What Did She Do Today?

She Knit Alone in a Hotel Room January 21, 2011

The day started with a fabulous snowstorm, and I found myself, at the end, alone in a hotel room in Worcester MA.  The snow storm is evidently part of Mother Nature's "Oh, crap, NH got no significant snow in December, better make up for it RIGHT now!" Initiative.  We've had something like <insert absurd amount of snow here> in less than 2 weeks.  The trees look beautiful caked in white bliss, the children everywhere are squealing with glee, having nearly half the week off from school, and my dad has become his jolly ole' mid winter curmudgeon, grumbling about snow and cold...which incidently, since the man has lived in this State (very fine State indeed) all 60 something years of his life, barring a stint in the Navy in his early 20's, you'd think he'd be over the complaining about snow, but luckily, for those of us, who find it amusing, nope, he isn't.

The Muscovy are less than impressed, as well.

The snow cleared around noon, and the dedicated plow folks, of this fine State, had the roads clear and beautiful in time for me to reach Worcester MA, safely.  I'm teaching a beadmaking class tomorrow, and after dinner with the studio owner, and setting up the studio for the class, I made my way to my room, and got right to work on these fabulous socks, while sitting on this comfy couch.  This is the first, and it fits PERFECTLY!  More about them later, like when they are done, or at least more done.

She Went to a Handmade Gift Swap December 17, 2010

Once a month I get together with a fabulously eclectic group of ladies to knit and eat.   A great group of gals, and a very talented bunch, as well.  Tonight we had our annual Christmas gift swap, which shows just how talented they are.  Though we all knit and that is the most common thread running through our lives, that isn't all we do.  Our swap requirements are that it's something we made.  It can be knit, but certainly doesn't have to be.  Last year I got a great sewn market bag, that I have used a whole lot this year. 

This year I came home with a knitted goodie!  fingerless gloves.  I actually helped pick out the yarn for these.  It's a pattern I've been considering knitting for myself, but it keeps being moved to the back of the list because I want sweaters and leggings and socks more!  So much to knit!  But now I have the perfect little gloves, and they fit perfectly, and the yarn combo is fabulous!

There was a sewn banner, 2 knitted cowls, another pair of fingerless gloves, redwork embroidery, embroidered ornaments, paper and glass ornaments, a sewn wine bag (filled), homemade jam, with an turned wood oatmeal Spurtle, a  sewn circular needle holder.  A very talente group indeed.

I decided to bring a glassy thing.  I made a necklace, but the bottom has a clasp that holds 3 emergency stitch markers.  I'll be making these to sell at Spinning Yarns, but this prototype was given away tonight.

I was able to finish Christopher's sweater tonight, and start on one of the girls hot water bottle cozies!  Can I make 2 before Christmas?  Not sure, but if I can great, if not, I'm not stressing.  I have their socks and sweaters done, and hey, who doesn't like a gift a few days after the big day?  I know I sure do.  While I was working on the first cozy, my friend Jen worked on a sock I'm making for Istra.  Jen finished the project she was working on, so was getting antsy.  I offered the sock and she added a few rows. Husband was amused that I had a "fun party knit" available. 

The Christopher and Eowyn's book is available on Amazon.com now! 

She Ate At Republic December 13, 2010

It's a sad state of affairs, really.  There is a little fabric store in Manchester that is stocked with bolt ends from NY.  In years past, it and it's predecessor, Lavine's, were bursting with all kinds of amazing fabrics, so many it was hard to narrow the pile.  It's still a great place, don't get me wrong.  There is a lovely assortment of fabrics, especially fleece, but their wools were lacking, and there is no hope for more to arrive, as the next buy is in Spring.  The reason for all this, is the fact that all our clothing is being made overseas, so all our fabric is being cut there too, hence not bolt ends.  It's sad really, not just because I don't have the amazing selection of fabrics I once did, at the wonderful prices; 100% wool suiting for $8.00 a yard!  Amazing.  But it speaks to a larger problem.  The US has given up so many of it's backbone industry.  It's a shame.  They did have new fold over elastic, so I picked up some tutu pink and a lovely steel blue.  A yard of flannel, but no wool.  The prospect of Joann Fabrics being my only garment fabric option is really getting me down.

On the flip side of all that doom and gloom was lunch!  Mom and I were trying to figure out where to eat, what would be the least offensive option, when I remembered an ad, or spot on NPR, or maybe it was an article, I read, or a combo of all of the above.  Republic, a new cafe/bar/restaurant on Elm Street in Manchester!

Local meats, produce (when in season), dairy products (including cheese, except parmesean), oh my!  The price points were fair and quite varied.  You could enjoy an appetizer or salad for less than $10.00, a sandwich or lunch special for around $10.00 or entrees in the $15-under $20 range, with one meal hitting $23.  Mom and I decided on the same thing, but it was delicious.  Farm Fresh eggs poached in a lovely tomato based sauce, topped with a piece of fried polenta and local mozzarella. 

We had a lovely chat with Claudia, co-owner, about their practices, and how things are going.  They have some great partner farms, that they list on a board in the front (I was very happy to see Brookford Farm listed, as Yogurt supplier), and she told us the story of a farm that they work with that is going to be making some changes to be able to provide a great amount of diverse produce through the entire calendar year, for 2011.  They are struggling with local produce now that winter has hit, but are still going strong with their meats, seafood, and dairy options.  I made a couple suggestions of farmers she wasn't familiar with, that might still have something other than squash (which she still has a source for).  She's excited with how well they did this year, and anticipates even more, next year.

I highly recommend stopping in. 

Upon arriving home, I decided to take advantage of the warm weather and headed to my unheated glass studio.  I've been having so much fun being back at the torch!  I have a couple more sets of buttons to bring on Wednesday, to Spinning Yarns.

I have had a couple folks ask about buying my buttons online.  I am not offering them there yet, but will update here when I do.   My current plan is to add them to my Etsy Store in January, if I can keep up with the demand at Spinning Yarns and online.  I'd like to think I can, but as I said, I'll let you know here, when they are available outside of Spinning Yarns.

 

She Determined Peas are Hearty! December 2, 2010

Well, let's see if I can do a better job of keeping up with this blog, this month.  I really miss posting, because it's kind of my journal, and a bit of farm register.  See, when I post that Josie kindled, it's kind of to keep you up to date, but there is also the fact that I can search my blog for Josie and figure out how old the three chubby bunnies are...They were born in October, or was it November, see, now I'm not sure.  I should have written it down.  So, anyway, I need to keep up with blogging.  I'm starting by showing you how my winter growing season is going...

I actually found this tray on my back deck.  I forgot about them.  They were intended to be micro greens, and well, I guess they still are.  The peas tendrils are yummy and crisp despite being found in an icy tray of dirt.  This is not really the extent of my winter growing, but I did start everything too late, so while I have some lovely baby tat soi, my leeks look great, the swiss chard is holding it's own, I also have beets, carrots and turnips that are in the baby greens state, and not likely to change until Spring.  Oh, well.  Maybe next year I'll plan my garden space better, so I can plant my winter crops in August, as I should have.

I have been having a lot of fun back at the torch.  I should do a full studio post for those of you who have no idea what lampworking is.  Basically, you take an oxygen/propane mix torch, that gets hot enough to melt glass, and then, well, you melt glass.  It's very fun, and I can't believe I have taken so much time away from it.  I'm happy to be back, and the buttons I'm making, even "Wow" me, sometimes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two single buttons are at Spinning Yarns in Dover, NH...well, they were, unless they've sold.  The middle set of orange are going to be put on a sweater for me!  Well, look for a studio tour soon. 

She Made Buttons November 4, 2010

About 10 years ago I learned how to flame work.  I made beads.  I've been making beads, but have always wanted to make button.  Not instead of beads, necessarily, but in addition, especially after learning to knit...and becoming so fanatical about knitting.  I have made many sweaters, and always find myself thinking that they really need handmade glass buttons.  The methods for making buttons have always been clumsy, and difficult to gauge size, if you wanted to make a set of buttons, rather than just one focal button.

Since I make tools for beadmakers, I have always felt that it would be very cool to develop a tool to make button making less clumsy, and easier to gauge size, for sets.  I have finally figured out a solution.  I've been playing around with several things, and have found a couple that really work well.  I've been having a grand ole' time making buttons, and recently started making them available for sale at my local yarn store.  They are only available there, for now, but if I can get enough stock made up to keep them stocked, I might start selling them in my etsy store.

One thing I really like about selling the buttons in a brick and mortar store, is there is much less need for photos.  Seems I can't quite figure out proper lighting for my photography lately, so these pics are a smidge brighter than the buttons really are, but, these are some that I have over at Spinning Yarns, in Dover NH. 

   

It's been a few years (about 4, corresponding with the birth of my first daughter), since I've done my glass art regularly.  I keep my hand in it just enough to not lose my skills, but it's felt very good, lately, to be back on the torch more often.  There is something envigorating about melting glass, and playing with colors!

 

She Salvaged Basil October 18, 2010

I am a procrastinator.  It is one of the things that drives me a bit crazy, about myself.  My basil is outside my front door.  It is easy to access, right on the edge of the path, so why haven't I picked it yet?  I have no idea.  When I went out one day last week to find all the tops a deep purple, due to the frost, I was pretty aggravated with myself, but still didn't bring it in.  Well, today I finally brought it in, and salvaged what I could.  There was enough to make 5 little jars of pesto base.  It's pesto base and not pesto, because it is missing the parmesan cheese and the pine nuts.  I've been told that omitting those ingredients keeps the basil flavor stronger for longer.  We'll see.  I will probably be making some "alternative" pestos this winter, as 5 meals of pesto doesn't seem nearly enough.  Maybe some arugula...hmmm.

I'm whiddling away at the fruit that has accumulated in my life.  I processed about 75 pounds of pears today...managing to also slice my finger pretty badly, eek.  I felt a shock sensation, so figuring a nerve might have been involved.  It's feeling okay right now, and did not bleed very much, so I think I may have narrowly escaped a big problem. Note to self, do not talk on the phone while slicing fruit.

So has anyone every canned apple slices.  I don't want to make pie filling, and as you probably know, freezer space is tight around here, so I thought canning the slices would allow me to use them in pies and baked goods, like the frozen apples do, but I didn't know if they just get too mushy.  All kinds of people online say you can can them, but no one really expounds upon how good they are when you go to use them.  Any thoughts on that would be greatly appreciated.

The Baby has quite a few garments handed down from Mini, but many of my knitted goodies still fit Mini, just as a little shorter.  For this reason, it seemed necessary to make an outfit for The Baby that was all her own and could grow with her, as well.  I love this set, and there are little ruffle pants to go with it that are not in the pictures. The Sweater is made with a linen blend yarn, and has mama made buttons.  The dress is a super soft cotton blend.  All yarn from Spinning Yarns in Dover, of course.

 

 

She is hay rich! July 16, 2010

You'll remember, maybe, a while back that I went to help a local farmer unload their load of hay. I think there were about 300 bales, and the farmer kept saying she felt "hay rich".  Today I drove to the "Big City" of Salem NH to pick up the Second Cut Alfalfa that just came down from Canada! 

Bringing home a sweet smelling truck, full of hay, felt very comforting and cozy.  I only have 11 bales, but considering how much is there and how much they eat, this might be enough for a year of rabbit feed hay.  I am still working on raising them on real food, that is free of GMO's.  They receive a tuna can of a mix of oat and barley in the morning, a nice bunch of greens from the garden, or the property (parsley, carrot tops, beet tops, cabbage, raspberry branches,  plantain, and more).  In the evening they receive hay.  Until now, I haven't had access to alfalfa hay, which has the most protein, but have been feeding a mix of timothy, alfalfa and clover.  I'm hoping they enjoy, and prosper with, the addition of straight alfalfa.  

On the way to Salem, over an hour drive, in a truck without air conditioning, I felt there needed to be a little something to make the trip more tolerable.  What could do that better than the stop at a couple antique stores?  Nothing, that I could think of.  I found a fabulous plate that I kicked myself for passing up when I found it a few months ago in another store.  So exciting to be given a second chance!  And oh the kitchen towels!  They are beautiful, and so lovely to touch.  You can feel the amazing absorbency ability when you touch the cotton!  I tried very hard to look only mildly interested in these until I found out the price, for if I showed my true enthusiasm the owner of the shop would surely have seen my vulnerability and padded the amount.  The price was right so I took all 5.  They are even RED!  How cool.

In another shop that I adore in part because I'm always in awe of their prices.  They are the most reasonable antique shop in the whole area.  Honestly, sometimes they border on yard sale prices.  Like this fabulous (see the red again) pot holder.  Only $1.50.  I see them in other shops for $5-$9, and in no better condition.  

On the home front, I finally harvested the last of my garlic scapes.  I harvested a bunch a couple weeks back, when they were tender and lovely for making garlic scape pesto.  I left a bunch to flower, because I so love using the little cloves from the flower to toss into things.  You don't have to peel them, so they are perfect for tossing!  I can't believe how large the flower cloves are on this variety.  They are in some cases almost as large as a bulb clove!  I will finish pulling them all out and then figure out how to preserve them.  

In my crafting life, I had the brilliant idea of how to make small glass buttons for clothing.  I have made large focal buttons before, but have never had much luck in making smaller button for either children's clothing or multi button sweater fronts.  I think I've figured it out and I'm over the moon!  I made a couple adorable, whimsical, yellow buttons for Mini's new knitted dress, and a couple more that came out great.  I have all kinds of ideas swimming around in my mind now, and I'm excited for more time at the torch.  I made these with sweat dripping off my nose due to the outside temps coupled with the 2000 degree torch I was sitting behind, but I had so much fun I didn't even care!  I've been waiting for that!  

She Had Her Faith in Humanity Renewed March 12, 2010

Okay, so the title is probably a bit dramatic...

I did find two very helpful, knowledgeable and kind guys, who were willing to fix my oxygen concentrators.  I use oxygen concentrators to power my oxygen/propane mix torch for bead making.  They are the kind that are used in hospitals and nursing homes, for people who need oxygen.  They take the air and separate the oxygen particles out and filter them through a hose.  I hook that hose to one part of my torch, and a propane tank to another.  The oxygen makes the propane burn cleaner and hotter, to melt the glass more efficiently.  You can use a tank of oxygen, too, but it's a lot more expensive. 

So, anyway, I have 3 used concentrators, that while still very viable, are no longer eligible for medical use.  They have powered my torch for a number of years, until recently.  I called and called and found no one who could fix them, as most places that sell them just send them in for credit when they don't work, because people rely on these things to breath, so you can't have them breaking down.

Finally, I found a place in the Manchester area.  Brought them over, the guys pulled them apart, showed me what needed to be cleaned, how to clean them, attached a couple things that had come loose, found an old owners manual for the one that is still giving me trouble, explained to me how to fix it myself, to avoid a costly repair bill...all that and they wouldn't take any payment!  They were such nice people, and for no other reason, than to be nice.  They didn't need to take any time with me, but I'm extremely thankful they did!  I'm so excited to fire these up and make more beads!

After getting the units fixed I was able to connect with a friend, who lives nearby, and who I haven't seen in far too long.  We had lunch, caught up, and I got to see her new dog and bead making studio.  It was a very lovely day in the Southern part of the state.

Finally, a quick stop at the Fabric Fix, where I found a VERY cool patchwork fabric.  I picked that up with a couple other pieces, a bunch of fold over elastic (my new love), and headed home.

 

I'm still felting away on the girl's Spring play set.  I worked on her tonight...more on that when the set is done.

 

Tomorrow is the Farmer's Market in Exeter!  I'll be going with Husband.  Hope to see you there!

She Made A Necklace and A Dress March 6, 2010

Clementine kindled last night!  She had one who didn't make it.  I'm not sure why.  It was out of the nest box, so either it arrived dead, or it came out when she did.  She appears to have 7 in the nest, so her largest litter to date.  Calliope seems to have 6-7.  I have tried to count them, but doing so while trying not to disturb them or the mama's too much, since how many has no real significant bearing on anything, other than I'm curious!!

I got a fun little pack in the mail from the Luffa Farm.  I did not know this, but Luffa, Loofa, Loufa, or any other of the many spellings, are gourds.  Not sure why, but I like a great many people thought those rough little bath sponges were some sort of sea thing.  Well, they are gourds, and apparantly capable of being grown in NH, with some season extending efforts, such as planting them inside to start, then transplanting when warm enough and possibly putting a hoop over them in the fall for a couple weeks.  Seem fun, and if you have them growing in your yard you can use them for all sorts of cleaning, like scrubbing pots, or cleaning your car (if you were into that sort of thing).  But basically, they can be used for anything, not just for bath time skin sloughing. 

I ordered a couple small luffa and a pack of heirloom seeds from the Luffa Farm in California.  I got to talk to the woman whom I bought them from and got some growing tips, so when I get my seed starting soil in the next day or so, I'm going to give them a try.  The Luffas that I purchased are quite lovely.  They are fine grained, and quite soft, compared with what you find with store bought versions.  They are quite pleasant to wash with.

I also made a great new bead.  This bead has me so excited that I even located a place to bring my oxygen concentrators for a tune up so I can get back to making beads more often.  I have ideas swimming in my head, and it's been a good deal of time that that has happened.  I also really want to finish making the knobs for my kitchen, and have 3 more of those to do.  I also may have a knob commission in the near future, with someone who wants to redo their kitchen.  That is pretty exciting.  Well, anyway, enough about what I hope to make, take a look at what I did make.

 

Oh, and I didn't tell you last night because I went on and on about that huge meal, but I also finished the dress I started last week.  It fits great, was quite comfortable to wear and looks nice...even I think it looks nice.  I used fold over elastic on the neck and arms trim and pulled it ever so slightly as I applied it so that it would keep the lines firm.  I find with dresses I make myself, the front sort of wants to fall away from my body just a bit, and I don't like that.  This solved that problem, and applying it inside out gave a matte finish to the elastic, so it doesn't look like lycra binding.  The bodice is embroidered linen and the skirt is black linen. 

 

I had fun with the tie. 

• I serged the edges of a long strip that was wider than I wanted it to be.
• Positioned it over the spot that the bodice and skirt fabric meet.
• Stitched along the join of the two fabrics.
• Folded the top of the tie down, so that it had the layered look, and because I didn't line it all up perfectly, some spots are more overlapped than others, which was my goal.
• I stitched along the fold so the top would always stay down.
• I only did this from one seam allowance to the other so that the tie can be tied in back.

I'm not sure if I'll use the pattern, as is, again any time soon, since the dress is not breast feeding friendly, but the fit is good, so I may make some strap modifications, or something.

She made beads, went to a knitting Soire and Needle Felted a Chicken January 17, 2008

It's about 12 degrees here.  My bead making studio is not heated, in a very quaint building that was created in the 1850's.  Not the best day for beadmaking!  I had to though, as I have some new products that I needed to test and make beads to show folks what they look like.  I'm happy the results were positive, and that, while my fingertips did go numb, I did not get frostbite from my crazy adventure.  I think I need to rent some studio space if I'm going to make anymore beads before the Spring weather comes. 

I was invited to a Knitting Soire, which included dinner... made by Maggie's extremely talented husband, Ray!!  Wow.  Maggie is an amazing hostess, and I'm thrilled to have been invited and to have been able to attend. It was going to be a knitting night but Maggie decided that we'd instead, figure out needle felting.  One gal brought a fabulous book and some roving, Maggie had plenty of roving and needles to share, and I found out last minute the change in activities, so grabbed my little needle felting kit on the way out the door.  What fun!! 

The book, Wool Pets, by Laurie Sharp, was amazing, very clear directions, amazing photography.  It's a beautiful book to have, and look at, let alone useful! 

I fell in love with the chicken in the book, so decided to give that one a try.  I'm very pleased with how she came out and am trying to figure out a name for her...many of my good chicken names have been used on the gals in the coop outside.  Needle felting is a lot of fun, and after you get the idea of how it works and how the roving responds it's a very relaxing and soothing sort of activity. 

I had only one other experience, which I didn't really enjoy.  I took a styrofoam ball, covered it with with wool yarn and felted, then added red circles of felt, in an attempt to make an ornament.  Not fun.  

But sculpting with wool, that is fun.  I can't say I'm "hooked" as that would imply that it could rally knitting for my time spent on such activities, but I am jazzed enough to do this again, and may even get a copy of the book from tonight and some roving... I think Mini and I could do some flat projects together.  I think she's too young to actually do the sculpting, but a flat piece with close supervision (due to the needles) seems possible.  We'll have to see.

Here is the chicken:

Here are all the creations from tonight:

 

Penquin (Maggie and Beth), My Chickens, Blue Bird (Maggie and Beth), Bat (Margot)

I'm working on a new-ish knitting project for the baby.  I say "newish" because I started this project a while ago, during my "I'm pregnant I need to knit" stage of early pregnancy, but abandoned it when I realized;

a) I wasn't going to tell about it on the blog since I wasn't going to announce the pregnancy yet

b) the baby was months off and I had plenty of time for baby knitting when it was closer and

c) I had family members who were going to be cold this winter, and the baby was going to be nice and warm inside, so I should knit for the rest of us so we'd have cozy woolies to keep warm in. 

All good reasons to shelf a lovely project, that would, under other circumstances, have been top priority as it's so fun to knit up this lovely alpaca baby yarn!  But I have finished woolies for the family, the baby is only 2 months away, and while I'm still making things for the others, it's perfectly reasonable to be spending some prime knitting time on the newest family member, who will also need warm woolies as she enters this cold, white world in a New England March.

So the project, it's an alpaca and silk blend yarn (Buckingham by Bristol Yarn), worked into a little undershirt for a newborn.  It's a vintage pattern and is available online, for free (whoohoo!).  You work one side, then the other, which then goes over the shoulders to the back, ending on the bottom of the back.  You pick up the stitches on the body to start the arms, so only the arm/side seams need to be sewn.  It's adorable!  I had finished the fronts and most of the back before I shelved it.  Today I finished the last couple inches of the back, and tonight when I got home from my needle felting fun, I worked up one arm while watching Mansfield Park...a lovely movie, by the way.  I just love Jane Austen.