Hi. My name is Caiti and this is my blog. Here you can find my poetry, pictures, and various knitting endeavors--I even design some of my own patterns. I'm a huge game nerd as well, so you will probably hear alot about my current game/anime/comic obsessions.

I have a few other sites which may be of interest to you located on my sidebar: Ravelry, Facebook, Myspace.

I also have an etsy shops that I run with my mom and sell handmade swarovski crystal jewelry for Weddings, Proms, and any other special occassion. We also carry handmade hana kanzashi hair pins. You can purchase already made items or make special requests. I also intend to begin carrying knitting accessories, but you may also find other random projects of mine ranging from screen printing to hemp to anything else, so keep an eye open n_n

Etsy Buy Handmade caitinc

I love fall. It is my absolute favorite season. I love the weather....hoodie and jeans weather! It's not too cold, and definitely not too hot. It's the perfect weather for hiking. I also think it's beautiful when the leaves start changing colors. On top of that, there is my favorite holiday, Halloween! We go hardcore and make a haunted house, I usually make my own costume, and have a slew of parties. I am greatly looking forward to it. Not to mention all the festivals...Oktoberfest, Prairie Fest, Scarecrow Fest, Alpaca Days...and the activities...corn mazes, haunted houses, ghost tours/walks, Rocky Horror, apple picking, raspberry picking, pumpkin patches/picking/carving, and Fright Fest. October is going to be a busy month, but I'm so exited ad know I'll love every minute of it! November, things start to settle down, We tear down the haunted house, and start getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also enjoy these Holidays. I find September-January very fun and festive and I can't wait to hop back into it all again.

We are already working on new mechanics for a new room in the haunted house this year...hopefully it works out. I've been enjoying the weather and got to go to an alpaca farm and Oktoberfest for real German food over the weekend (haven't had real German food in a while now). Unfortunately the wind has been horrible the past two days, but once it dies down I am looking forward to bike rides and hiking trips as well. Now if only I could figure out my costume....I only have 1 month and I may have to work without a pattern for this one (I want to copy a costume that I am way to cheap to buy!).

Before I can even begin that (well except haunted house stuff...that always comes first in October), I have to finish/make more placemats for my mom, make pillow-blankets for my cousins, finish that baby blanket (It's a curse I swear!). If I have time and money I will then make my costume. After that comes holiday knitting....so far I have on the docket: dishcloths and hand towels (towel toppers really) for my Grandma, Twilight/Bella long mittens for Candi (maybe...she sort of knows about them so I'm not sure if they'll be a gift or not). I need to stat thinking though, because if I'm adding more hand-mades to the list I need to get moving.

I am also finishing up my Tim Burton swap...man is this thing taking more out of me than I thought! My original spoilee had to drop out (so sad!), so I had about 1.5 weeks to revamp my package. I was not able to meet my previous expectations, but it is still going to be good. Changing things up left me with some items that I don't really have a need or use for, so I have decided to send them on to my original spoilee since she had a legitimate and unfun reason to drop out. While it will not be the awesome package I had i mind, I hope it will still help cheer her up :)

After this swap I am in the Winter Sanity Saver swap which sounds very fun and much more simple. The basic jist is send everything needed to complete a small project your spoilee will enjoy and be able to carry around the work on during the craziness of the winter holidays. I like this idea, it's cute and simple, and provides a bit of fun and extra surprise to your winter holiday season. It will probably be my last for a while. Things are starting to get busy and I barely made it with this last one when it came down to the time crunch. Also after the holidays I'll be saving up money since I'm still temping and can't assume I will have a steady paycheck.

In other news...my birthday is Friday, which is exciting. The boy bought my present and it arrived last Friday...so when we hung out on Saturday he decided to surprise me with it! It's a gorgeous diamond bracelet...I'm so excited about it still. It's very simple and dainty, but perfect for my daily style. It's so pretty I only wanted to wear it on special occasions but he said he searched for something that I could and would wear every day. So I have been, and I get all giddy every time I look at it. It's nothing big or flashy, but it's still beautiful :D

Not only because this is my second post in one day (I did not want to edit the other one, it was way to rambly as it is), but because of why I am making this second post, which is....D4 dice bag revisited.

I got bored and needed a break from Tim Burton and baby-blanketing (ha...ha...). I decided to revisit the dice bag, intending to get it done before our game of D&D Sunday afternoon. I didn't get it done in time, but M and I ended up not being able to go anyway. I am quite happy with the results. Looking back on my previous post on the different methods, it appears I used Triangle 2 (even down to the color!), the only change being a 15st base instead of 16...I think. I'll provide the actual pattern again, just in case.

(  But before that, pictures of my success... )


( And now, the pattern... )

So have fun, and let me know if this works out for you.



And yes...those pictures are taken on my Eberron campaign book, and it is in front of my "fantasy shelf" which includes D&D books, "magic" books, tarot cards, runes, and obviously a fairy....However, we are no longer playing 3rd/3.5 any longer. e have moved on to 4th, which crapped up clerics in my opinion (I love clerics, but I can't make a very good one any more u_u maybe once I level up I will ike it more....althoguh I do miss beign a gnome so we shal see what lies ahead lol).

So I have been in the midst of another swap, the theme of which is TIM BURTON! I've been having an awesome time planning this out. I fear I may have bitten off more than I can chew and may not complete it on time. I am mostly done with all my items except the big one which I am just starting, and I's like to buy some treats. I think I have enough time to finish, but we shall see. I have a back-up plan though if my big item doesn't work out. I just can't wait.

Yesterday I received a "door prize" from my last swap. I got nervous thinking people were already sending out their im Burton swap packages, but it was quickly availed when I saw what was inside. I am going to have lots of fun with my catwoman fold and mail stationary and yummy alpaca blend (LOVE alpaca!).

While working in my Burton swap, my puppy decided to join in the fun. Enjoy some pictures of her and her newfound toy. (Yes, that yarnball is officially hers now. It was pretty small though so I guess it's ok. For comparison she is only an 8 pound dog)

( Puppy+Stash=Cute )

In other news...I am STILL working on that baby blanket. It's just so boring that it is taking forever. I really need to get crackinh on it htough. I haven't evenstarted the bunny for it. Totoro is still on the back burner too.

I also bought scribblenauts today. Kicking myself for not preordering because I missed out ont he Maxwell hat ;_; But the guy at gamestop (I frequnt that particular one waaaay too much), said that if they aren't all claimed by saturday I can stop in Sunday morning and get one w00t! I haven't beaten the first world yet, but I alread love it. I do enjoy 5th cell, and discovered I own all 3 of their DS games (Scribblenauts, Drawn to Life, and Lock's Quest). They are al good games for both advanced and beginner gamers (as me and the boy both enjoy them...apparently I'm a beginner...I always thought intermediate but the boy told me I was wrong lol).

Other than that there's not much going on. OH! One of my bestest frinds and my partner in crime is movinh back to Illinois, only a half hour away so I'm super excited. I am looking forward to much fun and many adventures. Also we plan to knit on the porch and throw cats at the passing children...good times.

I am still in need of a job...I temp, but that doesn't give me steady work. Also the place I've been at recently totally sucks. I really don't like it there, but what am I going to do? The place I love just does not have an opening to hire me which also sucks. I would absolutely LOVE to work there but...I can't. The one receptionist wants a different position too...If she ever gets it I am a shoe-in!

This is a very random update post. I am not doing so well on etsy either. i have fun making jewelry but cant afford their marketing galleries and showcases, so my stuff doesn't really get out there. If you want, please check it out at the link in the top post and help support me! I'm thinking about changing things up and maybe going a more crafty route. We shall see.

I suppose that is all. Sorry for the jumbledness.

I have designed an amigurumi whale! Well...mostly. He is still in the works, and my prototype is not as pretty as it could be (color-wise...also lack of eyes :p). I wanted a cute whale with a big round head and forked tail, but I also wanted to be able to work it all in one continuous piece. For anyone interested here is the working pattern for...

( Wally Whale )( Wally Whale )

So I was doing some image browsing for various Burton films, toys, etc when I came across Nightmare themed stitch markers. They are so cute! And well done...well I go to the image's page and to my delight it is an etsy store! She has Jack needles too. Full of tons and tons of cute knitting accessories, I just had to share!

As for why...I was doing some research for my Tim Burton swap package. I have narrowed down my ideas and am ready to go...there is just one item I am debating about, mostly because of price. I have time so we shall wait and see. Meanwhile...I take this craft-group swap waaaaay to serious (in case you didn't see my last one, I made: stitch markers, painted needles, a keychain, a purse, and I modified a tote), so I have lots of designing and testing to do. I am so excited about this swap, I may have to make two of everything for me! (Testing may be useful n_n).

I've got one design done, another in the works (it will require testing), and one more to do. Beyond that I am halfway through a handmade project, and have yet one to figure out still...that one is going to give me problems, I just know it! But if it works out it will be very cool. Then a few purchased items as well, one of which I haven't quite made up my mind on yet. Oh how I wish I could say more, but the availability to cyber stalk means my spoilee's suprised coul be...spoiled. lol
 

It's amazing what random web browsing will get you. I found an interesting blog: Things You Wouldn't Know If We Didn't Blog It. It kind of reminds me of that catalog Things You Never Knew Existed...just lots of random info. However it is because of that blog that I found this: The Case of the Exploding Knitting Needle. Who knew?

Onto more...my...other...knitting related news, I have finished my super hero swap. My package was received my Louielouie on August 3rd. She loved it and I am so glad. It was insanely fun for me to put together. Now that the package has been received, I feel safe in posting my chart for the purse. I have no problem posting hte chart, as it can be used for multiple projects. The purse pattern itself was free, so please use it yourself if you want to ake your own. It is a great pattern and so easy to follow!
( Wonder Woman logo chart )
If you are interested in how I altered Scott to make the keychain, pm me and I will gladly tell you what rows I did the color changes on. I won't post it all though as the pattern is not mine to claim. You will still need to purchase your own copy of Scott, and I will tell you when I switched the colors if you want to make your own :)

Today I just got my new swap partner for the Tim Burton swap...needless to say I am so excited. So many ideas are going through my head, I just don't know which way I am going to go yet. Good thing I still have two months :p

On a side note...I was looking through the thank-you thread in odd duck swaps, and I noticed an o.o.p. box. Naturally I looked it up..."Other People's Plastic," aka non-recyclable items being repurposed. I'm not a huge greeny, but I do like the idea and get excited when I see it being implemented like this. If you are interested, check out TerraCycle Inc. Apparrantly you can get their stuff at Target too n_n

So I just finished a 2.5 week assignment at InCon Tech, covering for their receptionist. It's a small office, but everyone was really nice and I like working there. They told the agency they love me too, so yay! Maybe I can go back there if I don't find myself a full time job soon. Today I am back at Aspen, my favorite place in the world to work. I just love it here, and every time I come back people remember me. It's such an awesome feeling. I would love a real job here, too bad they're on a hiring freeze u_u (at least in the areas I'd qualify for). However, there is a listing for a Police Assistant/Dispatcher job that I am applying for. The qualifications aren't too hefty and I meet them, but I'm sure tons of other people do too. I'm trying to collect some letters of recommendation to boost me up a bit, because I would totally love that job. Wish me luck!

In knitting related news...I finished my Super Hero swap! I am sop excited. It gets mailed today, and I cannot wait for my spoilee to receive it. I hope she loves it, as I had a blast making it. I totally went overboard on the hero-of-choice theme (can't spoil things just yet!). Everything, except for 2 things, are themed. I was going to do some screen printing, but copped out as I found some awesome themed items instead (which made my life easier and gave me more leeway with money). My two yarn-crafted items I am super jealous of an want for myself...and so do members of my family. I was afraid they wouldn't get done, but they did and I love them. I also got a little crafty with clay and paint...can't say much more but I totally went overboard. I don't even know what I spent...and I'm not going to find out. Really the biggest costs were some supplies, most of which I had, and the rest which will be used for future projects so really their whole cost should not be counted n_n I want to post pictures so bad...by Monday I'm hoping.

I have made like no progress on that friggen baby blanket. We were super busy with the house: sanding, priming, and painting the railings (which were totally stripped and redone by the boys); gardening (no weeding for me, but some planting). Meanwhile I got some assignments so I'd work and come home to help, then spend my weekends or free days in Macomb cleaning and packing...2 more weekends! Furniture this weekend, check-out next. But you can see where crafts do not fit in. I believe I'm either 1/3 or 1/2 of the way with the length, then there's the border, and of course the toy bunny to go with it. On top of that, I think I am still supposed to make a toy for my other neighbor's little boy, and of course the kitchen dishcloths (at least they don't have a deadline!). So at this rate, I'll be lucky if these kids get their items before they turn on lol.

I also entered another swap...one is all it took and I'm addicted. There's something about only spending 30 bucks, and taking two months to go crazy with a theme, and then get something cool and awesome from somebody else. If you think about it, its like spending $15 a month on yourself for something cute and fun. So now that I'm done wiht Super Heroes, I'm joining Tim Burton! I just love Ravelry and the Odd Duck Swaps group ^_^ They've got a few others coming up I think I'll like...we shall see if I can join them too. Although if my family likes items from my future swaps as much as they did from this last one, I shall be very very busy (spoiler warning: They loved the key chain and have requested their own, some the same some slightly different).

Let's see....other than that, Etsy has not been going so well n_n Granted I have stopped paying for showcases and haven't really made anything new to add, so that may be why. I just don't want to be stuck with all this jewelry and have nothing to do with it. I may expand into knitting related items too though, I had fun with this last swap and some of the items I made, so we shall see. After the 8th I will be totally moved out, so maybe I'll have more time then to work on items to sell and such. I think that's all for now. A big post to make up for a big break. Once my package gets received, expect a couple psudo-patterns (more like tweaks).

I really want a nice pair of wood sock blockers...but they are so very expensive. I've found some DIY suggestions involving plastic place mats, cardboard, and even wire hangers. I think I should be able to adopt this to make my own wooden sets. I have a jigsaw and a band saw so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I even have a belt sander...so unless I want ot make a pretty design at the top, I'm not at a loss for tools. The wood should not be too expensive, and if I go with say 1/8-1/4" I might be able to carve out designs anyway. I also have a wood burner so I suppose that is another option.

Now...to just figure out the sizes. I could base them off my own socks but I wear a tiny size 4, so I don't see those blockers working very well for any other socks I knit. From what I see the basic sizing goes as follows: Small fits women's sizes 5-7, Medium fits women's sizes 7.5-9.5, Large fits women's sizes 10 and up as well as general men's sizes. On Average they seem to measure 8.25 inches from heel to top, with knee highs being about 6 inches taller. I'm thinking I will maybe go buy cheapy socks in these sizes, or raid my family's socks if they happen to know their sizes, and use them as the foot pattern. I may have to make a size Extra-Small too, so accommodate my tiny feet. Maybe XL too, what do you think?

After writing this out, it seems like way more work , time, and money than it's worth. But realistically how much can a piece of 4x8 1/8" thick wood cost? And the socks wont be too pricey. I'm sure we have stain and varnish, so no money for that either. Really I will at most spend what one pair of nice wooden blockers will cost, and hopefully have a nice set for myself. It's been a while since I've played with power tools anyway. Plus they will be unique n_n

This may not happen for a while, but I have a hait of losing my notes on things like this, so now I share them with you all! At least I can find them ^_^

Well 2 weeks is quite a long time to go without an update. I have moved out maybe half of my stuff from my apartment, but since I have the lease until August 8th, I'm in no rush. I've also been cleaning/rearranging my room back home which involves a mega huge spring cleaning task, plus redecorating which involves old and new furniture, painting and carpeting. SO moving home in sections was a good idea. There's so much else to do at my house besides my room. We have to finish the outside of the house, which involves a new railing for our porches and redoing the shutters. Not too hard but very time consuming, and we need it done in time for Candi's grad party on July 18th...very busy.

On top of all that I have lots of projects I want to get done, not to mention summer classes. I'm STILL working on that baby blanket; two elephants, Totoro and the peeps have been shoved on the back burner; I need to make 2 baby toys yet. I want to make more hair pins and sets for my etsy shop too, but we will see when I get time. I also joined this Super Hero swap an Ravelry which I am insanely excited about. I have all sorts of plans for my spoilee, I can barely contain myself. I will post more on that later on, like after I mail it, just in case she checks here. It's not reciprocal so really I guess its not very likely, but just in case...

In the meantime there are festivals to be had. St Charles just had River Fest, which sadly I attended all 3 days. It was pretty fun. I got to see the dragon boat races and water ski show, check out some shops, listen to some bands, eat. I missed the car shows though :( I really like those but I managed to miss both of them. It was fun nonetheless. Next week Geneva is having Swedish Days/Misommar Fest. It goes on for a think all of next week or so, so that should be fun. One of my favorite bands broke up and formed a few others, an done of those bands is playing so I'm excited to see them. So for any Troubled Hubble fans, Kid You'll Move Mountains willl be playing next Friday night!!! Should be good times, and I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of my week there like a loser.