Memories

While traveling to Europe for our first river cruise in late June 2016 our first stop was Paris!  How can you not be happy in Paris!  It was my first trip but not my last; hubby had been a couple times before for his work.

I felt like a fish out of water--strange country, strange language

alas, there was a Starbucks!  That we knew.  We made our way through ordering and as we were waiting for the drinks to be prepared, we sat at a inside table

next to a tall fellow who had his paint pens and markers on this table.  I glanced over and then we spoke for several minutes! 

Before we picked up our drinks and headed on our way, he said he was sad about violence that had recently happened in Orlando, Florida.  Knowing, we were Americans, he handed me this 'graffti' painting done on cardboard from box top. 

He said he travels all over the world making graffiti art.  A mysterious person for sure.  At times, I wonder why we were in that place at that time.  I call it “a God moment!”

Pulse Nightclub Shooting (June 12, 2016): A gunman opened fire inside the Pulse nightclub, killing 49 people and wounding 58 others in what was classified by the FBI as an act of terrorism and the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history at the time. [1]

The card he gave me with his artwork.

Of course, we were curious about his work--His artist name was TMNK aka Nobody--his real name was Scott Patterson.  Upon our return from the trip, I did some research on TMNK--found he died in 2016--reported as suicide in Sept, 2016.  

Recently, I found this piece of art as I was cleaning out our desk--somehow, the painting had become stuck in the back of the drawer.   Brings up many wonderful memories of the people who touch your life in unusual ways.

His quote on the bottom of his card:

"I'm Nobody, aka the street artist TMNK.  Today I imagined a so-called 'nobody' like me creating a smile on your face with this small unexpected gift of art.  Well that smile, for however long it radiates on on your face is my newest street art masterpiece and I proudly sign it "nobody did it."

Rest in peace TMNK

 

Things That Make You Happy

Yes, I'm working from the stash bin again or maybe, it's always!!  I found these two panels that have well aged at least 5 years!  Actually, I sashed both of the panels and then decided I wanted something different.  Out came Jack (the ripper) to remove the sashing from Santa panel and so began another design idea--How about doing Attic Window?  Easy to do, just need math!  Not my strong suit!

 I hated to cut up the panel--and being organized is way down on my priority list--I watched several videos, finally figured out the math, cut into sections--of course, once that was done, I walked away for several weeks!  Back to giving myself the old pep talk---"get in there!  finish working on the panel!!  You go girl".

I ambled into the studio, looked at my cut sections, watch more videos and took the rotary blade to do it's damage--slash away on the panel!  Figured out my accompany fabrics, pulled up my granny pants and jumped in--

I'm feeling good!  There are three rows done!!  

Oh hum--two of the pieces are mixed up!  I had to refer to the photo -not of the original Panel--because I had cut it into strips and then squares without taking a photo (not very smart)--how stupid of me!  Took me some time to find a picture of the panel--then more pep work--

Just get to it and finish the other five rows--You can do it!  --nothing like procrastinating!  

Maybe, the window panes are too wide—hum!  Finishing the top made me very happy! 

here is the other panel--I'm thinking as I sew on the Santa attic windows, I just might leave Snowman like it is--after all, it has a pretty border all the way around--I would like to quilt, bind and give as gifts to the grandkids.....................before this year's holiday!  

Since the weather has given us the cool, it’s time to embrace the outdoors.   Our rancher daughter needed to mow her pasture and remarked her hands get cold!!  Alas, now her hands are wrapped in warmth with a pair of my recently knitted fingerless gloves!  That makes me very happy!!

--I got, what I thought,a brilliant gift idea!  Every year, our expat group meets for lunch, small gifts are handed out and I like to give useful items.  Hence this year, I decided on home made vanilla

Gathered the items to make the vanilla--

vanilla beans, small jars, vodak, funnels 

and GO!!  Easy said and done!!

Potato Chips

 Bet you can’t “eat” just one!!  Lately, we have been obsessed with potato chips--such a variety to choose from--sweet potato, dill potato chips, Pringles in a can, thin cut, thick cut, kettle style, wavy, baked and the list goes on and on--lots of flavors added to the little lonely potato chip!

Guess what?  There are other types of potato chips besides the eating kind!

Here we go with a knitting potato chip pattern:  it is fun and addictive==trust me!  I made more that one of these scarves--!

A potato chip scarf is a fun, wavy, and ruffled hand-knit accessory created using short rows that make the edges curl and twist like a potato chip. [1, 2]

Materials Needed  Stitch Piece Purl   (Also, pattern for crochet)

Yarn: About 200 to 280 yards of worsted-weight yarn (medium weight).
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) to US 11 (8.0 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular).
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends. [1, 2]

Basic Pattern Instructions

Cast On: Cast on 20 stitches using your preferred method (such as the long-tail cast-on). [1, 2]
Row 1 (and short-row wedges):
• Knit 8 stitches, turn the work, and knit back.
• Knit 6 stitches, turn the work, and knit back.
• Knit 4 stitches, turn the work, and knit back. [1, 2]
Full Row: Knit across all 20 stitches to complete one wedge cycle. [1, 2]
Repeat: Repeat these short-row steps until the scarf reaches your desired length (typically around 50 to 60 inches). [1, 2, 3]
Bind Off: End on a full 20-stitch row, then bind off all stitches loosely. [1, 2, 3]

Inspired by Lea Louise will give you the fastest way to build a quilt using the same size piece of fabric--either 2"x4"  or 2.5" X 5"  to sew a block.  this is a way to use the stash fabric in your scrap bin!  EAsy Peazy!

I'm off to sample more of those spicy dill potato chips!  As I sew another potato chip quilt block! 

Colors!

Mid October and another birthday has passed me by--good-bye to that year and begin another!

First daughter treated me to mani-pedi but she didn't like the Color I picked for her nails!  She said "Mom, just because you like Orange tints doesn't mean I do!"  But, it looked so pretty on her hands!

Yes, my skin tone loves the fall colors!  Thank goodness, there are so many shades of fall to choose from!  I'm even matching my knitting with the book I'm reading.  This hat pattern from Benjamin Matthews Designs  and a thriller of a book.

Easy knit for sure.  Also working another BM design hat

A taste of fall calls for roasted tomato soup and homemade bread,  While tomatoes, onions, garlic were roasting in the oven, a simple bread recipe was whipped up.  

A perfect time to bring out a colorful towel to drape over the bowl as the bread rises. 

While the tomato soup tasted superb, not so much for the bread --too much of something (salt, flour, sugar, oil) made for a simply depressed loaf==woe is me!  We ate it anyway.  It did look pretty sitting on the counter!

I ask my hubby to shop for me--please pick up some dried pinto Beans--he came home with dried black beans!  I didn't see any pinto beans, he said!  Okay, we'll use the Black Beans

After soaking the beans overnight, I started to pour off the water and stopped......

This is a great color!

Run I did, to pick up some silk roving to soak in the liquid!

Here is the silk in black bean water, nuked for 3 minutes in microwave--

If you have an acid, you can make the color switch--using table vinegar works magic!  This is after vinegar--lovely lavendar

Two great colors from one pot of Black Beans

and a great dish of beans and rice for dinner!  

 I love natural dyes for nature's colors!

 

STASH DIVING!

Stash Diving again!!  There is such a wealth of goods in that fiber closet--always something 'new' to discover, even though it's not loved at the same time it was spun or left to fend for itself for years!

Yes, it's nice to have these yarns at your fingertips, although sometimes, it's not what you want or need, nonethe less, there will be a way to utilize  'aged' yarns or fiber. 

These two spun fibers started out as socks! Then my mind yielded to fingerless gloves--Yes!  these are easy and quick to knit and could be giftable!.  Only problem, there is 'second sock/mitten' symptom!  Really hate to knit that second item--that's a good reason to begin them both at the same time.

Found another small ball of the same yarn--so, if my fingers will acknowledge there is the fiber, you could knit a second glove!

The same thing goes for patterns that have been stock piled.  Another lean to is only one sock, one glove, one mitten==lots to learn from different patterns, not alot of time to knit==Who said you have to have matching items!  I'm liking the idea of choosing a different one for each hand or foot.

My friend, who was a knitting instructor and author of sock knitting books, only knit one sock!  Yes, only ONE sock for her patterns!  I'm going on that notion!

This is an aged pattern--yes, it's time to place stitches on the needle for this sock.  Might even shorten the pattern too. Nothing wrong with ankle socks!

Spinning blue silk is a wonderful feeling; then, this fiber was in the stash closet and was begun this week

check back next week and you'll see the results!  Until then

HAPPY STITCHING!

 

Yes! I Didn't Rememer!

I'm sure you have never done this!  Put something away and think to yourself--"I'll remember what that is" or  put it in a safe spot--so safe, can't find it when you want to find it!

Well, I put fiber away and sleeps in my fiber closet for months, years--it's a safe spot for fiber to 'multiply ' for future days.

When I was searching for a book and a different fiber, I found this jar

Wow! such lovely fiber!  nice handle, I said to myself as I pulled the fiber from the jar.  Wonder what fiber this is?  Of course, there is no label or note about the fiber--I'm sure I told myself--"I'll remember what this is"  NOT!

And it's even dyed--so, I must have dyed this too!

Pulling the fiber from the jar, I grabbed my spinning wheel--let's see how this spins.  Could it be wool?  Silk? Acrylic?  Natural?  There are so many times, I've been given fiber from someome who doesn't want to spin anymore or doesn't like the fiber--I'm a sucker to take over for that spinner.  Maybe, it was from an estate stash.

Spin! Spin!  It spins like a dream!

So?  what is this fiber?

Nice!!

I remembered the Burn Test!  Took a piece of the fiber and set a match to it!

Yes!  I thought that was what it was........

If you need to figure out about your 'forgotten' fiber, just do the burn test!

I'm so excited!  This forgotten fiber is SILK

 

Logwood

Earlier this year, we gave a slice of Logwood to our wood working friend.  He turns handles for fishing rods and likes to use unique and exotic wood.  I had a chunk of logwood from my natural dyeing days--haven't done any natural dyeing for years. 

 After he turned the small chunk, he collected the tailings and gave them to me in a jar.  I don't even remember when he gave it to me.  I placed some wool yarn in the tailings, filled with water and placed the jar on a shelf in the garage and there it sat for weeks, months--who knows?  Not me!

The other day as I was rummaging through my fiber stash, I found a roving of dyeable cotton--it is well aged for sure!  It was time to put this cotton to the test. 

In the jar I placed another hunk of dyeable cotton to sit for weeks just to see what happens.

 Usually, it's hard to dye cotton--it's a long process for regular cotton.  After I had pulled the yarn from the jar (that had sat for many moons), I decided to place in some of the dyeable cotton sliver in with the tailings--it sat overnight in the heat outside.

the dark brown in the middle of these cotton slivers is the yarn I pulled from the jar that had been siting for long time-what a color!  was hoping for black!  I didn't add any mordant or chemical to enhance the dye--it's just natural dye experiement.  So surprised to see the color develop overnight.  

I'm excited to spin one of these slivers;  it's not a lovely glowing color but it's interesting.

Now, I've got the itch to do more natural dyeing!   I found a jar filled with osage orange tailings--now, that should be a lovely color. 

National Project Jelly Roll Day

 Saturday, Septembe 19 is National Jelly Roll Day!  

Check out Moda Fabrics for free Jelly Roll Patterns

Here is the pattern I chose to use with my Jelly Roll and below

is the Jelly Roll I chose to

use with this pattern.  Hope to finish before Christmas, 2027!!

National Sew a Jelly Roll Day is an annual celebration held on the third Saturday of September that encourages quilters to use pre-cut fabric strips.  National Sew a Jelly Roll Day stitches up on the third Saturday of September, inviting quilters to transform their beloved pre-cut fabric bundles into stunning projects. Grab your sewing machine, choose a pattern, and let your creativity flow. It’s the perfect occasion to finish a long-awaited quilt or start a new one.

Gather We Must

 One of my Southern natural dyeing/spinner friends is one of the best to do research for any topic she wants to follow.  If you think of a fiber that needs to be explored--she’ll do it!  So, it was interesting when this popped up on my feed recently.

if you live in the South, you know the plant--it's that wicked Kudzu!  It grows everywhere it is left to fend for itself.  my dedicated friend went out to gather Kudzu vines to see what is was made of.  She learned to process the fiber to produce a useful fiber.  Actually, this invasive vine is good for some things! who knew?!!  

Watch the video to learn about the processing of Kudzu--maybe, you'll want to try this fiber preparation.

This and That

 Winter or cool weather is a-comin' !!  How can I tell?  First off, when you shop--everything is becoming fallish colors!  Yes, I purchased an autumn throw with lovely warm colors.  That's not the only sign —at the grocery--fall foods pop up--pasta in the shape of fall items--adverts are spilling out with 'pumpkin spice latte' !  Then, the first sign------- Ravelry's new patterns are mostly warm clothing--sweaters!  sweaters! sweaters!  I'm not one to knit a sweater--that's a lot of knitting! 

And the county fairs begin--lots of parades, rodeos, judging of different foods--some receive blue ribbons even.

I find myself pulling out fall quilts to hang, to sling over the bannister rails, throw on beds, etc. etc.  And then there is the music!  Yes,  toe tapping music.  Okay, it's still warm outside.  Your recipes even want to lean towards hot warm meals instead of cool weather foods.  There is the slight idea we will be enjoying the patio again soon.  

Let’s talk lists.  On our road trips our ears are tuned to podcast “This is Vinyl Tap”—recently they mentioned —1000 albums you should hear before you die!    We jumped on that list!  So far, we’ve knocked off five albums on that list as we go top to bottom. There is an app that will spit out an album randomly too. 

  My list of books to be read is growing by the day--so many good books being released.  As I type, I'm listening to an audio book--yay!!

So what are we knitting to wade into fall?  Quick and easy is my go to!  Fall dish cloth for the kitchen knit in fall colors 

This September dishcloth fromThe Kitchen Sink Shop

Garlene also has an offer for these short socks.  Going on my needles soon too.

My sewing has been limited lately--trying to finish a quilt--slow and easy is the rule of the 

But, from Quilt Fabrication comes a good list of fall themed quilt blocks--this would be fun to create--just what I need, something else to add to my list!

Needing a stitching pattern?  Here is a cute fall theme for your needle!  This comes from pinker N pumpkin quilting

 Warping the loom is on the list as well.  Son asks for tea towels--so the warp is being prepared.  

Do you need a list?  Best to write it down! So, you can check it off!!

Knits and Etc.

 Recently, we took a road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I've always wanted to attend the Santa Fe Opera and we did!  We also took a backstage tour--Awesomeness!  The Opera is like a football game for some--tailgating before hand--tables covered with fancy cloths and chairs set up behind car trunks--champagne corks popping, small tapas consumed before hand  then  comes intermission that allows you to partake again in more bubbly!  It was a great treat!

The docents wore these beautfiully fashioned handwoven tabards which are returned after each performance for the next opera event.  Just fabulous all around!

We had great seats for the evening!  Full orchestra and a view of the area; the sound was perfect too!!  In front of each seat is a screen that gives you the words of the song in your language

On our drive around the area, you would find the 'coyote' fences built as privacy.  Just an awesome sight!

One Saturday we ventured to the large farmers' market held at the Railyard.  I remember years ago, it was sitated outside of town along a side portion of the road===we were late arriving and most of the green chilie varieties had been purchased.  We did find a few to take home to roast, along with fresh ground red and green cilli powder, 

although, we didn't find many green chilies, our senses were filled with the aroma of roasting green chilies!  A good reason to visit the market in the first place!

Our condo was situated on the top of a mountain, facing west--perfect for evening sunsets!  we had a few nights of colorful display but a few nights of rainy skies--the colors are still spectacular!

And the food!!  Should I talk about all the delicious food we satisfied ourselves with--I think not!  My mouth waters just thinking about it.  and my brother was really jealous when he saw the photos!

onto the Knits now

Never, never ever take a road trip without yarn, knitting needles, a few patterns and the willingness to KNIT as you travel those long boring roads.

finished one red hand spun cotton dishcloth!

Another handspun cotton dishcloth

a crazy hat--based on 80 stitches!  adding novelty yarn is fun way to break up the plain SS

And this one using 'eyelash' yarn--someone will love all these frilly twigs hanging out

With this hat, I decided to do some color work (not my favorite) but was fun for a change--alternating yarns over other stitch--try it with weird color yarns to make an interesting hat.

These beings started out a socks--but, as they progressed past the border, they took on a life of fingerless gloves.  I have  small bits of leftover handspun yarn knit on size one needles--maybe I'll finish this year!

It was a great road trip--good food, beautfiul scenery, great companion and finished knits!

Planning our next road trip and the yarns I'll take...................