Round Up

Whew!  I have not written on the blog for a week and a day!  That is cause I have been caught up with making! Making stuff for Christmas; all of the things are from other blog posts on the internet.  The best part of these other blog posts is that each one has a very well written tutorial so that it is easy to recreate one's own version!

My nephew is getting married at the end of December and I have been trying to think of something to send (half way across the country) when I saw this really cute fabric and knew it was just the thing for newlyweds.  It shows the "bear" family doing all the fun things a new young family does together, with little hearts sprinkled all over -- so I made a pair of pillowcases!   Now I realize that pillowcases are not a real exciting gift but this fabric just cried out to be something just for them and so because they each already have children, a loving family fabric seemed to be the thing...

If you want to try out these pillowcases you can go to the tutorial at  http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/instructions/RollItUp.pdf 

This pattern explains how to add the top border with a very simple turned under edge so that there are no raw edges, and the side seams are done as french seams, again shown very clearly in the tutorial. I think a pair of these took me just a bit over an hour to create -- and I think, now that I have done them once, it will be even less time to do more of them!

And Hey!  We all, or mostly all know that Christmas is coming!  And coming along faster than anyone can manage to fit in all the things that have to be done -- well, most everyone, but me, since I do have alot of fun with Christmas but don't burden myself with alot of Christmas obligations.  I can pick and choose what I want to do with this season and mostly to me that means creating things that please me and things that I can give as the whim strikes me!

So I discovered the cutest little crochet christmas stockings and had to go ahead and try out the tutorial for them, too.  These are very quick to make up and using left over scraps of yarn cost only the time it takes -- for me about 1 hour, while watching tv.   I must add that I wrote down the instructions, and between the time it took me to get from the computer to the tv watching room, the piece of paper disappeared (I suspect the dog ate it!)  And since the show on tv had started I was reluctant to go back and jot down the instructions, so my crochet stockings are slightly different than the tutorial, but my third one will be exact...  When I get to it -- perhaps another one or two will get made up tonight while watching SURVIVOR!

Aren't they just the cutest?

Go to http://www.lemondedesucrette.com/2011/11/16/little-christmas-socks-the-pattern/  for the very simple tutorial... 

Then read further in this writers blog (todays' blog post) where the writer shows some stockings made by another reader who made these little socks into ADVENT CALENDERS and be amazed at the variety of looks you can get with the combinations of colours!

The quilt guild that I belong to has a postcard exchange every month with a theme that those taking part try to conform to and at the same time try to create little original works of ART.  

I have to admit this months theme had me stumped.  I dawdled and put off creating my trade able postcard because just nothing came into my head.  The theme was YO-YO's.   I just couldn't seem to grasp an idea to use Yo-yos on the the card with.  Then while surfin' the net one morning, I came across this tutorial for making folded paper wreaths and the wreath and a yo-yo clicked into an idea in my head.

  Go to http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/folded_wreath_tutorial.pdf for the instuctions.  This is a very old origami paper folding pattern but this tutorial makes it into a pretty little christmas ornament.

Now, because I wanted to do this little wreath with christmas fabrics you need to be aware that fabric just does not fold as crisply as paper, so what I did was use spray starch on the fabric pieces before I even attempted any folding and I used the HOT iron to press those folds nice and firm.  Also it is a bit trickier to fit the pieces together, so just work slowly and with patience and you will get the pieces together -- admittedly it took me a couple of tries to get the wreath to fit together and look right -- and another difference between paper and fabric, is that when I did get the wreath together, I sewed around the inside opening and that held it all together with no fear of the wreath slipping apart.

On this one, the extra time and effort is definately worth the end product.

I am so enthralled by these wreaths I am making more of them to include with the Christmas cards that I send out to friends and family!

And finally another 'ornament' for the tree or to give as quick little gifts is this origami christmas flower.  This too is an original paper craft but it is so very lovely in fabric.  I saw it some years ago used as a dimensional applique flower in a quilt book by Kumiko Sudo -- sorry I cannot remember the name of the book.

Here is an online tutorial for making this flower and it truly is quick and easy to make.  I did these four in the above photo is just under one hour.  And remember it does make it nicer and crisper folds if you spray starch the fabric before you start folding.  Oh, and you do have to create your own template for this.  I used my acrylic ruler with the 30 degree angle lines so that each of the three sides of the triangle measured 6 inches then I added a 1/4 inch seam allowance on to that.   Go to  http://katrinastutorials.blogspot.com/2009/09/fabric-ornament-number-two.html

And that sums up my week!

If you try out one or two or even all of these projects I am happy that I could point you to them.  Have FUN, keep busy, and you will get to where you want to be!

PS I wanted to add -- I found a blog where all the links are CANADIAN web pages and blogs, go visit at http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ and you will see what is going on across our country!

Crafting Quilts with Colour!

I am inspired to think about colour after a conversation the other day, with Doris and Ingrid...

Rather impossible to create a quilt without colour, isn't it?  Well, there is one type that you can make and that would be a whole cloth white quilt with white threads -- that is a quilt I would never dare to make for my home.... A black and white border collie and a black and white kitten and a grown up but still mischievious siamese cat makes for a very bad combination to keep white quilts in!

This image is not one of my creations -- just to illustrate the beauty of lack of colour

Can you imagine this sort of thing in the middle of a beautiful white whole cloth quilt?  I can imagine it, but I surely don't want such a thing!  Walter is happy on the hardwood floor where his black and white hair can easily be swept up or vacuumed away!

I am wanting to point you to a couple of interesting web pages that may help us with the colour in our quilts.   There are some of us who have a special instinct for putting colours together -- but that is rare and like I said very special!

I for one tend to choose rather dark or greyish colours -- and it seems no matter how hard I try, it is a very rare quilt of mine that comes out bright and with really excellent colour choices.   Even my scrap quilts tend to have a greyish look to them.   That trend has held true for most of my quiltmaking years -- tho, every once in a while I manage to put together brights!

I almost think that brights are accidental for me and I have been hoping (for a long time) to find ways to improve my choice of fabrics --both in colour and print choices.

I have found two websites that I am hoping might give me new eyes in the choices of colour.

Take a look at both of these web pages -- look back to previous postings and take the time to compare the photographs with the colour choices.

I have thought that perhaps if I practice looking at everyday things, I will get better at choosing the colours that are within my own little "photographs"

Check out these:

http://www.design-seeds.com/

if you look down the page a bit, my favourite choice of the offered groupings is the one called "branching hues"

and

http://www.photocardboutique.com/blog/

this one is similar - a photo along with "chips" of colour

Hmmmm.....  Perhaps a walk around my neighbourhood with my camera and then a "study" of the colour in the photos that I took.

Maybe a trip to the hardware store and a handful of paint chip cards, to mix and match and play with?

So? Do you think these will help with combining colour in your quilts?  It is one of many many hints and tips that artist use in their crafts, I think.

Check This Out 2

I just found this little HOOKY treasure this morning!  A perfect little pear with a tutorial on this http://speckless.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/crochet-pattern-tiny-pear-necklace-charm/ lovely blog.

I was just looking at some of my scrappy bits of yarn yesterday afternoon and since I woke up this morning with SNOW on the ground, I think I will go set down in my chair and crochet one or two of these gorgeous little pears.   I am thinking though that the tiny pear would also suit my tiny christmas tree -- so instead of a necklace, I will use mine as a christmas tree ornament .  Will try to get back later today and post a photo of two of my own completed pear.

And to add -- 11:27 am -- the results of my efforts to crochet the little pear...

I need more practice - or I need different yarn.  I am using worsted acrylic and the tutorial says to use a baby type yarn -- I don't have any right now, not in green, yellow, peachy, but I do have purple -- pears are not usually purple.  So I made it with what I had....

The yarn for the leaf is also too heavy and makes them a bit large for the pear.  I will try again in a day or two, perhaps a trip to the thrift shop to see what I can find to more accurately create the pear in the proper proportions -- but I would say this is a really easy and quick ornament to work, I think it took no more than about 20 minutes -- you could really make a whole CROWD of them in an evening!

As you can see, I brought my yarn up to the computer and worked right from the screen.   I am also low on paper to print with, so direct from the blog works quite as well!

And, since I was taking pictures and putting them on the blog, I thought I would include a couple of other recent projects.   The tiny skate is thanks to ALICE, our guild program co ordinator.   Everyone at the day meeting received a little kit and we proceeded to make a pair of tiny skates.   I made a very slight change to the one I did (I still need to get the second one done) -- I folded in the felt at a very slight angle when I "laced" up the boot and it more realistically resembles a figure skate, I think.

I got a pattern quite sometime ago for making crochet kittens (from an etsy shop) and I have made and given away a few already. 

There are so very many patterns and ideas for making small things to give or use on your christmas tree or just to display around your house.  I personally don't purchase "manufactured" tree ornaments anymore.  I guess I like the old-fashioned homey look!

How 'bout you?  Is crafting part of your Christmas or do you prefer the bright sparkley easy but expensive option of Christmas decor?

Check This Out!

It is only 6 weeks til Christmas!  Lot of time, RIGHT?!

I have said it before on my blog, we don't really do Christmas, but I love to watch everybody else "doing" it!  I don't go to the MALLS at all, because I don't really like crowds of people (unless I can get up and out early, early, early)

I most enjoy the lights of Christmas and am out a few times during the month of December driving through neighbourhoods to see the outdoor yard decorations.  Every year it amazes me, the ingeniousness of home owners and apartment dwellers to create a theme of Christmas in their own spaces!

I love the traditions of Christmas and the traditions that families create. The ideas for Food, Decorations, Gifts and the Spirit of Christmas, grows and changes every year.

So, I am going to start a Source for Christmas here on my Blog for the next few weeks and perhaps I can pass along some ideas that you may have a use for.

Today, Christmas Gift Tags.

Go to

http://www.freeprintablegifttags.net/

where you can print out a page or two or three of a number of gift tags to go on all those parcels that you wrap and give.

The instruction for printing is right there on the page.   You just need a printer with coloured inks (most inkjet printers are built that way) and a few sheets of paper or cardstock.

the People's Home Library

I wanted to let you, my readers know about my "other" blog.  It is The Peoples Home Library.  It is actually a book published in 1910 and describes itself as "a set of three practical books, the aim being to give the reader a complete library of practical information"

This book includes three essential subjects needed in the home, be it on a farm or on a city lot.  Housekeeping and all it entails, from keeping a home clean and neat along with the acceptable etiquette of the day, how to cook, what to cook, and when to cook.   Medical information -- not just the everyday treatment of  cuts and bruises but things such as birthing, treating broken bones, and diagnosing and treating common and uncommon diseases including herbal remedies and the making of tinctures, teas and salves.  Animal Husbandry -- how the man of the house can treat his stock, the horse, the pig and cattle, even a few hints on keeping the house cat and the essential farm dog!  Oh and of course a chapter on keeping chickens and even how to build a chicken coop!

I simply transcribe sections of the book -- I don't write any new words to what this book offers.  I present the book as a historical document for those who might be interested in "how things were done" a hundred years ago.

I do not transcribe the book in any particular orderly fashion, so one entry may include diseases of horses, with the next weeks posting may be recipes for muffins or how to set a table.   If you are interested in a particular subject, please use the "labels" to find pages that I have already transcribed from the book.  

I would like to add a note of caution.  Some of the items such as herbal remedies could be dangerous, so please use what is written only as entertainment value, not as medical advice!  I take no responsibility for your own choices in the use of the information that comes out of this book.  Keep in mind it was written and published more than one hundred years ago and modern knowledge has changed and improved in that time.

I did start transcribing this book, in 2008 but it has been on hold for almost 2 years while I waited to have the book and bindings restored.  I now have the book back in my hands and intend to continue entering pages and exerpts from this long ago household "bible".

My Mother discovered this large old book in a second hand shop in the early 1960's and even tho it was then 50 years old, it held some relevantcy to our life as my Father had just moved us from a city house to a small farm near St. Andrews, Manitoba (near Lockport) and we had a lot to learn about raising chickens and keeping an old farmhouse warm using only two potbelly wood stoves!  In those days, my mother became an expert farm wife, even to the point of saving the life of a sick turkey, only to have the turkey nabbed by a marauding neighbours' dog a few days later!

Go to http://peopleslibrary.blogspot.com/  to read the details of how to manage the home in the early 20th century.

I hope you enjoy this departure from everyday modern life -- it is a bit of time travel, I think.

A Little Quilt, and Work in Progress

It's been awhile.  Quiltmaking that is.  I am not quite sure why I haven't been peicing and sewing, cutting and measuring, but there have been alot of other chores getting done instead of...

Actually, now that my DH is back putting in full days of paid employment I don't have him hanging about the house with me trying to think of jobs to keep him busy!  I actually did dishes today!  I don't think I have done dishes in months!!  Not to mention vacuuming stairs or washing floors -- well now those regular chores fall to me again.  Which is a good thing!

So I put together a few blocks of "yellow brick road" -- I actually have 25 blocks but then decided that I would make two small quilts, one to give to my guilds charity quilts program, so this quilt will probably go to our childrens ward at our local hospital.

My favourite free motion quilting design is in the borders of the quilt, random lines of hearts...

Then I fell into experimentation.  I talked a bit about failures in anything that we do and sometimes 'failure'is meerly a matter of opinion.

I decided to try out a quilt in Skinny Quilts & Table Runner II edited by Eleanor Levie and published by Martingale Books.  An excellent technique book with table runner as the focus and an artistic bend by a variety of well known quiltmakers.

So I tried out the "RUNGS" pattern by Karla Alexander -- a stack and slash in control design.  I did two versions of this pattern.  One really wild, using south african batik fabrics that I got from Pippa Moore's website, an the second version more fresh and pretty.   What do you think??

The African print one is now almost done, layered and quilted, is now waiting for its binding.

And the pretty one, with of course a cat (Walter) making it known that he prefers the pretty colours best is still waiting for the finishing steps -- the fabrics on this second on is all done using vintage 1960's and 50's bed sheets.   I haven't decided yet myself which I prefer!

Time to rake up a few leaves? ya, think?

Dark-eyed Junco

I think this is a first....

I am not generally a bird watcher, but Walter has become facinated with the crowds of birds at our feeders -- this variety of bird is the dark eyed Junco -- it took me forever to find photos and descriptions online.   I only noticed them last winter and now this fall, too.  I guess they come here to winter and I have no idea where they go all summer.  They come along with the chickadees but do not feed at the hanging feeders, they pick up the fallen seeds from the ground, so I found a little "cactus planter bowl" and set it near our patio doors. They are quite brave little fellows as it is quite close to the window and Walter sits within about 3 ft of the bowl, except with a sheet of glass between.  

I will have to practice at my nature photography -- perhaps I will post more as I find time to sit outside and hold the camera!