dianadorable

"Ampurrs"

2011-01-12T23:52:00.000-06:00

If this is how shutter crazy we are about a new kitten, I shudder to think what an exploited child I'll have.
He's a terrible cuddle bug with both of us, preferring to climb up on your shoulders when he's not knackered.

I'm trying to impart my craftiness on the little one at a young age. Knitting around him has been difficult.

Big catbrother, Pierce, has been hot and cold. This was a rare moment of shared grooming, because it's hard to catch this kitten.

When 90% of the pictures we try to take end up like this.

Fifty Projects* in 365 Days (Final Count: 27)**

2011-01-08T23:26:00.002-06:00

*Let's be honest here, it's an adorable idea that I would be able to jot down fifty projects that I would be as interested in making today as I would over the next year. Realistically I'll lose interest after I start one project and move down the list as I see fit. Or jump to an idea not listed below. Also I'm not interested in fluffing up the list after I get however many written down just so I can have fifty.
Instead we'll play one of my favorite games; 'Make a List! Then Change it Periodically to Make it Look Like you Accomplished Things!' It's one you can't lose and everyone is a winner. First round with start with categories then subcategories then sub-wishful thinkings.

Projects I Have Supplies for and Should Complete
Knit
- "Panelled Effect Lady's Jumper" from A Stitch in Time, 1920-1949 Vol. 1
- "Ehva" mittens by Kamilla Svanlund
- "Liesl" tunic by Julie Wesisenberger
- "Fawn Poncho" by Tiny Owl Knits
- "Bob Dibbs Vest" from DomiKNITrix
- "Pinwheel Blanket" by Genia Planck

Sewn
- Susie's Quilt
- Kitchen Drapery

Ideas to Use Up Stash Wool and Fabric
Knit
- "Carnaby Skirt" by Nikol Lohr
- "Diagonal Rib Cardigan" from A Stitch in Time
- "Manu" cardigan by Kate Davies
- "Doily with Spiral" by Verlag Otto Beyer Design Team
- "Still Light Tunic" by Veera Valimaki
- "Faverolle" sweater by Cirilia Rose
-"Petrie" top by Beautia Dew
- "From Norway with Love" hat by Pickles
- "November10" top by Fallmasche
- "Lanesplitter" skirt by Tina Whitemore
- "Ida's Kitchen" hat by Kirsten Kapur
Sewn
- "Braided Rag Rug" from Moda Bake Shop
- "Mendocino Sundress" by Heather Ross
- "Off the Grid" Nine Patch Quilt from Moda Bake Shop
- Multiple Bagskets from Foofangle
- "Back to School" bag from Sew4home
- "Zipup Earbuds" by LauPre
- "Eazy Peezy Lemon Squeezy Wallet" from The Rubber Punkin
- "Fabric Scrap Basket" from The Sometimes Crafter

**Crafter is exempt from doing anything she loses interest in and may create something totally different as a result. Side effects are fairly immediate, crippling boredom is expected sometime during the middle of the project but will end with incredible satisfaction.

Happy Christmas

2010-12-25T01:44:00.000-06:00

A short note to wish everyone a lovely holiday.
The lovely Scottish Fir named Magnus.
My favorite ornament, made out of a photobooth picture.

Catmas Sweater

2010-12-09T21:49:00.000-06:00

Looks like someone is getting ready for the holidays.

Orphans Thanksgiving

2010-11-27T20:50:00.001-06:00

This was the first Thanksgiving I took over the burden of cooking the holiday dinner. It was only for myself and AM, but I wanted to ensure a day or two of leftovers while I was at it. What's Thanksgiving without leftovers? Another day of fake turkey and mashed potatoes. The menu consisted of Quorn Turk'y Roast, Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy, Pumpkin and Percorino Gratin, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean & Asparagus Casserole, Biscuits, Sweet Potato Pie, and Pecan Praline Crunch ice cream.

And paper headdresses.

Pierce joined in on the fun and even enjoyed a bit of fake turkey.

And to bring the class down a notch, Black Monday involved more tiki drinks and dancing. This pose is 'Dear Straw, Put the fruity booze in my mouth'.

The abbreviated week still reeked havoc on my sleepy system, along with the forty degree drop in the weather. Winter came late in Chicago, but it came with a party hat on. One with earflaps and a wooly lining.
I've got my woolens all sorted out for Xmas, mine is going to be an orphan one as well. I just hope I can finish the list beforehand. Little bits and pieces are done and it's not yet December. Once I get my motivation back it should be easy as pie. I just need a bit of a nap first.

Runway Cat

2010-11-20T08:47:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm only holding him back. He's made for sharing.
It's difficult to take a picture when he's busy shaking his tush on the catwalk so bear with me.
I went to Petsmart the other day and found a discarded bit of clothing for a small dog. (Well possibly a smallish medium sized one, Pierce is a plus sized model) It was on a sale and I eagerly rushed home in order to present this piece of fabric to my boyfriend awaiting his question "What is that?"
So I could scream out "IT'S THE CAT'S PAJAMAS!"

Sorry I made you read through all that, it's been a bit of a week.

May-December Romance

2010-11-18T00:16:00.009-06:00

Luckily my gran doesn't have the desire to figure out computers, let alone blogs, so I can post this.
Although I know for a fact she'd laugh about this entry.
Looking through my photos, that I have neglected to post, I noticed a fantastic themed montage to share.

Shirles & I, I adore her and she looks distracted.

Maybe by my boyfriend, whom she's been dying to hug since the moment they met. He quite likes her despite the grimace.

Or, only a stones throw away, the irish step dancer. The smile in this photo is that of genuine happiness.

My cherished photo of us pales in comparison to the joy of snuggling with this boy Riverdance. Don't get me wrong, I adore the found slideshow. I can only hope at her age I will still be pinching the butts of younger men. Figuratively I believe. I wasn't watching her all that closely but I wouldn't put it past her. Love you Shirles.

Booooo Hoo

2010-11-01T00:22:00.001-05:00

October flew by and good weather throughout the Midwest led to rioting in the streets. People walking to and fro, wearing summery clothes and chanting things like 'What good weather we're having' and 'Funny, I don't even need my coat'.
It was chaos.
The week before my annual B.Y.O. Pumpkin Carving party we set out for our gourdy favorites, it was an unseasonable 80 degrees. I rolled up my pant legs, threw ice cubes in my coffee, and avoided the smokey kettle corn tent to hunt for a warty pumpkin to call my own. We weren't disappointed by the selection at Goebberts of cardboard cutouts to pose with nor the seed filled orbs piled around the acreage.

We bought the farm. Or damn well close to it. If my arms are any gauge for it, the haul must have been close to thirty pounds. Navigating the dodgy cart through the expansive parking lot was a feat and this man was not going to allow any blood spilt. The apple cider made it to the car and was partially consumed on the ride home in autumnal spirit.

Normally I'm an albino pumpkin carver, but I saw this lonely medium sized 'kin in a bin of neglected odd bits I brought it home thinking I'd be able to make a wicked witch. My inexperience with this sort of gourd and tool set made with a five year old in mind was unable to complete the task I had set for it. When I was that age I'm sure I would have fun a way to poke an eye out with the generic set of tools only meant for bending and breaking.

That Star Trek logo is his mouth, completely unintentional. Even Pierce got in on the fun, wearing an adorable skull hoodie from Susie and sniffing around the pumpkin guts before settling in so we could admire his new duds.

He was happy. I swear. Don't call animal cruelty, he's got a good thing going here besides the occasional dress up.

Sheeps & Bunnies, Bunnies & Sheeps

2010-10-10T12:45:00.000-05:00

This is the story of how we went to Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival last month, mostly just so Andrew could pet a large amount of sheep. From Chicago it was a long ride but armed with an iPod and promises of cuddly sheep we set off, my mind calculating what yarn I'd buy first.

After a loop around the sheds that contained glorious amounts of wool and assorted business, we saw the Angora bunnies and nearly made off with one. It wasn't for lack of love, but the lack of a habitat that would be the rabbit paradise I envision.

Then as a reward for letting me stroll through all the yarn twice, we went to Cracker Barrel. It was his first time, so I made sure we ordered everything. And then some.

Pierce got his own little reward, a pink fuzzy catnip filled toy sold to me by a preteen that seemed unused to selling to two tattooed cityfolk. It was impossible to get the cat to sit still during the snap, he was enamoured until he ripped open its belly approximately four minutes after I gave it to him.

End of Summer

2010-09-15T23:48:00.001-05:00

I made it to one Cubs game; which included one bag of peanuts, two beers (one leaky), and yet no nachos in a tiny baseball helmet.

dianadorable

"Ampurrs"

Fifty Projects* in 365 Days (Final Count: 27)**

Happy Christmas

Catmas Sweater

Orphans Thanksgiving

Runway Cat

May-December Romance

Booooo Hoo

Sheeps & Bunnies, Bunnies & Sheeps

End of Summer

Knitting what?

August

Cubbies & Bears

July

Shout Out From S. Korea

I Don't Not Love You

Birds, Bees, n' Butterflies

Mothers & Flowers & Food Porn

Gusts up to 35 mph

Painting a Security Blanket

No, You're Mistaken

Lone Bunny

Hastily Made Outline Post

At Midnight it will be "Blessed Didacus of Cadiz" Day

Tattoo Inspiration

Hats off to you February Part 2

Hats off to you January Part 1

My Project (bedside) Table

2010