thursday thingies

As you see, all four buds of this year’s amaryllis have now opened, and that first one is looking a bit tatty. Living in an apartment complex with oh-so-carefully manicured landscaping there isn’t the option to replant the bulb outdoors. What to do with it? Suggestions welcomed!

Moving onward, below is the inspiration for my mystery crochet. It’s from Knit ‘n Sew, October 2010, p. 87.

The original was knitted, but I crocheted one long piece, twisted it once, then sewed the two ends together. (Not as in sewed with thread or machine. 😉 Used yarn, crochet hook and large tapestry needle.)

The stitch used in mine is half double crochet in the back post (U.S. crochet terms). That back post gives both stretch and an interesting three-dimensional ridge to the piece.

Enter the scrumptious yarn from James C. Brett (below right) which kept begging me to make something more wearable than a very slowly knitted scarf. I finally listened, frogged the knitting, and voila. The remainder of a second 200 gram ball is becoming a hat. Which will be worn outdoors.

And speaking of outdoors, last week this duster got its first outing, accessorised as shown.

Happy Sewing, Lovelies! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

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a bit of a mix

Enjoying your weekend?! I’m spending it crocheting because my squidgy package arrived Saturday. Yeah!

I’ve also been reviving my listing on Ravelry, so stop by at CurlsnSkirls and say hello if you’re a member. Long ago Chicago efforts are listed, but I’m working on getting things updated.

Valentine’s Day is Thursday and the appropriate cotton cloth (top) is gracing a bedside table. When my voice studio was open I made seasonal table toppers (any excuse to buy fabric) and I still enjoy seeing them each year.

Curvy Sewing Collective had two great posts this week. Both inclusive sizing and inclusive language are extremely important, so do take a look.

And speaking of inclusive sizing, Grainline Studios (Chicago) is increasing their size range and has a questionnaire open to anyone who would like to make suggestions.

For anyone looking for podcasts about sewing, you cannot beat Love to Sew (Canadian) and The Fold Line (London).

Here’s that finished skirt topped with a gorgeous suede jacket from a closing consignment store in Chicago. (Yes, the skirt’s been that long in the making.) Anyone have suggestions for how to clean the suede without going to a cleaner who will charge multiple times my original cost and use icky chemicals?

Here’s one last suggestion for those of us struggling to get better at, or just get back into sewing – Lucie wrote a great post last week about her own experience. Much food for thought!

Meanwhile, hope everyone can hunker down and get to creating something. Creativity is positive! There’s nothing better for overcoming negatives.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

tuesday

Have been working on a rogue skirt on the weekend, a remnant I picked up whilst living in Chicago because I couldn’t resist the feel. Although 54″ wide, there’s only enough for a gathered skirt.

Imagine a buttery soft rayon twill with a perfect amount of weight, and such intriguing colours and pattern. Heavenly! And it doesn’t wrinkle easily.

The skirt is mid-calf, no pockets or zip, elasticated waist and will be ever so delicious to wear! Another possible match with that batik duster?

books

Haven’t been including any books, although I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the three Mrs. Tim books re-released earlier this month by Scott’s Furrowed Middlebrow subset of Dean Street Press.

Finished all three and cannot say enough how totally enjoyable they are. As Alexander McCall Smith wrote in his introduction,

“One of the main features of Stevenson’s novels is their simplicity. That is a quality that is not rated in fiction today. Many writers now feel that in order to be noticed they must go out of their way to be clever –even to the extent of being opaque. Nothing should be portrayed as it seems to be; cynicism is all; sincerity is hopelessly naïve. In such a climate, direct stories that follow a fairly strict chronological pattern, that eschew obfuscation, and that place feasible and, in many cases, rather likeable characters centre-stage are not highly regarded. And yet that is exactly what Stevenson does, and that is what many readers still seem to want. Add humour to the equation and the mixture will find a ready audience…

“These are gentle books, very fitting for times of uncertainty and conflict. Some books can be prescribed for anxiety – these are in that category. And it is an honourable and important one.”

Am also wending my way through the short stories in Silent Night, edited by Martin Edwards. Was very impressed with the Sayers short story, and will at some point reread her Wimsey books.

The mystery crochet project has run out of yarn, so a squidgy package has been ordered. Goodies from across the pond – yeah!

On that good thought, will wish you Lovely Readers happy sewing!

tuesday

Thought I’d better break my lazy silence and try putting up a post, if all the tablet and internet goblins will allow.

The Mystery Crochet progresses nicely, and Arctic air visits may yet allow me to use it this winter, assuming there is enough yarn. If I have to get another ball, this project risks being stored for next winter.

But there are things worse than a squidgy package in the mail to contemplate. 😉

❤️ Stay Warm! Or Cool, depending on your weather. ❤️

second saturday

Over here galleries and downtowns (a.k.a, CBDs) have “First Friday” on the first Friday of every month. Or second Thursday, or whatever. Totally lacking any further thought on the subject, I’m morphing that meagre crumb into a title.

That first week of the year felt weird over here. Maybe because the weather turned so warm. Or the date change. Or the Tuesday hol. Whatever.

I resorted to a favourite series, The House of Eliott. And my most recent crochet project, which is coming along nicely. You’ll never guess what it’s going to be.

Feet up, hook in hand, the time spent was utter bliss. And it turned cold again. Hope it will stay long enough for me to use this scrummy yarny project! 🤞

I also did finishing work on the turquoise duster, and some planning for future items.

Almost four years ago I used up some green flannel for a pair of lounge trousers. I’ve gotten so much wear out of them I decided to get some flannel for another pair. Do you think those two (left) might work well together?

That left photo was taken before washing the navy solid; photo on right is the fluff left in the dryer filter after washing and drying said navy cotton flannel.

Can you believe this first month is about half way gone already? YIKES! ! !