Winter! Brings some boring days..--more so now, that we are cooped up--no sunshine days and cold temperatures--time to sit by the fireplace with a cup of tea and a good book. I have so many to choose from making it a hard decision what to read first. I have many books on my Kindle, which I read when we travel. I really love to have a physical book in my hands instead of a back lit screen!
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Winter Reading
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Click, Click, Clack
Needles are flying in the evening! My hands are working as fast as my pains allow! I so enjoy knitting--but happier when I finish...................
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Chicken Scratch????
What the heck is Chicken Scratch Embroidery?!! Here is the answer.....
Chicken Scratch embroidery (also known as Broderie Suisse, Australian Cross Stitch and Depression Lace) is a variation of cross stitch that is traditionally done on gingham fabric using perle cotton, mercerized cotton thread or stranded embroidery thread. The gingham squares act as stitching guides and help to form a lacy pattern..
So why is it called Chicken Scratch anyway? One thought is the main stitch looks like a chicken's track. One story suggests the technique started during Great Depression when a woman wished to add lace to her plain gingham dress or apron (many of these aprons can still be found in antique shops) So with only floss, she began to add lacy look to her plain gingham fabric. Of course, husband thought it looked like "chicken scratches"!
As stated above, this type of embroidery can also be called Amish embroidery, or snowflake embroidery.
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Siddi--Recycling.........................................................
Siddi use an art form of recycling old garments into new useful items. This was an interesting topic to research--So, who are Siddi people?
The Siddi (pronounced [sɪd̪d̪iː]), also known as Sidi, Siddhi, Sheedi or Habshi, are an ethnic group inhabiting India and Pakistan. Members are descended from the Bantu peoples of the East African region. Some were merchants, sailors, indentured servants, slaves and mercenaries.
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This video shows one way they use old saris to make bedclothing or mattress pads for sleeping.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
So Far So Good
It's called progress! Pulling out all my 2019/2020 UFOs--deciding which to tackle first--maybe, just maybe--the mojo is back! It went away for awhile....................
Monday, January 11, 2021
OOPs!
Friday, January 8, 2021
Anyone For Tea?
I love tea! Hot tea in the winter--cold ice tea during hot days. Today I'm talking Hot Tea! and how to keep it hot when you bring the teapot to the table.
This is one of my favorite tea cozies! It is felted wool from a workshop back in the days! this is the front..............
This is the back--I inlaid ribbon with beads--The cozy is reversible! The back side is inlaid with silk paper on wool felt! On the left is other side--I just love, love this cozy--hope to make another one soon..
Monday, January 4, 2021
Museum Openings Virtually
Friday, January 1, 2021
Happy New Year! Beginning New Adventures!
2021 Quilt alongs!
Beginnings of New Year Ideas
I'm already thinking about the new year and new beginnings--2024 was a lost year as far as new quilt starts--there was not a one began. ...
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As someone who has participated in Mardi Gras parades, let me tell you this is ONE PARTY! There is nothing like being there in perso...
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So you have a few small blocks just sitting idly by and you don't know what to do with them. Then try this method, Potholder Quilts or ...
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Whew! Finished before 2016 ended--actually, I wanted to give this as a gift to blond headed daughter--after all I had only been knitting...