The Red Box is Back

I remember when my guy friends introduced me to Dungeons and Dragons. They showed me which players handbook I needed to go get and that I would need a set of my own dice. Great!

Coming home from school elated over the idea of playing this newfound game, I told my mom with much excitement that we needed to go shopping for these game materials. She smiled and said "Oh I used to play that". WHAT?!?!

The proof was in the attic. She had the original Blue Box and Red Box from 1970's and early 80's. I had fun looking at this basic set that was supposed to get you used to the rules of playing DnD. Problem? Well yes. My guyfriends were playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd edition when I was in 9th grade so the ruleset would give me a basic knowledge of what I would be playing but would not prepare me for the complexity of the 2nd edition character sheet (at that time..... bite me I was in 9th grade and hated math!)

I been playing DnD for over 16 years now and I have quite a collection of books from nearly every edition. What brought back those initial memories for my life addiction was seeing the reprint of the Red Box at the local game shop. Threw me for a loop to see that box wrapped in plastic. Viewing the back and the contents shocked me. They revamped everything to the 4th edition ruleset!


This box has dice, maps, tokens, character sheets, condensed Dungeon Masters Manual and Players Handbook. It looks awesome and even though it brings a smile to my face for nostalgia's sake, I wonder if it will truly appeal to the new generation of gamers. At least they will have a much better time transitioning from the boxed set to the regular rulebooks then I did.

Make Your Own Flavored Soda

This is an Easy project but you must be a person of patience. Due to the high pressure of the Soda, you will need to take your time with this.

Want a Flavor of Soda that no one at your next get together has? Try this!!

Take a 2 liter bottle of Generic Ginger Ale. Open up the bottle and add 4 tea bags of a fruity green tea or black tea. Celestial Seasonings brand tea has soo many fruity combinations like Strawberry Kiwi or Blueberry Green Tea.

Close the Bottle and wait for about 30 to 45 minutes.... IF you try to mix it, do it by GENTLY tilting the bottle back and forth.....slowly! Do not try to open and mix with a stick......bad idea!

Why? cause the carbonation is highly reactive! If you want a nice soda fountain in your kitchen then be my guest :')

After the 30 - 45 minutes, very carefully open the cap to relieve some pressure. Be prepared to vent this bottle for about 10 to 20 minutes this way but once the fizzing stops making its way up the neck of the bottle, then its ok to start removing the tea bags. I found chop sticks are a great way to remove the bags.

After that just chill and enjoy!

Easy Bruschetta

Gamer Life can get crazy especially when we decide to congregate together. We may be known for our quick thumb action on a controller but not always our culinary skill.

Well lets solve this without blowing your budget. I am going to give you one neat idea you can take to your next LAN party, game night or potluck that will surely make you a hit.

Easy Bruschetta

Ingredients:

4 to 5 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Roma Tomatoes diced small
Fresh Basil (chop up about 4 to 5 leaves)
2 Garlic cloves (chopped)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Combine in a bowl and let sit for an hour to let everything seep together. Serve with Tostitos Scoops or with toasted bread chips. I prefer the Scoops since they will hold the bruschetta well on a game night where I may be rolling dice.

Don't have the fresh ingredients? You can also make this recipe with a can of Diced tomatoes and dried Basil. Remember that dried herbs are more potent than fresh so add only a tablespoon of Basil to your dish.

Cthulhu Beanie

Abbreviations:
SL= Slip Stitch
SC= Single Crochet
DC= Double Crochet

Supplies:
Worst weight yarn in Green. I used Caron’s Simply Soft in Limelight
Felt in Red and Black
Hook size H also G

For this pattern you will need basic knowledge in Crocheting. In this pattern you will be working in rounds. Making Magic rings later and for the basic beanie, creating a Ring with DC (double crochet) stitches. For more information, I found websites like crochetpatterncentral.com and youtube a big help.
This hat was inspired by The Dreaded Cthulhu . This particular monstrosity came from the famous Horror author, H.P Lovecraft . Now those in gaming would know that this creature appears in games like Dungeons and Dragons and “Call of Cthulhu.” He has sort of been Kidified and there is a toy line out, but for all his fame, I have made him into a beanie for those nutty enough to wear it.


Basic Beanie
Use H Hook
Create Ring
1. Chain 3, SL to join
2. DC 10 in the ring, SL to join

Rest of the Beanie you will be working with rounds in the ring you created.
Round 1: 2 DC in each stitch. Around. SL to Join (20 stitches)
Round 2: 1 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (30 stitches)
Round 3: 2 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (40 stitches)
Round 4: 3 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (50 stitches)
Round 5: 4 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (60 stitches)
**Round 6: 5 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (70 stitches)
**If making for a smaller head then skip round 6. If making for a larger head then proceed with round 6 and if you need to make it larger, add another round (ex 6 DC then 2DC in next stitch, 7 DC then 2 in next stitch….etc) until the hat is wide enough for the intended head. On the ones I have made for people, I haven’t gone over 5 DC then 2. Who knows… you might have someone who has a big ego, in that case, you may need more yarn :’)
Round 7- 16 or more: 1 DC in each stitch around. Continue making rounds until the beanie is of a desired length for the wearer.


Tentacles:
Use size G hook
Those more experienced in this would make the tentacles right on the hat by creating a round of single crochet stitches then creating this next part right on the hat. Mine I like lining things up as a separate piece then sewing it into place with yarn and a yarn needle. Your choice.

Chain 8 then single crochet into 2nd CH from hook. You are going to do 6 SC then Chain 9. Single Crochet into 2nd CH from the hook then 6 SC then chain 9 again. Its going to start to look like tentacles.

Repeat (the Chain 9 SC into 2nd CH and then 6 SC) until you have 7 Tentacles (yes yes I know we shouldn’t be making a monster with lucky number 7 :’P)
Position on front of hat and sew on using yarn and a needle.


Eyes:
Cut out Catlike eyes out of felt then sew on hat using sewing thread.


Enjoy!

This crochet pattern is copyright of Tattiana Talahandra (August 2010). DO NOT reprint this pattern, or post it on any other website. You may make a copy of this pattern for your own personal use, but do not include it in any collections, website, or cds. You are welcome to link to this pattern and if you post your own pictures of what you create, please credit accordingly and include a link to this original pattern.

Minion Beanie

This is my first pattern. There may be some flaws but I tried my best to write out everything as best as possible. This pattern is probably rated for Basic since it involves alot of repetition, increasing and working in rounds.

This pattern is for personal use. Go ahead and create as gifts but I would love for you to credit where you got the pattern from. Please see copyright info at the end of this pattern.





Despicable Minion Beanies

Abbreviations:
SL= Slip Stitch
SC= Single Crochet
DC= Double Crochet

Supplies:
Worst weight yarn in yellow, black, white and Gray
Hook size H/8

For this pattern you will need basic knowledge in Crocheting. In this pattern you will be working in rounds. Making Magic rings later and for the basic beanie, creating a Ring with DC (double crochet) stitches. For more information, I found websites like crochetpatterncentral.com and youtube a big help.
This hat was inspired by The Despicable Minion created by WolfDreamer. If you want to make some cute Pokemon and Game-like toys for your kids. Check out her website at
http://wolfdreamer-oth.blogspot.com/

Basic Beanie
Create Ring
1. Chain 3, SL to join
2. DC 10 in the ring, SL to join

Rest of the Beanie you will be working with rounds into the ring you created.
Round 1: 2 DC in each stitch. Around. SL to Join (20 stitches)
Round 2: 1 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (30 stitches)
Round 3: 2 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (40 stitches)
Round 4: 3 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (50 stitches)
Round 5: 4 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (60 stitches)
**Round 6: 5 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (70 stitches)

**If making for a smaller head then skip round 6. If making for a larger head then proceed with round 6 and if you need to make it larger, add another round (ex 6 DC then 2DC in next stitch, 7 DC then 2 in next stitch….etc) until the hat is wide enough for the intended head. On the ones I have made for people, I haven’t gone over 5 DC then 2. Who knows… you might have someone who has a big ego, in that case, you may need more yarn :’)

Round 7- 8: 1 DC in each stitch around. SL to join . If person has a long head. You may want to add one more round in yellow.
Round 9 -10: (Use Black Yarn) 1 DC in each stitch around. SL to join
Round 11-12: (Use Yellow Yarn) 1 DC in each stitch around. SL to join


Goggles (make 2 in grey)

Round 1: 10 SC in Magic Ring (10stitches)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around (20)
Round 3: work in the back loops only, SC in each stitch around (20). This will help shape up the sides.
Round 4: SC in each stitch around (20) Finish Off.

EyeBalls (make 2 in white)

Round 1: 15 SC in Magic Ring. Pull tail to draw tightly to close up ring (15)
Round 2: SC in each stitch. Finish Off.

Tuck white eyeball into goggle. Secure with some grey sewing thread. I made the black of the eye by sewing the goggle/eye onto the hat filling in the center of the white eye until you cannot see any grey underneath. You can also secure the goggles on with sewing thread and glue a felt black dot instead. Up to you.

When finished, add a few strands of black to the top of your hat. Just cut a few strands (maybe 4 or 5) and tie to the top of the hat. Make sure its securely tied up there. To keep mine from fraying, each “hair” end I tied a small knot

Some may want a single eye version of the Minion. Instead of 2 eyeballs and 2 goggles just make one :’)

Enjoy!



The Minions are copyright of Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment for the Movie 'Despicable Me', but this crochet pattern is copyright of Tattiana Talahandra (August 2010). DO NOT reprint this pattern, or post it on any other website. You may make a copy of this pattern for your own personal use, but do not include it in any collections, website, or cds. You are welcome to link to this pattern and if you post your own pictures of what you create, please credit accordingly and include a link to this original pattern.