Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Docs

I figured I'd start making a catalogue of all the Docs I own...

1999: Brown 8 holes, with a more square toebox. I outgrew them before I ever wore them down.


~2000: the only pair I ever got rid of. Got them small because they were the only size in stock, before everything had a zipper. I took them to many concerts, but didn't love them as much because the leather was always too stiff and bent into my achilles.


2007: I got these for fighting in beige with a grass and butterfly lazer print. They are the softest leather and very nice, but the zipper is a bitch to all my socks.


2008: Christina. Damn, I love these shoes! I have worn through half the heel in the last three years because I wear them so much!


2008 (same purchase) or 2009: Thema. Gorgeous. I love these boots, but they are annoying to put on because of my heel getting stuck in the straps.


2010: 1914 Triumph. They are the first I ever saw that are lined and fold over. Very comfy!


2010: Same purchase. Darcie, cherry red rub off. I like them, they are comfortable, they aren't my favorite. I don't know why...



This week I plan on purchasing another pair of 1914 Triumphs; brown with flowered lining. I also want a pair of 8 holes in black flowered canvas, and a pair of plain green 8 holes, but I should probably draw the line somewhere...

ETA: Yeah, I drew the line. One pair farther than that.



Monday, September 12, 2011

These are a few of my favorite things.

I am a nerd. Seriously, nerdy things make me extremely giddy. If something related to any of these things finds itself into one of my packages, I will squee very loud.

- Buffy
- Firefly
- Dollhouse
- Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog
- Anything Joss Whedon (including Roseanne)
- New Doctor Who (someday I'll pay more attention to the old stuff)
- Star Wars
- Dungeons and Dragons (though not 4E)
- Society for Creative Anachronism, focusing on early 16th century Spain, preferably Basque
- Spiderman
- Wolverine
- Rogue
- Phoenix
- the rest of the X-Men
- Iron Man
- the new series of movies leading up to the Avengers
- Hello Kitty
- Metroid (Samus Aran has green hair bob damnit!)
- treehugging
- more fiber crafts than I will ever have time to complete
- cooking
- force feeding people

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Doctor Who Duck Pond swap

Favorite Doctor: Tennant was my first, but I am really loving Smith!

Favorite Companion: I loved Donna ever since I watched their RND skit, and Sara Jane Smith was very charismatic. I love Rory’s heart, and River just keeps getting better and better!

Favorite Baddie: Angels!

Favorite Master: 8.5 and his Dalek bumps!

Do you anti-love any Doctors, companions, or baddies? If I never see another Dalek or Ciberman, it will be too soon. Though the worst Who baddie is RTD.

Are you mainly a new Who fan (8 and up), a classic Who fan (1-8), or both? I love New Who, and have seen very little old, though I’d like to watch it all one day. I think Three was the one with a good ass…

Have you enjoyed Doctor Who in any medium besides the TV series (or fan-fiction or private musings)? Other than Brit!Torchwood and RND specials, no.

Do you like tea, coffee, and/or cocoa? Not particularly.

What do you like to nibble with your beverage(s) of choice? Get detailed. Go on, make us drool! While I do love any home made baked goods and candies, I am currently on a no-carb diet :(

Hrm, difficult. I’m not much of a planner, and I love just jumping in head first when I travel, so I’d very much love for the TARDIS to take me wherever she wants me to be. As far as which Doctor, Tennant would be very caring and educational, but Smith would be spastic and entertaining!

All of my electronics are already cozified, but I can always use more project bags of all sizes!This one is always difficult for me. I currently do many fiber crafts, including sew, knit, crochet, spin, drop spin, dye, and tablet/inkle weave. I have been known in the past to cross stitch, embroider, chainmail, fimo, blow glass and make jewelry for other people (including stitch markers). I will throw paint on a project and am really good at copying an image, but I don’t draw or paint for the sake of “art”.
I have touched so many bases in the past that I know how to appreciate all kinds of hand mades, and I wouldn’t mind glass beads for a change.

Chucks: Ditto with the red.

DVD regions I have machines for 1 and 4, but my roommate can play anything on his computer.

Cozies: I think everything is properly cozied at the moment. I have a black 15” MacBook which may or may not be replaced in the who knows how near future, and an iPhone4 that wouldn’t mind a proper protective skin or case.

Crafts: I try to limit myself to fiber crafts, since my basement is beginning to overflow with stash. I currently spin, knit/crochet and sew. I don’t need any random notions, but can always have more bags of all sizes, organizational cases, stitch markers, AddiCircs or books.

Yes, I love cosplaying. This Otakon I dressed up as Bellatrix, Kaylee and Idris. I was missing a couple of details, but I think I managed to get it pretty accurate. The bodice was a bit of a pain to fit completely because I didn’t have a dress form, but I finally remedied that at Pennsic. The Kaylee suit was only missing an accurate pink pagoda shirt, an accurate parasol, and the wooden flipflops, but a kid stopped by to take my picture at the same time as this one wearing a pair, overheard my lament and sold them to me! Next year, I’m making the pink frilly dress with all nine frills! And hopefully there’ll be another cool DW thing to dress up as.Other than Otakon, I am a SCAdian. I do early 16th century Spain, though I’d prefer to focus on Basque if only I could find enough info.With as much as I love Halloween, I never find any decent parties to go to, so I don’t do standard costumes, but my everyday wardrobe is pretty interesting and costumish. Those were originally my Going Out coveralls from when I was in college.

What’s your Whovian Rainbow, ie, what color/item combos say “Doctor Who” to you? And if there’s a color in there you want no part of, please say so!
Pink: I know there’s a chick around four or so that dresses up like the Doctor, only does it in pinks. This is cute, but I have watched very limited Old Who.
Red: This evokes the fez and the dress on the robot in The Girl In The Fireplace. I love red. I love red a lot. I even love red alot! It also reminds me of Donna. Oh! And yummy, yummy James Marsters!
Orange/peach: I don’t have a Whovian memory, but I likes. Probably Amy. The Flesh would be peach, but I felt they shouldn’t have taken two episodes on it.
Yellow: Regeneration.
Green: The forest and River’s name leaf. Smith’s screwdriver.
Teal: Well, the closest thing I can think of is Jack’s coat, which is a tealy grey.
Blue: TARDIS, Idris, space. Blue is wonderful in many of its shades and just essential to Who.
Purple: Reminds me of Rose and Martha. I love the color, but really don’t care for Rose.
Brown: Ten, most definitely Ten. And this is where the teal comes in! Derp.
White: Was it six or seven that had the sweater vest with the question marks? And I think the poodle was white.
Black: Black is also ever present in Who. I immediately think of the first two or three Doctors that were all somber looking, and Eckleston’s leather jacket.
Multicolor: The scarf and the technicolor dream coat. And then the skittle Daleks. I highly dislike the Daleks and their constant “oh you did away with all of us but they couldn’t think of another enemy for this week”ed ness.
I’m going to add Grey: The Angels! I love the Angels!
ETA: As far as what to wear, I love all colors as long as they commit to being a color. I’m not big on wishywashy.


20110912

Which other swaps have you been in at this point in your timeline? Please provide a link to the thread for any non-Duck swaps. Who were your spoiler and spoilee for the previous Odd Duck Who swap, if you participated?

Big Damn Heroes September 2011- Aranov
?} Buffy August 2011} ?
meredithparker} Steampunk June 2011} Caitinc

henchwench} Hennson April 2011} Melinda77520

Sparkleshan} DotD September 2010} JoanC2

Lalsox} zombie 2010} therowantree
divamaglia} Buffy August 2010} Saberpirate

Ocean angel July 2010} lycanthropica

ladyval75 } Firefly May 2010} drewbird

heathen13} DHSAB May 2010} swamps42

Twilight April 2010 - xmasangel69

Neighbors: cephalogal, isilzha
Friends IRL: nanonukie, snowpony

Are you willing to ship internationally/do you have shipping preferences? Not currently.

Please list your allergies (pets, smoke, spices, fibers, metals, alien technologies) Scents, smoke, baby melting acrylic.

Do you or anyone in your household smoke (tobacco or bio-combustive processes)? Nope

Do you or anyone in your household have pets? If so, what kind? C.A.T.

What is your favorite icon of the series? As in graphic design, or personality? Can I say Van Gohs' Exploding Tardis?

Do you welcome a small item or two for the other members of your household? If so, what should it be: something for your SO or roomies, candy for kids, pet toys, etc? Nope, the other two are too spoiled. All for me!!!

What’s your favorite DW episode (or 3) and what about them did you particularly like? Least favorite(s) and why? Blink and The Doctor's Wife. The first one was a perfect Monster Of the Week. Self contained, and can be understood by someone that has never encountered the mythos. The latter is just wonderfully written and directed. I am a huge fan of Moffat's writing, and I love what he is doing with Smith. I also really loved Tennant, and the strength that both of them portray. I very much hate RTD, the daleks and the cibermen, and find them to be cheap copouts for when they can't think of any interesting enemies.

Should your spoiler look in your fave patterns or queue for ideas of what to make? Are there tags s/he should look for? My faves are only things I like, but have nothing to do with me. My queue is well organized and has been tagged with "me" if I "plan" on making it, some with yarn ideas. I only put it into my projects when I've actually committed to making something.

What length is your hair, and do you like hair toys? Mid back, very thick and growing, and I love them!

Would you like to receive patterns from your wishlist? Would it disappoint you to get the pattern rather than the made-up item? Either would be lovely.

What are your favorite things about Dr. Who (the actors, the writing, the time-travel, the drama, the comedy…)? I love brit humor. I am dry and snarky and I love the imaginativeness of the show. I enjoy some stand alone episodes, but I am more passionate about the long story arks and trying to figure them out.

Type to me of jewelry. Do you wear earrings? Bracelets? Necklaces? Anklets? Belly chains? What styles do you like? Supply 3 adjectives as a starting point. What metals do/don’t you wear? Meh? I love jewelry, but always forget to wear it. I only wear one necklace that my mom gave me with a Mexican coin and my birthdate engraved in the back, but can pair it up with something very long. I prefer bracelets and rings and earrings, and functional is my favorite descriptor! No allergies.

Bowtie, scarf, both, or neither? Love both, have none.

What is your favorite yarn weight to use for yourself? lace - worsted, mostly sock.

Favorite color(s)? strong, vibrant colors

Favorite fiber(s)? NOT ACRYLIC

In honor of Amy Pond: nail polish? What colors do you want and which colors do you have enough of? I have tons of red, and many other colors. I'll take any!

How do you feel about yarn bowls? Small tray-plates for holding beads and stitch markers and such while you work? Are there any other craft supplies or working aids that you’d love in some Whovian version? No need for a bowl or plates, but I love any kind of beaded counter/marker.

What snacks do you like? I'm on a carb-free diet...

Measurements, and I mean the kind involving numbers, cuz “average” or “big” means totally different things to different people. Imagine a Silurian trying to make mitts for an “average” Slitheen! hands, wrists, feet, neck, head. lol. Check the blog.

Do you have wishlists at Etsy, Knitpicks, Amazon, Audible, or other online places your spoilee might like to see for a sampling of your tastes? If so, please provide linkage! Yarrrrn.

Anything else your spoiler should know about you and your interests? My blog is the best link to who I am, and I'll try to add stuff as it becomes pertinent.

Big reminder-type things:
Have you re-read the first two posts in this thread and the Odd Duck rules (page and thread!) and agree to follow them? Yus.
Do you agree to check for DMs and reply to any mod-passed-along questions at least weekly throughout the swap? Yus.
Do you agree to answer all questions in this thread by the next check-in date, which includes weekly checkins for the first month? This includes ALL questions in post #2’s summary, even if you’re pretty sure that they’re not from your spoiler due to geography. Yus!
Have you updated your Odd Duck wishlist within the last 3 months (requirement!!)? What number is your post in that thread? In process, but mostly accurate. #249
Do you agree to ship on time, use Delivery Confirmation (USPS requirement) and send that number to the mod when you ship, or, if you reallllly need an extension, to talk with the mod about that before the shipping deadline? Yus.
Do you understand that not fulfilling the big-reminder-type things may result in your being removed from the swap and cursed with a black spot (ie, blacklisted)? Yus.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Second Annual Buffy Swap



I am still putting the finishing touches on my steampunk swap, and I've already had my Buffy partner for two weeks -_-;; I know exactly what I'm making (still kind of dubious on the yarn), so I shouldn't be too far behind. Since BDK will be announcing partners tonight, I better get a crackin'.

Here will be my compilation of questions asked in both Buffy swap threads. Don't forget to look through the rest of my blog if you have any other curiosities!

CHECK IN QUESTIONS
Signup:
1) What kind of crafting do you do?
Knit, crochet, spin and sew, mainly.

2) Fav colors/combinations
Check the blog and the wishlist, but I love blood red, autumn/fire colors, and jewel tones. Anything that is strong!

3) Least favorite colors
pastels and pink

4) Favorite fibers/yarns
anything natural, with a maximum of 20% nylon if need be (for socks).
Check the yarn post I made a couple of days ago.

5) List some Small items you would like to have
I can never have enough stitch markers or bags of all sizes!

7) Things you don’t need or want
Other knitting notions are already taken care of.

8) List as many sizes as you can
Full body measurements are also on blog

9) What is something you would like to receive in this swap? (keep price limits in mind
something creative, definitely useful, preferably wearable. I don’t have display space, and my cat eats everything. I’d love something that showed off my love of the Buffyverse to the whole world!

10) Would you like the package to be a more detailed buffy theme or random buffy?
Either can be interesting.

11) Where do you stand on things like make up, nail polish, jewelry, and hair items?
I very rarely wear make up (and I have more than enough!) or nail polish (though I love it) or jewelry (no necklaces, please), but I love stuff for my hair! I also specifically don’t use bath products or lip balm/gloss that I didn’t make myself because (I am a dirty hippie) the scents are almost always too overpowering. If you make it yourself, go right ahead!

12) Do you have any hobbies (other then fiber ones lol ex: reading, writing, photography, drawing ect.)
Roller derby and reading.

13) Do you have pets or children who like to receive little things as well?
No thanks, he’s more than spoiled already!

14) List anything else you think useful (we want your partner to have as much to go on as possible in order to make your package amazing and just right for you!)
My blog is pretty indicative of who I am.

15) Do you promise to be a good partner, fulfill all obligations, and send out a package made with just as much time care and love as the one you would like to receive?
You’re darn tootin!

Partner Assignment
1) What are your favorite snacks, treats or drinks?
I am currently on a ketogenic diet, so I don’t eat any carbs or sugars. I wouldn’t trust anything premade, since even diabetic candies are only -low- in sugar, but have much more than I can eat. Um, no-carb protein shakes and bars? Yeah, sorry about that.

2) What types of things do you knit or crochet?
I mostly knit for swaps and other people. I love lace and texture, and stay away from self striping yarns or yarns with quick and abrupt color changes. Amigurumis, shawls, scarfs, socks, gloves, whatever project is required!

3) What one pattern from your faves or queue are you itching to make but you haven’t the time, skill or supplies?
I have a huge stash, so supplies have never been an issue, but I’ve never had time to knit anything bigger than a hat for myself. I’d love one of the MMario shawls or a sweater.

4) And if you have a wishlist somewhere else like etsy, amazon, knitpicks, etc. please post a link for easy stalking. :-)
I don’t have any wishlists, but my blog is pretty indicative of what I like. I’ve started posts that list yarns that I want and things that I want for swaps.

5) Do you have an anti-wish list? Like allergies, annoyances, colors/fibers and overstocked notions.
I don’t do art yarn or fun fur or acrylic. Yarns components need to be > 80% natural, but I don’t mind their nature or origin. As far as colors, I knit with solid, semi-solid, transitional/gradients, or anything that won’t look odd when knit in a lacy fashion. As far as allergies, I am very sensitive to scents and soaps, so please no bath products, chapsticks, or highly scented things.

September 3
1) Fav Buffy character/ why
While I am quite passionate about the whole ensemble, and have an intense love/hate relationship with each one of the characters, Anyanka is the one I have found the most to relate to. I’ve been living in the US for six years now, and I still can’t quite put my finger on how people function here. I’m just that perpetual outsider that constantly manages to stick a foot in her mouth.

2) Fav season
I’m big on 6. I love how everything that is happening is just -normal-. Yeah, it’s great to have evilness with super powers, but it’s surviving the little things that really matters.

3) Fav episode
One? Damn. OMwF? I love all of the classics, like Hush, Dopplegangland, Zeppo, Band Candy, Smile Time. The Body makes me cry like a little baby every single time.

4) Have you read or would you be interested in the comics?
I have the first couple of comics and have been meaning to read them, but can’t seem to get around to them. I wouldn’t mind a compilation of them.

5) Buffy books?
Never read any of them. Color me intrigued.

6) Buffyverse Quotes you use often?
OMG, did it sing?
Don’t speak latin infront of the books!
Beer good.
The hardest part of life is living it.
They got the mustard out.
Bored now.

7) Fav big bad?
Life.

8) Do you like the show Angel as well as Buffy?
Angel had wonderful standalone episodes and characters, and the first and last season were really good, but there were several main plots I just didn’t care for.

9) Do you like buffy with Angle or Spike?
OH BOB PLEASE BOTH!

10) Do you have any other fav character relationships?
This goes back to me loving/hating everybody on the show. After the fifth watch through, you really notice everybody’s flaws. Willow/Oz, then that stupid werewolf interferes. Willow/Tara, then Willow becomes a junkie. Buffy/Angel, then he gets all mopey and leaves. Buffy/Spike, but she never allows herself to let go and feel. Giles/Joyce, then they kill her. Xander/Anya, but he’s an idiot. Xander/Cordelia, but he’s an idiot. Spike/Dru, but then she is insane… Fred/Wesley, but then she goes all demony and crap.

SWAPPER QUESTIONS
Handmades: I love ALL handmades! I’m a bit obsessed. And since I always end up giving away the things I make, I don’t really have many for myself. I’m in PA, and it snows 7/12 months. I love anything shawl/glove/hat related, but wool socks make my feet swampy. I’m willing to try something thin, like cotton or bamboo ones, but I do love leg warmers!As far as toys, I have a huge cat that devours EVERYTHING. So please no toys, and especially no dust catcher! (unless it is a Smile Time puppet, then I can be persuaded)

Collect: I love things that are useful, and if anything I collect big mugs.

Media: I have the Buffy and Angel sets, and the first couple of comics. I’d love anything else!

Do you have any specifications for how you like you gloves, socks, hats or shawls? i.e. length, thickness, materials
As far as socks, 100% wool makes my feet swampy, but I'd love to try any other more breathable/wicking material. Any length would be nice. I also like them tighter rather than looser. Gloves are all ok, preferably at least mid forearm or longer. Hats are very nice, and I like them like anything I've already knit or in my queue. Shawls are also all wonderful!

How do you feel about blingy, sparkly, or other “novelty” yarns? Not just typical novelties like fun fur, but also those with stellina content (Blue Heron Rayon Metallic, DIC Starry, Stroll Glimmer) or other “additives.”
I normally hate novelty yarns, but I'm ok with stellina and minor additives. As long as it looks even as I knit it, I'm fine. I've also been jonesing for Astral in Sexy and Regenerate.

Do you like/will you use straight knitting needles? Are you a circ only fan? How bout DPNs?
I only use circs and DPNs. I have an AddiClick set and a few AddiCircs for socks. Straight needles just always felt cumbersome, since I can always use DPNs for smaller projects and circs for heavier ones.

If you have a pattern book (or any book) on a wishlist, will you accept a gently used version?
I am a dirty hippy, so anything that has been pre-loved (well, ok, there are definitely a couple of things that don’t apply…) is always a plus. I especially love used books that have annotations in them, since I love trying to imagine what the previous owner was thinking when they wrote it.

Would you like your swap partner to knit/crochet/create something out of your favorites, or should we leave that stuff to you?
Ooo, favorites. When I tag something as favorite, it doesn’t necessarily mean I want it for myself. I normally am appreciating the work or like some detail from it. My queue, on the other hand, is well tagged with things I actually want for myself. I would love something from my queue! I “plan” on making them one day, but unless it is already on my project page, I don’t actually have -plans- to make it.

Would you like to receive something by/starring a cast/crew member of Buffy? For example and SMG film, other Joss project etc?
I make an effort to watch things that involve Whedonites. I have Buffy and Angel, and have already watched/bought most SMG movies. “Timer” was really cool, too! As much as I enjoy these random productions, it’s not the same if Joss isn’t part of it. I absolutely adore Roseanne, Firefly, DHSAB and Dollhouse, so anything that might sneak in is fine.And Buffy Staked Edward, The End.I love the saying, but I already have the shirt :P I wouldn’t mind it on anything else, though!

Scarves: As well as shawls, I like them all. It snows 7/12 months here and they are predicting a harsh winter this year. As long as it isn’t too stiff, I likes ^_^

Coasters/potholders: I’ll toss in washcloths/scrubbies and say no thank you.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

September Yarn Wish List



These are some of the things I want. Expect the list to grow as I discover new dyers ^_^


Light Brown Hare - Moro I'd love a sweater in these colors! Like a juicy peach ^_^ Maybe dyed in the fiber instead of the yarn so that the color changes aren't so abrupt.

So many swaps, so little time.

Well, hello there! For those of you that haven't noticed, I am insane. I am currently participating in just a few swaps. I have this weekend to finish up my Steampunk box over on Odd Ducks (all I'm missing is the turtle's top hat and bacon toffee) and I'll make a proper post once the package is received.

A week ago, I got my partner assigned for the Second Annual Buffy swap, which is smaller than the OD swaps and I'll be able to finish in just a couple of weeks of quick knitting. In two weeks, I should be getting my partner for the TARDIS Day swap, which -is- OD and will be a bit more complicated, but I have a bunch of ideas for DW. (I haven't posted pictures of my shawl or Otakon. I should get on that...) This weekend, I should be getting my partner for the Big Damn Knitters' Firefly swap, which is a bit different from what I'm used to. It runs on a point system, so I have a feeling it will end up being closer in size to the Buffy swap than the OD ones.

So yeah, I'm going to be a bit busy for the next couple of months. The two small boxes need to be sent out October 24th, and the bigger one November 15th, so yeah, I really should get back to that top hat...

Buffy Aug 27-Oct 24
Firefly Sep 4-Oct 24
TARDIS Sep 15-Nov 15