Episode 6: First Cons

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Part I: Geeky Stuff

Administrative Stuff:

• Thanks to the podcasts CraftLife & KnitKnit Cafe for running our promo recently
• Thanks to everyone who left a review on iTunes. It really made our day.

Events:

•  LosCon - Thanksgiving weekend at the LAX Marriot Hotel (http://www.loscon.org)
•  Bal de Vampyre - November 12th. (www.peers.org)
• SFinSF with Kim Stanley Robinson and Cecelia Holland  Nov 12 (http://www.sfinsf.org)
• They Might Be Giants (Jonathan Coulton opening) Nov 12-13 Fillmore (http://www.theymightbegiants.com/news/jonathan-coulton-boldly-opens-for-tmbg-on-join-us-tour/)
• Bay Area Bead Extravaganza (BABE)  Nov. 12-13 (http://www.beadextravaganza.com)

Con Reports

The girls went off to first-time conventions, and had a blast at both. They'll be returning to those cons again in the future.

• Geek Girl Con Report ---España went up to Seattle to attend this convention. Here are some of the links from that discussion
• http://www.geekgirlcon.com
• http://www.empmuseum.org
• http://www.borderhouseblog.com/
• Espana mentions geeky ceramic pendants, http://surlyramics.com/ during the con report
  
• Big Bad Con Report: Sandy ---- Sandy also talks about Big Bad Con -- the gaming convention in Oakland 
• Big Bad Con main site 

I played/checked out these games:

1. Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple
2. Faery's Tale Deluxe
3. Mouse Guard RPG
4. State of Flux LARP by Ace of Geeks

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Part II: Crafty Section

Pointy Sticks & Crooked Hooks

Sweaters for Penguins! http://www.grist.org/list/2011-10-18-you-know-you-want-to-knit-a-sweater-for-a-penguin  (note: this organization already has enough sweaters due to the generous nature of knitters)

• Sandy:
  
  • Apres Surf hoodie. Just finished the decreases for the armholes on the back. 5 inches of knitting plain in pattern coming up, whoop-de-doo. ;)
  • I am designing a sweater for afghans 4 Afghans: the current drive got me started on a youth sweater that I designed from the bottom up. I am drafting up the pattern for this piece and will publish it to the Afghans 4 Afghans Ravelry group and the GGC podcast blog.
  • afghans For Afghans main site. The current drive is asking for mainly sweaters, also vests, mittens, socks, hats, and blankets, in wool or animal fibers ONLY, due date January 2012.
  • Fans of afghans for Afghans Ravelry group (requires Ravelry login) 
  
  
• Jade:
  
  • Everybody knows, from Knitty 2008 -- using Frank handspun from TDF 2011. She might need to spin up more of Frank.

Spinning:

Jade is still working on Gretta. She’s so soft. Like kitten or puppy down.

Make it Sew

The girls talk about some of their Galifrey One costuming from thrift stores.

Episode 5: Lady Bronies

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• Click here to directly download the show
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PART I: Geek Out

Events:

• World Fantasy San Diego, Oct 27-30: Jo Fletcher, Neil Gaiman, Parke Godwin, Ruth Sanderson, Shawna McCarthy, Connie Willis. peers.orgSaturday, November 12, 2011
• Le Bal de Vampires, Nov 7, 2010 http://www.peers.org/vamp09.html

Reading Stack

• Sandy is reading:
• Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles), but stopped because it was too gloomy. However, Espana had read it, liked it, although agreed it was a bit bleak.
• the graphic novel series The Losers, by Andy Diggle and Jock, (recommended to folks who like spy stories and government intrigue.)

• Jade -- finished Bordertown: A Chronicle of the Borderlands & Borderland: Where Magic Meets Rock & Roll (Borderlands Series) and is halfway through Welcome to Bordertown. (Note: The older books are Out-of-print, and it is suggested that you hunt used bookstores or the library for them.)
• Espana: Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Strange Horizons.
• http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/
• http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/
• www.strangehorizons.com

Gaming: 
 Sandy talks about her proposed LARP for Dundracon (Pres Day Weekend 2012). It's a an Arabian Nights style one-shot game, “The Thousandth Night”. Sandy's troupe, December Star, has a community on Facebook: December Star RPG. 

PART II: Crafty Geekiness

Artwork: 

• Sandy is still working on the DoD illustrations.
• The girls talk about Fanart and what Espana has been working on for various fanzines & projects (
  www.espanasheriff.com)
• The conversation segueways into TAFF (Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund)
  
  • www.taff.org.uk
  • http://www.facebook.com/TAFFnews
  • Twitter: @TAFFNews

Knitting/Crochet: Pointy Sticks & Crooked Hooks

• Jade: 
• Finished the Mondo Cable cardigan yesterday, but is on a button search.
• Working on a somewhat secret gift for a friend.

• Sandy: 
• About 12 inches into the back of her Apres Surf hoodie. Waist increases done, bust increases halfway done. 
• 10 squares done on the shelter afghan. The website for its progress, and how you can help a shelter: http://santaclaracharitycraft.blogspot.com/

• Lady Bronies: Sandy talks about a certain cartoon for knitting inspiration while Jade is horrified. Sandy has already kool-aid dyed yarn and is working on an intarsia chart.

• Sandy & Jade talk about what they like to knit / crochet and their respective styles.

Spinning

• Jade is working on Gretta, a fleece from Nebo Rock Ranch

Make it Sew

• Short segment as none of the girls are working on anything, but Espana *should* be starting on her projects

DIY & Other Craft Projects

• Espana talks about the Dr. Who beaded necklace, and Jade talks about the knitting machine
• The two bead places in San Francisco are:
• www.genbead.com/
• www.beyondbeads.com/

SF/SF Calendar of Events from SF to LA