Week one of the final semester down... 15 to go...

So I've managed to survive the first week back at school, which will be my last semester before I graduate...  HOORAY.

This should be an interesting semester- two classes that I know nothing about... Foil Imaging and Darkroom Photo.  So far so good, but it's only been a week... lol

My cat peed in my baby pine- :(  stupid cat.  it knocked the roots out of the soil and everything.  now the kitchen stinks like cat pee, and I'm googling how to neutralize it.... seems like white vinegar and baking soda along with a good rinse are the ways to kill it...  trying baking soda tonight because it seems to make more sense than adding another acid to the mix.....  

blarg.  

that is all.

Recent Books!!!

So I've made it my goal for this winter break to read as many books as humanly possible.  I'm not really caring about the content, most of them are what I can download for free through the Amazon Kindle program...  this is just going to be a list of what I've made it through thus far so I can refer back and write reviews and such..... keep in mind i've read all of these in the past 2.5 weeks.... so here goes:

Divine Misdemeanors- Laurell K. Hamilton
Irrisistible Forces- Brenda Jackson
The Kiribati Test- Stacey Cochran
Kiss Me Deadly- Michelle Hauf
A Kiss of Shadows- Laurell K. Hamilton
A Lick of Frost- Laurell K. Hamilton
Mistral's Kiss- Laurell K. Hamilton
Seduced by Moonlight- Laurell K. Hamilton
Serial- Jack Kilborn
Snowbound- Janice Kay Johnson
A Stroke of Midnight- Laurell K. Hamilton
Swallowing Darkness- Laurell K. Hamilton
Vanish- Tom Pawlik
When Night Falls- Margaret Daley
The Wild's Call- Jeri Smith-Ready
Once Bitten- Kalayna Price

wow!  I had no idea I'd made it through that many!

Happy New Years- to resolutions and resolve...

Now, while I am not one who usually sets let alone sticks to new years resolutions.... but this year, with it being the end of a decade and all, feel like I should at least do something to commemorate...  so i am. 

I do have several resolutions, but I'm going to refer to them as goals.  just sounds better, imho.

goals:
1- lose some weight and tone up a little
2- stop smoking
3- organize my life and try to keep it that way.

and now, a look back at my life the  past decade:

My Decade, in memories

2000- In high school, well set to graduate in may, 2001.  I am the extreme portrait of senioritis, I only have class from 8-12 and then I'm home.  I play for the varsity girls golf team.  I'm on the Executive board for Business Professionals of America (BPA).  I work at Fareway grocery stores.

2001- I travel to spain with some classmates, spending time in Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, and living with a family in Zaragoza.  I graduate high school with a 3.496  (only 0.004 away from being an honors student) I move out of my parents house, start the transfer program at Kirkwood Community College.  I still work at Fareway.

2002- Still attending college....  no clue what my plans are.  in december, Chad and I start dating.  We met through Fareway, where we both still work.

2003- I move into the boys apartment with chad, and then we move into a different place during the summer.  We get a cat.  we hate each other.  (not really, but truth be told, we did not really get along for the first year we lived together. I'm still at Fareway.

2004- I stop attending kirkwood, because I need to figure out what i want to do with my life.  one of our friends comes up to "stay with us for a couple weeks while he finds a job and a place to live"  Chad goes back to school.

2005- He's still there.  Chad asks me to marry him.  I leave Fareway, finally. We all move together to a crappy apartment. I start a new job for a staffing agency, love it.  get fired.  work for a short stint for a clothing consignment store that doesn't last either.  Start at River City Property Management, as the 5th receptionist in a year and a half.  love the job, hate the bs. chad and i mount a united front and reclaim our house.  (after a year and a half, we live by ourselves again)

2006- lost almost 60 pounds, got married in september, traveled to niagara falls for our honeymoon.  in october, found out i'm 3 months pregnant.  we move into a duplex where i had grown up as a child.

2007- we welcome lillian rose into the world, who decides a rapid entrance would be best, blessing me with a 2.5 hour delivery.  Chad graduates kirkwood and starts the university of iowa in the fall.  I'm a stay at home mom for the summer and return to work at river city part time in the fall.  chad is still at fareway, working full time.

2008- I get a job at the university of iowa working in the ER.  love it.  gives me insurance, even though i only work part time, and allows chad to go part time at fareway.  I start school at the university of iowa, in the art program.

2009-  lily starts gymnastics.  i still work at the er.  chad still works at fareway.  we both attend the university and are on our way to getting honors status for both of us. 

and whats coming??
2010- I have two art shows in april, we graduate in may, and are planning a trip to the caribbean in june or july.  chad may continue on in school in the fall, we're still trying to work that all out.  As for me, I'm looking forward to the changes and adventures that we've got in store for us this next year.  :)

Pinal Afghan

SIZE: About 45 x 52 inches

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
• "Boye" crochet hook size J or K
GAUGE: 3 sc to 1 inch

BE SURE YOUR STITCH GAUGE IS CORRECT. Do not hesitate to change needle size to achieve gauge indicated in the instructions.







___First Strip: With Dark-ch 22.
___Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 20 ch, ch 1, turn.
___Row 2: Skip first sc, 1 sc in each of next 20, 2 sc in next st, ch 1, turn.
___Row 3: 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 20, ch 1, turn.
Repeat Rows 2 & 3 for pat, always having 22 sc on each row and working until 8 rows of Dark have been completed, draw Light through last 2 loops of Dark sc on 8th row, ch 1, turn.
Alternate 8 rows of Light and Dark until 8th Dark stripe has been completed. Fasten off. Make 4 more strips.
___2nd Strip: With Light-ch 23.
___Row 1: 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 19 ch, 2 sc in last ch, ch 2, turn.
___Row 2: 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 20 sc, ch 1, turn.
___Row 3: Skip first sc, 1 sc in each of next 20, 2 sc in last sc, ch 2, turn. Repeat Rows 2 & 3 for pat, working until 8 rows of Light have been completed, drawing Dark through last 2 loops of last sc on 8th row, ch 2, turn.
Alternating 8 rows of Dark and Light work until 8th Light stripe has been completed. Fasten off. Make 3 more strips.
With a "first" strip at each side, sew strips tog, alternating as shown. With Dark, on right side, crochet 1 row of sc on each side edge.
___Fringe: Cut 80 strands of Dark and 40 Light each 13 inches long. Fold 5 Light in half and draw through each joining between points then knot 1 Dark fringe at each side of Light fringe as shown. Fringe other side the same.

Galaxy Afghan

Here's an afghan that I really really want to make:

The Galaxy Afghan

Materials:

4-ply worsted weight yarn--

Color

A Light Yellow, 3.5 ozs.
B Medium Yellow, 3.5 ozs.
C Peach, 3.5 ozs.
D Salmon, 3.5 ozs.
E Mauve, 7 ozs.
F Violet, 7 ozs.
G Light Pink, 7 ozs.
H Dark Pink, 7 ozs.
I Light Turquoise, 10.5 ozs.
J Dark Turquoise, 17.5 ozs.
K Royal Blue, 17.5 ozs.
L Purple, 17.5 ozs.

Crochet hook
Size J-10 (6 mm) or size to obtain gauge
Size I-9 (5 1/2 mm) or size to obtain gauge

Yarn needle for finishing
Gauge: Motif = 6" from point to point

NOTE: The Galaxy Afghan is contructed of hexagon- and half hexagon-shaped motifs. The sides have zig-zag edges and the end edges are straight. Following is a breakdown of the number of motifs that you will crochet in the yarn colors shown in the project photo, beginning with the center motif and continuing out to the edges:

1 Light Yellow center motif
6 Medium Yellow motifswith Light Yellow edges
12 Salmon motifs with Peach edges
18 Violet motifs with Mauve edges
24 Dark Pink motifs with Light Pink edges
30 Dark Turquoise motifs with Light Turquoise Edges
22 Dark Turquoise motifs
20 Royal Blue motifs
12 Purple motifs
2 Royal Blue half-motifs
8 Purple half-motifs

Instructions:

With smaller hook and darker color, chain (ch) 6, join with slip stitch (sl st) to make a ring.
Round (Rnd) 1: 12 single crochet (sc) in ring, join to first sc with a sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 5, * double crochet (dc) in next sc, ch 2; repeat 10 more times, join in 3rd ch of ch 5, sl st in first ch 2 spaces.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, {yarn over (yo), draw up a loop (lp), yo and draw through 2 lps on hook} 3 times, yo and draw through 4 lps on hook, ch 1 to close cluster, ch 2; * rep between {}'s 4 times in next ch-2 space, yo and draw through 5 lps on hook, ch 1 to close cluster, ch 2; rep from * 10 more times, join in top of first cluster. Fasten off dark color, join light color in any ch-2 space. If not changing color, sl st in next ch-2 space.
Rnd 4: Ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, * work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 space, 3 dc in next ch-2 space; repeat from * 4 more times, join in 3rd ch of ch-3.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 dc, work (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-2 space, * sc in next 9 sc, work (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-2 space; repeat from * 4 more times, sc in next 6 sc, join to first sc. Fasten off.

Half Motifs for top and bottom edges
(8 in Purple, 2 in Royal Blue).
Ch 6, join with sl st to make a ring.
Row 1: (Right Side): 7 sc in ring, ch 5, turn.
Row 2: Dc in 2nd sc, * ch 2, dc in next sc; repeat from * 4 times, ch 2, turn.
Row 3: Work clusters as for Rnd 3 of motif in 6 ch-2 spaces, ch 3, turn.
Row 4: 2 dc in base of turning ch, * 3 dc in next ch-2 space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next space; repeat from * once more, 3 dc in next space, 3 dc in top of turning ch of last row, ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Sc in first 9 sc, * work (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-2 space, sc in next 9 sc; repeat from * once more, continue sc across lower edge, working 2 sc in corner sts at each end. Fasten off.

Finishing
Block motifs to measurements. Sew motifs together according to the photograph. Working from right side, whipstitch through top loop only and match sts.
Edging
From right side, with larger hook, and changing colors to match motifs, work one row sc in top lps only. Work 2 sc in peaks of motifs, skip 1 st between motifs.

oh my how time flies....

I tell myself over and over again that posting here will be a regular thing, but then I fall off the wagon as I get sidetracked by such fun and important things as school.  Alas, the school semester is over and I now have much needed time to relax and get caught up on things that I've been setting aside for months.  Christmas still isn't over, which means that there's lots of work to do, like wrapping, baking and making more gifts...  yes, i'm still making more gifts....  I don't know why, perhaps because I'm insane.

I really do think I'm insane, for many more reasons than one, and if you haven't realized this already, perhaps this and the following posts will help you realize that I am no normal person.  At least I don't claim to be one where I'm clearly not...  :)

So where to start?  How about my blog "to-do" list.  what do I mean by that?  I mean what do I need to do to spiff up my blog?  Here's the list of things that I'm planning on doing over break and some that I will continue past the clean-up session.

Post crochet patterns:  I have a bunch of crochet patterns that I've been working on, either that I've found on the web or things that I have created myself and would like to share with all of you (if there really are people who read my random musings)

Post book reviews:  My goal for this break is to continue reading.  I've been averaging a book about every 2 days or so, and just so I don't forget what i've read and what i liked, I would like to write just a brief, 2-5 sentence statment on what I thought of the book.

More Frequent Postings:  Just for my own sake, to keep this blog what I hoped it would be....

More Art, all the time:  everything.  Absolutely everything that I do and create will be put on here at some time with an explanation and other fun tidbits.

so there.  there's the goals for this blog going into 2010.  I'm starting today and I'm going to try and continue for many many days to come!

Midterms, yikes

So I always tend to freak out when midterms roll around, and this semester is no exception.... and as usual, I'm in pretty good shape for my art classes, but not my art history.... it makes me sad.  I've written 5 single spaced pages and I'm not even done answering 2 of the questions. 

When I get stressed, I take breaks from papers by watching movies and crocheting, and this week has been no different, so I've got a few new things to post!  I hope you enjoy, and I might even post the patterns later this week.  :)

This is another scarf done in the zigzag pattern, meant to go in the bag for someone to choose from at christmas.  :)

 Curly scarf- these are so much fun to do!!!  It takes about an hour to make one scarf, and so it's ideal for doing during a movie! [easiest pattern in the world, so easy, I'll list it here, right now!]

Disclaimer: I'm a free-former.... so I almost never follow a pattern exactly.  When you start this scarf, just make a chain that is however long that you would like the scarf to be.  You can use a variety of needle sizes, for this one, I used an "I", for the next two I'll post, I've used different sizes.... The black on is a "N" and the purple is a "P"

ch however many you like for the length

sk 1st ch, sc in ea ch after, ch 2, turn

sk 1st sc, 2dc in ea sc to end, ch 2, turn

sk 1st sc, 2dc in ea dc to end, tie off.

The scarf will naturally curl.  :D

 

Here's a hat that I made as a test... a girl at work asked me to make her a hat and scarf, and this was the pattern she wanted.  I thought I would give it a shot before I got her yarn, just so I knew what I would be getting into.

As you can see, I've been busy!

Another day, another project...

So as the semester is in full swing, I have a million projects and side projects that are going on in my head, with the first thing on my mind always being the big BFA whatnots.  And as if I weren't stressing over that enough, I walk into the SA building today, and what is the first thing I see?  A sign-up sheet for the BFA clearances.  They're earlier than I thought they were going to be....  so now I'm feeling a bit of a time crunch.  This week and next are all going to be devoted to fine tuning and printing images, with the hope that I can get my portfolio looking tip-top in time for the big presentation.  I might possibly pee my pants.  (it's a distinct possibility, should I wear some depends that day just in case?) 

So here's just a glimpse into the art-world of lori, with what all projects I'm currently working on and what deadlines I have.  (I know most of you probably don't care, but this blog is as much for my benefit as it is for your amusement....)

BFA Clearance- [deadline Nov. 4] Still working on two new projects that I hope to have completed in time for the deadline, though now that it's ten days earlier than I thought it would be, I'm wondering if I'll be able to get them complete to include in my portfolio or not...  Other than that, it's sort and print, sort and print, sort and print at this point.

Photo- [current project deadline Oct 21] The current project is "Landscape and the Hand of Man."  From working on my honors project at the same time, I think I've got this one in the bag.  Just a little more editing and printing them all and things should be good to go.

Silkscreen- [deadline ?]  My teacher isn't very good about giving us deadlines, but we just had our last project crit last thursday, so I'm imagining that we're going to have a good bit of time to design and work on this project, seeing as we haven't even cleaned out our screens from the last project yet, this one is on the back burner.

Sistene Chapel- [midterm deadline- Oct 22, paper deadline- Dec 8ish]  I haven't even started working on the paper yet, honestly.  I do have an idea though, but much research and time devoted is going to be necessary.  Hopefully thanksgiving break will afford me some time, even though that's gonna cut it really close...

Metals- [deadline Nov 5]  This is the deadline for the current project, though I know that sometime toward the end of the month, I need to start concieving of my final project as well, since we have a much shorter time period to work on it....  This project is going well right now, and my wax mold is complete, and tonight I started making a silicone mold in case something goes wrong, I can re-create my wax mold in a flash.  I have the outer shell of the ears formed, and the tail is partway forged.  I just need to hammer it into a round shape and then shape it, and it will be set to go.  I think if I can get my piece in the tank on thursday, I could possibly have it complete a week before the deadline, at the pace that I'm working on.  (I hope)

Dig Imaging [deadline Oct 15] Yeah, this is my first deadline out of all of them, and all I need to do is print my selection of images(which takes longer than you think, after you battle it out with photoshop and imageprint....)  I hope to be able to print them during my regular photo class tomorrow, otherwise I'm going to be cutting it really close to the wire trying to print them on thursday.....

So there you have it.  Along with my class artiness, I've been crocheting like a madman, in any free moment I have.  I alternate my breaks at work with crocheting and reading for my sistene chapel class, and as of right now, I have 1 scarf and 1pair of gloves that are complete and 3 scarves that are in process (I have to switch between them to avoid tedium).  I need at least 7 items to give away for xmas gifts, so I'll call it a fourth of the way done.... 

Speaking of xmas, I really really really need to start thinking about what everyone is getting.  It's got to be cheap this year, even poor lily isn't going to get very much, as we need to conserve as much money as we can this year.  We're trying to save up for a cruise to take after we graduate, as a present to the both of us for making it through a 4 year degree, and thus far we have roughly 650 saved up.  That would be about enough to get one and a half people on the cruise, not even considering drinks, souveniers, money for stops on the mainland, and all that jazz.  Besides that, I need to get my passport updated, and find chads.  Should I even be thinking about this now?  No, probably not, but the thought of it is kind of keeping me sane right now.

Seeing as it's already well past my bedtime and I still have a lot of things to do tonight, I'm going to have to end it there.  Goodnight, all. :)

New Stuff, as promised. :)

So here's the new scarf and gloves that is the first of many christmas presents to be made:

I don't know about you, but I think they're pretty and I'm proud that both of these patterns are of my own creation.  :)

So I promised some other stuff too, so here's some of my other things that I've done, mostly from school last semester.

Plant Lamp: a sculpture hybrid.

 

Midnight Faerie: Copper and aluminum.

 

Bracelet: nickel silver with a quartz cabochon, and an image that I designed.

 

Another bracelet, this time nickel silver with a jade cabochon.

 

a handformed ring: nickel silver with a star sapphire stone.

 

A sampling of the patchwork crochet blanket I'm working on. :)

There's much more that's in progress right now, but I don't have the time right now to post them.  :)

Random comments, after work, on a game day Saturday.

First let me say yay.  I'm happy to be done with work, but I'm also happy that I have finished a new scarf and one glove of a set to be gifted to someone this Christmas, and have half of another scarf to be completed.  (It's strange to often think that I have several scarves or socks or gloves to be completed at once, but it's because I like doing different stitches at different times, and sometimes I'm in the mood to cable or just want to try a new stitch, and I always have something in one bag or another, so often there are several things at once)

I'm also working like mad on a wax figure to be electroformed, several new pendants for necklaces, photos for two separate assignments, as well as a revision of the black and white silkscreen (that I already posted) in color.  busy busy!

When I have light tomorrow, I'll post pictures of the crocheted works and various projects. :)