3.30.2009

don't lie, you know you love paddle boats

So, I'm very frustrated with my laptop at home. My USB ports have decided to stop detecting devices, so I cannot A) upload pictures or B) put my newest music finds on my ipod. It sucks. I've searched throughout the interweb universe and cannot find an answer that works, and I've tried EVERYTHING. I'm going to keep looking and see how much I have to spend to fix it, but uploading pictures until then will be difficult, so bear with me.

My mom is in town! We did a lot this weekend at the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. It was beautiful. Cherry trees are definitely my favorite tree, and maybe even my favorite thing ever that grows out of the ground in general. Love them. Again, I have pictures, but it will have to wait.

I have ACTUALLY made some knitting progress on a very belated gift to Constance...the Kittyville Hat! Most of you know the pattern from the first Stitch N' Bitch book...you can get the pattern for free at Ravelry now. It's pretty cute I think. I'm just about done with it...just need to add the ears and block.

I've applied for the Peace Corps and now I need to focus on losing weight and getting healthy so I can pass the medical screening. It's very exciting. Changing diet completely (again) and working out. I'm soooo sore from it, but I need to break my bad habits! Wish me luck.

Sorry about the semi-boring posts lately. I've lost some pep in my step as of late, but I'll get it back...yes.

3.16.2009

Oy! Oy gevald!

So, it's been a very long time! I suppose I delayed blogging because I haven't made that much progress on creative projects (although I somehow keep managing to build up a list of projects that I PLAN to do). I've really been focused on the apartment mostly, which is fully unpacked and awesome! I need to take some good pictures of it and post them. Thanks to craigslist and Ikea, my small little apartment is homey, clean, and adorable. Blake and I love it. So do the kitties.

Because I've been in out of knitting lately, my latest obsession is with watercolors and sumi-e art. I've had my eye on some sets (and books) to learn and play with different techniques, but so far I've just dabbled, really. There's a site called OrientalArtSupply.com that has some really neat stuff that I'd recommend. And of course DickBlick.com...duh. But, DC car inspection/repair/registration stuff has me pretty broke, so those supplies (and a sewing machine and quilting books/supplies) will have to wait. Sigh.

So we've had some visitors in lately, including our K-Bear and also Rhianna and Jay! We've had a really fun week with everyone that came in. Although I've decided to try this new thing out where I don't talk so much shit about other people. I mean, I'm not that bad, but it comes off as negative and mean and I don't like it. Yep.

If you guys haven't taken the Meyers-Briggs Test, you should! It's kinda fun. I'm INFJ (the rarest personality type, wurrd), and Blake is a ENFP. Everything we read on our respective types fit us to a tee. Take it and tell me if you think it's accurate!

Upcoming projects I have in mind (and, because no post is complete without a picture, I've included visuals!):

The "Color Wheel Quilt", found in "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson. I was inspired to do this when I saw it on the Purl Bee blog (see links at right), and I have a very specific twist on what is to be my first large scale quilted project. I'll give you a hint: it will be a gift to someone on a very big day in the future...and the fabric used in it will be of Japanese origin (but isn't everything if I have my way?). More to come on that...


Blake and I are very inspired by the art of Yoshitaka Amano (you may know him as the artist who created the Final Fantasy game series). I like his pale colors and sketchy lines, and I think, with my own flavor added, that I will be very good at sumi-e and watercolors. I can't wait.


As far as knitting goes, I'm really into hats right now. Chunky, intricate, instantly gratifying hats. I'm currently lusting to start the Cuckoo pattern by Natalie Larson. So pretty. I think I'd like it in gray...or brown maybe.


Also, I'm reading my first Chabon book! And it's full of Yiddish. Did you guys know that I'm really into Jewish culture? Asian culture...and Jewish culture...pretty different, but they draw me, what can I say. Anyway, this book is really good so far. It's called "The Yiddish Policeman's Union". And it has a little mini glossary in the back with Yiddish words! Like Goyim and Kibitz...and Shtupping! What language is more fun, seriously? In otherwords, I highly recommend this book. And also "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Murakami....I just finished it a week ago and it was an amazingly beautiful book.

Ok! So I'll post more regularly from now on! Happy early St. Patty's day!