Suet is for the birds!

With winter and cold weather comes all the birds to the feeder.  I have been having fun watching all the wonderful birds in my yard the last few days.  My husband is especially fascinated by all the birds my home made suet seems to bring in.  Personally, I'm not overly fond of all the store brands of suet out there.  Like most of the seed mixes, they frequently are filled with seeds that the birds don't really prefer.  Therefore, I have started making my own.

I usually start with a block or two of plain suet.  (I get mine at Rural King.)  I melt/soften it in the microwave in a large plastic container.  Then I add a scoop or two of inexpensive peanut butter and then a cup or so of corn meal.  For the seeds, I like to find a patio mix bird seed that is basically sunflower hearts (shelled sunflowers) and some peanuts.  I avoid cracked corn as that seems to attract starlings/grackles, etc.  I've also been known to throw in raisins or other dried fruits.  Don't use anything that is salted either. 

After I've mixed the suet, I bring in my hanging log feeders and stuff the holes full.  Currently that has been a challenge as I have a pileated woodpecker showing up multiple times a day.  He can really eat!

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Hairy Woodpecker

Kwik Sew 3915

As I was passing through Joann's the other day, I got snagged by the Kwik Sew pattern sale.  I liked the 3915 pattern for ruched neck tops and added it to my collection.

After bringing my find home, I checked out the reviews on Pattern Review.  Most of the reviews were positive and after checking some measurements, I believed it would fit me as well without major modifications.

I chose view B and used a piece of dark olive green jersey that I picked up in Springfield, Missouri while on vacation last summer.  I was concerned that the neck might be scoopier than I wanted, so I cut the neckline as an small, even though the rest of the pattern I cut as an XL.  It resulted in a wider neckband, but I don't think it looks bad.  Prior to assembling the shirt, I hand randomly placed glass beads where the neckband is ruched.

The finished shirt fits fairly well, although I believe next time... and I probably will make this shirt again... I think I will cut the arm holes a size smaller as it is a little large there.

Towel project...

I'm so tired of finding my kitchen towels on the floor!  I have revolted!

Two kitchen towels purchased for the grand price of $2.50 at Big Lots and some fabric leftovers.  I did raid the button box, but wound up purchasing 2 1" buttons at Joann's.  The top portion I just "winged", but I'm pretty pleased with it.  I know most towels like this, directions are to cut the towels in 1/2 and then each towel makes two hanging ones.  These look a little long, but the Hubby is pleased that they are big enough to actually use.

 The embroidered leaf patterns came from Embroidery Library

I have actually been thinking of making some of these for awhile and I looked into buying my own toweling fabric.  I found a couple of internet sites that had some nice selections of toweling.  Harts Fabric had some nice colors and plaids.  Also, look at Fabric Depot as well.  Of course the Big Lot's price was pretty competitive if you can find a color or design that is to your liking.

Nightstand... AKA American Girl Wardrobe

The American Girl Doll Company makes a very nice wardrobe for their dolls.  It's reportedly the size of a small nightstand, painted white and comes with some assembly required for a mere $349.  Possibly a great deal if hubby didn't have a few cool tools and some spare oak.

This is our version, minus the doors of course.  Hubby built it this past weekend and I just went out and stained this portion.  He will be making the doors this weekend and I need to hurriedly get some appropriate doll hangers so we know what size of "closet rod" we can install.  The side shelves were built based on some simple storage trays I purchased.  I will be making the storage board for the inside of the big door and the little fabric pockets to hang on the inside of the small door this weekend.

Our plan is for her to use this now to help hold her doll and clothes.  Maybe in 12 years, she will want to take it to college as an actual night stand.  It's solid oak so it should be a classic piece that will last.

American Girl version

Green Pepper Fleece Socks

Cold feet?  Ever laid in bed waiting for your feet to warm up so you can go to sleep? 

Green Pepper Polar Socks

I Googled some possibilities, but finally sprung for the Green Pepper pattern for fleece socks.  (Amazing... I actually bought a pattern at regular price, but with a 40% off store coupon!)

I pulled a piece of fleece from my stash... a lovely lavendar... probably originally purchased with the idea of jammies for my daughter....

I traced what I hoped would work for me, as the pattern is multi-sized.  With only three pieces, the layout and cut-out went quick.  Much to my dismay, I could not find my stash of footie fabric with the rubber grippers.  I finally just sewed them up using my regular machine and a stretch stitch.  A quick try-on and I was pleased.  Now I'm contemplating making some for Christmas gifts but adding a little machine embroidery.

 Future pairs will definitely get gripper fabric on the sole.  One web site suggests using raised or puffy fabric paint in a zig-zag pattern on the sole.  As I have already sewn my trial pair, I may pull out some fabric paint and see what happens.  One other site said that it was lumpy/hard feeling and they didn't like it, but then I'm thinking of doing a double sole just for added warmth on cold floors.  Another suggestion was to use clear silicone in a tube from the hardware store and painting/working it into the fabric.

  

Pinterest Inspirations

Two nights ago I was being lazy or I can use the excuse I was recovering from a 4 day bout with flu.  Anyway, I sat semi-watching a movie on Netflix and perusing Pinterest.  I stumbled across a pin that led me to the blog of Megan Chaney.  Her clay artwork, inspired by nature, put some ideas in my head.

Last night I came home, got the kids in bed and disappeared to my studio and "let my hair down".  I made a stoneware tile.  For once I didn't calculate the shrinkage and try to make a tile that was in standard 4" or 6" size.  I used the slab roller for a nice uniform thickness and then I used an old plastic texture plate for faux wood grain.  I textured the tile and then broke out the oak leaves.  One I imbedded in the tile, the other I put a layer of clay on the back and randomly made it appear as if it was dropped on the tile.  I free-formed an acorn and used thin pieces of irregular clay to make a patch of bark.  One area I used raised clay to give a little flame pattern seen in oak lumber.  I used a bit of iron oxide on the barkish area.

This evening I came home and refined some areas.  It's a a bit of abstract tile.  I'm anxious to add it to my kiln that is almost ready for a bisque firing.  Right now I'm meditating on possible glaze/finishing techniques... I may have to look for more Pinterest inspirations!

Bone dry clay... ready for any last finish touches and a bisque firing....

Oh! The Insanity!!!

No, I am not sane.  I can't possibly be sane.  Why?  As my husband was kind enough to remind me, I never can do anything easy.  Now if that isn't calling the pot black, but then, I digress.

We, hubby and I, plowed in and constructed my eight foot tri-loom Saturday night.  Lapped the corners, marked, drilled and stained the maple.  We only used 183 brads per side.  Wow!  This AM the loom was ready and so this afternoon I got started.  This is where the insanity kicked in.  So far, I have made ONE tri-loom shaw on my 5 1/2'  loom built from scraps.  For my first project on the 8 foot loom, which looks HUGE, I chose to use Paton's classic wool yarn.   I also thought that this time I should show I can do more than over and under, so I chose to attempt a double diamond twill. 

This is the pattern out of Patricia Herman's Triangle Loom Weaving Twills 'n More

 Within three or four rows, I knew my yarn needed to be doubled.  Off came the yarn and I restarted with a double strand.  (This of course means I must be running back to the store ASAP as I will be short of yarn!)  I am carefully keeping the strands from twisting and all that.  That in itself is a challenge, but as I am not a master weaver, maybe, just maybe, I should not have made my second tri-loom project a double diamond twill.  I have removed probably as much yarn as I have put on by now.  However, I think I have finally made a break through.  My brain has started to grasp the repetition of the pattern and I hope the "do-overs" will now be minimized!

Paton's Classic Wool in Rosewood - Double Diamond Twill Pattern

 
I marked the repeat, 8 rows on a piece of painters tape and I stick one of my picks over the number of the last row I just completed.  So far, that has helped with the errors. 

The finished product should be interesting.  The yarn is wool and I don't want to felt it heavily, but I think I will felt it just enough to give a nice warm shawl.  With work, kids and a blouse I have in process, I dare say it will be a week or two before I get it completed.  At least  I've done enough so far I can start to see the pattern and I think I will like it.

Happy weaving!