Something old, something new...

No, I'm not referring to another wedding.  Though there have been obscenely many in the past year.  Heaven forbid, it'd be me next, and I don't think I could stand a man long enough to agree to live with him for the rest of my life and/or bear his children.  Not unless he's like one of my fictional character crushes.  Perhaps I'd better not comment.

But no, I'm referring to the end of the year.  Ever notice that there's a lot of somethings at the close of the calendar year?  Something old ending, something new taking its place, definitely something blue about all that.  And borrowed.  Well, I always meant to give that camera back, but Christmas present it is, and now with a plethora of picture-taking devices at my disposal I'm in search of a finished project.  And there have been many...attempts.

Due to a lack of photogenic items, I'm including progress notes on this familiar "beauty," taken with new camera number 1 aka new new camera (number 2 being new old borrowed camera, naturally).

 Yes, I know that's a lot of the same shot, but I was playing with macros.  So much to learn, so little time and patience.  Maybe my sister's right about the whole ADHD runs in our family hypothesis.

 Anyhoo, I suspect Daleks may figure into at least one of my upcoming projects, but the one I'm thinking of will have to stay under wraps for the next several months.  So will the sand dollars.  Bollocks.  Let's talk hats.









Hats?  Why hats?  Because, frankly, by the grace of a last-minute gift idea swap, I was spared the frustration of handing my dad a somewhat limp and lifeless version of a driving cap.  Many of you have probably had a fair amount of success with the Morgan cap from Knitty.  As for me, I found the short row brim/peak/thingy conducive to one thing: holes.  My edges had a tendency to resemble Swiss cheese.  Mmmm...French onion soup with melted Swiss.  So on that note, for my next hat, I plan to play around with double-knit.  I've done it before with iPod holders and the like, so it could work.  Besides, as my sister pointed out...
Sis: "You can hide quite a lot in a double knit..."
Me: "Without shaving your head.  Or loosening your sphincters."

Oh, I'm sure she only meant yarn ends.

The Christmas Special

Surely by now my 2 readers must think I've forgotten them.  This is not to say I have, but between cold and flu season, residency interviews, and Henry scarf, posting project pictures has been a bit low on the priorities list.  Not that I haven't been up to my usual plotting and mayhem.  The lace will fly again...someday.  Maybe even in time for the 12th Doctor to pick up his screwdriver.

In the meantime, in the stand-alone tradition of Christmas specials, I do have a project to show off.  It's even red and festive.

 Well, I don't know what to call it.  Red party dress just seems so...obvious.  Plus I kept having thoughts of "Henry V" while making it and "Downton Abbey" while blogging about it.  The velvet and lace, perhaps?  The slightly medieval coloring?  The severity that's something between Mary Tudor and Lady Mary Crawley?  How about "Project PBS"?  For "pure bull----"

 Also, if you notice the strategic placement of waist folds, it's because I apparently forget to tailor to my own "petite" figure until I realize my torso simply isn't that long.  Now, why did that look better on the 6-foot coat rack in my head?  Just kidding, now excuse me while I go eat a sandwich.

And speaking of Christmas specials, while I go ready my hankie and the little ThinkPad that could(n't) for the day after Christmas when I will be ringing in another birthday with "The Time of the Doctor" on iTunes download (assuming it's up by then), I too would like the opportunity to sound off even though the big friendly "comment" button on the "What do you love most about the Eleventh Doctor" web page is conspicuously missing.  Love/hate technology, don't you?  So here goes my #12DaysOfWho love note, and please don't hold it against me.

For starters, his fashion sense, the Drunk Giraffe, that childish twinkle in those puppy dog eyes and the smile that could melt rocks never mind human hearts.  That sense of wonder even when a millennium and a dozen lifetimes seem to show nothing but sorrow and loss.  A fascination with stories.  A renewed interest in desserts and a reminder of what it means to accept the title of "doctor."  You never forget your first, and oh what a first!  Thank you, Matt Smith.  I take comfort in the knowledge that you will never read these lines because I don't think I could live down the embarrassment otherwise. :-p

Happy now?  Shut up and happy holidays.