Do all crocheters stick to a purpose? Do your projects ever change course?
At the very least- this inspired an idea for a blanket!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Changing Purpose
I always start projects with a purpose, no matter how simple. I wanted to make a scarf for one of my little buddies and I wanted to try out a new tunisian stitch. I love the colors. I love the patterns, but I'm not sure it's a scarf.
Do all crocheters stick to a purpose? Do your projects ever change course?
At the very least- this inspired an idea for a blanket!
Do all crocheters stick to a purpose? Do your projects ever change course?
At the very least- this inspired an idea for a blanket!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
First come scarves, then come hats...
Scarves were easy. Once I figured out how it worked, I could play with the patterns and the colors, textures and the size. I've got it down to being able to create a scarf in just a few hours.
Hats on the other hand, seem more difficult than expected. The first pattern I tried to follow turned into a mess of yarn that my boyfriend described as a "shower loofah." It's taken some practice, but I have the start of a hat that I feel may finally look like a hat. Not only am I playing with a new pattern, but I'm learning some new stitches.
I'm not expecting this to look "good" but if I can at least make it look like a hat, we're on the right track.
Hats on the other hand, seem more difficult than expected. The first pattern I tried to follow turned into a mess of yarn that my boyfriend described as a "shower loofah." It's taken some practice, but I have the start of a hat that I feel may finally look like a hat. Not only am I playing with a new pattern, but I'm learning some new stitches.
I'm not expecting this to look "good" but if I can at least make it look like a hat, we're on the right track.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
A Hobby is Born
Literally a year ago, I committed to trying to find a hobby. Wouldn't you know, I allowed my job to get in the way. Life certainly took it's ups and downs over the past year, but as life settled down, I was determined to find something to respect that balance of my crazy schedule.
That determination sent me to Jo Ann Fabrics. I scanned the aisles to find something that struck my fancy. I found a set of crochet needles. I picked up a starter kit and a few skeins of yarn and set off determined to see if this would be my "thing."
After a few hours on a Friday night, studying my starter kit book (and wondering how people learned to crochet without Youtube), until I realized I was able to do this. I searched Pinterest to see what the possibilities of this new hobby could be and thought it would be worth trying to keep up.
Over the holiday break, I was able to start crocheting a lot more and made a number of scarves. I know it's quite possible that my family is just being nice, but they all started to ask for a scarf. I thought it would be interesting to see if I could turn my blog and Facebook page into a place to share my work. I'd ultimately like to see if I could sell my work, but let's make sure my work speaks for itself (and my family isn't just being nice).
So introducing.... my hobby!
I've done several of these scarves in various colors based on requests. Next up... hats and blankets!
That determination sent me to Jo Ann Fabrics. I scanned the aisles to find something that struck my fancy. I found a set of crochet needles. I picked up a starter kit and a few skeins of yarn and set off determined to see if this would be my "thing."
After a few hours on a Friday night, studying my starter kit book (and wondering how people learned to crochet without Youtube), until I realized I was able to do this. I searched Pinterest to see what the possibilities of this new hobby could be and thought it would be worth trying to keep up.
Over the holiday break, I was able to start crocheting a lot more and made a number of scarves. I know it's quite possible that my family is just being nice, but they all started to ask for a scarf. I thought it would be interesting to see if I could turn my blog and Facebook page into a place to share my work. I'd ultimately like to see if I could sell my work, but let's make sure my work speaks for itself (and my family isn't just being nice).
So introducing.... my hobby!
I've done several of these scarves in various colors based on requests. Next up... hats and blankets!
I FOUND A HOBBY!
Just a quick post to say... STAY TUNED!
I found my hobby...believe it or not. Stay tuned to find out more!
I found my hobby...believe it or not. Stay tuned to find out more!
Sunday, March 9, 2014
From Aliens to Zombies: Completing the Video Game Challenge
Apologies for taking time between posts to blog (perhaps I'm slacking on this "hobby" and not in a good way), but life gets in the way and video games get in the way of life.
I've spent the last three weeks playing my way through video games to complete my video game hobby challenge. If you remember from my last post, I had been introduced to a kid's video game (although hilarious for adults) called "Doki-Doki Universe." I had learned how to turn on the console, use the controller, and actually play the game. Once I had finished all of the planets challenges, I was at a loss for what to do with my extra time. I turned my energy into zombies.
My boyfriend and I are big fans of the TV Show, "The Walking Dead," with Sunday night date nights to watch the show (even when we were suffering through long distance... thank you, Skype). So I was super psyched when I found a video game of "The Walking Dead" to play on my iPad. This is available on other gaming consoles, but the fact that I could freak people out on my daily commute to and from work by killing zombies on my iPad was intriguing.
The best part of this TellTale Game is that you are playing a character and get to make choices that effect the game and where it goes. There are several chapters that lead you to meet new characters and scenarios, but how you react to the game decides what gets thrown at you next. While it was fun the first time to play through as "myself," choosing what I think I would choose in a zombie apocalypse, it was even more fun to choose to play as an upstanding man who always tells the truth and wants to make everyone happy and fair with his choices, or even an asshole who keeps to himself and refuses to let anyone get in his way. Either way you play, the game changes based on your reactions and that keeps you on your toes. Granted, there were gross parts to this game that made me cringe and question why I would be playing such a game, but I loved feeling like I could be part of one of my favorite TV shows. I'm excited because I was introduced to this game in time for me to download their expansion packs (400 Days and Season 2) which were recently released.
This alone would have completed my challenge of playing through 2 video games to try them out, but I couldn't get enough zombies and had to play another game that thankfully reduced nightmares, Plants versus Zombies.
Much less frightening than "The Walking Dead," "Plants vs. Zombies" allows you to create defense against your house with plants. This strategy game is addicting, as my sister and even my mother (yes the one afraid I was dating someone from The Big Bang Theory), became addicted as well, playing for hours at a time. Luckily I had a few road trips to get through the entire game, but my favorite part is that there are mini games and puzzles that you can play to keep the game going once you've played through all the levels. Similar to "The Walking Dead" I'm excited that a sequel was just released for me to continue my addiction.
So now that I've completed my first hobby (2 video games played through to completion), I have to say that I enjoyed my video gaming experience. I know it wasn't as intense as the games that typical gamers may play, but it showed me that when I go into Game Stop with my boyfriend, I see games that now interest me instead of bore me. I'm not sure that this will be my one hobby that I consistently stick with and proudly state when asked "What are your interests and hobbies?," but I also don't see me giving up on them altogether either.
Feel free to comment below - I'd love to hear from you!
Any other video game suggestions for me?
Even more importantly, what hobby should I try out next?
I've spent the last three weeks playing my way through video games to complete my video game hobby challenge. If you remember from my last post, I had been introduced to a kid's video game (although hilarious for adults) called "Doki-Doki Universe." I had learned how to turn on the console, use the controller, and actually play the game. Once I had finished all of the planets challenges, I was at a loss for what to do with my extra time. I turned my energy into zombies.
The best part of this TellTale Game is that you are playing a character and get to make choices that effect the game and where it goes. There are several chapters that lead you to meet new characters and scenarios, but how you react to the game decides what gets thrown at you next. While it was fun the first time to play through as "myself," choosing what I think I would choose in a zombie apocalypse, it was even more fun to choose to play as an upstanding man who always tells the truth and wants to make everyone happy and fair with his choices, or even an asshole who keeps to himself and refuses to let anyone get in his way. Either way you play, the game changes based on your reactions and that keeps you on your toes. Granted, there were gross parts to this game that made me cringe and question why I would be playing such a game, but I loved feeling like I could be part of one of my favorite TV shows. I'm excited because I was introduced to this game in time for me to download their expansion packs (400 Days and Season 2) which were recently released.
This alone would have completed my challenge of playing through 2 video games to try them out, but I couldn't get enough zombies and had to play another game that thankfully reduced nightmares, Plants versus Zombies.
Much less frightening than "The Walking Dead," "Plants vs. Zombies" allows you to create defense against your house with plants. This strategy game is addicting, as my sister and even my mother (yes the one afraid I was dating someone from The Big Bang Theory), became addicted as well, playing for hours at a time. Luckily I had a few road trips to get through the entire game, but my favorite part is that there are mini games and puzzles that you can play to keep the game going once you've played through all the levels. Similar to "The Walking Dead" I'm excited that a sequel was just released for me to continue my addiction.
So now that I've completed my first hobby (2 video games played through to completion), I have to say that I enjoyed my video gaming experience. I know it wasn't as intense as the games that typical gamers may play, but it showed me that when I go into Game Stop with my boyfriend, I see games that now interest me instead of bore me. I'm not sure that this will be my one hobby that I consistently stick with and proudly state when asked "What are your interests and hobbies?," but I also don't see me giving up on them altogether either.
Feel free to comment below - I'd love to hear from you!
Any other video game suggestions for me?
Even more importantly, what hobby should I try out next?
Thursday, February 13, 2014
When you date a self-proclaimed geek...
I met my boyfriend almost 10 years ago in college. He was handsome, sweet, and overall a hilarious guy that was fun to hang out with. However, it wasn't until we started to date (fast forward 8 years) that I realized that he not only had a lot of hobbies, but that a lot of them were pretty nerdy. In fact, when my mother would learn about some of his hobbies she worried I was dating someone from the "Big Bang Theory." I assured her I was not, but that she loved that show so she'll love him too. (And she does...)
Not only was he one of the inspirations for starting this hunt for a hobby, but he also inspired me to try out some of his hobbies. While he loves many things (that wouldn't even be considered "nerdy"), his many passions are around podcasts, comic books, and video games. This, plus a snow day, means I'm trying out my first official hobby with video gaming!
As, stated in the Logistics part of this blog, I will make a goal to complete and then decide to keep it or keep hunting.
Goal: 2 Video Games (played to completion)
I started with a video game called "Doki-Doki Universe"
My boyfriend just found a PS4 and has been enjoying downloading various games onto his new gaming system. This was one of the first games he downloaded and while watching him play, at first I thought he was crazy. What was this kid-like game that he was playing and why was his goal to give people hugs and summon presents (from balloons to flowers to poop...)? However, the more I watched, the more I became intrigued and would laugh/interject along side him like a backseat driver. He played the whole way through the game, so I asked if I might give it a try.
Lesson #1: How to Use the Controller
We are at the beginning stages, my friends. Once I learned what the buttons did (although I still find myself having to look down every once and again), I was off to learn how to turn on the console. (I was serious when I said I had a lot to learn.) He taught me how to get to the game and how to navigate.
Lesson #2: The Concept of the Game
Doki-Doki Universe is a philosophical adventure that allows the player to take on the character of a robot (QT3) and travel to different planets. You must find gifts of presents (that you summon for other characters on each planet) and have goals to help out the characters on the planet. The main goal is to help out each planet and gain friends or be turned into pieces of metal at a scrap-yard. So while there are times the sarcastic side of me wants to be a jerk and choose the hilarious options for my own amusement, I don't want to become scrap metal. Although the interesting part is that at times you need to get a character to like you to earn presents, while other times you have to get them to hate you.
Lesson #3: Turning Off the Game
I found that I came home every day this week and after relaxing for a bit, catching up with my boyfriend on how our days went, I felt the itch to play just one more planet and make just one more friend. This game is slowly becoming addicting and I have to learn not only how to stop after one planet (okay maybe two small ones). I also have to learn how to turn off the console, which he has to remind me almost every time.
So far my rating is to keep this hobby, but this is only 1 of 2 video games I have challenged myself to complete.
As said before, feel free to leave comments below. Suggest video games for me to try, or even better, suggest more hobbies for me to try.
Now if you excuse me, I've got another planet of friends I need to make...
Not only was he one of the inspirations for starting this hunt for a hobby, but he also inspired me to try out some of his hobbies. While he loves many things (that wouldn't even be considered "nerdy"), his many passions are around podcasts, comic books, and video games. This, plus a snow day, means I'm trying out my first official hobby with video gaming!
As, stated in the Logistics part of this blog, I will make a goal to complete and then decide to keep it or keep hunting.
Goal: 2 Video Games (played to completion)
I started with a video game called "Doki-Doki Universe"
My boyfriend just found a PS4 and has been enjoying downloading various games onto his new gaming system. This was one of the first games he downloaded and while watching him play, at first I thought he was crazy. What was this kid-like game that he was playing and why was his goal to give people hugs and summon presents (from balloons to flowers to poop...)? However, the more I watched, the more I became intrigued and would laugh/interject along side him like a backseat driver. He played the whole way through the game, so I asked if I might give it a try.
Lesson #1: How to Use the Controller
We are at the beginning stages, my friends. Once I learned what the buttons did (although I still find myself having to look down every once and again), I was off to learn how to turn on the console. (I was serious when I said I had a lot to learn.) He taught me how to get to the game and how to navigate.
Lesson #2: The Concept of the Game
Doki-Doki Universe is a philosophical adventure that allows the player to take on the character of a robot (QT3) and travel to different planets. You must find gifts of presents (that you summon for other characters on each planet) and have goals to help out the characters on the planet. The main goal is to help out each planet and gain friends or be turned into pieces of metal at a scrap-yard. So while there are times the sarcastic side of me wants to be a jerk and choose the hilarious options for my own amusement, I don't want to become scrap metal. Although the interesting part is that at times you need to get a character to like you to earn presents, while other times you have to get them to hate you.
Lesson #3: Turning Off the Game
I found that I came home every day this week and after relaxing for a bit, catching up with my boyfriend on how our days went, I felt the itch to play just one more planet and make just one more friend. This game is slowly becoming addicting and I have to learn not only how to stop after one planet (okay maybe two small ones). I also have to learn how to turn off the console, which he has to remind me almost every time.
So far my rating is to keep this hobby, but this is only 1 of 2 video games I have challenged myself to complete.
As said before, feel free to leave comments below. Suggest video games for me to try, or even better, suggest more hobbies for me to try.
Now if you excuse me, I've got another planet of friends I need to make...
Sunday, February 9, 2014
The Logistics
While this blog may explore how teaching took over my life and ghosts of hobbies past, the main format of this blog will be me searching for new hobbies that I may enjoy.
I'll take a list of bobbie, pick one, and dedicate a certain amount of time to the hobby, complete with an end goal or project. I'll rank the hobby and make a choice to keep it or keep hunting.
I have started a list of potential hobbies, but the best part of this experiment would be to have my readers give suggestions of what I should try. Perhaps there's something you enjoy and think I should try. Feel free to leave a comment or follow my Facebook page and send me suggestions. I'd love ideas that I may not be thinking of!
So far, here's my list of potential hobbies I'll be trying out:
I'll take a list of bobbie, pick one, and dedicate a certain amount of time to the hobby, complete with an end goal or project. I'll rank the hobby and make a choice to keep it or keep hunting.
I have started a list of potential hobbies, but the best part of this experiment would be to have my readers give suggestions of what I should try. Perhaps there's something you enjoy and think I should try. Feel free to leave a comment or follow my Facebook page and send me suggestions. I'd love ideas that I may not be thinking of!
So far, here's my list of potential hobbies I'll be trying out:
- Cooking
- Baking/Decorating Cakes
- Gaming (my boyfriend will love this one)
- Jewelry Making
- Knitting/Quilting/Sewing
- Painting
- Playing guitar
- Running
- Yoga
- Photography
I look forward to hearing suggestions and look forward to getting started!
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