tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74973311380581154162024-03-12T22:17:13.216-05:00The Stingy StitcherA poor student's quest for creativityAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-75676713572765156342015-03-25T00:09:00.000-05:002015-03-25T00:10:00.822-05:00Earring Organization<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, well, well. One year without posts and here I am, breaking the streak.</div>
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Lots has been going in life, obviously. I'm finishing up medical school this May and finally going to be a DOCTOR. I start my training in Pediatrics this summer! In less than two months, I'm also GETTING MARRIED to truly the best man I know (and there will be a little DIY coming with that, believe you me).</div>
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But this is about crafting!</div>
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I just wanted to share this with you guys because I've never seen earrings stored quite like this. Putting chicken wire, or lace, or burlap in frames never really worked for me. They were all a bit too rustic, for lack of better words, for how I like to decorate.</div>
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I do, however, have a few of these scrolls hanging in my apartment:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKBJn-o8LBmJNPIFOJKxGjIS9FiwfpFHTyIQ_B4iqQ6vMaXHI8aNkL6uYmR_9ewHw22EgkeMbPitx3OAImf7W47mPwNv8S2hiQzW36SqmdwiVCAN5Lqn67IbV4pvKRsUjP4DReopKUS4/s1600/1427258234109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKBJn-o8LBmJNPIFOJKxGjIS9FiwfpFHTyIQ_B4iqQ6vMaXHI8aNkL6uYmR_9ewHw22EgkeMbPitx3OAImf7W47mPwNv8S2hiQzW36SqmdwiVCAN5Lqn67IbV4pvKRsUjP4DReopKUS4/s1600/1427258234109.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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It hit me when I saw these that I could imitate this style.</div>
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One trip to Michael's later and....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32j51Cjdjl0jX1nMmcUw1mESQzPj1B9I8XcfcXmcts9a5PCPw3M9eh86bJ9HbrBj2pet5-a46dxWUCsC8_KN7rj97J5FIqNm82C8htDEv9rnG7f8gzS2p1_ZWzKpU4el7jqa2hnslfYI/s640/20150324_231730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32j51Cjdjl0jX1nMmcUw1mESQzPj1B9I8XcfcXmcts9a5PCPw3M9eh86bJ9HbrBj2pet5-a46dxWUCsC8_KN7rj97J5FIqNm82C8htDEv9rnG7f8gzS2p1_ZWzKpU4el7jqa2hnslfYI/s640/20150324_231730.jpg" /></a></div>
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Pretty, no? I have been using this system for almost <i>two years</i>, and it's held strong for me. Hooks go near the top, hoops go on the edges (they of course also work really well on the bottom, and studs go near the bottom for easy unhooking.</div>
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Here's a slightly closer look at the top edge:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OhdKTYzutduoV1muRqIVznXt__OmVfAxbv-ppKYL3PXYWDj3J-ZCahQACb-XLZUdJe8vJDbfaqe5JP-oIWiCKrfLYZzcvYiuwDXoACZxFVal5LW7jXp7QDY8CYhW6CV2yWsOoKPQRq0/s1600/20150324_231758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OhdKTYzutduoV1muRqIVznXt__OmVfAxbv-ppKYL3PXYWDj3J-ZCahQACb-XLZUdJe8vJDbfaqe5JP-oIWiCKrfLYZzcvYiuwDXoACZxFVal5LW7jXp7QDY8CYhW6CV2yWsOoKPQRq0/s640/20150324_231758.jpg" /> </a></div>
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Also, this was almost laughably easy to make. I found a nice long piece of Aida cross-stitch canvas, a dowel (about 3/8" in diameter I believe), and red embroidery thread.</div>
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First I cut the dowel into two lengths, for the top and bottom. I pre-measured how many rows of canvas would be enough to make a casing for the dowels, then I back-stitched it in to emulate the look of a scroll. At the top, I also added a loop to hang it from.</div>
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Choose a spot, hammer in a nail (or hang a Command hook, whatever floats your boat), and put your earrings in. Done!</div>
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Thanks for reading, especially to those of you who used to follow my blog and remained faithful followers! Hopefully I'll poke my head in again soon to share some of my wedding DIYs with you!</div>
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- Annie</div>
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My year, suffice to say, has been extremely busy. Without spending too many words on it, I'd just like to say that this is probably the most challenging time of my life, although it can also be incredibly rewarding. Third year of medical school is exhausting but also fun at times! If anyone is interested in a post talking more about what my year and experience has been like, I'm happy to share, but otherwise, I'm keeping this more in the spirit of a crafting blog.</div>
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And despite the demands that have been put on me this year, I have still managed to find a little time here and there for crafting! Shocking, I know. I'm hoping there will be time later on to share my other projects, but it'll just be one today.<br />
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So I moved recently, and my living situation now is such that I know I'll be here for at least two years. That is the only explanation I can come up with to explain why I had a sudden urge to actually put up any sort of Christmas decorations this year. Something about the slightly more permanent living situation made me want to "take ownership" of my apartment in some way. Somehow, putting up seasonal decorations does that for me, I guess, even though I've really never been a "holiday spirit" kind of girl!<br />
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I had originally thought that I wanted to craft those little cone-shaped Christmas trees you're seeing everywhere, or maybe crochet up <a href="http://www.dappertoad.com/2012/11/free-crochet-pattern-amigurumi-holiday.html" target="_blank">an adorable Christmas lights garland</a>. We don't really have the space to store a large amount of seasonal decorative stuff, so I was thinking small.<br />
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However, I had also noticed that a lot of our neighbors are putting up Christmas wreathes. And somehow deep down inside, I felt this "keeping up with the Joneses" sense of inadequacy suddenly well up, and then I decided right there to make a wreath for our door!<br />
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A quick trip to Michael's and an hour or two later and....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3oZyGU2m61CpkWxNKFF0h8m2kbSwKPaVBUrKll2MDI7jItLj-rtqVajdxpmoQdt1yhD5eB2LmCu_JIGUocahi3t7UIiTuo88C8skLg_wWJQTF8nSWKsSpnba0NSVWXg0UDQGMSCJJbc/s1600/20131207_175508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3oZyGU2m61CpkWxNKFF0h8m2kbSwKPaVBUrKll2MDI7jItLj-rtqVajdxpmoQdt1yhD5eB2LmCu_JIGUocahi3t7UIiTuo88C8skLg_wWJQTF8nSWKsSpnba0NSVWXg0UDQGMSCJJbc/s320/20131207_175508.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ta-da! Isn't it cute?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtk2SlDbzLxxXt_Q0PyRuzhm_KgsCf6Hakx8qfh4S9wdzvES-6h5uXhxnC1qNCGHNql0pHYe-KBGEbf4PBnvIyW96zRQ7BYOrrZCr_BfJyEDleGKZJsCFZIywlKQEuOiw_qp6KygFiWQ/s1600/20131207_175443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtk2SlDbzLxxXt_Q0PyRuzhm_KgsCf6Hakx8qfh4S9wdzvES-6h5uXhxnC1qNCGHNql0pHYe-KBGEbf4PBnvIyW96zRQ7BYOrrZCr_BfJyEDleGKZJsCFZIywlKQEuOiw_qp6KygFiWQ/s320/20131207_175443.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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All it took was a foam wreath form, a couple tinsel garlands I bought last year (whoooo, post-seasonal clearance!), some ribbon, a decorative little "sprig", and some wire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkP4gzMy546XIs8CpnGjcliN0O7vns8UcMWd4_TnH_z60lqkfw01XrEJwu4D-tVkKz9hVlCgmAbdyKwBCuQUkAcPzIyD5B6rXwS7w2iWh77alnoFqVy-cZbQEP0_f9sieUiXeJf9mrJY/s1600/20131207_180122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkP4gzMy546XIs8CpnGjcliN0O7vns8UcMWd4_TnH_z60lqkfw01XrEJwu4D-tVkKz9hVlCgmAbdyKwBCuQUkAcPzIyD5B6rXwS7w2iWh77alnoFqVy-cZbQEP0_f9sieUiXeJf9mrJY/s320/20131207_180122.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A foam wreath form is a great base because it's so easy to get stuff to stay in. Simply use some wire (you can use the "U-shaped" floral pin things, unbent paper clips, even some nice heavy staple gun staples) to anchor the ends of your tinsel and wrap, wrap, wrap. Make sure it's luxuriously dense and fluffy!<br />
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When you're done with that, wrap your ribbon around, anchoring it in a similar way. Don't wrap it too tight or you'll crush the tinsel, and that just looks weird.<br />
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I made a bow by hand by making three larger loops, then using the central loop to cinch them all together. The nice thing about a lot of crafting stores is that they'll have bows coordinating with a lot of their holiday ribbons premade for you if you don't feel like making one on your own. Either way, pin the bow onto the wreath as well.<br />
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As for the green "sprig", all I ended up doing was stab the stem into the form as well. Seriously, foam is magic, I love this stuff.<br />
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Lastly I created a hanging loop with a longer piece of wire bent into a U. I found the point that I wanted to be the top of the wreath and starting poking the ends of the U into the foam, pointing it <i>upwards</i>. When the wire was about halfway in, I then bent the remaining exposed wire up to create a simple loop.<br />
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Et voila, you are done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenvT0_W8gG8984Ms-wHW9VtaHJ7H-MtROKXM57qtNCZPM6MSGisyd8NwfWMsCqQxa1zRHb01DV7jWfyHb8BM7RVDoxP3omVNzjArX-J6DEoSMBua9ziOol6Ii85LsxOSchKOuKmVKM78/s1600/20131207_180216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenvT0_W8gG8984Ms-wHW9VtaHJ7H-MtROKXM57qtNCZPM6MSGisyd8NwfWMsCqQxa1zRHb01DV7jWfyHb8BM7RVDoxP3omVNzjArX-J6DEoSMBua9ziOol6Ii85LsxOSchKOuKmVKM78/s320/20131207_180216.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The sparkling in these images makes me ridiculously happy. :) And we now have an adorable wreath and I no longer feel drab next to our neighbors!</div>
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I've seen a lot of very creative wreath ideas out there. Ornament wreathes, crocheted wreathes, succulent wreathes, yarn-wrapped, burlap, pompom, the list goes on and on. Have any of you created your own wreathes? Anyone have other fun ideas with what you can do with a tinsel wreath as a foundation?</div>
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Happy holidays! Hopefully you will hear from me again soon!</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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-Annie</div>
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Shared at:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSvrcIWtrDOn1uuxZrL0wmRPmRV1ztbVCTFZ_VPv4TZBF8AJ5z2WLATKiX1UBF_MZiRbU4S03g7irkpqrPF9r_MfWncMRERym_cK-Q8iE91YF2fllkJRMUD83EIcM3zZbbe1nVwzXZos/s1600/F&J+button+SOYS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSvrcIWtrDOn1uuxZrL0wmRPmRV1ztbVCTFZ_VPv4TZBF8AJ5z2WLATKiX1UBF_MZiRbU4S03g7irkpqrPF9r_MfWncMRERym_cK-Q8iE91YF2fllkJRMUD83EIcM3zZbbe1nVwzXZos/s200/F&J+button+SOYS.jpg" height="125" width="125" /></a></div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-21023592834119514022013-06-16T00:40:00.001-05:002013-06-16T00:40:50.207-05:00Another beginningI survived! The deed is done, the battle is fought, and the brave soldier has come marching home. My test is <i>done</i>, and now the third year of medical school begins.<br />
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I realize in my head that it's a little silly to wait "until a good time" to start on new goals, or even to think that beginnings (like New Year's, or the beginning of a school year) are necessarily<i> </i>"the time" to set new goals. But I guess at times like these, we're really looking to the future, and that brings to mind all these things we want to change and accomplish. So, on the brink of starting a new year, I looked back, looked ahead, and came up with a little something that I hope I can use to guide me through the next year.<br />
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<u><b>Things to <i>Be</i> in the Coming Year:</b></u></div>
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<b>1) Loving </b></div>
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As a girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend</div>
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<b>2) Consistent</b></div>
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Maintain a journal for once!</div>
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<b>3) Unplugged</b></div>
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Stop wasting so much time on the Internet</div>
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<b>4) Creative!</b></div>
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Keep on crafting</div>
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<b>5) Active</b></div>
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Try to get exercise</div>
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<b>6) Healthy</b></div>
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(especially since I'll be guzzling so much heavily sugared and creamed coffee)</div>
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<b>7) Frugal</b></div>
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Watch that budget</div>
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<b>8) Kind</b></div>
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In the sense that I need to be kinder to <i>myself</i> and stop being so negative</div>
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<b>9) Tidy</b></div>
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Actually maintain cleanliness, not just in big cleaning purges</div>
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<b>10) Punctual</b></div>
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Professionalism matters even more this year</div>
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<b>11) Studious</b></div>
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Because cramming is the worst thing ever</div>
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<b>12) Engaged</b></div>
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Show interest, get involved, ask questions</div>
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What about you guys? Are there goals or resolutions you have set for yourself? How do you go about sticking to them? </div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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-Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-52452459528667391592013-06-04T00:02:00.000-05:002013-06-04T00:02:25.607-05:00Tape and Smartphones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi all!</div>
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Test day will be upon me very very soon. At this stage it's reached the point where I really just want it to be over and done with. Soon!</div>
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Just a quick post to show off what I do with some of my breaks. </div>
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I assume by now that most of you are familiar with washi tape. I thought it was cute, but kind of silly to blow money on...but really, this stuff is super fun. :D</div>
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First, in the course of studying, I wanted bookmarks. It just so happened that I had rediscovered <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">How About Orange</a> (super-fun blog, highly recommended!) and found this tutorial for a <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2013/01/heart-shaped-page-marker-origami.html" target="_blank">heart-shaped corner bookmark</a>.</div>
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Whipped up two super-quick with some notebook paper I had on hand. Unpleasant surprise: they didn't stay flat and folded as well as I had hoped. And of course they weren't exactly pretty. But with a little tape to hold things together...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnsm7Suux_phnnfcTBYADHovC7-yWWGlbpMQ20Nbz8hdx3cHnjZUjxrkuROnk3TQ8cgyzHNgv0yUfOGCAoxntS3VOrbT8UWB9hEOKbdA4n2Jxw6ZbSC-edz6cyxO54WFhqwYS5WvZUg0/s1600/1370293196562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnsm7Suux_phnnfcTBYADHovC7-yWWGlbpMQ20Nbz8hdx3cHnjZUjxrkuROnk3TQ8cgyzHNgv0yUfOGCAoxntS3VOrbT8UWB9hEOKbdA4n2Jxw6ZbSC-edz6cyxO54WFhqwYS5WvZUg0/s320/1370293196562.jpg" width="320" /> </a> </div>
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Cute! Far from perfect, you can even see the notebook paper lines on the chevron one, although I <i>do</i> think it's cool that the lines almost matched the peaks. :)</div>
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It just so happens that I had recently found this tutorial for a <a href="http://theglamoroushousewife.com/2012/08/washi-tape-box-craft/" target="_blank">washi tape-covered box</a>, and even had one of those white necklace boxes just laying around. So when I had a mini-meltdown around lunch, I did this to cool myself off:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSlgeFawNpFDHhx5ezePYWqSDXkb_nPNDsjsbEKIpiVgoEmdDgyOcxzDtMBVZxXhzlFRcMUjX4WllQBUh0RuZYwsapFIaTl1M3xYhaK2EzVNuS6udD1cadPqDDU_9aDFgf_rq2WZFvKs/s1600/20130603_155343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSlgeFawNpFDHhx5ezePYWqSDXkb_nPNDsjsbEKIpiVgoEmdDgyOcxzDtMBVZxXhzlFRcMUjX4WllQBUh0RuZYwsapFIaTl1M3xYhaK2EzVNuS6udD1cadPqDDU_9aDFgf_rq2WZFvKs/s320/20130603_155343.jpg" width="320" /> </a> </div>
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Prettified!</div>
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The rest of my possessions had better watch out, they're about to get WASHI'ED, muahaha!</div>
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Final note before I toddle back to my flashcards: did everyone else already know that there's a Blogger smartphone app? All you have to do is search Blogger in your app store and it comes up!</div>
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To tell the truth, I could immediately tell that there would be some problems with it. You don't have a lot of freedom in formatting on the phone, and I find typing on my phone downright annoying sometimes. But the reason why I got the app was that now, I can take pictures on my cell phone and <i>immediately </i>upload them and save as a draft! No more excuses! No more waiting until I've charged my camera or found the energy to connect my phone to the computer and upload photos!</div>
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Maybe this will up my posting frequency, who knows? I love technology, guys. :)</div>
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Welp, that's it for now! Until after Step 1, my friends!</div>
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-Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-11612606978757542922013-05-20T13:06:00.000-05:002013-05-20T13:06:04.163-05:00MagicHi all!<div>
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Brief update on life: I'm currently immersed in cramming for USMLE Step 1, which any American medical student will tell you is one of the most (if not THE most) important standardized exams of my life.</div>
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Not only does it test pretty much ALL the knowledge I theoretically gathered over two years of medical school, but the score on this exam matters a ton for where I eventually do my residency (essentially my paid training years). For those of you who are unfamiliar with the system, I will literally be taking exams for the rest of my life, and they will arguably be harder than this one. But the kicker is that for those later exams, I only have to pass. I don't have to worry about elbowing my way through the percentiles amongst thousands of <i>extremely</i> intelligent peers for a score that could determine the future of my career.</div>
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So. A little stressed. I hope you all forgive me for the long hiatuses. Also, soon after, I will be beginning third year. Which is...sort of like an apprenticeship, is the best way it can be described. I'll be busy and tired, but I <i>will</i> have free time (I just don't really get to choose <i>when </i>that free time is...). Hopefully I'll be able to bang out a little more crafting time next year. We'll see. If all goes well, you might even get a short post about my mom's Mother's Day gift within the next couple weeks!</div>
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And now for the title. In the years that this blog has existed, I have always regretted that I couldn't directly reply to comments, especially when publicity on my <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/10/infinity-scarf-once-again.html" target="_blank">infinity scarf</a> took off and people kept coming back with questions. I tried to the edit the post itself to answer their questions, but many of those people never got direct answers because I couldn't figure out how to enable the "Reply" function.</div>
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It shames me as a member of the generation that grew up alongside Google that it took me this long to simply look up how to do it. And I found it. It was so easy. Straight from Blogger Help itself, <a href="http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1725597" target="_blank">this is how you enable the Reply function in your comments section</a>. Freaking <i>magic</i>.</div>
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I hope that helps someone else as much as it helped me. And now, back to studying.</div>
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-Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-15224470914419464772013-04-30T01:29:00.001-05:002013-04-30T01:30:18.865-05:00Statement NecklacesHappy almost-May! I hope you all are well!<br />
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I've wanted to foray into jewelry-making before (anyone remember <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-first-foray-into-jewelry-making.html" target="_blank">these</a>?), but I was a bit limited by lack of tools and lack of inspiration.</div>
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Crafting confessions: I almost never wore either of <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-first-foray-into-jewelry-making.html" target="_blank">these pieces</a>. There are some times when you make something and you're just super-proud, but then a few days later you look again and realize it's...not that great. We've all been there.</div>
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But I'm actually reasonably certain that the necklaces I made this time will continue to be used! Score one victory for me!</div>
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The first I made was based on <a href="http://www.owlswakeup.com/2013/03/diy-jcrew-necklace.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. Absolutely gorgeous. I'd previously gone to Michael's and arbitrarily bought a couple strings of beads, being too silly to try and figure out how many I actually needed. Turns out, I had only purchased about half of what was necessary. But no matter, let's just shrink it down!</div>
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Shock and amazement, it actually turned out super pretty. (apologies for sad quality photos)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwPISn1SCypp_tqocxsjPDT5Ave1Lomg3xre-vUfpjzuJRnXm7JKDI9GZ_pDETvtD8Qw66DwN8uHWSvXPITff70OZhW94cMOB82_Jsmu0E5aMyf2vzhdMrINFlstiuvpe1SeF1h51J8s/s1600/DSC02663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwPISn1SCypp_tqocxsjPDT5Ave1Lomg3xre-vUfpjzuJRnXm7JKDI9GZ_pDETvtD8Qw66DwN8uHWSvXPITff70OZhW94cMOB82_Jsmu0E5aMyf2vzhdMrINFlstiuvpe1SeF1h51J8s/s320/DSC02663.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncB7fWOuyeOCZNNECeOt_OZigX28sTJ6Xm7PSgkPBhyuPb5H3uglF50hLOiPZFJvI9cuEsDeHEdBh1KmgYO6HYhPH8Q4z4kZhyphenhypheno1q95M0-pDDwaS2X4NYC8STpLRP_Dimxn6g586AeOE/s1600/DSC02666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncB7fWOuyeOCZNNECeOt_OZigX28sTJ6Xm7PSgkPBhyuPb5H3uglF50hLOiPZFJvI9cuEsDeHEdBh1KmgYO6HYhPH8Q4z4kZhyphenhypheno1q95M0-pDDwaS2X4NYC8STpLRP_Dimxn6g586AeOE/s320/DSC02666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip95bjKKLnzm2pBYH7foX2MMT66vGvDiICBfLF3qhpnYt_HirnzL7WIKPuQw6BWS5Vr0XPdEoebEt8BAurd3t7psiK9_Z8pQKB6cH-BY3qr0F772B_6SxlZSZmTYfnK2pMltJviu5fu9c/s1600/DSC02670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip95bjKKLnzm2pBYH7foX2MMT66vGvDiICBfLF3qhpnYt_HirnzL7WIKPuQw6BWS5Vr0XPdEoebEt8BAurd3t7psiK9_Z8pQKB6cH-BY3qr0F772B_6SxlZSZmTYfnK2pMltJviu5fu9c/s320/DSC02670.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This used 28 beads instead of the 55 called for in the tutorial.</div>
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I was a little intimidated by having to use eye pins and head pins for the first time, but it was surprisingly easy. I need to get a second pair of pliers though. Pinching on to those jump rings kills the fingers!</div>
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The second necklace began as one of these super cheap "pearl" necklaces I'd bought for a buck each:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6WG3ucEaxwvA4EjOB85UGY-oWVe0RZ8x_nIwRvDPrFYuCsWoTMG7lcxoyZBwRHKVvET3jJBI1gtWi-hHk4Es_510CEn78YxL5r22sFXsbH3hSRTTIzP5Et5wKUBe88QLbtqspdVien4/s1600/DSC02442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6WG3ucEaxwvA4EjOB85UGY-oWVe0RZ8x_nIwRvDPrFYuCsWoTMG7lcxoyZBwRHKVvET3jJBI1gtWi-hHk4Es_510CEn78YxL5r22sFXsbH3hSRTTIzP5Et5wKUBe88QLbtqspdVien4/s320/DSC02442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Using <a href="http://craft.tutsplus.com/tutorials/jewellery/create-your-very-own-lucky-green-necklace-for-st-patricks-day/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> as a guide, I started adding on a bunch of individual and doubled up beads (one head pin even has 3 beads on it...still deciding if I like it or not). Et voila!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInFh3l7TtYiUliPBlnvd0gC2F7dHr2Mu8FENEWUQXKA3IrJcFGpqelOC6ohBs3yiPS2J19MvLURsZFBwCIVHWNHyWfMG75oi7SS06qHzZuYTCeRjWQfBzPgYC2wo0ytMOj4kqCj6qXBE/s1600/DSC02673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInFh3l7TtYiUliPBlnvd0gC2F7dHr2Mu8FENEWUQXKA3IrJcFGpqelOC6ohBs3yiPS2J19MvLURsZFBwCIVHWNHyWfMG75oi7SS06qHzZuYTCeRjWQfBzPgYC2wo0ytMOj4kqCj6qXBE/s320/DSC02673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKziOesJkoRdRpewxS8-L5GE9KLGFQIoP9E0gkwwtSECbkUZTPiiI51VGxQF_Zet1amoxCk7PEGq7cNxTNWMZ7i5SJ0HQZ8tp1GX8uyYFNObWw11Z55u4N75CVhACf32fUtYDLqVKw5PA/s1600/DSC02674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKziOesJkoRdRpewxS8-L5GE9KLGFQIoP9E0gkwwtSECbkUZTPiiI51VGxQF_Zet1amoxCk7PEGq7cNxTNWMZ7i5SJ0HQZ8tp1GX8uyYFNObWw11Z55u4N75CVhACf32fUtYDLqVKw5PA/s320/DSC02674.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So I'm pretty happy!<br />
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And then inspiration struck! Who ever said that even statement necklaces need to be worn alone?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpz-L3-sLcRqws3x1ANIHDBeg9pK7W1ARhyphenhyphenDkiBc6wtkkwhskAc4VS7aGBuQM3l03DseZpJqXq6UcizOiiWCVYmvt_MzfjrQmI3DLbdvyjgy0wE8SsmtI4WRthlWup24wOo9tcnQvX7s/s1600/DSC02675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpz-L3-sLcRqws3x1ANIHDBeg9pK7W1ARhyphenhyphenDkiBc6wtkkwhskAc4VS7aGBuQM3l03DseZpJqXq6UcizOiiWCVYmvt_MzfjrQmI3DLbdvyjgy0wE8SsmtI4WRthlWup24wOo9tcnQvX7s/s320/DSC02675.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I actually really like this combination, and I fully intend to wear these necklaces together someday! What do you guys think? Is this something you would try?</div>
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If any readers have been teetering on the fence about experimenting with jewelry-making, I totally recommend it. It's a lot easier than I was afraid it would be. Just make sure you have the right tools. :)</div>
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I'd love to hear any thoughts, opinions, and advice! Please share!</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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-Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-3469849452589342312013-03-07T22:46:00.001-06:002013-03-08T00:52:42.936-06:00One more for the bucket list: Cosplay!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again!<br />
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I once more have something crafty to share with y'all, and I'm actually super proud of it. This is my first cosplay! I have <i>always</i> wanted to do it, and now I can finally say that I have!<br />
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Now cosplay is essentially dressing up as a character or even <i>things </i>from books, TV shows, movies, etc. It's pretty popular at anime and other types of conventions. However, when my friends and I decided to cosplay, we did it for <i>school</i>.<br />
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Sort of. You may be surprised to learn that medical school isn't always "study study study". We have time for fun things, like our belated Lunar New Year Festival that just happened last Saturday. It consists of acts performed by medical students, undergrad students, and some of the other schools on our campus (PT, OT, audiology, etc) putting together acts to perform for fellow students, faculty, and really anyone else we care to invite.<br />
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One of these acts that I participated in was a dance inspired by <i>Avatar: the Last Airbender</i> and <i>The Legend of Korra</i> (I talked about them in the post about <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-17-tv-shows-i-love.html" target="_blank">my favorite TV shows</a>). Any fans here?<br />
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Quick introduction for those who are not familiar with the Avatar universe: in this world, some people are born with the ability to manipulate ("bend") one of the four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. The Avatar is the lone person in the world who can bend all four. Bending is commonly used in combat, so in the TV show, the animation of each type of bending is based off of a martial art.<br />
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In this dance, we correlated each of the elements with a dance style. Water was more lyrical, earthbending was step, fire was hip-hop-ish, and air was breakdancing. Two of my friends (and fellow Avatar fans) who were in the dance with me decided, "What the hey, we're gonna cosplay this!" Water, fire, and earth all have one major female character associated with them, so we went as Katara, Azula, and Toph, plus an Aang!<br />
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BUT! I'm the only one of us three (four, if you included our airbender, who we roped into cosplaying with us) who can sew. I have made from scratch a grand total of three real garments for myself: <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-scratch.html" target="_blank">this shirt</a> and two pairs of PJ pants. This was my first time using darts, an invisible zipper, interfacing, <i>and</i> inset sleeves.<br />
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But hey! Two weeks, four costumes, almost no experience? On top of rehearsals for three different acts for the Lunar New Year Festival <i>and</i> schoolwork? Totally doable!<br />
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That sounds sarcastic. And you know what? It was hard...but I did it! And we looked fantastic!<br />
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Sadly, our airbender had to leave the performance early, so no group picture with him. :(</div>
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Some of my preliminary doodles (with the measurements blanked out, for obvious reasons):</div>
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See more photos of the costumes after the cut!</div>
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First, I will feature <span style="color: blue;"><b>Katara</b></span>, the waterbender, or my friend and classmate, Cassie. Katara was the last waterbender in the southern water tribe. She's caring and responsible, and a serious BAMF.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBIpfNovyy6efSlZV_DD8kvXehfq72y9iwQNMBEteUTgKXJv2-Q6so6CbRblh3MibwTjYI8q3cPx8f36IzUICkOvQPjZJJtSXy-mHZ_fCjUrhrKTnP8xSOQMKS3F7_udSrGzQwrXlnak/s1600/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBIpfNovyy6efSlZV_DD8kvXehfq72y9iwQNMBEteUTgKXJv2-Q6so6CbRblh3MibwTjYI8q3cPx8f36IzUICkOvQPjZJJtSXy-mHZ_fCjUrhrKTnP8xSOQMKS3F7_udSrGzQwrXlnak/s320/IMG_0440.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I made her a blue tunic and sash inspired by the robe that Katara wears in warm weather. The boots were a reference to the fact that the water tribes live at the poles.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs38/f/2008/354/f/3/Avatar___Katara_Poster_by_Nylak.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs38/f/2008/354/f/3/Avatar___Katara_Poster_by_Nylak.png" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I realize this is fanart, but it was actually the best outfit reference I had.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMfGivqN2ZnG6kKxg2eTMLjAAovUll515MwzV3kNMtuUmdiLGtwqmu5GbIcliRizWCvI3n3470MTLMerBPPcRnNCclaR8VDh7rAu2ZrqjvXufpliTqjoj_ZTIiVgEBXMeIkk49zDPe0U/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMfGivqN2ZnG6kKxg2eTMLjAAovUll515MwzV3kNMtuUmdiLGtwqmu5GbIcliRizWCvI3n3470MTLMerBPPcRnNCclaR8VDh7rAu2ZrqjvXufpliTqjoj_ZTIiVgEBXMeIkk49zDPe0U/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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She even figured out a way to reference Katara's little hair loopies! Also please note the necklace. :) Provided by a fellow fan.</div>
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All of these costumes were modeled off of hospital scrubs. I just traced, made some modifications as needed, and cut. With Cassie's tunic, I cut one back piece and two front pieces, all waist length. I made the appropriate slanted cuts on the front pieces to create the wrap effect and sewed it all together, then added two long panels for the split skirt.</div>
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Next up is the firebending princess, <span style="color: red;"><b>Azula</b></span>. But she isn't exactly a delicate little flower. She is an extremely skilled bender and warrior and...honestly? She's merciless, manipulative, cruel, and legitimately scary. So my friend and classmate Steph, who has a black belt in taekwondo and is pretty scary herself, was a perfect fit! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But look at that face! D'awww</td></tr>
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<a href="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31100000/Azula-avatar-the-last-airbender-31178898-375-472.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31100000/Azula-avatar-the-last-airbender-31178898-375-472.png" width="254" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/6/68077/2782168-azula_hair_down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/6/68077/2782168-azula_hair_down.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find a close-to-full-body image of Azula in this particular outfit...she has <i>so many</i> different costumes in the show, it's ridiculous.</div>
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You may notice that we inverted the colors of most of her outfit. It was a lot better to have Steph provide a black undershirt and leggings and make her a red tunic rather than forcing her <i>buy</i> red leggings and make the tunic black. So not fully canon (meaning: it wasn't completely true to the original), but definitely still recognizable.</div>
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Steph took care of the hairpiece herself, with some handy-dandy cardboard and ribbon. Also, can we have a moment to admire how perfect the Azula-hair was?</div>
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I made two pieces for Azula's costume: the tunic and the collar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAYV3G7_hOvmhIp0zi3eN-aBFtUXX_sIs6ZUFdftWNZczOnupmsWtC-5lTgLTTkYhdtgtigoAuc00ZdNhKwLBcxgB2wHrIyeeLANwGsolN6vTHiFnyru3da35Uj1k-YPTNxnlcZqNkts/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAYV3G7_hOvmhIp0zi3eN-aBFtUXX_sIs6ZUFdftWNZczOnupmsWtC-5lTgLTTkYhdtgtigoAuc00ZdNhKwLBcxgB2wHrIyeeLANwGsolN6vTHiFnyru3da35Uj1k-YPTNxnlcZqNkts/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The tunic was also originally patterned off of scrubs, but don't be fooled by those humble beginnings! This was the first time I used darts in a garment <i>and</i> the first time I installed an invisible zipper! The zipper, by the way, I did by hand, because my machine apparently loves to EAT zippers. I also had to cut the split skirt (SIX PIECES) and hem the whole darn thing, and let me tell you, that stuff takes for-freaking-ever!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKI4sQdkJfpdwfDJ7V9TKLF3klWP_ZMKdt9D7kD-_OOlgQxNXixmuZtfJUP941TWUATBkZ7PUu1dEy7Td-DFfFfONrp_dCrXHrWfgmchbrjBeHosd-ukSTxjiKjBafMR_cziQVL8u37k/s1600/IMG_9902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKI4sQdkJfpdwfDJ7V9TKLF3klWP_ZMKdt9D7kD-_OOlgQxNXixmuZtfJUP941TWUATBkZ7PUu1dEy7Td-DFfFfONrp_dCrXHrWfgmchbrjBeHosd-ukSTxjiKjBafMR_cziQVL8u37k/s320/IMG_9902.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The collar I made of black felt that I basically kept cutting and trying on myself until it looked good. It's in four pieces: the collar, the two flaps that fall over the bust, and the largest piece, which drapes over the back and shoulders. If anyone is interested, I can draw up a basic schematic, but essentially, the whole shebang is held together with a single seam around the collar and a hook-and-eye closure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXsQLmyAQrxsqrktfA2XuTLwNUv0IpuDof6s9-eI7fbdWjl16EAwBAw__AVCXWiCw89GvdAqe5OPR9BJ9_KtmVYwoztLoIoaHAvNhcBBi013UKZIyk5dgH_Uu9SMpKROBiEeITgBQvR0/s1600/IMG_9898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXsQLmyAQrxsqrktfA2XuTLwNUv0IpuDof6s9-eI7fbdWjl16EAwBAw__AVCXWiCw89GvdAqe5OPR9BJ9_KtmVYwoztLoIoaHAvNhcBBi013UKZIyk5dgH_Uu9SMpKROBiEeITgBQvR0/s320/IMG_9898.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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But what <i>really</i> made this outfit pop was the gold trim, which was just gold ribbon and hot glue! In fact, Steph took care of that whole deal by herself the night before the performance! It really transformed the outfit, let me tell you!</div>
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On to my costume, for the earthbender <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Toph</b></span>! Self-named best earthbender ever, and I believe her. Toph is a small girl and blind, but that doesn't stop her from being the coolest and toughest character on the show!</div>
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<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/bonanzleimages/afu/images/6182/2833/Avatar_toph_-_white_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/bonanzleimages/afu/images/6182/2833/Avatar_toph_-_white_06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In a lot of ways, this was the most challenging costume of all, a large part of which is because I left my costume for last...I wanted to make sure everyone else's was done and fit decently <i>and</i> could still be danced in.</div>
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It also had the most pieces (and I didn't even make the full costume I had planned!). The green undershirt and green pants were almost directly patterned off of scrubs, again, although I made the pants cropped. </div>
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The robe was structured similarly to Katara's, but not quite the same. I cut one long back piece, one long front piece, and one short front piece. I cut in the slants for the front and sewed the two front pieces together to get the wrap effect, then sewed on the back piece to make a tunic. Then I just had to add on the collar, and done!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OjVstKksmtev2j4xRH0dhr6zV6ykO6ihUCpZSwfjCfzsaBPtU_zDmG8PsLEtfxqE30rW8FMNVhmwkvEe6MbjE4ovTQ35guxr9F9oKqxzphIy9ANXwGD182ArSioabfn6VMWgfSzrD4Q/s1600/IMG_9878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OjVstKksmtev2j4xRH0dhr6zV6ykO6ihUCpZSwfjCfzsaBPtU_zDmG8PsLEtfxqE30rW8FMNVhmwkvEe6MbjE4ovTQ35guxr9F9oKqxzphIy9ANXwGD182ArSioabfn6VMWgfSzrD4Q/s320/IMG_9878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This yellow fabric gave me trouble. I still can't figure out why, but for some reason, the stitching kept <i>puckering</i>. It drove me insane!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc-Y-k1ahTpcxvhPdgwQd9M4aM25D4kgHub4qPF0jnMxDsxqzB318nWs51-wt2-t0qBEB3kUEBMisKy5FaFX-29e6TFDJFuX-bg1np16FnUczELngy5witA3u-a3f5jlsHTS-hppzXfU/s1600/IMG_9880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc-Y-k1ahTpcxvhPdgwQd9M4aM25D4kgHub4qPF0jnMxDsxqzB318nWs51-wt2-t0qBEB3kUEBMisKy5FaFX-29e6TFDJFuX-bg1np16FnUczELngy5witA3u-a3f5jlsHTS-hppzXfU/s320/IMG_9880.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the puckering all around the hem??? ARGH</td></tr>
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The belt was a simple tube of brown felt, with two snaps sewn in. Similarly, the headband was a tube of half yellow and half green with some elastic sewn to either end. Quick and easy. :)<br />
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I apologize to the fans who have noticed I'm wearing shoes in the above shot. :( Toph sees by feeling vibrations in the earth through her feet, so she is <i>always</i> barefoot. However, in step dancing (which was the dance style for earthbending), it turns out that bare feet on tile doesn't really work. So I had to depart from canon a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_shEISR4mf7ExKdDz0X7AZZIovBEzac4QPRPyG4cyvequ_ZHN9O6gsvDezZfylyhUWS4eD4t80wGNfMM6TiupP9P-DL9Xw2IN6UZd6YiqLYnpn7c8qw-ACOeHfLoa-vybqOXZZkcIIbo/s1600/DSC02635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_shEISR4mf7ExKdDz0X7AZZIovBEzac4QPRPyG4cyvequ_ZHN9O6gsvDezZfylyhUWS4eD4t80wGNfMM6TiupP9P-DL9Xw2IN6UZd6YiqLYnpn7c8qw-ACOeHfLoa-vybqOXZZkcIIbo/s320/DSC02635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A round of applause to my friend Bing, who I am taking out in the above picture, for bringing me coffee and cereal and lots of encouragement when things were getting down to the wire!<br />
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Last but not least was our airbender, <span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Aang</b></span>, played by grad student Mike. Aang is the <i>last</i> airbender, hence the solo act, and the Avatar. He's only 12 or so, but a lot of responsibility weighs on his shoulders. He is a great bender (as the Avatar, he'd better be), but he is fun-loving, relaxed, and values peace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5assQmsoPbQCMAyFxmOuA1fHKsbaKVUAZEr6RK0fxFXT0D65KID3Iz7suupnxI5KicMNj7xdmt7Vpptn9jaWWSB0zn63kZ7do-gHaF7XPqjwWerWmW5-PbI7TTTFwzWjrUMP3OgFCd0/s1600/IMG_9823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5assQmsoPbQCMAyFxmOuA1fHKsbaKVUAZEr6RK0fxFXT0D65KID3Iz7suupnxI5KicMNj7xdmt7Vpptn9jaWWSB0zn63kZ7do-gHaF7XPqjwWerWmW5-PbI7TTTFwzWjrUMP3OgFCd0/s320/IMG_9823.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs8/i/2005/310/6/4/Airbender_Aang_by_mystryl_shada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs8/i/2005/310/6/4/Airbender_Aang_by_mystryl_shada.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101217191951/avatar/images/5/56/Aang_gliding_merrily.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101217191951/avatar/images/5/56/Aang_gliding_merrily.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mike was the <i>perfect</i> Aang! He captured his personality brilliantly!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKr3gFJiaQfalQvXnwdGuyCN-Lz2z4s467QgO4UBIZ6mUud7sxUhyphenhyphen_1eXSkliPNabPE8EDfdjDqRtgj_kGqm579npLY7gENb0Y53Ze1fh1GsWJEwJx28xbvR8IxIA2BUbtPPrdMKLUuS4/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKr3gFJiaQfalQvXnwdGuyCN-Lz2z4s467QgO4UBIZ6mUud7sxUhyphenhyphen_1eXSkliPNabPE8EDfdjDqRtgj_kGqm579npLY7gENb0Y53Ze1fh1GsWJEwJx28xbvR8IxIA2BUbtPPrdMKLUuS4/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Aang's costume consisted of a shirt and pants modeled after (take a guess) scrubs, a sash, and his capey-thing. Yes, I consistently called it his capey-thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic094HfxknPWEg_CuSTRH64ILywXYA8fy9AlJKzowRpaiMIYzib3VehXk9JUiQVnGRPtVuOWSp9nMIkPgU2LgQcVeK3vSK_SP_QZB0NigOnx7s7F9FWO3KFafSTIBH1fPAYo63rCuMykQ/s1600/IMG_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic094HfxknPWEg_CuSTRH64ILywXYA8fy9AlJKzowRpaiMIYzib3VehXk9JUiQVnGRPtVuOWSp9nMIkPgU2LgQcVeK3vSK_SP_QZB0NigOnx7s7F9FWO3KFafSTIBH1fPAYo63rCuMykQ/s320/IMG_9903.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The cape was sort of a rectangle with two semicircles on each end with cuts made for the neck and the front opening. The collar is actually attached to the cape. I had to add some interfacing to the collar because it was so tall. I also made ties for it.<br />
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So the problem with capey-things and breakdancing is that the fabric inevitably ends up in your face and twisted all up around your neck and head. Not nice-looking and, more importantly, probably not safe. So last minute, I tacked down the middle of the back of the cape and the two edges to his shirt. For the most part it seemed to work....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfwmBYh764WbkkvmGnyx1QWjTeKSDlURvcc0SHLwqhcZOYSFWSWcu07HzAsScn_57t7KYtyMgNo8q-xonq6QiNRrv0nNZhxb4Dpcqez95uwLECeCjx1qPOg7o79VCWOi1glslMlHiRi8/s1600/IMG_9915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfwmBYh764WbkkvmGnyx1QWjTeKSDlURvcc0SHLwqhcZOYSFWSWcu07HzAsScn_57t7KYtyMgNo8q-xonq6QiNRrv0nNZhxb4Dpcqez95uwLECeCjx1qPOg7o79VCWOi1glslMlHiRi8/s320/IMG_9915.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Well, not as well as one would hope. ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cuiOfuQtFHFvArThmke65Yet2H6k9OWueYFF26p5S8OgZR8j0YYO6uVgYY-QCNsd_Bc5cNg9yVkN3Zbg9ydYbtKoo1siL8hlQWKfl7V0EQ4CHmlV_OyF5oYgNhEvjLVvmZFtPtckXsU/s1600/IMG_9935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cuiOfuQtFHFvArThmke65Yet2H6k9OWueYFF26p5S8OgZR8j0YYO6uVgYY-QCNsd_Bc5cNg9yVkN3Zbg9ydYbtKoo1siL8hlQWKfl7V0EQ4CHmlV_OyF5oYgNhEvjLVvmZFtPtckXsU/s320/IMG_9935.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, Mike!</td></tr>
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If you stayed with me through this whole post, thanks! As a reward, here is a video of our dance. The angle wasn't the best, but you get to see us being awesome.<br />
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Caveat: we are (mostly) medical students and (mostly) not dancers. Most of us did this for fun, not because we are particularly skilled. You have have been warned. ;)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3lcc-OU8lEk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGs46u4sX_Ct9agViST-dlfWamcJxdOKT2LKbQSzq5r5iW8Qut1rsZw6ccab9rPoQv3hY3W4jvVM4c6PhRwIgFKxyO2O-bNzPqEF1OLcaGrym1dHsyhi8A7DzyVFHgHbaTHQLw5OUm7E/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGs46u4sX_Ct9agViST-dlfWamcJxdOKT2LKbQSzq5r5iW8Qut1rsZw6ccab9rPoQv3hY3W4jvVM4c6PhRwIgFKxyO2O-bNzPqEF1OLcaGrym1dHsyhi8A7DzyVFHgHbaTHQLw5OUm7E/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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And for kicks, one last photo with our FANTASTIC choreographer, Annelise, who was also one of the waterbenders!</div>
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If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email or comment!<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
-Annie<br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-47847123344356622902013-01-15T00:30:00.001-06:002013-01-15T00:30:32.645-06:00A Braided Scarf with Extra GlitzHi guys! I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season! I had a fun break, and I'm doing my best to stay on track with schoolwork and working out this year. To those of you who make New Year's resolutions, or who (like me) are constantly trying to turn over a new leaf and change for the better, I read this interesting article about <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5973583/stick-to-your-goals-this-year-by-using-identity+based-habits" target="_blank">how to stick to your goals</a>. I don't know how well it works, but it's certainly worth a try!<br />
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So for this block of classes, one of my goals was to maintain attendance at my lectures. They aren't required, but my theory is that if I go to them instead of watching the video recordings afterward, I might manage my studying a bit better. Going along with that, I have also been trying to dress nicely for my classes. Some days I really only have time for the T-shirt, sweater, and jeans routine, but most days I have more time for a more "special" outfit, and it's part of today's outfit that I wanted to share with you.<br />
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This <a href="http://www.scarves.net/blog/how-to-tie-a-fancy-braid-scarf" target="_blank">braided scarf concept</a> has been circulating around the internet for quite a while. I really love wearing it this way and have shown it to a lot of my friends. I won't bother with a tutorial since the link already explains it perfectly well, but I just wanted to share a some inspiration for jazzing it up a little.<br />
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So today, I was planning on tying a brown silk scarf in a braid, but it lacked something. I realized that I was wearing these gold hoop earrings (they are not in the photos, as by the end of the day my allergies had started acting up and necessitated removing them), and I really needed a little more sparkle for a cohesive look.<br />
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And what did I reach for? A simple gold necklace. A little weaving and ta-dah!<br />
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(One of these days, my room will be clean and I will not be ashamed to have a wider frame in my photos. >_>)<br />
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It came out looking pretty darn cool, and it was very easy to do.<br />
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I simply unclasped the necklace and fed most of the chain through a loop at the very bottom of the braid. Leaving a very short portion dangling, I wove the chain through the braid, looped it behind the braid at the top, and wove it back down again along a different strand. Then all I had to do was refasten the chain at the back of the bottom of the brain and pow! Instant glitz!<br />
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So for those of you who find that the fancy scarf braid isn't fancy enough, give this a shot! Use a pretty chain, or maybe a string of beads or pearls. And of course, try this with other scarf-tying methods, too! It could really turn your scarf into something extra-special.<br />
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This braid and a mock men's tie (as shown above) are probably the ways I most commonly wear "fashion" scarves as opposed to scarves worn for warmth.<br />
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How do you guys like to wear your scarves? Would you try what I did with my braided scarf?<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-16015248224913807332012-12-04T21:10:00.000-06:002012-12-15T16:41:37.417-06:00Coming out of my shell...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Guess what I've been up to since my last post?</div>
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TURTLES!!!</div>
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I posted <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-told-in-turtles.html" target="_blank">way back when</a> about all the turtles I had made previously using the <a href="http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40998" target="_blank">Tiny Striped Turtle pattern</a>.</div>
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Since then, you may vaguely recall a post last from earlier this year with this picture:</div>
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Those were the first two turtles I made out of this "collection". The intent was originally for them to be <i>last year's</i> Christmas presents to some of my friends here at med school.<br />
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Clearly that didn't quite work out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We're blind!" D:</td></tr>
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This was their status before I started working on them today. All complete, but eyeless.<br />
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A couple episodes of <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i> and 14 black seed beads (as seen above) later and...<br />
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They are complete!<br />
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Note how so many of them are drastically different sizes. Apparently my gauge and stuffing technique can vary by a lot.<br />
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These turtles were all made using Caron Simply Soft yarn and an H hook. When stuffing the bodies, I added 5-7 pennies to their tushies to counterbalance their enormous heads.<br />
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This turtle was a little different:<br />
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You see the gold threads? I took some metallic gold embroidery thread and pulled out a single strand, then crocheted holding that together with the yarn. So this turtle has a little extra sparkle.<br />
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<b>Edit:</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><i>My friends have informed me that this turtle will now and forever be known as Edward. I am passing this information on to you, dear reader.</i><br />
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I can't believe it took me this long to finally get them all done! But now I'm done and <i>so</i> happy. Their adorableness is killing me.<br />
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Thanks for reading, guys!<br />
<br />
-Annie<br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-76398311009335295062012-11-27T23:29:00.002-06:002012-11-27T23:29:27.624-06:00Day 27: Calling it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is Day 27 of my 30 Days of Commitment (see the other days <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html" target="_blank">here</a>), and, sadly, it will be the last.<br />
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You may have noticed that there was a laaaaarge gap between this and my last post, and that was (mostly) intentional.<br />
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The original purpose of this series was for me to try just committing to something, as part of my experiment in learning how to be an adult. While it didn't quite work out, I've still learned from this experience. In the end, I have things that I prioritize more highly. Sadly, some things that aren't even a high priority for me (like window-shopping the internet for crafting inspiration, as I mentioned in <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-6-little-jewelry.html" target="_blank">this post</a>) I end up doing before more important things anyways, due to a variety of reasons ranging from laziness to the conviction that "I'll have more time later."<br />
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I'm glad I decided to do this series, because it's helped me start figuring out how to make time for the things that really matter. Over Thanksgiving break, I spent hours playing video games and computer games with my brother and shopping with my mother. I could have spent that time blogging, or crafting, or even studying, but in the end, spending time with my family for the first time in three and a half months mattered much, much more.<br />
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So, sadly, I won't be able to see this series through. But ultimately, it did serve its purpose. Thanks to those of you who followed me on this short journey.<br />
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However, while I won't be posting daily anymore, I <i>will</i> try to make sure to update more frequently. Three months hiatuses are a bit long, don't you think? Let's see if I can at least check in with y'all every week or so.<br />
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With that, I have a mountain of studying to get back to! Catch you later!<br />
<br />
-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-87103403685312668652012-11-17T18:58:00.000-06:002012-11-17T18:58:25.496-06:00Commitment Day 17: TV Shows I Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A tangential note: A comment on my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qz7U32td6vE" target="_blank">Youtube video</a> for the <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/10/infinity-scarf-once-again.html" target="_blank">Forever 21 Knock-Off Scarf</a> brought an interesting point to my attention. The pattern I provide is much more a stitch pattern than it is an actual scarf pattern, at least in my eyes, yet I never </i>named<i> the pattern. I am proposing that we name this stitch the </i>Crossed Clusters Stitch. <i>What do you guys think? Do you have any suggestions for a better name?</i></div>
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Welcome to Day 17 of <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html" target="_blank">30 Days of Commitment</a>!<br />
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Today, some classmates and I are getting together to watch a few episodes of one of my favorite shows, Doctor Who. What better day to talk about some of my absolute favorite TV shows?<br />
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Read on if you'd like to see! :)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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1) <b>Sherlock</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Sherlock_titlecard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Sherlock_titlecard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_(TV_series)" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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If you knew me in person, it would be very difficult for you <i>not</i> to hear about Sherlock. This is genuinely my favorite show <i>ever</i>. Aired on BBC,<i> </i>this show stars a modern-day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, played by the gorgeous and talented Benedict Cumberbatch and the amazing, amazing Martin Freeman, respectively.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sherlockology.com/ImageGen.ashx?image=/images/wallpapers/wallpaper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sherlockology.com/ImageGen.ashx?image=/images/wallpapers/wallpaper3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sherlockology.com/downloads#wallpaper3" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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It takes very little time at all for you to be sucked in by Sherlock's genius and his off-putting personality, by John's loyalty and forthrightness. The cast is quite incredible and the acting just <i>superb</i>. The cases are fascinating, and the writing that goes behind this show is indescribable.<br />
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Oddly, each of <i>Sherlock</i>'s two seasons is only three episodes long. Each episode is 90 minutes long, so essentially <i>Sherlock </i>consists of six full-length movies!<br />
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The only bad thing about this series is <i>time</i>. There was a full year between the first and second seasons, and currently it is projected that the third season will not air until fall next year (ie. a year-and-a-half long wait!!!). The Sherlock fandom is pretty incredible and die-hard faithful though. We will wait, however long it takes...<br />
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2)<b> Doctor Who</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/misc/logos/new_logo_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/misc/logos/new_logo_512.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/adventurecalendar/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This is a long-running BBC show about an alien called a Time Lord, who looks human (or, as he would say, we all look Time Lord), known only as the Doctor. He travels through time and space in a spaceship called Time And Relative Dimension in Space (TARDIS). Whenever he travels, he has a companion with him, and they go on amazing adventures, saving worlds and battling his ancient enemies!<br />
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Periodically, the Doctor "changes". When Time Lords die, they have the ability to regenerate as someone new. Thus far, there have been 11 Doctors, all with slightly different personalities and quirks. My personal favorites were 10 (David Tennant) and 11, the current Doctor (Matt Smith). <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/misc/11th_doctor/wide-screen/11th_doctor_wal_06.jpg?size=wide-screen&promo=/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/misc/11th_doctor/main-promo/11th_doctor_wal_06.jpg&purpose=Computer%20wallpaper&summary=&info=&tag_file_id=11th_doctor_wal_06" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/misc/11th_doctor/wide-screen/11th_doctor_wal_06.jpg?size=wide-screen&promo=/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/misc/11th_doctor/main-promo/11th_doctor_wal_06.jpg&purpose=Computer%20wallpaper&summary=&info=&tag_file_id=11th_doctor_wal_06" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/characters/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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I <i>love</i> this show. There was a long break after the eighth Doctor (last aired in 1989), with a revival of the series in 2005. Granted, I have only watched the most recent seasons (the seven that have aired starting in 2005) starring Doctors 9 (Christopher Eccleston), 10, and 11, but what I have seen of this show is really fantastic. It's witty, funny, imaginative, and touching, and it will take you on the grandest adventures you could possibly dream of.<br />
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3) A brief homage to anime and Japanese shows<br />
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Just like in the "<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-7-books-i-love.html" target="_blank">Books I Love</a>" post, I'm going to group my favorite "things of Japanese origin" into one, just because I think a lot of people will not end up sharing my interest in these.<br />
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As far as the world of manga and anime goes, I generally prefer manga over anime (ie. the books over the TV shows). But one of the few anime that I actually like a little better than the manga is <b>Ouran High School Host Club</b>. It's very short and easily accessible; all 26 episodes can be found on Youtube (here is the link to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyuyJFRVwww" target="_blank">Episode 1</a>, in Japanese with English subtitles). It's the story of a girl who owes a debt to the Host Club (a group of attractive men who entertain their female classmates), and thus begins dressing as a boy and acting as one of the hosts. I have laughed out loud and uncontrollably at so many points in this show. You can't help just feeling <i>happy</i> when you watch this.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110920135627/ouran/images/c/c4/Host-Club-ouran-high-school-host-club-2812180-1600-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110920135627/ouran/images/c/c4/Host-Club-ouran-high-school-host-club-2812180-1600-1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ouran.wikia.com/wiki/Ouran_High_School_Host_Club_Wiki" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Making a reappearance is <b>Inuyasha</b>, my first anime series and thus forever dear to my heart. It tells the story of a girl who falls back in time, to a time where demons and monsters still haunt Japan. She teams up with a half-demon, half-human named Inuyasha, in order to gather up the pieces of a dangerous, magical artifact. This story is funny and romantic and features plenty of fun action. The original anime was cut short of the original story in the manga; eventually they aired a second series, <i>Inuyasha: The Final Act</i>, to finish out the story.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lt/inuyasha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lt/inuyasha.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Manga/InuYasha?from=Main.InuYasha" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In the realm of Japanese TV shows (not just anime), there are two that I have seen and truly loved. The first is called <b>At Home Dad</b>, the story of a proud, macho-type man who suddenly loses his job and finds himself playing the role of a stay-at-home dad, taking care of the house and watching his young daughter while his wife works. He is befriended by his neighbor, another stay-at-home dad, and through the combined stories of their families and their neighbors, the show explores the hardships and blessings of being the homemaker and the breadwinner. It's hilarious and touching, and their children are insanely adorable. Highly recommended!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.channel-ai.com/img/aprilis/at_home_dad-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://www.channel-ai.com/img/aprilis/at_home_dad-header.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2008/08/25/at-home-dad/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The other drama I recommend is called <b>Mop Girl</b>. It stars Momoko, a slightly ditsy young woman working at a funeral services company. She possesses a strange power: sometimes, when she touches the belongings that carry the emotions of someone who has died, she is able to travel back in time and try to prevent that person's fate from coming true. Often heart-wrenching, unfailingly funny, and thought-provoking.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dramacrazy.net/Mop_girl_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://i.dramacrazy.net/Mop_girl_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dramacrazy.net/mop-girl-images/873/Image/19097" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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4) <b>Game of Thrones</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2011/03/game-of-thrones-2011-a-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2011/03/game-of-thrones-2011-a-p.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/game-thrones-review-174120" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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How do I describe <i>Game of Thrones</i>? It's complex, bloody, epic, filled with traitors and warriors and lovers. It tells the story of a realm (the Seven Kingdoms) and its neighbors, and the deadly, intricate battle for the Iron Throne. I highly recommend this show to adults (definitely NOT to children!). It's not your everyday plot either...your favorite characters don't always survive. Sometimes, the people you hate are victorious over the people you love. His characters show incredible depth, and overall the show (and the books) are definitely worth your time!<br />
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As a caveat, I do kind of recommend watching with subtitles. There are a lot of names and title and locations thrown around, all being spoken in a number of accents, so having it spelled out for you can really help, particularly for those who have not read the books.<br />
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5) <b>Avatar: The Last Airbender</b> and <b>The Legend of Korra</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.hollywood.com/site/avatar_the_last_airbender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.hollywood.com/site/avatar_the_last_airbender.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollywood.com/news/Avatar_The_Last_Airbender_Creators_Start_The_Legend_Of_Korra/7031789" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/4479/553141-legend_of_korra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/4479/553141-legend_of_korra.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.animevice.com/the-legend-of-korra/11-5913/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now for a complete turnaround from <i>Game of Thrones</i>! Both of these are children's/young adult cartoons, set in a world where certain people are born with the ability to control (ie. "bend") one of the four elements: air, water, earth, and fire.<i> </i>The Avatar is a person who is able to bend all four of the elements, and is charged with the duty to maintain balance in the world. When the Avatar dies, he or she is reincarnated into a new life.<br />
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<i>The Last Airbender</i> tells the story of Aang, a young airbender who comes to his duty during a time of war between the Fire Nation and the rest of the world. Traveling with his companions to master the elements, he ultimately must defeat the leader of the Fire Nation and end this war, or else all freedom and balance will be lost. This show is three seasons (or "Books") long. Do yourself a favor and <i>skip</i> the live-action movie. It was genuinely terrible.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/wj*PIQp7xoPi6D4ZqmqFFgF8EYqtVbptZYgiMEhwA7hMrTFtv5xIF5982cO5OKGesXFMS8TBzCOgYSINChXtzcak4WZmvhas/avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://api.ning.com/files/wj*PIQp7xoPi6D4ZqmqFFgF8EYqtVbptZYgiMEhwA7hMrTFtv5xIF5982cO5OKGesXFMS8TBzCOgYSINChXtzcak4WZmvhas/avatar.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://my.spill.com/group/avatarthelastairbenderloversclub" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>The Legend of Korra</i> takes place many years later. Korra, the reincarnation of Aang, is the new Avatar, and faces an entirely different threat that endangers all benders. This series has only aired its first season so far, and I'm very excited to see what the next season will bring!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31500000/-New-Friends-Legend-of-Korra-avatar-the-last-airbender-31596079-893-587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31500000/-New-Friends-Legend-of-Korra-avatar-the-last-airbender-31596079-893-587.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/avatar-the-last-airbender/images/31596079/title/new-friends-legend-korra-photo" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Phew! That was quite a list to put together! I hope you guys enjoyed this look into the various things that Annie loves.<br />
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So tell me: what are some of <i>your</i> favorite shows? Do you love any of the shows I mentioned as much I do? Do you <i>hate</i> the shows I mentioned? Let's hear your thoughts! ^_^<br />
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-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-86206939584832905982012-11-16T23:16:00.000-06:002012-11-28T13:35:15.552-06:00Commitment Day 16: Basketweave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This is Day 16 of my 30 Days of Commitment series. Check out the <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html" target="_blank">other posts in this series</a>, too!</div>
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Gosh, I'm sorry, guys. This has been another hectic week for me, and I ended up letting this series slide yet again! But then again, this is sort of what the purpose of this whole series was right?</div>
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Well, I just go on thinking like that so I don't feel as guilty. ^_~</div>
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What I'm sharing with you today is a pretty old project that I never got around to posting. This bag:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFMQ-SDxm3rbULmGu7pGwqp4Gdit-msf2zSY2OM_rZ1WF_tc04VLIkh4t-paIigLQ7MtbW3B99ptAIUUaOAEMAeTkYguIjoAxWlHCCqZGmwEwRo6NryuoINP0tcrdW7E1hNBSC7X0dJQ/s1600/CIMG2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFMQ-SDxm3rbULmGu7pGwqp4Gdit-msf2zSY2OM_rZ1WF_tc04VLIkh4t-paIigLQ7MtbW3B99ptAIUUaOAEMAeTkYguIjoAxWlHCCqZGmwEwRo6NryuoINP0tcrdW7E1hNBSC7X0dJQ/s320/CIMG2028.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KFEYpRqqzDe5JsGKjvcNVYxlM5gnbQ0iBf7mX0j9Mlfr4q1sCUYvMqo_JrhERAOehEUYLQ6jwA_KNN4PdfxQHXOirOUaf5tCjsbErF9EWMAl-bumyq6JeJWBMvr_MwQUPgAzCxdSdug/s1600/DSC02481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KFEYpRqqzDe5JsGKjvcNVYxlM5gnbQ0iBf7mX0j9Mlfr4q1sCUYvMqo_JrhERAOehEUYLQ6jwA_KNN4PdfxQHXOirOUaf5tCjsbErF9EWMAl-bumyq6JeJWBMvr_MwQUPgAzCxdSdug/s320/DSC02481.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A long time ago, I was flipping through a crocheting magazine and was intrigued by a photo of a cross-body purse made using the basketweave stitch. I found this stitch in my book of many crochet stitches, but it's easy to find. A quick Google search brought me to <a href="http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2012/02/nesting-basket-weave-crochet-baby.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>, which looks pretty much like what I did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gbfuZ84zquPXmo82aM93AHwpde-92oV9ghafuoRKj_-calmDqMfTd4Xn0UZse8E71sK_zLrfpBsVo9icSAVCxwavh_nrHHDRhc5LN1A2tLGa99hBjv1eNiBgbYDG4FUUvbi-GgVrDes/s1600/CIMG2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gbfuZ84zquPXmo82aM93AHwpde-92oV9ghafuoRKj_-calmDqMfTd4Xn0UZse8E71sK_zLrfpBsVo9icSAVCxwavh_nrHHDRhc5LN1A2tLGa99hBjv1eNiBgbYDG4FUUvbi-GgVrDes/s320/CIMG2041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was a pretty easy bag to make. I crocheted two panels of basketweave for the front and back, then crocheted one <i>long</i> strip of single crochet to make the strap. I simply single crocheted along the edges to connect them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXpzw9ElC4DvX1b8m6V6xHP1SilR4JIxKKy1PQ8SgAzIVI1B5_wLoZoBDQFemS5Iktgf5d7YCZBSFaOcwtprx0QH_ay5_GF5WQQckY4jvp55YI9sLI2RtPX2eoS_EtaPMZSGkDC3-8p0/s1600/CIMG2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXpzw9ElC4DvX1b8m6V6xHP1SilR4JIxKKy1PQ8SgAzIVI1B5_wLoZoBDQFemS5Iktgf5d7YCZBSFaOcwtprx0QH_ay5_GF5WQQckY4jvp55YI9sLI2RtPX2eoS_EtaPMZSGkDC3-8p0/s320/CIMG2029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A little too late, I discovered an interesting flaw in this design: a crocheted strap will <i>streeeeetch</i>. And mine was already bordering on <i>too</i> long. So after some pondering, I happened upon this solution. Use ribbon!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s6oVGsmgRLCq1csLy8eQXid5_4VZSZNbHb4mVn9l4uDp68BAvnlNvAkNxBUCpii6bYRynDIF-GqADvck96pfAfARccEGKti1ldL46xTKN92hSbLrBbUN62rpTnSjTuM5t6flyJT8Jg4/s1600/CIMG2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s6oVGsmgRLCq1csLy8eQXid5_4VZSZNbHb4mVn9l4uDp68BAvnlNvAkNxBUCpii6bYRynDIF-GqADvck96pfAfARccEGKti1ldL46xTKN92hSbLrBbUN62rpTnSjTuM5t6flyJT8Jg4/s320/CIMG2040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Basically, I found some ribbon in a coordinating color to stabilize it. The ribbon I found wasn't nearly wide enough, so that line you see going down the middle is where I zigzag-stitched two ribbons together. Once this was done, I simply lined up this ribbon strip along the crocheted strap and sewed down each edge. Voila, problem solved!</div>
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I chose this <i>gorgeous</i> fabric for the lining. The method for making it was similar: cut out two large rectangles for the front and back and then a long, continuous strip for the sides and bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5sxamtX2hEvy_RIbn4pPEVirJjmR318owmYJ8Rl1K74_EH9Sbvq2f49rkrQZTIC2aPRQCA1lD0Mz9EzeiHkzyG9dJYertgGiANC0eNk9zrEUUZAzNKHfiXhyx1RAhX0XgSOJbJzW1Hc/s1600/CIMG2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5sxamtX2hEvy_RIbn4pPEVirJjmR318owmYJ8Rl1K74_EH9Sbvq2f49rkrQZTIC2aPRQCA1lD0Mz9EzeiHkzyG9dJYertgGiANC0eNk9zrEUUZAzNKHfiXhyx1RAhX0XgSOJbJzW1Hc/s320/CIMG2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4nRNfV0kchEu6og-q-oBUsu9_kfccYrAVJ6EesR6P0dCK7_D8_if8Cacx0xVqSPg72q0FCU05eBD1oKUqxs5u3VQM7a8lF85lY9nymowYO62i_kfjIxKYPqjdnKkqgPDKanSa8C9uOU/s1600/CIMG2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4nRNfV0kchEu6og-q-oBUsu9_kfccYrAVJ6EesR6P0dCK7_D8_if8Cacx0xVqSPg72q0FCU05eBD1oKUqxs5u3VQM7a8lF85lY9nymowYO62i_kfjIxKYPqjdnKkqgPDKanSa8C9uOU/s320/CIMG2036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did, however, add a couple things to the lining. I added three pockets, two cell phone sized and one larger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqXPInLnLBWGns-sUbRG3OTwvRg8CVtzHRRykPHq7zTfderbrh2h3Jo6PZLDrfEXGB7vhE3rr6jrn4VkUUUdrhMRLn7hyH6Nm-rOfCLLadpmTmWgFavdERMGPT1ZI_MMTI4HQI9b9Sy0/s1600/CIMG2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqXPInLnLBWGns-sUbRG3OTwvRg8CVtzHRRykPHq7zTfderbrh2h3Jo6PZLDrfEXGB7vhE3rr6jrn4VkUUUdrhMRLn7hyH6Nm-rOfCLLadpmTmWgFavdERMGPT1ZI_MMTI4HQI9b9Sy0/s320/CIMG2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also added a key fob, because I hate having to fish through a big bag for my keys.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt9CC5KenBIvCepbp_P2_5kNE5kjFlgfybuZxeR_YSmbiEJQHD4E-upSj8QFC9nrzEJqORXFTeZyhiiJKB2I2JrGYvVziroRC_bit8DENCUTMOTBNKCegUgpEEyxt-y7E5Ia3n5CgMz4/s1600/CIMG2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt9CC5KenBIvCepbp_P2_5kNE5kjFlgfybuZxeR_YSmbiEJQHD4E-upSj8QFC9nrzEJqORXFTeZyhiiJKB2I2JrGYvVziroRC_bit8DENCUTMOTBNKCegUgpEEyxt-y7E5Ia3n5CgMz4/s320/CIMG2035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's also a closure strap that can button at two different buttons, depending on how full the bag is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaDvzxtQd9uNiEKUyslNsx4Rqv4Jp6uo6wEzF3_abCf2JFxO3yXLe6_uCbWxM62hO2oIXiMc9JlWuo57LLG24cKvTGk3g6RfAFnD1uAatCV2VwtPeAbp9hut_Lb49VVa5kz-729O-M6k/s1600/CIMG2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaDvzxtQd9uNiEKUyslNsx4Rqv4Jp6uo6wEzF3_abCf2JFxO3yXLe6_uCbWxM62hO2oIXiMc9JlWuo57LLG24cKvTGk3g6RfAFnD1uAatCV2VwtPeAbp9hut_Lb49VVa5kz-729O-M6k/s320/CIMG2042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlgZwzC9ojPA6exWZ5JjVJ25PUdEz43bmlsR_K9gHTzFJdV8CEOr0Y3S9s6AmOxHua69M4Wq_i1P815_en73SZVJYsj7dZwtxnvKMJsmO5ZtrtrblovAnc0nDLPmXkh9QxGv8dmp1oo4/s1600/CIMG2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlgZwzC9ojPA6exWZ5JjVJ25PUdEz43bmlsR_K9gHTzFJdV8CEOr0Y3S9s6AmOxHua69M4Wq_i1P815_en73SZVJYsj7dZwtxnvKMJsmO5ZtrtrblovAnc0nDLPmXkh9QxGv8dmp1oo4/s320/CIMG2030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And to attach alllll of this to the crocheted portion, I slid in the lining, sandwiched the button strap and the key fob between the two layers, and sewed it all together.</div>
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Instead of doing the usual thing with lined bags where you flip everything inside out, etc, etc, I simply folded down the edges of the lining and basically topstitched around the edge. Worked out pretty well. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjedoE9N6FkEb3vjtcGj2kwpR0wg_tndNFyIUp2SPn_v-5VgKT6tqBTcqOi3zMc7yLtjqdYgwfreog3xkNCXEl3V3nStDiXGaUEMz2jgxGHZX7_DU-OlycDQM_sxsvupisRc4ikdV2Zk/s1600/CIMG2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjedoE9N6FkEb3vjtcGj2kwpR0wg_tndNFyIUp2SPn_v-5VgKT6tqBTcqOi3zMc7yLtjqdYgwfreog3xkNCXEl3V3nStDiXGaUEMz2jgxGHZX7_DU-OlycDQM_sxsvupisRc4ikdV2Zk/s320/CIMG2032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tzD1uvgNIRPhnxy2ogV4upKbaUTzK5sGy4DYwfNAk_rmt9isdqKq1iw2vvgmEoXFq-tyYOnxSKAdgubswu6nBgOIVvjWNBYUu_bVcMsbAJRN_8sTen2skx1Tl3Ha2phlPfxFqKHHBEk/s1600/CIMG2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tzD1uvgNIRPhnxy2ogV4upKbaUTzK5sGy4DYwfNAk_rmt9isdqKq1iw2vvgmEoXFq-tyYOnxSKAdgubswu6nBgOIVvjWNBYUu_bVcMsbAJRN_8sTen2skx1Tl3Ha2phlPfxFqKHHBEk/s320/CIMG2034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So what do you think? I'm pretty proud of this bag. It makes a nice, casual alternative to those days when I'm just not feeling the backpack (my laptop fits in there nicely). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIw0NQvJQuz22y8PYnrvhLflRAkbGxlQKjXyTvcFMoy7nyWt_7MFwUA8N6yh7tKebFinzXCWBTLwHDr2g7AQbBV1sxQTihjlqalixVuOVMNNb28k1D1HljaRcJQjJf8lUXJ1DpVGC4tI/s1600/DSC02482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIw0NQvJQuz22y8PYnrvhLflRAkbGxlQKjXyTvcFMoy7nyWt_7MFwUA8N6yh7tKebFinzXCWBTLwHDr2g7AQbBV1sxQTihjlqalixVuOVMNNb28k1D1HljaRcJQjJf8lUXJ1DpVGC4tI/s320/DSC02482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoyed this post, and I hope you found it inspiring! I enjoy those times when I see something and am able to recreate it myself without relying on patterns. :)</div>
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-Annie<br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-47339382062949816482012-11-13T23:18:00.000-06:002012-11-17T00:38:45.941-06:00Commitment Day 13: Storage Solutions - Earrings, Rings, and Watches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Welcome to Day 13 of my 30 Days of Commitment Series! You can find the other posts in this series <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
This isn't quite what I had planned for today; I just found out that I don't have the photos that I thought I did, so that will have to wait. Instead, I'm continuing my series on how I store my oodles and oodles of <i>stuff</i>.<br />
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The champion of today's post is <b>boxes</b>. Boxes of any kind. Pretty ones saved from gifted jewelry, or candy, or laying around storing silly things like decorative silverware. Put those boxes to use!<br />
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As a recap, here is the "accessories corner" of my room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj7pMVHjI6ZPtJK7oEAssHUDR5yNinBWRV2ZK512TVyyWFhWA38-8v6AWaK6bWtkIzI65rub0g-z67_BTKMICGYnUS3GlcIRVbqGPFMHkteRxypKow4AvNBcBZ02bKeSrBganthZGstY/s1600/DSC02470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj7pMVHjI6ZPtJK7oEAssHUDR5yNinBWRV2ZK512TVyyWFhWA38-8v6AWaK6bWtkIzI65rub0g-z67_BTKMICGYnUS3GlcIRVbqGPFMHkteRxypKow4AvNBcBZ02bKeSrBganthZGstY/s320/DSC02470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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When I was China, I saw these wire-framed, straw-wrapped, jewelry-holding doohickeys that I instantly knew I needed. To hang it, I tied a piece of embroidery floss around the wire at either side of the top "petal", then hung the whole thing over yet another Command hook. Don't be fooled, that thing is <i>heavy</i> with so much hanging from it.<br />
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But in the end, it really is oh-so-perfect for "hook" earrings.<br />
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It's roughly organized between metallics and non-metallics, as well as "big and dangly" vs. "small and delicate". This really helps me when I have an idea of what kind of earrings I want to pair with an outfit and don't feel like searching across this whole spread (it's surprisingly difficult to actually find the pair you want, even in such a small area).<br />
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My post earrings all live on the cart in two boxes. This one below holds the "fun" ones, ones that I am more likely to wear in a casual setting. The box itself used to hold one of my silver bracelets that is now <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-5-storage-solutions.html" target="_blank">hanging on the wall</a> with its brethren.<br />
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<span id="goog_1450500786"></span><span id="goog_1450500787"></span>See the snake one hanging from the lid of the box? That's an ear cuff, and I will definitely be wearing it when the opportunity comes. Super-cool.<br />
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Also note how, as much as possible, I try to keep my earrings paired by fastening one of them <i>through</i> the stopper of the other one.<br />
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The fancier post earrings I keep in this flower box. Remember the M&Ms teddy bear box from <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-5-storage-solutions.html" target="_blank">this post</a>? This one also once held M&Ms.<br />
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Going clockwise from the bottom:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The first compartment holds green-toned earrings. For some reason I have a lot of those.</li>
<li>The second compartment holds my earrings that are primarily gold.</li>
<li>The next two compartments hold vintage earrings that used to belong to my mom. They wreak havoc on my ears (I have a relatively sensitive nickel allergy) so these are reserved for special, short-term wears.</li>
<li>The fifth compartment (it's kind of difficult to see) holds the dangly crystal-and-silver earrings.</li>
<li>The sixth compartment holds my crystal and pearl studs. </li>
<li>The center holds any hoop-style earrings. Most of them are actually a perfect fit!</li>
</ul>
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I rearrange these on a regular basis, as my collection changes frequently. Some time soon I will need to go through my earrings and put away the ones I don't usually wear.</div>
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Moving on to rings!</div>
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This box used to be just a box, and I would throw my rings in it willy-nilly. I finally decided I had enough and actually turned it into a real "ring box."</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm7WwXM8kci3GZmqtw3kfox_1V3VWltFPVtjP5WbSuBZJC0gu12pxUVK9RMwby9qi_z9_upAttgVtnimkLBDR8L8MiIhOU0m12tMdKD_t8M0Ldt-MLO-FrksjO3ObIrB33auniWPkk8k/s1600/DSC02391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm7WwXM8kci3GZmqtw3kfox_1V3VWltFPVtjP5WbSuBZJC0gu12pxUVK9RMwby9qi_z9_upAttgVtnimkLBDR8L8MiIhOU0m12tMdKD_t8M0Ldt-MLO-FrksjO3ObIrB33auniWPkk8k/s320/DSC02391.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the ribbon-like one on the bottom left?<br />
My favorite ring, hands-down.</td></tr>
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It was a very easy and fast project. With some white fleece, I cut out a rectangle about as wide as the box and at a length that I knew was too long. I rolled it up until the roll was the size I wanted and cut off the excess, then used that rectangle as a pattern for more pieces to cut and roll up. I just kept cutting out and rolling rectangles until the box was filled. Then, it was a simple matter of sliding my rings in, sorted, of course, by the base metal.</div>
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I used another box for my watches. Someday I may devise some dividers or something to keep them better sorted, but for now, this works fine. I have a bunch of other watches that either don't suit my taste (again, passed down from my mom), are broken, or have no battery in another box hidden away in the drawer.</div>
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Hope you enjoyed this installment of my Storage Solutions! Eventually you'll get to see what I do to store my other accessories, clothes, and crafting stuff. Hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am!</div>
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-Annie<br />
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Shared at:<br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-90085828982436176702012-11-12T23:59:00.000-06:002012-11-13T00:01:22.541-06:00Commitment Day 12: Giving in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This is Day 12 of my 30 Days of Commitment series! See other posts <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>.<br />
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Seriously, you guys, my bad. Four days of posts, all missed! I'll do better for the rest of the month, promise. :)<br />
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Exam week ended with a rush of activity, as I packed up for the weekend to attend a medical conference. Now, a new block is starting, a big "cultural performance" of sorts is coming up at the end of the week, and my room is a jungle that needs to be tamed.<br />
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So I will continue to treat this posting series as an exercise in time management, and I am taking the following lesson from the past four days of non-posting:<br />
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There are just some days when you need to give in and let go of something. For me this past weekend, that was blogging.<br />
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Stay tuned...I'll be back tomorrow with something really nice!<br />
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-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-82996118961150906812012-11-07T20:43:00.001-06:002012-11-17T18:58:58.605-06:00Commitment Day 7: Books I Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Read the rest of my 30 Days of Commitment series <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>.<br />
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Hi guys. It's Day 7 of my series, and I have a terrible secret to share with you: I love reading.<br />
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Okay, so that's not terrible at all. Nor is it really a secret.<br />
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I've loved to read for as long as I am able to remember. Fun anecdote: my mother tells me that when I was three, she first found out that I was reading from my daycare teachers! I think they were worried about me sitting in a corner by myself, reading and not playing with the other kids? I'm not sure.<br />
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Anyways, I <i>devoured</i> books when I was a kid. I was very quiet and shy and probably kind of weird and oblivious, too (still am), so instead of horsing around with the other kids, I read books. It quickly became apparent that while I enjoyed reading of any kind (did <i>anyone</i> else grow up with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Cyclopedia-Questions-Answers-Amazing/dp/B000OC48UC?tag=libproxy-20"><i>Charlie Brown 'Cyclopedia</i> series</a>???), my true love was fantasy. Wizards, fairy-tale kingdoms, strange creatures, magic...it all drew me in like a bee to honey.<br />
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I think the truly wonderful thing about fantasy is the worlds that the authors create. Entire cultures, rules for the properties and usage of magic, new lifeforms; all of these came to life for me in fantasy books. I loved imagining these worlds, recreating them, wanting to experience <i>life</i> in these worlds. It was just mesmerizing.<br />
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Now here's my problem: I am also a re-reader. I think this really started with the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling has this great knack for weaving together a complex storyline that suddenly brings together so many disparate elements scattered throughout the story. Nothing pleased me more than to read her books over and over, suddenly understanding her hidden clues, the not-yet-revealed backstory. It was intense stuff.<br />
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The only problem with this is that re-reading tends to leave me in a safety zone. I don't frequently go out and read new books, especially since college and med school have kept me busy. It's easier to relive a story you already know you love than venture forth and try to find a new one you will also love.<br />
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The point to all of this is that a lot of my favorite books, even now, are more young adult books. If you guys have any recommendations for more adult-oriented books, please feel free to mention them in the comments!<br />
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And so we begin... (click below to read my ridiculously huge list)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>1) Coming in at first place is Tamora Pierce. I love, love, <i>love</i> this woman. She's a pretty prolific writer: so far she has published 28 books, primarily within two "universes". Her stories feature plenty of magic, knights, castles, and fighting, usually with strong female protagonists who are smart, powerful, and determined. The books pictured below are all the books in her Tortallan universe, which I collected just this summer (with the exception of the last book of the <i>Beka Cooper </i> series...I've been waiting for the paperback to come out).<br />
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Tamora Pierce really grew through her career. Her earlier books (marked with asterisks) definitely reflect her relative lack of experience, but her writing style grows and improves and becomes more and more gripping to read. She weaves real issues into her books (again, particularly in her later works): war, politics, love, racism, sexism, crime, imperialism, and death. Her books are a thrill to read and I don't think I will ever, ever stop.<br />
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<u>Tortallan Universe</u><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Song of the Lioness</i> quartet*</li>
<li><i>The Immortals</i> quartet*</li>
<li><i>Protector of the Small</i> quartet</li>
<li><i>Trickster </i>series (2 books)</li>
<li><i>Beka Cooper </i>series (3 books)</li>
</ul>
<u>Emelan Universe</u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Circle of Magic</i> quartet*</li>
<li><i>The Circle Opens</i> quartet*</li>
<li><i>The Will of the Empress</i></li>
<li><i>Melting Stones</i></li>
</ul>
<u>Other</u>: <i>Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyV_A4ijLGXJdNCET9ER4XxgIDzymW0st4CpLjDTOFThprW8NkPXXDuzgtHMgBuncE3wGbvoRcks3UqZF9tq-P4zF8xY-ynjQ_tLrQ4y91YVbnoWbyhu_upJAd_UZDsI4-s0TEFXS2tM/s1600/DSC02409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyV_A4ijLGXJdNCET9ER4XxgIDzymW0st4CpLjDTOFThprW8NkPXXDuzgtHMgBuncE3wGbvoRcks3UqZF9tq-P4zF8xY-ynjQ_tLrQ4y91YVbnoWbyhu_upJAd_UZDsI4-s0TEFXS2tM/s320/DSC02409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon...soon you will ALL be mine, muahahaha...</td></tr>
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2) Okay, honestly, these probably don't exactly count as books, but whatever. Another of my favorite "reads" is the <i>Calvin and Hobbes</i> comics by Bill Watterson. They can be hilarious, thought-provoking, satiric, touching, and sometimes even profound. The comic is about a 6 year old boy named Calvin and the adventures he has with his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. I have no words, really, about how great this series is. It's a comic that I truly believe will never (and <i>should</i> never) be forgotten.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVWdQmFTwyDNKG0DgM6yxDf9IV1s7kFQLrpJmjKbKrGpoIWJU8Ey8vqg-5nqKOABA876aLZht9uBjZJzhXkSJxhSpwsxaJHX_v2tEc_GIQq2ei_iGvsAiPBz84jpu6f0-PwBUCSkvT2s/s1600/DSC02410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVWdQmFTwyDNKG0DgM6yxDf9IV1s7kFQLrpJmjKbKrGpoIWJU8Ey8vqg-5nqKOABA876aLZht9uBjZJzhXkSJxhSpwsxaJHX_v2tEc_GIQq2ei_iGvsAiPBz84jpu6f0-PwBUCSkvT2s/s320/DSC02410.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, <i>Calvin and Hobbes</i>. Someday, <i>you</i> will also all be mine. Consider this your warning.</td></tr>
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3) Manga. There are so many manga out there that are wildly different, and I feel bad grouping them together. But honestly, I think a lot of people will just skip this section anyways. So sad.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I am aware that a lot of Japanese comics can be really bad, in many, many ways. But there are some that are really just outstanding, and it's a storytelling form that allows you to do things very differently from novels. I still don't know why graphic novels in America haven't caught on more.<br />
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<li><b>Inuyasha</b></li>
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<li>This was my first love, the first series that really managed to hook me into the world of manga. It's the story of a girl who falls back in time, where she must join forces with a half-demon, half-human in order to restore the fragments of a powerful, dangerous artifact. Thrilling, touching, funny, dramatic. I <i>love</i> the characters and have even written fanfiction about them. This might not be considered an actual "great manga", but I will always love it.</li>
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<li><b>Fruits Basket</b></li>
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<li>A girl stumbles upon a family's dark (weird?) secret: they transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by a member of the opposite sex. It sounds like a ridiculous premise, and promises a lot of hilarity and romantic tension. However, it can also get dark and emotional, and it becomes a story of healing, forgiveness, and finding freedom.</li>
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<li><b>Eyeshield 21</b></li>
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<li>This is a story of a super-fast shrimpy kid who is forced to join his high school's American football team. This is is literally the funniest series I have ever read. Literally. And arguably my favorite. The personalities, characters, and situations can get so ridiculously outrageous, but you come love them, and you find yourself cheering for their victory, frantically flipping through the pages, hoping that they can surmount the unbeatable odds. It's long, but it's a fun read the whole way through.</li>
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<li><b>Dramacon</b></li>
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<li>I would technically file this under "graphic novel" rather than "manga", since the author is a Russian-born Canadian (funnily enough, she addresses this exact issue in her series!), but let's not split too many hairs. It's not very long (in the photo above, you can see the omnibus), weighing in at three volumes. But let's consider now that this is the <i>only</i> series I have ever bought with my own money. Manga is pricey, but this was worth it. This is the story of a girl, the author of an independent comic, who goes to an anime convention three years in a row. The story is unbelievably funny (her art is just so expressive!) and very touching. There's a scene that <i>still</i> makes me tear up every time I read it (those of you who've read it know exactly what I'm talking about). And you don't really want to know how many times I've re-read it.</li>
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<li><b>Prince of Tennis</b></li>
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<li>Like Inuyasha, this isn't really one of the "great manga" (actually, I don't think any in this list are, but especially these two). Like <i>Eyeshield 21</i>, <i>Prince of Tennis</i> is a sports manga, in this case about an extremely talented young tennis player and the rest of his team. I will admit, most of the premises in this story are wacked out, and the story can get a bit repetitive. </li>
<li>But what truly clinched this as a favorite manga was not the manga itself, but the series of musicals (commonly referred to as Tenimyu) that followed it, and subsequently, my love for the characters in <i>Prince of Tennis</i>. Tenimyu has become sort of a career launcher for many young, male Japanese celebrities, but it is not particularly known for having the best music, or actors, or singers, or dancers...but it's FUN. It's so fun to see these characters come to life and see how different actors portray them. You bounce up and down with delight seeing their ridiculous tennis moves actually being staged. And no lie, it's pretty fun to see attractive young men dancing around with tennis rackets in their hands. Any other Tenimyu fans out there? <i>Please</i> comment if you are, no one else understands this part of me. :(</li>
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Wow, that was a pretty exhausting list of just manga, if you actually read through it. Just know that I acknowledge that there are lots of other good (and arguably better) series out there (<i>Rurouni Kenshin</i>, <i>Ouran High School Host Club</i>, <i>Azumanga Daioh,</i> and <i>Buso Renkin</i> jump to mind), but those are the one's that are close to my heart.<br />
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4) <i>His Dark Materials</i> series by Philip Pullman. This series fascinated me. The many different worlds he created, with their different rules, and his view of the way our universe works, was enthralling. I first read it in high school and the way he explained the nature of our world fascinated me. Even now, in medical school, I could read it again and again and rediscover the truth (well, this story's truth) behind the universe with a new sense of wonder every single time.</div>
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5) <i>The Sight</i> and <i>Firebringer</i> by David Clement-Davies. These are both books about animals. The first is about wolves, a mysterious power called the Sight, and a prophecy of coming evil and the family that will fight against it. <i>Firebringer</i>, on the other hand, is about deer. There is also a prophecy in this story about the Herla (what the deer call themselves) falling away from their true way of life and the one who will restore the balance in their lives. Both of these books can take philosophic turns and often tie in with human history. The emotional turmoil and conflicts that these characters face are very thought-provoking, and I do love the religions and society rules he creates for these animals. He has written other books that I did not like quite as much as these two, although they certainly were still good books; some were a little bit <i>too</i> philosophical, and some not enough. </div>
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6) <i>The Darkangel</i> trilogy and <i>The Firebringer</i> trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce. Talk about creating your own worlds! <i>The Darkangel </i>trilogy takes place some time in the future, when humans created life on the moon, different from themselves. Don't be fooled, it's definitely not sci-fi. <i>The Firebringer</i> trilogy is from my unicorn phase: it is about a prophecy of the one who will lead the unicorns, long exiled by traitorous wyverns, back to their sacred home. She has written other books that I unfortunately haven't read, but these two trilogies are just fantastic. Definitely more angled toward the young adult audience, but the worlds that she created I found very intricate, and her plots aren't very conventional; her protagonists often don't quite play the roles that you would expect. And I love that.</div>
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7) Last one! <i>A Song of Ice and Fire</i> series by George R.R. Martin. This series is ridiculous. Complex politics, corruption, fighting (lots of blood and death), lots of love and sex, and a list of important characters longer than your arm. This story weaves itself across kingdoms and continents, telling itself through the eyes of numerous characters who can be sometimes crazy, sometimes likable, sometimes utterly distasteful...but never one-dimensional. The story is smart, epic, complicated, and gripping. Granted, there are slow moments, and the five books he has out so far are crazy long, but it's so worth it. Definitely <i>not</i> a book for kids. Oh, and I guarantee that he will kill all of your favorite characters. Because George R.R. Martin is secretly evil. You have been warned.<br />
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Wow. Talk about wordy. Did you guys manage to stick with me through the whole deal? If so, I feel like I should reward you somehow. @_@<br />
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Anyways, have you guys read any of these books? Did you love them as much as I did? Did you <i>not</i> love them? Do you have any recommendations for me to try, particularly so I can venture into the world of fiction for adults, rather than teenagers?<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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-Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-7342500101380164422012-11-06T20:56:00.001-06:002012-11-07T00:32:04.913-06:00Commitment Day 6: A Little Jewelry Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Day 6 is here! See the rest of my 30 Days of Commitment series <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>!</div>
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Today's exam was <i>exhausting</i>! But I pulled through, and with a nice long nap and a long cooking break, I'm ready to work again!</div>
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...after, of course, today's post. ^_~</div>
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Today's post comes thanks to a site where I take a lot of inspiration from. I have a huge collection of inspirations for clothes, etc. that comes from <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/">Modcloth</a>.</div>
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Recently, I found this necklace, the <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/necklaces/just-bead-yourself-necklace-in-concord">Just Bead Yourself Necklace in Concord</a>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="MagicZoomPlus" href="http://productshots1.modcloth.com/productshots/0120/2124/8a6d69e07f771443552a8fdfebe0e582.jpg?1349213279" id="zoomable" rel="zoom-width:601px; zoom-height:498px; zoom-distance:8; zoom-position:right; opacity-reverse:true; zoom-fade:true; disable-expand:true;" style="border: 0px; color: #6698ff; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 350px;" title=""><img alt="Just Bead Yourself Necklace in Concord - Red, Solid, Beads, Statement, Party, Casual" id="big_image" itemprop="image" src="http://productshots0.modcloth.com/productshots/0120/2124/cd7b25d16e8e071c5929431b30a6c520.jpg?1349213279" style="border: 0px !important; font: inherit; margin: 0px !important; opacity: 1; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/necklaces/just-bead-yourself-necklace-in-concord">Just Bead Yourself</a></td></tr>
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When I saw this, I remembered these:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6WG3ucEaxwvA4EjOB85UGY-oWVe0RZ8x_nIwRvDPrFYuCsWoTMG7lcxoyZBwRHKVvET3jJBI1gtWi-hHk4Es_510CEn78YxL5r22sFXsbH3hSRTTIzP5Et5wKUBe88QLbtqspdVien4/s1600/DSC02442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6WG3ucEaxwvA4EjOB85UGY-oWVe0RZ8x_nIwRvDPrFYuCsWoTMG7lcxoyZBwRHKVvET3jJBI1gtWi-hHk4Es_510CEn78YxL5r22sFXsbH3hSRTTIzP5Et5wKUBe88QLbtqspdVien4/s320/DSC02442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A while back, I found a store that sold a bunch of these "pearl" necklaces for a dollar each. In colors like this, who could resist?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru20JhHVc9tf-6t5fe4rq71lCLjbly8_b7enaMF-d4Z7o5pP8V2dZAUV0geSizZcBoqQ5KO6wVHx05-Gf6PFsYyuY6LWtGFxeMlJbykB9TjBJD-v6rZNPAPfzeztkOG-QF-_t0bZlB2E/s1600/DSC02444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru20JhHVc9tf-6t5fe4rq71lCLjbly8_b7enaMF-d4Z7o5pP8V2dZAUV0geSizZcBoqQ5KO6wVHx05-Gf6PFsYyuY6LWtGFxeMlJbykB9TjBJD-v6rZNPAPfzeztkOG-QF-_t0bZlB2E/s320/DSC02444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My initial thoughts were to make one of those bird's nest necklaces (like <a href="http://www.sarahortega.com/2011/05/diy-bird-nest-necklace.html">this one</a>), but I wasn't sure what else I wanted to do. The Just Bead Yourself Necklace is a good inspiration point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD1FGr3PtkIh0ynwqDQs0PrgjZ10XKuWecLZbfDW96aeZZEej4KAWOkGyVLzYd9kuJGNvxuKdzI5u65S7rV7_hR8Z3sreuVJaQC0eih-hXEvpd6-Scdm88AVNZo6yKI91GiVaDcVEP4Q/s1600/DSC02446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD1FGr3PtkIh0ynwqDQs0PrgjZ10XKuWecLZbfDW96aeZZEej4KAWOkGyVLzYd9kuJGNvxuKdzI5u65S7rV7_hR8Z3sreuVJaQC0eih-hXEvpd6-Scdm88AVNZo6yKI91GiVaDcVEP4Q/s320/DSC02446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I didn't really have time to actually make it, but I did experiment a little during one of my breaks. Using the fiber that the beads came strung on, I tried stringing a few beads together to see how it might look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdn6NnVLTD5W-VWC2uCYpJzact2d3b0MaASBBuCCrC-rbSFF1_oo82KPWD7EfLQYDw3qDnZFkecEC7e_1m6V6hpRaY-P6N4t0eSiQAy1E8QplLim7YFHO1ENO0v1IOzqN8AAgXR2aGIU/s1600/DSC02449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdn6NnVLTD5W-VWC2uCYpJzact2d3b0MaASBBuCCrC-rbSFF1_oo82KPWD7EfLQYDw3qDnZFkecEC7e_1m6V6hpRaY-P6N4t0eSiQAy1E8QplLim7YFHO1ENO0v1IOzqN8AAgXR2aGIU/s320/DSC02449.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU1OryFeqdA6B7V3ax2YlTKiPWnhNgxcol5f4ktdkp59zg7TIPaBe_pwptLARBrhNxoM7xj_M9u9q8mHxetqoxGDTC4Sk3Vk68SUSwYhz1ZL61cFWZtRG2T68GKKzGaZwrzQZS1n5guA/s1600/DSC02452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU1OryFeqdA6B7V3ax2YlTKiPWnhNgxcol5f4ktdkp59zg7TIPaBe_pwptLARBrhNxoM7xj_M9u9q8mHxetqoxGDTC4Sk3Vk68SUSwYhz1ZL61cFWZtRG2T68GKKzGaZwrzQZS1n5guA/s320/DSC02452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did you see in the product image how the beads steadily decrease in size? While the blue beads don't come in that many sizes, the gray beads I have come in smaller sizes, so I might incorporate those in to the design as well.<br />
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Here were a couple of idea sketches I made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrsVVqIltMU1cEdlcPFvvmrbsfDA57oHqqfHp4KdEHRSYMWajRFcPj3UvsSuNZ4tD3dlglhA2wD2fMio_ouiBGL-ZIzL4aKNnr7RYfi2IK5f_9WbW_GLz4nLoBL3EH4bdV8XRRIY_i4I/s1600/DSC02453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrsVVqIltMU1cEdlcPFvvmrbsfDA57oHqqfHp4KdEHRSYMWajRFcPj3UvsSuNZ4tD3dlglhA2wD2fMio_ouiBGL-ZIzL4aKNnr7RYfi2IK5f_9WbW_GLz4nLoBL3EH4bdV8XRRIY_i4I/s320/DSC02453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you guys have any suggestions? Have you made jewelry before?</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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-Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-29785517825140183772012-11-05T23:57:00.000-06:002012-11-17T00:37:46.673-06:00Commitment Day 5: Storage Solutions - Bracelets and Necklaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Day 5 is here (see the other Days <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>), and boy, did I cut it close today! Still immersed in exams (one down, three to go!), so today is again a short one.</div>
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Storage is a big problem for me. I have a <i>lot</i> of stuff and not tons of space, nor do I want to spend tons of money on fancy solutions.</div>
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I have accumulated a ton of jewelry. A lot of it is inherited from my mom, gifts, collected from garage sales, and bought off clearance. This stitcher may be stingy, but she's also a bit <i>too</i> enthusiastic about finding a good deal!</div>
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In several posts this month, I'll be showing off what I've done to store my jewelry so it's visible but out of the way. Today's all about the bracelets and necklaces. And today's star players are Command wall hooks, shower curtain rings, and paper clips!</div>
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This is an overview of my "accessories corner", sandwiched between the bookshelf and the closet door (on the right). You'll eventually see all of what's going on here in future posts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj7pMVHjI6ZPtJK7oEAssHUDR5yNinBWRV2ZK512TVyyWFhWA38-8v6AWaK6bWtkIzI65rub0g-z67_BTKMICGYnUS3GlcIRVbqGPFMHkteRxypKow4AvNBcBZ02bKeSrBganthZGstY/s1600/DSC02470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj7pMVHjI6ZPtJK7oEAssHUDR5yNinBWRV2ZK512TVyyWFhWA38-8v6AWaK6bWtkIzI65rub0g-z67_BTKMICGYnUS3GlcIRVbqGPFMHkteRxypKow4AvNBcBZ02bKeSrBganthZGstY/s320/DSC02470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Focusing on the left first, you see a ribbon with loops tied in it, hanging from two of those Command wall hooks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-13s0KrqnnbzjUkhts5bYR2BfdMOGi4O4T0B5M0Ay7d2Ui4F5JosKavI_8L8NgVAg2VsrQpPiN5tXIJrXpBQC_HkRVFrS21-0dVGMWDjSK52kC9m3MlRRUgJyS5DWKWkar8CCVPA0Hk/s1600/DSC02392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-13s0KrqnnbzjUkhts5bYR2BfdMOGi4O4T0B5M0Ay7d2Ui4F5JosKavI_8L8NgVAg2VsrQpPiN5tXIJrXpBQC_HkRVFrS21-0dVGMWDjSK52kC9m3MlRRUgJyS5DWKWkar8CCVPA0Hk/s320/DSC02392.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And threaded through those loops are nothing less than shower curtain rings, holding my bracelets and bangles in sets and loosely related groups. All well-displayed and easily removed, and not even taking up table space!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt4btSPvYji-EJvys0UaJNKfGnn61nsx2gpGh8ty5GiVaZIt9vVUfy4vuxnMeKlO7dVALxNpL5nXl9f4oO0ZTpabmAyNrncpULTOIvj_r-7Memh9aBfUiQ4QICKz-qCIpwLR_XZM2dx8/s1600/DSC02475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt4btSPvYji-EJvys0UaJNKfGnn61nsx2gpGh8ty5GiVaZIt9vVUfy4vuxnMeKlO7dVALxNpL5nXl9f4oO0ZTpabmAyNrncpULTOIvj_r-7Memh9aBfUiQ4QICKz-qCIpwLR_XZM2dx8/s320/DSC02475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also have a few bracelets that are stiff and open (you know what I'm talking about, right?). For those, I just dangle them from the mouth of an old, cleaned-out jar. Easy-peasy, and I'm not afraid that they'll fall off and land who-knows-where.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARmNWOfkkHd5o8hYH10Z2Ppg7T9bOdC0t48asR_jMyOqb3b2gz3f0RByAIZ5_mEJqP-2iyfzR6YO3hDUBAVK9WLbAiYlw38oi3Q-WyupjIeP7lqfwwpKSW7mVFldeQmEKzm2ZvszWBdE/s1600/DSC02468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARmNWOfkkHd5o8hYH10Z2Ppg7T9bOdC0t48asR_jMyOqb3b2gz3f0RByAIZ5_mEJqP-2iyfzR6YO3hDUBAVK9WLbAiYlw38oi3Q-WyupjIeP7lqfwwpKSW7mVFldeQmEKzm2ZvszWBdE/s320/DSC02468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Necklaces were interesting for me, as I have a <i>lot</i> of those. I have this straw-wrapped, wire jewelry frame I obtained from China years ago, and it has served me so well. In order to maximize its utility, I added hooks made from bent paperclips to hang necklaces from. I threaded those through the straw, making sure they hooked over the wire frame so they wouldn't rip out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1wr39tXG17krrxADwXeTDVTOWrPKat7fMc1w-VFbqL3uUoyo-4SaOIrCGS7HxKx2yLZqlMaptKuwK1jq0izh9hrUmP5g0I0jeWk8K9qlNf4uFX9_Qit1tiTOWZwUze2X9BG6YZuzmB0/s1600/DSC02393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1wr39tXG17krrxADwXeTDVTOWrPKat7fMc1w-VFbqL3uUoyo-4SaOIrCGS7HxKx2yLZqlMaptKuwK1jq0izh9hrUmP5g0I0jeWk8K9qlNf4uFX9_Qit1tiTOWZwUze2X9BG6YZuzmB0/s400/DSC02393.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Longer/wider/busier-looking necklaces are relegated to these hooks on the side. Thanks again, Command!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPQZpC7GpkVeeJI5H7J7qVds21WXyZSmBT5cApu0wTVxBb4ymyctZgjnbgjWj6D8QNCGUBXzCygF2sV4I7p6sfeeb6eJIfi4uHy6wuWP0qqHJ0OXWXG1RZ5dXvLtmJbeIyKhbZGYvUCM/s1600/DSC02394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPQZpC7GpkVeeJI5H7J7qVds21WXyZSmBT5cApu0wTVxBb4ymyctZgjnbgjWj6D8QNCGUBXzCygF2sV4I7p6sfeeb6eJIfi4uHy6wuWP0qqHJ0OXWXG1RZ5dXvLtmJbeIyKhbZGYvUCM/s320/DSC02394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And hiding away in a drawer is a little bear-shaped box (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ms-Teddy-Bear-Assortment-Candies/dp/B004VLM3JA">its former incarnation</a>) holding other pendants and chains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92NsDAonGj6140QjSC94oOpCnmE0TbomOstQErHziHr2ckKVT_UR4H2y8VR32WtJ02gapeeyucGrWlJSQyW6amtIuPcG9W9hfU9HEXyw0TEyRBTzsvzNA4SCz5I-eCIYhNvftEunlguY/s1600/DSC02479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92NsDAonGj6140QjSC94oOpCnmE0TbomOstQErHziHr2ckKVT_UR4H2y8VR32WtJ02gapeeyucGrWlJSQyW6amtIuPcG9W9hfU9HEXyw0TEyRBTzsvzNA4SCz5I-eCIYhNvftEunlguY/s320/DSC02479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoyed looking at this! I enjoy being able to browse through other people's storage solutions to find approaches that work for me. Hopefully I inspired you!<br />
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Anyways, I have to get back to studying. Wish me luck, and I will see you tomorrow! Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
-Annie<br />
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<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne24kzc37qET29UFTVB6jN3nw_lk6qap4d0AMCNnMnXT-am8wzs74DkVuU8zO-YFczhXaACbjlXilhHKNmRJLOBgr_CPJaWNFl9AO4F4uv4qtCvM1noXL4vaxu42JblRBt42Wo_k7DSI/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a></div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-54038957269936527622012-11-04T21:28:00.000-06:002012-11-04T21:32:36.930-06:00Commitment Day 4: Afghans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's Day 4 of my 30 Days of Commitment series! See other posts in this series <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>.</div>
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Yikes, exams are this week! A lot of posts this week will be pic-heavy with hopefully less rambling than usual!</div>
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I was about a month into the "learning to crochet" process when I saw the concept of a chevron afghan in a magazine somewhere. The concept was easy (skip a stitch at the "valley", increase a stitch at the "peak"), so I boldly purchased a few skeins of Simply Soft Caron Eco and got to work!</div>
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Four years of extremely intermittent crocheting later...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmOGCa8O9iEouRUNxFwUTB7cqnADFT0QNL63eHsZmxK6qdOc0nlBh-Zvg_AR1x9aTtwM4EBn2wOgxavsFmIGzhWJlVi-lLArOI6fc4EuhOxOPFAplnEZ2X3iGXbpC_GlmrDuqvfSxB1k/s1600/DSC02454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmOGCa8O9iEouRUNxFwUTB7cqnADFT0QNL63eHsZmxK6qdOc0nlBh-Zvg_AR1x9aTtwM4EBn2wOgxavsFmIGzhWJlVi-lLArOI6fc4EuhOxOPFAplnEZ2X3iGXbpC_GlmrDuqvfSxB1k/s320/DSC02454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Featuring a guest appearance by Cabbage the panda,<br />
Pancake the polar bear, and Blackjack the dapper black bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Before y'all judge me <i>too</i> hard for taking this long, consider this. Lacking any real crocheting experience, I made a fatal miscalculation in the design of this afghan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rb78qnApu94ybw2PP-5__iEf_TrItv8fnOv7TbHhx7NuTRYKhXwto7TJC0P_zhemdZhRiqoC8Do6QlMUjTCGjE9WN7BMfBGaTgn3jLlEffCiCLJhMh5NPyLm40QlX5VjJ9S11_WMhGg/s1600/DSC02456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rb78qnApu94ybw2PP-5__iEf_TrItv8fnOv7TbHhx7NuTRYKhXwto7TJC0P_zhemdZhRiqoC8Do6QlMUjTCGjE9WN7BMfBGaTgn3jLlEffCiCLJhMh5NPyLm40QlX5VjJ9S11_WMhGg/s320/DSC02456.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>It's in single crochet</b>. You guys. This thing is a beast. It's so dense and heavy. It takes forever to add to its length. It's eating up so much yarn. OMG.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3bdHwE9yPcRNvHmrX-lpo3uOO3tD492_cehirJ9FwlRCp4wpE06i-zy50sDK3W-WTf9aNydXMnUtxQEw-Qy5GdQKVUP1smt09jCfqCZk6iKZemVfb6qWV0le-p7YDhJ87iS1wwEwI-E/s1600/DSC02464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3bdHwE9yPcRNvHmrX-lpo3uOO3tD492_cehirJ9FwlRCp4wpE06i-zy50sDK3W-WTf9aNydXMnUtxQEw-Qy5GdQKVUP1smt09jCfqCZk6iKZemVfb6qWV0le-p7YDhJ87iS1wwEwI-E/s320/DSC02464.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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See that? That's a page of notes I made when determining the size of this blanket. Its finished dimensions will be about 4.5 feet by 5 feet (currently it's about 70% done). And this thing is going to take 30 skeins of yarn.<br />
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*dies*<br />
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Someone with afghan-making experience, tell me: <i>is this normal???</i><br />
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Anyways, in my infinite wisdom, I also decided to start a granny blanket last spring. Here's my progress so far, minus a few I have in my carrel at school. I work on those when I have time to kill there and I'm not in the mood to study.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6gQv6GneFhXwsQ5IYVexDzaQbAcMHv0KXSd3v9bELGkSK9BX7wSbk8vb8dL2JSvUxwLULnVL7KwmpC-dqYYA1MkGsXwT2OMpDDi8ggGJLw2pPjCRoj8wVcT9nOaIhS-KxmDT0aOS6u0/s1600/DSC02460.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6gQv6GneFhXwsQ5IYVexDzaQbAcMHv0KXSd3v9bELGkSK9BX7wSbk8vb8dL2JSvUxwLULnVL7KwmpC-dqYYA1MkGsXwT2OMpDDi8ggGJLw2pPjCRoj8wVcT9nOaIhS-KxmDT0aOS6u0/s320/DSC02460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm currently going with this configuration. My working plan for these requires almost 150 squares. Yahoo? It'll be about 5.5 feet wide and about 6.5 feet long.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsCkPvz-mb3wRObZJxvQJ8kcG5paxEPDxyak3BH6DZuSsHHn1vDfNdHToEj9OgmQx799tS-N-RlPPKGPPKAKKTJzoZ32CRPA3EFsVmfDpkiYYyf-ZaXQbnY3n3Nkdx4IBWi4CoQyU__U/s1600/DSC02461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsCkPvz-mb3wRObZJxvQJ8kcG5paxEPDxyak3BH6DZuSsHHn1vDfNdHToEj9OgmQx799tS-N-RlPPKGPPKAKKTJzoZ32CRPA3EFsVmfDpkiYYyf-ZaXQbnY3n3Nkdx4IBWi4CoQyU__U/s320/DSC02461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGNTWcZ90lu-9iwiTvtGMPVpG1SsfUR6B8U8JTots1fdJYHVqoN1w6yUEM4s7rkVmtP62mXKYCCykM8-wtqn59Qcr4HTpqWFp_e2-C-sNtA87rnqwBwyf2skYyT3h10fpABImKkeZZKI/s1600/DSC02463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGNTWcZ90lu-9iwiTvtGMPVpG1SsfUR6B8U8JTots1fdJYHVqoN1w6yUEM4s7rkVmtP62mXKYCCykM8-wtqn59Qcr4HTpqWFp_e2-C-sNtA87rnqwBwyf2skYyT3h10fpABImKkeZZKI/s320/DSC02463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm still not sure how I plan on joining these up. Experienced crocheters, do you have preferred joining methods?<br />
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Thanks for tuning in, guys, and wish me luck on my tests!<br />
<br />
-Annie<br />
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<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne24kzc37qET29UFTVB6jN3nw_lk6qap4d0AMCNnMnXT-am8wzs74DkVuU8zO-YFczhXaACbjlXilhHKNmRJLOBgr_CPJaWNFl9AO4F4uv4qtCvM1noXL4vaxu42JblRBt42Wo_k7DSI/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a></div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-35999116779034747542012-11-03T22:13:00.000-05:002012-11-03T22:14:15.515-05:00Commitment Day 3: Self-Taught, Self-Motivated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
It's Day 3 of my 30 Days of Commitment series! See my other posts <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>.<br />
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When I talk about crocheting with my friends, they commonly ask me to teach them how to do it, or tell me it looks hard. My fellow crocheters, you know it's not all <i>that</i> hard, right?<br />
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I am a self-taught crocheter. I don't know how I stumbled upon it in the first place, but for years I have been in possession of a very old <i>Crocheting for Beginners</i> (not sure if that's quite the right title) book. I mean, this thing still had black and white printing. It was crazy.<br />
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My grandma taught me knitting when I was very young. I had a brief "knitting revival" in college (AKA a scarf that took me a year to finish), but it left me open to trying new things, and when that old book caught my eye, I decided to give crocheting a try.<br />
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It was hard at first. I had to squint at these old grayscale photos for long minutes, then squint and poke at my work, figuring out things as simple as how to count stitches and what on earth this whole turning chain business was.<br />
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The worst experience was probably learning to crochet in the round and in a spiral, which I first tackled making the Tiny Striped Turtle. Remember <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/history-told-in-turtles.html">these guys</a>? I don't know about you guys, but it was an absolute <i>nightmare</i> figuring out how to count stitches in the round. But I did it, and check out my success!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35DbRcklE35OMwMwvqCs11gS5yFE9LS_QkPR_AqokpKXwb8nF_eCjgcFzt1z82bH0DrHnDXwwVsFQGkKOtBzFOCmF5HTVrbiO7tIgIliEGUIMPv3bAJzkSZa0CPZs48y_fc0nP9ym1sA/s1600/moto_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35DbRcklE35OMwMwvqCs11gS5yFE9LS_QkPR_AqokpKXwb8nF_eCjgcFzt1z82bH0DrHnDXwwVsFQGkKOtBzFOCmF5HTVrbiO7tIgIliEGUIMPv3bAJzkSZa0CPZs48y_fc0nP9ym1sA/s320/moto_0014.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
That little yellow turtle was my first true crocheting success! Not long after, I went to study abroad in China, armed with a couple hooks. After finding some yarn, I tackled the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swirls-cap">Swirls Cap pattern</a>, which turned into yet another battle with round-counting, in which I <i>finally</i> mastered the art of keeping count of my stitches!<br />
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<br />
This is a very old project (like I said, one of my first). Maybe one day I'll do a post recapping my pre-blog projects.<br />
<br />
The point of this is not just to tell you guys a boring story about myself. <b>The point is to encourage all of you who read this to jump in and try new things</b>. I would never have gained the confidence I have now if I hadn't picked up that book on a whim and given a new skill a shot. I would not be at this point if I had not picked patterns beyond my skill level and slowly battled my way through them.<br />
<br />
If instead I had sat at my desk, admiring the work of others and not trying to surpass myself, I probably wouldn't be crocheting now. If you want to learn, learn! There are hundreds of great books out there to learn from, and probably thousands of instructional videos accessible with a few quick YouTube searches!<br />
<br />
Sadly, given the limited time I've had in past years to really "pursue the craft", my skill level hasn't increased by much. However, I do have a few goals set for myself to accomplish in the coming years.<br />
<br />
1. Make more amigurumi besides cute little turtles<br />
2. Learn to design amigurumi<br />
3. Crochet clothing<br />
4. Give knitting another try<br />
5. Learn to knit cables<br />
6. Sew my own clothing<br />
<br />
What do I have to spur me on? I have this giant collection of patterns and inspirations for amigurumi:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vLIR1ODjAsI-ysj1P3Wt9WgKabcDj4GFDu4pwgYbKxOwWWT-R5REHK4Rzq7Ku6aGFfUfM5hsGO4QdTDyNndD8FycAFE6qMjFcCHkiMikuJJvX5OkQ2wFpaSY0jlZEYOsRZOCgBl1czU/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vLIR1ODjAsI-ysj1P3Wt9WgKabcDj4GFDu4pwgYbKxOwWWT-R5REHK4Rzq7Ku6aGFfUfM5hsGO4QdTDyNndD8FycAFE6qMjFcCHkiMikuJJvX5OkQ2wFpaSY0jlZEYOsRZOCgBl1czU/s640/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just for amigurumi...you don't want to see the massive collections of knitting and crocheting patterns and crafting and sewing tutorials that I've amassed over the years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also have these books as motivation. On the left is a great collection of crochet stitches that I picked up at a used book store. In the middle is a present from a friend, a collection of <i>gorgeous </i>sweater patterns (all knitting patterns, all utilizing cables). On the right is an <i>awesome</i> book of sweater patterns. You can mix and match body, sleeve, neckline, and pocket styles. It's so freaking cool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTSN0RwKfeE_WT-VPE4qdjRZ6cZjniA6W9lsazH7W_qmQbv_y18ss2urtkctjf5Mm_XGRgBhbikoS3jZkysN3v2irbbnZm2981y42STWvaAuQLOEqZuEsEZnYCACntdmjIKWbnH-0TNY/s1600/DSC02411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTSN0RwKfeE_WT-VPE4qdjRZ6cZjniA6W9lsazH7W_qmQbv_y18ss2urtkctjf5Mm_XGRgBhbikoS3jZkysN3v2irbbnZm2981y42STWvaAuQLOEqZuEsEZnYCACntdmjIKWbnH-0TNY/s320/DSC02411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, by browsing crafting sites and online stores like Modcloth and Anthropologie, I have accumulated hundreds of inspirations of clothes, accessories, and crafts I want to make.<br />
<br />
It seems like a lot. What use do I have for all of these future ideas, with the finite time I have? How can I expect to master all these skills?<br />
<br />
I mean, maybe I won't. I certainly won't recreate every single interesting dress or jacket that I saw on Modcloth. But the point is that I have collected all these things to motivate myself. When I look at my "hoard" of resources and inspiration, I see a goal I want to reach. I want to be that good. I want to be that skilled. I want to be able to devote that kind of time to hobbies I love.<br />
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So, inexperienced crafter that I am, this is the advice I offer:<br />
<br />
- If you want to do it, <i>do it</i>, don't just sigh about how you aren't good enough.<br />
- Challenge yourself. That's how you learn the fastest.<br />
- Be brave enough to set unrealistic goals and acknowledge them as such.<br />
- Collect your inspirations, and encourage yourself to keep moving forward<br />
<br />
Now I want to hear from you! Share in the comments how you learned to sew/knit/crochet/whatever it is that you do! What is <i>your</i> advice to budding crafters?<br />
<br />
-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-84224947665451437142012-11-02T16:20:00.001-05:002012-11-02T17:13:25.212-05:00Commitment Day 2: Wallet to Purse Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /><span id="goog_1105927127"></span><span id="goog_1105927128"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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Welcome to Day 2 of my 30 Days of Commitment! Find the other 30 Days of Commitment posts <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeJ0jGC6TRvxBL9Lz2giLdABOZeVgdYcitI9lKQ0pS7_l939JSPP8EF4gTVhipNJTHTFoW_XSCgWkMzQxGySTT4792tl3gcDaXzrtDCL2zHf88KNFgGtoWQ1xOZNUnITIcBooV8rZh_Q/s1600/DSC02439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeJ0jGC6TRvxBL9Lz2giLdABOZeVgdYcitI9lKQ0pS7_l939JSPP8EF4gTVhipNJTHTFoW_XSCgWkMzQxGySTT4792tl3gcDaXzrtDCL2zHf88KNFgGtoWQ1xOZNUnITIcBooV8rZh_Q/s320/DSC02439.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Today's post is a short tutorial on how convert a long wallet into a small purse. Apologies in advance for the weird photos; I have four exams next week, and obtaining really good photos is not exactly a priority right now. Neither is cleaning my messy room, which y'all will <i>not</i> be seeing!<br />
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I obtained this wallet on an Alaskan cruise this past August with the intention to use it as a clutch, but with no strap of any sort, I just found it way too difficult to deal with.<br />
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Via <a href="http://craftgawker.com/">craftgawker</a>, I found <a href="http://www.fastfoodandfastfashion.com/2012/10/diy-wallet-on-chain.html">this simple tutorial</a> on how to add a chain on to make it into a little purse. Personally, I didn't like the idea of just hooking it to the zipper and looping the chain under the flap. Seemed sort of unstable.<br />
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So for those of you who are interested in learning another way to do this simple DIY, keep reading after the break!<br />
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What you will need:<br />
- Your wallet<br />
- A chain (mine was about 30 inches long)<br />
- Jump rings<br />
- Clasps (lobster clasps are easy)<br />
- Jewelry pliers (optional)<br />
- Pointy things (I used a safety pin)<br />
<br />
Note: see the box above? I've collected lots of various "doodads" from old jewelry and keychains, although I did ultimately go out and buy a set of jump rings and clasps. Sometimes, just collecting these little oddments can take you pretty far.<br />
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Step 1: Open up your wallet and decide where your rings are going to go.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfiOCKvQ_CTUZtphrWGtZfYBZNOjoQReyDmGrkinI-30uz_kIEeh3R7SND4X88umC9-6vBO_S2Mb9O-KWdswvxj4WPuv0FDb6LKZ0parnKD9IeyeQm0zSbL_rTohB4aS7zIW3vRYpAso/s1600/Positioning+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfiOCKvQ_CTUZtphrWGtZfYBZNOjoQReyDmGrkinI-30uz_kIEeh3R7SND4X88umC9-6vBO_S2Mb9O-KWdswvxj4WPuv0FDb6LKZ0parnKD9IeyeQm0zSbL_rTohB4aS7zIW3vRYpAso/s320/Positioning+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1:<br />
The hole will be the same position on the opposite side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFz3lWPSrpjvX9GKQBiwJ_0h1S3FeaJdu22EX4DbFCpstw2WiWWYC4B4HfCe2g2PolO24wNvcDZ1Izw_U39pMbrmb-N3BwRQ8HeLSkqLqErRI5IYRYLmUozLR9JR8Xnc5B63PlGj3oRk/s1600/Positioning+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFz3lWPSrpjvX9GKQBiwJ_0h1S3FeaJdu22EX4DbFCpstw2WiWWYC4B4HfCe2g2PolO24wNvcDZ1Izw_U39pMbrmb-N3BwRQ8HeLSkqLqErRI5IYRYLmUozLR9JR8Xnc5B63PlGj3oRk/s320/Positioning+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1:<br />
Another view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 2: Poke a hole there! I started with a safety pin, then used my seam ripper and a big paper clip to widen the hole.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MFy5aJdXi__ZY2KaSs9NEP4rAJY3C0vHXMyd-FzP4lRE97PnDE9d44lgRNwA8FjC7oMrF4a2JckvYHq-kkcbeXWUe5HVLGo6x7qdTpilJ0hRYeIE9r8YSwy1T7qCMS4RpRbuPTzXGTs/s1600/DSC02426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MFy5aJdXi__ZY2KaSs9NEP4rAJY3C0vHXMyd-FzP4lRE97PnDE9d44lgRNwA8FjC7oMrF4a2JckvYHq-kkcbeXWUe5HVLGo6x7qdTpilJ0hRYeIE9r8YSwy1T7qCMS4RpRbuPTzXGTs/s320/DSC02426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 2:<br />
Again, do the same for the other side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Step 3: Open up your jump ring. It's easier with pliers, but before I obtained those, I used my fingers and it worked out fine (although you might want to make sure your nails are cut, unlike mine).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNjx_C_K1F1pQUPf48PmH4MMP8SYP8UYN-0v4Ukvt1LqaFNKysCDwn6c6wepdBs3v90Je2zbxv7rk8eCgwC2ZhXRFjMz3gTEoVLZU1UkPypYcuoJnjz1EyswQY6NNEvKPEX0-aZkKTLQ/s1600/DSC02428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNjx_C_K1F1pQUPf48PmH4MMP8SYP8UYN-0v4Ukvt1LqaFNKysCDwn6c6wepdBs3v90Je2zbxv7rk8eCgwC2ZhXRFjMz3gTEoVLZU1UkPypYcuoJnjz1EyswQY6NNEvKPEX0-aZkKTLQ/s320/DSC02428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 4: Thread the jump ring through the hole you poked and close it up tight!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bYm32lifxKx-mzVeOc3OcvdFIyET3KizdL6eg3xMpech2-pAjxWZbIi0dKTD55OQQ65HL4XeEEM_ndRGbAQ1J9tjS7ngmaPy6RDUI-ehofgsCM2y10ZREJoeem5qnHTrkNAvzW-L4G4/s1600/DSC02430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bYm32lifxKx-mzVeOc3OcvdFIyET3KizdL6eg3xMpech2-pAjxWZbIi0dKTD55OQQ65HL4XeEEM_ndRGbAQ1J9tjS7ngmaPy6RDUI-ehofgsCM2y10ZREJoeem5qnHTrkNAvzW-L4G4/s320/DSC02430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4:<br />
All closed up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigODYg74d71_fEloNTpim-SQe6juGVevzyw91Mq27EVBWKPCILTnOvakAJ2FgjD6LLleKUjRzzaRvygibFFWIGTYfIn7ScBykEW0B0_fA2kS2FwihCqX-RLf9x-su1m1KZ79JfHqQj7P8/s1600/DSC02431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigODYg74d71_fEloNTpim-SQe6juGVevzyw91Mq27EVBWKPCILTnOvakAJ2FgjD6LLleKUjRzzaRvygibFFWIGTYfIn7ScBykEW0B0_fA2kS2FwihCqX-RLf9x-su1m1KZ79JfHqQj7P8/s320/DSC02431.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4:<br />
Do the same for both sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 5: Prepare your chain. Mine was originally a necklace chain, so it already had a clasp on one end and a jump ring on the other. If you have a chain on its own, you will need to add clasps to both ends of the chain. Add the clasp by opening up a jump ring and threading it through the last chain link and the loop on the clasp.<br />
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(Some chains will will have links large and thin enough that you can just open a chain link and thread the clasp on directly)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd5mqU3xgECkbXMjnFM6ARy2q0A8xxwlg08ZEt2RwRiXhZA1oVrlmz0j5Ehd404nTNMiYwYXdfKXhj2Cc7TORuo-h6K6xn-sE_o_Wil2k5ehVI51Hn2JUlDLKes1UtkOSV6JK53HoyEg/s1600/DSC02433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd5mqU3xgECkbXMjnFM6ARy2q0A8xxwlg08ZEt2RwRiXhZA1oVrlmz0j5Ehd404nTNMiYwYXdfKXhj2Cc7TORuo-h6K6xn-sE_o_Wil2k5ehVI51Hn2JUlDLKes1UtkOSV6JK53HoyEg/s320/DSC02433.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5: Before<br />
My job's been half done for me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJiWTM9ES31AZ6dstCarWzuuF1yuUVTY0m-Qv9X9_L_jtXJHni_EP7ee1hQk8Zt8WKsUNGa5kfVMLozWDlaSmqih_6OTiv4fDOTWWPDu7eTGMbeXSaCK98q3XKQ1g_DV88-kWfx1KJmo/s1600/DSC02434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJiWTM9ES31AZ6dstCarWzuuF1yuUVTY0m-Qv9X9_L_jtXJHni_EP7ee1hQk8Zt8WKsUNGa5kfVMLozWDlaSmqih_6OTiv4fDOTWWPDu7eTGMbeXSaCK98q3XKQ1g_DV88-kWfx1KJmo/s320/DSC02434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5: After<br />
Clasps on BOTH ends of the chain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 6: Hook your clasps on to the jump rings on your mini-purse.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2FcvwP7hl1xqpzEKAmLzyyQINTpTjVEHDdQvsjOMYw6kXyuiUlJGtPn7XgMQdQm5HmXdEZwprmDdJkLSWbZDnceTo2GFi1uuEiiQGZjZpoGyoS1GKvD3ewflqGjJdz5z7KgXhlQ-_sM/s1600/DSC02435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2FcvwP7hl1xqpzEKAmLzyyQINTpTjVEHDdQvsjOMYw6kXyuiUlJGtPn7XgMQdQm5HmXdEZwprmDdJkLSWbZDnceTo2GFi1uuEiiQGZjZpoGyoS1GKvD3ewflqGjJdz5z7KgXhlQ-_sM/s320/DSC02435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And you're done!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSdDxfeU1pv03hZGc8ItpOCsY6MvOsDwlaxjgDnACA6etNGVH4KrYcol3UOo5iZP1M-xckvReV-SylCq8bslcd-05W0apIn841ovKNuLW5eZ6PzSWbw1dXXHhqYwItjJS2sjO1j9m2lA/s1600/DSC02438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSdDxfeU1pv03hZGc8ItpOCsY6MvOsDwlaxjgDnACA6etNGVH4KrYcol3UOo5iZP1M-xckvReV-SylCq8bslcd-05W0apIn841ovKNuLW5eZ6PzSWbw1dXXHhqYwItjJS2sjO1j9m2lA/s320/DSC02438.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, please excuse the weird pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And with this, you can easily convert it back into clutch/wallet form by unclasping your chain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EAaLIFCtZHG5OyD6WmMULi7kgK8q4aamXnmGoEZ_-jvHZIq2HhPccHM_IF8Kja7Am0ZzDLzw2g5enZZWBnxpc8dqgXUW3iBm6DXq5t4UBsegdJ5c1Hh5gZeSHHIYW42_EuaemZpe0vU/s1600/DSC02432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EAaLIFCtZHG5OyD6WmMULi7kgK8q4aamXnmGoEZ_-jvHZIq2HhPccHM_IF8Kja7Am0ZzDLzw2g5enZZWBnxpc8dqgXUW3iBm6DXq5t4UBsegdJ5c1Hh5gZeSHHIYW42_EuaemZpe0vU/s320/DSC02432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice and nondescript jump rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can also adjust the chain length easily like so. Twist the chain once as shown below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENzZJSnKUA9_rbUm9APjPE8-GCg7fTO50kOiuZsnOG0le45x7KViDJUffddiiA5rcrqXMUS5EC6rk3I_hCuZlmOy4S9575XmNHQR5dxFms8TgC2mWPVVWwKcmJkJC-V2iIQhm88c9XnY/s1600/DSC02436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENzZJSnKUA9_rbUm9APjPE8-GCg7fTO50kOiuZsnOG0le45x7KViDJUffddiiA5rcrqXMUS5EC6rk3I_hCuZlmOy4S9575XmNHQR5dxFms8TgC2mWPVVWwKcmJkJC-V2iIQhm88c9XnY/s320/DSC02436.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, while keeping the point where they cross outside of the purse, pass that top loop loop under the flap, leaving you with a shorter, doubled chain on the outside.<br />
<br />
You have two options with this. Hold on to both strands for a shorter chain:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG_nYSXvLteVyh7t9pa5zpGWxa5KlAGUCpdbHNABf-dse7azE0u5mWws_4FiJRM7JKvbuRn5bIageOtjPiE42WHFQJhpWuvQk0YR16tMtiVr11xhBQTV6Z2zD1ruGVKUINXXtSxWeBCI/s1600/DSC02437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG_nYSXvLteVyh7t9pa5zpGWxa5KlAGUCpdbHNABf-dse7azE0u5mWws_4FiJRM7JKvbuRn5bIageOtjPiE42WHFQJhpWuvQk0YR16tMtiVr11xhBQTV6Z2zD1ruGVKUINXXtSxWeBCI/s320/DSC02437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf-D5VYop7chCOjkxglX5egzW-9jKXvqOpQ6j_W-8C5zyJGSlaULjP9DXXip6BLtUoCq7h0GUCMTbbjWEUGRcV2xR1zop3ZN521vtAb_shH-gGUIGXTA5FHYIJTU3A6L3d0-gF4fupBM/s1600/DSC02441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf-D5VYop7chCOjkxglX5egzW-9jKXvqOpQ6j_W-8C5zyJGSlaULjP9DXXip6BLtUoCq7h0GUCMTbbjWEUGRcV2xR1zop3ZN521vtAb_shH-gGUIGXTA5FHYIJTU3A6L3d0-gF4fupBM/s320/DSC02441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Or hold on to just one strand and let the other fall flat against the top of the purse for a slightly longer chain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChKerHJYRK-PEpKmG6rpfwCaaKC4SCf23FtjLlozFB3pihIacRMq1Wv78Ose_sLA95F5wbqObtkfgtzp_V1L1yAKLhi73B5wImOlH7JV9Fb3GTNcwFLw2uCkxmm-I6VjDYI0bNUB2YEo/s1600/DSC02440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChKerHJYRK-PEpKmG6rpfwCaaKC4SCf23FtjLlozFB3pihIacRMq1Wv78Ose_sLA95F5wbqObtkfgtzp_V1L1yAKLhi73B5wImOlH7JV9Fb3GTNcwFLw2uCkxmm-I6VjDYI0bNUB2YEo/s320/DSC02440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope this tutorial proves useful! I'll certain get a lot more out of this purse now that it has something easy I can toss over my shoulder. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
See you tomorrow!<br />
<br />
-Annie<br />
<br />
Shared at:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne24kzc37qET29UFTVB6jN3nw_lk6qap4d0AMCNnMnXT-am8wzs74DkVuU8zO-YFczhXaACbjlXilhHKNmRJLOBgr_CPJaWNFl9AO4F4uv4qtCvM1noXL4vaxu42JblRBt42Wo_k7DSI/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a></div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-16964730777805189562012-11-01T03:33:00.001-05:002012-11-02T17:14:04.234-05:00Commitment Day 1: Something Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Welcome to Day 1 of my 30 Days of Commitment! Find the other 30 Days of Commitment posts <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-days-of-commitment-all-posts.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
As I've said before, this is a personal challenge to see if I can post something every day of November. The rules I've set for myself are:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Each Day must be posted between 12 am and 11:59 pm of that day.</li>
<li>I <i>am</i> allowed to schedule posts ahead of time.</li>
<li>As much as possible, I should not post similar material on consecutive days (eg. if today I post about a crocheting WIP, tomorrow's post should not be, at the very least, yet another crocheting WIP; I should at least switch to a sewing or other crafting WIP)</li>
</ol>
<div>
I hope I'm able to adhere to these rules! I'm already falling behind schedule: I had intended to have a few posts already set up, ready to be posted at a scheduled time. Looks like I flubbed that one!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today's post is sort of a throwback. Do you remember <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/01/quick-and-easy-t-shirt-recon.html">this vest</a> I made from an old T-shirt?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4u5Jd91nBwWRCsn-C81X4dvh9V6ZUYujFrFYu0HkQEGZtckT8zIxuqdqDwXhsgKEl5j6DcR45fsL_jOvm35a5Ot8qYrv5Qgkokqf53fWgsaJOJU4U8fX5VfVw0nTU8YjRG26UooawNyo/s1600/CIMG2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4u5Jd91nBwWRCsn-C81X4dvh9V6ZUYujFrFYu0HkQEGZtckT8zIxuqdqDwXhsgKEl5j6DcR45fsL_jOvm35a5Ot8qYrv5Qgkokqf53fWgsaJOJU4U8fX5VfVw0nTU8YjRG26UooawNyo/s320/CIMG2019.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pardon the glow. That's what happens when you stand <br />
your camera on a white surface, apparently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I really did like it at the outset. I have a pretty big wardrobe, but even now, nearly two years after this vest was made, I still don't have many vests. I'm pretty picky about what I do and do not like, and it soon became evident that there was <i>something</i> about this vest that just wasn't cutting it for me. And remember <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/03/make-it-something-you-love.html">this post</a> about making your clothes work for <i>you</i>? Time to make some changes!<br />
<br />
What I've realized is that I tend to like structure. Pretty and flowy is nice, but only to some extent. For example, I always need to wear this vest belted. I can't stand having it loose, because I don't like losing that waist definition. I'm still trying to resist the urge to buy a vest like <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&Category=outerwear&ProductID=2015056731">this</a>, or <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&Category=essentials&ProductID=2019571172">this</a>, or <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/blazers-vests/at-attention-vest">this</a>, or <i>especially </i><a href="http://www.adelekirby.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/flynn-rider-zachary-levi-tangled-rapunzel-disney-horse-maximus-poster-2.jpg">this</a>.<br />
<br />
You guys, Flynn Rider's vest. Every time I watch that movie, I want to steal it. I haven't had this much clothing envy of movie character since <i>The Devil Wears Prada</i>.<br />
<br />
Back to the point: I like structure! So besides this problem, I also found that the sleeve holes were a bit too wide for my taste, and the whole deal in front was just draping in funky ways, and I wasn't liking having to figure out how to adjust it over my chest.<br />
<br />
So I finally hit upon a very simple solution:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hP0usNytL2VrSsc5JWCcCPK9Mc_Y1puS4GwWKl32_Vfzb1n8wCgINlkGlaO0oH9sZpb5hDXvUzEXg1VNNp2ZGfu4OuBQ_lcUUH5pRANyBKIbZ3R-I4WqDdrZ6aEcJ-xkTHO-Kfiuyvc/s1600/CIMG9895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hP0usNytL2VrSsc5JWCcCPK9Mc_Y1puS4GwWKl32_Vfzb1n8wCgINlkGlaO0oH9sZpb5hDXvUzEXg1VNNp2ZGfu4OuBQ_lcUUH5pRANyBKIbZ3R-I4WqDdrZ6aEcJ-xkTHO-Kfiuyvc/s320/CIMG9895.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From blah, loose, no shape, nothing interesting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_H6yoW7pfX4Jr1rzAn4HFzI_B781QqKJDRAQizUNhi5u5vXYQTV1UVgNAsgokQQbEnAnwMtkJ5M1gYELpolVAkmevu8PApX8MC3RUGyr-zTUgsOIHAw0YZr1RLWZk4buML5nzDd9_YY/s1600/CIMG2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_H6yoW7pfX4Jr1rzAn4HFzI_B781QqKJDRAQizUNhi5u5vXYQTV1UVgNAsgokQQbEnAnwMtkJ5M1gYELpolVAkmevu8PApX8MC3RUGyr-zTUgsOIHAw0YZr1RLWZk4buML5nzDd9_YY/s320/CIMG2020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to yay! Interesting and better shaped for my body.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Voila! Converting into a racerback solved my "huge armholes" problem and my problem with having too much business going on in front by pulling a lot of the fabric to the back. It also created something much more fun (and a little more structured) to look at, now that whatever I'm wearing underneath shows through. There's a short, "did it in Paint" tutorial of what I did after the cut. It's pretty simple stuff.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before we go there, I'd like to ask you guys something:</div>
<br />
<div>
I've taken a much greater interest in fashion over that past year or two. My wardrobe has expanded quite a bit, and I've amassed a <i>huge</i> collection of scarves (which you guys will see later this month!). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are a lot of "X ways to fold your scarves" tutorials out there, some with awesome novel ways, and others that are...less novel. However, I have never seen this particular method, which I learned from a saleswoman in China.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLQtqWSHUQq5CFFRGhDbyOnIVJRYuO-HgnRgh_Hx0eV63Bvo0orGmAfVhAsiQENf7Fufcy6Nyg5W1aHyscERmIj4ANZfCp583SjVHvS6KgXQLZ3fPeu8YBhnAvTLjYv8shPTm5CxhWEs/s1600/DSC00497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLQtqWSHUQq5CFFRGhDbyOnIVJRYuO-HgnRgh_Hx0eV63Bvo0orGmAfVhAsiQENf7Fufcy6Nyg5W1aHyscERmIj4ANZfCp583SjVHvS6KgXQLZ3fPeu8YBhnAvTLjYv8shPTm5CxhWEs/s320/DSC00497.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKPX2BlrwsP4ePcLVUhiKxC8pVmb_Fe1tpKKoL85aFbwXVnNiT20xxRJxRA74sukBLUUjj6tihffm1Bf2N5OnVX65NjrUY-mAeRBNZDvWX0t5WSk33NhnqSfYl7V0ulYx-hDjawH3vMg/s1600/DSC00517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKPX2BlrwsP4ePcLVUhiKxC8pVmb_Fe1tpKKoL85aFbwXVnNiT20xxRJxRA74sukBLUUjj6tihffm1Bf2N5OnVX65NjrUY-mAeRBNZDvWX0t5WSk33NhnqSfYl7V0ulYx-hDjawH3vMg/s320/DSC00517.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Would you guys be interested in a tutorial on this? Would you like a photo tutorial? A video tutorial? Both? Please let me know!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All right, back on topic, the tutorial for the racerback vest...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a>All you need is a scrap of the vest fabric (although I bet some kind of contrasting fabric could be fun), scissors, and some way to sew it up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Step 1: gather up the fabric in the back of your vest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NLDYnOss7LbjrMPllF6Ts44cbdSYG4ZCsCOEAOJS2iKC-8nLC_znenlSA0WcmJfvwCUj2HxJ6J6IBo8UCX2BEAtjqrIaIsP9yzXcTCh41zA-5CvLRJdsjS5khW8wM27UooH_ApYxIkA/s1600/Step+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NLDYnOss7LbjrMPllF6Ts44cbdSYG4ZCsCOEAOJS2iKC-8nLC_znenlSA0WcmJfvwCUj2HxJ6J6IBo8UCX2BEAtjqrIaIsP9yzXcTCh41zA-5CvLRJdsjS5khW8wM27UooH_ApYxIkA/s320/Step+1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 2: Wrap your "strap" fabric around the vest. I'm just doing it in red for clarity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYzEhzQPnNXtqxtwW_TUYY3fJw5klOwt66OTj-tvKoQ7ml422quLuLx6ucHYqkwUDhyhNxKMKFAZwIADgmNXtmIC1GlmpqOr0RCpBcZyouZYWTAHA59-LaroZN7QVUGl5Bkxvsx7nkrs/s1600/Step+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYzEhzQPnNXtqxtwW_TUYY3fJw5klOwt66OTj-tvKoQ7ml422quLuLx6ucHYqkwUDhyhNxKMKFAZwIADgmNXtmIC1GlmpqOr0RCpBcZyouZYWTAHA59-LaroZN7QVUGl5Bkxvsx7nkrs/s320/Step+3.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 3: Determine how wide you want the tube you're making to be, then sew it up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcZtaQccll7pNvnOoHLSmi_D8Q-t-AAAZP24_BaQUDh-p0p6sA6soMbnguf58psZcnZsPY1dZscwekkwUI-Pq1rbTL9gog8A09-WTgElQaV1Z5hvMd00_ABEDbRCyI1eEF9wxqJinYqA/s1600/Step+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcZtaQccll7pNvnOoHLSmi_D8Q-t-AAAZP24_BaQUDh-p0p6sA6soMbnguf58psZcnZsPY1dZscwekkwUI-Pq1rbTL9gog8A09-WTgElQaV1Z5hvMd00_ABEDbRCyI1eEF9wxqJinYqA/s320/Step+4.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3<br />
While I prefer sewing with the machine, this was just too small <br />
a job to justify hauling it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 4: Trim the ends of the strap as close to the seam as possible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGgrN4JXbglxasM7da5HheoMPV7L1B2BzWW9pQxrcjAtqLlfpdq5Gis8HINBYoEXT-9UppNS8Bm7MhQKo__pmcUDIXV-gd3ZaLLmu4_2h7MpSuLN7Xgvo3pN3DWhS9I84kfmpwF9PC4/s1600/Step+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGgrN4JXbglxasM7da5HheoMPV7L1B2BzWW9pQxrcjAtqLlfpdq5Gis8HINBYoEXT-9UppNS8Bm7MhQKo__pmcUDIXV-gd3ZaLLmu4_2h7MpSuLN7Xgvo3pN3DWhS9I84kfmpwF9PC4/s320/Step+5.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Step 5: Turn your tube inside out and adjust it so the seam is on the wrong side of the vest. With jersey fabric, the edges will likely curl in a little, or you can fold it in manually to hide the raw edge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDg8APnjOyzLeoiShxH53dIr4Dowwp7gjSmczMCaaGVSp3XQWHuzQsEafyIPKbRJyvvyx0TmYkFYzsu1q976a65ErJIEwUg_M9ZCT97m2X2GyJsgIJhgUtqRu1_nn9mxVV0KQA7r9NMc/s1600/Step+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDg8APnjOyzLeoiShxH53dIr4Dowwp7gjSmczMCaaGVSp3XQWHuzQsEafyIPKbRJyvvyx0TmYkFYzsu1q976a65ErJIEwUg_M9ZCT97m2X2GyJsgIJhgUtqRu1_nn9mxVV0KQA7r9NMc/s320/Step+6.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Et voila! Your vest now has a racerback! It occurs to me that this could be very fun if done in a contrasting fabric, or leather, or maybe chain? Maybe studs along the edges of the tube? So many possibilities!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So that's it for today! Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy this month of daily posts!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, please remember to answer my questions about the scarf tutorial in the comments below. <i>Xie xie</i>!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-Annie<br />
<br /></div>
Shared at:<br />
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<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne24kzc37qET29UFTVB6jN3nw_lk6qap4d0AMCNnMnXT-am8wzs74DkVuU8zO-YFczhXaACbjlXilhHKNmRJLOBgr_CPJaWNFl9AO4F4uv4qtCvM1noXL4vaxu42JblRBt42Wo_k7DSI/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a></div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-64929239845636727972012-10-31T23:59:00.000-05:002012-11-27T23:30:44.075-06:0030 Days of Commitment: All Posts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s1600/Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cypkoYKazkea7eHvomuOnWz_ITzF9gDOwY-ofgETGsIp5ba9_Yfu5XeiUfs0Wp30GPVmOtfPzQhrH12CvMVJPDGejJiyXplLtPUX0GaAnc-7OsEtHjoWPlvtQLr_eJ-9pvaxYbOEQAc/s200/Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Find all posts here:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-1-something-old.html" target="_blank">Day 1: Something Old</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-2-wallet-to-purse.html" target="_blank">Day 2: Wallet to Purse Tutorial</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-3-self-taught-self.html" target="_blank">Day 3: Self-Taught, Self-Motivated</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-4-afghans.html" target="_blank">Day 4: Afghans</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-5-storage-solutions.html" target="_blank">Day 5: Storage Solutions - Bracelets and Necklaces</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-6-little-jewelry.html">Day 6: A Little Jewelry Inspiration</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-7-books-i-love.html" target="_blank">Day 7: Books I Love</a><br />
No posts Days 8-11<br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-12-giving-in.html" target="_blank">Day 12: Giving In</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-13-storage-solutions.html" target="_blank">Day 13: Storage Solutions - Earrings, Rings, and Watches</a><br />
No posts Days 14-15<br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-16-basketweave.html" target="_blank">Day 16: Basketweave</a><br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/commitment-day-17-tv-shows-i-love.html" target="_blank">Day 17: TV Shows I Love</a><br />
No posts Days 18-26<br />
<a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/day-27-calling-it.html" target="_blank">Day 27: Calling It</a></div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-52580904593148089332012-10-20T19:56:00.002-05:002012-10-20T19:57:45.634-05:00CommittingHi everyone!<br />
<br />
As ever, it's been quite a while since the last time I've posted. I'm amazed, despite the radio silence, I've still gained a few followers over the past months, and the number of views of my one video and followers of my Youtube channel just keep rising. Thanks to all of you for being patient and for believing that one day I would come back to this blog!<br />
<br />
Also, food for thought, The Stingy Stitcher is already more than two years old! Hooray!<br />
<br />
As far as an update on my life, I have begun my second year of medical school. Now that classes are no longer graded pass/fail, and the sheer amount of information has increased by so much, I've tried to put a lot more focus on my studies.<br />
<br />
In fact, I've been trying to turn around a lot of things in my life recently. I have to-do lists everywhere reminding me of what I need to do, ranging from remembering to do the dishes to taking care of the handwashing to cleaning out my email inbox. Here is just a sampling of the things I've been trying to address in life:<br />
<ol>
<li>Maintain a budget</li>
<li>Daily studying regimen</li>
<li>Cooking as often as possible</li>
<li>Keeping my room clean (you have no idea how difficult this is for me)</li>
<li>Keep crafting!</li>
<li>Updating my blog</li>
</ol>
Aha! Did you catch that? Essentially, as an exercise in responsibility, I am <i>committing </i>to updating this blog every day of November! Woo-hoo! Super-exciting, right?<br />
<br />
Obviously, I can't promise every single post will be an in-depth tutorial or some kind of "Ta-da, I finished another project" type of post. Some might just be a collection of photos of my many WIPs, or collections of my inspirations. Some may have nothing to do with crafting at all. The purpose of this is for me to practice a little accountability.<br />
<br />
I hope you guys join me in this step toward (maybe) becoming a little more mature, and I hope you enjoy it. I'm around that age when I really need to start acting like an adult. Or at least <i>pretending </i>I am one. ;)<br />
<br />
See you soon!<br />
<br />
-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-8002786969506043682012-06-13T11:39:00.001-05:002012-06-13T11:39:20.445-05:00A "Humerus" (hahaha) InterludeHi all!<br />
<br />
Just here to drop in and let you know that I am, in fact, not dead. It's been a blur of finals, moving, travel, and summer interning since I last posted, and I'm still hopping around frantically to complete a billion tasks that need doing.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I just finished my first year of medical school with a group of absolutely fantastic people. If you're curious about what the life of a first-year is like, check out the video below, made by my hilarious classmates for our class show.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SQLy6Ys7JfM" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Hope to be posting with real crafting news soon!<br />
<br />
-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7497331138058115416.post-37087997458463780122012-04-14T21:45:00.000-05:002012-04-15T02:46:54.597-05:00News!I can't believe this! My <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz7U32td6vE&context=C447ae12ADvjVQa1PpcFOaXYzLJ0TTH7Kpe62oMRn-Jv9Ssp3hukk=">instructional video</a> for the <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/10/infinity-scarf-once-again.html">Forever 21 infinity scarf</a> has over 27,000 views, and my channel has over 200 subscribers! This is pretty modest in the world of YouTube, but it's definitely beyond anything I ever expected! Thank you all so much for your kind words and your interest!<br />
<br />
Important thing: the post I've linked above (and <a href="http://stingystitcher.blogspot.com/2011/10/infinity-scarf-once-again.html">here</a> again) is the new MASTER POST for the Forever 21 infinity scarf. If you have any questions, please check there first! If after reading, you still have questions, comment or send me an email, and I will update the post ASAP with my answer.<br />
<br />
So I wanted to share the work of a few people who have made use of this pattern, and hopefully it inspires more of you to try making this scarf and adding your own unique touch to it!<br />
<br />
First up is Emily of <a href="http://juststringingalong.blogspot.com/">Just Stringing Along</a>. She made four scarves using my pattern as an inspiration, but made a little modification (I LOVE that!): she replaced the treble crochet with a quad crochet, and let me just say, her scarves look ridiculously cozy. Check out her <a href="http://juststringingalong.blogspot.com/2012/01/and-im-backkind-ofmaybe.html">blog post</a> to see all three!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY1PVEr8OOdqf-O0dgMV_04UI_-IIZaYvMS5uSTjgOULoxklhMkwdu5GOJFbiA5JpuhmB_VVxte9MEl1WHHS7rUcemTX9BdzhIOnl0yktx8FObB7S9ZV7HL2sd7F_91ZnjD3hK_xCJWI/s1600/F21+scarf+by+Emily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY1PVEr8OOdqf-O0dgMV_04UI_-IIZaYvMS5uSTjgOULoxklhMkwdu5GOJFbiA5JpuhmB_VVxte9MEl1WHHS7rUcemTX9BdzhIOnl0yktx8FObB7S9ZV7HL2sd7F_91ZnjD3hK_xCJWI/s320/F21+scarf+by+Emily.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The next two lovely ladies sent me emails with photos. Danette used a lovely, bright yellow for hers:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtn4HHX5V5wg-Y76umKO8oHK13A9n4yKXdjQr1Ar_pr1gnL6qlB2TRuGMaegtf8Y0eC8CYIOClUHLciCtOx_9TMRZN-oXGJlMLro4LV2j2d34X8GBFnw9koE5-hYAKAz8NNC0snIBqqI4/s1600/F21+scarf+by+Danette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtn4HHX5V5wg-Y76umKO8oHK13A9n4yKXdjQr1Ar_pr1gnL6qlB2TRuGMaegtf8Y0eC8CYIOClUHLciCtOx_9TMRZN-oXGJlMLro4LV2j2d34X8GBFnw9koE5-hYAKAz8NNC0snIBqqI4/s320/F21+scarf+by+Danette.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And Martina did something really pretty: she used different colored yarns (two shades of green). And then she shipped this lovely thing off to her sister as a gift!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZtjVVa4_QKn6bsDgDlQmTLEvvxfOpn93Y39hdRHxiD453EY5WAC_t_J_X5sxSC0LZOVgdBcUBBJ_KhW5zAaHF6N6VKct8pkgfY5Y0XYsYis3tnXeJu0ziUBN8VqzqTq-opJ5Sjo_r8w/s1600/F21+scarf+by+martina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZtjVVa4_QKn6bsDgDlQmTLEvvxfOpn93Y39hdRHxiD453EY5WAC_t_J_X5sxSC0LZOVgdBcUBBJ_KhW5zAaHF6N6VKct8pkgfY5Y0XYsYis3tnXeJu0ziUBN8VqzqTq-opJ5Sjo_r8w/s320/F21+scarf+by+martina.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Like I said, use these ladies' work as a starting point for your own unique works. I hope to see even more people using this pattern and sharing their results. Your scarves are beautiful, ladies, and thank you for sharing!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading, and I'll be back (relatively) soon with a new post! Ta-ta!<br />
<br />
-AnnieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234980653471252652noreply@blogger.com1