Pipe cleaner mini me

Last night I went to Knoxville with my friend Merideth to go see Andrew Bird. The show was awesome! I got to meet the band memebers and have them sign my ticket stub too which made my week amazing. Merideth took pictures of us with them as well so when I get those from her I'll post them for you guys to see. I bought 2 LP's a cd and a long sleeve-t which means on top of the amazing chips and avacado/ atichoke dip, prickily pear margarita and mango margarita I spent way to much money in one evening for a college student with no job to spend.

Earlier that day in my Art Applications class I finished my "mini me" project. Its a project we can teach to kids as a reflective tool. We basically build ourselves out of pipe cleaners. It was fun and quick. Here is myself if I lived in a pipe cleaner world. All I can think of is Micheal Gondry. Can't you just imagine him making a movie with pipe cleaner people? The mini Heidi is now living a life as a dash board element since I can't think of a better place for a mini person to chill out.


I went to my parents for my brother Christian's birthday on Saturday. He just turned 20.

That is about all I have accomplished. I am almost done with Andy's scarf. I hope he likes it. I made it navy and charcaol grey striped. The stripes are irregular which I had fun with and I think he'll like but we'll see. I should be done with it by the end of the week I hope.

I still need to finish that top. I just haven't had a slow minute to just pull out the iron and get it all together. I am determined to get it done though.

The beginning

School and life have been slightly demanding for the past two weeks. My car is dead. I am now driving my brothers, school is really easy this semester. Hopefully it'll stay that way. Nathan is awesome and I love him. uh... I started a new scarf for a friend who is driving me around this semester so I can save gas and he gave me a glass vase that he blew. He's a glass blower. I still need to fuse and sew the pieces for the silk tank. I am planning to have that finished by the time Nathan visits so he can appreciate it since he bought me the book. <3

I haven't received my package from my virtual vacation buddy which makes me sad. But I think she's busy right now so I am going to drop her a line and see how she is. We've both been kind of MIA.

Hmmm.... I am rather amused because I am in college and for two of my classes we are doing middle school art projects in class. Haha they are fun classes and for art education so these are just showing us how to use projects like these to teach but it still feels like if my dad knew he was paying for me to do this he'd be pissed. hehe Here is the Beaded guardian that I made today.

Back and Fancy Free

The photo is a teaser of the pieces for the silk slip. I need to get some fusible web and some fabric to finish the rest of it which I can't wait to do. Unfortunately it is going to have to wait for a few days or so since I have to move into the dorms and start classes.

I bought my books today and took my first load of stuff up to the Craft Center so I am happy. Now I just need to finish packing and take the rest of it up tomorrow. I get my own room this semester which I am very excited about. I am looking forward to settling in.

My classes this semester include the History of Craft, 20Th Century Art History, Art Applications I, Art Educational Theory with Lab, Educational Psychology, and Digital Art Basics.

time crunch

Hey everyone I am just checking in again. I have been in Virginia for the past... few weeks as my trip extended itself from 5 days to a month. I am thoroughly enjoying myself and my time with my boy friend Nathan.

I have finished knitting a pattern from my newly acquired knitting book. Its a lovely tank top slip called the silk slip which I have knit in bonsai from Berroco. Which is 100% bamboo and feels scrumptious and is wonderful to knit with.

I'll post pictures as soon as I possibly can. (Currently typing in the library with a 37 minute limit to my time eek!) So ta ta and keep on knitting. I can't wait to check up on what I have been missing out on in your lives. Miss you all.

parcels and books

I mailed my first package out to my Virtual vacation pal. I hope that she enjoies it. I can't wait to see her response in her blog.

In other news the semester is winding down and I am almost through with working for my current job. Then I get a long over due vacation to Virginia where I fully intend to relax and knit and have a great time catching up with friends.

Speaking of friends my friend Cara just recently turned me onto this site,shelfari. Its a profile based site where you put in books you have read and rate them and people will recommend books for you to read. As I am always looking for great reads and like to know what others are reading I appreciate the concept. I'll be adding my profile link on the side in case your ever interested in seeing what I have read or am reading. One of my goals has been to read a book a month (at least) for the 1001 days list I made and I am proud to say that so far I have kept to it.

I am trying to think of what else I might have forgetten to mention but am drawing a blank. I'll post back here soon and let you know whats going on. hopefully I can through in something crafty since the past few posts have all been pretty non-craft related.

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Stock rocker with your dirty eyes

I know its been a while. I got a job(oh horrors) at a restraunt as a waitress which takes up my evenings 5 to 6 nights out of the week and with school taking up my mornings 5 days out of the week I tend to use my time off for sleeping. Making me a very boring girl lately. haha Despite that I have to say I have been Kareokeing a few times actually sang (terribly) Blondie's Call Me which was a first. Singing Kareoke I mean not singing to Blondie. haha. I also sang girls just want to have fun. Rode on a motorcycle for the first time ever (and loved it definatly have to get me one of them suckers eventually). Found an amazing play ground called the imagination station and saw Transformers and Ratatoulli(sp). Both of which were great movies.

I met my roommates boyfriend Steve he lives in Seattle so meeting him isn't a normal occurance. He is perfect for her. I hope they can make it work with the distance. Speaking of distance my boo just moved to Richmond Virginia so he can attend VCU. I am going to be visiting from August 2 through the 7th and I get to see an awesome band that I have fallen head over heels for the night I fly in. HURRAY! The band is called Shiny Toy Guns. They are so catchy and awesome I can't wait to go dance my little butt off. Hmmm what else.

Nathan got some scarification on his ankle. For any of you unfamiliar with this its where a design is carved into your body with a scalple and then treated to cause scaring of that design. Nathan got the RCA logo with the little dog listening to the vintage record player in his ankle. Its going to look great when it heals. He called me to ask about some ideas for what to get and I suggested this one so I am feeling a little proud of his ankle since it was based on my suggestion. Though thats a silly thing really. haha Heres a photo of it just after it was finished. Sorry if you don't like blood.

And things that look great also includes this clothing company,Wai-Ching, my friend sara just turned me on to. Its a bit more expensive than I can afford currently but I am still very happy to drool especially over dresses like this one, "Vapor". Man that dress is just hott. I would love to have a dress like that.

I am hoping ot have plenty of time to finish my projects this summer soon since I put in my two weeks. School is coming up fast which means moving and running around to see counslers and fill out paper work. I still saved up the money I wanted to this summer though in just a month which is also awesome. Did well in my summer classes and got to visit nathan in VA twice by the time the summer is through so I am a happy girl.

My virtual pal should be excited I have been shopping like crazy for her. I am going to mail the first package on monday. I think I'm going to set up her packages by locations of popular attractions in TN. K well got to jet. <3

Skulls in fashion isn't a new idea at all

I am happy to be over yet another test with one on friday and the last one next week. Hurray then I am done with Biology I. Then we move into Biology II which is going to be interesting since I haven't disescted anything since middle school and we have to do several.

I am on the second sleeve of the skull shrug. I haven't finished it because I got obsorbed not in studying but in a book, The Golden Compass. It was delightful. I am really very excited to read the next one but first I have to read Howl's Moving Castle because a girl in my class has lent it to me. I finished the Golden Compass last night though and so I now can focus on finishing the shrug agian before I start Howl's. The photo I encluded is an old vintage image I found on some site years ago. I've kept it because I thought it was fasinating to see a skull icon in their fashion back then even it was just for a film costume of some sort.

I'll post the shrug in a photo when I am done. I posted an old painting on my art page since I found a picture of it if any of you are interested. The link to that is under my profile.

A skull shrug and a lonely summer

I have been knitting away on a new project. Shameful I know since I have quite a few going already. I couldn't resist though. It is such and easy fast project and I have use for it right now. If your wondering what it is well its a skull shrug. I got the pattern from the punk knitters group and love it. Its black with skulls on the elbows and white stripes on the sleeves(which I added to the pattern). I am currently on the back of it heading toward the other sleeve. The photo is of my progress on the day I started Saturday. It is now Monday show that after my initial excitement I tend to slow down a little til the end gets in site and I get a second super burst of knitting energy. I should get to that point soon. I am hoping to get it done by Wednesday at the latest we shall see.

I have been kind of lonely lately. I spend most of my days by myself studying,reading,watching new movies,and knitting. I talk to Nathan at multiple points through out the day and attend class Monday through Friday and a study group on Sundays so I don't think I really have any real reason to be but I feel little lonely non the less. I think it may be because I have no one to spend time with out side of school. Everyone I know is busy right now as is understandable and I am too but I do miss everyone and wish there was time to get together and do something fun.

I am seriously considering going to Salvation again regularly again. I always had a great time and there were some great people and I at least felt like I did something not alone even if I was technically (I usually attend alone having no one to attend with me). May be I'll go this weekend as a prize to do well on my test, a reason to show off my new shrug and an excuse to exercise a bit (hurray dancing)

new glasses and project updates.

Today I got to pic up my new glasses. Huray. I only need them for reading or when my eyes are under stress like long distance driving and computer or tv gazing. I do however love to wear glasses which is a switch from other period of my life like kindergarden that was til I got my pink glasses in first grade then it was ok.

Today I donated some things to good will, returned library items and got pictures of something I have in the works right now. These are some felix the cat peices I am making ot turn into a bag. I am using some yarn that was gifted to me from some one elses stash. Its red heart which is part of the reason I am using it for this. Its an expirement so we'll see how is turns out.

Here is the latest photo of the progress of the vogue rose felted bag. It has roses now but no leaves and I want to add more roses. I have some of the leaves but not all fleted and the remaining roses I have need to a little TLC and then I need to finish felting them(they are only partially felted). People at school have been asking about its continued progress and want to see it. One girl even is inquiring about my knitting a felted bag for her. We will see I told her I'd need to look at the cost of yarn and what type of bag she'd want and the amount of time I have to make it. I am pretty sure that when I quote a price its going to be to high though since that bag was 100 bucks worth of yarn and she wants about that size. We shall see though. We shall see.

Me and my DNA

I took this picture last friday in my science lab. haha. Its a picture of me with my DNA. haha. I look like the hugest nerd. Anyways. I am wearing my tube top that I knit last summer. haha I need to start wearing a scarf when I drive. I've been driving with the windows down and my hair looks like a whirl wind when I get to school. I'll never be one of those girls whose hair is perfectly in place. Sigh thats nothing to dwell on.

To see your DNA you'll need:
5ml dish soap solution, a test tube, 10ml saline, a dixie cup, and 10ml rubbing alchohol

saline solution=Prepare the 0.9 percent salt solution (2 teespoons of table salt dissolved in 1 quart/liter of water)

soap soultion=1 volume of detergent mixed with 3 volumes of water

Directions:
Pour amount of saline into a dixie cup
Swish the saline around in your mouth for 30 seconds to remove some cheek cells.
Spit saline/saliva solution back into dixie cup
Get your test tube and put 5ml of dish soap solution into your tube.
Then pour your saline solution over the soap solution.
Gently rock your soap/saline/salive solution for 2 minutes to mix it all together.
DO NOT shake it as this will break the DNA up and you won't be able to see it.
After rocking your solutin of 2 minutes get 10ml of rubbing alcoholand pour it in the test tube.
The 10ml of rubbing alcohol will sit on top of the other soapy solution but if you look at the division line between the two you will see hazy cloudy white strands coming up into the clear solution. That is your DNA. Yippee!

movies to watch

I felted my roses. Most of them turned out. I am going to repair the ones that didn't felt fully or warped a little(which interestingly enough are also ones that didn't finish their felting). I sewed most of the little roses on to my bag already. I am so excited. I felted the leaves as well. I need to sew them on still as well. I know the instructions said to sew them to the rose first but I am not to worried about it. Just really excited to be so close to finishing it. I'll take a picture and force my way on to a computer at home to post the bag, strawberry progress and all the other goodies I've been wanting to share.

What else what else. I watched a few good movies recently that I highly recommend if you haven't seen them already. Inventing the Abbotts, The Brain that Wouldn't Die, It Happened One Night, Pan's Labyrinth, Following, King of the Zombies.

Had my second science exam today. I don't feel very well about how I think I did. We'll see tomorrow I geuss is all I can do. Well I am off to do some errands.

work shmirk

Today I was introduced to some cool websites worth taking a peek at.
cool business card designs
Mr. Lee's cat cam

I also finished my roses. Well knitting and sewing them. I am going to felt them tonight when I get home. Very excited about that. The bag is so close to finally being done. As soon as I find the missing skein of light colored yarn that I am hoping I still have (I am not sure if I actually still have another light colored olive skein I may have used it all on the bag). How ever it goes its really close to being done. Yipee!

I brought my sweater along (Martina 1) so I could work on it if I get finished with all I can on the bag. Looks like I'm going to actually get to it. That'll be good its been sitting in limbo since last weekend. I think I need to rip a few more rows out just to be sure it will all be right. I don't want any more suprises. I just want to finish it so I can wear it in all its fine sweater glory.

Last night we (Lori, Jamie, Everrett and I) didn't make it to te Roller Derby. Everrett's flight came in during the middle of the bout and it was an hour late so it wasn't worth it to spend $15 a person to see nothing really. We went to a bunch of bars instead most of which were on Broadway which is where Jamie and I usually go when we go into Nashville because they always have great live bands playing rockabilly, country, and bluegrass and the beer is cheap. Its a bit touristy on weekends but some how in that area since it only really gets super busy on the weekends its nice instead of annoying. We went to The Paradise Park Trailer Resort which wasn't what I thought it was going to be but still fun, the across the street to Robert's which I think is my favorite bar over there, then across the street agian to the Full Moon. Saw three diffrent bands and have a great time. We stopped in at a gift shop on the corner that has the greatest cheap sun glasses and spoofy stuff but they were out of elvis sun glasses and I already had the other glasses that I liked there so I didn't get anything. Next time though the elvis-ness will be mine.

I found this on Just Jussi's page and loved it to much not to share it. I am currently sitting in the gallery at the Appalachian Center for Crafts working. This is where I work when I am in school and I agreed to come up and fill in for Tony for the weekend. Happily I am only an hour away from being done for the evening. YAY!

Then I am going with Lori to Nashville to pick up Jamie and Everette from the airport after which we are going to the Roller Derby at the fair grounds and to some bar some where. I am voting to go to the Paradise Trailer Resort which is a new restraunt/ bar in Nashville. I have heard mixed reviews about it but am willing to over look any negative burger reviews for their $6 pitcher and trailer trash-esque digs. I'll let you know if its any good. WHere ever we go I am super excited about getting to ride with Lori since I was worried I'd have to use another full tank of gas this weekend.

I have been studying and knitting while at work today. I am almost finished with my dark leaves for the rose bag which knit up super fast and then I have to wait on the light colored leaves because I have no idea where I put the rest of my light colored olive skein. Drat. I'll find it and finish that when I get home. I think I am going to felt the roses and leaves I do have tomorrow though.

Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap Questions

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? California because I have never been there and feel I should put my childhood fear of it dropping off into the ocean the moment I step there to rest (can't help what a six year old mind comes up with). Also because of the wonderful kitchy midcentry hotels, car clubs and all other things wonderous.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why? New Zealand. All my favorite movies were filmed there, its home to exterme sports, its warm in the winter and cold in summer, and it has more sheep than people. If I could move there I would.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Yes

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
Yes, Sicily,Italy when Iw as a wee girl and I use to live in Hawai'i for a year.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why? Berlin, Germany because I could travel to a diffrent museum every day for a month and not run out of museums and it has a great night life plus its a beautiful city.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain. Yes constantly mainly because I am a military brat so my home city/ state is constantly changing.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?I would say I am all three. I am a big fan of fandom wierd sites like the worlds largest ball of twine or whatever.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn? Interesting ones and Yummy ones. If you like to look at it or touch it I'll love it.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn? Itchy ones or difficult ones. If they are notorious for that then I don't like 'em.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet? Sweaters and accesories.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation? My most recent projects or something I haven't started but am really excited about.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet? embrodery, pin striping, painting, sewing, etc.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise) Not that I know of

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite? Purple is my favorite color but I don't wear it or use it much oddly enough. I don't have a least favorite color.

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)? Sweet. I am A candy-oholic.

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know? I collect interesting metal tins and lunch boxes, old lisence plates, craft books and magazines, and love all things vintage.

ripping causes a progress depression

Ripping back always temporarily puts a dent in my progress (well obviously) but besides just having to physically go back I tend to get a wee depressed with the project and take a few days off from it. Terrible habit that I have to say I dislike but can't seem to get over. So I have taken wee baby break on Matrina 1. Shameful I could be almost done by now.

In its stead however I have been finishing the long over due roses and leaves for the Felted Rose bag. I have five roses knit though not assembled and no leaves to date but I have started and I will say they are a great project to interject vocabulary and notes with. I do 40 minutes of note or vocab and knit one or two roses. I figure at this rate I'll pass all my science tests and finish the bag that seems to just lag on and on. I really want to get some fabric to line the inside. I have just the fabric in mind actually.

Oh I almost forgot. I passed my first Biology exam with a B. Hurray! So I can start my Weird Oh model Car. Hurray! I got Daddy a crazy suburbanite on his way to or from work. The kit comes with the road signs and the goes so far to replicate the drawing as to have the piston falling out the bottom of the car and the little martini hood ornament

Procrastination station and the end at the light of the school bus

I am siting here reading blogs when I should be studying for my test tomorrow. Shameful. I have been studying a lot though and did just photo copy 4 practice tests to study even more once I tear myself away from this computer and drive home from school.

I am excited because I have affirmed that if I am allowed to use my already taken art classes that I can have all the classes finished to graduate with the art education BFA by December of 2008. HURRAY! Then I am taking a well deserved break from educational studies. At least a semester. Then we'll see what I do. Whether I decide to further torture myself right away or take a long break and join the work force. Two things are for certain Nathan and my Dad will be ecstatic. This means I can move to Richmond and be with Nathan and that I will have finished my BFA which is a MUST in the eyes and understanding of my dad in what I need to survive in toady's society.

So no more doing bad in classes, which I shouldn't do anyways. And I need to get all the paper work handled to get everything going. Crazyness. The end is in site I just need to get there. Well I am off to study.

Weekend delights

The weekend is almost over and I have been sitting at home watching old horror movies and knitting while studying for my science test on tuesday for most of it. This is the progress I have made on Matrina 1. I watched the killer shrews, Dr. Jekell and Mr.Hyde, The king of the zombies, The Swamp Women, and The brian that wouldn't Die.
When not watching the boob tube I have been sitting on the back porch enjoying the sound of my mom's fountian and the birds while reading my science notes and reviews or the book on heavy metal history my brother got for me. I realized this morning that I had made a mistake on my sweater in the lace knitting about 2 inches below where I was when I took the photo today so I have ripped back since. Hopefully I can find some time to catch up this week.

I talked with friends I haven't talked to in a while on the phone which was nice and planted some strawberries in a hanging basket. I am hoping to document their growth. Here is Day 1 the planting.That is the fountian my mom made in the back ground.
I have been eyeballing a model set in the model car section recently so I purchased one and have set it up as a prize for myself if I do well on my first science test. Namely I am not allowed to start working on it til after I take the test and pass it. I am excited about it though. Its one of the Weird Oh's by Bill Campbell. I got the suburbanite "Daddy". I hope to eventally collect and create them all.

Introducing Martina 1

Started a new sweater. Its part of my process of getting rid of my stash. I am using a tourquise cotton yarn (Schulana Super cotton color number 53) I bought on sale a year ago with no project in mind. The pattern is by Adrienne Vittadini as sweater called Martina 1 from her fall 2004 collection. Love the pattern its beautiful and so far really easy to knit. We'll see if I still feel that way when I get up to the lace area. The yarn is wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a soft plump cotton yarn that makes you want to touch it.

non-craft chit chat

Schools going well. Fast but well. Its weird thinking that in 5 weeks I'll be done with this class. I am actually thinking about seeing if I can pick up another class int he next 5 week session if this one goes well so I can try to get farther ahead. I just want to graduate. I love going to school I hate pressure to get a degree so if I get a degree I can graduate and just take classes as I please willy nilly as it fits in with my life. Perfect.

The nice thing about this semester is I get to ride to and from school with my brothers. We're car pooling. Its nice since we don't get to spend all the at much time together any more what with all our seperate interests and activities and me not living here half the time. Granted they have classes 3 hours before me but I can use the time to study, work on home work, knit, or whatever. Which will be great I'll get more done.

Well I should hit the hay since I have classes tomorrow and I have to be ready to go by 7. Hope everyone is doing well.