Crochet for Christmas
So I have no pictures to post right now, but I have at least 3 or 4 almost finished crochet projects and 2 in progress. I’ve made a pair of slippers, hats (too many, don’t ask), and a purse/pouch that was supposed to be a hat but I got the gauge so wrong it was too small for a hat.
I used a pattern from Crochet World magazine. I have to say I’m not a big fan. At least the magazines were free. A friend of mine gave me a few right before she moved away. The projects tend toward the stuff that gives crochet that “Grandma’s craft” stigma, doilies, hideous afghans, silly ornaments and tree skirts. There are a few patterns, though, that actually aren’t too bad. There’s only one or two per issue, but again they were free.
The pattern I used, Jewel Tone Cloche, was supposed to work up quickly, just a few rounds and a flower. Instead it turned into a five attempt, stop by Joann Fabrics, still not quite right kind of project. The fourth edition fits me, but was still too small. I made it one last time and I think I might have a winner.
The slippers are from a pattern book, Fabulous & Flirty Crochet. There are quite a few projects I want to make from that book. However, when I bought the book, I did not think I would ever make the slippers. They were quite ugly in the colors chosen for the pattern, orange and pink. I went with brown teal as an accent. A little more sedate but then so is the recipient.
I am working on a shawl, Dragonfly Shawl from Interweave Crochet magazine. It’s in the same issue as the Big Bow Cardigan is featured on the cover. This project is proving to be a challenge. I have a cat and the pattern uses lace weight yarn. I think you see the problem already. I have to sequester myself in the spare bedroom away from the nice big screen TV and my husband which is very boring. It is also a very detail intensive pattern, so I can’t watch things with subtitles. Suffice to say, I’m stalling on doing this one! Unfortunately, I need to get it done before Christmas, so I really need to stop procrastinating!
I recently started a pattern from DROPS & Garnstudio. It’s a European yarn company with the most beautiful crochet patterns! I’m hoping I have enough yarn for the project because what I bought was on clearance. The chances of my finding more of the same dye lot are quite small! I seem to be going through quite a bit of yarn, too. I like the color of the yarn. I forget the brand but its Kelly green Solari 100% cotton. I don’t like working with it too much. It’s some type of treated or differently woven cotton. I don’t know my fibers that well.
I am nearly finished with the Queen Anne Lace blouse. I had the recipient try it on before adding the sleeves, just in case. I was so happy to discover that it fit her perfectly! Now I just have to sew in the sleeves and the buttons, and clean up the side seams. I will post pictures here when I’m done.
Monsters Within aka Ghost Plantation or NaNoWriMo 2009
I finally finished my latest opus! I know there are a few plot holes and I’m confused about whether I wrote a section or only dreamt it. Since I have not read over my own work, I have no idea if it’s any good. As far as I know, there hasn’t been anyone who has actually read any of it so far. I’m not whining, just letting anyone who does eventually read this why there may be some glaring problems with this manuscript/rough first draft.
As for the title, I finally settled on Monsters Within. Perhaps once people start reading it, someone will offer a better title.
To download the full manuscript, click on the cover image below.
NaNoWriMo small update
Last night was shot for writing. I had a feeling breaking off when I did for two whole days may have been a mistake. I feel like I’ve lost some momentum. Part of the problem is how to make the discovery of Melissa’s body dramatic or tense without making it too cliche. I don’t know that I will succeed, but there it is. Here’s the rest of the last chapter from my last posting:
Ghost Plantation: Frank is truly evil
I know Ghost Plantation is such a cheesy title, but I can’t think of a better title yet. I am hoping the death scenes aren’t too hokey. I am happy to say that I have made it to 25k words as of last night!
Would love to hear from anyone who has read any of this.
Here’s a tease of the next couple of chapters. You can read the rest after the jump.
Melissa’s sobs shook her entire body. The three cousins had grown up together. They were like siblings. Jonathan’s horrific babbling washed over her like waves of fire. Each sob felt as if she were going to break in two. George held her helplessly not realizing the tears running down his own paling features.
Frank watched it all in detachment. He was surprised and a little excited at the way Jonathan’s words made him feel. He understood now why the fog had felt so empowering. He struggled to hide his emotions. These sensitive rich kids would, could never understand. They lacked the character, the backbone to comprehend true power. His eyes fell on Alexia’s horrified expression. Such a little treasure she was. His eyes slid past her to the sniveling girl on the ground. His lip curled in mild disgust. He never could take the sight of such a show of emotion.
A thought came to mind that had Frank turning around to hide his smile.
“I think we should get back inside as quickly as possible. There may be a wild animal loose out there. We’ll get to the hotel staff and they’ll call the authorities,” Frank said.
He knelt down by George and the still weeping Melissa. She shied away from him immediately. Melissa did not want him anywhere near her. It was his fault Vicky had gotten separated from them. If he had just been a little nicer to her, she would… Melissa began to cry again too tired for the sobs. The pain shook her body instead. Bobby who had remained silent throughout everything stepped in and embraced Jonathan. He rocked his friend as if he were a child. He made shushing noises, repeating, “It’s ok, man, it’s ok.”
NaNoWriMo: Day 11 Chapter 7
So I forgot my flash card with my WIP on it at work yesterday. I had to try and work from memory from where I thought might have left off. I actually did pretty well. I only forgot about one line that I was in the middle of when I left work yesterday. I am writing my third death scene ever. I almost forgot about last year’s NaNoWriMo novel and my first published short story. By published, I mean it was printed in my high school’s literary journal. Anyway, here is the next chapter.Click on the more link to read it.
I’d love to hear from anyone who may be reading this in full. I’ve kind of given up on having anyone read any of my novels from beginning to end. After all, they are extremely rough drafts, so I don’t blame my family for not wanting to read the stuff.
NaNoWriMo Day 10
NaNoWriMo is progressing fairly well. I am ahead of schedule at the moment by a day. My goal is to be two days ahead by Friday, so I can take the weekend off and work on some crochet projects I’ve got lined up for Christmas.
For any of you who are following this year’s story click on the more tab to read the rest of the story. Any of you interested in reading the first part click here.
NaNoWriMo 2009!
I have been plugging away at my contribution for National Novel Writing Month since November 1, and just now I’m getting around to posting about it!
I doubt anyone is interested in actually reading this thing at this point, but I will add the text here nonetheless.
The working title is pretty lame, but it is only a place holder after all, Ghost Plantation. I haven’t come up with anything better yet, unfortunately. I’m sure something will come to me before too much longer. I am currently right on track even though I wanted to be two days ahead. Oh well, if I finish my word count for today, I will be at least one day ahead.
This year’s story is also based on a dream I had a while back. I don’t remember the dream too well only that there was a plantation and a mist and rich kids in danger. The story then that I came up with goes something like this:
Two siblings, Cameron and Alexia, rich New England types, travel to a South Carolina resort for two weeks vacation thanks their grandparents, except when they were nearly there they discovered their reservations had been moved. They are now staying at The Plantation Hotel. An old converted plantation. Their rich friends start arriving to spend the two weeks with them, Becca and Carrie, Alexia’s friends, Adrian and Frank, Cameron’s friends and Amanda, Cameron’s girlfriend. The sibs meet Susannah, the hotel owner’s daughter when they arrive. They’re trapped by a storm. There’s no concern until some of the guests start going missing in this dense unfathomable fog. Is there something out in the fog or is there a killer among the guests? I don’t know yet, maybe it’s both.
For those mildly interested click the more tab to read the first few chapters:
Flirty 30’s Tank Top
I finally finished the top from Interweave Crochet’s 2008 summer issue. 
It took a while only because I had a problem with a big tangled mess that I posted previously. I thought it came out quite beautifully. I had a little trouble weaving in the ends, so I’m not sure how long it will last. I will try to keep washings to a minimum, I think.
I love this pattern. It was so easy to follow. My only problem initially was that there were not pictures of the back to know where the buttons would go, but the pattern was easy enough to follow there. Unfortunately, the pattern does not explain how to finish off completely where the ribbon is concerned, so I did not actually finish it. The ribbon is left loose in the back. As long as I wear my hair down, you can’t really tell. I will post the picture of the top being worn tomorrow.
Isis aka Little Furry Terrorist
Isis with new mouse toy
My husband and I have adopted a kitty cat. She is gorgeous, with beautiful black fur, and a little tiger striping underneath, she is a sweetheart, a regal queen, and a brat. We’ve had her for a total of 5 days including today and already she has us both wrapped around her little delicate claws. By delicate of course I mean until last night, razor sharp! She endured her first vet visit better than my husband did. All she wanted was some alone time in her carrier for a few hours, my husband on the other hand was afraid she would never speak to us again. It turns out she was even more loving after that ordeal than ever. She climbed right into my lap and watched me play on the computer until she decided she wanted a hug. She crawled up my chest and rubbed herself under my chin a few times. I’m not much of a ticklish person, but her little fir just set me off giggling.
Her namesake is from two sources, Isis from the 52 comic book in which she featured as Black Adam’s wife and a superhero in her own right and the 1970’s TV show, The Secrets of Isis. I never saw the TV show, but my husband did as reruns. There is an apparently huge cult following for that character.
Isis from 52 was my main inspiration. I didn’t finish reading that book, so I did not see how she changed later. Her introduction, though, was pretty awesome as pictured here.
You can see the resemblance, yes?
Yarn Disaster
I bought some very lovely hand dyed yarn at a local yarn shop a few weeks ago. I was very excited, the colors are gorgeous, the yarn fine and soft. In short perfect for a cute summer crochet tank. But then! Let us take into account that I am still a relative newbie when it comes to yarn and crochet but especially to more expensive yarn. Now imagine this beautifully coiled skein and an excited amateur sitting down together. This ameteur does not own a yarn swift (pictured). Some of you more experienced can already see where this is going. For the rest of you, this is what happens when you think you know everything:
