Books

Before the New Year arrives I did want to share some books that Santa brought me. I actually got many books but these seem the most relevant here. The cook book is in an attempt to eat healthier. We have a Japanese friend who has cooked for us and the food is very healthy. So I am going to try and do that here for us. I would also like to incorporate the Mediterranean diet as well.

The book on Hex signs is a bit of a passion. I have always been intrigued by them and had did some research on how to make them. So this book is very easy t follow and perhaps I will be making some in the near future. We will have to see.

The last two are books on straw craft or also known as corn dollies. I do have a book on the subject but I wanted to learn more and that's what these books will help me do. I would like t have available some finished pieces. That is a goal for the new year.

So at any rate I have some reading to do in the New Year to hone my skill and become a better person. Again see you all in the New Year.

The end f a ........

Hello everyone I t has been a while since I have been in my Blog. I tried very hard to post at least once a week. To keep everyone up to date with what I have been doing. This year has been very difficult to the point that not only did we not have money in part of it. We lost our internet and even though I went to the library I wasn't able to up load pictures. I became frustrated and just decided to give that up, not for any other reason then my own frustration of every thing going on.

So actually in September Ed had gotten a full time job and a decent wage. Then in October He had gotten a second job that he was the manager. I too worked there and our money where saved for projects. ED's money is all going to the farm project and mine is going for crafty crafts. S in the small amount of time we worked (only seven weeks) we actually collected a nice chunk of change. So at least we have some money to jump start are dreams.

So the year in it's self was a very hard one. Not being able to do a lot and the stress and frustration of not getting anywhere is very difficult. I wish it on no one, s I am very glad that we are at New Years Eve. I need new energy and that is exactly what the New Year bring's us. So with that up date I will see you all next year.

Origami 7/4/16

Since yesterday was Independence Day I decide to take the day off and not post. Knowing that I would post today as though it was Monday. This weeks pieces are interesting, there are only three finished pieces. But there are five papers folded. The first is the triangle box, that actually is made up of three papers folded. You only see two because the third is in side holding it together. The next is lady bu and the final is a star for the fourth. It was a fun week of folding.

Crochet Bag

My second project was a crocheted bag. I wanted to do something different and I thought a bag would be fun. I actually was going to do what looked like a doily. Well it was a dish rag and it was knitted. I didn't have my needles with me. So I went with the bag instead.

I do love the colors in the yarn and in reality it was a lot of fun to make. I had most of the bag itself done on Sunday. I just had to do the top edge and the strap. So I took it with me to market on Wednesday and finished it up. So it took me about two day's to complete. Which makes it a weekend project. I was considering putting a flap on it, but when thinking about it. It's a net bag so that really is a bit impractical. I think I'm going to use it as my crochet bag to hold all my supplies. I have to get all of those together and see if I like it.

Woven Chairs

Not so many years ago when we would flea market. I would take something crafty along to pass the time between customers. In reality we would get some extra customers, they wanted to know what I was working on. Plus they would pick something up while they happened to be there. This is some thing I haven't done for a while and decided to start up again.

Well my first project that I did to get back into the swing of things. Was really out of necessity, my chair was falling apart. A couple of years ago Ed's chair did fall apart. So I wove him a new one. I had a chair and the materials to do my own. Well I just didn't until now, that is. My chair just became horrible to sit in. So I decided to take it and the stuff with me and work on it there.

I actually started it at home and finished it at the market. I didn't do anything fancy with my because of the colors I picked. So I just went with a plain two and two twill. With the multicolored warp and black weft. I felt that was the best to show off the warp colors. I could have just done plain weave, But I liked the twill the best. The chair on the left is Ed's, that one we have gotten many compliments on. I did that one a couple of years ago. I did something a little more patterned and decided to do tabby for a little bit down on the bottom of the back. Plus a couple of rows on the seat. I got a way with a little more fancy since I only working with two colors.

These are fun projects to make if you have an old aluminum chair frame. I learned from a book, but you can look on you tube and find videos. You may see some more, possible for sale.

Origami 6/20/16 & 6/27/16

I do apologize last week was a crazy week and I really was not able to post anything. It does happen, I don't like it but then I didn't have a choice. There have been some cool things in the past couple of weeks. There are a couple of frogs, a bunny, crane, airplane, flower. There is a sunset that I'm not that crazy about but it worked. An envelope, a baby doll wrapped in a blanket and a nightingale. There where some cool pieces in the last two weeks.

Origami 6/13/16

With all my best intentions and efforts. I just was not able to post this week on Monday. I tried yesterday to no eval so the closest is today. This weeks is interesting I actually made two little owls, they where fun. A chop stick holder, a ring or if you add more pieces it could be a bracelet. Then there was a horse that was a bit difficult but not to bad. The rider well that is a different story, he didn't work out to well. The final one is a base for the new week.

I also wasn't ale to do my pieces on each day either. So just before I posted this I worked on this weeks pieces. So I am now all caught up. Which is good I really don't like being behind.

Origami 6/6/2016

So sorry for not posting yesterday, but you do have to give me credit. Because it's not a week late. I was very tired yesterday and did very little. So this week there is a dollar fold, it's the captions wings or pilot wings. I actually like it when I get to fold money. There is a onesie, a puppy, a monogram M. The final one is a bird with a fan tale. I apologize for the picture it looked good with the sun shining through the window. In reality it makes the top ones hard to see. I'll do better next time.

Origami 5/23 & 5/30/2016

Again my apologize last week was very hectic and I just wasn't able to post. Since this week is Memorial Day we took the day off. So I have time to post. There where a couple of birds in the mix, a angel fish, some boats. A whale, a prehistoric flying creature (an no it's not a Pterodactyl). I almost forgot about the party favor and the triangle box. There was a mixed bag in the past two week. I will try my hardest to continue posting every Monday. See you then.

Origami 5/16/2016

I know, I know I'm late and in my defense I wasn't feeling well over the weekend and into Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday we weren't home and when I did get home I was exhausted. So that is why this weeks origami is late, but better late then never. This week was a double heart week. Thee where two hearts and there fun to do but they don't keep there shape. Still they are fun to fold. There is a piggy in the mix and something I haven't made since school. A throwing star, this one takes two pieces of paper to make. So I actually made it between two days. There wasn't a weekend piece so this all I have for the week. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Origami 5/9/2016

My apologizes I forgot to post yesterday. In my defense it was a little hectic and I forgot. These new ones aren't my favorite. There are two different types of butterfly's. A flower, napkin fold and a base for the new week. Like I said not my favorite week, but still fun to make.

Origami 5/1/2016

I'm still tying to wrap my brain around the fact that it's May. This year is almost half way gone, I'm not to happy about that. Enough lamenting, This was Fun for the most part. There was one piece I don't totally care for .Which is unusual since I don't say that very much. There are two different doves, which is what last weekends piece was the base for, the bird base. Then a bunny, sailing boat and the waves to put it on. I really didn't care for the waves, it's just me. Other then that it was a good week of origami.

Origami 4/25/2016

Well this week there's a money piece, I actually like the money origami. I wish I had known that type back when I was  florist. I could have made some really cool money trees. This week we have a sitting dog, which is two pieces. A kimono, the dove  of peace made from a dollar bill, a paper hat. That's just a lot of fun, back to childhood days and the last is a base for this weeks pieces. Yes you have to wait until then to find out what it will be.

Origami 4/18/16

I got to do some money origami this week. I like doing the money pieces there fun. So I made a dollar bill ring, angel fish, turtle, birthday cake and wallet. I think my favorite is the ring with the turtle being second. There was no weekend piece so it's just the five pieces this week.

Origami 4/11/16

This weeks origami I made a couple of flowers, one with a leaf. A leaping frog and a officers helmet. The helmet was the first one of the week and a lot of fun. The flowers are cool too but the frog is really cool. Since it actually does something, you flick it's back and it leaps. A good distance I might add, you do need a level surface to make that happen. There wasn't a weekend piece this time around so only five pieces this week. Next weeks piece should be just as fun.

Origami 4/4/2016

This week there was a couple of challenging pieces. The elephant is a two piece so I made that over a two day period. We also have a snake, a tiny crane that is actually a puppet. A pair of hot lips, not the best piece but still fun. Then just a practice fold for the new weeks pieces. What I can tell you thus far that the first one of the week is pretty cool. But now you will have to wait until then see you all latter.

Last September I had picked up a Halloween cross stitch piece. My goal was to work on it a little each day and it would be done before Samhain or Halloween. Well that didn't work out as planned. I even worked on it up until Christmas. Then life got complicated and I wasn't able to get back to it until recently. Well it is now done, it's a little black wizard kitty in side a Jack - O - Lantern. With some bat's and a candle to light the area. A cool thing with the kit is they add some silver monofilament thread. This gives an illusion that there is a light inside the pumpkin and the candle flame.

Before Christmas I was able to get all the cross stitching done. I wasn't able to get the back stitching details in. So that is what I have been working on. I think it came out great, one of the things I like the most is doing the details. The whole piece changes after that step and it almost comes alive. A fun piece even if it's a little late or early. All how you look at it.

Origami 3/28/16

I actually expected more Easter pieces this week. I did have one little bunny, it is actually a napkin fold. I decided to do it with a square of paper instead. There is also a whale, quaking duck, fish and dog. So you see how I thought there should be more for Easter. No matter it fun week.

Origami 3/21/16

This weeks pieces are fun as always. We have a dog, tulip and stem, two different types of folds and a kit or fish base. It all depends on how much folding you do. The last one of course is for the new week. which you have to wait and see what those will be. Till then, have fun.

Chicken

A year ago while I was in Frenchtown NJ. Ed and I stopped into the Spinnery which is a fiber arts store, spinning, weaving, knitting etc. while I was shopping I noticed a kit to make a knitted chicken that holds a plastic egg. I had the extra money so I picked it up as a reminder of a time gone by. When I had one from Grammy who made them. I thought it would be fun to make myself one and have a bit of nostalgia as well.

An guess what I never got to making it until this past weekend. So much got in the way last year that I never got to it. So over th weekend I made it, well actually I can make more then one. The kit come with  more then enough supplies to make several. I generally don't buy kits, I thing thy are a little pricey. So I don't bother, in this case it was well worth the money since I can at least get four out of the kit. That means they cost me about $3.00 each, without time included. Not bad at all and I think I can get a couple of more out of the kit. Cool and fun I'm glad I bought it.

Baby Shower

Our Niece and her husband are expecting a new arrival next month. So yesterday was her baby shower. It was a wonderful time and she got lots of wonderful gifts. It is guite ironic though that I'm the only one that made there gift. Now there where a couple of people who but a basket together. But everything in it was purchased, nothing hand made.

So Ed and I are watching what we spend. The fund are tight at the moment. So I made our gifts, I made two set a new born baby booties. An I also made a dream catcher for her room (doctors say and 80% chance of a girl). I believe I am the only one that got her baby booties and I am the only one that got her a dream catcher. She thoroughly enjoyed them which I'm glad she did. I wouldn't have known what else to do.

Origami 3/14/16

This weeks pieces are pretty cool. We have  a fish, flower, a letter fold. An my favorite for this week is a four dollar suit. It was supposed to be a two dollar suit but I used two dollar bills instead on one's. They came out really well this week and there was no preview for the new week, perhaps next time.

Origami 3/7/16

I'm not sure how about it already being March. Time just moves too fast for us anymore. Well to subject at hand, this weeks origami has a couple of toys init. One is just a spiral square and the second is a triangle that right's itself. We also have a dinosaur, bunny mask and the starter for the new weeks projects. Another fun week enjoy.

Prayer Beads

For the past couple of months I have been wanting to make prayer beads. What I would like to do is get some semiprecious beads and use them.

Unfortunately I don't have the extra money at the moment to invest.

So a couple of weeks ago a friend of mind showed me some jewelry he made. He made it with old rosary beads. At first I didn't think anything of it, then the light went on. I have those rosaries from when I had the store. An I have no plans on selling them as is. So I took them apart and used those beads to make the prayer beads. I think it became a very worth wild recycling project and best use for the beads. Next to jewelry of course, let me know what you think.

Origami 2/29/2016

I'm sorry for my tardiness. But in my defense i wasn't home yesterday. So that is why I am late but I do have some cool pieces this week. There is a fox, two cicadas, frog head puppet, samurai helmet and a diamond. The diamond is a base for the new weeks pieces. I hope you enjoy.

Oregami 02/22/2016

This week I got to make something out of a dollar bill, which was very cool indeed. There's also a bunny, gaul, yacht, canoe. An the weekend piece  is the base for the new weeks pieces, the helmet if I remember correctly.

Jade Ram

While Ed and I where visiting a friend today. As he was showing us new thing in is studio. He was showing us these jade carved animals. They are quite beautiful, there was  a couple of lions, a monkey, ram an there was one other. I just can't remember what though. Well anyway as we where getting ready to leave he wanted me to have one of the animals. He wanted me to make something with it and of course this piece is for me and me alone. After we left his place we made one other stop, I was thinking what was I going to do. I wanted to use amethyst beads except I only had one left so I remembered I had red glass flat beads. I then decided to use the glass but with the one amethyst to break up the green and red. I also wanted to do it in macramé.

Well when I got home I actually I had five amethyst beads. So I used the red glass to extend the clasp of the ram. I then used two glass beads and one amethyst twice on each side. The beads are kept in place by the macramé. The ram of course is in the middle an since it's not a bright green the colors I choice and the hemp I used made it perfect. I am very thankful for the gift and the opportunity to stretch my imagination and use what I had to make something all my own.

Origami 02/15/2016

Last weeks origami was something I'm sure you can guess. Many hearts, I wonder why? Actually Monday was a panda and Tuesday a penguin. The rest of the week is different hearts for of course St Valentines Day. There wasn't one for the weekend so no preview tease for this week.

Origami 2/8/16

This weeks origami is pretty cool. The last piece of last week was the base for everyone this week. There is a shirt, pants, fish, shell and a card with a fox pop out. These are a lot of fun I'm glad I got the calendar.

Lace Days 2016

Today was the annual trek to Lafayette NJ for the Lost Art Lacers lace day. A wonderful day as usual plenty of thing to purchase. With demos and samples as well. New an old friends where there as well. It truly is a nice time out, unfortunately since it is such a lost art the local guild are small. So that means the lace days are small as well you only spend about an hour may be a little more if talking with friends.

As usual they did have some nice buys. I was able to get my self a round pillow with a cover. The only one I was missing, I now have a types of pillows. A new book on color techniques, some more thread(you can never have to much thread). A pattern for a fan, that is something I have always wanted to do now I have the chance. I also picked up a templet to make frogs, a chain for my scissors and a sent of tiny crochet hooks. You use them when attaching threads in lace  making.

On the way home we stopped in to a little place down Rte 611 called Hopes Favorite Things. It's just south of Mount Bethel in an old general store. It is a really nice shop, Hope is the owner and the name fits. The store is very eclectic with old an new items. One thing she has gotten into an has had since she opened last October is she became an Ashford dealer. So she has several of there spinning wheel and accessories. plus she creates her own wool bats as well. I spent all of my cash at the show with only having a couple of dollars left. So I picked up a block of bees wax for thread waxing. 

We really had a fun time today. I encourage you to head to a lace day's in you area. They are a lot of fun and a great learning platform with a great way to get your feet wet. Enjoy.

Origami 2/1/16

Wow it's already February, what happened to January. Anyway since it happens to be a Monday it is also origami day. This week the first piece is a fox puppet. Which is made from the piece I did last weekend. What it turned out too be was two pieces of a table. Then there where a pair of hearts, a baseball mitt (that's the one out of newspaper). Then the final piece is the base for today's piece. No you may not know what it is until next week. See you all then.

Placemats

One of the things that I have been wanting to make for resale was placemats. In the past I have woven with hemp cord an corn husk. Well I wanted to try something a little different. So I picked up some chopsticks at the restraint supply store. An I'm using them as the weft along with the paper sleeve for the mats them selves. The warp is 10/2 pearl cotton set at 8 epi, I didn't want a real close set. The only other thing I didn't realize is I'm going to have to twine the ends to clean them up. That won't be a hard thing at all, since the chopsticks are 9" long I decided to go with a 12" wide mat. I was originally going to go 15" but I felt that was to long. This way they can be used as lunch place mats instead of dinner. Let me know what you think.

Origami 1/25/16

This weeks origami is a two piece elephant, a tamper proof letter (the twist). A duck, house and another way to fold a letter. The house was actually a presser for today's piece. So you will have to wait until Monday to find out what it is. See you all then if not before.

Origami 1/18/16

This week there is only five pieces. Saturday and Sunday their wasn't anything to make. So this week we have a heart, elephant, basketball hoop, catapult and a duck. The cool think about the calendar is you start off easy. You get a base of skills and as you learn they get harder. We'll see what this new week brings with designs.

Bookmarks

One of the things that I want to have for sale are bookmarks. Last week I setup the inkle loom and the card for just this reason. Last November when I setup to sell for Bacon fest I was unprepared. I only had very expensive items and key chains. There was no middle ground I went from 10 or 12 dollars to a couple of hundred. One of my goals is to have things in al sorts of price ranges. The bookmark them selves are on the low end of the spectrum. Yet they add verity to the mix so I thing that they will work.

The inkle ones are just a strait forward design. With a green and hot pink checker board border and the center is done on the purple end of the spectrum.

The card ones I decided to do the Star of David or also known as the Star of Salomon. The star is done in black with background variegated and the inside points being lavender. I think the colors on both of them work really well. Let me know what you think.

Oragami

I had mentioned in an earlier post that Santa had gotten me a daily calendar. A origami calendar to be exact, So since News Years Day I have been make a different origami piece. So every week I plan on posting my origami pieces. I had planed on doing this on Monday But I got sidetracked. So this is the first through the eighth, the weekends are combined and sometimes there isn't a project. So here is the first instalment of my origami pieces.

Farm Show 2016

Guess what we did yesterday? Farm Show he he. We actually had a good time and made a lot of contacts this year. The but is they changed everything around. You know when you go someplace several times and the next time you go. Bam nothing is where it is and you become lost.  Except the butter sculpture of course. So there was no poultry of any kind do to Avian Flue. So they moved the bunnies and alpacas to the poultry barn. At the entrance of the main hall used to hold Turkey Hill and some really elaborate displays. Not this year it was pretty empty, the nuts stayed in there room. The 4H section was moved and smaller, they moved an animal learning into the hallway. The one section was turned into a musiem which was actually cool. That was it for that section that used to be filled with fun stuff.

Turkey hill was moved to equipment barn and there display was shrunk to less then half of what they usually have. The line was so long that we didn't even attempt to get a sample of gelato. We had met some people that in the future we may sell there products. We have to wait and see how that all works out. I did see some old friends and I did not stay for the fleece auction this year. I have a lot of fleece to work with first before I get any more.

The Sheep to shawl competition was a huge success as always. For the 5th year in a row Time Warp to home the Grand Prize. There shawl brought in $2900, I was hoping it would go to $3000 but it didn't. This was the Shows 100th Anniversary and despite the upsets it was a good show and we look forward to next year. An next year will probable be all back to normal.