Dresden at Night

I'm trying the stretch my fotographic skills and so I dragged my tripod and camera with me to Dresden last night. Luckily the weather was cooperating and there was no rain.

First there are the buildings on the other side of the river from the hotel. I particularly like the moon and the reflections on the water.


Then I went to get the typical skyline. I had to play around with the settings a little to get what I wanted, but eventually, I got this shot.

The conference center next door was hosting a party and put on the special lighting.

And, last, but not least, there was a carnival closeby and I took this shot of the ferris wheel. I like it, but wish there was a way to make it not look like it's falling over backwards. Maybe next time I keep a larger distance

250

I've started this blog in July 2006. I wanted to have a forum to showcase my stitching and grafting and photography and to give my family and friends an opertunity to see and hear what I'm up to. I also wanted something for me to keep track of what I've made and I've used this blog more than once to go back a few years and look what I've done back then.

My aim is to make one post every week, updating on Sunday evening if I have the chance, and so far, I'm doing not too badly. This is post 250.

Over the years I've collected 10 followers, which I think is pretty cool.

My mom always complains that I write my blog in English, and I've been think about doing it bilingual, but eventually decided against it. Sorry, mom.

To make you feel a little bit better (I hope) here's a peace offering:

My mom asked me for mittens, so I've made her some.

They're made following a free pattern from DROPS design (sort of - originally the pattern was for gloves, so I improvised) and I used some leftover yarn I've had in my stash. I did run out of the white yarn (Rowan Cotton Wool) for the thumb of the second mitten, so I ribbed out some of the cuff of the first mitten and got just enough to finish the pair.

While working on those, I've also started a pair of gloves for myself. I pulled out one of the skeins I've bought in Backnang and some beads and started 'Galaxy'

They're pretty cool! They're also a complete set, but it's more difficult than one would think to make a picture of your own hands while holding the camera that is used to make the pictures. So, for now, only one hand photographed.

Ah, I almost forgot. My Ringwood gloves have been featured on the Knitty blog, where they show the first couple of finished projects from the latest edition of Knitty.

I'm getting famous!

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

A couple of months ago the movie 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' hit the theaters and as I liked what I saw in the trailer, I went, shelled out the Euros and watched it. Three times.

I really liked the look and the feel of the movie, I liked the soundtrack (bought it of course), I liked the actors, I liked the action and the special effects. I liked the humor and the sense that the three brothers really cared about each other (even though two of them accused the third of murdering their father). I liked the story.

Yep, I guess you could say I liked it. A lot.

I've been eying the game 'Prince of Persia: Sands of Time' for quite a long time, but never was sure enough if I really wanted to buy it. First I didn't trust the computing power of my PC, but that was easily fixed by the new computer and so I, driven by the impact of the movie (and the fact that I had to wait so long for the DVD finally hitting the shelves) I got the game and played it.
Even though there have been a couple of really frustrating spots in the game, where I had to repeat a fight several dozen times, some glitches (i.e. the prince needs to move a box to a certain place but he just wouldn't allow me to push it in that direction) and the fact that halfway through the game I lost all my saves when the computer died on me, I really, really enjoyed it. And I'm damn proud I did eventually beat the last battle and thus the game.
I've started on the second part now ('The Warrior Within' was part of a bundle where I got game one and two together) and start to get into the game, but not as much as with Sand of Time. The mood is much darker and the soundtrack is frankly annoying in parts. I'll have to see if I will play it through or not.

Gloves Are The New Socks

Last year around this time I was churning out socks like there was no tomorrow. I guess I had a feeling the winter would be long and cold and in the end I was rather glad I had all those socks to keep my feet warm.

This year it's gloves. I'm on my third pair and have at least one more in the pipeline. The first pair were really wrist warmers, but, hey, they're there to keep my hands warm, so I think they count.

The second pair are the Ringwood gloves:

The yarn is some Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn I've bought in Florida last year. I've used only about half the skein, so maybe I'll make something else with it (it should be enough for at least one pair of wrist warmers ...)

The pattern is from the lastest Knitty and when I saw it (the pattern) I knew I had to make them. It is a surprisingly easy knit and it took me only about two days.

Speaking of Knitty; this new issue is great. The one before was a bit on the bla side of things and the only thing I wanted to knit (and did knit) was the Coquille shawl (and that pattern only showed up as a surprise pattern a few months after the original issue was puplished)

The new issue, now, I have already faved about seven pattern, and though I don't know if I really will knit them all, they are definitly on my list if I'm looking for something in that area.

First one is Eileen, a lovely, lacey cardigan with clear, simple, none-frilly lines. It looks like a nice, every day cardigan, which would work great with what I like to wear.

Pretty Maids looks like a cool lace shawl. I love to knit lace, but to be honest I don't usually wear them. So this is more something I would like to make, but propably won't as I don't know what to do with it once it's done. One the other hand, I might just take the lace pattern and make a scarf from it ... this might work.

Eleanor is another one that looks cool, and a cowl is currently a very 'in' item to have. For this I would need the perfect yarn, though, something with cashmir or like that, just something übersoft.

Brumbles seems to be a cool hat. I imagine it would be nice together with a matching scarf with the same cable pattern as the hat's edge.

Another hat I like would be Spry. This has the advantage that I would have the perfect yarn in my stash already, so I'm rather tempted.

I also love the two sock pattern in that issue (Riff and Nemesis) and could imagine knitting them both. Even Kilravock would work for me. That is if I wanted to knit some knee length socks. Which, if this winter turns out as cold as the last one, might be a posibility.

So, all in all, a really good issue with many possibilies.

Until I get around to knit those, I've made one little addition to my household. Last weekend I went to see 'Despicable Me' and I loved it. Leaving the theater I knew I had to make myself one of the minions from the movie. They are sooooooo cute. I love them. So I present you 100 (so named because he's my 100th project I've posted on Ravelry)

Happy Birthday, Big Sister

Last week was my big sister's *mumblemumble* birthday (it was one of those round ones everybody is scared of, so I will not name the number)

So, a happy birthday to you!!!

As my sister is living in Sweden and I'm not, it will be a while until she gets her birthday present, but at least I can show it to her now.

It a log cabin afghan with noro and lopi yarn (so it's sort of a Japanese / Icelandic joint project). Size is 180 x 180cm, plenty big enough to keep you warm in the cold Swedish winters. It already kept me warm while I was sewing everything together.

I would have finished it exactly on your birthday if not for an error I discovered after I started putting everything together. I fixed it now, so no worries.

The colors are to die for:

I hope you like it.