Okay, last post I laid out my projects for the year and well here it is 4 days later and I haven't started on any of them. I did work a little on a baby hat that we started last spring. I'll finish it tonight and probably look into how may more rows I am going to do on a shawl I am knitting.
I need to cut back on active projects and start finishing some things. I am feeling like I am drowning in clutter. Realistically I am not getting a storage shed anytime soon so I need to start taking care of things. I don't want it to get to the point of "Urge to Purge"
The "Urge to Purge" is what we called the moods my dad would get in when clutter on his desk got to be too much. When dad was in one of those moods he didn't always pay attention to what he was throwing out. One time my mom found one of the kid's birth certificates in the trash. Other important items that disappeared were thought to be discarded during a purge.
I know a purge would be cathartic but I hate to let go of anything that I have collected or even might use. I keep thinking I will get around to doing something with it. Or maybe one of the kids will have a project that the stuff will come in useful for. the truth is most of my stuff is in bins and I can't find it when I need it so I end up buying more. Not very practical in a small house with no storage. Yet I can't let go of things.
Well that is not quite correct. I am happy to share my stash with anyone who needs some of it. Is there a project you need beads for, come on over and see if I have what you need. Looking for a rubber stamp, check out my sets. Need some blue fabric for a baby quilt come on over. Looking for a pattern, check out my box. It is all up for grabs if you need it. Just don't expect me to dump it in a Goodwill box or drop it off at a senior center where it might or might not get used.
I wonder if there are others out there who feel the same way.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Starting Out in 2014
Wow! It is hard to believe that 16 months has passed since I last posted. It has been a very strange year. I have been crafting though. I finished my Bronchitis quilt last March only took me a year. I really am happy with it. My chevron quilt top is almost put together, I just need to add borders and quilt it.
I have started a jellyroll race quilt for Arianna and Victor. I have 2 or 3 more quilts planned.
I haven't done a whole lot with jewelry but Christmas 2012, we did give all the girls necklaces with stones that their Dad faceted and I set. They loved them. I also made Arianna's wedding jewelry and her head piece. All of which I am really proud of.
I did the corsages for Arianna's wedding as well as the cake. So you see it has been a busy craft year.
Since Arianna came home for about 5 months, my studio has been a mess. Her craft stuff exploded into my craft stuff. I am needing to separate it. Now that the wedding is over and she is out we are trying to regain some semblance of our former work area.
PROJECTS FOR 2014
My first project for 2014: get my studio back in working order.
Second project: finish the Jelly Roll Race quilt.
Third project: a quilt for Killian
Probably getting ahead of myself here so I will stop there.
GOALS FOR 2014
I have started a jellyroll race quilt for Arianna and Victor. I have 2 or 3 more quilts planned.
I haven't done a whole lot with jewelry but Christmas 2012, we did give all the girls necklaces with stones that their Dad faceted and I set. They loved them. I also made Arianna's wedding jewelry and her head piece. All of which I am really proud of.
I did the corsages for Arianna's wedding as well as the cake. So you see it has been a busy craft year.
Since Arianna came home for about 5 months, my studio has been a mess. Her craft stuff exploded into my craft stuff. I am needing to separate it. Now that the wedding is over and she is out we are trying to regain some semblance of our former work area.
PROJECTS FOR 2014
My first project for 2014: get my studio back in working order.
Second project: finish the Jelly Roll Race quilt.
Third project: a quilt for Killian
Probably getting ahead of myself here so I will stop there.
GOALS FOR 2014
- organize my supplies
- craft 2-3 times a week for at least 15 minute
- finish a project each month (old or new; big or small)
- work on projects with my daughters
- never stop learning new things
- try to use what I have.
- try to find homes for the things I don't use anymore.
- do more machine quilting
Saturday, September 1, 2012
My Daughter the Muse
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| Arianna and Me |
So one of the first things we did was go over my fabric stash additions. She tried to steal my precious fabric. She hadn't even taken her sewing machine when she left 2 1/2 years ago and she wanted my fabric.
Then she tried to steal all the jewelry that Tatianna and I made. Okay not all of it but several pieces. I did let have 3 or 4 of them, maybe more. Arianna was especially intrigued with the viking knit and kumihimo cords.
I never got around to showing her how to do the viking knit. But I did get her hooked on the kumihimo. She made several ribbon cords and decided she needed a disk so she could work with one of kids on it. Arianna played with several different patterns and styles. She even took the square one and figured out how to do it. She had handed it to me to do, of course I hadn't been watching her and well I messed it up. It was funny to see her reaction as she carefully undid the mistake. I felt a little bit of pay back for all the times I had to undo and redo something she had messed up.
Now because it was for Bear and because she loves her Aunt Bear, Arianna didn't argue or even beg for the fairy But bless her heart she gave me the start of an idea. Arianna said you have to make vines and leaves and stuff because it is a fairy and all of a sudden I had the picture in my mind. Problem was I didn't have the beads nor the ribbon.
The next day we went shopping in pursuit of Kumihimo disks. We went to Lizette's shop in Havana, FL. It's called "Lizette's Great Beadginnings". It is a small bead shop in the back of Cindy's Chapeuax. (also a great little shop) I like Lizette's because for the most part the prices are very reasonable, they have classes and you can just go in there on a Saturday afternoon and chat. A fun place to be. I knew that Lizette had the Kumi disks but I also knew they would be about $8.00. They are made for jewelry makers. Arianna needed something a little less pricey to work with kids on. While at Lizette's I found the beads that I wanted for the necklace. I had already picked up the ribbon that morning.
The search for affordable Kumi disks continued at Hobby Lobby in Tallahassee. No disks there. We did see and microwave kiln for fusing glass and a glass bead starter kit. Both of which are now on my wish list. (Like I need another distraction)
On to a little bead shop I had heard about. It opened last October and was close already. In this economy little craft shops are dying. It is not the only one I know of that has closed recently.
That left one more place to look, Michael's. I had not been to the Michael's in Tallahassee. I am afraid it is not one of my favorite stores. I find them to be a little high priced and more Home Dec than craft. (I think my favorite craft store of all time was Switz's in North Syracuse, NY but since they died it has to be Craft Warehouse, a chain in the Pacific Northwest) But I digress.
We looked all over Michael's, we were about to give up when Arianna and Tatianna wandered into the Kid's section. There they were labeled weaving wheels. And at a reasonable price, $3.99 each. There were 2 left and Arianna snatched them up. A few more items and we were checking out. Heavenly Father really loves Arianna because at the checkout the price was $1.50. She was one happy girl.
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| the slide |
Once we got home I started on the Kumihimo cord for the necklace. Sage Green and Heather Purple. It didn't take very long to get the length I needed. I finished finished off the cord except for the end caps. I then found a dowel the same size of the cord, wrapped a heavy wire around it and formed the base of the slide I wanted to hold the fairy. I then wired flowers and leaves to the base wire creating tendrils with the ends. I made beaded drop to attache the fairy with and slid it onto the cord. I finished it all off with bead caps and a clasp. I was so happy with it, it turned out just as I had pictured it. All it took was Arianna to observe it needed leaves and vines.
I know that Bear reads my blog and I can't wait to hear what she thinks of her necklace. I sent it home with Arianna and gave her the task of getting it to Bear. You see I am terrible about mailing stuff. My mother-in-law's Christmas present from last year is still sitting on a shelf ready to be mailed.
Bear - I hope you get down to the Maryland Faire this year. Arianna really wants to see you. But if you don't just nag Arianna until she mails it to you. I love you. - Amy
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Soap Making: Remembering the Little Tricks
A couple of months go I rescued some palm oil from the trash bin. Several pounds of palm oil actually. It has been sitting in my kitchen waiting on me to make it into soap. I haven't made soap in about 6 years and so I am a little rusty. Okay a lot rusty. But I got out my handy dandy book and read up just so I would not screw up. I was prepared, right? Wrong. Little things that I had forgotten led to some mess and now some rework to save all of the effort.
To start with, my soap supplies have been stored under the house for the last 4 years. My wooden molds are a little warped. My gloves and plastic mold liners are trash. The labels on the bottles of essential oil and fragrances are smeared. But undaunted Tatianna and I pressed forward.
I figured out the fat/oil to lye ratio for a 1# batch and then quadrupled it. That was the first mistake. You see while a 1/4 of an ounce less Lye doesn't make a big difference in a 1# batch, a whole ounce does in a 4 # batch. We got grainy soap. So in an in order to save the ingredients and effort we will have to re batch the soap. But we will need to wait until it has set up some more. Still that lesson was learned and now we won't make that mistake again. I think I was more careful with my calculations the first time I made soap. I was a little to cavalier this time.
Mistake # 2; we lined the molds with butcher paper, we've used it before with great success. Except that the butcher paper we currently have while excellent for wrapping meat, is not good for soap making. This paper has a sizing on it instead of a plastic coating. Some of the soap oils and soda ash seeped through and glued the soap & paper to the mold. Since the soap was grainy it was not too hard to chop it out of the mold. Now I need to go to the Dollar Store and get some of those cheap plastic party table cloths to make my liners with. They work really well and are reusable.
My next mistake could have been tragic. I have two pitchers designated for mixing up the lye and water. I had forgotten how much the Lye foams up once it is added to the water. I tried to mix up all the lye for one batch in one pitcher. We had Lye all over the counter and floor. I cleaned it up with some old towels. And since I didn't have an vinegar to neutralize the lye I grabbed some lemon juice and poured it over the area. Fortunately none of us got burned.
One trick I did remember was that the soap came to trace faster using the stick blender. Now I need a new stick blender for the kitchen. One small batch started to form lumps before coming to trace, we just used the blender to smooth them out. That batch by the way turned out beautifully.
Somethings I know. I still like the whole soap making process. It makes you feel a little like a witch or sorcerer stirring up that pot of ingredients adding a little of this and a little of that. Ingenuity is still a major component of crafting. Necessity may be the mother of invention but common sense and wisdom rule the world. Skills that our great grandmothers practiced out of necessity should not be lost because of the conveniences of our time. It may be more expensive for me to make my soap but the process is worth the expense.
Also I feel connected to my ancestors when I do it. I love the story of how my ancestor Hannah Foote was making soap when and Indian raiding party attacked. Her husband was out hunting and she was alone with the children. She was getting the lye ready (I do buy my lye but I may have to learn to make it one day) when the Indians attacked. She threw the hot lye on them grabbed her kids and ran into the woods to hide. What an intelligent lady. I come from a long line of strong intelligent women. They are probably up in Heaven shaking their heads saying why on earth is she doing that when she can just go to the store and buy it. But I know it is more than the effort that makes my soap special.
Lessons Learned:
1. Do calculations for the size batch you are making.
2. Mix up lye in small amounts and then combine.
3. Always have Vinegar on hand.
4. Take the time to get the supplies you need or are use to.
5. Make lemonade, mistakes are not always the end of the world.
6. Don't wait for years to do things you like to do. Skills get rusty.
7. Make notes in your reference books on things that worked for you. (in case you wait six years to do it again)
To start with, my soap supplies have been stored under the house for the last 4 years. My wooden molds are a little warped. My gloves and plastic mold liners are trash. The labels on the bottles of essential oil and fragrances are smeared. But undaunted Tatianna and I pressed forward.
I figured out the fat/oil to lye ratio for a 1# batch and then quadrupled it. That was the first mistake. You see while a 1/4 of an ounce less Lye doesn't make a big difference in a 1# batch, a whole ounce does in a 4 # batch. We got grainy soap. So in an in order to save the ingredients and effort we will have to re batch the soap. But we will need to wait until it has set up some more. Still that lesson was learned and now we won't make that mistake again. I think I was more careful with my calculations the first time I made soap. I was a little to cavalier this time.
Mistake # 2; we lined the molds with butcher paper, we've used it before with great success. Except that the butcher paper we currently have while excellent for wrapping meat, is not good for soap making. This paper has a sizing on it instead of a plastic coating. Some of the soap oils and soda ash seeped through and glued the soap & paper to the mold. Since the soap was grainy it was not too hard to chop it out of the mold. Now I need to go to the Dollar Store and get some of those cheap plastic party table cloths to make my liners with. They work really well and are reusable.
My next mistake could have been tragic. I have two pitchers designated for mixing up the lye and water. I had forgotten how much the Lye foams up once it is added to the water. I tried to mix up all the lye for one batch in one pitcher. We had Lye all over the counter and floor. I cleaned it up with some old towels. And since I didn't have an vinegar to neutralize the lye I grabbed some lemon juice and poured it over the area. Fortunately none of us got burned.
One trick I did remember was that the soap came to trace faster using the stick blender. Now I need a new stick blender for the kitchen. One small batch started to form lumps before coming to trace, we just used the blender to smooth them out. That batch by the way turned out beautifully.
Somethings I know. I still like the whole soap making process. It makes you feel a little like a witch or sorcerer stirring up that pot of ingredients adding a little of this and a little of that. Ingenuity is still a major component of crafting. Necessity may be the mother of invention but common sense and wisdom rule the world. Skills that our great grandmothers practiced out of necessity should not be lost because of the conveniences of our time. It may be more expensive for me to make my soap but the process is worth the expense.
Also I feel connected to my ancestors when I do it. I love the story of how my ancestor Hannah Foote was making soap when and Indian raiding party attacked. Her husband was out hunting and she was alone with the children. She was getting the lye ready (I do buy my lye but I may have to learn to make it one day) when the Indians attacked. She threw the hot lye on them grabbed her kids and ran into the woods to hide. What an intelligent lady. I come from a long line of strong intelligent women. They are probably up in Heaven shaking their heads saying why on earth is she doing that when she can just go to the store and buy it. But I know it is more than the effort that makes my soap special.
Lessons Learned:
1. Do calculations for the size batch you are making.
2. Mix up lye in small amounts and then combine.
3. Always have Vinegar on hand.
4. Take the time to get the supplies you need or are use to.
5. Make lemonade, mistakes are not always the end of the world.
6. Don't wait for years to do things you like to do. Skills get rusty.
7. Make notes in your reference books on things that worked for you. (in case you wait six years to do it again)
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Interesting Experience
In my last Post I mentioned that I was going to chaperon a Youth Conference. We went to the conference and brought a quilt that we made out of sheets to be tied. The Kids were all asked to donate items such as used children's clothes, spare change, toilet paper and hygiene items. The different wards donated quilts to be tied. Service projects consisted of writing the missionaries and service men/women, writing testimonies in Books of Mormon,and tying quilts. 800 youth and leaders from all over Georgia, Alabama and Florida came together on the Troy University campus to learn, grow, and render service. It was a wonderful experience that my children and I both were glad we had.
The Service project that I was asked to help with was tying quilts. We did not have any frames and the youth were to hold the quilt taut while they tied it. This was a team building exercise. Basically we used a human frame to hold the quilt. So 8-10 kids held the quilt tight and two kids tied and cut as the others held. The plan was to rotate the kids around each getting a chance to hold and to tie. It turned out that tying it was not as easy as we thought it was going to be and many teams opted to have the same people do the tying so they would be able to finish it.
The room we did this project in did not have any air conditioning. The temperatures were in the 100's and there were over 400 people in this room. It was very hot and very sticky and every one was very uncomfortable. Yet the youth did not complain nor try to get out of the assignments.
There were some complications with this project. First the youth that were suppose to oversee this project didn't really know what to do. So as the Adult leaders had to step in and take over. But we mostly just directed. The youth did actually run the project once they knew what they were doing. The second problem was that the room was hard to find so many of the youth went to the other location and had to be redirected to the room we were in.
Then the needle for tying the quilts were the wrong type. They had tapestry needles instead of yarn darners. The needles were blunt and we couldn't push them through the fabric. So we had to figure out how to make them work. It was suggested we make a hole and then drawn the yarn thought the holes with the needles. I shot that idea down. I felt that we would weaken the fabric and open up the possibility for tearing the quilts. The this leader came to our rescue. He pulled out a file and started sharpening the needles. Someone else had a file on his leather man and we had 2 people sharpening needles. I knew Killian had a file on his leather man and I sent him to the other location to sharpen the needles there.
After a couple of hours of the heat and miserable conditions we decided to give the kids a break. We told them that they could go. But several of the groups wanted to stay and finish. This group had a late start but stayed until they finished. It was interesting to see how many of the boys really got into this. I was afraid that they would have thought it too silly or girly. I think the boys were more into it than the girls.
I was a wonderful experience for all of those involved. Watching those kids worked together to get the assignments done was inspiring. The team building exercise of tying quilts was successful. Teams were truly built, the kids recognized their strengths and those of the others and utilized each others strengths to get the job done. No egos were involved just the desire to do a good job and get it done. That in and of itself was wonderful to witness.
I loved the experience I had at Youth Conference and look forward to having it again. It was really rewarding to see the youth care about something other than themselves and work as a team.
The Service project that I was asked to help with was tying quilts. We did not have any frames and the youth were to hold the quilt taut while they tied it. This was a team building exercise. Basically we used a human frame to hold the quilt. So 8-10 kids held the quilt tight and two kids tied and cut as the others held. The plan was to rotate the kids around each getting a chance to hold and to tie. It turned out that tying it was not as easy as we thought it was going to be and many teams opted to have the same people do the tying so they would be able to finish it.
The room we did this project in did not have any air conditioning. The temperatures were in the 100's and there were over 400 people in this room. It was very hot and very sticky and every one was very uncomfortable. Yet the youth did not complain nor try to get out of the assignments.
There were some complications with this project. First the youth that were suppose to oversee this project didn't really know what to do. So as the Adult leaders had to step in and take over. But we mostly just directed. The youth did actually run the project once they knew what they were doing. The second problem was that the room was hard to find so many of the youth went to the other location and had to be redirected to the room we were in. Then the needle for tying the quilts were the wrong type. They had tapestry needles instead of yarn darners. The needles were blunt and we couldn't push them through the fabric. So we had to figure out how to make them work. It was suggested we make a hole and then drawn the yarn thought the holes with the needles. I shot that idea down. I felt that we would weaken the fabric and open up the possibility for tearing the quilts. The this leader came to our rescue. He pulled out a file and started sharpening the needles. Someone else had a file on his leather man and we had 2 people sharpening needles. I knew Killian had a file on his leather man and I sent him to the other location to sharpen the needles there. 
I was a wonderful experience for all of those involved. Watching those kids worked together to get the assignments done was inspiring. The team building exercise of tying quilts was successful. Teams were truly built, the kids recognized their strengths and those of the others and utilized each others strengths to get the job done. No egos were involved just the desire to do a good job and get it done. That in and of itself was wonderful to witness.
I loved the experience I had at Youth Conference and look forward to having it again. It was really rewarding to see the youth care about something other than themselves and work as a team.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
One More UFP Done
Well I finally finished the wall quilt. It is quilted and bound. It will go well on the wall of my daughter's room, which is bright green. This was a class I that I took from a now defunct quilt shop in January of 2009. I really didn't care for the fabric that came in this kit. They made up the kits from batiks. I love batiks! Especially in quilts but in this one there were too many colors. The fabrics were all from the same seires but the end results read muddy to me. There is something to be said for mixing things up. The sad truth is my favorite fabric in the kit is only used in the border. You don't get to see the really neat dragon fly pattern in it. I do love dragon flies.
I wasn't able to fussy cut the hearts from the pink areas and I really don't care for the color choices. This was the first time I did the square in the square pattern as well as the first time I actually appliqued. The teacher for the class asked if anyone knew how to do the blanket stitch on the machine. None of us did, so everyone else did it by hand. I figured out how to do it on the machine. I would use a heavier thread next time. It wasn't that hard but I would definitely put the adhesive on the fabric before cutting out the hearts. That way I wouldn't have threads sticking out.
I tried out the stipple stitch on my machine for the white border. I had planned on doing it in the white background squares as well but the machine only went in straight lines easily. So I figure I will have to do that free hand for other quilts.
There are several errors in the quilt but I am not a perfectionist. Heck it is only the second quilt I've machine quilted. I am definitely going to do more of them.
One of my fondest dreams is to have a hand guided long arm quilting machine. Of course I want on with all the bells and whistles. They are very pricey and we are definitely on a very limited budget. I just think I would do better driving the machine instead of the fabric. But one must make do with what one has. So I will use my little Brother Sewing/Quilting machine that I got at Walmart.
We are going to get Tatianna's Quilt on the frame today (hopefully) and work on it. It will be nice for her to get it done. I am also going to work on the Bronchitis Quilt. (A quilt I pieced while suffering from Bronchitis) I need to do a border and backing and prep the binding. I may get as far as pinning it for quilting. I am going to try free motion quilting on this one. I am thinking a dragon fly design that I have a template for.
Oh, and then there is the twin size quilt for the service project. Our church youth (14-18) are having a Youth Conference July 12-14th. They asked for quilts to tie and donate to a shelter. I am cheating, I bought 2 twin sized flat sheets and batting. I will stitch the the sheets and batting together in an envelope binding and turn it. Then at the conference they will tie it and finish it. I am chaperoning for our youth so I will be there to help. I'll try to get pictures.
I still need to hem 3 pair of suit pants for Killian before Thursday as well. Hmmmm. Seem to have a lot on my plate for the next few days.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Unfinished Projects
I have actually finished one of those UFP's I am always talking about. That full size quilt that has needed binding for the past year. It is done. I am so pleased with myself for getting it done. There is a huge satisfaction in finishing a project that has been hanging over your head.
It was such a good feeling that I am actually finishing another 3 year project. It is a wall hanging that needed quilting and binding. I had actually stopped working on it to make the other quilt. I am down to binding it now. Then I will finish the last 3 strips of the chevron quilt and get that top pieced. I also need to finish the bronchitis quilt.
It seems that since I have started working out and losing weight I have a lot more energy in the evening and I actually work on things. Also my studio is not quite as messy as it has been. I am working on getting things put away and finished off. That makes it easier to sit down and work.
I did go back to that fabric store this week. Twice actually. I thought it was going to close on Friday and went and got some beautiful stuff for my stash. I then found out that it would be open on Saturday. I took my friend Michelle and we both got a lot of stuff to add to our stashes. I really need to get my stashes organized.
Tatianna is planning out quilts to make and she has already decided on the next one. 7 different colors of 4 inch squares. She is talking 7 fabrics but I think it will look better if she uses at least twice that many. It would be a very nice scrappy quilt.
TaKayren is still on the idea of 10 inch squares all different fabrics for her quilt. She is only doing it to finish off a YW value project.
I already have 3 or 4 projects in the making and 5 or 6 more planned. I really need to finish these off. I especially need to start using my stash and get some of this stuff out of the kids' rooms. Plus get some of the stuff out of the way in the studio.
Oh the plans, I have planned. We will see how fast I can make them happen.
It was such a good feeling that I am actually finishing another 3 year project. It is a wall hanging that needed quilting and binding. I had actually stopped working on it to make the other quilt. I am down to binding it now. Then I will finish the last 3 strips of the chevron quilt and get that top pieced. I also need to finish the bronchitis quilt.
It seems that since I have started working out and losing weight I have a lot more energy in the evening and I actually work on things. Also my studio is not quite as messy as it has been. I am working on getting things put away and finished off. That makes it easier to sit down and work.
I did go back to that fabric store this week. Twice actually. I thought it was going to close on Friday and went and got some beautiful stuff for my stash. I then found out that it would be open on Saturday. I took my friend Michelle and we both got a lot of stuff to add to our stashes. I really need to get my stashes organized.
Tatianna is planning out quilts to make and she has already decided on the next one. 7 different colors of 4 inch squares. She is talking 7 fabrics but I think it will look better if she uses at least twice that many. It would be a very nice scrappy quilt.
TaKayren is still on the idea of 10 inch squares all different fabrics for her quilt. She is only doing it to finish off a YW value project.
I already have 3 or 4 projects in the making and 5 or 6 more planned. I really need to finish these off. I especially need to start using my stash and get some of this stuff out of the kids' rooms. Plus get some of the stuff out of the way in the studio.
Oh the plans, I have planned. We will see how fast I can make them happen.
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