This is an Aesop's Fable kind of post...or Heckety's Fable more like...
Clown Daughter Numera Una (see I can do agreements when I choose) bought a nice big black smart handbag a few weeks ago. You know, the sort you can never find when you're looking, but which is just essential to the working woman's accessory fit-out, and the mother's, and the quilter's, etc...
Excellent!
On Monday I was handed same bag with handles dangling loose, the attaching loops not torn out of the top of the bag, but ripped apart and torn through ...
'Mom d'you think you could fix this?'
Remember the old 'Jim'll Fix It' TV show? or if you are too young, the more recent 'Bob the Builder' song- 'can he fix it? yes he can!' ...You may call me JimBob...I've sewed it together so well that I figure its probably the straps will break next as there's no way my stitching will give way!
But, and herein lies the moral of the story...I asked Eldest how on earth she had managed to break the bag in the first place? She hummed and hawed for a bit and then finally admitted that she had used it to carry all her tools and electrical supplies back to Players after a show in another venue.
Right. That, of course, is what handbags are meant for.
Moral? Render unto handbags that which therein belongs, and render unto a TOOLBOX that which THEREIN belongs.
Clown Daughter Extraordinaire!
So I guess that my next project will be to design and make an over the shoulder Tool Bag, suitable for Eldest to lug around Dublin....Why couldn't she be a secretary or something harmless, why a Theatrical Light Designer and blinkin' Electrician, for Pete's sake?
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
The Shower Wars!
So, you've heard of The Bride Wars...The Restaurant Wars...Star Wars... now there are 'The Shower Wars'!
Not heard of them yet? Well they go something like this:-
Mom: We're leaving at 4o'clock.
Girls: Its only five to three.
Mom: We're leaving at 4 o'clock and you are all still in your pjs.
Girls:....silence...thoughtful silence...profound silence...worried silence...study the clock silence...then all three together: Bags I first shower!
Eldest: Me first! staggers down passageway richocheting off the walls, turns on shower, leaps in and undressess (yes, really!)
Middlest: simultaneoulsly I don't need a shower Ha! strolls away to get dressed.
Youngest: simultaneoulsy, and shoving Middlest out of the way I'm faster, bags me first! tears up stairs
Sound of downstairs shower and shrieks laughter, then upstairs shower goes on, water comes to a halt downsatair, howls of annoyance and Its not fair!
Eldest storms out to stairwell, dripping, and yells at Youngest, Middlest in bedroom humming loudly...
You get the idea, yes?
That's 'The Shower Wars' for you!
Not heard of them yet? Well they go something like this:-
Mom: We're leaving at 4o'clock.
Girls: Its only five to three.
Mom: We're leaving at 4 o'clock and you are all still in your pjs.
Girls:....silence...thoughtful silence...profound silence...worried silence...study the clock silence...then all three together: Bags I first shower!
Eldest: Me first! staggers down passageway richocheting off the walls, turns on shower, leaps in and undressess (yes, really!)
Middlest: simultaneoulsly I don't need a shower Ha! strolls away to get dressed.
Youngest: simultaneoulsy, and shoving Middlest out of the way I'm faster, bags me first! tears up stairs
Sound of downstairs shower and shrieks laughter, then upstairs shower goes on, water comes to a halt downsatair, howls of annoyance and Its not fair!
Eldest storms out to stairwell, dripping, and yells at Youngest, Middlest in bedroom humming loudly...
You get the idea, yes?
That's 'The Shower Wars' for you!
Friday, 29 July 2011
PIF P- A Project You Can't Refuse!!
Pay It Forward Project
Ulla wrote about this Project, the link will take you to Ulla's post ( I hope!), and I think it sounds fun! The idea stems from the notion of not paying back someone who does you a good turn, but paying it on by doing someone else a good turn. I've always thought that was a very sensible way to do things, and its one of my family's proverbs from way way back- 'Cast your bread upon the waters...'
She promises to make a gift for three people who wish to participate and send it to them within one year. To take part you have to write about the Project, and promise to send a handmade gift to each of three people before the end of the year. So here goes- if you would like to be one of My Chosen Three (!!!!) say so in the comments, then write your post and make your promise!
Of course, there is the disadvantage that there is absolutely no knowing what will arrive in your post box! It could be anything from a blue spotted kettle, to a piece of peculiar knitting, to an item that seems perfectly ordinary to me and you won't know what its meant for...I'll try to keep it normal, really...Perhaps you should all rush over to Ulla and volunteer to be added to her Chosen List- she makes lovely things!
So! Who is volunteering?????
Ulla wrote about this Project, the link will take you to Ulla's post ( I hope!), and I think it sounds fun! The idea stems from the notion of not paying back someone who does you a good turn, but paying it on by doing someone else a good turn. I've always thought that was a very sensible way to do things, and its one of my family's proverbs from way way back- 'Cast your bread upon the waters...'
She promises to make a gift for three people who wish to participate and send it to them within one year. To take part you have to write about the Project, and promise to send a handmade gift to each of three people before the end of the year. So here goes- if you would like to be one of My Chosen Three (!!!!) say so in the comments, then write your post and make your promise!
Of course, there is the disadvantage that there is absolutely no knowing what will arrive in your post box! It could be anything from a blue spotted kettle, to a piece of peculiar knitting, to an item that seems perfectly ordinary to me and you won't know what its meant for...I'll try to keep it normal, really...Perhaps you should all rush over to Ulla and volunteer to be added to her Chosen List- she makes lovely things!
So! Who is volunteering?????
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Wandering Aengus...es...Aengi...?
...as from the poem by WB Yeats: The Song of Wandering Aengus...
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
...And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
Often quoted, and much loved. Well Yeats is one of our 'locals', and in typical Irish fashion, is still spoken of as though he'll saunter through the door at any moment!
Anyhow, the Aengi in this instance are Youngest and a friend.
Youngest had a great time in Charleston, South Carolina, and environs, and met some amazing people. Apparently the determining factor in a good holiday is how many friends you get to add to 'facebook' afterwards, and she has 'about a million'. Therefore, definition of a good holiday!!
They did loads of things including quite a lot of Community work, which I thought was good. They did get to see a few historical places, but it was much more about the people. She's decided that she has to go back, and she's hardly home! I think she will probably read 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Celia Garth' over the next weeks too!
The friend who went in search of Santa made it to the North Pole and back! Her photos are amazing, I had a tour last weekend and nearly needed to wear a jacket whilst looking at them...all that ice, and the descriptions of travelling in an icebreaker...polar bears...island landings...extreme weather and northerly conditions...I know NASA just brought back the Space Shuttle for the last time but I'm telling you folks, there's a lot to see and do on this old Earth of ours yet!
Anyhow, if you want an idea of her experience, here's the link to a blogger who was on board with her. Hopefully your Russian is a bit better than mine...or not!! but you don't need to read the text to appreciate the amazing awesomeness of the farthest North...and this was in July...Summer!!
( I can't get the Cyrillic script to display, but if you scroll down to this photo of the icebreaker, its one of several posts. Also if you click on the text in bold near the end of each post, the link will take you to more photos. Sorry its the best I can do...)
'Sergey (apparently very famous in Russia as a travel blogger) was also on our ship, and took the most amazing photos. There are only a very small selection here – the hour or so with the polar bear mother and 6 month old cub he took about 1,500!
The video is great for giving an idea of what it was like going through the ice, though it may be a bit dizzifying and nausea inducing for some of you as some of the views are looking straight down the sides of the ship.
Also some great photos, with a few polar bear ones further down, after other random ones. Obviously I haven’t a clue what the text says, but the pictures say enough.'
And watch the video of the wineglass taken at a meal- the camera is as level as he could keep it in comparison to the movement of the ship, I think it gives a perfect example of being on board!
Anyhow, there's your eye-candy for the day...week...year? You can see why a) people become addicted to travelling, and b) why they return home with a different perspective. It would be better for our poor beleaguered planet if we all managed to achieve this perspective and take the broad/ long/ wide view I believe.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
...And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
Often quoted, and much loved. Well Yeats is one of our 'locals', and in typical Irish fashion, is still spoken of as though he'll saunter through the door at any moment!
Anyhow, the Aengi in this instance are Youngest and a friend.
Youngest had a great time in Charleston, South Carolina, and environs, and met some amazing people. Apparently the determining factor in a good holiday is how many friends you get to add to 'facebook' afterwards, and she has 'about a million'. Therefore, definition of a good holiday!!
They did loads of things including quite a lot of Community work, which I thought was good. They did get to see a few historical places, but it was much more about the people. She's decided that she has to go back, and she's hardly home! I think she will probably read 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Celia Garth' over the next weeks too!
The friend who went in search of Santa made it to the North Pole and back! Her photos are amazing, I had a tour last weekend and nearly needed to wear a jacket whilst looking at them...all that ice, and the descriptions of travelling in an icebreaker...polar bears...island landings...extreme weather and northerly conditions...I know NASA just brought back the Space Shuttle for the last time but I'm telling you folks, there's a lot to see and do on this old Earth of ours yet!
Anyhow, if you want an idea of her experience, here's the link to a blogger who was on board with her. Hopefully your Russian is a bit better than mine...or not!! but you don't need to read the text to appreciate the amazing awesomeness of the farthest North...and this was in July...Summer!!
'Sergey (apparently very famous in Russia as a travel blogger) was also on our ship, and took the most amazing photos. There are only a very small selection here – the hour or so with the polar bear mother and 6 month old cub he took about 1,500!
The video is great for giving an idea of what it was like going through the ice, though it may be a bit dizzifying and nausea inducing for some of you as some of the views are looking straight down the sides of the ship.
Also some great photos, with a few polar bear ones further down, after other random ones. Obviously I haven’t a clue what the text says, but the pictures say enough.'
And watch the video of the wineglass taken at a meal- the camera is as level as he could keep it in comparison to the movement of the ship, I think it gives a perfect example of being on board!
Anyhow, there's your eye-candy for the day...week...year? You can see why a) people become addicted to travelling, and b) why they return home with a different perspective. It would be better for our poor beleaguered planet if we all managed to achieve this perspective and take the broad/ long/ wide view I believe.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Too Blue to be True!
So I had this idea you see, for a blue quilt...and as I found a great white cotton sheet in the Chraity shop, as well as some scraps in my trunk, I thought...I fancy a dying day...so I did!
Here we have the high-falutin method of dying sections of sheet different depths of colour:-
Here we have the cold dye bucket method...and yes, the bucket was blue to begin with:-
Here we have the poor sheet which wished it had never left the Charity Shop in my company:-
True Blue, what-ho!!
Here we have the high-falutin method of dying sections of sheet different depths of colour:-
And not to be outdone by a mere sheet...one blue-polka-dotted kettle!!
Monday, 25 July 2011
Craft Fair Report
Thank you for all your good wishes last week, and ideas, and support! It worked!
I spent the week sewing like a mad thing, and getting organised (apart from a day in Dublin on Tuesday, but that's another post!). I managed to gather together a fair selection of items, from small low priced to lap and baby quilts.
Saturday morning Middlest came with me, and spent most of the day with me too, and we met the people and set ourselves up. I counted 18 stalls, several artists and photographers, candles, woodwork, calligraphy, cards, and some textiles like myself.
There was a steady stream of people throughout the day, mid-morning and mid-afternoon being the busiest, and many of the stalls did quite a brisk trade, I'm told. There was a good bit of interest in everything, and lots of questions and chat from people. Several friends stopped by to sit and chat for a while, which was really lovely of them, and anyone I knew stopped to chat too- I caught up on a LOT of people !!
It was a pleasant enough day,except for the fact I only sold one item, for €6- a decorated tea-towel! The family keeps saying 'put it down to experience'. Huh! Some experiences one can do without!
Ah well. The Hub thinks I should just draw in my horns and call it a day. He's been fed up with the sewing and mess for about twenty years now, I think he reckons I've had a good enough innings and my time would be better spent concentrating on him...ummmmm....
Well, we''ll see. I closed the Etsy Shops for the day, just on the off chance I sold the same thing twice, ha ha, but I'm thinking I'll leave them closed for August and do some thinking...and possibly some tidying and clearing too. My sewing machine could do with a serious clean and oiling, I broke three needles last week, and at least one I think might have been because of built up of lint as well as the thick fabric.
Later in the week I'll tell you about Tuesday in Dublin as it was a lovely day out!
I spent the week sewing like a mad thing, and getting organised (apart from a day in Dublin on Tuesday, but that's another post!). I managed to gather together a fair selection of items, from small low priced to lap and baby quilts.
Saturday morning Middlest came with me, and spent most of the day with me too, and we met the people and set ourselves up. I counted 18 stalls, several artists and photographers, candles, woodwork, calligraphy, cards, and some textiles like myself.
There was a steady stream of people throughout the day, mid-morning and mid-afternoon being the busiest, and many of the stalls did quite a brisk trade, I'm told. There was a good bit of interest in everything, and lots of questions and chat from people. Several friends stopped by to sit and chat for a while, which was really lovely of them, and anyone I knew stopped to chat too- I caught up on a LOT of people !!
It was a pleasant enough day,except for the fact I only sold one item, for €6- a decorated tea-towel! The family keeps saying 'put it down to experience'. Huh! Some experiences one can do without!
Ah well. The Hub thinks I should just draw in my horns and call it a day. He's been fed up with the sewing and mess for about twenty years now, I think he reckons I've had a good enough innings and my time would be better spent concentrating on him...ummmmm....
Well, we''ll see. I closed the Etsy Shops for the day, just on the off chance I sold the same thing twice, ha ha, but I'm thinking I'll leave them closed for August and do some thinking...and possibly some tidying and clearing too. My sewing machine could do with a serious clean and oiling, I broke three needles last week, and at least one I think might have been because of built up of lint as well as the thick fabric.
Later in the week I'll tell you about Tuesday in Dublin as it was a lovely day out!
Monday, 18 July 2011
Addressing the...CyberNation...
Ladies and Gentlemen, Umbrellas and Walking Sticks,
I'd like to tell you Something I know Nothing About...
Well, actually I do, but that's how the rhyme goes!
This will probably be the only post this week by heckety loud-mouth- whew! a break! sez you!
Yesterday I came across a local Craft Fair I hadn't known about, and emailed a last minute application to participate- mad! mad! mad!
All day Saturday 23rd July in Johnson's Court, Sligo, organised by the newly formed
Anyhow, the answer came back 'Delighted!' (understand, they've never met me...) so its all hands to deck and an industrious week of production coming up! I'll take all the Shop items of course, but need to make a bunch of other stuff too, finish off things, etc etc.
Look forward to a quiet week in this quarter, and please forgive if comments or emails aren't answered until the weekend!
Also I'm going to Glasnevin, to the Botanic Gardens tomorrow to see The Irish Patchwork Society Quilt Exhibition, which should good...if wet...I'll knit on the train!!
Tally ho! Amigas! Have a peaceful week!
PS I'm hoping this isn't meds-based optimism/ courage? I'm hoping when it comes to Saturday morning I can really do this? Think of me Saturday morning 8am please?!
I'd like to tell you Something I know Nothing About...
Well, actually I do, but that's how the rhyme goes!
This will probably be the only post this week by heckety loud-mouth- whew! a break! sez you!
Yesterday I came across a local Craft Fair I hadn't known about, and emailed a last minute application to participate- mad! mad! mad!
All day Saturday 23rd July in Johnson's Court, Sligo, organised by the newly formed
Atlantic Writers and Artists CoOp.
Anyhow, the answer came back 'Delighted!' (understand, they've never met me...) so its all hands to deck and an industrious week of production coming up! I'll take all the Shop items of course, but need to make a bunch of other stuff too, finish off things, etc etc.
Look forward to a quiet week in this quarter, and please forgive if comments or emails aren't answered until the weekend!
Also I'm going to Glasnevin, to the Botanic Gardens tomorrow to see The Irish Patchwork Society Quilt Exhibition, which should good...if wet...I'll knit on the train!!
Tally ho! Amigas! Have a peaceful week!
PS I'm hoping this isn't meds-based optimism/ courage? I'm hoping when it comes to Saturday morning I can really do this? Think of me Saturday morning 8am please?!
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