Uhh, what?

So I was trying to remember a web address that I haven’t been to in a while, and I just couldn’t find it. Then I remembered that I had a link for it on my blog. So I typed in my blog address and clicked on “links” down at the bottom. The page loaded … blank. Uhh, what? So I went to edit the page. There were all of my links. I edited it slightly, saved, and checked out the links page again. Blank. I tapped F5 on the keyboard. Blank. I clicked “refresh.” Blank.

Uhh … what’s going on here?

Anyway, this weekend was STELLAR! Oklahoma and a fair bit of Arkansas was covered in ice and snow on Thursday night. I got a little of it where I live – thankfully, enough to cancel school, but not so much that we couldn’t leave the house the next day, and we only lost power for 30 minutes or so. I meant to finish this charming beehive hat for my auntie, but the knitting started to hurt my hands. I did, however, dye the fabric for my Zoey jacket – even though the collar piece ended up missing the final dye so it’s too light! – and sew (most of) the pieces together. I just need to sew the cuffs, waist band, and … the dang collar. I do have some dye left over so that’s good, I guess. Hopefully I can get it to match!

I also finally installed the invisible zipper on my lolita-like Alte skirt. Now all that I want to do to it is add a contrast ribbon at the waist. I will probably try it on tomorrow and want to pick out the hem. I did a terrible job on it. I’m trying to convince myself to move on, but it’s really irking me.

I have been ordering a lot of things lately, and I need to stop. Among the things I ordered are a pink boatneck shirt for Rochelle (just need to shorten the sleeves and add the Depeche Mode logo) and various welding items. I’m not thinking of taking up welding, I’m making a Dr. Horrible costume for my husband. A lot of people are super-excited about it; I hope it turns out as good as everyone wants it to be! I also ordered … drumroll please … two passes for A-Kon 21! I’m so excited and scared about this convention. SO MANY PEOPLE go to this convention! There is going to be so much to see and do! YAY!

Motivation, part II

Alright, now that I’ve had some sleep, I feel a little more motivated to do something.  I’m going to try again with the progress-made post.

Knitting:
I recently joined a group on Ravelry called “Hogwarts at Ravelry.” Basically, people come up with projects and try to fit them in with a Harry Potter theme. You take “classes” to get points for your house (I’m in Hufflepuff!) and the assignments are relatively small knit and crochet items that you have six weeks to complete. Well, I guess I only have four weeks now, and I’ve barely gotten started!

Potions Class
I have a cauldron started, just need to complete. Trying to weave in ends without a yarn needle (I’m using a crochet hook because I lost my needle) is taking forever, which is why I think I lost motivation to finish this project. I finished the first assignment, which was to define a series of potions-themed words. Assignment 2: Explain a calming drought, and create something that makes you feel cozy/calm. Need to do this one. Assignment 3: Explain a euphoria potion and create something that makes you feel happy – bonus points if it is yellow. Need to do this one too! Assignment 4: Explain a love potion and create something for someone you love – bonus points if it is red. I’ve made a scarf for my husband that has his school colors in it, which are red, white, and blue. I need to take pictures of it and submit it with the explanation. Assignment 5: Explain a shrinking potion and felt an item that you could use at Hogwarts (like a felted cauldron.) I may skip this assignment because there are several other classes and I don’t really have time to experiment with felting right now.

You don’t have to do every assignment of every class. Arithmancy has a HUGE list of assignments you can do, but are by no means required to do every single one.

Arithmancy
I did the pre-class quiz already, so there’s a few points. We were supposed to use arithmancy and find our character, heart, and social numbers. For assignment 1, you are supposed to pick one of those numbers and create a wearable item. 10 points for a small project, 35 for a large project, 5 points if you get your house colors in there, and finally 10 points if you donate it to charity/give as a gift. So I could get as much as 50 points for this assignment. However, I think I’m just going to make a Hufflepuff scarf for my husband, since he looks a lot like Cedric Diggory when he doesn’t have a beard. Although these scarves can get massively long, I probably can’t get more than 20 points or something for it, so if that’s true, I’ll get about 35 points. Not too bad. Assignment 2 is to recreate Ron’s knitted patchwork blanket using your Arithmancy numbers. Basically, make patches that deal with your numbers. Mine are 1 (character) 6 (heart) and 4 (social.) 10 points for every 5 blocks. I think I’ll try to do at least six blocks, and then see where we go from there. There are 5 more assignments that are just throw-away points, but we’ll see if I actually get around to those.

Flying
Yep, flying. One of the assignments is to actually make a broom. I’m a little excited about attempting that. I think I’m going to make a cover for a long dowel and then attach lots of fringe to it for the broom part. It’s going to be so cute! Then there’s the Proper Apparel assignment – I’ve been intending to make this beehive-shaped hat forever, and you get bonus points if it has to do with something that flies. The last assignment is to create something to keep your concentration (i.e. a headband to keep your hair out of your eyes, a bag to hold your things in so they won’t fall out) and I have a small backpack pattern I want to use. Points are awarded based on the scale of the item, so small are 15, medium are 25, and large are 40. The hat would be considered 15 and the bag would be 25, and I have no idea how many the broom might get. I guess it depends on how clever she thinks I am.

Muggle Studies
1. Create a cozy for an electronic device. Should be easy enough to do, and the great thing is that they only take a day to complete.
2. Make a robot amigurumi. I love toys because they are so quick to whip up as well!
3. Make a muggle transportation related item. She suggests a steering wheel cover or book cover for plane flights, but I’m going to ask if I can do a travel pillow.
10 points for every item created.

Ancient Runes
The first assignment is to research a language that uses pictures instead of letters. You can focus on one symbol or the entire … umm, alphabet? What would you call that? Anyway, she’s already given me permission to do a “paper” on naval flags, which I’m super-excited about. I loved discovering their meaning in the indie game Braid, so I’m happy that I get to tell others about them as well. The second assignment is to create something based on the language you selected. I’m going to be making squares to add to my “Ron’s Blanket” from Arithmancy. I should get at least 20 points for completing these two assignments.

Alright, now on to the costumes….

No Motivation

Ugh….

I have no desire to do anything.  Even typing this post is almost excruciating.  I have many knitting and sewing projects I should be working on, and I need to upload my photos before my camera gets too full, but I just don’t WANT to!

I think I feel this way because of work.  Too much stress.  And then I come home to a messy house and all I want to do is curl into a ball and have everything be taken care of for me.  *le sigh*

I thought I might post here of any progress I have made so that I could see how well I was or was not doing.  Unfortunately, I have no motivation, and I certainly don’t want to type up my huge projects list.  Some other time, then.