Actual Work?

For some reason that is beyond my thought process, my Etsy store has been really slow this summer.  Last year I could have gone on a Cruise to Alaska with what I earned.  This year, a drive to White Rock Beach would have busted my 'work' account... (just to explain, White Rock Beach is about 1 hour away and much less than a tank of gas!)

So.  I am going back to my basics, which I have not had listed in my shop since early July.

 

Traditional Quilt Blocks.  Especially Quilt Blocks with triangles!

I expect to have two sets of 12 blocks listed in my shop by the end of the day and plan for a few more sets by the end of next week.

 

Sometimes making blocks that I won't get to use is a bit frustrating, but then I think the more blocks I make and earn some dollars from, then the more fabric I can buy to make more blocks to sell to buy more fabric to make blocks....

 

And since I am linking up today with Friday Felicities, I want to show some fabric that came to me over the summer.  It too will be listed in my shop (click on the link on the sidebar to get to my shop) is some 1970's vintage preprinted christmas fabric for making ornaments or appliques...  There are three different 'sets'. 

 

And today, I think a drive to the beach at White Rock is just what my soul is in need of -- after a bit of 'work' (who could call home sewing, work?)

Pearl "Cute" Barker

Sometimes I question why we take on the responsibility of owning pets.  The work, the cost, and in someways a curtailing of freedom.

Dogs need baths, whether they like them or not.  Dogs get fleas, so the flea stuff you put on them costs a fortune and then the Dog brings the fleas into the house and goes onto the cats which means more flea stuff for the cats...

They all occasionally puke, and most often it is where it is hardest to clean up, like on a sweater that was left on the corner of the bed.   Oh and speaking of sweaters, you can't have a real wool sweater, unless you keep it hidden from the wool eating cat!

 Food.  Always something, more cans more bags, more treats

Since I was married in 1972, I have not been without a cat, usually two cats in my house and in all those years, we have lived with a dog (three in a row) for the last 18 years.

But, what would you call this? 

JOY!

is there anything more joyful that having your dog run back to you with the stick you have thrown for the 38th time?

I can't imagine living a life without such a wonderful creature to share my home, my time, my love...

Miss Snips Returns!

Beginning in 1998 up until the end of 2009, I wrote a column called Miss Snips Notebook which appeared in the Canadian Quilter Magazine.

I needed to take a breakin 2009 partly because of illness and because of a few life events that took a toll on me that I was having a hard time working my way through and because I was feeling that I did not have the content that was needed to write a good column.

Now, Miss Snips is returning.  Miss Snips will have the quilting tips revised and updated once each month -- usually about the middle of the month -- on the Canadian Quilt Association website.  My column will now appear on the Members Only page, so you will need to sign into the page with your member number.  

I'm sorry that if you are not a member this page will not be available to you, BUT if you are considering becoming a member, which has some very nice perks, including getting the Canadian Quilter Magazine you can subscribe/become a member at the same website as above.  PS. If you do sign up (and pay your membership fee, yes there is a fee) please fill in the part of the form and say who referred you -- ME, Susan Barker!

I would very much appreciate it if you can go read my new column and I would also ask that if you have an idea or a good tip that all quiltmakers would find useful, please send me an email or leave a comment and as long as your comment is not "no reply" I will contact you via email and will include your tip or suggestion in the next column. (I will give you credit in the article and if you have your own blog, I will provide a link to you as part of the monthly column)

Thanks so much!  I am so glad to be doing this project as I believe that the things we know should be passed along to those around us who are interested.

So the newest and first installment has been posted on the Members Page.  And thank-you so much for Reading!!

Crochet edge for a T-shirt neckline (instructions)

So, I have been wanting to make those plain t-shirts in my closet into something a bit less plain...

I did some researching through some of the pamphlets, and books and magazines that I have, to see if I could find something to add to the neckline of one t-shirt.  A bit as practice and a test to see how it would go.

This is what I came up with...

 

I adapted this design from a Coats and Clark booklet first published in 1971.   This design is somewhat different than what is in the booklet as it leaves off some of the last rows -- so not quite so wide or quite as frilly as the original.

I have re-written the stitch instructions because they did not actually give a starting chain length or count of stitches.   Perhaps because depending upon what use you planned for the lacy edge your length might vary.

This design is based on multiples of 10 stitches plus 3.  In my case I wanted the lacy edge to be about 37 inches and I used a sport weight or baby acrylic yarn.   You can use any yarn or thread that you prefer, of course.  Finer threads make it more delicate. Heavier yarns give it a chunky or even a 'scarf' type of look.  This edging is done in only two rows after the foundation chain.

I call this a Picot Fan Edging So here is how to create this lacy edging.

Chain multiples of 10 until you reach close to the length you want (if you use yarn and not thread you can stretch the lace slightly when you are done, to fit the piece.  It does not look as nice tho if you have to ease a slightly longer section to fit.)

You will be using chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet and triple crochet stitches.

** cluster stitch **  holding back on the hook the last loop of each dc make 2 dc in the same chain stitch, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook.

Row 1 (after the foundation chain is made)

In the 4th chain from the hook make dc (beginning 3 chain and dc acts as the first cluster) chain 2, make cluster (as described above) * chain 2 skip next 5 chains, dc in next chain, chain 3, dc in same chain (makes V-stitch) chain 2, skip next 5 chains and make cluster chain 2 make second cluster in same chain space, repeat from * for the length of your lace.  Try to end with the second cluster stitch. chain 1, turn.

Row 2

sc in chain 2 space between the first two clusters * chain 3, sc in third chain from the hook, (picot made); in ch 3 space of next V-stitch, 1 tc, chain 3, sc in 3rd chain from hook (picot) repeat the 1 tc and picot stitch 4 times in the same ch 3 space ; sc in space between next 2 clusters, repeat from * to end.  fasten off.

 

I am thinking a off white would have been a better choice for this edging around this t-shirt neckline and as you can probably see I simply basted the crochet edging with regular sewing thread, so it is easy to remove and replace.

 

I am not sure how this sort of thing would hold up in the laundry either.  It might come out a tangled twisted mess after going through the regular laundry as one would do with a regular t-shirt.

 

So, is it worth the effort?  I guess it depends how often the t-shirt would be worn...   I don't know if I would want to be removing and replacing the lace everytime the shirt needs laundering.   Now that would be an argument for using a different yarn or thread.   Always something to think about, hey?

Going to School...

Grandma Coco sent me off on a tangent that resulted in the process of learning about the History of the World.  

There is a website where you can take a university course FOR FREE!  Is that not the ultimate in learning!  Fits my own philosophy so well.  Free! Free! Free!   I know it takes work and resources to create for others ways to learn and that is why there are copyright laws, somebody needs to get paid for their work so they can feed their families...

 

But at Coursera there are University level courses on many subjects that you can sign up for FREE!

I decided after reviewing all those classes -- currently over 100 -- to sign up for the History of the World after 1300.  

 

The first class lecture began yesterday and I was shocked to find that my first foray resulted in the first set of questions being completely WRONG!   Well, in my defense, I haven't been to school for about 25 years and definately had to adjust my hearing skills!  But this morning, I did another video lecture in the series and I got all the questions RIGHT...

 

So, now until Dec 10, I will be working on this new project in learning, trying to keep my mind sharp as it gets older and trying to enhance my basic thought processes -- thats what I think learning is all about, Learning to Learn is a big part of Learning a particular subject.

 

Of course, Learning about the world doesn't necessarily mean I have stopped doing the other things I do...

 

 

I have been seeing on Pinterest and other blogs, a variety of crocheted embellishments and decorations added to clothing and I decided to try out a "edging" made from crochet and found in a very old Coats & Clark pamphlet that I have.

 

This, not yet sewn to a t-shirt that I picked out for the purpose is  what I spent my afternoon playing with yesterday....

This test piece is made from a bit of baby yarn so I may remake it for the t-shirt or perhaps attach it as it is...

 

Come back tomorrow for the final part of the project and the 'written' instructions of how to do this lacy trim...

A Note about Anonymous Comments

Lately I have been getting quite a few comments that want the reader to go to the anonymous posters own site--where they are usually selling something.

Now since I put information on my blog that is almost always free and I do not promote items for sale using flashy or hard sell techniques, except that I will gladly have you visit my own etsy store which you will find a link to on the side bar -> over thataway...   I don't earn money by posting ads all over my blog - I trust that if you want to buy something you will find where you want to shop on your own.

I will be leaving the option open for Anonymous comments but any ANON comment that contains any sort of link to another site will be deleted.  Any ANON comment that does not give a with a proper name within the comment (such as "from your friend, Louisa" or similar) will be deleted.

Thanks for your patience.  I know most everyone who comes here and reads my blog is not out to get free advertising for weird products so, this does not apply to you my regular and wonderful readers...

Mockery

Serious thoughts, today...

Well, they actually began a week or so ago.  I think the beginning was a Front Page/Breaking News item.  Canada withdraws its ambassador and closes the consulate in Iran and at the same time expells Iranian diplomats from Canada.   It preyed upon my thoughts.   I am a history buff, you might say, and this recent event just seems to me to be repetition...

Next was the You Tube film mocking the beliefs of Islam.  No, I have not seen it, and I don't want to. (I do not follow any religious faith)

"Mockery is a rust that corrodes all it touches." - Milan Kundera

 

People, everyday, use Mockery to get something that they want.  People use Mockery to belittle other people.
People use Mockery to make themselves feel powerful.
People who love each other use Mockery when they want to 'get back' at the one they love??  but, WHY?
People use Mockery to alleviate the fear they have of the unknown.

I don't like Mockery. 

I was particularly upset this morning because of Mockery.  I wondered why it was aimed at me -- a trivial thing when it comes to denigrating a peoples' spiritual beliefs, but still, it hurt my Heart to have a person tell me there is something Wrong with ME because of a trivial difference in thought process and taste.

I decided to make a Quilt.  In my mind it represents the foolishness and futile waste of energy that Mockery is...

We are all humans? Yes?  We all share a basic form and function.  We all have basic genetic things in common but we also have the ability to think differently from each other.

I wanted this quilt to show that we all have the same shape, with differences such as colour or pattern, but the fabric that is US, is all the same.

We all exist together on this one little planet.   We have big ideas, and we have little ideas, some of those ideas are clear and easy for anyone to understand, others are cloudy and complicated and open to individual interpretation.

Sometimes we get crumpled and confused and clash and sometimes all is harmonius and we are stitched together in solidarity.

So.  Whats the point of Mockery?  Does it really make you feel superior to the next guy?  There is more similarity than there is difference.  Next time you want to make someone feel small, is it worth it?  Do you need to do it?  What makes your patch of plaid better than the other guys purple wavy lines??

And I know this has all been said before, but today it affected me and I needed to use my time and talent to create a response to my thoughts.  My own way of Artful Expression results in a Quilt I call - Mockery.

Work in Progress Wednesday - Treasure Trove

My dear Auntie is in town visiting her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

I came to live in Abbotsford because of the influence of my cousins and because of that I see my Aunt everytime she comes here!  I always feel so lucky to be her niece! She is the kind of person who makes you feel good about yourself and is always interested in the things you have to say.  She is a very special person in my life.

Because she knows that I have started an online store, she has been on the lookout for things that might go well in the etsy store.  And Oh Boy!! She brought me a huge selection of buttons that she picked up from friends and neighbours in Winnipeg.  I just know she has as much fun looking for these things as I do, going through them and imagining where they came from and what they were for...

Along with the bags of buttons, there were some pieces that are interesting even though they have nothing to do with buttons.  People tend to mix a few other odds and ends in with their button boxes - I know my mother would keep odd bits in hers...

 

Years ago, I cannot say, and my Auntie says she would not be able to guess, is that companies that may not have anything to do with "household arts"  like sewing would give away, to their customers, small useful items.  In this case, Portage creamery gave it's customers a foldover needle packet.  Inside, a dozen or so hand sewing needles!

 

How about this pretty red flower broach?  I can remember having 2 or 3 of these - probably purchased at Woolworth's or Kresge's in downtown Winnipeg.

 

Now, isn't this a special little broach! A leopard nestled upon your breast pinned to your favourite cashmere sweater.  Before, my time I think!

 

 

Can you guess what these are? I'll give you a hint.  They are expandable and you almost always have them in pairs.   I remember seeing these in my very early years, but didn't remember what they were.   Another hint.   Did you know that up to the mid 1950's and into the 1960's men only wore long sleeved shirts? never t-shirts, in fact there were no t-shirts, but there were undershirts.   Now.  Perhaps you have seen an older movie, where men have long sleeve shirts, with the sleeves rolled up, and sometimes the rolled up sleeve is held in place with these expandable arm bands!  Would you have imagined that if I didn't tell you!!   I think Paul Newman, and the beautiful young men of the movies brought the t-shirt into popularity, thus eliminating the need of expandable arm bands to hold the rolled up shirt sleeve in place...

 

And this tiny tin, Puretest soluable SACCHARIN tablets.  You can tell by looking at the printed lid, the label does not adhere to the accepted flashy labels you see on products today.  And I suspect that at one time it was commonly understood what a 1/4 gr (grain) was.   How long do you think that artificial sweeteners have been available?  Did it every cross your mind to wonder when we humans found a need for a sweetener, other than sugar? Or for that matter, when did we discover and NEED sugar?

 

Facinating stuff, eh?

Not much to do with my usual subjects but I do so enjoy looking back in time - not just at the big historical events, but at the things that made up everyday life.

 

 

I am trying to figure out the uses for these kinds of things, so that makes them works in progress.  I can see some of these jewellery findings becoming enhancements on future postcards to swap.  I am even thinking of putting together some of these into a shadow box frame to display on my wall!  So, everything gets used and reused and turned over and thought about.  

If you have your mother's button box or jewellery collection, pull it out of the drawer and refresh your memory of the days when she wore those things or try to remember what they were used for.

Have a marvelous day, thinking about The Way things Were!

Crochet Motifs

A few weeks back I got some new crochet books and I have been experimenting and testing out the stitches and motifs in the books.

I  got hooked on a particular ROUND motif.  I really liked the looks of it and it was such a simple one to do over and over, without having to refer to the pattern all the time.  It is Number 28 in the book (Beyond the Square, Crochet Motifs)

I made 10 motifs and then hit on an idea for a scarf and made another 10 motifs except leaving off the last two rounds.   I didn't even change yarn colour, because the yarn was a very colourful RedHeart varigated.

My Husband doesn't like it at all, but then he said it looks okay laid out as a decoration, but he doesn't think anyone would wear such a thing... Hmmmf!

I would have liked to make it longer, but I ran out of that yarn -- which I got in the USA and have not seen it locally, so I think the scarf will have to stay as it is.

I do think that it will take a special person with a certain style to wear this, someone a little flamboyant (not me, I think) so I am going to list it in my MainlandPearls etsy shop HERE

Work in Progress - Take it Easy

Lately I have been wondering why everything seems to have a "RUSH ORDER" on it...

Some stores start Christmas in August, and the start of the school year seems like it is imminent the day after the kids are let go for the summer.  Advertisements and calender photographs show red and yellow leaves for September, even though things are mostly green and just being harvested.  I wonder why they want us to be so far ahead when in actual fact practically everyone I know, scramble on the day before to 'be ready'!  The stores were crowded this past Monday with Moms and Kids getting school supplies, and Halloween candy is bought the day before the Trick or Treat night in many cases.  And Christmas Eve! Well if its a Saturday, it is almost impossible to find a parking spot at the mall!  So why do We supposedly have to plan months ahead, when most of us do it on the last day or two before whatever event it is?

My Dad was a very meticulous and patient man.  One of his greatest assets was that he really did plan ahead and I cannot ever remember seeing him rush to complete any task.   He was a thinker and a planner and was always ready for any event -- even the unplanned ones, he always seemed to be ready just in case.   I am so lucky in that I did learn some of the things he tried to teach me over the years.   His favourite 'cartoon' was Pepe` le Peu -- if that is too far back to remember it was a series of cartoons (Hanna-Barbera, I think) about a Debonaire French Skunk who falls in love with a black cat who had white paint accidently spilled on HER.  He pursues her through the streets of Paris, She in a mad panic to get and way and he casually bounding along and easily keeping close to her...  Yep, that suits my Dad perfectly...

I am quite willing to take my time to figure out something a bit new and different, although sometimes I do go ahead and try out an idea before it is fully formed...

Quite a few months ago I decided that I needed to find a way to use the stacks of brown paper that my husband brings home from his delivery job.  He puts it into a recycle bin, but it still seems to me that rather than just the recycle bin, there must be a better way.  Every now and then I square up and cut the paper into useable note book size and we use these for LISTS, to do, grocery, etc.  I use the sewing machine to sew the pages together.   Then I came across a You Tube Video of how to make coptic bound books - so...  I am working on making one TODAY...

Then, my other work in progress, this week and has been for a few weeks now, is a project to demonstrate, applique. Completely by machine, no freezer paper, no raw edges, no hand stitching.   It is definately faster than needle-turn applique, but still takes much patience to do correctly and beautifully...   I have got the dresdens appliqued and now in the next few days, a border with applique leaves, and quilting and binding....  Definately should be finished by next week...

And now, a return to the appreciation of taking things easy and appreciating the world around oneself.  Yesterday was one of those PERFECT days, the sun was warm, but there was a light cool breeze.  How else to enjoy it -- a walk along the Trans Canada Trail (Matsqui Trail Park, in Abbotsford) that works its way along the south side of the Fraser River....

Looking northwest toward Vancouver.

A section of the trail with split rail fence between the trail and private property.  The forest is dry, thus, the layer of leaves --not because it is autumn...

And of course, the dog, Pearl, checking out crawly things in the grass and behind trees -- I think there was a little snake wending its way, which of course, Pearl would have loved to pick up and wrap her tongue around.  Good thing she has in her repertoire of commands, "Leave it" and she does...

Take a deep breath, and slow down, even just for a few moments...