Author Archives: Dayle

A long week

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As the title suggests it’s been a long week for me and I didn’t get much done. I did however start sewing together the squares for an afghan I started 2 years ago. Yes TWO years ago. I started it so that it would match my new sofa which, is of course no longer new and do to my one horrible dog worse for the wear since I agreed to bring her home. The colors do still match though it’s just that sewing them together is so tedious and boring…

It of course has to be kept in a chest when I’m not in the room with it lest the evil dog puke on it because I am paying more attention to it than her. I know that no one ever believes me when I say that the vindictive bitch vomits to get attention but it’s true. Hence the reason so little work has been accomplished this week. After spending hours Wednesday night cleaning and sobbing I decided to turn her in to the local animal shelter in hopes that someone would want to make her the center of their universe. However after discussion with the intake advisor it seemed as though they would probably put her down since she is unable to walk past other dogs on leashes. So I brought her back home and started a new project- I failed to take before pictures but, I will take progress pics as work on it continues. What is ‘it’ you ask? It will be a room in my basement specifically made for the evil one. This week I patched and leveled the concrete floor and consolidated the laundry, garden, and summer furniture sections. While I was down there I realized that the porch furniture never got reupholstered as planned so hopefully I will get that done soon too- Punxy Phil says spring is just around the corner.

It was also a slow week at the salon which always makes my head spin since I have to spend so much time working alone. Of course I can’t post pics of the work I did while I was there since it is baby shower gifts. I got one gift done while I was at the movies seeing Argo: argo trailer(hopefully this link works, it’s a 1st try). An excellent movie which continually builds suspense but, apparently if you were alive and cognitive in 1980 it ends with no climax. I found it a bit tedious and can’t really say I would recommend seeing it in the theater and I also don’t see it winning over Lincoln for best picture.

Anyway, needlework wise I needed something a bit less intensive and easier to see due to the high stress levels that came with this week. I know I said I wasn’t going to start any new projects until the ones that are sitting in the craft room are done but, I fell of the wagon. I started a quick and simple Kokeshi doll picture. I added some sparkle to liven it up a bit and watched Hugo. I worked on it a bit last night while my bread was finishing baking. I hate being in the house during that last hour when the whole house smells delectable. Then a bit more tonight while I made my soup for dinner while I’m at work this week. I hope the sparkle shows up, I only wanted it as an accent but I’m unsure if I chose the right amount to make the design pop. I feel like it doesn’t show up at all in the photos.

The first is a close-up which I thought would look good but I found it’s appearance blurry. The second is just a normal non zoomed in photo, same amount of stitching. I’m going to turn her into an e-reader case when I’m done stitching. I feel as though I haven’t seen my sewing machine in forever even though it’s been a mere week. Hopefully I’ll get more done this week while anxiously await news from two different sources.

Almost a month down!

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So I have been working on the girl on the swing picture this week, despite Sabrina’s vote for the “sparkle horse”. I didn’t see the note till late and had already pulled out the necessities for the first picture. It is coming along nicely despite being a lot of small detail work. I thought I would take a picture at the end of every session so that I could see its progression a bit better.

So, despite that fact that my photography skills aren’t all to brilliant I have to say I enjoy seeing it in steps. I have a few other projects going, including a chemo robe for a friend that, well honestly I am struggling with due to the fact that I never learned to properly read a sewing pattern. It is coming along though, just not as swiftly as I would like it to. Knitting wise I also have a few projects going. I saw Lincoln (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/) and The Impossible (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1649419/) yesterday afternoon which gave me a ton of time to work on them. Both movies were excellent, and I have to say if I didn’t know Daniel Day-Lewis was in Lincoln I never would have known. The man is shear brilliance and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he received an oscar for his performance or if the movie it’s self wins overall. The Impossible was by far the more gut wrenching movie for me. My mother and I disputed it for a while before we agreed to disagree. Naomi Watts gave what I can only describe as an emotionally saturated, horrific, and amazing performance as a mother whose family is torn apart by the tsunami in 2004. It is a true story and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone so I will simply say go and see it- any movie that can make me want to cry, vomit, and illicit other emotions from me is well worth your $6.00. Unless you have a weak stomach,then I must warn you there are some rough scenes, some of which are apparently real footage from the actual devastation others just extremely well done by a make-up and effects department. Disappointingly I can’t put up any photos of what I am working on while watching movies because they are all gifts- I swear everyone I know is getting married or having a baby this year. I’m not sure who all reads this but, I don’t want any early surprises about the gifts so it’s just better if I don’t put up any photos at all. Sorry, and I promise as I give them away I will post photos for all to see!

Hooray!

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So I haven’t seen any movies which, I know usually accompany my weekly blog but I was so excited that I finished 2 items this week that I had to post! The first item was a super quick, super cute little kleenex box cover.

Of course, I do realize that christmas is over but I thought this pattern was cute and have been looking for something to stitch on this cover FOREVER. The second finished item was the Scandanavian heart tree you all have been watching me work on forever now. Well, at least the last few weeks I should say. It came out absolutely gorgeous and I’m not sure how to finish it. I was thinking of building a custom frame for it but, I’m not sure. Maybe I should make it into a pillow. Any opinions from anyone? Is there even anyone reading ?

The new project is yet to be determined but I’m thinking of finishing “Touching the Autumn Sky” from Mirabilia. It was a beautiful design with a little girl on a swing with leaves falling around her. I ordered a hand dyed piece of fabric for it so it seems like it would be a good option. However I also have a partially finished carousel horse/ zebra that might be a bit more fun as I was adding sparkle thread and a ton of beads to it…

 

One week down

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Bit of a slow week this time a round. I have had bronchitis and while I thought I would get a good bit of work done I really didn’t. I had especially hoped to have finished the scandanavian heart tree. No such luck though I only got the blues started on it.

I do have intentions of finishing it by the time I go back to work on Monday. I have to say putting the blue in has been a real treat. It has been such a simple pattern but so enjoyable to stitch. Usually simpler designs bore me and the finished project isn’t something I would normally keep. While this one is for sale it will be welcome to stay in my home till it finds a new one.

Last week I went to a matinee showing of Promised Land, https://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/promisedland/ , with Matt Damon and Jon Krasinski. I don’t really care for Mr. Damon, I always think of that crazy animated version of him in Team America, but he was excellent in this film. I don’t watch the Office either so Mr. Krasinski was new to me but, he was also outstanding. While I let the movie confirm my views on natural gas drilling and large corporations I whipped out a soft, fluffy, and warm, dare I forget warm, mohair scarf. Hand dyed at a local farm it had caught my eye for another project, what exactly I don’t remember so it seemed logical to turn it into a scarf.

The movie was longer than I expected so I managed to finish it up right when the punchy twist was hitting the screen. I hate to say “spoiler alert” so I’ll just tell you to go see it, you might learn something and not even realize it!

I did manage to start a new black/white/grey boucle number earlier today when I went to see Ganster Squad, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqKnD-g9QhY. But I didn’t get to far, somewhere between Ryan Gosling being the unruly yet debonaire hero with a gun and the excessive shooting and explosions I got lost. This one I won’t tell you to go see unless you’re looking for something mind- numbing. Oh, and if you don’t get the Shylock comment you might want to pick up a book and learn to read.

The first few projects

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As I started off this week I figured I should start small. Look for simple projects and things that were at least 3 quarters of the way done already. Of course things are always easier said than done. I did however find a beautiful piece of cross stitch with a bit of a red scandinavian heart tree on it. The pattern was black and white but as I gathered the thread for it I realized it was only reds and blues. I began work and soon came up with the idea of putting all the warm(red) color in first.

The first week of work with only the warm colors stitched.

The colors are so simple but what really caught my eye, and kept my interest, about this project was the symmetry. I’m usually known for stitching only large, elaborate, and mostly Santa pictures so this was a nice change of pace for me. I can’t wait to see how the balance shifts as I stitch the cool blue tones onto it in the coming week.

Also this week I had a few small knitting projects. For those of you who don’t know me I have a severe problem sitting still. I can’t JUST sit and watch t.v., or read a book, or watch a movie. I get antsy and my brain starts to spin and before I know it my leg is tapping, I’m thinking of something else entirely and I’m just over all fidgety and distracted. So, this week I went to see a few movies. Django Unchained, and absolutely awesome Tarentino western that I do recommend if you aren’t easily offended and can sit for a good 3 hours. Seriously, it was longer than The Hobbit. From this movie resulted a beautiful, soft, teal colored scarf with a light texture pattern. Thankfully the yarn was a merino wool, camel, and angora mix because the theater was a bit chilly. Also from the theater was a funky boucle scarf in warm wool in autumnal tones of orange, brown, and black. This one I made while sitting in the humourous yet touching Seth Rogen and Barbara Striesand movie- the Guilt Trip. Despite a few slow spots in the movie and an overwhelming scent of popcorn mixed with old lady perfume it came out wonderfully. I also made a few cowls this week, a sparkly silk one and a hot pink boucle one.

2 cowls and 2 scarves, I wish the sparkley one had showed up better.

I made these while reading two books that no one in their right mind would find interesting. I did however finish them and gather the info I was craving…

This concludes week one, here’s hoping I have the tree picture done for next week!

The craft room challenge

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So, I had originally started to write a blog about movies. One of my favorite things in life, but, often I would leave the theater and not know what to write other than- “the Hobbit, brilliant but better in 2d or Life of Pi- absolutely astonishing”. Some reviewer I turned out to be.
But yesterday while my family and friends were all enjoying the holiday I was arriving at a horrible conclusion about my life. I am in my 30’s with an awful job, no future job prospects despite my education and lots of work experience, and single. So while every other person I know (at least it seems like) was getting engaged or announcing a pregnancy I was at home being reminded of how utterly worthless I truely am. Despite my large home that I love, 2 dogs that I claim to hate, 2 paid off vehicles, and my horse Klondike I was utterly depressed with my life. So having sat down with a very tasty glass of warm rum cider and one of my favorite movies- Julie & Julia I decided that like Amy Adams’

character I also need something to keep me focused through this coming year. I thought for a while before realizing that the answer lied in the disaster I call a craft room. Within its’ walls lie countless started projects withering away in various states finishedness. Quilts, sweaters, needlework, scrapbooks, you name it and there it is. I have decided to finish these poor lost projects even if they are items I no longer find appealing- yes, sweater I started when I was skinnier and still marginally attractive I’m speaking of you. I will of course keep all (if any) readers up to date with pictures. Please also keep in mind that if you see something you find appealing make me an offer- there is a good chance it could become yours.

For years I have dreamed of having my very own fibrous, sparkly, ecclectic craft store where I could enjoy my work and teach others for a living and who knows maybe this could be the road that leads to my dream… So please share it out and help me stay motivated to finish all these things!

In for the kill

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This week I was excited to go and see Dredd. As a teen Judge Dredd was one of my favorite comics. Sly Stallone made a sad attempt back in the 90’s to portray the cool, severe judge but failed miserably. I don’t recall Judge Dredd ever removing his helmet and allowing his face to be seen.

In this new rendition, which is NOT a remake or a sequel merely a British take on the comic, Karl Urban (LOTR and Chronicles of Riddick) dons the helmet. He carries it well with only the curl of a lip showing. What really helps him to pull off the role is his low, rough voice that betrays no emotion, even when doling out death sentences. Known throughout Megacity as the judge not to toy with, Dredd is assigned a fresh out of the academy rookie to assess in the field. Olivia Thirlby (Juno) turns up as rookie Anderson, a mutant with psychic abilities from the radiation that destroyed most of the world.

As they leave the Hall of Justice on assessment day Anderson chooses what would seem to be a simple triple homicide in Peach Trees, a 200 story slum block. While there they end up in a drug bust where they detain a high level supplier of the Ma-Ma gang. Headed up by Ma-Ma, an ex-hooker played by a too-soft Lena Headey, they are the single producer/supplier of an all new drug called Slo-Mo that is all the rage In Mega City 1. Upon learning of the capture of her Associate, Ma-Ma locks down the building and informs everyone inside that until the two judges are dead the building will remain under lock down.

What ensues is massive hour long shoot ’em up. Anderson uses her psychic ability, indicated by a goldish glow around her head, to learn and gather information that will help them in their pursuit of Ma-Ma who spends most of her time in her 200th story sanctum. At one point her computer guy is able to “trap” the judges so that she can kill them. However even the three gatling guns she uses to pulverize the entire floor and its inhabitants does not kill the judges. They proceed on their quest, guns blazing, until Anderson is taken captive. Dredd continues his pursuit and eventually catches up to Ma-ma on the 200th floor, where he is reunited with Anderson, who has been accidentally freed by a moron. After a final battle Dredd is able to overpower and outwit Ma-Ma, save the residents of Peach Trees and walk out ready to fight another day with Anderson by his side.

What I haven’t told you is that this movie is available in both digital and 3-d. Now, the digital version is a blast and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I did not see it in 3-d because I often become ill in 3-d movies. However, I think that other than a few elevator shafts I probably would have enjoyed the 3-d version. With all the gun fire the audience would have been “showered” in glass and debris as well as been engulfed by Anderson’s psychic aura and the exhaled Slo-mo from the criminals inhalers.

Prohibition, Tom Hardy, and Guy Pearce get down and dirty

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For my first ever movie blog I offer up “Lawless”. Based on the book “The Wettest County in the World” by Matt Bondurant a grandson of one of the infamous Bondurant boys.

As our story opens up in rural Virginia we find the Bondurant boys, Shia Lebouf, Tom Hardy, and Jason Clarke , distributing mason jars full of their homemade moonshine amongst the county. Known to have the best whiskey around the boys are in high demand and raking in the profits.

Enter Guy Pearce as Special Agent Charlie Rakes. When first entering the county his attempt to blackmail the boys fails. This denial from the Forrest, the brother in charge, is just the catalyst needed for Mr. Pearce to turn on the creep button. I have rarely seen him in a movie where he wasn’t spot on. But in Lawless he is able to turn himself into what can only be described as an eyebrow-less, egomaniacal creep who comes off as hiding some type of perversion you would expect to find in the Silence of the Lambs. His portrayal of the special deputy gets you right on board and cheering on the boys and their bootlegging.

While Forrest runs the operation youngest brother Jake is aching to become part of the action and earn the snappy suit and pimped out ride the likes that mobster Gary Oldham drives. His chance arrives after Forrest and a new waitress at the family run gas stop and restaurant are attacked one night. Shia Lebouf took a lot of flack about his acting skills in this movie. I however found him to exactly what was needed to portray the whiney younger brother who constantly gets picked on despite his best intentions. As Jake grows the business and heads towards his dream of high fashion mobster a mis step with the local preacher’s daughter lands the boys in a sticky spot.

As the climax approaches we see the town coming together in a good versus evil stand-off leading to the much anticipated final interaction between the brothers and the deputy. Without giving away the ending I will stop here and encourage you to see for yourself how the Bondurant boys changed the face of bootleggers and how sometimes you just can’t help but root for the criminals.

https://lawless-film.com