Spinster Aunt

I've recently bought a digital camera and finally set up a flickr account, so it might actually be worth friending me on Ravelry.

I'm moorina over there too. I know others on my flist are on there - can you comment with your screen names so I can find you?

I've got pictures of my stash up (it seems that I do rather like blue...) and my WIP - Son of A.R.A.N.

( Cut for length )

We've done the knitted Yoda ears, the Leia hair and the Jayne pom pom, so how about a crocheted Gollum hat?

And in a slightly creepy vein (hehe - get it?), a scarf knitted out of vinyl tubing through which you pump your own blood.

Happy 2007 :-)

edit 'cause I can't spell

Quite a few things catching my attention in this one. 

Lucie
I'm not sure if I'm liking the pattern (which is servicable enough) or the colours (which I adore) on this one.  This could be a nice casual top if I were so inclined. 

Ivy
Ivy could very easily turn me on to wrap tops.  Just enough to cover the shoulders when it's in-between weather. 

Avast
Am I crazy enough to knit a project based solely on its title?  Yes, indeedy.  I have no shame. 

Sherwood
Sherwood is just delightful.  It could be done in no other colour than green!  I'm a born cabler, so it's making my fingers rather itchy. 

Intolerable Cruelty
Would never wear it, but I'd love to knit it. 

Little slip of a thing
I'm not hugely fond of lime green.  Actually, I rather hate it.  But it works in this combination for me.  I think it looks intriguing with the purple.  While I don't think I'll make the bag itself, it may have made me a bit more tolerant of lime green as a colour.  (Only in the abstract, mind you.  Don't make me wear it.) 

Lizard ridge
This was the first pattern that caught my eye in this issue.  I want to climb into the photos and steal these afghans.  They're just beautiful.  I love the use of the long colour repeats in the yarn - very bold and quite deliberately the opposite of the muted mixes you can get with variegated yarns.  I like.  Very much.  Indeed. 

Red Herring
It reminds me of that bag (...ah, found it: Via diagonale) which I also love.  Maybe I just have a crazy affection for herringbone?  Who knows?

Cable net
Cables!  Socks!  Yay! 

Tamarah
Is there anything in the world more likely to get me interested in knitting something than the phrase, "The pattern isn't conventional -- read the Pattern Notes thoroughly before you begin"?? 


In my actual knitting news, I'm helping ma'ma with a large Clapotis in periwinkle blue, which she is so proud of.  I've finished Folly, of a sort.  (I'm so sick of the sleeves that I'm leaving the one sewn on backwards for the time being.)  My felted rose bag just needs sewing up - I have the handles, ribbon & silk lining are ready to go, I just need to actually do it.  The cotton bedspread is plodding along with infrequent progress, but progress nonetheless. 

Also, I've just seen North & South for the first time.  A great diversion.  Am not obsessed.  Really. 

Because this is something that should not be lost track of:

Leia Hat.  The original URL has changed (spelling was "Leah".  Now, correctly, "Leia"). 

Still, I reckon anyone who:

a) conceives of a knitted Leia hat
b) knits said Leia hat, and
c) allows photo of herself wearing said knitted Leia hat on the internet

should be allowed a bit of slack ;-) 

to pimp some podcasts and link a knitting pattern. 

Firstly, the knitting pattern. 
Leia-along, anyone? (via Craft:blog)

Secondly, the podcasts.  I have a long commute, so I listen to loads of these on my iPod. 

Enough Rope, Andrew Denton's interview show on ABC TV.  The latest episode is a repeat of his Steve Irwin interview from 2003, which will be of interest to some on my flist.  Denton is a fantastic interviewer and his shows are always worth watching, whether you know of the person or not.  Approx 30 mins each interview, two interviews a week.

The Chaser's War On Everything.  From the folks who brough us The Chaser, The Chaser Decides and CNNNN.  Video podcast.  Australia-centric, but terribly funny.  Episodes were getting put up on YouTube illegally, so the ABC decided to make it an official vodcast.  30 min episodes, once a week.

Filmspotting.  Film.  Fun.  New episodes go straight to the top of my New Podcasts playlist.  Approx 1 hr episodes, once a week. 

Self Improvement Wednesday.  From 702 ABC Sydney Radio, Richard Glover's drive show.  Ten minutes on a random topic with an expert each week.  Last week was Latin, this week was Pride & Prejudice (with a professor who obviously knew more about the book than the adaptations, getting Matthew Macfadyen's name wrong quite a few times.)  11 minutes each Wednesday.  Duh. 

Thank God It's Friday.  Also 702 ABC Sydney radio.  Sydney-centric wrap up of the week that was.  Terribly funny. 

SydneyAnglicans.net Classic & SydneyAnglicans.net Latest.  For those sermanically (yes, I just made that word up) inclined.  A great collection of sermons from in and around the Sydney Anglican diocese.  Currently being encouraged and challenged by the series on Luke from St Thomas' North Sydney.  Time is approximately sermon length (varies from 20 mins for the shorter ones up to 1 1/2 hours for longer lectures/seminar presentations etc.)  A couple a week. 

Lingua Franca.  ABC Radio National on language and linguistics.  15 mins once a week. 

I also listen to a bunch of French podcasts just to keep my ear in.  I'm searching for Latin ones too. 

Anyone have any podcast recs for me? 

I believe this time I beat knitress to the punch:  knitted zombies. 

The world just doesn't have enough of these things. 

I've finished the knitting propper, which turned out fine.  My first attempt at the pompom on top, however, has been less successful.  It's approximately 3/4 the size of my head.  It could wear the hat instead of me. 

I'll try again. 

Part the first: Go the Swannies. Cheer, cheer the red and the white etc.

Part the second: My father and I started and finished watching Firefly (courtesy of the_least) in the last week. We're utterly hooked and I started knitting my Jayne Hat yesterday. El cheapo acrylic, but what's a girl to do? The Movie Show has given Serenity 3 1/2 stars. David & Margaret have not yet reviewed it, but I'll be interested to hear their thoughts, as ever!

Part the third: The post-MTC-exam Pirates & Teapots day was lovely. Friends came around, we watched the Jon English Pirates of Penzance (Dear Pirate King, I love your purple pants...) and then Pirates of the Caribbean. Ahoy, avast etc. And since there is nothing in the world sillier than writing a filk only five people will understand, I present to you the official Pirates & Teapots song which had its world premiere on Saturday, piano and vocals performed by moi:

A Teapot's Life For Me

Yo ho, yo ho, a teapot's life for me.

We measure, we steep, we strain, we pour
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.
We've afternoon tea at a quarter to four
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a teapot's life for me.

We've English Breakfast and Darjeeling
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.
And Earl Grey and Lady Grey, fit for a King
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a teapot's life for me.

I am a teapot, I'm short and I'm stout
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.
And here is my handle and here is my spout
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a teapot's life for me.


Part the fourth: Go the Swannies!!

Better late than...whatever. 

Not a terribly inspiring Knitty this time around, at least volume-wise.  Only a couple of patterns that caught my eye.  W and Soleil look nice for summer (even though we're smack bang in the middle of the cooler months here), though I have fallen in love with Via Diagonale - a definite future project. 

I've finished the body of the Rose Basket handbag which is very exciting.  Just started on the actual roses, which ought to be a snap.  Then the leaves and on to the felting!  ::crosses fingers::  I think I want bamboo handles for this rather than the felted tubes in the pattern.  I've already adapted it to knitting in the round, so why stop there?  Anyways, we'll see how it goes once I've felted it. 


Go play nice with the research people:

I'm terribly envious of all my flist who have been reporting on CIII. Horribly envious. raykel has made a fairly bold statement about the EpIII footage that has - against all my better judgement - got me more excited than even the trailers have. Man. I don't want to be disappointed again. It's driving me mad. And also check out slyvermont's Star Wars Seder. Way cool.

Anyways, here are a bunch of icons I've had floating around for a while displaying my love affair with Imperator Small Caps. One knitting, one Cate Blanchett, a bunch based on Madame X by John Singer Sargent, and a really weird bunch of HP/Biblical Theology crossovers inspired by my first Old Testament 1: Exile to Eden lecture last night, the upcoming HBP release and my musings on the nature of progressive revelation.

( Et voila )

This picture is making me want to

a) Knit the bag
b) make the skirt
c) paint my door red
d) move to Paris
e) all of the above

It's all a little incongruous, looking at winter knitty while I'm baking here without the air con on.  Anyways, here are the patterns I like from the most recent one.  (Not that I'm anywhere near up to date on the other stuff I want to do, but hey, a girl can dream.) 

Candy: So sweet!  I think I'd even do it in pink, but shhhhhhh.  Don't tell anyone. 
Mariah: Just looks cosy & easy to wear.  Plus I'm entirely in love with cables.  Now I just need a pair of jeans to wear it with. 
Wavy: Fun scarf, interesting design, what's not to love? (me = scarf junkie)
Bob & Weave: Not so much with the flowing ribon at the ends, but I love the idea and I'm also a bit of a wrap junkie.  Nice. 
Kureyon Kozy: 'coz a girl can never have too many tea cosies in her life.  'tis a statistical impossibility. 
Mancala Mia: Not so much for the game, which I really don't know how to play, but I love the little felted containers.... I'm seeing a few of them in my near future...
Mary Ella: I'm not really a bracelet kind of girl, but this is growing on me.  It's the sort of thing that I'd make for Andrew.  With a slight change of materials. 


Christmas preparations have started in earnest in our house.  The tree is up in the middle of our lounge room (and is leaving a trail of pine needles everywhere)  The big Andersen family do is on Sunday up at Grandad's place, which ought to be good, then Christmas lunch at our place on the 25th for...I don't know how many people.  Mum spent the morning making mince pies.  I've been practicing the carols for our Christmas Day 9am service.  (I only get to play these descants once a year - I want to get it right, damnit.)  The puddings were done a few weeks ago and are hanging up on broomsticks in their little calico support structures 'till they get reboiled.  I volunteered for the "polish the silverware" job which is long and tedious and backbreaking, but a good excuse to watch the extras discs for ROTK:EE.  (I reiterate: Ngila Dickson = supreme genius of all textiles.)  I've scrubbed my fingers eight times and I still can't get all the black suff out from under my fingernails. 

If there is at least one person in your life whom you consider a close friend, and whom you would not have met without being part of an online fandom, post this sentence in your journal.

There are exactly two people on my flist whom I met in RL before I spoke to them online.  Two.  ::waves to the rest of you lot::

One for the knitters (and anyone who's ever asked someone to knit for them!).  SMH Heckler:  How to avoid a designer tea cosy.

( Cut for Holiday Wish List Meme: )



Amelia Peabody quote of the day, and oddly enough it's not from an Elizabeth Peters book.  This is from Spirit of a Nation: The Story of Australia's Christian Heritage by Stuart Piggin, chapter 5, p108.

As a family, the Youngs were larger than life.  When she landed on one of the Solomon Islands, Florence Young was approached by Islanders flourishing spears.  She sufficiently disconcernted them by opening and closing her umbrella.

ROTFLMAO!  Though I dare say Emerson would have a thing or two to say about becoming a missionary. 


On Thursday I got screwed three times over by cityrail - took me three hours to get to North Ryde and was an hour late for work on my second day.  Utterly frustrating.  Thankfully my boss is being very understanding about the whole thing, but after getting home on Thursday night having spent five hours in the public transport system I decided I needed a bit of Tall, Dark & Darcy to cheer me up.  Enter Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. 

( Cut for spoilers )

* Glen McGrath's first test half century: 61.  Incredible.  Unbelieveable.  So glad I saw it.  Laughed all the way through.  Apparently he got $10,000 as the result of an incentive clause in his contract for his maiden 50 and was the subject of a $1,000 private bet between Mark Waugh and Shane Warne. 

* Mum's comment on Shane Warne during the first test: "He looks like an orc."  hehe.

* Kylie Minogue as Epponnee (Look at moie...) in Kath & Kim.  Best.  Cameo.  Ever.  Again, laughed all the way through it. 

* "The Black Gate Opens" still makes me bawl like a baby, even with nothing built up before it.  (It's the wooden flute - gets me every time.)  I'm starting to think about the joy of Dec 10 when ROTK:EE comes out and I'll get to be an emotional wreck all over again.  Break out the tissues.  Can't wait ::g::

* Martina is a darling.  I enjoy being an aunt. 

( Folly photos. )

Wow, it's been a while since I've updated.  And so much has happened!  The big thing, I suppose, is that I've found permanent, full time, gainful employment.  Whohoo!  I start this week at African Enterprise, a missions organisation that some of my friends have been involved with in the past.  The travel will be an absolute bear, but if I can keep it to one connection I'll be happy.  (I do not trust cityrail that much...or at all, really...)

My campaign of procrastination for my exam on Tuesday is going remarkably well.  Three days to go and I haven't typed a single word.  It's been a fascinating subject, but I have defeated the fascination by my razor-honed skills in putting things off to the last minute.  It's been particularly interesting looking at the differences in the development of Christianity in .au and the US.  Some very, very, very different presuppositions went into the colonies.  Anyways, interesting stuff.  And I do have just under 48 hours now to cover 200+ years ;-)

Also, behold!  New icon!  My beloved Tyndale.  I've even modernised the spelling.  Somewhat.  (NOT A WORD, SUMMER!)  ::fangyrles::

My knitting progress has been steady.  Clapotis is finished and has been making frequent appearances upon my person.  It's a fabulous pattern; it has a certain je ne sais quois.  Folly is partially assembled on my dress form, sleeveless and having roses slowly attached.  I discovered a major problem with the sleeves that I hadn't noticed on either of them while I was doing them.  Both sleeve caps are 90o off centre.  And not even in opposite directions so I can't even call it a "design feature".  Wah.  Both sleeve caps have to be ripped back to before the cast offs to centre them properly.  :-(  The folly of Folly.  (Oh, that was dreadful.  No more puns, I promise.)  And I'm still working on the counterpane bedspread.  Not many squares to go now!  Then, of course, there is Dave's fuzzy pink knitted tie.  But I haven't figured out the correct decrease rate for that yet.  I'm a perfectionist in all things, even stupid novelty joke gifts done on a dare.  Plus, I can consider it a swatch for hallowig ;-)

Summer & Nancy, your stuff will be sent tomorrow. 

If any knit folk haven't seen this, do so now.  Terribly funny.  (Language warning - some bleeped, some lesser language not.)

Rip it out.

( What woman out of fantasy literature are you? )
( What kind of knitter are you? )

Afghanistan has just had their elections, and today is the federal election in Australia.  As was pointed out to me yesterday, I live in a country where the polling booths and ballot boxes are cardboard, we mark our votes in lead pencil, there are card tables out the front of every polling place with how-to-vote cards from every political party, and I can vote as I choose without being in fear for my life.  I live in a country where the government of the day is routinely upheld or changed, by the will of the people, peacefully.  I am indeed truly blessed. 

As for voting Christianly, the Brotherhood of St Laurence has a fabulous slogan.  "This election, vote for someone else."  This isn't about tossing out the current government or changing your vote from last time around, but rather voting for the benefit of others rather than what is best for ME.  This whole Christian humility stuff has some implications I'd rather not think about.  Wah. 

::stupidbloodyinhumilityconsideringothersbetterthanyourself::


These are the coolest LOTR/Laundry/Knitting geeky crossover things ever.

( Cut for 'No kidding, Sherlock' quizzage )

The David Hicks book of flower arranging. Presumably with a special section on Cuban foliage for those indefinite periods of detention in Camp Delta. (Possibly talking about two different David Hickses.)


Also.....

Hannah & I had our ten year friendship anniversary this week. She didn't know the exact date, but I'd looked it up in my old school handbooks and surprised her on Tuesday night after our Romans exam. I gave her tea stuff, a large hand knitted black lace stole (the blocking of which was a horrible, horrible thing, but it looks great now), and a book of Spurgeon's prayers (with instructions to PRAY for ME, because I am a selfish, selfish creature in terrible need of prayer).

Then last night I went 'round to her place for tea (with the new tea things!) and to watch Sense & Sensibility, which in Marianne & Elinor has the most accurate representation of the Hannah/Sophie dynamic that I've yet seen in literature or film. I took the video and my knitting. Hannah seemed quite impressed that I could knit with only the light from the TV - honestly, it's just stocking stitch.

I came back with the video, considerable progress on the knitting, and.....

THE BRIEFING CD-ROM!!!!!!!!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! 300 issues as pdfs! Wow wow wow wow. I'm so excited. I stayed up 'till 1.30am reading the first couple ::g:: I'll have to..er..ration my reading of the others, I think ;-) But this will be so much help for college stuff, and for personal interest reading, and it's all indexed, and you can search for authors or subjects and I did a search on Mark Thompson straight up so I could read his stuff on evangelicalism and....

wow.

So humongous thanks to Hannah for her generous and thoughtful gift. I love it.