...and I've got nothing.
Sadly I haven't really worked on the North Palace project at all the past two weeks, and feel rather crappy for it too. Part of it was because I started playing Fable III again, trying to finish that and work on achievements. I've also been trying to work on other hobbies and just hang out with my husband while he's been off work.
We finally have a move-in date for our new place, which is a little less than a month away. That said, starting the Mega Man stage select screen will probably be put on hold until after we move in and get situated. This way I only have to worry about keeping track of one project for now. I'm still going to try to work on my North Palace, because I can't very well spend all my time packing, can I? I really think I should just hunker down, pack everything as quickly as possible, then spend all that extra time cross-stitching. However I know what I would like to happen, and what is actually going to happen rarely mirror each other.
So basically this update was just to let you all know I'm not dead, nor have I given up on the North Palace. Real life has just taken priority a bit. Once everything settles down and is back to normal, there will be all sorts of stitchery and geeky craftyness. ^_^
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
North Palace - end of week seven
I'm pretty happy with this week's progress, and it's definitely starting to come together. Not going to lie though, I'm dreading finishing the floor because it's so tedious and boring.
Looking at the project, I'm not 100% happy with the colors. *shakes fist at KG Chart* The blue I'm not thrilled with, and I'm still undecided on the red. I'll probably play around with the colors if I ever attempt this pattern again.
In other news, we may be moving next month or October, which will put a slight damper in being crafty. Though we'll be moving into another house on base, which will mean a bigger place, which means I'll have more room for said crafts. *does happy dance* I just wanted to bang out a quick update shot, and now I'm heading to bed.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Gamers Anonymous, Retro Gaming League, and a new project idea
Those who live in the Albuquerque area may know about this awesome little store called Gamers Anonymous. They specialize in games and systems of the retro variety, and even sell some awesome t-shirts. They have also recently started up a Retro Gaming League. Every Saturday is a new game for all systems from NES to the Xbox and GameCube generation. Going every weekend has been really great for crafty inspiration, it's just a shame that I have a ton of ideas floating around in my brain, but not necessarily the time or resources to do them all.
I have come to terms with the fact that unless I use all my free time to work on my North Palace project, it probably will not be done by the end of next month. I'm not even 100% sure I'll have everything done expect for needing to fill in the background. That said, I'm going to start expanding into some more side-projects. I decided to pick up some cheapie tote bags from Target for a test project with waste canvas. I have never worked with waste canvas, or any medium other than aida, so I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on something that may or may not turn out. I bought a baby blue one, and a black one.
I originally wanted to do a Super Mario Bros design on the blue bag, but wasn't quite able to pin down exactly what I wanted to do with it. I thought maybe the title screen, but wasn't completely sold on the idea. Then I started poking around http://www.vgmuseum.com/ for other games that might work with the blue. Well, hello there Mega Man stage select screens. While not a perfect fit, I think I could make it work. Then I'm stuck with the dilemma of which one, seeing as I have six games to choose from. I then decided to ask Jon (owner of Gamers Anonymous) which was his favorite. So after payday I'll be ordering some 18 count waste canvas, and attempting the player select from Mega Man 2.
Not going to lie, I'm rather excited. I'll probably be omitting the "Press Start" and the white at the top and bottom, but am debating if I want to keep the horizontal blue lines. I'm also debating whether or not to keep or omit the boss names. Opinions?
I have come to terms with the fact that unless I use all my free time to work on my North Palace project, it probably will not be done by the end of next month. I'm not even 100% sure I'll have everything done expect for needing to fill in the background. That said, I'm going to start expanding into some more side-projects. I decided to pick up some cheapie tote bags from Target for a test project with waste canvas. I have never worked with waste canvas, or any medium other than aida, so I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on something that may or may not turn out. I bought a baby blue one, and a black one.
I originally wanted to do a Super Mario Bros design on the blue bag, but wasn't quite able to pin down exactly what I wanted to do with it. I thought maybe the title screen, but wasn't completely sold on the idea. Then I started poking around http://www.vgmuseum.com/ for other games that might work with the blue. Well, hello there Mega Man stage select screens. While not a perfect fit, I think I could make it work. Then I'm stuck with the dilemma of which one, seeing as I have six games to choose from. I then decided to ask Jon (owner of Gamers Anonymous) which was his favorite. So after payday I'll be ordering some 18 count waste canvas, and attempting the player select from Mega Man 2.
Not going to lie, I'm rather excited. I'll probably be omitting the "Press Start" and the white at the top and bottom, but am debating if I want to keep the horizontal blue lines. I'm also debating whether or not to keep or omit the boss names. Opinions?
Sunday, August 21, 2011
North Palace - end of week six
I'm a few days late with the actual entry, but the picture was taken on time at least. Here's my progress after week six. I didn't get to work on it as much as I would have liked this week, but it is still coming along.
Working on this project has definitely been a learning experience. It would just be way easier to scrap this project, and restart with a re-tweaked pattern and some black aida, but I am determined to see this through. I would like to try this pattern again sometime down the line though. There really isn't much to be said, that the picture doesn't already cover as far as progress goes.
Maybe later I'll touch on Retro Gaming League from this past weekend, but we have some errands to run, so that will have to wait.
Working on this project has definitely been a learning experience. It would just be way easier to scrap this project, and restart with a re-tweaked pattern and some black aida, but I am determined to see this through. I would like to try this pattern again sometime down the line though. There really isn't much to be said, that the picture doesn't already cover as far as progress goes.
Maybe later I'll touch on Retro Gaming League from this past weekend, but we have some errands to run, so that will have to wait.
Friday, August 12, 2011
North Palace - end of week five & a bookmark
Am I a slacker when it comes to updating? *hangs head* Yes. I haven't even made a real update in my personal journal in months. I have been busy working on my North Palace project however, so at least lack of update isn't due to lack of progress. I guess this means I'm not a total slacker, right?
So anyway, here's the progress at the end of week five.
As you can see, I finally completed the floor bricks and have moved into the equally monotonous task of filling in the gaps in between. The great thing about this project is it gets along really well with my ADD. There are enough various sections that I can skip around between without having an adverse effect on the whole design. Brilliant! That said, even my ADD got the better of me, and I decided to take a break for a few days and work on a quick side project.
Ta-da! My husband goes through books like some girls go through boy toys, and I give him crap for never using a bookmark. Add to that the fact that he's a huge Mass Effect fan, and whores his endorsements around the Citadel like nobody's business, and this bookmark was a no-brainer. This is my first time dealing with pre-made bookmarks, and going by the pattern I didn't expect to have all that extra space that the end. I've tucked that little bit of information away for future reference, I assure you, as well as the fact that I need to fold the ends under to prevent fraying. For now, I'll finagle something to prevent that from happening.
I can't take credit for the N7 logo though, as I found that pattern on the Sprite Stitch forums. It was a nice little side project, and I'd like to make more of them. We shall see. Oh, and because I like to think I'm clever;
My husband is the John Ringo fan, not I.
Well the pip-squeak is making it clear that she is now awake from her nap, so off I go.
So anyway, here's the progress at the end of week five.
As you can see, I finally completed the floor bricks and have moved into the equally monotonous task of filling in the gaps in between. The great thing about this project is it gets along really well with my ADD. There are enough various sections that I can skip around between without having an adverse effect on the whole design. Brilliant! That said, even my ADD got the better of me, and I decided to take a break for a few days and work on a quick side project.
Ta-da! My husband goes through books like some girls go through boy toys, and I give him crap for never using a bookmark. Add to that the fact that he's a huge Mass Effect fan, and whores his endorsements around the Citadel like nobody's business, and this bookmark was a no-brainer. This is my first time dealing with pre-made bookmarks, and going by the pattern I didn't expect to have all that extra space that the end. I've tucked that little bit of information away for future reference, I assure you, as well as the fact that I need to fold the ends under to prevent fraying. For now, I'll finagle something to prevent that from happening.
I can't take credit for the N7 logo though, as I found that pattern on the Sprite Stitch forums. It was a nice little side project, and I'd like to make more of them. We shall see. Oh, and because I like to think I'm clever;
My husband is the John Ringo fan, not I.
Well the pip-squeak is making it clear that she is now awake from her nap, so off I go.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Quick update, sans pictures
Figured I would bang out a quick entry while I have the chance.
After my last entry, I worked on the stitch a bit and then didn't touch it again for two days. Alas, I was taken captive by Fable III after watching my husband play through it once. I had read reviews on Amazon, and definitely understand some of the complaints, but believe some people were being way too nit-picky about the year after you become ruler of Albion.
*POSSIBLE MINOR SPOILERS* You're basically given a year to build up your forces to protect your kingdom against certain doom. How many lives you save is dependent on how much money you raise. So many complained that it was impossible, and whatnot. Thing is, it isn't, but it is one of those situations where you're forced into making moral decisions. Do you act like a tyrant to achieve your monetary goals easier, or be a ruler for the people and have to work a bit harder to come up with the needed funds? No one ever said doing the right thing was easy, now did they? Though the problem with the so-called year you have to raise funds, is that you're not really given a year in game time. Each day you're given a royal itinerary with some tasks you need to complete. Once you complete said tasks, the day is over, and the in-game time skips ahead a nice chunk of the year. So yes, I can definitely understand the frustration if you just run through the itinerary quickly, not bothering with side quests after you become ruler, you're not going to have a lot of funds to put towards the survival of your kingdom. /*POSSIBLE MINOR SPOILERS*
I like it so far, though after watching my husband play, I am a little disappointed with how short it is. He went through the main quest and quite a bit of side quests in about 20 hours. I don't think I would have been happy paying $60 for it, but for the under $20 I got it on Amazon, I'm satisfied. I definitely miss the expression wheel, and am still undecided about the repair system for the houses. While I think it adds an interesting element, it is such a PITA to go through and repair every house individually. A "Repair All" option in each area would have been nice. However with being able to earn and transfer gold from Coin Golf for the WP7, I definitely broke the game. I bought Coin Golf a few days before I ordered Fable III, but played it for almost a week before actually creating a character on Fable III. When my gold transferred I had over 400K, so it was definitely a bit ridiculous. Every time I make it to a new area, I am able to buy up everything outright, thus perpetuating the cycle of ridiculousness.
As far as achievement go, they're not too bad. It is mildly frustrating that multi-player achievements are via XBL only, even if both profiles playing co-op on the same console are both Gold members. Figures. I'm just not a fan of multi-player achievements, never have been.
Hope to get a bit more work done on the North Palace today, and maybe even get a picture posted. I was hoping to have my Blogger linked to my phone, but for some reason every time I try to redeem my token I get a 404 error. Again, figures.
After my last entry, I worked on the stitch a bit and then didn't touch it again for two days. Alas, I was taken captive by Fable III after watching my husband play through it once. I had read reviews on Amazon, and definitely understand some of the complaints, but believe some people were being way too nit-picky about the year after you become ruler of Albion.
*POSSIBLE MINOR SPOILERS* You're basically given a year to build up your forces to protect your kingdom against certain doom. How many lives you save is dependent on how much money you raise. So many complained that it was impossible, and whatnot. Thing is, it isn't, but it is one of those situations where you're forced into making moral decisions. Do you act like a tyrant to achieve your monetary goals easier, or be a ruler for the people and have to work a bit harder to come up with the needed funds? No one ever said doing the right thing was easy, now did they? Though the problem with the so-called year you have to raise funds, is that you're not really given a year in game time. Each day you're given a royal itinerary with some tasks you need to complete. Once you complete said tasks, the day is over, and the in-game time skips ahead a nice chunk of the year. So yes, I can definitely understand the frustration if you just run through the itinerary quickly, not bothering with side quests after you become ruler, you're not going to have a lot of funds to put towards the survival of your kingdom. /*POSSIBLE MINOR SPOILERS*
I like it so far, though after watching my husband play, I am a little disappointed with how short it is. He went through the main quest and quite a bit of side quests in about 20 hours. I don't think I would have been happy paying $60 for it, but for the under $20 I got it on Amazon, I'm satisfied. I definitely miss the expression wheel, and am still undecided about the repair system for the houses. While I think it adds an interesting element, it is such a PITA to go through and repair every house individually. A "Repair All" option in each area would have been nice. However with being able to earn and transfer gold from Coin Golf for the WP7, I definitely broke the game. I bought Coin Golf a few days before I ordered Fable III, but played it for almost a week before actually creating a character on Fable III. When my gold transferred I had over 400K, so it was definitely a bit ridiculous. Every time I make it to a new area, I am able to buy up everything outright, thus perpetuating the cycle of ridiculousness.
As far as achievement go, they're not too bad. It is mildly frustrating that multi-player achievements are via XBL only, even if both profiles playing co-op on the same console are both Gold members. Figures. I'm just not a fan of multi-player achievements, never have been.
Hope to get a bit more work done on the North Palace today, and maybe even get a picture posted. I was hoping to have my Blogger linked to my phone, but for some reason every time I try to redeem my token I get a 404 error. Again, figures.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Zelda II - North Palace (started July 8)
I was always one of those quirky people who actually enjoyed Zelda II: Adventures of Link for the NES. Sure, it was hard as all get out, but I loved it anyway. I have also always loved the opening screen shot in the North Palace. I'd eventually like to do this on canvas, however for now 18 count aida will have to do. You know what? I'm ok with that. I banged out a pattern in KG-Chart, and just needed to pick up the supplies.
Now I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment, and was way too impatient when it came to starting this project. My original intention was do this project on 18 count black aida, which would have saved me a ton of stitching time. The problem? Michael's Crafts only carries black aida in 14 count, and the pattern was way too big to fit what they had on hand. So I settled on some 18 count Ivory colored aida, and accepted that I was going to have to stitch all that black as well. *le sigh* Realizing this, I had scurried back to the flosses to pick up the much needed black. Oh Michael's, you just had to add insult to injury, didn't you? They were completely out of black floss. Oh well, what could I do, right? Off to the register with my 50 lbs of floss, and figured I could keep myself occupied enough to do without the black floss for the time being.
After we got home, I put the pip-squeak down for a nap and set out to plot out the border on my aida. Having done that, it definitely put the whole thing in perspective.
Oh my sweet and fluffy lord, what have I gotten myself into? My impatience led to this, so I had to man up (figuratively speaking, of course) and just jump in. Besides, I still had the full six seasons of Xena on DVD that Michael had gotten me for Xmas that I had barely made a dent in, and several cases of Diet Coke.
The day one progress was rather unimpressive to say the least, but it was something and I was determined to stick with it.
This was all July 8. A few days later I had gone to Hobby Lobby in search black floss, which I happy they had some in stock. Come to find out that they also stock black 14 count aida in 30" x 36" size, which would have been big enough. Needless to say that information has been filed away for future reference, but I had already committed myself to this one, and have every intention of seeing it through to the end.
Fast forward a few weeks, and July 28 marked the end of week three.
That's the most recent WIP shot I have, and I have made a bit more progress since then. If I completely devote myself to only this project, I would like to shoot for having it done by the end of September. I think even that may be a bit ambitious, but I guess we shall see. As is I have a bunch of ideas buzzing around my head, but I want to get a bit more done on this one before I start working on side projects.
Time to grab something to get, and get going on tonight's progress.
Started: July 8, 2011
Cloth: 18 count aida
Colors: 14
Stitch Count: 59,392
Finished size: approx 14.25 in x 12.88 in
Now I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment, and was way too impatient when it came to starting this project. My original intention was do this project on 18 count black aida, which would have saved me a ton of stitching time. The problem? Michael's Crafts only carries black aida in 14 count, and the pattern was way too big to fit what they had on hand. So I settled on some 18 count Ivory colored aida, and accepted that I was going to have to stitch all that black as well. *le sigh* Realizing this, I had scurried back to the flosses to pick up the much needed black. Oh Michael's, you just had to add insult to injury, didn't you? They were completely out of black floss. Oh well, what could I do, right? Off to the register with my 50 lbs of floss, and figured I could keep myself occupied enough to do without the black floss for the time being.
After we got home, I put the pip-squeak down for a nap and set out to plot out the border on my aida. Having done that, it definitely put the whole thing in perspective.
Oh my sweet and fluffy lord, what have I gotten myself into? My impatience led to this, so I had to man up (figuratively speaking, of course) and just jump in. Besides, I still had the full six seasons of Xena on DVD that Michael had gotten me for Xmas that I had barely made a dent in, and several cases of Diet Coke.
The day one progress was rather unimpressive to say the least, but it was something and I was determined to stick with it.
This was all July 8. A few days later I had gone to Hobby Lobby in search black floss, which I happy they had some in stock. Come to find out that they also stock black 14 count aida in 30" x 36" size, which would have been big enough. Needless to say that information has been filed away for future reference, but I had already committed myself to this one, and have every intention of seeing it through to the end.
Fast forward a few weeks, and July 28 marked the end of week three.
That's the most recent WIP shot I have, and I have made a bit more progress since then. If I completely devote myself to only this project, I would like to shoot for having it done by the end of September. I think even that may be a bit ambitious, but I guess we shall see. As is I have a bunch of ideas buzzing around my head, but I want to get a bit more done on this one before I start working on side projects.
Time to grab something to get, and get going on tonight's progress.
Started: July 8, 2011
Cloth: 18 count aida
Colors: 14
Stitch Count: 59,392
Finished size: approx 14.25 in x 12.88 in
PRESS START
Introduction? Sure, why not?
I'm a twenty-something wife and mother who believes you're never too old for video games. A controller has been attached to my hand since before I was in kindergarten, and probably will be till the day I die. Though if I have a free minute that isn't spent chasing our daughter, inflating my gamerscore, or burying my nose in a book, I like to be crafty. I have recently gotten back into cross-stitching, and hope to eventually expand into other mediums as well. For now, cross-stitching is cheap, easy, and takes up little space, which is the perfect solution for our current housing situation.
My favorite old school consoles would have to be the NES and Super NES, which is where most of my inspiration comes from. So many ideas, so little time to make them a reality. *sigh*
I'm a twenty-something wife and mother who believes you're never too old for video games. A controller has been attached to my hand since before I was in kindergarten, and probably will be till the day I die. Though if I have a free minute that isn't spent chasing our daughter, inflating my gamerscore, or burying my nose in a book, I like to be crafty. I have recently gotten back into cross-stitching, and hope to eventually expand into other mediums as well. For now, cross-stitching is cheap, easy, and takes up little space, which is the perfect solution for our current housing situation.
My favorite old school consoles would have to be the NES and Super NES, which is where most of my inspiration comes from. So many ideas, so little time to make them a reality. *sigh*
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