Rainbow blanket is finally done!!!!!!

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Originally uploaded by scullybubbles322

Yep, that's right!!!! The blanket that I started ALLLLL the way back in the summer of 2008, had to take apart over New Years Eve 2008/New Years Day 2009 and restart is FINALLY done!!!


Sick days are good for relaxing and getting things done! It fits on the top of my bed and looks wonderful! I <3 it!

Stitch markers

My very good friend Lindsey recently had a birthday.  As her gift, I decided to make her a set of 9 stitch markers.  They were pretty fun and simple-ish to make once I got the hang of them and got the correct length "head pins."  To make them you need some sort of ring--I used the circular part of a toggle clasp, head pins to put beads on, beads, round nosed pliers, and wire cutters.  I also used flat head pliers (not actually sure that is their name...but the head was flat lol) to hold the toggle/head pin as I wrapped it around itself.  Once I figured out how to properly hold what I was making it got easier.  I didn't write up a tutorial for them, but you can find a good one here.

And for the final result....drum roll please......

All nine markers--3 orange, 3 teal, 3 purple.

NYC HDR

So I recently learned about a program to create HDR photographs.  HDR stands for high dynamic range and has to do with allowing a greater difference between the light and dark areas of a photograph.  It can be created from using multiple images shot at different exposures and then mapping them together or it can be done with software like NIK HDR (which is what I've been playing with).

I only have a 15 day trial, but I've really enjoyed it so far.  Obviously I need to work on getting the HDR better, but here are some samples I've worked on.

NYC skyline before and after:

Amsterdam Avenue before and after:

Pepsi can before and after:

Mossy log before and after:

Rose before and afters (two different images):

1/12th of 2011 done!

I think I've had a pretty productive 2011 so far--in crafting, school, and life!  I've been working on a few new projects and I've been commissioned to make two more baby blankets for the first half of the year ;) YES!

I have a deadline of March coming up for blankets for twins--a boy and a girl.  I'm not a fan of giving very gendered gifts myself, but my mom wanted a "boy" colored blanket and a "girl" one....so I do what my mom says (well, when they are for her friend hehee).  I'm just about done with the "boy" one and have started the "girl" one.

The "boy" one :)

Beginning of the "girl" :).

I've also been busy on the train working on my accordion scarf! Interning 3 days a week plus going to see my advisor at least once a week makes for a lot of time commuting!  Especially with all this snow...lol things are delayed!  I took this picture a few days ago, I'm actually further along!

Oh and not related to yarn per say (except that I *was* knitting as I was waiting for the class to begin....) I participated in the 90 minute challenge at CKO on 1/15/11.  It was awesome as usual.  Each trainer trained us for 10 minutes and kept switching.  Class is usually 60 minutes and you can burn at least 800 calories, so 90 minutes is quite the challenge!

Annnnnnd, since I don't like to make things easy or back down, this past Monday night I created my own "120 minute challenge."  I took two back to back classes with my favorite trainer (and in my opinion one of the harder ones).  My friend Steph and I rocked the two hours...I feel so good that I wish I could do that EVERY single day!

This is "my" bag....I <3 it.  I've kicked off 3 to date....

And I've officially started work on my dissertation!  Last semester was sort of a preview of what I thought I'd be doing, but now it is official!  My advisor even estimates that I might be able to have my proposal done by the end of the semester, which would be fantastic!  The research has to do with causal inference and the effect of being place into a remedial course (or some other sort of course that placement occurs by using a cut score) on students that are virtually the same except being placed differently.  More to come when I have more written out :).

Scheming and dreaming...

There are a bunch of things in the works for this underground hooker ;-).  Look for updates!!!

Ahem...Craftini Marini! :)

Interchangeable Needle Sets

I think that I would like to buy a set of interchangeable needles. They are good to have so you don't need to buy a ton of different circular needles. I have a few pairs of circulars, but I find myself buying the same needle size with different cable lengths, which is kind of a waste. It would be much better to have one set of needle tips that you can change with different cable lengths. This way, not only do you save space, but you know you have a set all ready to go with various cable sizes! No more running to A.C. Moore or Michaels to get a different size cable!

Well, anywho, I digress a little. I've been looking at the Knit Picks sets cause I like that company and they look nice :). The sets are kind of expensive and there are different types of needle tips...so it can be confusing what to get. Also, what if, by some strange chance, I don't like working with interchangeable needles....I would have wasted like $80! Well, I found this lovely set today! It comes with three size needles and two different size cables AND each of the needle sizes is a different material. It is like the perfect tester set! AND it is under $20. SO cool! I might have to get this in the near future :).

TRY IT Needle Set from KnitPicks.com

Accordion scarf

This is my newest "train project.". Yes, the picture is terrible, but I'm so anxious to share, I just couldn't wait for my actual camera!

Love the pattern! Can't wait for the finished product!

Two things I need to make...

I discovered and quickly fell in love with two patterns today.  One is the Ringwood gloves that are featured in Knitty and the other is a cabled iPad sleeve featured in haramis knits (blog).  I don't as of yet own the iPad, but I'm planning on getting one and it will need a nice home! :) As for the gloves, I just love them, and have the perfect yarn home for them!!! Wish I was knitting now :).

Some first week of January 2011 snow!

When it snows I think everything looks like frosted cupcakes :).  It snowed the other day again, but not nearly like the "Blizzard of 2010."  So armed with my new camera bag (holds my camera and stuff like my wallet and keys hooray!) I ventured out to run a few errands.  I of course snapped a bunch of pictures along the way!

The fire hydrant looked like a snow cone :).  I loved the way the yellow looks against the snow!

The winter sky looks so beautiful!

I think this snowman is extra frosty!  However, I don't think he really minds at all!

Little lights in the snow...I wonder if they get cold at all?  It is nice to see some bright colors against the wintery background!

Picnic time anyone?  We'll be serving snow cones and ice cream!

Part of a tree exists among the ice and pavement.

The sky is beautiful!  The garbage can looks like a dessert!

Feet :) in snow boots.

The orange snow warriors line up, ready to go to battle!

In the distance, the city exists in a wintery wonderland.

Careful while crossing, it might be icy!

I love the way the snow sparkles....

We're supposed to get another storm Tuesday into Wednesday...hopefully I'll get a chance to take some more photos!

Blizzard 2010

Right before 2010 ended, NJ was hit by a blizzard...I think we got like 25 inches of snow.  Here are some photos I took the night before the snow ended....

The view from my front door...that's my neighbor's car and our stairs...which don't look much like stairs at the moment.

This is what I saw as I opened my door....

Notice the snow still falling?

One of the doors to the laundry room the day after.

That garage at the end is mine...yep, my car is in there.  I don't own a shovel, so I had to wait for my complex to finally un-plow-me-in.

It got really windy that night.  As I went for a walk the snow was blowing everywhere!!

Our town plowed semi-well......