Updates galore

It's been ages since I've used either of my blogs, but I have so much stuff on my plate, I figured I would try again. Many projects have gone off of my needles, I can crochet now, and I got accepted into a tattoo school. i still need to pay for tuition. Sigh.

Aside from the monetary aspect, my life is the best it's been in ages. I am working in a yarn shop, still at the karaoke bar (not for much longer, I'd wager... It sucks, cuz the money is pretty good, really, but even just thinking about a shift makes me angry...) i have an incredible boyfriend who goes on adventures with me, doesn't treat me like an infant, and for whom I have the greatest respect and adoration... And he's got an amazing tush.

Other than that, yeah, life is continuing on. No more running, though. My knee is officially jacked up, so there has been a lot of rock climbing, hiking, and cycling. Tomorrow, L and I are going to go camping. It has been ages since anything truly outdoorsy has been done by me (wit the exception of going for a day hike on, say, Dog Mountain.) it'll be a hoot. ^_^

On the off chance that othersread this blog and would be interested in helping with my fundraising campaign, here is the link:

http://www.gofundme.com/r66p6er4 

I am going to be amazing, just so you know.

Long time, no see

This is odd, I've had so much going on in my life and I forgot how much I actually do like to blog.

some project updates:

I am currently working on a fabulous pattern (my first double-knit) called the "There and Back Again Story Scarf". It's been a long, slow process. As I said, a lot of stuff has changed recently in my life. No regrets (well, maybe some, but I think lives will be better in the long run for it).

I'm almost through the 3rd page of charts, which is still not very far along as it's a little over 10 pages. >_<

Ah well. I finally have really started to work on it. It's a gift for a friend, so I'm hoping that I can tame my busy schedule and get cracking on it.

Other fun projects in my life: I've been doing a lot of chalkboard art for work and for my old work. It's pretty fulfilling. I get to do art at my own pace and I can draw pretty much whatever I want. If only I could make a real business of it!

That's all for now. I no longer have my own computer (saving money to do that) and I am using the one at work. le sigh.

Finished the dress

I finished the dress portion (rather, just the sewing... still a lot of embellishments to screen print or whatever) of my future Halloween costume. It's looking pretty good so far. I made some minor adjustments to the overall design of the dress, however. It's supposed to be pretty open in the back and I really don't want to do that. The grommet lacing goes all the way up the back and shall do the same in the bodice portion (the purple bit) of the costume. It shouldn't matter too much anyway since the long wig (that I've still yet to purchase) will cover up this portion anyway.

Other than that, I've been practicing the guitar a lot... at least an hour a day... sometimes I practice up to four hours. Mostly technical stuff. I'm getting more comfortable with the idea of playing an /actual/ song as opposed to chords and finger-independence exercises.

I can't wait to be able to play all the songs that I want to.... and to be able to mess around and /create/ music...

Need to keep practicing

I think I can get good at this guitar playing thing. I just need to keep practicing. I've already made some excellent progress (or at least, that's how I feel about it.) What I'd really like to do is get an electric guitar so that I could have both experiences- and not keep bothering my friend to use his electric guitar.) But, it's so expensive. I found a neat black guitar from Ibanez that is pretty representative of me. It's not horribly expensive and it's gotten a lot of good reviews...

So, I'll keep practicing so that I can justify getting this beauty.

Worst work day... ever

On the brighter side of things, I got done super early. In fact, I had the opportunity to go to the music store and buy a strap for my guitar... (There are blue skulls on it... I am hoping that this will help me with my technique and force me to not hunch over the guitar.)

I also bought some new picks to play around with- they are different materials and gauges and I find it fascinating that they all produce such a different tone on the instrument. Cool beans.

Blazer creation

Working on a Blazer from this pattern: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/crossover-blazer-062012

I really like the way that it is turning out... except for the damnable sleeves! I can't set them in to save my life! (That's also not a 100% true. I did manage to do a nice job on the one, but the second one is proving most problematic. so, I will get to take it out again, for a third time...)

The jacket is made in a natural linen and is lined in black lining material (the same stuff that I used for my coat). Some things that I noticed: These two fabrics are not difficult to work with... until you try to put them together. They are similarly treated (washing and drying instructions), but use two different iron settings... I may have melted a tiny portion of my lining material. Another concern: I did it for my size of body, but when the blazer is closed, I am concerned about the mobility of my arms (being able to lift things)- I don't know if it would have been better to make the next size up, but at the moment, the blazer fits beautifully.

I will post pictures as soon as I feel happy about the final project. Overall, it's looking good.

Finished a bag

Here is what I started yesterday and finished today.. just trying to get through some of my scraps of leftover fabric.

I'm thinking I could sell these. It turned out really nicely, and, with more practice, will only get better... ^_^