Projects done, and in progress--

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Two weeks since I posted, and it seems like yesterday! I've managed to get a couple of projects done in the meantime. This set of postcards is for a swap called "Fans" for Artsnthemail.

Fiber Art Traders is having a swap called "4 Elements" (earth, wind, fire, water) done in plus-size inchies (1.5" square.) These are my sets; the water squares have small seashells attached, the wind squares have leaves that move, the earth squares have small sequin flowers, and the fire squares have shiny fibers sewn across them.



One of my groups was discussing a method of cutting identical squares from a busy fabric and sewing them into a four patch so that they resemble a kaleidoscope. This is the fabric I decided to use to try the technique.


I cut the fabric into 4 identical repeats of the design, and stacked them up carefully. I then cut the stack into 4-1/2" squares so that there are now four identical squares of each that will get twisted around 1/4 turn and sewn together into blocks:


Here are four of the resulting blocks--maybe this makes the idea more clear:


I still have to cut some sashing and make them up into some small quilts. I'll show more photos when that gets done.


Fiber Art Traders also has a swap going of miniature party hats. This is one that I'm still working on; I covered it with scraps of fabric left over from the Fan postcards shown above. I'm not real thrilled with the fiber tassel and the strap, so I'm re-thinking those.



and this is one that I have finished, modeled reluctantly by Copper:


In other news, my older son's deployment to Iraq has been postponed until June. It can be postponed indefinitely as far as I am concerned! I will be voting for whichever presidential candidate that I feel will get us out of Iraq the soonest.

Our elderly family member has had tests done to determine if there is any brain change indicative of dementia. We have not gotten any results yet, but the cognitive tests were very revealing of the degree of memory impairment already involved. This situation is extremely difficult for all concerned. I am ready to let the situation take its course, but that may not be possible. It would be so easy to turn a blind eye to the problem. But the responsibility is ours to bear, and bear it we will.

On a brighter note, I am due to be elected this week to a new position in Eastern Star, and have been studying hard. I am excited about changing positions, although I am not ambitious enough to want any position more difficult next year. I am not trying to work my way up, in other words. Just holding a position is enough for me.

Tutorial-Pt. 2

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As promised, I'll continue the tutorial: Cut the large panel of pin-weaving into 6" wide strips, then into 4" tall cards.

Cut Peltex 70 into 4" x 6" pieces. Print out the postcard backs on cardstock. Sandwich them together with the pin-weaving cards and attach them with clips.

Sew around the cards with a zigzag stitch to fasten them together. I then bound the edges with more bias tape to give them a nice finished edge but sometimes I satin-stitch around them.

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Some cards I've recently received:

"Circus" card from Ann S.

"Birdhouse" by Denny Z.

"P is for Pincushion" by Mary A.


"P is for Panda-Monium" by Karen W.


"Celestial-After Hubble" by Susan S.


"Celestial-del Sol" by Melissa R.

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I finally gave up on learning to knit. I just don't have the patience. My stitches were all too tight and it was a struggle to get the first row of stitches on the needles. I gave the whole mess to my DDIL, who expressed an interest in learning.

Copper still only weighs 10-1/2 pounds, although he eats like a horse. His ears have totally healed, and he has graduated to a harness instead of a collar. He chews on everything and is very playful; which leads us to wonder if he is as old as the vet thought. But then we were used to geriatric dogs, so it's hard to say.

DH has almost finished painting the bathroom walls blue. Next he will paint the woodwork white; it will look so much better then. Slow and sure wins the race.

I have been sewing today on four camo kerchiefs to keep the sand and dust out of DS' face when he goes overseas. I also have made 6 Cool Ties to keep him cool. I'm having DH test one of them tomorrow to make sure I've made it correctly. I'd hate to have it explode when DS soaks it in a war zone!

Tutorial--Pin Weaving

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My DH brought me these roses--aren't they beautiful?

I made a big pot of chili--two pounds of browned hamburger, an onion, 4 cans of assorted beans, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 package of taco seasoning ( I was out of chili seasoning) and a large can of RoTel; slow-cooked for several hours. Muy caliente!!!! Yum!! Thank goodness my stomach still can take spicy foods. DH begged off--more for me!

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I just signed up for a new postcard swap--this time called Beautiful Brown. Hmmm...how to make brown beautiful? I am not a fan of earth tones, preferring brights any day; but I want to stretch myself. So I considered doing something to look like a sepia-tone photograph, but that would be too labor-intensive. I could go simple, like an appliqued dog or teddy bear, etc., but I wanted to put a little more imagination into these cards than just a simple applique.

Then I happened to remember that I had a lot of old bias tapes and other trims. Plenty of browns in there, and I needed to use them for something. Maybe a celtic design? Hard to do in a 4" x 6" format. But back in the day I had tried pin-weaving, and I decided that would do the trick.

So here's a sort of mini-tutorial for you young things that don't know what pin-weaving is.

Step 1--cut a piece of fusible interfacing the combined size of all the cards (or whatever you're making.) Pin it fusible-side UP on a pinning surface like a press board or ironing board.

Step 1

Step 2--Pick out the tapes and bindings you want to use, press them, and cut them into lengths that will cover the fusible interfacing in one direction. Use different colors and widths of strips.
(What a bland palette!)

Step 2

Step 3--Pin the strips side-by-side covering the fusible interfacing completely. Alternate colors and widths until you are happy with it. Note: DO NOT PRESS AT THIS STAGE or you will have to start all over again!

Step 3

Step 4--Now start weaving more strips through perpendicular to the first strips. Pin them in place as you go, making sure they butt up closely to each other. I used rick-rack strips to add interest to my piece. When you are finished weaving, press thoroughly according to the manufacturer's directions. I use an iron set to scorch, with steam. Your results may vary. Turn the whole thing over and press from the back side as well. Then trim off all the sides even with the fusible interfacing.

Step 4

This is the basic pin-weaving process. Not too bad for basic browns! I'll turn this piece into postcards in my next post.

Dust Storm

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We had a cool front come through Tuesday night that left dust on everything. That meant a red-letter day for all the local car washes! Our two cars got oil and filter changes before going through the car wash and are now cleaner than they've been all year.

Copper got a good bath and grooming, too! He now shows his Bedlington Terrier profile proudly.


He lost most of his copper coloring, though. His ears are healing nicely. He has settled in to his new home and is a delight to be around. We are so lucky to have found him.

Spring Break

I wish the weather everywhere could be like ours today. It's 88 degrees with a light breeze. These palm trees are across the street from us--this is pretty much the view I get from the window next to my computer. Spring break is beginning this weekend, and the beaches are already very crowded.

We discovered yesterday that Copper is actually a Bedlington Terrier, although not show quality, of course. He weighs barely 10 pounds, half of what he should weigh. We'll soon get him up to a normal weight. His coat is already looking better. He has sores on his ears that are also starting to heal. He is such a sweety!

I finished up some postcards today for a Celestial swap. I tried using bias binding for the edges--it worked okay but was a real bear to put on. These have different fibers and beads as embellishments, although it is hard to see the fibers. I used hot colors of orange and yellow to represent the heat of the sun. These cards aren't due until April, so I'm ahead of the game.


Tomorrow is my eldest son's 28th birthday. It doesn't seem possible! He is being deployed to Iraq in a couple of weeks. Happy Birthday, Chris! and keep your head down.

The bathroom is coming right along. DH is nearly finished putting on the blue paint. Next week we should get the woodwork done in white. I can hardly wait to see the finished product!

Welcome, Copper!

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Today we went looking for a new dog. We went to the Humane Society--no luck. To Animal Control--no luck. To a pet adoption center--no luck. We were about to despair of finding one. Then we went to PALS and fell in love with an apricot poodle/terrier mix. We named him Copper. He now has a home, and we have a new friend for life.

After a bath, he felt much better. He loves getting petted, brushed, and played with.


Whew! It's been a long, happy day. A nap is in order!


Once again we have a pet in the house, and all is right with the world.

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Witless in Blogdom

Amaryllis "Gran Cru" on the left, "Liberty" on the right.


Amaryllis "Hermitage"


Amaryllis "Masai"

These were all grown by my DH. http://www.sotexplants.com/

I haven't done much sewing this week. My time has been taken up with the care of our elderly relative. I did do some charity sewing with a couple of friends, though. We're making quilts to give to injured soldiers. All I did was straight stitch strips together for rail fence blocks.. Pretty easy, but that's about all I can contribute right now.

I have signed up for another set of postcards, for a celestial theme. I hope to get some work done on those over the next week. I have the design in pattern form and an idea of how to interpret it, and that's a good start. They're not due until April, so I'm not in a big hurry.

We have the primer coat on the bathroom walls, so no more orange paint! The ceiling is done, and today DH and I picked out a lovely blue for the walls, as well as new hardware for the towel hangers and drawer pull. I hope we can get started on that Friday.

Sunday is DH's first day of his new part-time job at a local nursery. I think he will enjoy that a lot more than his last job. He will only work three days a week, at least for now.

The last post was after I had been tagged, and I considered it a good sign that someone was actually reading my blog (even though Morah is a good friend, she still counts in my book!)
But of the seven blogs I tagged, only three even mentioned it, and none wanted to participate. I guess the tagging thing has gotten so prevalent that some bloggers consider it to be the same thing as a chain letter. Frankly, I hadn't even thought of that. I detest chain letters myself, and never pass them on. Maybe it's just that I'm relatively new at this and don't have a large audience. The three who mentioned it were very nice about declining, and I thank them.
It really doesn't matter that no one participated, and I told them they didn't have to. I was really just surprised that I hadn't seen it from their point of view before. I was thinking of it as a way to network and to increase my visibility in blogdom. So from now on, being tagged will still be a compliment in my book, but I won't be passing it on.