Yarn Porn Hawaii

LOTS TO TELL:

Wow, didn't realize I had not blogged in so long! Have been knitting and crocheting away, of course. Just forgot to chronicle it.
A bunch of bookmarks recently put on my etsy site.Here are two. Simple, easy and fun. Was hoping to send one to my Great Bookmark Exchange buddy but I have not hear neither hyde nor hair from her about her preferences. And only 2 more weeks to go before deadline.
I don't starch my bookmarks because I like the soft feel of the cotton and the slightly uneven handmade look. Thus, I choose patterns that will lie as flat as possible.

A medium sized polar bear from pattern mentioned on crochetville. Was going to be a baby gift for a one-year old but thought the octo was a better gift and quickly worked that one up. Gotta use all that stash Lion Brand Cotton Ease!
Pattern: Bear Rug Body by Marylou/Meribears
Yarn: Lion Brand Microspun double stranded, 2 balls for body; stash acrylic sock yarn (Bernat?) for face and claws
Hook: G
Time: 2 days?
Cute. My hubby wants to give it to some hunter guy he knows. I'd think a hunter would want the real thing, but maybe he'll give it to his kid? This might make a good preschool nap matt in a much bigger yarn. Although my kindergartner says "No way! That is just crazy." So...maybe not.
Although this yarn is soft and pretty, it is multiple strands that can be tricky. It just takes one strand pulling out a bit to ruin the effect. And this stuff catches on my dry fingers like crazy. I totally have to lube up to work with it. (that so sounds not right, but you know what i mean)

Pattern: MoMo the Octopus by roxycraft.com
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease, 2 skeins; and that same acrylic sock yarn for eyes
Hook: E
Time: 3 days
Another favorite place to BUY patterns from. Her stuff is really cute and very doable for beginner crocheters as well. It's all single crochet! I only make machine washable things for kids and with the little bit of acrylic in this yarn, i love how it works up in amigurumi.

And while crocheting away, i finally got to watch this. I was pleasantly surprised! It is a great romance! Go figure. I had to watch it twice. There is a kiss in there that i just loved. I love passionate kisses like that. It didn't look contrived but you knew it was coming.

Both Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti are exceptional actors. I was surprised by Norton's ability to play a romantic leading man, with a different kind of strength. After M. Night's Lady in the Water, I became a huge Giamatti fan. His warmth and genuineness (? is that even a word?) appeal to me. I like actors that convey plenty while also seeming like the kind of persons I would want to know.

Sorry for the yammering, there's just so much to say! Am also continuing on with my very large, size 15 soldier socks. They look dreadfully huge. Huge, I tell you, HUGE!

Finally, here is the youngest playing with some crocheted puppies and her baby. That's what i like - use! She's actually asked for another baby. My kids don't usually attach to things, I guess because they are so attached to me! So I am very happy to find something they can fuss over instead of needing me so much.