Little Brown Owl is coming along swimmingly. I can’t wait to get it officially launched. My friends and family, I bet, are a bit tired of hearing about it, but soon there will be visible proof of my hours of invisible work. Stephen has been so supportive and helpful with all the back end crap that goes into starting an online store. I’m so thankful for him. Anyway, I just wanted to give an update to those who were wondering, “what the heck is happening with this?”. Thanks for the wonder. I will be producing the goods soon.
Tag Archive for 'crafts & projects'
This week I’ve been a crafting fool. I’m thinking about the damage I’ve done so far and it’s only Tuesday. I found this fabric at a wholesale fabric warehouse yesterday. I drive by this place everyday. It’s like one of those places that you see, but you don’t see. You know what I mean? Anyway, I finally visited it and they have great fabrics that are incredibly affordable. Who knew?
Rosa liked it too…
I started a small quilt for my good friend whose having a baby boy in July. I’ve only finished the front as of today. There’s nothing more fun than vintage cowboys (and girls).
Yesterday, I ventured to a new project. I’ve been wanting some sort of hanging solution by the front door. Something to hang the keys, dog leash, etc. I discovered the section at the craft store that has all the unfinished wood objects and found some great plaques. They come in all shapes and sizes. I also had some cool fabric left over from a former project. So I whipped these babies up. Quick and easy!
Tools you will need:
fabric
wood plaque
hat and coat hook set (hook and screws)
sawtooth picture hanger set (hanger and nails)
sheetrock screw (to mount to wall)
scissors
staple gun
hammer
power drill (phillips bit)
How to:
1. With your scissors and fabric, cut out a piece of fabric about 1.5 to 2 inches larger than the size of your wood plaque (large enough to stretch around and behind it).
2. Stretch the fabric around and behind the wood plaque on one side and staple with the staple gun. To stretch the fabric evenly, make sure to staple once in the center of all four sides before stretching the rest.
3. Center your hook in the middle of the plaque, on top of the fabric, and screw in place.
4. Nail the sawtooth picture hanger on the back.
5. Mount it on the wall by hanging it from the sheetrock screw.
*Note: These are intended for lighter objects like a set of keys, dog leash or a hat. In order to make them more stable for heavier things such as coats or bags, you may want to use longer sheetrock screws and drill directly through the wood plaque into the wall behind it.
The instructions below will show you how to make a foundation row and single crochet stitch. If you follow them exactly, you’ll complete a 7×9 inch block. With these basics, you can make a number of other projects.
Beginner Crochet Block
What you need:
Worsted-weight yarn, any color or colors
Size G crochet hook
Yarn needle with big eye
Scissors
| How to beginStep 1: Hold crochet hook in right hand and make a slip knot on hook.
Step 2: Bring yarn over hook from back to front and grab it with hook. |
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| Step 3: Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook. This makes one chain stitch.
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 in sequence 28 more times. You should have 29 chain stitches and one loop will remain on hook. Step 5: Insert hook into center of next chain stitch. Draw yarn through the chain stitch and up onto the hook. There are now 2 loops on hook. Step 6: Bring yarn over hook from back to front, and draw it through both loops on hook. One loop remains on the hook, and you have just made one single crochet stitch.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 in each of the remaining 27 chains–be sure to work in the very last chain. You have now completed one row of single crochet. Measure your work; it should be about 7″ wide. If it is too wide, try again with fewer beginning chains. If it is too narrow, try again with more beginning chains. Step 7: At the end of the row, make one chain stitch, then turn the work counter-clockwise, leaving the hook in the chain. Now you can begin another row, working into the stitches of the previous row. Step 8: Make one single crochet stitch in first stitch and in each remaining stitch of the previous row. Be sure to work into the last stitch. Chain 1, turn. Repeat Step 8 until the block measures 9″ long. Finishing: Cut the yarn from the skein, leaving a 6″ end. Draw the hook straight up, bringing the yarn through the remaining loop on the hook. Thread yarn into yarn needle and weave back and forth through stitches to secure. |
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When you begin to explore how your own life story fits into a larger whole, you embark on an adventure. The following tips will help you begin your own genealogical search:
1. Begin with Your Immediate Family
List the names, birth dates, places, and marriage dates of your immediate family and grandparents. Also ask members of your family if there is an existing family tree.
2. Conduct Interviews with Older Relatives
Find out the names and marriage dates of your ancestors, and ask about interesting family stories. Take careful notes, or use a tape recorder or video camera.
3. Find Documentation
Accurate genealogy relies on documentation, so try to obtain copies of records to confirm each link. These include census records; marriage and death certificates; wills and property records; religious papers; school and medical records; ship passenger records; and naturalization papers. You must know exactly where in the United States your ancestors lived, as many records are filed by location. Good sources for many of these documents are the National Archives and Records Administration, libraries, historical societies, and religious institutions, as well as a number of websites.
4. Chart Your Family History in Its Country of Origin
If you’re lucky, U.S. records will contain the county or province where your family came from. As with American documents, applicable foreign records are usually filed with local institutions. Once you’ve pinpointed the area, you might choose to travel there, hire someone who lives in the area to do research, or take advantage of a surprising option — the Mormon Church. Because genealogy is part of its mission, it has the world’s most extensive collection of genealogical records. You can visit the church’s library or use their website.
5. Confirm Each Link
Be sure to verify each link in the family chain before moving on to the next, and never skip a generation.
These websites can point you in the right direction and put you in touch with others who share your interest or family name:
National Archives and Records Administration
An independent federal agency that oversees the management of all federal records
Federation of Genealogical Societies
An organizing body that oversees genealogical services; founded in 1976
Ancestry.com
More than eight hundred searchable databases on more than 200 million individuals
National Genealogical Society
Founded in 1903; offers comprehensive information about genealogical data
Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
Information about the seventeen million people who entered the United States through Ellis Island from the 1890s through the 1920s
(Information provided by www.marthastewart.com)
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