Second First Saturday for SFFS at The Chicken Farm Art Center

 Sue's Fiber&Fabric Studio is READY for it's Second First Saturday at The Chicken Farm Art Center!  Yesterday..Friday March 3rd...was 'Gettin' Er Ready' day, and believe me I was 'Shakin' My Shamrocks'...after all, I AM 29% Irish!  The other 71% Mutt was tail waggin' to keep up with all the 'GREEN Goin' On'.  How bout it...Lads and Lassie's...wanna a tour?

Well, come on in!!!!

The studio is a whopping 16x16 ft. space, and even though a Wee Bit small compared to my last shop, it sure beats my former space at The Chicken Farm....a 10x10 Pink Tent!  Just steps inside the door your first view is the center of the room cutting table with the 'Make An Apron' display.  On the left is the Clutter Counter...cause I'm a Clutter Bug and want You to buy my 'Clutter Stuff'.  Oh, and behind the counter you will want a closer look at my 'Funky Chicken Row by Row Quilt'.  I'll get that picture for you later.  Right now, please turn to your left and face the back wall....

Whoa!  It's my Irish Apronistas...Modella and Maneykin..'Wearin' O' the Green'!  Oops, looks like Maneykin's slip is showing.  To her right is the display of Rag Rugs, Baskets, Microwave Bowl Warmers and Thread Clutter...baskets full...need some thread!  Now, please step back to the cutting table and check out the Apron Fabric and the front window corner...

About the 'Make An Apron' display...I'm still pushing patterns and kitchen fabrics for folks to make their own...that POST...HERE.  Of course...if you want a custom made apron...I'm your Lassie!  And...you can choose other fabrics from  'The Fabric Wall'...there on your right!  Oh, and there's more fabrics here....

TaDa!!!  How about a closeup of some of my favorite fabrics...can't believe I'm parting with it!

 

Thank-you so much for coming through my door!

Linking To Beverly's How Sweet The Sound Pink Saturday

Colonial Wool to Cyber Cotton

Valentines Day is only a few weeks away and it's not to soon to be thinking about the Sweethearts in your life.  As a matter of fact, I am reminded of my 'One True Love' throughout the year with the empty heart shaped box of chocolates.  It is the center piece of a collection of hearts.  So, it is fitting that it takes center stage in the photos of a craft of my Colonial American ancestors...rag rugs.



My colonial 5x great grandmother Mary Polly choices of materials were limited to wool and flax.  After hours of spinning, braiding and stitching, her rag rugs covered the floors of her colonial log cabin.  What I would give for one of her rag rugs.  It is well known that rag rugs often become family heirlooms and are passed from one generation to another.  I like to think Mary Polly's early American descendants were also rag rug makers and included my ancestors who were part of the westward movement during the late 1800's.  That is when my 2x great grandparents came to Texas.  In the frontier days rag rugs were made of recycled worn clothing, wool blankets and homespun cotton.

 

Along with rag rugs...HEARTS have endured as a popular theme for generations for not just Valentines Day, but for expressing love of hearth and home with quotes like...

Home Sweet Home!

Home is where the heart is!

When there is LOVE in the HOME...there is JOY in the HEART!

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home!

 

I wonder what my Colonial and Frontier Great Grandmothers

would think of today's Cyber Love Cotton Hearts!

For Reals!

 

Linking to

How Sweet The Sounds Pink Saturday

Rag Rug Weigh In

Putting a value on handmade items is one of the most difficult decisions the maker/artist/craftsman has to make.  Regardless of what one pays for the materials or the investment in tools or even the cost of maintaining a studio space, it comes down to what the target market will allow.  For many it comes down to making a sale or sitting on the product and waiting for that one in one hundredth buyer.

Sometimes it's not that the targeted consumer doesn't admire and want the rag rug...for instance...it's their comparison chart that often makes or breaks the sale.  First, they think "I can buy that at Wherever-Mart for much less...it's going to get walked on for Pete's sake". 

Then there is the shopper like me..."I can make that myself".  Oh, really?  You are going to go home or go shopping for the fabrics, sharpen or buy the assortment of cutting tools, find the right size crochet hook, set up sewing machine...all that before you can start on the rug.  Then there is sizing, cutting and sewing strips together and rolling them into a workable and efficient form...see Swifting and Sewing Scrap Strips. Yay! finally ready to start making that rug...and it's only been how many hours, days, weeks to get to this point?  Yeah, I shoulda bought it!

As it happens, that one in one hundredth shopper who is willing to pay the 'It's Worth' price, had a grandmother who made rag rugs, or recognizes the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.  And regardless of whether they could go home and make it themselves, knows the TIME it takes to create this one of a kind rug that will last forever...maybe become a 'Family Heirloom.

A sale like that gives me a great sense of heartfelt satisfaction, but...it doesn't...as they say..."pay the bills".  So how do I arrive at a target market value...I WEIGH it!

Here is a 'Rule of Thumb' weigh in for Rag Rug fabric...

6 yards...stripped and rolled = 1.5 pounds

6 yards fabric...averaged price of $5 yard = $30

'Rule of Thumb' size and weight of Rag Rugs...

24"x36" Oval = 3 pounds 

36" Round = 3.5 pounds

24"x 36" Rectangle = 3.5 pounds

Obviously, the smaller or larger the rug,
the adjustment of yardage affects the cost of materials. 

And then there is the TIME!

And that, too, depends on how...'You Weigh It In'.

 

Linking to

How Sweet The Sounds Pink Saturday

I Recycle Vieux Denim...Le Faites Vous?

Haute...pronounced 'ot'...is defined as fashionably elegant or high-class.  It's a French word and often paired with another French fashion word Couture...pronounced 'catore'. 

I know a few words in French...oui which is pronounced yep in Texan.  The opposite of oui...non which is nope in the Lone Star State.  One of my favorites...Paris...also a place in Texas.  So, it's no wonder I am drawn to publications that have French titles like Haute Handbags and Altered Couture.

Of course the words Handmade and Altered are key words, too.  I am especially interested when the cover photo and featured titles include 'DENIM'...the 'Hi-Fashion Fabric' of Texas.  Here in Texas we pronounce it 'den-um', 'wraaang-lars', or jeans.

One last French word...recycler. Oui, it is pronounced the same in Texan...just drop the 'r'.  Okay, now a few words about denim in French.

"Je recycle vieux denim.  Le faites vous?"

"I recycle old denim.  Do you?

 

Of course you do...recycle old jeans....and you probably collect and repurpose denim, too.  My 'Repurpose/Recycle Jeans Stash' is stacked a mile high, occupies several ToteTubs and spare parts fill bow-coo bins and baskets...merci beaucoup!  I never turn them down when offered...any and all sizes and in any condition.  Ever so often I buy a new pair, but for the most part, I wear the ones I have had for years...they are broke in. 

 Lately, I have been on a 'Bag Making Binge', and decided I needed some 'Haute Couture' inspiration.  The result is a series of small bags made from my recycle/repurpose jeans stash.  This group of bags makes use of the front and back pocket sections which are cut away from the zipper and side seams.  The waist band is removed with a seam ripper to expose the raw, frayed edge of the waist.  A little fringing, machine embroidery, rick rack and star studs give this bag a Cowgirl theme, and the pink chevron lining adds that Hi-Fashion look that is so Trendy today.

The cost of this TexHaute Bag....pronounced Louis Vuitton in French...was 'quatre-vingt dix-neuf cents'....Texlation ninety-nine cents.  Oui, 99 cents for a pink belt that is now a star studded strap. 

Speaking of Pink...Linking To:

Beverly's How Sweet the Sound

Pink Saturday 

Blogging Trends in 2014

I'm not a 'TREND SETTER', but I'm thinking for 2014 I could be...or not!
It depends on how I manage and like this 'Latest Blog Make-over'.
On this last Saturday of 2013, I am beginng what I am calling

Day~By~Day on CollectInTexas Gal.

After five years of blogging about

 Collecting, Decorating, Dishes, Family History, Needleworks, Texas and Whatever,

it is time to 'Re-Organize and Prioritize'.

That's what one does for the beginning of a New Year when New Years Resolutions

are NOT Happening....at least not as 'Statements To Make a Liar Outta Me'.
 

'Trends for Blogging in 2014'....I Googled that....and sure enough there were several hits.   Mostly from marketing analysts who agree that 'Content' is STILL 'King', but that the King's Content should be served up on Social Media Silver Platters and spread throughout the World Wide Webkingdom.  Well, there's where I'm going to get off the Trend Setter Wagon....even though I am somewhat trendy with CITexas Gal on Facebook and Pinterest in a limited way.  For those whose time and interest lies there...more power!

For this GRIT, 'Girl Raised In Texas'...I use to say that a lot...CollectInTexas Gal's Trending for 2014 will be Day~By~Day with: 

MakeIt~ShowIt Monday      

Tricks of My Trades Tuesday

WorksInProgress Wednesday  

Collected Treasures Thursday

YeOlde Family Friday   

Sue's Special Shares Saturday

KeepingIt Simple Sunday 

  

It's a way of including ALL the Aspects of the last five years and
 'Re-Organizing and Prioritizing' via the Calendar. 

 Will I post everyday of the Week on Topic? 

Will I become Blogger's Next Blog of Note? 

Do Pigs Fly?
Linking To:
Beverly's How Sweet The Sound's Pink Saturday



The Right Stuff for Stitchin' Quilt Binding

Much Ado has been made about 'The Right Stuff'. 

It's a Book...It's a Movie...It's a Song!

And for Handstitchin' Binding...It's

A Cup of Coffee...A Leather Thimble...Needle and Thread...and TWO Favorite Things! 

 THREAD HEAVEN...It's soooo The Right Stuff for knot free stitching of all kinds,

but especially for stitching down binding. 

It conditions your thread and makes it slide through fabric without tangeling and making knots. 

It's easy to use and lasts and lasts and lasts! 

Look for it at your Local Fabric Shop or order it OnLine...Link at bottom of this post.

MAGNIFYING LAMP...It's soooo the Right Thing for 'Proper Lighting' and 'Saving Sight'!

Mine is a Thrift Shop Find many years ago.   

You can find the Desk Top Ott Light at most Fabric Shops or check out the one I found

 for you OnLine...Link at the bottom of this post.   

So now I'd better get back to stitchin' down the binding on the

SewAlong Butterfly Bundle Quilt and my Coffee.

When I finish, I'd like to read Kelly Long's latest book

Threads of Grace

Don't you just love reading 'Quilting Stories'? 

Linking To:
Beverly's Pink Saturday
Claudia's Favorite Thing

Gluten Free Baking for Christmas

It's been way tooooo long since I posted about Gluten Free Cooking and Baking.

I do want you to know that I haven't given it up....Gluten Free Cooking and Eating.

Nope, it's a permanent part of my life.  You know that when the stockers at the grocery store tag you

The Label Reading Lady.

They are really helpful...the stockers...they Tag the isles and shelves Gluten Free and then direct traffic around that isle warning shoppers that the Label Reading Lady is parked there for an unknown amount of time.  Isn't that nice?  They also stock a variety of Gluten Free Pre-Mixes for Pizza, Cakes, Cookies and more QuickNeasy cooking and baking.  As much as I like Quick and Easy, I don't buy many of those products now that I have learned to Bake and Cook Gluten Free from Scratch.

 Instead, I buy Gluten Free Flours and other ingredients called for in my collection of Gluten Free Cookbooks.

Like Gluten Free Every Day by Robert M. Landolphi. 

It really is an everyday kind of cookbook. 

This morning I made a loaf of GF Bread and decided to make a batch of Christmas Cookies while I had my counter full of baking stuff....and...
I was in the mood !

Of course the Bread Recipe is MINE and you can find the recipe and tutorial for bread machine gluten free bread at this link:

The Gluten Free Bread Baking Roundup and Tutorial

You'll also find a list of  GF Cooking and Baking Posts at this link:

Cooking, Baking and Serving with Sue

Now....Let's bake these cookies....

As you can see, other than the GF Flours, the rest of the ingredients are pretty much what you would have in your cabinet and pantry.  Even the oven setting is a standard Cookie 350 degrees, however, I will give you a quick tip about Timing for Doneness...it takes longer.  Not hotter....just longer in the oven.  This recipe suggested 10 to 12 minutes....up that to 15 on the lower rack and another couple of minutes on the top rack while the second batch is on their first 15 minutes.  (Keep in mind YOUR OVEN's idiosync's...mine may be on the low side of 350 degrees)



The recipe says to drop a teaspoon of the dough two inches apart.

That tells me the dropped dough will flatten and spread out...wouldn't you think so?

Well, it doesn't...much...so I spread the teaspoon full out and put them closer together!

Makes for more cookies on the sheet per batch and fewer batches!

That's a plus when the recipe makes SIX DOZEN cookies!

Have you ever made PENUCHE Frosting?

I'd never even heard of it...much less made or eaten any...that I knew of!

I don't put stuff on my food that I don't know 'What IsIt'.

So, I Googled it!

Penuche (Italian: panucci) is a fudge-like candy made from brown sugar, butter, and milk, using no flavorings except for vanilla.  Penuche often has a tannish color, and is lighter than regular fudge.

Funny thing....this Italian fudge/frosting is primarily a Regional food

found in New England and some places in the Southern US.

Oh Yeah, I have eaten that Light Brown Fudge...here in Texas we call that 'Muddy Fudge'.

Anyway, I made 'Muddy Frosting', sprinkled it with Snow (powdered sugar) and Red Sprinkles!

Mmmmm....That's Amore'!!!!
And It's Going To Be So Good To Be
Home for The Holidays
with Beverly at
 How Sweet the Sound Pink Saturday
 

Merry Christmas Ya'll

Famous Blog's Fourth Birthday

How Sweet The Sound's Pink Saturday

Pink is a Sensational Color ~ Here's to PINK...

Brighter pinks are youthful, fun, and excitng, while vibrant pinks have the same high energy as red...

they are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive.

First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, who loved and wore pink so much it became known as "Mamie Pink".

Pastries taste better when they come out of pink boxes or served on pink plates.

The Pink Ribbon is an internationally recognized symbol of hope and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

In 1947, fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli introduced the color SHOCKING PINK to western fashion.

Popular Pink Phrases

Tickled Pink...to be happy~~In the Pink...good health-good fortune

Pinkie Finger...smallest finger on the hand~~Pink Slip...so long JOB.

Pink is the color of happiness!!!

Pink encourages Friendliness and Good Will!!!

Pink Saturday is ALL this and MORE!!!

And That's the Truth, Ya'll !!!!

As Always...Thanks Beverly for making Saturday's Pink!!!

Pink Saturday's Fourth Birthday Party

at

How Sweet The Sound

Vintage Photos...Collecting and Sharing On Pink Saturday

I love old photos...especially ones of my ancestors...but related or not, I find collecting them to be an intriguing look into the Past.  I am afterall, looking at 'Real People' who lived real lives with real families, hopes dreams and aspirations.  

  One of my favorite ways of collecting old photos is as part of a Still Life Photo.  Like the two I'm showing here for Pink Saturday.  They are not part of my physical collection, but part of my Photos of  Vintage Photos Collection.   I start with a photo and add pieces to the set up that relate to what the photo says to me.  For instance, the young man in the heavy coat.  Just look at that coat with those big buttons....old cards of big buttons....perfect prop.  I knew I'd be using this for Pink Saturday so I needed a touch of pink and found it in the vintage pin cushion of fabric from about the same era.   Don't you think that the coat looks a bit too big for him?  Hmmmmm....there's a STORY in there, too...another Prompt for another Pink Saturday!

Here's a list of Vintage Photo Websites that might interest Ya'll.

Ancient Faces

Save The Photos

Forgotten Old Photos

The Cabinet Card Gallery

Be sure and check out the SideBars of each of these sites for

Links to More Vintage Photo Sites.

I am very fortunate to have these Family Heirlooms and original photographs of my Great Grandmother. 

 Don't they make a wonderful Photo for My Vintage Photo Collection?

See My Great Grandmothers Vintage Photo Album in the Post below

Treasure Chest Thursday...Family Heirloom Photo Album

Speaking of Treasures....Beverly at How Sweet The Sound

Pink Saturday Pinkies List November 12, 2001

And As Always...Thanks Beverly for Making Saturday Pink!

Sick In The Head? There's A Pink Cure!

"A lady who has been troubled with the neuralgia in her head, used a bag of hot oats at night as a pillow.  She says: "heat the oats in a kettle over the fire, or in a pan in your oven.  I have never been troubled with neuralgia any place but in my head so I cannot say how beneficial it would be for neuralgia in other parts of the body."  Another cure is drinking hot lemonade."

{An Army Wife's Cookbook with Household Hints and Home Remedies}

Yes, I was an Army wife, and some might have said I was 'Sick in the Head', but a couple of Tylenol sure worked better than a 'Bag of Oats Pillow'.  Sure makes me glad I was a 20th Century Army Wife and not a 19th Century Frontier Army Wife.

You might be wondering what 'Sick In The Head' has to do with my Pink Saturday Post about Valerian!  Well, I found this stand of Valerian growing in The Frontier Army Wife...Mrs. Alice Grierson's Herb Garden.

The Herb Garden is located just out the back door of Mrs. Grierson's Frontier Fort Kitchen...see post below.  Alice Kirk Grierson was the wife of Commander Benjamin Grierson who organized the 10th U.S. Cavalry, one of two mounted regiments composed of black enlisted men and white officers, called the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Davis, Texas.  

HiHoney and I visited the National Historic Site of Fort Davis, and of course I had to find a bit of Pink to share for Pink Saturday.

Little did I know that this bit of Pink was one of Alice's Home Remedy Herbs.  I was just so amazed it had survived the Boots of the Buffalo Soliders, the Comanches, the summer of  1875, and this summer's wildfires which burned thousands of acres in the Davis Mountains and came very near Old Fort Davis.

Okay...back to 'The Pink Cure'... here you see a pan of dried Valerian on the kitchen counter, and although Alice didn't include the Valerian Neuralgia Cure Recipe in her Cookbook, I'm sure it was grown and used for that purpose or perhaps for her Homemade Perfume.

That's right Ya'll...Homemade Perfume...one whiff would 'Cure Ya or Kill Ya"!

It is said that the 'Root of Valerian' produces an Oil that attracts Cats and Rats!

What a versatile Herb

...headache, perfume, catnip and rat trap bait...

no wonder Alice grew it in her garden.

You will notice, though, that it was not grown in the same part of the Herb Garden

 as the Lavender, Sage, Parsley and Lemon Balm.

So there ya have it...A touch of Pink from the Wild West Frontier!

Be sure and stop by Beverly's

How Sweet The Sound

and get a

Whiff of her Pink Roses!

And As Always...Thanks Beverly for

Making Saturdays Pink!

March Equinox ~ Marks Time for Spring and Pink Saturday!!!

The March equinox occurred on March 20th, and marked the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and fall (autumn) in the southern hemisphere from an astronomical viewpoint. 

Twice a year, around March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world. These two days are known as the March(vernal or spring in the northern hemisphere) equinox and the September equinox.

Whew!  Now that we are all UpOn the March Equinox via the Scientific MumboJumbo,

 I can tell Ya'll in my own Plain Talkin' Texas way.

Spring has Sprung in Texas!

Yep, the Mesquite Trees have bloomed...that's a sure sign that there'll be no more Freeze...cross your fingers!

The Birds are Back and have been flocking to my Birdie Bed and Breakfast!

HiHoney and I renovated the Birdie Bed and Breakfast this year so the Birdies

 would have a place to relax, have a snack, take a bath, visit and chirp with other feathered friends and

STAY OUT of THE GARDEN!

Can't you just hear what Mr. Smarty Cardinal is chirping,

"Surely, she's NOT talkin' about ME...I'm Special and So Handsome...

and Boy Howdy do those Peppers and Tomatoes look Yummy!" 

Now, you just hold on one second Mr. SmartBeak Cardinal!!!

You might be the Best Lookin' Birdie around here, but you best get your TailFeathers over here and register before messin' with the Peppers and Tomatoes!

And I just Double Dare you to mess with the Pink Petunies!

I've been saving them for

Beverly's Pink Saturday

and

The Pinky Linky List of  Pinkies