Silly music meme

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But then, we do love silly memes, don’t we? (First seen here.)

Directions:
1. Put your iPod, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3.YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
You Suck (The Murmurs) – rather rude, really

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Billy Joel) – sounds like there’s a lot going on, at least

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Minibar (De derre) – a guy with a built in minibar would be useful, I admit

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Sleigh Ride  (Johnny Mathis – seasonal) – uhm, better than a roller coaster ride, possibly

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith) – that’s the best fit so far

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
A Winter’s Tale (David Essex – seasonal) – a very boring motto

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Whisky You’re the Devil (Robin Laing) – so, do they think I’m the devil, or do they simply think of whisky when they see me?

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Skip back a track and replay (Robin Laing) – I’m that good, am I?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Forgiven (Alanis Morissette) – not very often

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Kjell Opseths 9. (To Rustne Herrer/Jonas Fjeld) – good job getting one with a number in the title on this one, don’t you think?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Me and My Shadow (Robbie Williams & Johnny Wilkes) – fitting

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Frosty the Snowman (The Jackson 5 – seasonal) – can’t possibly be complimental, can it?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Den stora, stora skillnaden (Michael Wiehe) – I doubt I’ve made that much of a difference

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I Don’t Care (Shakespear’s Sister) – I am grown up. I think.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Only the Good Die Young (Billy Joel) – feeling naughty, obviously

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi) – We didn’t, but I guess we could have. It’s a rather difficult one to waltz to, though.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Slave (DumDum Boys) – ahem

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
A Bottle o’ the Best (Robin Laing) – or the opposite

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
God ain’t gonna getcha for that (Shania Twain) – he sure ain’t

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Tak’ a Dram; A Wee Deoch An (Robin Laing) – yes, please have one, if you like

SONG THEY WILL PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Underneath Your Clothes (Shakira) – unlikely

New friends

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Two new friends moved in with us yesterday. First off: Nigel the Annihilator.

Nigel the Annihilator

The lass promptly pronounced him a “løwe” (lion) and insisted on dressing him in the monster hat that I also bought. It didn’t really work as a hat for him as she couldn’t get it to cover his ears – very important – without also covering his nose, but she was quite happy when she found it could be used as “bosse” (trousers, though sleeping bag would be more descriptive of the effect).

I’ve been admiring the work of Happycloud Thunderhead (etsy and blog) for a while, and was thrilled to have actual specimens in my hands. I suppose it’s a little late for Christmas shopping now, but surely you can find an excuse to buy a monster in 2009? Go shop!

The second new member of the family is someone I’ve coveted quite shamefully for some time, namely Doyle the Bat from Soto Softies (I’ll snap his portrait later). He’s being kept well out of reach of the lass’ hands for the time being, but I’m smitten like a very smitten thing indeed. I did, in fact, consider bringing him to work with me.

They are both the results of a very limited shopping spree I indulged in as a sort of reward for landing myself a (fairly well paid) permanent job (and in the middle of the financial crisis to boot). In fact, this is pretty much the extent of the shopping spree, the only additional thing being a digiscrapping kit or two, amounting to less than 20 dollars, so I’m feeling very restrained.

Block one done

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I’ve finished block one of the Leanne’s House BOM, and received two more in the mail, so a bit behind, but not too much. I still haven’t purchased additional fabric, and that is the main reason why I haven’t started block two, as I really want to start introducing my additions as I go. In any case, there really isn’t much time for non Christmas-related creating in December, but I hope to be able to sew a bit over the holidays, so I need to go shopping at some point.

Here’s the completed block:

Leanne's House BOM block 1

And some detail:

Leanne's House BOM block 1 detail

I had a short length of thread left in the needle when I’d finished the stars. It was too short to be worth keeping, but it seemed a pity to just throw it out, so I added a lazy daisy in one of the checkerboard squares. I rather like the effect, so I think I might add some more, and do the same in the other checkerboard sections.

Leanne's House BOM block 1 detail

I got a treasure in the mail

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I received my quilt from the Doll Quilt Swap on Thursday, but the first chance I got to photograph it in natural light was this morning (well, it is winter). Here it is:

Doll Quilt Swap 5 - front

Now, do you think any doll will ever get to come near this? Ha! It’s mine, all mine! Mine, I tell you. You dolls just keep your tiny little hands off!

I will have to find a scrap of wall to display it. This might prove difficult, but I have faith.

Here’s the back:

Doll Quilt Swap 5 - back

I could happily gaze on that for hours, too, how did my benefactor guess that I simply looooove these colours?

And look at the quilting:

Doll Quilt Swap 5 - detail

I’m speechless with admiration. I need to get my sewing machine fixed and start practicing feathers. Oh, and the log cabins have nifty spirally quilting, which is even better than the feathers, if such a things is possible. Ok, let’s say they are equally brilliant, shall we.

And who is the master (mistress?) of this wonderful creation? Well, her name is Shelly Sutton, and she blogs here. She teaches classes. That figures.

‘Scuse me while I go gaze some more at this little work of art.

Rules

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I’m not a big fan of rules in general, but these are my kind of rules “Let’s get some things straight before I get old and uncool”: 1001 rules for my unborn son.

I guess I should have started earlier if I wanted to write something similar for the lass (I’m old and uncool already, I suspect), though I will try to instill some of these, as most are applicable to girls as well – even the one about committing to the tie (should she chose to wear one).

I especially like 43, 132, 167, 168, 220, 224, 245, 257,

And this quote: “The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any” (Fred Astaire). We were talking about this just the other day, because one of the words the lass pronounces most clearly is “Thanks” (that is: “takk” in Norwegian). Even though she uses t for k in most words, in this case it is a very clear and strong k. And she started saying it without being prompted, it seems to just come naturally when she is given something, like a glass of milk. Which is not so surprising, as the husband and I say it ourselves all the time. Children learn by example. Or, as the saying has it: Monkey see, monkey do.

And a lot of people should pay mind to this one, especially when posting pictures of others (including their own kids): 239. Never post a picture online you wouldn’t feel comfortable showing your mother, your boss, and the dean of admissions.

Speaking of Christmas

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(Because Christmas is all about traditions. 2002 2003 2005 2006  2007 Hm. Did I really miss 2004?)

Dear Santa

I think I’ve been reasonably good this year. I only yelled at someone for being an anti-social idiot once, which is very restrained of me, I think. Considering you came through on that permanent job thing from last year, I don’t really want to ask for much, but there are always things a girl can wish for, right?

1. Peace on Earth. Thanks for sorting out the presidential situation in the States, but we’re still a bit of a way off the target, really. Any progress is appreciated.

2. An Overlock. Like this one. Or one of the Husqvarna Huskylocks they have here.

3. Non Stop. As per usual.

4. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesbø, Ole Paus, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Alanis Morisette, Michael Wiehe, Michael Parkinson, Håkon Gullvåg, Rosamunde Pilcher, Bill Bryson, Kate Atkinson, Bob Dylan, Jasper Fforde and the Top Gear guys. You know why.

5. Pondus 8. divisjon, Nemi Skumle damen, Naiv og brutal, Lavmål mot nye høyder, Rex Rudi Go, Cat, Go! og Mperiet slår tilbake.

6. Silicone baking trays, especially for large muffins.

7. A Bosch kitchen machine (MUM6 or MUM8).

8. A couple of 8 gb compact flash cards.

9. Anything from Gaver med mening, Gaver som forandrer verden, Oxfam unwrapped (look, you can buy “me” schoolbooks!) and similar sites would give me warm, fuzzy feelings.

And since she’s too young to write her own list (partly because she can’t spell and partly because she hasn’t quite understood this Christmas-thing yet) and I need somewhere to keep this, here’s the list for the lass:

1. Audiobooks on CD, especially Thorbjørn Egner (all we have so far is De beste Egner-viser/Karius og Baktus).

2. Other CDs for children – good ones, please, that won’t drive her parents bonkers.

3. Listen and read combination things – those books with the story on CD – if they still exist?

4. Jammies. We’re in dire need of more. Size 98/104 centilong.

5. Woolens: Tops and longs/trousers.

6. Good books (but check with us first, we have quite a few – understatement of the year – though not too many for the age she’s at now and a couple of years ahead).

7. DVDs: Disney (check what we already have) and old children’s tv shows.

8. In the Night Garden (Drømmehagen) books and figurines/softies would make her happy, I think.

9. Doll’s clothes (pretty much any size doll) – hand made if you do that sort of thing. Judging from what we’ve seen so far she’s going to be “into” dolls in a major way.

10. Sleigh with steering wheel. What are they called in English? “Rattkjelke”, anyway.

Trying to freeze time

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Well, perhaps not exactly, but I feel the need to capture the little everyday stories. The lass is growing so quickly, and I feel like I miss something vital each time I blink…

Jessica Sprague‘s Stories in Hand class just finished, and I really enjoyed that. It’s given me lots of prompts for writing down the stories of yesterday – the class is really excellent – and a prod to get the everyday stories down as they happen. However, I know that to achieve the latter I could do with some help.

Along comes the Journal Your Christmas class from Shimelle, and highly recommended several places. So I thought it might be a good start and signed up.

Journal your Christmas

Join me if you like!

Done!

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Quilt done!

The doll quilt is done and on its way to *******. 

Pretty happy with the way it turned out, since it’s actually quite close to how I pictured it. I ended up cutting off the top ray of sunshine in order to square off the top and only realised afterwards that I could probably have fixed it with a scrap of blue instead, but it works like this, no? I would have free motion quilted it, too had I dared switch the presser foot on my machine, unfortunately I dare not, as the part where you fix it is worn and needs replacing and I really need the macine to work next weekend when we have a workshop. After the workshop I am handing the machine in for service, I swear. Here’s to hoping the recipient likes the quilt!

Go have a look in the Flickr pool for the swap, by the way. Such a lot of amazing quilts! I haven’t received mine yet, I can’t wait to see what it looks like.

Another list

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Well, you *know* I’m a sucker for these… (Found here, check out the designs while you’re there.)

Bold the things you’ve done:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (I’m assuming fish count?)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day