CLOSED: Nerd Games - Fall 2022

Prompt: November - Eraser
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Christmas bow #1
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: I found a pattern to make crocheted gift bows. It’s not a bad pattern, but it leaves a lot of room for error. I didn’t like how my bow came out, though the bow in the pattern is gorgeous. I decided to make my own pattern that was a lot less fiddly. You’ll see those below.
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Prompt: November - Battle - Crossword Puzzles
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Christmas bow #2
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: This was my first attempt at making my own pattern. I didn’t quite like how it turned out, so I made a few tweaks to it. You’ll see those a little further down. I made this one without the twists, so it’s a little more like a grid… a crossword grid if you will :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
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Prompt: Advent - Zombie
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Christmas bow #3
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: This my still my first attempt at the pattern, but second bow, this time with the twists. I liked this one a little more, but still did some tweaking to the pattern. This tangled mess looks a little bit like bloody brains, which zombies eat.
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Prompt: Advent - Hungry Like the Wolf
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Christmas bow #4
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: I finally got it to look the way I wanted it to! I have the pattern written up, or at least most of it. I need to finish, make sure it’s correct, and then I’ll share it for free! Rectangles are geometric.
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Prompt: November - Columns and Rows
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Christmas bow #5
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: And here is the same bow with the twist. Both versions will be shared in the pattern. The arms to each piece created a + sign before being twisted and sewn together.
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4 Likes

@storerboughtcreation - Such a fun idea!!! I made bows out of old magazines before, but I like the re-usability of these! I look forward to your pattern!

3 Likes

Trying to be better about commenting starting from here (the idea of catching up is so intimidating that I’ll never start, so please don’t take it as a snub if I haven’t said anything about your October project :heart:).

@roler, that snail is as cute as its friends!
@storerboughtcreation, love the idea of crocheted bows. Way to stick with perfecting a pattern!

Prompt: Tongue of Dog (October)
Team: Gourd of the Rings
Project Name: Chocolate PB Chocolate Chip Cookies
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: These are edible and brown.
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Prompt: Hungry Like the Wolf (Advent)
Team: Gourd of the Rings
Project Name: Farfale with Tomato “Sauce”
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: I was hungry, so I threw this together for dinner. The sauce wasn’t very saucy (and/or my pasta-to-sauce ratio was off, because pasta), but it was tasty.
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5 Likes

Those cookies and that pasta look tasty :drooling_face:

Thanks for the kind comments about the bows, everyone! I ended up submitting it to a group in in to be tested, and it will be released soon. It will be a free download, and as soon as it is posted I’ll create its own post here on LC. In the meantime, if anyone wants the pattern, message me and I’ll send it to you.

4 Likes

Okay, since I am still in 100% procrastination mode, I decided to finally read through the posts and comment. I think I matched each comment to each person, but forgive me if I have a mix-up (I’m still recovering from a rather crazy week). But, all of your food posts have made me hungry, so I might have to eat dinner before I actually buckle down and get some school work finished!

@gozer- I love all of the pockets and compartments in that wallet. I’ll bet it’s very functional, even if it’s a bit wonky :slight_smile: And, that ghost notebook is adorable! I tend to lean towards the cute side of Halloween, instead of the creepy, so it’s right up my alley. Those casserole carriers are a great gift idea (especially when combined with an etched casserole dish…hmmmm…now you’ve got me thinking…) Your little painted coffins are amazing- your painting skills are fantastic- love the dimension byou addeed to the skeleton with the shading. And, your cookie decorating skills are pretty darn good for a first time, so it looks like your painting skills came in handy. I’ve been wanting to try decorating cookies like these, but it looks so intimidating- any tips you can share? Your ghost pretzels are so fun! I don’t think I have the patience to dip all of those pretzels, however. I didn’t realize you could buy candy eyeballs like that, but I’m sure it made things much easier!

@megwell- Your little bookish ghost is just adorable- the plaid pattern is a nice touch, too! I like your gift tags- did you use cardboard for them? I always appreciate a good upcycling project! Are those chocolate peanut butter cookies the no bake drop cookies? We used to make them as a kid, and it is accurate to say that I can actually taste that photo! And, that pasta looks delicious- sometimes it’s nice to have pasta that isn’t drowning in a sauce!

@imera- Really like your little coffin hand pies- I wish I was better at making pie crust because making them in fun shapes is such a great idea! And, that lamb stew looks so hearty and delcious. Tis the season for stews, so I may have ot give it a try- I’ve never cooked a dish with lamb before. I like how you made good use of an old hat to create something that still worked to keep your step son warm. Your monster stud earrings gave me a chuckle- you used my favorite monster (Frankenstein) and the one that I think is the scariest (Dracula… vampires terrify me!). I could never paint something that tiny with those details, so I’m impressed! I like your Halloween window decorations- I thought you had painted them, at first, but when I popped over to your post to see the kind of paint you used, I was happy to see that they were paper, since that’s much more in my skill set :slight_smile: And, your ghost earrings are adorable. Somewhere, I might still have glow-in-the-dark polymer clay, so I might have to make some ghost jewelry for next year!

@storerboughtcreation- That bat bowtie is so clever! I’d totally wear that to school one day. It would also be super cute with a little face on it (but I’m guessing Mr. SBC wouldn’t go for that :slight_smile: ). Your lolly frog is also very cute (I’m partial to all frog crafts, of course). I like the addition of the little pink spots on the cheeks! And, oh my goodness! Your mosaic scarves are gorgeous! I’m partial to the floral reflection pattern, but they’re both stunners. I really like the color of the blue scarf, and it’s a shame that it wasn’t working out for you, but it was smart of you to stop, frog, and save the yarn for another project. I like the green scarf- the stitch pattern is really neat looking, and green is my favorite color. How long does it take you to stitch up a scarf, usually? What a clever idea to crochet a gift bow, but I think I’m too impatient for that. Although, I’m considering decorating my Christmas tree (if I ever actually put one up) with crocheted ornaments, and these could be a fun addition!

@bunny1kenobi- Your skelly hands towel is so well done- you always get such nice crisp images, and I love the graphic. And, another cute little ghost! I like that you made yours into a little hanging ornament. Your googly eye earrings are super fun- google eyes just make everything fun, don’t they? I like your tea bag style bookmark- I’m not a big fan of bulky bookmarks, so I like how the bulky parts can extend beyond the edges of the book. And, I like watching your family ATC collection grow! I really like your skeleheart tee- another cool image, too! Your colorful charm bracelet is so fun- those mottled beads are gorgeous, and I’m impressed with your wire wrapping on the bead charms (it’s a skill I have yet to master). Your bat cross stitch is creepy, but the flowers cut down the creep factor, and I would absolutely hang this up as part of my Halloween decor. I like how that bat is done with the negative space- nicely done! Your lashes pin is fantastic- I can imagine how long it took to get the cord wrapped neatly. Your patience is admirable! And, in spite of the creep factor, I really like your death carousel. It’s perfectly spooky!

@LovelyMiss- Your copic skills are great! I love the tree, the moth, and the ship the most, but they’re all fantastic. This is another thing that I find intimidating so I really should just bust out my set of alcohol markers and start playing around with them. Do you have any recommended tutorials?

@Tanath- What fun Halloween foods! How long did it take to wrap thos hot dogs? And the rice & avocado balls sound yummy!

@Smeddley- Your cemetary cake is super creepy with those mice crawling all over it! It would freak me out to see it, at first, until I realized the mice were fake :smiley:

@roler- I didn’t think your Rice Krispy treats looked like ground beef until I read your post, and now I can’t unsee it! But, I bety they’re still delicious. Great job on your Pokémon costume- I’ll bet your office party was so fun! Your amigurumi snail is so fun! It doesn’t look very little, though- how big is it? And, your crochet skills have gotten so good, so fast! I’m impressed!

4 Likes

Some of these are a bit of a stretch, but I’ve explained my crazy thought process. This is one of my favorite things about the Games. I love seeing how far some of the prompts can be stretched and still be made to work. :hearts:

Prompt: October - Wool of Bat
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Green bow
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: I’m stretching this one a little… holly leaves are green, and so is this bow! So there! :rofl:
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Prompt: advent - Undone
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: another green bow
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: Weezer had a green album, and this bow is green!
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Prompt: advent - This is Halloween
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Red Bow
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: I didn’t know there were words to this song. I know the tune from Kingdom Hearts, but I haven’t watched this movie all the way through. I tried, but too many bugs. But I watched a youtube video of the song, and there’s a monster with red eyes that is sung about… so there’s my stretch :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
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Prompt: November - Groups of Nine
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Red Bow
Project Link: Reusable crocheted gift bows
Brief Description: This is the ninth bow I made, so I think it fits. :laughing:
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5 Likes

They were just some kraft tags from my stash that I jazzed up with Posca and gel pen.

The cookies are a riff on my usual oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I haven’t had no-bakes in ages, so you may see some show up in my prompts yet :laughing:.

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I never think to make tags, but I have all of the supplies, so I really should, at some point. And, I’ll keep my eyes open for the no-bakes! Now, I’m wondering if I have the recipe from my childhood. I’ll have to look :slight_smile:

1 Like

Prompt: November Battle - Sudoku
Team: So Corn-fused
Project Name: Squishy Penguin Ami
Project Link: Squishy Penguin Ami
Brief Description: Wonky li’l penguin. I personally much prefer crosswords, but I chose Sudoku for this project because it definitely involves more numbers than words: counting stitches for the shape and the belly jacquard, etc.
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5 Likes

Worst thing about getting the flu is that I missed one advent challenge D: But now I wonder, is there a deadline to the challenge? I don’t remember seeing it being mentioned

But now I’m back and there are even MORE BOWS!!! They are adorable, love the one on the headband, so many uses! Great work @storerboughtcreation

And those dishes sound yummy @megwell

@roler that penguin is just adorable!! Great work! Personally I prefer sudoku because it’s logical thinking, which I do better than remembering all the different meanings to words XD But I do find the joy of crosswords the times I pick one that’s not advanced :stuck_out_tongue: Great job with the stuffie, LOVE the adorable bow tie

4 Likes

There are no deadlines on any prompts (well, aside from the final day of the season :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:) EXCEPT for the monthly battles. You can’t craft for the October battle anymore, but you can craft the November battle still.

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The battles I do know about the deadline, but for some reason I imagined there was week long challenges, the advent one XDwell, then I’m not late,that’s good <3

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@storerboughtcreation Audrey looks ADORABLE! The bow is cute, too!

@roler the little Penguin looks super soft. So cute!!

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Prompt: research project
Team: don’t stop beleafing
Project Name: koi pond mosaic
Project Link:
Brief Description: the pattern designer gave me permission to share here. The pattern won’t be released for a few months. I was the first to test it. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

This blanket was so much fun to make, and it could qualify for five research projects with the amount of time it took. The border itself took over 20 hours. The border is not part of her pattern. It’s from a different designer, but it went perfectly with the koi. It now looks like a pond to me. :heart::heart::heart:
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Wow, that is truly a beauty!!

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Oh my, that os AMAZING, the skills it takes to make something like that. Amazing work

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Stunning! Just the border alone sold me…but yes, it does make it seem like it is a pond (a fancy one!)…

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Prompt: November Battle- Crossword Puzzle
Team: Don’t Stop Beleafing
Project Name: Zucchini Pie and Quiché
Project Link: n/a
Brief Description: I picked Crossword Puzzle because quiche and zucchini are often crossword puzzle words. But, one quiche is cheddar, broccoli & bacon, while the other is mushroom, onion, & Swiss. The zucchini pie recipe is officially known as ‘Mystery Custard Pie’ and it’s a sweet pie. I couldn’t find my pie shields, but the extra crispy crust bits will break off when I cut it, so it’s all good! Side note: The onions and cognac are for a pate recipe.

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6 Likes

Yummm!!

Prompt: November Battle: Words
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: The Fringe ATC
Project Link: The Fringe - a family ATC
Brief Description: This ATC does have words on it!
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Prompt: October- Toe of Frog
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Bubble Play ATC
Project Link: Bubble Play- a family ATC
Brief Description: This ATC has a lot of green on it.
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Prompt: November - Groups of Nine
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: String in Your Ear ATC
Project Link: String in your ear- TWIN family ATCs!
Brief Description: This ATC has 9 colors in it: gray, light blue, black, navy, brown, red, yellow, peach, and pink.
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Prompt: November - Homonyms
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Socks for Kenz
Project Link: Slipper sock frenzy!
Brief Description: This pair of socks has two distinct colors: gray and yellow.
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Prompt: November -Columns and Rows
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Christmas surprise
Project Link: n/a
Brief Description: Made for 12 Days of Christmas swap. My partner has received but not yet opened so I will blur this one. It’s mainly white.
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Prompt: November - Eraser
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Socks for Mom
Project Link: Slipper sock frenzy!
Brief Description: These socks have pink on them.
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Prompt: November -Final Square
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Swing baskets
Project Link:
Brief Description: Not a whole lot of pattern involved here (two pieces!) but I own it!! :laughing:
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Prompt: Zap #1
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Skeleton Magnetic notepad
Project Link:
Brief Description: Very quick project from the Teeny Halloweenie swap.
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Prompt: Free Range #3
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Quetzalcoatlus ATC
Project Link: Quetzalcoatlus- a family ATC
Brief Description: Made for my son for his upcoming bday.
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Prompt: Free Range #4
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: cross stitch Christmas bag
Project Link: Cross stitch Santa’s Sack
Brief Description: Made for the Santa’s Sack swap.
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Prompt: Free Range #5
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: mini diorama
Project Link: Little itty bitty diorama
Brief Description: Made for Santa’s sack swap - this should actually be a Big Time, but I’m out of space for those! LOL!
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Prompt: Advent #1 - Superstition
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: miniature paintbox
Project Link: Santa’s Sack minis!
Brief Description: this uses many types of supplies: wood, fabric, paint, toothpick, paintbrush bristles, foil tape, a charm (the clasp), foam core, paper, a knife, a ruler, sandpaper, scissors, and lots and lots of glue!
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Prompt: Advent #2 – Hungry Like the Wolf
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: House Chef ATC
Project Link: House Chef- a family ATC
Brief Description: When you’re hungry, you cook!
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Prompt: Advent #3 - Zombie
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Post Apocalyptic Life Skills ATC
Project Link: Post-Apocalyptic Life Skills- a family ATC
Brief Description: a literal translation of this prompt!
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Prompt: Advent #4 - Monster Mash
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Halloween Stickers and cupcake picks
Project Link:
Brief Description: These feature plenty of monster-iffic details!
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Prompt: Advent #5 - This is Halloween
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: Mini Junk Journal
Project Link: Mini junk journal
Brief Description: This journal features beads!
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Prompt: Advent #6 - Undone (The Sweater Song)
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: socks for Juju
Project Link: Slipper sock frenzy!
Brief Description: These are knit, like a sweater.
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Prompt: Advent #7 - Three Little Birds
Team: Don’t Stop Be-leafing
Project Name: I Can’t Fly ATC
Project Link: I Can’t Fly- a family ATC
Brief Description: Not only do most birds fly, but we spent quite a bit of time convincing our little one that “every little thing is gonna be alright!” (See the link for the story…!)
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5 Likes