Old Craft: Potholders

 Yes several readers guessed correctly.   I am revisiting the old craft of making potholders that I enjoyed as a much younger person child.

Where the witchcraft comes in...there are several websites out there that have wizards where you can put in two colors and it will show you many patterns...one site has many potholder weaving charts in black and white so you can pick and choose your colors. 

 What fun!   At least I think so.  It gives my arthritic fingers and wrists a good workout!

I like the larger finished product of the Pro loom kit.  The potholders finish at 8 inches by 8 inches...a very nice size for potholders or for a spot to sit a warm pot on your table.

As I recall from the "olden days" the potholders were very small and if you bought some of the inferior loops they would melt if they got too hot.  I also recall that the loom was plastic and if you broke off any of the teeth your loom became useless.

I am using only cotton loops and the loom is metal.   So far so good.   I hope to make a few gifts.

I went to the Dentist...no cavities!  Yeah me!  

Far Guy sat outside for a short time, the air was less smoky.

Supper was pork chops and wild rice. 

Far Side

Playing with fabric

 Jen was playing with strips of fabric one day...she allowed her Dad and I to help.

Fabric is put on two sided adhesive paper and ironed to adhere it.  Then they are cut into strips...the other side of the backing is removed and it is put in place on special paper...when it is all done it is put on a canvas.  I worked the blues on the right side while Far Guy stripped backing off of strips until his thumbs locked up. (I know from experience that this is painful...but we still had to laugh a bit)

I was only the consultant on the next piece. 

Both pieces have gone to the shop in Grand Forks.  

I can play with fabric as long as no sewing is involved!

Far Side

Crafts

 Jen has a Craft Room here and set up a desk for me, I brought some projects with me and will enjoy the nice bright space to work in.  A space you can just leave "stuff" sitting out and no one cares. 

If blogger would let me upload a photo I could show you. Instead it is being a brat.

I have oodles of things to work on...I stamped images on watercolor paper for cards like a mad woman before we left home, and Jen has stamps here...someday I will get some more watercolor paper and raid her stamp collection and see what kind of cool stamps she has!   I have the stamp for next years Christmas Card!  I brought that along and I have some other projects to watercolor.   I have three afghans to work on and a Christmas gift to finish and I have a new pattern for mittens...so many crafts...

Jen painted a picture since we got here and I assisted her hemming some curtains.  Neither of us are accomplished seamstresses but we got er done...hope both panels are reasonably the same length! 

Far Guy is going to start woodcarving again soon.   He left his woodcarving tray at home so I found him a wood tray at Hobby Lobby that he can convert that will be similar to what he has at home.

Supposed to get a blizzard here Saturday night through Sunday night...we will see. 

Far Side

Yeah photo uploading is working again!

Zooming

 We see a number of health professionals via Zoom.  During these Covid times it is a necessity.  Far Guy occasionally has a group from High School that he zooms with.   We also Zoom with friends. 

I attend book club via zoom.   It works for me! When the opportunity to attend a card making class via Zoom cam up I signed up and ordered the kit that was required...the class was free...and given by long time friend and fellow crafter Sarah.

Then our internet went down.   I was so looking forward to the class.  So I asked my other baby brother if I could use his office...and he said "sure."  He even cleared off a section of his desk for me! 

Everything needed was in the kit and it made 16 cards.  They are bright and cheerful cards.  We did four or five cards together over zoom and the next morning I finished them up, added a bit of glitter and when that was dry I added the cards to my new greeting card organizer.  

It was a fun project a little bit different from my photo cards or the watercolored cards.  At the same time that I purchased the card kit a new stamp just jumped into my cart.  

A very Spring like project in the dead of winter! 

We got 2 plus inches of snow Tuesday night, but the sun was quite warm yesterday and the walk and patio are almost clear of snow.

So far so good with the Internet, TV and landline phone...we have fiber optic service...sometimes equipment is just old and needs to be replaced.  Far Guy has been complaining to them for several months to no avail.  So hopefully we can put that all behind us!

Far Side

Glass bulb ornaments 2005

In 2005 I used small glass bulbs to make the ornament that year.   I have always regretted that decision...I wonder how many were broken.   I know I broke one...but I had an extra...I always have a couple extras of every ornament we make.  ( The bulbs came in packages of four or five they were small lights used in candelabras)

This is a clear decorative glass bulb painted red...many coats of red.  A wire is attached to the base of the bulb and then a face painted and then lots and lots of snow.  It is cute...but breakable. 

I bought this glass creation about the same time...it isn't exactly a tree ornament but it could have been.  This one has a copper wire soldered to the underside bulb so it can be added to an arrangement or put in a house plant.  A smaller copper wire with tiny beads is attached with a bit of glue to the base of the bulb to be wings and antennae.  I bought it at a small antique/craft shop in Walker Minnesota.

This pretty bulb is in the tin Chickadee container in the window. 

Not sure where I got the container...probably from the local dime store....and the fru fru sparkly stuff probably the same place. 

Far Side

Crazy Quilt

I revisited an old project.  JoLynn and I went to a Community Education Class a few years ago.  My Wood Quilt Square was never finished.  I finally hid it in a closet...out of sight out of mind. 

Here it is the same as when I brought it home.  I decided it was too boring 

So I got out a ruler and a pencil and went crazy.

I went a little crazy with color too.

I like it.  Far Guy hung it up on my garage. 

Another someday project completed! 

Far Side

Winter Storm Jacob: Day One

The Winter Storm named Jacob began in the afternoon on Friday with windy conditions.  Snow was blowing around in the wind.  The snowstick is at 20 inches of snow...some either settled or blew away.

It was a dreary day.  I got the mail and Far Guy filled a bird feeder.  Other than that we hunkered down for the day.

For reference I took a photo of the patio and bird feeders before the storm kicked into high gear.

We are home for the duration of the storm.

I put away some cards that I finished this week.  A local pharmacy that has a photo shop sent me an email saying that I had not ordered photos in a long time and would I like a coupon for 25 free photos?  Sure.  Their photos are not quite square with the world but they were free.

Now for the big question is a project unfinished if you never started it?   I found this tucked away in a drawer upstairs...pillowcases to be embroidered....apparently at one time I gathered the embroidery floss for the project...some needles and a hoop are still needed before I can begin...easily attainable I have several hoops and lots of needles ...maybe I will put it in the craft suitcase.

Far Side

Rain

We have had rain for two days.  The first day I caught up on laundry and packed some suitcases just in case we get on that Transplant List and get a call.  I have one suitcase full of  misc stuff medications, bath stuff etc.  One for clothing and one for craft stuff to keep me occupied.  I also have a list on the bulletin board that tells me what we need to grab quickly before leaving.  (We should know soon if he is on the list, unless they want some other medical tests.)

I resurrected my sock knitting project, I need to visit that project more often.

The rain has beat down my daisies.

Yesterday Far Guy had surgery to remove his defective port.  It went well, but he is very sore.  For a quiet activity I spent some time online shopping .  I finalized this years Christmas Card design and I needed a few die cuts and ordered the paper with matching envelopes....Blueprint Blue.  Then I cut a bunch of watercolor paper and stamped my design 119 times.

Then my train of thought derailed and I stamped a few of my newest stamps...first time I have had a chance to try them.

 It will be fun to see how they color up!
Far Side

Cards

I have been doing a few Christmas Cards at a time and mailing them when I have been to town.

 

Some cards must have hand written notes…they just must.

One day when I was gone Far Guy printed off the Christmas Letter…there is a typo…oh well. If people read it fast they won’t notice.

Making May Baskets

I was ahead of the game, back in March I visited Jen at a Craft Retreat and I used one of her dies that makes a basket.

The die is sandwiched between the paper and a piece or two of plastic and then run through a die cut machine.

I cut out lots of different colors.

At home I folded them and glued them together.  Most are lined with a coordinating color….which also makes the basket sturdy.

They are all set to be filled.  I bought some wrapped chocolate eggs and some other candy at the after Easter sale.  I will put a bit of pretty grass in the baskets or a bit of tissue paper and fill them with candy and on May 1st Far Guy and I will deliver a few.

Here is a link to more of my May Baskets over the years.

I challenge all of my readers to make one May Basket and give it to someone on May Day. It doesn’t have to be fancy…just do it!

Twinkling Like Stars

I finally got some time to play with a new set of pens from Jen and Andy.  I was waiting to get my desk cleared off to start this project!

They are glitter pens…Copic Spica Glitter Pens that are Twinkling Like Stars!

 

I stamped some snowmen cards and played away.  I love the bright colors that sparkle.

In fact I got a little carried away with my stamping…so my work box is full again.  I cut up a bunch of heavy watercolor paper and stamped away!  Yes… I have a small box of other glittery “stuff”  you can never have too much glitter.

We had a beautiful day here in Minnesota yesterday it was 29F…it felt awsome and warm!!  It gave us hope that winter will end someday.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid for or accepted any Copic markers in exchange for this review…but if they want to send me some to try out I would welcome them!

Little things

Far Guy has been vacuuming up beads for days.  When I am sorting for a project…beads may get away and end up on the floor.

I love all the new eye glass cords that I made.  I wear a different set every day.  I had a request for a “manly set of cords”  a fellow from carving admired my newest creation and asked if I could make him a pair. ( Nothing sparkly!) Sure…next week I will deliver it.

The beads have been sorted and they are on my desk. Manly colors: browns blacks tan. I hope it works up okay.

My desk is full again…I have about four projects going at once. Three beading projects (with another tucked up in my mind) and some odds and ends that will end up as cards.

 

Watercolor paper stamped, then colored with Prismacolor pencils, a bit of Gamsol blends the colors together and I finish them off with a little sparkle…I got a bit carried away with the glitter glue on that one butterfly.

I finished a few watercolor Fall cards and I must make a few more wintery ones soon.  I like doing different techniques.

I went back to woodcarving.  My hand/wrist seems no worse for the activity.  The guys all noticed that I was going to carve again instead of work on bead projects or color on cards.  I am carving the little cottonwood bark houses….one of my favorite things to carve.

Desk

Sometimes I wish my desk was in another room…one where I could shut the door…but no my desk is in the middle of the room…across from my computer…I can just turn my chair around and be at my desk.  It is a place where I can leave my  “stuff” out, it has good lighting and you can watch TV and work on a project all at the same time. Perfect except…

It is a mess.  Today I tackle it. I have been working on eyeglass cords and had to get out every bead I had in the house!  They really need their own place…right now they reside in a huge cardboard box upstairs….when they are not on my desk or under it.  Chance used to be able to sleep under my desk…not so much anymore.

I would like to put this project behind me and move forward.  It is a baking day tomorrow pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie.

 

Sorting

I spent the afternoon sorting beads.  I have a few projects that I would like to do at a retreat at the end of the month and I wanted to get some supplies together. Sorting beeds can be done with your left hand.  I am getting better at using my right elbow too…it can shut doors.

Far Guy is like a General..no sweeping acorns…he hollers… enough!  He says I must be getting better because I am argumenative.  He says when I am really sick/in pain I don’t argue a bit…he also asked if I was ready to do the other hand yet?  Nope not so much…I hope it never requires surgery.

A family member suggested that I tape my arm to my body.  Another one asked “Why in the world were you doing dishes?’  duh…cause they were dirty?

 

See neat and orderly…those black ones in between the red ones might get moved…my OCD/CDO may take over.

Two packets ready to go to retreat. I must have been in a pink/green mood.

I am not certain that I will be able to use my hand enough to stamp Christmas Cards at retreat, watercolor and assembly perhaps but stamping takes a bit of motion that causes me pain.  I have some stamped but I know I don’t have 120 of them stamped…I may have to recruit my most handsome handy husband to help me one day next week.

My hand is better, but it still insists on swelling and is painful when used too much.  I am trying to take it as easy as I can.

Someday Project: Origami Basket

I saw this really cute Origami Basket.  Goodnightgram shared the link on her blog. I have never tried Origami before.  It looked interesting and fairly simple.  WRONG.

Let me tell you those folds have to be exact.  It is just like sewing…eyeballing something or in the ballpark just doesn’t cut it.

I attempted a basket several times.  The results were PATHETIC.  I put it on my someday list.  Finally I conquered it.    I played the YouTube Video and kept pausing it until I completed one basket.  It is not perfect but almost…as paper baskets go. It is made from 2 1/2 sheets of 6 X 6 inch Origami paper( Two sheets for the basket and 1/2 sheet for the handle.)

It is not large enough to put much candy in…that is why I used the origami paper on the Dixie cups.

Far Guy asked if it was for him…I said sure.

One more someday project…hey I think I want to try that thing crossed off my list.

Forgotten Project

I forgot all about the Cousin’s Quilt Square that I need to have done by February 21. Old age I guess..the theme of this years quilt is “birds.” 

I usually do a cross stitch pattern on waste cloth.

The waste cloth is attached to the top of your quilt square.  Waste cloth is a patterned cloth that has threads running through it..so that a cross stitch design can be stitched upon it and then the cloth is soaked and removed.  The threads are pulled..Far Guy likes to do that part. 

Here is my pattern. My eyes are not as good as they used to be..but it is coming along.

I pulled some pinky looking floss..I am not sure that it is quite right for the thistle flower so I need to go to town to get some more floss.

I organize all my floss onto plastic holders, that are marked with the color and then they are put into the containers in numerical order.  It is one of the things I am anal about…I like it perfect and not a mess.  I have been cross stitching for about 30 years and there is nothing as frustrating as having a balled up messy bag of floss to sort through when you want to begin a project.

Years ago I began with cardboard thingys to wind the floss on..then the plastic ones came out. I have a bunch of extras..I am not sure that they even make them anymore.  I am not sure why I have three boxes either..I may have used a box for each of the girls..they both enjoyed cross stitching too.  I used to cross stitch on sweatshirts and give them away as gifts.

Someone asked for my Pork Chop Recipe.  Use one box of Uncle Bens Wild and White Rice and 2 cups of water and a little butter put it all in a roasting pan and submerge three uncooked pork chops into the rice.  Bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes…whilst you are napping:)