Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Family Time is Fun Time.

Family Time in Ventura

Here's a photo of my family (minus my mom, who was taking the picture, and my brother and his family) in Ventura on Saturday. They've been having fun doing California touristy things and buying me dinner. My mom and sister leave on Friday to head back to Michigan (and back to Autumn weather. Jealous.), and after that I might even have some craft projects to share on this here blog.

That's right - I actually finished a project! The craziness of summer has left me little time for crafting, for the first time in years, but I finished my crochet beach bag on Monday. Only took me two months. 


Saturday, August 24, 2013

Family Fun at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum

George and the fam

Having family in town is so fun - especially when you live in a big city like LA, and you have an excuse to go out and do the touristy stuff you would never do on your own time! Last Sunday, after my Dad, Mom and little brother, Patrick, arrived, we went down to Hollywood and visited Madam Tussaud's

Watch out behind you! Singin' with Whitney

We had way too much fun posing with the wax figures! They're silly and kind of creepy, but we all really got into it and enjoyed the campy-ness. 

I carried a watermelon
I carried a watermelon!

Fanboy! Which one is wax!?
Patrick and me posing with our fan favorites. 

Giant Cotton Candy

We finished off the day with a delicious (but cheesy) meal at Saddle Ranch on the Sunset Strip. Lookit this huge thing of cotton candy they gave us! 

Dad Swift

And the good thing about having your Dad around - always there to help you wind yarn. Thanks, Dad!

Today we're headed to Ventura for some less cheesy, but still touristy, fun! 

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Mom's Graduation Blanket and Life Updates

This summer, amIright? 

Mom's Crochet Blanket

I finally finished this blanket, a gift to my mother for her graduation. She actually graduated in April, but I made it my goal to finish this blanket by this week, since my whole family will be in California visiting me for two weeks.

Crochet Blanket Close Up

The pattern is something like this Starburst pattern, finished with a chain-stitch border. The yarn is that ole WORK+SHELTER yarn I dyed last year. It crocheted up wonderfully into a blanket that can only be used in colder climates. Seriously, this thing is heavy and WARM. I was suffering and sweating while finishing it last week when it was nearing 90 degrees. 

Sunburst Crochet Blanket

This summer has really been a kick in the pants - in addition to tackling my web series, and moving offices, and hosting amazing visitors, life has taken a 180 degree turn. Chris and I broke up about a month ago after being together for five years. 

Crochet Blanket on the Purple Couch

It's a bit weird to make this announcement on a craft blog - I just want to show you pretty pictures of yarn - but you might notice that I haven't been talking about him much on Instagram lately, and he hasn't been mentioned here for awhile. It seems like this space would be a pretty incomplete picture of my life if I allowed him (and the sweet bunnies) to just disappear without a word. 

That said: I'm doing well. I'm staying in California. I'll still be knitting and acting and singing and sewing. Thanks for listening - you guys are the best. 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Return from Radio Silence!

Hi friends! 

Allyson in the pool with sweater! Shopping

Apologies for the silence around here - I've been super busy filming my web series, hanging out with Allyson, and going through some crazy life changes. Allyson left last week, but we certainly had some good times over two weeks - knitting in the pool, shopping, going out dancing, and - oh yes - starting a new business! 

Girls Gettin' Ready to Go Dancin'!

Girl Talk

We also did a lot of filming for my new webseries - 50 Words or Less
Bad Dates

The plot revolves around my character, Annie, dating people she meets on the internet. And yes - it's based on a true story. Actually, it's based on SIX true stories - each 5 minute episode is a different date, and each is based on a true story from one of my friends. So a lot of fun times were had on set!

Filmin'

What else have I been up to.....

Watching this video on repeat:


And obsessively checking Forty Days of Dating. Have you been reading this? Totally addictive and fascinating.