Saturday, December 22, 2012

Geek Girl Crafts PodZine: Issue 2

Well, Jade finally managed to get her act together and release the 2nd issue of the Geek Girl Crafts Podzine --  a quarterly fanzine based off our podcast, and all of those things that we love doing and talking about.

And she managed to get it into the last few days of this quarter! (She sincerely apologizes and blames the holiday season.)


For this 25 page issue, we have a slew of articles for your perusal:
  • Crafting Season -- España talks about the season of crafting
  • A PodCastiung 'T.V Guide' -- a summary of some of the girls' (and their listeners') favorite podcasts
  • A Tale of Two Cons -- Bill Howard talks about attending different convention types for his type of geek
  • Doctor Doctor -- Chris Erickson gives the low-down on all of his costumes
  • Holiday Crafting Ideas --- Sandy gives some advice & links
  • Mail Call --- our readers give us ideas & help
  • And we have a few comics that you will enjoy by Brad Foster.

Download the PDF file

Interested in Contributing to the Next PodZINE?

Let us know how you like it! And if you want to contribute to our podzine, we're currently taking submissions for articles, photographs, fan art, flash fiction, and whatnought, for everything geek AND craft related.

  • Contact Us: ggcpodcast AT gmail.com
  • Deadline: Feb. 28, 2013

Friday, December 21, 2012

Episode 30: Hawkeye Holidays

The girls are back and talk about the Hawkeye Initiative where comic book covers of physically impossible female poses are mocked by Hawkeye. Afterwards, it's all about the holiday crafting.
The girls wish everyone a happy holiday season!


(Click to listen! Uses Flash)


Get Geeky 

The girls talk about the Hawkeye Initiatve

And Espana mentions the Anne Hathaway incident and her cool responses to the media.

Get Crafty

Holiday Crafting

Sandy & España have been a bit too busy to do some holiday crafting. Sandy became very ill around Thanksgiving and España's boy was visiting from England for 2 weeks, but Sandy was able to eek out 2 scarves for her White Elephant at home.
Consequently, Jade's the busy bee of the trio with the following:
  • Bottled liquors for her friends and family.
  • Sent off her nephew's fingerless gloves for his birthday
  • Finished up a pair of fingerless gloves for her neice
  • Sewed a Steampunk utility belt/apron for her SIL.

Fiber Optics

Knitting:

  • Jade:    
    • Adam's Rib Hoodie Vest 3
    • Finished up her Adam’s Rib Hoodie,.       
    • Sent off her nephew's fingerless gloves for his birthday
    • Finished up a pair of fingerless gloves for her neice
    • Started working on a top-down raglan pullover with a hoodie from her handspun.

Bead It

España finished working on a Sherlock beaded scarf, and sent it off to the intended recipient who wrote an article about it.
  • http://royalflushmagazine.com/2012/11/28/forget-bowties-i-wear-a-scarf-scarves-are-cool/


  • Get Musical!

    For those of you listening to the end of the show, the music played at the end was "Awake Ye Scary Great Old Ones" that can be found at http://www.cthulhulives.org/solstice/

    Wednesday, November 14, 2012

    Episode 29: ConVoluted: An Interview with Jennifer Brozek

    The girls do a post-con report on ConVolution 2012, and talk to award-winning author/editor, Jennifer Brozek!


    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    Get Geeky 

    Jade wraps up Convolution, and then we segueway into the interview with Jennifer Brozek. Jenn talks about her daily life as a writer, and her upcoming projects.
    For more info about Jenn, check out her website at: http://www.jenniferbrozek.com/

    Contest

    The prize -- the book we reviewed -- Knits for Nerds by Joan of Dark, aka Toni Carr. If you’re a geek who doesn’t craft, but wants to learn, or wants to give this to someone so they CAN learn -- Submit a short article -- about 300 words or more (3 paragraphs ) -- of why you want to learn how to knit or why you think this would be an awesome gift for your friend.

    The most compelling short essay (as decided by the 3 of us) wins the book!
    Deadline: By American Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 22nd.

    Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Joan of Dark aka Toni Carr
    RETAIL: $16.99 US/ $19.99 CA

    Get Crafty


    Fiber Optics

    Knitting:

    • Jade:    
      • Working on the hood for Adam’s Rib Hoodie, which is an easily memorized pattern.       
      • Finished her nephew's fingerless gloves for his birthday


    Spinning

    Jade's in the 3rd trimester of SpinU, and it’s still been pretty amazing. She's currently spinning viscose fiber such as flax, hemp, and bamboo. In the meantime, Espana's flabbergasted that anyone can actually spin those fibers.


    Bead It

    Espana is working on a Sherlock beaded scarf.

    Wednesday, October 31, 2012

    Episode 28: Halloween Anniversary

    We missed our Anniversary! It's been over a year since we started podcasting, and we want to thank all of our listeners for sticking with us for a year. We hope that you continue listening to the show, as we plan on podcasting far into the future!

    In this episode, the girls talk about rehashed shows & movies. In the second half of the show, the girls talk about fiber arts and costumes for Halloween. AND, we're sponsoring a contest for the holidays! Come, get your geek on, and win!

    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    PLUGS

    Looking for Podzine Articles

    We’re looking for submissions for the next quarter, and the deadline is October 31, 2012. So, if you would like to write an article about anything geeky and/or crafty, drop us a line at ggcpodcast AT gmail.com


    Contest

    The prize -- the book we reviewed -- Knits for Nerds by Joan of Dark, aka Toni Carr. If you’re a geek who doesn’t craft, but wants to learn, or wants to give this to someone so they CAN learn -- Submit a short article -- about 300 words or more (3 paragraphs ) -- of why you want to learn how to knit or why you think this would be an awesome gift for your friend.

    The most compelling short essay (as decided by the 3 of us) wins the book!
    Deadline: By American Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 22nd.

    Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Joan of Dark aka Toni Carr
    RETAIL: $16.99 US/ $19.99 CA

    Operation Fork:


    November 16: http://www.facebook.com/events/459250237430670/

    Calendar of Hope

    The 2013 Calendar of Hope is in 5th year of publication and has raised over $5000 for Breast Cancer.  The calendar contains 14 never-before-published knitting patterns. You can download one of the patterns for FREE at www.fitterknitter.com to judge for yourself the quality of the calendar.  All proceeds of the sale of these calendars (except of PayPal fees) go to www.ArmyOfWomen.org whose goals are

    Get Geeky 

    Moment of Squee

    Topic of the Day: Rehashed shows. 


    The girls talk about old shows being revamped for different generations...and sometimes multiple times in a given generation. Some of those shows include:

    Get Crafty


    Fiber Optics

    Knitting:

    • Jade:    
      • till working on the Adam’s Rib Hoodie, which is an easily memorized pattern.        http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/adams-ribs-hoodie    
      • Started some “purse” projects -- stuff I can carry around that’s small. In this case, I started working on my neice & nephew’s fingerless gloves for the holidays -- it’s what they asked for earlier this year
      • She was attacked by MOTHRA!!

    • Sandy-- 
      • Socks with a  welt pattern with short-row heels. Lion Magic Stripes, easy peasy.;
        • Using Socks A La Carte for inspiration. (ISBN-13: 978-1600611858, by the SWTC Design Team)
      •  Nov. NaKniSweMo! I’ve got a hibernated hoodie that will be perfect: Apres Surf Hoodie
        • http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/apres-surf-hoodie
      • Messed up a hat! Loved everything about it until it stretched horribly (yarn’s fault). Dublin Cap http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dublin-cap

    Spinning

    She's at the end of 2nd trimester of SpinU, and it’s still been pretty amazing. There's a lot of technical spinning including thick & thin yarn.

    Thick and thin

    All Hallow’s Eve

    It’s almost Halloween. What are YOU going to be wearing? Show us photos of what you're wearing for Halloween!

    One awesome idea -- baby carrier -- the frontloader mech from Aliens:



    Thursday, October 18, 2012

    Episode 27: Different Tastes

    In this episode, Jade & España discover that they have different tastes in t.v. shows, then the girls talk about the favorite things. In the second half of the show, the girls talk about fiber arts, costuming out of your closet, as well as upcoming holidays and crafting. AND, we're sponsoring a contest for the holidays! Come, get your geek on, and win!

    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    Get Geeky

     

    Events

    • SFinSF: Re-Animator (San Francisco) http://www.sfinsf.org/?page_id=134

    • Borderlands: An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss: A Reading, Q&A and Signing, Monday, November 19th at 7:00 pm (San Francisco)
    • Dicken’s Fair - Starts Nov 23rd (San Francisco) http://www.dickensfair.com/ 
    • Sort of event; Varnish Gallery’s Ransom & Mitchell exhibit runs through Oct 27 http://www.varnishfineart.com/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=119 (San Francisco)

     

    Podzine! 

    We’re looking for submissions for the next quarter, and the deadline is October 31, 2012. So, if you would like to write an article about anything geeky and/or crafty, drop us a line at GGCPodcast AT Gmail.com

     

    Contest

    • What: If you’re a geek who doesn’t craft, but wants to learn, or wants to give this to someone so they CAN learn. Submit a short article -- about 300 words or more (3 paragraphs ) -- of why you want to learn how to knit or why you think this would be an awesome gift for your friend. 
    • Why: The prize --- Knits for Nerds by Joan of Dark, aka Toni Carr. 
    • How: The most compelling short essay (as decided by the 3 of us) wins the book! Submit the article to GGCPODCAST AT Gmail.com 
    • When:By American Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 22nd.

     

    The Couch Potato

    What have we been watching?

    • BBC’s Primeval -- time rifts are opening across the world letting in dinosaurs and other ancient creatures of the past. A secret government agency is built to contain these rifts, but as the series progresses, the rifts start opening up into the future or potential alternative pasts. There is the lingering question as to whether the govt. agency is changing the past, present, and future with their attempts at containing the rifts
    • DOCTOR WHO! ‘nuff said
    • BBC’s Sherlock
    • Downton Abbey 
    • True Blood 
    • The Thick of it.
    • Continuum:
    • Doctor Who. 
    • And Sandy recently watched ALL the Angel. All of it.
      

    Moment of Squeeeeee!
    This segment is a cross between the Daily Show’s Moment of Zen & SFSquee cast, and lets the girls squee for TWO minutes about anything and everything.

    • JADE: World of Warcraft’s new expansion, MIST OF PANDARIA. Sleep? Who needs sleep?! 
    • SANDY: Gaming as Women. An online magazine with reviews, articles, feminist thought, a reflective approach to roleplaying games and why we participate. http://gamingaswomen.com/ 
    • España: Installation Art, http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/gabriel-dawe-plexus-no-19-italy

    Get Crafty

    Fiber Diet

    • Jade: Knitting
    • Sandy: Knitting
      • FOs:
        • the Ribby Cardi
        • the Wool Peddler shawl in alpaca. It’s huge and gorgeous and currently VERY useful
        • Two vanilla socks in worsted weight done for husband’s chronic case of cold feet
        • finished mending a scarf for a friend
      • In progress:
        • A sixpence cap for her Brother-in-Law for the holidays
        • Rounding up all of my Area 51s was AWESOME.
    • Jade: Spinning

      • She's currently in the 2nd trimester of SpinU, and LEARNING a lot. She's been posting about her spinning in her blog: http://geekgirlcrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/SpinU

    The Costumer’s Closet

    The Girls talk about costuming out of the closet & thrift store:

    • Sandy: Went to the costume sale at SJSU theatre
    • España: Was part of a similar panel at WorldCon in Chicago and talks about that panel.

    Holiday Crafting

    It’s October, and it’s the start of the HOLIDAY SEASON! Do you know where your crafts are? Many knitters, crafters, and DIYers are going to be gearing up to do their holiday crafting.

    Jade’s advice:
    • Making personalized gifts can be time consuming for you. If you’re going to be making that “special” gift for someone, then make sure that they will be appreciative of your work.
    • Batch gifting -- baked goods or infused alcoholic drinks or infused oils are “easy” to make, and can be done in batches.
    Sandy:
    • Vanilla extract is another thing you can make easily. Pods can easily be soaked in vodka and the brew tastes a lot better than store-bought.
    • Do yourself and everyone a favor. Study your recipient as closely as you can. Their habits, their likes, their dislikes, and what they gravitate towards in their hobbies and activities will make the difference between a gift they’ll use and love and the next item in the thrift store pile.

    España
    • Deadlines make her stress out.
    • Make gifts as you think about them, and not at the last minute.
    • She's also been creating loom beaded sugar skull necklaces;

    Sunday, October 7, 2012

    Episode 26: Special Interview with Karen Luk

    In this special episode, Sandy interviews Karen Luk about her kick start project putting together a Steampunk ABC book for kids. Unfortunately, by the time this is live, Karen kick start will be over, but please give a listen and support Karen in her artwork!

    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    If you want to find out more about Karen, her artwork, and her kickstart project, please visit:

    Tuesday, September 18, 2012

    Episode 25: Post Labor Effects

    In this week's episode, the girls give a report on the Labor Day weekend conventions. We also have a special guest to give his take on WorldCon in Chicago. So lets get geeky!

    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)

    Get Geeky

    Our own España sits with John Coxon and talks about the Chicago WorldCon. Then Sandy talks about her experiences at PacifiCon

    Get Crafty

    Knitting

    Jade is still working on the Raspberry Cabled Cardigan that she's now calling THE NEVER ENDING SWEATER. Her sleeves came out TOO BIG. IShe had to cut them down to size.She's also working on a couple of easy mindless hats.

    Before and after shots of cutting down sleeves


    Sandy is attempting to knit the Lace Peddler shawl, and re-learned an important lesson about lifelines. She's also still working on the Ribby Cardigan by Bonne Marie Burns. The sleeves are sewn in, sides are sewn up-- on to the fronts and collar!

    Spinning

    Jade is currently taking SpinU at Purlescence Yarns. Sandy is teaching a 12 week course, and is learning quite a lot about ergonomics, the physics of spinning, and how spinning a "balanced" yarn isn't always what you want.

    Make It Sew!

    Jade finished up the ghawzee, but Sandy has yet to finish the yukata.


    Thursday, August 23, 2012

    Episode 24: Back to the 'Zine

    In this week's episode, the girls talk about YA Authors, travel back in time to talk about the PodZine, and catch up on their crafting. Come join us in our geekfest!

    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    Lets Talk Geek

    Events


    YA Authors

    Sandy’s reads:
    • The Spook’s Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney.  It’s set in a fictional Lancashire with excellent local knowledge of British fey and witchlore!
    • The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1) by Patrick Ness : I’ve already reviewed it, but it’s YA that pulls no emotional punches.  Very intense and suspenseful. Not what you’d think you’d find in YA, which makes it very intriguing!

    Geek Girl Crafts Podzine

    For those of you who missed the PREMIER ISSUE of the Geek Girl Crafts Podzine, it's not too late to catch up on your reading. You can download the Podzine here! We're also looking for new submissions for next quarter's zine.


    Lets Get Crafty!

    Fiber Arts:

    Jade: 

    Final Brain slug
    •  Raspberry Cabled Cardigan. Jade is currently working on the sleeves and has sewn together the body.
    •  Crochet -- BRAIN SLUG -- created for the Viking

    Sandy


    • finished basket o STUFF for Afghans for Afghans
    • Now working on the to the Ribby Cardi!
    • Occasionally poking at the Wool Peddler Shawl Istarted in the early summer.
    • Crochet:: Sekrit project. Is sekrit.

    Make it Sew

    • Jade:Picked up a Al-Ghwazi pattern, from AlterYears, and has washed the fabric to begin cutting
    • Sandy:Pattern marking Paul’s yukata today, sewing tomorrow!

    Friday, August 17, 2012

    Geek Girl Crafts PODZINE! The Premier Issue


    We did it! We finally managed to put it together! The girls and I are proud to introduce the premier issue of the Geek Girl Crafts Podzine!

    This will be a quarterly fanzine based off our podcast, and all of those things that we love doing and talking about.



    For this 45 page issue, we were very lucky and had a slew of very geeky & crafty people who were willing to spend their time writing a variety of articles for us, including:
    • A full transcription of our N.K. Jemisin interview
    • A Con Report on San Diego Comic-Con
    • Leather Up! Leatherworking is easier than you think!
    • Planning a Geek Themed Wedding
    • A diary on the creation of the Tron: Legacy costume
    • A knitting pattern for a youth-sized sweater.

    Download the PDF file

    Interested in Contributing to the Next PodZINE?

    Let us know how you like it! And if you want to contribute to our podzine, we're currently taking submissions for articles, photographs, fan art, flash fiction, and whatnought, for everything geek AND craft related.

    • Contact Us: ggcpodcast AT gmail.com
    • Deadline: October 31, 2012

    Saturday, July 28, 2012

    Episode 23: Pollyanna

    In this week's episode, the girls wrap up the Hugos, geek out about fashion, talk about the latest upcoming movies & t.v. shows, as well as catch up about their DIY projects.
    Come join us in our geekfest!


    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    Lets Talk Geek!

    Hugo Wrap-Up!

    Voting for the Hugos ends July 31st, so get your votes in now! In the meantime, the girls wraps up the Hugos with their votes on the Hugos.

    Future-geek-Fest

    The girls are excited about some up-and-coming t.v. shows & movies, including:
    • Anime - Sandy
      • Utakoi 
      • Humanity is in Decline

    • Movies:
    • T.V. Shows
      • The Munsters 
      • Tron Uprising 

    Geek Fashion

    Here's a new segment for the show! The girls talk about geek fashion, ranging from geek t-shirts to jewelry. 
    Shops & vendors that sell some nice geek items:

    Crafting, Making, & DIY

    Knitting & Crochet


    Make It Sew!

    Sandy has worked on Japanese Yukatas for her friends for the Japanese Obon festivals.

    Other DIY Projects

    España works on some paper-mache for her artwork, while Jade makes herself a leather belt & belt hanger for Ren Faire.
    Leather Belt Finished

    Saturday, July 14, 2012

    Episode 22: Extra Crafty

    In this week's episode, the girls make up for the lack of crafting in the previous episode by being extra crafty.
    We invite you to come give a listen!


    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    Events

    Friday-Sunday, August 3-6
    Mythcon 43
    Clark Kerr Conference Center
    2601 Warring St, Berkeley
    www.mythsoc.org
    The annual conference of the Mythopoeic Society. GOH: Malinda Lo, G. Ronald

    Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12
    Kin-Yoobi Con
    The Hilton Newark/Fremont Hotel
    39900 Balentine Drive, Newark www.kinyoobicon.com
    Kin-Yoobi Con focuses on featuring a diverse array of events, from game shows to fashion shows, from scavenger hunts to fan dubbing, from karaoke contests to video game tournaments! We want not only to cater to the otaku and hardcore gamer but also the average anime fan and game player.| $30 (till July 20)

    Labyrinth Masquerade June 29th - June 30th → http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/
    Anime Expo: LA Convention Center, June 29-July 2
    SacAnime: http://www.sacanime.com/ Aug 31-Sept. 2


    Announcement!

    We're going to be putting together a pod-ZINE in conjuction with the podcast for the end-of-summer. We're looking to our listeners or other interested folks to submit articles that you think would fit with Geeks & Crafting...esp. anything we've podcasted about before! If you want to do a Hugo nomination review, we're open for that too!

    Please send us your article at GGCPODCAST at GMAIL DOT COM by August 1st, 2012. We're looking for articles, fan-art, photographs, and whatever else catches our eye.


    Making & Crafting

    The Project Bin
    The girls catch up on their projects since the last time they talked about making, which is a lot!
    • Jade's projects:
      • Finished a cardigan
      • Two pairs of socks
      • Two pairs of fingerless gloves
      • a hat
      • UFOs
      • Started a new sweater, and has swatched for it.
      • SPINNING: Finishing up the last 3 ounces of Gretta before it can be all plied for a sweater.
    • Sandy's projects
      • Ribby cardigan for a friend (on hold)
      • Noro cowl
      • Origami flowers
      • Afghans for Afghan's knitting
      • Japanese yukata (sewing)

    Sandy's new collaboration with a friend: http://beetonneedlework.blogspot.com/
    Everyone's welcome to join!

    Book Review:

    In this episode, Sandy & Jade review the following book:
    Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Joan of Dark aka Toni Carr
    RETAIL: $16.99 US/ $19.99 CA

    Summary: The girls liked it, but with some reservations. Listen to the show for details.

    Saturday, June 30, 2012

    Episode 21: A Little Behind

    In this week's episode, the girls try to catch up on some things that happened "recently".

    We invite you to come give a listen!


    (Click to listen! Uses Flash)


    Events

    Thursday-Sunday, July 5-8
    Conclusion - Westercon 65
    Doubletree Seattle Airport 18740 International Blvd., Seatac, WA
    drupal.westercon65.org
    GOH: Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm, Art Bozlee, Frank Wu & Brianna Spacecat Wu, Chaz Boston Baden, Vixy & Tony|| $65

    Friday-Sunday, August 3-6
    Mythcon 43
    Clark Kerr Conference Center
    2601 Warring St, Berkeley
    www.mythsoc.org
    The annual conference of the Mythopoeic Society. GOH: Malinda Lo, G. Ronald

    Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12
    Kin-Yoobi Con
    The Hilton Newark/Fremont Hotel
    39900 Balentine Drive, Newark www.kinyoobicon.com
    Kin-Yoobi Con focuses on featuring a diverse array of events, from game shows to fashion shows, from scavenger hunts to fan dubbing, from karaoke contests to video game tournaments! We want not only to cater to the otaku and hardcore gamer but also the average anime fan and game player.| $30 (till July 20)

    Labyrinth Masquerade June 29th - June 30th → http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/
    Anime Expo: LA Convention Center, June 29-July 2
    SacAnime: http://www.sacanime.com/ Aug 31-Sept. 2

    Hugo Award Nominees

    http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2012-hugo-awards/

    Nebula Awards

    http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/
    • Novel: Among Others, Jo Walton (Tor) 
    • Novella: ”The Man Who Bridged the Mist,” Kij Johnson (Asimov’s Science Fiction, October/November 2011)
    •  Novelette: ”What We Found,” Geoff Ryman (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, September/October 2011) 
    • Short Story: ”The Paper Menagerie,” Ken Liu (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March/April 2011) -- ALSO NOMINATED for the Hugos. 
    • Ray Bradbury Award: Doctor Who: “The Doctor’s Wife,” Neil Gaiman (writer), Richard Clark (director) (BBC Wales) 
    • Andre Norton Award: The Freedom Maze, Delia Sherman (Big Mouth House)2010 Nebula Award Winners 

    Avengers

    To find out more about the Avengers comic books, please take a look at: