Mandalas

The mandala is one of humankind's most ancient art forms. With the circle as its basis, it reflects eternity and all of nature: the sun, the moon and even the bird's nest. Types of mandalas may be found in all religions, as well as in psychology.

The circle is the most natural form known to mankind. The universe is made up of planets, stars, moons and the sun---all spherical in shape. The sun rises and sets in a never-ending circle; seasons pass in an annual circle. Trees, rocks and raindrops are circular, and most fruits and flowers are spherical. The cells and atoms that make up everything within the universe are circular.

 

Mandala history

How about Mandala's to color?

Join in on the interesting artistic world of Mandalas by becoming a member

of  Facebook group.

We see Mandalas in our every day life.

My Mandala is my spinning wheels--what is yours?

Here Comes the Queen of Hearts!

It's time to think about that sweetest time of the year--Valentine's Day!  Did you know that Valentine's Day is celebrated in various countries around the world?  It is a time to show your love and affection for someone special in your life.

I'm thinking about Valentine's Day because the brown headed kid asked for a table runner for her new home--she requested this valentine one.

Joy Shope has the tutorial--we are stash diving for this one!

Should be fun to create for her table.

Other patterns are found here on this site--have fun!

and for some history, we have this from Wikepedia........

Valentine's Day, also known as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,^[1] is a celebration observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it is not a public holiday in most of them.

St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later martyrologies.^[2] A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.^[3]Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion,^[4] as well as in the Lutheran Church.^[5] The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).

The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). In Europe, Saint Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart", as well as to children, in order to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine's Malady).^[6] Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[7]

Antique Valentine's card
Also called	Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine
Observed by	People in many countries; Anglican Communion (see calendar) Eastern Orthodox Church (see calendar) Lutheran Church (see calendar)
Type	Christian, cultural, commercial
Significance	Feast day of Saint Valentine; the celebration of love and affection
Observances	Sending greeting cards and gifts, dating, church services
Date	February 14 (fixed by the Western Christian Church) July 6 (fixed by the Eastern Orthodox Church)
Frequency	annual

Crayola has coloring pages!! for you to download and color!

And if you need something to write in those Colorful cards, you can find Poems!  Much sweeter than candy!

10,000 hours or 100 hours

What Is the 10000 Hour Rule?

The 10000 Hour Rule is just that. This is the idea that it takes approximately 10000 hours of deliberate practice to master a skill.

For instance, it would take 10 years of practicing 3 hours a day to become a master in your subject. It would take approximately 5 years of full-time employment to become proficient in your field. Simply work out how many hours you have already achieved and calculate how many more you need to clock up before you reach 10000.

the 100-Hour Rule:

For most disciplines, it only takes one hundred hours of active learning to become much more competent than an absolute beginner.

For example:

• Cooking: it takes years to become a master chef, but one hundred hours of cooking lessons and classes and deliberate practice will make you a better cook than most of your friends.
• Coding: it takes years of study and practice to become a strong software engineer, but going through a couple of Codecademy or Udacity courses will make you a good enough programmer for a lot of basic applications.
• Sales: it takes years of experience to become great at sales, but reading a few key books and shadowing experienced sales people for several hours will help you learn enough to avoid the most common/dangerous sales mistakes.

So, if this is the case--what is the number of hours you need to be competent in your fiber field?  Is it 10,000 hours, 1,000 hours or 100 hours?  As someone who has been a weaver since 1979, I can personally say--I'm still learning!  I AM NOT competent in my weaving!  I don't think I ever will be.  There is no way you can achieve the greatest number of hours and learn everything about weaving--how do colors mingle; weave structures abound; fiber combinations match, etc.  So, I will continue to practice and build up more hours of learning!

What number of hours do you need to be proficient in your field?  

Weaving Inspiration!

It's back to the routine--January always brings out new thoughts, new beginnings, new challenges.  And I'm always ready to be inspired by my fellow weavers--who have been more production and creative than I have!

D'Anne purchased a new loom--Glimakra Band Loom and she really went to town with her weaving.

Using stash yarns (5/2 perle cotton) she wove and wove

colorful band weaving--perfect for a jacket or even a guitar strap

Gretchen enjoyed weaving workshop with Rosalie Neilson that she wove this

wonderful 'snowflake' table runner.

Take a look at one of Rosalie's video

Close-up of Gretchen's snowflake in Rep Weave

She also had these wonderful turned twill block woven towels

Same warp, different wefts!  Enchanting color changes--cottolin fiber

Karen I was at it with her small tapestry piece--super detail in this tiny (3"x5") piece

I love her backs too--she says she needs to weave in the ends, but

I like them just like this!

Karen I also had these lovely woven linen mats/towels

such wonderful weaving technique

She has an article in this month's Handwoven magazine--working with linen.

Her work is always superb!  Another article in the January/February Handwoven

is by Tracy on towels.  We had such a great knowledge of weaving in our

study group.

As an exercise, we played with colored papers and weave structures

or lack there of--fun just to play

and a good way to see how colors bounce of each other. 

Okay, I'm inspired for the month--what to weave?  and what color will I use? 

Under the Mighty Oak!

There is nothing like an oak tree--and it is amazing that from a seedling it grows to be mighty and bold.  Having lived in Louisiana for many years, the Oak was a symbol of love and endurance.  There are so many lovely oaks around the state.

Edna Szymoniak Oak

35' 6" in circumference | #2072 of the Live Oak Society

A recent article in Countryroads Magazine caught my attention as we had a huge oak growing right beside our home in Gonzales, Louisiana.  William Guion is documenting Louisiana's most ancient live oaks--the oldest 100 Oaks in the state.  Take a stroll through his photographs and read the article on this project.  I watched our tree grow from a sapling to over 15 ft tall, but it is still growing and enduring.  Oh, the stories they could tell!  

Marshmallow Fluff!

Marshmallow Fluff --Yummy!  

We can't do fudge without it!  My mother said she ate so many peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches in her day that she had to swear off the stuff!

Nope, I'm talking about this Marshmallow Fluff knitting pattern 

from The Studio

Doesn't this look luscious and yummy, just like the real white stuff from a jar!  

Just need some chunky yarn, needles and away we go!

and it will be a quick knit too!

Are You Calling Me Chicken??

January must be the month to be called "chicken"!  So many recipes popping up with chicken as the main meat ingredient.  Do you know Erin?  Erin Chase runs 31 days of certain recipes--She is $5 Dinner Mom.

January she is featuring 31 Days of Rotisserie Chicken Recipes--Not that I want to eat chicken for 31 days straight, but these recipes can be saved for future reference.

Then I got my January Cooking Light Magazine and guess what?  It features chicken recipes too!  Is it a conspiracy?

Chicken 25 Ways!  

And Food Network Magazine has recipes for chicken wings!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner--

excuse me--I'm getting hungry and going to search for some

CHICKEN!

Fleece to Finish Project

For those who have fiber animals, here is an opportunity for you to participate in an event.  Many of our past fiber study groups have done a similar project.   Each person in the group chose a sheep breed, did a study of that breed, collect the fleece to distribute to other members of the group.  Then there was the spinning of each breed for our own workbook.  It was a year long study with great results.  We learned about different breeds, quality of their fleece and how it could be useful for our needs.

A link to the actual discussion is here: FLEECE TO FINISH

INFO:, 
There will be an emphasis on 3 areas:

1. Washing/processing fleece January we’ll discuss the washing methods we all use and make up our very own booklet..
2. Plying February to April will focus on plying methods with a particular look at Andean plying so we can make our own document on plying too.
3. Finishing items eg knitting, felting, weaving or crochet etc March to April we’ll look at what we do with our processed fleece - ie end products- knitted crocheted felted woven.. Other?

Shetland Isles

Many moons ago, I was privileged to receive a couple of nice Shetland fleeces from a friend.  Shetland wool is extremely interesting to process--it takes some time and energy to get the locks just right.  Needless to say, I kept the fleeces in their lovely little storage bags until I decided it was best to pass them on to someone who would process them with the care they deserved.
Of course, now, I'm sorry that they went to another home!!  But, here is the skinny on Shetland sheep and their fleece.



• Shetland sheep are hardy, low maintenance animals, easy lambers and good mothers that fit with our 'no fuss' philosophy of animal husbandry,

• Shetland sheep produce a high quality fibre in many attractive natural fleece colours, that has a ready market and is also useful for our own fibre works,

• Shetland sheep can be used as dual purpose meat and fibre producers if required,

• Shetland sheep have distinctive personalities,

• Shetland sheep have a well run North American Registry   (NASSA), and

• Shetland sheep hark back to our own Celtic/Viking roots.

Susan Crawford  is publishing a book on Shetland.  Susan has studied hand-knitted garments and accessories from the 1920s to 1960s, which are held in the Museum's archives. She has chosen 25 pieces, recording their construction stitch for stitch then recreated them for the Vintage Shetland Project. These pieces – all with their own unique story to tell – have been developed into comprehensive multi-sized knitting patterns, complete with instructions, technical advice and illustrated with colour photography shot on Shetland. 

With an essay reflecting on the story of each hand-knit item this book is a treasury of Shetland knitting patterns and an insight into Shetland's rich textile traditions.

What peeked my return interest to Shetland fiber and knitting?  Hazel Tindall's blog!  I was reading through different Shetland knitting patterns and came across her blog with this cool "Benon Headband"

West Coast Fiber Arts has a super booklet on Shetland knitting project.

Shetland Fleece types

Here is a video on the processing of Shetland Fleece.  Wish I'd had youtube back in those days!  

Knit Along Socks With Lucy!

Even if you know how to knit socks, this is a perfect opportunity to study and knit along with

a world famous knitter, Lucy Neatby!

This is a free class on Craftsy.  If you are not a member, it's easy and free to join.

I'll be knitting along on these year long projects to knit

three different sock patterns--top down and toe up.

Join me on this project!

COLOR--Be Calm!

Did you get into the latest 2015 craze?  I wrote about this in another blog several months ago.

I have two or maybe three coloring books for adults.  On the other hand,  I must have (mumble, mumble) children coloring books!  Okay--I was into the craze loooooooong before the "adult" books came out.

It’s about “getting back to basics,” said Karen Larson, a Lathrup Village, MI graphic designer who has designed two adult coloring books.

Larson said coloring books offer an escape from today’s ever-electronic world and let you do something with your hands and be creative.

“It’s addictive, it’s meditative, it’s relaxing,” said Larson. “I find lately I’ve been really overbooked, so I take just a half hour to color and it does the trick. It soothes you, relaxes you. It’s that whole key of getting away from electronics.”

In her area of Detroit, there are even coloring workshops being held at Public Libraries!  Can you believe?!!  I would so be there!

I love love this coloring book that my friend Judy P gave me this summer!  It is designed by

her friend, Susan Schmitt.  I haven't taken the time to color though--it's such an entertaining book, I almost hate to mess it up.

Here is one of the pages from the book.  Did you know: Art has long been considered therapeutic. A 2006 Swedish study found that mindfulness art therapy for women with cancer helped significantly reduce symptoms of physical and emotional distress during treatment.

I found a wonderful coloring book at our local Sprouts Grocery store and here is

the display at the Barnes and Nobles!  Get on the band wagon--break out those

coloring books--whether for adults or children--get some wonderful coloring pens

and relax, mediate and enjoy your therapy!

365 Challenge

I have done a couple of "365" challenges in my time.  One was photography--posted each and every day--that was a challenge for sure!  Just try to find 365 different and unusual photos to post each day.  You certainly look at life differently doing that challenge.

Here is another challenge for me--this is 365 quilt block challenge!  The challenge?  Make a small block each and every day--don't despair!  The blocks are posted for you through 365 Challenge Quilt website.  There are over 7000 quilters taking this challenge--will you be one?

 The blocks are going to finish at 3"!  Some will finish at 6"! 

Take a look at this photo!  Isn't this a fascinating quilt!  I've always been interested in small block quilts like "Farmer's Wife" but never had the courage to tackle it.  Now, I think this will be easy to tackle a day at a time!

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising plays host to an impressive collection of more than 8,000 textiles and garments from cultures around the world. Additionally, it is home to a wide range of 19th and 20th century western artifacts, including textiles, beaded flapper dresses, hats, shoes, handmade lace, and famous designer apparel. Design, history, and textile students and scholars enjoy access to more than 18,000 catalogued clothing, textiles, and interior furnishing objects.

There are four exhibits that launches, which opens January 30 in their new facility:

Mr. Blackwell: “Artist of subtle witchery”

Layers of Meaning: Color and Design in Guatemalan Textiles 

Tiny Bits and Pieces 

The Power of Maya Women's Artistry

A Book Challenge

Modern Mrs. Darcy website has a challenge for us!  This is a good one, especially if you like to read, as I do!  Some of these will be real challenges--like read book you previously abandoned--oh, my--how, will I stick to one that I've already discounted as worthy of my time!

A book someone chooses for me??  Really, I'd better find that

perfect person to suggest that book!

Hope you can fit one of these challenges into your daily readings.

Do You Finish What You Begin?

Motivation?!  Who needs motivation to finish what I've begun--Well, I do!  This little nudge will be just the thing to keep me on track.  And it's not necessarily just for sewing projects; but, all those projects that have been lingering in the background.  Several years ago, I vowed to finish at least two projects, before beginning anything new!  Now, let me tell you--that was hard to stick to, but somehow, I finished more than I begun.  Maybe, this year will be the same!
How about you?  Do you need that motivation?

the Finish-A-Long is is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete unfinished sewing projects. Every quarter, you post a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months. Then, when the three months are over, you post a link from your blog, Flickr or Instagram for each successful finish from your original list. 

The hosts for the year will be:

• Debbie - A Quilter’s Table - USA

• Jess - Elven Garden Quilts - Australia

• Stacey - SLOstudio - Canada (that’s me!)

• Jennie - Clover & Violet - USA

• Helen - Archie the Wonder Dog - UK

• Nicky - Mrs. Sew and Sow -UK

• Rhonda - Rhonda’s Ramblings - USA

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada

Working on BH's 2015 Mystery..................................

Finally!! I got to my sewing room--I'm wading through moved furniture, stacked boxes, etc.  Flooring will be installed this week so everything has been moved from my weaving room to my sewing room.

But, I'm excited!  that I can actually get two of the clues finished for Bonnie Hunter's 2015-16 mystery~

Here is 120 four patches from golds and neutral fabrics

Another step was 1.5" finished half square triangles from grey and neutral--it was a constant

grey too so that was an easy one to complete--just 296, that's all!

But now, if you see from the photos--now of these have been pressed!

I'm thinking that could be an all day event...........................

We're Cooking!

Yes, it's the first of a new year and what do we do?  We start thinking about our

waist line and eating healthy-------again!

Every year, it's the same!

Recently, I found this recipe in January Southern Living Magazine.

It looked good and easy to prepare,

besides I had the ingredients on hand.

Our son, who thought he was getting a good deal, bought one, got one

on sale--Salmon that is!

Then he found out it was small sections of salmon--

He likes big slabs of fish, not

little sections.

Hence, here comes this recipe

perfect! for this recipe.

Ingredient

4 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon seasoned rice wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

1 pound fresh medium asparagus

8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed

1 small orange, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 (5- to 6-oz.) fresh salmon fillets

Garnish: toasted sesame seeds

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Keep Calm--And--Crochet

will start on 13 January 2016. The tutorials for each part will be released every two weeks on a Wednesday on  blog where they will remain available forever.

This is a mystery crochet-along for a rectangular mixed motif blanket where either blocks or rows will be introduced every two weeks. Lots of different shapes and stitches will be incorporated so it won’t get boring and there will be plenty of opportunity to play with colour!

As well as posting information on this blog I’ll also be linking the information in my KCACO-UK Community Facebook Group year, is a great source for support and helpful tips from fellow Crochet-Alongers: Facebook page.

So on to the fine details of the CAL…this is a bit of a long post so bear with me!

DETAILS OF THE CAL:

1. There is no charge to join the CAL; anyone can join in as long as they have some yarn and a hook.
2. All featured pattern elements in the CAL will be FREE of charge patterns if released separately from the CAL.
3. For those that like a deadline I will be adding new details about each square every two weeks on a Wednesday at 7 pm-ish (GMT time) – see below for full schedule. For those that want to hook when they have the time then that’s fine too; no pressure to this CAL it’s all about having fun!
4. For this blanket I will be using double knit/8 ply/yarn weight #3 and a 4mm (US size G); though you could use worsted /aran/ yarn weight #4 with a larger hook (US size H) for a larger blanket if you wish to.
5. I will be using both UK and US crochet terminology in the pattern (UK/US) so you can pick your preference. I will also always link a conversion chart and any helpful information about each element including links about special stitches with the release of each new section.

YARN:

I’ve designed this CAL to be a stash-buster to use up bits of yarn you might have lying around (in my case lots) or you can buy new.  I estimate that you will need at least:

• 12 skeins of  Double Knit (1200g / 3600m / 3936 yards)
• 14 skeins of Aran / Worsted (1400g / 2744m / 2996 yards)

Please note that these amounts are approximated – actual finished blankets may vary depending on yarn and hook used and own personal tension when crocheting.  I would always round up a bit as some stitches take more yarn that others.  

As for colours; well this giant bag of multi-toned blues from my stash is going to be the colours I use this time.

New Year--New Beginnings!

Happy New Year to you!

There is a saying that what you do on the first of January

will follow you through to the end of December!

So, I'm going to KNIT today!

Last January 1st we were traveling and it seemed

all we did all year was travel and not much knitting was done.

I'm beginning with 2016 year of lace scarf designed by

Elizabeth Ravenwood on Ravelry, of course!

I did finish 2015 Lace scarf!!!! 

I used handspun wool/silk blend

The scarf has not been blocked yet.

I'm happy with this method of knitting.

Each month you have a section to complete;

easy to do--if you stick to it!!