My love for sewing and crafts was established in my pre-teens and fully encouraged by my grandmother and parents. Although I thoroughly enjoy sewing for my home, I find that the real excitement and full satisfaction comes from creating for others.
I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the stands I had for my iPad. The case I bought for the tablet is great for protection, but not so great for standing it on edge. Since I spend a great deal of time with it propped up watching videos or listening to podcasts, I needed something that was more stable. I tried using a plate stand, but it was forever catching on the case for the iPad. Each time I went to use the tablet, the stand toppled over. It was a balancing act just to put it back in the stand as well.
I had seen in my internet travels where you could make your own pillow stand with just a couple of seams, fiberfill and a bit of a weight. After reviewing several patterns, I decided on the Nancy Zieman version with an alteration or two.
I practiced on the smaller version first. My phone served as the Guinea pig. It is a simple design and took no time at all.
For the weighted bottom, I used rice. Dry beans, small marbles, aquarium stones, pea gravel, etc would work just as well to give it stability. I made a small inner bag to hold the rice and stuffed the remaining pillow with fiberfill.
Nancy added cording to the base to keep the tech item from sliding. Since there was not a piece to be found in my inventory, I made a half inch channel for the item to sit in. I then filled to the end of the unit with more fiberfill and sealed the edge.
For the larger version, within the half inch channel is a kabob skewer, cut to width and no pointy end. Just an experiment, but it seems to add more staying power, since I didn't have the cording.
Don't be afraid to change things around. Patterns are blueprints, as well as guidelines. You're the designer, after all. Have fun with it!
So 2015 has come and gone, and I have finished every block of the BrownieKnits blanket along. What a fun way to learn how to knit. Block 11 was a bit of lace work. I had the most trouble with this one. I believe it was the yarn overs that gave me trouble. Only practice will help that issue.
Block 12 was more cables combined with the seed stitch. This was the
prettiest of all twelve to me.
Now it's time to wash, block, and sew together. The pattern calls for it to be seamed with a simple mattress stitch. The garter stitch edges serve as sashing, but I think I'm going to add more on my own. Since my squares are all the same color, I thought a contrasting color made by crochet would be nice. Maybe a darker blue, or white. Perhaps a half double crochet around each a block, crochet join, then a crochet border around the entire blanket. What do you think? Maybe I need to stretch my knit skills to borders, but I'm not ready yet, and I just want it to be done!!
Wheat Scarf
My car project for the last couple of months has been the Wheat Scarf by Tin Can Knits. A fun and simple pattern, but with all scarves, can be a bit boring after you're halfway, doing the same repeat for miles😉. I have nearly a whole skein of the same color left over, so I was thinking maybe a hat or fingerless gloves would make a nice set.
Hubby asked for a knit hat in black. He picked out the Antler hat by Tin Can Knits. More cables, but I'm a lot more comfortable with them now. The black yarn is causing a bit of an issue. My eyes are not what they used to be, so very bright light seems to be in order. Still, it's a fun knit.
Seat Belt Pockets
Hubby also made a special request for a seat belt pocket pouch for the work truck. He is a commercial truck driver who wears black t-shirts nearly everyday. If an officer or D.O.T. Inspector suspects you are not wearing the seatbelt, they will pull you over in a heartbeat. Just the other day he passed an officer going in the opposite direction. It was obvious he was checking out the seatbelt. The neon colors stick out like a sore thumb.
Beware: it's not just the truck drivers they are watching!
The other sewing projects I've been working on have been walker/wheelchair pocket pouches. These are great for hands free operation of your mobility device. This group will most likely end up in my local assisted living facility. They are available for special order in a color and/or print of your choosing. Just give me buzz here or on Etsy.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
The Legend of the Candy Cane
According to legend there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ.
First of all, he used a hard candy because Christ is the rock of ages. This hard candy was shaped so that it would resemble a "J" for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd's staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ.
Finally a red stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of the world, and thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf when the Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a reminder that Jesus is a gift from God.
The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
So, every time you see a candy cane, remember the message of the candy maker:
