February 3

 

February 2

 Rug inspiration:

Taking it outside:

February 1

 Did we see a whale as we crossed over to Vancouver Island on the ferry? 

Yes we did.

A woman saw me struggling with my whale on a knitting needle and asked if she could help. 

February Project

 For the month of February I will make something with a lump of red plasticine most days of the week. These will be the rules:

1) The whole lump of red plasticine must be used, but it does not have to be in one piece. 

2) Small amounts of orange, yellow and green plasticine can be used.

3) Bead eyes can be used. 

4) Found objects can be used. 

5) Results will be posted here. 

The red plasticine fits in my hand. 

Baby Bunting Bag - Carry Bag

 In 1986 I made this baby bunting bag in anticipation of my winter baby. 

I dyed cotton fabric for the seminole patchwork. I set a clothes horse out on the ledge of our apartment so the dyed fabric could drip and dry without making a mess. About a week later I received a written complaint from the apartment administration about drying laundry outside my apartment; it was made very clear that this was strictly forbidden. I cannot remember what the consequences were going to be. I settled it with a phone call and thereafter had a wary eye for the people in the apartment complex.

All that aside, the bag was plenty warm, but it was of limited use. It was in storage for 3 decades. At some point I took out the zipper and the lining. I came across it in my recent foray through the closet of hidden treasures. This time I formulated a plan. It isn't a grand plan, but it does give that patchwork effort another purpose. 

   

Pattern Collection Book

 I had a collection of clothing patterns I designed back when my children were small. The patterns had not been used in decades. Last year I thought I really must do something with them, if only to clear them out. The thing is, I have a deep attachment to evidence of creative activity. This year -- January is the time for these kinds of compulsions -- I decided to cut the envelopes to size, save the design drawings and notes, and recycle the rest. 

It took me another week to figure out what to do with the pile of envelope drawings and came up with this book. Here is a sample:  

One pattern for me:

Two-sided Pocket Books

 One direction gives you pages to write on; the other has pockets to store small things.