1.9.12

Just as cute as can be.

 

I can imagine drinking a chamomile and lavender blossom tea, sweetened with honey. Just a little bit of honey.

This is the Honeycomb Teapot

1.7.12.2

I am having a great deal of trouble today getting this to post. I am sorry if it is late. I will be taking tomorrow off because I am tired of dealing with this posting system. I will ask my experts if it is a problem with my brand of blog service and if I need to change to something else.

  This is HMHC's grandson who is almost two days old.

1.6.12

I am a great-aunt again! HMHC's daughter had a little boy last night.  

I spent a wonderful morning learning to cane chairs. Pictures soon. I am up to step 4 of a 7 step process. I will have to look for something else to cane before too long! In the afternoon, I began a hearth basket. It is a very pretty shape, about 12 X 18 on the bottom and something like this picture.

This one is from Old Salem Shops Online where you can buy it completed online. We are following a pattern that shows the chicken foot bottom, like this one seems to have but I have already selected a different bottom, more like the model in class which simply folds the filler stakes back into the inside bottom to be tucked away.

I may put a little color in mine, maybe something like this one from Bev's Baskets. I think you can buy them already finished from her. Look around. If you see a basket you like somewhere, let me know. Maybe I can make it for you.

1.5.12

We had so much wind in the past few days, none of our snow stuck. We were plenty surprised to find out that school had been cancelled in town due to snow! On our drive to THE CITY Tuesday, anyone from Florida might have thought the white stuff on the side of the road was sand. IT WAS NOT SAND! The water flowing over the rocks along Neel's Gap was beautiful as icicles.  There was frost on the road and some of the hairpin turns looked especially treacherous.

Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center, on the east side of Blood Mountain. It is the only place where the Appalachian Trail passes through a building.

Sorry for the late post, I have had a lot of trouble today getting pictures to upload and capturing the attention of my internet.

1.4.12

A few weeks ago, I won a Happy Birthday Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Contest for some Aurifil thread.  I sure am lucky! See the colors I won? 

 

Michele Foster offered me a choice but it really didn't matter, all the threads are so pretty. Just in time for me to practice for the FMQC.  

This month's lessons are heart shaped leaves taught by Frances Moore.  The video is over at SEWCAL's blog.  I would repost the video but I don't think I am supposed to do that so you can click and go over there yourself.

See you later, I am off to Crazy Quilting. I will take some pictures if I can.

1.3.12

 We rang in the New Year at Clay's Corner in Brasstown, NC. Every year we have talked about going to see the Possum Drop celebration--you know, New York has the big ball, so NC has the POSSUM. We got there around 10:00 pm in time to see last year's Possum Queen do a "dance routine" after the ceremonial possum in cage was raised to hover over the proceedings. The beauty pageant  part of the festivities features regional "beauty queens" or whatever men from area communities who could be persuaded to dance in drag on an outdoor stage. There were four or five obliging participants.

There was a bluegrass band called The Barker Brothers and they were pretty good. There was some impressive finger movement in the 32F weather. 
Here is my own short little video that lets you see a little of the band and a little of the possum. At the end of this post you can see a professionally made video from last year's event. 


An area church led a sing-a-long of various carols and gospel songs. Right after that was the beauty pageant. The emcee was pretty good with the jokes and the whole thing was pretty much G-rated. There was a portion where a band of black powder enthusiasts--the Brasstown Brigade--had a vocal blessing/song which to my mind somehow rationalized belief in Jesus means you should shoot guns. Then they fired several volleys, a tuba played a vaguely recognizable melody--something Sousa, I think. There was a small fire on the hill from one of the projectiles but I did not worry too much, they were firing over our heads even though they were facing us.

There was a rodeo clown and some bull riding. That is, a rodeo clown and some girls with bull costumes around their middles acting like bull riders. Prizes were awarded by applause. NC Speaker of the House Thom Tillis was on hand to honor US Military and the three Congressional Medal of Honor winners who passed away in 2011.

Finally the Possumtron revealed the moment was at hand. Representative Tillis ceremonially and SLOWLY (PETA IS WATCHING) lowered the possum to crowd applause. Following that was the largest display of fireworks I have seen in a long, long, time. We figured someone went over to Tennessee to buy them.  And I was not more than 50 feet away from the ignition site. Huge chunks of the stuff fell on my head, arms and hands. When the sound from the grand finale died away, Willie Nelson (via recording) led us all in "Dixie" as we turned from the display to walk back to our cars. What a great way to start the new year.

Here's a video from last year's event.

1.2.12

Ready for tea on Monday? My grocery store had some STASH TEA! I was pretty excited to make that discovery. I celebrated by purchasing this happy, exotic flavor. It is naturally sweet and I used only about a half teaspoon of sugar for a 10 oz cup. Lots of places sell it but you are likely to find it in health conscious markets like Whole Foods. 

1.1.12

Fat Quarter Quilt Shop Contest posted by Quokka Quilts

This post is absolutely full of links. If you click the link above, you will go to Quokka Quilts, run by LAURA, not Linda. On Christmas Day she announced a new contest that I just had to enter. The link will give you all the details. What you see below is my personal journey/entry. The last day to enter is January 15, so if you are interested, stop reading this and follow the first link!

Basically, I had to go to Fat Quarter Shop and select 12 prints and 3 solids. I did that easily--it took about an hour. Then I realized that BATIKS probably do not count as PRINTS or SOLIDS. Does not matter--remember, I already won a contest for 57 batik fat quarters. I rethought my selection.

Much, much later, I had a final decision. Then I had to download PICASA, figure out how to make a collage with "borrowed" pictures from Fat Quarter Shop and make sure I could name them and link to them. TA-DA!

 Most of the fabrics I chose came from Lakehouse Fabrics.

Left to right, top row first:

1  Pam Kitty Morning Big Red Dot

2  Pam Kitty Morning Red Precious Dot

3  Pam Kitty Morning Red on White Precious Dot

4  Pam Kitty Morning Red Gingham

5  Pam Kitty Morning Red Ping Pong

6  Juicy Blossoms Yellow Geometric Dots 

7  Pam Kitty Morning Blue Precious Dot 

8  Pam Kitty Morning Big Blue Dot

9  Pam Kitty Morning Blue Gingham

10 Pam Kitty Morning, Blue Missy Stripe

11 Crazy For Dots & Stripes II Yellow Mini Dots on White

12 Kona Cotton Ocean

13 Kona Cotton Corn Yellow

14 Kona Cotton Kiwi

15Pam Kitty Morning, Green Ping Pong

I chose primary colors! No one is more surprised than I. But I will stick with these. They are cheery and I like them.

12.31.11

A little garment sewing with Simplicity patterns.

What will it be? It is a birthday request from a 1976 Simplicity pattern.

Yes, that pattern cost $1.25.

Usually I only cut out one thing at a time but a couple of days ago I cut out TWO projects in one day. Then I spent the rest of the day reading.  

 The other project is also an apron. It does not look as modern as the 35 year old pattern above but the price sure is current.

 In  the store, you can buy this for $14.95. I make a list of all the patterns I want/ need and when we go into a real city that has patterns for sale, I use my coupons or hope we are there on a day when that particular pattern company is on sale. I only had to part with $1.99 to get the pattern for the apron on the far right of this package. I am making a modification, of course. I can never leave well-enough alone. My shoulder straps will be more streamlined since I deleted the scallops. And the applique'.

 

The fabric for the big apron is a two strong pinks on brown. I have bias tape in the same shade as the darker pink to make the finishing touches. I decided to make an apron because I can not bring myself to wear a bib while I eat. Ironically, the only thing this apron does not cover is the place I usually spill my food.  I will probably have to wear a bib anyway.

12.30.11

Two meetings on one day at the same time in two different churches. Next Thursday, my OASIS classes resume. I will be taking chair caning as well as Intermediate II basketry. Unfortunately, that is when Fiber Active (through the Misty Mountain Quilt Guild) meets, as well. I at first RSVPed that I would attend F. A. but since I looked at my calender, I realize I can not do both. It is important not to miss the first meeting of ANY class, even if you expect to miss some of the others. I have asked F.A. to reschedule  for another day of the week. There were five of us last time, and at least two of us are OASIS students.

I also take a Crazy Quilt class through the guild, and even though my Quilty Friend does not take that class, she knew this pattern was for me! It is from Canada Goose Designs and it is called CRAZY WEDDING RING. It is so unusual! It combines crazy quilting with TURNED EDGE applique! The pattern says to use all your machine stitches and make lots of rectangles, then using a petal shaped cutting template, cut them out. After that, use a finishing template, turn the edges. When a  background is selected and marked, baste the petals on to it, then applique. The pattern has it all done by machine which might be a great idea for the crib quilt size. I might start there. Since I am also in the machine quilting challenge--check my blog badge to the right--this will be a great excuse to learn some of my machine's stitches.

                                                

Can you see a tiny cardinal in a gilded cage? My Florida brother's family sent that along with this lovely vanilla shower gel and lotion. I sure smell good right now!

12.29.11

 Here is my green neck gaiter, also hand knit by Mom. It is so soft. The weather is chilling down now and I will get to wear it very soon.

I got ORANGE fabric from a quilty friend. How did she know my special affinity for orange? These three coordinates will make some pretty leaves or maybe fall fairy skirts...

I received a number of requested kitchen items but one item I did not expect was a rolly-mat! I have great office chairs and nice berber style carpet in my studio but they do not work well together. Now I have a chair mat and they slide along like a dream!

Sweetest Christmas card. This is a photograph of my Oregon brother's dog--with antlers! I guess most of my family are dog fanciers. Come back tomorrow and see what else there is!

12.28.11

Here are some of my Christmas goodies. A kit to make make my own ornaments. Anyone who knows me, knows this is something I really enjoy. I especially like beads and snowflakes.  What could be better than to have them both at once--AND I get to MAKE them!

You are not going to believe this, but this little felt bird has a hidden tape measure! There is a little leaf at his behind. If you pull it, you can measure things! 

I happen to love purple. I have since the 1970s. But not just any purple, this specific grapey lavender. I was pretty excited to open this hand knit neck gaiter made by Mom. There is a lovely green one, too, but you will have to wait to see that.

Someone made me a pincushion! It came with the cutest little pins. I especially like the pink/coral petals on this flowery pinwheel. One of my quilty friends made it and I love it.

12.27.11

What a wonderful holiday we had here in the mountains. Last year we were snowed in and had not heat or electric for Christmas Day. This year it was a little drippy but not much below 45F. We spent a quiet day in front of the fire place, missing absent family members and enjoying the dog with her presents. This year, for the first time in a long time, we had stockings to open. I even had one and I have not had one since my own parents stopped the tradition. Mine was made by a new friend in Canada whom I met through the stocking exchange. It was filled with exciting little surprises and sweet treats.

Canadian Maria made me a wonderful primitive/whimsical Stocking out of a a pretty brown wool tweed.

She hand appliqued a Santa and made a cute cotton fringe for the top.
 

And, look! He not only IS a stocking, he CARRIES one, too!

That sure is a lot of hand stitching. Don't you love those candy canes?

There were lots of goodies inside but you will not see any pictures of the sweet treats, they are gone!  She also made a cute Santa ornament for the tree--one inch squares and HSTs! (half-square triangles) I wish you could see the real thing. The face and beard are all different white on white and cream on white fabrics and the tan in the hat band has little tiny gold stars. I will probably not put this away with the Christmas things but keep it up here in my studio.

More tomorrow and maybe an update about our flying squirrels. The wildlife eradication team is scheduled for today. I promise not to photograph anything you would not want to see.

12.26.11

Happy Monday! Today's tea related picture is a Red and Ivory Cardinal Teapot.

Isn't that cute? It makes me cheerful just looking at it. Do you like the set?

12.25.11

CHRISTMAS 2011 STOCKING, part 9

 

Here she is with hair and make-up. I hand quilted and beaded her hair. She still looks wise and content.

Finished but not filled.

 

  

 

 

12.24.11

 CHRISTMAS 2011 STOCKING, part 8

Here are some pictures of Canadian Maria's stocking. I sure hope it got there by today. I had so much fun constructing it.

I assemble the tree separately and carry it around beading it for a couple of days.

Then I put it on the stocking fabric, sew the stocking and turn it, then fill in with beads the parts I left unbeaded near the seams.

After that, I re-interview fabrics. I had pulled a pile to consider but it is important to get an idea of scale as well as contrast.  For instance, I didn't want the hair color to overwhelm the skin or have the boots the first thing you noticed.  

 I choose a duo of pretty coral/red coordinates. For wings and star, I find a white that is spattered with silver. You can't really see that silver, can you?

I trace the parts on the wrong sides of the fabrics, stitch, turn and stuff. I sure love my hemostats.  I rely on them for turning and also for stuffing. I have several pair and I would be lost without them.

Remember the pattern I am using? Julie McCullough's ANGEL HAIR design. If you click the link you will see her version of it. In my earlier posts, I explained my modifications. PART ONE, PART TWO, PART THREE, PART FOUR, PART FIVE, PART SIX,  AND PART SEVEN.

Now you see the face turned, stuffed, and sculpted. She looks wise, doesn't she? If you have artistic experience, you know at a certain point in the creation, it starts to take on its own life and guides your hand. Decisions are made by you but the piece itself has the final word on the outcome. I found that to be true with basketry, doll making, bear making, quilting, spinning, knitting (unfortunately), and jewelry making. I tried pottery briefly but I fought the clay so much we never really got along. Anyway, she needs some make-up at this point but I wait a day or two until we are both ready.

The wings are fun. Instead of modifying the pattern and making voluptuous wings as I had intended, I went with the ones from the pattern. I enjoyed beading on the little star-shaped sequins and I was able to stay in the silver theme. I have a few multicolored star sequins and they looked wonderful on the fabric but the silver is more subtle and does not overpower.

You can not possibly imagine the trouble I had drafting the right sized star. That is all I will say about that.