitting swaps. This year I want to continue to knit consistently, using more yarn from my ever-growing stash. I want to focus on shawls this year. I have lots of yarn for shawls and a list of people I want to make them for..including myself. Conservatively, I'm thinking six shawls in 2012.<br /><br />I've begun crocheting more, making my first hats last month. This year I'd like to crochet at least one afghan and one shawl or vest. The more complicated projects I'll have assistance by taking some leftover classes I have on credit at my LYS.<br /><br />One of my crocheted hats. I love it! Go Lions!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/6567200477/" title="DSCF7689 by iggystar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6567200477_6a939b0102.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSCF7689"></a><br /><br />I've collected a whole slew of cross stitching projects with all the materials to go with them and my goal is to finish at least one project. I'm setting my sight on the Pretty in Pink pattern (yay 80's!).<br /><br />My crafting future looks bright for this year. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Reading</span><br /><br />I discovered Audible last year and it rocks! At first listening to books seemed a bit like cheating, but I've been able to "read" while working, going grocery shopping, cleaning and exercising. I listen to the unabridged versions and while I'll never give up holding a book (or e-reader, on my wishlist for this year), it's another option to partake in literature with my super busy schedule.<br /><br />I hope to get through least six books this year, a conservative amount. I have a few unfinished books as well, which I never used to do, so I'd like to complete those. With audiobooks I'm sure I'll be able to get in more reading and I'm thinking of doing <span style="font-weight:bold;">one</span> book challenge. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Health and Well-Being<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />I need to lose weight, period. I'm not getting any younger and I have a daughter I need to be around for. Exercise is going to be a top priority, mainly walking, cardio and a bit of weight training. I want to walk the two half-marathons I planned on doing last year. The half I walked in 2010 wasn't too taxing, but still very challenging and crossing the finish line was one of the most exuberant experiences in my life. I have the support of my co-workers who walk regularly. I also foresee a bike for this summer to get out more, be more active with Alexis.<br /><br />Finally, I want to focus on my appearance. I've been in a funk when it comes to the outer me. Some of this neglect is due to me not being in a active relationship. I think there's been this underlying, "Who am I getting dolled up for?" sentiment. That's not the point, not at all. Looking good should be about putting my best foot forward for myself.<br /><br />I need and will buy some clothes, 'nuff said. I'll spend money on yarn and that's fine, but I need to balance it out with some outfits.<br /><br />I polished my nails for the first time in forever and the process made me happy. Seeing the glint of color on my hands while I crocheted made me happy. Back in the day, I had a polish obsession, rarely going out for a manicure because I, quite frankly, did a fabulous job on my own. I changed color once a week and you'd never see my nails bare. So this Friday I'm going out to get new polishes and equipment. I'm also going to get some contacts and wear eyeliner and lipstick whenever I go out.<br /><br />I still don't know what I'm going to do with my hair. Right now it's in two-strand twists with extensions, but I love natural hair. I'm clueless as to what to do with it since it's longer now, but wearing braids continually can mess your hairline up with a fierceness. This is a plan in progress.<br /><br />So that's my very long post for the new year. Oh, and speaking of posts. I plan on updated my blog much more often. I get caught up in wording, wanting to be witty and comprehensive. I want to blog more often, quick posts, pictures of projects, finished manis, etc.<br /><br />2012 is going to be a blast.iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-845593029610654492011-04-03T18:00:00.012-04:002011-04-04T11:17:54.302-04:00Your Knitting and Crochet Time - 2KCBWDAY7<span style="font-family:arial;"></span><a title="5474126754_98a0b01035 by iggystar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5586866022/"><img height="75" alt="5474126754_98a0b01035" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5586866022_2ebddc1122.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><br />When do I knit and crochet, or the newest edition to my crafting obsession, cross stitching? My crafting time is anytime. Whenever the mood hits, whenever it's most convenient, whenever I can. I don't have a special time or place. During my lunch hour at work, while at home sick or just at home chilling, waiting for an appointment. While watching television, late at night or early in the morning, listening to podcasts on my iPod, listening to music. For hours or minutes. At baseball games, basketball games, while shopping. Usually an easier project in a social setting, like with a group at the LYS or chatting at a friend's house. On vacation, at the airport, on the airplane, in the hotel, on the beach. <br /><br />There's no ritual, nothing special needed, just needles (or hook), yarn and a pattern. However, if I'm knitting something complicated, like lace, I require absolute silence. :) Oh, and no food. I'm a messy eater anyway so that would mean crumbs in the finished objects and that just won't do. I can handle a drink nearby though. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a title="DSCF7341 by iggystar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5586255931/"><img height="375" alt="DSCF7341" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5586255931_80aa43bdfd.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">Me knitting on my couch, while someone is making me laugh. My fingers look odd, don't they? Well, they did to me when I first looked at the picture. At a closer glance I see I'm wrapping the yarn around my pinkie to start the row (I knit Continental :). Hmm, I don't think I've ever taken a picture without my bra strap showing and what's up with my chins? Ok, I'd better stop looking too hard before I delete this!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Well, this is the final post for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week. It's been so much fun coming up with ideas to fit each day's theme and reading posts created by lots of talented persons who share my love for yarn crafting. Thanks to Eskimimi for organizing this event. I can't wait for next year! :) </div>iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-30883633981111751572011-04-02T22:37:00.009-04:002011-04-04T11:14:10.381-04:00Somthing to Aspire to - 2KCBWDAY6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrpTV5Qu1gDoFCIIXczc2ZMG1H3SG3eKiaQflQ9NeEc3_BhKRj86BjMmZ0otC8fVqUSoSES-P2nIdcDKJmoJ_OPXdtbyyPCdZG61Do_P4boubdodtknubib0HclMUSp3rk6uEprRh6o7V/s1600/5564091325_6482a01988_o.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrpTV5Qu1gDoFCIIXczc2ZMG1H3SG3eKiaQflQ9NeEc3_BhKRj86BjMmZ0otC8fVqUSoSES-P2nIdcDKJmoJ_OPXdtbyyPCdZG61Do_P4boubdodtknubib0HclMUSp3rk6uEprRh6o7V/s400/5564091325_6482a01988_o.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591181423592221842" border="0" /></a><br />Today's theme focuses on a pattern or skill that one aspires to. One that you may not feel ready to tackle, but hope to. It makes your mind boggle at the awesomeness of it.<br /><br />A pretty easy one for me because there are two patterns that have been in my sight, they have been on my radar and I feel once I've completed both, in my mind I will have truly mastered knitting.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-central-park-hoodie">Central Park Hoodie</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7VaBsW90E8YkX-0uSTyWN22jo12uiWYJ3i3TuVrIB6xuEXecOoF_sKou1IXwQUVTd_zeGja94_VgeDteb9UnOo9RZsRRd2kfoqv5lSvOKJ8bDl-cLxWzcfkXZEIadSePqHuAyEzM1c-7/s1600/ep0116_medium.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7VaBsW90E8YkX-0uSTyWN22jo12uiWYJ3i3TuVrIB6xuEXecOoF_sKou1IXwQUVTd_zeGja94_VgeDteb9UnOo9RZsRRd2kfoqv5lSvOKJ8bDl-cLxWzcfkXZEIadSePqHuAyEzM1c-7/s400/ep0116_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591183827602245426" border="0" /></a>© Knitscene<br /></div><br /><br />I'll have to make guage, which is a basic knitting skill that eludes me. Also, it's a large enough project to require thought and dedication. Shaping, cables, setting in sleeves, these things make me nervous, but one day soon I will tackle this very popular pattern. Sometimes I just pull the pattern out and read it for fun.<br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shipwreck-shawl">Shipwreck Shawl</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHOqcO4rqP7nisePznoIM_k8DtOu2V8kHbaa-z_l8YmB5xzi8-FpnJd3iK-jhlTMGfF3YNl4McbVhfbsspO5n_AGEnVAVI6HfnUGjtrCMXd1NHRuq91atPVPZeT8cLI1EM1TWh1jOEewn/s1600/shipwreckbig2_medium.jpg"><br /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHOqcO4rqP7nisePznoIM_k8DtOu2V8kHbaa-z_l8YmB5xzi8-FpnJd3iK-jhlTMGfF3YNl4McbVhfbsspO5n_AGEnVAVI6HfnUGjtrCMXd1NHRuq91atPVPZeT8cLI1EM1TWh1jOEewn/s1600/shipwreckbig2_medium.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHOqcO4rqP7nisePznoIM_k8DtOu2V8kHbaa-z_l8YmB5xzi8-FpnJd3iK-jhlTMGfF3YNl4McbVhfbsspO5n_AGEnVAVI6HfnUGjtrCMXd1NHRuq91atPVPZeT8cLI1EM1TWh1jOEewn/s400/shipwreckbig2_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591184811477285858" border="0" /></a></div><div class="copyright" id="copyright_notice"> <div style="text-align: center;">© CraftyGirly</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZVaS4BJTT2i4bZ9cRdnvFuXDzfXxHutXgEHlgeL_MKbROEIz91VMXyEjdE-9qZ5qR87K3XZWoPRl_Xhbvks6pMvMOwBpsL-UP_RNFOwyRPvWZCZ67eXFTtrsTZzQHrOFQXhJY4F0MniZ/s1600/shipwreckbigcu_medium.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZVaS4BJTT2i4bZ9cRdnvFuXDzfXxHutXgEHlgeL_MKbROEIz91VMXyEjdE-9qZ5qR87K3XZWoPRl_Xhbvks6pMvMOwBpsL-UP_RNFOwyRPvWZCZ67eXFTtrsTZzQHrOFQXhJY4F0MniZ/s400/shipwreckbigcu_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591184820185113938" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">© CraftyGirly<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Pictured above is a thing of sheer beauty. It's a true lace pattern, no plain rows in between. Five thousand beads will be strung and knitted into this massive shawl that is composed of three separate lace patterns in fingering weight yarn. This shawl is <span style="font-weight: bold;">no joke</span> and gorgeous. I'm not even knitting it for me; I have the perfect recipient in mind who I know will adore it wholeheartedly, but I want to be able say that I accomplished this project.<br /><br />Right now I'm training like a runner preparing for a marathon with smaller projects, a couple of lace shawls and a top down sweater. When I'll actually try my hand at these projects remains to be seen, but I'm hoping within the next twelve months.<br /></div></div>iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-28538163622570562292011-04-01T17:44:00.003-04:002011-04-01T17:59:31.184-04:00And Now For Something Completely Different – 2KCBWDAY5<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5580720798/" title="5564091397_2f81ab7109 by iggystar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5580720798_742fa0e828.jpg" alt="5564091397_2f81ab7109" width="500" height="75" /></a><br /><br />"An experimental blogging day to try and push your creativity in blogging to the same level that you perhaps push your creativity in the items you create. This post should look at a different way to present content on your blog."<br /><br />Minimal words would be very different for me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Iggy and The Nostepinne<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5580121357/" title="2010_01250058 by iggystar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5580121357_24a578cf9b.jpg" alt="2010_01250058" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5580707192/" title="2010_01250063 by iggystar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5580707192_3f474250a0.jpg" alt="2010_01250063" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5580707502/" title="2010_01250060 by iggystar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5580707502_48ab5e2639.jpg" alt="2010_01250060" width="500" height="375" /></a>iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-73899187666508957242011-03-31T09:54:00.014-04:002011-04-01T11:57:47.892-04:00Where are they now? - 2KCBWDAY4<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXXr_DWSUuM-nXv5GNrDSd3WXVWMVGo4KfSCeAss03zcGd3xnEMcIyq8Thac14V7wqResaWE-56UIeYvh6wMcB_kVauQ0eB7tfx9oOOc6tcTUA3f7ssSoKBpBF5u6uWYSKrnWALcV5JbK/s1600/5564091461_86d129ff35.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590243047669166162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXXr_DWSUuM-nXv5GNrDSd3WXVWMVGo4KfSCeAss03zcGd3xnEMcIyq8Thac14V7wqResaWE-56UIeYvh6wMcB_kVauQ0eB7tfx9oOOc6tcTUA3f7ssSoKBpBF5u6uWYSKrnWALcV5JbK/s400/5564091461_86d129ff35.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today's blog theme focuses on the fate of past knitting projects. <br /><p align="center"><a title="Swap__002_medium2 by iggystar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5577313839/"><img height="329" alt="Swap__002_medium2" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5577313839_363c9a59c0.jpg" width="500" /></a></p>These are my very first socks! My LYS has wonderful instructors, so upon undertaking the much feared heel turn, I thought I’d take a class to get some supervision. (The heel turn would be the least of my sock knitting problems!) My daughter loved those things. Being knit out of a worsted weight yarn she really couldn’t wear them with her fashionable shoes but you wouldn’t find them off her feet while in the house. The yarn was an wool/acrylic blend not best yarn for socks and she wore unfixable holes in both heels and the toe. I think we might have tossed them. There are ladders and a messy gusset but I think I did OK. <br /><p align="center"><a title="DSCF7317 by iggystar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863694@N00/5576658416/"><img height="500" alt="DSCF7317" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5576658416_8988fc5758.jpg" width="375" /></a></p>Lol, Alexis is trying to work her best serious, America’s Next Top Model pose, but you can see that grin is curling up on her lips. Tyra would have something to say about that! She’s wearing my first ever knitted project, a sampler scarf designed by the owner of my LYS. A great pattern which had all the basic stitches to get me accustomed to my needles, garter, stockinette, reverse stockinette and ribbed. It’s the project that let me know that knitting would be a perfect fit for me and as I worked those last stitches, I could foresee a love affair for the craft that lasts until this day and thanks to Ravelry it’s been fueled into a full blown obsession. Alexis still wears this scarf; it is well loved. <br /><br />The second item is first pair of non-class socks in Plymouth Happy Feet. What’s wrong with this picture? For one, it’s missing its mate..tear. Also, it’s huge! If someone can explain to me how to make a sock that fits I’d love them for life. I’m still working on really learning guage. But anyway, the sock hates the single life and is pilling but overall it’s not too shabby. <br /><br />That’s it for today’s blog. If I think overall about my past knitted items, I find that I rarely knit for myself. I’m very much a process knitter and I like gifting handmades to those who appreciate my efforts.iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-23427176337838886342011-03-30T13:09:00.009-04:002011-03-31T08:43:59.663-04:00Tidy Mind, Tidy Stitches - 2KCBWDAY3<div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwl4JMVoygIkPv2al66atYwEgB08hBQrlgtL0Y45i6ulMP2zRsdZwq31aZHTMcDczqobYGS4zdXOfE3B_9gAKngnNLoXBVn__beyuhmr17pKHSXbra3nRK4PqhGyC0HrQdW1CjVVHs0la/s1600/5474126754_98a0b01035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589921777078568978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 48px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwl4JMVoygIkPv2al66atYwEgB08hBQrlgtL0Y45i6ulMP2zRsdZwq31aZHTMcDczqobYGS4zdXOfE3B_9gAKngnNLoXBVn__beyuhmr17pKHSXbra3nRK4PqhGyC0HrQdW1CjVVHs0la/s320/5474126754_98a0b01035.jpg" border="0" /></a> What is this “organization” that you speak of? Let me look it up in the dictionary. Ah, here it is: <br /><br />1.) A group of persons organized for some end or work; association. <br /><br />Yes, yes, like Greenpeace or Volunteers for America. Ok, there are other definitions listed. <br /><br />2.) The state or manner of being organized. <br /><br />Hmm, no. Cannot compute... <br /><br />3.) The act or process of organizing. <br /><br />Now I’m confused! <br /><br />4.) Something that is organized. Don’t have a clue. <br /><br />Today’s theme for Knitting and Crocheting Blog Week is: Tidy minds, tidy stitches. <br /><br />Honestly, I don’t have the talent for organization, the mere concept almost evades me completely. I know there should be “a place for everything and everything has its” place, so I’ll go out and buy “places” only to end up with clear containers stacked up adding to the clutter. Aggravating the situation is a small house, with a full family….aargh! <br /><br />However, I try to keep a few things tidy. Those areas are smaller therefore easier for me to figure out how to put in order. My purse and tote bags are neat and clutter free and my yarn and knitting supplies are also pretty together. Although it can get out of hand at times, my stash and accessories are at a manageable level so when things are a jumble, I can take a half-hour to straighten everything out. My stash organizational tools aren’t elaborate. I have my straight needles in an adorable tin jug I bought for cheap and a home ware store. My yarn is almost getting out of hand for the clear plastic used for storage, but everything is still neatly stacked in it. I <strong>love</strong> Ziploc bags, which I use to separate the stash into categories, sock, acrylic, etc. I also use Ziploc bags for projects as well. Although I own a few cute, sewn project bags, but it’s nice to be able to see the project and what I’ve stored inside with it. A wicker basket is used to house circular needles and DPNs and a plain old plastic pencil case is for my on-the-go accessories and a crafting tote for the miscellaneous. Knitting and crafting books/magazines are on a bookshelf (running out of room quickly!!!) <br /><br />Now if someone could assist me in figuring out what to do with this mountain of clothes and everything else I’d be a happy camper.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590221577306561154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A8S6IuZvTS0FxPCJ7NCvr3XBYwfD0d5lcp0I1KZ6ymi-_QC0oudpgL1VzalpTMNXcTgfhsYhf-rJ9RRca_yLMKmjeKijw03XxqzKTJafN4vTJpFL2Xx5YvrznCjDjDp-i0DK1uw0Jdg9/s320/NeedleJar.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div></div><br />Above, The tin jug with needles. Extreme close up so you don't see other items on the dresser (except the neatly stacked Nintendo DS games - mine and my daughter's combined).<br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590221585750012002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j8yEHNnu3B-eeH10dkkOiLT1u7R7nA3CvB6Tv5fvpi-e-t9Et6_OTmpQLtrmr8PFBkBoda8sH4Bw0KMy822AN3wCfk-TYwlI2Er_YQMkKtnALC6E08qYA3He4zzCxZBrb6LEPSewThaB/s320/Stash.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />Some other organized items. A plastic bin for most of the stash, wools, acrylics, sock yarn, lace weight all in the appropriate Ziploc bags with a few UFOs on top. Orderly box of cotton for dishcloths, etc. Wicker basket with circs and plastic crafting tote for the extras. See the bit of total mess in the upper right corner...that's just the tip of the iceberg.iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312179686241609637.post-5712814633172272192011-03-29T20:30:00.012-04:002011-03-30T08:23:32.400-04:00Skill + 1UP - 2KCBWDAY2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTY84QuA_tWjN6NMU1crQ2b5ctV0gh7KQm8wVPLKlgjW3BBhgW5nFrGM9nlZ5d9fo5kgYE-Q21gO5QVosHSYLa1l08DoH3fnzMlBVkh2QYefeRelc-1S9jwXxJDvAvFBN3PQ62xn91WV21/s1600/5564091397_2f81ab7109.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589665397611663794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 48px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTY84QuA_tWjN6NMU1crQ2b5ctV0gh7KQm8wVPLKlgjW3BBhgW5nFrGM9nlZ5d9fo5kgYE-Q21gO5QVosHSYLa1l08DoH3fnzMlBVkh2QYefeRelc-1S9jwXxJDvAvFBN3PQ62xn91WV21/s320/5564091397_2f81ab7109.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div>This day's theme is to reflect on the past year's knitting/crocheting to see what progress you've made. I’ve been knitting for three years and as much as I chastise myself for sometimes letting fear make me hesitant to take on a new skill, when I look back at last year I see that I actually have enhanced my skills by trying and succeeding at a few new techniques. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Knitting with</strong> <strong>beads:</strong> <br /><br /><br />Below is the Odessa hat, which I knit for a close friend of mine who loves it dearly. Knitting with beads was really fun and seeing the embellishments as the project moved along was quite rewarding. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be: <br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589841866573843762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjO5F8AbF1unyFXkeQ-FMv8sZ09PwHDxsNaAhoEehSYHRwLuJQ0VYmt2EVXoRV9EzPjp0yMLBm42YF1OORG8XAS5mmLZICBvbQc999q_PD_mvLeJfB5yw5M_NcgOu8UCYhtirNr0A-qw_/s320/odessa.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong>Fair Isle knitting:</strong> <br /><br /><br />I took a class at my LYS so the teacher could start me off and oversee how I handled the multiple colors, but I only needed the one class. I held my yarn in both hands and since I knit Continental it was a challenge to work that right side in English, however, it was much easier than holding both yarns in my left hand. Also, I had a ball knitting with different colors as it kept the project interesting. Next go around I’ll need to work on tension, not pulling so tightly to prevent puckering. My teacher showed me how to knit with the project inside out which should help greatly. This is the infamous $30 hat I knit for my daughter out of Karabella Aurora, which is so yummy to work with. If I start saving my pennies now I might be able to afford enough for a sweater in a few years, lol. <br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589841860179119698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYj16OTkBMv1rY0ilKZGPuyIcCsiAjvCofNrmkEPzOSlSX28hOPlZ0a_oI9aWVxaYCKGW1Nb2OdDaqd4FrimGNBlDH_g2fWpbX1Jnw36ZnIu6xnRACKxNtnEbgEcunm-Ro6g97ZvQ8pgA/s320/fairisle.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>Crochet:</strong> </p><br /><p>Crocheting has always been on my radar. My dear, deceased great-grandmother was an expert; I still have her intricate doilies crocheted with thread to prove it. In my teens, I tried to pick up the hobby myself, but that was before the age of the internet and being a visual learner I couldn’t get the hang of it. My long latent crocheting skills is why my knitting teacher, seeing how I held my needles, suggested that I learn to knit Continental. With knitting squarely under my belt I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a hook. </p><br /><p>So far I’ve learned the basic, single, double, half-double, and etc., stitches but obviously crocheting offers more complexity than that. My main challenge is learning how to read and understand a pattern and learning how to read and count my stitches. Learning these aspects in knitting offers a helpful foundation in this area, but crocheting is still a horse of a different color. My first attempts at a pattern I found that I <em>thought</em> I understood the directions, until I actually started working it. Or eventually I'd get a firmer grasp of the pattern but find that my work didn't match the project picture. Even worse is knowing there's a mistake based on comparison, but not having a clue as to the location of the mistake, and even less of a clue of how to fix it. Several frogged coasters later I was able to finish these to a desired result. I really enjoyed the experience though and have plans on many more crocheting projects. </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589843910701211730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACBLT-TI9-tE3U8vSBwHubvt_E5bRi6ThW-scgIU69HX0cvoeJa4GxPKIpI9fUfepJ5kIUF6Xt_F18Rk7-MeiKcpmrfth25O2tFIEw1mAaWqCd6V4UJZiJrv4xo8vGCdxAS01BspSfAv6/s320/coasters.jpg" border="0" /> </p><br /><p>I feel the past year was pretty productive as far as learning new skills. The coming year I want to tackle even more, first and foremost mastering guage so I can knit my first sweater (finally!) and make socks that actually fit. Two-at-a-time and toe up socks, plus a crocheted afghan are alson on the horizion.</p><br /><p>I love crafting. The possibilities to learn something new are endless!</p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>iggystarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621837888792244714noreply@blogger.com0