Tuesday, July 28, 2009

#3. Cooking

This is an impromptu post, so that i can enter a contest. :D Weight-loss inspiration and occasional lunch-buddy Jen is giving away a cookbook and apron at her website, Prior Fat Girl. my co-worker Amanda has started her own blog within Jen's empire. so i get to hear a lot about them.

How long have i been cooking? Well, my mom always made us help her cook dinner. she always made it look so easy and everything was ready to put on the table at the same time. I think she had many years of practice. when i try to make more than one thing at once, though, it seems the potatoes are done 15 mins before the meat or veggies, so I leave them in the oven to keep warm, but they dry out, and so on and so forth. (it doesn't help when the person i've invited over for dinner is 30 minutes LATE!) I like baking better, but that's a future post.

Why? I, like most people, have to eat. and sometimes, I like to make something more than soup or a sandwich. Generally things I cook for dinner are semi-disasters, which is why i stick to spaghetti or chicken fajitas.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

#2. Crocheting

Actually, I’ve been knitting longer than I’ve been crocheting, but a recent event prompted me to describe this hobby first.
How long have I been crocheting? I can recall as a kid making a really long crochet chain, but not being able to handle the second row. A couple years ago I bought one of the “I can’t believe I’m _____ing!” books, this one on crocheting of course, and taught myself how to do more than just the single chain (single crochet, double, half double, etc). More recently, members of our knit and crochet group at work inspired me to pick up a crochet hook and give a real project a try. The first thing I made was a washcloth. I gave it away ($1 for the Medtronic Foundation!). Then I was ready for something more ambitious. I had to try the pattern for “Barkus the Dog” from Lion Brand Yarns. I used a different yarn than they recommended because I’ve used Homespun for knitted things and I really hate it after a while. I used Jiffy instead, it was the same weight (5). I worked hard at it while I was at my parent’s house for Memorial Day weekend. It came together pretty good. The hardest part was sewing the head onto the body. Maybe I overstuffed him. Here he is next to my real life doggie.

Next up: another dog for my boss (she said she’d pay me, how much should I charge?) and a then a red and green sparkly Christmas stocking!
Why? I can’t just sit and do one thing! I have to keep my hands busy while I’m watching tv or a baseball game. Also I like to create things (that may be the theme to my hobbies), whether I use them myself or give them away, it doesn’t matter. I usually give my creations to a volunteer group at my work called Project Warm Hearts. They collect clothing, scarves, mittens, hats, afghans, and so on that people have crocheted or knitted and give them to local charities like Bridging (http://bridging.org/, which I’ve also volunteered for) and Alexandria House (http://www.alexandriahouse.org/).

Related links: There is currently an exhibit at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis called “The Quick and the Dead.” I have no idea what it’s about, but included are crocheted representations of hyperbolic space. They look like jellyfish or sea coral to me, but you can take a workshop at the Walker on July 30 and make one yourself! Woo! http://calendar.walkerart.org/event.wac?id=5111

Caption challenge: Fill in the blank: “I can’t believe I’m _____ing!” bonus points if you include a photo of yourself doing it! keep it clean though.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

#1: Blogging

A blog about blogging? it seems to be. I had this idea not too long ago, to have a blog with a theme, rather than just about my life (because having a xanga and livejournal wasn't enough). I aspire to put more thought and effort into these posts so it's not just me rambling, although i can't help it sometimes. I'm going to try to have a similar structure to each post (see below).

How long have I done this hobby? I've been blogging since 2001, when i got my first computer as a HS graduation gift and first started at xanga.com/shelly327.

Why? I need to get my thoughts on paper (albeit electronic) sometimes, and why not let the entire world see them?

future topics include gardening, baking, knitting/crocheting/other crafts, skiing, reading, playing volleyball, simming, and whatever else i realize i do that's a hobby.