Study Break

This is where I want to be......This is where I have to be.But I need a break to stay sane, so let's visit the nicer side of the room.My "hex hat" was too big and bulky for my little head, so these granny hexagons will happily become the start of a new afghan. It's only big enough for little Anni right now, but it will grow...once I buy more yarn. Last time I was at HobbyLobby however, my friends and I picked these up:I know it doesn't look like much, and it is an experiment into the world of sewing, but I'm excited to take this project on. For now I'll just say that it will be weighted, cube-like, and a plush companion...as if that didn't give it away. Maybe I'll make a tutorial if it turns out OK. The hour is late, but it will be long-spent before I have earned my retreat to slumber. Because of this, I must return to the bleaker, code-filled side of the room.

A Teacup Oasis

The sun hides behind the clouds and the cold settles in. Leaves crunch beneath the soles of shoes as feet carry students to class. The professor is sick, defining infinite series while the students harmonize with her every cough. The dorm room is a spartan retreat, but all it takes is a hot cup of tea and a skein of yarn to whisk me away to my mind's garden. Every tea takes you someplace new; Earl Grey to an old scholar's library with plush leather armchairs and walls of book-stuffed shelves, green Matcha tea to the clean lines and decor of a Japanese tea room graced with caligraphic artwork, flowers, and the sound of tabi socks striding over tatami. Or more exotic, blend the African Rooibos bush with the cocoa bean and throw in the leaves of Yerba Mate and almond pieces for a real earthy retreat. Ahh... Teavana, you taste so good.

I need a breather from schoolwork this weekend and will be setting aside time to work on a few projects I've been eager to start. I've added a project list on the right-hand side for anyone who is keeping track, or wondering when the heck I'll finish something. Your comments are welcomed and encouraged, as always.

~Halloween~ Half-Life style

I'm working on many crafty things, but the most instantly satisfying has to be the Black Mesa symbol and ID I created for my friend's Halloween costume. His ID tag reads:
Black Mesa
ID 300588293
Gordon Freeman
Anomalous Materials



If only the head-crab plushie was in stock! Valve, you disappointed me. Swinging around a bloody crowbar (not pictured) just isn't the same without a head-crab to chase after. The ID tag was whipped up in Illustrator along with the Black Mesa symbol. ID was then inserted into the name tag, and the Black Mesa symbol printed on heat-transfer paper and ironed onto the lab coat.

Note: This post has been updated. For downloads and tips to make this costume, please see my Gordon Freeman Costume Resources post.

Quietly Working (on a mouse and scarf)

Juggling paid work and college coursework is difficult, but I always make time for crafting. My little mouse friend here is about half done: she needs limbs, a coat, and a new set of whiskers to finish her off. The weather has turned for the cold finally, so I've pulled out the knitting needles and am working on a waffle patterned scarf with/for my dorm-neighbor. I'm using a simple scarf pattern I've used before and still love from Bernat yarns. The scarf pattern can be found here.
With Halloween just around the corner I'm hoping to get something festive crafted too, but I'm still tossing around ideas.

College Crafts

How do you keep your door open? Paint a rock! I was feeling inspired so I jumped on the dorm-activities bandwagon and crafted a doorstop featuring a totoro (painted from memory, mind you). It's a simple project that anyone can do; just grab some paint, brushes, some rocks, and some friends!
All my yarn is still sitting around waiting so be loved. I promise I'll get to you soon (once I figure out my Calc homework)!

Farewell Chicago; Hello Kalamazoo

A lot has been going on the past two weeks. My last day of work was on the 23rd. I said goodbye to my coworkers and made my way to the 'L' one last time. I wasn't ready to leave the big city with all it's splendor and my good friends, but it had to be done.

After packing all my things up in the car, I spent my last evening out at the lakefront and soaked it all in. I will have more pictures of home up on flickr shortly.

I had no internet access at my parents house (dial-up doesn't count), but I was too busy unpacking, shopping and repacking to to anything crafty or update. My new University is proving a great place so far; hanging out with my roommate, making friends and being social with my other hallmates too. I'm all moved and settled in here in my new dorm room. Classes start tomorrow, so I'm having fun while I still can this weekend.

I did do something crafty before I left, but busy as I was, I forgot to take a picture of it completed. Here's the kitty in-progress, pattern care of Hillary Lang at Wee Wonderfuls.

How house sparrows got their name...

"Annie, how good are your animal removal skills?"
"Um... relentless?"

This little house sparrow decided to come into Ann's bedroom through the air conditioner in the window... and then cowered in the corner trapped by the ferocious Mickey. After flying once around the room, and stirring up several dormant dust bunnies we captured the little bird with a trashcan and pink towel, and took her out to the back yard to set her free. After a few moments of shock, she shook the dust bunny off her head and flew away into the nearest tree.