Mixed Martial Crafts

Mass Effect. Sewing. Shakarian. Knitting. Dragon Age. Fanfic. Alistair. Fiber. Garrus. Crafting. Multi-Purpose blog. Come talk to me about anything.

[spinninglenny]

Hello lovely people,

as you may or may not remember, a little over a year ago I held a giveaway in which I promised to make art for you. I tried my best, but then life happened, and as a result art did not happen, and I unfortunately don't see that changing in the forseeable future.

So, in order to ease my conscience and free up a little brain space, I wanted to ask if you'd allow me to give you some chocolate instead? Because I love sending packages, and you would get some nice treats, so that's a win-win, right?

If that's acceptable to you, just reply/PM me a ! and I'll get in touch about your shipping address and chocolatey preferences soon.

I'm really sorry for flaking out like this, but right now this is the best I can do.

(Tagging everyone under the cut so you'll be sure to see it)

@probablylostrightnow @fourthage @painterofhorizons @bloomingcnidarians @dearophelia @thievinghippo @smileslikeparentheses @tarysande @mysticfeline @continuousspec @thornhands

[spinninglenny]

Last Line Meme

Thank you for tagging me, @continuousspec <3

There is precious little writing happening here these days, but here are the last lines I wrote on a Zutara bit that is sloooowly taking shape:

He really had been awake for most of the past two nights, and while she could not be held responsible for him lurking outside her tent, it had been nothing but her own stubborn pride that insisted she stay in the saddle far longer than she should have. If he hadn't been awake to notice her nodding off…

I think almost everyone I know has already been tagged, so I apologize if I’m repeat-tagging you, but @acequeenking, @tarysande, @ferzeldan, @probablylostrightnow, would you like to share?

[spinninglenny]

The Gods of International Mail Delivery have taken pity on me and finally relinquished the physical version of my @masseffectholidaycheer gift (which is even more delightful to look at than the digital version, if that's even possible) Thank you so much, @curiouscanvas, for this wonderful gift! It has taken a place of honor in my crafting room and fills me with joy every time I see it :-D

[curiouscanvas]

Jane Shepard! My @masseffectholidaycheer gift to @spinninglenny

I had a lot a fun painting her and really hope I got her likeness down okay:)

@spinninglenny, your painting is on its way to you, but I’m afraid I miscalculated a bit and it probably wont arrive before the 31st (hence the post)

[spinninglenny]

Oh my god, please look at this amazing art I got for the MEHC! Look at my precious space baby, her beautiful eyes, even her black-and-gold armour!

Thank you so much, @curiouscanvas , I love it and can't wait for the package to arrive so I can put it up on my desk :-D

[spinninglenny]

Guess who got the bestest present from the wonderful and precious @acequeenking? Just look: it has a selection of sweets I’ve never seen before, a set of lovely pens and a card that may or may not have left me a little sniffly because inside it says some of the nicest things anyone’s said to me in a while.

Dearest Ace, you are a gift and a treasure and I am so grateful to know you! Thank you for giving me such a happy thing to end the year on ❤️❤️❤️

[spinninglenny]

Best. Shopping trip. EVER 😄 

 (Let Lenny give you chocolate 2k17)

[spinninglenny]

@servantofclio, @thisonelikesaliens, @smileslikeparentheses, @probablylostrightnow, @acequeenking, @sailorrannoch, @thievinghippo

Thank you all so much for your kind and lovely words <3 You have no idea how much it means to me that you remember me and think nice thoughts in my direction even when I disappear for months into the grey hole of exhaustion and brain assholery.

You are the best people anyone could wish to know and I hope the Universe is especially kind to you today!

[spinninglenny]

Holiday Chocolate Free-for-All

Hello lovely friends,

first of all, I am not dead, which is good. Not really okay either, but coping to the best of my ability, which is also good.

Second, the Christmas chocolate season is already in full swing over here. And since earlier this year I had so much fun putting together an Easter candy package for my excellent friend @acequeenking, I thought that this year instead of Christmas cards I’d do a Christmas chocolate giveaway, because the only thing better than eating lots of chocolate is sharing chocolate with lovely people, right?

Here’s how it works:

- Fill out this form

- Click Send

- Wait for your genuine German Christmas chocolate package to arrive

- Enjoy (and maybe let me know how yo liked it and what was your favorite because I’m curious)

That’s it :-)

I hope this idea doesn’t sound too strange, but this year has hit me pretty hard and I’d really like to end it by spreading a little sweet chocolatey love around the world. So no matter where you live in the world or whether or not we’re mutuals/have spoken before, I’d be grateful for the chance to feed you some treats <3

Here’s the form again and have a lovely weekend!

PS: If you’re not a Christmas type of person, I will of course happily send you a non-Christmas themed package, because chocolate is for everyone

[tarysande]

Fanfic Writer Appreciation Day

I infer from my dash that it is today?

First, my apologies for inevitably forgetting people I do not mean to forget. Second, my apologies because I have not had the time to really read much fanfic in recent months, so doubtless many many many things have slipped under my radar. 

Thank you, first of all, to everyone who sits down and creates content for free. Thank you for sharing your love. Thank you for plugging away even when it feels like no one is listening. Thank you for continuing when you feel like giving up, and for putting work aside when it no longer brings you joy. Thank you for trying so damn hard. As fic writers, we know we’ll virtually never be acknowledged by the source creators the way other fanartists (art, cosplay, etc) are. You are wonderful and the work you create is just as valid and valuable. Thank you for giving the fandom so much.

I want to put in a few brief and specific mentions here, though, because it’s important to me to spread some love to some of the folks who’ve made a deep and lasting impression on me with their words. In no particular order:

@w0rdinista My partner in crime. So many hundreds of thousands of words would never have been written if not for you. Thank you for entertaining me for so very many years with your words (both the ones we wrote together, and all your other ones, too.)

@dearophelia Thank you for giving me so many unique, beautifully-realized, beautifully-flawed characters to love. I treasure them all.

@todisturbtheuniverse Thank you for writing my favorite pairing and giving them such vividness and life, and for capturing their voices so well.

@loquaciousquark I’ve been reading your work as long as you’ve been writing it, and every word, every story, every iteration of the pairing you write so well brings me fresh joy and fresh appreciation for your skill and grace.

@tetrahedrals I AM STILL REALLY MESSED UP BY APRIL COME SHE WILL.

@twigcollins I’ve been in awe of your way with words since long, long before we became friends (and ate so much Shake Shack together!). I cannot wait to see what you do as a writer. There are few people I so wholeheartedly believe should have their original work published.

@spinninglenny You may not write as often as you craft, but I love the care you have for your characters, the attention you pay to them, and the amount your love of them comes through your words.

@faejilly Thank you for writing about characters I love with such tenderness and thoughtfulness. You bring depth and emotion (and often just the right kind of sexiness) to everything you write.

@janiemcpants I still think of your Isabela at least once a week <3

To @fistfulofgammarays and @fourthage and @servantofclio and @thievinghippo and @theherocomplex, to @orchidcactus and @mystery-moose and @eponymous-rose and @bloodbright my experience in the Mass Effect fandom would not have been the same without your stories. Each of you has written things that moved me deeply, stayed with me, and which I still think on with tremendous fondness and gratitude.

Thank you to the fic writers of the Dragon Age and Mass Effect fandoms. This place has been my online home for a lot of years now. Thank you for making it so magical. I truly, truly hope that your inspiration continues to flow, and that these fandoms stay alive and happy and productive for many years to come.

And, because I’m Canadian, one more sorry for all those I neglected to mention. If I’ve ever liked or kudosed or commented or reblogged something of yours: thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[spinninglenny]

Look who visited my front yard (and was so knackered from the heat he didn’t even mind me getting almost close enough to floof him (did you know butterflies can be fluffy? I didn’t, but now I do))

@dearophelia, @thievinghippo, @thisonelikesaliens, @servantofclio, @probablylostrightnow and @mysticfeline, thank you so much for your lovely words <3 When I checked my email this morning, I had to sit down and cry for a bit, and I’m so grateful to know such kind and sweet and excellent people as you!

Thing is, I’m not actually burned out yet, but it feels like I’m getting there. And this here is my happy place that I don’t want to pollute with my personal crap, so I think I’m going to put myself into a bit of a tumblr time-out until I’ve wrangled myself back into a place where I can actually contribute. Thank you for being wonderful and may the universe treat you as kindly as you deserve <3

[spinninglenny]

@continuousspec asked: 11. Cuddling for Saskia and Jaal? :) 

This is where my heart lives, thank you <3

They were cuddling when I started drawing, but then she fell asleep because squishy alien boyfriend too comfy :-D

[dearophelia]

there is a truth and it’s on our side

dawn is coming, open your eyes

or, the one where Victoria finally tells Liam and Jaal about the ex-boyfriend on Omega, many hugs are hugged, and many feelings felt. Guest starring Sahuna, because adopted angaran mom is the Most important. 1800ish words, PG.

Warnings for discussion of/reference to past abusive relationship. Also, this was originally meant to be a prompt response, but I opted not to use it for that since it got super out of hand because, as is well established, I have zero chill.

Wind blows gently through the trees as Victoria finishes her story. She brushes her thumb at the corner of her eye, wiping away tears before they have a chance to fall, though she’s sure her watery eyes haven’t escaped Sahuna’s notice. It’s a sad story, and even though it ends well for her, she’s still not happy at the end. All she feels, all she’s ever felt, is staggering relief. “Someone found him dead in an airlock about four months later.”

Companionable silence falls around them. Silence usually makes Victoria uncomfortable, especially after sharing that particular life experience, but Sahuna has a way of making it warm, safe, even soft. She could live inside this silence, just sitting forever in a place that feels like family. Like home. Like she belongs.

Odd that her parents had to die, her brother had to be in a coma, and she had to leave the galaxy to find a place like that. Even odder that she found it among aliens. She pushes the thought away - an analysis for another time.

“You haven’t told them,” Sahuna says softly after a moment of contemplation.

The setting sun turns the Havarl sky into pinks and oranges and brilliant purples. Little pinpricks of starlight flicker at the edges of the oncoming night.

Victoria blinks at Sahuna. Their tea is long finished and smells of dinner have begun wafting outside through an open window. She looks out at the mountains beyond and the valley below, and swallows. No, she hasn’t. “I don’t know how,” she admits. She shifts against the large plush pillows beneath her, bringing her knees to her chest, loosely hugging her legs.

Sahuna reaches out over the space between them and clasps Victoria’s hands with hers. “You told me,” she says simply.

Victoria looks back at her. “Not easily.” She pauses, and then offers Sahuna a little smile. “Plus, you asked.”

Smiling in return, Sahuna lightly squeezes her hands and then lets go. “I’m nosy and have no shame. You know this.”

Weiterlesen

[continuous-spec]

Vetra Nyx Appreciation Week is starting soon, so get ready to celebrate our favorite Drifter Mercenary! <3

When: June 19th-June 25th

How: Post your appreciation for Vetra with art, fics, edits, gifs, headcanons, discussion, or really anything you can think of!

Where: Use the tag #vetranyxweek to show your appreciation!

I’ll reblog your post on my blog throughout the week.   A master post will be made at the end of the week for all of the participants.  If your post isn’t reblogged within a few days, send me an IM!

Rules:

No character hate/bashing

Tag your posts #vetranyxweek

Share and chat amongst each other!

Please refrain from putting criticism or negativity in the tag!

This is part of the Mass Effect Andromeda appreciation series coordinated by @omegastation   (Thank you, Deb!). More info on past and upcoming appreciation weeks can be found here.  

[spinninglenny]

Dr. Carlyle: Damn shame about your dad, though. I’m sorry we couldn’t save him.

Ryder: I haven’t heard how he died?

Dr. Carlyle: Like a hero, that’s how. That’s the only part that matters.

So, to recap:

- SAM can dramatically influence the Pathfinder’s vital functions, which would come in handy in a situation that demands lower metabolic and respiratory rates due to toxic / low oxygen atmosphere

- Alec Ryder has a history of putting dying people into stasis and then covering it up

- The medic in charge is being rather fishy about the details of Alec’s death

- We never actually see Alec’s body

 Look, I’m not saying that there is actual evidence that Space Dad is chilling it somewhere in the Hyperion’s cryo bay. I’m just saying that when they eventually get Ellen out of stasis, they better check the pod right next to hers to make sure they don’t leave anyone out of the family reunion.

(And yes, I fully realise that these things can be explained in entirely different ways. But none those fulfil my overwhelming need to give my precious messed up space family a happy ending, so kindly take your “logic” and “reason” and “common sense” out of my face and let me live in happy denial, okay? Thank you ✿)

[spinninglenny]

Zoe and Liam as giveaway drawing for @servantofclio (currently making its way across the Atlantic to its new home)

I love these two, they’re so upbeat and supportive and loving and all around wonderful together ♥ I imagine this is during one of their regular football games on Eos and Liam is thrilled that his amazing fiancee just scored another goal :-)

Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils, Derwent Inktense Pencils and Faber Castell Artist’s Pastels on Derwent water colour paper

[spinninglenny]

Gratuitious screenshots of Saskia looking ridiculously cute in her new hair cut (I think my favourite one is the Imma-climb-that-like-a-tree one in the middle)

Seriously, I cannot express to you how much I love this hair style on her. I love the softness and shagginess and the way it moves, not to mention the fact that it finally gives Jaal the chance to brush the hair out of her face, which I’m sure we can all agree is an essential part of any romance.

I just love it so much  (♥‿♥)

[spinninglenny]

Random Ryder Headcanon

Alec Ryder reads bed time stories the way Sam Vimes does.

He'll start out sticking to the story, but it's just so boring and makes no sense and what is it teaching the children, anyway? So it always ends up "And as soon as he lounged, Little Red Riding Hood activated her tactical cloak and dive-rolled to the side. The wolf crashed face first into the floor and before he could get up, she paralysed him with her omni-tool’s stun extension. Then she tore her Grandma's bed sheet into strips and tied him up to begin the interrogation…"

 (The twins love it and very much prefer Dad's version of the stories to the originals. Ellen pretends she doesn't know because she thinks she should probably disapprove in the name of Good Parenting, but sneaking glances at her badass husband snuggled up with the toddlers and acting out all the voices as well as sound effects is just too irresistible to to put a stop to)