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It’s official; I cannot escape any and all references to pandas (They keep haunting & following me! Anyone have panda deterrent?)

2012
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Mindskin comic - How God made panda bears

Humorous comic on how God made panda bears

OK, I have absolutely no idea why pandas have made such a prominent presence in my life over the past year or so… but they have.

I’ve always been in love with giant pandas. Part of it I’m sure can be attributed to the Asian in me.

But you have to admit, there’s just something about pandas and how utterly cute they look that make everyone go “Awwww!” Especially when they’re babies! Have you seen the YouTube videos? Holy cow, talk about adorable.

Anyway, back in November 2010 I had blogged about how Canada was in the process of inking a deal to bring pandas from China for display at several zoos nationwide. Nothing was ever confirmed since then, so that news story sort of died for a year.

However, while talks of pandas coming to Canada may have died since end of 2010… that didn’t mean I was able to escape any and all references to this black and white faux bear! In fact, quite the opposite occurred. I was utterly surrounded by talks of pandas every minute of every day for all of 2011 with the exception of 1 month and 24 days!

Why? Because as anyone who’s in the SEO or Internet industry may know, 2011 became the year of the big bad Google Panda algorithm update, which first made its roar back in February 24, 2011 (dun dun dunnnnn!).

Qing Qing and Quan Quan giant pandas visited Toronto Zoo in 1985

Back in 1985, visiting giant pandas Qing Qing and Quan Quan drew quite the crowd to the Toronto Zoo!

Well today, talk of actual real pandas (the animal kind!) came back into the news in Toronto because it was officially confirmed today that pandas will for sure be arriving to the Toronto Zoo.

As a current seasonal member (and one for multiple consecutive years in the past) of The Toronto Zoo, I’m beyond thrilled… as I’m sure my husband is, as well. It should be noted that one of his most treasured childhood bears (which now belongs to me, of course) still wears a Toronto Zoo Qing Qing panda shirt (back when both Qing Qing and Quan Quan giant pandas were visiting Toronto in 1985).

Anyway, to conclude… it’s official. I might as well admit there’s no possible way for me to escape. I will forever be followed in life by these pesky (yet admittedly adorable) bamboo-chewing black and white cuddly beasts!!!

(Anyone have anything that can successfully act as a panda deterrent?)

Image sources: Panda comic image courtesy of Mindskin.com. Image of Qing Qing and Quan Quan giant pandas at the Toronto Zoo courtesy of TheStar.com.
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Top ten twenty milestone events (in the life of Karina!) for 2011

2012
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New Years Resolutions comic - healthy eating means wanting half a cupcake

This comic says it all... didn't it seem like 2011 was all about cupcakes?

Once again, Happy New Year!

Before officially ringing in 2012 (and by official, I mean an entire month late considering it’s already end of January… man, time sure goes by fast!), I wanted to summarize the major events that happened in my life during 2011.

Note: This post is part of my “Best of the Best Top Ten Lists” blog series. But as you can see… it somehow turned into a “Top 20″ list instead of 10 (only because there were too many events that had occured during 2011 to reduce the list to 10!).

Anyway, without further ado, here we go…

Top 20 events of 2011 - New Canon and Sony cameras and lenses
#1 New Cameras, Lenses & Filters… Oh My!
(January 2011 & December 2011)
2011 started with receiving my Boxing Day 2010 camera purchases in the mail: A) Canon EOS Rebel T1i DSLR camera kit (w/ 18-55mm zoom lens) from BestBuy.ca; B) Sony Alpha NEX-3 interchangeable camera kit (w/ 18-55mm zoom & 16mm wide-angle lenses) + camera filters from Henrys.ca
In January, I bought a Canon 75-300mm telephoto lens at J&R while traveling to NYC
For Boxing Day 2011, I bought a 33mm macro lens for my Sony Alpha NEX-3 camera, on sale at Vistek.ca

#2 Vogue Knitting LIVE! Convention in New York
(January 21-23, 2011)
I spent much of 2010 waiting for “The Ultimate Knitting EVENT from the Ultimate Knitting Magazine“… and it finally came in January 2011
I’m talking about attending the 1st ever Vogue Knitting LIVE! in NYC
Highlights include: A) Getting my “Vogue Knitting Knitopedia: The Ultimate A to Z for Knitters” book autographed; B) Meeting Knitterati-member Nicky Epstein; C) Buying more yarn than I could stuff in my carry-on (It’s true, I had to FedEx a box home!); D) Getting tips on designing my own knitwear & learning about different yarn fibers
Top 20 events of 2011 - Voge Knitting LIVE! convention in New York City

Top 20 events of 2011 - Watching Billie Joe Armstrong star in American Idiot Broadway musical
#3 Watching Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Star as St. Jimmy in American Idiot Broadway Musical
(January 21, 2011)
While in New York for the Vogue Knitting LIVE! convention in January, we were lucky enough to be able to catch Green Day‘s front man Billie Joe Armstrong actually star in American Idiot The Musical, during his month-long stint playing St. Jimmy
We were also lucky enough to accidentally stumble upon him signing autographs outside the theater (watch video here)

#4 2011: The Year Google’s Panda Algorithm Update Changed the Landscape of Search
(The world changed after February 24, 2011)
As someone working in the Search Engine Optimization field, the year 2011 was most definitely a roller coaster ride… dominated by a giant black & white endangered animal that feasts exclusively on bamboo
The Google Panda algorithm update made its arrival in the U.S. after February 24th & would later hit other English-speaking countries April 11th
Regular Panda updates continued every 6 weeks or so all through 2011
Top 20 events of 2011 - Google Panda algorithm update

Top 20 events of 2011 - Rainbow color yarn
#5 Buying Rainbow Colored Yarn of All Fibers
(January to March, 2011)
After receiving a chullo hat & fingerless gloves knitting book from my mother-in-law for Christmas 2010, I became obsessed with knitting winter accessories… and teaching myself how to create my own custom-designed knitwear
It was during early 2011 when I came up with the idea of creating my own Hand Knitted SEO/HTML Geek Wear, to sell online through this site
This led to me being obsessed with the idea of buying yarn of all fiber types (merino wool, alpaca, organic cotton… oh my!) in every single color of the rainbow. I’m talking pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues & purples

#6 Goodbye, Long Locks… Hello, New Short Bob Haircut From My New Fave Hair Stylist
(May 2011)
Before 2011, I can’t remember when I last had short hair
I started growing it long prior to my May 12th, 2010 wedding… but kept it long a year later (b/c I was cheap & lazy)
In May, I made an impromptu decision to abandon going to my regular salon & instead went back to trying Toni & Guy
Although I went with a random stylist, the guy became the best I’ve ever had (he knew exactly how to cut my hair based on how it naturally sat on my head). And what did I get? A spontaneous short bob haircut!
I tried finding him last month for haircut #2 of 2011, but turns out he had quit to start his own salon. Went to the new place & had him cut my hair in the same style as before. It looks equally great. So yay, he’s a keeper!
Top 20 events of 2011 - New short bob hair style

Top 20 events of 2011 - New Sony VAIO laptop computer
#7 Upgraded to New Sony VAIO Laptop Computer
(May 2011)
Also in May, I finally bit the bullet & threw away my previously beloved (but wonky) Spring Green colored Dell Inspiron notebook computer (it had a faulty monitor connection & wouldn’t load half the time)
When I noticed a sale on Sony VAIO E Series laptops at Best Buy? I made the decision to buy it… in electric blue
I’ve been using my trusty new Sony VAIO as my go-to, regular home computer since then & I gotta say… Most definitely infatuated with it!

#8 Made the Switch from iPhone to Android & Never, Ever Looked Back
(July 21, 2011)
I’ve had my iPhone 3GS for a while before one fine day in June and BAM! This happened: 1) I lost it by leaving it at a restaurant; 2) One of the staffers took it, then lied about doing so when I went back & inquired
Luckily, the (read: super cheap, under-the-table) phone plan I was on allowed me to get a new smartphone by renewing my contract in July
After consulting with friends, family & people at work, I ended up waiting patiently until nearly end of July so I could purchase the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G the day it was released on Bell Mobility
I gotta say, I love my new Android phone & wouldn’t go back to an iPhone even if you gave me the choice for free! Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Samsung phones are hot. And by hot? I mean sexy.
Top 20 events of 2011 - New Sumsung Galaxy S2 Android smartphone

Top 20 events of 2011 - New house
#9 1st Comes Marriage, Then Comes a New House…
(May 2011 & August 2011)
My husband and I are pros at renting apartments (together as a couple we’ve lived in 5 different rentals!)
In the middle of our 1-year lease at the last apartment, there was an uproar involving the landlord. They threatened to evict us “as long as we get 2 months notice” (which was NOT true)
We decided to be proactive & move out by the end of our lease in August before they forced us out on their terms
We also decided the time was right to buy property. Our tiff with the landlord at the last condo really soured us on the idea of renting. Plus, we had just celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary, and what comes next after marriage except our very own house?
We started house hunting in May & found the perfect townhouse immediately! Without a doubt, 2011 will forever be remembered as the year we bought our house.

#10 …Then Comes Living in Debt Thanks to a Mortgage on That New House!
(August 2011)
Guess what comes along with buying a brand new house? A brand spankin’ new mortgage loan, that’s what!
Lawyer fees, land transfer taxes, property taxes & maintenance fees aside… it’s good to know that at the end of the day, the money spent throughout this whole house-purchasing process (& money that we’ll continue to spend for years to come) is at least all going towards paying off our house debts
Top 20 events of 2011 - New mortgage debt

Top 20 events of 2011 - House painting fun
#11 House Painting Fun, Fun, Fun!
(August 2011)
>The best part about buying a house vs. renting a condo? You’re free to decorate it however you like! As someone who lives and breathes arts & crafts, I was jumping at the chance to get to work decorating it.
That’s right. I hoarded paint swatches from Home Depot. I clipped pictures of rooms I liked from storage organization/home decor magazines. I made “to-scale” floor plans for each room in the house & where to put the furniture. I literally had a sketchbook of ideas on how to decorate the crap out of the new house… before we even got the place.
At the end of the day, I didn’t really have to do much in terms of decorating the house outside of painting the rooms (since the previous owner had bought it just to completely reno it from top-to-bottom & flip it for profit). But man, did I have fun painting! Let’s just say there were 5 rooms that ended up getting painted & I used 5 different colors of paint!

#12 Furniture Shopping? Even MORE Fun!
(Summer 2011)
Guess what also comes along with buying a brand new house? Shopping for brand spankin’ new furniture, that’s what!
Yes, my husband and I have lived in our share of apartments so most of our furniture had already been purchased. But we’ve never lived in anything bigger than a 2 bedroom apartment! And going from a max. 1080 sq. ft. condo to a 3+1 bedroom 3 storey house? There were definitely additional furniture items needed to bought!
Let’s just say during 2011, I discovered the inner furniture shopaholic in me. I could NOT avoid the neighborhood Urban Barn Outlet, was constantly at Structube & scoured every Toronto indie furniture store in search of custom upholstered sofas & armchairs.
It took me several months to amass everything, but at the end of the day I’d say I’m quite pleased with the furniture pieces that I ended up with!
Top 20 events of 2011 - New furniture shopping

Top 20 events of 2011 - Custom built dream walk-in closet
#13 Turning the Smallest Bedroom into a Custom Built, Dream Walk-in Closet
(August 2011)
Every girl dreams of their perfect, walk-in closet… one that’s the size of an entire bedroom (Hello? Remember the walk-in closet Mr. Big had custom built for Carrie in the 1st Sex and the City movie?). Well, that dream became a reality for me when we moved into our new house.
Back in August when we were about to move in, my dad (being the super awesome handyman that he is) followed my requests to the letter and transformed our smallest bedroom into my ideal, personalized walk-in closet. I’m talking a full wall-to-wall, floor-to-bottom set of PAX wardrobes from IKEA on one side of the room, facing a wall covered top-to-bottom with rows and rows of shelving to house my numerous pairs of shoes and boots. Can we say, heavenly bliss?

#14 Discovered Newfound Rubber Ducky Obsession
(August 2011)
I have no idea where it came from (seriously, this is completely from left field), but I’ve developed a newfound obsession with rubber duckies
It all started when decorating our main floor bathroom in the new house, and I made a spontaneous decision to have the decor revolve around a rubber ducky theme. I’m talking framed scrapbook prints of rubber ducky patterns on the wall, rubber ducky wall decal stickers, rubber ducky hand towels, rubber ducky lotion & soap pumps, plus a current grand total of TWENTY FIVE rubber duckies just, y’know, sittin’ around.
Yuppers. Just call me the rubber ducky hoarder!
Top 20 events of 2011 - New rubber ducky obsession

Top 20 events of 2011 - Food Network channel TV shows
#15 Became Obsessed with the Food Network TV Channel… and Watching It Nonstop While Cooking!
(Starting August 2011)
When we moved into our new house, we were able to enjoy the perks of free access to channels available through Rogers’ VIP digital TV package
OK, so it’s not technically free… it’s actually included as part of our townhouse maintenance fees. But they gave us 3 free boxes!And you know what that means? That’s right. I gots me a brand new flat screen Samsung TV to mount on my kitchen wall… and in white, to match!
As if the new kitchen and its brand new cabinets and fixtures and appliances didn’t make cooking in the new house completely awesome to begin with. Add in the brand new pivoting TV and free access to the Canadian Food Network TV channel? Pure cooking bliss.

#16 Expanded My Pet Bunny Clan to Two
(August 27, 2011)
My husband and I may not have kids (yet!), but we’re currently content with our close knit family that consists of pet bunnies.
We’ve had 2 Mini Rex bunnies before, but both have since passed. In September 2010, we adopted a gorgeous charcoal-colored Netherlands Dwarf rabbit. She looked like a koala, so I named her “The Koala Bunny“… much to my husband’s chagrin. To this day he refuses to acknowledge that was ever her name. She’s now referred to fondly as “The Chicken“… because, well, she clucks! It’s funny, because our old Mini Rex bunnies used to honk like geese, I swear.
Anyway, this relates to 2011 because after moving into our new house, we decided to seek a soul mate for “The Chicken” (because bunnies don’t cope well on their own… they’re social creatures!).
I’ve always longed for a floppy-eared Holland Lop rabbit, one that’s brown with a dark nose. I finally found the perfect dream bunny and we welcomed him into our family on August 27, 2011. This one isn’t “pretty” like the other one (he’s more scrappy looking, a bit scrungy). But he is absolutely beyond adorable because he looks (and acts!) exactly like a perpetually enthusiastic and energetic puppy dog. Which is why he’s officially named “The Puppy.” And boy, do we love him!
So now, our little family of 4 is complete.
Top 20 events of 2011 - New puppy bunny

Top 20 events of 2011 - Intro to sewing classes
#17 Used a Groupon for Intro to Sewing Classes
(September 2011)
At the end of 2010, I purchased a Groupon for 50% off an 8-Week-Long Introductory Sewing course. However, it wasn’t until September 2011 (when the coupon was about to expire) before I put it to good use
I’ve had previous experience with sewing before (in Family Studies class at school & having been taught by my mom when I was young), but I definitely needed a major refresher
I learned quite a lot! It definitely sparked something inside of me to want to continue learning how to sew. So at the end of the day, 2011 will go down in my books as the year I fell in love with sewing again.
Plus, the best part to learning how to sew? Hands down, shopping for fabrics. Especially at Mood Designer Fabrics in New York, the official fabric store for Project Runway… one of my fave TV shows of all time!

#18 Started New KnittingNPurling Etsy Store
(September 28, 2011)
Starting in September, I finally got around to starting up a brand new store on Etsy called KnittingNPurling, where I intend to exclusively sell “handmade geeky gifts for computer nerds“
Currently, you can purchase: 1) gold or silver wire wrapped name necklaces with “geekery” words written in cursive letters, 2) computer keyboard keys & lampwork glass beaded earrings, and 3) computer keyboard keys & chunky layered button rose rings
More items are planned for the near future, including lots of SEO/HTML themed custom knitted geek wear… so stay tuned! And if you’re on Etsy, please feel free to add me to your circles. Cheers.
Top 20 events of 2011 - Handmade computer keyboard jewelry at my KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Top 20 events of 2011 - Toronto Bead Fair and One of a Kind Show
#19 Hi, My Name is Karina and I’m a Bead Hoarder
(Bead Fair in November & OOAK Show in December 2011)
When I restarted Etsy in September, I also rediscovered my love of volunteer group of people who share an abiding love of, and enthusiasm for, beads, beadwork, and related jewelry-making skills.” Sounds like me!
I also attended the twice yearly 2011 Fall Bead & Jewelry Fair in November. It wasn’t a big shindig, but the smorgasbord of beads available (including my coveted handmade lampwork beads by local artisans) made the show to die for. And I got to network with other bead lovers!
Lastly, I made my requisite pit stop at the Christmas Toronto One of a Kind Show, where I got the chance to both buy AND meet up with additional bead connoisseurs. 2011 was definitely a good craft year!

#20 Back From My Longest Hiatus From Blogging (With a Vengeance!)
(December 6, 2011)
I’ve been known to go in on long breaks between blogging (there’s just so much going on in my life all the time that I can never find the time to devote to blogging!) However, the break that elapsed between the last blog post I had written on April 24th, pre-hiatus… vs. the comeback post I had written on December 6th? That was SEVEN months long! Ouch.
Well, just wanted to say I want to end that trend of going on hiatus now that 2011 has come to a close. I’m refreshed. I’ve got the new house, and everything has settled down in my life. So I’m ready to tackle maintaining this Knitting & Purling blog… with a vengeance!
Hopefully you’ll keep returning back to read more of my posts. Cheers and much thanks in advance if you do. XOXO, Karina
Top 20 events of 2011 - Restarting my Knitting and Purling blog (after a 7-month hiatus)
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A nightmare at Best Buy (Part 1 in 2-part blog series on my Boxing Day 2011 shopping experience)

2012
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Cyanide and Happiness comic - Happy New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to hoping the Mayans were wrong and the world doesn't end...

Let me start off by saying Happy New Year, everyone!

Not sure about you, but I had an amazing holiday. Ironically, I didn’t travel to anywhere or did anything beyond vegging out with my husband in our new house.

So why was it so amazing? Because for the first time in years, I actually had vacation days available to take during the Christmas break!

Usually I would use up my vacay days long before December rolls around by going on some trip or another each year. But this year? Thanks to buying the new house, we were freshly in debt and not exactly interested in traveling. Which translated to getting 10 days off from work in a row! Oh happy day (or, well, 10) for Karina.

Anyway, I’ve got a bunch of blog posts in the works for the new year… but just wanted to start off with a 2-part blog series documenting my Boxing Day 2011 shopping experience. First up? Shopping for a camera lens!

A Nightmare at Best Buy

Boxing Week 2011 - A Nightmare at Best BuySo ever since I bought my Canon EOS Rebel T1i DSLR camera the previous year during Boxing Week at BestBuy.ca, I’ve been keeping my eyes on purchasing Canon lenses to use with the camera. In particular, I really had my eye on the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens.

I did a lot of research last year during Boxing Week 2010, and the lowest price I could find for the lens (with availability in Canada) was $99.99. However, since I didn’t buy the Canon camera until Christmas Day (online via BestBuy.ca)… I didn’t really start searching for the lens until late into Boxing Week sales. Basically I lost out on being able to buy the lens at that lowest price, and if I had really wanted to purchase it at the time I would’ve had to fork over at least $119.99 Canadian (which, of course, I didn’t because I was cheap!).

Anyway, fast forward a year to present day, and I started noticing the same Canon EF 50mm lens (nicknamed the Nifty Fifty and the Plastic Fantastic due to its “low price but sharp optical quality“) popping up all over the place for Boxing Week sales. Canon was also heavily promoting their camera lenses all throughout December on TV.

I discovered the lens was available at BestBuy.ca during Boxing Week only $89.99… that’s $10 less than the lowest price from the previous year!

Website screenshot image - Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens on sale for Boxing Week at Best Buy Canada

The Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens was on sale at BestBuy.ca for only $89.99 during Boxing Week (that's a $40 price drop from a regular price of $129.99!)

But, surprise surprise… I was once again late to the show and alas, it was sold out again online at BesBuy.ca when I went to buy it. Consider it some sort of curse.

I did more digging and found the same lens on sale during Boxing Week at FutureShop.ca for $10 more (i.e. at $99.99).

Website screenshot image - Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens on sale for Boxing Week at Future Shop

The same Canon lens on sale at FutureShop.ca for $99.99 during Boxing Week... that's $10 more expensive. Boo.

At the time when I checked, I believe they had only 4 units left. I figured even though it was $10 more at Future Shop than Best Buy, at least paying $99.99 for the lens would mean I’d be paying the same price as if I were to purchase it a year ago. Plus, I had been so good and resisted temptation for an entire year… I figured I might as well bite the bullet!

Well anyway, for some reason the fact that I took 10 glorious days away from work for my mini-vacay (filled with vegging at home with my hubby in the cozy comfort of our new house!) somehow translated to “me feeling suicidal” (don’t worry, I mean it strictly in the shopping-sense… not literally!). By which I mean, “Hey! Let’s go Boxing Day shopping ON THE ACTUAL DAY OF BOXING DAY! And not only that, LET’S HIT UP BEST BUY!”

Shoebox Blog comic - Boxing Day shopping pros and cons

Seriously, I've learned my lessons. NEVER EVER enter an electronics big box store on the actual day of Boxing Day (or Black Friday). EVER.

So while I had previously ranted against people who stood in line for Black Friday sales? Apparently I was hit by selective amnesia on December 26th.

True, we didn’t get up at the crack of dawn just to stand outside for hours (thank God, I didn’t lose ALL of my common sense!). But going to Best Buy? On the actual day of Boxing Day? Simply put, one word: Suicidal.

If there’s ever a day you want to shoplift at Best Buy in Canada? Do it on Boxing Day.
(Note: I’m completely kidding. Please don’t do this. I am in no way endorsing shoplifting.)

Let’s just say the alarms that would ring if you were to unplug the cameras or the computers in the store? They were all blasting at full-volume continuously without fail. And there weren’t anywhere CLOSE to enough staff available to attend to turning off those alarms. They also had crap thrown left, right, and center… with everything completely in disarray and not in their right place.

And if you wanted to buy something from the camera department? Doesn’t matter if it’s something as expensive as a DSLR camera or something as minor as my coveted Canon portrait lens… you had to stand in a separate line that’s in the middle of the store (i.e. separate from the cash lines by the front door).

The line would wind and curve around the aisles of the photo department… slowly progressing towards ONE SINGLE CASH REGISTER that’s standing next to a locked cabinet of camera products. And the line? It progresses slower than watching grass grow.

So of course, I stood in line because at that particular Best Buy location they actually had my Cannon EF 50mm lens in stock (I had inquired before standing in line, of course)… and available for the lowest sale price of $89.99!

At several points in time I considered abandoning the line… especially when it seemed to be unmoving most of the time. But each time that happened, the line inched forward a bit and I decided it would be a pity to leave after having stuck by it for so long. So, alas, I would continue being a sucker and stayed in line.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 ii portrait lens (collage image)

Different views of my coveted Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II portrait lens

After what felt like two hours of lining up, I finally arrived at the cash register. And guess what? I got the very last unit of my coveted Canon lens at that particular store location. I kid you not. Someone 2 people ahead of me in line had bought the same lens… so I was literally THISCLOSE to have wasted all of that time in line for nothing. Thank God that wasn’t the case!

Well at least now I’ve officially learned my lesson. Never, ever, EVER go to an electronics big box store on the actual day (i.e. December 26th) of Boxing Week sales. That $10 that I saved? I mean it’s great and all that I was able to successfully purchase the lens at the lowest sale price… but it was completely and utterly not worth wasting 2 hours of my time. I could’ve earned way more in wages for that equivalent time period.

But for now? I’m going to pretend my Best Buy Boxing Day 2011 experience was a “special case” and an exception to the rule… just so I can justify it in my head in order to calm my sanity. (But truthfully, it really isn’t!)

On a final note, I still have to return the dang Canon lens that came in the mail from FutureShop.ca. Trust me, I won’t be doing that anytime soon! I don’t want to return back to an electronics big box store until well after the return lines die down… ’cause I just know they’ll be insane immediately after Christmas holidays.

Next up? The second part to my Boxing Day 2011 shopping experience. Read about the fun times that I had shopping for art supplies and hand-painted yarn (both at deep discounts!).

Image sources: Cyanide and Happiness New Year 2011 comic courtesy of Explosm.net. “A Nightmare at Best Buy” logo based on A Nightmare on Elm Street movie logo & Best Buy store logo, pieced together by Karina of KnittingandPurling.com. Best Buy website screenshot image courtesy of BestBuy.ca. Future Shop website screenshot image courtesy of FutureShop.ca. Chuck and Beans Black Friday (Correction: Boxing Day!) cartoon image courtesy of Shoebox blog. Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens collage image courtesy of DPReview.com.
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Happy Christmas Eve! Me? I’m grateful to be celebrating with my husband, in our new house, and with our 2 adorable bunnies

2011
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Christmas-themed Link's Awakening comic

Merry Christmas to me! Are you as big a Zelda nerd as myself? Then you might also enjoy this Christmas-themed Link's Awakening (!) comic.

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

Hope you’re celebrating the holidays with family, friends, and people you love.

This year, I’m grateful to be spending it with my husband (second Christmas as a newlywed!) and in our brand new house (first Christmas as a new homeowner!).

It’s also the first year we have our two adorable bunnies as part of our family, including our brand new “Puppy” bunny… which is, without a doubt, my favorite non-human love of my life right now. I mean, how can you NOT love this thing?

Our brand new Puppy bunny - back when he was a baby

The new addition to our family this year: Our brand new 'Puppy' bunny! Note: This photo was taken when he was still a baby... Aww.

We’ve always had regular straight-eared bunnies (we had 2 Mini Rex rabbits before, and we currently own a Netherland Dwarf rabbit). But in recent months I’ve fallen in love with Holland Lop bunnies. And now that you’ve seen our new Puppy? Surely you can understand why!

So yeah, just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Time to celebrate with family before the mass-shopping spree begins on Boxing Day. More on that to come, but for now… cheers!

XOXO,
Karina


Image Sources: Link’s Awakening Christmas comic courtesy of OxygenDeficient.com. Photograph by Karina and ©2011 Knitting & Purling.

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Grand opening of my KnittingNPurling Etsy store. First up, my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection!

2011
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KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Shop handmade geeky gifts for computer nerds at my KnittinNPurling Etsy store!

As mentioned in my last blog post, I’ve decided to start up a brand new Etsy store. So without further ado, let me officially welcome you to my new KnittingNPurling Etsy store!

Yes, it’s true. This isn’t my first Etsy shop. Some of you may recall I had started the ConigliVerdi Etsy store back in January 2010 to help pay for my wedding in Florence, Italy.

That store was semi-successful. I may not have gotten the chance to sell much online, but it did lead to having my jewelry temporarily sold in-store at a Toronto consignment store… one that was located in the trendy Beaches area of Queen Street East, home to the Beaches International Jazz Festival (voted Toronto’s #1 outdoor summer music event!).

Collage image of a Toronto consignment store that used to sell my handmade jewelry

Collage image of a Toronto consignment store (located in the trendy Beaches area of Queen Street East!) that used to sell my handmade jewelry

Image featuring handmade jewelry from my ConigliVerdi Etsy store for sale at a Toronto consignment store

Photo of handmade jewelry from my previous ConigliVerdi Etsy store, available for sale at a Toronto consignment store

Items from my previous ConigliVerdi Etsy store for sale at a Toronto consignment store

Close-up view of my rainbow colored lucky star charm bracelets, previously available for sale at a Toronto cosignment store

You may have already guessed this (hello, blog hiatus #3?), but I’m horrible at keeping projects going. So unfortunately, maintaining that store sorta fell by the wayside. Although that shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. I mean not only is there so much to do when it comes to prepping for a wedding… it didn’t help matters when that wedding was located in a foreign land!

Screenshot image of my KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Screenshot image of my KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. Back to my new KnittingNPurling Etsy shop!

I’ve decided to start fresh this time on Etsy because I wanted the shop to be officially tied to this Knitting & Purling blog website that you’re currently on (which, yes, I did indeed recently reboot from my 7-month long hiatus because I wanted to start selling on Etsy again).

This time, I’ve decided to focus specifically on one theme and one theme only: handmade geeky gifts, jewelry & fashion accessories for computer nerds.

If this piques your interest, then please come back regularly to check out my blog! I’ll be showcasing more items from my KnittingNPurling Etsy store in the future as I continue to make new items and add them to the shop. I’ve already got a never ending list of ideas planned in my head of things I want to make, more than I’ll ever have time to accomplish! But don’t worry, I’ll find a way to make the time… (Sleep? What’s that?)

For now, here’s a brief peek into my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection. I’ll also be showcasing the very first three items added to my new Etsy store (that are also part of this series). Enjoy!

HTML Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

HTML Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy Store

Different views of my HTML Gold Wire Name Necklace, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

HTML (Definition)

  • Hypertext Markup Language, a standardized system for tagging text files to achieve font, color, graphic & hyperlink effects on World Wide Web pages

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade gold wire wrapped name necklace with the word “HTML” written in cursive letters
  • Which shop section? Part of the Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 20 gauge gold plated non tarnish copper wire
    • Gold lobster clasp
    • 18k gold plated chain + row of 8 jump rings (to form adjustable necklace length, approx. 16″ long)
    • Gold filigree tree charm attached to end of necklace chain (signature charm included with all gold wire necklaces from my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection)


Geekery Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Geekery Gold Wire Wrapepd Cursive Letters Name Necklace available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my Geekery Gold Wire Name Necklace, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Geekery (Definition)

  • The collective goings on of geeks/the qualities that make a geek
  • The individual actions that define people as geeks

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade gold wire wrapped name necklace with the word “Geekery” written in cursive letters
  • Which shop section? Part of the Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 20 gauge gold plated non tarnish copper wire
    • Gold lobster clasp
    • 18k gold plated chain + row of 8 jump rings (to form adjustable necklace length, approx. 16″ long)
    • Gold filigree tree charm attached to end of necklace chain (signature charm included with all gold wire necklaces from my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection)


Meta Tag Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Meta Tag Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my Meta Tag Gold Wire Name Necklace, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Meta Tags (Definition)

  • Elements of HTML website source code that describe the contents of a webpage
  • Used by search engines to index pages
  • Most common meta tags are the description, title & keywords

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade gold wire wrapped name necklace with the words “Meta Tag” written in cursive letters
  • Which shop section? Part of the Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 20 gauge gold plated non tarnish copper wire
    • Gold lobster clasp
    • 18k gold plated chain + row of 8 jump rings (to form adjustable necklace length, approx. 16″ long)
    • Gold filigree tree charm attached to end of necklace chain (signature charm included with all gold wire necklaces from my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection)
Image sources: KnittingNPurling Etsy store logo & screenshot image, plus all photographs included in post ©2010-2012 Karina of KnittingandPurling.com.
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