Crocheting: An Adventure in FRUSTRATION.

Last night, I went to the store.  It was extremely dark and foggy, but I live fairly near the North Pole, and so, these things are not that unusual around here.  Braving the chill, I was able to make my goal of purchasing some Teach-Yourself-To-Crochet materials.

So far, things have pretty much gone like this:

Yes, at first, I was very confused.

Then I sort of mastered the Single Chain stitch deal.

I felt pretty good about that.

But now, I am attempting to learn the Half Double Chain stitch deal.

This is not so good, and has resulted, more or less, in a lot of this:

Me: Why don't you cooperate, Crochet Hook.

Crochet Hook: Because I don't want to.

Me: I will break you in half.

Crochet Hook: No, you won't.  You paid four bucks for me.

Me: ^%^&$%%&*&%@##$@*

Yeah, so far, all I have to show for HOURS of work is this small fabric swatch, which proves that I can at least crochet the single chain:

Yeah, sad as it is, I'm pretty proud of that little swatch.  Although, to tell you the truth, I probably didn't even do that right.  Le sigh.

Some days, you know?

Probably the best thing to do would be to find someone who actually understands how to crochet, the problem there being that everyone I know knits, not crochets.

Before she passed on, our dear grandmother was going to teach me how to crochet.  I never got the chance to learn from her, but boy, would that have been a dream!  She's the one who told me that learning to crochet would be easier than learning to knit.  To which I emphatically say, 'Huh?'

Alright, I guess I'll give my poor hands a break and get ready for Nate's cello concert.

Hoot.

This is a mask.  It is gorgeous.  I want it.  I also really want to learn to sculpt masks from leather.  These are incredible.  I'm partial to owls, but there are many amazing animals in their shop.  I'm just so impressed by these; I thought I'd share.

Also, in case you're wondering about the process as much as I am/ for my own future reference, I am including a handy link to a tutorial on making leather masks.  Maybe I'll do it someday.  I also think just learning to work leather, maybe making leather bracelets or something, would be fun.

Today, however, my goal is to learn how to crochet.  We'll see.

I mean, I guess that's more of a long-term goal, but my plan is to at least START today.

It's raining out, so it's a good day to put this plan into action.

This goal stems from my love of hats.  I really want to make a dark blue/bronze one.

I already have too many hats.  But they're SMALL.  I can stuff them all in one drawer.  It's less of a problem than if I collected jeans, or something.  Those take up a lot of room.

I would, ahem, like to point out that I live in Alaska.  Hats are very practical here.

Someday, I'll also crochet an afghan.

Simple goals, really.

On the plus side, I've heard that crocheting is easier than knitting.  And I already know how to knit, and that isn't so hard!  So this crocheting thing is going to be easy-peasy, right?  Right.

Oh.  And I'm also making chicken and dumplings for dinner.

It just seems like an appropriate sort of thing to do on a wet, cold, fall day like today, don't you think?

Plus, I have a delicious chicken and dumplings recipe.

Plus, for some reason, cooking chicken and dumplings makes me feel like Ma from the Little House series.  I'm not sure why.  I don't think she ever even made chicken and dumplings.

It just does, okay?

It looks like I might have a busy day at home, after all.

Trifecta

Sooo... I went for the piercing.  I got it done yesterday.  The last time I pierced my ears, I was eight, which was quite a while ago.  I was a little nervous, but I didn't remember it hurting last time.  I think this time it hurt a little bit more than it hurt last time, but it wasn't bad.  It feels completely fine now.

At first I was kind of like, "What did I do!?" because I just wasn't used to seeing it on my ear.  But now, I'm really liking it.  I'm actually so glad I did it.

That said, I think I can officially say that this is my last piercing.

Do you have your ears pierced or anything?

WE ARE TERRIBLE BLOGGERS.

I think I can forgive us, though.

In unrelated news, though, I think I'm going to get my ear pierced again.

I already have just normal earlobe piercings, one on each ear.

I want to add one to my right earlobe, so it will be pierced twice.

I'll stop there.  I just really like the number three, and I like how twice-pierced lobes look.  I'm not really a big piercings enthusiast, or anything like that.

Oh, and, hey, check out what I bought:

Yeah, I just couldn't help myself.  And it seemed very appropriate to mention on this particular blog.

I also bought a whole bunch of blue beads.  Why?

Why, so I can re-create the butterbeer cork necklace, naturally.

I also really want to figure out those dirigible plum earrings, but that seemed like a much more time-consuming project.

I've got to find a Ravenclaw tie, too, because I want to dress up for the new film.  Not as Luna; just as someone who's in Ravenclaw.  I would definitely be in Ravenclaw.

Also, because Luna has some gorgeous long hair, I am reminded that I should update you on that front: operation growing-out-the-hair seems to be progressing well.  It's getting longer.  I haven't cut it... well, except my bangs.  I don't think that should count.  I will keep you updated, and you can keep me accountable, kay?

I love you!

Don't Unplug Me

Yesterday, I went to the store and bought new shampoo and conditioner and everything.  As per your suggestion, I got the "Long Term Relationship" leave-in conditioner.  Oh.  My.  Lanta.

This stuff smells fantastic.  I can't even believe it.  I can already see that this is the beginning of a b-e-a-utiful relationship.  I haven't used the new shampoo/conditioner yet because I haven't actually showered yet.  Later today, I shall.

Now I just have to wait for my hair to get longer, ha.

Also, I greatly enjoy this video:



What can I say?  I'm a sucker for robot love stories, I guess.

It's amazing...

You know, it's really quite fun to think that we went from this:

To this:

...to whatever we are now.  Too bad there's no photographic evidence because I live ridiculously far away.  Sad times.

Maybe that will all change next year.

Maybe not.

But maybe.

Also, your hair is so long.  Teach me your ways.  I'm trying to grow my hair out right now.  I've kept it around shoulder length for a really long time.  I don't want it quite so long as yours, or anything.  But I do wish that it was a little bit longer, you know?

Give the family my love!

Books, books, books.

Yesterday, my pre-ordered copy of Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel arrived in the mail.  I'd been anticipating this book release for quite some time, so suffice it to say that I was reasonably elated when it arrived a day before Amazon told me it would.

If you haven't read any of Ms. Clare's books, I would highly suggest them.  Clockwork Angel is the first installment of a prequel trilogy to her original book series "The Mortal Instruments."  I believe them to be  quite excellent.

That link above will take you to Amazon's page about the first book of her Mortal Instruments series, otherwise, Ms. Clare has a website which you can also visit to learn more about the author/the books, should you wish to know more about either.  The internet is just so fun!

August was a good month for book releases!  It was fun because I haven't been looking forward to books coming out for quite a long time.  Sometimes I think the anticipation of a book release is every bit as fun (though sometimes more painful!) as the pleasure of actually reading the book itself.

Have you read The Hunger Games trilogy?  Mockingjay, the last book of the trilogy, came out in August as well.



Mockingjay was incredible.  I am really beyond words to describe it.  If you are ever in your life going to take a reading suggestion from me, you should choose this one and go find yourself a copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  Right this second.  Stop reading this blog and get thee to a library or a bookstore or something!

Speaking of bookstores, I've always wanted to work in one.  But there aren't any Borders or Barnes and Nobles up here in the far north.  I get my books in the mail.  Le sigh.

Someday, I will move just for the pleasure of working in a bookstore.  I actually did  think about coming down and staying with Aunt Becky for a while this year... but that is probably a whole 'nother blog post.

In unrelated news, when I have babies, they will wear things like this:

Cutest. Baby booties. Ever.

Lots of love from Alaska!