Making a Statement

 A couple of days ago I took the online "Make a Statement" class taught by Gwen Lafleur. It was a mixed media class and besides basic jewelry/beading methods it also went into layering and using special mediums like embossing ink. I haven't yet gotten to Michaels in the next community, so I worked with what I had on hand.

The central medallion is one that I embroidered last June. I also made the tubular Inkle band at that time and put it together in a simple pendant style. Unfortunately it had a tendency to spin when worn and often showed the backside rather than the front. The problem was the way I had attached it  top and bottom from only one central point.

Now that it has beaded additions and is attached to the Inkle band on both sides it will stay put. 

Gwen Lafleur seemed to refer to "statement" as something containing a personal affirmation note. I would be more inclined to define statement jewelry they way Brittany's Fine Jewelry does in this quote:

"Statement jewelry allows both men and women to express themselves and their personality through jewelry. Statement jewelry is unique and bold and helps the wearer portray who they are through their outward appearance." 

When I portray who I am through my outward appearance I like to be seen as creative, unique, and a truly "one of a kind" fibre artist. I think this piece of wearable art says that quite nicely.

Jewel Splint

I've been having trouble for a number of years now with a trigger thumb. It doesn't happen all the time, but once it snaps once, it is painful, swollen, and takes time to heal. During that healing time I keep reinjuring it over and over. I've found a beautiful solution!

This trigger thumb ring-splint immobilizes the joint and prevents the "trigger" from occurring. Since the trigger thumb is most often set off by a period of hand spinning it was important to me that I still be able to spin with the ring-splint on. It came through the "test drive" with flying colours! It doesn't impede my spinning at all.

What is really amazing is that this custom ring, though it must fit both above and below the joint, as well as over the joint itself, and it came all the way from Israel, still fits perfectly, right out of the box. JewelSplint, the occupational therapist/jeweler, requests photos and measurements of the joint(s) in question and makes each splint to fit the customer. She did a wonderful job! I'm so pleased.

If you are a handspinner with a similar issue with your thumb, I highly recommend a custom made trigger thumb ring-splint by JewelSplint.

As always, links in this post are there for your information and convenience. I'm happy to send interested persons to good businesses, but I am not affiliated nor do I get kickbacks for your "clicks". 

19 New Shirts!

 I've been sewing --- a LOT! 19 new shirts have been added to my wardrobe.

Due to a large weight loss I have shrunk out of almost all of my pre-October 2020 wardrobe, from underwear to winter coats. I've bought a few pairs of jeans in the meantime, gradually buying smaller and smaller sizes of my favourite style over the past 6 months, but an update of my tops was very overdue!

Now that I'm no longer hiding under loose, layered clothing I came to the realization that what I really like to wear, that which I'm most comfortable in, is t-shirts --- long sleeved mock necks for cooler months, short sleeved V-necks in the warm summer days. Shopping for such shirts was futile. I don't like having writing and logos on my shirts, and I'm not overly fond of most prints. Add to that the fact that women's t-shirts these days are poorly made of cheap fabric that doesn't last, and are so thin you could spit through them! And colour? I like intense, bold colour in pure hues, nothing muted or pastel, and I can never find what I want in stores! Complicating things is that most stores in this area won't let you try anything on -- because of Covid. Returns are allowed, but what a hassle!

I decided that the only fix for all those problems would be to sew my own t-shirts from a tried and true pattern. I've made Jalie #2805, Women's T-shirts, with great success, many times before, in sizes from my smallest grandchild to me, at my largest. One pattern purchase and an incredible range of sizes (27!) all easily traced and used over and over again. 

Fabricland, the only fabric store in Chilliwack with knit fabric that I know of, didn't have much of a selection of jersey knit fabric. They had colours I don't care for, thin fabric, fussy prints, and high prices. Then one day while in Abbotsford for another reason I stopped in at Overseas Fabrics. Oh my word! What a selection they have! Reasonable prices too! ALL of the above fabrics were found there. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I couldn't choose just one or two. If you don't like my rather bold colour taste, they do have more muted, subtle selections too. 

So after about a month of frequent sewing I now have 19 new shirts! Nine of the shirts are long sleeved mock necks, and ten of them are short sleeved V-necks. 

In most of the colours I made both the long sleeved and the short sleeved versions. I have both styles in Dark Eggplant, Royal Blue, Kelly Green, Lime Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and White. 

I also have just the short sleeved in Black and Navy. I didn't bother with those in the long sleeves because I already have good store bought turtlenecks in those colours. 

I have just the long sleeved in Hot Pink because, as much as I would have liked a t-shirt that colour there was not enough fabric remaining on the bolt. I'll be watching for a restock though!

All links in this post are there for your interest and convenience. I am not affiliated in any way nor do I receive any kick back for "clicks". 

Kickstarter Success

Last June I took a chance and backed a "Kickstarter" project for a new e-spinner. It wasn't much of a risk since this isn't the first go with Kickstarter for the inventor, Maurice Ribble of Dreaming Robots. Previous backers were very happy with the products he has come up with, his customer service, and his record for keeping backers informed throughout the process. 

It was well worth the wait! I love this great electric spinner, the "Electric Eel Wheel 6.0". It turns out all my fears about not being able to adapt to the steady pace of an electric spinner were unwarranted. With an easy stop/start foot switch I can stop and start quickly any time a section of spinning needs a little more attention.

And now I'll need more fibre to spin!

The link in this blog post is there for your convenience. I am not affiliated, nor do I receive any reimbursement for "clicks". 

Blooming at His Request?

 My African Violet is blooming again, 

I wonder what Pocca's been whispering to them? 

He does seem to have a magic touch.

Two of Twelve

The first two shirts, of the twelve I intend to make, are now finished. I made the short sleeved v-neck for warmer days, the long sleeved mock neck for when there is more of a chill in the air.

I think when I cut out the next ones I'll shorten the sleeves some, otherwise the fit is good. 

Ten more t-shirts, in six more colours, yet to go. But first I have a couple of birthday presents to make for my youngest granddaughter.

 

Happy St Patrick's Day

 A happy St. Patrick's Day to you! Pocca says that whether you're Irish or not any day is a good day to celebrate and wish someone a happy day. He IS and elf, but not of the Leprechaun clan. 

So if you don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day then Pocca wishes a Happy Day to you as well. He received a special green outfit to wear for this happy day.

Me? Well even though I'm not Irish I do enjoy a "Happy Day" and ever since childhood I've made an effort to wear something green on St. Patrick's Day, just for fun. This year my "bit o' green" is a long sleeved t-shirt I finished sewing just in time. I also have a short sleeved t-shirt almost finished in the same colour.

In the weeks and months to come there will be many more made, in a variety of my favourite colours (pure hues). I scored big time at Overseas Fabrics in Abbotsford, BC. If you're looking for a great t-shirt fabric the "Miracle Knits" in 10oz is excellent and they have a good stock. You can even order ahead for curbside pickup. 

I plan to make 7 short sleeved V-necks and 5 long sleeved mock-necks from this stack of fabric using my favourite t-shirt pattern, "Jalie 2805 - Women's T-shirts". 

I'm not affilated with either of these businesses, and I don't get "kick backs". The links are there just for your convenience, if you choose to use them.

Signs of Spring

The first signs of spring have begun to appear.

 

These newly sprouting leaves were spotted while walking the Chilliwack Rotary Trail.

A Boy in a Dress

With each day that passes Pocca seems more and more like a boy. I've referred to him as such since the beginning. 

There have been some Pocca owners requesting a pattern for a dress though, so this little guy, being the good sport that he is, agreed to model the finished dress. He may end up with one more dress as I test knit the final pattern one more time for accuracy and clarity. After that though, he's really hoping for some more pants!

Lace Trimmed Bonnet

    I've spent the last 3 days designing an itty bitty bonnet for Pocca.

The process for designing takes a lot more time than just knitting something. It started with the idea and some researching of lace patterns that I felt could work at this tiny gauge. The pattern had to be visible, yet not too complex to work since it can be difficult to manipulate the tiny stitches. 

Once the idea was fully formed I had to work out how many stitches it would take to fit her little marble sized head, when to begin decreasing for the back of the head shaping, and where to put the openings so that the big ears would have room.

Then there were multiple knittings of the bonnet. It's the only way to test that the pattern works in more than just theory. The very first time through for anything is usually scrapped as I find stitch counts I need to correct, or adjustments to size.

And just incase you haven't fully comprehended just how VERY TINY Pocca is.....

Her "friend" here is a standard sized Lego people.

A Travel Bed!

 Lookee what I found for Pocca! An itty bitty travel bed!

I found it at London Drugs in the central aisle where they display seasonal items. It's like a hard shell eyeglass case, except it's much smaller. It was advertised for earbuds, loose change, or jewelry. 

I figure it will be a nice safe way to keep Pocca near me for try-ons when I'm designing knitwear, and at the same time it will keep him out of bright sunlight that is known to cause premature yellowing of the resin.

I See London

 I see London, I see France, I see Pocca's underpants!

The pattern could also work for shorts, swim trunks, or bloomers.

Teaspoon for Scale

Here's teeny tiny Pocca modelling a pattern that I sincerely hope is in its final rendition. I've rewritten and reknit it several times now, for fit, and for ease of knitting -- if micro knitting can ever been seen as "easy". 

For scale? He's sitting in a teaspoon measure.

Pocca's Pullover

 After many trials and errors, much time ripping and redoing --- I finally have a pullover for Pocca!

Keep in mind that both Pocca and his pullover are very VERY tiny!

The entire sweater fits on a Canadian nickel (same size as a US nickel).

For ease in dressing there is a partial opening at the back and it is closed at the neck with a teeny tiny snap.

Pocca's Pointy Hat

Just finished today, but the developing pattern is still only in note form. Worked with one ply of 6 strand embroidery floss on 6-0 (0.75mm) needles.

Pocca still needs pants!

Micro Knitting

 How tiny is it? MICRO tiny!

When all the "yarn" needed for a complete sweater consists of just ONE ply of 6 strand embroidery floss and the entire "ball" can be wound on a bread tag, you know it's got to be micro knitting.

And who is this tiny knitting for? A little wee "Pocca". He's a micro ball jointed doll from DreamHigh Studios. He is only 4.5cm tall. That's less than 2 inches!

I've already knit him (or her) a teeny little hat.

Pocca hasn't yet received his faceup (that's colouring and details added to the face of a ball jointed doll).

When that is complete I might decide to rename him. I'm open to suggestions.

Pocca has a second "sleeping" face. I might decide to make that one a girl, for modelling purposes, but they would have to share a body.

Incoming Teeny Tiny

Preparing for a teeny, tiny little guy (or girl!) to arrive soon, I made him or her a place to sit and have a bite to eat.

This table set is super small! At 1/24th scale it is half the size used in common doll houses.

I have a whole tiny doll house to build but I found the two glues I have on hand aren't really up to the job of gluing the light wood. I'll be searching for some wood modelling glue before I continue.

 

Sandhill Sling

 It took awhile, with all the patches and boro like hand stitching, but my Sandhill Sling is finally finished.

I hope to use this small cross-body back pack on dog walks and when hunting for rocks for my mandala paintings. 

It has an outside zippered pocket, the main zippered interior, and an elasticized inside slip pocket.

This is the only construction photo I remembered to take. 

For the most part it wasn't difficult, but there were some "challenging" bits so I wouldn't recommend it for a beginning sewist.

I do intend to make another, possibly for shopping, and for that one I will combine both of the pattern views into one. I'll put the optional snap pocket on the side facing away from the body with the idea of keeping my cell phone there. Then on the side that lies snug against my body I'll put the zippered pocket for more secure storage of my wallet. Inside I'll put a slip pocket on both sides, for more organization. I may also put a D-ring on both sides of the bottom so the strap can be attached to either side. 

Whatever Cardigan Complete

 The cardigan I've been working on since late October is finally complete.

Lots of other hobbies and interests meant I spent limited time knitting. Usually only an hour in the evening while watching TV.

I also made innovations to the pattern which was designed strictly as a pullover.

I added vertical pocket openings at just the right height for comfort and then knit the inner portion in a thinner, very soft yarn.

I also steeked and cut open the front then knit a button band to create a cardigan. 

I'm happy with it. It's colourful and cozy. 

Things I'd do differently if I knit it again? I'd bring the neckline up a bit. It's not horrible or anything but my neck will get chilly if I'm not wearing a turtleneck underneath. I'd also make the button band just a wee bit wider, more for aesthetic reasons than anything else. 

Testing, Testing

 I just completed an itty bitty test knit for Heevis Miniatures. 

The largest of these sleepers for doll house babies is less than 2" tall! It was knit on 1.2mm needles (4/0) using 1ply cashmere. The smaller ones on either side were knit using the same pattern but 1mm needles (5/0) and a finer cashmere thread. 

The pattern does include working buttonholes but unfortunately I don't have anything that fits. The tiniest seed beads I have (on the blue sleeper) are way too large and the 2mm buttons I ordered are a little too small and won't stay fastened. They also have such tiny holes that it is a struggle to get even my finest beading needle through the hole.