Lainys Mouse In A Maze

2011-12-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

Hey there, sorry I have been out of the room for so long. The Fritillary has been displayed in two art exhibits - one with the Mobile Arts Council in their gallery downtown across from Cathedral Square - and another month in West Mobile at the Episcopal Church - Our Redeemer on Cody Rd. The little guy is getting around! Also shown with him was the Swallowtail I did, and the painting of John's pear tree. Maybe I will get those pics up here. This poor computer needs some new RAM and luckily has room for more. Now if the budget will have room for buying more. I have been working at the Mobile Botanical Gardens greenhouse a few days a week and have had many fritillaries as companions as I work, otherwise alone. They are almost all gone for the season. I did see a lovely cardinel hiding in the bottlebrush hedge the other day. I hated to open the car door and scare him away.

Photo of Gardenia Painting

2010-06-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with alternative methods of getting a copy of the paintings on the computer. One such is to use the camera to take a picture. It's not an expensive one, and I can't disable the flash. Tried using bright sunlight to take the picture.

New painting

2010-06-27T10:46:00.001-07:00

This is the Fritillary painted on June 26, 2010.
The scanner really fades out a lot of color, but over-all I am happy with it.
I am learning a lot about the paint (guache) and how to use it.

And on and on

2010-06-22T04:43:00.001-07:00

I got out my F.I.T textbooks on flat pattern design, and studied sleeves, again. I need a fitting partner to measure me! Do I really want to do another fitting sloper? It is more fun to make something I can wear. But, back to the basics. Finished the swirly skirt, and found a cute silk blouse to wear with it - to the wedding in New York. Leaving July 23rd, returning July 26.
So far the job interviews have not yielded results. I rather like having time, but this not having extra money is a real bummer. The white linen jacket/shirt turned out well. Do I want to leave it as is, or paint on it. hmmmm. Blank canvas! Also made the perfect little shell pattern - now to play with putting sleeves in the perfect little shell to cover those wingy things under my upper arms (old age is hell, ladies). But, first - to clean up the mess of the past few days of sewing. Bad feng shui in the studio when I make coffee, and set the pot on the counter instead of in the coffee maker. Good thing no fabric was nearby to be stained. What a mess!

Lots going on!

2010-06-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

The stencil arrived from Diane Ericson - a dragonfly is my choice for embellishing a simple summer jacket. I have signed on with Val Webb for a six week course in Botanical Illustration, and have done some studies on my own. I am sewing clothes for work. The past 3 years I have worn either a uniform of khaki pants, blue shirt and navy blazer - or jeans and tops. At last I can wear real clothes. Lately, I have made the jacket, a very chic dress in the style of the 1940's, a 2 piece summer dress, black knit skirt, and a black cowl neck blouse. I have cut out a red challis blouse - simple lines, and a batik vest, mostly black with blues and purples and pinks, and am putting a blue random dyed (not exactly tie dye) collar on it. I made a pattern for a drapy, full skirt that wraps, and bought some great printed crepe done in greens, turquoise and blues. Have almost finished some alterations for a friend. Tomorrow, I will fit her for the hem of her formal gown, to be certain of the pinning. Also, I have a commission to make a bed skirt and pillows for another friend, but she hasn't bought the bed yet, so measurements must wait. Meanwhile, I had a job interview yesterday, and have another on Monday. Must make up the vest tomorrow, or tonight. On Saturday, I am meeting the children of "the perfect man." Must look good.

Time to update and re-activate this blog!

2010-05-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last entry here. Now living in Daphne, Alabama - recently laid off from Eastern Shore Toyota. That "recall" nonsense has hurt so many of the 50,000+ people who work for Toyota, USA and their dealerships. But I am enjoying having some time to do the things that have been procrastinated the past year! Am painting with Val Webb's classes: Botanical Illustration, and Butterflies, to date. Will be posting some of the results. It is wonderful to be back in Sweet Home, Alabama.

And knit the toe section

2009-02-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

Just a note or two on this aspect of the pattern. Magic Loopers know that you have the two needles facing to the right, and the knitting can ride on the cable of the circular needle, with the cable "loop" at one end separating the "front" needle and the "back needle". But since at the very beginning, the two sides are connected at the center, it can be difficult to visualize front and back needles. This is compounded by the purl side which wants to pop up and be dominant.
So to begin, I saw my needles as upper and lower. The lower (working needle) has the working yard trailing - the upper (holding the next stitches) needle is the one you will knit in to. After a row or two it looks as if you are knitting a flat piece, even though the two ends really are connected. And if anyone knows a better way to describe this, feel free to offer suggestions! After one or two rounds, you can start increasing, according to the directions, and the needles can be more "front" and "back" as they normally are in Magic Loop.

My Interpretation of Knit Picks Toe Up, Two at once, Magic Loop Socks - cast on

2009-02-15T07:48:00.000-08:00

This drawing only shows the cast on for one sock on the cable of the circular needle, but you should have two sets of 12 cast on "stitches" (the half hitch knots on the needle.) Since you will

be picking up 12 stitches (knitwise, so all the "bumps" are on the "wrong side") and there are only 11 spaces between each hitch, add a stitch

to the working needle by bringing the yarn down and making a twist and slipping it on the needle. Then you will be lined up to reach through the space created under the cable of the needle and over the loop that connects the hitches. Pick up 11 more stitches and you are ready to commence with the toe section.

One photo showsthe back side of your casted on stitches - with the purl bumps showing. The other photo shows the "right" side - with 12 "stitches" on each side, ready to start knitting the Magic Loop method.

2009-02-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

You can use symbols, normally used for formulas

instead of colors. The trick is to type the symbol, then immediately click on the check mark on the formula bar to enter the symbol without making a formula. This gives a lot more keyboard options for charting patterns and stitches.

2009-01-24T10:33:00.001-08:00

I have Microsoft Office Excel on my computers and use it to chart patterns, and plan colorways.
With a new workbook, I format the row and column width toform small squares. The Row height stays the same as the default. The column width is changed to about 2.43. Now my page looks like graph paper would.
Using the basic border, select an area and put borders on each cell.
Go to "Tools" - open the menu and select "Options" and in that menu, select the color tab. You can now create your own palette, by clicking on a color within that menu, and selecting "Modify". Your next choice is "Standard" or "Custom". On the lower right is a block that shows both your old color and your new color for comparison.
After choosing my colors, I plan the design. If the repeat has 6 stitches, starting at the right (because I knit right to left) I number 7 cells (squares) at the bottom of my bordered area. To the right of my grid, I also number from the bottom up, the number of rows it will take to make the pattern. The section of grid needed to make one pattern repeat gets a fat border around it to isolate it.
The illustration shows a very simple pattern to give the general idea. The method can also be used to chart stitch patterns, using wing ding or zbat fonts instead of color to denote stitches.

Mikey

2009-01-22T05:07:00.001-08:00

We have a new great grandson! Mikey Abel.

2009-01-08T06:18:00.000-08:00

Sierra's Third Birthday

Wishing all a blessed New Year!

2009-01-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe it has been almost a year since the picnic in the desert in Brawley. We need to do it again!

Old Man Winter must be napping today - the sun has sneaked out and the lake is glowing. I need to take pictures of the herbs in the garden that are surviving the freeze. Rosemary is doing well in the greenhouse, while Lavendar, Dill, Chives, Parsley and others are making it fine. The lemon balm has some frostbite on the taller leaves, but all in all looks to be making it.

I have been working on socks - knitting them with 100% wool for slipper socks. The pair in progress is for Marta. She is always complaining that her feet are cold. I did order some "SuperWash" wool and nylon blend. It's a fine, fingering weight, so whoever gets them will be able to wear them with regular shoes, and wash and dry them in the machines. I suppose the variegated yarns are so popular it is hard to find the blend of fibers that I want in a solid color.

Nuff for now. Perhaps the next time I will get the picture of Jimmy's hat up.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, 2008

2008-11-30T06:13:00.000-08:00

I need to get back to this thing - now I am a member of MySpace, for the Alabama grandkids - and Facebook, for the Oregon cousins. I really need to learn how to better do this.

The lake is cold and overcast today -- but we still have some lovely red and gold leaves on the trees.

GBWY

test

2008-02-03T07:40:00.001-08:00

Test

What is wrong with this thing?

2008-02-02T12:33:00.001-08:00

I can't seem to upload any photos......

Mulberry School/Family Reunion in Imperial Valley

2008-02-02T12:31:00.001-08:00

Just too much fun! Especially the picnic on the desert

Getting Settled in Hot Springs

2007-10-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hello, dear friends,

After a long hiatus, I am blogging again. Hope to soon have some felting and other fiber arts photos to show off. The day after I arrived, one month ago, 4 Japanese Chin puppies were born. Now they are running around and getting so fat!

I started my new internet job, and am getting all settled in. After this weekend, I'll be able to set up the sew/crafts room and get on the stick. I can't wait to get back to making padfolios. Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas? Although, Susie and Chris want felt slippers, so that will probably be the next priority.

hugs - Elaine

Hot Springs!

2007-10-13T06:30:00.001-07:00

Summer's Gone

2007-09-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Moving to Hot Springs Arkanasa - more later

2007-06-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Time flies when trying to get moved in and settled in a new place. But always enough time to take pictures of the blooming back yard! While these gorgeous specimens are past the bloom now, the pink roses are awesome.

The sewing/crafting room is making progress in getting organized. Just have too many books. Where to put them all?

Have fun!

2007-05-21T04:52:00.000-07:00

Whoooooeeeeeeeee! Am moved and back on line!! Love the new digs! We had a party yesterday. Peggy's terrible car accident a week ago today has considerably slowed her down, and we are still awaiting results of the MRI to see why her left leg won't work. She returned to the hospital for an overnight stay with the concussion, and is working on bringing up her sodium levels. Friends of Stewart and Peg came over to barbecue and celebrate his birthday, her recovery and to "warm" the house - even though I'm the only one in residence, along with cockatiels Dino and Tootsie, and a huge fish tank. Prayers are requested for friend Kristin - who will have surgery to remove and biopsy tumors. We pray for guidance and wisdom for her medical team, and a "benign" outcome!

Have a great day!!!

2007-04-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

Fpr the Surface Design Group -

Found a bag that wasn't packed yet! Just a simple Brown Bag type bag - uses a fat quarter for outside and a fat quarter for lining.

Of course if you don't want to be limited to the fat quarter fabric, you can make it any size. I would like mine deeper, but this works for lunches.

This particular bag was two fabrics fused - all over strawberries, cut like for a pie, and the pie crust. I had to cut the pie crust openings, but liked the effect.

2007-04-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last day - and I am sitting in an empty (but for the computer) living room - still have 3 mainly storage (junk) closets to clean out, and then clean the apartment and be DONE - for 2 weeks anyway, till we pick it all up again and move to the house. WILL have movers. I about killed myself this weekend with all the heavy lifting. One of the guys I had hired to help with heavies had to work instead so I was the back end of the heavy couch and oak bookshelves.

So great to be this far along, and even greater when this place is clean - and I get my deposit back!

hugs - lainy

2007-04-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

Taking time to rest: I saw how Carol McFee makes cording on her sewing machine! Very interesting! It is in the January posts on her site - which you will find a link to on the right side of this page below.

2007-04-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

Just checking in before the panic of the last weekend before vacating the apartment - to move two doors down, for two weeks - then on May 15, to the house.

Check out the links on my website. They are the BEST!!!

hugs, Lainy

The boat

2007-04-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

The finished boat is the "Snipe" my cousin Ted Ryder built for a friend of his. The other detail photos are the 28' motor yacht he is currently working on. I love the name "Snipe" - makes me think of the Snipe Hunting trips of our youth. Not that I ever went "snipe hunting." So in spite of packing, and sore muscles - it was a fun time on the internet, during rest periods. I am so fortunate to have such wonderful, and talented family members.

We all grew up together, went to the same 3 room school for 8 years - but as adults scatttered throughout the U.S.

More of that for another day.....

Moving

2007-04-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Won't be doing much else but packing and moving for the next couple of weeks, with time off to sew a bit, and knit a bit. Hey, everyone has to rest sometimes! Am excited about finishing a new lining for a lovely lace skirt for a friend. Really interesting pattern. But girls, if your skirt is a little snug - your lining will pull out at the seams. Almost all linings are made from silky fabrics, with very smooth fibers, that will slip right out of the stitching. You've heard the saying "A stitch in time saves nine." If you have the stitching re-enforced before the fabric shreds, it will save having to make a whole new lining. Even then, snugness is not good for the lining - perhaps a piece or two can be inserted before the shredding to give a little more room for the "give" that needs to happen during sitting, getting in and out of cars, etc. Also I can't stress enough the value of a good foundation garment. You wouldn't think of not giving the upper torso support with a good bra, would you? How about the lower torso? OK 'nuff said.

Moving to a new house!!

2007-04-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

This is the new address for Peggy, Stewart and me!

Now, I'm off to get more boxes to pack up!

Fair Isle Hat

2007-04-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

To those who have asked about the source of the pattern for my first hat in Fair Isle knitting - The book "Hats On!" by Charlene Schurch. Available on Amazon.com for about $13.00 in paperback. A superb book.

In the last few rows of the mid section of the hat, I made a mistake! Too bad it's the part that shows.

2007-03-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Lots of cold wind coming off the Rockies, that were getting snow, but it's settled down to a beautiful day at 6 pm. Windows open - airing out the house. Was talking to someone on the phone today at work, and mentioned I was from the South. He said: Well at least you have definite seasons here - yeah, winter 9 months and summer 3 months. We had "seasons" in the South - and I told him so - December was the season for camilla's, then came the azaleas, then the wisteria and honeysuckle - then the magnolia's, and crepe myrtles took us into fall with the chrysanthemums, which led back to the camillas. Lots of wonderful seasons. Of course the South has seasons. My favorite was the wisteria - the very air we breathed was perfumed. Even if it did grow into the girl's bedroom through the walls, and eaves - making their room look like a fairy tale until we cut it back - which was necessary to prevent structural damage.

There actually are blooming trees here now - wonder how long they will last before another hard freeze kills the spring buds. It happens every year. Oh well, "sufficient troubles unto the day" as the Lord tells us. Not to worry about tomorrow - or as Scarlett said "I will worry about that tomorrow." Good advice, girlfriend.

Rainy Saturday

2007-03-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

The sky is grey and the rain has been coming down steadily - Love standing on the covered porch and listening to the 'white noise' of the water falling into the storm sewer. Reminds me of the noise of rain on the tin roof of the boat house, sitting on the Rebel Lady watching the storm.

Something tells me it's significant that everything that happens reminds me of some distant memory. Is that what 'old age' is? If so, it's not a bad feeling. Just interesting, thinking of the memories that haven't happened yet.

Wish I'd scanned in a picture of the Lady before my scanner died. But have one of sitting "on the dock of the bay" - or the river, to be more precise. the bridge in the background replaced the old swing bridge on Dauphin Island Parkway, or DIP as locals call it. The little gal with the pony tail is grand daughter Kelsie.

Lots of rainy days at the Grand Mariner - lots of good days, as well.

Happy First Day of Spring

2007-03-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

Just to wish everyone a Happy First Day of Spring.

The Secret In The Pillow

2007-03-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

The net lace pillow contains a secret! The background color for the net is dark brown silk, and the ribbon dark brown with gold threads.

But inside the pillow is a pocket so the color theme can be changed just by changing to a different colored piece of fabric for the background, and using a different colored ribbon in the lace surround.

I designed the pillow specifically for lace, or any other small needlework piece. Maybe one day will make it in a different fabric, and use some nuno silk (silk and wool felted together) for the center. Hmmm - ideas just swirling through the mind.

Made connections with an old friend from Mobile, Alabama. Shaleen is a real sweetheart - and a terrific artist in heirloom clothes and English smocking. She is working on stuff for her first grandchild - I can wait to see photo's - of both her needlework, and the new baby. Girlfriend Bette has had another grand daughter - Daughter Vanessa the new Mama. The last time I saw Vanessa, she was about 4 years old! I need to get to California more often!

Enough for now - have fun!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

2007-03-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Great day at work today. We finally got the attention of a corporation, owners of a large well known hotel, who refused to pay after we fixed a water leak in the hotel. So, after filing in small claims court (that handles anything under $7,500) and serving papers - the fellow finally calls and begs to hold off for just a week while he gets the insurance company to pay the claim. Yeah, like another week is going to matter when it's been months since the water break. We were SOOOOO sorry to have to tell him the court date has been set, and we just CAN'T ask for the case to be dismissed without full payment. Gee, the guy wouldn't return our calls for months. Now he can't wait to talk to us. Love it, love it, love it.

It was a beautiful day all day - until getting home, the wind came up, it got cloudy and cold. Sat on the front porch visiting with neighbor Jason for awhile - till we both go so cold we had to go in - him to his place, me to mine. Jason is a nice young guy with a sweet wife and son. Last summer we, his family and I, spent a lot of time together - but with this cold winter, sittin' on the porch has pretty much been ruled out. So, it's been fun seeing people again. I love the multi-generational socializing. Reminds me of growing up on the ranch and get togethers at Howard Runge's barn - whole families of all ages all partying together, and everything appropriate for all ages. Oh, I know the men would go outside to the trunks of their cars where they had a bottle - but the kids weren't really exposed to it. Can't count the times as a kid, I fell asleep on the haystack in one end of the barn, as my parents partied - real wild stuff, like the "Virginia Reel," polka's and square dances. Can't recall if we had live music, but think so. Accordians were popular then. The photo is of Jason and Chris - when they were heading out to a company Christmas party. Great young couple!

Now I am a great-grandma, I love being around the young kids. They are so energizing - even as they drain the energy from their parents.

Life is good.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

2007-03-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

Where is the beautiful day the weatherman promised? It's grey and foggy outside. Last night's rain melted a little more of the dirty snow out front. I can't wait for mornings with coffee and sunshine on the porch again. While trying to find a recent picture to put on this blog, I decided to add a picture of Randy, my brother and my sister Susie. This was taken in Durango, Thanksgiving weekend, 2006. "Susie" is really Durango artist Lucille Torbett - but Susie is her childhood nickname, and she will always be Susie to me. Visitors to Durango can see her work at "The Earthen Vessel" gallery in Durango, as well as Dr. David Akita's office (if I mispelled David's name, Susie, let me know so I can edit and correct this.) She specializes in pet portraits. If I get good at this needle felting thing, maybe I will be able to make a felted, sculptural portrait of Patty and one of the Min Pins.

Saturday - something accomplished anyway!

2007-03-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

Well, it is only about 1 p.m. and Lilac is up and on the forum! think I may take off her arms and legs and remake them. Her paws are are big as baseball mitts! But - not today.

Peggy came over this morning and we visited, drank coffee and ate taquitos for breakfast. We have so much fun doing absolutely nothing. Plan on going to a Mexican restuarant tonight to eat Carne Asada burritos in memory of the Planter's Hotel - and drink Corona, of course.

Now that the really important stuff is done - guess I will clean house.

Have a great day, y'all!

TGIF

2007-03-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

My favorite Moment In Time - 5 p.m. on a Friday! I get off work at 4 - so by 5 I am home and the weekend has officially begun.

Sure hope I get something done this weekend - like finishing the needle felted bear - already named "Lilac La Bear" - so I can get her picture up.

Drop in and say "Hi"

Tweaking this thing

2007-03-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

OK - while I will still add some photo's - at least I can sleep without nightmares of drowning in Pepto Bismal - yes, that is bismal - not Bismo. It really was, even if not spelled properly - I think the real word is abyssmal. While this isn't the ideal blog - it's a start. And for an old broad, think I am getting this techno cyber stuff.

Trying to change the colors

2007-03-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

This is just tooo pink! Went to the colors, and tried to change them, but though it said my changes were saved, the page still has all the original colors. Yuck. Feel like I'm drowning in Pepto BismAL

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

2007-03-07T05:26:00.000-08:00

Today is March 7, 2007 and I just created my blog, with the help of my forum friend in Montana, Ruth. See her lovely fine crafts gallery at www.purplepomegranate.com.

More later -

Lainy