K is for K-9 and Kingsley

I'm in Malaysia at the moment (yay!) but as I didn't know what internet access I'd have, these posts have been scheduled.  If I don't reply to your comments or comment on your blog, it's not because I don't love you- I just don't have internet!  I'll get back to you when I return :)

A to Z Challenge - K

K is for "K-9!"

It's a quote.  Really.  David Tennant's Doctor says it when he sees K-9 for the first time in School Reunion.  K-9 first appeared as companion to the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, and ended up with his own spin-off series.  I don't have a lot to say about the robot dog (I only saw him in this one episode) however this wiki page has a lot more information.  I really enjoyed the episode School Reunion, not so much because of the concepts in the episode or the aliens, but because of Anthony Stuart Head, or Tony Head, or Anthony Head (he's gone by all these names over the years - he's billed as Anthony Head in this episode).  Head played Rupert Giles in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I loved and introduced many people too.  In the Doctor Who-verse, he provided the voice-over for Doctor Who Confidential as well as voicing one or two audio-books.  If only he wasn't a bad alien who had to be killed off, so we could have seen more of him!  Then again, given how many times some aliens/adversaries have re-appeared in DW...

Once again I have hyphen issues - the internet can't agree on
whether it's K-9 or K9.  Thoughts?

 K is for Kingsley Shacklebolt
One of the members of the Order of the Phoenix and an Auror, Kingsley kicks butt.  I love his costume in the film, which apparently the actor, George Harris, had a lot of input into the creation of.  The hat and the sandals in particular, which I think came out quite well in the cross stitch (if I do say so myself!), which is the main reason why he is my choice for K. Kingsley was one of those background characters that I didn't form a strong opinion about, however he was well developed in true JK Rowling style.

Whose costume in the films did you love the most?  Is there an actor in Doctor Who you wish we had got to see more of?  Or a character?

Happy Stitching!

Craft Swap Addictions

Have you been involved in any craft swaps?

I'd vaguely heard about them, mostly through my mother Ozzypip participating in quilting ones - she'd send off a couple of blocks and receive some in return to make a quilt with.  It sounded like fun, but since I don't quilt I figured that was that.

Then I discovered Instagram.

And craft swaps.

So many craft swaps!

The Instagram craft swaps tend to be an "all crafts welcome" affair with people completing any crafty item they like under the theme.  The idea is that you receive a swap partner, and make something for them.  There is a theme for the craft items, and you receive details about things your partner likes/dislikes in accordance with that theme.  A lot of people also make inspirational mosaics to post on Instagram to give more ideas to their swap partner.  Then you make something for them, send it off (usually with a few other goodies thrown in) and all the while somebody else is making something to send to you (not the same person you made for - that way it's a surprise).

It's a lot of fun, particularly seeing the creation process of different people, the vast depth of creativity of people all around the globe, and it is a lot of fun watching items come to life, all the while trying to work out which item is destined for you.

Best of all, most of the ones I've seen on Instagram tend to be very heavily cross stitched-based.  It's great having an outlet in which to share my love of geeky cross stitch with like-minded people.

Having never participated in a craft swap until this year, I've now signed up for my fourth one.

The first was the #SuperHeroSwap, in which I made a needle-keeper, pair of earrings, and hanging decoration all in the theme of Thor, my swap partner's identified favourite super hero.  I'm still waiting for my package to arrive - darn bush post!

What I made for the Superhero swap.  The batgirl
fabric formed the inside of the needle keeper
and back of the padded hanging decoration.

The second one is a Harry Potter/Hogwarts Swap.  My swap partner is yet to post an inspiration mosaic, however from the questionaire answers I was sent I've already started forming some ideas...

Ideas are forming for my craft for the #hogwartsswap2015

 The third is a Villain Swap, or Viva La Villain Swap as it is known. For this one, my swap partner has indicated a liking for Daleks, Weeping Angels and Snape.  I'm pretty sure I can work with that!

Possible pattern idea for #VivaLaVillainsSwap

 After the 3rd one, I promised myself no more swaps.  At least, not until after July when the other two should be finished...

On Friday I signed up for my fourth swap.  It's Doctor Who themed.  Like I was going to be able to resist that one!

#doctorwhocraftswap2015

I wonder if any of these Fangirl Stitches patterns
will work for the Doctor Who Swap

I know.  I've become addicted.

I wonder if they make a patch for this kind of thing?

I'd love to hear about what craft swaps you've been involved in, and how you go about determining what to make.