Samuu's ramblings

8:57pm: A couple of episodes of Star Trek later and it might be a bit more obvious what the work in progress is... Anyone like to guess yet? :)

Work in progress picture two

6:48pm: A random, hopefully fun idea:

I've put down a huge cross stitch project I'm working on to work on a little one. (The large one's on 16 count fabric so I thought I'd do a quick one on 14 count to give myself a break from working on smaller stitches). I'm currently working on the outline of it. The outline's not finished but I thought it might be fun to see if anyone can guess what it is yet. ^_^

Picture of Work In Progress

I'm guessing that urbydizzywill be the most likely to guess what it is. (That may be a clue ^_^;;; ).

7:07pm:
In the not too distant future I'm planning to work on some writing. I'd like to work on the alphabet fics project but don't have prompts for all of the letters yet. I'd really appreciate it if anyone'd like to leave a prompt or two, original post for this is here: http://lil-samuu.livejournal.com/114861.html

Also, while on the thought of fics, once again I'd like to do Christmas present fics. Feel free to leave a prompt of two for that too. :) I know it's a bit early but I've been working on some Christmas sewing projects because I've got quite a few I want to finish so I can think about ideas while I stitch. ^_^ As usual Tales of Symphonia (and ToS2) prompts preferred but I'm willing to have a go at other fandoms if I'm familiar with them.

Speaking of stitching, Dave thought of a new motto (or whatever you want to call it) for me earlier: "I stitch therefore I am". XD

You know you've been watching too much Star Trek when you have a kind-of-serious discussion about transporters, the way (you think) they'd work, why it might be scary to use one etc. Admittedly the episode was about, amongst other things, a character who was afraid of using the transporters but still, yeah. ^_^;; We're watching series six of The Next Generation at the moment and I'm very much enjoying it. :)

1:45pm: There is something very pleasing about having a good tool that makes the job you want to do fun rather than seeming like a chore. I've often found the way that my sewing machine works (it's simple and easy to use, I always enjoy working with it) an example of this and recently I've found another one.

As well as cross stitching patterns that other people have made I like to make my own as well. Sometimes I've used graph paper to design them, sometimes I used to use a cheap computer programme. Graph paper works fine for quick, simple things like 8-bit style sprites but there were patterns I wanted to make that were more complicated, hence why I got the software.

I've never been completely happy with it. It worked OK but editing stuff seemed really clunky with it and the way it showed the patterns on the screen meant that I found myself switching between displaying them in one format (colour blocks) and another (symbols) a lot to be able to see what I was doing.

I'd seen another programme recommended on a couple of stitching websites and decided to have a look at the demo version. Within a couple of minutes it seemed clear to me that this was much more what I wanted and, now I have the full version of the programme, I can happily say that it's an intuitive programme that's a joy to use. :) The way it displays patterns on the screen is much clearer and the editing tools are much better. ^_^

In other crafts related thoughts: I've had my first go at making something with Hama beads. :) (Hama's the brand name of the ones I used, there's another called Perler too). As I had the right colours to make one with and it's a pattern I'm very very familiar with I decided to make a FFI style White Mage. While I didn't do the most fantastic job of ironing it evenly for my first go at working with the beads it turned out OK. :) I'll post a picture later.

11:12pm: I'm thinking that, instead of working out how long some of my sewing projects have taken me to finish in minutes/hours/whatever I should, instead, work it out in how many episodes of Star Trek/movies I watched while working on it. XD *Should probably have a sign saying "geek" above her head or something*. XD (Although, to be honest, it's probably fairly obvious anyways XD ).

4:03pm: Having finished quite a few random projects recently I'm feeling pretty productive at the moment which is nice. ^_^ Been tidying and organising the place as well as working on craft projects so it's a nice mix of stuff to have accomplised. :)

I'm really pleased with some of my sewing projects. I'm also very amused by one of them. Scraps of fake fur, some scrunched up newspaper and a packet of marbles (to weigh it down) make a cute, amusing and cheap draught excluder. XD It's one of the sillier things I've made but it makes me smile and it actually works quite well too so. XD ^_^ (Yes, I did make it in the shape of an animal, couldn't resist having fun with it. As the fake fur scraps I used were ones left over from the Teto costume (golden brown and dark brown) I made a lion as that seemed to suit the colours).

10:04pm:
I'm amused by the fact that I seem to have radar/a magnet/whatever for really nice, soft fabric. Doesn't matter where they put it in the fabric store I go to I'll automatically be drawn to it it seems. XD

 

Which is quite useful actually, because quite often it's what I want. ^_^ Like today, I found exactly what I wanted straight away. Soft, warm blue fabric (winceyette) with which I'm planning to make myself a coat like Dr. Crushers (Star Trek: The Next Generation). I don't want to use it for cosplay, I just came to the conclusion (having seen the coat loads of times recently, been watching a lot of Star Trek) that it looked like a very comfortable, practical garment that would be nice and warm but quite smart at the same time.

I was also amused today by the fact that Dave seemed amused by the fact that I described the fabric I bought as (amongst other things) "yummy". XD (It really is absolutely lovely fabric ^_^ ).

8:03pm: I just managed to finish Fire Emblem (Shadow Dragon) chapter 14 in ONE GO! ^_^ No needing to re-start from the last save, all of my team are still alive. ^_^

OK, so it did take me AGES to figure out the reason why my land-based units couldn't cross the river (the bridge was broken) and that I had to go the long way round... ^_^;; But still, I didn't have to restart so that's good. ^_^

Also: yay pegasus knights. :)

11:39pm: *Does a happy little happy dance*. I have completed Chapter 13 of Fire Emblem (Shadow Dragon). *More happy dancing*.

I'm now vaguely wondering how long it'll take me to finish the next chapter. XD

Randomly: it amuses me that, apparently, I'm amusing to watch when I'm playing video games. XD

12:26am: Every time I look at the scale model for the masquerade costumes I want to build for the next Minamicon I find myself thinking how much I'm looking forward to both building and wearing them. :) On the one hand they're quite simple but, on the other hand, from a construction point of view, they're actually going to be more complicated to build than King of Red Lions was because I'm going to make them as 3D as possible and because I'm planning to make them out of as few pieces as possible.

Yes, they will involve large amounts of cardboard and paint. Yes, they may well end up being slightly awkward to transport to the convention. And yes, I'm thinking they should be worth it if they make people smile/laugh like I hope they will.

I really want to do the best job I can on my next batch of costumes, not just the masquerade ones. I want to improve and be able to feel really happy with what I've made. And I will happily admit that I'm looking forward to wearing some costumes made out of fleece again, they're just so comfortable. XD

7:17pm: I've never started a meme before but this seems like it might be a fun idea so. :) Feel free to re-word it if you can think of a better way to write it. ^_^

What do you think would be a good job for me? Suggestions can range from the serious (e.g. video game tester) to the impossible (e.g. engineer aboard a United Federation of Planets ship). Keep them nice though, it's meant to be fun. ^_^

Had a really wonderful day with Dave yesterday, went for a walk in the sunshine and saw some good live music. ^_^

10:03pm: Yet again more geekyness:

when you spot a van with something along the lines of "Pheonix bakery" on the side of it on the way to work and promptly start making jokes along the lines of "OBJECTION! This bread isn't wholemeal!". (Dave made much funnier jokes at the time but can't remember any of them now).

When, while discussing makes of car, you start cheering "Jaaaaaguuuuaaaarrrr" in a Space Channel 5-style way. :)

*Is easily amused*.

11:40am: I find it amusing that I have to think about it before I can remember how old I am now. XD I can remember my date of birth fine but if someone asks me how old I am I have to pause before I can remember exactly. ^_^;; Time seems to have been flying by, especially this year, so it seems somehow weird to think I'm the age I am, but then on the other hand to me it's kinda an unimportant number and doesn't really mean anything kinda specific to me anyways if that makes sense?

Still not exactly sure about how I'd define what an adult is either, something I've often found is an interesting thought.

On a totally unrelated note: sunshine makes me happy as does cuddling with Dave all snuggled up under a blanket listening to BBC Radio 2. :) Lazy, dozy time on Sunday mornings is very nice. ^_^

11:58pm: Yet another "you know you're a geek when..." Star Trek moment:

when you compare something in Star Trek to an 8-bit video game to try and explain how (you think) it works.

9:36pm: *Has just beaten chapter 12 of Fire Emblem (Shadow Dragon)*. *Does a happy dance*. Happy happy happy. ^_^

6:56pm: I feel that I ought to have more icons, including a "yay cross stitch" icon. But I only have six icon spaces and I like the ones I have. ^_^; XD

You know you're a geek when... moment: I've decided, after watching another episode of Star Trek: TNG and seeing the logo again that I really do very much want to stitch the United Federation of Planets logo. The more I see it the more I really think it'd look really nice stitched.

My "things I want to stitch" list is becoming as long as the plot tribble one. XD

9:49pm: Note to self: when playing Fire Emblem don't leave your healer or thief in a place where more than one enemy unit can hit them, doing this will most likely mean you will end up having to restart the map AGAIN. XD

Making progress with that game, slowly admittedly but I'm still insisting on not losing anyone so. :)

Must spend some time at the sewing machine tomorrow, got a bunch of projects I want to work on. Also now I have a bigger glue gun I should make a start on that Tenebrae head. (That's an 'you know you're obsessed with cosplay when...' moment, when you find yourself thinking "nope, this is no good, need a bigger glue gun". XD ).

Randomly: Dave's Home avatar looks more like Kirk (Stat Trek) than him. This amuses me.

Also speaking of Star Trek: I now have the urge to add the United Federation of Planets logo to my "things I want to cross stitch" list, it'd look gorgeous on black or blue aida...

7:44pm: Today I was talking about why the pattern I use for cross stitching the Companion Cube (from Portal) is an easy pattern to remember and one which I don't need to look at the pattern at all much to complete and, during that conversation, I rattled off the correct number of stitches, in order, which I use to stitch the corner, light grey pieces and the little bits in between them.

Once I had done this Dave called me a geek. I was amused. XD

Another geeky crafts thing: I got some Hama beads when I went to the craft shop. I've been thinking about trying to make stuff with them for a while and finally decided to give in and try them. ^_^ Unsurprisingly I'm planning to make some 8-bit game sprites on my first attempt at making something with them. :) Thinking about maybe making some into keyrings or something like that. I also got some sticky-backed magnets at the craft shop so I might make some into magnets too perhaps. ^_^

9:19pm: Dave's playing the Xbox 360 version of 1 vs. 100. Twice now the announcer has said "you know what time it is?". Twice I have answered, in a loud, enthusiastic cheer "TOOL TIME!".

Yes, wrong show I know. I couldn't resist. XD

7:19pm: I'm liking Tales of Vesperia very much. :) Dave's not gotten that far in the game yet (I'm watching him play it) but I've enjoyed all of the story so far. ^_^ I want to know more about Raven, I hope we see him again soon. :)

Want to make some progress on some cosplay stuff soon. It's been too long since I worked on a costume (the sewing I've done recently has mostly been either cross stitching or practical stuff like bags, a pencil case, stuff like that). I think the next thing I'll be making for myself'll be (an attempt at at least) the Tenebrae head. I really, really hope the plan I have for making that works. For Dave it'll be Lloyd I think.

6:55pm: The next time I go to the fabric shop I need to get some purple fake fur and a zip. Neither is for a costume, surprisingly, in fact the zip is for something practical (I want to put a new zip on a pair of Dave's trousers as the old one broke). The fake fur, however, is for a puppet. Because, for some reason, I want to make a puppet. *Is random*.

I've been doing some sewing recently, larger stuff as well as cross stitch. I think I could make drawstring bags in my sleep now I've made so many. XD They're useful little things to make though. :)

Realised there was a trailer for the new Avatar film the other day (not sure how I managed to not notice one had been released ^_^; ). I'm interested in that, I love the series so hopefully the film'll be good too. Also interested in the film of Where The Wild Things Are.

11:48pm: Simple things amuse me sometimes (well, quite a lot of the time to be honest ^_^; XD ). For example it amused me the other day that it was "why was six afraid of seven?" day (British way of writing the date: 07/08/09 - seven eight nine).

Also I still love watching Bear in the Big Blue House. :) I know it's a children's show but sometimes I find myself thinking that there's stuff in it that people who are adults could do with learning/remembering. I will admit that I love to watch it because of the characters and songs though. The number of them that I know off by heart now... XD

10:04pm: I am a happy bunny, I've finally managed to complete chapter 10 of Fire Emblem (Shadow Dragon). ^_^ I'm still not even half-way through that game. ^_^;;;

Other geeky stuff: I'm rather looking forward to making the new secret cardboard-based crazy costumes for next year's Minami. Wonder if I've got enough cardboard... XD Before I build those though I've got some sewing projects I want to work on.

7:44pm: I'm thinking that my attempts to make some progress in Fire Emblem are hampered by the fact that, should any of the characters die, I insist on restarting from the last point I saved at. ^_^;; Ah well, I'll finish this map eventually...

11:24am: For Minamicon 14, as some of you may remember, I made a crazy huge cardboard-based costume, King of Red Lions (from Zelda: The Wind Waker). When I first mentioned the idea to Dave he was rather unsure as to whether or not it would work, despite the fact that I assured him that I'd worked out how to build each piece and how it would all fit together.

To prove it I made a very quick model from scrap paper. (It wasn't a detailed model, and I didn't make one for the head, it was just to basically show how the panels of the main boat would slot together and that it could be flat packed for transportation). Dave was slightly more convinced that it would work when he saw the model.

The reason why I'm mentioning this now is because I'd had another idea for large-ish (probably not as big as King of Red Lions this time), cardboard-based costumes. One for me, one for Dave.

At first he had the attitude of "that's a kinda nice idea for a costume, how would it work though?". I thought about it, kinda built it in my head then drew out plans for it on paper. (Quite detailed plans, showing each piece, where the connecting tabs would be and so on). I showed them to Dave and explained them ("the pieces in blue are the ones that'll be on the side, the red ones are where it sticks together...") he still looked a bit unsure.

So I built a scale model (to make sure I'd not forgotten any pieces or anything). It worked. Dave looked at the model, decided that it was pretty cool and said that he's now "looking forward cosplaying as [the thing I'm making us costumes of (want to keep it a secret until next Minamicon)]". ^_^

The moral/point/whatever of this story: when Dave seems unsure if an idea for cosplay will work I should build a model. XD Luckily when I asked him if I'd need to do that for the fabric ones I planned to make for him too he said that no, he trusts me on those. ^_^ XD