GreenStitch Episode 44 - Cutting a rug

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 44. Here's the link to the audio recording.

My first little locker hooking project. I didn't love the process, but I did like it enough that I don't mind using up the rest of the canvas I bought to make a larger rug.

I found this YouTube demo published a few years ago - check it out here.

I was fascinated by these adjustable pattern-drafting tools at the Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, NY. This volunteer was kind enough to show us the hand-loom process for a good long while.

Sewing machines!

Oh, yeah, and then there was that baseball museum. Look! Brooks Robinson!

Lou Gehrig! Jackie Robinson! Roberto Clemente!

The tail of my friend Beth's new shirt. Bad dog! Bad Tucker! (not really)

It was easy to transfer the shape of the gaping hole onto paper and make a template for the patch.

Here's the newly patched shirttail hem of Beth's shirt.

Doesn't Beth look great in her sleeveless shirt? (and nice setting for a photo, right?!)

Finally, I can't resist sharing this shot from our campsite in Cooperstown. We were very careful to keep the cats inside the RV, of course, but Betty parked herself regularly on the steps looking out into the woods.

GreenStitch Episode 43 - Dog days of summer

Just a couple of notes for this week's ramble-fest. Here's the episode link, too.

Try these instructions for the Martha Stewart oilcloth lunch bag - just adapt the measurements to suit your needs. As you can see, I didn't make all mine the same size as I was working with a limited amount of the vinyl fabric. It did take a fair amount of piecing.

The outside edge-stitching gives an amazing amount of body to these bags and they stand on their own just fine. It's really easy to grab them and toss them into the truck when they're full.

Oh, and in editing this episode, I realize there was a little thumping in the audio from time to time. I must have been tapping on the desk without realizing it - I got a new microphone that's much more sensitive than my old one, so it picks up everything! Sorry for the distraction!

I really appreciate all the comments and notes - and I will catch up eventually!

GreenStitch Episode 42 - Tick, tock...

Thanks for listening in to my ramblings about making a quilted clock. Here's the link.

What do you think? The really antique, jewel-y buttons don't show up well in the photo, but they look pretty good in real life. I had to snap this up off the windowseat right after taking the photo as Betty was eyeing it suspiciously. I could just see her rubbing the buttons with her paws - nope, not gonna donate this with traces of cat hair.

Here's the compost tea just beginning to brew. Really, it's wonderful stuff for the plants and gives them such a good pick-me-up this time of year. I brewed two big buckets with one burlap bag of compost. Each bucket brewed in the sun for about four hours. I've let them brew for a couple of days before, too, and it doesn't smell if you use well-aged compost. There's no real science to it.

The compost goes right back into the bin after brewing. And yes, this burlap bag will remain dedicated to this purpose in the future. I'm not about to wash it out and use it for something around the house!