November 2009
Monthly Archive
November 30, 2009
Lapghan Kisses
I finally finished, and it is in the mail today. Several months ago, I asked a few members of my Fiber Artists group on Ravelry to help me make a special lapghan for one of our dear members, Keesha. And, this past weekend, I finally finished it. I added a soft, knit fabric lining to the back of the lapghan for added comfort. Unfortunately, I had to hand-stitch the fabric to the yarn. I wish I could have used my sewing machine, but I was told that it would not work. {Sigh}
Keesha is an amazing woman. A former teacher, Keesha is always giving to the others around her and educating others about her chronic illnesses, including Chiari Malformation and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She has had 16 brain and spinal cord surgeries to help her live another day, but there is no cure for her rare, disabling conditions. And, like many of us these days, we are struggling financially to care for ourselves, our pets and our families. Yet, when she is on our boards, she is always inspiring us and giving us hope. We don’t know how much longer Keesha has on this earth, but we know we want her around for as long as humanly possible.
To read more about Keesha and find additional resources for Ehlers-Danlos and Chiari Malformation, read her blog here. You can also purchase items at her store here, and help raise funds for the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project’s Research Fund to find a cure for Chiari and Syringomyelia.
All chronic illnesses can be isolating. Loss of friends, co-workers and family members who are just too busy with their regular lives to stop and check in with you or visit is part of our new reality. And, people can get tired of asking “How are you?” when the answer always includes pain and suffering. We know that people don’t intentionally forget us. But, it seems to be human nature to try and avoid pain and suffering, and interacting with us can be a reminder that life is far from perfect.
I hope this lapghan reminds Keesha that we have not forgotten her, that we miss her dearly, and that we wrap her in love and prayers each day for her and her family. Lapghan kisses and hugs for Keesha. This holiday season, drop a note and reconnect with someone you may have forgotten. Connecting with the world helps us move forward to another day. And, that note or phone call can be the best gift you can give. It is never too late to be a friend.
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November 23, 2009
Sewing Machine Illusion Knit
Well, my friend Lorna gave me this photo of her knit sample of my sewing machine illusion knit. While working my chart, she caught some corrections that my tired eyes did not see. There were three rows where the purl stitches were not marked in Rows 38, 46 and 50 working from the bottom-up on the chart. Lorna has worked my charts before, so she was able to self-correct. Thanks Lorna!
I wanted to let you know that the corrections have been made to the file, and the new missing stitches are marked with a red dash. They are all purl stitches. The file can be downloaded here.
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November 21, 2009
Guitar Image
Well, it is illusion knit day for me today. I just finished another charted pattern. This one is of a guitar. Thanks Lorna for requesting this one. This was a fun one to figure out. This pattern is chart only; I will try to add the written instructions by the end of the year.
The PDF file can be downloaded here and can also be found on Ravelry. Have fun!
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November 21, 2009
Posted by kkhymn under
The Cat's Meow | Tags:
Cats |
[3] Comments
I just had to update you with new pictures of Reina. She loves to stand up and sit in this chair while the other two cats are walking by… She has adjusted to everything fabulously and is still the queen of my heart.
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Picture Purrfect
Cat's Meow
What Are You Looking At?
Just Checking Things Out
November 21, 2009
Sewing Machine Image
Well, of course my next illusion knit pattern will be one of a sewing machine!I have yet to knit up a sample, once I have a real photo of this finished project, I will share it with you.
You can download the PDF file of the pattern here. The pattern is also available on Ravelry. This pattern is charted only; I hope to add the written instructions by the end of the year.
This pattern automatically has knit only edging so it won’t curl up as much when you have finished it. Enjoy!
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November 20, 2009
Paw Print Illusion Knit
Well, one of my friends on Ravelry just finished my Paw Print Illusion Knit pattern, and she shared the completed photo with me. It is a very popular pattern!
You can download the PDF file of the pattern here. The pattern is also available on Ravelry. This pattern is charted only; I hope to add the written instructions by the end of the year.
This pattern automatically has knit only edging so it won’t curl up as much when you have finished it. Enjoy!
© https://kkhymn.wordpress.com
November 18, 2009
Sewing Machine Cover
Well, it has been some pain filled days and nights, and I have gotten very little crafting or sleeping done. But, I did manage to make a sewing machine cover for Amelia Anne. This was only after attempting to make one without any pattern at all, pain levels interfering with my success and wasting some lovely red fabric.
So, my anti-measuring brain came up with a new idea. Take the ugly, paper sewing machine cover that came with my machine and break it apart so I can use it as a pattern template. That way, I know exactly how to make the hole on the top of the sewing machine cover for the handle. And, the cover will fit perfectly for my machine.
Well, it did not come out as square and perfect as the original paper cover. But, it still fits! And, now Amelia Anne will be protected from dust and other airborne dangers.
Things I learned along the way:
- Don’t be afraid to break apart what you have to create something new.
- Failures and first attempts are learning experiences for the next project.
- Breaking a sewing machine needle can be traumatic; you have to find all the broken pieces and take it out of your machine to avoid more serious repairs.
- Frayed edges on fabric can be solved using a glue called Fray Check on the edges, gluing on ribbon to the inside edges, cutting the edges with scalloping shears, adding a zigzag stitch to your edges or having a serger. (So that is what a serger is for!)
- I really wish there was a Ravelry for Sewing! Finding patterns the old way is too much work.
Of course, after I found my own way to create my sewing machine cover, I found several patterns on the internet:
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November 12, 2009
Life is One Stitch at a Time
Today I got some Coraline pins from my order on Etsy. There were six pins from the movie and the original book. I immediately went to my sewing machine to add a couple of the buttons on my Amelia Anne.
Here’s how I got the pins on the machine:
- I took the pins out using a pair of scissors to twist the wires and remove them.
- Then I glued a button to the back of each pin. The button should be the size of the back of the pin so that it closes the gap and makes back of the pin level.
- Then I glued the button, with the Coraline pin already secure, on the machine.
No Place Like Home
I realized why I like Coraline so much – she reminds me that there is no place like home. Not a theme that immediately came to my mind. Not My Mother, Button Eyes are Scary and I Don’t Want a Doll that Looks Like Me Anymore are what I first think of when watching the movie, Coraline.
But, as I was thinking of where to place my first button, I realized that No Place Like Home is a theme for the movie. Which, of course, reminds me of another favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz.
Now both of these favorites are on my sewing machine to inspire me. Two completely different movies and novels, but both classics for future generations.
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November 12, 2009
Enjoy this series of pics caught today of my three cats together at the door. Hope it makes you laugh out loud. And, what was that secret? Reina, Gabe and Linda aren’t talking.
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Gabe tells Reina, “Look I have a secret …. don’t tell Linda!”
Linda starts to walk away, slightly offended.
Linda says, “Wait! I have changed my mind. Let me in and tell me that secret!”
November 11, 2009
Sewing Machine Front
Well, I have just about finished decorating Amelia Anne, my beloved sewing machine. I just have a few spots left on the back side, and I will be ready to sew again … and to be inspired every day by her retro chic decor.
I wiped off part of the original work that I completed. As I was decorating her, I realized the look was not as artistic as I liked, so I rethought my themes for the decor and started again. Now, Amelia Anne is a definite work of art, and more retro chic rather than retro cute. There is a bitchy side, an artistic side, a childlike wonder, and a hopeful side to her decor. To view all her completed photos, click here.
Amelia Anne Back
Has Amelia Anne inspired you? Here are some tips for decorating your own sewing machine:
Before you start decorating your machine, think about the style of decor you want and any themes that fit that style. Have plenty of glue, paper towels and nail polish remover on hand. And, don’t forget your pair of scissors and a camera to take your completed photos.
Do you want to cover the entire machine, not leaving any white space? Or, do you want to keep the style simpler? Either way, be sure not to cover up any of the natural lines and structural elements of the machine. Keep the model information, screws, and drawers intact so that repairs and normal sewing machine tasks can still be easily completed.
Sew Me
Be sure to keep the area at the front base of the machine (where the needle is) flatly decorated, without 3-dimensional decor. This will allow you to sew your material the same way you have before it is decorated. Feel free to decorate other parts of the machine with 3-dimensional objects such as buttons, charms, magnets and fabric!
When choosing stickers to decorate your machine, select those created for scrapbooking. They are acid-free, will be less likely to deteriorate over time, and are easier to reposition or remove as you change your mind during the decorating process. If you choose the regular stickers, they can still be removed, but it may require more effort and you may not be able to save them for reuse. Nail polish remover removes practically everything – including stuck on stickers. But, use the nail polish remover sparingly because it can remove the smooth top coat of your machine.
When using buttons, choose your glue and buttons carefully. Some glues work better than others, and you may have to try several times to get the buttons to stay in place. A hot glue gun is good but may be harder to remove if you want to quickly reposition the object.
A Bit Angry ...
Clean the area each time before placing the glue and button or other 3-D object on the machine. Use a wet paper towel, or if needed, wipe with nail polish remover, followed by the wet paper towel. Dry the area with a dry paper towel before starting again. Watch for sliding buttons as they dry – you may need to hold the button in place for several minutes. The sliding effect can also occur with other 3-dimensional objects too.
Don’t forget to give your machine a name … you are personalizing her, so why not name her?
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