It's Been a Long Time

My goodness, it's been a long time since I posted anything.  Last year and into this year, I had some computer issues.  The 10 year old computer was so-o-o-o slow, I didn't even want to turn it on. This past spring I got a laptop and DSL.  It was like moving into the modern world.  I've been spending time trying to get all my files off disk and onto the laptop.

Last summer I helped to co-found a craft group at church.  There were only 2 of us and we were a bit too ambitious.  We were hoping more people would join us.  We spent the next 4 months frantically making items for the craft fair.  Some people did donate a few items but they didn't come to the biweekly meetings.  The craft fair did pretty good.  We made $950 for the church's capital campaign fund.

We've been making stuff for this year's craft fair but it's going to be our last craft fair.  We were hoping more people would join us but after 1 1/2 years, it's still the 2 of us.  We're going to continue the ministry and meet twice a month but we're going to work on our own items.

I took a class in shuttle tatting this past September.  It took me awhile but I got the hang of it. I still have a lot to learn. This evening I learned a new way to make the basic stitch which is so much easier than the way I was taught in class. The technique is called Reversed Riego.  I'm really excited about this new technique. 

I've also gotten back into living history.  I can't do the overnights at the Civil War battle reenactments so I'm involved with a historical home that's part of the State Park system.  This time it's 1875 so I had to make a new outfit. Thankfully I don't need a bustle.  1875 can be in the Early Bustle period or in the Natural Form period. We decided to go Natural Form. 

The skirt is flat in the front with the gathers in the back.  The blouse is fitted and has a peplum attached.  The peplum is a short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline in the back of a jacket, blouse, or dress.  The pattern I used was very proportional.  Thankfully my friend Rita helped me alter the bodice.

I've been printing out some of the vintage periodicals, especially those on tatting.  I need to tat period appropriate patterns at events.  I want to add some tatting as a collar on my bodice and it's really hard to decide which pattern to use because I don't know how large I should make it.  There are several patterns I like.  I think I'm going to go with a smaller collar.  I can work on it while I'm at events.

Needle Tatting

For the last few weeks I've been learning needle tatting.  It's much easier than shuttle tatting.  I've ordered some thread and books from Handy Hands Tatting.  They have extremely fast service.  Now to decide on my next project.  It will probably be some kind of Christmas tree ornament.  I've seen some snowflakes and angels I like.

My First Attempts at Needle Tatting

My First Bookmark

Crafting Update

During these past few months, I've been busy with yard work, the church's Women's Guild activities and a new church crafting group. We're making items to sell during the church's Fall and Spring flea markets. All monies earned will go to the church's capital campaign to pay off the church renovations.

I'm currently making the 'Squeeze My Cheeks and I'll Give You a Kiss' frogs in plastic canvas. I'm also going to be making some ornaments in felt. I found a really cute pattern for Santa's red underwear on the internet. When I get a bunch of different ornaments made, I'll post a photo. I'm also in the middle of making a Sunbonnet Sue door stop. It's going to be so cute when it's done! It fits over a 2 liter soda bottle.

I'm also learning to needle tat. I've seen some really nice tatted ornaments that I think will sell, hence my having to learn needle tatting. Holding the needle doesn't seem to hurt my hand. It was a long, frustrating week while I tried to pick up this craft. I can finally say, I'm getting the hang of it. I've learned a very important lesson -- I've learned to make sure I not only read the instructions carefully but that I understand the instructions and to check my stitches before taking them off the needle even if I think I know what I'm doing.

There's a coral reef exhibit on the University of Florida campus (http://guides.uflib.ufl.edu/crochetreef). I'm trying to make a piece of coral to add to the exhibit. The exhibit will be here until October 2011. There are some people who meet at the library over lunch to crochet for the exhibit. I wish I could join them. Unfortunately by the time I walk across campus, I wouldn't be there for very long before I would have to leave to return to my office. So, I'm working on it at home along with everything else.

Sewing Accessories

I've spent last week and this week making travel sewing accessories.
First I made a mat to go under my sewing machine. The front pocket can hold scissors or a seam ripper, etc.

Then I made a pincushion/thread catcher. The neat thing about the pincushion is it uses door hinges as the weight to keep it from falling off the table. I put a piece of felt under the hinge so that there's a small cushion between it and the table top. The pattern called for clothesline around the top of the bag, supposedly to keep it open but I like the bag having a wide opening. Then there's no excuse for the thread not landing in the bag. Plus, it will be much easier to dump everything out this way.