My New Love

After loving my Canon Rebel XSi for almost 3 years now I knew it was time to upgrade. My photos started lacking and after reading what other SLRs are doing now. I pretty much wanted to buy another Canon since I have loved them for years. So it was a easy choice and tons of online reading that I upgraded to the Canon 60D.

I have already had a couple of trips to bring my camera along since my Mom has been visiting me. I am loving how easy it is and the big improvement from my Rebel XSi. Still my Rebel will always be my first love as I was introduce to the world of SLR cameras with it. I have yet to play around a lot with the video feature on my 60D but I will soon.

Here are a few photos I took with my Canon 60D. I have also a new interest in mushrooms and how beautiful they can be. Nature is really amazing.

My Geekyness Brings All The Geeks To The Yard

For those that don't know this...I am a HUGE Batman fan. I won't go into the number of Batman comics I own. I will skip over how the other day I figured out I own about 7 Batman shirts. If you ever want a full rant/ramble by me over a batman comic/movie/etc. then you know who to ask.

So after I finished Lisa's Captain America Headband Shield I knew, I had to make a Batman version for myself. I am loving how it turned out and can't wait to wear it. I did end up cross-stitching the bat part. This was a complete fly by the seat of my pants moment like many of my projects. I found some cross-stitch patterns online for the Batman symbol and went from there.

Brain Slugs!

I will fully admit I am a huge Futurama fan! Trying to figure out what I should do for Halloween this year, I came up with the idea of making a Brain Slug. I will actually be in Ireland for Halloween but at least this little guy could come with me for a easy Halloween costume.

A person assimilated by a brain slug will be likely to speak in a monotone voice and do everything to further the spreading of brain slugs throughout the universe, but the easiest way to tell a person is infected is by the brain slug sitting on their head. The person assimilated retains awareness of his condition, which Hermes referred to as a "nightmare". The recommended procedure of dealing with a brain slug victim is to act natural and switch to a garlic shampoo. Another way to deny attachment is wearing a helmet. Fortunately, brain slugs are not very intelligent and can be easily removed without harming the affected person, minimizing the risk. Once removed from the afflicted person's head, the person returns immediately to normal.

Look how cute this little guy is!? I just need to attach a hair clip so he can fit nicely on my head. Pattern from Ravelry

Indian Echo Caverns

So, I'm one that likes to come up with random adventures for myself. A few weekends ago I convinced a friend to join me in going to Indian Echo Caverns. We both have never been to caverns so it seemed like a good way to spend a day. The caverns were just beautiful and it's amazing what the earth can do. Even climbing back up 71 steps was worth seeing it. I loved learning about them and was amazed when we were told the caverns were 83% alive and growing.

Like many caverns in the Mid-Atlantic states, Indian Echo Caverns is a limestone cave. Cut through Beekmantown limestone, which is over 440 million years old, they were formed through the erosive properties of water. As time progressed, geological forces led to an "uplift" of the surrounding limestone, eventually allowing more and more water to flow through the formation. As the water flowed over the limestone, it began to create small crevices, these small crevices led to larger ones, and eventually, over a series of millions of years, it created the caverns as they are today.

Star Trek:TNG Gift

One of my friends that is moving away in a few weeks was kind enough to give me one of the amazing shawls she knited! I can't believe she is going since we have become good friends within the 4/5 months we have know one another. I know, I will miss her. Not just the going for coffee and knitting parts but the conversations we have had. At least technology makes it so much easier to keep in contact.

My present for her. I wanted something that she could easily pack and take with her. We both have a love for Star Trek: TNG so it was easy for me to figure out what I should make her. Oh, and like two geeky women we have a love for Wil Wheaton so I made sure he was included too.

Yes, I was watching Star Trek: TNG while cross-stitching her gift.

Cross-stitch pattern is from: black-lupin on Deviant Art

Knitted Socks!?

What do we have here!? Yes! I decided to start knitting socks and the helpful push from a friend. I'm glad I got that push and I am finding it easy. Of course my friend is a text message away or having coffee with me when issues appear with my knitting. I call her my encyclopedia of knitting because whatever problem I have she easily knows how to fix it.The pattern I am using is called Silver's Sock Class and the directions/pictures are very detailed. I was intimated about knitting socks but after my friend pointed this site out to me I found it easy.

I'm actually moving along with my first sock. I thought it would take me a year for each sock the way I knit. I'm rather slow at knitting and get teased about it. Still, bring out any crochet project and those same people that tease me about knitting I know I can outdo them in crochet. I seem to be knitting faster though and I do love DPNs. We will see how much further I get!

I'm in love with the yarn and it's very easy to work with. What is the yarn called? Well it's called Evil League of Evil! Yes! That Evil League of Evil from Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog! I purchased it from Nerd Girl Yarns and she offers tons of colorways based on fandoms like Harry Potter, Dr. Horrible, and Dr. Who. Yes, a nerd's dreamland of yarn.

The Beekeeper’s Quilt

(Photo is from Tiny Owl Knits's Website)I am convinced that more then half the people on google+ are knitters/crocheters/etc. A few of us, actually a TON of us are now knitting away making Hexapuffs or puffs for short. Tiny Owl Knits released the pattern in July and it has been going full force through the knitting community. The pattern is currently available for purchase at $5.50 on the website.

Why? I'm not sure but I think it's a number of reasons for me;
1.) My first real knitting project.
2.) You will not get this done quickly so it's pretty much a side project.
3.) It can easily fit in whatever bag you carry so you can do it while waiting in the doctor's office, on a bus, on a plane, etc.
4.) The cuteness factor and how puffy they are.
5.) I also figured out a crocheted version for myself too.
6.) You can attach all the puffs together for a quilt or whatever you can think of! I have already suggested lining the walls with them.
7.) Tons of swaps are appearing on Ravelry for puffs or even left over sock yarn.

The puffs I have made so far. A few I have crocheted too and the purple ones was from a friend after I traded mine too. I have already convinced a few people they should try it and it's rather interesting what everyone comes up with.The bag I am currently going to keep my puffs in.

Another Find at the local Thrift Stores

I feel like I'm behind on my blog so here I am playing catch up. I need to take some photos of some of the craft projects I am working on and post them too.

While my friend B was here a few weeks ago we did a bit of shopping and I also took her by the local thrift stores. I found this amazing album in town and I'm in love with it. Still trying to figure out what photos I'll be putting in the album but more then likely old black & white photos I find at the thrift store.
The kitties are just adorable! I love the art and from the copyright on the album it came out in 1996.

Weekend Fun

One of my close friends B came to visit me over the weekend. We have know one another since high school and since she joined the Air Force it is rare we see one another. It makes me thankful for technology and how we can easily text one another/email/message/etc.

We had a blast and got up at 8am for 3 days straight and came home around 10pm/12pm every night. We went everywhere and spent a good deal shopping together. It also made me miss the old times of growing up together and the fun we had.

Pictures below are from a few places we went; Hershey Park and Chocolate World, Land of Little Horses, Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum. I have over 200 photos but thought these were enough.

On a side note I actually got on a few roller coasters which I haven't done for 6 years now. I about screamed my head off but would do it again. Thanks to my friend B for pushing me to do it.