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I've been busy working on a few projects. The Experimental Quilt is finally finished! Paul and I both agree this is a basement quilt. Not a stellar job and not stellar materials. However it prevented some machine quilting samples from going to waste. The machine quilted sections were the result of a workshop I took years ago. Everyone else just stored or tossed their samples. I kept mine...there's good batting between those layers of muslin! And I decided to use them to learn different techniques.
This was an experiment in 3 different areas: it was the first time I machine quilted, it was the first time I dyed cotton fabric with natural dyes (madder and onion skin), and it was the first time (and last) I tried the quilt-as-you-go technique.
It was also a frugal project. The batting used was leftovers from other projects. The border fabric was the remains of an old bedskirt I made for Lisa as a teen. The only thing I shelled out money for extra was the binding fabric...and black is an easy colour to use in quilting.
So one project down...two more to go...
This was an experiment in 3 different areas: it was the first time I machine quilted, it was the first time I dyed cotton fabric with natural dyes (madder and onion skin), and it was the first time (and last) I tried the quilt-as-you-go technique.
It was also a frugal project. The batting used was leftovers from other projects. The border fabric was the remains of an old bedskirt I made for Lisa as a teen. The only thing I shelled out money for extra was the binding fabric...and black is an easy colour to use in quilting.
So one project down...two more to go...
I finished the felted bag today! I decided to line it and use it as an oversized purse. Here it is in all it's stages... Starting the knitting...
Finished knitting...
Felted and embroidered...
The lining and magnetic catch installed. Note my pockets for miscellaneous. I even have one the size of a chequebook on the other side...
The white loop is to hold a key clasp for my keys.
All in all I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. I thought it would be more the size of a tote bag when finished. But that was the size before felting. This will make a nice spring purse to haul things around in. It's big enough for a spindle and some wool too. A nice medium purse size.
The lining and magnetic catch installed. Note my pockets for miscellaneous. I even have one the size of a chequebook on the other side...
The white loop is to hold a key clasp for my keys.
All in all I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. I thought it would be more the size of a tote bag when finished. But that was the size before felting. This will make a nice spring purse to haul things around in. It's big enough for a spindle and some wool too. A nice medium purse size.
It's Christmastime. That means entertaining. Some do it the expensive way and some the frugal way. I've spent the last couple of days preparing for and then hosting the church youth at one course of a progressive dinner. Paul was really excited about having them. I think he misses Carl, Lisa, Bob and Meghan.
Our house was serving the main course. But because so many people wanted to help with the dinner, different people were bringing food. I was responsible for drinks. Well, one lady had to back out, but not before the supper was set to be lasagna. Honestly, it would have been cheaper to have turkey. By the time we had the ingredients for lasagna and drinks for 16 people the bill had topped $70!!! I couldn't believe it!
However, in the end I didn't use all the ingredients...I have leftover cheese among other things. Plus they did not eat all the lasagna or drink all the beverages. They ate about half. They were saving up for dessert. And to be honest, I think they were pretty full. They had three courses before they made our place! And there were only 10 people in the end.
So $35 to feed 10 people isn't bad. Still high to my frugal mindset, but not bad.
We served a Cranberry Glogg (mulled juice), sugar-free, fat-free eggnog, vegetarian lasagna, meat lasagna, garlic toast, and pizza bread. A friend brought the breads. We have half of the beverages left too. Paul is happy about the extra eggnog in the house. He loves the stuff!
So while expensive in my books, it was a nice feast for the kids. And Paul got right into it...lighting a fire in the fireplace and helping me decorate for Christmas before they came. I pulled out my silverware (it's really all I have to eat with) and set the table up buffet style with candels and lanterns down the middle of it. The kids were enchanted.
Someone mentioned it was like an old fashioned Christmas. I told a few of them what our traditional Christmas was like. It is a pretty old fashioned Christmas. But we have some French Canadian influence (no, we aren't connected in any way...just happen to love tortiere!) and Danish influence (rice pudding, butter cookies, and aebleskiver). Paul is from a Danish background. His mother never catered to it with him growing up. But with Paul so interested in family history, I've taken it upon myself to re-introduce some traditions into our home. And because Meghan and Lisa have cousins who are from Russian extraction, we caved and let them open one present Christmas Eve. Their cousins open all their presents then.
Paul and I don't know what we're going to do this year. It will be the first year without kids around. I'm not looking forward to it. We've already decided to dispense with stockings. They just end up being an excuse to buy junk we don't need. Though I'm already making a mental list of things I'll buy for myself throughout the year instead.
Paul's never been good with gift buying. He likes to leave everything to the 24th and then can't find what he wants! :) He gets depressed about spending money at Christmastime. His family was very spartan at Christmas. Mine was very lavish. We had a clash right from our first Christmas together. I insisted on buying a gift for each of his siblings. They never did that in their family. The parents bought a gift for each of them and that was it! No exchange between the kids. I thought that odd. I came from a large family and everyone bought everyone else a gift. Needless to say, that was a lot of gifts to open Christmas Day! It took 3 hours at least...sometimes well past noon!
With our own children growing up we simplified things. They received a gift from us and a gift from Santa, plus stockings. Now as adults, we find the best gift is money. Or to provide for a need immediately as it shows itself.
I've always been fascinated how different families celebrate the holidays. There is such variation in how things are done! I wish I could celebrate many different ways. Perhaps this year will be a time to change some of our celebration.
I've already changed the decorating of the house. We retired the gnome ladies that grace the top of our kitchen cupboards with the words "Merry Christmas". Paul neglected to get them down out of storage. I and my friend can't reach them. And furthermore, neither of us can reach safely to put them on the top of the cupboard either. So it really is a Paul job. Paul just thinks all this decorating is a lot of fuss. His family of 8 had a simple 3' artificial tree for Christmas...and that was it.
Sometimes I feel like I live with the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. But I keep reminding myself we are a product of our environment. Paul's family lived in enforced poverty growing up, due to his mother's overly generous nature. What they had was really all they could afford with what was left. While his mother meant well - she wanted to show them that Christmas was about Jesus and not gifts - in reality she made Christianity so unappealing most of the children turned their backs on it. There has to be a better way! An inbetween area between my family and Paul's. I've been struggling to find it ever since we were first married.
Our house was serving the main course. But because so many people wanted to help with the dinner, different people were bringing food. I was responsible for drinks. Well, one lady had to back out, but not before the supper was set to be lasagna. Honestly, it would have been cheaper to have turkey. By the time we had the ingredients for lasagna and drinks for 16 people the bill had topped $70!!! I couldn't believe it!
However, in the end I didn't use all the ingredients...I have leftover cheese among other things. Plus they did not eat all the lasagna or drink all the beverages. They ate about half. They were saving up for dessert. And to be honest, I think they were pretty full. They had three courses before they made our place! And there were only 10 people in the end.
So $35 to feed 10 people isn't bad. Still high to my frugal mindset, but not bad.
We served a Cranberry Glogg (mulled juice), sugar-free, fat-free eggnog, vegetarian lasagna, meat lasagna, garlic toast, and pizza bread. A friend brought the breads. We have half of the beverages left too. Paul is happy about the extra eggnog in the house. He loves the stuff!
So while expensive in my books, it was a nice feast for the kids. And Paul got right into it...lighting a fire in the fireplace and helping me decorate for Christmas before they came. I pulled out my silverware (it's really all I have to eat with) and set the table up buffet style with candels and lanterns down the middle of it. The kids were enchanted.
Someone mentioned it was like an old fashioned Christmas. I told a few of them what our traditional Christmas was like. It is a pretty old fashioned Christmas. But we have some French Canadian influence (no, we aren't connected in any way...just happen to love tortiere!) and Danish influence (rice pudding, butter cookies, and aebleskiver). Paul is from a Danish background. His mother never catered to it with him growing up. But with Paul so interested in family history, I've taken it upon myself to re-introduce some traditions into our home. And because Meghan and Lisa have cousins who are from Russian extraction, we caved and let them open one present Christmas Eve. Their cousins open all their presents then.
Paul and I don't know what we're going to do this year. It will be the first year without kids around. I'm not looking forward to it. We've already decided to dispense with stockings. They just end up being an excuse to buy junk we don't need. Though I'm already making a mental list of things I'll buy for myself throughout the year instead.
Paul's never been good with gift buying. He likes to leave everything to the 24th and then can't find what he wants! :) He gets depressed about spending money at Christmastime. His family was very spartan at Christmas. Mine was very lavish. We had a clash right from our first Christmas together. I insisted on buying a gift for each of his siblings. They never did that in their family. The parents bought a gift for each of them and that was it! No exchange between the kids. I thought that odd. I came from a large family and everyone bought everyone else a gift. Needless to say, that was a lot of gifts to open Christmas Day! It took 3 hours at least...sometimes well past noon!
With our own children growing up we simplified things. They received a gift from us and a gift from Santa, plus stockings. Now as adults, we find the best gift is money. Or to provide for a need immediately as it shows itself.
I've always been fascinated how different families celebrate the holidays. There is such variation in how things are done! I wish I could celebrate many different ways. Perhaps this year will be a time to change some of our celebration.
I've already changed the decorating of the house. We retired the gnome ladies that grace the top of our kitchen cupboards with the words "Merry Christmas". Paul neglected to get them down out of storage. I and my friend can't reach them. And furthermore, neither of us can reach safely to put them on the top of the cupboard either. So it really is a Paul job. Paul just thinks all this decorating is a lot of fuss. His family of 8 had a simple 3' artificial tree for Christmas...and that was it.
Sometimes I feel like I live with the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. But I keep reminding myself we are a product of our environment. Paul's family lived in enforced poverty growing up, due to his mother's overly generous nature. What they had was really all they could afford with what was left. While his mother meant well - she wanted to show them that Christmas was about Jesus and not gifts - in reality she made Christianity so unappealing most of the children turned their backs on it. There has to be a better way! An inbetween area between my family and Paul's. I've been struggling to find it ever since we were first married.
My favourite time of year! Today a friend and I decorated our Christmas tree. Paul confessed he hated doing the lights on the tree...and I needed help doing them. So I commandeered a friend to help out. Once we started we had to finish! So it's done.
We also tripped up to a local restaurant for lunch today, and to a local bookstore for tickets to an upcoming Steve Bell concert. We had a great time chatting. It was her birthday celebration. Spent some time doing Bible study as well. My friend has interesting ideas about scripture and I love being able to find where she gets her ideas from. Sometimes she gets beyond what we're studying and has to backtrack her reasoning to it's source. I try to get her to stick to what we're actually reading though. But then...she's had Bible College and I haven't. So I suspect she's way out ahead of me in that department!
I've been spinning a lot. Yesterday I spent the whole day on the Victoria and the Joy spinning wheels. I like the Joy better. But I think I want to try a few others. I'm not sure I'm happy with the way the bobbin sits suspended in mid-air on one end. Seems to me it could get a bit wobbly...especially if one were spinning thick heavy yarns. I've put a call into my spinning sister-in-law for help. Looking forward to her return call.
I finished felting my bag I knit. Now I want to embroider on it a bit, line it, and attach a fastener to close it. Then it will be usable as an oversize purse.
Paul and I have a crisis in our kitchen. The tap officially spouts more water than the spout. I've taken to plugging the sink under the leaking tap to see how much water I catch in a day. It was about 1/4 to 1/3 a sink yesterday. We've been faucet shopping. One of the plumbers we called suggested a really expensive place in town...where the faucet sets I liked were $600-1000CAD!!! Needless to say we had issues with that.
I came home and did a quick Internet search. Found the same sets on-line for $300US. But Paul thought we should be able to do better locally without having to buy cheap quality. So we tripped over to Home Depot after work one night. We found a wonderful selection in the $200-400CAD range, which suits us fine. They all seem to be brass construction. At least what we can see. In fact, they seem to be the same company. However the faucet model names are different...hmmm... Still not sure the best way to handle this.
We've been thinking of doing a kitchen reno for some time. But the cost has been scaring us off. We thought we might be able to do it for $10,000CAD. But a friend across the street warned us her recent reno - same size kitchen - cost her $35,000CAD. She claimed it's not what you put in the kitchen or take out...it's what they find underneath everything in these old houses. She had to have old flooring ripped out, new electrical and plumbing done, and new drywall put over everything. She moved appliances and claims that costs money. I suggested to Paul we leave the appliances right where they are. He wants to add a dishwasher.
One of my friends basically told me how to go about the reno on our own. But I think I need to talk to someone who's actually done one. I know a young single mom at church who has done her own kitchen reno that I'd like to talk to. Big problem is getting Paul to buy into this. He wants to hire someone else to do it. Course that's been the problem...no one to do the work! We've had a terrible time lining up contractors this year for work. I've basically given up on them. Paul still wants to use them.
We also tripped up to a local restaurant for lunch today, and to a local bookstore for tickets to an upcoming Steve Bell concert. We had a great time chatting. It was her birthday celebration. Spent some time doing Bible study as well. My friend has interesting ideas about scripture and I love being able to find where she gets her ideas from. Sometimes she gets beyond what we're studying and has to backtrack her reasoning to it's source. I try to get her to stick to what we're actually reading though. But then...she's had Bible College and I haven't. So I suspect she's way out ahead of me in that department!
I've been spinning a lot. Yesterday I spent the whole day on the Victoria and the Joy spinning wheels. I like the Joy better. But I think I want to try a few others. I'm not sure I'm happy with the way the bobbin sits suspended in mid-air on one end. Seems to me it could get a bit wobbly...especially if one were spinning thick heavy yarns. I've put a call into my spinning sister-in-law for help. Looking forward to her return call.
I finished felting my bag I knit. Now I want to embroider on it a bit, line it, and attach a fastener to close it. Then it will be usable as an oversize purse.
Paul and I have a crisis in our kitchen. The tap officially spouts more water than the spout. I've taken to plugging the sink under the leaking tap to see how much water I catch in a day. It was about 1/4 to 1/3 a sink yesterday. We've been faucet shopping. One of the plumbers we called suggested a really expensive place in town...where the faucet sets I liked were $600-1000CAD!!! Needless to say we had issues with that.
I came home and did a quick Internet search. Found the same sets on-line for $300US. But Paul thought we should be able to do better locally without having to buy cheap quality. So we tripped over to Home Depot after work one night. We found a wonderful selection in the $200-400CAD range, which suits us fine. They all seem to be brass construction. At least what we can see. In fact, they seem to be the same company. However the faucet model names are different...hmmm... Still not sure the best way to handle this.
We've been thinking of doing a kitchen reno for some time. But the cost has been scaring us off. We thought we might be able to do it for $10,000CAD. But a friend across the street warned us her recent reno - same size kitchen - cost her $35,000CAD. She claimed it's not what you put in the kitchen or take out...it's what they find underneath everything in these old houses. She had to have old flooring ripped out, new electrical and plumbing done, and new drywall put over everything. She moved appliances and claims that costs money. I suggested to Paul we leave the appliances right where they are. He wants to add a dishwasher.
One of my friends basically told me how to go about the reno on our own. But I think I need to talk to someone who's actually done one. I know a young single mom at church who has done her own kitchen reno that I'd like to talk to. Big problem is getting Paul to buy into this. He wants to hire someone else to do it. Course that's been the problem...no one to do the work! We've had a terrible time lining up contractors this year for work. I've basically given up on them. Paul still wants to use them.
Today I made this...
From this...
Which originally started as Romney wool roving. I only used two of the skeins for the hat. So I have 2 skeins and the white skein left. Not sure what I'll make from them.
I have been spending a lot of time spinning this week. It derailed me from my rug hooking. I'm trying different spinning wheels to see which one I like best and whether I want to buy one or not. It would come in handy to make yarn for rug hooking at the least. I may have to get serious about knitting though.
The spinning wheels I've tried are Ashford's Joy and Kiwi, a Lendrum single treadle, and a Victoria. My favourites so far are the Ashford wheels. Picking a spinning wheel is like picking a purse. You pick the one that works for you. Different ones work for different people. I'm looking for a double treadle because I find them easier on my back. I'm also looking for something that can spin thick as well as thin yarn...meaning it has two heads as they are called. And I'm looking for something that I can fold away out of sight when company comes. Plus I'd like it to be able to go different speeds.
Today a friend gave me a huge bag of roving for free. I am always kind of nervous when people do that. I mean...some day it will be payback time! But I think this lady just honestly wanted to get rid of an abundance of wool roving. I'll be able to spin for a long time with what she's given me. And truth be told, if payback time comes, I don't mind helping her some.
From this...
Which originally started as Romney wool roving. I only used two of the skeins for the hat. So I have 2 skeins and the white skein left. Not sure what I'll make from them.
I have been spending a lot of time spinning this week. It derailed me from my rug hooking. I'm trying different spinning wheels to see which one I like best and whether I want to buy one or not. It would come in handy to make yarn for rug hooking at the least. I may have to get serious about knitting though.
The spinning wheels I've tried are Ashford's Joy and Kiwi, a Lendrum single treadle, and a Victoria. My favourites so far are the Ashford wheels. Picking a spinning wheel is like picking a purse. You pick the one that works for you. Different ones work for different people. I'm looking for a double treadle because I find them easier on my back. I'm also looking for something that can spin thick as well as thin yarn...meaning it has two heads as they are called. And I'm looking for something that I can fold away out of sight when company comes. Plus I'd like it to be able to go different speeds.
Today a friend gave me a huge bag of roving for free. I am always kind of nervous when people do that. I mean...some day it will be payback time! But I think this lady just honestly wanted to get rid of an abundance of wool roving. I'll be able to spin for a long time with what she's given me. And truth be told, if payback time comes, I don't mind helping her some.
Want to see what I've been working on? Check out these funky afghan squares for a charity afghan. I've already knit six of various colour greens. We church ladies are trying to use up a huge bin of yarn. It's going fast on these squares! Still...someone has to sew them all together. I am feeling sorry for the lady doing it. I may just offer to help her...
When I was in Edmonton this summer I stopped at a yarn shop and picked up a kit for a felted bag by Fleece Artist. I'm finally knitting it up. It's 100% Merino wool and is so soft on the hands and easy to knit. I love it!
I decided we needed some dishcloths. Plus I thought I'd sell some in my on-line store at Etsy. So I've been knitting these up between times...
And...just in case I have more time! I've picked up a hooked rug I started years ago to work on and finish. Here it is...my latest version of my hollyhock rug. I anticipate doing a few more changes before I'm finished. I don't like the stark lines in the petals of the flowers...come to think of it the hooking of the flowers is kind of bugging me. Love the colours...just not the way it's hooked...
I took my rug to stitch-in to show the ladies the Deanne Fitzpatrick yarns. Also to the place I take spinning classes. They just happened to have a fleece sitting there that was perfect colours for my moose! They let me grab a 'handful'...I just took a bit... Yesterday I washed it. It's not as clean as I'd like it. But it's a lot better than it was!
And today I plied a boucle yarn I think will look neat dyed foliage colours for trees in rug hooking.
So that's what's keeping me busy these days! Oh...and binding that experimental quilt. Need to make a label for it and two other quilts before continuing on. Tomorrow...
When I was in Edmonton this summer I stopped at a yarn shop and picked up a kit for a felted bag by Fleece Artist. I'm finally knitting it up. It's 100% Merino wool and is so soft on the hands and easy to knit. I love it!
I decided we needed some dishcloths. Plus I thought I'd sell some in my on-line store at Etsy. So I've been knitting these up between times...
And...just in case I have more time! I've picked up a hooked rug I started years ago to work on and finish. Here it is...my latest version of my hollyhock rug. I anticipate doing a few more changes before I'm finished. I don't like the stark lines in the petals of the flowers...come to think of it the hooking of the flowers is kind of bugging me. Love the colours...just not the way it's hooked...
I took my rug to stitch-in to show the ladies the Deanne Fitzpatrick yarns. Also to the place I take spinning classes. They just happened to have a fleece sitting there that was perfect colours for my moose! They let me grab a 'handful'...I just took a bit... Yesterday I washed it. It's not as clean as I'd like it. But it's a lot better than it was!
And today I plied a boucle yarn I think will look neat dyed foliage colours for trees in rug hooking.
So that's what's keeping me busy these days! Oh...and binding that experimental quilt. Need to make a label for it and two other quilts before continuing on. Tomorrow...
One of the nice things about being frugal, if you do it the right way, is you have lots of time and energy...and creative thinking...to help out those in need. Frugality forced me to better organize my stuff and time. Because of that I was able to help a friend the other day. And also to spend time with another friend today. It takes time to help friends, but it is so worth it in the end!
However, one needs to be careful. Some people come in the guise of friends but can drain you dry with their demands or requests for help! I am contemplating how to handle one of those right now. I know I cannot be near her long because of the effect she has on my mental health. I am sending out some queries to people to see if there are any groups or organizations in the community she can connect up with who can help her better. I'm not the one to do it.
Today and yesterday were my spinning, stitching, knitting and quilting days. I am on the verge of posting pictures folks... Next week I hope I'll be able to.
However, one needs to be careful. Some people come in the guise of friends but can drain you dry with their demands or requests for help! I am contemplating how to handle one of those right now. I know I cannot be near her long because of the effect she has on my mental health. I am sending out some queries to people to see if there are any groups or organizations in the community she can connect up with who can help her better. I'm not the one to do it.
Today and yesterday were my spinning, stitching, knitting and quilting days. I am on the verge of posting pictures folks... Next week I hope I'll be able to.
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