inspiration and other things

It's been a while since I have posted. Between San Fransisco (pics are here), AnimeFest (pics are here) and other general life, I haven't been too inspired to knit or sew... or create, for that matter. Until this afternoon... sort of...

While catching up on some blogs, I came across this post on Craft Critique about "Wreck This Journal". What a fun little book... er... journal! After more Amazon searching, there are also other books journals by Keri Smith that are now on my DO WANT list... Living Out Loud, How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum, This Is Not a Book, and The Non-Planner Datebook. Even her website has some great creativity-inspiring activities! Don't you think that one or more of these would make for a great blog-jumpstart? again.... DO WANT!!

Oh! Monday, I did try my hand at making Miso Ramen... It was a COMPLETE SUCCESS! I used this recipe on About.com, omitting the pork and using regular noodles from the cheapie instant ramen. I am going to try an alternative version, again omitting the pork but also swapping veggie bouillon instead of using chicken. It was soooooooooooooo frakkin' good!! I could eat it every day!

We Have Peas!

 

These are our first little snap peas in the garden! I am so excited! Snap peas are my favorite! I love to pick and eat them right off the plants!

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There is also still a lack of serious knitting.  I have, however, found some fabric in my stash that will make another pretty Spring Ruffle Top. So, when all is said and done, I should have three!

I’m off to go lay in bed and read some Naruto manga!

WIP - Spring Ruffle Top #1 - Cupcakes

WIP - Spring Ruffle Top #1 - Cupcakes, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

This cute fabric is going to be this Spring Ruffle Top, that I saw on Sew, Mama, Sew via Craftzine! Candice, Allison & AJ are going to be super jealous!

Off to start sewing! Bye!

LiL Vegi Garden

2009-04-15 --- LiL Vegi Garden, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

Robyn and I finished our LiL Veggie Garden this week. It's on the south side of the house, where the sun is always shining and there are no doggies! We've even added a few more plants, after I took this picture.

Already planted:
* Sweet Peas
* Cucumber
* 2 Cherry Tomatos
* Mr Stripey Tomato -- cuz they look cool!
* Chili Peppers
* Watermelon
* Lemon Basil
* 3 Marigolds -- to keep the buggies away

Still to be planted (in the baby-greenhouse, sprouting from seeds right now):
* Carrots
* Lettuce

We are so excited! So is my Papa. he likes that he can play in our garden without having to bother the doggies.

FO: Chemo Cap for Robyn's Friend Stephanie

FO: Chemo Cap for Robyn's Friend Stephanie, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

Pattern: Chemo Cap, by Kaity Von Rader (rav link)
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Brites
Needles: US7 + US9

I started and finished this project within a couple of hours. It was perfect Easter knitting in front of the DVR.

It turned out to be a very cute spring chemo cap! I am so happy with it! I used Caron Simply Soft so it would breathe, yet protect Stephanie's head from the sun. I hope she likes it. Robyn, the person that requested it does.

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I worked a little on our Lil Vegi Garden tonight. It now has border bricks and some picket fencing, per Robyn's request. I've tilled, added good dirt and tilled some more. All I need is one more big bag of good dirt, then we can start planting the veggies!

Swiped! Re-fashioned Beer Bucket

2009-04-09 --- Impatients in a converted beer bucket, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

My sweet husband received this Guinness beer bucket from his mother for his birthday. Being the mean, evil wife that I am, (with the idea from Robyn) I swiped it and punched a couple of holes in the bottom for water to drain. After a trip to Walmart, I planted some pretty-pretty impatients. My house has gotten a lot prettier and greener since Robyn & Ray moved in!

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Did I mention that I have set up my own hub domain? http://www.BigPikaChica.com Be sure to bookmark it! You can access my Flickr, Facebook, Swap-Bot, and blog from there! Plus, I can update it with anything else that I want to add. Oh! I've also created a pattern page with links to all of my knitting patterns!

2009 MMorg Easter Egg Hunt

2009 MMorg Easter Egg Hunt, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

Last Saturday was the 2nd Annual Metroplex MINI Egg Hunt. We had a ton of fun, hanging out with friends and not causing trouble for once. Check my Flickr for more fun pictures.

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I've been working on a pair of knitted breasts that I am calling "Her Evening Pair". Not so secret, but I want to wait until they are finished before I post any pictures. There is a story behind them and I want to get it right, so Robyn will have to be next to me when I make their FO post. I'm also still knitting up the foot of my Not-Anniversary Socks. Pretty boring so far.

K... I guess I should go to bed and get some zzzzzzzzzzzz... I feel like I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. Naruto, DSi, friends and knitting have all been getting in the way.

Sock Hiatus, no more!

Rocky, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

I finally cast on a pair of socks yesterday, on my dating anniversary with my husband. Of course, this is the first year that we have a wedding anniversary, so we won't celebrate our dating anniversary anymore.

So… I started are my Not-Anniversary and they are knit in sock yarn that my sweet husband bought for me at my LYS a week or so ago. I am using my favorite sock pattern, Denise's Toe-Up Socks, but this time I am using US 1 needles for a tighter knit. Depending on how many stitches it takes to get over my toe, I may go through one of my stitch dictionaries and pick out a stitch pattern for the leg... or I could just stick with plain, old ribbing. I'm simple that way.

I've also been playing with my Nikon D40. Above is an amazing picture of Rocky, our Min Pin. All of a sudden, all of the doggies have decided to get along together! This is soooo nice! Of course, Rocky was never really housebroken by his previous owners and his has been a 99% outside dog. That just means that we have to keep the backdoor open so everyone can go in and out on their own.

Spring's First Tomatoes

Spring's First Tomatoes, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

I already have tomatoes growing! YAYz! I can't wait for them to turn red so I can eat them!! I wish the other three plant would make some, too!

2009 Earth Hour

2009 Earth Hour, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

This is what we did for Earth Hour. Since it was a little chilly outside, we hung out inside and played a great game of Skip-Bo by candlelight!

I also played with my awesome new toy, a Nikon D40. Woot!