tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90513012901218955242024-03-22T01:18:20.273-04:00Mirawyn CraftsYes, I craft. Obsessively and eternally. My husband is a saint to put up with it...Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-37406376069265100772017-09-26T14:18:00.000-04:002017-09-26T14:19:52.690-04:00Falling Blossoms: A Tangle Pattern<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/23484814418_915f45107b_z_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/23484814418_915f45107b_z_d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maybe ten years ago, I discovered <a href="https://www.zentangle.com/zentangle-method">zentangle</a> through an artist trading card swap. I gave it a try, and I've been addicted ever since.<br />
<br />
I enjoy perusing the many zentangles and tangle patterns out there. This one, though, started out as a random doodle while I was on the phone with a client. Since then, it keeps cropping up on random bits of paper. I'm just a bit in love with it. Originally it was just a design. Now it has come to look like falling blossoms, fluttering down from the trees.<br />
<br />
Whatever it is, I love the physical act of drawing them. It's so relaxing. <br />
<br />
Start at the bottom, and draw an elongated, upside down teardrop. Without lifting your pen, draw another one, then another. Most of the time I create enough to make a quarter circle. Once you have your blossom, draw a dot over the point.<br />
<br />
Vary the appearance by changing the width of the teardrops. Fat ones mean fewer petals; narrow ones make room for more petals.<br />
<br />
Have fun!</div>Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-51571045929990390432017-03-11T12:18:00.000-05:002022-03-11T16:59:16.227-05:00Foldable Flying Disc – A Crochet Pattern<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkY_vpOjzu3d-jKoHTkArX94J_jFOeQyzaWbuinvbMY35lkbRFVthRT_SgFSnjtb8NvR_33uV0YGwZjrfWdiF9IDFWtaKmcO5Evo1iSgl3gYS_p7kCPojFUCaaZgTUZiKufDZ_kF8IqU/s1600/17190988_10155088680439110_48917415087208805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkY_vpOjzu3d-jKoHTkArX94J_jFOeQyzaWbuinvbMY35lkbRFVthRT_SgFSnjtb8NvR_33uV0YGwZjrfWdiF9IDFWtaKmcO5Evo1iSgl3gYS_p7kCPojFUCaaZgTUZiKufDZ_kF8IqU/s320/17190988_10155088680439110_48917415087208805_n.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is putting together a couple of boxes for <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/">Operation Christmas Child</a>, a project by Samaritan’s Purse. It’s pretty simple: fill a shoebox with objects for a kid in need, deliver to a drop-off point (in my case, my church), and Samaritan’s Purse teams up with local groups around the world to deliver shoeboxes to excited kids. You choose boy or girl and an age group: 2 to 4 years, 5 to 9 years, or 10 to 14 years. (We originally did two boxes for 5 to 9, one each for a boy and a girl. Now, we do boxes for 10 to 14-year-old boys; I noticed they were always underrepresented at both of the churches where I participated. I’ve since learned this is universally the case!)<br />
<br />
I love putting Frisbees in my boxes! They are great for boys or girls; a group of kids can use it to play together; it doesn't require much besides some open space. But real Frisbees are expensive, and I don’t like putting low-quality items in boxes (which describes every generic flying disc I've seen). I figure if a kid doesn’t get very many gifts, I should send them something that will last! Besides, even if I can find a maximum size shoebox, it’s really hard to fit a Frisbee in there. (And it makes it harder to pack it <i>really</i> full.)<br />
<br />
A year or two ago, I came across the <a href="http://www.pocketdisc.com">Pocket Disc</a>, a crocheted foldable flying disc (the generic name for a Frisbee). They are great—well made, sturdy, and available in a plethora of patterns and colors. But they’re about $15 each, and that could buy a lot of items for a box.<br />
<br />
I finally got around to figuring out a pattern for a similar folding disc. It’s not exactly the same; mine has just two strands of worsted-weight yarn, instead of several strands of thin yarn in different colors, limiting the pattern options. But my disc flies well, it’s easy to crochet, and you can make it with whatever yarn you have on hand. Best of all, gauge isn’t critical; just make sure it’s nice and tight!<br />
<br />
On to the pattern…<br />
<br />
<h2>Foldable Flying Disc</h2><h4>Materials</h4><ul><li>Worsted weight yarn, cotton or acrylic, about 100 yards†</li>
<li>G or H hook (choose the size needed to make a very firm fabric)</li>
<li>Split stitch marker or safety pin</li>
<li>Yarn needle</li>
</ul><h4>Abbreviations</h4><i>Written using <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/10/british-vs-american-crochet-terms/">American crochet terms</a>.</i><br />
<ul><li>sc single crochet</li>
<li>sc2tog single crochet two together</li>
<li>pm place marker</li>
<li>( )* repeat stitches in parentheses</li>
<li>sl st slip stitch</li>
<li>st stitch(es)</li>
</ul><h4>Instructions</h4><i>Worked in a spiral, using two strands of yarn held together.</i><br />
<ol><li>Begin with 12 sc stitches, using a <a href="http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/2014/10/20/make-magic-loop/">magic loop</a>. (You will need a much bigger loop than usual.) Tighten the tails to get a firm base. If in doubt, make it a bit looser; you can tighten it more later, but it’s nearly impossible to loosen it.</li>
<li>sc, pm in first stitch, 2 sc in next stitch; (sc, 2 sc in next stitch)* to end of round. (18 st)</li>
</ol><i>Starting with the third round, remove the marker when you reach the end of the round, then start the next round by working into the first stitch of the previous round; place marker in the first stitch.</i><br />
<ol start=3><li>sc, pm, 2 sc in next stitch, sc; (sc, 2 sc in next stitch, sc)* to end of round. (24 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 2 sc, 2 sc in next stitch; (3 sc, 2 sc in next stitch)* to end of round. (30 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 2 sc; (2 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 2 sc)* to end of round. (36 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 4 sc, 2 sc in next stitch; (5 sc, 2 sc in next stitch)* to end of round. (42 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 2 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 3 sc; (3 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 3 sc)* to end of round. (48 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 6 sc, 2 sc in next stitch; (7 sc, 2 sc in next stitch)* to end of round. (54 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 3 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 4 sc; (4 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 4 sc)* to end of round. (60 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 8 sc, 2 sc in next stitch; (9 sc, 2 sc in next stitch)* to end of round. (66 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 4 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 5 sc; (5 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 5 sc)* to end of round. (72 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 10 sc, 2 sc in next stitch; (11 sc, 2 sc in next stitch)* to end of round. (78 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, 5 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 6 sc; (6 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 6 sc)* to end of round. (84 st)</li>
</ol><i>At this point, begin decreasing for the folded-under rim.</i><br />
<ol start=14><li>sc, pm, 4 sc, sc2tog; (5 sc, sc2tog)* to end of round. (72 st)</li>
<li>sc, pm, sc, sc2tog, 2 sc; (2 sc, sc2tog, 2 sc)* to end of round; sl st to join round. (60 st).</li>
</ol>If you haven’t already, tighten up the center of the magic loop to make it lay flat and feel firm. Weave in ends, making them very secure. Hopefully, this is going to gets lots of use!<br />
<br />
<h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>This is more of a template than a pattern. You’re increasing six stitches per round to create a flat disc, then decreasing twelve stitches per round to create the rim.</li>
<li>If your disc begins to ripple, spread out your next set of increases over two rounds. In other words, add three stitches each for two rounds. You will end up with fourteen rounds before the decreases (instead of thirteen) to get 84 stitches.</li>
<li>It’s easy to vary the size by crocheting more or fewer rounds. However, the math is easiest if you end with a multiple of twelve stitches before beginning the decreases.</li>
</ul><br />
<h2>†Regarding Yarn</h2>I have made this with cotton yarn and acrylic. For the cotton yarn, my best results came with an H hook. My acrylic yarn, Caron Simply Soft, turned out best with a G hook; an H hook worked, but the tighter gauge looked and felt better. I also tried one with one strand of Vanna's Choice and one strand of Simply Soft. The G hook still produced the best fabric, but the resulting disc felt a bit springier and more cushiony. My guess is that, if you used two strands of Vanna's Choice or a similar yarn, you would need an H hook.<br />
<br />
After the third round or so, check your fabric. If it feels too floppy, frog it and start over with a smaller hook; it's best to fix it early on, instead of plodding on and ending up with an unsatisfactory product. After all, three rounds isn't that much of a time investment.<br />
<br />
<br />
I can't stop anyone from using my pattern to make and sell their own discs, but I would prefer you didn't, unless it's for charity. And if you like my pattern, I encourage you to make a few to donate to the charity of your choice. Make it in wool (maybe adding a few rows) and felt it, for a really sturdy dog toy. Or donate a few to a kid's charity, like a hospital or shelter. Share the love. :) If you do, I would love to know about it!<br />
</div>Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-574612583375760102015-12-03T17:12:00.000-05:002015-12-03T17:12:25.722-05:00Homemade Gift Idea Roundup, 2014 Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiVam2r98vTQfUqtzFGX15zw5N3Bm2t0Tugahmw-7lphEjVUx4BGtw_V9gnmg6F5HZN6-I5wKzzTT_XV15GbuwqHt8doi6dO-JTan_h-48j_Jb8mlzohqwc4fKMg0BP9zp_U3xBgVyqE/s1600/Instagram_mirawynsbobbypins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiVam2r98vTQfUqtzFGX15zw5N3Bm2t0Tugahmw-7lphEjVUx4BGtw_V9gnmg6F5HZN6-I5wKzzTT_XV15GbuwqHt8doi6dO-JTan_h-48j_Jb8mlzohqwc4fKMg0BP9zp_U3xBgVyqE/s320/Instagram_mirawynsbobbypins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last November, I decided to encourage my friends and family to make more of their gifts. I hate the pressure we as a society put on people at Christmas! Spend more, more, more; go into debt. Give junk, just to say you gave something.<br />
<br />
So starting around Thanksgiving, I posted links to lots of projects and tutorials on Facebook. Last year I excluded sewing, knitting, and crocheting projects, though I did link my crocheted Fluffy Tribble pattern after a friend asked about it specifically. Here's the full list; I'll post this year's finds soon, and update it as I go (hopefully!).<br />
<br />
<i>Happy crafting!</i><br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Food Gifts</h4>
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-vanilla-extract-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-197785" target="_blank">Homemade Vanilla Extract</a>, from The Kitchn<br />
<a href="http://wellpreserved.ca/how-to-make-wine-salt-recipe/" target="_blank">Red Wine Finishing Salt</a>, from Well Preserved<br />
<a href="http://www.crunchybetty.com/easy-herbal-infused-honey-tantalizing-for-your-tongue-and-beautifying-for-your-face" target="_blank">Herb-Infused Honey</a> from Crunch Betty<br />
<a href="http://www.countrycleaver.com/2013/02/how-to-tuesday-how-to-infuse-olive-oil.html" target="_blank">Infused Olive Oil</a> from Country Cleaver<br />
<a href="http://straightfromthefarm.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/herbal-tea-recipes/" target="_blank">Custom Herbal Tea Blends</a> from Straight from the Farm<br />
<a href="http://livesimply.me/2014/11/25/diy-homemade-hot-chocolate-mix-without-refined-sugar-powdered-milk/" target="_blank">Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (No Milk)</a> from Live Simply<br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-your-own-hot-cocoa-mix-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-200646" target="_blank">Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix (Powdered Milk)</a> from The Kitchn<br />
<a href="http://kojo-designs.com/2010/03/kojotutorial-tea-tea-tea-kitchen-wreath/" target="_blank">DIY Tea Wreath</a> from Kojo Designs<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Accessories</h4>
<a href="http://www.sarahortega.com/2011/05/diy-bird-nest-necklace.html" target="_blank">Bird's Nest Necklace</a> from Sarah Ortega<br />
<a href="http://annekata.com/2011/01/tutorial-swarovski-pins/" target="_blank">Beaded Bobby Pins</a> from Anna Kata<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Health and Beauty</h4>
<a href="http://mirawyncrafts.blogspot.com/2014/11/all-natural-honey-brown-sugar-scrub.html" target="_blank">Honey Brown Sugar Scrub</a> from my own blog<br />
<a href="http://www.rookiemag.com/2013/07/diy-shower-jellies/" target="_blank">DIY Bath Jellly</a> from Rookie Mag<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e095va7iAX0" target="_blank">Herbal Infused Oil</a> video by Mountain Rose Herbs<br />
<a href="http://www.essentiallyeclectic.com/2013/03/lavender-lotion-bars.html" target="_blank">Three Ingredient Lotion Bars</a> from Essentially Eclectic<br />
<a href="https://snapguide.com/guides/make-homemade-bath-melts/" target="_blank">Homemade Bath Melts</a> from Snap Guide<br />
<a href="http://happymoneysaver.com/homemade-relaxing-bath-melts/" target="_blank">Honey Lavender Bath Melts</a> from Happy Money Saver<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
"Guy" Friendly</h4>
<a href="http://www.myalteredstate.co/diy-magnetic-wristband/" target="_blank">Magnetic Wristband for Hardware</a><br />
<a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/01/21/diy-bay-rum-aftershave/" target="_blank">Bay Rum Aftershave</a> from Art of Manliness<br />
<a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/09/09/diy-beard-oil/" target="_blank">Beard Oil</a> from Art of Manliness<br />
<a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/05/14/diy-weekend-project-how-to-make-a-slingshot/" target="_blank">How to Make a Slingshot</a> from Art of Manliness<br />
<a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/09/20/how-to-make-a-handsome-and-handy-wooden-bottle-opener/" target="_blank">Handsome Wooden Bottle Opener</a> from Art of Manliness<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Kid Friendly</h4>
<a href="http://frugalfun4boys.com/2013/10/13/how-to-make-a-marshmallow-blow-gun-out-of-pvc-pipe/" target="_blank">Marshmallow Blow Gun</a> from Frugal Fun 4 Boys<br />
<a href="http://frugalfun4boys.com/2013/04/04/monster-slime/" target="_blank">Monster Slime</a> from Frugal Fun 4 Boys<br />
<a href="http://racksandmooby.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-superhero-cape-no-sew.html" target="_blank">How to Make a Superhero Cape (No Sew)</a> from Racks and Mooby<br />
<a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2008/01/cape-tutorial/" target="_blank">Lightweight Cape Tutorial</a> from The Pleated Poppy<br />
<a href="http://mamapapabubba.com/2014/06/11/portable-lego-kit-for-little-travellers/" target="_blank">Portable Lego Kit</a> from Mama Papa Bubba<br />
<a href="http://www.craftsunleashed.com/kids-stuff/silly-pencil-toppers/" target="_blank">Silly Pencils</a> from Crafts Unleashed<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Office Supplies</h4>
<a href="http://thecraftedlife.com/embroidered-pencil-cup/" target="_blank">Embroidered Pencil Cups</a> from The Crafted Life<br />
<a href="http://jamonkey.com/pencil-flowers-teacher-gifts-project-pinterest/" target="_blank">Pencil Flowers</a> from JA Monkey<br />
<a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/od/pencilcrafts/a/bloomingpen.htm" target="_blank">Cute Blooming Flower Pen</a> from Family Crafts<br />
<a href="http://lenasekine.blogspot.com/2014/09/diy-arrow-pencils.html" target="_blank">DIY Arrow Pencils</a> from Lena Sekine<br />
<a href="http://www.reuseit.com/blogs/back-to-school-diy-pom-pom-pencil-topper.aspx" target="_blank">T-Shirt Pom Pom Pencil</a> from Reuseit<br />
<a href="http://www.papercraftsforchildren.com/2010/06/01/flower-pencil-topper/" target="_blank">Paper Flower Pencil Topper</a> from Papercrafts for Children<br />
<a href="http://we-made-that.com/back-to-school-pencil-topper/" target="_blank">Retro Fuzzy Pencils</a> from We-Made-That<br />
<a href="http://www.artsyville.com/2011/12/last-minute-washi-clips.html" target="_blank">Last Minute Washi Clip</a> from Artsyville<br />
<a href="http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2011/01/making-a-groundhog-pencil-topper-craft-for-groundhogs-day/" target="_blank">Groundhog Pom Pom Pencil Topper</a> from Artists Helping Children<br />
<a href="http://www.craftsunleashed.com/paper-crafts/washi-tape-magnets-draft/" target="_blank">Washi Tape Magnets</a> from Crafts Unleashed<br />
<a href="http://www.smallfriendly.com/small-friendly/2011/08/no-sew-colored-pencil-roll.html" target="_blank">No-Sew Colored Pencil Roll</a> from Small + Friendly<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This and That</h4>
<a href="http://www.crunchybetty.com/diy-picture-tiles-you-will-never-buy-a-photo-frame-again" target="_blank">DIY Picture Tiles</a> from Crunchy Betty<br />
<a href="http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/tiny-polaroid-magnets/" target="_blank">Mini Polaroid Magnets</a> from Ambrosia Girl<br />
<a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/diy-sharpie-mug-does-it-really-work.html" target="_blank">DIY Sharpie Mug</a> from The Cozy Old Farmhouse<br />
<a href="http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/" target="_blank">Marble Magnets</a> from Not Martha<br />
<a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/01/30/22-manly-ways-to-reuse-an-altoids-tin/" target="_blank">DIY Altoid Tin Kits</a> from Art of Manliness and others<br />
<a href="http://mirawyncrafts.blogspot.com/2007/10/make-your-own-tribble.html" target="_blank">The Fluffy Tribble</a> from my blog<br />
<a href="http://barkpost.com/how-to-make-a-t-shirt-dog-toy/" target="_blank">T-Shirt Dog Toy</a> from Barkpost<br />
<div>
<a href="http://the3rsblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/mason-jar-sewing-kit/" target="_blank">Mason Jar Sewing Kit</a> from The 3Rs Blog</div>
<div>
<a href="http://simplystrikingblog.com/2013/11/22/diy-mason-jar-sewing-kit-with-pin-cushion/" target="_blank">Mason Jar Sewing Kit</a> from Simply Striking Blog</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Stocking Stuffers</h4>
<a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/giveaway-winner-hair-clips/" target="_blank">Ribbon Hair Clips</a>, by Jones Design Company<br />
<a href="http://www.crunchybetty.com/love-tinderness-homemade-flavored-toothpick-tutorial" target="_blank">Homemade Flavored Toothpicks</a> from Crunchy Betty<br />
<a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/08/full-and-textured-fabric-flowers.html" target="_blank">Full and Textured Fabric Flowers</a> from Make It Love It<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Packaging</h4>
<a href="http://www.auntpeaches.com/2014/08/postcards-from-hoarder-dye-tags.html" target="_blank">Ombre-Dyed Gift Tags</a> from Postcards from a Hoarder<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENdSjQIoljQ" target="_blank">One-Sheet Origami Gift Box</a><br />
<br /></div>
Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-2953656636444558942015-10-29T17:23:00.000-04:002015-10-29T17:23:14.188-04:00Homemade Coffee-Coconut Scrub<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've always had a weakness for nice bath and beauty products. Unfortunately, I've never really had the <i>budget</i> for them! Fortunately for me, I am quite handy at making, well, lots of things.<br />
<br />
Consider the sugar and salt scrubs that have been all the rage for years. Once upon a time, I would wait for Bath and Body Works to put their sugar scrubs on sale for half price, then stock up. But I don't have to resort to such desperate tactics anymore. I also don't have to settle for the <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/brand/Bath_%26_Body_Works/">array of questionable ingredients</a> that make up many of B&BW's products!<br />
<br />
I came up with my recipe for coffee-coconut scrub after a fair amount of internet research and a bit of experimentation. It smells completely scrumptious, almost like a dessert. Technically it's edible (aside from the essential oils)—but with oils and all the salt, I bet it would taste horrid!<br />
<br />
Did I mention sugar scrubs make great gifts?<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Coconut Coffee Scrub</h3>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>.5 cup sugar</li>
<li>.5 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>.5 cup salt or sea salt</li>
<li>.375 cup ground coffee*</li>
<li>.25 cup shredded coconut*</li>
<li>.25 cup oil of your choice†</li>
<li>1 tbsp honey</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>5-10 drops essential oil(s) (optional)</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Directions</h4>
<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mix together dry ingredients. </li>
<li>In a separate container, combine oil, honey, and vanilla; add essential oil if desired. </li>
<li>Slowly add wet ingredients to dry, stirring well. Add more oil if desired.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
For ease of use, store in a wide-mouthed container. Stir before use to redistribute liquid as needed.<br />
<br />
<i>*For a finer texture, make sure your coffee is finely ground, and pulse your coconut in a food processor, blender, or spice grinder.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
† The choice of oil is up to you. There are a wide variety of skin-friendly oils: grape seed, olive, jojoba, hazelnut, pumpkin seed, coconut, sweet almond… Go with what you like, what you can afford, or what you have on hand. Do keep in mind that the scent of the oil could affect the scent of the scrub; some oils have a strong fragrance, while others are nearly unscented.<br />
<br /></div>
Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-59063615132390152882015-02-20T18:35:00.001-05:002019-01-03T10:33:47.245-05:00Herbalism: Practical Crafting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/zGjJjjQfOO/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cough syrup: ginger, garlic, vinegar, honey, and cayenne." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHW82BmjaltYNR1MRnByXmrg1kPgOfXFJHBksHPfbgWMSaXxZye-Z8fEHxgG2dHSwTT-oeNxlYMQsHcmpK707i1hJU93yHcHi4qXf68KDpnGE7ly427KlfSX7lSQSWaKeMhNu412lHiE/s320/10864670_1530697390539723_402536138_n.jpg" title="Cough syrup: ginger, garlic, vinegar, honey, and cayenne." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><style type="text/css">
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<div class="p1"><span class="s1">Cough syrup: ginger, garlic, vinegar, honey, and cayenne.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div>I just love making things; I always have. But so much stuff I can make doesn't really contribute much to my quality of life. (My art journal and ATCs do not qualify – they are pure art for art's sake.) Herbalism, though, makes my life better in so many ways.<br />
<br />
First, making things allows me to control some aspects of my environmental exposure to toxins. (Do you know what's in your <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/469880/Softsoap_Liquid_Hand_Soap%2C_Coconut_%26_Warm_Ginger/" target="_blank">Softsoap</a>? Did you sign up for a formaldehyde releaser? It's not in my homemade soap!)<br />
<br />
Second, it improves my health. An example: since I discovered fresh ginger tea with cayenne, honey, and lime, I've been able to ward off some of the colds my husband brings home! When my husband got food poisoning, I remembered reading about apple cider vinegar. It worked immediately, fortunately; Atlanta was practically shut down by snow and ice all week.<br />
<br />
It saves me money, too; I made my own "<a href="http://www.vintageamanda.com/2011/10/hot-cloth-cleanser-or-the-portable-oil-cleansing-method/" target="_blank">hot cloth cleanser</a>," AKA "waterless cleanser" for a fraction of the cost of equivalent store-bought products. And mine is perfectly balanced for my skin. <i>And</i> it contains frankincense essential oil, which is awesome for my rosacea-prone skin. (Seriously, I made about two ounces for less than five dollars, including the cost of the jar!) My friends and family love my homemade sugar scrubs, which are very inexpensive to make but high quality and effective.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/pnBfnUQfIx/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Harvesting aloe from my houseplant." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0WMBi0ZhA2BX5RsXPJeUa8LEFNMkRzQWrXKU36jvoS9g30-63bDtae_JPGN8wQe8np7wF57OqQUbddD-Clc7I0kXL9RwhIq0eky41s0Xuvf_pMtmYKv9-3HOJZDQiE0_lWX2vLDq46M/s200/10472067_426771084132370_277772715_n.jpg" title="Harvesting aloe from my houseplant." width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="p1"><span class="s1">Harvesting aloe from my houseplant.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've also reduced my environmental impact. I buy the raw ingredients – oils, honey, beeswax, herbs and spices – and make it myself. Much of it I can buy from the bulk department, like the spices and olive oil I get from my local natural foods store. Honey and beeswax I buy from a local beekeeper; my honey comes in mason jars, which I reuse, and he puts the beeswax chunks in my cloth bag. Garlic and ginger come from the local international market, without packaging. Even the stuff that gets shipped is better; minimal packaging and minimal processing translate to less trash produced by the manufacturer. (Check out <a href="http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/" target="_blank">The Story of Stuff</a> for an explanation of how that works.) I'm pretty sure I produce a lot less waste making a salve than Johnson & Johnson creates for a tube of Neosporin. Much of the packaging of my ingredients is reusable or recyclable. The containers I use (mostly mason jars and tins) are safely reusable long term.<br />
<br />
I can choose ethical and sustainable sources. I've been able to make a lot of replacements. Local raw honey and sustainably-produced coconut sugar instead GMO beet sugar. Homemade vinegar made from fruit scraps replaces Windex. Small-producer, ethically sourced coconut oil has eliminated the need for Crisco shortening or a lotion like <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/526839/Jergens_Daily_Moisture_Dry_Skin_Moisturizer/" target="_blank">Jergens</a>. If I choose to, I can grow many of the herbs in my yard.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/fqgn3yQfNS/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Natural soap made with a friend." border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfNx5V4fP8HBvRdPAuH3UfTwvUgijXepfypJJehcHVaRzmZ0VQcmj7xY8HucmQC6OiztzZOsXoggystoyOPWoojtWsHPagbyvJiOeZujEwy0KpGFEtcBhmM_inNsvdLEYMwSTwz7nmHw/s200/11419236_1060693583959642_1770715666_n.jpg" title="Natural soap made with a friend." width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><style type="text/css">
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<div class="p1"><span class="s1">Natural soap made with a friend.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Most of all, I have learned an important skill that is satisfying to practice. I can take care of my husband, my extended family, and my friends. I have options; I am not entirely dependent on the medical or beauty industries to take care of me. I can try simpler treatments first – an herbal steam, a neti pot, or an epsom salt soak. If I decide I really need to, I can head to the doctor then. As for rosacea, my all-homemade beauty regimen has worked far better than the Metro gel a dermatologist prescribed (once upon a time). Is there an ice storm? Is it a holiday? I have options, which are right in my house or yard.<br />
<br />
How's that for an improved quality of life?<br />
<br />
</div>Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-24119410007633792692014-11-25T14:12:00.003-05:002017-01-15T15:34:25.528-05:00All-Natural Honey Brown Sugar Scrub<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedlykristi/4669858462/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/4669858462_9c0607379c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Years ago, I fell in love with sugar scrubs from Bath and Body Works. They left my hands feeling fabulous, and even my husband used them every time we went in the store, but boy were they expensive!<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few years. They had discontinued my beloved bergamot coriander fragrance (a very unpopular move, according to every B&BW clerk I ever spoke to). Besides, I wear high-quality, natural, artisan-made perfume oils from <a href="http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html">Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab</a>; Bath and Body Works simply smells too artificial now. (Thinking back on it, I cringe, knowing what I know about the stuff I was putting on my skin.) I was pretty much out of my stockpiled sugar scrubs, and besides, I wanted to give some as gifts.<br />
<br />
So began my semi-obsessive research on sugar scrubs, which led to brown sugar scrubs. And THAT led to my playing around with sugars, honey, fragrances, and oil. The recipe that made the cut got packaged up in mason jars (so very handy!) and given as Christmas gifts.<br />
<br />
Years later, I still get friends asking me how I made them. I've posted my recipe before for friends, but now I'm putting my recipe out in the wild. (After all, I relied heavily on recipes other people had posted to come up with mine!) If the list of oils is too long, just use 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil; it will still feel great.<br />
<br />
So here it is, a traditional oil-rich sugar scrub.<br />
<br />
<b>Honey Brown Sugar Scrub</b><br />
1/3 cup brown sugar<br />
1/3 cup granulated sugar<br />
3 tablespoons grape seed oil<br />
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil<br />
1 tablespoon jojoba oil<br />
1 tablespoon honey<br />
perfume oil, natural fragrance oil, or essential oils of your choice<br />
<br />
1. In a small bowl, combine the sugars.<br />
<br />
2. In a larger bowl, combine the oils and the honey.<br />
<br />
3. Add your fragrance source of choice to the liquids. Start with a very tiny amount and add a bit more at a time, until the scent is a bit stronger than you want. (Depending on whether you're using perfume oil, fragrance oils, or essential oils, or even which scent you're using, the amount will vary wildly!)<br />
<br />
4. Add the sugars to the liquids a little at a time, stirring to make sure the oil is evenly absorbed.<br />
<br />
This amount of scrub will fill a half-pint (8 oz) <a href="http://www.freshpreserving.com/products/canning-jars" target="_blank">mason jar</a>. I usually use regular-mouth quilted crystal jelly jars, but it's easier to use in a wide-mouth half-pint jar, if you can find them. Or put them in a small half-cup (4 oz) mason jar; this recipe will fill two.<br />
<br />
When you get to the bottom of the jar, you'll probably find there's oil left. Add in more sugar and keep using it until it's gone!<br />
<br />
<br />
Recently, I've been seeing lots of "dry sugar scrubs," particularly at Whole Foods. These aren't actually dry, but all the oils are absorbed. I found that my basic recipe works great with only a small change: more sugars! <br />
<br />
<b>Honey Brown Sugar Dry Scrub</b><br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />
3 tablespoons grape seed oil<br />
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil<br />
1 tablespoon jojoba oil<br />
1 tablespoon honey<br />
perfume oil, natural fragrance oil, or essential oils of your choice*<br />
<br />
Mix as for the traditional scrub. Keep adding the sugar mixture until pretty much all of the oil is absorbed; you may have to mix up more sugar.<br />
<br />
*It may take more fragrance to create the same intensity of scent. Remember, you've got a lot more sugar now!</div>
Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-17605831630350593232013-08-22T18:15:00.000-04:002013-08-22T18:15:22.983-04:00Embroidered Metal Mesh Pencil Cups<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/9572448036/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9572448036_27894dd469_n.jpg" /></a><br />
When we were at Ikea buying a pencil cup for my office desk, my husband mentioned he needed a pencil holder for school. He's an elementary school media specialist, and teaches some classes in the library.<br />
<br />
I mentioned that all the teachers were posting "sharp" and "dull" pencil cups to <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=pencil%20cup">Pinterest</a>. He immediately grasped the classroom management principles, so I offered to make a pair for him. He liked the price of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40190932/">Ikea's Dokument pencil cups</a> ($2.99 for 2), so I told him about the embroidered metal mesh pencil cups I had seen on <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/11/needlepoint-pencil-cup.html">Ikea Hackers</a>.<br />
<br />
A week later, he had a pair of pencil cups in the school colors, and I had a new pencil cup for my desk.<br />
<br />
At the bottom of the cup, I embroidered a line of <a href="http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/chain-stitch/heavy-chain-stitch/">heavy chain stitch</a>. At the top, I made two lines of <a href="http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/back-stitch/back-stitch/">back stitch</a> three rows apart, working over two openings. In between, I worked a row of <a href="http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/herringbone-stitch/herringbone-stitch/">herringbone stitch</a>, which I planned out to follow the lines of the mesh. <br />
<br />
If you're going to work with the Ikea Dokument cups, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. It's a diamond mesh, so ditch any pattern that relies on a rectangular grid. These cups flare out. The spacing between the rows is a bit irregular. It may not be absolutely straight, either. Also, there are a pair of big raised dots or bumps on each side. (If you look closely at the center of the photo, between the two cups, you can see it a bit on the sides.) And finally, there's an overlap on one side; this is the seam. I was able to work around all of this, but some embroidery designs may not work as well.<br />
<br />
When using metal mesh for embroidery, keep in mind that it's very open. Knots may show through if you're using floss instead of thicker yarn, especially if you're using a very open stitch (like the herringbone stitch). I put up with the inconvenience of very long threads just so I could avoid knots, on the herringbone. Instead, I tied the starting end to the finishing end once I completed the round.<br />
<br />
The cardstock label is sewn to the mesh at the corners, carrying the thread behind the label so it's invisible from the front.<br />
<br />
By the way, my husband is very happy with his new pencil cups, and claims they'll be the coolest in the school. And I realized metallic embroidery floss is evil.Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-20010304159113706132013-03-28T19:14:00.000-04:002013-03-28T19:14:25.473-04:00An Introduction to Pamphlet-Stitch Books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5369/1318/320/mini-pamphlets%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5369/1318/320/mini-pamphlets%202.jpg" /></a></div>
Though I'm a graphic designer, that's not my first love. At heart, I adore books. I read them by the score, from children's books to science fiction and fantasy to nonfiction. I can't get enough of them.<br />
<br />
And what's almost as fun as reading books? Making books! No, not writing books. <i>Making</i> books. I'm absolutely addicted to book arts and papermaking.<br />
<br />
I fell in love with book arts when I was a senior at Georgia State University. (Many years there's only one book arts course, and it was limited to sixteen or so when I was there. So if you weren't a senior, you would never get in!)<br />
<br />
Like any addict, I want company. So I'm going to show you how to make one of the simplest of books: single signature pamphlets.<br />
<br />
Here's the idea. One sheet of paper is folded in half, to make a "folio." Nest several of those together, and you have a "signature." If the outside sheet is heavier, like cardstock, you can stitch it all up and have a basic little book. These can get fancy, but they also make excellent little notebooks. The best part? You can use whatever paper you have on hand.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">How to Make a Simple Book</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NCad1Y2WKGTY_BeBAZY0b5whzO55fAOCw54I3e74zSMKDqzroCzoydRK9cUvBLYJJzTg0lW9IO_u4OxT4FwkNRPmbk56t6d1OT_-WqqM1XDZdPJYh0IaRsjAqwrw00wHiCRO9aSccGM/s1600/Folio-diagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NCad1Y2WKGTY_BeBAZY0b5whzO55fAOCw54I3e74zSMKDqzroCzoydRK9cUvBLYJJzTg0lW9IO_u4OxT4FwkNRPmbk56t6d1OT_-WqqM1XDZdPJYh0IaRsjAqwrw00wHiCRO9aSccGM/s1600/Folio-diagram.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a folio. Nest them together to make a signature.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Supplies</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Four sheets of lighter-weight paper (pages)</li>
<li>One sheet of cardstock or heavy text-weight paper, same size (cover)</li>
<li>Bone folder or other implement to smooth the folds</li>
<li>Ruler or other straightedge</li>
<li>Pencil</li>
<li>Embroidery floss or bookbinding thread</li>
<li>Awl, pushpin, or heavy (sharp-pointed) needle</li>
<li>Embroidery or similar needle for sewing</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Prepare the Pages and Cover</span><br />
<br />
<br />
To make a pamphlet-stitch book, first you'll have to assemble the signature.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Fold each sheet of light paper in half, as shown at left. (If you're serious about this, you'll need to fold your paper along the grain. However, if you don't tell, I won't!) Do not fold the cover yet.</li>
<li>Run your bone folder (or whatever) along the fold of each folded sheet (folio), flattening and smoothing it.</li>
<li>For best results, find the center of your cover. Align your ruler with it and run the edge of your bone folder along the fold line. This will press a crease into your paper (called "scoring"), making it fold more neatly.</li>
<li>Fold your cover and smooth with your bone folder.</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;">Assemble the Book</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Open one folio and lay it flat, with the fold down. Use your ruler to find and mark binding holes along the fold line: one in the center, and .5" to 1" from each edge. (Keep the marks light!)</span></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Using your awl, pierce a small hole, just larger than your sewing needle, at each mark.</li>
<li>Using this folio as a guide, pierce the cover and remaining pages. Make sure all holes go exactly through the fold.</li>
<li>Insert the page you used as a guide inside the cover. Nest the other three pages inside it. (This hides any errant pencil marks!)</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs7YaURZEcEbUQt9rh5Zb7AbRyUaCqmrhcVXmgqePk369JLpsbjTlVvIDPVDcK7S-khi9TrYPlczzdmwS7o4-nX8igHPnKb7TctW8MfotOU-woT602CDaF9V60HCq-TbQdyn4cxfosWo/s1600/Hole-diagram_pamphlet.png" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs7YaURZEcEbUQt9rh5Zb7AbRyUaCqmrhcVXmgqePk369JLpsbjTlVvIDPVDcK7S-khi9TrYPlczzdmwS7o4-nX8igHPnKb7TctW8MfotOU-woT602CDaF9V60HCq-TbQdyn4cxfosWo/s1600/Hole-diagram_pamphlet.png" /></a><br /><div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sewing It Up</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn79QVXn__0hSMsVqFVZEOMgIof2Pda3D_raRVyjbq-plTE20m_2nFu5zd8rs9dYNBTHy53G6dqMf8eMfIPRZn5O9sxpN51artGlPNTRp3Tp9YiQYxYntpRNe36kVug9B2fcchTOh9rM/s1600/Pamphlet-Stitch-diagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn79QVXn__0hSMsVqFVZEOMgIof2Pda3D_raRVyjbq-plTE20m_2nFu5zd8rs9dYNBTHy53G6dqMf8eMfIPRZn5O9sxpN51artGlPNTRp3Tp9YiQYxYntpRNe36kVug9B2fcchTOh9rM/s1600/Pamphlet-Stitch-diagram.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's easy. Really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This method leaves your knot in the center of the book. You can experiment with this. If you start at the outside, at the top, you can tie on a tassel with the tails of the thread. (I love to do this!)</div>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Thread your needle with a length of thread equal to four times the height of the book.</li>
<li>Bring your needle up through the middle hole, leaving about four inches of thread as a tail. Your thread will come out of the book through the middle.</li>
<li>Bring the needle down through the top hole, to the inside. Pull it snug, and check to make sure you still have enough of a tail.</li>
<li>Bring the needle up through the middle hole again, being careful not to pierce the first thread.</li>
<li>Bring the down through the bottom hole, to the inside.</li>
<li>Bring the thread back up to the middle and run it between the pages and the first thread. Do not take the needle through the cover and pages!</li>
<li>Snug up all the threads and tie a secure knot in the tails. A square knot is fine.</li>
<li>Optional: Dab a tiny dot of glue on the knot and let it dry.</li>
<li>Trim the thread ends.</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This may seems complicated, but it's actually very straightforward. And once you've made one or two, it's unlikely you'll need the instructions. It's that easy.</div>
</div>
</div>
Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-57175923610966142632012-11-21T13:59:00.000-05:002012-11-21T14:01:45.784-05:00Baby Surprise Jacket in the Works!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/068fc22e2dea11e2952822000a1f9695_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="240" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/068fc22e2dea11e2952822000a1f9695_7.jpg" /></a></div>I know I haven't posted in forever, but believe me, I have been making things left and right! Not making things simply isn't possible for me.<br />
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Right now, I have two big focuses: baby knitting and art journaling. Baby knitting, because my sister (due April 1) and my sister-in-law (March 17) are both pregnant, WITH GIRLS, as well as two friends (March 20 and April 8). I've decided to make baby surprise jackets for the nieces, and hat-and-bib sets for the other two babies.<br />
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I've wanted to make a baby surprise jacket for the longest time, but I've lacked an excuse. When I didn't make one for the first two nephews, I didn't feel right making one for the next three. And if I'm not making them for nephews, I couldn't very <i>make a sweater</i> for a friend's baby, right?<br />
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But after five nephews, I'm getting <i>nieces</i>. Girls! Perfect excuse.<br />
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I took that pic when I was on row thirteen, and I'm on row thirty-nine now. I should take a new photo, but if I wait to do that, I'll never post! So you'll have to use your imagination.<br />
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The yarn is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/ester-bitran-hand-dyes-pichasca">Pichasca</a>, a hand-dyed thick-and-thin cotton yarn by Ester Bitran (colorway 901). I bought this yarn in September, but found out today that it has been discontinued! I better not run out, or I'm really in trouble.<br />
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I cast on 134 stitches; that's what the directions for the A-B-C-SJ version of the pattern give for a gauge of five stitches to the inch. My gauge is actually eighteen stitches to four inches, but I figure it doesn't hurt if a baby item is slightly large. After all, they grow so fast!<br />
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Some people find Elizabeth Zimmerman's directions a bit difficult to follow, since she doesn't present them the way we are used to. But the kind folks in the Ravelry Baby Surprise Jacket group hosted a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/baby-surprise-jacket/2077971/1-25#25">perpetual knitalong</a> earlier this year, and their clarifications are incredible! Such a big help. That's where I stole the idea of doing single increases on either side of the marked stitches. It seemed way easier than removing the marker, doing a double decrease, and then replacing the marker for every decrease!<br />
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This is a very easy knit, since it's in garter stitch. My only error was in going along on autopilot after you switch from decreasing to increasing, which happens on row thirty-nine. I had to rip back to my lifeline, because on a few rows I decreased instead of increasing! Apparently I REALLY got the hang of decreasing on either side of those marked stitches. :)<br />
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Believe me, I'll be watching that <i>very</i> closely! But I don't anticipate any trouble getting both sweaters and the other baby items finished on time, even taking breaks to work on my entry into the Sketchbook Project.<br />
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That's all for now. Keep creating!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-50623880035551042732010-11-22T18:11:00.000-05:002010-11-22T18:11:29.279-05:00Excited yet intimidated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/2413435441_3680c841ee_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/2413435441/" border="0"/></a><br />
So, I joined <a href="http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject">The Sketchbook Project</a>, which is unlike anything I've ever done before. I joined at the last minute, midday on the last day of signup, before I could chicken out.<br />
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Of course the doubts started piling up the minute I looked at some of the other participants' blogs…like Cody Schibi's <a href="http://codyschibi.blogspot.com/">"Drawing a Blank"</a>.<br />
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Besides that, this is especially tricky for me, since I joined so very, very late. I have less than two months to fill a sketchbook. True, it's only a <a href="http://www.moleskineus.com/moleskine-cahier-notebooks.html"> Moleskine Cahiers</a>, so it's smallish compared to my usual <a href="http://www.moleskineus.com/largeplain.html">Moleskine large plain journal</a>. But still…that's a lot of book!<br />
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Since the pages are thinner in a Cahier book, I think I'm going to be gluing together some of the pages for strength, as well as experimenting with gesso as a background. As it happens, I have a spare Cahier at home, so I can try it out on it first. I could rebind it with heavier paper (and not quite as many pages), but I know that will only slow me down! It would probably be a few days before I had time, and between my church Christmas program, my dance troupe's upcoming show, and the general busyness of this time of year, I really don't have the extra time to spare. I'm such a perfectionist that it would take me forever!<br />
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So I'm heading straight to journaling. Hopefully I can get started tonight!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-84267573901413528742010-10-14T18:23:00.000-04:002010-10-14T18:23:51.700-04:00A Plethora of ApplesMy husband and I spent last weekend in the mountains, near Clayton, Georgia. I love the Southern Appalachians, especially in the fall; it was one of the places my family always went when I was growing up. Now, we go with his siblings and his families.<br />
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We drove home with a full bushel of gala apples, purchased from <a href="http://www.dillardgeorgia.com/osage-farms/">Osage Farms</a>, at their roadside "stand." I also had over ten pounds of mixed apples; I bought a few of every type of apple I had not tried before!<br />
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Now, this wasn't an impulse purchase. True, we had not <i>planned</i> to buy them when we went to the mountains. However, we were planning to buy a bushel at the State Farmer's Market anyway, so we saved ourselves a trip!<br />
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First on my list is slow cooker apple butter. Last year I made a double batch on Halloween weekend. Everyone loved it, and I ran out during the summer, necessitating another batch, so I'm going to be doing either a triple or quadruple batch this year.<br />
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But I'll also be indulging in a few wants I didn't get satisfied last year: apple pie filling and cinnamon apples.<br />
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I've made up my mind on the pie filling. I'm basing mine on the spiced apple recipe in <i><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=z8j8Qrk4Ls8C">Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up Small Batches of Seasonal Food</a>,</i> by <a href="http://blogs.denverpost.com/preserved/">Eugenia Bone</a>, though I think I'll double the recipe. (Seriously, I don't think I can make it through a year with only four pints if I want to increase my dependence on local foods and home cooking!)<br />
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For the cinnamon apples, I would love something similar to Cracker Barrel's, but I don't know if it would work. I may try applesauce, or one of the apple jams from <a href="http://www.foodinjars.com">Food in Jars</a>.<br />
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Anyway, I'm very excited about all the canning possibilities!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-79034451117152400652010-03-18T17:25:00.004-04:002010-03-18T17:33:40.993-04:00Full Speed Ahead<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/4436447669/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4436447669_4fbfc5bcd3_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Actually, I'm not sure I <i>know</i> any other speed when it comes to this sort of thing. One of my best friends, Roswenth, and I are vending (in the Artist's Alley, I think) at <a href="http://momocon.moonfruit.com/">MomoCon</a> this weekend, raising money for our Relay for Life team (Gwinnett County, Georgia).<br /><br />Since we haven't done this before, we have no idea how many of these crazy things we should make! I've made sixteen since Friday. Yes, sixteen. That's with a weekly gaming group, a full-time job with a commute, dance class, and cooking. Oh, and a wonderful husband who likes to actually spend time with me.<br /><br />It's kind of fun. I have a history of crafting while gaming; in fact, I'm sort of famous (infamous?) for it. So three weeks ago I started winding and cutting yarn into the appropriate lengths, at the table, while playing <a href="http://www.shadowrun4.com/">Shadowrun</a>. (That's a cyberpunk-style, pen-and-paper, dice-rolling role-playing game. You know, like the infamous <a href="http://www.wizards.com/DnD/">Dungeons and Dragons</a>, except futuristic.)<br /><br />My gaming group is really great about it, I have to admit. I get teased a bit, but we all do for something or another. (It helps that the game master actually runs Shadowrun at MomoCon, and one of the other party members is actively involved with the con, too.)<br /><br />But wow; it's been a LOT of work. Picking out the yarns, put them all on the base, a few strands at a time. Wrangling massive quantities of yarn…think about it.<br /><br />Each pair of falls is made of two sets of two base strips. I did a bit of math, and I bet I've used over two thousand strands of yarn so far. Each strand has been handled multiple times, because I have to keep packing stuff up and taking it back out, and they keep getting tangled.<br /><br />And I probably have another five hundred strands cut and bundled by yarn. No wonder I'm getting worn out!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-32304972238189779122009-11-05T17:12:00.003-05:002009-11-06T17:40:33.945-05:00Home-Canned GoodnessSo…I'm on a bit of a food kick. Not just food, but good food. Yummy stuff, made with good ingredients. Even whole grains, fresh local produce, that sort of thing.<br /><br />My dad's mom used to make pickles; she also had a wonderful garden, so she froze home-grown veggies, too. I remember how wonderful her butter beans were; I never associated them with the overly-mealy, mostly nasty things called lima beans! It was <i>years</i> before I learned that butter beans <i>are</i> lima beans!<br /><br />Her sister and mother used to make <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayhaw">mayhaw jelly</a>. Once a staple of special occasion meals, the mayhaw is so rare now that it's very hard to find the jelly…and very expensive when you do find it. (But so worth it: I bought two jars at a small store near Unicoi back in September. One is for my mom; I'm opening my jar for Christmas, when the family comes over!)<br /><br />Anyway, Dorkelf and I have been wanting to try canning for the last two summers, but with two moves in just over a year–including buying a house–it just never happened.<br /><br />I decided I had to can <i>something</i>. I joined the forums at <a href="http://www.idigmygarden.com">I Dig My Garden</a>, which is hosted by <a href="http://www.rareseeds.com">Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds</a>. Motivated by their suggestions and a post I found for <a href="http://www.stoptheride.net/2008/09/crock-pot-apple-butter.html">crock pot apple butter</a>, I bought a box of Ball canning jars (half pint, with the new platinum lids) and two three-pound bags of apples.<br /><br />It went great, and smelled awesome. Three pounds of Granny Smith, cored, peeled, and sliced, one cup of water, half a cup of starthistle honey, half a cup of Splenda, and three cups of sugar. I added a spice bundle, which contained two sticks of cinnamon, 3/4 tsp whole allspice, and 1 1/4 tsp whole cloves.<br /><br />Otherwise, I followed her directions. My stockpot only held seven half-pint jars, so I ended up with an extra half pint, plus a bit extra. The leftover went directly into the fridge; the extra half pint I filled like all the rest, then inverted on a kitchen towel on the counter while it was still hot. (This is called the <a href="http://frugalliving.about.com/od/presevingfoods/g/Inversion_Canning.htm">inversion method</a>, and it is <i>not safe</i>, so don't use it.) Once it was cool, I checked the seal (yay! It sealed!), but then I <i>put it in the fridge.</i> Bacteria can still grow in it, so I'll use it up as soon as I'm through with the leftovers. Really, I don't want botulism…<br /><br />I also made a quart jar plus a half pint of pickled okra and a quart jar of sliced cucumber pickles. Both types were made as quick refrigerator pickles, so I have about three weeks to use them up. (Vinegar, a bit of sugar, pickling spice, dill seed, a dried pepper, and garlic. I made it up as I went along.)<br /><br />All in all, I'm very happy with my experiment.Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-29751590434674393522009-07-16T13:30:00.003-04:002009-07-21T14:03:53.131-04:00Why do I make things?Before I start this post, I have to admit I'm way behind on my podcast listening. I only just got around to listening to <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/19/craftypod-94-why-do-you-make-things/">CraftyPod #94</a>, "Why Do You Make Things?"<br /><br />At the very beginning, Sister Diane asks, "Why do <i>you</i> make things?"<br /><br />*blink*<br /><br />*blink*<br /><br />What do you mean, why do I make things? Of course I make things! Is making things optional? I mean, maybe there really isn't a law of the universe that says I MUST MAKE THINGS. But it feels like it!<br /><br />I literally cannot imagine what it would be like <i>not</i> making things. I keep trying, but then my mind does this disconnect and runs away from the thought. It is simply too foreign.<br /><br />But why make things?<br /><br />Well, for one thing, I love it. I love the feeling of satisfaction I get from a well-conceived, well-executed project. I love the process of making stuff…well, most of the time! I love the shiny or pointy or sparkly or pretty things I use to do it.<br /><br />I love looking at a stash of supplies and seeing what it could be, how it could be transformed. I can take the most mundane items and make something awesome. A stick, sandpaper, and some beeswax turn into an awesome magic wand for the Half Blood Prince midnight release. My basket of fluffy fiber becomes a beautiful scarf to keep my mom warm as she sits on her back deck, surrounded by her cats and dogs. Some simple cotton yarn becomes a hat to keep a newborn in Haiti warm and improve her chance of survival. <br /><br />There's also the small detail that my tastes far outstrip my bank account. I can't afford to buy all the beautiful scarves I see in stores and catalogs, but with some good yarn and an investment of time, I can make enough to keep me warm all winter. I can take cheap, beat-up furniture from Goodwill and turn it into something that's presentable enough to use in our home until we have saved up a bit of money. I can create a beautiful home for far less than they charge in stores.<br /><br />A lot of what I do I have learned from an array of wonderful women, starting with my mom and grandmothers and continuing through Sunday school, Girl Scouts, and school. Some of it I have learned from men, such as my favorite instructor from Georgia State, Kyle Dillehay, who helped me figure out chip carving when I wanted to use it for a self-portrait project. I'm thankful for all these people, and like to feel my devotion to "making things" makes their investment of time and talent worth something.<br /><br />There has never been a time in my life that I haven't "made things." I hope that never changes!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-15420646451033623572009-06-25T07:40:00.004-04:002009-06-25T17:47:02.175-04:00Shock and AweMy husband and I are in the processing of buying a house. By in the process, I mean we keep driving through neighborhoods, my husband haunts movoto.com, and we've actually talked to a mortgage guy and a real estate agent. We have not actually chosen a house, but we better if we want to move on time!<br /><br />In preparation, I have decided I should probably start going through stuff and packing. I think I'd be more motivate on the packing front if I had not shouldered ninety-five percent of the responsibility last year. Maybe it was more; since my husband was cramming for summer classes, all I remember him packing was his cookbook collection. Actually, I think he went through them and I packed them after he had purged his collection slightly, and we had returned his mom's books.<br /><br />You get my point. Anyway, I decided to start with my yarn, because I've noticed that it has spread all over the house. <br /><br />I'm still in shock. I never thought I had much stash; I listen to some women talk about their stashes, and theirs are huge! I never buy that much yarn.<br /><br />Behold! I have bins of the stuff. WHERE DID IT COME FROM? HOW DID I COLLECT SO MUCH YARN?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/3660132591/" title="My Stash (by Maid Mirawyn)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3660132591_815a10c6d8_m.jpg" title="My Stash (by Maid Mirawyn)" alt="My Stash (by Maid Mirawyn)" width="180" height="240" /></a><br /><br />And why do my UFOs number in the double digits? I tried counting some of them as WIPS, but I had to admit that if I've knit less than a row in the past three weeks, it's not really "in progress", per se.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/3660166731/" title="A Few of my UFOs by Maid Mirawyn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3660166731_9c04f34544_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="A Few of my UFOs" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A few of my UFOs</span>Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-81560981108236072392009-06-18T18:27:00.003-04:002009-06-18T18:36:35.440-04:00Give Socks a ChanceI tried making socks once before, but I hated them. The pattern was easy enough: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Socks from Wendy Knits. The construction made sense, and I had no problem with the short row toe and heel.<br /><br />But I hated making them. I made it all the way to the ankle on the first sock, but I had to make myself do it. I hated the fiddly tiny needle with the skinny yarn. I had to pay close attention to holding the needles, and it took a bit of finger contortion to ensure that the needles I wasn't using didn't fall out–especially the one next to the working needles.<br /><br />That's not good when you do most of your work on the bus in tight quarters.<br /><br />However, the wonderful ladies at the <a href="http://yarngardenknitshop.com/">Yarn Garden</a> in Lawrenceville showed me the most amazing tiny circular needles! It's only six inches long!<br /><br />Finally I decided to give them a try. I bought a size 0 (or was it size 1) needle, because I knit loosely (it's the only way I avoid knitting so tightly I can't get my needle in!). I also bought a skein of Malabrigo sock yarn, to entice myself into knitting. (I don't actually have a stash of sock yarn, unlike the rest of the yarn-obsessed universe!)<br /><br />I also switched to an eyelet rib pattern I found; since I've proved I can grasp the structure, that leaves me free to do something interesting.<br /><br />The skinny yarn and skinny needles still require more of my attention than I might like, but at least I won't lose needles and have to scramble under my bus seat for them. As much as I love interesting socks, I need to learn to knit them!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-18485712741464404852009-06-12T13:53:00.006-04:002009-06-18T18:26:51.871-04:00Danger! New Addiction!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/3620179890"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3620179890_845818e371_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Guess what? I discovered yarn falls! I made a red, black, and grey one for Sunday night's dance show at Nicola's, because my new, henna-enhanced hair color doesn't match my fake ponytail.<br /><br />And now I find myself looking for reasons to wear it. I've had it one week, and tomorrow morning will be my fifth time wearing it. See, I made it Friday, then decided to give it a test run when the Atlanta Christian Gaming and Anime Meetup went to Suno and karaoke. I figure I needed to see what it felt like, and I knew my friends would love it.<br /><br />Then Sunday I wore it for the show. Monday, I was going to the Whole Foods/Harry's Farmers Market in Roswell for the BPAL Georgia Will-Call. I knew they would love it, so I put it on after work. Thursday, I went to knit night at the Yarn Garden. Well, I had to wear it, right? Who better to appreciate my clever use of stash than a group of knitters?<br /><br />And by request, I'm wearing it tomorrow to Worldwide Knit in Public day, hosted by the Yarn Garden and being held in downtown Lawrenceville. Yay!<br /><br />I'm serious about it being addictive, though. By Sunday night, I had plans to make two more, at least. I need one in black and gold, and of course I need one in browns. I mean, that <i>is</i> the other staple of my wardrobe. But could I maybe do one in blues, too? Or maybe black and white? Hmm…Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-21422369538585193032009-01-29T17:35:00.004-05:002009-06-18T18:06:50.796-04:00Save Handmade from the CPSIA!<a href="http://blog.buyhandmade.org"><img style="float:right" src="http://blog.buyhandmade.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/save125.gif" alt="Save Handmade! BuyHandmade.org" width="125" height="125" border="0"></a>Have you heard about the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML">Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act</a>, or CPSIA for short? No? Well, our government has really done it this time!<br /><br />The CPSIA is a new requirement for all items intended for babies and children. Its aim is good: keep kids safe from lead. But it's insane! Under its provisions, handmade items, especially one-of-a-kind handmade toys and clothes, are no longer feasible to make and sell.<br /><br />In a nutshell, it requires that every single item intended for children and babies be tested for lead and the like, and have a tag <i>permanently affixed to it.</i> That may sound reasonable, right?<br /><br />Think about it. If your neighbor is a seamstress who makes custom christening gowns for babies, she now has to make TWO IDENTICAL DRESSES and send one off to be tested (which destroys it). The remaining dress must have a permanent tag affixed to it, stating that it is safe.<br /><br />If a handmade item is sold in a store, the store must display a certificate for that item, and for every other children's item! How does that work?<br /><br />It's insane! For more information, see <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/01/more_harm_than_good_more_on_th.html">Craftzine's excellent post</a> on the topic.Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-44609282211094614802009-01-20T17:12:00.003-05:002009-06-18T16:11:24.398-04:00The Pink! It Burns!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/3233847559/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3233847559_a8e10d4323_m.jpg" border="0"/></a>Back in November I made a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wavy-hat-2">wavy hat</a> for my mom, using <a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=sws&SPP=999">Patons SWS</a> (Natural Raisin and Natural Indigo from the Soy Wool Solids). It was the second chemo cap I made for her. Unfortunately for me, my sister saw it, and she wants one. And sadly, my sister likes pink.<br /><br />So I'm crocheting with pink. Blech. I hate pink. In fact, I hate pink even more than orange…and I detest orange. One facet of pink that drives me nuts is the assumption that women want pink. Manufacturers look at their product and say, "Oh, we need to target the female market segment. Um, make it pink. What's next on the agenda?" It's insulting, really.<br /><br />But that's a different rant. Back to the fiber-y goodness!<br /><br />I decided that if I was going to crochet with pink, it was going to be good pink. This cap has one saving grace in my book: it's Malabrigo. <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/yarn/worsted.html">Malabrigo Merino Worsted</a> in 021 Cactus Flower, to be exact. And it is simply one of the most divine yarns on this planet. It's wonderfully soft, and the colors are gorgeous. It's kettle-dyed by a women's coop in Uruguay, and if you've never tried it you should run straight to your local yarn store and buy a skein or five.<br /><br />Did I mention the wonderful colorways? The traditional Malabrigo–Merino Worsted, the one that made them famous–is available in true solids and semi-solids as well as variegated. All the colors are sublime. The dark colors are deep and rich with real dimension; the brights are clear and clean; the pastels are pure and soft. There are colors that I don't particularly care for (like pink), but there are no <i>bad</i> colors.<br /><br />Oh, right, I'm making a hat. Back to the wavy hat.<br /><br />If you like crocheted <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=ripple%20afghan&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi">ripple afghans</a> and you enjoy a little whimsy, you'll like this hat. It's from <a href="http://www.oneskeinwonders.com">One-Skein Wonders</a> by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2WCDPZIV6W0AJ/ref=cm_blog_pdp">Judith Durant</a>, and it uses the traditional ripple construction (grouped increases alternating with grouped decreases) to create the same type of points. <br /><br />The top is very fun: each point is stitched together, so it creates a star shape when seen from above. In the book, it's stitched with a contrasting color, and a couple of dangling tassels are attached. This is my third wavy cap, and I haven't actually used the tassels yet. I do, however, use the contrasting stitching.<br /><br />All in all, it's very quick to make; I started this one yesterday, and it should be finished tomorrow. That's only three days of rather limited crochet time. <br /><br />It's a good thing I love my sister, because this pink overload may kill me!<br /><br />Update: As you can see, I finished the hat. Trust me–it looks WAY better on my sister!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-52230650250037212952008-12-29T20:10:00.004-05:002009-06-18T17:50:00.763-04:00BPAL Felted Travel Case<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/3201647563/" title="BPAL Felted Perfume Bottle Case by Maid Mirawyn, on Flickr"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3201647563_a86ae1f5c6_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="BPAL Felted Perfume Bottle Case" /></a>A little over a year ago, I developed a love of <a href="http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/">Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab</a>, an indie perfumery. If you've never tried their perfume oil, it's incredible; you can find reviews of the fragrances (and other information) at <a href="http://bpal.org/">BPAL Madness</a>, a fan forum. (Yes, a fan forum, with over 16,000 members. Yes, I said 16,000.) Go right now and pick out six general catalog scents you like. Then go and order a pack of 1 mL <a href="http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/sample.html">imp's ears</a>!<br /><br />Hooked yet? Good. You will soon have a deep-seated need to take BPAL with you everywhere. For most people, a couple of bottles or a handful of imps do the job, but that's never enough for me. In fact, I've developed a bit of a reputation for it. I'm not an addict, though; I can stop anytime. Really. If I wanted to, of course.<br /><br />Anyway, I had a bit of <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/yarn/worsted.html">Malabrigo Merino Worsted</a> sitting around, left over from my lovely shawl. And I needed a way to carry my bottles, so I whipped this up while watching the <a href="http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/home.html">Battlestar Galactica</a> miniseries. Felted it, too, before it was finished. Total time was maybe two hours. <br /><br />It will hold three bottles, or two bottles and a few imps. You can easily adapt the pattern to any size. (If you can really call something so simple a pattern, that is.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Supplies</span><br />About a quarter of a skein Malabrigo Merino Worsted<br />Large button<br />Scrap thread to baste the button in place<br />Size I crochet hook<br />Tapestry needle<br />Split stitch marker<br />Two safety pins<br /><br />Before you start, lay three 5mL perfume bottles in a row on a piece of plastic wrap. Securely wrap them in the plastic, then set them aside. You'll use these to gauge the size of your case as you work and to check the progress of your felting.<br /><br />The entire piece is worked in a spiral until you reach the flap, which is worked back and forth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Crocheting the Pouch</span><br />Chain 10 stitches for your foundation chain.<br /><br />Round 1: SC into the second chain from your hook. This is your first stitch. Sc1 in each stitch until the last chain. Sc3 in the last chain. Do not turn the piece; instead, continue in the round, and sc1 in the other side of each stitch, until you are back at the first chain. Sc2 in that stitch, for a total of three single crochet stitches in each end chain. (20 stitches)<br /><br />Check this against your bottles; it should be about the same length as the three bottles, and just a little less than one bottle wide. Round 2 will make a case a bit bigger than your bottles, to allow for light felting.<br /><br />Round 2: Ch1, then sc1 in each stitch until you reach the end of the oval. Sc3 in that stitch, then sc1 in each st until you reach the other end. Sc2 in the same stitch you made the first sc in. (24 stitches)<br /><br />You are now finished with the base and will start up the sides. Place a split marker (or safety pin) at the start of the round and move it up as you work, even though you'll be working in a spiral. It makes it easier when you get to the flap.<br /><br />Round 3: Sc1 in each sc. Repeat until it's about 2.5" high.<br /><br />Check the height against your bottles. You want it a little less than .5" higher than your bottles when they're in the case.<br /><br />Flap row 1: Begin the flap at the start of a round. Ch1 then sc1 in the first sc. Sc1 in each of the next 10 st, then ch1 and turn.<br /><br />Repeat row 1 until the flap is the desired length. (Mine was about 2.5" long, which gave me plenty of overlap and placed the button in the center of the front panel.) Fasten off your last stitch, and leave enough of a tail to weave in the ends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Button Loop</span><br />Place your perfumes back in the case, and fold over the flap. Determine where you want the button and baste it in place; you'll sew it on permanently once the case is felted. (If you use a button with a shank, you can attach it with a safety pin.) Look at the button and figure out where you want the button loop. Mark attachment points for the loop with safety pins. (Remember that you'll be felting your piece, so make the loop a little longer than it needs to be.) Once you've got the flap marked, you can remove the bottles.<br /><br />Place the hook through the edge stitch closest to the first safety pin and pull your yarn through, leaving enough of an end to weave it in. Chain a cord for the button loop. Attach the last stitch to the flap at the second safety pin, just as you attached the yarn at the beginning. Fasten off your yarn.<br /><br />Before you cut the yarn, test it with the bottles again. Does the flap close and button securely? Good. Weave in your ends, keeping in mind that the felting will help hold them in place. Cut off the excess and proceed to felting. (I recommend removing the button now and sewing it back on when you're through.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Felting the Pouch</span><br />There are excellent instructions for felting all over the internet, including <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/FEATfelthis.html">Knitty</a>, and I bet a lot of you know far more about it than I do. I used a big mixing bowl and dish gloves to felt mine, since the washing machine seemed wasteful for such a small item.<br /><br />Remember how you wrapped your bottles in plastic wrap? It made them easier to work with before, but now it's essential. You need to check your progress as you felt. If you stick unprotected bottles in a wet pouch, you'll damage the labels. My Boomslang, Rose Red, and Peacock Queen bear mute testimony to this sad fact...<br /><br />Once your case is felted down to size, get the water out of it (spin cycle or rolling it up in a towel and squeezing it) and put the bottles back in. Wrap the flap back into position, and leave it to dry. The button can be sewn back on once it's mostly dry.<br /><br /><br />And you're finished! The Precious will be much safer in its soft little home.Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-52499251114327843592008-12-10T08:24:00.005-05:002009-06-18T17:51:17.365-04:00Crafting Like CrazySo, it's only fifteen days until Christmas, and I still have lots of holiday gifts to make. I've already missed the deadline for my dance instructor's Ogee Lace Skirt, so that one won't happen until the new year, when classes start back. But I have to send out an ATC for a swap soon, as well as twelve Christmas ATCs which I offered to do instead of Christmas cards for a swap at <a href="http://www.fansforchrist.org/new/index.php">Fans for Christ</a>. I have to knit hats for my two nephews by December 26. (Did I mention I've never knit a hat?)<br /><br />On top of that, I just remembered that I had decided to knit a shawl and maybe crochet a purse for my bosses' daughter...and that would be for Friday night. Eek. I am using Rowan Handknit Cotton in two shades of pink, which was in my stash, and the <a href="http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/?p=443">Simple yet Effective Shawl</a> pattern from Cosmopluto Knits. (I made myself a shawl using the pattern, and it was very easy.)<br /><br />Don't expect to be doing anything else anytime soon. Let's hope I make my deadlines!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-26323114337134156022008-08-15T17:33:00.011-04:002009-06-18T18:09:29.608-04:00A Dearth of Creative Activity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/2738337725/" title="My First Handspun Yarn"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2738337725_be22e8084c_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Since June, I've had very few opportunities for creativity. I spent most of June packing up our stuff, in preparation for our move in July. Unfortunately, I had to do it almost by myself, since my husband was spending eight to twelve hours a day working on assignments for his THREE summer classes.<br /><br />July, we moved. And then moved more stuff. And unpacked stuff, and rearranged stuff, and brought more stuff over from storage. We also bought a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40071788">Billy bookcase</a> from Ikea. That lead to yet another trip to Ikea, since we had so many books that we needed two extra shelves! (And we could really use another bookcase just as large; there are still tons of books in boxes!)<br /><br />I also had lots of furniture to assemble, since we had purchased a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39849841">Noresund bed</a> when it was on sale, in anticipation of our move. There was also the Majiker sideboard I had bought a year and a half ago, when it was put on clearance.<br /><br />I did get a spinning wheel, which is so incredibly wonderful. Seriously, you wouldn't believe how much I squeed when we picked it up. It was a bit sad... So it took me two evenings to assemble it, and I got to use it exactly once. I've been way too busy, and I had to miss my spinning guild meeting, so I missed the opportunity to get help.<br /><br />I was so very sure I would have lots of time to do creative stuff this month, but it hasn't been the case. The apartment is still in a state of semi-chaos, and my craft space is the worst. I can't slack off, either, since I have friends coming to stay with us in a couple of weeks.<br /><br />So I've had to satisfy myself with knitting. I love knitting; don't get me wrong. And I'm happy with the progress I've made with my Malabrigo simple shawl. I even started a sock, but the tiny double pointed needles and skinny yarn are driving me nuts, so it's on hold.<br /><br />I can't even remember the last time I put some real time in with my art journal. I pray it will all come together soon!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-80773689971609520672008-06-17T17:41:00.000-04:002008-11-13T17:18:32.193-05:00Painted Paper by Artist Alisa Golden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiXQoKe3RrASAJ0YAZmuO-BEGm6lnFvcZFrYeec5yVeEwwttUk-H4Ns807k0oX-3CJPe89KI1pjQqWTcVO38tNz8dCMwCTErOXt92e2baFAmm77tl9HVmwJApY0oTxaFiOYGB4LOUlPEu/s1600-h/Painted_Paper.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiXQoKe3RrASAJ0YAZmuO-BEGm6lnFvcZFrYeec5yVeEwwttUk-H4Ns807k0oX-3CJPe89KI1pjQqWTcVO38tNz8dCMwCTErOXt92e2baFAmm77tl9HVmwJApY0oTxaFiOYGB4LOUlPEu/s320/Painted_Paper.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215564703603543490" /></a><br />So over the weekend I stumbled across <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Painted-Paper-Techniques-Projects-Handmade/dp/1402731930">Painted Paper</a> by <a href="http://www.neverbook.com/">Alisa Golden</a>. I had a 40% off coupon that expired <i>that day</i>, and I was despairing of a worthy use. Well, soon as I saw this, I knew my coupon would <i>not</i> go to waste!<br /><br />Alisa Golden is an actual <b>book artist!</b> Yes, a real book artist, not just a crafty person making books! Now, I'm all for getting as many people as possible hooked on bookmaking, starting with kids if I get my way. That way, we get them hooked early... And to be honest, most of my books are more craft than art. Non-artists have contributed some brilliant ideas, so I really value their participation in the book and paper arts community, too.<br /><br />But I need the art approach to books! There are way, WAY too few books like that, and most of them are very binding and form-oriented. I love finding new ways to bind (oh, do I love it), but I need more help with the content side of things.<br /><br />And that's what I found here! It's art, no doubt about it. Alisa Golden uses paint and inks to create beautiful works of art on paper that she then turns into books, either as cover material or, more often, as a base for letterpress pages. (I can see great ways to incorporate this into my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/sets/72157604713211906/">art journal</a>, too...)<br /><br />Did I mention the letterpress? Yes, she's a letterpress artist! So for each technique--and throughout the book--she shows finished books she has created through her imprint. With each technique, she shows one of her books which makes prominent use of it. Then, she has excellent instructions, and shows you what she created with the page you <i>just saw her make.</i> (Well, saw through photos, of course, but you know what I mean!) Talk about inspirational!<br /><br />But wait: there's more! The last part of the book features binding techniques--very awesome techniques at that. She also features several book forms from some of the more prominent binding books and manuals, and <i>tells you which form it is</i>! Is that not awesome?<br /><br />I'm in the middle of a move, so I can't really play right now. But I cannot wait to get my new workspace set up: I'll have more room than I've ever had, and since my balcony is on the fourth floor, I can dry papers on my deck without it being an eyesore.<br /><br />I'm not even packing this book. It's going to the new apartment with my "too precious to pack" craft stuff, in the car with me!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-44626950339603641582008-04-16T13:42:00.006-04:002009-06-18T17:52:44.533-04:00A New Wheel of Time Scarf: Min FarshawSo I've started a new Wheel of Time-inspired scarf. (The first one was my Pevara Sedai scarf.) I didn't actually mean to cast this one on; I received a gorgeous blue yarn ball from <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/member/?id=12501">leahsimone</a> through the <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/10602">Yarn Ball - Surprises!</a> swap at <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com">Swap-Bot</a>.<br /><br />I didn't have time to wind the yarn into a center pull ball when I received it, so after unwinding just a bit of it, I shut it firmly in a drawer and pretended it didn't exist until I had time to enjoy unwinding it! So when we went to Columbus (Georgia) for my nephew's first birthday party, I took advantage of the long car ride to unwind it, and rewind it on my nostepinde (a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=5867001">beautiful one</a> I bought from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=2763">EwenMe</a> a few months ago).<br /><br />And then there were stitches cast on my needles…don't know how they got there.<br /><br />It's a beautiful medium blue, very soft, but only twenty-seven stitches wide on size 8 US needles. The center part is based off the Street Urchin pattern from the 2008 SnB calendar, and the first four and last four stitches are just like on my Pevara scarf. So far, I'm very happy with it!Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051301290121895524.post-2522341471535964272008-04-14T17:29:00.008-04:002009-06-18T18:08:24.726-04:00A New Road or a Secret Gate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maidmirawyn/2413435441/"><img style="width: 350px; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/2413435441_3680c841ee.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />So, there's something very different in my art journal. Thursday night, I wasn't feeling well, so I surfed for something easy to do in my journal. I came across some paint-scraped backgrounds at <a href="http://house-hill.blogspot.com/2007/08/paint-scraping-technique.html">A House on a Hill</a>, along with a link to the tutorial for it at <a href="http://somethingtwocrowabout.typepad.com/something_two_crow_about/2006/08/easy_as_pie_bac.html">Something Two Crow About</a>. I did three spreads with backgrounds, then put waxed paper between the pages and left it to dry.<br /><br />While in Chattanooga the next day, we visited Art Creations on Frazier Avenue. And I bought ACRYLIC GEL MEDIUM! (Golden Gloss Gel Medium, to be exact.) So when I got home, I hopped on the internet and found some ways to use it. First I adhered some layers of crumpled tissue paper along the bottom. While it was setting up, I found some reversed laser outputs of my favorite Tolkien quote, which I had typeset in a fit of geekery one day. (I do that a lot; typeset quotes, I mean.)<br /><br />I transferred it right there at the top left, using the directions posted by <a href="http://www.calsk8.com/zeitgeist/acrylicgeltransfers.htm">Paul Fujita</a>, then realized it looked like a hillside and sky. So I added clouds, and then some details with my Pitt pens.<br /><br />A little pigment ink the next day, and it was done! Only then did I realize that I had done a spread on exploring new roads the same day I had explored Chattanooga...<br /><br />Supplies: Plaid Folk Art paint in Bayberry, Baby Blue, and Silver; VersaMagic Dew Drop pigment ink pads in Niagara Mist and Sage; Golden Acrylic Gel Medium; Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen in Black, XS width. Moleskine sketchbook.Mirawynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04725439249056135733noreply@blogger.com0