Vampires, Witches, Bats, Skeletons = Halloweeeeeeeeeen!

Here I go again--Pondering--this time about Halloween.............

The History of Halloween

Thousands of years ago in Europe, there were groups of people known as the Celtics. The Celtic people occupied areas now known as the United Kingdom, Ireland and some parts of France. These ancient pagan people were very superstitious and their lives depended on the growth of their crops and a successful harvest. A celebration known as Samhain began within this Gaelic culture to commemorate the end of the harvest or the days of light, and to acknowledge the beginning of the days of darkness (winter) and what to them was considered the New Year. This beginning of the Celtic New Year was celebrated on November 1st.

The tradition of dressing up in costume and begging for treats may go back as far as the Middle Ages when it was common during the Christmas season for beggars and the poor to go wassailing, a ritual which involved going door to door to ask for food. Another custom known as "souling" was common during the medieval days. On All Saints Day, the less fortunate would beg for food or money and in exchange, they would offer up prayers for the dead on All Soul's Day.

 for the kids:    coloring pages for Halloweeen!  

And this is only the tip of the information about Halloween!  Now, I appreciate the holiday more than ever!

Friends!

 What is a Friend!  "a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations."

When you google "friend" you get the TV show--well, it was a show about friends, but what is a true friend?  Someone who will tell you like it is; have your back; give you moral support; love, laugh, cry with you in times of need.  Do you remember your very first "friend"?  Maybe someone from your childhood?  A life long friend?

I have -friends- and then I have FRIENDS!  You know what I mean.

In this case, my FRIENDS gather every so often to celebrate birthdays,

cheer each other on,  laugh at the bright moments, cry at the sad times,

share family crisis, and hug tightly! 

October was my birth month and I'm honored to celebrate with my FRIENDS

at our biannial luncheon.  Our gifts at all times are joyful at being together; our tangible 

gifts are fabric fat quarters of our choosing.  And the best part--the fact

that each FRIEND will bring something totally awesome to the party!

Above are my fat quarters--I chose whites or neutrals--every one is

a winner!

Another FRIENDS tangible is my Texas theme quilt--

back from quilter, Judy M--

As FRIENDS, we decided to do a fabric themed fabric exchange--

each 5" square was assembled --as this blanket is

used for comfort, I'll think of my FRIENDS who contributed

to its warmth and beauty.

with a plain backing--you can see the lines of

continued friendship as they scroll across the threads of our lives.

FRIENDS!  so glad they are in my life............

Woven Hem Study

The year long study for our weavers group is towels!  We all love towels!

Every towel woven is different--yarn, technique, sett, colors, etc.

Towels are super learning experience for beginners also

expert weavers enjoy the relaxation of throwing a shuttle for results.

At our last meeting, we were talking hems!  Yes, hems!

It is the finishing touch to the towel.  One of our newest members

brought her waffle woven towels--these are always thirsty towels,

but with this weave structure there are always problems with the hem. 

Here is the finished technique that Alex used--finish weaving

with different treadling--if 4 harness--it's 2 up, 2 down

Her towels were 7 harness--so it's 3 up 4 down--

this towel hasn't been washed so you can see the big dimples

after the hem is woven, she threads each warp end back

through the hem--time consuming but the look is neat finish.

A new product on the market is from Superior Threads--

fusible thread!  We were all enthralled!  this could be

something we could use in our hems

Most of the weavers are familiar with fusible seam tape.

This is useful with the finishing

Here is a neat hem on this block woven towel--

she used the fusible web strip to secure

Here she has done machine stitch to secure the warp and

then the fusible web before hand stitching

We had other samples of woven towels--each with a different

structure

Our hands on demo was machine stitched hem--thanks to Karen I

who showed us how she uses her walking foot attachment to do a 

blind hem stitch--neat trick.

Laura Frye has photos to show her technique to hems.

Getting Ready for Turkey Day!

If you would like to have a pretty table for your Thanksgiving, here are some

free patterns--and there is still time to sew and plan for an outstanding day!

I'm liking that acorn hot pad!

and I do love, love this quilt;

anything with houses and leaves can't be bad!  

And I'm making this Fall table runner for the brown headed

daughter--I think she'll be thrilled!

Jacque Lynn Steves blog is where you'll find all this good stuff!

Log Cabins--In A Quilt

My very first quilt was a log cabin--made from old fabric scraps--mostly

a mixture of cotton/poly--this is how I was led by my mother-in-law.

I had no quilt background and she had some knowledge so I 

followed her advice.  She said log cabin pattern was the easiest one to

sew up--so, I did!  I still have that quilt to this day! 

I haven't made a log cabin quilt since.........

when I saw this posting, I thought it would be the perfect

timing--

Sheri is making a Christmas quilt and she uses 

Creative Grids 8" Log Cabin Trim Tool, which can be

found on various websites.  This is a new tool to me--

maybe, this will make that perfect block you want

in you log cabin.

I'm thinking scrappy blocks--to use up my stash. 

Are you interested in building a log cabin of your own?

Beginning every Tuesday through end of November, there will be a posting on

a quilting life blog.  The strips, dark and light, are cut 1.75" wide by width of fabric.  The

center square is 2" x 2".

Blocking...................

This lovely lace scarf has been knit for some time--I love knitting lace!

I just don't like to do the blocking--so any lace knitting waits for this final touch

We have these large foam puzzle pieces that snap together;

some folks use them for flooring but I use them for

blocking--snapping them together and you have an instant

board for blocking

it takes some time to pin to the board--hey, maybe, that's

another reason I had a painful wrist!  Anyway, pins are

in and lace is pulled to its size and spritzed with water

Let dry overnight and unpin--that takes time as well--

and you have a wonderful lacey scarf.

Grand daughter saw me knitting this months ago and

asked if she could have it--you bet! 

and there she is!  lovely, lacey and ready to gift!

Another knitted piece is being blocked=

almost looks like a fish :-}

Too long for the board, so I'll do small amount at a time--

this is mohair yarn done for Year of Techniques project

On My Way To A Finish.................

I'm sewing along with these maple leaf patterns and

feel good--I take the blocks to the ironing board and press,

press--wait!  there is a problem!  I could not believe it!!

One of these blocks decided to look different--it's like the

game "which one of these don't belong?"

Okay, rip it, rip it and head back to the sewing machine

Okay--now, it's right and we are assembled correctly!

I guess I could have left the one block like it was--

I'm sure that is the only block I would be looking it though!

Love the colors and fabric in this hanging!

Okay, I did It!

Okay, I finally got around to winding that warp for dish towels that we are

weaving for an exchange.  Maybe one or two of these towels will go to a

flood victim--

8/2 cotton cones of various colors from my stash

I did have a small amount of a green so wound that till it

ran out--it will make a small pop along with the turquoise

6 yards on the board--some of this will be lost to heading

and ending, but I do have an old warp on that I can tie onto to

save some of the warp.

Pulled through the reed dents--20epi=20 ends to the inch--

I think this will make a thirsty towel.  I like the colors

and now to decide how to thread for pattern.  I'm leaning

to Bird's eye twill--I want a recipe that will allow me to 

change up the weaving pattern.  Upon further investigation,

This pattern does not allow for plain weave--now, I'm going with Rosepath-

1-2-3-4-1-4-3-2-1

Now, I'm close to being warped--but, small hitch in the plan

to thread the heddles--my right wrist went painful--think it's the

winding motion of the warping--back and forth.  I am old, as my

son said to me when I said my wrist was aching!

thanks son!  I love you too!

Well, I'll Be...........................

I finally finished two caps!  Let's all stand up and cheer!  Knitting is back on the agenda--

This was fun knit, although I don't really like to do design work--

The yarns get all tangled and you need to stop often to let

them untwist.  On the other hand, I like that I can use

up my stash yarn.

Yelp, finished--except--for all the yarn ends that have 

to be darned in--that could take another day or two

I enjoyed knitting this cap--no extra yarns to worry about

just knit and purl--this was one of the designs from

Year of Techniques

The hat still needs buttons on the flaps--and don't tell anyone,

but I did not follow directions--shame on me; I didn't do the flaps

the way the designer designed--but it did get down my way!

and with buttons!  Who needs a warm wooly hat?

Holy Moley! It's Friday, the 13th!

It’s Friday the 13th, a day of bad luck, if you’re a superstitious person. It may have originated from the story of Jesus’ last supper and crucifixion, when there were 13 individuals present the night before His death on Good Friday.

Here are 13 common superstitions:

1. Black cats

You’re doomed to bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.

2. Mirrors

If you break a mirror, kiss 7 years of luck goodbye.

3. Ladders

They say walking under a ladder is bad luck. I say walking under a ladder is a bad decision. Nothing good can come of it.

4. Salt

If you spill salt, you’re suppose to throw it over your shoulder to avoid getting bad luck--but which shoulder?

4. Purses

You should never leave your purse on the floor if you want to avoid bad luck. If this is true, I’m doomed til I die.

5. 6.66

If a bill total $6.66 or you receive that much change you should either buy something else or leave a penny from your change to avoid bad luck

6. Umbrellas

Opening an umbrella indoors is said to bring bad luck. 

7. Cutting Your Hair

If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, legend says someone in your family will die.

8. Funerals

If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die.

9. Babies

A child born on Friday the 13th is said to be unlucky for life.

10. Floor 13

Many hotels and hospitals have eliminated floor 13 in their elevators to eliminate bad luck. But if you’re staying on floor 14, isn’t it really 13?

11. Cemeteries

To avoid bad luck when passing a cemetery, you’re suppose to hold your breath until you see a black or brown dog. What if there isn’t one around? You may have to hold your breath until you’re the next one to move into the cemetery.

12. Getting Out of Bed

To avoid bad luck, you’re suppose to get out of the same side of the bed you got into

13. Number 13

Many believe the number 13 is bad luck. Taylor Swift disagrees and says it’s her lucky number. Not only was she born on the 13th, she turned 13 on the 13th, her first album went gold in 13 weeks.

Getting Warped!!

It's about time!  I'm getting warped!  The loom has been sitting empty for some time now and it looks lonely--well, if you could see it for all the 'stuff' piled on top!  It's calling to me--although in a muted voice.................I pulled out all my 8/2 cotton cones; assortment of colors--we are going to set this day off right.................................................clean off the loom and begin.  But, FIRST.............

I need to wrap all the new fabrics I bought from 5 Bucks A Yard--

you see, they were having a sale!  A big sale and I could not resist--

They had to cancel a couple of quilt shows due to Harvey 

-some of their fabrics were

$3.99 a yard!  

I use comic book wrappers to encase my fabric yardage--takes only

a few minutes to wrap and store

I'm trying to get colors coordinated and lined up correctly..

let's see--those blues go up with those other blues--wait there are

more fabrics to wrap..........

what was it I was going to do?  Oh, yes, warp the loom--well,

Well, guess that's enough procrastinating--back to the task at hand and

those 8 cones of 8/2 cotton waiting to be wound on the warping board. 

you see, I hate warping the loom.....................

I Love October!

 I love October!  I love the colors of this month!  It means Fall is here! Weather is cooler!

Not only is October my birthday month--TODAY!

But October has apple picking, pumpkin carving, cider drinking--

and Halloween!  A spooky time of the year that allows us to dress in our crazy costumes. 

A time to decorate with all our fall gala!

"Orange is associated with meanings of joy, warmth, heat, sunshine, enthusiasm, creativity, success, encouragement, change, determination, health, stimulation, happiness, fun, enjoyment, balance, sexuality, freedom, expression, and fascination. Orange is the color of joy and creativity."

I love making pumpkin and maple leaf quilts--using all the

oranges in my stash!

October is the time for colorful leaves--

Lumpy bumpy pumpkins!  Oh, how I love October! 

Knitting For The Great War--1919

Women have always been on the fore front of any conflict!  They might not be in the physical trenches, but they are there in time of need.  During these past few weeks I've been thinking about women who are helping anyway they can--like I did with my quilt tops for kids.  I've spoken to many women who came up with a game plan to aid and assist and it carried it out.

It takes us back to the very first war--women on the home front wondered what they

could do for their soldiers--knitting was essential.  Needles, threads and hands quick

to act were effective in the time of need!

Loved this poster from 1919-- and then the poem that follows

gives you an insight into the mind of women on the homefront.

"Portrait of a Mother by Violet Gillespie

Knit two and purl one;

Stir the fire and knit again.

And oh, my son, my only son,

I think of you in wind and rain,

In rain and wind, 'neath fire and shell,

Going along the road to hell

On earth in wind and rain.

My little son, my only son . . .

Knit two and purl one ;

Stir the fire and knit again.

Knit two and purl one ;

Knit again and stir the fire.

And oh, my son, my only son,

I work for you and never tire ;

I never tire, but work and pray

Every hour of night and day.

Awake, asleep, I never tire,

My little son, my only son . . .

Knit two and purl one ;

Knit again and stir the fire.

Knit two and purl one;

Stir the fire and knit again.

And oh, my son, for another’s son

My hands are working. The wind and rain

Are shrill without.  But you are gone

To a quiet land.  I shall come anon

And find you, out of this wind and rain;

But I’m working now for another’s son,

Knit two and purl one;

Stir the fire and knit again. "

check out this blog--so interesting with poems that stir the heart and mind!

Modern Knitting VS Early 1843

Gutenberg  is offering "My Knitting Book" by Miss Lambert

dated 1834--yes!  earliest known publication of knitting patterns

Thread Forward is working her way through this early knitting book.

She is putting a modern day spin on these knitting patterns.

Here is the modern chart for the following pattern--

Gothic and below is the way it is written in Miss Lambert's book.

We are so fortunate to have charts to read through quickly--

of course, there are times, I want the written out version too!

Cast on any number of stitches that can be divided by ten.—Knit four plain rows.

Fifth row—knit one; bring the thread forward, knit three;(a) slip one; knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over them; knit three; bring the thread forward, knit one; bring the thread forward, knit three.—Repeat from (a).

Sixth row—pearl knitting.

[44]Repeat the fifth and sixth rows three times, and commence again with the four plain rows.