Saturday, June 21, 2014

Tiny Dragons - The 33rd Batch

As promised in the previous post, here's batch 33 of tiny dragons. I definitely seem to be on a tiny dragon spree again at the moment, for number 34 is already in the works. Funny how some nice yarn in new colours can inspire you.

From left to right:

#161. Elena - sand and pale green
#162. Karina - bright teal and teal
#163. Shamrock - lime green and deep green
#164. Caleb - sky blue and cobalt blue
#165. Seymour - light purple and lavender

Here's how it works: Every now and then I make a batch of 5 dragons. Each dragon has a unique set of colours and they get a signed hatching certificate with their name, number and date.

When they're ready to list, I post an introduction on this blog like the one above. During the following few days, I'll list them in numerical order in my Etsy shop. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Tiny Dragons - The 32nd Batch

Well, it's certainly been a while and it was definitely fun to return to these little guys again. Batch 32 is in fact the first batch of tiny dragons for the year 2014. I'm already working on another one, so there will be more soon!

From left to right:

#156. custom - indigo & violet (sold, not pictured)
#157. Peach - peach and antique pink
#158. Avery - bright turquoise and bright green
#159. Elias - pale blue and light indigo
#160. Morley - pale yellow and brown

Here's how it works: Every now and then I make a batch of 5 dragons. Each dragon has a unique set of colours and they get a signed hatching certificate with their name, number and date.

When they're ready to list, I post an introduction on this blog like the one above. During the following few days, I'll list them in numerical order in my Etsy shop. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Planning plants

I injured my back a couple of months ago, making me more or less immobile for several weeks. Unfortunately this happened at the time when I should've started planting seeds for the summer's plants, so I missed the opportunity to grow my own seedlings.

Spring Cactus by Morrgan
At least we can enjoy pretty flowers indoors, like this spring cactus.

Thus there's nothing new and exciting on the balcony yet, but I plan to remedy that soon! Sellers at the market already have all sorts of pretty things for sale. I just need to decide on a colour scheme for the year. I'm leaning towards mostly large red flowers this summer, with a few small-flowered white ones for contrast. What do you think?

While I decide, I can enjoy and nurture the little bit of green that's already present on the balcony. The perennials have survived another winter and are waking up. Won't be long before they cover that whole corner!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

The Illusion of Life

This week I have spent quite a bit of time planning my second year at uni. There's the obligatory courses of course, but also room for a few optional ones. There's only one more Italian course left that I can take next year, alas, so I've been going through the other options.

After much pondering I have decided on a couple of courses in visual studies, which ought to add an interesting mix of biology, psychology, visual communication and design to my studies. Sounds like it'll be right up my alley and will provide a nice break from the usual computers and maths. Should be fun!

With perfect timing regarding visual studies, Mr Morrgan showed me a neat little video this morning. It explains the principles of animation with the aid of a charming cube, of all things. Take a look!

The illusion of life from cento lodigiani on Vimeo.

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

I <3 Red Velvet Mug Cakes

Just so you know...

...those red velvet mug cakes were awesome.

I steamed the beetroots myself and used raw sugar instead of sweetener. The cakes were then baked in the oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 30 mins and they turned out oh so moist. For a final decadent touch, twice the amount of cream cheese icing was made and applied liberally.

The end result was just incredibly good. I'll admit there was a slight hesitation for the first bite or two (beetroot? in my cake?), but each bite just kept getting better and better until both Mr Morrgan and I were completely sold.

Try them! You'll be happy you did!

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Happy May 1st!

Hooray, it's the 1st of May! The day of picnics in the spring sun and the first ice cream of the year!

...or not. After a pleasant and sunny +20C/68F last weekend, this morning greeted us with a freaking snowstorm, which in the afternoon turned into delightful slush rain. No picnic or outdoors ice cream for us, methinks.

We had already made nice picnic food plans, though, and it would be a shame to let all those go to waste. We'll just have to make do with an indoors picnic instead!

Our May 1st treat: gluten-free Red Velvet Mug Cakes, just before going into the oven. Once they come out, they'll be slathered with cream cheese icing.

Our special treat this year are the red velvet mug cakes pictured above, of course as a Morrgan-safe i.e. gluten-free version. These are currently in the oven and some pretty delightful scents are beginning to waft over, so I predict a fine May 1st afternoon despite the weather.

Have a good one, all!

The mug cake recipe can be found here, check it out!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Introducing Nikodemus Plesiosaur and Angelica Apatosaurus

An Apatosaurus and a Plesiosaur—unlikely friends? Oh, I don’t know about that. Sure, one lives on land and the other in the ocean, but they nonetheless have much in common. For example, it’s easy to imagine these two having many thorough discus sions on the joys and issues of having a very long neck.

Say hello to the latest new additions to the Morrgan's Creatures family: Angelica Apatosaurus and Nikodemus Plesiosaur!

I've made both plesiosaurs and apatosaurs like this before, but never got around to writing them down in pattern form before. Well, that's fixed now!

These two are knitted in the round and they partially share the same pattern - they only differ in the shape of their limbs. These dinos are very simple and quick to make; especially the apatosaurus makes a fine project for a beginner.

Angelica and Nikodemus are available as a knitting pattern via Ravelry (or click here to buy now - no Ravelry account needed), Craftsy and from my Etsy shop.

Want to see more creature introductions?

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

New in March: Knotwork Slippers in Pistachio Green and Ivory White

Busy, busy February is over! While my studies will be a bit easier for the next few weeks, other unexpected things have popped up, keeping my life a little too hectic for my liking, still... Fortunately, I have had enough time to prepare a few new things for the shop! With fresh new photos taken today, let me show you the two new colours available for slippers.

Mmm, an absolutely delicious pistachio green. I might have to make a pair for myself in this colour.

Oh so pretty in ivory white. Why haven't I made white slippers before? White ones are just so stylish. =)

These slippers are only available from my Etsy shop, along with many other colours! The white ones are already listed and the green ones will available be soon.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

I do still have fish, by the way

I realized it's been AGES since I posted anything to do with my fishies. This was probably the last post and that's over four years ago! Whoops!

Well, first of all, the big tank is still around! Here's how it looks nowadays:

Many of the fish from the old post are still around, but one major change is that the tank is now also home to a trio of kissing gouramis, two natural green ones and one pink piggy. The green ones arrived not long after the previous post, so they're about 4 years old now, but the pink one is a bit younger with a mere 3 years.

This is Alpha Lips, also known as Känkkäränkkä or Känkkis among friends, showing off his impressive lips. As the name suggests, he (or she?) is the boss of the group and of the whole upper half of the tank. This guy is incredibly curious about his surroundings, as are the other two kissies. When I walk past the tank in the morning, Känkkis is always there in the nearest corner to say good morning. When we have guests over he can barely contain himself from all the exitement. If he were a dog he'd be the kind that jumps all over everyone. People! Yay!

You'll recognize Fishmeat the red-finned shark from the old post, he's about 5 years old now and still as handsome as ever. This is Känkkis' nemesis, and Känkkis is Fishmeat's. They have a kind of truce going on, where Känkkis rules the upper half, while the bottom is Fishmeat's kingdom. Here they're both at the border of their respective domains, hence the reasonably peaceful picture.

Here's Mr Kissington on the right, the other green kissing gourami. Along with Känkkis of course, who is too curious about what's going on to stay out of the photos.

He doesn't get to visit the bottom of the tank much though, Fishmeat makes sure of that! Hence this is the only Känkkis-free photo in this set. These guys, posing so nicely in a row for me, are three of my horseface loaches (I'm sure you can see where they get the name). The big one in the back was in the previous set of photos too, he's the the oldest at more than 7 years and is nearing 15 cm (6 inches) in length. The two little ones I got 4 years ago. Quite a size difference!

So here we have a few old faces and a few new ones. There's a bunch more fish in the tank I can introduce to you, but let's save some for another time!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

February so far: Busy times, dull weather... Mostly.

My my, what a trying month so far. Piles upon piles of homework threaten to drown me and the grey slush pouring from the heavens seems to have the same plan in mind.

The only way to get through it is to try harder to find joy in the little things. The other day I was walking home from uni, feeling tired and hungry, feeling like I'd already had enough of the day. Then I looked up and noticed this view.

There's something magical about lights in the mist, isn't there? Something mysterious and fairytale-like?

After seeing this view and pausing to let my thoughts get lost in the mist for a moment, the day didn't seem so bad anymore.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Introducing Hektor the Tyrannosaurus

Tyrannosaurs may have a fearsome reputation, but little baby T-rexes like Hektor are actually very sweet. Much like an eager but adorably clumsy puppy, who stumbles over his own slightly too big feet in his excitement.

Say hello to Hektor, better know as Mr. T among friends and family!

I may have mentioned my notebook before. It's got everything from hastily scribbled notes and little drawings of ideas to the first pattern versions I write by hand as I create my creatures and other designs. One of the earliest idea notes, which I jotted down many years ago, reads (translated from Swedish): "T-rex (red with big feet) Hector".

Well, this guy may be a handsome plum purple instead of red, but he did end up with the big feet! It was one of those ideas that are almost complete in my head, but some vital bit is missing - in Hektor's case, the head. I knew I wanted a cute little baby Tyrannosaurus with huge feet, but the design of the head kept eluding me. That's probably why it took me so long to get around to realizing this idea.

Even now the head was the last thing I did. In the end I gave up trying to come up with a design first and just started knitting. Surprisingly enough, the first version I made ended up being perfect! Sometimes my fingers have a better idea of what to do than my brain, it seems.

Hektor is available as a knitting pattern via Ravelry (or click here to buy now - no Ravelry account needed), Craftsy and from my Etsy shop.

Want to see more creature introductions?

Monday, January 13, 2014

The snow is here!

I was beginning to think it wouldn't happen, but for once I'm glad I was wrong.

Finally, there's snow!

Photo by Mr Morrgan

Just look at all that white stuff on the ground! Hooray!

Photo by Mr Morrgan

It's actually genuinely cold! Cold enough for me to finally need to wear my Totoro mittens!

Photo by Mr Morrgan

Oh happy day!

(I will no doubt be thoroughly sick of the cold in about a week or so, but hey, best enjoy the excitement while it lasts! Complete with excessive use of exclamation marks!)

Sunday, January 05, 2014

Happy New Year 2014!

Goodbye to good old 2013 and welcome to new and shiny 2014!

Last year was in many ways an exciting and eventful year. Here's a few of the highlights:

  • In March, I got tired of being a sad weakling and started going to the gym, with the simple goal of getting stronger. At the end of December, after a little over 9 months of training at the gym, 2 times a week on average, I was able to deadlift 1.5x my own weight. I call that a goal achieved. B)
  • In May, I got to experience my first ever case of pneumonia, although a mild one. It sucked. Muchly.
  • In August, I returned to university for another few years of study. I may be 10 years older than most others, but that's not a problem. This second time around I know how it works from the start, so my studies are going very well as I now know how to combine studying with the fun stuff. ;)
  • In September, I started learning Italian and it's awesome. Buon giorno, i miei amici! Come va?
  • In October, I had progressed far enough in the programming classes (which are part of my studies) to be able to program my own little text adventure in Python. Oh, what a proud moment!

Aaaand basically none of this showed up on the blog at the time. Oops. Truthfully, it was a sad and pathetic year blogging-wise, but I aim to change that this year. Honest!

A picture from spring 2013 as there are no lovely snow-covered vistas for us this year. It's been an unusually warm winter, we've hardly gotten a glimpse of snow at all. There goes my ambitious skiing plans (i.e. trying skiing again for the first time in about 8 years).

In fact, here's a little list of some things I plan to do this year:

  • Make a few changes to my Etsy shop, including changing the currency to Euros (already done) and thanks to that change, being able to accept Etsy Gift Cards (also already done, hint hint).
  • I'm working on a bunch of new patterns that I plan to release one at a time over the year. The first one should be ready for release in January, if all goes well!
  • Being able to deadlift 2x my own weight. B)
  • Blog more.
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