Amigurumi

I first discovered amigurumi a couple of years ago.

Yesterday I made my first in almost a year. I took a hiatus from crocheting after too much crocheting. It wasn't really a conscious decision, it sorta just happened.

I got an amigurumi booklet from Saucylouise on Etsy sometime last year. She's located in Japan.

It's a great little book. I love Japanese instructions because they're so clear and easy to follow even if you don't understand the language. They're all about using pictures to show you what you're supposed to do. My mother used to use Japanese pattern books to make clothes for me.

Ull kept stealing the body and hiding it in the bathroom. I thought he would be more interested when I finished but he hasn't really expressed and interest. Maybe it's the thrill of knowing that I need the body then and not now anymore. But like all things that belong to me and Fredrik, it now belongs to Ull and he will play with it at his leisure.

I'm not too happy about the way it turned out. The proportions look a bit strange. I think I will get some safety eyes for the next amigurumi I make.

Ull is LOL

moar funny pictures

I love this picture of Ull. To this day he still believes in the idea that if he cannot see you, then you cannot see him.

Fredrik is coming home today. YAY! (^-^)

I would like to say that I will be able to start my crafting the moment he steps into the flat. But unfortunately our flat is also going into chaos mode. Today people from the company that owns the building came by to change our electrical system. I spent most of the day with Ull inside our bedroom.

kitten + electricians working with wires and drills = not the best of ideas

They will start the dismantling and rebuilding of our bathroom later this week. We may have to send Ull off to a boarding home so he doesn't get scared by the loud noise or be in the way of the workers.

I should get working on the surprise that I started over the holidays. At this rate, it might turn into a 2008 Christmas present.

Random cat photo.

I'm still sick. The tonsils are still hurting. If they still hurt by Monday, I'm going to the doctors. But for now, here's Ull in a small box.

lazy lazy lazy

Aside from the usual business of Christmas and new years, Fredrik and I got ourselves a Nintendo Wii for Christmas. It's rather addictive.

Not to mention the fact that right after Fredrik left for Australia, I came down with something awful. I was confined to the bed for the past couple of days with fever and serious tonsil pain. But I'm getting better now.

I cleaned up the flat today 'cause I had been neglecting it for the time Fredrik was home. I finally got all the dirty laundry off the floor and vacuumed the place. Ull's been a little walking lint magnet. But he's been a total darling during my time of need for rest. He's napping right now.

I got into playing Super Paper Mario and I haven't really don't much that is productive but what the hell, I'm still sick and what else is there to do other than watch TV and play video games when you're sick? I hope to resume the crafting as soon as Fredrik gets back from Australia. I might even start next week depending on how I feel. I hope I get better soon.

Ull inside my messenger bag

Ull inside my messenger bag
Originally uploaded by souvenir_kattunge

Fredrik comes home on Friday. :)

p.s.

Ull sleeps with his little tongue sticking out. It is simply the cutest thing EVER! I love owning a cat!

THE itch

As I've stated in my earlier posts, I haven't had much time to do very much beyond playing with Ull. But today I felt THE itch.

I get Interweave Press' Daily Knitting newsletter and there's been so many interesting things in it. You really can't help but to be tempted. I've also been browsing some online yarn stores for delicious looking yarns. I keep thinking that I should stop by Knit Lab in Stockholm the next time I go into the city but I keep getting distracted by the worries that Ull is home alone.

Fredrik is going to be home next Friday. I hope I will be able to get some stuff done while he's home to play with Ull. But he's gotta leave shortly after New Years for a tour in Australia. Thank goodness that's only going to last about 2 weeks. Then he's home for a few months. Aside from me being able to have some quiet time to do stuff like knit, paint, crochet and maybe even teach myself how to drop spin.

In other news, I received word about my application for a Swedish language and culture program in university. I've been accepted! So in January, I'll be studying Swedish in university instead of at SFI. I'm really looking forward to it because the program will be offering more than just learning Swedish. The downside is that the university is in another city. I'll have to commute to and from via the train. Luckily, it'll only be for 1 year. From my experiences in the past with taking the train to and from somewhere, it's perfect for catching up on that bit of knitting or crocheting.

sleeping kitty

Random kitty photo!

Unproductive...

Is an under statement. I have not done anything new since Fredrik left. Well, I suppose I cannot say that I have done absolutely nothing since Fredrik left. I have been taking care of Ull who has been a bit of a handful at times. There were a couple of Etsy orders I sent out in the past 2 weeks. But I have not made anything new.

There IS a drawing of Ull that I did as practice for something I'm planning on executing. I'm gonna give water colour another try. I know it's insane but what the hell.



I've been sick with a cough that Fredrik gave me. Ull scratched my eye last Friday and I seem to be suffering worse "separation anxiety" than the last time Fredrik went on tour. I hope the days go by faster. I'm feeling so absolutely blah. All I want to do is hide under the covers and pray that tomorrow will come faster. But Ull makes sure that I'm not doing that, which is really good.

what to make...

Fredrik left on Sunday for the US. It is time again for me to fend for myself. At least now I have Ull to keep me company. He also makes me look less insane when I start talking to myself. I can at least pretend to be talking to him.

I guess my break from making is over. But at the present moment I have no idea what I want to make. I can sew some more or knit some more. I really should finish Stella's hat.

There is an order for another set of kitty charms but I am waiting for the buyer to tell me which 3 kitty charms they want. People seem to miss/forget to read the part about telling me which 3 kitty charms they want. Oh well.

I was also thinking that I might buy a Print Gocco kit. Although, I just bought myself a new iPod. I feel bad about spending so much money already. Maybe I'll wait a bit before I buy the Print Gocco kit. I haven't been particularly creative lately and don't think I'll come up with something in time for something like cute cards and whatnot before Christmas.

delicious wrist warmers

I've discovered Eunny Jang's blog and she has the most delicious wrist warmer pattern available to those who wish to give it a try. Endpaper Mitts.

I wish I could bare the feeling of wool against my skin but I am one of those unfortunate people
who cannot wear wool. The socks I knitted lie unused and not properly appreciated. I have the cutest cardigan with an intarsia tiger and I can only wear that when I wear a long sleeve shirt under and even then I get itchy (at times, rashy) arms.

I think I will give the Endpaper Mitts a go with some lovely cotton. I have read much about bamboo yarn. I might look into that at some point.

Fredrik's best friend and girlfriend are coming over for dinner on Saturday. I'm gonna give brownies a try. I've got a copy of Everyday Food that's got some fantastic looking brownie recipes that I would like to try out.

Ull fell into the toilet today. I forgot to put the lid down and I guess he got extra curious. Poor little guy.

a wee break

Fredrik is home till Sunday before he has to run off to the US for another tour. Then I'll have to fend for myself AND Ull. I am going to take a wee break this week. I finished some orders last week and think I'll just take it easy.

I might make some more hats. Although I have to finish Stella's hat first. I feel bad that I've been taking so long but there's been some orders that take priority. I will try to finish Stella's hat sometime this week.

I want to take a trip to Knit Lab to check out their yarn selection. Although, it will be hard since I don't really want to leave Ull at home by himself. Mind you, I don't really have anything in mind project wise at the present moment.

new member of the family

Fredrik and I got a kitten! His name is Ull and he's SUPER cute!