Torrance does...stuff

Top Secret!

2009-12-04T01:50:00.002+02:00

Shhh, don't tell my mom or my sister, but I've been doing some serious christmas present knitting the past few days. My fingers are SORE. I'll start by showing off what I just finished. These are for my sis, she wanted grey knee high socks. And yes, that is a bit of my thigh in that picture. I in fact AM just that sexy. Thank you for asking.

*

*
Pattern: "Palmikkosukat" From the Novita website (only in finnish)
Needles: 3,5mm & 4mm
Yarn: Fleur by Anttila (100% acrylic)
*

I'm pleased with myself for knitting them. And it only took me 2 days. But then again it only took me 2 days to knit two pairs of socks that my mom is getting for christmas. (No, I haven't been sleeping too much the last few days..

*

*
Pattern: Just basic socks
Needles: 3,5mm
Yarn: Satu (100% acrylic)
*

For some reason I can't attatch a link to the other picture without it taking out everything I wrote so far. And I'm too tired to start figuring anything out. But they look the same, except with contrasting colours. You can see them on flickr.

Obsession

2009-11-16T00:07:00.003+02:00

I'm obsessed. With the MMA fighter Gina Carano. She's gorgeous, and can kick some ass! Don't know who she is? One word sweethearts: google. Anyhow, my obsession inspired me to do some cross stitching:

*

*

Long Time No ...Anything

2009-11-15T14:20:00.002+02:00

I haven't been doing about anything the past few months. But I'm trying to get my life (crafting) going again. Hope someone still reads this blog. Oh, and my computer died on me... There goes ALL the crafting pictures from this year. FUCK!

While I've been silent, I've still crafted a few things. I even experimented with polymer clay. And my first project was earrings for my friend:

*

*

And I made a new friend, obviously I had to make her something too. Oh, and she makes the BEST VEGAN CUPCAKES!

Fresh New Ink

2009-09-08T14:59:00.002+03:00

School is taking up a lot of my time right now, so I haven't really had time to craft. But that doesn't keep me from getting new ink..

Just got that done this sunday. And it's still one big outch! As well my other tattoos this also made by my favorite tattoo artist Juha Lensu. One could never tell that there used to be a..mistake.. I made when I was 17 on my upper back. And yes, I got ridiculously sun burned this summer, thus the tan lines..

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry Shoes!

2009-08-14T03:48:00.002+03:00

So.. the idea came from seing this guy with Sailor Jerry chucks. Since I don't have that much to spend on shoes (and one most likely couldn't get those from Finland) I had to get crafty. And by now everyone knows I have a slight obsession with cherries, right? The pattern for the skully cherries is from Urban Threads . Now my shoes and my brooch match!

It's painfully obvious, that I was in a hurry stitching these to the shoes. I'm at my mom's now, but when I get home I'm gonna finish them up with fabric glue.

Keychain LipBalm Cozy (+ tutorial)

2009-08-05T16:51:00.002+03:00

I finally started to write up something of a tutorial for this keychain lipbalm cosy. And here we go:

*
Yarn: Novita Kotiväki

Hook: 2mm

You'll also need: a button and a key loop (or whatever you call them)

Make a yarn loop, crochet 6sc:s in the loop
1st rnd: 2sc:s in every sc = 12sc:s
2nd rnd: *1sc, 2 sc:s in one sc* repeat *-* till the end of the round =18sc
This was big enough for my lipbalm, if you have a thicker lipbalm try making one more increase round.
Continue rounds of 18sc:s until your lipbalm fits all the way in the cozy

FLAP:
*turn your work, ch 1, 5sc, turn
*ch 1, 5sc, turn (rep rounds until you flap about as big as in the pic)

BUTTON LOOP:
(obviously the size of the button loop depends on the button you use, but this one worked for me)
*next round: 1sc in two sc:s (1 sc decrease), chain 6, 1 sc in two sc:s, turn your work
*sl 1, 8sc:s in the chain stitch loop, slip stitch all the way around the whole flap and the edge of the cozy.

FINISHING:
Wiggle the keyloop on to it's place at the base of the flap. Sew in button.
Weave in ends. And you're done!!

This tutorial is for personal use only. As always I'd love to see it, if you're making one.

Going Marine!

2009-07-28T16:46:00.002+03:00

I was in a bit o a earring kick this afternoon. Just made simple earrings out of some scrapbooking stuff I got at a craft store. These I'm going to keep for myself:

And these I'm going to give away. The lighthouse one is going to a friend with a lighthouse tattoo (among others)

I love them. Cute and simple, just like me. Haha.

Missions.

2009-07-25T16:42:00.003+03:00

I’m a girl on a mission. The mission being making sure I always carry condoms with me in every single purse. Let’s just say I never ever want to be in a situation of “you don’t have any either??” (again).

hook: 2mm

yarn: novita kotiväki colori (100% cotton)

pattern: made it up as I went along

There it is. The dircreet little condom pouch. I thought about making a picot edging, but then I thought why bother. 'Cos let's face it: nobody is going to be paying attention to my delicate handiwork in a situation where this little pouch comes to play. It's big enough to hold two condoms. Just in case..

My 10yo niece was with me for a few days at the beginning of this week. She was on a mission too. Her mission was not to separate her new diary and the pen that goes with it. My mission (at that time) was getting her to do some crafting. Not like she needs to be persuaded. Here's the product of our mission (and her hands):

A little kitty drawstring pouch for her diary. Cute right?? All I did was cut the fabric and of course tutor her through the whole thing. The kitten embroidery is her very very first embroidery and done with sublime stitching pattern. It took her a while to choose.."How can I choose what I want to embroider when you've got so damn many pictures?". Oh how I love that kid. Color me proud!!

Pom Pom!

2009-07-08T21:36:00.003+03:00

I saw this yarn in the store, and I just coudn't resist it.. I have no idea if I'm really even going to wear this, but we'll see..

Yarn: Novita Pom Pom (100% Polyester)

Hook: 6mm

Pattern: None

Mood: Ambivalent

I'm usually not a big fan of really cooky efect yarns, but there's always I first time. It took me about an hour to finish.

Cherries, Cherries, Cherries..

2009-06-22T13:44:00.002+03:00

Those of you who have been reading my blog for some time may have noticed I have a some sort of a fixation to cherries. Especially crocheted ones. So here we go again..

Pattern: By me.

Yarn: Coats Lyric 8/4, 100% cotton

Hook: 3mm

Mood: Very very pleased!

I'm seriously going to start using more headbands. I just usually (since the bangs/fringe) use a bandana. And yes, I am that white. I can't help it. It's ridiculous, like I'm border line albino or somthing. And no, my lovely knitting tattoo has not faded that much, it's just the light.

Light Summer Knitting

2009-06-21T21:06:00.004+03:00

So I actually have some knitting done. Who new I could still knit?

I made the Everlasting Bagstopper for my mom in her favourite colour. I made it as a "Hi, I came to visit again"-present.

Pattern: Everlasting Bagstopper by Amy R Singer

Needles: 3,5mm&6mm

Yarn: Novita Luxus Cotton

My 10 yo niece has been crafting too! Isn't it awsome?? I'm so proud

Apparently the horse is made using a tree branch, pantyhose, toilet paper, yarn and felt tip markers. Talk about inspired!

Finally A Brooch (And Great Times)

2009-06-12T16:22:00.004+03:00

Remember these little embroidery pieces I made using Urban Threads patterns? I finally made the cherry one into a brooch. I gave the clover to a friend.

It has two layers of cotton fabric with some padding in between them. Not to mention some lovely sequins and some matt&clear beads for that special something-something. Simple and cute (kinda like me..)

Oh and I have to tell you about my last weekend. It was one of the best (if not THE best) weekend I've ever had. Austin Lucas and Mike Hale had a show here in Jyväskylä. I went, listened to great music (obviously) and somehow me and my friend ended up going with them to Tampere the next day. Great guys, great music. Fun times. Always great to meet new people. The obligatory groupie-esque photo of me and Austin:

Play Safe!

2009-06-04T20:01:00.003+03:00

I made this for a friend. Who.. well he likes sex, a LOT (who doesn't?). And I want to make sure he's safe out there. In his defence I've never heard the "I just didn't have one on me"-line from him, and cos I never ever want to I made him this:

It's going to have either a snap closure or a little piece of velcro (wich ever I find first in this mess). I figured those would be the simplest to operate, 'cos lets face it he's not like a rocket scientist. Not to mention that in a situation where he needs to open this pouch (quickly) there is most likely not goin to be all that much blood pumping through his brain..
*

See that? The happy little condom is ribbed for you pleasure.. The "pattern" was just drawn by me.

Skull Candy

2009-05-31T19:22:00.003+03:00

I don't remember when I started it, but let's just say it wasn't stitched in a day. I had to include an "in progress" shot 'cos the piece just lookes way cooler in it. The awesome pattern is from Urban Threads.

I used split stitch, back stitch and satin stitch on it. I framed the finished piece and gave it to my friends who are a couple. They both have dia de los muertos style tattoos so I figured it would be fitting.

Mine is not as hot as Rachel’s but I try. The awesome pattern is from Urban Threads. I’m getting totally addicted on those patterns, I’m working on one right now.

The Good Auntie

2009-04-30T08:53:00.002+03:00

My niece is turning 10 allready. She's going to be a teenager in a few years. Oh my.. She's having a birthday party next saturday, and she wanted me to make "little surprises" for the girls attending her party. What's an aunt to do?

I cut out some old jeans and made the girls little key chains. All the hearts have a little patch in them that has the recipients initial stamped on it. There's one for the birthday girl too. The one with the O. In the pictures the key chains didn't have keyrings yet, 'cos I bought those on the way to the post office.

And what did I get her as a present? Two plain white long sleeved t-shirts and a bundle of fabric markers. I'm getting that girl into crafting even if it kills me!

Urban Embroidery

2009-04-09T09:22:00.002+03:00

Thanks to the awsome embrodery of Rachel I got hooked on Urban Threads embroidery patterns.

I think I'll make these into brooches, as soon as I figure out what kind of brooches they want to be. I have some sequins and everything... But yeah, I'm pleased with the way the embroidery pieces turned out. I think the many shades of green on the clover looks very good.

Pimp My Bike!

2009-04-04T17:41:00.004+03:00

I know I've been away for almost a month. Life just got in the way. And I still haven't sent Sanna her prize. For shame! But I'll do it next week, I promise!

Last week some asshole stole my bike. Thanks a lot. I just got it out for the spring and the next day it was gone. So I had to get a new bike. A very cheap bike, but hey it goes from point A to B and back again, so I'm happy.

Here she is all blinged out. Yeah.. I thought she needed a little someting something, so I glued on some bling. Me likey. All I need to do now is get some black paint, so i can cover the brand name on the bike.

So what do we think? Cute? Over kill?

Trinkets (and Contest Winner)

2009-03-08T14:25:00.002+02:00

I was at a Finnish nursing convention. Lot of the booths were giving out free crap, and I got these measuring tapes from there. What's a crafty girl to do? Make a cute brooch of course. I like it. And it took all the 150cm of the measuring tape and one button.

I made more earrings. I covered a button with fabric from my broken umberella. I'm still haven't decided if they're ridiculous or cute.

And last but not least: The contest of post 123 was won by the lovely Sanna from the blog kesken

*
123:n postauksen arvonnan voitti kesken -blogin Sanna. Laitatko miulle maililla siun osoitteen ja vaikka lempiväreistä tietoa. Kiitos.

How To Carry Your Skates In Style

2009-03-01T10:29:00.003+02:00

So, I finished a bag/tote for my niece's ice skating stuff. She didn't ask me to make it, she told me to make it. It took me all together 7 hours. And I have to say I loooove it! Too bad the background of the photo is not too inviting. But hey, it offers a contrast to the cuteness.

Here's a close up on the decorations. The hand embroidered ice skate from last post was obviously for this project. I wanted to have her name in it too. They're both in the same fabric as the lining.

And here's a close up on the pocket in the lining. It's for her water bottle and "figure skating passport" (whatever that is). I also put a little label in there too also showing the date I finished the bag for her.

Last but no least: a close up on the drawstring. My first time using those eylet-thingys. I figured that it would be functional, not to mention that it would also add a little something-something.

123

2009-02-27T20:22:00.003+02:00

This is the 123nd post in my blog. In honour of that there is going to be a contest, a little embroidery and some winter fun!

First the contest: I'm gonna do things a little differently. I don't have any specific prizes in mind (yet). That's why You leave a comment telling me what You'd like to receive. I can't promise you'll get that, but I can promise that you'll be heard. You have a week to answer. Simple right?

123:n postauksen kunniaksi pieni arvonta. Miulla ei ole mitään tiettyä palkintoa (vielä) mielessä. Sen takia Sie jätät kommentin, jossa kerrot mitä Sie haluaisit saada. En lupaa, että just niin käy, mutta lupaan että siun pyyntös kuullaan. Siulla on viikko aikaa osallistua. Aika simppeliä, eikö?

A little ice skate embroidery. It is going to be a part of something bigger. My niece started figure skating this winter, and she still doesn't have a tote for her skating stuff, so auntie-Tiina to the rescue. Actually she just called me and said I'd make her one (yep, said - didn't ask..).

Me ice skating for the first time in 6 years. I did pretty well, untill I landed less-gracefully on my side and for a little while I thought might've broken my hip. I didn't.. But I love ice skating! My niece is looking like she doesn't want to even know me.

If there was a speach/thought bubble on my niece's head, it would say: "that is SO not the way that's done!"

Paper Crafting

2009-02-17T15:17:00.002+02:00

I made more envelopes. This time I used a comic book I bought from the library at a clearance sale. They came out niiiiiiice. Now all I need to do is write more letters so I can use those. Why don't people write to each other more?

I also made my friend a birthday card. Want to guess her name and how old she is? The card is photographed on the gift I'm giging her. Can you believe she hasn't seen Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! ? Weird.. I'm not usually much of a paper crafter, but when I found those cutesy little letters&stuff from a paper craft store I knew I had to do it.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T11:48:00.004+02:00

Yarn: Novita Jasmin

Hook: 4mm

Pattern: Heart Motif from Happy Hearts Purse

I know I'm a day late, but I was too buzy yesterday. I went to a disco at night. Yep, a freaking disco! I went all out. I had ruffles on my shirt and some bling too. And I boogie oogie oogie'd 'till I just couldn't boogie no more.

Hope all you beautiful wonderful people had a great valentine's!

Hyvää Ystävänpäivää kaikille ihkuille! (tälleen vähän myöhässä, mutta minkäs teet..)

For Mommy Dearest

2009-02-09T19:47:00.004+02:00

I made my mom two grocery totes. Welcome to the world of crappy photography:

The black and white one has a crappy little machine embroidered heart on it, that I took a crappy little photo of:

Why did I have to make my mom new grocery totes? 'Cos she LOST the one I made her a year ago. This is the one that she lost. Too bad, since my mom really liked it. At least she told me she really liked it, and she actually sounded a little crushed on the phone when she told me she lost it.

While I had the sewing machine out I also took in some of my shirts. I should also take in two of my favourite skirts. They look stupid on me now that they're a bit too big. I just still don't see that I'd gotten any smaller myself. Hmm.. is "take in" the right term for making your clothes smaller?

Nii, jos joku sattuu Lappeenrannan suunnalla näkemään jossain tällasta kassia, niin ilmotelkaa. Miun äiti hävitti semmosen kauppareissulla. Ja haluaisi sen kovasti takaisin.

What I Do During Classes

2009-02-06T10:22:00.003+02:00

I knit. These days I seem to be knitting socks.

Yup. Just your average very basic socks. That's the way I like them. Mindless knitting. I like knitting lace and everything, but I don't like wearing lacy socks. Quite a dilemma. I should start knitting more socks for my mom, she'ss wear anything. These socks are knitted in Rache Mache (100% acrylic) and with 3,5mm needles.
*
I do actually pay attention to education. I even take notes and I can prove it!

I'm pretty much in love with my own handwriting. It's quite sad really. I like writing all sorts of weird stuff down, and that's why I have many many notebooks at home and at least one with me at all times.

Loving the Bling!

2009-01-24T11:10:00.004+02:00

Oh my, school is taking a lot of my time. And I go to the gym 3-5times a week, it's really taking it's toll on the crafting. But I'm trying to make some time for it too. This one I knitted during classes:

Yarn: Red Heart Dallas (100% acrylic) and Novita Red (80% viscose, 20% polyester)

Needles: 3,5mm circ.

Hook: 2,5mm

Pattern: Improvised

Mood: Happy. I think it's adorable.

The hat itself was the perfect mindless knitting for those knitting-during-classes experiences. The kind where you don't have to think about what you're knitting, you can just let your hands work on their own and pay attention to the teacher. I knitted the hat during one school day. The pom-pom and the heart took me almost as long as the hat itself (fine, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit..)

Sorry, no action pics. Maybe later.

Recycled Zipper

2009-01-06T14:33:00.003+02:00

I had to change a zipper to my winter jacket, 'cos the old one was broken. And I don't want to throw anything out, so... Not to mention that sewing on the new zipper turned out to be a bit more difficult than I thought. So I had to find something else to do before I try it again.

Yep, just plain black brooches. I usually like to keep things simple. I know it's not a new idea, but it's always nice to make your own version of the classics.

New Year - New Mitch O'Connell

2009-01-04T14:42:00.002+02:00

Yeah, I finally got the rockabilly angel done:

It's done in the ever so faithful backstitch and using one of the Sublime Stitching featuring Mitch O'Connell patterns. I think I maybe should've re-thinked some of the colours. But then again I always think so.

I have big plans for her, and her, and her, and a few other Mitch O'Connell inspired embroidery projects yet to come.
*
Oh, I spend the christmas at my mom's. She's just got a new kitten. Ever tried photographing a scarf you just finished with a playful kitten around?

Pattern: Wavy from Knitty

Needles: 4,5mm

Yarn: Fleur, 100% acrylic

I made it for my sister for christmas, and finished it with a day to spare. I started it months ago, but it was a bit of a boring knit, so it took me a lot of time.

Stab It!

2008-12-18T14:02:00.003+02:00

I'm getting my embroidery back on

I'm going to put this as a patch to my plain black (very mini) skirt. It just needs a little extra something-something. I used old faithflu back stitch and satin stitch for it. And I draw the picture, but I used a few tattoo-pics as a very heavy reference. Unfortunately I can't really draw, but maybe that's something one can learn.
*
Oh! And my friend gave to me the Best Mug Ever! My friend said she immediately thought of me when she saw it.

Awwww. Awsome, right? It just makes the morning cup of coffee feel even more of a pick-me-up.

Melted Vinyl

2008-12-16T01:15:00.003+02:00

I finally made a vinyl record bowl. I know everyone and their uncle has made these, but for me it was a first.

I love it! I actually made two, but it got dark so I couldn't take a decent picture of the other one. There is just NO LIGHT in Finland this time of year. I'm giving the other one for daddy for christmas. Shhh, it's a secret

I have to say that melting vinyls in an oven feels kind of naughty. And not necessarely in a good way. Until one remembers that they're melting some higly scratched record they bought at a flea market for 1€.

Still Alive And Kicking!

2008-12-15T12:11:00.002+02:00

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I've just been buzy. With what? I really don't know.. the days just got away. I haven't really even done any crafting. Sad. But atleast I have a new WIP to show (like I didn't have a million of those allready)

I need to get that finished and posted tomorrow, so wish me luck.. I'll be knitting like the devil all day today. It's a sort of wrap/shawl type of thing my niece is going to wear at her school's christmas party. The lace pattern is from Novita magazine's spring/2007 issue.

What I was supposed to be showing off was the christmas cards I made. They included the same fabric that is shown on the knitting WIP picture above. But because I'm feverish I sealed the cards in to envelopes before taking a picture.. yeah, I'm smart like that.

Happy Father's Day

2008-11-09T12:06:00.003+02:00

It's Father's day in Finland (and in some other nordic countries). 'Cos I'm a good girl I made my dad a card.

*
It says "daddy". What can I say I'm a total daddy's little girl. I don't think I've ever given him a father's day card I haven't made myself.

My niece Oona was with me for the weekend! And for the firs time too. I took her to a concert, and she loved I Walk The Line. She even bought their cd, and it was the very first cd she ever bought with her own money. And we did a little crafting too. She started to crochet a scarf for herself
*

Cute right? I crafted a little too. I made her stuff, cos she's my baby

First I crocheted her a scarf. I made it with 4mm hook and Satu yarn (100% acrylic). Black and pink are her new favourite colors. Wonder where she got that from...

And I knitted her a scarf. I usef the same yarn as for the hat, just two stards held together. I used the "Child's Rainbow Scarf" from Last Minute Knitted Gifts as a pattern.

Wonder What..

2008-11-05T13:32:00.002+02:00

Can you guess what happened yesterday?

The cake isn't much to look at but it tasted so goood. It's chocholate, banana and oat whip.

In crafting news: many, many WIPs nothing finished. That's just the way it goes sometimes...

Hooked on Crochet

2008-10-22T14:09:00.003+03:00

So, I got me some new ink. And I looove it. I got it done on monday, so in the pic it's still a bit red and buffy, and the colours will calm down in the near future.

Don't you just love it?? I DO! And now my knitting tattoo on the other shoulder is no longer lonely. This too was drawn and inked on by Juha at Heaven&Hell Tattoo, Lappeenranta. He had to do a picture search online, 'cos he didn't remember what crochet hooks look like. Awww, how adorable!

And he's going to do my next tattoo too. That's going to happen next spring, and it's going to be a bit bigger than my other ones (possibly bigger than the other ones put together..)

4 Pairs of Socks in 5 Days

2008-10-20T23:45:00.005+03:00

I've been in a bit of a knitting frenzy. It all started from 2 innocent skeins of Novita santorini yarn

Yeah.. First I knitted the pink-ish socks for myself, but then I felt the need to buy the two other colours that yarn comes in too, and knit my mom socks as well. For some reason her socks never last long (might it be because her feet are like sand paper..you didn't hear it from me!). Novita Santorini yarn is 100% acrylic and I knitted the socks with 3,5mm needles.

I think I might be a little bit on the fast side when it comes to knitting. I casted on for the blue socks in a buss on the way to my mom's. And on the pic above is the progress in 2½hours of time. Not bad!

My mom isn't the only one I knitted socks for. My niece wanted a pair of black and white socks, and I just happened to find two skeins of un-labelled acrylic yarn in a flea market. Talk about a lucky coinsidence. These are knitted with 3mm needles.

I took my new camera out for a spin last thursday. I was listening some awsome music and snapping photos. By a stroke of luck a a few of them turned out ok.

I also have a new crafty tattoo! But more on that once it heals a bit and I can get a desent picture.

My New Toy

2008-10-15T13:50:00.002+03:00

I got a new toy! And I loooove her! So obviously here's the obligatory self portrait holding the camera in the bathroom.. I've never had a fancy camera like this before. I've just got to learn how to use it. Everything just looks better black and white, doesn't it?

I think I got a little carried away at a yarn sale. I bought two skeins of Novita Santorini, and 7 skeins of Red Heart Dallas, 5 of them black. One can never have too much black yarn, right?

I also got some embroidery done. My niece and my mom moved, and my niece wanted a room sign to put on her door. What's an aunt to do? It says "Oona's room" and on the bubble "knock". And she also wanted skulls with bows on their heads. I how I love that girl. The lettering and the bows are done in satin stitch, the bubble in shain stitch and the skulls in back stitch

Chocolate And Bitter Goodbyes

2008-10-02T13:41:00.003+03:00

Yarn: Idena Twins (a little less than 2skeins)

Needles: 6mm

Pattern: I winged it

The colour of the hat is a little darker than in the pic. This took a little less than 2 skeins. I looove bulky yarn, but for some reason it’s not really easy to find bulky non-animalfiber yarn..especially in a solid color. I also love cables, but have a very weird relationship with pom-poms. I love them, but at the same time I think they’re ridiculous. If anyone wants a patter I could maybe wright something up.

Check my niece out! She's knitting!! I'm so proud of her. And I didn't even make her do it! This is not the first time she's knitting either. My mom (yeah my niece lives with my mom) called me one night and said that Oona wanted to knit something again. So my mom had to try to remember how to cast on stitches, 'cos Oona didn't remember how.

Now the bitter goodbyes.. I had to say goodbye to my mom&niece's cat Nemo. And I love that cat. That is like the best cat there is. He's friendly, likes to be pet and purrrrrrrrrrrrs a lot. Not to mention that he is a beautiful cat, just look at him:

The reason I had to say good bye to Nemo is that my mom and niece moved, and Nemo who is a out door cat wouldn't have been happy in the new home where he'd have to stay inside. It would've just killed him. But luckily the people who bought my mom's house wanted to keep Nemo as well. So Nemo didn't have to move! He can stay at his own home! Yay! I'm gonna miss him so much though. I started crying when I was saying goodbye...

Bow Again

2008-09-22T14:32:00.003+03:00

I made these gorgeous bow mittens last year, but they got lost on new year’s eve. Funny how that sometimes happens.. So I finally made another pair. I’m pretty happy with them. I just think maybe I should’ve made the bow pink this time around too.

Yarn: Fleur by Anttila (100% acrylic)

Needles: 3,5mm

Pattern: None

What a small world (country). I ran into milliini in a bathroom of a bar on saturday. I recognised her awsome shirt and of course I had to say something to her. It was a confusing night over all. For some reason I founf myself in a middle of a debate about drowning kittens. Seriously! This person thought it was perfectly ok way to get rid of unwanted kittens. Sad.

Tulipa mielenkiintoinen blogimaailmatörmäys lauantai-iltana eräässä juottolassa. Törmäsin nimittäin naistenhuoneessa milliiniin. Tunnistin kyseisen leidin sen mahtavasta paidasta. Ja tottakai miun piti avata suuni.. Oli kyllä muutenkin vähän hämmentävä ilta. Jostain syystä ajauduin samassa juottolassa väittelyyn kissanpentujen hukuttamisesta.

Sublime Brooches

2008-09-18T13:45:00.003+03:00

In my last post I said I might make some embroidery pieces using sublime stitching patterns into brooches. So that's what I did. My favourite is the sparrow, probably cos it's the only one I bothered to satin stitch.

All my bigger knitting projects seem to be hibernating, so I started a new small one.

I wanted to do some cables, plus I needed mittens. There the simple math behind these. But after putting them on I realized they look more like they should be my mom's, so I'll give them to her. She has a birthday next month, and I'm thinking of making her a few pairs of socks too, 'cos she' always asking me to knit socks for her.

Diamond Brooch

2008-09-17T12:17:00.002+03:00

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, right?

Now I can wear one on me all the time. That's right, I made a little embroidery piece into a brooch. And I have to say I like it. I like keeping things kinda simple. Hmm.. maybe I sould make some out of sublime stitching patterns too.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my unfinished Henry Rollins embroidery. You (and me) were right, he does look better with a black shirt. See?

And no, there is no stain in the fabric..you're just seeing things. You really should think about getting your eyes checked. I forgot to mention in the last post that I used an illustration by the talented Mitch Clem as inspiration for this.

What Would Henry Rollins Do?

2008-09-07T22:51:00.004+03:00

What Would Henry Rollins Do? Now that's a great phrace to live your life by. Or atleast try to. Henry Rollins is pretty much a god to a lot of people. Not to mention the funniest guy! When I first watched those on youtube I laughed so hard I thought I just might die.

I'm thinking I should satin stitch the shirt black. I would have, but I ran out of floss. What do you think? I'll most likely make this into a totebag, so I can carry him around at all times.

Praise Seitan!

2008-09-06T19:09:00.004+03:00

Mmmm.. seitan. I loooove seitan. Especially since I've learned to make pretty good seitan. But I've still to learn to make the worlds best seitan, that's going to be a pretty big asset in the dating game...right? Hehe.

This is my first cross stitch for a while. Cross stitching = still fun. And what inspired me to do cross stitching again? It was Rachel’s Hail Satan. Oh how I love that lady. She's so talented, and has great ideas. Not to mention that the girl knows how to fire up a conversation.

My Mom Is Not Much Of A Photographer

2008-08-23T20:26:00.003+03:00

What makes me say that? I asked her to take a picture of the Gwen Slouch I knitted a few days ago with me wearing it, and this is what I get:

Maybe I should have been clearer and say that I wanted as much of the hat to be visible as possibile. But my mom says she just used her "artistic freedom". Oh mom <3

*
Gwen Slouch(ravelry) by Lauren Nell Roy

Yarn: Rache Mache, 100% acrylic

Needles: 4,5mm

Mods: I casted on 9 less stitches than in the original

Now I'm knitting Razor Cami in yellow Novita Butterfly. I casted on fort it on the 18th and I'm more half way through it now. The lace pattern is a bit boring to knit, it does look nice though. I've had that yarn forever and I have no idea why I bought 5 skeins of it in the first place. I don't even like yellow!! I'm going to dye the cami when it's done. Wonder if if would have been better to dye the yarn before knitting? Oh well..

No Worries, I Got 9 Lives

2008-08-17T16:10:00.003+03:00

It's about time to get something finished again. I did a little embroidery piece based on Mitch O’Connell's illustration. When I bought his book of tattoo designs I felt they'd be perfect as embroidery pieces. I sent him an email where I asked if it would be ok to use the images as embroidery patterns for personal use, and he told me to go crazy! So I did. And I plan on doing more too.

Crafted Gifties

2008-08-03T20:23:00.002+03:00

I made this a while ago for a friend of mine. He wanted a crocheted cell cozy with a diamond embroidered on it. Sounds simpe right?

Wrong! I tried, tried and tried to embroider that f***ing diamond on it, but it just didn't work. So finally after a lot of trial and error I sewed on crocheted chains in shape of a diamond. Kinda worked. In the picture my phone is in the cozy, and mine is a bit bigger than his, so the cozy is a little too stretched.

The same guy had a birthday. Well actually his birthday is on monday, but we celebrated last night. I made him a simple black tote bag with the heart&dagger embroidery on it. The heart&dagger embroidery is from sublime stitching stitch-it kit. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the whole tote bag, I totally forgot to take it.

The birthday-boy loved the gift, and the party was fun. Today I've been recovering from it by watching dumb TV-shows and eating greasy foods. Mmmm..sundays.

Saturday Night Knitting

2008-07-26T21:19:00.002+03:00

It has been ridiculously hot in Finland for the last few days. And no, I am not complaining. It's about time for some hot weather, it's been pretty much raining since the beginning of June. I spent most of today outside, cos my apartment is too damn hot. I even started a new knitting project.

It's (going to be) Katharine Hepburn Cardigan from Lace Style. I'm knitting it with Sofie by anttila yarn, which is 100% cotton. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is going to be a bit big for me. Maybe not. I'm constantly thinking I'm either bigger or smaller than I actually am. Is there anything nicer than knitting in the park in the shade? I had to stop at about eight 'cos the bugs were annoying me. I think I'll spend the rest of the night inside watchin some movie and knitting. Hmm.. should I watch Die Hard 4.0 (again), or Dreamgirls (again). Maybe both.

I crocheted a little rattle 'cos my friend is having a baby. It's a cyclops rattle! It has a bell inside so it actually rattles. It's crochet with lyric yarn and 3mm hook.

A little embroidery done too. One of my denim skirts was looking a little bland, so I embroidered a sparrow on it. It's a sublime stitching sparrow obviously.

For My Tattooer

2008-07-15T11:57:00.002+03:00

And I'm done! I was so inspired by Rachel that i had to get it finished.

Sweet mother of ... I hate to work with metallic floss!! It just gets tangled and stuff. But it just looks so pretty. And what can I say the genious that is my tattooer is totally worth it. He is the master mind behind my wings and my awsome knitting tattoo. He is so good that one can't even get an appointment with him before October, damn! Wonder if a little bribe like this will help? Haha, I just really hope he likes it.

The pattern is from the Sublime Stitching Craft Pad, the letters I freehanded. Unfortunately the pictures don't really do the metallic thread justice. But I have to say, I'm pleased with it.

Freaky Coincidence

2008-07-15T01:53:00.002+03:00

Great minds think alike, righ? Sometimes so much alike that it's freaky. The lovely and talented Rachel showed in her blog Confessions of a crafter an embroidery piece she made for her tattoo artist. The freaky thing about that is: I'm currently making a project from the same pattern, with very similar font letters for my tattoo artist! I kid you not. This was so weird that I had to take an in progress pic of my embroidery (which I don't normally do) and show it to you:

It has been a WIP for a while 'cos I chose to embroider the dagger in metallic floss, and I hate working with that. But now that I've seen Rachel's awsome project I got new motivation to finish mine.

Great minds really do think alike.

Here We Go Again

2008-07-09T00:56:00.002+03:00

When I get into doing something, I tend to do it over and over again. I have made many socks, hand warmers, zippered pouches, stuff with cherries on them.. etc. Now the "thing" seems to be cell phone cozys. Now I made one for my dad. Oh yeah, and my friend's boyfriend asked me to make his cell a cozy as well, so the my next post will probably be about that.

hook: 3mm

yarn: anemone (by marks&kattens)

pattern: just made it up as I went along

What can I say, my dad likes things simple. The flap has a velcro closure. My dad said he'd prefer velcro to a snap 'cos my brother said a snap might damage the phone's display. *Sigh* Men. I don't think that even I'd be able to break a phone's display by closing a snap.

Oh, and I've got bangs (fringe/whatever) now too. It's weird how much difference a little less hair can make. Atleast in my own eyes.

Why is it a little uneven you ask? That would be because I cut it myself. I aint paying a hairdresser to do it for me when I have loads of scissors myself. I can think of a million better things to spend my money on. Like yarn, beer, concerts, fabric, beer, buttons, beer...if you catch my drift.

Return of the Cherries

2008-06-23T23:17:00.001+03:00

*
3mm hook
Lyric yarn
My own patter
*

Remember the Cherry headband, other Cherry headband, Cherry hat and the cherry tutorial ? Well, the cherries are back in the picture. Oh wow, you can really tell I haven’t done them in over a year. It did come out a little wonky. But I’ll get back in the game.
*
And why are the cherries back in the game? ‘Cos I needed a new cell phone cozy. Why? Cos I have a new phone. Why? Cos I kinda broke my phone. Why? Cos I’m clumsy and concrete and phones don’t mix. Is it just me or am I hearing Cass saying “amen!” righ now?

Retirement of the Care Bear Pincushion

2008-05-31T19:06:00.003+03:00

So I used to use a small care bear as a pincushion. Think about it: I used to stick pins and needles on him(?). And I even strangled him with an elastic band. Kinda cruel righ? And I call myself an animal rights activist. For SHAME! So It was about time to do something about it.

Much better! And cruelty-free. Well, it's animal print.. hehe. I used this tutorial for it, just like before. And the star button is one of the 288 I got from my mom's friend. Actually there were 4 of those star buttons. And on the other side I put an elastic band so I can wear it around my wrist when I'm sewing. Me likey!

*
Finland has been so sunny and warm these past few days. Lovely. It's just a little hard to take un-shadowy pics in this sunlight. But I can very well live with it.

late edit, didn't want to make a while new post for just one little thing:

I made a square one too. Did it pretty much the same way as in the tutorial, but I used a coaster as a pattern. I'm not sure what to do with it. Maybe I'll take it with me the next time I'm going to mom's. The pincushion there is a little stuffed animal as well.

Shetland Triangle

2008-05-23T13:20:00.005+03:00

Oh my! Some actual knitting in my knitting blog. Weird. Spooky really.

Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark (from the book Wrap Style)

Yarn: Novita Bambu (68%bamboo, 32% cotton) less than 3 skeins

Needles: 4,5mm

Mood: quite happy with it

Yep, in the picture it's on a dumbster. Not to worry, it was never in it. I started knitting this on the 16th and finished on the 22nd. I liked this yarn for this project, but I'm thinking maybe I should have used a bit bigger needles. Maybe 5mm. It came out a little smaller than I would have hoped. The top measures about 140cm. Maybe I should have stretched it a little more when blocking. Anyhow, I still like it.

Impossibile to take good pictures just by myself. I think it's the perfect size when worn as in the picture. But it is a little too small for my taste when worn on my shoulders as I am doing in a wedding tomorrow. Again this is something I can very well live with.

Almost forgot to mention: I'm not sure how much I like these kinds of scarf patterns where the number of stitches keeps adding and adding. I start to feel like it's never going to end. Maybe that's just me. But that's why I liked ene. First you cast on an insane amount of stitches, but through out they just dissapear.

(kiitokset markalle neuleohjeanarkiasta)

I'm Not Bad - I'm Just Embroidered That Way

2008-05-21T19:46:00.003+03:00

I thought I blogged this allready. Apparently I didn't. Mmmm...spring. Mmmm...hotties. My brain is all mush.

Come on, who doesn't love Jessica Rabbit? I remember watching her when I was younger and thinking she just oooozes femininity and sex appeal. A little while ago I watched the Who Framed Roger Rabbit movie for the first time in years. Still liked it. And then I had the idea to embroider Jessica.

I used an image I found on the internet as a pattern for this one. I really like how she came out. Except for the chain stitch edging. But I'll learn to live with it.

I also did this tofu-licious embroidery for a vegan themed swap I'm in. It's nice right? It found it's place on an apron. But I don't have a good picture of the finished item.

This notebook cover I made is also for the same swap. I like this one too. I may have have to do something similar for myself too.

I've been even doing some knitting. More on that when it's finished. Oh, and I have until saturday morning to sew my very first dress. Wish me luck!

Simply Sublime

2008-05-09T18:26:00.002+03:00

I've been on a little embroidery binge for a few days. I finally finished the Reform School Girl from Sublime Stitching's Mitch O'Connell set. Mmmmm Mitch O'Connell.. Would not mind if Sublime Stitching would come up with another set from him.

I think she looks good. I didn't do as well as I would have hoped on the face, but the flame turned out so well I had to take a close up on it.

The flames consist of 3 colors. Kinda nice, right? Took quite a while too. That's actually why I didn't finnish this for a long time. After I did the flames I put this aside for a few weeks.

This next one is from the Sublime Stitching Craft Pad. At first I got to say that I thought it was very weird that I found myself wanting to embroider a freaking fairy. But then I told myself that the fairy was kinda pin-up-ish, so it was ok.

This time I like how the facial features came out! And there's even orange there! Anyone who knows me knows that I HATE orange. But as an effort to try and tolerate it I started to use it in small amounts. First as one of 3 colors in the flames in reform school girl, and now in small amounts just by itself. I can live with it. I can. Maybe.

Oh, oh I did a little knitting too. I knitted this cute little pink cabled purse for "fill a purse swap".

It's knitted with Novita's Samos yarn. And I made up the pattern as I went along. Oh, and the best part: my swap partner really liked it.

288

2008-05-07T11:02:00.002+03:00

No, no. It's not post 288, still far from it. The title is referring to this buttons I got from my moms friend. Guess how many there are? (wow, how did you ever figure that one out?)

Isn't she nice to me? Some of the buttons are ones that she's been holding on to since the 60's and the 70's. And now she just gave them to me. I loooove buttons.

As you can see I also did some crochet, I made some reflective brooches. The inspiration for these came for the ever-so-lovely Wilma and her brooches.

Oh, oh, I have to new favourites to sing at karaoke: I Love Rock N Roll and Shanghain Valot.

Love, Rage & Liberation

2008-04-23T19:29:00.004+03:00

I love tote bags. Love them and need them. I always carry a tote bag with me in my purse/handbag (what ever you want to call them). I also love leopard print. And the saying: Love, Rage & Liberation. And I love Pippi Longstocking. So this tote bag is next to perfect.

And yes..that is my foot in the picture

I thought the back needed a little something, so I added an applique heart. Kinda cute, right?

Tiny Little Knitting

2008-04-14T10:59:00.002+03:00

It feels like I have about a millon knit/crochet projects in the works, but I can't seem to be able to get anything done. So I started a whole new project. Sounds logical, right?

I made myself a little knitting-pride brooch. I used the mini sweater ornament pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I knitted it with black and white Lyric yarn and 2,5mm double point needles. It was sort of fun to make. But I have to admid that I really should build up my patience so I would enjoy tiny little projects with loads of yarn ends to weave in more.

Hey, did you know that the lovely Cass is in need of a bitch? Well I did, and I wanted to help her out. Sadly I couldn't be her bitch. I would make a bad bitch, since a)I live too far b)I'm lazy c)I talk back, and d)I don't take direction very well. But I felt the need to do something to show my support:

I made her a cross stitch. My second ever cross stitch, and I altered a subversive cross stitch pattern a bit for it. And assuming that Cass is not just being nice, she really liked it! I'm happy.

Pretty Little Things

2008-04-09T13:38:00.005+03:00

Aren't they cute? I bought two of them yoyo making things at a craft fair, and I just can't seem to be able to stop making them. Can you make yoyos perfectly well without any thingy? Of course you can, but gadgets are more than half the fun. At least to me

I always wear my hair up. (Ok, almost always.) It's either in a ponytail or in a bun sort of thing. I usually hold it up with plain black thingys, but sometimes a girl needs something special. I just love the polka dot bows

I also made more of those button earrings because they're so cute.

These three are my favourite of the new ones: (you can't tell that well in the picture, but the ones on the top left have glitter on them)

Yeah, yeah. Yet another post with no knitting or crochet in it. But don't you worry, I have both knitting & crochet in the works. But they're or a swap so I can't talk more about them yet.

A few days ago I put a tiny counter on my blog to see if anyone reads this (a part from the lovely people who leave comments). Imagine my surprice when I found out that I do actually get hits!

Mad New Skill

2008-04-06T17:32:00.002+03:00

I learned to cross stitch! It's not really difficult, just takes a shit load of time. But maybe it'll get faster when one has done more of it. The reason I learned to cross stitch was that I heard about the Subversive Cross Stitch book, and had to have it.

I am aware that the fabric is too small for the frame, but it was only in the frame for the photo. The frame has moved up to bigger and better things now.

Barbie Is A B....

2008-04-02T08:55:00.002+03:00

Oh come on, don't act all offended, we all know she is.

But what am I going to do with this embroidery? Any suggestions?I just wanted to stitch it, even when I only had some faint ideas as to what it's going to end up as

I used backstitch and satin stitch on it and 3 strands of embroisery floss. And I had to use a plastic hoop 'cos for some weird reason I don't seem to be able to find my wooden one. Obviously this has nothing to do with my apartment being a mess.. 'cos it's not. Really. Oh well...

Tough Lace

2008-03-31T16:28:00.003+03:00

Tough lace = camo + lace. Simple really

I sewed a totebag out of a camo print fabric I had in my stash, and I crocheted three little doilies (one is on the other side) to give it a little something-something. And I kinda like it! I think the camo-print of this fabric is not perfect, it's a bit too yellow but I can live with it. So this is now my new shopping/grocerie tote

Here's a close-up on the crocheted doily thingy. I used a pattern from winter 2007 issue of Novita Magazine. I made it with a 3mm hook and Lyric yarn.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

2008-03-24T23:33:00.003+02:00

I love Harry Potter. I do. I really really do. And I am very much aware that I am not the only weirdo who feels that way. I'm currently reading the books for the 3rd time (I'm in the middle of Half-Blood Prince now). The Harry Potter books have made me both laugh and cry numerous times.

I just finished a Harry Potter related swap on craftster. I made my parner a Marauder's map inspired bag. The inspiration came from the embroidery forum on craftster where saw this. So for the swap I did my own take on it. Just so I would not get severe separation anxiety I also had to do one (a bit different) for myself too

I think it/they came out great! I'm quite proud of the way the

embroidery turned out. And I love how the glittery fabric looks.

Speaking of glittery fabric and HP: a while back I made myself a pair of HP-fabric pyjama pants.

Sadly this crappy picture taken at my mom's is the best I have. But you get the general idea. Unfortunately what you don't get is that the fabric actually glitters (but less and less with every wash). I used the pattern for simple "wide" pants from Joka Tyypin kaavakirja. These are the first pants I have ever sewn, and I'm really happy with them.

I have even passed on the deep love of Harry Potter to the next generation. My soon to be 9yo niece just can't get enough of the books:

That's her reading the second book while waiting for her dear aunt (me) to get out of a fabric store, and she did not whine at all. Am I clever or what!

Oh, and my skull isle pouch was mentioned in both Lime&Violet and craftzine. How cool is that??

Is it just me, or is my english going downhill a bit?

Return To Skull Isle

2008-03-15T14:48:00.003+02:00

Last November I did the Skull Isle hat from Debbie Stoller's Son Of Stitch 'n Bitch. And I just fell in love with the skull fair isle pattern. So naturally I had to use it again.

I knitted a pouch for my toiletries. It's made with Novita Jasmin yarn (cotton-acrylic blend) and 4mm needles. It has a pink cotton lining, and I added 20cm zipper. I am so pleased with it. It was a delight to knit. Sewing on the zipper was a little less of a delight.

I love it! Even with it's mistakes... Mistakes give personality, right?

Oh, I also made another Sublime Stitching embroidery card. This one is for my daddy. I'm a total daddy's girl.

Shake Your PomPoms

2008-03-07T22:48:00.003+02:00

I made this beanie last night. This Novita Fiesta yarn was on sale for 1,5€/skein so I had to have one. My first crochet project of the year. So I picked up my 8mm crochet hook, wich I don't think I've ever really used before, and had myself a bit of a one night stand really.

It was my first time making a pompom. The beanie and the pompom used up the skein, with not even so much as a strand left behind.

But look at the hat. It's colourful (not black) and it has a freaking pompom on top of it, and I still kind of love it! It sort of makes me miss this neon-yellow hat that I had when I was a kid..it had a pompom the size of a grape fruit on it.

Oh, and my darling, darling tattoo has healed up nicely

And Mittens To Match

2008-03-05T15:04:00.004+02:00

I made mittens to match the Cherry Button Hat I showed you a few posts ago. Made with the same yarn, and 4mm double point needles.

I also made these:

Weird rainbow-ish socks for my mom. She asked for them, even pointed out the yarn she wanted them done in. Never knew my mom had that much of a hippie in her. I think they're cute actually. And I like how the stripes match each other. The yarn is Novita Kolibri, 100& acrylic, it's self stripeing and it was on sale for 1€ per skein.

Oh, and don't you just HATE when this happens to socks:

Damn!

Pressing My Buttons

2008-03-01T18:11:00.008+02:00

Aren't these adorable! I made 5 pairs of earrings today! It was my first time. I lovelovelovelove them

How were they made? All are made of buttons. I carefully (only cutitng myself once) removed the loop thingy on the back. Then added glue to both the button and the earring stud that I got from a craft store. Then pressed them together, and voila!

Now I have a problem.. Which, oh which pair am I going to put on tonight while going to a karaoke bar?

Man I am so proud of myself!

Oh, and in case you are wondering that infact is glue on my fingers..

edit:

I made two more pairs.. The ones with the hearts are going to my niece. Hope she likes them.

Lots of Little Cherries

2008-02-27T09:49:00.003+02:00

I knitted again! I had almost forgot how much fun it is

Just a basic slouchy hat, that I just made up as I went along. I just love big hats. It has 15 little cherry buttons on it. When I saw them (on sale!) at a shop I just had to have them! I knitted it with 4,5mm needles and it's knitted of satu yarn (100% acrylic). Hehe, the buttons cost me more than the yarn.

A close up on the nice cherry button on top. I think this hat will go great with the cherry earrings I got from Miss Mara

Tree Hugger

2008-02-20T13:44:00.005+02:00

I made a little crocery tote. Because I need to have one with me in every bag. I don't always plan out when I go to the store. The idea for the apple tree applique came as soon as I got that fun apple fabric in a "scrap fabric swap" via craftster. I think it looks good and everything, but maybe it's just not that much me.. I might give it to my mom or something.

I also did a little embroidery from a Sublime Stitching pattern. A friend of mine is having a birthday. And what says "birthday" more than a martini? I used a stripey backround 'cos I thought otherwise it would have been too bland. And also since I got that srtipey fabric on the swap as well. I think it came out good. I'm having second thoughts about the blue colour of the liquid, but oh well..

And where's the knitting you ask? I really don't know. I started knitting something last weekend, but it was not happening so I frogged it. I just need to figure out somethins small and nice, and something I really want to knit in order to get my knitting back on.

How come I don't understand how I can upload photos from flickr to my blog? When I did the "blog this" thingy on flickr it just looked odd. And I didn't kow how to get more pictures on one post. I'm not very handy.. or smart.

Swimming In The Stream Of Comformity

2008-02-14T00:09:00.003+02:00

Yep.. I made valentines day cards. I haven't done that since elementary school. But in my defence I only made a few. I think they came out nice though. Do you know what goes great with hand made cards? Hand made envelopes.

Oh, and another thing: I'm also on ravelry now. There's not much stuff yet, but I'm working on it. And also I'm thinking that I wont post projects there that I done before joining. Don't know why.

I Think I Killed The Bunny..

2008-02-02T21:23:00.000+02:00

I'm getting my knitting back on. Wonder if it has anything to do with a certain new tattoo. These are very simple mittens (knitted in a day) made with 100%acrylic Satu-yarn with 4mm needles. They needed a little something, so I sewed on a little (dead?)bunny made of fleece.

And I made a big slouchy hat that can hold all my hair under it. (I don't photograph very well) Really nice and simple with the same kind of fleece bunny and made with the same yarn.

*****

HUGE thanks to everyone who commented on my new lovely tattoo. I didn't know that many people alltogether ever even saw my blog. In case you want to know the tattoo is healing nicely. It iches a little sometimes. And last wednesday it was in the lovely stage where there would be all sorts of flakes stuck to my hand when I rubbed lotion on it. Nice.

Pretty In Ink

2008-01-28T12:39:00.000+02:00

Wanna quess what I had done? I've got me a new tattoo!!! And I love it! It is still very fresh, and not completely healed. (Sorry for the not so good picture. It is suprisingly difficult to take a picture of) I got it done on the 25th. It was drawn and inked on by Juha at Heaven&Hell in Lappeenranta.

Here's another picture of it. The picture was taken about five minutes after the inking. Man alive did that hurt! There are a lot of outlines in it..and they hurt. Nerve endings are a funny thing. When he was doing the picture it sometimes felt like he was needling my neck. Weird. But somehow one just loves that kind of pain.

Bang! (+Pins And Needles)

2008-01-22T12:49:00.000+02:00

I made me a new pencil case! And I looooove it. I needed a new one, since my old was made of metal and it made too much noise. I used the same fabric that I used in this skirt, but in a different colour. (The fabric was on sale)

And here's a view of the back. No zippers or anything fancy. Just two black buttons and a bit of elastic ribbon for the button loops. I love the simplicity of it! Also I was too lazy to deal with zippers. I do have a problem how ever with the lining showing. But I think I can live with it.

I also made pincushions using this tutorial. Both sides of both of the pincushions are cotton. I've always liked pincushions like these, but thought they were probably difficult to make. Turns out they're really easy and fun to make. The one with the flowers/polka dots is staying with me, the one with the skulls is travelling far far away.

Sublime Embroidery Plus Stars And Diamonds

2008-01-18T16:01:00.000+02:00

I'm in love with embroidery! Don't worry I haven't forgotten knitting (or anything else) either, I'm just crushing so hard on embroidery right now.

I made these cards with Sublime Stitching patterns. The sparrow is from the Stitch it Kit, and the kitten from the Sublime Stitching book. This was my first time using iron-on embroidery patterns. The sparrow card is for a friend, and the kitten is for my niece. For those of you who are "finnish impaired" the banner on the sparrow says Congratulations.

I embroidered the pictures on cotton, glued the cotton on a piece of paper, then glued the paper on the cardboard and let the whole thing dry under a weight. Simple. The next time I'm going to try sewing the fabric on the cardboard.

And here's a little star and diamond. The one with the star is a pouch for my friend's menstrual cup. The one with the diamond is going to be a pouch for my menstrual cup.

I embroidered this diamond in a plain black purse that I bought on sale. It just needed a little bling-bling.
And what I learned from the ones (stars and diamonds) done without a pattern? It may be a good idea to draw the outlines in the fabric before embroidering..

Recycled Fashion

2008-01-13T02:35:00.001+02:00

I found some Elle magazines in a recycling bin. I was very intrigued. Never before have I held an actual fashion mag. I flipped through it, and noticed there are some pretty pictures there. So what's a girl to do? To make envelopes obviously!

This one is my favourite.

How did I make the envelopes? I demolished (love that word) an existing envelope, used it as a pattern to cut out the pics and added a little glue. Nice and simple. I have made 20 of them so far. I really need to start writing more letters to people..

Here's a view of the back. And where did I get the whole idea? From craftster of course!

Pirate Girrrrrrl

2008-01-05T13:15:00.000+02:00

Remember I told you I was going to pick up embroidery? Well in the spirit of that resolution I made her.

She's based on my friend's tattoo. I actually had a picture of the tattoo on my compurer, then I pressed the white fabric against my screen and draw the pic with a pencil. Simple isn't it.

I used just satin stitch and backstitch on her. The back of the embroidery is kind of a mess. And note to self: next time you do something similar it might be a good idea trying to color it in first and then add the outline.

I gave the pirate girl to my friend as a "thank you for existing" present. And she loved it!

These Are a Few Of My Favourite Things

2008-01-02T11:34:00.000+02:00

Karaoke. Hugs. Fondling yarn/fabric. Making Stuff For People. My dad & mom. Hot Chocolate. No Shame. Coffee. My Moomin Cups. Free Stuff. Gifts. Black and White Photos. Marilyn Monroe. Vegan Craftastic. Cherries. Stars. Cola-drinks. Tofu. Board Games. Tattoos in General.My Wing-tattoos In Particular. Warm Cloudy days. Kissing. HC. Taking Blood Test From People (actually any kind of sticking a needle into someone else will suffice). Marilyn Monroe. Bamboo yarn. Cinnamon. My Little Spice Jars. Orange Juice. Beer. Libraries. Mini Skirts. Friends. Concerts. Checking Out People’s Style. Holding Hands. Aprons. Playing Cards. Harry Potter. Cats. Purrrrrrrring. My Mom’s Cat Nemo. Bamboo Knitting Needles. Pink & Black Colour Combination. 10 Things I hate About You. Converse All Stars. Candles. My Sewing Machine. Lottery. Big Tummies. My Tummy Piercing. Drummers. T-shirts. Brownies. Clean Sheets. Sauna. Rolling Pins. Harry Potter. Glasses. Socks. Pyjama Pants. Lepard Print. Polka Dots. Bags. Army Print. Knitting Blogs. Punk. Josh Groban. Knitting/Crochet/Sewing Books. Gingerbread Dough. Sparrows. My Niece.

I challenge everyone to do something similar in order to remind themselves of all the great little things in life. Please leave a comment if you do.

Changes

2008-01-02T10:55:00.000+02:00

As you can see I changed the look of my blog a little...or a lot. The header is most likely temporary. I'm fiddling around with some ideas.

Also I'm going to write mainly in english from now on. It's just a bit too much work to blog in two languages. But I'm still sometimes going to write a little something in finnish too.

And yes, the "Torrance" in the header is embroidered by yours truly. As a new year's resolution I have desided to really get a hang of the whole embroidery thing.

Hot Hot Hot

2007-12-18T15:19:00.000+02:00

Teki mieli tehdä jotain söpöä ja pientä. Teinpä sitten tollaisia kauranjyvillä täytettyjä tyynyjä. Muutama minuttii mikrossa, ja johan lämpenee. Isoin (musta-valkoinen) on miulle ittelleni, ja oon jo huomannut että se lämpö tuntuu ihanalta vatsalla tai selällä kun ne on kipeet. Sydämenmuotoiset on menossa kavereille, joilla on huono ääreisverenkierto ja sormet aina kylminä.
Mummolle pitäis vielä tuollainen pussuka tehä, mutta sinne pitää keksiä jotain muuta kuin kauraa sisään. Ehkä riisiä. Mummo on nimittäin aika yliherkkä hajuille.
***********

I wanted to make something cute and simple. So I made those little thingys that are filled with oat grains. The point is to heat them up in a microwave for a few minutes. The big one (black&white with a heart) is for myself, and I noticed that the heat feels great on my stomack and back when they hurt. The heart shaped ones are for my friends who have not-so-good circulation and always have very cold fingers.
I just need to make one more for my grandmom. But I have to put something else besides oat in them 'cos my granny is allergig to a lot of smells. Maybe I'll but rice in hers.

Tein myös 8v siskontytölle esiliinan joululahjaksi. Tyttö on erittäin innokas leipoja. Pitäkää peukkuja, että minimimmi tykkää tuosta.
***********

I also made an apron for my 8yo niece. She's very into baking. I really hope she likes it.

Bow

2007-12-16T17:52:00.000+02:00

Teinpä sitten lapaset. Kadotin nimittäin taas yhden, enää on jälellä kaksi paria. Nää on tehny taas halpaakin halvemmasta Satu-akryylilangasta 4mm puikoilla. Nuo on ihan tavalliset mustat lapaset, joihin kirjailin tuollaiset söpöiset rusetit. Sööttiä ja tyttömäistä, ihan niinkuin mie.
***********

So I made me some mittens. I lost one mitten again. I only have two full pairs now. These are made of the cheap Satu acrylic yarn I use often with 4mm needles. Just your average black mittens that I embroideres some cutesy bows on. Sweet and girly, just like me.

On My Way Up

2007-12-07T12:14:00.000+02:00

Oon just parantunut yli viikon kestäneestä flunssasta, ja oon ollut muutenkin allapäin. Ei ole kiinnostanut tehdä mitään käsitöitä muutamaan viikkoo. Nyt kuitenkin päätin ottaa itseäni niskasta kiinni, ja tehdä tuollaisen simppelin neulontakassin. Siitä tuli oikein sievä, ja mielialakin parani kun sai jotain tehtyä.
**********

I'm finally healthy again, I had the flu for over a week. And I have been feeling a bit down for a while. I haven't even felt up to doing any crafts in a few weeks. Now I decided to pick my self up and make a little knitting tote. It actually turned out really cute, and I feel a bit better now that I got something done.

A Trip To Skull Isle

2007-11-21T16:55:00.000+02:00

Ohje/Pattern: Skull Isle from Son of Stitch 'n Bitch

Lanka/Yarn: Satu (100% acrylic)

Puikot/Neeldels: 4mm + 4,5mm circ.

Käytin tosiaan paksumpaa lankaa ja paksumpia puikkoja kun ohjeessa. Jätin A kaavion kuvioneuleesta käyttämättä. Muuten käytin 4mm puikkoja, mutta kuvioneuleen aikana 4,5mm puikkoja. Joustimessa on 92silmukkaa, ja muuten pipossa on 100 silmukkaa. Päälakikavennukset tein aika pitkälti ohjeen mukaan.

**********

I used thicker yarn and bigger needles than the pattern suggested. I didn't do the chart A of the fair isle. I used 4,5mm needles for the fair isle part but in other parts I used 4mm needles. There are 92stitches in the rip and after that 100stitches. The crown shaping is done more or less the same way than in the pattern.

Mie oon niin onnellinen! Hattu sopii miulle lähes täydellisesti, ja oon saanu siitä jo kehujakin. Nyt miulla on kaksi lempparipipoa: Skull isle ja miun Kirsikka pipo

**********

I'm so happy! The hat fits perfectly and I allready got compliments on it. I have to favourite hats now: Skull isle & my Cherry-hat

Affectioknitter tagget me for a meme, but since I did that same meme once I'm going to be dull and not do it again. (By the way I don't have the ugly curtains anymore...and now I've seen No Shame live 13times)

I'm a Genius!

2007-11-18T11:27:00.000+02:00

Mie oon nero! Ainakin nyt siltä tuntuu Mie vihdoin tajusin tuon Fair Isle-hommelin (onko sille mitään järkevää suomennosta?). Eikä se sitten ees ollutkaan hankalaa. Mallina on muuteltuna Son of Stitch 'n Bitchin Skull Isle. Muunteluista kerron enemmän kun hattu on valmis.

Tiiättekö miten johonkin juttuun jää niin kiinni ettei tajua ajan kulua? Neuloin tuota pipon alkua eilen illalla. Yhtäkkiä olikin neljä tuntia myöhemmin, miulla oli kamala vessahätä, selkä oli jumissa ja sormia sattu. Mutta oli se sen arvosta.
***********

I'm a genius! Atleast I feel like it now. I finally figured out the whole Fair Isle-thingy. And it wasn't even that hard. The pattern is Skull Isle from Son of Stitch 'n Bitch with some changes. I'll tell what changes when the hat is done.

You know how you get so into something that time seems to just fly? I was knitting that hat yesterday evening. Before I realized even it, it was 4hours later, I had to pee like crazy, my back hurt and my fingers were sore. But it was all worth it!

Woops..

2007-11-17T14:54:00.000+02:00

Hupsista.. Unohin oman blogini 1v synttärit. Nimittäin melkein viikko sitten oli kulunut vuosi siitä kun kirjoitin tämän. No onnea itseltäni blogilleni nyt vähän myöhässä! Mutta eihän 1-vuotiaat tajua niin paljoa maailman menosta, että ymmärtäisivät syntymäpäivänsä, eihän?
**********

Woops.. I kinda forgot my own blog's 1st birthday. Almost a week ago now it had been 1 year from me writing this. Well Congratulations to my blog from me (a little late)! 1year olds don't really understand when it's their birthday, do they?

Jos joku väittää, että sukkien pitää olla keskenään samanlaiset, se valehtelee. Nämä tein lempparihalpisakryylilangastani Satusta 4mm puikoilla. Väreinä oli musta ja lila, vaikka siniseltä kuvassa näyttääkin. Tuo miun säälittävä tuuletusparveke on jostain syystä miun lemppari sukkien kuvauspaikka.
Aika hienot pyjamahousut, eikö? Ostin ne ittelleni synttärilahjaks! Noiden lepakoiden silmät ja hampaat loistaa pimeessä, joka luonnollisesti on erittäin siistiä.
**********

If someone says that socks need to match, they are wrong. I knit these with my favourite cheap acrylic yarn Satu with 4mm needles. My pathetic little "balcony" (basicly just a door ventilate my apartment) is for some reason my favourite place to photograph socks.
Pretty cool pajama pants, aren't they? I bought them for myself as a birthday present. There are bats in them, and the eyes and teeth of the bats glow in the dark. Sweeeet!

One Down.. A Lot To Go

2007-11-16T09:53:00.001+02:00

Aloin vihdoin tekemään joululahjoja. Viime vuonna tähän aikaan olin jo tehnyt suurimman osan.
**********
I finally started making Christmas presents. This time last year I allready had most of them done.

Miun vieraillessa kotona kävin isin kanssa kaupassa. Isi sillon a) vihjas tarvitsevansa uuden pipon ja b) näytti tuota Novitan Karuselli-lankaa (100% akryyli) ja sanoi pitävänsä siitä. Eipä siinä sitten hirveetä päättelykykyä vaadittu isin joululahjan keksimiseen. Harmi ettei tullut ostettua kuin yksi kerä. Oisin nimittäin halunnut tehä isille myös kaulurin, enkä mie tiiä mistä tuota lankaa saa täältä Jyväskylästä.
Kuvassa värit oon vaaleemmat kuin luonnossa. Kerässä miun mielestä noi värit näytti vähän ällöltä, mutta neulottuna ne olikin yllättäen ihan kivat. Ja tuo lanka on ihanan pehmeää neulottavaa.
***********

When I was visiting home I went to the store with my daddy. He a) implied that he needed a new hat and b) showed me that Novita's Karuselli-yarn (100% acrylic) and told me he liked it. Didn't take much of a rocked scientist to figure out what to make my daddy for Christmas. Too bad I only bought one skein of it, 'cos now I would also like to make a neck warmer for my dad. And I don't know where I can get that yarn here in Jyväskylä.
The colors in the picture are lighter than in person. The colors didn't look too appealing to me when the yarn was rolled up in a skein but when knitted they looked suprisingly nice. And that yarn was so soft to knit.

Bang! Bang!

2007-11-12T14:44:00.000+02:00

Mie tein oikeesti hameen alusta alkaen! (Sori ettei miulla oo kuvaa hameesta miun päällä vielä) Ohjeena käytin Joka Tyypin Kaavakirjan A-linjaisen hameen perusohjetta, madalsin vain vyötäröä ja lyhensin helmaa. Miulla oli tää päällä kun olin laulamassa karaokea lauantai-iltana, ja muutan kehunkin sain hameesta!
**********

I actually made a skirt from scratch! (I'm sorry I don't have an action picture of it yet) The pattern is from Joka Tyypin Kaavakirja. Very nice and simple a-lined skirt. I was wearing this on saturday when I was singing karaoke and got a few compliments on it!

Vielä lähikuva kankaasta. Siis hienoimmasta kankaasta ikinä! Se on Paola Suhosen Vallilalle suunnittelemaa Loverevolver-kangasta. Maksoi aika paljon, mutta onneksi mie tykkään lyhyistä hameista.

**********

Here's a close-up on the fabric. I mean the coolest fabric ever! It's desined by Paola Suhonen to Vallila interiors, and it is called Loverevolver. It cost kind of a lot but luckily I like short skirts.

I'm Old...

2007-11-04T16:02:00.001+02:00

Miusta tuli tänään taas vähän vanhempi. Mutta kuten kakusta voi päätellä, niin leipuria miusta ei ainakaan tule.. Ihan hyvältä se maistui. GoGreenin vispi on pelastanut monet vegaanikakut!

Sain äitiltä lahjaksi Joka Tyypin kaavakirjan. Eli nyt luulis miunkin oppivan tuota ompeluhommaa paremmin.
**********

I got a little older again today. As you may notice from the cake I'm not much of a baker.. But atleast it tasted ok. GoGreen's Visp (oat based whipped "cream") has saved many vegan cakes.

My Mom gave me Joka Tyypin Kaavakirja (I think it could be translated as "Every Dudes Pattern Book"). Maybe I'll finally learn to do that whole sewing-thing a little better..

Keep It Coooool

2007-10-28T15:19:00.000+02:00

Elämässä voi tulla joskus tilanteita, joskus tilanteita kun ainoa järkevältä tuntuva asia on piileskellä pusikossa. Saatat olla väijymässä jotakuta, tai piileskelemässä joltakin. Mitä ikinä mahdatkin olla tekemässä, en tule tuomitsemaan. Joka tapauksessa, kun löydät itsesi tällaisesta tilanteesta on erittäin tärkeää pitää pää viileänä ja skarppina, samalla kun pää pysyy tarpeeksi lämpimänä kirpakassa syksyilmassa. Saatan pystyä auttamaan tässä asiassa:
**********

There may come a time in your life when the only thing that seems rational is hiding out in the bushes. You might be stalking someone or you might be hiding from someone. What ever you may be doing, it’s not my place to judge! Anyhow when you find yourself in these kinds of situations it is crucially important to keep your head cool and focused, while keeping your head warm enough for the crispy fall weather. I may be able to help you:

Lanka/Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver, color 0971 Camouflage
Puikot: 5mm pyöröpuikot (40cm), sekä 5mm sukkapuikot
Needles: 5mm circular needles (length 40cm) and 5mm double point needles

Mallineule:

1.krs: *lk, ssk* (toista *-* kerroksen loppuun)
2.&3.krs: kaikki s:t oikein
4. krs: *ssk, lk* (toista *-* kerroksen loppuun)
5.&6. krs: kaikki s:t oikein

*
Pattern:
Round 1: *yo, ssk* (repeat *-* through the round)
Rounds 2&3: knit all stitches
Round 4: *ssk, yo* (repeat *-* through the round
Round 5&6: knit all stitches
*
Luo 80 silmukkaa
**CO 80 stitches
*
Neulo 1o, 1n joustinta 10 krs
**Work in k1, p1 rib for 10 rounds
*
Neulo mallineuleen kerroksia 1-6 mukaan, kunnes pipo on halutun kokoinen (mie neuloin 5 täyttä mallikertaa, sekä kerrokset 1&2)
**Knit in pattern rounds 1-6 until the hat is the size you want (I knitted 5 repeats of the pattern, plus rounds 1&2
*

Kavennukset/ Decreases:
(vaihda sukkapuikkoihin kun tulee tarpeelliseksi)
(change to double point needles when necessary)

1. krs: 9o, 2yht, 9o, 3yht, 9o, 2yht, 9o, 3yht, 9o, 2yht, 9o, 3yht, 9o, 2yht (70s)
**Round 1: k9, k2tog, k9, k3tog, k9, k2tog, k9, k3tog, k9, k2tog, k9, k3tog, k9, k2tog (70stitches)

2. krs: neulo kaikki silmukat oikein
**Round 2: knit all stitches

3. krs: *8o, ssk* (toista*-* 7 kertaa)
**Round 3: *k8, ssk* (repeat *-* 7times)

4.-11. krs: neulo aina yksi vähemmän oikein kuin edellisellä kerroksella ennen ssk:ta, kunnes viimoisella kerroksella neulot vain 7 kertaa ssk:n
**Rounds 4-11: Knit one less stitch before ssk than on the previous round. On the last round just do ssk 7 times

Vedä lanka seitsemän viimosen silmukan läpi. Päättele langat.
**Pull yarn through the seven last stitches. Weave in ends.

Jos teet ohjeella hatun, niin kerrothan siitä (mieluiten kuvan kanssa) miulle!

******

Please let me know if you make a hat with this pattern. I want to see pics too!

Sweet Dreams!

2007-10-21T16:50:00.001+03:00

Koulutöitä vältellessä tein vähän käsitöitä. Tein unimaskit tällä kaavalla. Kaikki ovat trikoosta tehtyjä, aattelin että ois miellyttävän tuntusta naamalla. Halinalle-maskissa on toinen puoli mustaa trikoota, ettei paistaisi päivä läpi. Olisi ehkä ollut ihan fiksu idea muihinkin maskeihin.
**********

I was trying to avoid doing school work today. I made the sleeping masks using this pattern. All of them are made of jersey I figured it would feel good on my face. The other side of the Care Bear mask is black jersey, to keep the sun from shigning through. Might have been a good thing to do with the others too.

Lähikuva kankaista. Maasto-maski tuli myös testattua tänään pienillä päiväunilla: toimii!
**********
Close-up on the fabric. I tested the camo-mask on a little nap today: it works!

Stripey Part 3: the Headband

2007-10-20T17:13:00.000+03:00

Raitaisa-sarjan kolmas jäsen, Panta, valmistui itseasiassa jo edellisessä postissa mainittua pipoa seuraavana päivänä. En kirjoittanut siitä vielä, koska halusin saada siitä hyvän kuvan. No lienee tarpeetonta sanoa, ettei sitä tule tapahtumaan, joten näillä mennään. Kyllä tuosta kuvasta varmaankin jokseenkin ymmärtää millainen panta on.

**********

The 3rd member of the Stripey-family was made the day after the hat I mentioned in the last post. I didn't write about it yet 'cos I wanted to get a better picture of it. But as you can all see: that ain't happening! But I think you can get the idea from the picture.

Malli on tosiaan omasta päästä sovellettu. Harmi että sössin lyhennetyt kerrokset (jäi ikävät aukot kääntymiskohtaan), muuten tuota pantaa voisi pitää myös tuo kurttuinen kohta otsalla. Tiedä vaikka tekisin toisen, jossa käyttäisin parempaa tyyliä lyhennettyihin kerroksiin.

**********

I made up the pattern myself. Too bad I screwed up the short rows (and left unattractive holes) othervise I could also wear the head band so the wrinkled part would be on my forehead. I just might make another one where I'd use a better technique for the short rows.

Stripey Part 2: The Hat

2007-10-09T13:59:00.000+03:00

Raitaisa osa 1 oli lapaset. Nyt valmistui Osa 2: Pipo. Päivässä neulotusta piposta tuli kyllä vähäsen liian iso. Jotekin se on aina vähän arpapeliä, kun neuloo pipon ilman ohjetta pahemmin tiheyksiä laskeskelematta. Mutta ainakin saan mahutettua kaiken tukkani pipon alle.. ja sitä hiusta on tosiaan aikas paljon. Saatan kyllä joutua tekemään Osan 2.1: Istuvamman Pipon.

Lisää jatko-osia tulossa Raitaisa-sarjassa.
************

Stripey part 1 was the mittens. Part two: the hat was knitted in a day and it came out a little too big. It is always a bit of a gamble when you knit a hat without a pattern and without much counting the gauge. But hey, at least I can fit all of my hair under it.. trust me I have a lot. I still might have to knit Part 2.1: The More Fitted Hat. Don't know yet.

Stay tuned for more sequels on the Stripey series.

... And What Came Of It

2007-10-05T12:13:00.000+03:00

Tein siitä viime postissa kertomastani kirjotusta kirsikasta tuollaisen vyölaukun. Pussukka on suurin piirtein samanlainen kuin tämä pussukka, jonka hukkasin.
**********

I made a hip slinger out of the embroidered cherry I told you about in the last post. The little bag is pretty much the same kind as this little baggy that I lost..

Something Completely New For Me

2007-09-29T11:52:00.001+03:00

Mie oon vakaasti päättänyt opetella uuden jutun: kirjonnan. Päätin jo itseasiassa kesällä opetella kirjomaan, mutta sitten se kesä vaan katosi. Eilen illalla sitten nappasin mustaa lakanakangasta kehikkoon (onko sillä joku oikeaoppinen nimi?) ja rupesin tämän avulla hommiin. Nyt pitäis vaan päättä, että mitä ihmettä mie tosta kirsikkahommelista teen.

Totesin eilen olevani tosi siisti tytsy.. Olin illalla pitämässä infopöytää punk/hc-keikalla, ja siinä samassa sekä kirjoin että neuloin. Siellä keikalla soitti muutaman muun lisäks Another Sinking Ship, mahtavaa!
**********

I've decided to learn a new skill: embroidery. Actually I decided that last summer, but somehow the summer just ended before I even realized it. So last nigt I just took some black cotton fabric put it in the frame-thingy and began to work with the help of this. Now I need to figure out what to do with the cherry-thingy.

I did notice last night that I am a pretty cool girl.. I was holding an info table at a punk/hc-concert. And while doing that I was also doing embroidery and knitting. Along with a few other bands Another Sinking Ship played there. Love it!

Stripey

2007-09-25T16:49:00.000+03:00

Alan valmistautua oikeesti kylmiin keleihin. Nämä lapaset mie neuloin tosi halvasta Rache Masche akryylilangasta, jota ostin vähän aikaa sitten, 3,5mm puikoilla.
Lapasten neulomiseen meni kaksi päivää. En katkaissut lankaa raitojen välissä, ja värin vaihtumiskohtaan jäikin tuollainen viiru jonka jätin kämmenen puolelle.
Tarkoituksena on myös neuloa lapasille kaveriksi raidallinen pipo sekä sukat.
**********

I'm getting ready for the weather to get colder. I made these stripey mittens with that really cheap Rasche Masche acrylic yarn I bought a little while back. I used 3,5mm needles to knit these.
It took me two days to knit these mittens. I carried the dark and the light yarn all the way through, so I could avoid all that weaving in. The color changes leaved a little ugly "path". But it's ok since it hidden nicely in the palm.
I'm also goin to knit a stripey hat and socks to go with the mittens.

Ja teinpä myös sukat samasta halpislangasta. Malli on Novitan syksy extrasta. Tein tosiaan lyhyemmät kuin ohjeessa sanottiin, koska miten hiivatissa ne olisvat voineet olla istuvat polvipituiset sukat, jos koko varren ajan pelataan samalla määrällä silmukoita? Mie myös vaihoin päittäin tuon pitsihommelin langankierrot ja kavennukset. Jotenkin vaan tuntu luonnottomalta neuloa langankierron jälkeen kaksi oikein yhteen, ja ennen langankiertoa tehdä yliveto kavennus..

**********

And I also made socks with the same cheap yarn. The pattern is from the fall extra of the knitting magazine Novita. I just made them shorter than in the pattern. I had some issues with the pattern, but I only wrote abut them in finnish. If you can't read finnish you can't read the pattern either.

Thank You!

2007-09-19T17:08:00.000+03:00

Tiiättehän työ ihanan ja kätevän VeganCraftasticin? Joku aika sitten tunsin tarvetta lähettää tytölle blogin takana vähän jotain. Eilen sitten postinainen toi miulle jenkkilästä vastavuoroisen paketin. Vegaanista suklaata ja vegaanista sukkalankaa, mitä muuta nainen tarvii?!
Miulla on jo isoja suunnitelmia langoille.

**********

You know the lovely and crafty VeganCraftastic? A while ago I felt the need to send the girl behind the bog a little something. Yesterday the mailwoman brought me back a package from the states. Vegan chocholate and vegan sock yarn, what else does a woman need?!

Thanks again! I have big plans for the yarn

So...What Puked These?

2007-09-17T18:07:00.001+03:00

Muistaako kukaan mustikanoksennussukkia? Oksennussukka sarja sai tänään jatkoa, kun nämä uutukaiset valmistuivat. Tosin vielä on epäselvää että mikähän nämä oksensi. Lanka sama kuin mustikkasukissa, tosin luonnollisesti eri väriä. Kaksi päivää meni näihin sukkasiin, ei paha.
**********

Remember the Blueberry Puke- socks? The Puke-socks series got a sequel today when these got knit. Though it's still not clear what puked these up. I used the same yarn as in the Blueberry socks, except naturally not the same colour. They took me two days to knit. Not bad.

Shopping!

2007-09-03T14:54:00.000+03:00

Tuli vähän käytyä kaupoissa. Ostin lankaa, lankaa, fleeceä ja lankaa. Ostin tarjous Marinea sekä Bambua, ja hiivatin halpaa 300gramman (n.750m) kerässä olevaa tumman harmaata akryylilankaa. Miulla on Marine-kerien sekä fleecen pään menoksi tarkat suunnitelmat. Halpis langallekkin on ideoita. Mutta mitä mie noista bambuista tekisin? Niitä on tosiaan kolme kerää. Miun oli vaan pakko ostaa ne! Kyll työ tiiätte.. Ne oli halpoja ja nättejä. Ja nuo kolme ruskeeta kerää näytti tosi yksinäisiltä siellä kaupassa. Ehdotuksia otetaan vastaan!
**********

I did a little shopping today. I bought yarn, yarn, fleece and yarn. I bought some Novitas Marine and Bambu that were on sale. I also got this really cheep dark grey acrylic yarn that comes in a huge 300g (750 metres) skein. I have crystal clear plans for the Marine-yarn and the fleece. I also have ideas of what to do with the really cheep yarn. But what to do with the Bambu-yarn? It is 68% bamboo and 32% cotton. It has 135 metres per skein, and I have three skeins of it. I just had to buy it! You know the feeling.. It was cheep and so pretty. Not to mention that the three little brown skeins looked a little lonely at the store. If you have any suggestions what to do with them, please let me know!

The Pick-Me-Up Socks

2007-08-26T22:30:00.000+03:00

Tässä ne nyt on, eikä niihin kauaa mennyt. Eipä kyllä ihmekkään, jos neuloo 4mm puikoilla ja suurimman osan ajasta silmukoita on vaan 44 kierroksella. Tein nämä tosiaan ihanasta bambu-langasta, jota ostin eilen. Muuta valittamista langasta ei ole, kuin se että se jakautuu säikeisiin pikkasen helpommin kuin toivoisin. Mutta muuten sitä oli IHANA neuloa. Ja nuo sukat on ihanat päällä, vähän kuin jalat ois ympäröity kissanpennuilla. Lanka oli niin ihanaa, että halusin tehdä ihan vaan simppelit kärjestä aloitetut sukat. Varmaan nukun näissä.

**********

Here they are. Didn't take too long. Not suprinsing when your knitting with 4mm needles, and most of the time only have 44 stitches per row. I made these with the wonderful bamboo yarn I bought yesterday. I have no other complaints about the yarn, but it splits into strands a little too easily. But I LOVED knitting with it. And those socks feel great on, kinda like my feet would be surrounded by kittens. I thought the yarn was so lovely I wanted to make just a simple pair of toe-up socks. I probably will be sleeping in them.

Sain juuri tietää, että yks miun luokkakavereista odottaa vauvaa. Eli sain vihdoinkin neuloa jollekkin nämä töppöset (pdf) Ja söpöthän niistä tuli. Töppöset on tehty Schachenmayr Bambino langasta, 60% puuvillaa 40% akryylia. Piti tosiaan neuloa tuollaisesta unisex-väristä, kun ei vielä tiedä kumpi sieltä on tulossa. Jotkut on tarkkoja siitä että tytöillä on "tyttöjen värejä", ja pojilla "poikien värejä"..

************

I just found out one of my classmates is having a baby! So I finally got to knit these bootees (pdf) I think they came out cute. They're made in Schachenmayr Bambino-yarn, 60% cotton 40% acrylic. I had to knit them in a kind of unisex-colour, since I don't know if she's having a girl or a boy. Some people are pretty picky about girls wearing "girl-colours" and boys wearing "boy-colours"..

A Little Pick-Me-Up

2007-08-25T16:11:00.000+03:00

Miulle kävi eilen pieni onnettomuus portaikossa, jonka jäljiltä oikean silmän alusta koristaa violetti väri, teipattu haava ja turvotus. Tosiaan pyörryin portaissa verenluovutuksen jälkeen. Oon luovuttanut jo 6 kertaa, eikä ikinä oo tollasta tapahtunu. Aion kyllä mennä luovuttamaan vastaisuudessakin, mutta seuraavalla kerralla otan vähän pidempään rauhallisemmin.

Tänään oli päänsärky oikeesti ohi, joten suunta kohti lankakauppaa piristystä hakemaan. Ostin sitten tuota ihana bambulankaa, jota oon himoinnut jo pidemmän aikaa. Ostin kaksi kerää, tarkoituksena tehdä sukat.
*********

I had a little staircase related accident yesterday. After wich I know have a little purple colour, a patched up cut and swelling under my right eye. I fainted after donating blood. I have donated blood for 6 times, and never has anything like that happened. I am going to go donate again, but next time I'm going to take it easy a bit longer.

Today the heachache actually stopped, so I went to the LYS for a little pic-me-up. I bought that wonderful bamboo yarn I have lusted after for months. I bought 2 skeins of it with the idea of knitting socks.

The Activist Bunny

2007-08-21T18:19:00.000+03:00

Tällä mustalla pikku pupulla on ollut kiireinen päivä. Hän oli auttamassa paikallista eläinoikeus järjestöä jakamaan informaatiota. Hänen pääasiallinen tehtävänsä oli näyttää söpöltä keräysastian vieressä.
**********

This black bunny had a very busy day. He was helping a local animal rigths group to spread the message. His main job was to look cute near the donation "bin".

Kun minuutit kuluivat kävi pupu vähän levottomaksi. Se kävi istumassa melkein jokaisen lehtisen päällä siinä toivossa, että ihmiset huomioisivat ne paremmin.
**********
'
As the minutes went by the bunny got a little restless. He went and sat on almost every leaflet in the hope that people would pay more attention to them.

Loppua kohden pupu pahoitti mielensä, koska hänen mielestään pöydän ääressä ei käynyt tarpeeksi kiinnostuneita ihmisiä. Harmi ettei pupu ollut vielä näkemässä, kun suurin osa ihmisistä oli infopöydän luona.
********
'
Near the end of the day the bunny got a little upset, 'cos he thought there weren't enough interested people visiting the infotable. Too bad the bunny wasn't there yet to see it, when the most people were around the infotable.

Pitkän päivän jälkeen pupu matkasi kotiin käsilaukussa.
'
Tein pupun fleur-halpislangasta (100% akryyli) 3,5mm puikoilla. Pupuun käytin muuten tätä ohjetta, mutta tein sille myös pikkaisen pyöreän hännän.
**********
'
After a long day the bunny travelled home in a handbag.
'
I made the bunny from this very cheap fleur-yarn with 3,5mm hook. I used this pattern for him, but I also made him a little round tail.

Slashing the Teeeees

2007-08-13T21:48:00.000+03:00

Työharjottelu on pitänyt miut aika kiireisenä. Oon kuitenkin tässä tehnyt vähän kierrätyskäsitöitä t-paidoista. Tuunauksestahan nykyään taidetaan puhua.. No joka tapauksessa, miulla oli vanha t-paita joka on jäänyt sen verran pieneksi, että siinä on vähän hankala hengittää. Päättelin, että olis vihdoinkin aika saada se pois kaapista kuleksimasta, teinpä siitä siis kameralle pussukan. Tuo on tuollainen tavallinen nauhallinen pussukka. Tein sen kaksinkertaisesta kankaasta, että se suojaisi vähän kameraa.
**********

My practical training has kept me busy. But I have done some t-shirt recons. I made a little pouch for my camera out of an old t-shirt that was too small for me. I figured that when you have trouble breathing in a shirt it is time to let it go, and not let it take anymore room in your closet. It is just a drawstring pouch. The fabric is in two layers, so it would offer a little more protection for my camera.

Tein myös kirpparilta hommatuista paidoista kaks hametta. Paidat maksoi yhteensä 1,20€. Vähän korpesi, kun kuminauhat makso enemmän kuin kangas! Se toinen hame on saman mallinen, mutta vähän pitempi ja siinä on mustia ja punasia raitoja. En vaan saanut siitä lähellekkään siedettävää kuvaa.
**********

I also made 2 skirts out of t-shirt I bought from a flea market. The shirts cost me 1,20€. So the elastic band actually cost me more than the fabric! The other skirt is a little longer and has black and red stripes. I just couldn't get a decent picture of it.
******

Melkein unohtu: tein mie myös kämmekkäät (t-paidasta tietenkin). Niistä tuli oikein kivat. Jätin reunat huolittelematta, kun miun mielestä hieman rullaantuva trikoo näyttää kivalta.

Arvaa kellä on uus ja toimiva ompelukone?
*********

Almost forgot: I also made gauntlets (from a t-shirt obviously). I've heard that the cool kids are calling them gauntlets.. They came out nice. I left the edges raw, I like the way the jersey rolls up a bit.

Guess who has a new (working!) sewing machine?

Been Busy

2007-07-28T21:06:00.000+03:00

Aluksikin miun päiviä on jonkin verran dominoinut uusin Potteri. En oo kauheesti uskaltanut netissä surffailla, kun oon pelännyt jonkun spoilaavan kirjaa miulle. Kuten itseasiassa vähän tapahtuikin, mutta yllättävän vähän siitä olikin haittaa. Tietenkin piti uusimman kirjan julkaisun kunniaksi painaa muutama paita. Mustassa paidassa lukee vain isolla muggle, sinisessä paidassa on snitchin kuva lantiolla ja niskassa.

Sain tosiaan juuri luettua kirjan loppuun, enkä voi muuta sanoa kuin Voi Hyvänen Aika...
**********

First of all my days have been pretty much dominated by the new Potter-book. I've been afraid to surf the internet for the fear of someone spoiling the book for me. That actually kinda happened, but suprisingy it didn't matter too much after all. Of course in honour of the book's launch I hade to stencil myself a coulple of shirts. The black shirt just says muggle, anf the blue has a picture of the snitch in the hip and on the back of the neck.

I just finished the book today, and all I can say is: Oh My Word!

Syy miksi en kirjaa lukenu loppuun heti kun sen sain käsiini oli muuttohommelit! Mie muutin paljon lähemmäs keskustaa, ja ekaa kertaa elämässäni yksin asumaan. Ei enää "slummeja" (kuten mie kutsuin entistä asuinaluetta), ei enää kämppiksiä, ei enää kenenkään lihapullia miun jääkaapissa! Mie oon tosi onnellinen.

Tietenkin ekana piti laatikoista purkaa käsityölehdet ja sen sellaiset, sekä pistää ne omalle paikalleen.
**********

The reason I didn't read the book the very day I got a hold of it was the fact that I was busy with moving! I moved a lot closer to the city centre, and now for the first time in my life I'm living alone. No more "ghetto" (as I called my previous neighbourhood), no more room mates, no more anyone's mear balls in my fridge! I'm so happy!

Obviously the first thing to unpack was my craft books and stuff, so I could put them in their rightful place.

Tein myös toisen saimaannorpan. Tarvitsin avaimenperän miun vara-avaimelle.
**********

I made another the Ringed Seal of Saimaa. I needed a key chain for my spare key.

Remember to check out the Vegan Sock KAL! It's the first KAL I'm involved in, and I love it.