tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357675812024-03-08T04:38:56.458+02:00Morrgan's CreaturesWelcome to Morrgan's Creatures, a place on the net where I show off handmade creatures and creations of my own design.Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-17480246357589812122015-07-21T16:02:00.000+03:002015-07-21T16:02:10.594+03:00Tiny Dragons - The 34th Batch<p>Phew, it's been a while, hasn't it? The poor little dragons of the 34th batch have been waiting half an age to get their photos taken and revealed to you guys. Let's hope the next one will be ready to show a little sooner than this!</p>
<p>(There are only four shown, because number 170 has already flown to a new home.)</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NRPvs-1KOsYSQDaHN1F4-md8cg4Bag1IW9ZvUK3UhBGyTskVEMTpgpnMLDWxWswmiYmpixMvNBO6a-FGiarsoz6POUeYV8I1UqMvZoT_F1bn5q_GlDVe_x5kh8gCUfjnDOFI/s400/dragons_batch34.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>From left to right:</p>
<p>
#166. <b>Jocelyn</b> - mint and bright teal<br />
#167. <b>Nikolai</b> - pale green and lime green<br />
#168. <b>Neville</b> - bright turquoise and cobalt blue<br />
#169. <b>Imogen</b> - lavender and violet<br />
#170. custom - black (sold, not pictured)
</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">Etsy shop</a>. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-13546089519177562602014-06-21T18:23:00.000+03:002014-06-21T18:23:00.057+03:00Tiny Dragons - The 33rd Batch<p>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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1guXdgf6T48NRzXye1c7W_nMI-JjPC15lvgF62Vy6ERc7hlSH4ahvoCGmSUMFqYGfB8vaUP-64MZhTRVIf3LdfcV-SqOoV_wjn1QUxOAdV8xRZxe7wKLANAF4g_NlQPfv4LZ/s400/dragons_batch33.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>From left to right:</p>
<p>
#161. <b>Elena</b> - sand and pale green<br />
#162. <b>Karina</b> - bright teal and teal<br />
#163. <b>Shamrock</b> - lime green and deep green<br />
#164. <b>Caleb</b> - sky blue and cobalt blue<br />
#165. <b>Seymour</b> - light purple and lavender<br />
</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">Etsy shop</a>. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-20277755354796832542014-06-12T18:41:00.002+03:002014-06-12T18:41:40.264+03:00Tiny Dragons - The 32nd Batch<p>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!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3XVBDV8Sp9Ifvo8TiSPR8xaFRx7HgzXP6OZkOCM1qnJTREZZFQNq3VMzr0Zqa1FLG5QEdxaXsuufJWaVa17oIjZnxG0F9R1_nWPq96peQi2ZDFoBVbYBV3gY3Mw6kfP-JXsk/s400/dragons_batch32.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>From left to right:</p>
<p>
#156. custom - indigo & violet (sold, not pictured)<br />
#157. <b>Peach</b> - peach and antique pink<br />
#158. <b>Avery</b> - bright turquoise and bright green<br />
#159. <b>Elias</b> - pale blue and light indigo<br />
#160. <b>Morley</b> - pale yellow and brown<br />
</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">Etsy shop</a>. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-71845597196277831912014-05-21T21:53:00.000+03:002014-05-21T21:53:18.675+03:00Planning plants<p>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.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CoCLonnjYqyTXphFzM5JGFnBUWwBsUGW75dxlAbhRDdjF8x2Y4yQzIUg24B2B4KSB7TuTmVuymjzCox6uYA5_kKH-c3kb1LtiQbaZc2aX73KAepXyW0V7uNanHbjS7bNsWPF/s1600/spring_cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Spring Cactus by Morrgan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CoCLonnjYqyTXphFzM5JGFnBUWwBsUGW75dxlAbhRDdjF8x2Y4yQzIUg24B2B4KSB7TuTmVuymjzCox6uYA5_kKH-c3kb1LtiQbaZc2aX73KAepXyW0V7uNanHbjS7bNsWPF/s400/spring_cactus.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least we can enjoy pretty flowers indoors, like this spring cactus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>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?</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBhlnTrXsBd23giZXQURScRysu86UOIL9nmC1bZoKz1y52wbJkPY-DbtHrpsL4u2kArEvn90PeFMwbUa5J8FTv-nrPkwKuul-l-YLicNO71zypuFbu5igrigld3S_V6kwgoCU/s1600/balcony_2014_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBhlnTrXsBd23giZXQURScRysu86UOIL9nmC1bZoKz1y52wbJkPY-DbtHrpsL4u2kArEvn90PeFMwbUa5J8FTv-nrPkwKuul-l-YLicNO71zypuFbu5igrigld3S_V6kwgoCU/s400/balcony_2014_05.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-57098778775023532072014-05-10T18:10:00.000+03:002014-05-10T18:10:37.336+03:00The Illusion of Life<p>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.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/93206523" width="400" height="158" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/93206523">The illusion of life</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/centodesign">cento lodigiani</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-78963299377825585422014-05-06T20:18:00.000+03:002014-05-06T20:18:57.031+03:00I <3 Red Velvet Mug Cakes<p>Just so you know...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EjOxybvYO1_yCFuyIks_9SdNApwa_xhKPVMZ4sEzZSEK76q6FRZ_TG6DtoXHaRB1bJGa24UAjKOfw_Lt0bnuPCIjlyLuOX84ohIctdXtIuIL7OC9WHYKIlQuOWu64iF0fz4k/s1600/mug_cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EjOxybvYO1_yCFuyIks_9SdNApwa_xhKPVMZ4sEzZSEK76q6FRZ_TG6DtoXHaRB1bJGa24UAjKOfw_Lt0bnuPCIjlyLuOX84ohIctdXtIuIL7OC9WHYKIlQuOWu64iF0fz4k/s400/mug_cakes.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>...those <a href="http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2014/02/red-velvet-mug-cakes-low-carb-and-gluten-free.html">red velvet mug cakes</a> were <i>awesome</i>.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The end result was just <i>incredibly</i> good. I'll admit there was a slight hesitation for the first bite or two (beetroot? in my <i>cake</i>?), but each bite just kept getting better and better until both Mr Morrgan and I were completely sold.</p>
<p>Try them! You'll be happy you did!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-55705109708623836402014-05-01T16:32:00.000+03:002014-05-01T16:33:19.470+03:00Happy May 1st!<p>Hooray, it's the 1st of May! The day of picnics in the spring sun and the first ice cream of the year!</p>
<p>...or not. After a pleasant and sunny +20C/68F last weekend, this morning greeted us with a <i>freaking snowstorm</i>, which in the afternoon turned into delightful slush rain. No picnic or outdoors ice cream for us, methinks.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTNZomg9kQLxAGKtFMzqs0f2uIbUwKIaRtrfbMmn3mzonbIQ1uuDTzyI6TynaFnu5Unp-vmHd27njCqnrqE9EtcG0t3oajAys0KnU2dA-QxPLXXrjs8fVtUUnRZ3uEg693_Do/s1600/beetroot_mug_cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTNZomg9kQLxAGKtFMzqs0f2uIbUwKIaRtrfbMmn3mzonbIQ1uuDTzyI6TynaFnu5Unp-vmHd27njCqnrqE9EtcG0t3oajAys0KnU2dA-QxPLXXrjs8fVtUUnRZ3uEg693_Do/s400/beetroot_mug_cakes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Have a good one, all!</p>
<p>The mug cake recipe can be found <a href="http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2014/02/red-velvet-mug-cakes-low-carb-and-gluten-free.html">here</a>, check it out!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-65329056635145756432014-03-18T20:27:00.000+02:002014-03-18T21:03:41.725+02:00Introducing Nikodemus Plesiosaur and Angelica Apatosaurus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/183114259/" imageanchor="1" alt="a knitted plesiosaur called Nikodemus and an apatosaurus or brontosaurus or diplodocus called Angelica by Morrgan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP-63sap2npfC8q-3dKPVt_Ex7r3yWd3TRvb_IEIq6BvCNQScd2p1gm1KW6vvNCBeqjFPqJx4CargWhpkAu5qvhfKsCCCsXeBK0zZeKp_lS_jfdbjImtUUok62Y1-gGpYs7vw/s400/niko_ange_main.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><i>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.</i></p>
<p>Say hello to the latest new additions to the Morrgan's Creatures family: Angelica Apatosaurus and Nikodemus Plesiosaur!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/183114259/" imageanchor="1" alt="a knitted plesiosaur called Nikodemus and an apatosaurus or brontosaurus or diplodocus called Angelica by Morrgan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7wL2cfAPZbdGl_9WKJMYisfZ5EX92ps1w5lsV7g8ldZNtqZlYIN5eGibo5DV5AK6fanIdStFzps4xazJpYPARQK9dAnHGzbd53eH3-aqFBzMHVV6cLLDWCfJ6jiREIouXDFc/s400/niko_ange_front.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><i>Angelica and Nikodemus are available as a knitting pattern via <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nikodemus-plesiosaur-and-angelica-apatosaurus">Ravelry</a> (or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/maria-strom-bestor-designs/203509">click here to buy now</a> - no Ravelry account needed), <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/toy/plesiosaur--apatosaurus/89957">Craftsy</a> and from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/183114259/">Etsy</a> shop.<br /><br />Want to see more <a href="http://morrganscreatures.blogspot.com/search/label/Creature%20introductions">creature introductions</a>?</i></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/183114259/" imageanchor="1" alt="a knitted plesiosaur called Nikodemus and an apatosaurus or brontosaurus or diplodocus called Angelica by Morrgan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm88LmpjENdN8dvy8O3FxCj25pSaTdbkbrhG8T7IGCXB-71hbN-c1FcfY4UoM1JvOoM70cBrQOQjkw0Tu5NK6nWCM-yrK1la8q73ZOaykhUmLse61zrCRDilTTf8GCJPsE1AW/s400/niko_ange_front2.jpg" /></a></div>
Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-72425633705392752822014-03-11T21:40:00.000+02:002014-03-11T21:40:27.574+02:00New in March: Knotwork Slippers in Pistachio Green and Ivory White<p>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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7001804" imageanchor="1" alt="hand knitted pistachio green knotwork slippers by Morrgan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf7EKTuItTr8Yy7d09_vLVMfM-VN6qhaq8SKpxcUtTdFMuHs2ilNHhQ6l3j8RtuhKti60AP_NMy_iGgeG0OqvqvBZi0NG-_jTceLes3TExS5VAfGW1rZOyicGLFGiz27jVoMl/s400/slippers_pistachiogreen14_011.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Mmm, an absolutely delicious pistachio green. I might have to make a pair for myself in this colour.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7001804" imageanchor="1" alt="hand knitted ivory white knotwork slippers by Morrgan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZYVFN8eTPE4ND157K-K-0dIt4zJiooZomt8WGGPW0hoHfEPEy3ftKcC8Z2rL-dLAmL__PANNV5TD_XzmZUuT_l6USJhSeCYpnDplG04QKWHaqmt8tSzi3iAA342yFNS7u30C/s400/slippers_white14_013.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Oh so pretty in ivory white. Why haven't I made white slippers before? White ones are just so stylish. =)</p>
<p>These slippers are only available from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7001804">my Etsy shop</a>, along with many other colours! The white ones are already listed and the green ones will available be soon.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-59658503279726335932014-02-25T22:41:00.000+02:002014-02-25T22:54:43.630+02:00I do still have fish, by the way<p>I realized it's been AGES since I posted anything to do with my fishies. <a href="http://morrganscreatures.blogspot.fi/2009/10/fishy-project-at-3-months.html">This was probably the last post</a> and that's over four years ago! Whoops!</p>
<p>Well, first of all, the big tank <i>is</i> still around! Here's how it looks nowadays:</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LUBA4W48EPx5rofkAz-4QwqTTbO3dJlfe5cWS7qRa9iZFr0OiaJS8-eVg0Zh2NS3DyAQiZYHYunT9kDWQSikVBl10qDL-xLDIbGBgGhvi-BDjZcpsL_wIOyaLzNOqK1q8YG6/s1600/iso_2014-02-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LUBA4W48EPx5rofkAz-4QwqTTbO3dJlfe5cWS7qRa9iZFr0OiaJS8-eVg0Zh2NS3DyAQiZYHYunT9kDWQSikVBl10qDL-xLDIbGBgGhvi-BDjZcpsL_wIOyaLzNOqK1q8YG6/s400/iso_2014-02-23.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissing_gourami">kissing gouramis</a>, 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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo_376qR72SNbbRWgaVeUYjLtcfl2HFnM6mxsAvLlJ4pG9tGRWvfxYOjcx8z0wW86bPPO99wB8eVWD8M5GBJxqDB7Hx3K4q8FQ8hG57nYROPQD4dVDlZ-b7-K7tySYg8nlVW-/s1600/2014_02_alphalips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo_376qR72SNbbRWgaVeUYjLtcfl2HFnM6mxsAvLlJ4pG9tGRWvfxYOjcx8z0wW86bPPO99wB8eVWD8M5GBJxqDB7Hx3K4q8FQ8hG57nYROPQD4dVDlZ-b7-K7tySYg8nlVW-/s400/2014_02_alphalips.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>This is Alpha Lips, also known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A4nkk%C3%A4r%C3%A4nkk%C3%A4">Känkkäränkkä</a> 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!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZA9crB-JyDXsKgwIU3E0Bl5FKeDjlvvjy-h-3Ei3POOSYbArej7LPK4xHIdxTWqeL5OM_N67F3FyC0LPeGSYuN5RqjRLmNQ6DCFGK_fokdmAWIrpI7TaYx2NZ4LNWcugLd2h/s1600/2014_02_alphalips_fishmeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZA9crB-JyDXsKgwIU3E0Bl5FKeDjlvvjy-h-3Ei3POOSYbArej7LPK4xHIdxTWqeL5OM_N67F3FyC0LPeGSYuN5RqjRLmNQ6DCFGK_fokdmAWIrpI7TaYx2NZ4LNWcugLd2h/s400/2014_02_alphalips_fishmeat.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>You'll recognize Fishmeat the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-finned_shark">red-finned shark</a> 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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp-zm8UGG1l5wyO79PfJ8sFrVsKozPtanlcjvIIy84cHnYgC0FpB17fF-599clZLEWNG3DwV2hJN8poRN5wiu7ctlbnGWIDR8xYSWVjZawkU7LlmHClG49yEGpqO1y_jBWnwe/s1600/2014_02_alphalips_kissington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp-zm8UGG1l5wyO79PfJ8sFrVsKozPtanlcjvIIy84cHnYgC0FpB17fF-599clZLEWNG3DwV2hJN8poRN5wiu7ctlbnGWIDR8xYSWVjZawkU7LlmHClG49yEGpqO1y_jBWnwe/s400/2014_02_alphalips_kissington.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYWsFsw0078qHVTIP_RZ9gxuCETY_k1AUBO4QpNwfuTvRvbd-89QI7pU5wu3sKCjV3FQ6oeTaXDXLrZHUNmGmRJ857PxAFroOUHZZijwydBqtadL777s1ZTZegbGiDz3m36aC/s1600/2014_02_acantopsis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYWsFsw0078qHVTIP_RZ9gxuCETY_k1AUBO4QpNwfuTvRvbd-89QI7pU5wu3sKCjV3FQ6oeTaXDXLrZHUNmGmRJ857PxAFroOUHZZijwydBqtadL777s1ZTZegbGiDz3m36aC/s400/2014_02_acantopsis.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseface_loach">horseface loaches</a> (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!</p>
<p>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!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-64959453451637910042014-02-15T18:22:00.001+02:002014-02-15T18:23:47.069+02:00February so far: Busy times, dull weather... Mostly.<p>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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcl86OABTMt0geT3ixGphTQqeAWRhpq69sF_Aevzs1uJT4xqVpiKqnRHdD8qE260566kbfhfankURSzOYOXzcU8yJlmiXH5LWEVMBU-NPmfWxH7x_YQCXaFZu-S80U_k5aYrM/s1600/aura2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcl86OABTMt0geT3ixGphTQqeAWRhpq69sF_Aevzs1uJT4xqVpiKqnRHdD8qE260566kbfhfankURSzOYOXzcU8yJlmiXH5LWEVMBU-NPmfWxH7x_YQCXaFZu-S80U_k5aYrM/s400/aura2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf8qm9Ky1XoH4NxFzfD-Rszwo1izR5pe_8YQZCkAHCpE3uH4Lvo7PXEu_l_LtKB8fuFEFHfj4VutQpg-qJTZka0w2Gm3EEOEHfwDDIHA4hGAnq9MDWHms3H3za10LjuEddfNM/s1600/aura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf8qm9Ky1XoH4NxFzfD-Rszwo1izR5pe_8YQZCkAHCpE3uH4Lvo7PXEu_l_LtKB8fuFEFHfj4VutQpg-qJTZka0w2Gm3EEOEHfwDDIHA4hGAnq9MDWHms3H3za10LjuEddfNM/s400/aura.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>There's something magical about lights in the mist, isn't there? Something mysterious and fairytale-like?</p>
<p>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.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-88929758589303117482014-01-30T20:12:00.000+02:002014-01-30T20:39:32.141+02:00Introducing Hektor the Tyrannosaurus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177668954/" imageanchor="1" alt="a sweet baby tyrannosaurus rex called Hektor" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXnYSv3N6WYKfl-fML5_QJxnc-vRNDjsIdXoeYLOKAo3CJqmzcSDKEllDeE5k2tkcunVV-lSUsGV0m0WbZAhLFZAfvt_MgdSs6RcwMKk02h4181cnCeDt4h3CamtNrnwoFitQ/s400/hektor_main.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><i>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.</i></p>
<p>Say hello to Hektor, better know as Mr. T among friends and family!</p>
<p>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".</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177668954/" imageanchor="1" alt="a sweet baby tyrannosaurus rex called Hektor" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4VH6x0VVWx_zwr9hyphenhyphenaUeShTsF9uAvP-7kWiepmlxx-4ikpzl4cZze59i2ocfw-8GsNBNH1PMKCql9K4PA8bLIKS7a2zeD7SjpouoMsmGNrvaXvXAOZsEDBim_EilaueAv2tn/s400/hektor_hand.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>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 <i>almost</i> 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><i>Hektor is available as a knitting pattern via <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hektor-the-tyrannosaurus">Ravelry</a> (or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/maria-strom-bestor-designs/195072">click here to buy now</a> - no Ravelry account needed), <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/toy/hektor-the-tyrannosaurus/84112">Craftsy</a> and from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177668954/">Etsy</a> shop.<br /><br />Want to see more <a href="http://morrganscreatures.blogspot.com/search/label/Creature%20introductions">creature introductions</a>?</i></p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-1341589717380046862014-01-13T17:51:00.000+02:002014-01-13T17:51:41.369+02:00The snow is here!<p>I was beginning to think it wouldn't happen, but for once I'm glad I was wrong.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0cojNLJJv4yzG7X8vgpCS8GSuV__F3tQW2wt9rQZAdr0DIkl_ZmKuSqZHSG6-6H4r4rPoUGs3nWRU1pTpcMood9KcvHX38hxtjn5KFFvHYtp5VedlYRs8qiLLb-GPXSuiXQ4/s1600/201401_walk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0cojNLJJv4yzG7X8vgpCS8GSuV__F3tQW2wt9rQZAdr0DIkl_ZmKuSqZHSG6-6H4r4rPoUGs3nWRU1pTpcMood9KcvHX38hxtjn5KFFvHYtp5VedlYRs8qiLLb-GPXSuiXQ4/s400/201401_walk1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Finally, there's snow!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyZMSRKSlGYhybEe6lOIZT693cAXFjs9CD_fzUtPhMcvow5Gq0Ui3_1rlm3fD1IPGOgnKl1emMwZz4W_4YLj2WYt_JIIvZsQZ_LSvtulBi9aWK8-ajpqWTyDcFNr3jjMF8enz/s1600/201401_walk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyZMSRKSlGYhybEe6lOIZT693cAXFjs9CD_fzUtPhMcvow5Gq0Ui3_1rlm3fD1IPGOgnKl1emMwZz4W_4YLj2WYt_JIIvZsQZ_LSvtulBi9aWK8-ajpqWTyDcFNr3jjMF8enz/s400/201401_walk3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Mr Morrgan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Just look at all that white stuff on the ground! Hooray!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf18nyu-Ct-boMCUMUG64iqs9aZXXsCcS6oEOiv09Q1Hnc4NbKNzKau5tCPvgob33odjN0w8QZFIbntNVvk0KX-y62CW4EdIrrZtRmdEckIVSildke9EQX7e9GSKQ2ZPsH16B6/s1600/201401_walk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf18nyu-Ct-boMCUMUG64iqs9aZXXsCcS6oEOiv09Q1Hnc4NbKNzKau5tCPvgob33odjN0w8QZFIbntNVvk0KX-y62CW4EdIrrZtRmdEckIVSildke9EQX7e9GSKQ2ZPsH16B6/s400/201401_walk4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Mr Morrgan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>It's actually genuinely <i>cold</i>! Cold enough for me to finally need to wear my <a href="http://morrganscreatures.blogspot.fi/2013/11/totoro-to-tooooo-ro.html">Totoro mittens</a>!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUquBCAvUlsMc9KkcvhBMJ3BeWYw_-bWIRifO93LkYKpRDINh2-Z7GqlI_t74qEqch8k0FFfNj7Y0jMX6u_dG9bMY_dcK_5AGcxOZLlvSZBPTKs9k5jiGwNQjaMyqb6pRfgjcT/s1600/201401_walk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUquBCAvUlsMc9KkcvhBMJ3BeWYw_-bWIRifO93LkYKpRDINh2-Z7GqlI_t74qEqch8k0FFfNj7Y0jMX6u_dG9bMY_dcK_5AGcxOZLlvSZBPTKs9k5jiGwNQjaMyqb6pRfgjcT/s400/201401_walk2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Mr Morrgan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Oh happy day!</p>
<p>(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!)</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-82106754220002957112014-01-05T17:07:00.000+02:002014-01-05T17:07:11.952+02:00Happy New Year 2014!<p>Goodbye to good old 2013 and welcome to new and shiny 2014!</p>
<p>Last year was in many ways an exciting and eventful year. Here's a few of the highlights:</p>
<ul>
<li>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)</li>
<li>In May, I got to experience my first ever case of pneumonia, although a mild one. It sucked. Muchly.</li>
<li>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. ;)</li>
<li>In September, I started learning Italian and it's awesome. Buon giorno, i miei amici! Come va?</li>
<li>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!</li>
</ul>
<p>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!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTFwppEOEv_DBeFQhRTQwalOf-FI7XNwSP-K6tyo6DaNufI2IFEkOBZHJUNgYEjk3Zuv1NJxMq6SSjJhs3Z9AGXDLJcq12qPBa1shRU_cdT3VC0vW0c2VeKCB6Jj7IBWolCix/s1600/2013week4_walk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTFwppEOEv_DBeFQhRTQwalOf-FI7XNwSP-K6tyo6DaNufI2IFEkOBZHJUNgYEjk3Zuv1NJxMq6SSjJhs3Z9AGXDLJcq12qPBa1shRU_cdT3VC0vW0c2VeKCB6Jj7IBWolCix/s400/2013week4_walk1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>In fact, here's a little list of some things I plan to do this year:</p>
<ul>
<li>Make a few changes to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan">my Etsy shop</a>, 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).</li>
<li>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!</li>
<li>Being able to deadlift 2x my own weight. B)</li>
<li>Blog more.</li>
</ul>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-12248694368194738272013-12-18T15:26:00.000+02:002013-12-18T15:33:56.668+02:00Knitting + Nerdery + Christmas = Awesome Ornaments<p>Most of November and December was spent completing orders and making Christmas gifts, but now that things have started to wind down for the year, I've had time to work on personal stuff. A friend of mine mentioned making knitted Christmas ornaments and I really liked the idea. The only problem was that the usual Christmas decor didn't seem right for Mr Morrgan and me. It didn't take long for a suitable idea to pop into my head, though. What better theme for a pair of long-time gaming nerds than old school gaming geekery!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgK2aStD9hht4R_gjUyH3ovpszwQP2XkVDNyNR3BHYXNvpj2zuAyZM1cTgU3e7soetPY1KIOGENrxVcjM_Z0HCherd8MVMNbnctY_jRtwPtFGDohJ7wmGd42eZCEtZVICIHGz/s1600/space_invader_balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Knitted Space Invaders christmas ornaments by Morrgan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgK2aStD9hht4R_gjUyH3ovpszwQP2XkVDNyNR3BHYXNvpj2zuAyZM1cTgU3e7soetPY1KIOGENrxVcjM_Z0HCherd8MVMNbnctY_jRtwPtFGDohJ7wmGd42eZCEtZVICIHGz/s400/space_invader_balls.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>The first imagery to come to mind was an old classic; the aliens from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Invaders">Space Invaders</a>. It's as if these guys were designed to dance around in a circle in ornament form. And no, I'm not quite old enough to have played this back in the day, though I have some vague memories of having played a remake at some point.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdOTAIrpqIgmEtrSiPhplxUKzakpk9RUqRka-Lysk0O_W7W0xU42sfevhg7t1MYj6W2ZEAOLwKmwCE3ex2nzHXQRzL5qlWgfLbHJtvX317EyWR1hgw1u_EYKl5IN2xv0-vbXB/s1600/knitted_cacodemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A knitted Doom 2 cacodemon called Coco by Morrgan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdOTAIrpqIgmEtrSiPhplxUKzakpk9RUqRka-Lysk0O_W7W0xU42sfevhg7t1MYj6W2ZEAOLwKmwCE3ex2nzHXQRzL5qlWgfLbHJtvX317EyWR1hgw1u_EYKl5IN2xv0-vbXB/s400/knitted_cacodemon.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Doom 2, however, I did play back when it came out. We didn't have a PC at home at the time, so I spent many, many school breaks playing it on one of the school computers. Ahh, fun times. Mr Morrgan played (and still plays) it way more than me though, and it was he who suggested I make this guy. He's called Coco the <a href="http://doomwiki.org/wiki/Cacodemon">Cacodemon</a> and he's a bit grumpy because I left out his ability to shoot lightning balls when I made him. Thought it'd be safer that way. Don't want a tree on fire for Christmas!</p>
<p>Next up will be another familiar floating face from Doom 2, the pain elemental, possibly a few of his lost soul buddies and finally a bit of D&D nerdery in the form of a Beholder. Then we'll have the most awesome tree in the neighbourhood!</p>
<p>(Note to self: need a tree.)</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-25934632613676437052013-12-15T17:51:00.000+02:002013-12-15T17:55:12.668+02:00The year 2013 is about to end - a vacation is about to start<p>Well, we're a little over a week away from Christmas. This year has gone by <i>fast</i>. There's been a lot going on around here behind the scenes, such as me going back to university for a few more years' worth of studies. That has meant a lot of new routines and schedules to work out and get used to, which in turn has left (too) little time for my knitting and other related things.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBAE1oHMF7x0LFZKJD_rkbzI6ZeJOq4KoSF4Hw4kVvSf0E1FoD5_pzFbZRLB6IWyVKiwYeOF17KI_R8SfCRmWEzrIZFmQc5yjceIP6-rJsQidnXezU3sCBAFqLvShtXCWo_ZT/s1600/turku_cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBAE1oHMF7x0LFZKJD_rkbzI6ZeJOq4KoSF4Hw4kVvSf0E1FoD5_pzFbZRLB6IWyVKiwYeOF17KI_R8SfCRmWEzrIZFmQc5yjceIP6-rJsQidnXezU3sCBAFqLvShtXCWo_ZT/s400/turku_cathedral.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It may be close to Christmas, but the weather is hardly winter-like yet. Sure, the ground is <i>kinda</i> white in this photo, but that stuff isn't really worthy of being called snow. Tsk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Related things such as this blog! A mere, pathetic 18 posts this year, including this one. I suppose it's hard to post about new knitting when there's been very little new knitting to show off. I'm planning to change that next year, though! It's a bit early for New Year's resolutions, but now that I have these new routines (mostly) figured out, I can put more time into new designs. I have several pattern ideas I've been itching to try out!</p>
<p>As Christmas is getting close, it also means that Morrgan's Creatures will go on a little break as usual, starting Dec 19th. My <a href="http://en.dawanda.com/shop/Morrgan">Dawanda</a> and <a href="http://www.zibbet.com/Morrgan">Zibbet</a> shops will be closed until early January. The <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan">Etsy shop</a> will remain open but only for patterns, as they can be instantly downloaded. My patterns will also continue to be available from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/maria-strom-bestor-designs">Ravelry</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/967127/pattern-store">Craftsy</a>. Any messages received during the break will be replied to after Morrgan's Creatures reopens in early January.</p>
<p>So, that's just a little FYI. This may or may not be the last post of the year, depending on how much time I have before the break. If this is indeed the last one, I just want to say <b>thank you</b> for the year 2013 to all my lovely customers! Thank you also to my readers, if you still exist with so little reading to do. ;)</p>
<p>See you again next year!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-36984564973855528282013-11-27T17:50:00.001+02:002013-11-27T17:50:45.358+02:00Tiny Dragons - The 31st Batch<p>Today we meet the last batch of tiny dragons for the year 2013, batch number 31!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVitdGrtSPCzi0ED9DPqanaR8KR7JB-TQnyXAyA2jgNQF5i0pWg5KIkJ4zFKoBt16iLgfSQTWbBJhwSJU43U-RQasCW2QIjr9wkusLXiNQ-UJhvhdE9Z_dyKGL7bu_oKIm2whH/s400/dragons_batch31.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>From left to right:</p>
<p>
#151. <b>Tobias</b> - mint and bright turquoise<br />
#152. <b>Miriam</b> - peach and dark magenta<br />
#153. <b>Rudolf</b> - moss green and deep green<br />
#154. <b>Meredith</b> - rusty orange and dark purple<br />
#155. <b>Linda</b> - creamy white and pale yellow<br />
</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">Etsy shop</a>. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-39769041842351569552013-11-10T11:35:00.000+02:002013-11-10T11:45:23.912+02:00Totoro, To-tooooo-ro!<p>Today I'm posting about something rather unusual. Unusual because:
<ol>
<li>I made something for myself</li>
<li>I actually followed a pattern (<i>*gasp*</i>) made by someone else (<i>*gasp!*</i>) for once</li>
<li>I used so called stranded knitting (or Fair Isle knitting)</li>
</ol></p>
<p>First of all, have you seen <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro">My Neighbor Totoro</a>? If not, go see it! Go see it now!</p>
<p>Today's post is about Totoro himself, that adorable giant spirit of the forest. Or rather, how one can depict him in the form of knitted mittens. A friend of mine mentioned she was working on a pair of Totoro mittens and as soon as I saw pictures on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-totoro-mittens">Ravelry</a>, I just had to try making a pair for myself!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk9CIGp63vLwwEr2CbB3lP0AUxi_J1a0ti_hqVx4ibQJPD02usD51FyayLCMjOncPymXNYf6Wul81j2Qv5qHMtcW3K3UWmNa8tEZG7LnSM8gOvokQVwj7X-zVeLZSEsqsOBuP/s1600/totoro_mittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk9CIGp63vLwwEr2CbB3lP0AUxi_J1a0ti_hqVx4ibQJPD02usD51FyayLCMjOncPymXNYf6Wul81j2Qv5qHMtcW3K3UWmNa8tEZG7LnSM8gOvokQVwj7X-zVeLZSEsqsOBuP/s400/totoro_mittens.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I say "try", because stranded knitting is not something I have used very much. One could say this was a learning experience. To be honest I had to unravel my first attempt and start again, because the mitten turned out too tiny. I got there in the end, though!</p>
<p>I used a blend of alpaca, wool and acrylic; one of my favourite yarns at the moment, both to knit with and to wear. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, but boy, I definitely need to practice stranded knitting!</p>
<p>So, now I'm all set for winter to roll in, my hands protected by warm and fuzzy Totoros. If you want to make a pair of Totoro mittens for yourself, then check out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-totoro-mittens">brella's pattern on Ravelry</a>!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-83513773002086587812013-08-08T17:16:00.000+03:002013-08-08T17:16:15.620+03:00Tiny Dragons - The 30th Batch<p>It's been a while, both since any news and more specifically since any dragon-related news, but now we have a whole bunch of newly-hatched tiny dragons ready for introductions! Say hello to batch 30!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgvDRd1bjdneAr3zEP41zfclnZHxpmGQFoLHWq0az9gPqhClH5IFZLcQ8vBux1q79e6TY4IH60BAo0q3EQflDh-yXZDPNKfnQ0cRscJr2rrA9103aJs6fYEfbAafTqnTiIynN/s400/dragons_batch30.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>From left to right:</p>
<p>
#146. <b>Leo</b> - rusty orange and red<br />
#147. <b>Sylvanus</b> - pale green and dark green<br />
#148. <b>Bianca</b> - white and peach<br />
#149. <b>Heather</b> - dark magenta and black<br />
#150. <b>Russel</b> - teal and brown<br />
</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">Etsy shop</a>. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-4184412231491709922013-06-28T22:20:00.000+03:002013-06-30T19:36:46.136+03:00Introducing Konrad the Cognitive Panda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/155298702/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a clever cognitive knitted panda called Konrad" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKykcOsJ-z5PSKigDk8kxLKXRX-hK-bw7N3BkSkAXEMTgetycKzVHFzn3ts28dpYEMHn5-GVx-3z72QWrKQGbR5EhcZHL4fKK-ADQS1Wq6s_a7g-u_cQYVgXL1uLDrZf8DxxY/s400/konrad_front.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<p><i>Konrad is a scientifically inclined panda. He especially likes numbers. Give him a sufficiently tricky mathematical problem and he’ll be entertained for hours.</i></p>
<p>Unusually enough, the main problem with Konrad was figuring out a suitable adjective for his logical nature. Intelligent? Smart? Cogent? Cerebral? <i>Perspicacious?</i></p>
<p>As I may have mentioned before, while I work on a design I have many hours of knitting when my hands are busy but my brain is idle. Often my mind begins to create a story for the creature I'm designing, so that at the end the complete design also includes a personality. It's important to me that the adjective, if there is one, fits the creature I have made.</p>
<p>For Konrad, many, many alternatives were found with the help of a thesaurus and my walking dictionary, Mr Morrgan, but none of them seemed a perfect fit. Then eventually Mr Morrgan suggested "cognitive" and everything fell into place. Konrad finally had the right word to describe him!</p>
<p><i>Konrad is available as a pattern via <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/konrad-the-cognitive-panda">Ravelry</a> (or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/maria-strom-bestor-designs/161336">click here to buy now</a> - no Ravelry account needed), <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/toy/konrad-the-cognitive-panda/59671">Craftsy</a> and from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/155298702/">Etsy</a> shop.<br /><br />Want to see more <a href="http://morrganscreatures.blogspot.com/search/label/Creature%20introductions">creature introductions</a>?</i></p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-34371691696376873602013-06-24T21:27:00.001+03:002013-06-24T21:27:49.572+03:00A Peek at the Balcony<p>Already past midsummer and I haven't posted any photos of the balcony garden? Tsk. I'm getting old and slow.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKVP6_BjLKCCQGVC5axCpPkwW6eS3DFp555DNq_RYkORegDLamqe4RJyrAVzSLwLLNyfZnEVWvG0qIVCUhCtq-XgWkYfH8fK_yMo87hOj0iwNkSXe6U7dTSJbeKTe_SkvU_Lj/s1600/balcony2013-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKVP6_BjLKCCQGVC5axCpPkwW6eS3DFp555DNq_RYkORegDLamqe4RJyrAVzSLwLLNyfZnEVWvG0qIVCUhCtq-XgWkYfH8fK_yMo87hOj0iwNkSXe6U7dTSJbeKTe_SkvU_Lj/s400/balcony2013-06.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>This is not because I'd be unhappy with it for some reason; quite the opposite. I think this is my favourite flower box arrangement yet! Marigolds, lobelias and pansies cover the edges, while a couple of miniature sunflowers are growing in the middle (I grew them from seeds myself, so they're a bit slower to bloom than the rest).</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn94RwUS4aFapzdTcPQdv5XCRTB2UQGegcekXbC07pIhyphenhyphendB-Yav-mGRPuaS9wVZEITm0ZBkc4bH-msCWtptdDDfPvdLgoMX5YyQsCA1pE1GQXd8qBRgNaorWCfPM45HfJ0ctCz/s1600/balcony2013-06_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn94RwUS4aFapzdTcPQdv5XCRTB2UQGegcekXbC07pIhyphenhyphendB-Yav-mGRPuaS9wVZEITm0ZBkc4bH-msCWtptdDDfPvdLgoMX5YyQsCA1pE1GQXd8qBRgNaorWCfPM45HfJ0ctCz/s400/balcony2013-06_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Yes, pansies! This is the first time ever they've survived more than a couple of weeks on our hot and windy balcony. I think the secret was perfect timing with the planting (early enough for them to properly take root before the hot days) and a bit of luck with the weather.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCiYy02zB_dUCf6xe7o6TjAlIHk-W36sAXcEkokng-BwMpZrlCKwzaMSHKzE5dYpVKlfM2KqB7X3hV6atjn1LNbFvNK4vS9C9IPS4uFOZu9SAaqdlbY51AxCq7bjNZAIkDvhG/s1600/balcony2013-06_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCiYy02zB_dUCf6xe7o6TjAlIHk-W36sAXcEkokng-BwMpZrlCKwzaMSHKzE5dYpVKlfM2KqB7X3hV6atjn1LNbFvNK4vS9C9IPS4uFOZu9SAaqdlbY51AxCq7bjNZAIkDvhG/s400/balcony2013-06_3.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>The table basket is looking pretty nice this year too! The stonecrop or <i>Sedum</i> on the left is one that survived winter, whereas the one on the right is a new acquaintance. The leaves on the new one are decorative enough on their own, but I'm also curious to see what the flowers are like. Not long now!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-81363231772446923972013-06-04T13:53:00.002+03:002013-06-04T13:55:54.834+03:00An Afternoon in the Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjQ53xxVzK8EDxPMuL3SChHEENbB4Fd5sPWsMXo8BUxH0_N3CWnDKFXJJO2LPnfmgT72t_PpjsDkdv_IxTgIMrPi1HRWHBY9csp4ft3Li8q9h9WqgxKaqSy3dwbBr6N_x9V0M/s1600/walk8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjQ53xxVzK8EDxPMuL3SChHEENbB4Fd5sPWsMXo8BUxH0_N3CWnDKFXJJO2LPnfmgT72t_PpjsDkdv_IxTgIMrPi1HRWHBY9csp4ft3Li8q9h9WqgxKaqSy3dwbBr6N_x9V0M/s400/walk8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p>Last Sunday the weather was incredible - sunny, warm, barely a cloud in the sky. In other words, the perfect day to spend outdoors! Mr Morrgan and I prepared a picnic, then out we went.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9DSo6RFHOSOL0wWtFdUvnmH77EeXzBYXtn08kGCzY37WxadHg_647lqzwuR6_rxBOtWK9TA-36mgzdH8pIdNJ1VRQ5ETz8aPpfN1v6yyDFcqrJXiILwg36Pn9XvkNeCk4KNS/s1600/walk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9DSo6RFHOSOL0wWtFdUvnmH77EeXzBYXtn08kGCzY37WxadHg_647lqzwuR6_rxBOtWK9TA-36mgzdH8pIdNJ1VRQ5ETz8aPpfN1v6yyDFcqrJXiILwg36Pn9XvkNeCk4KNS/s400/walk2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p>One bus ride later we found ourselves by a sandy beach. After a much needed ice cream (it was HOT) and dipping our toes in the refreshing water, we headed off along one of the nature trails, wandering along the water's edge.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqG9wcbbP1FUgS30qE63IB1I6naViUctIRArgNuX39Rs8FbFKvlh66faSZtwYMVhyzKuguimA6cQmlNBAxVfmWyfctGLHYPW_PArSfUoy-C2zqNDu1-ba-QfHR_wVHMYZcXzA/s1600/walk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqG9wcbbP1FUgS30qE63IB1I6naViUctIRArgNuX39Rs8FbFKvlh66faSZtwYMVhyzKuguimA6cQmlNBAxVfmWyfctGLHYPW_PArSfUoy-C2zqNDu1-ba-QfHR_wVHMYZcXzA/s400/walk4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXymBoOw_tiOzMk7L93LxYOnR55xyGeVRmQkxS4NEzCL8ef_vu256MDyno7Uy_Cd9p3XgcvnGsft-hyFFPAguUsjix2O3xz-VtPSrgZtjn_qtIdsU9QcUo4kN7lKWBcoAFtiD/s1600/walk5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXymBoOw_tiOzMk7L93LxYOnR55xyGeVRmQkxS4NEzCL8ef_vu256MDyno7Uy_Cd9p3XgcvnGsft-hyFFPAguUsjix2O3xz-VtPSrgZtjn_qtIdsU9QcUo4kN7lKWBcoAFtiD/s400/walk5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUe1v9zBrdMTT-TUZDuIhzRVSoJq1fPWrlGqiP464zLGIFzgsmHqPNsG10VdKiile_sOet-SePaUW96zGSVM7u1vTaESi5WUL4GKFgu8eWsUi1Ht3N8AwgXjqgR_g9SJaS_no3/s1600/walk6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUe1v9zBrdMTT-TUZDuIhzRVSoJq1fPWrlGqiP464zLGIFzgsmHqPNsG10VdKiile_sOet-SePaUW96zGSVM7u1vTaESi5WUL4GKFgu8eWsUi1Ht3N8AwgXjqgR_g9SJaS_no3/s400/walk6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p>Eventually the trail lead deeper into the woods. Many fine trees were admired along the way and an equally fine picnic was had once we found a suitable spot.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivruzMjPiuHBkYjKmS-xv_KHZWP4zmkqpJwPY-xWS5BShbV5s5B8HlcPy2OBPNUDpOsiUMNK3HWUoUZLrBOJ5Ou7FqVwWUS-cTuPDOG0VVPcCk1ViF8JcFW2Jdtnca0uhQf0Sk/s1600/walk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivruzMjPiuHBkYjKmS-xv_KHZWP4zmkqpJwPY-xWS5BShbV5s5B8HlcPy2OBPNUDpOsiUMNK3HWUoUZLrBOJ5Ou7FqVwWUS-cTuPDOG0VVPcCk1ViF8JcFW2Jdtnca0uhQf0Sk/s400/walk3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4VqA4j0_g-FYotmDAVLYg1Em33cFW7CaY_xRBnbKNmMk2gu6T-VdQEQsAHLMDH61MF0bMtas-eL-W2eJkAZvgSfyNP6yXsjHa44kh7_QX6OsGuQQ9yojQlH8imDV-7_dsO2x/s1600/walk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4VqA4j0_g-FYotmDAVLYg1Em33cFW7CaY_xRBnbKNmMk2gu6T-VdQEQsAHLMDH61MF0bMtas-eL-W2eJkAZvgSfyNP6yXsjHa44kh7_QX6OsGuQQ9yojQlH8imDV-7_dsO2x/s400/walk1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmn9jXm9g-V59W570TwfXw3_hJnGArq-gvLUPiivrVINezbtDfT2dGXdUWi_Fk9bCVC9Fzy-QnV_kYtbuA4lRCaKIY0ul0IOV3d-JeVoiiTsFSZkxnE_v3OvuEjt_UT_QWm6M/s1600/walk7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmn9jXm9g-V59W570TwfXw3_hJnGArq-gvLUPiivrVINezbtDfT2dGXdUWi_Fk9bCVC9Fzy-QnV_kYtbuA4lRCaKIY0ul0IOV3d-JeVoiiTsFSZkxnE_v3OvuEjt_UT_QWm6M/s400/walk7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p>We ended up spending the whole afternoon exploring the nature trails. Not a bad way to spend a day! =)</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-82335000074529322552013-05-28T11:42:00.000+03:002013-05-28T11:42:20.354+03:00Morrgan's Creatures patterns now available as instant downloads on Etsy!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57977324/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Lwq7JPBzfM3hvJKM7u49AIwWgJzErK8vCSu-AraoWgMvAe3E8sLBGTQY0qcVXBy2woa4u0Y_CtZqOPdxGh-spiNGEMh8NOX_8q5JhN-pLDCC9WZdwE8CWTaLVWoRxefdWJyU/s200/hubert_tony_newpattern.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony and Hubert are among the creatures<br />available as patterns in my Etsy shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>As the title explains, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=5012134">the patterns for my creatures</a> are now available as instant downloads after purchase on Etsy. No more waiting for emails! I've always taken pride in emailing patterns to customers as soon as possible, but we all know <i>any</i> wait is too long when you're excited about a new project, right? ;)</p>
<p>Plus, as I no longer have to worry about timely emails, this means I can also keep the Etsy shop open while I'm on vacation and the patterns will be available for purchase all year round. Hooray!</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-61217442090310990572013-05-11T18:50:00.001+03:002013-05-11T18:50:42.462+03:00A last look at winter<p>I went out for a walk today, as I often do, with Mr Morrgan (which happens less often). The weather was gorgeous; sunny and warm as if summer was already here. Just the other week it was still cold, wet and miserable, so I'm having trouble adjusting to this sudden, complete change. It feels as if I saw scenes like the one below mere weeks ago. But no, this was taken as far back as February. Months ago. Yikes.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_WExxZwObZVRE5uXSTNf-Y43VJGqB4MvIfpqwoqDCT1f5jKepaQXKx4ZJuPzJcQjI88cTF9BP5mhKgJH-1QX2LtSe3hJhINgYMwMKn8zMKC4MgjKCwRobuIG3KMdwUuUJ4jq/s1600/2013week5_river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_WExxZwObZVRE5uXSTNf-Y43VJGqB4MvIfpqwoqDCT1f5jKepaQXKx4ZJuPzJcQjI88cTF9BP5mhKgJH-1QX2LtSe3hJhINgYMwMKn8zMKC4MgjKCwRobuIG3KMdwUuUJ4jq/s400/2013week5_river.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CS0wFjX6LxbLFpnnrux7pBtE_2uT2xxJrqTkoyfYhaZdBWvW8Bi0dPPD5gIZYEkhtFCuXVPwg2isFItcP1AXkEoh6Ur8UTd5orH_YLDdeq0IQ7dGs0fLxDoD_g-aXYHDgHUA/s1600/20130123_walk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CS0wFjX6LxbLFpnnrux7pBtE_2uT2xxJrqTkoyfYhaZdBWvW8Bi0dPPD5gIZYEkhtFCuXVPwg2isFItcP1AXkEoh6Ur8UTd5orH_YLDdeq0IQ7dGs0fLxDoD_g-aXYHDgHUA/s1600/20130123_walk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CS0wFjX6LxbLFpnnrux7pBtE_2uT2xxJrqTkoyfYhaZdBWvW8Bi0dPPD5gIZYEkhtFCuXVPwg2isFItcP1AXkEoh6Ur8UTd5orH_YLDdeq0IQ7dGs0fLxDoD_g-aXYHDgHUA/s400/20130123_walk3.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br />
<p>Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have summer again. I look forward to summer! It'll be warm and sunny and totally not depressing! Yay!</p>
<p>But yeah, the unusual way in which the weather went from winter to very late spring in a few days was a bit much for me to adjust to. (I can go outside in a t-shirt now? Woooooah. Where the heck did I put my summer clothes again?)</p><br />
<p>As you can see, I still have some photos taken on my winter walks, which I never got around to posting. I shall post a couple now and maybe one more a bit later. A last farewell to winter, and then I will hopefully be ready to move on to summer. ;)</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35767581.post-65698230264457301052013-05-03T20:42:00.000+03:002013-05-03T20:42:26.211+03:00Tiny Dragons - The 29th Batch<p>Woah, May already? It's almost summer time. Where did spring go?</p>
<p>Probably missed it because I was obsessed with knitting <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">tiny dragons</a>. Again. Speaking of, batch no 29 is ready! And now I'm officially Knitted Out for now, as far as dragons are concerned that is.</p>
<p>Coming next? Quite possibly a new pattern, if all goes well!</p>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="post-photo" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs4dVJkIU_e5GX8ZZ8ikzYKkmXjjyTbUDuIcTwfg0kgGOSss8uB1M_whoA9N9yKOQxKjhP1E5BTj1x5DRvRIcLmbpw3IXKNx71JIPJMkvwTVJ_ua7LiTjMG8Wdf5hH5CurXWa/s400/dragons_batch29.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<p>From left to right:</p>
<p>
#141. <b>Natalie</b> - peach and rusty orange<br />
#142. <b>Anton</b> - bright turquoise and bright teal<br />
#143. <b>Callisto</b> - light purple and dark purple<br />
#144. <b>Bruno</b> - sand and brown<br />
#145. <b>Emery</b> - deep green and greyish blue<br />
</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morrgan?section_id=7083155">Etsy shop</a>. Should you happen to spot one you must have, let me know and I can reserve it for you.</p>Morrganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091774332374923035noreply@blogger.com0