Video Game Blog

This is my son's blog, with video game reviews. He's looking to get some more followers so feel free to spread the word. Get your kids to check it out too :-)
my-video-games.blogspot.com

A Whinge & a W(h)ine about Tiger

The airway that is, not the animal. Although riding a real life tiger to Queensland sounds almost more appealing right about now. For those that don't know, Tiger Airways have been grounded for at least a week by CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) due to a couple of safety breaches. There's talk of them never recovering (their domestic flights have run at a loss since they started up here in Australia), and the bans lasting longer than the week. I even read in the newspaper that their CEO sold his shares in the company last week. A sign of little faith?

Anyway, I am therefore in limbo. Thankfully our flights aren't for a few weeks, but still, I kind of like the thought of everything being set in stone and that my life wouldn't hang in the balance for a karate tournament. I don't even want to fly with them anymore, but short of writing off several hundred dollars of tickets, or praying they cancel the flights with a full refund (which they are currently doing for those "flying" this week), then I don't have a lot of choice. Let's just hope they don't declare bankruptcy before then, or I won't see a single cent of the money we paid them.

Even after I bought the tickets, I said never again to flying with Tiger. Now this.

First Finish in (what seems like) Forever

Yet again, it seems like decades since I had a finish to show. I chose this one because it looked "easy", and I thought I could whip it up in no time. Sadly, that was not to be. I had to do my fair share of frogging, because apparently I was "blinded by the white" (Get it? You know that song by Manfred Mann? Ha ha, I'm too funny. Aren't I?) around the letter squares. You'd think I'd learn the first time, but no, I think on 3 out of the 4 squares I started stitching the pink right up against the burgandy colour. Doh!
Here it is:

• Name of the design is "Assisi Love Squared".
• Chart is a freebie from Kincavel Krosses.
• Fabric is a 28 count white off cut.
• Thread is DMC #3326 & #3328.
• Stitch count is 65 x 63.  
• Started on May 17th 2011.
• Completed on June 29th 2011.  I'm not sure what this will become or what I'll do with it. Maybe a little pillow or wall hanging?

Fabric Trade

I recently traded some fabric with Joni from the 123stitch message board. It's been ages since I traded and not bought outright. We both had no clue what was a good trade, but in the end we worked out a system that we both were pleased with. I have no clue what fabric is worth, I'm really useless! I ended up with 3 large pieces of my favourite fabric (monaco -hand dyed by the now defunct Enchanted Fabrics - RIP) as well as a gift voucher to spend at 123 stitch. Joni ended up with several smaller cuts of different fabric. Here's what I got:

Now to make myself stitch on it and not just admire it!

Can't think of a title :-)

Ok, let's see what's been happening since the last blog post.....

I am another year older :-(. I did have a great birthday with great gifts, food and cake though, so adding another year onto my age was kind of worth it.

DS #1 has had mid year exams. He's only gotten a few results so far, but they have been good, ranging from 73 to 96%.

Ds #2 had the Karate Victoria presentation dinner, where the state team was announced. He has made the team for both kata and kumite (sparring) which he is pleased about. There were several awards given out to the older athletes and our club was well represented. DS has also had a couple more tournaments. At the first one he tried a new kata that he's learning and lost his round as it wasn't quite polished enough. However, he still managed a 3rd place trophy. He also took home another 3rd place for kumite after losing to the current Victorian champion. At the next tournament his new kata was more polished and he won all 3 rounds to take home the winners trophy. He came up against a fellow state team member in kumite and lost out in the first round.

There's not much to report on the stitching front. I've always known I'm a slow stitcher, but I think it's now official. Where are the "Guiness Book of World Records" people when you need them? I am taking soooo loooong on my current 2 colour, "simple" project that it's no longer funny. I'm not too embarrassed to admit I've also had to frog it at least twice. Uh Oh!! It seems the only time I get to stitch lately is at karate, thankfully DS have a few classes a week or else it would become a UFO.

Birthday time!

It seems like it's been all quiet on the blogging front lately. I haven't had much to say, nor time to say it. However, it was my eldest son's birthday recently, he turned 14. Do you know how old that makes me feel? Scary stuff! Anyway, I struggled with what to buy him this year, but in the end he seemed to enjoy his gifts. He chose home made nachos for dinner on his birthday, and we had caramel mud cake for dessert. On the nearest weekend we stuffed ourselves silly, and gave the credit card a workout, at Pancake Parlour. We haven't been for ages, so it was a nice treat. Although they are "just" pancakes, they are soooo yummy.

Now, as I type, he is having a few friends over for a party to celebrate. At this age they pretty much take care of themselves, playing video games and the like. We're about to have pizza, with more caramel mud cake for dessert. He doesn't really like a lot of cake flavours, so you have to go with what you know he'll like.

Oh, and we had a family celebration a while back too so it seems like this birthday is never ending. Next up is mine in the not too distant future. I think I'm having a craving for Taco Bill.........

My butterfly has wings, a body & antennae!

Finally another finish, it seems to have been a while. Actually it's been just over a month since I started it but it feels waaaay longer. Here it is:

Here are the details:

• Name of the design is "Tribal Butterfly".
• Chart is from the "Tribal Collection" from Sparklies in the UK.
• Fabric is 28 count hand dyed yellow evenweave. It looks a little pale and washed out but it's actually quite a bit brighter.
• Thread is DMC #106, a variegated orange.
• Stitch count is 167 x 135.  
• Started on April 12th 2011.
• Completed on May 14th 2011.  I'm not sure what this will become or what I'll do with it. Story of my stitching life!

On another note, my eldest son turned 14 recently. Like I need another excuse to feel old! Youngest DS came home from school camp on his birthday, so the kids were pleasant to each other the entire time. DS seemed to like his gifts, we had caramel mud cake and he chose nachos for dinner. The following night we went to Pancake Parlour for a proper celebration. We all stuffed ourselves silly and enjoyed our meals. It's funny how simple pancakes can taste sooooo good!

My progress on "Tribal Butterfly"

Here's where I'm up to so far:

My shortest post ever! LOL

Hot cross buns, one-a-penny, two-a-penny.....

Hot cross buns!
Guess what I made yesterday? I thought there should be traditional hot cross buns in the house for Easter breakfast, so got cooking. I found the recipe here and made the changes that some people mentioned (changed the white sugar to brown & doubled the spices. I also used mixed fruit instead of just currants). I made the mistake of leaving too much room between them when I left them to rise, and they ended up as single buns with a crusty edge instead of soft sides. I also used a baking tray instead of a lamington type pan which wouldn't have helped. I could have added even more spice too.
Anyway, the kids liked them and we had some for Easter breakfast, to wash down the chocolate ;-)

Happy Easter everyone, I hope you got a visit from the Easter Bunny!

A "Finished" Easter finish

Try saying that 10 times fast!
This is a design I stitched a while back, but put off finishing as I knew it would be a nightmare to fit it into the frame properly. Surprisingly I didn't get to the point where I wanted to fling it across the room in a fit of blind fury, cursing the day I ever thought it was a good idea to make a cross stitched collage. I know it's far from perfect, but it will do. As it's quite a busy design I think it works out OK. It gives it that real rustic, homemade look ;-)

Happy Easter, and don't overdo the chocolate!

Australian Open Karate Tournament

We've just had a full on couple of days attending the Australian Open tournament. Of course my internal alarm clock didn't trust my electrical alarm clock again and started the wake up process at 2am Friday morning. After a few more interrupted hours of sleep we hit the road in the dark. The worst part of tournaments? Hands down the early starts! Oh, and the ironing of the kata gi. This time I took it to the local dry cleaner and paid him to do it. Bliss! Best part? Seeing DS perform well and be pleased with results regardless of placings. Oh, and seeing him make friends with his opponents and being a great sport.

Anyway, DS was entered into both kata and kumite (sparring) in the kyu divisions (open to those below a black belt) and the open (open to anyone, including black belts and beyond - although at DS's age there's generally no black belts). A total of 4 events.

In kata, (both open and kyu grades) he won his first 2 rounds 3-0, but lost out in the final 0-3 to take home a silver medal in each. In kumite, he lost the first round but came back in the repecharge to have a chance for 3rd. Unfortunately he narrowly missed out on winning both matches, so just missed another 2 bronze medals.

Last year he was only eligible for kata, and had a major wobble in the kyu grades which cost him the chance to medal, but came back to take 3rd in the open grade. This year was a better result all round.

It was great experience, as there were boys from 3 other states besides Victoria. It felt a lot like Nationals because of this, and gave us a chance to see what some of the other states will be bring to Caloundra in August for the 2011 Nationals.

My Easter exchange package arrived FROM the UK!

And Eileen spoilt me rotten with lots of goodies! Here's a pic:

She sent me a cute purple felt bag, an Easter greeting card, a cute floral kit, some DMC cotton, a lovely bright stitched Easter design, a teeny tiny fluffy bunny, some Easter stickers, 2 pieces of purple fabric and some chocolates. Sadly, some of the chocolates are missing as they got eaten before I took the pic mysteriously disappeared ;-)
Thanks for the exchange Eileen!

Hot off the q-snaps!

I've finally finished "Lacey Pinks", it seems to have taken ages. Here's a pic of it:

Here's the details:

• Name of the design is "Lacey Pinks".
• Chart is designed by Debbie Draper Designs. 
• Fabric is 28 count pink evenweave that was gifted to me :-).
• Thread is DMC #150 (the burgundy) and the pink is from Carries Creations, in "Magenta"
• Stitch count is 120 x 120.  
• Started on March 19th.
• Completed on April 10th.  I chose to stitch this in alternate colours to break it up a little, instead of the one colour it called for. I'm not sure what will become of this design.

My Easter exchange package arrived in the UK!

It seems Eileen liked everything I sent, which is great. Her package to me is still in transit, I'm sure it will be here soon. Here's a pic of the stitched piece I sent to her:

Here's the rest of the goodies I mailed:

Purple is Eileen's favourite colour, so I sent some hand dyed purple fabric, a pansy tuck ornament kit, some fudge and 4 cards with birds on them as she likes birds also.

Here's the details of the stitched piece:

• Name of the design is "Easter Card".
• Chart is a freebie for members at San Man Originals. 
• Fabric is a unique piece of mottled lilac 28 count evenweave from Silkweavers fabric.
• Thread is DMC cotton.
• Stitch count is 63 x 60.  
• Completed around about March 18th 2011.

All quiet on the western front

I haven't posted in what seems like ages, as there hasn't been too much to report. I finally finished off the piece for the Easter/Spring Exchange and mailed it off. Eileen has also mailed her item to me, so I'll be able to post what I sent and what I got soon enough.
I'm still working on the "Lacey Pinks" design, slowly but surely making progress. It seems I've only been stitching at karate class lately, so it's taking a while to finish even though I'm close to the end. Not sure what will be next, I have a few ideas but nothing is jumping out at me.
My eldest son has started debating again for the year, as an extra curricular activity through school. Last night was the 2nd one for the year and his team got their first ever win! I think there's either 3 or 4 more debates, one every fortnight during school terms. Fingers crossed they can get a few more wins on the board.