10/31/19

Aged Before Beautiful

Sparrow is 50 years old.  My collection of Yarns and Fabrics are from yesterday to 5 years old.  Other tools used in the creations above are somewhere in between.  For example my 'J' crochet hook has been around since the 1970's when crocheting with yarn came on the scene with 'Fringed Ponchos' and 'Granny Squares'. 

Also, somewhere in between those 50 years I collected glassware....lots of glassware.  As a matter of fact...a glassware post 'EAPC Oil Lamp Reaches the Age of Antiquity' has as many pageviews (1461) as I have glassware pieces...close anyway. 
How does that fit in with Aged Before Beautiful?
 
It is a matter of combining the aged with the new to create something beautiful.  In the case of my 'Winsor Jewelry Baskets' the yarn basket liner is a cut glass party plate made by the Federal Glass Company in 1975.  The plate pattern is called Winsor and has a jewel like design...perfect as a jewelry holder/box/basket.  I had a dozen plates and none of the punch cups that went with the plate, but had bunches of the EAPC patterned dessert bowls of the same era. 
 
Now for sale in my shop...a dozen Winsor Jewelry Baskets, and Sparrow's Yarn and Fabric Runners.
Oh, by the way...Sparrow is my Leclerc Floor Loom...she is aged to perfection!

10/16/19

Perfectly 'Back In Beads'...Again!

A few months ago I cleaned out the 'Bead Bins' and all that goes with making Jewelry!  Organized it, packed it up and took it all to my DIL.  I was through making jewelry!  Or so I thought!  Then on a whim I decided to pick up the Teenie Tiny crochet hooks and Super Skinny crochet thread and work on a pair of hoops that the finish had worn off.  Big Mistake!  One pair led to you guessed it...more!
  More hoops, more beads, more threads and more stuff to make more!!!
Aren't these peacock feather beads the bomb? 
Perfect for the 'Dream Catcher' hoops!
Perfect for 'Christmas Gifts' at my Shop!
Perfectly 'Back In Beads'...again!
On a Smaller Scale!
That Counts!

10/7/19

Back To Blog and Back To Quilts

I'm not even going to go there...there being the lack of attention this blog has had from it's 'Over Done Doer' also known as CollectInTexas Gal alias OverDoSue.  With that out of the way....
HELLO OCTOBER!!!
These are what's left of last years 'Plaid Pumpkins' and crocheted trivets.  There was a whole pumpkin patch of ones that sold...I don't know why these didn't.  I'm not sure how they survived to be my only October display.  I take that back...they are the only because I've been too involved in having a last ditch effort to 'Clear the Quilt Closets'.
Notice I said 'Closets'.  Not only several closets, but more than one rack and many walls.  It gets down to how many quilts can one person really use, need, collect, or give away to family.  Everyone is saturated.  Besides, for all the years of making and collecting quilts, I've had it in the back of my mind they were an investment.  So, the time has come to cash them in! 
Do you know how many people have asked "What's a Lay-A-Way"?
Isn't that a hoot?
After explaining to mostly Millenials and Generation XYZ or whatever they are know as now, and how in just a few weeks 'Winter is Coming'...they get that cause they too watched Game of Thrones...the quilts are selling out right and being 'Laid-A-Way'!  I just love it when a plan WORKS!

 I may have 'OverDone' my Facebook Quilt Show Blitz, but what they hey...It seems to have worked!  I basically have no shame....I even pulled in and played the Santa Card...HoHoHo!!!
And On It Goes!!!!


8/1/19

Seeking Shade in Sunny August

A cool shady spot has been difficult to come by this past July, but here I am in one spot of shade just a few feet from the door of my studio at The Chicken Farm Art Center.  By the way, it's where I've been most everyday in July for most of everyday.  Thank goodness I have an AC that keeps the studio cool. 
   So, now you know the main reason I've once again been an absent blogger. 
Maybe I'll be around more often in August!

7/1/19

July and Summer Yarn

Where did June Go?  That should probably be the title to this post, but truth be known, I know exactly where my time in June went.  It's called a 'JOB', and even though I'm loving my part time job...it certainly hasn't left time to BLOG!  Sad, sad, sad...2 posts in June.  Can't promise July will be any different, but I'll try to at least log in and see what everyone else is blogging about.

So, besides the job and working/playing in Sue's Fiber Arts Studio, I've been crocheting with Summer Yarns.  They are light weight yarns and by using larger crochet hooks and patterns that have a lot of open work the result is perfect for cool summer evenings or as a cover up with Tank T's.  Course, it may be closer to start of fall before we have cool evenings here in Texas.

Here are a few of the Shawlettes...yes, a small version of a Shawl.  I've cleaned out several shelves at the LYS...local yarn shop...of Yarn Bee's Dazzling!  It was on SALE!  Notice the little white specks in the top picture...those are sparkles...so pretty when worked up and gives a bit of bling to the shawls.
Welcome July!!!

6/2/19

Weaving Continues Into June


If I failed to mention in the May Pattern Weaving Posts that the WARP is (white vertical threads) 8 yards long...then I'm telling you now...and WOW...that makes for a lot of weaving!  It's all good though!  I have been able to complete the entire 16 pattern sequences of the Rose Path Sampler Project and still have at least 3 maybe 4 yards of warp left.
     I'm learning a lot about drafting/charting both the threading and treadling patterns.  So let me say from the get go that I am a very visual and hands on learner.  With that said, you can imagine my visual brain sorting out the math calculations for figuring, well...all that math stuff. 
     So 'Charting' it all out and focusing on numbers and rows is good for the brain...or so they say for anyone, but especially for Seniors.     
     Wow, that's a category my brain is still wrapping it's self around.  Still....glad to be able to say I fit that saying...It's never to late to learn new things or the old dog...new tricks thingy.  
     It's a good thing that my loom only has 6 treadles.  Some have as many as 8 and 12....to much math for me...right now at least.
     So, another new thingy for me is the 'Boat Shuttle'.  I ordered 3...red, blue and yellow.  That's it there on the loom with purple yarn on the bobbin.  What a difference it makes in speed and tension.  Right tools....ya know!
This Pattern gets a BIG STAR marked on it for future use. 
It's been my favorite in this Sampler Series....well one of my favs!
Happy June, Ya'll.

5/24/19

Keeping Calm & Weaving On...Not EasyPeasy

 I am always trying to keep my Facebook Banners updated with whatever world of Fiber Art in which I am immersed or overdoing.  Currently, I am immersed, involved, caught up, occupied, engaged and engrossed (thanks synonym AtoZ Challenge) in pattern weaving.  As usual with something new to me, the OverDoSue is creeping in with the need to search and sort through pattern books and so far just about every 4 Shaft 6 Treadle Pattern Draft on Pinterest.  OMG there are so many!

In the effort to make said banners interesting and eye catching...I'm getting a chance to highlight some of the weaving patterns done so far.  It's nice to be able to collage together some of my favorites.
 I truly am trying to 'Keep Calm and Weave On'!

5/23/19

Plain Weaver to Pattern Weaver

OverDoSue has struck again!  So much for saying "All I really want to weave is a plain weave...over under-over under...for rugs, runners, bag inserts, etc.".  It seemed the simplest way to start on the a bit over daunting large floor loom...and it was!  Only requiring 2 of the 4 harnesses to clean and set up.  Only requiring 2 of the 6 treadles to tie up.  I have to say, I wasn't bored or over the over under weaving, and would probably continued for no telling how long.
But, when the opportunity to expand and learn more about the art of weaving presented itself...I went for it!  My friend and Master Weaver Audrey offered to take me to the next step as a weaver.  It required adding the other 2 harnesses, tying up all 6 treadles, learning to calculate warp threads, drafting 'Threading Sequences', drafting 'Treadling Sequences' and getting into a 'Pattern Weaving Zone....focus, focus, focus!
In time...it will not seem so 'OverDoSueness'...I hope!

5/16/19

Mid-May Media Manager

     It's the 'Middle of May'!  I've been an absent blogger since the 'End of April'.  There's a reason...actually, there are several reasons, however, listing them at this point would be pointless.  So, I'm going with the latest catch phrase popular with the pundits... 'Going Forward'.  We use to say...'Moving On'...either way, I'm doing it without too much 'Looking Back'.
     Okay, one 'Look Back' cause I can't remember if I've bragged about how much I LOVE my new studio at The Chicken Farm Art Center.  Shoot, after the April Challenge, I don't remember if I posted about moving from Studio 14 to Studio 10.  Surely, I did, but just in case the picture above pretty much sums up the 'Several Reasons' I've been an absent blogger until now...the 'Middle of May'.
     I must admit....I've been somewhat of a 'Basket Case'.  Not only upping my studio work with fiber and fabric, but adding three mornings a week shuffling paper on and off the computer.  We use to call that 'Office Flunky'...but these days it's 'Media Manager'.  At any rate, my second job is only a few steps away from Studio 10 to the Chicken Farm's Main Studio Office.
So, 'Going Forward' it seems my January-March postings of 52 Weeks Challenge and Sepia Saturday dedicated to ancestors and family history might have to take a 'CatchYaLater' ticket. 
We will see! 
After all, one can only do so much 'Media Management'.

4/30/19

AtoZ 2019...Oh My 'Z' Words & Photos

For AtoZ 2019, Word Prompts come first from 'Family Word Finder' ...
a thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms in alphabetical order. 
I take the first word and the last word of each letter and match it to a
photograph from my collection/files. 
Some invoke words in a story and others invoke that age old adage
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
 
First 'Z' Word Prompt...Zany
Here's the list of synonyms for Zany:
Clownish
Outlandish
Daffy
Dizzy
Crazy
Wild
I say...If the Tiara fits!
 
Last 'Z' Word Prompt...Zoo
My 'Sheep to Shop' Wool Producing Petting Zoo!

4/29/19

AtoZ 2019...Oh My 'Y' Words & Photos

For AtoZ 2019, Word Prompts come first from 'Family Word Finder' ...
a thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms in alphabetical order. 
I take the first word and the last word of each letter and match it to a
photograph from my collection/files. 
Some invoke words in a story and others invoke that age old adage
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
 
 First 'Y' Word Prompt...Yard
 By the Yard
Run 50 Yards
 For the Yard
 Oh My Word.....What A Yard!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Last 'Y' Word Prompt...Yule


4/27/19

AtoZ 2019...Oh My No 'X' Word & One Photo

For AtoZ 2019, Word Prompts come first from 'Family Word Finder' ...
a thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms in alphabetical order. 
I take the first word and the last word of each letter and match it to a
photograph from my collection/files. 
Some invoke words in a story and others invoke that age old adage
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
 
     Here's the deal with the First and Last 'X' Word Prompt....There are no 'X' Words in the 1975 edition of The Family Word Finder.  The book was prepared by the editors of the Readers Digest who evidently had as much or more trouble coming up with 'X' words as most of the AtoZ Challengers do year after year.  So, they just left it out!  Yep, it went straight from wry (last 'w' word) to yank (first 'y' word.
     Can't say I'm too torn up about it, tho!!! 
Now I don't have to match any words to this awesome 'X' photo!

4/26/19

AtoZ 2019...Oh My 'W' Words & Photos

For AtoZ 2019, Word Prompts come first from 'Family Word Finder' ...
a thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms in alphabetical order. 
I take the first word and the last word of each letter and match it to a
photograph from my collection/files. 
Some invoke words in a story and others invoke that age old adage
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
 
 First 'W' Word Prompt...Wade
The first thing we think of is wading through water
...unless you are at a lake that is in a long drought. 
Then it is a walk/trek through mud to reach the water.
 
Ahhhhh...finally water to wade/walk/ford through.
 
Last 'W' Word Prompt...Wry
       I should be familiar with this word...I mean I practice it's opposites/*antonyms almost everyday in my chosen profession as a Fiber Artist.  You see I work hard to cut *straight lines and innately strive for *symmetrically balanced compositions.  I have to work harder to make things look askewed, crooked and twisted.
      Then sometimes I get really lucky and get all the 'Wry' synonyms in one photo.  Amazing how water can contort, warp, and twist a perfectly symmetrical face.

4/25/19

AtoZ 2019...Oh My 'V' Words & Photos

For AtoZ 2019, Word Prompts come first from 'Family Word Finder' ...
a thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms in alphabetical order. 
I take the first word and the last word of each letter and match it to a
photograph from my collection/files. 
Some invoke words in a story and others invoke that age old adage
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
 
 First 'V' Word Prompt...Vacant
     On several posts throughout this challenge, I have given information on the origin of the word prompt used.  Not all words in 'Family Word Finder' have the word origin feature, but for those that do 'Family Word Finder' says, "If you get into the habit of reading the Word origins, you will gain a broad understanding of how our language grew".
    So, let's explore the word 'Vacant'.  Vacant, vacuum, vacuous, vacate, evacuate, void, vacation, vain, vanity and vaunt all come from Latin vacare...to empty and it's adjective form vacuus.  Thus a vacuum is an empty space...a vacuity; a vacuous remark is one empty of intelligencevacant means empty, especially of occupants; and vacate and evacuate mean to make empty or vacant.
     There's more, but I think I'll vacate this line of vacuous remarking and give you the benefit of knowing that the photographed building is certainly empty of occupants...at least the human kind.  However, the relator sign may indicate the building may not be void of possibilities....if you are 'Chip & Joanna', 'This Old House', 'Property Brothers' and me. 
      My non-Latin speaking husband ended that idea with,
"Have you lost your ever lovin' vacuous mind!!!!"
 
Last 'V' word Prompt...Vulnerable
 In April of 2011, a pair of cardinals nested in a rose bush directly in front of our bedroom window.  It was an amazing month or so of photographing the process of nest building, birthing baby cardinals, parenting and eventually being empty nesters. 
     Here are some things I learned about Cardinals and the vulnerabilities of hatching their young.
~The female builds the nest while the male keeps an eye out for her and the surrounding territory for predators and other males. The female will be the only one incubating the eggs.
~The males duty during this time is to feed her on the nest and protect their territory from intruders.
~Once the young hatch, both will feed them. Two broods each season are attempted.
~The nest is made up of twigs, bark strips, vines leaves, rootlets, paper, and lined with vines, grass and hair.
~You can find the nest placed in dense shrubbery or among branches of small trees. Generally 1-15 feet above ground.
~Laying 2-5 eggs that are buff-white with dark marks. The female incubates the eggs for 12- 13 days and the young leave the nest in 9-11 days after hatching.
 
     Obviously the eggs and hatchlings are the most vulnerable to predators like Bluejays who will raid the nests if unguarded
     As the babies grow, they can fall out of the nest and be exposed to the elements and dangers on the ground.  We placed a portable fence around the rose bush.
      The parents often perched on the fence while taking a break, but staying near the nest hardly ever leaving it unguarded by at least one of them.

4/24/19

AtoZ 2019...Oh My 'U' Words & Photos

For AtoZ 2019, Word Prompts come first from 'Family Word Finder' ...
a thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms in alphabetical order. 
I take the first word and the last word of each letter and match it to a
photograph from my collection/files. 
Some invoke words in a story and others invoke that age old adage
"A picture is worth a thousand words."

First 'U' Word Prompt...Ugly
They say there is no such thing as 'Ugly Fabric'.  I'm guessing that goes along with "In the eye of the beholder".  However, my beholding eye does on occasion see some uuugggly fabrics!  Point in case...the greenish, brownish, yellowish, bluish, blahhhhish 5ish yards inherited from an estate.  Notice I said inherited...not a cent spent on the 'Ishie' stuff or any of the other 'Blahhhish Bolts'.  But, you know me...'Waste Not, Want Not' and I never turn down Fabric or Fiber no matter how ugly or lovely!
Once it is paired with a lovely color like turquoise, no longer does it's 'blahishness' seem important.  Instead it serves to highlight the fabrics with which it is combined.
Now, my beholding eye agrees......'There's is no such thing as Ugly Fabric.
 
Last 'U' Word Prompt...Utopia
A perfect place, paradise, Shangri-La in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico!
And then there was the beach and Sister Time....my idea of Utopia!