Episode 54: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

In this all geeky-topic episode, the girls discuss the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and its cross-over with the t.v. show, Agents of Shield; not to mention fan-girl over a few of the characters. Be advised that this episode is heavy with spoilers, so you have been warned. The normal craft & DIY portion of the show will be released in its own separate episode as the girls ended up talking beyond their normal time frame.

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Get Geeky!

• Official Movie Website: http://marvel.com/captainamerica 
• IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1843866/ 
• Agents of Shield: http://www.agentsofshield.com/

Video of the Agent Carter One-Shot

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1b8lwz_%E0%B8%8B-%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2-marvel-one-shot-agent-carter_shortfilms

Episode 53: Science Fact

In this episode, the girls touch upon the how science fiction has become science fact in today's modern culture --- from a magical Nautilus submarine that can stay underwater for months at a time (nuclear submarines) to communicators (cell phones) to being able to print body parts. Then they switch gears and discuss their DIY and crafting projects for spring.

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Get Geeky!

The girls only briefly touch upon some of the elements of modern technology that was once science fiction:

• The Oculus Rift visors
• The Valkyrie Robot
• Vote for the next NASA space suits
• The Mars Land Rover
• Google Glass
• 3D Printed Skull
• A boy gets a new hand printed by a 3D printer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGSo_I86_lQ

Get Crafty!

Spring is here and Jade has start-itis, while Sandy is having problems with her crafting.

Fiber Optics

FINISHED	OBJECTS
Jade	Project: UFO from Area 51. Irish Hiking Scarf started in 2009, Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease (80% acrylic + 20% wool)   Ended up turning it into a cowl with 10 minutes worth of work.
WIPS
Jade	Project: St. Brigid Aran Sweater Yarn: Cascade 220 Status: Seaming done, and now knitting the neck band..
Sandy	Finally finished a sleeve for the Apres Surf hoodie-- frogged or ripped back at least 3 times!
Jade	Project: Color Affection Yarn: Miss Babs Yet Status: Am in the last section of the shawl (one color)
Sandy	casting on sock Houdinis for road trip
Jade	Project: Peacock Houdinis Yarn: Manos del Urugay Status: Finished A single sock.
Sandy	Beekeper quilt!
Jade	Project: Stitches Sweater -- Ribby Cardy by Chic Knits Yarn: Cascade Greenland Status: Sweater tradition. Working on the back
Jade	Project: Skinny Clapotis Yarn: My handspun - Cashmere Silk from Abstract Fibers. Status: Only 210 yards, so needed something that was going to use all of it. Punted on this project for nearly a year, looking for a “perfect pattern”

 

Episode 52: Science Fiction & Fantasy in Mainstream Media Today

In this episode, the girls talk about some of the science fiction/fantasy/horror genres currently available on t.v. and in the movies; when they were growing up, they were hard-pressed to find more than a handful of t.v shows and now they can't keep up. In the crafting part of the show, they discuss the creativity juices that flow during the various conventions because of the interactions between geeky fans and how it continues afterwards -- from costuming to knitting/crochet to jewelry to LARP writing...or even creating a podcast.

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Get Geeky!

The girls give a list of some of the science fiction & fantasy shows that are currently available in the mainstream media, today. It is not an exhaustive list, by any means:

• Hannibal, 
• SHIELD, 
• Arrow, 
• Helix, 
• Archer, 
• Hollow, 
• Supernatural
• Game of Thrones
• Once Upon a Time
• Almost Human, 
• Grimm, 
• JourneyQuest
• Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, 
• Being Human
•  Iron Man: The Animation
• Log Horizon

Get Crafty!

In addition to all of their crafty-goodness, the girls talk about how conventions really get their creative juices flowing as they are surrounded by creative geeky fans who help inspire, conspire, and encourage their endeavors from writing stories, LARPS, costuming, knitting/crochet, or even creating a podcast!


For Ravellenics, the Geek Girl Crafts had mixed results. Jade got the gold with her Alice Starmore cable cardigan, but Sandy fell like the Jamaican bobsled team and had to frog her Apres Surf hoodie sleeve. However, she's determined to cross the finish line!

Fiber Optics

FINISHED	OBJECTS
Jade	Project: St. Brigid Aran Sweater Yarn: Cascade 220 Status: Finished all the knitting for a GOLD! It still needs to be blocked & seamed, but the goal is accomplised.
Sandy	Project: Apres Surf Hoodie. Status: Finished a sleeve for the Apres Surf hoodie, then FROGGED IT. AUGH.
Jade	Project: Sock Monkey Houdinis Yarn: Paton’s Kroy Sock - Grey Brown Marl Status: Finished.
WIPS
Jade	Project: Color Affection Yarn: Miss Babs Yet Status: Nearly completed with the 3-color section during the Ravellenics, but this was a stretch goal for Jade
Sandy	Hexipuffs!
Jade	Project: Peacock Houdinis Yarn: Manos del Urugay Status: Started casting on
Jade	Project: Stitches Sweater -- Ribby Cardy by Chic Knits Yarn: Cascade Greenland Status: Sweater tradition. Finished Front Left Panel

 

Episode 51: MegaCon Weekend (aka Daughter of CCONNNN!!)

In this episode, Sandy & Jade provide a convention report on the three conventions that they attended over two weekends --- DundraCon (a gaming convention), GallifreyOne (a Doctor Who Convention), and Stitches West (a fiber art convention).

We recorded an extremely long episode, which we've broken up to Episode 51 & 52. Stay tuned for Episode 52 very shortly! You can find Jade's written con report on her blog for both GallifreyOne & Stitches West 2014!

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Episode 50: Half a Century

In this episode, the girls speculate about the announced Star Trek CSI-like show  -- will it be good? bad? ugly?

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Get Geeky!

What are the Girls talking about?

• It was announced that they are in discussion about a Star Trek version of CSI! The girls speculate on the show: will it be good? bad? And what would make a good show
• We will soon be reviewing the book, Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, from our Book Thunderdome

Events:

• Rockage: Indie music, DJs, and retro/indie video game fest, Feb. 7-9, SJSU Student Union, San Jose: http://rockagesj.tumblr.com/
• Logan’s Run http://logansrun2274.com/

• Potlatch - Feb 21-23rd  St Claire Hotel, San Jose  http://www.potlatch-sf.org/
• Dundracon: February 14-17, San Ramon  http://www.dundracon.com/
• Stitches West: Feb. 23-34th  http://www.knittinguniverse.com/WEST
• FogCon - March 7-9, Walnut Creek Marriott http://fogcon.org/

Get Crafty!

Unfortunately, Espana has not been crafting as she is living temporarily back in San Francisco before returning to Spain.

Sandy's been busy doing illustration work for gaming companies. See her DeviantArt gallery for a look at what she's been working on for them.

For Ravellenics, the Geek Girl Crafts is joining up with Team Sasquatch! We're going to be working on finishing up WIPS  and UFOs that have been sitting around for a while. So, if you want to double dip, you can join us for Ravellenics as well as Finishuary for the Brass Needles Podcast!

• Sandy will be working on her: Apres Surf Hoodie and as a stretch goal, her Cosby Sweater.
• Jade will be working on her Alice Starmore cable cardigan and her Color Affection.

Fiber Optics

FINISHED	OBJECTS
Jade	New Houdinis using Manos del Uruguay -- fall colors Domo-Kun Fingerless Gloves using Cascade Sport Superwash in Brown. Knit Swirl Coat: It took a weekend to block and a whole week to sew up, but it's done!

WIPS
Jade	New Houdinis using Paton Kroy socks in Brown Russet. They remind Jade of Sock monkey colors

Episode 49: Flaming Self Promotion

In this episode, España is back! We catch up with her and talk a little bit about the holidays, as well as doing some shameless self-promotion. Then Sandy & Jade go onwards to talk about crafting from the holidays and into 2014

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Get Geeky!

What are the Girls talking about?

• Dicken's Faire over the holidays
  
• The Awards Season ---  the Hugos and the Campbell awards. For the Hugos, John Scalzi's posts are a good place to start, new great resource is http://hugoeligibleart.tumblr.com/
• For the Campbell awards for new writers -- http://www.loncon3.org/hugo_instructions.php (Campbells are given out at Worldcon, during the Hugo ceremony)
• We will soon be reviewing the book, Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, from our Book Thunderdome

Events:

• Potlatch - Feb 21-23rd  St Claire Hotel, San Jose  http://www.potlatch-sf.org/
• Dundracon: February 14-17, San Ramon  http://www.dundracon.com/
• Stitches West: Feb. 23-34th  http://www.knittinguniverse.com/WEST
• FogCon - March 7-9, Walnut Creek Marriott http://fogcon.org/

Get Crafty!

Unfortunately, Espana has not been crafting as she is living temporarily back in San Francisco before returning to Spain.

Sandy's been busy doing illustration work for gaming companies. See her DeviantArt gallery for a look at what she's been working on for them.

Fiber Optics

FINISHED	OBJECTS
Jade	Walking Houdinis using Socks that Rock Viking Horned Helm using Cascade 220 Yeti Hat using STRIB pattern on Ravelry. Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Sandy	Project: Zingiber socks using XXL Trekking London Calling from SnB Nation using Red Heart Shimmer

WIPS
Jade	New Houdinis using Manos del Uruguay -- fall colors Domo-Kun Fingerless Gloves using Cascade Sport Superwash in Brown. Knit Swirl Coat:
Sandy	Project: Beekeeper Hexi’s

Bead It!
Over the holidays, Jade made jewelry with her sister-in-law: http://geekgirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2014/01/beading-with-purpose.html

Episode 48: Sleepy Holidays

In this episode, Sandy & Jade talk about Sleepy Hollow on Fox, and then delve into some holiday crafting.

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Get Geeky!

Sleepy Hollow

Sandy & Jade talk about Sleepy Hollow on Fox. They both recommend the show.
Sandy suggests checking out Orlando Jone's Tumblr feed.

Get Crafty!

Last minute holiday gift ideas:

• Arm Knitting an Infinity Cowl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eClB0RpGBlo
• Crochet a bulky scarf using Sandy's quick guideline:

1. ch 21 in bulky yarn 
2. dc across, turn
3. dc in back loops, turn

Fiber Optics:

• Jade 

• Walking Project: Working on Houdini socks out of Socks that Rock lightweight. She only gets 30 minutes to work on these every day, so it's taken a while to finish.
• Easy fingerless mittens for her eldest nephew using Colinette Hullaboo aran weight yarn. It's going really fast!
• AT the Pajama Jammie Jam, Jade picked up a crazy color Manos del Uruaguay skein of yarn...and had to cast on immediately. Colors are all highlighter neon, so she's pairing it with a skein of Cascade silk heritage (very nice) to tone down the colors.
• Swapetition with the Savvy Girls! Check out what Jade got in her package.

• Sandy.
• Gift socks for a friend.
• She's making progress on the Union Jack sweater, but "Intarsia b hard, yo."

Make it Sew 

Jade made a book bag for my nephew out of Star Wars fabric that she found at JoAnns in the remnant bin for 75% off.