Monday, October 31, 2016

Hall-OOOO-Ween!





Take any one of those pumpkins and turn it into this: 

Allhalloween,[6] All Hallows' Eve,[7] or All Saints' Eve,[8] is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide,[9] the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.[10][11]
It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from Celtic harvest festivals which may have pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, and that this festival was Christianized as Halloween.[1][7][12][13][14][15] Some academics, however, support the view that Halloween began independently as a solely Christian holiday.[1][16][17][18][19]
Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related guising), attending Halloween costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfiresapple bobbing and divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories and watching horror films. In many parts of the world, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular,[20][21][22] although elsewhere it is a more commercial and secular celebration.[23][24][25] Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve,[26][27] a tradition reflected in the eating of certain foods on this vigil day, including applespotato pancakes and soul cakes.[27][28][29 (information from Wikipedia.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Do You Podcast?



Years ago, I learned about podcasting--not that I would podcast myself, --but I would listen to podcasts.  There were very few then but now--oh, WOW!  you can find a podcast about almost anything and everything!  Plus now, you can find video podcast!!  Gee, I could spend hours watching techniques I would like to learn and know more about.
The above photo represents 50 best podcast of 2015
pod·cast
ˈpädˌkast/
noun
  1. 1.
    a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or portable media player, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.
verb
  1. 1.
    make (a digital audio file) available as a podcast.

More than 300,000 podcasts exist in the world as of the close of 2015. They range from products made by someone pressing record in their closet to million-dollar outfits with sterling sound engineering. 

Okay, I have my itunes stuffed with podcasts to listen too--if only, I could watch as many as I have waiting in the wings--here's a few that I found interesting for my craft purposes:


WARNING:  Podcast/video casts are very additive!!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Color: Guide For Knitters

So, you are a knitter and wondered how color affects your knitting.  Here is an opportunity
to learn some interesting facts about color from a pro:  Ann Weaver


and it comes to you through the MDK (Mason-Dixon Knits gals).  Sign up for their "snippets"--a weekly newsletter.  

Part one:  What we talk about when we talk about color is up and ready to enjoy.

in this series, you'll explore five types of contrast:
  • Contrast of hue
  • Light-dark contrast
  • Complementary colors
  • Warm-cool contrast
  • Contrast of extension
Nothing to lose but a little time and you can come away with better understanding of color in knitting.  Join me in this adventure!

Friday, October 28, 2016

TRAVELLING!

Yelp, I've been travelling and I didn't even leave my comfy chair!  Okay, it's a good thing sometimes when I travel through the internet; it is definitely a time suck!  But, I've travelled to many interesting places and met some really cool people.




Take Sarah Hunt and her Fiber Trek:


Then there is Kate Davies Designs.  She is working on a publication that will feature their travels. What photos--taking you to far away places where you can meander through paths of thought in an instant and snap back to reality when you want.
October woodswhere will your journeys take you today?  I'm headed out to do my errands, but it was a fun time walking in someone's shoes for awhile

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Attic Window Panels

I've been playing around with panels that were found in my stash.
One of the expatcher gals, Linda, was the first to do this in our group.  Judy M had
several Christmas tree panels that would be perfect to use window panel effect.
I'm practicing with this panel--first big mistake, I didn't take a photo of the whole panel
before I cut it into pieces.
At this point, I'm not too sure this panel works well--but, I'll trudge on as I've put in some
math time--Yes, figuring out how wide and what length the window panels needed to be,
took some math brain power!

I'm auditioning borders--thinking the top fabric works better than the light colored one on
the right.  I AM NOT going to buy more fabric--there is plenty in my stash to
play with.
Interested in doing this technique with your panel?  Check this you tube video out....


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Weaving Away

There are days that I just want to weave, especially when it's the width is just 6" wide!
Here is the warp from who knows when!  I wrote about it in post "Note To Self", October 21.
I had tied onto the previous warp (cotton towels) and pulled through--not going to waste this 
lovely yarn.  It's been smooth weaving so far.  I planned this project (believe it or not)
to follow the towels in broken twill--now, I'm winding a warp for more towels but
will thread in twill--there is so much you can do with this threading.
and I can tie on for eternity !  

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Oh Dear! Not A Knot!?


When it comes to working with your yarn, be it either handspun or commercial, there could be a KNOT appear right where you don't want it to be!  Oh, fudge, what do you do when you have a knot?  Sometimes, it's just a simple loop in the yarn and you can tug it out but other times, it is a repair--
A BIG FAT KNOT where you don't want it to be!

Here is a video to helps you work through this obstacle.


and there you have some solutions!
BUT--what if you want a knot.  I have a pattern that asks for knots in the knitting!

Okay, I just got rid of knots and now I have to ADD knots--!!
Go Figure!



KNOT STITCH PATTERN
There are step-by-step photos below to guide you through this stitch, but if you're ready to go, here's your ticket to instant knitted knots:
Multiple: 6 + 5
SPECIAL ABBREVIATION

MK (Make Knot): Purl the next three stitches together, but do not drop them from the needle. Knit the same three stitches together, then purl the same three stitches together. Drop the stitches from the left needle.

PATTERN

Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: K1, *MK, K3; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, MK, K1.
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: Knit across.
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: K4, *MK, K3; repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
Row 8: Purl across.

Repeat these eight rows until you reach the desired length.

Okay--now, I've added a knot back into my knitting!

and I've heard there is an app for anything and everything--guess what?  I found an app
that shows all the knots you could ever want to achieve--!!
And so you have it
KNOTS







Monday, October 24, 2016

Check This Out!

The Boulder Art Association is hosting a juried art exhibition and sale Thursday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 6th. The event is FREE and open to the public and will be held in the expansive gallery space in the beautiful Hyatt Place Hotel in Boulder, Colorado.  The Hyatt Place is located in Boulder’s new commercial district at the crossroads of Pearl and 30th Streets.


juror is Nancy Wylie, an award-winning realist painter in pastel, oil, and watercolor from Aravada, CO.  Wylie has selected over 125 works for the Boulder Art Association exhibition out of the hundreds of entries received from artists across the Rocky Mountain Region.

Exhibition Dates and Times:
Thurs. Nov. 3     2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fri. Nov. 4         9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sat. Nov. 5        9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sun. Nov. 6       9:00 AM – 4:00 PM


First Friday Opening Reception and Awards:
Friday Nov. 4   6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (RSVP not required, open to all!)

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Another Mystery To Solve

Okay, as always I'm a sucker for mystery knits and one of my favorite hat designers has her 2016 mystery hat patterns coming out in the month of October.
Woolly Wormhead has the most ingenious patterns!

She also has wonderful tutorials on her website to keep you updated on techniques.

One design, 3 Hats to choose from.
This year the MKAL is a little different - there are 3 Hat styles to choose from, and you buy either the beret pattern or the beanie & slouchy pattern, or buy them as a joint eBook. Further more, if you buy one then decide to buy the other, Ravelry's special bundle feature means you'll only pay the difference.
Sign-ups started 20th October 2016.
Installment dates:
1st November, 9th November, 17th November
Final publication:
27th November

I'm all in!  I bought all three patterns!  Ready, set, knit!  

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Really??.......................

I've been going through all my craft magazines--knitting, surface design, quilting, etc.
And that's not a good thing either!  I find more projects I would like to make--
Okay, stop it!


Low and behold--what did I find in this magazine (one of my favorites too!)
An unfinished project!!  Almost finished--just needed the applique added to the borders.
Well, I'll be..............why didn't I finish this up when I was working on it?
There were all the applique pieces made and ready to sew on.

It took a few hours to finish this project--I'm on a roll--
finding my faults and so far, it isn't good.
wonder what other UFO's lurk in my studio--



Friday, October 21, 2016

Note To Self!!!!

After I cut off my handspun cotton warp, I thought--Self (do you talk to yourself??)
why not warp something else--just tie on and weave?
and then........................
You would think that someone who has been working with fiber for years and years would know better!  NOT!  I have been moving this bag of spun skeins from place to place.
Inside the bag are two skeins of lovely handspun (I swear it is silk/merino blend) and it's
my handspun too!  Along with the two yarns was a wound warp--
Yes, a wound warp!
and that's all!
No other information--how many threads per inch? where was my brain?

I began putting the warp on the loom the other day and I'm thinking to myself--
what was I thinking?  What is this warp?  It was in the bag with the handspun,
so one would naturally think it was handspun--well, some of it is but
there are some lengths that are not.

I'm kicking myself--why didn't I write some information down about this
project to keep for future reference?  I think I remember winding this
warp in summer of 2014 or maybe it was 2013--it is certainly aged!
BIG NOTE to self--WRITE IT DOWN!

Same thing happen with these Fingerless gloves--I started knitting on them
several months ago--even finished one glove and for some reason, but left
the second glove aside until last night when I pulled this project out from
under several knitting projects.

Here is where I stopped on the second glove but

where am I on the instructions?  I use sticky note paper to line up my place,
somehow, the paper slipped and it left me scratching my head--
Okay, I'll go back over the work and see if I can find where I'm at--
I think I'm in the right place--another BIG NOTE TO SELF--
WRITE IT DOWN and DATED IT!!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Off The Loom And Feeling Good..............

Finally!  Finally finished weaving 7 yards of handspun cotton--
I had several skeins of single cottons spun--white, brown, green
I tried to use the two ply cottons that were in my stash--


I found this multi indigo dyed cotton so thought it would work
I'm not sure it looks great, but it's in the towel now and I don't plan to
unweave!  

It was fun to just play with my cottons as weft--

Cutting off this yardage was a happy point of my day!
nothing like taking off a warp of woven fabrics and to have this
handspun cotton as my prize--Double Happy!
I've sewed the warp at both ends and in between each towel--
now, I can hem and wash and admire even more!
I'm so delighted with my handspun cotton towels!!


Hope you are excited about one of your finished projects!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Knitting For Cool Weather--Shoulder/Cowl




Shoulder Cowl is the perfect answer to handspun yarn--Have this awesome yarn
just waiting for that special pattern?  I think you'll be happy with this look

Here it is knitted in solid color--I saw a similar cowl/shoulder wrap in an exclusive
store in Las Vegas--it was totally neat looking as it featured that bumpy, sparkly
yarn!  I thought to myself--this is IT!  But, I couldn't find a suitable pattern
to recreate that expensive look--now, I have!
  

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Want To Swivel?


Here is your chance to learn more about Swivel--
Heddlecraft is a new weaving magazine that strives to offer something new and different!  It's a digital weaving magazine designed for weavers who love to weave and want to know more!
Heddlecraft is published six times a year and in includes weaves and weaving techniques for weavers with with four- and eight-shaft (or more) looms .Heddlecraft is published by Spady Studios and is edited by Robyn Spady.  To learn more about Robyn, go to www.spadystudios.com

Monday, October 17, 2016

They're At It Again...........................!

Expatchers gathered for another day of sharing--
we swap stories of our adventures as we work on our current project.
Sometimes, there are sad tales but most of the time we laugh till we cry;
give encouraging hugs all around for the tough times--

Here's what went down on this day!
Brenda was working on her half square triangles
to create magically pinwheels

Everything is cut and ready for assembling

Here is her goal--

Our hostess Judy is quilting either Ronald MacDonald or Binky quilts

Here she's hand stitching the binding on this colorful children's quilt

All lined up and ready to sew--Debby is working on our friendship square swap quilt

Annette has her paper pieced grandmother's square pieces all ready for stitching

Karen was doing the binding on her finished quilt--Trip Around The World

Then we take a trip around Judy's wonderful studio to enjoy the festivities of the season

She always has the most wonderful creations in her studio

Ready for fall holidays

No witches here!  Just friends who are 'bewitchingly ' blessed!

Sunday, October 16, 2016

The Bird Did What??

I think you'll find this a fascinating read, much as I did!
This is small excerpts from Hyperallergic post on how the bird based
color system became Patone 


An effort to describe the diversity of birds led to one of the first modern color systems. Published by Smithsonian ornithologist Robert Ridgway in 1886, A Nomenclature of Colors for Naturalists categorizes 186 colors alongside diagrams of birds. In 1912, Ridgway self-published an expanded version for a broader audience — Color Standards and Color Nomenclature — that included 1,115 colors. Some referenced birds, like “Warbler Green” and “Jay Blue,” while others corresponded to other elements of nature, as in “Bone Brown” and “Storm Gray.”

Ridgway’s scientific work was inspired by Milton Bradley, who, along with selling board games, was a proponent of color education. He published Elementary Color in 1895 and manufactured a color wheel that, when spun, visually mixed different hues. Daniel Lewis, author of a 2012 biography of Ridgway, wrote in an article for Smithsonian magazine that the ornithologist paid tribute to Bradley in his color system with “Bradley’s Blue” and “Bradley’s Violet.” Lewis added that Ridgway’s “book evolved into the Pantone color chart,” the first edition of which was printed in 1963.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Math and Knitting


When I saw this--I was blown away!  I know math is involved in most aspects of our lives, but 
to think Pat Ashforth & Steve Plummer - Mathekniticians did this with knitting--
like oh WOW!

Plunge yourself into their world of Woolly Thoughts and you'll be magically transported



I've down some Illusion knitting, but this takes the cake!


This is their fanciful afghan--okay, my brain is in overload!  I'm so glad
their brains are working for me!

Just Can’t!!

 It’s been almost two weeks since time change and I just can’t get my body turned around to adjust.  I know it’s only an hour BUT it’s that ...