Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Frogs and Peace Signs…..New Fabric at GoofingOff

During one of my infamous scavenger hunts I found this cute frog fabric in blues and green. I’m thinking Passover Seder (I know, I’m early but since I’m usually a day late and a dollar short I thought this is good). Maybe coasters, placemats, napkins…..fun stuff to keep the kids interested. The fabric is 100% cotton and is available in fat quarters, that is unless I can find more. Then it will be available by the yard but for now, fat quarters it is.
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Here’s another one available in the GoofingOff shop for all you hippies out there (and those who wish they were).
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This fabric is also 100% cotton, light blue with blue and green peace signs all over….and a few white spots, too. This fabric is made by VIP by Cranston Print Works.
Fun stuff…to goof off with.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Dumpster Save of the Day…..World War II Photos

Memorial Day weekend and I’ve been working on curtains (new ones to match my newly painted living room), the garden (weeding and harvesting), and my poodle posse (freshly groomed). I even built a newsletter for the shop (I refuse to say “I wrote it”…I built that darn thing). I’ve been pretty busy and then the hubby came in with an old scrapbook that once belonged to a friend who passed away about 10 years ago. My busy day came to a screeching halt when I saw the book. Seems this scrapbook was destined for the dumpster when our eagle-eyed nephew noticed it and rescued it. Good thing he did, too. Part of the book had clippings from 1946-1960’s of the Gold Star Mothers. Interesting. The rest were incredible photos taken during WWII by our friend who served in the Aleutians and then “somewhere in the Pacific” before the war ended. After the war ended he was stationed in Japan (he gave me a Japanese doll and some fabric from then, treasures). Anyway, here’s some of the photos. 

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I’m not sure where this picture was taken but he donated a copy of it to our local DAV.

Flatbed-011 Flatbed-013 Flatbed-015This is Warren. I knew him when he was gray haired.

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Thank you, to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. God Bless you all. To those who serve now, thank you and stay safe.

Post by Eileen Patterson

Friday, May 25, 2012

Grooming the Poodle Posse

This weekend marks the start of summer, maybe not officially but Memorial Day weekend means grilling, beaching, and taking out those white shoes you stashed away during the winter. In my world of sewing patterns and fabric, Memorial Day weekend doesn’t mean eating a burger out by the pool. It means my dog groomer went on vacation and might be gone for six, count them, six weeks. That also means leaving my redneck, digging in the dirt, looking for frog poodles still need haircuts and baths. After being attacked by blood thirsty fleas, having poodle wool up my nose, and re-cleaning the bathroom, they are somewhat presentable. Not as good as Miss Shirley (she is truly gifted with clippers) but at least there are no more mats, a few less fleas (where’s the Advantage?), and one less tick (EWWWW!) to attack the posse….that is until they go frogging again.

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Fred and Annie. Salty ’s sitting on the porch swing.

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Don’t forget to check out the Judaic fabrics listed. There’s new ones. Lots more patterns for sewing, knitting, and crochet, too.

 Crochet Pattern PDF Afghans Columbia Minerva Ebook

You could crochet or knit a blanket while at the pool. Pick out an easy one and knock it out over a weekend. Fun and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

 

Oh, and here’s an idea for Father’s Day…..a vintage fishing lure key chain from MetalWoodsnWater.

Vintage Fishing Lure Keychain Silver with light Blue Sides and White Belly

Have a great weekend and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Crochet and Knitting Abbreviations

This Mother's Day weekend I would like to pay homage to a woman who taught me to knit, crochet, and to value hard work, my grandmother. Among my many treasures is a shawl she crocheted for me. I saw a picture in a magazine and showed it to her. The next day there was a finished product, although a little different (OK, a lot different) than the magazine photo. When I asked her about it she said she couldn't make heads or tails of the pattern so she made her own.
Freida Greenberg Askwith in a rare beach photo. Rare because she was  redhead  with freckles so she'd limit her sun exposure. Cool sunglasses. Hot temper. Loved her grand kids. 

Knowing how to read a crochet or knitting pattern can mean the difference between a beautiful finished project and an unfinished one (UFO). Then again, you might be like Nanny and make an original pattern (or like me and have another UFO).  With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to share some common abbreviations used in patterns. I found these abbreviations in a book from Coats and Clark, the maker of wonderful yarn and thread. Hope they help

beg...................................begin(ning)
CA, CB, CC, etc.............Color A, B, C, etc
ch....................................chain
dc....................................double crochet
dec..................................decrease
hdc...................................half double crochet
inc....................................increase
K.....................................knit
K2tog..............................knit 2 together (dec)
lp(s).................................loop(s)
mm..................................millimeters
P.....................................purl
pat..................................pattern
rem.................................remaining
rep.................................repeat
rnd(s).............................round(s)
RS.................................right side
sc..................................single crochet
sk..................................skip
sl...................................slip 
sl st................................slip stitch
sp(s)..............................space(s)
st(s)...............................stitch(es)
St st...............................stockinette stitch (knit right side rows, Purl wrong side rows)
tog.................................together
WS................................wrong side
yo..................................yarn over

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Freebies Free Knit Socks Pattern

While going through an old magazine, I found this knitting pattern for a pair of knee highs. Cute! I thought I’d post it now to give followers a chance to play with the pattern. It’s looks like a good project to take along and work on while sitting at the beach, riding in the car, or even in the doctor’s office. Here’s the picture:

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It’s a one-size-fits-all pattern, calls for 8 ounces of 4 ply worsted-weight yarn, and 1 set of No.6 double-pointed needles (English needles no. 7). Here’s the pattern:

Gauge: 5 st = 1 inch; 8 rnds = 1 inch

Note: work in rounds with right side facing you; mark beg of rnds.

Starting at top, cast 9 sts onto 1st needle, 18 sts onto 2nd needle and 9 sts onto 3rd needle (36 sts). Work even in k 2, p 2 ribbing for 2 inches.

Pattern: 1st and 2nd rnds: P 1, (k 2, p 2) 8 times; k 2 p1. 3rd and 4th rnds: (P 2, k 2) 9 times. 5th and 6th rnds: K 1, (p 2, k 2) 8 times; p 2, k 1. 7th and 8th rnds: (K 2, p 2) 9 times.

Repeat last 8 rnds for pattern until piece measures 22inches from beg or 1” less than desired length to toe.

To Shape Toe: 1st rnd: Across 1st needle work k 7, k 2 tog; across 2nd needle work sl 1, k 1 psso, k 7 (32 sts). 2nd through 6th rnds: K around and dec 1 st at end of 1st needle, dec 1 sl st at beg and end of 2nd needle, dec 1 st at beg of 3rd needle (12 sts). Break off, leaving 10” strand. Draw strand through remaining sts and pull tightly. Fasten on wrong side.

Good luck with with socks. They are cute and would make wonderful Christmas gifts. Maybe stitch someone’s name on the side and use one to hang on the fireplace mantel? You’d definitely be creating an heirloom (not to mention not having to worry about knitting the right size sock or non-chalantly measuring the intended gift receiver’s leg….”Why do you want to measure my leg? Making something?” “Er, no……Just checking to see if the length of your calf is proportionate to your arm. What makes you think I’m making something?” See what I mean?

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Monday, May 7, 2012

Monday Madness: Taking Flowers Pictures

Good Monday morning, everyone! Nurses’ Week started today and I’ve been working with old photos to make a poster for our unit. Looking at all those old photos got me in the picture taking mood. I have a couple of favorite things to take pictures of but I love taking flower pictures. They hold still. They don’t close their eyes. They never complain they look fat or their make up isn’t right. I don’t have to chase them around the yard or wash their faces for the shot. So, with all those pluses in mind I looked around my garden and noticed I have colorful zinnias, bright yellow squash blossoms, and gardenia blossoms (the first on one bush…I am so excited, like a new baby being born) crying out to have their picture taken.




I’m not an expert, though, just a crazy lady with a camera. I found this article in my email about taking pictures of flowers using a regular camera to make macro shot photos. Thought I’d share the article then experiment. I’ll post the pics later.



Here’s the article:

Why your compact digital camera may be a wide-angle macro photography hero! from Adorama Learning Center
 
Good Luck!
 
Check out the GoofingOff shop for my new fabric and pattern additions. Just got some new Judaic fabrics in and they are wonderful. Get them while you can. The bagel fabric is all gone. I have a tiny scrap left, just enough for a pot holder, maybe two. There's also some fantastic vintage cookbooks that will make wonderful Mother's Day gifts for that cookbook collector Mom or Aunt in your life.
 
Have a happy Monday!