Craftylilly

Of Bacon and Bibs

I had fun reading all of your traumatizing film scenes.  Many of them I had forgotten about.  If any of you are interested in a good scary movie, RM and I just saw El Orfanato (The Orphanage).  It's a decidedly creepy movie in the vein of The Others or The Haunting. 

Speaking of things slightly left of center, take a look at the summer tote I bought at Target last week.  Who wouldn't want a pool tote with a bacon and eggs applique?  Just looking at it makes me chuckle.  The kidlets have swim lessons this summer, and this tote is the perfect size for some knitting, sunscreen and pool cover-ups.  Ah summer knitting, I'm beginning to anticipate the possibilities.  I'm thinking lots of lace, and perhaps a Cece.

And to go back to bacon for a second, have you all seen the latest Anticraft?  It's a bacon issue.  Check out this bacon scarf.  I started laughing out loud when I saw it.  I think I want one.  I've never tried double knitting.  Perhaps knitting myself a bacon scarf will be a good way to try it out and get a laugh at the same time.

In all seriousness, I finished up a couple of bibs for a friend's new baby.  This baby has been kept in the NICU for a week now due to birth complications.  My family, as well as PQL's whole preschool community have been very concerned.  I've been focusing prayers and positive energy into the knitting of the bibs.  I'm a firm believer in the power of positive thought and prayer, so if you are willing, send a little to this family.   

Childhood traumas: the movie edition

The Red Ranger will be 6 years old in a month.  I can't believe it.  It's amazing to me that he's almost 6.  As he gets older, and has more play dates and outings with friends I'm starting to think about how to deal with the increasing non-family influences.  A lot influence comes from TV, movie, and video games.  With that in mind, I started reflecting on the movie experiences that traumatized me when I was a child.  I thought I'd share them with you set up in handy Top 5 form.

Top 5 disturbing film scenes when I was a child:

1)  The Black Hole (1979):  My parents took me to see this in the theater.  I was 5.  This was right about the time that Disney started putting out more mature films than the animated movies or movies like Freaky Friday and the Herbie movies.  My parents were as shocked as I when a robot kills a main character with a rotating blade hand.  I freaked out, and was quickly ushered out of the theater.

2)  Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981):  I think you all know the scene that freaked me out.  Here's a hint, a ceremony, an opened ark of the covenant, and Indy and Marion tied up. 

3)  Poltergeist (1982):  The whole darn movie scared me, and still scares me.  I have a serious fear of clown dolls still.  I'm not even kidding.

4)  Michael Jackson's Thriller video (1983):  I saw this for the first time at a friend's house at her birthday party.  Yeah, very scary for my 9 year old self.  Now, I love this video and the choreography.  At 9, a scary faced Michael Jackson was terrifying.

5)  Watcher in the Woods (1980):  For some reason the ghostly little girl with the bandage around her eyes freaked me out.  Bette Davis is scary!  We used to watch this at sleepovers.  Very good sleepover scary movie.

So now I'm curious, what movie and TV scenes have traumatized you?

Movie Quote Meme answers

So here are the answers to my movie meme.  Scroll down to the previous entry to see the quotes.  I think I stumped some people on a few of them.  Actually, I have tons of favorite movies, and these ten are only a few of them.  You can see my preference for darker stories and comedies though. 

1. Best in Show Wendee got this right!  I love, love this movie.  Another favorite quote is "We have so much in common, we both love soup and snow peas, we love the outdoors, and talking and not talking. We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about."
2. No one got this one.  It's from Rear Window.  Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director.
3. Fargo.  Christie you got this one right.  I like the Coen brothers quite a lot too.  I've got No Country for Old Men on it's way to me from Netflix right now.
4. Fight Club.  Christie again!
5. Silence of the Lambs.  Christie one more time!
6. Army of Darkness.  Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi, an army of undead, hilarious dark humor, what's not to like?
7. Gattaca.  Very interesting story with good acting.  I used to use parts of it when I taught high school ethics class.
8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  Stephanie got this one.  So how many of you will watch this movie through the credits just to have Ferris tell you to go ahead and leave as the movie's over?
9. Say Anything. Karen got this one.  There are so many good quotes from this movie, plus I love John Cusack.  Still do, actually.
10. Young Guns.  Guilty pleasure here.  Love this movie, and loved the sequel.

Next post will have some crafting goodness, I promise!

Still having trouble committing

I can't seem to tear myself away from small projects.  I'm to the toe of the first Monkey sock and can't believe it's taken me months to finally cast on for them.  The pattern is just as many other knitters have said.  It's addictive and remarkable quick to knit.  It's probably quick from its addictive qualities.  I'm using some Fleece Artist Merino Sock in the Yarntopia colorway and I have to say that Amy and Sheryl of Yarntopia developed a gorgeous colorway.  The colors are dark chocolate, tan, rich pink, and a lovely blue, just gorgeous!  You'll have to take my word for it, as it's raining again today and thus I don't have any decent pictures.  After I finish this first Monkey sock, I may knit a swatch for the Celtic Dreams Aran.  We'll see if the pull of a sweater project calls to me.  Sometimes I think I avoid casting on for a sweater because of the swatching.  Small projects are their own swatches, you know.

In lieu of pictures, or interesting knitting, spinning, or crafting talk, let me suggest some good movies I've seen lately.  With the horrible weather we've had recently, movies is all I've got, that and the crafting.  So here there are in handy bullet form:

Once - A sweet little movie about two people who find each other through music.  It's a love story, but doesn't go the way you expect it to, and the music is fantastic.

Stardust - I found this to be another sweet love story set in a fantasy setting.  There are some great comic bits too.  Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro look like they are having a fantastic time with their roles, and I really like the sweet performance of the male lead, Charlie Cox.

Shoot 'Em Up - OK, this is totally different from the previous two movies.  You will probably hate this movie if heavy violence, profanity, and in your face sexuality bothers you, but if you like movies that don't take themselves seriously and use things like violence and sex for comic purposes, you might like this one.  Besides, I like Paul Giamatti, and he plays a very funny villian.

Eastern Promises - There are problems with this movie, but overall I enjoyed this Russian Mob Drama.  There's a particularly crazy naked fight scene in a Russian bath house with Viggo Mortenson, that has to be seen to be believed too.

Waitress - We're back to sweet here, with a story about an unhappily married waitress who makes special pies for her restaurant.  This movie made me hungry and made me smile.  Plus, for those of you who love Firefly, this movie has Nathan Fillion.  Enough said.

Well, that's it for what I've seen lately.  I've got 3:10 to Yuma and Sunshine on their way to me from Netflix, so I may have another recommendation or two for you after this weekend. 

A movie meme

I saw this over at KitKatKnit's blog and thought I'd play along.

AFI’s top 100 movies.
++ the ones you have seen.
Strike out the ones you couldn’t finish.
* the ones you have seen more than once.
*** the ones you’ve seen more than 20 times.

1. Citizen Kane (1941)++
2. Godfather, The*
3. Casablanca (1942)++
4. Raging Bull (1980)++
5. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
6. Gone with the Wind (1939)***
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)++
8. Schindler’s List (1993)***
9. Vertigo (1958)***
10. Wizard of Oz, The (1939)***
11. City Lights (1931)
12. Searchers, The (1956)
13. Star Wars (1977)***
14. Psycho (1960)***
15. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
15. 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1968)*
16. Graduate, The (1967)++
17. General, The (1927)
18. On the Waterfront (1954)*
19. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)***
20. Chinatown (1974)++
21. Some Like It Hot (1959)*
22. Grapes of Wrath, The (1940) *
23. E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982) ***
24. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)***
25. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)*
26. High Noon (1952)
27. All About Eve (1950) ++
28. Double Indemnity (1944)
29. Apocalypse Now (1979)*
30. Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
31. Godfather Part II, The (1974)*
32. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)*
33. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)*
34. Annie Hall (1977)
35. Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)++
36. Best Years of Our Lives, The (1946)
37. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
38. Dr. Strangelove (1964)
39. Sound of Music (1965) ***
40. King Kong (1933)
41. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
42. Midnight Cowboy (1969)
43. Philadelphia Story, The (1940)
44. Shane (1953)
45. It Happened One Night (1934)
46. Streetcar Named Desire, A (1951)++
47. Rear Window (1954)***
48. Intolerance (1916)
49. Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) *
50. West Side Story (1961)*
51. Taxi Driver (1976)++
52. Deer Hunter, The (1978) *
53. M*A*S*H (1970)++
54. North by Northwest (1959)***
55. Jaws (1975)***
56. Rocky (1976)
57. Gold Rush, The (1925)
58. Nashville (1975)
59. Duck Soup (1933)
60. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
61. American Graffiti (1973) ++
62. Cabaret (1972)++
63. Network (1976)
64. African Queen, The (1951)
65. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)***
66. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)++
67. Unforgiven (1992)*
68. Tootsie (1982)*
69. Clockwork Orange, A (1971)
70. Saving Private Ryan (1998)*
71. Shawshank Redemption, The (1994)***
72. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
73. Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)***
74. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
75. Forrest Gump (1994)***
76. All the President’s Men (1976)
77. Modern Times (1936)
78. Wild Bunch, The (1969)++
79. Apartment, The (1960)
80. Spartacus (1960)*
81. Sunrise (1927)
82. Titanic (1997)*
83. Easy Rider (1969)
84. Night at the Opera, A (1935)
85. Platoon (1986)*
86. 12 Angry Men (1957)*
87. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
88. Sixth Sense, The (1999)*
89. Swing Time (1936)
90. Sophie’s Choice (1982)++
91. Goodfellas (1990)++
92. French Connection, The (1971)
93. Pulp Fiction (1994)*
94. Last Picture Show, The (1971)
95. Do the Right Thing (1989)*
96. Blade Runner (1982)*
97. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
98. Toy Story (1995)***
99. Ben-Hur (1959)*
100. Easy Rider (1969)

I've seen a lot of them, but there are many I need to catch up with.  Thank goodness for Netflix.  Play along if you'd like!

"Oh, I'm detecting nuttiness alright!"

It was so hot here on the 4th, that we went to the movies.  We saw Ratatouille.  RM and I thought it was a fun film, but the kids got bored, so we left about 15 minutes from the end.  We'll have to rent it when it comes out on DVD.  I'm interested in how it ended.  I suppose our kids aren't ready for a movie in the theater yet, and at the crazy exorbitant prices, it's fine by me that we don't go back for a while.  It would also be a good idea to wait until PQL becomes a bit more practiced with the potty training.  She didn't have an accident, but I was in the bathroom 3 times in 90 minutes with her.

Although the movie didn't pan out like I had hoped, I did get one really big project done.  I updated my etsy shop!  Along with the totes, pendants, bracelets, and stitch markers I already have listed, I listed 6 more small project bags (3 of which are made from repurposed kitchen towels), and 5 pairs of earrings.  I had a lot of fun with the earrings.  I can see myself making many, many more.  Through July, all orders will receive a complimentary stitch marker or zipper pull, so come on by and check out the wares!

I also finished up my sockpal's Summer Solstice socks!  I think they came out really well.  I like using the Seacoast Handpaint Panda yarn.  The bamboo lends a sheen to the wool yarn that is really nice.  Also the Jewel colorway is just gorgeous.  Only a little bit of pooling happened  right at the heel turn and begining of the gusset.  The pattern, Summer Solstice from the Sock Calendar, is easy to memorize and looks really nice with the variegated yarn.  I hope my pal will be pleased.   

The end of the school year is just

Crazy!!!  I am beyond tired, and still have a week and half before I get a break.  It's a break of sorts, since the kids will be home full time after that.  Eek!  I've been thinking over a variety of things that I want to share, but there's really no central thread, so here it is, in handy bullet form.

• RM thanks everyone for the lovely birthday wishes.  He really did have a good birthday, and is already using the gift the kids and I got for him, a brand new coffee maker.  He's excited because it has a self-timer, and is bigger.  The simple things, I tell you.
• Keep the contest entries rolling in.  I'm enjoying browsing all the talented indie craftspeople out there!  I'm still accepting entries through next Wednesday.  Leave a comment on the official contest post, two posts below this one, or email your suggestions to craftylilly AT gmail DOT com.
• I've started or gathered everything together to start three new knitting projects.  I'm about halfway down the leg of my sockpal's first sock, and I have things all ready to start my kids' Bobbie bears, and my Swallowtail shawl.  Now just to find the time to get going on them.
• I haven't done a shop update in some time, and am working on some bags, beaded jewelry and some handspun for that.  I'm thinking it's going to be another week or so before everything's ready for that.
• RM and I rewatched Raiders of the Lost Ark last weekend for Fiberflix.  I had forgotten what a good movie that really is, and how well it stands up even today.  Karen Allen, one of the stars, also knits so that made it fun, even though she doesn't knit at all in the movie.

Now, excuse me while I go pass out on my couch for a bit, and try to knit a little.  I hope to have a longer, more fun and coherent post this weekend.

Just look what bloomed!

My Bloomin' Socks arrived in the mail yesterday and just look at all the sock and knitterly goodness!  Phoebe knit me the most lovely socks.  She used the Rock the Stars pattern from one of the Scout's Indie Swag packages and paired it with the most lovely, soft yarn from Black Bunny Fibers.  The fit is perfect and are so comfy.  Look at all the other goodies as well!  In the package she sent a lovely and sweet smelling soap, gummy worms, Werther's Original candies, some jam, notecards, fun bath scrubbies for the kidlets, and a mention of something to come that wasn't ready yet when she sent the package.  I feel so spoiled!  Thanks Phoebe!

Speaking of swaps, my Bloomin' Socks pal Mia received her package too.  I'm glad she likes the Bittersweet Dublin Bays.  She's off to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival.  I'm so envious...

I've also started my Hogwart's pal socks.  I'm using Sunshine Yarns.  I snatched up a double skein of Gryffindor sock yarn from Dani last year.  She dyed the large skein the deep maroon, and a smaller skein the yellow.  I thought about a simple striped sock, but then I saw the lovely mosaic pattern in Sensational Knitted Socks.  I'm using the "maze" pattern.  It brings to mind the Triwizard Tournament in the Goblet of Fire for me.

And in still more swap news, if you haven't signed up for the Knitflix Summer Blockbuster Swap, now is the time!  Sign-ups will end on May 11, so if you're interested drop me an email at craftylilly AT gmail DOT com.  Tell me if you have a blog, and what country you live in.  So far we have about 13 swappers and there's plenty room for more.  Scroll down a few posts for all the information on the swap.

Speaking about movies, RM and I are still plugging away at seeing as many Oscar nominated and winning movies from last year.  We both really enjoyed The Last King of Scotland.  Forest Whitaker is amazing and well deserved his Oscar.  I also saw Notes on a Scandal and really enjoyed it.  Dame Judi Dench can play one disturbed individual.

"Lady Luck, Chance, Randomness"

Yep, I've got a whole bunch of random along with a shop update today.  First the update, I've added my "snake" bracelets to my shop.  I have three up.  I'm so in love with the green one, I'm thinking I'm going to need to make another one for me.  If you are looking to treat yourself or someone special, just let me know!  I can make any of these designs in custom colors too.

I realized today, that I haven't talked about movies in quite some time.  RM and I have been watching many more movies lately.  We had gone a couple of months without watching many movies, mostly because I got addicted to some podcasts, and he was addicted Rainbow Six, Las Vegas on the Xbox.  We have made up for it though.  Here's a rundown with some short thoughts:

Babel:  Decent movie.  I'm not quite sure why this was up for best picture.  I'm glad it didn't win as I think The Departed was much better.  All in all, I was most interested in the Japanese girl's story.  Many people comment on how depressing this movie is, but I think 21 grams (Babel's director's previous film) was much more depressing.

The Good Shepherd:  I really enjoyed this movie.  Matt Damon gives a very good understated performance, and I thought many of the actors did really great work, William Hurt in particular.  The story, about the beginning of the CIA, is an interesting one.  Although there are some slow parts, I liked it.

Science of Sleep:  This is a very quirky film, but kind of fun too.  Gael Garcia Bernal (so cute) plays a man who comes to France for a job.  He lives a lot in his dreams and has trouble discerning the different.  He falls in love with his artist neighbor, and struggles to find love and his way in life in his dreams and in life.  If you like slightly strange and quirky, then this movie may be for you.

Ok, knitting news.  My knitting life has been quite quiet lately.  Between beading, spinning, and making sewing plans, I've been keeping my knitting simple and comforting.  I'm knitting a dishcloth.  I really like this bright blue colorway.  I'm using a ripple stitch pattern from a dishcloth pamphlet.  I'm also working steadily on my Endpaper mitts.  I'm working up the palm of the second one right now.  Once I'm done with the Mitts, then I'm casting on for my Hogwarts pal.  I'm also going to cast on for either the Ella shawl, or Bonne Marie's new pattern, Nicole.  I guess we'll see what I feel like doing when I get to it.  This is the first time in my knitting life when I've really not been driven to knit something, but am just working on projects that just feel "right."  It's kind of freeing.  It's almost as if my crafting drive has been diverted to my beadwork for the shop, and that's ok with me.

At the Movies

I haven't done a meme in a while, and I saw an interesting one over at Kim's and thought I'd play along. 

1)  Name a movie you've seen more than 10 times.  Well, I've seen a few movies more than 10 times.  A favorite of RM and mine is Jaws.  We've easily seen this movie more than 10 times.  Not only is Jaws a truly scary movie, it's well crafted as well.  One of my favorite scenes is when Brody, Quint, and Hooper are trading stories about their scars, and we learn why Quint is so obsessed with catching sharks.

2)  Name a movie you've seen multiple times in the theater.  Again, I've done this a few times before the children.  The last movie I saw more than once in the theater was Gladiator. 

3)  Name an actor who would make you more inclined to see a movie.  Johnny Depp.  He's easy on the eyes, and a great actor.  Even if I don't like the movie, I usually enjoy  his performance.

4)  Name an actor who would make you less likely to see a movie.  I'm not a Cameron Diaz fan.   

5)  Name a movie you can and do quote from.  RM and I quote from a lot of movies.  I quote a lot from Army of Darkness, a cult classic.  "It's a trick.  Get an ax."   

6)  Name a movie musical to which you know all the lyrics.  Grease. 

7)  Name a movie you've been known to sing along with.  Other than Grease?  Moulin Rouge.

8)  Name a movie you would recommend everyone see.  Now, I can go a couple of different directions here.  There's the classic movie that I think everyone should see.  In this case, I'll go any of my favorite Hitchcock movies:  Vertigo, Rear Window, or Psycho.  To be truthful, I've yet to see a Hitchcock movie I can't find merit in, but these are three of his most well known.  One could also read this question as what is a little known movie that I recommend everyone see.  Well, I'm a firm believer that people should see more foreign films, so I'll recommend some I've liked:  A Very Long Engagement, The Chorus, Hero, Ran, Farewell my Concubine, La Femme Nikita.

9)  Name a movie you own.  We own a lot of movies.  I went over to our movie collection and the first movie I saw was The Gift.

10)  Name an actor who launched his/her career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.  Hmm.  Well, I was impressed by Meatloaf's performance in Fight Club.

11)  Have you ever seen a movie at a drive-in?  If so what?  Yes, I've seen movies at the drive-in.  The most memorable experience was when my parents took me to a double feature of Predator and Aliens.  I was 13.  I enjoyed the experience.  It was the first experience with scary movies that I wasn't scared but rather interested and could see the make believe nature of it.  The scene with the blue lady in the web still gets me. 

12)  Ever made out at a movie?  At a theater?  No. 

13)  Name a movie you've been meaning to see but just haven't gotten around to yet.  Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai.  RM has seen it, but I still need to.

14)  Ever walked out of a movie? Yes.

15)  Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.  The Joy Luck Club.  I went with my friend and her sister and we forgot to bring tissues.  It was an ugly sight.

16)  Popcorn?  Sometimes, but I'm more of a gummy bear kind of girl.

17)  How often do you go to the movie theater?  Well, we used to go all the time, but since the children it's been very rare.

18)  What's the last movie you saw in the theater?  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkahban. 

19)  What's your favorite/preferred genre?  I like them all.  Seriously, I do.  I'll watch any genre.

20)  What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?  Actually the first movie ever was at a drive-in.  My parents took me along to see Star Wars.  I got bored and watched the movie the next screen over, Swamp Thing.  A toddler has no taste. 

21)  What movie do you wish you had never seen?  Requiem for a Dream.  Good movie, desperately depressing.  The last 15 minutes of this movie are so devastating.

22)  What is the wierdest movie you enjoyed?  Mulholland Drive directed by David Lynch.  If you've ever seen a Lynch film, you know what I'm talking about.

23)  What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?  I found Silence of the Lambs to be a scary movie.  I loved it.  I've got Manhunter in the Netflix queue.  It'll be interesting to see Brian Cox's version of Hannibal Lector.

24) What's the funniest movie you've ever seen?  Blazing Saddles.  I love the toll booth in the middle of the desert.

*All the pictures in this post are the movie posters and movies that we own.  We love the movies!