How to!

 Lately, there have been many discussions about “how to” do this or that.  For instance, the color went off on our large TV—“how to” fix it?  Search here, search there—google “how to”!  In this day and age, we can just watch YouTube or search the internet to get the how to answer. 

Our grandson will spend hour or so, checking “ how to” lay tile or any other household chore. He says he can do anything by watching/reading “how to”! 

 Husband was going to change seat covers in the car so he said “I watched a video 3 times “how to” do it!  That made him an expert—ha! He had to call a real expert who knew “How To” really do it! 

/ˈhouˌto͞o/

INFORMAL

noun

plural noun: how-tos

1. a book, video, or training session that provides practical advice.

   "a how-to on processing digital images"

   • the correct procedures for a particular activity.

     "you will discover the how-tos of freehand drawing

     
     

     There are even songs on “how to” be lonely—fall in love—save a life!  Really?  A song on how to save a life!

     You can get a booklet on “how to” do anything—it’s many many pages long!  Will take some time to find what you want to know “how to” do!

     
     

     Here’s my friend’s: 

     
     

     
     

How to Clean Your House in 6 Easy Steps

1. Have a heart-to-heart talk with a trusted friend
2. Read yourself into a stupor
3. Wake up early with a nasty eye-strain headache
4. Make coffee
5. Drink coffee
6. Pull out your morning pages journal. Write “Ok, if I do have deep-seated anger, what am I so angry about?”

Bam! Before you know it, it will be 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and your house will be spotless!

Okay—how to—is behind me!  I’m ready for “let’s do it”!

countdown!

 It's that time of the year--already, there is a countdown to Christmas!  Can you believe??  It does seem that the days are getting away too quickly--more so the older you get--never could understand that.

This year, there has been a family request to have price cap on gifts--especially since we are facing higher prices.  In that regard, I'm looking for gifts to give from my hands.  I suggested to the grandkids that they should do something that they are talented with--like a poem, a song, some handcrafted gift is perfect for me.  I always cherished those handprint turkeys from school art classes or that clay ashtray (even though we don't smoke!) 

It is my turn to look for simple alternates to pricey gifts--keeping each person in mind, I want that special gift to give. 

Fat Quarter Shoppe is offering this free quilt along pattern

I’m sure that there is a family member who will enjoy a seasonal hanging. 

And this lovely scarf will be a perfect knit for Colorado daughter in those winter months.  Designer is Hannah @yarnandsarcasm—pattern is “Good Things”

“Lady’s Mittens With Thumbs” c.1885

Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 1: Practical Knitter. 
Published c. 1885.

This is my adapted version of this pattern. These gloves are knit flat, seamed, and then embroidered. Both gloves are knit the exact same. You make a left and right version by folding one glove one way and seaming, and the other glove the opposite way and seaming.

This pattern seems easily customizable by adjusting stitch counts, rows, increases. Or you could try sizing up your yarn weight and/or needles.

A video tutorial for this pattern can be found here: 
https://youtu.be/_QQnbpjnnlI

 Someone can always use another pair of mitts! 

This Musselburgh hat (designed by Ysolda)

Is perfect for the men!  

You guessed it!  Countdown is getting me anxious!  Will I finish these on time?  

Only IF I start now!!

Jelly Rolls--Oh Yeah!

 Who doesn't like Jelly Rolls?  If you are a baker, it's one of those delights that you want to bake for the family to enjoy--easy peazy dessert.

But, if you are a quilter, you REALLY like Jelly Rolls!  Jelly Rolls are definitely an added bonus to quilting adventurers.  These nicely cut and layered fabric strips are just right for any project--

A jelly roll is a bundle of precut fabric strips, which are often used to make quilts and other sewing projects. Jelly roll strips are accurately cut ahead of time, saving you from hours of rotary cutting.

The other day was announced as "National Jelly Roll" Day!  Isn't there always a special something or other day every day of the year??

When it was declared Jelly Roll Day, there were also some free patterns given--here are some sites that will have you wanting more and more jelly rolls in your supply bin.

Quiltfabrication

Scattered Thoughts

Moda Fabrics

And now that we have been using jelly rolls in our sewing--how about a recipe for a jelly roll in the kitchen!

Old Fashion Jelly Roll

Yum! Yum! Good!

Lazy Sunday

 It was a to be a lazy Sunday!  Time to clean out refrigerator of “must-go” items.  Some things have been stored waaaaay too long—why haven’t we eaten them?  Doesn’t matter—just need to clean—ugh!  I’ll make the best of it though. 

I found packages of berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries) in the freezer—ah, I found sugar free vanilla instant pudding and a pecan crust in the pantry—whip up the pudding, add berries, fill up the pie shell—refrigerate till dessert time. 

When served, I’ll top each slice with sugar free whip cream

Next—time to chop up veggies—broccoli, cauliflower, onion, red peppers,; sprinkle with salt, pepper and little olive oil

Ready to bake—anything leftover will be frozen, ready to make soup at a later date. 

Had some jalapeños—take cream cheese and bacon—ready to make poppers. Cut peppers in half, scoop out seeds, fill with cream cheese, wrap with bacon, put on smoker for appetizers.  

Warning!! Don’t rub your eyes once you’ve worked with peppers!

Ready for the smoker. 

Yummy!  Good!

There is some time to watch football—cheer on our favorite team.  

Clean up isn’t so bad—especially since we had a delicious evening meal!  

Thinking—caps!

As we traveled, and since I was a passenger, I could knit! Simple thing to knit is a hat!

So, as the miles flew by, my hands were engaged in think less knitting on my famous cast on 80 stitches, join in round and knit!  Just knit! 

There are so many small balls of yarn in the stash bin—take two together and go. I tried something little different on this one. Didn’t show up well with yarn—will be better with plain color.

It is a simple 1/1 cable pattern. Row 1: 1/1 LC, k2, repeat that pattern until end of round. Row 2: k all stitches. Row 3: k2, 1/1 RC, repeat that pattern until end of round. Row 4: k all stitches.

Only!  I forgot on the 3rd row to do 1/1 RC! It didn’t look good to my eyes—just went on with plain knit!

Plain knit! 

This one I changed the yarns when one ran out.  Still have several little bits left—at least, no two hats will look the same!

The blue hat on top is one strand hand spun silk and one of hand-spun wool—I did several rows of knit, then switched to 3 rows of purl—don’t really like to purl, but it does add texture to the hat. 

Another completely hand-spun hat—one of silk (learned to take single silk strands and ply with two other silks to get a thicken yarn) and two ply wool.  Like the way it is knitting.  

Here is neat way to continue with 80 stitches.  This hat is Penta Cap by Woolly Wormhead—one of my favorite hat designers.  She thinks outside of the box. 

I have several other ideas to do with the “plain” knit hats—will fiddle with patterns—sure do like the mind less knitting though! 

 

Swoosh!

 Swoosh!! Off my table into the quilters’ box for long arm quilting day!  What do you think of this “orphan” top?

I did the chicken blocks because these chickens are just too cute—!  Why not make them?  Do you ever find a pattern that you couldn’t resist!?  

So—I had these chicken blocks and didn’t know what to do with them.  Along comes a challenge—begin with a medallion center block and add to it.

Why not try this challenge?  I used many orphan blocks to circle that medallion to get a finish look

I’m satisfied—or I just need to quilt!  It will be a nice size for a lap plus it will be fun to find all the different orphans

Another challenge—a friend gave me several Dresden  fans—some assembled, others loose. I tried different looks—complete circles, half circles, etc.  just couldn’t settle on anything that caught my eye

The idea stuck—why not turkeys!?  First thought—quilt; nope—a table runner!! Yes! Perfect way to feature these colorful creatures.  One shopping trip to bargain bin, I found border print and yardage with themed blocks—can’t decide on this addition.  

Back to Routine

 We need a vacation after our vacation!  We are exhausted! Tired! Want to do nothing except rest!  But, there is no rest for the weary--chores to be finished--must unpack that suitcase, wash clothes, sort the mail, shop for groceries, plan for week. 

 Granddaughter"s wedding dress needs to be altered.  Other granddaughter needs her dress hemmed--I haven't  even shopped for my wedding outfit yet!

  Oh bother!  Still, thinking on bridal shower gifts--what will it be?

How about placemats?  I like placemats on the table when eating--but, will she?  

Why not a Texas theme placemats since she is a Texan? 

 

I found these written instructions in the file cabinet—don’t remember if I made them before. 

How about potholders?  Everyone can use potholders.  

This my favorite potholder!  I make them for all occasions! 

How about a nice everyday apron?  

I’ve had this preprinted panel for some time—might be good to cut it out and sew it up for a gift.

And now, it’s time to plan the bridal shower—who will host?  What to serve?  How many to invite?  Decorations? I’m getting too old for this!  

There is nothing routine about planning a wedding!!