Oh hai!

I haven't been hiding... Well, I have. It's not that I haven't been creating anything, I just haven't felt like blogging about it. We just moved into our NEW house, so I actually get my craft room back and it gets to have a serious makeover! You could almost call it my studio!

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I’ve picked up a few more hobbies, like painting with oils and acrylics. Thanks to my friends, Learn & Pug, who have inspired me to pick up a paintbrush. That lead to going to going to my first Painting With A Twist with Robyn, where we painted ‘Japanese Princess’.

Then I painted two paintings that I call “Pug’s Pugs”, because that is what they are!

Which lead to me signing up for an oil painting class at the City of Hurst. Pictures of that painting and its evolution will be posted next week, after the last class of the session.

Last week, I took Robyn to another Painting With A Twist for her birthday. This time, we painted “Ballerina” which was a lot of fun! My Aunt Peggy was in town and she joined us for a bottle of wine and some painting, too!

I even have some paintings in the works to decorate the kitchen in our new house! All three are Japanese food themed.

And finally, the last of the painting update… I created two 4x4 Fatbook Pages for two Swap-Bot swaps, from Painting With A Twist inspirations, but cropped and a much smaller scale. These were sent to the same swap partner and made me think of Gossip Girl, one of her favorite American dramas.

• 4x4 Fatbook Page #3
• 4x4 Fatbook Page #4

Swaps for pages #5 to #12 are still accepting sign-ups!

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I’ve also been sewing A LOT and I realized I <3 my Singer 15-91 and the way it sews so much more than my other two machines!!! It make the prettiest stitches, even if the are only straight. I finally my GMIL’s old Singer (not the 15-91) repaired and I am still having trouble with the tension. :pout: I really don’t want to take it back to the jerks at Richland Sewing Center and have them fix it again. All they do is try to up-sell me on a new machine. No, thank you. I prefer my vintage machines.

On the left is my Cherry Shirt, which just might be one of my new favorite patterns. I will note which pattern it is when I get home. On the right are some Fat Quarter Napkins from Weekend Sewing. So fun and so easy! I really need to just break down and buy this book instead of borrowing it from the library.

I’ve even been sewing some really cute dog dresses for my aunt and also my ArtFire shop!

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Knitting has been happening a little. I think I only have one FO, besides some kitchen clothes. My old bestie, Al-Breath, and I decided to do a KAL where we swapped sweaters at the end! I finished hers about a month ago and sent it!

PATTERN: Pinwheel Sweater from Elann.com (rav link)
YARN: Lion Brand Wool Ease

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That’s all I know for now! I really hope to start blogging my projects again… even if the posts are from my iPhone. I love being able to share what I’ve created and maybe my recent desire to begin art journaling will make me post my stuffs more often!

DONE!!

I sewed up the pillowcase today, after finding the perfect pillow!  The pillowcase has snaps on the back to keep it around the pillow. Gizmo doesn’t seem to care, because it isn’t broken in yet.

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.

FO: Just A Scarf

FO: Just A Scarf, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

Allow me to introduce you to Shultz. He moved in with Robyn & Ray and he is a big baby. Here he is hanging out in the chair that we designated as his. I used to HATE this dog. Now he has grown up and is such a sweetie. So sweet that he didn't even care that I was using him to model my finished scarf.

Yes, I know that it is two-tone. I could have stuck the blue, partial ball in the middle of the two pink balls. That's what a normal person would do. I decided that I would add it to the end. It's the same yarn, just another colorway, both of which came from my Aunt Debby.

YARN: Stacy Charles Sabrina in 24 (pink) & 25 (blue)
NEEDLES: US13

This scarf reminds me of The Barf Scarf but a lot lighter.

Of course, now I want to knit scarves and it is starting to get warm in Texas (except for this weekend).

Strut Your Mutt 2009

I'm Strutting My Mutt for the SPCA of Texas!!
March 21, 2009


Please click here to make a donation to the SPCA of Texas!
http://www.spca.org/goto/bigpikachica

Cold Morning!

Cold Morning!
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

I was cold and icy this morning! These local schools were closed, so I didn't go into work until noon.

When I woke up from my morning nap (wink), I noticed these little feet sticking out from under the covers! So cute! I had to take a picture! This is all that you saw of my little silly-boy, Cooter.

Such a cute pic, and much better than the ice pics that I normally post.

Yup... Just like Cooter, our rat terrier...

When Erik gets up gets up in the morning, Cooter likes to crawl under the covers with me. Only, he wants to lay as close to me a physically possible, even that means that I need to move over.


see more puppies

OMG!

A LoLdog is impersonating my Cooter-dog!!!
I would swear that this was him,
except I didn't submit any pics and he hates everyone!
Plus, that's not his collar. He can take those off.


see more dog pictures

Everything but knitting...

So I bought two more pairs of Converse sneakers last week. The pink and black ones were only $20 at Marshalls. I couldn't resist. I think these are my favorite pair!! Cooter thinks I am a little crazy, can't you tell?

Then, when I got home, I noticed that the OVERPRICED ebay sellers had my clear ones (drool!) in stock. That is when I check Journeys and, sure enough, they had them!!! So I bought them too, only after asking permission since I am a shoe-ho!

John, my other boyfriend/UPS delivery man, brought me my new, CLEAR Chucks yesterday. I am in L-U-S-T with them!! They look great with my hand knit socks!! They are a little foggy, but I am wearing acrylic socks (its too warm for wool) and it is very humid today.

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I also have been playing in the dirt some more!! I bought some Margarita Sweet Potato Vines to plant in my cinder-block wall. I had placed some pavers on top to make it a solid wall, but I switched around the pavers and the top row of blocks to make them into planters. I can't wait to see it cascading down the little block wall!!




Lastly, I finally acquired a human-powered lawn mower. Just another way for me to get some exercise and reduce lawn mower emissions, thus reducing my footprint a little bit more. I really like how this thing cuts. It has a little trouble with some of the softer weeds, but I just yank them up if they aren't cut. Whats better is that it doesn't make the loud noise that a gas mower makes. I can actually listen to my iPod while I cut the grass!

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Oh!!! Today I took my wedding dress to get it altered to fit!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! Can you tell that I am excited?

From black to green ( I hope!)

Thumbs, that is!!

I'm been on an earthy kick lately, haven't I!?!?

Well... My grandfather has this garden at our lake house that grows the best veggies! All summer, we have tomatoes that are like apples. They are the meatiest tomatoes I have every eaten. After a long day of playing on the water, I like to go up there and pick one and eat it right off the plant. YUM!

My grandfather also likes those gimmicky things that you see on tv. That is where my upside-down tomato plants come in. He bought two of the Gardener's Revolution Planters for me to try. I figured, why not.

So, I now have 6 tomato plants, two in the upside-down planters and four in the ground by my retaining wall. I know they won't be nearly as yummy as my grandfather's but a girl can hope, right?

See the flowers in the fountain in the background of that picture on the left? I planted those last week! That fountain was left in a rental property, as well as my birdbath. Erik kept yelling at me because they kept filling up with rainwater and breeding mosquitoes. Now, they hold pretty flowers. They've lasted a whole week, which is a major success for me!

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Oh! I have to share the pics of Miss Gizmo after her trip to the groomer yesterday. Erik kept saying that he wanted Mo to have a pink mohawk. The Petsmart groomer doesn't have doggy-dye, but they did successfully give her the mohawk. It is sooo cute!!!! I will definitely do it again!! I think she really liked it too! She was prancing around the house like she owned it!

And Rocky makes 3!

Rocky has come to live at my house, in his own yard, of course. I wish that Erik and I didn't have such territorial doggies. So far, things seem to be ok. Cooter has never had a fence buddy before!

I feel better now....

because of these...



moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

First Felting! YAY!

Oooohhh!! Knitting!!! Ahhhh!! Entrelac!!! I can feel an addiction coming on!

I worked on my TomTom cozy pocket this weekend. I hadn't intended on felting it, until it originally turned out too small. I know that doesn't sound right, but hear me out. hehehe

I wanted to make it so all I would have to do was fold it in half and seam it. Like I said, too small. So I worked up another piece that is exactly the same and I seamed them. Then it was into the washing machine for some hot, felting action! It is now drying, so it can be used. I don't think electronics and wet wool are a good combination. I had to make my pocket match my MINI!

Oh! Did I forget to mention that Erik/Santa brought me a TomTom XL-S for Christmas? Just checked, and I did mention it. :o)Santa also bought Super Paper Mario for the Wii. Ok, so I am a little behind on the video games right now. But.... This game is friggin' awesome!! I love it!!! It a new twist on the Mario that I love!! I hear little hints of music and see visuals from previous Mario games!

Even better... Tammie (my dad's wife) got Super Mario Galaxy! When we are done with out Mario games, we are going to swap! That way we are both saving money! YAY!

And finally... Some Monday morning cuteness!!! Erik and Cooter snuggling this morning. I couldn't help taking advantage of this photo opportunity! Cooter really snuggles like this EVERY MORNING with me, after Erik leaves for work.

Hello Mo-Mo!

20071213 - Gizmo
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

I am sick. Stopped up, head throbbing, can't get comfy, sick. I don't want to do anything but sleep. But I can't. I wish I could knit, but it makes my head hurt. Enough about me.

This is Gizmo. She is a new addition to the house. Mo-Mo was one of my mother's dogs. When Gizmo was separated from her friend Tinker, because of Tinker's back issues, she would eat through the crate. Tinker's surgery in July was when Mo came to live with me temporarily.

I took her back to Mom's and Tink's back went out again. That short trip to the vet caused Gizmo to eat the crate, again! That's when I brought Mo back to my house. Her and Cooter have always LOVED eachother.

I think Gizmo likes it better here. She gets to lay on the couch and sleep in the bed. See! She's even smiling in the picture! Seriously! That's not an underbite!

I'm off to drink some Nyquil for the slim chance that I can be well enough for Erik's company Christmas party that's tomorrow night. I bought a killer dress with killer shoes. So effin' hot!

Who Wants a Wii??

I'm a retard. I should have called my Dad BEFORE I bought him a Wii. We were both on a quest for one and both of us scored one today. So, mine is up on Ebay.

BUY MY WII!!

Yeah. I'm trying to make a little $, since I just paid an unexpected and expensive vet bill. Poor Cooter had an abscessed tooth which caused an eye infection and required surgery. [INSERT PITY CARD HERE!!]

I also have some other video game goodies and a scrapbooking lot for sale!

Actual knitting!?!?!

I got to knit this weekend and my Tivo is EMPTY! I'm caught up on my TV and I have nothing to watch now! I wish I could read and knit... (sigh!)

My feet will be warm this winter with some yummy socks! These are just Plain Jane toe-up socks knit on US 2 needles. Knit Picks was really generous with their Simple Stripes yarn. It is a shame that it has been discontinued. I love this color way!






Also! Nymphadora got a new dress last night! I stayed up until 2 to get this finished and photographed. It still needs to be blocked, but I really wanted to see it on her.

She looks like a cute little pumpkin! Perfect for Halloween!

The pattern is the Lace Leaf Dress from Den of Angels. I knit it in Jawoll Cotton that I picked up at the Simpatico Yarns Firecracker Sale (I think).

When that was finished, I still had about half an SVU left to watch, so I cast on my next pair of socks, River Rapids Socks from Sockbug.

I gotta run... again! It is discount vaccination day and we have to take Rocky, Erik's dog, to get his shots.