Not how I hoped that they'd turn out....

Everything that I touch lately seems to not turn out.

I mean.... case in point.

I really thought that I did a good job with the first one (on the left), but after finishing the second one, I realized that I have to re-do them...

I've had a few things go wrong in the sewing department lately.  I think I got a bit Tutorial Happy and my brain had a hard time organizing it all....

Have I ever told you how many pairs of baby pants that I have made?

A TON!!!  

So, it sort of surprised me that the one time that I make a tutorial for how to make them, I sewed one leg right side out and one leg wrong side out.

Needless to say....the baby pants tutorial is going to take a bit...

But, the sling tutorial came out awesome.  

And on Monday, I get to see a new little bundle tucked inside it...A sweet little baby girl to model it instead of Eben's  stuffed animal "Wolfie".

Oh, yes....I forgot to tell you that I made a loaf of THAT bread from the lovely Hannah a bit ago.

And it was....ummm, how shall I put this delicately....

It was....

Ummm.

Ehh.
And I fear that it was entirely my fault...

I don't know if it had to do with the amount of yeast.  Or whether the water was too hot.

Maybe I should have used the all purpose flour that the recipe called for. 

 Instead of using my own mix of 1/2 whole wheat - 1/2 white flour.

Or maybe it was that I cut the recipe in thirds...6 1/2 cups of flour?!?!?!? 

I had about 3 cups in my pantry.

Could it have been that I let it rise by the woodstove?

Or too much cornmeal sprinkled?

Or the fact that I used a baking sheet (that I forgot to oil) instead of the requested cast iron pan or pizza stone.  (I don't own either.)

Other than that, I think I followed the instructions to a tee!

 In the end though, it tasted OK...

but really, what doesn't taste OK once you smother it is butter?

And I realized that I am NOT a good follower of recipes.

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Here is to a new month...full of success in the kitchen, the sewing room, and in life.

For all of us.

In like a lion, right?

Laying low...

 I can't believe this rug isn't dry yet.  I've taken to hanging it right by the woodstove in hopes that it will be dry by tomorrow.  It's been 4 days!

Hopefully, my friend doesn't mind the smell of woodsmoke. 

 

My husband is so excited about all of the finches that have adopted our home as their own.  

 

Seeds a-plenty, bellies full....he is a thoughtful guy.

And while I've been laying low, I've been working on some projects....

Oh, the projects.

I am on a tutorial kick....you see.

Get your sewing machines ready!

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I am working for the next few days.  I'll see you on Sunday.  Hopefully, you all a terrific weekend and a lovely end to your February.

Hugs, Jules

Crochet Rug Hooking...a tutorial.

After I made my rug, I was asked by several of you how I did it.  I thought of how to do a tutorial for this, since there are so many instructions, but in the end I just went for it.  This tutorial is done by me and my left-handed backwardness, so excuse me if it looks off to those of you who are of the right-handed persuasion.

I take absolutely no credit for this idea....it is apparently a very old craft used for generations.  This tutorial is how I did my rug, but there are many different ways to come up with a similar look. 

If you are looking for other instructions I found some here, here, and here  

 Tutorial....

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Strip ripping and making fabric yarn balls.

Cut your fabric at about the 1 1/2 inch mark.

Tear the fabric the entire length leaving a one inch space at the end (this is how you will avoid having to make knots in your strips....leaving one continuous length of fabric.

Then make a cut 1 1/2 inches from the last cut. And tear to the end of this strip...leaving a 1 inch space at the end to continue your next strip.

Continue just like this until you have made strips of all the fabric.

In case you do over rip or forget about the 1 inch space at the end to continue the next strip, don't worry.  Just secure a knot with the two strips, this is also how you would change over fabric choices while you are making the rug.

Don't panic, the nub of the knot will be absorbed into the whole look of the rug, or even better, wind up on the bottom of the rug where you don't even see it.

Once your strips are torn, wind the continuous length of fabric around your hand and eventually for it into a ball.

Making the rug...

The basic stitches used in this rug.  These are right handed instructions.

Use a large hook...I used a size N for this tutorial, but I also have a size Q, you can adjust your strips to be smaller or bigger according to your size hook.  You can get your hooks at most craft stores or online.

This gets tricky, but after a few rounds, you will get the gist of the idea.  Basically it is a feel as you go sort of project.

Finally, it will begin to resemble a rug.  You want to continually check the symmetry of the rug and make sure that it lies flat.

To join a new color or fabric, knot it to the end of the fabric that you are finished working with. You can alternate colors and patterns doing just one or 4 rounds of a single fabric...it is all up to you and your preference. 

I hope that this has been helpful.  It is just my spin on an ancient craft. 

One that I am currently addicted to.  

*Grin*

Flickr loving right now....

 I'm working today...with my twin.Yippee!

There has been so much goodness floating around on Flickr lately....so beautiful, I wanted to share some of it with you all.

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Samantha Lamb....Where to begin with the awe I have for her gift.....I'd take chicken who lays blue eggs over one that lays golden eggs any time.

In fact, I'd take this chicken, thank you very much.

And Oh, my....In my dreams I take pictures as beautiful as this tree.

Anna, Anna, Anna...does the talent ever end?

This little duck would fit nicely into my pocket if I was the one to snap this shot .

Yarn spun into such amazing beauty.

I want to learn to make soap.

A crochet rock?

And Kate, sweet Kate...the first blog that I ever read.  She has a way with words that is only surpassed by her way with a camera.

Dottie Angel and her words of wisdom and yarn beauty.

I wish I could pull these boots off with some style.

And finally, this cat is stunningly sunning.
I'll see you all tomorrow. I'm not sure whether I will be doing the Simplicity Wednesday, we'll see.  I'm am working on a tutorial for the crochet rug.  Maybe I'll be done by tomorrow.

For a friend....

I saw Farmama's and I fell in love (she is pretty terrific, don't you agree?). 

I KNEW I NEEDED to learn.

Pronto.

I went to work researching and found some instructions that I could understand.  Crochet = Me and my left handedness at it's worst. ( I can't follow right handed instructions to save my LIFE.)

But I figured it out. 

Over the course of 2 nights (and a few minutes here and there), I started and finished my gift for my friend. 

I ripped fabric that I had no use for into strips and rolled them into balls.  A tedious job, but well worth the effort... I assure you.

I crocheted the fabric yarn (Apparently that is what it is referred to as .....who knew?!?!?!) into lovely rounds frayed goodness. 

 And while the bottom resembles a knotty mess.

The top looked absolutely heavenly.

And little by little it began to resemble a rug.

A curly, wonky,  puckered rug that I needed to find a way to fix.

So, a bit more research led me to learn how to flatten it out.

 I soaked it in a tub of scalding water.

 And then I patted it dry with 6 towels on the bathroom floor.

It is now drying by the vent to the wood stove.  Symmetrically pucker free....F-L-A-T.

And in a few days it will be packaged up and find it's way to my friend.

Peek...

 

 I found something really wonderful to try, and I LOVE it.

Potato Leek soup tonight with Fran and Eben.

The boys have been angels.

It's been a really nice weekend.

A Tutorial for my friends....

In the wake of closing up shop, I have decided to share some of my patterns for some of our projects.  If we can't sell our goods, at least some of Laura and my crafty friends can make some of their own goods, instead of buying them from a gigantic chain store.

Right?

Right.

The first tutorial is for a ribbon security blanket.  Just like the ones that I gave to Kester and Todd for their baby.

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There are more to come.  I am sure.

I just have to get them together.

Knitting Needle Wrap Tutorial anyone?

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Side note. 

DO NOT SELL ANYTHING MADE WITH THIS TUTORIAL please....it is only for personal use.  Apparently, there is some company out there that has a patent on SELLING any fabric that has ribbons sewn onto it.  AND I DO MEAN ANYTHING!  

So, in keeping with the ridiculousness of the world of reasonable commerce, I have decided that I am going to patent the "shirt"....it is going to include ANY variation on sewn pieces of fabric with a hole for a head to go through and two holes on the sides for arms to go though.

AND DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT putting your own spin on it.....I've already thought of that and have decided that I am going to include the patent for LONG, SHORT, .....AND 3/4 SLEEVE lengths.

(Sarcasm at it's finest!)