Saturday, August 31, 2019

To Do List

My To Do List just gets longer and longer!
Here comes some fun things though!


If you like to do some wool work--jump on this bandwagon!
This is block #1--join "The Little Red Hen's Wooly Mystery" 
group on Facebook--this one is called "The Case of the Battered
Snowman"-


Love Blues?  Here is another adventure into the world of quilts.
My Quilty World is hosting this Blue mystery--
Introduction is on the website--pull out those blue fabrics!
first clue goes live September 1 
And while working on these projects, listen to podcast
Craftlit--great literature read to you by Heather Ordover--
"Treasure Island" is the book for now--you can also
find past episodes if this one doesn't interest you!

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Used Bookstores and LIbrary Finds

For many years, I would browse through used bookstores--
I could lose myself in the aisles of musty old paperbacks.
You could always find a bargain in those racks or
an author that is hard to find anyway else.
Now days, it's hard to find a used bookstore--

For a time, I used Paperback Swap--
it was a way to trade books with other readers--
lately, there are more "post" than "order" books
that I would like to read; still an option to begin there
on occasion. It's free to join and the sender pays the postage.

Recently, I walked into a local bookshop to look--just look.
I came across more from Mike Blakely.  My husband snatched
the latest from Mike
"A Sinister Splendor" out of my hands after we met the author;
he finished the book quickly--and recently spoke with Mike
about this book--I'm anxious to begin the journey through
the Mexican-America War-Mike does extensive research and
has won Spur Award several times.  He is also an excellent
songwriter and musician 

These three books I found at a library used book sale--
I enjoy John Sandford's characters; don't know anything
about "The Dress Lodger" but sounds interesting 
And one of my favorite authors, Nicholas Evans with
"The Divide"--maybe, it's a tear jerker? 
Happy reading!

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

My August Reading List...........

It's time to give you my August reading list--little late
Reading takes me places I'll never travel too;
it also gives me time to reflect on those places I've visited before


I've decided to read an oldie but goodie author--Robert B. Parker
I've read "Resolution"--western theme by Robert also--fast paced
and entertaining so I picked up two of his first Spenser books--
"Godwulf Manuscript" and "God Save The Child"--we'll see
how Spenser solves his cases--of course, I'm quite familiar with the
televised mysteries with Jesse Stone.

"The Shepherd's Life" by James Rebanks, a memoir, as well as family
portrait of his family and their lives as shepherds--interesting read
about Lake District of England--one place we loved to visit.

I've finished reading Alexander McCall Smith--"My Italian Bulldozer"
"The Department of Sensitive Crimes"--both delightful reads

Another visit to Big Bend, Texas through third book in series by Elizabeth
A Garcia's "Darker Than Black"--love, love this read!  

Two new books that were recommended:  "The Escape Room" by
Megan Goldin and "Girls Like Us" by Cristina Alger--both
are reported as page turners--can't wait to indulge it that fancy!



Sunday, August 25, 2019

Tartans

I've been pursuing my book stash--do I keep or give away? There are many quilt books; knitting books; dyeing books; some sewing books; many weaving books and stitching books. I love my books!
 Sorting through them, I might place one on the give away pile and 15 minutes later,
 I'll put it back on the shelf.  The books I treasure the most are my tartan books--
These are books I researched when I was working on the family tartan--
I poured over every one I could get my hands on--
How does a tartan look?  What is the right tartan for the clan name?
How to weave a tartan?
I loved loved this book!  So warm and interesting to read!


I was weaving our family tartan for gifts--after some research,
I decided on Gunn Clan to weave--after all our name doesn't have
a specific tartan for their name--
that was--20 years ago--

this is now--just plug in Tartan authority for Handweavers and you get
all the information you want at your fingertips--you can even get
a full copy of Mary Black's tartan book online---too bad I'm not
weaving tartans anymore!

But, such a joy to look at the books and all the history available
now.  I could write a 'book' about my tartan adventures!
Enjoy a brief look at tartans!

.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Crochet A Rinske Square.........................


Felted Button is offering this free crochet pattern for
Rinske Square-- Susan Carlson is outstanding colorist when it
comes to crocheting--just take a look at this
This is pattern you can purchase on her Etsy site.

Each week, Julie Yeager offers a different pattern from
unique designers--with instructions to complete a crochet
square--what a great learning experience.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Pool Noodle Sandwich

Pool Noodle Sandwiches--sounds interesting, doesn't it? No, I'm not eating those pool noodles but using them to sandwich my quilt tops with the backing and batting-- Never would have thought of this on my own--thank goodness, for youtube!! You can find everything on youtube--next, I'm looking up how to machine quilt my tops--not just stitch in the ditch either!!

There are several other videos that offer the same technique--each one is little different in how they use the noodles--one uses spray adhesive while the above one uses pins--straight and curved safety pins--give this a try and see how you like it!

Monday, August 19, 2019

Linen

As I am now on holiday, visiting the brown headed daughter in Colorado--it's her birthday week,  I won't be able to post while I'm traveling, I'm leaving you with some interesting information I found on Youtube--

This one is on linen. My chosen fabric to wear--whenever I shop I'm looking for linen garments--I know it wrinkles and needs to be ironed after washing and drying--but, it wears comfortably and will last for many seasons--always fashionable. Hope you will enjoy this video on how linen is processed. 

Hand Spun Yarn

It’s time to knit!  Using my hand spun yarn, another section to my scarves will be added.  This year two different lace patterns are taking ...