tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82732430110987806042024-03-26T12:50:22.029-04:00Twist and VibrationsBernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.comBlogger551125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-63108338185279061582024-03-26T12:17:00.003-04:002024-03-26T12:49:50.181-04:00Wool applique process - step by step - part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChlczFbJUm34aZDe4JKP-V78SsiIE8a1yp3IFjONoGjJUyZL6r7r1EH8Dnsl75EYEucj2QQ2Rq_7IOWQwZtsz7Mm1NNfbK28IaNc3nNL753iF5SNcge3x5G93vNn-qwW11pfQWrNUbFmTiI3kKHeCNPKlGPPmb4lDgZa9pntVuMVzltRMso4VurBKJ38/s720/3211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChlczFbJUm34aZDe4JKP-V78SsiIE8a1yp3IFjONoGjJUyZL6r7r1EH8Dnsl75EYEucj2QQ2Rq_7IOWQwZtsz7Mm1NNfbK28IaNc3nNL753iF5SNcge3x5G93vNn-qwW11pfQWrNUbFmTiI3kKHeCNPKlGPPmb4lDgZa9pntVuMVzltRMso4VurBKJ38/w400-h266/3211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For all the talk about an early spring, it's not feeling so at the moment. I took this picture early last week after our first new snow of about 2-3". Saturday we had another storm that dropped 18" of new snow. I take solace in knowing the first of April is Monday and if years past are any measure, once the snow starts to melt, it'll be gone over the span of a few weeks. Pretty though, isn't it?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEWBfCbPv-48_sDESegCJv1OJ4wzfU6IEP44nqIzWOQv8MVbFkxCX1YdT9AL_58XMRKL7uBRzMaXfYp0LV3VuWz3m3jtwa4SreEGxtziP3CTqktNz1C8kDwnIy9BZ0Stp-lOzTlP5ZRr6pPLLfDe0UGYX-BBEfP2u-64QDmcqGgawxBgXFRk1_eKjoyg/s720/3201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEWBfCbPv-48_sDESegCJv1OJ4wzfU6IEP44nqIzWOQv8MVbFkxCX1YdT9AL_58XMRKL7uBRzMaXfYp0LV3VuWz3m3jtwa4SreEGxtziP3CTqktNz1C8kDwnIy9BZ0Stp-lOzTlP5ZRr6pPLLfDe0UGYX-BBEfP2u-64QDmcqGgawxBgXFRk1_eKjoyg/w400-h266/3201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I potted my Hippeastrum (you may know it as Amaryllis) late this year. I bought the bulb in November intending to grow it for the festive season, but it didn't get potted up until February. At any rate, it is in full bloom now and I've never seen one with so many blossoms: 7! It's a spectacle.<div><br /></div><div>I want to share this piece of music, appropriate to the season. Haydn's <i>Seven Last Words of Christ</i>. I don't think it's as well known as Handel's Messiah, which was written as an Easter Oratorio, even though it's very popular at Christmas, but it should be. It is sublime.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-cPchmU-pB4" width="320" youtube-src-id="-cPchmU-pB4"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Here is the continuation of my step-by-step process of wool applique. The quilt I am working on is called "Everything's Blooming" designed by Erica Kaprow.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the stem lines were transferred to my cotton square, I embroidered them using a bright green pearl cotton in stem stitch. Then I added the top pair of leaves and the first flower. This flower could have been sewn with individual petals, or as I have done, grouped petals. I wanted to see how the grouped petals would look and I like it so the other two flowers will be done the same way.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXgM0FrDm7ok7PCMAuMFYVxJEu-4vTODC8LjU2xvs5qrg0v6H7CsMiRUq0We8A0roh4v7U5o1WCAxj34MrjZmwyVdAG2vACqmDRiLshFkEt7U8phxWAlQSpw9KfEB6Hl_tIoW5uDUpzvhmvfhO1hWx4FJLHDuIBclPaoD4-ArAeZ_DS5wDC-KZlzQqWY/s720/3261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXgM0FrDm7ok7PCMAuMFYVxJEu-4vTODC8LjU2xvs5qrg0v6H7CsMiRUq0We8A0roh4v7U5o1WCAxj34MrjZmwyVdAG2vACqmDRiLshFkEt7U8phxWAlQSpw9KfEB6Hl_tIoW5uDUpzvhmvfhO1hWx4FJLHDuIBclPaoD4-ArAeZ_DS5wDC-KZlzQqWY/w640-h426/3261.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I like to work on my knee! It sound odd, but the curvature is perfect. I'm sure my previous Alexander Technique teacher would gawk to see me hunched over working this way, but I sit up frequently and stretch. At my desk--if I want to watch a video while sewing--I use an ironing ham. It works pretty well also.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB94ol8OS3zeu4yVkalpyGwzIo2JJFIM1-4H6cJZENakrdphiznFam7pldATFI2x-4aghj0Wti89y2x51-tMw7mFiuFwk4nGh_UTkkL0KucK7QZGc-vAdT0I3Tuwx_w2WVTd9OcGDme4aht8zbwYvRTa7DKoCDURz3a1HmfLFB4vDvH0YH6jFQzgpW9M/s720/3262.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB94ol8OS3zeu4yVkalpyGwzIo2JJFIM1-4H6cJZENakrdphiznFam7pldATFI2x-4aghj0Wti89y2x51-tMw7mFiuFwk4nGh_UTkkL0KucK7QZGc-vAdT0I3Tuwx_w2WVTd9OcGDme4aht8zbwYvRTa7DKoCDURz3a1HmfLFB4vDvH0YH6jFQzgpW9M/w640-h426/3262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>You can see I've pinned two more leaves in place. You'll also notice the pointy points at the base of the leaves have been snipped off because they don't always look great in blanket stitch. In my opinion. The next step is choosing a thread for blanket stitching these leaves. Do I want something contrasting?bright? subdued? matching? Decisions to make. I first turn to my "tangle": A tangle of threads left over from other projects. This tangle is always in use and always being fed new left overs. I thought I was the only person to have a 'tangle' so imagine my surprise when I saw Marion of Marion's World (on YouTube) take out her tangle in her videos. If I don't find some thread in the tangle, I'll use new thread.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4lBRiuJFUhHEUnqKNwCPOU98twCSb1k_L3rd4BmaPTCpO0mWXGkJpwG-YTwsDYCAarDsWWY1sPP-Y06b8zukxd6EN6NKrn-g4VVGGMOLVIwL19snDV5jmGrDhAiiqGUt61QRQuntLPf7GOnHlM51jIJr1BOKvXs-Dh5qKhJM83hFUQFGkfCSHEvyYHY/s720/3263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4lBRiuJFUhHEUnqKNwCPOU98twCSb1k_L3rd4BmaPTCpO0mWXGkJpwG-YTwsDYCAarDsWWY1sPP-Y06b8zukxd6EN6NKrn-g4VVGGMOLVIwL19snDV5jmGrDhAiiqGUt61QRQuntLPf7GOnHlM51jIJr1BOKvXs-Dh5qKhJM83hFUQFGkfCSHEvyYHY/w640-h426/3263.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I found a color that is close to the wool leaves so it won't stand out too much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQj6FZyqnrOdZrz2dOurE5dZJm20-4AIhlRMlAtkdWg44mh20DJpZD722ej5kVKyv6RCieEw5mNrlvgpGj7qXSTdBzRxMtltb36Lf77XtFyMDXHv3zKElG_JFW7x3NWwhQc44ubqGAhBfllconqNIG_lMY0tDAg7GwL-OCm8ciokx8Psxl6Cr2ZihdEw/s720/3264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQj6FZyqnrOdZrz2dOurE5dZJm20-4AIhlRMlAtkdWg44mh20DJpZD722ej5kVKyv6RCieEw5mNrlvgpGj7qXSTdBzRxMtltb36Lf77XtFyMDXHv3zKElG_JFW7x3NWwhQc44ubqGAhBfllconqNIG_lMY0tDAg7GwL-OCm8ciokx8Psxl6Cr2ZihdEw/w640-h426/3264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>And now we sew. I use blanket stitch for these appliques using two strands of embroidery thread. It's possible to use slip stitches as well. I am right handed and work my stitches around the wool in a clockwise direction. To begin, bring the thread up from below the cotton, right next to the wool piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QpiV5v2250Qv_SJnXXQvYLmUdpf1q8_JlTirPIJcfcPE404Qs5oUg4Nv4ckReLudrWcfk0XCEl2_BFVdN8QmTXqNXX1WWSjwptyMdwF4X4322S3DQNXKkeKUz2A0P-ECq0-L0BADaD2iLzPYjzmNDGrWvlJyJlUStJBNMNO4hywdRptnCU8zydtsAEU/s720/3265.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QpiV5v2250Qv_SJnXXQvYLmUdpf1q8_JlTirPIJcfcPE404Qs5oUg4Nv4ckReLudrWcfk0XCEl2_BFVdN8QmTXqNXX1WWSjwptyMdwF4X4322S3DQNXKkeKUz2A0P-ECq0-L0BADaD2iLzPYjzmNDGrWvlJyJlUStJBNMNO4hywdRptnCU8zydtsAEU/w640-h426/3265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Apologies for the less than clear photos. Here you can see the thread coming up from the left side of the leaf, right at it's edge.<div><br /><div>Take the needle down through the wool and cotton just a small stitch in from the edge of the wool (depending how big you want your stitches) and bring the needle back up through the cotton at the edge of the wool and over the hanging thread on the left.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7hhsfGq28tTgKIyXED5Y9Vn4GKH0jzWXFJFBB64EH91V5SyZCIPUc4pHpVEJcQuUqsbahFrQz9xei7KD8fFV24y1KLcsulIdi66hcj2OKoDH2CZCs4SEZaFoHuQVdY0WkzPSIOS0SY4WI413so72GErmD599es4KBomCwmXeXTmj41u3jodVIDz9eM8/s720/3266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7hhsfGq28tTgKIyXED5Y9Vn4GKH0jzWXFJFBB64EH91V5SyZCIPUc4pHpVEJcQuUqsbahFrQz9xei7KD8fFV24y1KLcsulIdi66hcj2OKoDH2CZCs4SEZaFoHuQVdY0WkzPSIOS0SY4WI413so72GErmD599es4KBomCwmXeXTmj41u3jodVIDz9eM8/w640-h426/3266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here is the completed stitch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdivMFld94E3pcbDUzyBVbDvLthyphenhyphenMjTE4dyj2B8h_kopdHiyoL1QVfaCMrV-j7D-mCJnd_tsxvbza_kDAG8v8SCYuhg53FuB5IFm_AElCZzat7yGA-Fu-fJPh4hcz5QewA-LfI12J9IZIaUn2XSMIsA7J156pLFzJloW7dUKgJ8EJ29kKrBfCP3To0aGQ/s720/3267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdivMFld94E3pcbDUzyBVbDvLthyphenhyphenMjTE4dyj2B8h_kopdHiyoL1QVfaCMrV-j7D-mCJnd_tsxvbza_kDAG8v8SCYuhg53FuB5IFm_AElCZzat7yGA-Fu-fJPh4hcz5QewA-LfI12J9IZIaUn2XSMIsA7J156pLFzJloW7dUKgJ8EJ29kKrBfCP3To0aGQ/w640-h426/3267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sewing the next stitch:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqrVJSpbHOB_HLkMALARhzYEgBDHLYfgGRal_kYE_jD6pZvsf2J2ecDsrDygSbifhxMolanqSB1vrmiDzpMMs-SPxHAXfYFkYDMi88PRB3_ebXILeTa5SbPonB9eaUYH-RilxgXMdmIAWCX_qYJFGbW8mhuCkF-8qb8eyr1NaRlX1GlF4Hr-xZH7xKEs/s720/3268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqrVJSpbHOB_HLkMALARhzYEgBDHLYfgGRal_kYE_jD6pZvsf2J2ecDsrDygSbifhxMolanqSB1vrmiDzpMMs-SPxHAXfYFkYDMi88PRB3_ebXILeTa5SbPonB9eaUYH-RilxgXMdmIAWCX_qYJFGbW8mhuCkF-8qb8eyr1NaRlX1GlF4Hr-xZH7xKEs/w640-h426/3268.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>Continue around the wool piece until the starting point is reached, then take the needle to the back near where the thread was originally brought up and secure it on the back. To secure, I like to take 3 small stitches behind the wool piece.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>A word about stitch consistency: Don't sweat it. I've heard of people who draw marks on their fingers to gauge stitch size. I don't do that. Trust your eyes and try to ease into a zen state. You'll be surprised that your hands will almost automatically go to the next stitch without you having to think much about it. Your stitches won't all be perfect and they shouldn't be, this is hand work. Hand stitching reveals a beautiful humanity, something the perfection of a machine can never achieve.</div><div><br /></div><div>It can be difficult to gauge where the edge of the wool is when you are coming back up through the cotton. This is especially so when taking very small stiches because that requires folding the fabric back a little bit. What I do is place my left thumb (my left hand is holding the fabric) right next to the edge of the wool and make a note of it's placement in relation to the wool piece. Then when the edge of the wool lifts up (as it does when you fold the fabric) and obscures the line where it rests on the cotton, you can use your thumb as a visual reference for where to come up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Points. If I'm working with a piece of wool that is not prone to raveling, I leave the points alone, generally. But blanket stitch around points can end up getting a little bit wonky, no matter how carefully the stitches are laid down. To solve the problem of the point stitch from slipping around, after I've made the stitch I immediately take the needle down through the cotton over the last stitch and that tacks it down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the finished square:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QExUU84VzrNaoptHDrIsHzQuMRvnlYvPbnNxdctyAWEQBk3QAyan1ETxdCn8nGez6fk6v54lO98EReu3L-sX7CEyg0J6iGzCY3hcLObl4guDA6HdyyCwp91FtM2CJo-M_gIpDM_7xoMnMqJtbMKH_BW5Z_N-HUqmPPFZdgdm7tij5bJQ8lCCoQPPV3E/s720/3241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QExUU84VzrNaoptHDrIsHzQuMRvnlYvPbnNxdctyAWEQBk3QAyan1ETxdCn8nGez6fk6v54lO98EReu3L-sX7CEyg0J6iGzCY3hcLObl4guDA6HdyyCwp91FtM2CJo-M_gIpDM_7xoMnMqJtbMKH_BW5Z_N-HUqmPPFZdgdm7tij5bJQ8lCCoQPPV3E/w640-h426/3241.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Happy Easter!</div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-89612726049429734012024-03-18T15:33:00.004-04:002024-03-18T15:39:02.326-04:00Wool applique process - step by step<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwzHQDYqMg23hrGVi_5ikKTz7yRdP5GQ9DDFrxqU176v6QGCMj-JmAwrHGfe3hyphenhyphen-8vLvZ5D6gXvakDGFKIBU14hgS5TtLP4RrvbMrwgsAFLnKLiAdA0j3WICvBFWDuZg_AjIxuz1ltlTxDZelfEldGDBFw_SVlTxbYz2uVp_E7pXtytoa35nOwjdtceM/s600/4171.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwzHQDYqMg23hrGVi_5ikKTz7yRdP5GQ9DDFrxqU176v6QGCMj-JmAwrHGfe3hyphenhyphen-8vLvZ5D6gXvakDGFKIBU14hgS5TtLP4RrvbMrwgsAFLnKLiAdA0j3WICvBFWDuZg_AjIxuz1ltlTxDZelfEldGDBFw_SVlTxbYz2uVp_E7pXtytoa35nOwjdtceM/w300-h400/4171.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><br /><p>The first row of blocks for the new quilt is appliqued. So far so good.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwLLAnKSuVdwGEw2uB-E5kzl8hjgsX6-cqJ0wYEhsKK6Ym3tNw0rQ3X806-A1YPLnsV3UwrjgCSwFcVLiJ9A2UD83K8eAbTfLU2Dd2j5qXJ7KkRoJ60f_0S3CAAo_Gi27oqZl5sKP7WSwBwx69Axl9ZIGJuMzzyEXue5IYQyLVvYEOLa07kNNFs7Alhk/s720/3172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="720" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwLLAnKSuVdwGEw2uB-E5kzl8hjgsX6-cqJ0wYEhsKK6Ym3tNw0rQ3X806-A1YPLnsV3UwrjgCSwFcVLiJ9A2UD83K8eAbTfLU2Dd2j5qXJ7KkRoJ60f_0S3CAAo_Gi27oqZl5sKP7WSwBwx69Axl9ZIGJuMzzyEXue5IYQyLVvYEOLa07kNNFs7Alhk/w400-h88/3172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Moving on to the next block, I thought I would go through the steps of how wool applique is done--at least how I do it.</p><p>Step 1. Get out the box of wool and pick colors for the new block. This is one of the most fun parts of the project.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf6RBmJsZdNR3YsFuBQYXbhdnwjHGloSNqhPy6eGFeTI_m6hW6n73va_wErpf2_kfTIFo2KB8rqY1bRdx95XlboTVPsj59_eCzC2r-TCiO91cqEbjACs19c4a2Fn6c8yLRPcTQQ2j3fD-k3Y_6_pfkdYkE1RONN6GyfX1I36hWwi3UXAklhGG0J1h4AI/s720/3181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf6RBmJsZdNR3YsFuBQYXbhdnwjHGloSNqhPy6eGFeTI_m6hW6n73va_wErpf2_kfTIFo2KB8rqY1bRdx95XlboTVPsj59_eCzC2r-TCiO91cqEbjACs19c4a2Fn6c8yLRPcTQQ2j3fD-k3Y_6_pfkdYkE1RONN6GyfX1I36hWwi3UXAklhGG0J1h4AI/w400-h266/3181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ps0omee3PFb-VCkpL26hqC5Z-aMjaKaxjltN1wvChLONBgmoIDIgOt5L_Syff6V5Ke7mx12JND-af9DzUUKsJLcmnV0a5Gwevjqe3E7-Uespe1_JT1T5u8EtpEWDVyKopMS6NoFxlfThyphenhyphenfbTqYyhE1d3C7ogIsKKZha1wkmRQPS25Hka1ih87JgHYgo/s720/3182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ps0omee3PFb-VCkpL26hqC5Z-aMjaKaxjltN1wvChLONBgmoIDIgOt5L_Syff6V5Ke7mx12JND-af9DzUUKsJLcmnV0a5Gwevjqe3E7-Uespe1_JT1T5u8EtpEWDVyKopMS6NoFxlfThyphenhyphenfbTqYyhE1d3C7ogIsKKZha1wkmRQPS25Hka1ih87JgHYgo/w400-h266/3182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Step 2. Trace the pattern pieces onto the dull side of freezer paper (not the waxed side). I use a light table that I found at the thrift store.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg429cQq1bl6LCKgtxHuP-8WU5TOjK-9Mp4opLYE1sBXSVrA6ymTquiIihgV4Rgs6lNzHtqi1I_VBSbZuZunfkFKvRV5qS3uXQ_RsxCqFqFw0IESn_KPrC4TiYRUl-4jGwEKCkKDdwB1YTasUjk-LNUWm1EK40QnDBA9PSxzPBkaUZtJ_DyyHHC03_kamc/s720/3183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg429cQq1bl6LCKgtxHuP-8WU5TOjK-9Mp4opLYE1sBXSVrA6ymTquiIihgV4Rgs6lNzHtqi1I_VBSbZuZunfkFKvRV5qS3uXQ_RsxCqFqFw0IESn_KPrC4TiYRUl-4jGwEKCkKDdwB1YTasUjk-LNUWm1EK40QnDBA9PSxzPBkaUZtJ_DyyHHC03_kamc/w640-h426/3183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 3. Cut out the individual pieces, leaving a margin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlbGOo9iSeGHFsmptCoUoSlmLfJvw_thworPwG1F1M7xRHYAnwPSTYphNiZI0bjHTWZHd5KXZEpJ3Ln8rfduEAMQpsVaNSr3IGhn5frVVGgjnrPqM1UDEB4mXmJzzEG-8MEDO6LjUzxiXSRde5DNMTHAW1ptbqhshtAeCgwi1CproeJKTBgi4co8ssYE/s720/3184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlbGOo9iSeGHFsmptCoUoSlmLfJvw_thworPwG1F1M7xRHYAnwPSTYphNiZI0bjHTWZHd5KXZEpJ3Ln8rfduEAMQpsVaNSr3IGhn5frVVGgjnrPqM1UDEB4mXmJzzEG-8MEDO6LjUzxiXSRde5DNMTHAW1ptbqhshtAeCgwi1CproeJKTBgi4co8ssYE/w640-h426/3184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 4. Place the pieces <b>waxed side down</b> on their respective wool pieces and press them with an iron, without steam, for about 5 seconds. The wax will melt and adhere the patterns to the wool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKuXrbTom5hFB5T3VdybJRdOsTuxFXNt_VZF83khAKsj4t6QvOX60X8_IWwy8Goz4g45Kei7oLkPvQz3hOXkISkKfLFls-TLRi7UXDepdq-WU7mz5uIhkfvOkD3Da8wx_qDWYAoDm-ceEn3e5cXDVS3FkWErWNzht2RLpzjEyWiyCGEwa1vrGc2Ti4L0/s720/3185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKuXrbTom5hFB5T3VdybJRdOsTuxFXNt_VZF83khAKsj4t6QvOX60X8_IWwy8Goz4g45Kei7oLkPvQz3hOXkISkKfLFls-TLRi7UXDepdq-WU7mz5uIhkfvOkD3Da8wx_qDWYAoDm-ceEn3e5cXDVS3FkWErWNzht2RLpzjEyWiyCGEwa1vrGc2Ti4L0/w640-h426/3185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEAnH07BUUrgE7wPSgeQoHoe2OOUzux6uppEbqX1jT5Jo_Uqrc8U0bd-v_53zGztMj4sHQ46I-8NW02awBSOhdZwj559qQJt_MlNLxJ9m0EAtjSq-iBeKRW_LQ3cgS9iNHqI7VV3oQxt21PvpscQNLo_ZWVmkkdr1qedynaDfAfOeWt59zG_vOw_3I3Q/s720/3186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEAnH07BUUrgE7wPSgeQoHoe2OOUzux6uppEbqX1jT5Jo_Uqrc8U0bd-v_53zGztMj4sHQ46I-8NW02awBSOhdZwj559qQJt_MlNLxJ9m0EAtjSq-iBeKRW_LQ3cgS9iNHqI7VV3oQxt21PvpscQNLo_ZWVmkkdr1qedynaDfAfOeWt59zG_vOw_3I3Q/w640-h426/3186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45LkZAAuCxJvZ23W4HsV5qeyO422FdCakuiwz-Fs9e4V8oPhjHC9vncXt2wwW-vNaMe6NDKs2Kz5sRAT0kA1pHXSjjGZXZwQcOVC9f6WUwaD2QSXtyXGJqeJaaTBkaYN02EHbgT4Caxi8YY2c37iX6Afu_dXGP8zxdYjCFl9tGUfkROnOmu6Q1vT2GGM/s720/3187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45LkZAAuCxJvZ23W4HsV5qeyO422FdCakuiwz-Fs9e4V8oPhjHC9vncXt2wwW-vNaMe6NDKs2Kz5sRAT0kA1pHXSjjGZXZwQcOVC9f6WUwaD2QSXtyXGJqeJaaTBkaYN02EHbgT4Caxi8YY2c37iX6Afu_dXGP8zxdYjCFl9tGUfkROnOmu6Q1vT2GGM/w640-h426/3187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 5. Cut out each piece following the drawn pattern lines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjYIJZEPiuWw6plJmEEI_w4sT3Z5RqwEYWzc9zy7lhYnoSfK1BHIjhqxjAllvkanbZaZxYxnBBvMW3JBAKZecs2Z4fepVSWvN2773EVwWzAxeq_AwkV_RfLNw1RejpAFCcGJIoyZPYn9YInh4tx8ugZ9Q_ibmZNWfOGUmUooh3JxlMKd2HrifrhazRy4/s720/3188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjYIJZEPiuWw6plJmEEI_w4sT3Z5RqwEYWzc9zy7lhYnoSfK1BHIjhqxjAllvkanbZaZxYxnBBvMW3JBAKZecs2Z4fepVSWvN2773EVwWzAxeq_AwkV_RfLNw1RejpAFCcGJIoyZPYn9YInh4tx8ugZ9Q_ibmZNWfOGUmUooh3JxlMKd2HrifrhazRy4/w640-h426/3188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 6. I like to do a color check at this point just to make sure I haven't created something awful. The placement is rough, this is just to check the overall look. On this block, I've only cut out the pieces for one of the flowers because I'm not sure if I want each petal to be an individual piece, or, as I've done here, group some of the petals together. I think it's going to look better with grouped pieces, but I want to sew one before deciding on the others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTHh95QBWjcZ7QDcAudgbFMiKBAoYhbdlbFSMewyas2WDFNtoyxps4rHaGRzj6-mQoQUTkc1c6JlkaD5DrPNbGin2GKqLGSsDuJP0SIUfrKcX7NJWx6YdXFkBL7pMi3FUxL9XojvgwFRPymFUIuQ5xbfz2NqCRgvKh9baHoiHU-iWg82SEqa-zJybShM/s720/3189.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTHh95QBWjcZ7QDcAudgbFMiKBAoYhbdlbFSMewyas2WDFNtoyxps4rHaGRzj6-mQoQUTkc1c6JlkaD5DrPNbGin2GKqLGSsDuJP0SIUfrKcX7NJWx6YdXFkBL7pMi3FUxL9XojvgwFRPymFUIuQ5xbfz2NqCRgvKh9baHoiHU-iWg82SEqa-zJybShM/w640-h426/3189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 7. Trace the bones of the design onto tracing paper. Only the lines for embroidery and perhaps some other placement points--which I may or may not use. I will definitely use the embroidery lines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0YMfdIVb3krQSLk2E7KxHP8qBz4qphO44O9hSOhz5xyK2ffUpDWoI9yad4EiMVGV-lYnf5l65Db72hB_4BeuWUYxS0pL4a3DTvWvEXwu-q5GJyjDifntgYLCZ33XinUB9CExBKf1jGK3_rtORPyPtrsrd1SYcB-srUwDkB_XufY0KtighyphenhyphenIL-YR7MeY/s720/31810.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0YMfdIVb3krQSLk2E7KxHP8qBz4qphO44O9hSOhz5xyK2ffUpDWoI9yad4EiMVGV-lYnf5l65Db72hB_4BeuWUYxS0pL4a3DTvWvEXwu-q5GJyjDifntgYLCZ33XinUB9CExBKf1jGK3_rtORPyPtrsrd1SYcB-srUwDkB_XufY0KtighyphenhyphenIL-YR7MeY/w640-h426/31810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 8. Fold the blank square and finger press both vertical and horizontal centers to get the center point. Since I work with oversized blocks, it doesn't have to be exact.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbmr0dGmY3gGmXc4twKcFXkLivwlJmyZAHPsT4OEKDNjxFrYueLrsSTDS7q_4C_b6cz7pETssLAaMtVADza8DroGHn7xp3xqtXmcXs_RmIzs8CeUNaQE3GXbKWOxCq8E2_yZrnKwewTR5_DsJJ9VYnrxkb7VXXp1YRTofWhYrtkF0bfLyVoo7KSI6bNA/s720/31811.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbmr0dGmY3gGmXc4twKcFXkLivwlJmyZAHPsT4OEKDNjxFrYueLrsSTDS7q_4C_b6cz7pETssLAaMtVADza8DroGHn7xp3xqtXmcXs_RmIzs8CeUNaQE3GXbKWOxCq8E2_yZrnKwewTR5_DsJJ9VYnrxkb7VXXp1YRTofWhYrtkF0bfLyVoo7KSI6bNA/w640-h426/31811.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 9. Rub the back of the tracing paper with chalk--only the parts I want marked on the fabric at this stage. Blow across the chalked back to remove excess chalk. Then I place the tracing paper, chalked side down on the fabric and trace the lines needed for embroidered stems or other parts that will be worked on at this stage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7LQ_c4-XP98YKISqoXj3MMwWGFC3ChDBO6xgyEMxGenCmRZMsB3AuqNK4zV-XP6myXB3fZ5U-rD_AHOO5I3btOmkinLD0viw0_iqPGkWA_ymbKKhEoo8S605JLHZ8w6fHZfTifGUCWEHc2hsH7Qhf-tz-EAuM0md0glDi3UbfGGJ5Wa4D4NovBpsoK0/s720/31812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7LQ_c4-XP98YKISqoXj3MMwWGFC3ChDBO6xgyEMxGenCmRZMsB3AuqNK4zV-XP6myXB3fZ5U-rD_AHOO5I3btOmkinLD0viw0_iqPGkWA_ymbKKhEoo8S605JLHZ8w6fHZfTifGUCWEHc2hsH7Qhf-tz-EAuM0md0glDi3UbfGGJ5Wa4D4NovBpsoK0/w640-h426/31812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBlA5fF4AHkJPI7iCMnxTPHE3BTdY2XJ5q0i7ItV_oS8ph1t_UEOmNPs1qUqhr6qkkfHTo-klaCPel4MsxIfR0HYyR-3IWLY4DZDMwVS1Y_W5aBhsSqmIGHsUOueKo3Qd3zTOM4dGTaQqVA1IEYE2UtcbHVFCHDQCW-b7d0zjpTW434sGXMpXq4jxcxU/s720/31813.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBlA5fF4AHkJPI7iCMnxTPHE3BTdY2XJ5q0i7ItV_oS8ph1t_UEOmNPs1qUqhr6qkkfHTo-klaCPel4MsxIfR0HYyR-3IWLY4DZDMwVS1Y_W5aBhsSqmIGHsUOueKo3Qd3zTOM4dGTaQqVA1IEYE2UtcbHVFCHDQCW-b7d0zjpTW434sGXMpXq4jxcxU/w640-h426/31813.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Step 10. The chalk lines will not be rigorous enough to withstand much embroidering and/or applique so I go over the lines with a fine point Bohn chalk pen. The square is now ready for embroidery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JIpOS2175tfbMSWjtvgo8iOk1KJCDlT1qo6tVe0wws0dmed_xXM_MJt_Ig2K6FM7MPZymtiVvVcvDVlXqmgqs2IfyRuRDddgzUSZZLcJ5nYLGnkepXKXH2tJLSdp1bROOA9CY-oY0dR_SZwP-aeFVnMiYdkBQ3OLlLCLGW_-1fLL96ZpesnUxu9QzZw/s720/31814.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JIpOS2175tfbMSWjtvgo8iOk1KJCDlT1qo6tVe0wws0dmed_xXM_MJt_Ig2K6FM7MPZymtiVvVcvDVlXqmgqs2IfyRuRDddgzUSZZLcJ5nYLGnkepXKXH2tJLSdp1bROOA9CY-oY0dR_SZwP-aeFVnMiYdkBQ3OLlLCLGW_-1fLL96ZpesnUxu9QzZw/w640-h426/31814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfJQXWpwi5RacEPtgsKT6U0dynVV7I9i3n0h0tHSdM5Eal-KnLrtXtSGCXSsAaLhoLOg_OvzAiDkjy2OVyNvTZbpQOvcR8gLqVJmOYK44lqkJ30m2q6dHPJirgxURwvADUnJLJ2sDcdTHjn4YpA0rxCwWb3sApbwr485JCm_g9gMB9K18JgMuB5zzmOI/s720/31815.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfJQXWpwi5RacEPtgsKT6U0dynVV7I9i3n0h0tHSdM5Eal-KnLrtXtSGCXSsAaLhoLOg_OvzAiDkjy2OVyNvTZbpQOvcR8gLqVJmOYK44lqkJ30m2q6dHPJirgxURwvADUnJLJ2sDcdTHjn4YpA0rxCwWb3sApbwr485JCm_g9gMB9K18JgMuB5zzmOI/w640-h426/31815.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>In my next post, I'll go over the steps involved in appliqueing the wool pieces on the square.</p><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-23279574571787830832024-03-10T21:53:00.000-04:002024-03-10T21:53:26.945-04:00Needle and thread<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Q8IcH6_bTmJKC2b0FDPFC5BrfSNys5TkbdSLPz0iC5yB3Nd8UoOKMhCECeFAlb7_LDllnHXmg_D6SNAu_ja8ryWbrdIbYsLT9wX5HvY9oNixfytU66EZ-CPxHJwB5PjxCF45ojyvpMpWXf0vwb7Qrp1sZYEvl4vZkHGa1DE7MqvxrhKDFmzqhTHZEs/s600/2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Q8IcH6_bTmJKC2b0FDPFC5BrfSNys5TkbdSLPz0iC5yB3Nd8UoOKMhCECeFAlb7_LDllnHXmg_D6SNAu_ja8ryWbrdIbYsLT9wX5HvY9oNixfytU66EZ-CPxHJwB5PjxCF45ojyvpMpWXf0vwb7Qrp1sZYEvl4vZkHGa1DE7MqvxrhKDFmzqhTHZEs/w400-h300/2252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I think we're having an early spring. The temperatures last week were mild, reaching the mid-50s one day. The stove sat un-stoked 2 or 3 days until evening time. A lot of snow melted, so much so that great swathes of bare ground were uncovered. Then, last night, we got over 6" of new snow. But we had highs in the 40s today and a great deal has already melted. This week's weather looks similar to last week's, so yeah, I think we're having an early spring. Fine by me.</p><p>When so much of the yard lay bare this week, the scope of my spring cleanup became apparent. I will have my work cut out for me, for a good month.</p><p>Most of my fiber activity this week centered around needle and thread. I have 3 more blocks completed for my new quilt. They are all roughly sized at the moment and need to be trimmed down to 10.75" square before the final construction happens.</p><p>I went upstairs to look for my special block ruler last week and couldn't find it. I know I came across it in the not too distant past; seems like it was in one of the boxes of fabric scraps because I remember my reaction when I saw it there. One possibility is that I left it where it was thinking I'll know where it is when I want it. The other possibility is I moved it to the bin that contains sewing related objects. But I'm not even sure that the box of fabric scraps is where I actually saw it. I checked all my fabric boxes and the sewing bin to no avail.</p><p>This happens all too often. I put something "away" for safe keeping but subsequently forget where that place is! It might be that my 'filing' system is faulty. Or it might be that I have so many supplies. Or it might be that I don't have enough space. Or it might be all of the above. At any rate, it's still missing. I've looked everywhere it "should" be and it ain't there.</p><p>The three newly finished blocks:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOIq-vQgmGVd6mX2aLEf2OmYe1UnGXZngjAqrGURbh3eQBGOByLsFTu22KojIwZFcirCt9BCA-L5CQ364ZHi_mmBzDycV9Gp-wcj4ztJWtVp3VP0S5DF0DurAByEmpdCpzctaxnalv52L_F-5J5AeITVltixuYd-h8_39krSpvhJWBfWVPoxy4X7O8yU/s720/3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOIq-vQgmGVd6mX2aLEf2OmYe1UnGXZngjAqrGURbh3eQBGOByLsFTu22KojIwZFcirCt9BCA-L5CQ364ZHi_mmBzDycV9Gp-wcj4ztJWtVp3VP0S5DF0DurAByEmpdCpzctaxnalv52L_F-5J5AeITVltixuYd-h8_39krSpvhJWBfWVPoxy4X7O8yU/w640-h426/3101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxj6C6ZzYyISTD6JmY2j1sZG76XldsUZx-kPFryyMoRpKsPjqYJkhnKse-o9nYB_3JMfjCsFxilLxcXKDm2oz60sTAVgko5nO4IJC1amZr3ByEgpRK5w55mgY2uJzSgh6vsbyxbwWvZOlzWvZeKnEOOPKLcI-v54-dsv91VW-YPFVEEuLFUAj28jzd4I/s720/3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxj6C6ZzYyISTD6JmY2j1sZG76XldsUZx-kPFryyMoRpKsPjqYJkhnKse-o9nYB_3JMfjCsFxilLxcXKDm2oz60sTAVgko5nO4IJC1amZr3ByEgpRK5w55mgY2uJzSgh6vsbyxbwWvZOlzWvZeKnEOOPKLcI-v54-dsv91VW-YPFVEEuLFUAj28jzd4I/w640-h426/3102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHz0MA6rMBKLA8shbHfuVQe-EdjiSOAPhppaJG6Eo1fglTUrbfspe4jbcx7TonRlv0ncVWc92xftp2DUaVCgM824ksoJHVPrCQowKBbc4xkShv-LwrUOru8gNGAAcuNuh2ztymznU4p0K65xBDJkcNFdxQ1KpcMvyWyKLof9OVONW5i8P0EhBRPc9MsU/s720/3103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHz0MA6rMBKLA8shbHfuVQe-EdjiSOAPhppaJG6Eo1fglTUrbfspe4jbcx7TonRlv0ncVWc92xftp2DUaVCgM824ksoJHVPrCQowKBbc4xkShv-LwrUOru8gNGAAcuNuh2ztymznU4p0K65xBDJkcNFdxQ1KpcMvyWyKLof9OVONW5i8P0EhBRPc9MsU/w640-h426/3103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I also had a bit of time with the knitting needles. The scarf is longer. I will need to spin some more in order to finish it. I'm thinking 70" would be a good length. Getting close. I really do love this yarn, it's one of my favorite yarns I've ever spun. With the weather being what it is, this scarf will be for next winter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVR0SlWjZfyFAH5qwRbUcTpwoprK32kFG3V9Smj7ytNvt-EaOMmzPyIXoeNXPEaHqkdVu2uRY1jO_UT-d_9x4wN858ZUrzsKSVYfM5wORBnxZNYFo5Q_w0fo9l_Ri72D0Im36jJArgYT5YtGu7M-9y4B28F3NIm3uvKwvno5j1Gshb3JiGdG-fHMtbDY/s720/3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVR0SlWjZfyFAH5qwRbUcTpwoprK32kFG3V9Smj7ytNvt-EaOMmzPyIXoeNXPEaHqkdVu2uRY1jO_UT-d_9x4wN858ZUrzsKSVYfM5wORBnxZNYFo5Q_w0fo9l_Ri72D0Im36jJArgYT5YtGu7M-9y4B28F3NIm3uvKwvno5j1Gshb3JiGdG-fHMtbDY/w640-h426/3101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I have another YouTube channel recommendation. Marion's channel is absolutely fantastic. She's so delightful and utterly creative. She continually astounds me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Ik4pcJQ4KE" width="320" youtube-src-id="9Ik4pcJQ4KE"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-28650539525948512572024-02-28T23:40:00.001-05:002024-02-28T23:42:32.365-05:00Applique blocks and a new scarf<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh030J-6lFxNkMTy0oniOkax-pEWXziw_iNtBrEI_KhR0E5Z43CbhlKeaHfY3vCoPwHE2xcPn1O04V77VdGMEa2cpBMwt8gt43Ic0eGaa6KYp4awDsUHv8DgDhyodDhKOG8eIwl5TotWUdj8DdfbwI7LQbTEjC4GubRBZTggzVLR7xQtV16gTfVYHsHlfk/s1283/2101.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1283" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh030J-6lFxNkMTy0oniOkax-pEWXziw_iNtBrEI_KhR0E5Z43CbhlKeaHfY3vCoPwHE2xcPn1O04V77VdGMEa2cpBMwt8gt43Ic0eGaa6KYp4awDsUHv8DgDhyodDhKOG8eIwl5TotWUdj8DdfbwI7LQbTEjC4GubRBZTggzVLR7xQtV16gTfVYHsHlfk/w400-h300/2101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>My great wheel spinning is turning into a scarf. A very simple stockinette and garter stitch country scarf. I'll call it my "homesteader." I like the way the color bands are interplaying with the bands of garter stitch and stockinette. It's all random, none of the color was planned and I let the plying add even more randomness. I am being predictable with the stockinette/garter bands though, 12 rows of stockinette, 4 garter bumps (8 rows).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UOu6u6Pa7zVHz2TjEbDcS2u_cVt4OjQlQdoAs3dQmgQK6posSfe4EQHKJu4c0e9UyASkICWPC7HsFkhM_azorvJccXRsHFFPaE5RUcmvofguwVOkFYOJ3DCHgOs94m4uD1PvIONF0i1r2M9IzAcJQJjUr_T9I97ZyiFV85-WkqOR3KQSMQvW0S9-Xd8/s720/2281.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UOu6u6Pa7zVHz2TjEbDcS2u_cVt4OjQlQdoAs3dQmgQK6posSfe4EQHKJu4c0e9UyASkICWPC7HsFkhM_azorvJccXRsHFFPaE5RUcmvofguwVOkFYOJ3DCHgOs94m4uD1PvIONF0i1r2M9IzAcJQJjUr_T9I97ZyiFV85-WkqOR3KQSMQvW0S9-Xd8/w400-h266/2281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The first square of the new quilt is done, finished it this morning. Looks great. Twenty-nine more blocks to make, each one different.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoPvtce-AGpTN3cZwxQebFa_Cwc9NocM3RvP5sc2QbsKuOO7vAYNnKKIIX0pnn27IFzdhfia_HrnV7PoS-21H7mX1sQpFVQAC0lOXnYbrPGyxTZX4N8RVITUJK7Z2ttrdYGjHon_odWp8qggSrFOjuhyphenhyphenmyFjrPXcHEWT7SSKFJZ7Ii4xyuC2vGyIdWfE/s720/2281.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoPvtce-AGpTN3cZwxQebFa_Cwc9NocM3RvP5sc2QbsKuOO7vAYNnKKIIX0pnn27IFzdhfia_HrnV7PoS-21H7mX1sQpFVQAC0lOXnYbrPGyxTZX4N8RVITUJK7Z2ttrdYGjHon_odWp8qggSrFOjuhyphenhyphenmyFjrPXcHEWT7SSKFJZ7Ii4xyuC2vGyIdWfE/w640-h426/2281.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Promptly got started on block number 2. Experimenting with different embroidery stitches, expanding my horizons. For these curly stems I tried whipped backstitch. Cool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOTMv3cNifXelk-hsLC2s_H2Cj2YmxC3hf2o2auMbBBaxDwuJFn4w4V2Dng-XqWiTf6fogg2r6aU-BF8GFR19jThtP-f8tYpjhyphenhyphenCco4l2p6B6_DkysdaV9TGpv_3DPB7iJLAoLXuxOI0FE0CNSxHdmy6rakLmk1or__aDZCl_DLxXP79I_4Qc7G4Cr44/s720/2282.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOTMv3cNifXelk-hsLC2s_H2Cj2YmxC3hf2o2auMbBBaxDwuJFn4w4V2Dng-XqWiTf6fogg2r6aU-BF8GFR19jThtP-f8tYpjhyphenhyphenCco4l2p6B6_DkysdaV9TGpv_3DPB7iJLAoLXuxOI0FE0CNSxHdmy6rakLmk1or__aDZCl_DLxXP79I_4Qc7G4Cr44/w640-h426/2282.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Picking colors is always great fun. Now I can add the fun of picking embroidery stitches. Up until now I've used only a handful of different stitches.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm altering the patterns slightly by getting rid of sharp pointed ends (like leaf tips) and making them rounded. This is because I don't use glue or sticky products when I sew and/or quilt. It just goes against my aesthetic I guess. If Fray Check is used then the points won't ravel so that works. But I don't want to do that so I round the points off. Unless the wool is resistant to fraying, then I'll leave the points be. Still looks good to my eyes and I feel better about not using glues.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also don't use glue for positioning. Pins and/or basting are my preference.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bKRSUe2KMsAwTLh89ab3pXz5Jk854APxc5ysnVgA4oyAkT_UjnScnUhqHQn2SCyvP6JchVWZy2Gpu65jHrL-Zi8KZoF4elQj_C2caMBNMRP45Ky442fsjUwPJCSCyiX1zNKyWUlzcOuIq_8IhIwmf1Y5juUFCh-_oXohazFibcJJxETz4o2vw82aLT0/s600/11161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bKRSUe2KMsAwTLh89ab3pXz5Jk854APxc5ysnVgA4oyAkT_UjnScnUhqHQn2SCyvP6JchVWZy2Gpu65jHrL-Zi8KZoF4elQj_C2caMBNMRP45Ky442fsjUwPJCSCyiX1zNKyWUlzcOuIq_8IhIwmf1Y5juUFCh-_oXohazFibcJJxETz4o2vw82aLT0/w400-h300/11161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-1048670516230348682024-02-19T23:14:00.002-05:002024-02-19T23:14:40.516-05:00Project progress, spinning, sewing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfxFJ3kZcSSH-EnZGjTSDpCNTJzx2jhlcdDT57S-PeluxKUrxCVD8iGAymvyMOvdosbMBFxGKrd37v6PknKzi0RnLsxu2n3aWmakRlNb7OGidQUGLCRACTL1aYsXRmIzmA0ipjC6cCfxrRoCRJgUFYXMo-aSMOqpiR_Ab5-q3e9UwDTFBalL7rZFmPk8/s600/112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfxFJ3kZcSSH-EnZGjTSDpCNTJzx2jhlcdDT57S-PeluxKUrxCVD8iGAymvyMOvdosbMBFxGKrd37v6PknKzi0RnLsxu2n3aWmakRlNb7OGidQUGLCRACTL1aYsXRmIzmA0ipjC6cCfxrRoCRJgUFYXMo-aSMOqpiR_Ab5-q3e9UwDTFBalL7rZFmPk8/w400-h300/112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>I was awakened at 3 a.m. late last week by the frightful yips, howls, and eery glissandos of coyotes. They were right under my 2nd floor bedroom window. It was a sudden outburst and shocked my nerves so that it took several minutes to get the chill out.<p></p><p>I heard them the following night close by in the woods behind the woodshed. They started their chorus when I turned the shed light on to go get the mail, 90ft away. It motivated me to go right back in the house to get the pepper spray out of my other jacket. They continued to haunt the air with their howling while I fetched the mail and brought some wood in.</p><p>The following evening was almost an exact repeat. I haven't heard them since.</p><p>They do make a frightful disturbance.</p><p>I have finished working on the Howe sewing machine irons and must now set the project aside until the weather warms up so that I can work on the wood finish and the head. Both tasks require some strong smelling chemicals (acetone, denatured alcohol, boiled linseed oil, etc...) which fumes would be a problem so close to the wood stove, I fear. The fumes would be no good for me either, nor for the birds.</p><p>I am continuing to make progress at the great wheel. I made some important discoveries this weekend and that's boosting my confidence. Just finished plying up some more of the spinning today. 240 yards of the same wool blends. I'm going to start a scarf to go with the gloves I made a few weeks ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSCjU4Y8IxK_3W2mMYnVBoW2dy-_IYpU1WkzXx5UGbC73QK3QUFGrkOZxjkyimITfaPRjMaf-qTfH0BYaS16yActRYk-mJYhjU424zID8nVBwRadjHFX4QpZtcMr7_SCvL8hXW6WBM5wpF-Ox3PFgNuZwx3AUfTdDXP7v7Zwt6EjVUC0iSCEqWe9J_vM/s720/2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSCjU4Y8IxK_3W2mMYnVBoW2dy-_IYpU1WkzXx5UGbC73QK3QUFGrkOZxjkyimITfaPRjMaf-qTfH0BYaS16yActRYk-mJYhjU424zID8nVBwRadjHFX4QpZtcMr7_SCvL8hXW6WBM5wpF-Ox3PFgNuZwx3AUfTdDXP7v7Zwt6EjVUC0iSCEqWe9J_vM/w400-h266/2191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I am really enjoying spinning on this wheel.</p><p>It's time to start a new quilt. This one will be wool applique on cotton, from a pattern I purchased a few years ago, only I'll be enlarging the pattern to get a bigger quilt. Exciting! Finished cutting out the wool pieces for the first block last evening. The background cloth just came out of the wash a little while ago so tomorrow I'll iron it and hopefully get started with the sewing. The background is dark green.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooEvWIWlgEupWGcNGe8tqrB3d3F_qUomyAL9BfN_UwBy-itH4kWXMowizQa_jMvlWH-PQ8gS_bfcqCPLKK3yfqyk5Kaja6tdo1m4otNad66nl7lBFcEqsRq8QDCxxtRv_3ZtywunIC6xBQQtOUZS71lDP_9tiHHIyqrPfg_aMT6vinIbxS1hVb-ldolU/s720/2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooEvWIWlgEupWGcNGe8tqrB3d3F_qUomyAL9BfN_UwBy-itH4kWXMowizQa_jMvlWH-PQ8gS_bfcqCPLKK3yfqyk5Kaja6tdo1m4otNad66nl7lBFcEqsRq8QDCxxtRv_3ZtywunIC6xBQQtOUZS71lDP_9tiHHIyqrPfg_aMT6vinIbxS1hVb-ldolU/w640-h426/2191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The following is an excellent recipe I found in a 1979 cookbook. It's fabulous Italian recipe. A real keeper.</p><p>Orange Glazed Cake</p><div style="text-align: left;">1.5 cups flour<br />1.5 tsp double acting baking powder<br />.25 tsp salt<br />1 stick butter<br />1 cup sugar<br />1 tsp vanilla<br />2 eggs<br />1 Tblsp grated orange rind (the rind of one orange)<br />.5 cup milk</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The glaze:<br />1-2 Tblsp rum (I used 3-4)<br />3 Tblsp orange juice<br />1 Tbsp butter<br />5 Tbsp sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">[I changed the order of the instructions and beat the butter and sugar first, followed by the eggs, vanilla, and rind. Then I added the dry ingredients, and finally the milk.]</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add butter and sugar. Beat in 2 eggs, vanilla and orange rind. Pour milk in slowly and beat vigorously until well mixed. (I used stand mixer to do all.) Bake at 350 degrees about 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. [The recipe doesn't specify a pan size. I used a small bunt pan and it was just right, but took a bit longer to cook.] Cool. On stovetop, heat 3 the orange juice with the rum, butter, and sugar for about 2 minutes. Pour glaze over the cake.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yum!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZeMyIkAw4XNbNx1RQdjdp8tLO97XkC4uu8KzTuwKfhZ2jtvPN_miLtBzJHNH9aoZFt8JvkQSr-pxp8ZmhsFOw8EnZkdhU8GljnUPz6dxMpBamjLEfFR5XM63Kp6VDLPHmIhxWTLwd6m-DQ5gSNYXOxSE0wQDU_oy0vZ21VvjuNhK5ZV42jRLB0-VIQU/s600/2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZeMyIkAw4XNbNx1RQdjdp8tLO97XkC4uu8KzTuwKfhZ2jtvPN_miLtBzJHNH9aoZFt8JvkQSr-pxp8ZmhsFOw8EnZkdhU8GljnUPz6dxMpBamjLEfFR5XM63Kp6VDLPHmIhxWTLwd6m-DQ5gSNYXOxSE0wQDU_oy0vZ21VvjuNhK5ZV42jRLB0-VIQU/w640-h480/2155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-16630878770707114962024-02-09T22:27:00.001-05:002024-02-09T22:30:09.231-05:00Sewing machine base and Potpourri update<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjOG_ek6HpaCLo05Kvo6vS8QZHodAkI12sTuQpltfxJSCqadAMKOHAAOHVKNN2oc-eGxKcKC23bXGt1VLiubVqB8M7YU9czwa-tjxN8Ta1sNhEqdqkKzUFYFFoDq9jm1CJt3E59NXQ4Xp0lI5Ej3MCmdMvXCj-3UlP69j7FPgQ8ZEljlG1igZA_1Niyw/s600/12153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjOG_ek6HpaCLo05Kvo6vS8QZHodAkI12sTuQpltfxJSCqadAMKOHAAOHVKNN2oc-eGxKcKC23bXGt1VLiubVqB8M7YU9czwa-tjxN8Ta1sNhEqdqkKzUFYFFoDq9jm1CJt3E59NXQ4Xp0lI5Ej3MCmdMvXCj-3UlP69j7FPgQ8ZEljlG1igZA_1Niyw/w400-h300/12153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>An update on the potpourri I made last November. The Christmas one came out very nicely, with a very festive, balsam scent. I still have it out on the center table in the 'grand salon'. It's nice to walk by and refresh the olfactory senses with seasonal delight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9eTb2CQ1onGqx_OxfRvEiv3l_CYv471F0WNoCxbOKLYNSoaFFkc68G-5XcadSBm8N_kfwizS4nCUu5dOjn9cgdhKINAxhFPucUg46AU2QfJ2mrHklgY5Y2tB8jQhyphenhyphenJbKmcdOJYZwLzS7Tn-4_mV5ZOemVAdTWtxKVwse9lNvdQyKxL8Fu0c8vCVWOMQ/s720/291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9eTb2CQ1onGqx_OxfRvEiv3l_CYv471F0WNoCxbOKLYNSoaFFkc68G-5XcadSBm8N_kfwizS4nCUu5dOjn9cgdhKINAxhFPucUg46AU2QfJ2mrHklgY5Y2tB8jQhyphenhyphenJbKmcdOJYZwLzS7Tn-4_mV5ZOemVAdTWtxKVwse9lNvdQyKxL8Fu0c8vCVWOMQ/w400-h266/291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Rose one also came out beautifully. The Arabian rose oil is such a treat. This one is in the downstairs 'loo'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lKgdBGCUXOqksWkmqsLsewH4ohwSqbHCstdhWCI4fXqs4j7WM_3mQAUQhAOeIt-v5qjjuX0yb-wYMKngyDypeQJdIP87lWh27KHki7UdGPZLWGOjOvyGA64xkXpFT7CTaBBfZLMBx0pRI0WVaU1grYY_p9fLmUs4cSYfsob7jg-lji_RtZbnNdjzh60/s720/292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lKgdBGCUXOqksWkmqsLsewH4ohwSqbHCstdhWCI4fXqs4j7WM_3mQAUQhAOeIt-v5qjjuX0yb-wYMKngyDypeQJdIP87lWh27KHki7UdGPZLWGOjOvyGA64xkXpFT7CTaBBfZLMBx0pRI0WVaU1grYY_p9fLmUs4cSYfsob7jg-lji_RtZbnNdjzh60/w400-h266/292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Sadly--or not--the flowery one was not a success. It lost all it's scent. A bit of a surprise when I opened that one and found that it was a dud. I think it is due to the quality of the oils I used. I had some that were found at the thrift store, so who knows how old they were. But that's OK because I was not entirely happy with the formula I came up with. I'll try again.</p><p>The Howe sewing machine irons. I turned my attention to them these past few weeks. As you may recall, they were in need of treatment, what with being absolutely filthy and rusted. A reminder of what it was like when I bought it home:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo5I1OwrAlC2ZNy0xQsR9cbJ3dOyxA2GfqE41w1Pv0JQj9jroMpr1AJaltDybncvSjdvzyETM0olYtvTlNj5URFmYPPKRl8WvB5KKcRssDSPkzCV2XtakO7gqxk37ASGjomH23fo0Q50JBHsGQnd2gIdwPHzXrKs4Zd4R36EW_SpBNojNSrYp6pGwtFg/s700/5219.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="700" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo5I1OwrAlC2ZNy0xQsR9cbJ3dOyxA2GfqE41w1Pv0JQj9jroMpr1AJaltDybncvSjdvzyETM0olYtvTlNj5URFmYPPKRl8WvB5KKcRssDSPkzCV2XtakO7gqxk37ASGjomH23fo0Q50JBHsGQnd2gIdwPHzXrKs4Zd4R36EW_SpBNojNSrYp6pGwtFg/w640-h576/5219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I went at it with some Gojo (without pumice!) and followed that with Rustoleum's Rust Reformer. The treatment uncovered some gold paint still visible in some of the letters, albeit quite worn. I don't think I will repaint the gold because I'm 'conserving' this machine, not 'restoring' it. I do like these old antiques to show their age and history. Here's how the irons are are looking tonight:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb6LC260zcG_bnp0WVXOho0P8my3gGaCehZRoV_mX1ZCxCy9QeSuBxd-d6WxpFp0zHZFm9QuyfBToxFnxE4AZBnoYXCPNUrroyuUKQf7wtiQtsgiF7IaOm2oabeM-4rzPP41MjTjxgio4lZAYXWRMRJ9CEZMW0wtdVHMiAEpDCZfPNOYgcwuChWDouaw/s720/291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb6LC260zcG_bnp0WVXOho0P8my3gGaCehZRoV_mX1ZCxCy9QeSuBxd-d6WxpFp0zHZFm9QuyfBToxFnxE4AZBnoYXCPNUrroyuUKQf7wtiQtsgiF7IaOm2oabeM-4rzPP41MjTjxgio4lZAYXWRMRJ9CEZMW0wtdVHMiAEpDCZfPNOYgcwuChWDouaw/w640-h426/291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Much improved in my opinion. I will now focus on the wood top and drawers. My plan is to try a 50/50 mixture of denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner to even out the finish that remains after all these years. If that isn't successful enough, I will consider other possibilities. I'm also toying with the idea of doing a French polish on it once it's evened out.</p><p>I find my mind wandering towards garden things lately.</p><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-91602185844679185012024-02-04T19:38:00.001-05:002024-02-04T19:39:26.442-05:00Mittens, a wheel, and moths<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm4F_AiXtgIFK1q0t1vy1BMIVIiKJXXkF0jiizoThx6NekyBBh2cWxcfvBfdznx3n6EPYxlwAbQip_XbANSl-UPVvOqgTbbE96BYm3PtizHaWEoAQ4MUshYksOUhKefeFJMhSrTSkkVSOxonsD0_kxyJHqyp_cS-6Vfbe1bYH7er4A-6d5n5zQ_BLZuA/s800/311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm4F_AiXtgIFK1q0t1vy1BMIVIiKJXXkF0jiizoThx6NekyBBh2cWxcfvBfdznx3n6EPYxlwAbQip_XbANSl-UPVvOqgTbbE96BYm3PtizHaWEoAQ4MUshYksOUhKefeFJMhSrTSkkVSOxonsD0_kxyJHqyp_cS-6Vfbe1bYH7er4A-6d5n5zQ_BLZuA/w400-h300/311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Here are the fingerless mittens from my spinning practices on the great wheel. I am very happy with them. Just love the way the color came out, and they have that wonderful woolen feel. Inspiration to continue my practices.</p><p>The yarn finally gets a relaxing bath. It didn't need it to settle the twist, just to get them clean.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHlCnU9gB1sjBg2vtZNopu57ncymVQrudT1BtgCbwANpbu1cw6Uk6TchSCIybfG6pd1A8qCpHxaEzeMRi41CSvxuHNTOqoMoAbaYxbAoBhqJbHSOLOiRJEYhw-e-M2h7TmD8J2hVsTa3SMdm-3nu8IHMqjd3QBo1YX4XGiME4dm5TR1ugn84sdddD4vA/s720/231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHlCnU9gB1sjBg2vtZNopu57ncymVQrudT1BtgCbwANpbu1cw6Uk6TchSCIybfG6pd1A8qCpHxaEzeMRi41CSvxuHNTOqoMoAbaYxbAoBhqJbHSOLOiRJEYhw-e-M2h7TmD8J2hVsTa3SMdm-3nu8IHMqjd3QBo1YX4XGiME4dm5TR1ugn84sdddD4vA/w400-h266/231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After drying on the top of the wood stove overnight:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pskw5Kz2QFloVOd31dNDYARNgYfkRtuPQ1fOUjIJ3seOY_Ld3bUeeJktiSOOKusgArMEiTW1GrfnRFysAE9SZUn5n9m7wtdRZ3jHe6oC7pEgdG6FQBbjeMNMchtW3HVPmGePDzEI27TGaJ4R99NAt9gKLUj8nSkxIFVdbe6o_3Msp9w4y5buoo1_dWo/s720/241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pskw5Kz2QFloVOd31dNDYARNgYfkRtuPQ1fOUjIJ3seOY_Ld3bUeeJktiSOOKusgArMEiTW1GrfnRFysAE9SZUn5n9m7wtdRZ3jHe6oC7pEgdG6FQBbjeMNMchtW3HVPmGePDzEI27TGaJ4R99NAt9gKLUj8nSkxIFVdbe6o_3Msp9w4y5buoo1_dWo/w400-h266/241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>So happy about these.</p><p>If my big wheel had not had so many issues with wobbliness, which often resulted in it throwing it's drive band, what happened last week might not have happened. But alas, it did happen, almost accidently. I got a new wheel! Well, new as in new-to-me, but in fact it's over 200 years old, having been built sometime before 1804--the year it's builder died. Yes, I know the name of the builder of my new wheel: Zadock Wright, and I know this because his initials 'ZW' are etched into the base of the wheel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GO63XhThIWqUS4LyEIDtg5SxllIC3yAB6GGyTJdxs6DYXLF5oYcgixhEkNCgJZzY6PnbHAQR5YXpRtDkbM_v4psVNDunbdbH6e8kg5iESIN3caHxqQ0ti1_LU6HorNTPJgvZPeRUA8_d6f6Hig7ft3SqqGsXb_jJnvRxKinMw7___8vGOCCjmHvaG6I/s720/231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GO63XhThIWqUS4LyEIDtg5SxllIC3yAB6GGyTJdxs6DYXLF5oYcgixhEkNCgJZzY6PnbHAQR5YXpRtDkbM_v4psVNDunbdbH6e8kg5iESIN3caHxqQ0ti1_LU6HorNTPJgvZPeRUA8_d6f6Hig7ft3SqqGsXb_jJnvRxKinMw7___8vGOCCjmHvaG6I/w640-h426/231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Through the Ravelry group, "Spindle Wheels", I found out the initials are his and was a Shaker from the Canterbury Village, just a little south of here. But that's not all . . .</p><p>I did a little research of my own and discovered that he also spent time at the Enfield Shaker Village. Enfield is where I grew up.</p><blockquote><p>One person who played an important role in the early development of the New Hampshire Shakers was Zadock Wright. It is unclear where he may have originated, but in the 1760s he became an early settler of Hartland, Vt., located on the Connecticut River about nine miles north of Windsor. (Manchester Union Leader)</p></blockquote><blockquote><p> . . .</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>In 1790 Wright was listed in the census as the “head of household” of a group of 31 men, women, and children living together in Enfield. This was the beginning of the new Shaker community. Wright later moved to the Shaker village at Canterbury. (Manchester Union Leader)</p></blockquote></div><div>And that's not all! From a history of Enfield, NH:</div><div><blockquote><div>We have the fact from a record made at the time, that on the 6th of September, 1782, these two men [Cooley and Chuancy] came to Joseph Flint's Canaan, South road, and there preached; but gaining no adherents in that town, they went into the adjoining one, Enfield, and there succeeded in making converts of some of the staid and respectable farmers and mechanics and their families--among whom were James Jewett, Ezekiel Stevens, Asa Pattee, Benjamin Merrill and <b>Zadock Wright</b>, living on <b>Jones hill</b>, and the hill afterwards called after them, Shaker Hill, on the northerly side of Mascoma lake. They remained on these hills, gaining some new believers, about ten years, till about 1792, when, effecting an exchange of land, they removed to the more fertile spot they have ever since occupied, with large additions on the southerly side of the same lake. (nh.searchroots.com)</div></blockquote></div><div>I grew up on Jones Hill! I can't believe the history behind this wheel comes so close to home; I love it! The 'more fertile spot' which became the Enfield Shaker's Village was known as Chosen Vale and it is now a museum. I've visited it a number of times since moving back to NH. In fact, some years back, one of the docents of the museum took me up to the attic of the great stone dwelling where there were dozens of wheels.</div><div><br /></div><div>This wheel does not throw it's drive band, thankfully. I don't think the spindle it came with is original and it was causing problems with take up so I swapped in the spindle from my old wheel and it works beautifully.</div><div><br /></div><div>The man I bought this from lives down the road from me and he spent time cleaning it all up.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLT2m23Ce1TO_0ABxGogN312Y3LTJRdpxzh-C3LD4yk2ZU6RyWuaJ7dB3c7QT5KsvRtnBSM2CDqdqmMwbhvyWICRdX1T03iByJDnSeTMx16G0vKjDtgANx48cqZy4ib9uwOPxnHU8Tv3naaDT0Jf9Bz5xQaCuW5ei6AwP0bg_pgwCwTdC1lFbJTsNq54/s720/232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLT2m23Ce1TO_0ABxGogN312Y3LTJRdpxzh-C3LD4yk2ZU6RyWuaJ7dB3c7QT5KsvRtnBSM2CDqdqmMwbhvyWICRdX1T03iByJDnSeTMx16G0vKjDtgANx48cqZy4ib9uwOPxnHU8Tv3naaDT0Jf9Bz5xQaCuW5ei6AwP0bg_pgwCwTdC1lFbJTsNq54/w640-h426/232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFxulW-JP_4CpXTAsVssALZYuV_IfxKaCIwV9jVnZBPnyugYvSGXQv_ToRx6MHq6JaCr9v9JydDZlEq5zwgSbac9KROHLcHbBGuCKJpWlNlkFrrI57z0PxPXELCDst7lj63Lb04fWewhBw4jQiZeoftdh1p89ZU2_bJ6rk0p6NAbwrJ1ZfCxpo6oyutM/s1080/233.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFxulW-JP_4CpXTAsVssALZYuV_IfxKaCIwV9jVnZBPnyugYvSGXQv_ToRx6MHq6JaCr9v9JydDZlEq5zwgSbac9KROHLcHbBGuCKJpWlNlkFrrI57z0PxPXELCDst7lj63Lb04fWewhBw4jQiZeoftdh1p89ZU2_bJ6rk0p6NAbwrJ1ZfCxpo6oyutM/w426-h640/233.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div>A moth problem. Not the first time, won't be the last time. Comes with the territory. When I went upstairs to get the sweater I knit two years ago to keep me warm during our cold spell a few weeks ago, I discovered a hole. Ugh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the hole after I'd outlined in white yarn where to make the patch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5-HAwgd1ONdBRA035CBUuS_3NoS7jFczsLfvcDKkb3B7F5qWHbxorbXqHxCNDSw6pE_KyjLgJYluDng_DExC9y0F8-5CPkc9SGIGkLjOUsSAjRR35Yj1MfRtkUyYqN3Xskq32O0beK978EyiirAXs2WFfNnUVcNCOHRgPSsH7pcWrbJ80JhWK7SaL6A/s1920/Snapshot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5-HAwgd1ONdBRA035CBUuS_3NoS7jFczsLfvcDKkb3B7F5qWHbxorbXqHxCNDSw6pE_KyjLgJYluDng_DExC9y0F8-5CPkc9SGIGkLjOUsSAjRR35Yj1MfRtkUyYqN3Xskq32O0beK978EyiirAXs2WFfNnUVcNCOHRgPSsH7pcWrbJ80JhWK7SaL6A/w640-h360/Snapshot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I used a long length of yarn (I still had some left over from the original knitting) and wove it across the area with a large eye needle, up on one side, down on the other leaving a good length of yarn going across so that I could pick up stitches. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KLDnwIFKwPDkbMC0tckRIqFOD5-xeGB7ajZjZ1k8LF91ulkO9hY7TyrdiPu9mZvzNwtKRJ1a2CSxCCznQ4HBlTeDmKifCvUg_-fbDyi9DRPml5w-opt3nAw7UGrcnG0iPDkMART57EKe0iJ0nQGczYrjpjVxa5uxEDtOZ2Plaj5994JoDu8OErz74m4/s1920/Snapshot_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KLDnwIFKwPDkbMC0tckRIqFOD5-xeGB7ajZjZ1k8LF91ulkO9hY7TyrdiPu9mZvzNwtKRJ1a2CSxCCznQ4HBlTeDmKifCvUg_-fbDyi9DRPml5w-opt3nAw7UGrcnG0iPDkMART57EKe0iJ0nQGczYrjpjVxa5uxEDtOZ2Plaj5994JoDu8OErz74m4/w640-h360/Snapshot_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Then using a crochet hook, started climbing the ladder going up from bottom to top, one column at a time, right to left. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUaW8sTNzWuLuTpPBSxz9zRUBGFyDzYpB5BQ48Hf6fyTybnCX-ZiG0ZYMMjjDmOX5KyAQOLkYE6VLevwtFPJMDKDssdeEwfZHChiysLXb_Lxp1XAfcGthxW03Ah1NZ4kSYjiFZfFznpuRiVq_rMC4_d3C985Ul9BWRQWCeESnJVUSZnLNrbrqI-lxCmI/s1920/Snapshot_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUaW8sTNzWuLuTpPBSxz9zRUBGFyDzYpB5BQ48Hf6fyTybnCX-ZiG0ZYMMjjDmOX5KyAQOLkYE6VLevwtFPJMDKDssdeEwfZHChiysLXb_Lxp1XAfcGthxW03Ah1NZ4kSYjiFZfFznpuRiVq_rMC4_d3C985Ul9BWRQWCeESnJVUSZnLNrbrqI-lxCmI/w640-h360/Snapshot_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYGk1JXckAvStInDhlIOfdkYsu1cVQREMQBUlEEoA-si1y_9KaYKmlnBHMzdGXD0I3dtD1ivFNnGLjj-96wIHy9H-QUffXMaoxVmRrXyIfND1SYDtLW5-YN-KQhyphenhyphenGOvsQn691lntt7Y_EO7Q9Oyqjqp7fVFJbu28uCyGmZYCp3rAlXM6zCjKkGlVqk9I/s1920/Snapshot_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYGk1JXckAvStInDhlIOfdkYsu1cVQREMQBUlEEoA-si1y_9KaYKmlnBHMzdGXD0I3dtD1ivFNnGLjj-96wIHy9H-QUffXMaoxVmRrXyIfND1SYDtLW5-YN-KQhyphenhyphenGOvsQn691lntt7Y_EO7Q9Oyqjqp7fVFJbu28uCyGmZYCp3rAlXM6zCjKkGlVqk9I/w640-h360/Snapshot_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until all 8 columns had been zipped up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Qy4s0dasfBH95n_FUHiVhiyYGtUIbpxrbBfi8J5PFxSGQmuaoFvDXKPC2EYhXbj2MOUp0E5gN_vG0-RJ5gaZj09OP3RqN60HwXza66hkZ41o2PCyn1I9geaKXGuXKJ93TPd5CsBPJVKt__l8JmshuJVcrheoX8TQyCB-q4eOJp_KRkvcuflXDcTbZQ/s1920/Snapshot_4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Qy4s0dasfBH95n_FUHiVhiyYGtUIbpxrbBfi8J5PFxSGQmuaoFvDXKPC2EYhXbj2MOUp0E5gN_vG0-RJ5gaZj09OP3RqN60HwXza66hkZ41o2PCyn1I9geaKXGuXKJ93TPd5CsBPJVKt__l8JmshuJVcrheoX8TQyCB-q4eOJp_KRkvcuflXDcTbZQ/w640-h360/Snapshot_4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSIbrRSoi05CaUBvv54R1zUIMVVeoITlZG2ZZkntEjltipjHKCQM3ziv6Mm_PVhsCIEkDshLgITQRuy5buShAjkXU_nHKNFy13Ba7F8Sz3m4q3bCggwRqVioIrLnbRCi7ocOvv2NMChRBG6sS5Fl9zDNn4Tl1eQsJYXOl9W4bphLjV72GW70yp5wR5Ns/s720/1211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSIbrRSoi05CaUBvv54R1zUIMVVeoITlZG2ZZkntEjltipjHKCQM3ziv6Mm_PVhsCIEkDshLgITQRuy5buShAjkXU_nHKNFy13Ba7F8Sz3m4q3bCggwRqVioIrLnbRCi7ocOvv2NMChRBG6sS5Fl9zDNn4Tl1eQsJYXOl9W4bphLjV72GW70yp5wR5Ns/w640-h426/1211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-1951063208639460582024-01-24T19:05:00.007-05:002024-01-24T19:20:34.914-05:00Great Wheel Spinning<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1U6K7ueZcUoS95pNyu6Wi9KnbqF7AlyvJp2g8FV1ySPNwWn9AK-PM4rD3ZVUWEaYFglbsazzAOQvc0UsHkWo5dS-tJweswjxnxK-0D_Tl_gxJ-_dHm-7E_aS2zSBrQQIT-w5sP8ce9xaDjbqVYu5_trkcSHp3E_Ir1AXAOuV_IK_VyVH-glsbpsNh1Q/s600/1232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1U6K7ueZcUoS95pNyu6Wi9KnbqF7AlyvJp2g8FV1ySPNwWn9AK-PM4rD3ZVUWEaYFglbsazzAOQvc0UsHkWo5dS-tJweswjxnxK-0D_Tl_gxJ-_dHm-7E_aS2zSBrQQIT-w5sP8ce9xaDjbqVYu5_trkcSHp3E_Ir1AXAOuV_IK_VyVH-glsbpsNh1Q/w300-h400/1232.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p>In all my spinning adventures, learning to card and spin on the great wheel has been the steepest learning curve. Over the past month there have been highs, and some downright frustrating lows.<p></p><p>In the beginning, every draw was hit or miss, mostly miss. Stage two for me was realizing the difference in my left hand when drawing versus my right hand (I'm right handed). In my right hand I'm confident in my ability to manipulate the fibers, almost as if I knew where each fiber was and where they were headed (of course I don't really know where each fiber is, but there is an awareness of what's slipping where). I could tell when to stop, where to put pressure, when to release pressure, when to hold back. In my left hand, no such thing. It feels like holding a clump of wool in the hope that some will draw out in a way which makes a suitable thread.</p><p>This realization was important because I started to focus on the palm of my left hand in an attempt to gain a sense of control. This is one moment in life when my spinning challenges mesh with the piano challenges: I've been doing a lot of left hand work at the piano.</p><p>This stage saw some improvement, at least it seemed that way. No, really, there was. A bit anyway. Then I decided to turn my focus to carding, with the thought that a really good preparation would make drafting more fluid. Sadly, it seemed to not make much difference! It's clear I need a few hands-on lessons in carding and drafting long draw.</p><p>One month in (approximately) I can honestly say I'm learning and improving, but there's a way still to go. The fact that my great wheel wobbles in every joint, but also where it's not really conceivable (well, it seems that way) doesn't make it any easier. I have discovered things about the minor's head that have helped stabilize it, but the wheel still likes to throw it's band. So I'm going to jerry rig some low barriers around the wheel to keep it from slipping off. Not sure what product I will use but it will be something non permanent.</p><p>At any rate, at the end of the day I have managed to spin 185 yards of 2 ply yarn and I <i>love</i> it. It's soft and lofty, and I really like how the colors are turning out. You may remember I'm combining a grey wool/bombyx/apalca blend with a multi-colored merino. A short length of grey followed by a short length of colored merino to make the singles, and then plying them to make yarn. It is far from even yarn, so I will call it 'art' yarn. It's certainly useable. (The pictures look better when enlarged, simply click on them.) The singles on the swift:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq8l_vchMEv8cvUep6_YRPUli7gdrtdIX4V21lz3PopWD3XYwEY4mP_tNsJOpu0NBu_gnDUMeSDkBhJZlORAK1XjzVDZHVL8vZSt-QQ-6vMkaXt4fivcoYtLa_x7SPfawwJeIaBXiK_smcnVpVzorp07_orXRIBJxhDaBmIk_duH5YSiaFWhdJ5So3e0/s720/1231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq8l_vchMEv8cvUep6_YRPUli7gdrtdIX4V21lz3PopWD3XYwEY4mP_tNsJOpu0NBu_gnDUMeSDkBhJZlORAK1XjzVDZHVL8vZSt-QQ-6vMkaXt4fivcoYtLa_x7SPfawwJeIaBXiK_smcnVpVzorp07_orXRIBJxhDaBmIk_duH5YSiaFWhdJ5So3e0/w400-h266/1231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>After plying:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFqDGlDpQpYmBhKCwBXkGooZbNi48HEdN12ddlgsHluKdYIGFbM83MNf2NhREcee7amIdrfJotbqJw5q9o_fnMc4RQ3lWO7C_uqWCxJx8si9KVgYl0JJuIXm9jbW4gdjXnBDv3yAhXBNLb4QMKer13WEIMPoxqr6Z76RdOC69FfOyy-iBVAOy9k1oE-w/s720/1231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFqDGlDpQpYmBhKCwBXkGooZbNi48HEdN12ddlgsHluKdYIGFbM83MNf2NhREcee7amIdrfJotbqJw5q9o_fnMc4RQ3lWO7C_uqWCxJx8si9KVgYl0JJuIXm9jbW4gdjXnBDv3yAhXBNLb4QMKer13WEIMPoxqr6Z76RdOC69FfOyy-iBVAOy9k1oE-w/w400-h266/1231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>It's not wet finished yet and I may leave a good soak until after it's knitted up. I plied it balanced so there's no excessive twist, hence it doesn't need a warm, relaxing bath.</p><p>The difference between the color of the merino top and the finished yarn can be appreciated in this picture. I've wound the skeins into balls: (ignore the white/purple/orange skein, that was previous spinnning.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtg5DT5_I_Qc-vbmlcyaQ2sOmdGe20vssSgYNcIqKO_nkU_BwIUKKwxWWBfQPCCxWhODIrU8bMmLGHQzrhyphenhyphenBQ0Pn_C5YapfFkxYS6Km-HKXO77EPRelrh4tFuk8Gtnj8f0F6ZYDAJFPy29jl6qlLB-qK_3PSEwF4H-VHsp8GH_HQwk_7-u_eZ6AE4vl4/s720/1241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtg5DT5_I_Qc-vbmlcyaQ2sOmdGe20vssSgYNcIqKO_nkU_BwIUKKwxWWBfQPCCxWhODIrU8bMmLGHQzrhyphenhyphenBQ0Pn_C5YapfFkxYS6Km-HKXO77EPRelrh4tFuk8Gtnj8f0F6ZYDAJFPy29jl6qlLB-qK_3PSEwF4H-VHsp8GH_HQwk_7-u_eZ6AE4vl4/w400-h266/1241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I think I'm going to make fingerless gloves with this yarn so I can appreciate it's soft squishiness every time I wear them. To that end, I knitted a swatch to check gauge <i>and </i>to see how the color would knit up. I like it.:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA38ygMEQHsrcuFhXXwpHhbS5Hh-kqxdpuSQlL9F8mrzG_AJE1i0w34jQlQIgDH7fgsmD6xaguxjZT0NDm2mAtB8GJhoMK1yMDBqBpUqRNDLUmaRxtfBeT57CU4VZyciz8lxopki51pBQfnqjLw47Vgh6oGC8fouic1ggfzHJapqIV2St5ktMeVMs8OL0/s720/1242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA38ygMEQHsrcuFhXXwpHhbS5Hh-kqxdpuSQlL9F8mrzG_AJE1i0w34jQlQIgDH7fgsmD6xaguxjZT0NDm2mAtB8GJhoMK1yMDBqBpUqRNDLUmaRxtfBeT57CU4VZyciz8lxopki51pBQfnqjLw47Vgh6oGC8fouic1ggfzHJapqIV2St5ktMeVMs8OL0/w400-h266/1242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>This swatch didn't meet gauge so I knitted up another in needles one size smaller. It's better and I'm going with it. I may make pattern adjustments to fit my hand anyway.</p><p>This video shows what I aspire to. Can you image how much yardage you could spin up in an afternoon!?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/97FaL9xigJU" width="320" youtube-src-id="97FaL9xigJU"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-57033705627675621162024-01-19T19:39:00.000-05:002024-01-19T19:39:09.383-05:00Emergency knitting<p> Yesterday, my dishcloth--the last of the lot--gave up the ghost! With no more in store, I had to dig out a favorite pattern and get going. I really like this pattern a lot. With size 7 needles it makes the perfect size cloth to fit my hand. I also like that it is round. Sometimes, with square ones--especially if they're a little too big, the corners fling around splashing water all over. Also, this one is pretty! And so quick and easy to knit up: Start to finish while watching one and a half of Richard McVeigh's organ recitals last evening. So I had no excuse for not doing dishes today.</p><p>The pattern is called "Almost Lost Dishcloth". I forgot where I got it from originally, it's been on my laptop for years. I do know it was a free pattern.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqPQimrlSCM3VfYNEeSTvSYuYt24ccjfMHbakSvgvLstEjNyaqenhTwnwfw8AO9osbFgG6u6GTUl4iFc8KrrZZfBo5ie6e6kn7TXSzOrPk546DUsqqp8U4bwjhacmyXaI5Bbau21LpzU0Bodx8iVweDS9j7RXhf4P9OzWxXd63_H2YrurZgQe0UT4pLI/s720/1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqPQimrlSCM3VfYNEeSTvSYuYt24ccjfMHbakSvgvLstEjNyaqenhTwnwfw8AO9osbFgG6u6GTUl4iFc8KrrZZfBo5ie6e6kn7TXSzOrPk546DUsqqp8U4bwjhacmyXaI5Bbau21LpzU0Bodx8iVweDS9j7RXhf4P9OzWxXd63_H2YrurZgQe0UT4pLI/w400-h266/1191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>This one is knit in Pima cotton. I went upstairs last evening to look through the 6 large bins of yarn stash looking for the bag with cottons, but I couldn't find it. I think it must be in one of the 'attic' spaces, and I didn't feel like digging through there last night. I will go up and find it this weekend so I can knit up a few more.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Almost Lost Washcloth<br />by Julie Tarsha</div><p>Cast on 14 stitches using long tail cast on method.</p><div style="text-align: left;">row 1: knit<br />row 2: k4, yo, knit 8<br />row 3: Leaving last 2 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (15 stitches on needle)<br />row 4: k4, yo, knit 7<br />row 5: Leaving last 4 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (16 stitches on needle)<br />row 6: k4, yo, knit 6<br />row 7: Leaving last 6 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (17 stitches on needle)<br />row 8: k4, yo, knit 5<br />row 9: Leaving last 8 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (18 stitches on needle)<br />row 10: bind off first 4 stitches, knit to end of row. (14 stitches on needle)</div><p>repeat rows 1 – 10 thirteen more times for a total of fourteen points.</p><p>Bind off all stitches. Using mattress stitch, seam beginning and ending rows to close the circlular cloth. Picking up innermost bumps of each garter ridge with your tapestry needle, cinch together open circle in middle of cloth and fasten off. Weave in ends.</p><p><br /></p><p>Good news on the Howe sewing machine front ... Today it made it's first real stitches in over 90 years (I'd venture to guess). They're not perfect, but considering I've done minimal tweeking so far, they're not bad. I believe just a little bit of tension adjustment above and/or below will do the trick. I consider this a minor miracle seeing how it operates with a vibrating shuttle (vs rotary). I was sure getting it to make stitches was going to be quite an effort. But I am learning that the needle is very--very--important. If it's not inserted correctly (groove needs to be on the right), and at proper depth, you'll never get a vibrating shuttle to make stitches. This weekend I will separate the cabinet from the irons so I can do a proper job on the irons.</p><p>Here is picture of first stiches, top on the left, and bottom on the right:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmem-AD7lJUALCLfTfXL1aCWQsYZOZTlUIG4a75dPNoHRXo30ajEWqGkWrEpZ9cd8hYCxAfNewez3F4uHsIuLAZVHIe1L521iGxrCc_L96DuWPuyPMFYUt3ddq8pIrcm2KWV-LCyqApjR5dE6L5rC6QUn9B7qHGW82_RLMcp4bnmkOkTRHhkFqsfsxVY/s960/1191-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmem-AD7lJUALCLfTfXL1aCWQsYZOZTlUIG4a75dPNoHRXo30ajEWqGkWrEpZ9cd8hYCxAfNewez3F4uHsIuLAZVHIe1L521iGxrCc_L96DuWPuyPMFYUt3ddq8pIrcm2KWV-LCyqApjR5dE6L5rC6QUn9B7qHGW82_RLMcp4bnmkOkTRHhkFqsfsxVY/w640-h480/1191-side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocxKaUcUTigv0EgTzDou38gZOhETtEIhdJexOLrU3zJKVX6xAo2E67IA4CizXvzeLBcMQgJ3nEfsv_9zqq-zeYD5pYS7AYA7PF25JHX_MESM1EkWzxvc6EG1HDT5sDzSrECBVWVxTWmZBa31Kw7F4pj4TimmgFUIGD3Jb9eGJT7TixRgHCA_ztcHwKYM/s600/snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocxKaUcUTigv0EgTzDou38gZOhETtEIhdJexOLrU3zJKVX6xAo2E67IA4CizXvzeLBcMQgJ3nEfsv_9zqq-zeYD5pYS7AYA7PF25JHX_MESM1EkWzxvc6EG1HDT5sDzSrECBVWVxTWmZBa31Kw7F4pj4TimmgFUIGD3Jb9eGJT7TixRgHCA_ztcHwKYM/w400-h300/snow1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-85008354979553824962024-01-16T22:22:00.003-05:002024-01-17T00:27:47.545-05:00Sewing machine restoration<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbBGb-kTRNDQvWwrShFuuMsY3aOnOFY3i6NKj0aJsn02ctR-7Hk_TMNrJMVS42ZxAt0eZezdtSP4RkcoJCy6k154T62SulRqU5H1joTSKLqQBdUlqToQMraOywIa2iP-hsCUgM3lxToQmgfO3ClyOgkkCdQlE0QIbqDGot9YST5X0TGIqe-UvkVjuxIs/s600/1111.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbBGb-kTRNDQvWwrShFuuMsY3aOnOFY3i6NKj0aJsn02ctR-7Hk_TMNrJMVS42ZxAt0eZezdtSP4RkcoJCy6k154T62SulRqU5H1joTSKLqQBdUlqToQMraOywIa2iP-hsCUgM3lxToQmgfO3ClyOgkkCdQlE0QIbqDGot9YST5X0TGIqe-UvkVjuxIs/w400-h300/1111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The dining room's Victorian tree was taken down last week and the real tree in the salon was taken down this past weekend. I wanted the dining room window back and the salon tree was getting very dried out, it was no longer a joy to look at, with drooping limbs and ragged edges. But it was a wonderful tree while it was up.</p><p>It is nice to have the windows back. The silver tree in the kitchen is still up and I light it every day; it may well stick around until Candlemas. Much of the other decor is also still in place, except for the Santa collection. The imagery of Santa fades quickly after Christmas, faster than the greenery.</p><p>Now that we are quite properly into winter, with all the big seasonal chores out of the way, I'm looking at my restoration projects. I have 2 treadle sewing machines from the 1870s, a pump organ, and two typewriters from the first decade of the 1900s to restore.</p><p>The pump organ is one of the very first antiques I ever bought, purchased soon after I graduated high school. I recovered it when I moved back to NH ten years ago. It had some work done on it some years ago but last year I decided to give it a good cleaning and adjustment. I got as far as removing the coupling action and cleaning up the connecting rods but stopped due to autumn chores--mostly moving and stacking wood. I will finish the organ this year (I hope!) so that it will be playable again by next Christmas.</p><p>But I'm turning my attention to the sewing machines first. One is a bent needle Wheeler & Wilson dating from 1872 and the other is a Howe dating from around 1874. I found them together last summer in an old house that hadn't been touched since the 1930s. The place was packed full of very old items including a huge printing press that must have weighed tons. Believe me, if I had the space for it I'd have seriously considered buying it. It was beautiful. At the time the house was closed up, it had a general store and post office on the first floor. The fixtures are still there and they are beautiful to see.</p><p>Both sewing machines were covered in rust and both were frozen. I spent enough time cleaning them last summer to get them moving again, and with some tweeking, actually got the Howe to make a few stitches. Today I worked on lubricating the Howe and getting a drive belt attached. The entire iron works needs a thorough going over, probably with Rust-oleum to begin with, they are very rusty.</p><p>Elias Howe Jr. was the first person to patent a lock-stitch sewing machine, in 1846. Before this, he worked in the textile factories in Lowell, MA. I visited the textile museum in one of the old Lowell mills several years ago. A fabulous exhibit with some real working looms.</p><p>The Howe as it arrived at my place last summer:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi0bPycOlp4hcP0PQN-AFu_5mQGeTym0s50HFeLbj4v9iBecjcx2zrnUM7SQ9CBJyHVwaX9ereQu2dphOTDAtiug1HefEMqiuw5DnbucWdThLqNFSCvHQPCuDFXh8KKopPsAhRtVeJbf0y843_HctSs06d4dwuuvJleGxXwcWAaKsjKkiNYBx2p3gbAg/s700/5219.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="700" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi0bPycOlp4hcP0PQN-AFu_5mQGeTym0s50HFeLbj4v9iBecjcx2zrnUM7SQ9CBJyHVwaX9ereQu2dphOTDAtiug1HefEMqiuw5DnbucWdThLqNFSCvHQPCuDFXh8KKopPsAhRtVeJbf0y843_HctSs06d4dwuuvJleGxXwcWAaKsjKkiNYBx2p3gbAg/w400-h360/5219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> You can see how small the head is... it's so cute! Sadly all the decoration has been lost on this one and some of the Japanning is worn off as well. I'm not sure yet how I will deal with the bare spots, I've read of a car product that might work and will look into it.<p></p><p>For cleaning the wood veneer, I use Gojo (the one <i>without</i> pumice--very important). It's a hand cleanser used by mechanics and can be found in auto parts stores. It's great for getting off old grime and dirt. Then I wash with Murphy's Oil soap and dry it. For now I'm following this cleaning with Old English wood conditioner and cleaner. It does a nice job of evening out a splotchy finish. I want to do some tests with a mixture of boiled linseed oil and something else which I have forgotten and need to look up. (I'll get back to this in a future post.)</p><p>This short little video is from this afternoon after I got it to run via the drive belt. The thread is not threaded through the needle, I was simply testing whether it would run via the treadle. Note: bird noises... (Caution: the volume may be loud!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwDR9pwc-1yws8XNGUnszchZvmVts5v9LK9g9sllr9i5ULQv22lcpq1wKVfzCgNZMu32x9wl19Txlm1rxO6LQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Practical, mechanical machines from the late 1800's, early 1900's, I love it. Over a hundred and fifty years old and still running... soon to be running well. I <i>love</i> it.<br /><p>A pic from Lowell, MA textile mill some years back:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbb7gUQsZpIUGAeinpGFIjNjYQdnp8i1sRuNJLzrJxJ92xo42NR3TWCk3AdwwSnGgXK1tWuWuaQdlMmowKGKk8AR98s45iecRnV-dda6yKfiYcAQEcbsRiigdisGM5GPp6eNqFgQr7zk1oQbiB-otonGaCxIEYSaggM7TG_7fEOpwwKzqdubhQ1Y_LWo/s600/22817.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbb7gUQsZpIUGAeinpGFIjNjYQdnp8i1sRuNJLzrJxJ92xo42NR3TWCk3AdwwSnGgXK1tWuWuaQdlMmowKGKk8AR98s45iecRnV-dda6yKfiYcAQEcbsRiigdisGM5GPp6eNqFgQr7zk1oQbiB-otonGaCxIEYSaggM7TG_7fEOpwwKzqdubhQ1Y_LWo/s320/22817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-62348341007862876342024-01-08T22:05:00.004-05:002024-01-09T11:40:54.511-05:00A new hat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGbnvOkvkW3hyphenhyphen0FnrEgxrYIVNJAYEDKsxZijXvKPFLyF6YqWVVXVHjmc314IvAwc4xoh7bvNtJT_6bK6eeDVA46-cdeyBbmEXjx9EONylO_f5KebGff4j6-jDtFY7AHCB6qBJau1YmQwqSD7gCiCFdDtNslOKlHuwt5TSla_eX7I6YRGeAogP5YC9ll4/s600/1115.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGbnvOkvkW3hyphenhyphen0FnrEgxrYIVNJAYEDKsxZijXvKPFLyF6YqWVVXVHjmc314IvAwc4xoh7bvNtJT_6bK6eeDVA46-cdeyBbmEXjx9EONylO_f5KebGff4j6-jDtFY7AHCB6qBJau1YmQwqSD7gCiCFdDtNslOKlHuwt5TSla_eX7I6YRGeAogP5YC9ll4/w400-h300/1115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I made this hat before Christmas but I forgot to post about it. It's the same pattern I've used for 10 years now. In fact, I made my first one during the move from NYC to NH using Noro colorways. The second one was knit about 5 years ago using Lambs Pride in blue/red/yellow. The latest is in green, I've been wanting a green hat.</p><p>It's knit in a type of stitch closely related to brioche but it utilizes 'knit one below' and regular knit stitches--on every row--so there's no bringing the yarn forwards and back, making the knitting fairly easy. Also, every row is knit in a single color so there's no carrying the other color around. The increases for this pattern give it just enough variety to keep it interesting. It makes a lovely, well defined stitch. And it's thick which gives the fabric warmth. The band is twining stiches which is also easy but slow'ish because the yarns need constant untwisting. Constant. But it's only 4 rows.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomqGrm2bnw2g_a5ahM1VGA59i3GaQ-4Xhi7dIpOzQUywqMpzHtPl7zURhzAwxrQAdgNVplGtgUtXdqSjm9mRw0jzVdL_riFyxoQUTyLlRkxwAiUbDQmHTuLoCZzLETbp1qHJGrwKdHYGHvGE_B_U6dCFELBqbISzz1IhBDhia6pacgBJClHTgyQGIGPU/s700/12191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomqGrm2bnw2g_a5ahM1VGA59i3GaQ-4Xhi7dIpOzQUywqMpzHtPl7zURhzAwxrQAdgNVplGtgUtXdqSjm9mRw0jzVdL_riFyxoQUTyLlRkxwAiUbDQmHTuLoCZzLETbp1qHJGrwKdHYGHvGE_B_U6dCFELBqbISzz1IhBDhia6pacgBJClHTgyQGIGPU/w400-h266/12191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I sized this one so it fits more like a skull cap and I'm right pleased with it. This is what the stiches look like on the reverse (i.e., inside the hat):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSPthoYutLQklvHGwILA46p2MtOvhr3w5HePFw3jhd0n2Bb89GpumQgabBox5T0zYhg2RqD7SmXh_-ApjBt5A0X3hMiU4vDRlXrFkXJFtPRn07pVpz9jPbj_nOeKILTqsWphdzs5-yUKBhwG70t1wtVyJSQyvdVapoqzHL1FeNdn0Vj3ooOkJCN4WCa0/s700/181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSPthoYutLQklvHGwILA46p2MtOvhr3w5HePFw3jhd0n2Bb89GpumQgabBox5T0zYhg2RqD7SmXh_-ApjBt5A0X3hMiU4vDRlXrFkXJFtPRn07pVpz9jPbj_nOeKILTqsWphdzs5-yUKBhwG70t1wtVyJSQyvdVapoqzHL1FeNdn0Vj3ooOkJCN4WCa0/w400-h266/181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've been wearing it constantly outside and it's perfect.<div><br /></div><div>Here's something I've never made before: mulled white wine. I've made mulled red wine many times, but never white. I'm sipping some as I type this, it's fantastic! Here is the recipe I used. The measurements are as given, and the ones in bold are my modifications. I could tell (from my experience making mulled red wine) that the amount of sugar and some spices would have been too much for my tastes. IMO, my alterations were spot on. I used an inexpensive Chardonnay. After all, this isn't about savoring the the complex nuances of a fine wine. As you can see, I altered almost every ingredient and omitted one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mulled White Wine</div><div><br /></div><div>750 ml white wine</div><div>1 cup water (<b>1/2 cup</b>)</div><div>3 Tbsp orange juice (<b>omitted, since there's orange slices included*</b>)</div><div>1/2 cup sugar (<b>1/4 cup</b>)</div><div>2 Tbsp honey</div><div>1 orange, sliced (<b>1/2 orange</b>, sliced)</div><div>1 lemon, sliced (<b>1/2 lemon</b>, sliced)</div><div>10 cloves (<b>5</b>)</div><div>4 star anise (<b>2</b>)</div><div>4 cinnamon sticks (<b>2</b>)</div><div><br /></div><div>*(eta correction 1/9/24: Since I used only 1/2 the orange as slices, I squeezed the other half into the mix.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Throw everything in a pot and slow cook it, stirring to dissolve sugar. Don't bring to a boil. I left mine on low heat for about 20 minutes. Yummy! After pouring a glass, I add about 1/2 jigger of brandy to replenish some of the evaporated alcohol. I mean, after all.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbZNmm6QblTiwxlFrk1ntwtVNo6peUxPM5syiYUptHIL3RA5PZYF6eF9VymY6N8VhuXxggiUG4cSfVYY7rh6kltkhriOqdnByIOENAsPzGdKbwMroenltHamjf-WdefZ-X2gaQSSIKonJRGufiATGfbRkKDmZmeCTWuWYe1YpDZ1Chyphenhyphen3x-vW3Yq2b_xc/s700/181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbZNmm6QblTiwxlFrk1ntwtVNo6peUxPM5syiYUptHIL3RA5PZYF6eF9VymY6N8VhuXxggiUG4cSfVYY7rh6kltkhriOqdnByIOENAsPzGdKbwMroenltHamjf-WdefZ-X2gaQSSIKonJRGufiATGfbRkKDmZmeCTWuWYe1YpDZ1Chyphenhyphen3x-vW3Yq2b_xc/w400-h266/181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I finished the drummer boy for the 12-days ornaments and have also finished the piper. I noticed the order of the gifts is not the same as the song I'm familiar with, but upon doing some investigation, found that the order of these ornaments is what they were way back in 1780 (and at other various times in history). The Wikipedia entry for this song has a <i>huge</i> table of variations on the gifts and their order. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas_(song)">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas_(song)</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZS6tlE8KqugHR0QXJA_B18WDCuHvuUJjfiayY7Wh0JPmXgg1rQlj6sA42AUdzdte2Up5ZNM1oSxteJSkRW2-C3v2vXxzlaA683_2t7FgP4HD7qnllExaN9R2cspMh5_uMefIV-lHBTlZDF54my8l7jAYf1_CVVGktFucSg6pmXfqTQlhdademEfGIow/s700/182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZS6tlE8KqugHR0QXJA_B18WDCuHvuUJjfiayY7Wh0JPmXgg1rQlj6sA42AUdzdte2Up5ZNM1oSxteJSkRW2-C3v2vXxzlaA683_2t7FgP4HD7qnllExaN9R2cspMh5_uMefIV-lHBTlZDF54my8l7jAYf1_CVVGktFucSg6pmXfqTQlhdademEfGIow/w400-h266/182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CxGbG0K-DBVd2-0Xk-vyamuzxo4GqmUiaEoFo9GwSoQSSUG8-YYguGOUkznZ9nLHZzmqymQEHGxQUp7RJl5XPZpDTZeFi6DHfi-_-Hgi1pyBlvNX8roZ5LyiovbnmxMMepneDQhJJxV41LzpGsjhNOOLCnCZzqbnEsUOmPP_Pu8o-Reeq7MQhP-a53Y/s700/181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CxGbG0K-DBVd2-0Xk-vyamuzxo4GqmUiaEoFo9GwSoQSSUG8-YYguGOUkznZ9nLHZzmqymQEHGxQUp7RJl5XPZpDTZeFi6DHfi-_-Hgi1pyBlvNX8roZ5LyiovbnmxMMepneDQhJJxV41LzpGsjhNOOLCnCZzqbnEsUOmPP_Pu8o-Reeq7MQhP-a53Y/w400-h266/181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Chistmastide is now over, but I'm thinking of extending the Christmas season up to Candlemas, February 2. It was common at the old English court to do so. Works for me. A particularly interesting bit of history: In England, men and women's labor resumed the day after Epiphany. Two names associated with the first Monday after Epiphany were Plough Day (men's work) and St. Distaff's Day (women's work) for it's when the women went back to spinning again, after the prolonged holiday festivities. Cool.<div><br /></div><div>My decorations are still up and I'm not ready to take them down yet. Maybe they won't be up until February 2, ... but maybe they will.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>This is a really lovely channel... Richard McVeigh's "Beauty In Sound". So much beautiful music. This is the live from Christmas Eve (below). He has great visuals on his videos so you can see his feet, his hands, etc. Very well done.</div><div><br /></div><div>The organ in his home is a very cool Hauptwerk set up, i.e. a virtual pipe organ. Basically, it's midi capable keyboards and pedalboard and optional physical stops that are connected to a computer via an intermediary audio/midi interface. The computer runs Hauptwerk software which takes "sample sets" from famous organs and plays those samples via the keyboard and pedalboard. Very cool indeed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ol7GCTrU9us" width="320" youtube-src-id="Ol7GCTrU9us"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmBDuNXoGSAvVTODK7rWER2n9foxmE79w4dNp2BkmtGuAyXynLHbxzTLOWg2sjmjInZjAfhD7rkyHL9I9KoN_VVnCLy0f8mNgSIXgvlRgVhTyqpOI0Pjeqvym0r-lwaStEVsVq8F3WEEpA6z4PxNiQ3feZhevGyj5ffHocbcGwAs7SxjHYCitpf2L7mk/s600/291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmBDuNXoGSAvVTODK7rWER2n9foxmE79w4dNp2BkmtGuAyXynLHbxzTLOWg2sjmjInZjAfhD7rkyHL9I9KoN_VVnCLy0f8mNgSIXgvlRgVhTyqpOI0Pjeqvym0r-lwaStEVsVq8F3WEEpA6z4PxNiQ3feZhevGyj5ffHocbcGwAs7SxjHYCitpf2L7mk/w400-h300/291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-44643601919675965982024-01-01T20:07:00.002-05:002024-01-01T20:24:15.236-05:00Happy New Year!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tr04rxymwBeB4bzpmAoNYxxhjqI7ClB2CSNiQ7cc85286SDlTFX61dNQo0FvGD5QSKoQVh7QW-lwGGk1bKS4YJiSrWxYpRsJvieE6kBDLuQaPa2TfXywBAn8cIw_yG74GLAm0zq-uoUMXQISxVkVbUAL9GO0_5jhsOJKRlrRMN7BtfIppuIqa1JKlaI/s640/344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tr04rxymwBeB4bzpmAoNYxxhjqI7ClB2CSNiQ7cc85286SDlTFX61dNQo0FvGD5QSKoQVh7QW-lwGGk1bKS4YJiSrWxYpRsJvieE6kBDLuQaPa2TfXywBAn8cIw_yG74GLAm0zq-uoUMXQISxVkVbUAL9GO0_5jhsOJKRlrRMN7BtfIppuIqa1JKlaI/w400-h268/344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, seven swans a swimming...</p><p>The swan has been on the tree since just before Christmas. On the 8th day, the gift is "maids 'a milking." I just finished her yesterday and she's now on the tree. Her construction was a little more involved than the previous 7. This appears to be the case with the remaining ornaments as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvR29d2unZYfKlkBuoYbB9pZnyEKCwgqOmKRki60oG1i3BUB4zCBR1t16Ebs6H5Dmt2C-3r8iMqgch2hCL6UrJ-gf4ARsKx5mFesvmaCtIMWtqSGlfvCAjPyNC531XSSbqB5NbO_C9CijT7Z9IoqHlGTzwErtayRgyGLj75e-QzmrX8XQa4ua1FUOqS2o/s700/12311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvR29d2unZYfKlkBuoYbB9pZnyEKCwgqOmKRki60oG1i3BUB4zCBR1t16Ebs6H5Dmt2C-3r8iMqgch2hCL6UrJ-gf4ARsKx5mFesvmaCtIMWtqSGlfvCAjPyNC531XSSbqB5NbO_C9CijT7Z9IoqHlGTzwErtayRgyGLj75e-QzmrX8XQa4ua1FUOqS2o/w400-h266/12311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I cut out the pieces for the drummers drumming this afternoon and have already embroidered the drum.</p><p>It's still Christmastide so it feels perfectly 'in season' to continue making them and hanging them. I may even continue past Twelfth Night, which is Friday, and finish them all this month. I plan to have the tree up for at least a week after Epiphany... there might be just enough time. And if there isn't, I'll either keep the tree up until I'm done, or I'll make them whenever, and pack them away till next Christmas (only 359 days away! 😉 ).</p><p>I could swear the light coming in the window this afternoon was at a different angle! Maybe it's simply that we haven't had as many sunny days lately and I'd forgotten what it looks like. But there is no denying the fact that the light is coming back, as imperceptible as it is from day to day.</p><p>The neighbors were over the other evening for a game of Scrabble. I didn't win. I figured something retro to snack on would be fun, so I made a batch of 'Nuts and Bolts' (aka 'party mix', 'Chex mix', ...). This is a very good recipe...</p><div style="text-align: left;">10 Tablespoons butter<br />2 teaspoons seasoned salt<br />1.25 teaspoons garlic powder<br />3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce<br />.75 teaspoon onion powder<br />.75 teaspoon thyme</div><p>Melt it all together and toss with 11 or 12 cups of the following in proportions that suit your taste: Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, Cheerios, skinny pretzels, salted mixed nuts. Bake at 250F for 1.5 hours, stirring every half hour. The possibilities for what you add to the mix is pretty open.</p><p>It was a big hit and everyone got addicted to it. I had beer to wash it down and everyone went home happy. In a few weeks we go to my neighbors across the street to learn Bridge. We're going to be known as the Groton Bridge Club. LOL.</p><p>Do I have any New Year resolutions? I don't usually partake of this ritual, but there are a few items I want to attend to. The first is to read Adam Smith's <i>Wealth of Nations</i>. I should have read it years ago. Oh, well, never too late. I have it on order. The second is arranging to work with a piano teacher/coach on a regular, but not weekly, basis. It helps so much to work with someone. For one thing, it takes one out of oneself and I believe that strengthens the learning experience. For another, an objective pair of ears is invaluable. I got the names of a few contacts while attending the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra's concert last month in Plymouth. The woman I was sat beside told me to contact the director of the orchestra because he's a piano teacher <i>and </i>he knows others in the area. I'll get in touch with him.</p><p>What am I hoping for 2024? Peace, who isn't. It shouldn't be so hard! The preservation of our Democracy. I shudder to think we could be on the cusp of seeing the end of this experiment. No!... Positive thoughts! ... We must persevere.</p><p>More personally, I'd love to have a more fruitful vegetable garden, but the fact that I didn't get a greenhouse up before winter means I'll be buying potted seedlings again and that's a crap shoot. I did not concentrate on veggies last year, but this year... yes. There are a myriad of projects on the list and I hope a few of them get crossed out this year.</p><p>A channel recommendation... If you love organ music and old churches, Ben Maton's channel, "The Salisbury Organist" is worth checking out. He travels to small churches in England to seek out and play their organs. Very lovely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZU-NOFYRMDQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZU-NOFYRMDQ"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLDas7m4TjtJwBbZ3l80C_YsIC6739lRh6JSAjx26crBM7a8Swo-kyJc_LmzydkA7yvH6YQhGawTEQK58RDx5HSVd7o4Ro4j1-eDlCgzYPZNvsCBL0My_I-nUd0xDrr6EpyLuAuIEoKKLw3Y-LOiw3zjmX5VfO9BiZBrTSBQE3UX4pO5pcP7m3A6_93Y/s600/12121.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLDas7m4TjtJwBbZ3l80C_YsIC6739lRh6JSAjx26crBM7a8Swo-kyJc_LmzydkA7yvH6YQhGawTEQK58RDx5HSVd7o4Ro4j1-eDlCgzYPZNvsCBL0My_I-nUd0xDrr6EpyLuAuIEoKKLw3Y-LOiw3zjmX5VfO9BiZBrTSBQE3UX4pO5pcP7m3A6_93Y/w300-h400/12121.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a few years ago... nature doodles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-68660965873196493762023-12-26T21:10:00.001-05:002023-12-26T21:10:09.993-05:00Merry Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yf1c67GZFEX5qf5eugBh5WjLJkccZfHuxl6YvWZlrnobdbhgokQ6vlJgM8vdge5xXHv8eahaRRBW8zyt-3GWQIzVrfwHsn6ykk9z4Q_axS1l29ujPR_O7NBlBsD47Eb3667ypRzHXy8wki_qrPw9Cs0Eb3m9crVsci-JmiGbiSFiQnPKEtwE0cH1fEQ/s600/12131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yf1c67GZFEX5qf5eugBh5WjLJkccZfHuxl6YvWZlrnobdbhgokQ6vlJgM8vdge5xXHv8eahaRRBW8zyt-3GWQIzVrfwHsn6ykk9z4Q_axS1l29ujPR_O7NBlBsD47Eb3667ypRzHXy8wki_qrPw9Cs0Eb3m9crVsci-JmiGbiSFiQnPKEtwE0cH1fEQ/w400-h300/12131.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Moosilauke</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> Well, I made it here... finally! A few days late.</p><p>I'm enjoying a wonderful and magical festive season, I hope you are too. But has the time flown! Where did the last three weeks go to? I must say I'm noticing the short days more this year than ever before. Is it just me, or have the days actually gotten shorter? Someone said it's probably age related. The nerve. But the time between sun up and sun down sure does go by quickly (not that I experience the first 2 or 3 hours of sunlight.)</p><p>I thought I might get my yearly Christmas Eve video finished and uploaded yesterday but by the time I got around to working on tidying it up, it was already mid evening. It's uploading now, as I write this. I started making a virtual open house on the night before Christmas when the pandemic hit. There was a possibility I would forgo making one this year, but inspiration came, and not only that but I made one recapping my whole day. It's a half hour long! Hope it's not too boring. There is a mix of live sound, music, and voice over. Since several sections were filmed when the birds were awake I had to cut much of the sound. I have tried to be sparing on voice overs. Link to it is below. Best viewed in full screen mode.</p><p>Since I didn't get my tourtière (French Canadian meat pie) made yesterday, I made it today. The filling <i>was</i> finished yesterday so all that had to be done today was make the pastry, assemble the pie, and bake it. It's a traditional dish for which there are many recipes. I make something very similar to what my mother made. So delicious!</p><p>I use a pound of ground pork, a pound of ground beef, a shredded potato, a shredded onion, lots of allspice, lots of pepper, salt, and bay leaf for the filling. It simmers a few hours on the stove top. My standard pie crust works just fine for this pie: 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup butter, 1/4 cup shortening, 1 tsp salt, 1/3 cup water.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCaUuj6SPIow30LzHVEkL7cdrdPmBdrf_qoO_ZPGrFexQ2VoqsvnU304g8cKJTQ1pfNBfHBC9IcO9zNl5dtJ_3uwjK_5OCW_B8wmkagCTLSiFLHJ2OWeLNsl4qSy7VIZwTe84zDoARZuwKmj1vu1euNM8xydMKpGYflJFUyursnhF6l5W2ZS9lqxhWsA/s700/12261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCaUuj6SPIow30LzHVEkL7cdrdPmBdrf_qoO_ZPGrFexQ2VoqsvnU304g8cKJTQ1pfNBfHBC9IcO9zNl5dtJ_3uwjK_5OCW_B8wmkagCTLSiFLHJ2OWeLNsl4qSy7VIZwTe84zDoARZuwKmj1vu1euNM8xydMKpGYflJFUyursnhF6l5W2ZS9lqxhWsA/w400-h266/12261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2DwAWcMsJdRcL-sjhE7JppMNjki0IOZb6toHZ3E2yRDVfaYGxzsxSmy0C_uONlIBkVnPBXkut_Kih-f_CbGUIx4NHK2IpUGCGkPLJuu2KwkJHmeMlEXwCmrtYYVXWmXHf5jCjs2Pjtb4SxVzEn7MW8re-HVRrMdec1upmnbC-32I0705lGUbM3Nqe8Q/s700/12262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2DwAWcMsJdRcL-sjhE7JppMNjki0IOZb6toHZ3E2yRDVfaYGxzsxSmy0C_uONlIBkVnPBXkut_Kih-f_CbGUIx4NHK2IpUGCGkPLJuu2KwkJHmeMlEXwCmrtYYVXWmXHf5jCjs2Pjtb4SxVzEn7MW8re-HVRrMdec1upmnbC-32I0705lGUbM3Nqe8Q/w400-h266/12262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Then I made some mince pies this afternoon. The mincemeat is some I canned up a few years ago. Absolutely scrumptious! There's a healthy dose of brandy in the mince.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrct9VepcAsdxGrOpi8tClvivcv2cj4cs5NtpbbWGIuRvZpErLn2jfSS8uZjhHwV-JhXm667-UryhjzNoANwOf9T52JS38_gYom1oEv3PuN1rWxSVo5yueJVSz1SwCjWSwBREQgLpD95VQc3VzyOmwChrm3hnW1XzFzsbXX7sJjAsnzdYH5z5lfqxXZMw/s700/12263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrct9VepcAsdxGrOpi8tClvivcv2cj4cs5NtpbbWGIuRvZpErLn2jfSS8uZjhHwV-JhXm667-UryhjzNoANwOf9T52JS38_gYom1oEv3PuN1rWxSVo5yueJVSz1SwCjWSwBREQgLpD95VQc3VzyOmwChrm3hnW1XzFzsbXX7sJjAsnzdYH5z5lfqxXZMw/w400-h266/12263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5DF_YYO4x4O68t4GitgcBhgVep49mP9c793I2woyeYaMykV_1cMFm-Gajd1f5G3xFfnEZcWb7wL3rSpc2AvrBnFuQGF6nEscyUSZ8e41d-C_1LGm5jdwc1XkRfUEe5D9jwHRtOVSNFOEoEOHXqDRF5v-43uZYggyQC44bEFz21oj8zJNdfs9_KRqBAE/s700/12264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5DF_YYO4x4O68t4GitgcBhgVep49mP9c793I2woyeYaMykV_1cMFm-Gajd1f5G3xFfnEZcWb7wL3rSpc2AvrBnFuQGF6nEscyUSZ8e41d-C_1LGm5jdwc1XkRfUEe5D9jwHRtOVSNFOEoEOHXqDRF5v-43uZYggyQC44bEFz21oj8zJNdfs9_KRqBAE/w400-h266/12264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>However you celebrate the holidays, I hope they are magical and beautiful for you.</p><p>Christmas Eve Open house video ... (due to low lighting it's best watched full screen) :</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N25NywWLfMQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="N25NywWLfMQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br />Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-30756993878376036862023-12-03T21:08:00.003-05:002023-12-03T21:53:17.253-05:00The twist<p> The 'twist' part of 'twistandvibrations' refers to adding twist to fibers, i.e. spinning.</p><p>My great wheel has sat upstairs--partly under my bed--for too long. Out of sight, out of mind. That's partially because one of the legs was so wonky that it would often collapse. I brought it down stairs last night and used plastic wood filler to make a repair and had it up and running this afternoon.</p><p>I want to get proficient at spinning on this wheel. To be sure, it's a joy to use, ever so quiet and smooth, and with it's minor's head (an accelerator gadget that takes the rotation of the great wheel and multiplies it by several factors) it spins f-a-s-t. It increases the ratio of the spindle to big wheel to around 230 to 1 (one rotation of the big wheel will turn the spindle 230 rotations!).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBeKStfLalfnGVaLLV9yQ_AIUJOoleq-4NOEp60rkaJ_mfWxRGsIX1lryu8dgbMNumNCVsAV0AekE-Th0WSBit635Iq-anqxVl9K5brJIpsHt29UZ0GoHnBPE78dXvwjXxa3bXCHwYTHo710Nz_kTBmS5KtmOHQXFPZ9xjHqr4yk-17wIiEIzlA36iTI/s700/1231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBeKStfLalfnGVaLLV9yQ_AIUJOoleq-4NOEp60rkaJ_mfWxRGsIX1lryu8dgbMNumNCVsAV0AekE-Th0WSBit635Iq-anqxVl9K5brJIpsHt29UZ0GoHnBPE78dXvwjXxa3bXCHwYTHo710Nz_kTBmS5KtmOHQXFPZ9xjHqr4yk-17wIiEIzlA36iTI/w400-h266/1231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoR54N2I63hwrmohi92YBC_2RUZ25hSWgikJi3zMAdU75fC-VYXqHfmmDRCQ5iRkDEhpJvhWgmP_NmYO2t7y-U1N7jx7CeMLPpa4MhHmRIymDtpwSntrZYR5fOgSJ6CMwRB95refPq8BPacbCY1J1lIpH4MIkNq8Yc9yVPwKHXVJiGZlMJlEtU8eGm3U/s700/1235.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoR54N2I63hwrmohi92YBC_2RUZ25hSWgikJi3zMAdU75fC-VYXqHfmmDRCQ5iRkDEhpJvhWgmP_NmYO2t7y-U1N7jx7CeMLPpa4MhHmRIymDtpwSntrZYR5fOgSJ6CMwRB95refPq8BPacbCY1J1lIpH4MIkNq8Yc9yVPwKHXVJiGZlMJlEtU8eGm3U/w400-h266/1235.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The minor's head.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>For this go around I'm using some multi-colored Merino top that I purchased at the NH Sheep & Wool last spring. In order to spin it 'woolen' with a long-draw technique such as this wheel requires, I'm carding it into rolags (fluffy little tubes of carded wool). The resulting yarn will likely be semi-woolen as these Merino rolags are not entirely randomized. I'm mixing this with a grey colored Shetland/Alpaca/'Bombyx (Bombyx is domestic silk) blend that is truly woolen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cAZYVnyUHNLPftzcxFNopNs2-0FOyYZc1A51y5FAdalZQG_FywsVkeKoLjDERixo2rBAnJkGqzoX2CBjE9AQ2cPbzyPeaR3FQ74q-xJ9Xh_eKGniclVhxK-dFgCU1HjdbYWsQivZvHLDSumNiVoRK576YQoE0TGOv219uQpP5TSEKmPUnMxDGQmABow/s700/1233.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cAZYVnyUHNLPftzcxFNopNs2-0FOyYZc1A51y5FAdalZQG_FywsVkeKoLjDERixo2rBAnJkGqzoX2CBjE9AQ2cPbzyPeaR3FQ74q-xJ9Xh_eKGniclVhxK-dFgCU1HjdbYWsQivZvHLDSumNiVoRK576YQoE0TGOv219uQpP5TSEKmPUnMxDGQmABow/w400-h266/1233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqMWhjBPugeKzSWHNDkblO4LDvV9fv_KU888LWojzQsrz5v8TMDToEKPZFFIqwhzvvBxbulsBWgptBM_UsR5V8QSHvAINvCXO-wiwSoJLV9HXr62KeOT4Qja_CiU69LIe1Y6daQJHOQAMcIS6dd2wq53rYp1qGHu2kN_dwB19qLI-lq5bvaE4Ud8z_58/s700/1232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqMWhjBPugeKzSWHNDkblO4LDvV9fv_KU888LWojzQsrz5v8TMDToEKPZFFIqwhzvvBxbulsBWgptBM_UsR5V8QSHvAINvCXO-wiwSoJLV9HXr62KeOT4Qja_CiU69LIe1Y6daQJHOQAMcIS6dd2wq53rYp1qGHu2kN_dwB19qLI-lq5bvaE4Ud8z_58/w400-h266/1232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhegzos_tTBvPMxT2hj6VTjSYPX6x66fOg-xU7oYpGjCIN0uTOtdOgecThoIGeHARt-LVlzIzdF7kkXPug5ar4K5_gCdZVZvLKtNWYZKNgHzpDEnDFRvhp-Yg7fOdk3agT0SuQfWXTAvJKSwCoUwI4j1DqpEdqddYr2gDFb53ZgpaDnE9x7voxF74UY30/s700/1234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhegzos_tTBvPMxT2hj6VTjSYPX6x66fOg-xU7oYpGjCIN0uTOtdOgecThoIGeHARt-LVlzIzdF7kkXPug5ar4K5_gCdZVZvLKtNWYZKNgHzpDEnDFRvhp-Yg7fOdk3agT0SuQfWXTAvJKSwCoUwI4j1DqpEdqddYr2gDFb53ZgpaDnE9x7voxF74UY30/w400-h266/1234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>There are primarily two types of yarn: Woolen and Worsted. In woolen yarn, the individual fibers are all mixed up going every which way. It is lofty and very warm. In Worsted yarn, the fibers are combed so that they are all parallel to one another. When spun, it is very strong and warm (not as warm as woolen, though).</p><p>Before carding the Merino, I'm separating it into solid color blocks. I will spin a colored rolag followed by a grey and alternate throughout. I'm hoping the resulting yarn will knit up into a cool looking speckled fabric. I want to knit a cardigan.</p><p>I don't name my tools. I know a lot of people who name their sewing machines and spinning wheels and pianos, but not me. But sometimes I think this wheel should have a name. She's got a personality. She <i>will</i> throw her drive band now and again. It's a bit of a jolt when everything's been going smoothly, and it seems I might be getting better at it. Whop! Off it flies. I think it's due to the minor's head not sitting tightly enough on it's peg. I need to research how to prevent it from loosening and twisting because that throws the alignment out between the big wheel and the head.</p><p><br /></p><p>The 'vibrations' part of 'twistandvibrations' refers to music, of course.</p><p>I took a break from the cello, I really needed it. I spent the summer focusing intently on some new piano music. This morning I sat down with the cello for the first time in several months. I've really missed it. Playing cello is like having another voice. I was afraid I might have lost some technique but much to my delight that is not the case, not much anyway. I guess it's like riding a bicycle. To be sure, the finger pads on my left hand need to redevelop some calluses. But that won't take long.</p><p>I feel I have started a new chapter on the piano. I'm working on pieces that once seemed far off, and I'm so, so happy about it. Last fall I learned Debussy's "Reflets dans l'eau". I want to make a video of it one of these days. This summer I started learning Ravel's "Une Barque sur l'océan", from 'Miroirs'. I can now get through the whole piece, meaning I can read all the notes. Quite a way to go before it's finished. Funny things about this music, it looks daunting, but it turns out looks can be deceiving. Some of what <i>sounds</i> hardest is easiest to play! Some of what <i>looks</i> hardest is easiest to play! Case in point is a chord written: B#, E, Fx, B# (B sharp, E natural, F double-sharp, B sharp). When the mind sees the pattern those notes make on the page, along with the 4 accidentals, well, my mind just stops and wonders what the... Turns out this chord can be written a different way (if the key were different): C, E, G, C!! It's simply a c major chord. LOL. So, the looks of the music can be off-putting or discouraging but I'm learning to not let those things get in the way.</p><p>There is, though, one real toughy page and it's tough because of the harmonies. Very unfamiliar with some dischord. In my book, it's the fourth page. But it's coming along, slow methodical, repeated work on it. I hope to have this ready to play next spring.</p><p>I also read through Ravel's 'Jeux d'eau' a few weeks ago. I've looked at it before. Not easy, but more within reach now than before. I hope it will come together after I'm done with 'Une bateau...' And after that I want to tackle Debussy's 'L'isle joyeuse'.</p><p>All this music is so beautiful and blissful.</p><p>We had some snow fall this afternoon . . .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8pMum8wUJK8cvLmtNa4v-BDHEFIMJcuWxGf0jYWuiRSKKHaQlvlhzibLc-uSgsKFbLyHUJ5QS5KlIlhWTS0nC4H5G_6j2_0H7aUG_HZ4qaFPPCBA99G4i_XMCwHYieuwpx5DA6Qnuy2ADC3UALc1fHGcVawnLmLAF-ayZSGpyHt84Jake-q2c54aNAg/s700/123.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8pMum8wUJK8cvLmtNa4v-BDHEFIMJcuWxGf0jYWuiRSKKHaQlvlhzibLc-uSgsKFbLyHUJ5QS5KlIlhWTS0nC4H5G_6j2_0H7aUG_HZ4qaFPPCBA99G4i_XMCwHYieuwpx5DA6Qnuy2ADC3UALc1fHGcVawnLmLAF-ayZSGpyHt84Jake-q2c54aNAg/w400-h266/123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKNpjuE0cJymGmfMjrvYaLVgWFpgf-DZ4EaLlxRyHapvqZ5iAMnS9-0FMYmoItR8QG-MMkbpAeC8Iqh1icV7XRNoGZkOnqu8GWKExFAT5MEjzSvC-JLwhFTFY1LYD5bqCARLOOvDA4qC4IMAxLpoBYpvIXOeTUmO70OYmNcWWSkWtm0bMMfWQ1SwS3Bg/s700/1232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKNpjuE0cJymGmfMjrvYaLVgWFpgf-DZ4EaLlxRyHapvqZ5iAMnS9-0FMYmoItR8QG-MMkbpAeC8Iqh1icV7XRNoGZkOnqu8GWKExFAT5MEjzSvC-JLwhFTFY1LYD5bqCARLOOvDA4qC4IMAxLpoBYpvIXOeTUmO70OYmNcWWSkWtm0bMMfWQ1SwS3Bg/w266-h400/1232.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-7508337166867163472023-11-20T20:13:00.000-05:002023-11-20T20:13:52.624-05:00A New Door<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY3wB9RH6WvCd8drd9FbVRb19hmEM5cXhqxMLS1qSwrpbvZuez6lrg03JgUPvfza5jUr8-pma7YjjYqIiESjher_xn75rXKiJ5TYf1uaY1_mzKSYAm5xnw8Cu21oxiLUFhSyjSrBxIJ-6PsLshVb8A5VMNPomlnmFVUaOZd_3txxL4g0mQnKBAoXupEw/s562/10306.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY3wB9RH6WvCd8drd9FbVRb19hmEM5cXhqxMLS1qSwrpbvZuez6lrg03JgUPvfza5jUr8-pma7YjjYqIiESjher_xn75rXKiJ5TYf1uaY1_mzKSYAm5xnw8Cu21oxiLUFhSyjSrBxIJ-6PsLshVb8A5VMNPomlnmFVUaOZd_3txxL4g0mQnKBAoXupEw/s400/10306.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>First snow on October 30, 2020</i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
We are predicted to get our first substantial snow fall of the season tomorrow evening, 4"- 8". I planted my tulips bulbs today and set a rose back in the ground in a new location. The rose was dug up a few weeks ago and it sat covered until I finally got to it. Tomorrow I will need to get the deck cleared and all outdoor living furniture under cover.<div><br /></div><div>I made a terrible mistake with last spring's tulips which I dug up some weeks back. After they'd sat in the sun to dry the earth that still clung to them, I put them in a bucket and forgot about them. Sadly, I discovered this afternoon that fungus had set in and most were softening and spoiling. Oh dear. Lesson learned. I salvaged some of them but most had to be tossed upon the compost pile. Luckily, I had 24 new tulip bulbs that were ordered this summer and they went in. Looking forward to some 'Apricot Beauty' and WFF Perennial Pink next spring.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the very generous help of my neighbor, there is now a new door leading to the back yard from the entry room. Yay! I'm very glad it happened. I did most of the demolition myself and was feeling confident that I'd be able to get the new door in myself, but upon hearing my drill and saws, my neighbor came over and went right to work. Most, most thankful. He built the stairs for me and all I need to do now is frame the door on the outside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, what a convenience! I used the new route this evening to bring in wood for the evening and it was a true luxury to be so close to the door. There's a wood bin in the entry room that I can fill which saves me from having to go outside if I'd rather not venture into the cold. I have to say, though, many is the evening when I look forward to going out to the wood pile at 11pm, or so, just to take in the beauty of moonlit nature. It's magical.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VX7Y-1i-LwmaNWztGvNAp_5KINfrGi6PqVCDts0EqwsyH_ZwXitYEjjsFXHGqOSuP5Fx-Mw7RUdpiXdVm891kS7UHoPgJfasrytfxZgk5LO6u2BOfN1THlYsGNGaCWGt3YjoZQ5uoCnUwVlbxTkw9R5hV3l7JuTDRdi91l7PfhrKZJGs2o3frkejmjo/s700/11203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VX7Y-1i-LwmaNWztGvNAp_5KINfrGi6PqVCDts0EqwsyH_ZwXitYEjjsFXHGqOSuP5Fx-Mw7RUdpiXdVm891kS7UHoPgJfasrytfxZgk5LO6u2BOfN1THlYsGNGaCWGt3YjoZQ5uoCnUwVlbxTkw9R5hV3l7JuTDRdi91l7PfhrKZJGs2o3frkejmjo/w266-h400/11203.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq6Ntl1Flm_O80oiJzInVbh4yeGK-e7Y5HEzLRHSLmD8jPYfq52PRucZMPWiaC6Mt3rhu5YV9oyWJdJxx7mm0qRNbVYeDa6_muuavLHCaGmwbaingF_WqqM_faFwmnJuoG2xFqrdj05gwyHG-CAjBdmvjiKnxkSPpOfABwgIPPzeq3bGxgxiEbKWrF2A/s700/11201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq6Ntl1Flm_O80oiJzInVbh4yeGK-e7Y5HEzLRHSLmD8jPYfq52PRucZMPWiaC6Mt3rhu5YV9oyWJdJxx7mm0qRNbVYeDa6_muuavLHCaGmwbaingF_WqqM_faFwmnJuoG2xFqrdj05gwyHG-CAjBdmvjiKnxkSPpOfABwgIPPzeq3bGxgxiEbKWrF2A/w266-h400/11201.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div>There wasn't much sewing this week. I finished the golden ring, and cut out the pieces for the 'geese-a-laying' and that's it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Bmfnl75rzzux510KIVZSVzhh-bWgP4MRaFvpr7RGfFZtv4rEAa_X_fNj_KNsFc-1c-DDnTKlgJZqpvd4a3utOYL26aIdnWMR7JS61vomWJ2JHA6PVYD53grg9r9U67zMTvr3UDd24ATqb_skGVMGU7WIlN4KoLxbS66MsVl4muTywd5u8jAwk_iuoEk/s700/11201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Bmfnl75rzzux510KIVZSVzhh-bWgP4MRaFvpr7RGfFZtv4rEAa_X_fNj_KNsFc-1c-DDnTKlgJZqpvd4a3utOYL26aIdnWMR7JS61vomWJ2JHA6PVYD53grg9r9U67zMTvr3UDd24ATqb_skGVMGU7WIlN4KoLxbS66MsVl4muTywd5u8jAwk_iuoEk/w400-h266/11201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4Pn5w48sGsTWKp5nVcdUx1fTu4708aHKi6Sy68hAF_NTExdnQ6lAzaHPrJ9-yN4Ga2_sys8w_ptwiVX5g9ywTasYW1GG9as-ZNDW2m6ueFhzovnx8rJBLM2-VTnyTpGAHGxtRcf1g1JegOzfnbSTGh6U_9iS7zP0rXyFb8EXWYgXWJHGkhzWT3829GU/s700/11202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4Pn5w48sGsTWKp5nVcdUx1fTu4708aHKi6Sy68hAF_NTExdnQ6lAzaHPrJ9-yN4Ga2_sys8w_ptwiVX5g9ywTasYW1GG9as-ZNDW2m6ueFhzovnx8rJBLM2-VTnyTpGAHGxtRcf1g1JegOzfnbSTGh6U_9iS7zP0rXyFb8EXWYgXWJHGkhzWT3829GU/w400-h266/11202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></i></b></div></b><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAMo-9jpOSGvm3St7IOYRPWpxXIrelgesbaRHXii_FWyp5mFZj-QuhGaaIiNPRkT06LxWQw9q6GwwGd_3_s-_62-1utDSiXcSCVFW6WfSkrX82BDWtRA5KotDQ7XI7k7GeNd34SlBPBQt9cejJPP2wNupaywkz30PP6j-XWx4fqfBNn6Bn_v_QVBW1cc/s722/282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="722" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAMo-9jpOSGvm3St7IOYRPWpxXIrelgesbaRHXii_FWyp5mFZj-QuhGaaIiNPRkT06LxWQw9q6GwwGd_3_s-_62-1utDSiXcSCVFW6WfSkrX82BDWtRA5KotDQ7XI7k7GeNd34SlBPBQt9cejJPP2wNupaywkz30PP6j-XWx4fqfBNn6Bn_v_QVBW1cc/w400-h300/282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-78869061670945845952023-11-14T19:12:00.005-05:002023-11-14T19:22:17.870-05:00More construction<p> <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uTWZAyRzu9rgk7JpDli1os5skBG5lEqC9Jtlm3yTWCpscKnnRTr_ef0UeXBmtiJee07a9ygSgR0j6ljpLYIUWAoZVYxUC6Jje0136S1WR43Pp9QaW7xPAq3Ts3JGT1SJFO4aD9iDxzW8Ho_5khniPUnbBCTWhmePmO3PqgTmuWNPgI1ozgy_4D8mxAc/s700/11141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uTWZAyRzu9rgk7JpDli1os5skBG5lEqC9Jtlm3yTWCpscKnnRTr_ef0UeXBmtiJee07a9ygSgR0j6ljpLYIUWAoZVYxUC6Jje0136S1WR43Pp9QaW7xPAq3Ts3JGT1SJFO4aD9iDxzW8Ho_5khniPUnbBCTWhmePmO3PqgTmuWNPgI1ozgy_4D8mxAc/s320/11141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pudding cake just come out the oven... yum!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Recipe for the pudding cake: <a href="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/gooey-chocolate-pudding-cake/">Chocolate Pudding Cake</a><br /></p><p>The latest construction project, which I'm attempting on my own, is replacing a window in the entry/shed room with a door. As you can see from this picture, I've already removed the window and just beyond is the end of the wood shed. Putting a door here will allow me to exit the kitchen, turn sharp left and out the door for quick access to the wood. That will save me from having to clear a path through the snow all the way around the shed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkr41ixdhafKyEPy27grObGsjmIrmEMOr_Ebx4EauWhGVw9bP1iiq94yIvRE2EhkKBgv6Rc3pTp8FVL3tGOeC6LpvWOw5G8cbYjmaKR3CheX-ZqCgWFlvW3Fe6JzlfCQgQ2DFIS0eaJ6HQXk2IELQj1oXDJSajU2cPICdeU9H8bAenW3drW_SNUJ65yo/s700/11141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkr41ixdhafKyEPy27grObGsjmIrmEMOr_Ebx4EauWhGVw9bP1iiq94yIvRE2EhkKBgv6Rc3pTp8FVL3tGOeC6LpvWOw5G8cbYjmaKR3CheX-ZqCgWFlvW3Fe6JzlfCQgQ2DFIS0eaJ6HQXk2IELQj1oXDJSajU2cPICdeU9H8bAenW3drW_SNUJ65yo/s320/11141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I found a pre-hung door at the local Habitat for Humanity for just $100 (edge of it is visible on left of picture). Today I took measurements and decided what I need to do next. My neighbor has offered to help if I need it... thankful for good neighbors. I hope to have this done by end of week and then I'll have to do something about stairs outside. May opt for a temporary solution this winter and deal with the stairs in the spring.</p><p>I made three potpourri with the materials I gathered from the garden. All experimental, so I did not make great quantities. I used powdered orris root as a fixative. A scant tablespoon for each, to which I added drops of essential oils to create the scents. This was mixed with the dried material and is now in air tight containers under the desk in the dining room to 'cure' until Christmas time. The following one will likely be my favorite. It's scented with balsam and Christmassy aromas. The tiny pine cones are not from my garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt-U03lg6jgKZbiLKD29JZAugu0hKxjIgjbb58RBI2spGhjtEzeVWJBc5J-SAwYT57ONNjYluHzeLZS11nHRYxzxADgNfKdxq7OqHykhUGzqW4Zq0pg4wtAmfqDl_s5CdGE_IWo3tD3jkZap2lmePCcWQiEeXokKRKfneD0u6oPg3C6WK4YdDkhvkT8A/s700/11141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt-U03lg6jgKZbiLKD29JZAugu0hKxjIgjbb58RBI2spGhjtEzeVWJBc5J-SAwYT57ONNjYluHzeLZS11nHRYxzxADgNfKdxq7OqHykhUGzqW4Zq0pg4wtAmfqDl_s5CdGE_IWo3tD3jkZap2lmePCcWQiEeXokKRKfneD0u6oPg3C6WK4YdDkhvkT8A/s320/11141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This one is quite appropriately scented with Arabian rose oil. I purchased the vial of oil many, many years ago in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. A deep, sensuous scent. Some of these petals may have come from bouquets that I allowed to dry out. The purplish flowers are fuchsias and the small yellow ones are 'Tête-à-tête' daffodils.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hA5bJ1U-mEWWpOy6AC8tAiA3S_BwBbhxZwafOCACfoIXI8Hea9pPuKDJJLQ-02J6dFRfzm9Gm9EfHpNBX_tlB6SzQV4PqEC88mpuqDcC1KUnhxmNTnexFt2Q-L_Z9Vk27qXZRbb0-AWMY1C3Mcck_uaUY-VjxJZdI9_M1QMtHJg0XurjL8FJAdWu_iY/s700/11143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hA5bJ1U-mEWWpOy6AC8tAiA3S_BwBbhxZwafOCACfoIXI8Hea9pPuKDJJLQ-02J6dFRfzm9Gm9EfHpNBX_tlB6SzQV4PqEC88mpuqDcC1KUnhxmNTnexFt2Q-L_Z9Vk27qXZRbb0-AWMY1C3Mcck_uaUY-VjxJZdI9_M1QMtHJg0XurjL8FJAdWu_iY/s320/11143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally, the last one is scented with a mixture of 4 oils to create a light, flowery aroma. I need to work on the formula a bit. When I get it down, I'll post my recipe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBILG2M95HCYH9grZZFfbqFPc0bFWeZMAPZgpV4GSy7j2lq6eLh2GdtcZtcjTkR3sxgLn63dUUWSgpAX1kzBC0obenY6ZhHtlGYx573TC3ubWsEDh-x7_vJtZCHbOjCYAJ3csVjZvSTLZ6y8PKYZ9ifOaYsxa3b4wqTO0KOD5IsMAlFHTUdLvtjTgzcQ/s700/11142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBILG2M95HCYH9grZZFfbqFPc0bFWeZMAPZgpV4GSy7j2lq6eLh2GdtcZtcjTkR3sxgLn63dUUWSgpAX1kzBC0obenY6ZhHtlGYx573TC3ubWsEDh-x7_vJtZCHbOjCYAJ3csVjZvSTLZ6y8PKYZ9ifOaYsxa3b4wqTO0KOD5IsMAlFHTUdLvtjTgzcQ/s320/11142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The last of the Beatrix Potter characters is done! Tom Kitten is the eighth and final pattern in the set I purchased. I need to find a small straw hat for him. In the meantime I've used a small round straw 'cap' that I had in a set of doll house accessories. I do have a pattern for Peter Rabbit and will make him too, but first I want to get on finishing the Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments I started last year: I had made days 1 through 4.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JaXN0_nPfXWfl76H3Sfss6b3iMXzWCuDpyy3jk6g75ODVr9czynfMRZnidKrrcV_iIzMJ_CvLJBoLnf0S84CUS-QV9v8lDRK8TYk3iw86c-9SfSSAdCIGgLNQ_3kTZ9nuZ-N7gtBxbwyp0r64j-OzOTPIjMxY0U3JJ9GGaNTGHPap-61g9xsWl6HmrI/s700/11141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JaXN0_nPfXWfl76H3Sfss6b3iMXzWCuDpyy3jk6g75ODVr9czynfMRZnidKrrcV_iIzMJ_CvLJBoLnf0S84CUS-QV9v8lDRK8TYk3iw86c-9SfSSAdCIGgLNQ_3kTZ9nuZ-N7gtBxbwyp0r64j-OzOTPIjMxY0U3JJ9GGaNTGHPap-61g9xsWl6HmrI/s320/11141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>All eight characters are done and boxed until the tree is put up in December.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRB_6W1ijW142r8aK7EkiLPZ__1tcm_TnG-lGPaGWgyq6GyI-yRWzDxReUudcXMvwLzDqxo9ry5YDzai6E_TLibVvPw9si81lF_dfCPLFCZAQi2x-x1nZq4yHCzKRs91iqGE8ee-8-GoPav7SoK4qzetNNV6xsf8Ot5LU9TlQU_bhTOz5s-On1ZVwE5I/s700/11143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRB_6W1ijW142r8aK7EkiLPZ__1tcm_TnG-lGPaGWgyq6GyI-yRWzDxReUudcXMvwLzDqxo9ry5YDzai6E_TLibVvPw9si81lF_dfCPLFCZAQi2x-x1nZq4yHCzKRs91iqGE8ee-8-GoPav7SoK4qzetNNV6xsf8Ot5LU9TlQU_bhTOz5s-On1ZVwE5I/s320/11143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>At work on day 5 of the 12 days, a golden ring:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6Kmjcwiu-o_k8dWBDClQ0o-j94mgnyKrePkQnDVe5BRXbICc-EZTshxg2pi6daAVAfnQAwDhxUKm9Ky40hDdmEv5iYYJnEtf5LpFHZRS7FHiMbJXYD1na0MIQ72waYHA5Fibz2GYIqA2kW9G5-c2Nt75VtCGgrNX0cG_tpHwMqxRTvmEO3dV7xDo2FU/s700/11142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6Kmjcwiu-o_k8dWBDClQ0o-j94mgnyKrePkQnDVe5BRXbICc-EZTshxg2pi6daAVAfnQAwDhxUKm9Ky40hDdmEv5iYYJnEtf5LpFHZRS7FHiMbJXYD1na0MIQ72waYHA5Fibz2GYIqA2kW9G5-c2Nt75VtCGgrNX0cG_tpHwMqxRTvmEO3dV7xDo2FU/s320/11142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I need to get in the garden this week and plant my tulip bulbs! Luckily, it's warming up and will be comfortable for the task by end of week.</p><p>I think I'll do a post soon about the music I'm working on.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-8517635372078758412023-11-02T20:05:00.001-04:002023-11-02T20:25:01.420-04:00Pantry is done<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWfbLoDvJa_aIsH24DFjmEQXZMa09TmTiXyumF4I3avbgnWFY2NgTdzrwIoIaHkzxLK_ZgG7XCFh1HE6cKbDB9DkOULkyuNzjJdAZ8cQEvo_moElq6-gIwe_RvqTEXFyZAtBxHynhAyiGkAf-JEwWX0pHMRGgqRl7ho90LjBuETck5fgvE_1SWZK3gts/s700/103023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWfbLoDvJa_aIsH24DFjmEQXZMa09TmTiXyumF4I3avbgnWFY2NgTdzrwIoIaHkzxLK_ZgG7XCFh1HE6cKbDB9DkOULkyuNzjJdAZ8cQEvo_moElq6-gIwe_RvqTEXFyZAtBxHynhAyiGkAf-JEwWX0pHMRGgqRl7ho90LjBuETck5fgvE_1SWZK3gts/s320/103023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The first fire of the season. Lit it three nights ago and it was allowed to go out during the following day. I re-lit it the following night and last night as well, but today I continued to stoke it as it was only in the 30s most of the day. There is nothing like radiant heat; so enveloping and soothing. It makes me happy.<p></p><p>The Tailor of Gloucester is almost finished. I just need to secure his glasses and attach a small bell or bead to his tail!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SVOC12gyu2K3E08_CEEo4RUdzKfdVE3tm0Mb3g6voyW1BobZXQT8qNN_DxZ1zVfrR-F0wi4NpWrmVZ_2wuFzYZU9aY7u5dgYfQAxxhUGSIEnPs1kBrNcLPNeRpobhpzoj3kal9fDVtQ2a20BB3Ru_GDO3cjRlz7SwuHanLhpotmRBIOz96vYcXB7gc0/s700/1121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SVOC12gyu2K3E08_CEEo4RUdzKfdVE3tm0Mb3g6voyW1BobZXQT8qNN_DxZ1zVfrR-F0wi4NpWrmVZ_2wuFzYZU9aY7u5dgYfQAxxhUGSIEnPs1kBrNcLPNeRpobhpzoj3kal9fDVtQ2a20BB3Ru_GDO3cjRlz7SwuHanLhpotmRBIOz96vYcXB7gc0/s320/1121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Only one character remains: Tom Kitten.</p><p>The pantry is done! Almost... I want to get some shelf paper for the shelves. I have some very pretty vintage paper but I'd rather preserve it than use it. My neighbor suggested photocopying it and using the copies. I may do that if they can copy it down at the UPS store. What I have is one long strip. I have a printer, and I could scan a portion and repeat it, but home printer ink has become prohibitively expensive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2weon2_z-dhpFpJTgRmHBLdIPvd79xkH3f1pcCgjjG1jIcXlS8cEq-fwLTlTG1RJoud_YPpmYuYOwwXcGDgCdLLnC62PIhyEStaGGN0Z1UoWXM-p-72L5G87dlvew58zEUsDr16lPnCzXrQqZq6NrdOwv9qTPMR5ot65JwklbFckEQWuMtYjka0XsKTk/s700/1121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2weon2_z-dhpFpJTgRmHBLdIPvd79xkH3f1pcCgjjG1jIcXlS8cEq-fwLTlTG1RJoud_YPpmYuYOwwXcGDgCdLLnC62PIhyEStaGGN0Z1UoWXM-p-72L5G87dlvew58zEUsDr16lPnCzXrQqZq6NrdOwv9qTPMR5ot65JwklbFckEQWuMtYjka0XsKTk/s320/1121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm also going to paint a little decorative border along the partition that separates the broom closet from the pantry. As you can see in the picture below, I took some space on the right side of the original pantry to make a broom closet as I did not have one. The pantry shelves are now narrower, but since I put five of them on euro glides I was able to place them closer to each other. Originally, there were five shelves, now there are seven with room to grow on the bottom. I'm quite pleased with how my DIY turned out. The gliders were a challenge, especially since the walls aren't entirely straight. I put a motion sensitive light on the ceiling within to help illuminate what was once a very dark space.<div><br /></div><div>The partition between pantry and broom cupboard was constructed with wood that was removed from the living room this summer; the shelves are the original ones that I cut to size and supplemented with a few pieces left over from past projects; the paint was also leftovers from a previous project. The only things I purchased for this make-over were the euro glides and some construction screws.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9Px7QlyGOB1-OhMG3u13h5nn69xVSIBdcS27yguAs1bCbf4ihHkB2j5-YWe4xS2Pi7KorvmsTAnPCgX_SR2Q8TZt7Gl4DauD015myH0ghv11nso8RDQ79ekMPKhq0SfMDS0JQTvitTLzAHoUbEzR_K2wVbeZ9DLyTKyCeNdu8aNDGmqbr7q8OFu8a8w/s700/1121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9Px7QlyGOB1-OhMG3u13h5nn69xVSIBdcS27yguAs1bCbf4ihHkB2j5-YWe4xS2Pi7KorvmsTAnPCgX_SR2Q8TZt7Gl4DauD015myH0ghv11nso8RDQ79ekMPKhq0SfMDS0JQTvitTLzAHoUbEzR_K2wVbeZ9DLyTKyCeNdu8aNDGmqbr7q8OFu8a8w/s320/1121.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhus1B3dr5xuH-lSiERuyxCY0-Vqoq0AVI-oFffQlsgwr_LRUL49Dgad6SG7Cn8E9YWUVW_wwmznWUhScvH5Ro4HwxdQKVdT-smWg2D5S5LKNvbepWElmeZMzQTWSR8CHsDeZ7fYR84prGk-pilpjp_Pt4EhPVu_h5tGge3Ef8WSrDMzXbPyRoyfONe9i8/s700/1122.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhus1B3dr5xuH-lSiERuyxCY0-Vqoq0AVI-oFffQlsgwr_LRUL49Dgad6SG7Cn8E9YWUVW_wwmznWUhScvH5Ro4HwxdQKVdT-smWg2D5S5LKNvbepWElmeZMzQTWSR8CHsDeZ7fYR84prGk-pilpjp_Pt4EhPVu_h5tGge3Ef8WSrDMzXbPyRoyfONe9i8/s320/1122.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p>Happy November!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KQzrqGk0qQ9KYvUewGY18olBUxS7w2UTiG6z0zcSBG5ZjArs8ge10bVr9CNrxJ1C277AhAsz7TO5maqFD4IvYJ6GJQtUVmrxLMYmAHGBpZes_FNn96t3w9kLtDF2GfrLkuAVFfyKJnmbPH5YYFuMTTmigUd-7_1kCUKSzh5A5kR2j4LJ63NPTAFNxvw/s600/10221.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KQzrqGk0qQ9KYvUewGY18olBUxS7w2UTiG6z0zcSBG5ZjArs8ge10bVr9CNrxJ1C277AhAsz7TO5maqFD4IvYJ6GJQtUVmrxLMYmAHGBpZes_FNn96t3w9kLtDF2GfrLkuAVFfyKJnmbPH5YYFuMTTmigUd-7_1kCUKSzh5A5kR2j4LJ63NPTAFNxvw/s320/10221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-58229612822563397382023-10-26T20:16:00.003-04:002023-10-26T21:41:33.055-04:00New slippers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteySb0WIekVCzNKXWpYQX1juaQFCoLic0AJX_Ju1ZZCCluNoHgUB4tk1imBcV5p_fsBrswHCQywieKol_fTYPv-r78Ei9Mk6udx0JJTRvQ2FJ60BTNFqa9s-y9QvJlpr2fQ9J2mWfojmFS00b1QMDknOIjGoozL9tVCWWuCT6s9NxcoaUq8mcvCMluzc/s700/10242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteySb0WIekVCzNKXWpYQX1juaQFCoLic0AJX_Ju1ZZCCluNoHgUB4tk1imBcV5p_fsBrswHCQywieKol_fTYPv-r78Ei9Mk6udx0JJTRvQ2FJ60BTNFqa9s-y9QvJlpr2fQ9J2mWfojmFS00b1QMDknOIjGoozL9tVCWWuCT6s9NxcoaUq8mcvCMluzc/s320/10242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> Continuing with all the fall chores this week. Most of the 2 cords of wood that sat across the yard all year has been moved to the shelter; there's about one wagon load left and that will get moved tomorrow. There's almost 3 cords in the shelter now with another 2.5 cords left to bring in. Two of those were delivered just a few weeks ago and will probably not be needed this year.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvvIbKx0BUkZXzWmYYmwj9PYLQh2ut9zCKlb3fXsIWkHtEqyAG8EWFcspaH3O4chE-BqU5I1CdHH2EOyrV7NaM_6yA9ww20_rGfXDAxigYO1NS4XHqu2HNnppnsQQvfO6dpXyVkROALDjM7LfRW__e5ZOA8OURp5CSuu8uwS9Xp86A5coPtkiGz4NHwc/s700/10244.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvvIbKx0BUkZXzWmYYmwj9PYLQh2ut9zCKlb3fXsIWkHtEqyAG8EWFcspaH3O4chE-BqU5I1CdHH2EOyrV7NaM_6yA9ww20_rGfXDAxigYO1NS4XHqu2HNnppnsQQvfO6dpXyVkROALDjM7LfRW__e5ZOA8OURp5CSuu8uwS9Xp86A5coPtkiGz4NHwc/s320/10244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the 2 cords that were here are now in the shelter. A small pile of kindling in lower right corner of picture will also get moved.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUlrRH6GgoqPxCnDKv7FWNYLb2a6ORC0wZh_BG5_Gr2s9B88M49kTWIsOWyXv8A66jEwi8Fyw_V7dsoxxbllMgCmcWCP9b6h52WfEmLUkcn1W1nY3xAUnPZzdGdxFBFC8UMNGhWQ7NSj8re7nIX7X3ameVe41kYHEKQh-oNE0FoYKUgo9hIduQt_RpcQ/s700/10245.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUlrRH6GgoqPxCnDKv7FWNYLb2a6ORC0wZh_BG5_Gr2s9B88M49kTWIsOWyXv8A66jEwi8Fyw_V7dsoxxbllMgCmcWCP9b6h52WfEmLUkcn1W1nY3xAUnPZzdGdxFBFC8UMNGhWQ7NSj8re7nIX7X3ameVe41kYHEKQh-oNE0FoYKUgo9hIduQt_RpcQ/s320/10245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How different the yard looks at this time of year!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The bottom right corner of that picture is where my round wood stacks were stored the past few years. Now that they are cleared, I plan to build new flower beds in this area next spring. How different the yard looks at this time of year!<br /><p>Another chore that needs doing this fall is tending to this sad sight:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDZz7riAgHEwvmo5xskHG8A_ZzF-fmtsrDfp26p7Cg6U4kYKODqo54yhxol4VEkyry-YbEx6g2BGmotviml6iBNryF98FVD1Rw2xe-ktRytYBkGcGsDBRMRmjMxpI92_z9gDYMELHSLi6f2NPwgPzG_FGVrT1vOeLUbyCS3hIkDMuAQOHEG1BB209eGI/s700/10243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDZz7riAgHEwvmo5xskHG8A_ZzF-fmtsrDfp26p7Cg6U4kYKODqo54yhxol4VEkyry-YbEx6g2BGmotviml6iBNryF98FVD1Rw2xe-ktRytYBkGcGsDBRMRmjMxpI92_z9gDYMELHSLi6f2NPwgPzG_FGVrT1vOeLUbyCS3hIkDMuAQOHEG1BB209eGI/s320/10243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>That's my Dutchman's Pipe vine. It was planted about the second year I lived here, so it's now about 8 years old. It took several years to grow into much of anything but has obviously outgrown the rose pillar I used to support it. It fell over last month! There is no way to remove the vine from the pillar, it is completely intertwined with the supports. I finally had an idea for fixing it a few weeks ago. I'm planning to use three substantial tree limbs, taller than the pillar, to fashion a teepee around the pillar. Then I'll tie the top of the pillar to the top of the teepee. That will hopefully keep the pillar from falling and give the vine more room to spread. That's the plan!<div><br /></div><div>This week saw a pause in the Beatrix Potter ornaments construction. The weather at the beginning of the week was quite cool and I needed new slippers for the winter. So I took a few days to knit up a new pair. They are knitted with rug wool that I've had in my stash for a number of years. Very heavy, rugged, and warm! Toasty warm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlYrIU3FI51dHqWBY7d2Hzavb9PvnNlhe4InxDJcWAuFYSQ37aLxa8Vbe8hUZMKeSR4BSmuASMnd5n9N6ag5pZd5tzkTE7geHM9DQySo7lM-DobznfvPa0x0cbYx1xfw5olDZvEJlDt44aQpruQxyMuGSSgQCNPMRYszTZMAiL66uA5vGlk3vKP82h00/s700/10261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlYrIU3FI51dHqWBY7d2Hzavb9PvnNlhe4InxDJcWAuFYSQ37aLxa8Vbe8hUZMKeSR4BSmuASMnd5n9N6ag5pZd5tzkTE7geHM9DQySo7lM-DobznfvPa0x0cbYx1xfw5olDZvEJlDt44aQpruQxyMuGSSgQCNPMRYszTZMAiL66uA5vGlk3vKP82h00/s320/10261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Still, Squirrel Nutkin was finished earlier this week...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZAOP4pfXcDFB0Qnv3vGpKjc4mwDs5Isk0HOCYkp1HyXhyuivx6ahBKFJDid6vOfo3b6qAryhrY2bTu_m2ADiJ12XvhIQ-petLsHFejURPm7-2W0sto_8QqgsWrqH2GPO649GcRQaq-mAWM4rO6qKNblt5_kT3FsamKmBIDrpp0f7hlwMoNMa1oDLgzE/s700/10241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZAOP4pfXcDFB0Qnv3vGpKjc4mwDs5Isk0HOCYkp1HyXhyuivx6ahBKFJDid6vOfo3b6qAryhrY2bTu_m2ADiJ12XvhIQ-petLsHFejURPm7-2W0sto_8QqgsWrqH2GPO649GcRQaq-mAWM4rO6qKNblt5_kT3FsamKmBIDrpp0f7hlwMoNMa1oDLgzE/s320/10241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>As if there wasn't already enough happening, I set about cleaning out the pantry last Sunday. Roughly a bi-annual task to sort out the expired stuff from what's still good. I try to use everything before expiration but it doesn't always work out. While at it, I was reminded how dark it is inside so I decided to re-do the pantry! I'm painting it cream colored inside to lighten it up, confiscating the right 6" to build a broom cupboard, and will build new shelves on euro glides so they can slide out. Wish me luck! Here's what it looks like after I removed all the shelves. Hopefully there will be an after pic by time the next post goes up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkblzZQWGAPepygAtvQQpWnoiKQFgsRSbmVaIY3le2ZeJ92mu-xsJt_0DeVe6DZiMikuDWlHq1KQ5BUSb8W3LjnCbEAfYzAGCBN4CT3vmpguvP7uhF8TEs5CxvyDZoIbtxMVU19KlKjqRef23-Kab4HE8-UuQ6T4vUdXqXv2c8rDEsQpJSFoTgAToa_M/s700/10241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkblzZQWGAPepygAtvQQpWnoiKQFgsRSbmVaIY3le2ZeJ92mu-xsJt_0DeVe6DZiMikuDWlHq1KQ5BUSb8W3LjnCbEAfYzAGCBN4CT3vmpguvP7uhF8TEs5CxvyDZoIbtxMVU19KlKjqRef23-Kab4HE8-UuQ6T4vUdXqXv2c8rDEsQpJSFoTgAToa_M/s320/10241.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I was out meandering in the garden the other day and found this absolutely beautiful Mallow. It's quite late, but we're luckily and thankfully having very mild weather these three last days of the week, supposed to get over 70 F tomorrow! We've only had the mildest of frosts yet and that seems unusual. Anyway, it must have been included in the packet of wild flower seeds that my neighbor gave me last spring which I scattered over an unused bed. How very beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9uUnYKE2o2JrwAXyf3HIvgR0nymJD7cr7ETbavt5X_iDcFcyFFh1FA0uCinWsEUtplLCtsJlz2GM753XYl_iD3g-jQZnv7yGutdlSCbka3B4SZqg3Iu02qDYL2iP85Nr-1Ewa7yliP8jpMOjB91T7pIOeqGm8GgM074Mj6QdzdxmShwHVegtlwOvQU8/s700/10261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9uUnYKE2o2JrwAXyf3HIvgR0nymJD7cr7ETbavt5X_iDcFcyFFh1FA0uCinWsEUtplLCtsJlz2GM753XYl_iD3g-jQZnv7yGutdlSCbka3B4SZqg3Iu02qDYL2iP85Nr-1Ewa7yliP8jpMOjB91T7pIOeqGm8GgM074Mj6QdzdxmShwHVegtlwOvQU8/s320/10261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oirfJA88bnkHQozv2fLFxubgRw0A2E1h4tCug6W8kSeGHQurp2v30rmsuYjH9OSm_wxE6LYlJEFLALztOUIw-kjCOr3n_qFjijcGo5B6rPls1r5f9pwhhkaZffDuHD5r-QYALp32ruudcjpsP7hONwWZj2o8Rpj3LFxsPRrx3sxQ36Yp-HK_Zj8l_fs/s700/10261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oirfJA88bnkHQozv2fLFxubgRw0A2E1h4tCug6W8kSeGHQurp2v30rmsuYjH9OSm_wxE6LYlJEFLALztOUIw-kjCOr3n_qFjijcGo5B6rPls1r5f9pwhhkaZffDuHD5r-QYALp32ruudcjpsP7hONwWZj2o8Rpj3LFxsPRrx3sxQ36Yp-HK_Zj8l_fs/s320/10261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-53454497129394651682023-10-17T20:29:00.001-04:002023-10-17T20:32:05.438-04:00Beatrix Potter ornaments: Tools and techniques<p> I'm sailing through these characters and enjoying every minute of it. This week saw the completion of Mr. Tod and Pigling Bland.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfXsR81NC-0jnu8liBJDomWOZhAgB6F-jKzDXo5kpCNXvl22jy1f7v-gF5oUb-urYZxIDkzvBE4mcxLrJdCfRnhyRCBRw6vLzk4VJuR-j-t3N1pDTaXFTJOqM_j9unB-C1YLMaMYh7sUibaFgfHXEK60ucOqYAYjEYBe52IGKdZm1X9sl6eOseBeVgiQ/s700/10178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfXsR81NC-0jnu8liBJDomWOZhAgB6F-jKzDXo5kpCNXvl22jy1f7v-gF5oUb-urYZxIDkzvBE4mcxLrJdCfRnhyRCBRw6vLzk4VJuR-j-t3N1pDTaXFTJOqM_j9unB-C1YLMaMYh7sUibaFgfHXEK60ucOqYAYjEYBe52IGKdZm1X9sl6eOseBeVgiQ/s320/10178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>As I mentioned previously, I'm hand stitching these. I'm using backstitch for most of the seams and ladder stitch for a few difficult-to-reach constructions (such as attaching the inside leg to the body).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2145R_9WmFwVU2uvNLpbuIDu1viw4wQI9ELK_kpsm53QDIyV8NWzOncfy72xO3G2LPellA0-kw4bkHofRDZwnndWzb4lYblsMRQDTRl7xY7TFqiiXy4nhyc8EqsjifJ3lg-9MMSfNdJvXfgSj4c7myVIIThQF4P8NU2ZjKlApWKD2MWV-ttRWHTuYfI/s700/10174.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2145R_9WmFwVU2uvNLpbuIDu1viw4wQI9ELK_kpsm53QDIyV8NWzOncfy72xO3G2LPellA0-kw4bkHofRDZwnndWzb4lYblsMRQDTRl7xY7TFqiiXy4nhyc8EqsjifJ3lg-9MMSfNdJvXfgSj4c7myVIIThQF4P8NU2ZjKlApWKD2MWV-ttRWHTuYfI/s320/10174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The following tool has been very useful in this project. I don't know what it's called, picked it up at a thrift shop if I recall correctly. It's very helpful when turning newly sewn pieces right sides out, and a big help when stuffing batting into small places. It also makes a great needle puller for when I need to sew through a thick seam.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCjgmW_xndBmw7S15VzsTjvOWWaNCuxJVdW75gWezKFz1vDPDoRYBL7JaRnOzEMit3JRwlRa5tqahZiU1jYmNmoIoBquTwey_JlXh5136MN0L1exvPbwMP8eJUNlnnbahPU0FMgxGfGZf57w3RskW6gHeVR5AHW0QppCLLV3wsSwmgA6hQBCxEvw_lLo/s700/10173.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCjgmW_xndBmw7S15VzsTjvOWWaNCuxJVdW75gWezKFz1vDPDoRYBL7JaRnOzEMit3JRwlRa5tqahZiU1jYmNmoIoBquTwey_JlXh5136MN0L1exvPbwMP8eJUNlnnbahPU0FMgxGfGZf57w3RskW6gHeVR5AHW0QppCLLV3wsSwmgA6hQBCxEvw_lLo/s320/10173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This needle is also getting lots of use, not only to poke holes in the body for the arms (and sometimes legs), but for helping ensure the arms are balanced from one side to the other. It's long enough to poke all the way through the body, so I can check for levelness and position front-to-back and up-and-down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFyJ5uUE9Pkz5rFhKGay9wkiXkh6SMpVbzl-9cnN28iKM5fWxYVozQBMm1rLCJp7R3DBGZk8sJwSLA2cmVaHv2R_etHEpeQF_SGMF6f_XA_nDFjtlnEdrtA2mtnifz6EczUglBXMK9TXnswI6CKIpfyiPx9KfwCIyXvl84ZobtDXPg_DM2O7HsunjCvk/s700/10171.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFyJ5uUE9Pkz5rFhKGay9wkiXkh6SMpVbzl-9cnN28iKM5fWxYVozQBMm1rLCJp7R3DBGZk8sJwSLA2cmVaHv2R_etHEpeQF_SGMF6f_XA_nDFjtlnEdrtA2mtnifz6EczUglBXMK9TXnswI6CKIpfyiPx9KfwCIyXvl84ZobtDXPg_DM2O7HsunjCvk/s320/10171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Some of the pieces have to be tinted (inside the bunny ears, for instance). I am finding these Inktense blocks to be great for that. They are water-soluble pigments and work on cloth. Look at all those beautiful, exciting colors!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay8juhRHtaJ_qWBQoQ5G6rb_I58ZhcEVMjcVGBpBG-rnwMTddl5GH0X1jk0riBEDNBZRAproyiyRvjzq-0YQ1QEbVm4QOroBJv1AwtlRCfZ-HnwcymnaaTMfwXHU3qN06ghGya0FaZcW41MCgXY1bSF8UMqlk0KNnrQ6JRAZQuLBK_ydJhqk1GwXZ3L8/s700/10172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay8juhRHtaJ_qWBQoQ5G6rb_I58ZhcEVMjcVGBpBG-rnwMTddl5GH0X1jk0riBEDNBZRAproyiyRvjzq-0YQ1QEbVm4QOroBJv1AwtlRCfZ-HnwcymnaaTMfwXHU3qN06ghGya0FaZcW41MCgXY1bSF8UMqlk0KNnrQ6JRAZQuLBK_ydJhqk1GwXZ3L8/s320/10172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And pins! Pins, pins, pins. The trickiest bits to sew are sometimes the ears, but with enough pins to keep them in place while sewing, it works out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG6HxCPhgDbWVGeYAb03xCDAlTa3vyd7L4pOb6DOQtrd7q5we2qPJCLhzM_L0Gwfpc8SCiWMG8CTZnbFoydRSpkLWFON0lZZaaTK_PCUDv6WfrYaeSnhZI2OEBz3yylb4Cfi_QfmyHAFacFc478sIRMlj9QrJ9Mz73awrZciUEkgkBI5Nzii66fMeMYs/s700/10175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG6HxCPhgDbWVGeYAb03xCDAlTa3vyd7L4pOb6DOQtrd7q5we2qPJCLhzM_L0Gwfpc8SCiWMG8CTZnbFoydRSpkLWFON0lZZaaTK_PCUDv6WfrYaeSnhZI2OEBz3yylb4Cfi_QfmyHAFacFc478sIRMlj9QrJ9Mz73awrZciUEkgkBI5Nzii66fMeMYs/s320/10175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The patterns for these ornaments were purchased from The Cheswick Company (on Etsy).</p><p>I took a walk around the yard the other day to forage for potpourri material. I gathered only enough to make a bowlful as I'm experimenting. If it goes well, I'll gather more next year. I also have a bunch of blossom heads drying that I can use as well. Need to make this asap, so I may plop them in the dehydrator, since it will need 6 to 8 weeks to cure and I'd love to have it ready for Christmas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktGqRFsGwPQgWuq7u418X9l25l2S-WlF05YElRVlXZoe6bTvrwd5U4BMRzVR_h0wSep77F7CuHtRGdKKhh9bxJg393gbMNGgPRwGY2AwUkTE5zsrjDHYK1c1ThtRMVt88y5ugkHIC4M7ROlmQrhXgu8DI-kE4jbURknQHj7YBffg5iMuLjV-sfQY-aP0/s700/10176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktGqRFsGwPQgWuq7u418X9l25l2S-WlF05YElRVlXZoe6bTvrwd5U4BMRzVR_h0wSep77F7CuHtRGdKKhh9bxJg393gbMNGgPRwGY2AwUkTE5zsrjDHYK1c1ThtRMVt88y5ugkHIC4M7ROlmQrhXgu8DI-kE4jbURknQHj7YBffg5iMuLjV-sfQY-aP0/s320/10176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFTUpP5mdiasXg-ulzgf-ZZ2WcqfR4xgEO2nMTQPUu67Chp4CoL_kD22B80WQk1-ltWUg2jpMceOsADLdfxrgfDVAR2RVN_pilZ7GbKb2C57DsZ-InZyUuR98PPnsSEYFaElTdQ-2r4bPQSoobjWat8cKjZFqdWv1-ElGgYzxNTk3xsayJVoWzYGzb70/s700/10177.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFTUpP5mdiasXg-ulzgf-ZZ2WcqfR4xgEO2nMTQPUu67Chp4CoL_kD22B80WQk1-ltWUg2jpMceOsADLdfxrgfDVAR2RVN_pilZ7GbKb2C57DsZ-InZyUuR98PPnsSEYFaElTdQ-2r4bPQSoobjWat8cKjZFqdWv1-ElGgYzxNTk3xsayJVoWzYGzb70/s320/10177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CctOugLuTD8meAlMi68BuCzLqnePLacOXqHNs6glxEnairYs7w4a5SPYT9bQn9N6xbAbdf34KF7C7NWJVnzsvWhQlWlhfpi0uwGNoPsWA1qICjzCY8p06gV3YzTvMFyuYJPbfchJuJfWiXTVHVp4mlVBsS7HaMmLPEfFu43X2k5ziCCn6IdjkIgXBnI/s700/10171.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CctOugLuTD8meAlMi68BuCzLqnePLacOXqHNs6glxEnairYs7w4a5SPYT9bQn9N6xbAbdf34KF7C7NWJVnzsvWhQlWlhfpi0uwGNoPsWA1qICjzCY8p06gV3YzTvMFyuYJPbfchJuJfWiXTVHVp4mlVBsS7HaMmLPEfFu43X2k5ziCCn6IdjkIgXBnI/s320/10171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-83313687632393531142023-10-10T19:12:00.002-04:002023-10-10T19:13:55.957-04:00An autumn fair<p>It is full on autumn now. We were advised about possible frost last night, although it didn't happen. Lows in the 30s, though. It is hard to believe we are in our second week of October! I put some ghouls out yesterday at the end of the drive.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIaX0A3BNwClMO3pcfO4wyxGueMJfh_Vo6KBsNpawBETHkeNXCneLOKIaw_jc0lo5ZMMHmFNGknR2a4XpSZCCveeWNHEcHLwqHHZ_EFLyk3pkWO9_M0ZGuY-A_VHDRXhtwOMNeT2s1KLGrO3XyU02p6EUCzTYzT4zXLiDjATA_FV6ifMjRJzJyFjUwXo/s700/10103.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIaX0A3BNwClMO3pcfO4wyxGueMJfh_Vo6KBsNpawBETHkeNXCneLOKIaw_jc0lo5ZMMHmFNGknR2a4XpSZCCveeWNHEcHLwqHHZ_EFLyk3pkWO9_M0ZGuY-A_VHDRXhtwOMNeT2s1KLGrO3XyU02p6EUCzTYzT4zXLiDjATA_FV6ifMjRJzJyFjUwXo/s320/10103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aQpEs7w3_TG9w2Io5JjW0wHAVgqLDgzORwVzLmNXXt-Gp5R1sagczYegJevefPf6Jum3I43gCQTs_CFXARqTSyAUvEs38lAuBheaMoimOM8YSbzJmXSJ8CN8TcnYexAsUXtCoOOKo_wT_T8Pr0-QE162868yifEUsGljWTateezQaqDJ4yy2qyCcC-c/s700/10101.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aQpEs7w3_TG9w2Io5JjW0wHAVgqLDgzORwVzLmNXXt-Gp5R1sagczYegJevefPf6Jum3I43gCQTs_CFXARqTSyAUvEs38lAuBheaMoimOM8YSbzJmXSJ8CN8TcnYexAsUXtCoOOKo_wT_T8Pr0-QE162868yifEUsGljWTateezQaqDJ4yy2qyCcC-c/s320/10101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4QqcP8lnrxoDfB3ev2MCLiQYxrS08Ubx6NIXjDL-cBdlkpctlyX3nUb3CPnZESgxqb9seKkdLYGg6DDILBPhXphh-JHgflrV69N9kHhvytmSiOE3ZEaOfuRV9TViXlYUyWdzCsPFiKQfaYkCNdLwktp5k-elA4vjlr5Os3hbbzOzTw34jf50ot9ElAM/s700/10102.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4QqcP8lnrxoDfB3ev2MCLiQYxrS08Ubx6NIXjDL-cBdlkpctlyX3nUb3CPnZESgxqb9seKkdLYGg6DDILBPhXphh-JHgflrV69N9kHhvytmSiOE3ZEaOfuRV9TViXlYUyWdzCsPFiKQfaYkCNdLwktp5k-elA4vjlr5Os3hbbzOzTw34jf50ot9ElAM/s320/10102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The task of putting wood in storage for winter use is proceeding well. About half the pile from across the yard has been moved to the new storage facility, that leaves another cord to move. Then there's 2 cord up near the facility and I'd like to get them stored this fall, but it will be OK if I don't get it done.<div><br /></div><div><b>Beatrix Potter ornaments</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I finished Jemima Puddleduck this week, she was very fiddly to accomplish but looks great in the end.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_YTC6i1e5yAh8VJmy8Zcip-16uxOoSAqAk04ywa-RwKZVbKFpRTauD_zxinRqyR-NG-4j8e7MW3AoyKIsWhyrQJREnPAPe6YKsW7rszOhaeJLxPTJ_W_20GIXhyb-J0hc1D8KU5H-D9k_wawW3bKMxsrTzVb9PJWXb6sTAUELyoyi6WGZX690Hhe4IQ/s700/1062.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_YTC6i1e5yAh8VJmy8Zcip-16uxOoSAqAk04ywa-RwKZVbKFpRTauD_zxinRqyR-NG-4j8e7MW3AoyKIsWhyrQJREnPAPe6YKsW7rszOhaeJLxPTJ_W_20GIXhyb-J0hc1D8KU5H-D9k_wawW3bKMxsrTzVb9PJWXb6sTAUELyoyi6WGZX690Hhe4IQ/s320/1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzIqwF1FOlwL_QQo4P6GZmshx0DwVitj8VxqpGq5HJO7oIY7Qmea2ziTq6o44bGDnxFXmKDfKjvpXkJ2455kN6YBCQ1QPXiPwHASiGymKkk2G-_o5ykqUKduEW4g_gLEq2R-luv9gKpwEh3aGH44zNAtL5qpCYM7iNsK4ZWZXaBIP6XBGcQAuWNjQojI/s700/1061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzIqwF1FOlwL_QQo4P6GZmshx0DwVitj8VxqpGq5HJO7oIY7Qmea2ziTq6o44bGDnxFXmKDfKjvpXkJ2455kN6YBCQ1QPXiPwHASiGymKkk2G-_o5ykqUKduEW4g_gLEq2R-luv9gKpwEh3aGH44zNAtL5qpCYM7iNsK4ZWZXaBIP6XBGcQAuWNjQojI/s320/1061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih227xjM2_tmFlg56eGJWvKFYdJ7o3YwtLtzv097s1lyyTvYbvHRywy0VuDQ-r0idCvVZLE7XqOvI-2ARRobmbKu5oCAPoK02k4bK04a0_CwiPjjcARHuHUThZChLZuQAsVk6ONbSAN_sf9wuDjLfWz8PMfSZUkD_rg8iYs6W1jNa-REBiZn8pAQP_vTE/s700/1063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih227xjM2_tmFlg56eGJWvKFYdJ7o3YwtLtzv097s1lyyTvYbvHRywy0VuDQ-r0idCvVZLE7XqOvI-2ARRobmbKu5oCAPoK02k4bK04a0_CwiPjjcARHuHUThZChLZuQAsVk6ONbSAN_sf9wuDjLfWz8PMfSZUkD_rg8iYs6W1jNa-REBiZn8pAQP_vTE/s320/1063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I have almost finished Jeremy Fisher, but had to set him aside until I got to the store to buy some crepe. He still needs collar fringe and a black ribbon around his neck. I picked them up today.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaqdjnBPjp8Q3uF6AIIG1AeXMzu9BEzDBVD00jMqAGAO4OKm6V4FvAlDMUNep9RtQoQtCC42szWZUNZ_HNn3uSBcRmheDLBW0sShhu5-xHBxZKmJ0_vcz3Zf5NykmC8QQ_NZMX3M3CFWOQdvpzfj1iSxSyqlKN5ZZFVCzivv9EYYf6-Cgjjzk-i_D_ko/s700/10102.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaqdjnBPjp8Q3uF6AIIG1AeXMzu9BEzDBVD00jMqAGAO4OKm6V4FvAlDMUNep9RtQoQtCC42szWZUNZ_HNn3uSBcRmheDLBW0sShhu5-xHBxZKmJ0_vcz3Zf5NykmC8QQ_NZMX3M3CFWOQdvpzfj1iSxSyqlKN5ZZFVCzivv9EYYf6-Cgjjzk-i_D_ko/s320/10102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm currently working on Mr. Tod. They're quite fun to sew and they make me LOL when a new feature makes them come to life.<br /><p><b>The Sandwich Fair</b></p><p>The Sandwich Fair is NH's last fair for the season. My neighbor and I went last year and enjoyed ourselves enough to repeat the trip this fall. Sandwich is only an hour from here and it's a lovely drive by Squam Lake (On Golden Pond) and beautiful country lanes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVeG5o8J3mk" width="320" youtube-src-id="DVeG5o8J3mk"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-40075278100279018232023-09-30T22:33:00.002-04:002023-09-30T22:40:20.649-04:00Preparing for Winter<p> A quick update. . . I did indeed add an emery cushion to my Victorian sewing bird. It's a bit of a cheat in that I took a prefabricated strawberry cushion--the type that comes attached to those ubiquitous tomato pin cushions--and covered it in the same fabric as used for the pin cushion, and glued it to the button. It was necessary to use a drop of glue to adhere the button to the bird, but I can live with that.</p><p>Here it is put into service while I work on Benjamin Bunny, one of nine ornaments I'm making for the Christmas tree:</p><p>(As always, click to enlarge.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuX853S7uhs0cCGq6OwlS3DklSgY7ZLVR9lg5oytf0iFnu3jcAkJoynpxZR5ysV77z_SSXI1Bxc3mzO7qBU19Q9j640LOu_SNq5c16rpwrdFLU1qUiOcjPrp-HLW-xowvbnevX3KoXElHFzBTNl_0HZk6XL2K-5CyrBzOTLstBSBxj9_3bGzBaMOSUmE/s700/9303.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="700" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuX853S7uhs0cCGq6OwlS3DklSgY7ZLVR9lg5oytf0iFnu3jcAkJoynpxZR5ysV77z_SSXI1Bxc3mzO7qBU19Q9j640LOu_SNq5c16rpwrdFLU1qUiOcjPrp-HLW-xowvbnevX3KoXElHFzBTNl_0HZk6XL2K-5CyrBzOTLstBSBxj9_3bGzBaMOSUmE/s320/9303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle Duck, Jeremy Fisher, Mr. Tod, Pigling Bland, Squirrel Nutkin, Tailor of Gloucester, Tom Kitten, and Peter Rabbit. Characters from the wonderful tales of Beatrix Potter. I bought the patterns for these from The Cheswick Company (they can be found on Etsy) last year.</p><p>I am sewing these entirely by hand because I think it adds a lot of meaning. (Soapbox: Nothing makes me sadder than the sight of $20K 'embroidery' sewing machines, which seem to be the rage. They're available now from every major sewing machine manufacturer. This is not craft in my opinion, it is production. Push a button to start the machine, it stops now and then to tell you to change the thread color... congratulations, you have become a machine operator. IMO, the results are not satisfactory. Give me imperfect hand work any day.) Here is Benjamin Bunny, I just finished him:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8KddGGTNlIwq8SmYAk2OjS4OyaQKxgI0r2cbmyZ5JL7DN4F5A3QbfrDGTYq_tYtX4ClEO_9NHrgfbzqeosieIS-7jrMStKrJTGlafXQcKE0cob4cwdjn8fts2_wZYxXb-N4c3oiobx55nf4Tbn7sgKBnGy1HPmAAYdHYkbJuUkJ_g_jqDs9kdy-k8Bk/s700/9301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8KddGGTNlIwq8SmYAk2OjS4OyaQKxgI0r2cbmyZ5JL7DN4F5A3QbfrDGTYq_tYtX4ClEO_9NHrgfbzqeosieIS-7jrMStKrJTGlafXQcKE0cob4cwdjn8fts2_wZYxXb-N4c3oiobx55nf4Tbn7sgKBnGy1HPmAAYdHYkbJuUkJ_g_jqDs9kdy-k8Bk/s320/9301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXZzaW7QNsUptJmCfedxkJQ18-xvIV9nve_nW98NWTfCXdotpR078CSjKRgP8khYxWkqnFjXoPbNOW0ptBWe7nT3C89icgVoe2GVpp7v3lSKg4KzobnHq-IHH9HXeZU3O1qBSFOTUMtfrIQw26OXtDNIycbaRdlbu2hCcWyZancU159yCtyEdDfcVbnQ/s700/9302.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXZzaW7QNsUptJmCfedxkJQ18-xvIV9nve_nW98NWTfCXdotpR078CSjKRgP8khYxWkqnFjXoPbNOW0ptBWe7nT3C89icgVoe2GVpp7v3lSKg4KzobnHq-IHH9HXeZU3O1qBSFOTUMtfrIQw26OXtDNIycbaRdlbu2hCcWyZancU159yCtyEdDfcVbnQ/s320/9302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Winter Prep</b></p><p>It's that time of year when the turn of temperature and color of leaves forewarns of colder days to come. It turns the mind's attention to the issue of fuel and the desire for warmth when the thermometer dips below 40, 30, 20, 10, and beyond. To that end, 2 additional cords of wood were delivered this past week making my total store for the winter a little over 5 cords. I don't think I will require it all if years past are any indication.</p><p>One cord is stacked. Four are not. There is work to do. Two cords are on the other side of the yard. There is more work to do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulJ1gNcNrBBzanaDA_M5mJS268Sm3moSMvf1CGJ0thBPFDceJsTZYLCIqSwa08W2X-nLCOWVuoPDyPHNvcbJR8hxkARmCsvhiQL58uexXJFpp24UwVbOU6iA3LYSXp93FZYtKbcBmPGEBnTelUXOVCxwc6PcvXDdzUtmyvjmfgM73p3A2EfL_PhffJk4/s700/9291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulJ1gNcNrBBzanaDA_M5mJS268Sm3moSMvf1CGJ0thBPFDceJsTZYLCIqSwa08W2X-nLCOWVuoPDyPHNvcbJR8hxkARmCsvhiQL58uexXJFpp24UwVbOU6iA3LYSXp93FZYtKbcBmPGEBnTelUXOVCxwc6PcvXDdzUtmyvjmfgM73p3A2EfL_PhffJk4/s320/9291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Another brain storm hit last month when I realized that the 'garage in a box' which I purchased several years ago and which has sat in the grass unused since I got the garden shed 4 years ago, would make an excellent cover for my stacked wood. So I gathered the pieces and re-constructed it in the upper garden. I'll purchase some tarps to cover it and hopefully that will solve the winter long struggle of keeping the wood dry, and safe from inclement weather.</p><p>I truly love the holtz hausen stacks I've been building these past few years, but throwing a tarp over them turns into a headache mid-winter. For starters, tarps don't protect the sides of the stacks and that wood gets wet. The stove doesn't like wet wood and physics demands that creosote will be the result. Additionally, trying to shovel snow off the uneven surface of a holtz hauzen is impossible. A shovel is too stiff, a broom too weak. So some snow settles on top and it melts when the sun comes out and the result freezes into ice and before you know it there are 6-8" ice puddles on top of your wood and the struggle is real. And stressful. But not this year if all goes well.</p><p><b>Other News</b> </p><p>The broken Subaru left the yard today and I'm very happy to see it gone. It saddened me to see it all the time. 90% of it was in good, useable shape, everything from the chassis up. A shame that it was all rendered useless because of a rusted out under carriage. It's nice to the have the drive cleared.</p><p>Speaking of the drive, I decided to move the hexagonal flower bed and fountain to the other side of the walk and that leaves an alley that will allow vehicles to drive right up to the house if need be. I won't be using it as driveway, but it's available just in case. I will probably make the entire area where the hex bed is now into one large cottage garden. The bed and fountain in their new location, the almost cleared emergency driveway to the left (yes, my little wagon had a flat tire and needed some attention):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAYqDpNEO2OAUrW9K_A_99QAXA4yWW8i7eK-RZ4VlC8E-AdJ_CHpiaEx4haBvTyknYOcrg7eUjTBM9l2WZ60Q-000M_zcFcmQzulPMIhCKlawlGhJIqq8d5op1xoDmsNPhvHp2iXrmMRQ4oJnJYzGlwco52_Iadavhde07M5uuzQtH1orGfy6xAEQN00/s700/9292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAYqDpNEO2OAUrW9K_A_99QAXA4yWW8i7eK-RZ4VlC8E-AdJ_CHpiaEx4haBvTyknYOcrg7eUjTBM9l2WZ60Q-000M_zcFcmQzulPMIhCKlawlGhJIqq8d5op1xoDmsNPhvHp2iXrmMRQ4oJnJYzGlwco52_Iadavhde07M5uuzQtH1orGfy6xAEQN00/s320/9292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-67322536995791134802023-09-23T19:56:00.001-04:002023-09-23T19:56:25.764-04:00I got a new bird ... a very old new bird<p>I found it in an antique shop in an area of VT known as The Northeast Kingdom. I was in the area to pick up an old portable wind-up phonograph that was in shop for restoration. I'd purchased it from a local antique place this summer for next to nothing but the spring was broken. Before heading up north, I had set myself a budget for antiquing: $0 . . . unless I found some small sewing related implement, then I'd get that.</p><p>Poking around a tray of brooches I found a Victorian sewing bird. I couldn't believe it! I've wanted one for a while. The fact that the price ($95) was somewhat outside the budget I'd set myself seemed to fly right past me and I picked it up immediately. Rationalizing the purchase was easy-peasy, no struggle there. It was missing the pin cushion and emery cushion (a small cushion used for sharpening pins), but I suspect that's quite common for these old ones. This one is clearly from the era which can be ascertained by the way the beak closes clearly and tightly all the way down the neck. Reproductions, from what I've read, show a large gap in the neck area.</p><p>I cleaned it up a bit with Gojo hand cleaner (the one without pumice!). Gojo can be purchased at auto parts stores as it's often used by mechanics. It works wonders for removing dirt and grime from old materials. (Always test!)</p><p>I was going to make both a pin cushion and emery cushion as you will see in the video, but in the end I decided to make just the pin cushion for now. I'm not sure I can pull off the emery cushion, and it looks fine without one. However, the emery cushion will probably get crafted at some point.</p><p>The main function of these birds is to hold one end of your working fabric in it's beak while you sew--like a third hand. Very nifty, and what's not to love? Sewing! Bird!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCse5ibN49g" width="320" youtube-src-id="rCse5ibN49g"></iframe></div><br /><p>. . . I just planted this rose over the summer and it's ending the season with a bang . . . (clicking on picture enlarges)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXec0ZdeSnFCAG7c2jWcqGS4q2v8GqYN01aYhh3CAhLFQLICwla-d5QvkbxGp8YaOpkzlWhvdh8lCUFqI8Zzva0ePFSWkXRsG742B6RO7BJdKXuWP9YcoXnBJ4aWnUtzvxQKK5QHWaNPfZmqjqVtEOdWXxG9hQ5yCOCR5jIT9dmlo4bTqzNU5FZi18lGU/s700/9231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXec0ZdeSnFCAG7c2jWcqGS4q2v8GqYN01aYhh3CAhLFQLICwla-d5QvkbxGp8YaOpkzlWhvdh8lCUFqI8Zzva0ePFSWkXRsG742B6RO7BJdKXuWP9YcoXnBJ4aWnUtzvxQKK5QHWaNPfZmqjqVtEOdWXxG9hQ5yCOCR5jIT9dmlo4bTqzNU5FZi18lGU/s320/9231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-92213078143441469882023-09-12T21:36:00.002-04:002023-09-12T21:36:48.122-04:00Making a fabric book<p>I have become interested in making a fabric book. That is a book where the pages are fabric instead of paper, and they are decorated with dye, slow stitching, embroidery of all sorts, fabric paints, drawings, etc. The sky is the limit. They seem to be quite popular in the stitching community at the moment.</p><p>For a theme, my book will be 'favorites from the garden' and will be a compilation of favorite quotes, and observations from my garden: birds, flowers, and all things nature. I just finished my first page last night.</p><p>I don't know where this page will fall in the book; I do not yet know how many pages I will make and in what order they will ultimately end up. I'm working very impromptu and informally on this project. I want it to be full of of joy.</p><p>My first page began as a piece of white cotton fabric on which I made a cyanotype print using bits of flowers and grasses from the garden. It's the first time I ever make a cyanotype print. I made the print earlier this summer with the intention of using it [in some way] in my book.</p><p>I purchased the two cyanotype chemicals (ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide) online, pre-diluted to the correct levels so that they can be easily mixed 50/50. I should have taken notes on my process because now I can't remember if I mordanted the fabric before making the print! Oh dear. (To be fair, I did not know I'd be blogging about it.) I'm pretty sure I didn't because I had to order some aluminum acetate and the package has not yet been opened. A pretty good indicator I think. Aluminum acetate is a mordant for cellulose fibers; when preparing wool (a protein fiber) we use aluminum sulfate (aka Alum).</p><p>So quite likely I ran my first experiment without a mordant. The process for making a print starts by painting the fabric with a mixture of the 2 above mentioned chemicals. This needs to be done in a darkened room. I found that my upstairs bathroom makes an excellent darkroom since it has no windows. The fabric then needs to dry 24 hours. The following day, I foraged for some foliage and flowers to use for my print. The dried fabric was placed on a flat board, the bits of nature arranged on top of the fabric, and a sheet of glass placed over all to keep everything in place. I used clothes pins around the edge to secure the layers. All this done in my 'dark room'. This preparation was then brought outside and placed facing direct sunlight. I exposed the fabric for about 15 minutes, maybe a bit longer. The print was then brought back inside, dismantled, and the fabric rinsed well in tap water several times over. The image develops over the several minutes and hours, but when in a hurry, a splash of hydrogen peroxide in the rinse water will act as a catalyst and produce quicker results.</p><p>My print came out quite satisfactorily and I was well pleased.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofpW_yQlyJjJ3dJKAAUN9qOD_OHvv4zGHXV8MxvmBUzce_0SavdjuA19Zg3Q82P5xZ0poZ1bUpejCJv98qiFFqhtDGSvoozJOAs1HxyiTP3W-9gzjrMx7kJ8knDnpm_bY5dWIm3EDc3DRM7JRF60ra7mPTf6yxqprXiDTUOv4a97z9XIsvmrJR9FkMH4/s700/7261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofpW_yQlyJjJ3dJKAAUN9qOD_OHvv4zGHXV8MxvmBUzce_0SavdjuA19Zg3Q82P5xZ0poZ1bUpejCJv98qiFFqhtDGSvoozJOAs1HxyiTP3W-9gzjrMx7kJ8knDnpm_bY5dWIm3EDc3DRM7JRF60ra7mPTf6yxqprXiDTUOv4a97z9XIsvmrJR9FkMH4/s320/7261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I wasn't sure how I would use the print, and that came to me only recently. There is a poem/prayer in an old book I purchased at a thrift shop this summer. The book is entitled "Riley Songs O'Cheer" by James Whitcomb Riley (c) 1905. It's a beautiful book of poems and illustrations which ends with "The Prayer Perfect". It's a lovely poem and I decided to embroider it over my print, but since it is too long for one page, I will need to use two pages. The second half of the poem/prayer was worked over this cyanotype. I will work the first half of the poem/prayer on the previous facing page, when I get that page designed.</p><p>To get the letters on the page for embroidering, I used a product called "Transfer Eze", purchased from my local quilt shop; 8.5" x 11" sheets that can go in the printer. When printed, the backing is peeled off and the sheet adhered to the work. When the embroidery is finished, the sheet is removed by dissolving in water. It's weird and cool. Under the water the sheet turns to a gel which dissolves, leaving just the embroidery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8n5T_1s_4mU0cY_G1xeBs6HzCx3AXevjxY_VO-eqImDXZpdWMcfi5NYVu8mxFatq61rl_MN-qHiCI83CBNfFn77rs7UvAI4EqNNLDyLfzFNMtXIsxph0hzWoJ0uo5lOf1UiquvCj3BLmpfvdiWkHpolONP6Suc0kwSlmOyCp_UJ3zLBcudg5yYxurdHs/s700/9112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8n5T_1s_4mU0cY_G1xeBs6HzCx3AXevjxY_VO-eqImDXZpdWMcfi5NYVu8mxFatq61rl_MN-qHiCI83CBNfFn77rs7UvAI4EqNNLDyLfzFNMtXIsxph0hzWoJ0uo5lOf1UiquvCj3BLmpfvdiWkHpolONP6Suc0kwSlmOyCp_UJ3zLBcudg5yYxurdHs/s320/9112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The completed page:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN-H9z26AMxdoZRt458c3R_e5lGjCWz1xs4d_32gpvNJ_bm-3XweigAfTxvbVaFfvu5glVtSnlbKRKHabAElUZmD-oo6c7UgDHzl8O6g2tlXr4rAfg1f2oGK0XpEVYR6y8wolz8yj2D_V9Dj7-gMjjD2j3xR8JtRm99QS89GGuafoVn0Ye6c0tGRfn5M/s700/9121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN-H9z26AMxdoZRt458c3R_e5lGjCWz1xs4d_32gpvNJ_bm-3XweigAfTxvbVaFfvu5glVtSnlbKRKHabAElUZmD-oo6c7UgDHzl8O6g2tlXr4rAfg1f2oGK0XpEVYR6y8wolz8yj2D_V9Dj7-gMjjD2j3xR8JtRm99QS89GGuafoVn0Ye6c0tGRfn5M/s320/9121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-87562175264328970922023-09-08T19:35:00.005-04:002023-09-08T22:45:38.311-04:00Late summer flowers and a fabulous chutney recipe<p>I took a quick stroll around the garden the other day where some surprises are in store for this time of year. The usual late bloomers such as Allium and Heliopsis are gracing the garden with their flowers, but a few roses also popped in for a final greeting even though they are usually done in mid summer. And quite a late Hemerocallis shines brightly in an otherwise winding down bed of ochre and brown foliage.</p><p>The Heliopsis helianthoides var. 'Bleeding Heart' is a favorite of mine. The coloring is striking and changes over time from bright orange to rusts. At the moment I have only one of these plants and that needs a remedy, I should have at <i>least</i> three. It grew quite sprawling this year, much to my delight, with more flowers than ever. The bed-to-be wherein it is situated is in a sad state at the moment but with all this summer's rainy days and other projects, it didn't get attended to. Oh well, next spring it is then.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx-_roApmUN3la5lC3lJsfOm-fpyAOD5wVdvSdTSC6pzmzGgmssNiH_BJfE5Qm-XGAPdiM6jH_RwzAkWGr_D86AhFzjHIOGWYQtPqzgvUUtCtDzkXMujBpTbWz9oBdNGdHC-vubLVrW9SfJUgal8HRSAcThjpqnEUBK9ZY5aEjFRbIjl2RNQtACx9s7U/s700/971.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx-_roApmUN3la5lC3lJsfOm-fpyAOD5wVdvSdTSC6pzmzGgmssNiH_BJfE5Qm-XGAPdiM6jH_RwzAkWGr_D86AhFzjHIOGWYQtPqzgvUUtCtDzkXMujBpTbWz9oBdNGdHC-vubLVrW9SfJUgal8HRSAcThjpqnEUBK9ZY5aEjFRbIjl2RNQtACx9s7U/s320/971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>This stand of Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) was one plant about three years ago! I'm amazed at how it is flourishing. There is enough here to start a whole new bed somewhere... hm. I'm thinking about it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RuGvAK2JB48c-FE3sOb6HFKoBQf_XBopj3zCH4PU89_G_Pwh8ystMg9qojr0gDk89Lwtr7-SOzojD_WSW4gs5W0OF9KLZ6TG-iMhyqohWqVVdD1SVZXS8nMBt1AROS2gHqakQbgwliCZ7Hrp9ZYEaw_hyLY0KcGihRDPXNSOoD2tx_gKP4Orb_-ZfEY/s700/972.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RuGvAK2JB48c-FE3sOb6HFKoBQf_XBopj3zCH4PU89_G_Pwh8ystMg9qojr0gDk89Lwtr7-SOzojD_WSW4gs5W0OF9KLZ6TG-iMhyqohWqVVdD1SVZXS8nMBt1AROS2gHqakQbgwliCZ7Hrp9ZYEaw_hyLY0KcGihRDPXNSOoD2tx_gKP4Orb_-ZfEY/s320/972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I'm quite sure this is a Helianthus of some sort (it was given to me and I don't know the exact name). It's a vigorous spreader underground and also pops up remote from the original clump via self-seeding. Luckily, it's pretty easy to pull it back, something much needed almost every year. But a lovely burst of yellow late in the summer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc56OQyMogXybWwdFb1y2EkuY8ffrsOMLrknFLXoh98xPX1uNmpz8E5vkO7mvmPsZPKoEwMP9JeA-FsEnzd6U8nbsdO0TIGGq-BDBgl2lnAhq_YrAbjTHAA0KMTtFADWxesEBd7gWyt8edazP0PSig9I14HacK5h_ZpRVEmB9hNUTYJdIMXNtDo1-QDcg/s700/973.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc56OQyMogXybWwdFb1y2EkuY8ffrsOMLrknFLXoh98xPX1uNmpz8E5vkO7mvmPsZPKoEwMP9JeA-FsEnzd6U8nbsdO0TIGGq-BDBgl2lnAhq_YrAbjTHAA0KMTtFADWxesEBd7gWyt8edazP0PSig9I14HacK5h_ZpRVEmB9hNUTYJdIMXNtDo1-QDcg/s320/973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6nt7Tf6xPTmMYfuzbfevbeMa_FZqgCSC_h5tOF2ceYg1GSoQMpC6tHoDIXnX72m03M2gQrCJNg0prmB--kv8y4v63nAQg9G4erembZ3LGywW0zZsANTD9Muw57wd19xnmYbM0S6FgS-e1T5QxpUmV4l48uzyEXg0j4qtHsljtjeJbzBMxMMaV7P-FIA/s700/9711.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6nt7Tf6xPTmMYfuzbfevbeMa_FZqgCSC_h5tOF2ceYg1GSoQMpC6tHoDIXnX72m03M2gQrCJNg0prmB--kv8y4v63nAQg9G4erembZ3LGywW0zZsANTD9Muw57wd19xnmYbM0S6FgS-e1T5QxpUmV4l48uzyEXg0j4qtHsljtjeJbzBMxMMaV7P-FIA/s320/9711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>This Daylily (Hemerocallis) is sharing the spotlight with wild, self-sown Goldenrod, whilst all it's relatives flowered in July/August. A special surprise at this time of year and a fun encounter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvQXIvTc7FBShk50-JEXXi-V8eJNlH9KQH7L5_B1tgyq_bMiCmpgLZLAz-rgKn4HPCKzDwW-ZlZvXuE94lbq9V4np0xw6fCaZ_gigwSCHCLYkiXOeYMW69vE--KE45vsDgV_2kWoLS8iWxpp9PsieEaFXytx9NAtcYwd9HXEswezEf_wEP5-oxc6dW5U/s700/974.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvQXIvTc7FBShk50-JEXXi-V8eJNlH9KQH7L5_B1tgyq_bMiCmpgLZLAz-rgKn4HPCKzDwW-ZlZvXuE94lbq9V4np0xw6fCaZ_gigwSCHCLYkiXOeYMW69vE--KE45vsDgV_2kWoLS8iWxpp9PsieEaFXytx9NAtcYwd9HXEswezEf_wEP5-oxc6dW5U/s320/974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Crabapple berries and rose hips. Really looking forward to harvesting the rose hips. I will make either a syrup or a tea. They are big and bright red this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa_i-a5AER_InjGJPDohSUiAr_MmVaJxNFzQEEodY15776Sg8w2NVwKDqjyx3k_0Cs6LQNOn0WTwLG2NkNCl5lqRMg52aU6uJDgj_HTvkS144A2SbgI0MyUZQ7S65g5PBUgLKFc4UZ-DDBx_YMCB_Q6cYQG5uAKOa9GLeLXq2_ueLeLYVslj5MrPyPrg/s700/975.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa_i-a5AER_InjGJPDohSUiAr_MmVaJxNFzQEEodY15776Sg8w2NVwKDqjyx3k_0Cs6LQNOn0WTwLG2NkNCl5lqRMg52aU6uJDgj_HTvkS144A2SbgI0MyUZQ7S65g5PBUgLKFc4UZ-DDBx_YMCB_Q6cYQG5uAKOa9GLeLXq2_ueLeLYVslj5MrPyPrg/s320/975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNkK7MWtaU-Rk8et-PO6RGe9-hEpq-BEqdJNLLhhswfojVSlofJsHu7jg3rW3ErIuJ7MeJHNoVqL28Xk8t1ycLAwxC_7f30prMXvHVLRptTHFS7kmvWpj2qYu-PDNcqVkK-SzGUBY5DMc5Sl0h-SC5v5pP1ZpFJMeAYIyfpcyBgnPI-eUGlLuHHkHs9o/s700/976.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNkK7MWtaU-Rk8et-PO6RGe9-hEpq-BEqdJNLLhhswfojVSlofJsHu7jg3rW3ErIuJ7MeJHNoVqL28Xk8t1ycLAwxC_7f30prMXvHVLRptTHFS7kmvWpj2qYu-PDNcqVkK-SzGUBY5DMc5Sl0h-SC5v5pP1ZpFJMeAYIyfpcyBgnPI-eUGlLuHHkHs9o/s320/976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B67EMemaOHBaovOyv6k6saZHHjdAKbDQGqZUmHVCzPZ_bOxoXvDLW1pHkfP3fNOYVkLWVb_A-Nj0QOeBQUQ04s3B8v_G8ahIbLzSxAhwqEJxcGgkvrVMelk8suhxN8Njr5xt7JV9ynBzBNfxwE9H4D_GhL4R51GaCk9ZdK97_UMW8wVdvxQB4LLk7y8/s700/977.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B67EMemaOHBaovOyv6k6saZHHjdAKbDQGqZUmHVCzPZ_bOxoXvDLW1pHkfP3fNOYVkLWVb_A-Nj0QOeBQUQ04s3B8v_G8ahIbLzSxAhwqEJxcGgkvrVMelk8suhxN8Njr5xt7JV9ynBzBNfxwE9H4D_GhL4R51GaCk9ZdK97_UMW8wVdvxQB4LLk7y8/s320/977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I thought this Rose was done a month ago. How gracious of it to come again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIALo9YMpE2ne_r7SGHibpQE4FJHZ39zK2b7EPa4hmtzvi04jol7gc772zDl9GWV87feKzYbCOMXHc05XPbD6nWCdmspgg5MDU7W2GR8oMqAyChnfWzoGaEpGmY51OR0uMKarcRXGQcN5ZFxio8eXHL5BZDmBLVYhJAhvrHnOX_sXAIN_6GAf4f4JWqB0/s700/9710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIALo9YMpE2ne_r7SGHibpQE4FJHZ39zK2b7EPa4hmtzvi04jol7gc772zDl9GWV87feKzYbCOMXHc05XPbD6nWCdmspgg5MDU7W2GR8oMqAyChnfWzoGaEpGmY51OR0uMKarcRXGQcN5ZFxio8eXHL5BZDmBLVYhJAhvrHnOX_sXAIN_6GAf4f4JWqB0/s320/9710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>An annual Sunflower (Helianthus), a towering beacon of lemon yellow. A happy sight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvjM4ECS7ZGy_j-ikm0r-cs7B8Q0FvdLV5pLgdb9X2hF2LjH1O8E7N0g4v4FonwWF91VQRtfQ9d-gnxTRz5sUgd5YoxKGRd8bTLVCk0WURXRRv9PRk_dCBVKUcERj7GOQjVz8BW2clwVnFq9nLSgz8iv7UV2nrF-K2kUVx1RLEdiI-FSvYe98oo3ST4E/s700/978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvjM4ECS7ZGy_j-ikm0r-cs7B8Q0FvdLV5pLgdb9X2hF2LjH1O8E7N0g4v4FonwWF91VQRtfQ9d-gnxTRz5sUgd5YoxKGRd8bTLVCk0WURXRRv9PRk_dCBVKUcERj7GOQjVz8BW2clwVnFq9nLSgz8iv7UV2nrF-K2kUVx1RLEdiI-FSvYe98oo3ST4E/s320/978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The Hollyhocks rose to phenomenal heights this year; way, way past my height. It's been exciting to see them reaching for the stars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-x9tWlmm79QAcP0fT_YcF_uVhi2mPwiwCk7Hsg1Dnl0fBzzLGu6HlSSz2SxM8A1UhxBXxWO6rwFpTWqWFOv_WcLdENVN1Ai9AQ3Az_naSzTAaERod45ryqDRuQBvx08q2Rm32NGvXyFKHDkxUz-2dBXxJAUrhxxrZoPxUoTr6cigl3o2lGBWfd93jxc/s700/979.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-x9tWlmm79QAcP0fT_YcF_uVhi2mPwiwCk7Hsg1Dnl0fBzzLGu6HlSSz2SxM8A1UhxBXxWO6rwFpTWqWFOv_WcLdENVN1Ai9AQ3Az_naSzTAaERod45ryqDRuQBvx08q2Rm32NGvXyFKHDkxUz-2dBXxJAUrhxxrZoPxUoTr6cigl3o2lGBWfd93jxc/s320/979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Back at the deck, I have this Easter Lily that I purchased at, well, Easter. After it had finished blossoming, I set it outside to soak up the sun over the summer. Much to my surprise, a new shoot appeared and look at it now! Easter Lilies in September! It is a bit disorienting to smell their distinctive, sweet fragrance at this time of year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWfRcaPrblM0HRGgG6ydP10A1ErqIVrrwwXy4FBeyAedZx-AAGYCUU5IHoC6JE6tl0Lpvxond8CZcDhA78n9pmB6I6bN6LhhWg4eIOins8-MhQu4FGQHNNNwuq7jrG6dIiqfOUvJZVAlPt1vOa-4yy4YuBgCOn7KPqMgqw0LCuaJsEzlQjDH4l0D2HkE/s700/951.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWfRcaPrblM0HRGgG6ydP10A1ErqIVrrwwXy4FBeyAedZx-AAGYCUU5IHoC6JE6tl0Lpvxond8CZcDhA78n9pmB6I6bN6LhhWg4eIOins8-MhQu4FGQHNNNwuq7jrG6dIiqfOUvJZVAlPt1vOa-4yy4YuBgCOn7KPqMgqw0LCuaJsEzlQjDH4l0D2HkE/s320/951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Roasted Tomato Chutney</h3><p>I have to pass along this stellar recipe for roasted tomato chutney. I found it on Kate's second channel (The Last Homely Garden), so I'll post that and you will find the link for the written recipe in her video discription. It's absolutely scrumptious! I made a batch this afternoon, and even though the recipe states it is better after a week, I couldn't wait. Had some with a wonderful aged Irish Cheddar and crackers. Oooh, oooh, ooh. Yum! I'll be making this a lot. (I put olive oil in the roasting pan, and drizzled a bit on the tomatoes so they wouldn't stick.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YoF_dZdfNso" width="320" youtube-src-id="YoF_dZdfNso"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273243011098780604.post-4767751606360899602023-09-05T20:23:00.000-04:002023-09-05T20:23:18.793-04:00Hand quilting<p>I am getting ready to hand quilt a top I finished in July. It will be my second attempt at hand quilting. The wool applique top I made in 2018 was the first. After many starts and stops, I finally settled on "big stitch" format for that one, and once it got going, I was surprised at how quickly it quilted up. That is this quilt:</p><p>(The images will enlarge if you click on them)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqzx7Lra92oZeUEPRu_9vMBydtn4SxdQ3fOKydHYa83_XsQahcxprnGXtxx-A5WchqSGWZ3iQHKtsPxTA_vC4nnl01__Bk3eJwa5kv09CkSk-ZSgl1vrPE821U_Gb3JE65sa-ik8qOWuJzDRVG-_YX59yU1xxp5emg5FP1ukpvD8UllDdPnDLK32M7b8/s6000/7145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqzx7Lra92oZeUEPRu_9vMBydtn4SxdQ3fOKydHYa83_XsQahcxprnGXtxx-A5WchqSGWZ3iQHKtsPxTA_vC4nnl01__Bk3eJwa5kv09CkSk-ZSgl1vrPE821U_Gb3JE65sa-ik8qOWuJzDRVG-_YX59yU1xxp5emg5FP1ukpvD8UllDdPnDLK32M7b8/s320/7145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27zRRfb_nrSi_4WH_j_WALFZVS5bCFMEuhtRB470w3Gb-JoXVDu2xPmBEFf9_JU0RlCqAnTO5V_9ECvwbi3GR16WF2kr3jAo-mRGHhi5gWG8abqifAffBU7qeEpCz7wPSXs-O6ptfpmo0OSFrUbosR80NW0RMlvz0kkY8lDm63_s9sKwpGOrfiGpj3bs/s640/7148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27zRRfb_nrSi_4WH_j_WALFZVS5bCFMEuhtRB470w3Gb-JoXVDu2xPmBEFf9_JU0RlCqAnTO5V_9ECvwbi3GR16WF2kr3jAo-mRGHhi5gWG8abqifAffBU7qeEpCz7wPSXs-O6ptfpmo0OSFrUbosR80NW0RMlvz0kkY8lDm63_s9sKwpGOrfiGpj3bs/s320/7148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My current top was finished in July. It took a year of hand stitching the turned applique in cotton. The pattern is called "Woodland Creatures", designed by Quilt by Rosemary.</p><p>My take on it (almost the same as original):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8Dy93-lj9ZgTN_bbSpw4DNi5IR2_N7QN5GPzZgn_Glq7f_mmjoFCGYMTEMx3WcESoxNMcTvMTSF6KfQjhCGbHgau0PwaLYATSWLn9oTHZv0GAc1rb1k3vyaaL5HfMizAFwBlRfTAoEWSVZ8lKnsHUEPpse4kae5bWrPQS523FHkH3oM4vsaUJnA1ZbA/s700/7162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8Dy93-lj9ZgTN_bbSpw4DNi5IR2_N7QN5GPzZgn_Glq7f_mmjoFCGYMTEMx3WcESoxNMcTvMTSF6KfQjhCGbHgau0PwaLYATSWLn9oTHZv0GAc1rb1k3vyaaL5HfMizAFwBlRfTAoEWSVZ8lKnsHUEPpse4kae5bWrPQS523FHkH3oM4vsaUJnA1ZbA/s320/7162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was a very enjoyable project. Lots of motivation the first 3 or 4 months. I worked the blocks before working the inner top and bottom borders, followed by the side borders, and finally, the outside top and bottom. I can't say there was ever a lack of motivation, but by the time I reached the side borders, I was slowing down a little, maybe. The borders are long (quilt is 80" x 100") and each border is mirrored from the center, and mirrored from the opposite border meaning that each motif is repeated four times. I was relieved to get beyond the side borders. But never a dull moment.</p><p>Like I mentioned, I'm going to hand quilt it and want to get finer stitches on this one. To that end, I watched a series of very good videos on YouTube by a woman who grew up Amish. Her name is Esther Miller. The 6 part series starts here:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MHR4EwfG4vo" width="320" youtube-src-id="MHR4EwfG4vo"></iframe></div><br /><p>I especially like that she is conscientious of the possibility of hand/wrist injury (something I'm always aware of). I ordered one of her needle slides and a thread puller, and I'm using a thimble (that almost fits) that I found at the thrift shop. I may end up forking over $$ for one of her custom sized thimbles.</p><p>So I've been practicing small stitching and it has--up till yesterday--been majorly frustrating. I recall the week/week-and-a-half of frustration when I was learning to spin wool (I learned on a drop spindle), and saying to myself many times, "If ... can do this, I'm confident I can too!" And by end of the week two, I'd pretty much gotten it. Learning small stitch quilting is worse than that. Oh my goodness, it's been hair pulling frustration. But perseverance is paying off.</p><p>Something happened yesterday by 'accident '--after many, many attempts--that shed some light on the mystery. I discovered that where my needle is placed against the thimble makes all the difference in the world, and it opened the door to more successful stitches. Yay! Now I'm practicing on consistency and feel I'm almost ready to start on the quilt. But first, I also need to practice quilting in different directions. Right to left is proceeding well now, curved lines are OK'ish, Top to bottom needs a little practice. I haven't practiced Bottom to top but suspect it will be a challenge similar to top to bottom. Left to right is awkward right now.</p><p>Also, before I start quilting I need to decide on a pattern(s)!</p><p>In this photo of my practicing, I've circled the latest bit of stitching and it is in the color I will use on this quilt. It's been good to practice with contrasting thread, though. It really highlights inconsistencies! (Ignore the mess on the far right, I was practicing an embroidered bullion stitch--quite unsuccessfully.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkftWPiJWMulAChJn3KGJnFUKinGC4Lnm4bUFpCbQB6iMWNJ4W7TUNM83WeIFUwfved6p3WwZhq76FLl6FF9qopT_TMUtTCf4g3-EUTtLIs2oIdBxeRtf2_C_fQA7eVqMjZMmjemztYyUU0Qs_ClLfM8zKkU0MJ3wN5B-DzyK1-1BH3P5v63AtMAdDk/s700/951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkftWPiJWMulAChJn3KGJnFUKinGC4Lnm4bUFpCbQB6iMWNJ4W7TUNM83WeIFUwfved6p3WwZhq76FLl6FF9qopT_TMUtTCf4g3-EUTtLIs2oIdBxeRtf2_C_fQA7eVqMjZMmjemztYyUU0Qs_ClLfM8zKkU0MJ3wN5B-DzyK1-1BH3P5v63AtMAdDk/s320/951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>With my set of tools:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DU_6W7EyvabVihTk53iopAHrF3CkqOnKC7nWKWMEfJAaZ0oIA_EiQURbRKHK2m8Dik_udHIV_vBB0hX2-4542BSGK_iRhhZhISu1mlMpLYxEt5RFWi-N2uSNO1fmZmtvkt-egaqtnplh4sklZyivkrGkVtYXKaM5vFNCROwuV3WyL7wpJfhbNpnBj6k/s700/952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DU_6W7EyvabVihTk53iopAHrF3CkqOnKC7nWKWMEfJAaZ0oIA_EiQURbRKHK2m8Dik_udHIV_vBB0hX2-4542BSGK_iRhhZhISu1mlMpLYxEt5RFWi-N2uSNO1fmZmtvkt-egaqtnplh4sklZyivkrGkVtYXKaM5vFNCROwuV3WyL7wpJfhbNpnBj6k/s320/952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bernardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981731310391012816noreply@blogger.com0