WIP Wednesday - Turkey?

I am a bit early but I wanted to wish all of my USA readers a Happy Thanksgiving.  Whether you eat lots of turkey, watch football, or shop til you drop I hope the holiday brings peace and happiness to your family.  To those not celebrating, happy Wednesday!

Well the weather outside was supposed to be frightful but gobble-geddon was fairly lack luster.  We got some some snow but the ground temperature was still warm enough that it barely accumulated.  We had more of a slushy snow than a fluffy one.  In years past we haven't really had snow until December but this is the third of November.  I hope this winter isn't too cold.

Gobblegeddon!

This week was really productive.  I combined and edited the paper for my class.  I also met with my dad to help pick out new shoes for my Grandmother's birthday, which is today!  Overall, this has been a laid back week.

Shapely Boyfriend

Another sneak peek!

Given the weather, I didn't want to venture out and run errands so I worked on my sweater instead.  I am proud to say that it's finished.  Okay ends still need weaved and it could do with a wash before I posted a FO but darn it the garment is finished and I am proud of it.

Ginger Ale Podsters

Podsters!

So due to the upcoming Nerd War Swap there are the next priority item.  The hat is already done and these are the matching mitts.  I need to get a move on so I can send this out by December 18th.  I mentioned last week that the 2 at a time attempt was less than steller so I am just doing these one at a time.  I have 9 more rows to finish cuff one and then I can work on cuff 2.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 20

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I have been anticipating this movie since the last one.  These books captured my interest and I couldn't put them down.  Of the three this one is my favorite.  The story begins with the victors from the 74th Hunger Games traveling around Panem in celebration of their victory.  Unlike previous years, there are 2 victors and the seeds of a rebellion are starting.

The Capitol then reacts to these seeds of rebellion by announcing the quarter quell where previous victors must return to the arena to fight again.  Little does our heroine know that there is a ticking clock behind the scenes that will change everything.

The overall movie was great, the pacing was good and the effects were awesome.  I wish the theater wasn't so crowded but that is the downfall of going opening weekend.  I had a couple sitting next to me that talked through the movie.  The guy just kept commenting on what was happening and it kept pulling me out of the story.  I admit to talking to the characters when I watch a movie but I only do that in empty theaters and in my home.


What I have reviewed (last 5):

The Incredible Hulk
This is the End
Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon

To visit the rest of the reviews, visit the Movies Page

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
The Heat - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Now Available on Blue Ray
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - The Holidays Are Coming!

I feel like there should be screaming and pandemonium, when I read this weeks title.  This time next week I will be scrambling to get the ingredients for the side dish I am taking to Thanksgiving dinner.  But for now I am in gift making and buying mode.  I am in two holiday swaps.  One if for our local knitting group and I am just about done with that one.  Muwahahaha!  I need to order something but other than that I am done!  Woot.  The other one is for Nerd Wars.  I am well on my way with progress for that one so yippy.

As far as other shopping goes, I think I know what I will get everyone but haven't had an opportunity to shop.  I usually wait until after Thankgiving to do my shopping but because it's so late this year I may have to start this weekend.  There are only 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Aieeeeee!  

Shapely Boyfriend

Arm number two.

I have to say the picture above makes me think of something that was scandalous in Georgian England.  Seriously it's just a bit of shoulder and arm.  How racy :)  Perhaps I need to lay off the historical romances...

Anyway due to swap projects in the works I put this aside the later part of the week.  I cast off the first sleeve last week and got a lot done on Thursday but didn't manage to finish it like I hoped.  I should be able to finish it tonight and get started on the button band.

Mint Ginger Ale Soda

A Sneak Peek!

So I mentioned that I started and finished this guy between last week's post.  I love making hats, so quick and satisfying.  The pattern is called Cherry Soda/Orange Soda and while I call all fizzy drinks pop, I needed a green soda to name my hat.  Ginger ale came to mind but not just any ginger ale but Mint Ginger Ale.  I love this stuff, it totally reminds me of the holidays because that's when its available.  Apparently it's a Pittsburgh thing but this is my drink of choice around Christmas time.  Anyway the pop is Green!  So of course I had to name my project after this favorite!

Ginger Ale Podsters

Little mitts!

So I tried to start these two at a time but that was an epic fail.  I think I got the needles twisted so I just pulled them off and will make them one at a time.  I will try again at some point.  Anyway so a friend made these for her last swap and they turned out really nice so I wanted to give them a try.

I originally picked a different yarn but it had a color that my swap partner didn't like.  Thankfully I was still on the hat so I swapped out the mitt yarn. One complaint with the teal is that it's kinda dark and it bugs my eyes.  I think it will be easier now that I can see my stitches versus just the cast on row.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 19

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

The Incredible Hulk

image from imdb.com

I admit that I got on the Marvel movie train a bit late but given the acclamation they have received, I decided to try them.  It's not that I don't like the characters but I guess I was always a DC girl and never ventured into this genre.  At knit night on Thursday, we some how got to talking about comics and one of the women brought up how Marvel took normal everyday people and gave them powers whereas in DC they were born with the powers.  She also brought up about relate-able the marvel concept was because that could be you.

 So when I saw the Incredible Hulk on TV, I decided to check it out.  The story is about a mild mannered scientist who was exposed to gamma radiation.  As a result, he turns into a huge hulking monster whenever his pulse rate gets to high.  Of course this results in a manhunt and an epic showdown.  I really liked the movie and now want to see all of the movies in the avengers series, maybe even the new Thor.  I was planning on seeing it for the shirtless scenes but now I may actually appreciate it more. ;)


What I have reviewed (last 5):

This is the End
Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon

To visit the rest of the reviews, visit the Movies Page

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 11/22/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
The Heat - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Now Available on Blue Ray
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Fall

What a week.  I can't believe that we went from a spike of 70° F weather last Wednesday to snow on Tuesday.  Fall and spring are so fickle, but the blue sky this morning was breath taking.  Anyway the thought of snow just has me itching to pull out my hats, scarves and shawls to show off.

The juxtiposition of fall leaves and snow

Aside from the weather, Monday was the 2nd anniversary of my mother's passing.  I admit to being down but the pain was less acute.  I was thankful for work and class to keep my mind occupied.  One unfortunate thing is that Veteran's day is forever tinged with loss instead of thankfulness for the veteran's who fought for our freedoms.

Shapely Boyfriend

It has a sleeve!

I am so proud of this accomplishment.  My sweater is almost alive, it has a body and 1.15 sleeves! I am currently on the 3rd pattern repeat (out of 18) of the second sleeve and after that is the button band.  I plan on getting this guy done in November!

After this project, I need to recast on for my Quaker Foxhunt, make something for my Nerd Wars Swap and finish Cherry Sundry.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 18

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

This is the End

image from imdb.com

Sorry for missing last week.  I was swamped all day and didn't get the meme posted.

I did get a chance to watch a movie last night.  I had seen the previews for This is the End this summer but didn't get a chance to see it in the theater.  The basic premise is that on a night that James Franko held a big Hollywood party, all hell broke loose.  Literally.  Basically the apocalypse started and a bunch of the guys need to figure out how to survive.

I think I made it sound classier than it actually is but it wasn't bad.  I laughed and it was the stupid humor that I needed this weekend.

What I have reviewed:

Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon
Lars and the Real Girl
Rise of the Guardians
Star Trek: Into Darkness
We're the Millers
Pitch Perfect
Die Hard
The Decoy Bride
Despicable Me 2
Monsters University
Much Ado About Nothing - Now available on BlueRay

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 11/22/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
The Heat - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Available November 5
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Err Thursday? #4

This week has been seriously wonky.  Twice a year, I perform a civic duty and work at the election polls.  Granted this is my first year but I am happy to continue on the tradition of my grandmothers before.  Both grandmothers worked at the election polls and I still remember the old machines.  We had these large machines where you could pull a little lever, in fact I was shocked after the 2000 election to learn that other states actually punched holes in their ballots.

What our voting machines and ballots used to look like.

Anyway, that was all day Tuesday and then I lost track of the day yesterday but I still wanted to share with you my progress.

Shapely Boyfriend

Pay no attention to the messy car

I forgot to get pictures until I arrived at work so before I started I captured a few pictures.  Since I was at the election polls from 6 am - 8:30 pm I was able to finish the body and start on the bottom band.  Last night I did finish the band and bound off the body of the sweater and started on a sleeve!  I am so shocked at my progress.  I thought that I might get it done over the week but I was busier than I thought.  I know I will get this done by the end of November.

The band!

I was able to get all of the waist and hip shaping done by Saturday and I was left with 35 rows to finish.  On Tuesday I know 31 of those rows and then finished the rest last night.

After this I am going to focus my efforts to finish some of my shawls.  Maybe with some focused effort I can get those done soon too?

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

2013 - October Recap

What a busy month.  Then again, I always say that.  This month I got a lot accomplished on my crafting.  I finished my blanket and worked on 2 shawls.  I also got to see some great movies this month.

<3 Heather

Finished Object Friday - White Centered Granny Blanket

I promised that the finished object page would come shortly and thankfully your didn't have to wait that long.  I have some other things finished but I want to weave in ends and block.  Hopefully I will get that done eventually. 

Anyway, this blanket has been in the works since April 2012.  It started when I was playing around with some left over yarn from my Penguins Hat.  I was inspired by the blanket in the "Twin Ta Da" post on the BunnyMummy Blog.  She made two small baby blankets for twins but I just love the striking look of the white bordering all of that color.

She made her blankets using Stylecraft Special DK.  I honestly went out and bought a whole bunch of colors to start to make it but got impatient while waiting for the yarn and pulled out the left overs from my hat.  

Ta Dah!

I really loved the yellow gold color and how it seemed to just glow.  So down the rabbit hole I went and started purchasing colors of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.  I started with 7 colors Gold, Teal, Denim Blue, Purple, Pink, Red and Orange.  After making some squares, I realized I would need more colors so I bough the Dark Green and the more of the original colors.

First look at all of the original colors

After some work, I got impatient and started to put together some sections.  When I really counted out how many blocks I had, I realized that my blanket wasn't going to be very big.  So more colors were added again, this time a Mint Green, a Magenta, a Sapphire Blue and a Cinnamon.

More Colors!

This doesn't begin to calculate the amount of white I used.  I completely underestimated how much white would be needed and kept buying more.  Unfortunately, as I was finishing the specific color of white I was using was re-tooled to be off white.  So there is some variation but I can't tell in my apartment.

Lots and Lots of White!

When I put the blanket together, I have never been a fan of the look of join as you go.  Instead I chose to use a slip stitch join on the backside of the blanket.  It does leave ridges but I am happy with the look.

And the back of the blanket.

I did a thicker border for this blanket.  I did a round of single crochet (US), two rounds of double crochet (US) and a 10 stitch scallop pattern.

Love the Scallops

So that's it, a lot of hard work but I am so proud of this blanket.  I already washed it and it came out looking good.  Now for the best part the snuggling!

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

Ravelry Page - White Centered Granny Blanket
Hook - 5.00mm/H
Yarn - Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
Colors -  010/Teal (2); 024/Mint Green (1); 025/White (9); 033/Orange (2); 034/Gold (2);  036/Purple (2); 037/Magenta (1); 038/Pink (2);  101/Off White (19); 204/Sapphire Blue (1); 208/Blue (2); 506/Dark Green (2); 609/Cinnamon (1); 610/Red (2);
Duration - 16 Months