Relper's Village

Ileah's Lace-making!

2011-12-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

Gargoyle

2010-09-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

A little gargoyle made from scraps. I wish the photo showed the
details better...

Martha's relping protege creates

2010-08-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Martha's encouragement and hands-on assistance, two little projects of mine finally got done. (She says I bring incomplete projects that seem beyond my capabilities to her and whimper. Basically that's true and I'm very grateful to her both for introducing me to relping and for her endless encouragement and support.) Martha also took these pictures (she made me post them myself).

I believe Tiny Teddy Bear started life as a goddess figure. Baby Jesus was created for a friend's antique nativity set after the original was chewed by her dog.

2010-05-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while since any of the relpers posted anything. Everybody is, well... too busy relping! I've snared another pal into needle-felting. She's also trying out the spinning class at Wild Rivers Wool.

Speaking of the shop, Wild Rivers Wool Factory will be celebrating another birthday at the end of May. It has survived two years in Langlois, a major accomplishment for any small business along the Oregon coast. I'll be dropping by to congratulate Sandie and Cindy. If you are traveling in southern Oregon be sure to stop in and say "hello!"

And check out the new supply of felted fish!

2009-12-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

Latest creations - A bunny and a bear, needle-felted on a day spent tending the desk at Wild Rivers Wool in Langlois.

Still relping. Really!

2009-11-25T15:13:00.000-08:00

Relping has been happening even though blogging about it hasn't. I have lots of hats, wall hangings, and felted fish among the items on sale at Wild Rivers Wool Factory in Langlois. It is nice to have somewhere to consign things so I can pay for my craft addictions with the money!

Yesterday my friend from Port Orford visited and we needle-felted together so I thought I'd post her picture and a photo of the fish I finished. I took them into the shop this morning and the blue one sold almost immediately along with a hat I'd made sometime earlier this year. It makes having to slow for all the RVs on the road worth it when the tourists stop to patronize the shop.

2009-08-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

Recent fish - but now I'm back relping hats.

GeFelted Fish

2009-07-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

My fascination with needle-felting shows no sign of waning. There are so many nifty possibilities that I barely explore one before another is warbling a siren song to lure me. Like any addict I do not hesitate to hook unwary bystanders into giving the craft a go. This morning at WRWF I was recruiting more innocent victims to the needle!

2009-06-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Our long distance relping friend, Ileah, has been crocheting potholders to keep her nimble fingers busy. The lady also does bobbin lace, weaves, spins, and knits... you can see why she qualifies as a relper! I love the potholders and find them almost too pretty to be used.

The blue on the left makes me think of Delftware. The pink is like a peony blossom. The green at top is very tranquil and the multi-hued at right reminds me of grandmother's apron. The green at the bottom is my favorite - like the forests and fields of Oregon.

Labyrinth fixation

2009-05-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

I've discovered the fun of labyrinths - and needle-felting different patterns of them. More to come, until my mania runs its course!

Another sticker for your bumper

2009-05-10T15:15:00.003-07:00

Bumper Sticker?

2009-05-10T14:36:00.005-07:00

The beat goes on...

2009-04-26T12:00:00.001-07:00

Despite the silence here relping *IS* going on. The photo is of our fellow relper, now back from her years in Australia, on a recent visit to Oregon. Note the knitting! And I actually took up my crochet hook, albeit briefly, to make one of my mini-sheep for another friend who accompanied this one. The O.F. relped as well, but I didn't have my camera poised catch her in the act.

Knitted Lace

2009-03-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Isn't this pretty stuff? I'm no knitter - I learned the basics 40plus years ago and haven't touched a knitting needle since - so I'm extra impressed at the detail and craft of it. This was made by one of our lurking relpers from California.

Thoughts while relping

2009-02-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

I've been working with some international wool - specifically yarns
from Iceland and Canada that were given to me to play with. As my
hook twists the yarn and the length of the fibers feeds through my
fingers, my mind wonders about the sheep the wool came from and those
shepherds, shearers, and spinners that grew it and processed it. I
pick small bits of plant matter from the yarn, there are always a few
grass seeds and ends of bramble and briar that have been missed even
after the washing, dyeing, picking, carding, and spinning, and those
specks of vegetation from some pasture in a country I will never see
cause me to pause and wonder.

Goods have long moved around our world, carried by ships or camel
caravans, by horse and mule back, or by a single person bringing what
they had to trade for something they needed. What route did this yarn
travel to be crocheted with my hook? How long ago did the journey
begin? I imagine the tiny thread of contact from me to an unknown so
far away. I muse about the life of the animal who grew this wool to
keep warm and when and where she walked a field and a single seed
hitched a ride to be discovered by my hands. I'm grateful that the
simple handwork allows me this view of the world.

More pins

2009-01-17T17:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm just about done with the heart theme. Or maybe not.

We relp, Not write!

2009-01-17T09:36:00.000-08:00

You can tell by the inactivity here that we are relpers, not writers. Well, I write some. And relp some. But the rest of the group obviously stresses the latter. I've seen some of the work that is being done and so I know the little fingers are plenty busy. Now if only they'd show off some of that work HERE!

Needle Felted pins

2009-01-13T14:51:00.000-08:00

These are newly relped to go on consignment at Wild Rivers Wool Factory in Langlois.

A relping she will go...

2008-11-23T10:42:00.001-08:00

My newest wall hanging. Why is it I can only see the things I wish I had done differently? Oh well, on to the next project.

Wooly Update

2008-11-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

I got to play shopgirl at Wild Rivers Wool yesterday while the owners were attending to family business. I'd never have guessed I'd be happy being surrounded by wool. I started crocheting while pregnant with my daughter umpty-three years ago and have done that periodically through the decades but never thought to be able to make that hobby support itself. Since the shop opened last spring my consignment items have paid for their materials and left enough behind to cover my addiction to books and cds as well as the grandkid gifts for the coming holiday. I'm not likely to make a fortune at handcrafts (or anything else for that matter!) but not being a financial drain is an excellent, and necessary step.

Crochet anyone?

2008-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

I love to crochet. Knitting makes no sense to my brain. But I must
face the fact that a lot of crochet pattern are, to put it kindly,
dated. Some crochet fanciers try to sidestep that by being
innovative. Sometimes innovation is just plain weird.

Check out the September 21 post on What Not To Crochet <http://
whatnottocrochet.wordpress.com/>

C'mon pardner.... Draw!

2008-08-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Relpers Night at Wild Rivers Wool Factory - and all the ladies are busily at work! Well, sort of...

A "MUST NOT MISS"!

2008-06-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

I hadn't stopped by What Not to Crochet for a bit and looked in this morning. If your bladder is empty and you are sitting down, go take a look. This alone will make you glad those of us who crochet aren't headed your direction with lots of acrylic yarn and too much time on our hands:

http://whatnottocrochet.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/just-out-of-curiousity/

Peruse the last week or so of entries and be glad Grandma is busy with her doilies!

Wild Rivers Wool

2008-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

The grand opening continues. I was in and out of the shop a couple of times - the cookies were great, and free! I bought a terrific little hat for my daughter and some felted soap for a dear friend with a birthday approaching. Also enjoyed a hotdog from the Langlois Market. The Wool Factory and the market are enough to put Langlois on the map! I hope there are as many folks stopping today as yesterday.

Langlois Update: Wild Rivers Wool Factory

2008-05-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

The doors open this morning at 10AM. I wasn't there yesterday so it will be fun to see what new stock has been brought into the shop overnight. The yarn! The colors Sandie and Cindy have developed are spectacular! Any knitter would be enthralled. The quality of the hand spinning is very good but I just get goosebumps when I see the colors. Plastic yarn just doesn't develop depth of tone the way a natural wool does. I used to think wool was itchy but it simply isn't so. Warm yes! Something we need year round on the Oregon coast!

And a special "thank you" to the weather fairies for a bit of sunshine this morning. I know the bagpiper will appreciate staying dry!

Dateline: Langlois, Oregon!

2008-05-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

Wild Rivers Wool Factory opens at last! If you are driving the Oregon coast you'll have to transit the thriving Metropolis of Langlois - halfway between Bandon and Port Orford. Stop at Wild Rivers Wool Factory outlet located directly across the street from Langlois Market. Not only do they carry "all things wool": from hats, socks, and scarves to sheep skins, felt for crafts, and hand felted bars of soap; but you can view the fantastic showroom rug. This wonder is stitched from individual pieces of felt, each with a different hand-wrought petroglyph design!

The grand opening is 10-6, all Memorial Day weekend - afterwards 10-6 daily through the summer. Come by and enter the drawing for prizes. Meet owner/artists (and relpers!) Cindy Schaumberg and Sandie McDonald. Find one-of-a-kind items and beyond-unique gifts! Shop Oregon and support a woman-owned business!

After shopping at the Wild Rivers Wool Factory shop, step across the street to Langlois Market for the best darned hot dogs on the coast.

Blanket-zilla is done!

2008-05-18T21:23:00.001-07:00

On the fourth try, the granddaughter's blanket finally hit traction. I just finished it on today's long drive.

Not bad, and only done two days after her birthday.

Next up on the to-do list....the pair of socks that I've been trying to get to since my birthday in March, and then this nice knitted top that I've been wanting to do since the end of March.

A knitter's job is never done.

Sigh.

More Oregon crochet

2008-05-02T09:38:00.001-07:00

An addition to the Langlois post.

Relping in the Raw

2008-05-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

My Ewe did a great job this spring, creating some beautiful and unusual lambs!
This is one of the last. I think I will have to take his fleece, card and spin it with out too much picking and see if the pattern can be repeated in a sweater... His name is Patched or Lighting Bug, depending on who is calling him..
Fiona

Missing Graffiti

2008-05-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness that I have to announce that all of the Bandon fiber Graffiti has disappeared. I check then on Tuesday and none could be found.
However since I don't know where the flower was..It may be safe..
I guess it is true. Some people in Bandon have a total lack of a sense of creativity and mirth..
Must do more to help them find some. (creativity and mirth).
Fiona

And then there was...

2008-04-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

The location of this 3-dimensional crocheted flower will not be revealed here in an effort to let it bloom a few days before the mirthless seize it.

Bandon No.3

2008-04-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the third of the Bandon installations. No guess as to whether is has been removed yet. But Bandon is gaining a reputation for their missing sense of humor. But we're not done yet!

Bandon No. 2

2008-04-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

This one is at the Face Rock Viewpoint. It made it past the 24 hour mark and one visitor passing by thought it was a "wonderful improvement". She approved of Grannie Graffiti. I think of it more as spreading the homestyle decorative arts...

Missing crochet

2008-04-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

The crochet didn't make it past the 24 hour mark. Was it lack of a sense of humor on the part of Bandon city fathers? A dog owner with a propensity for theft? A squirrel with an afghan fixation?

Bandon Dog Park

2008-04-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Fiber art installed on the fence of the Dog Park in Bandon. One of three installations done today amidst hail and rain.

Profiled and successful

2008-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

I successfully managed to find the dashboard area of blogging, with a considerable amount of help from my dear mentor Matawheeziekin. It's amazing how ignorant I am regarding some aspects of this supercomputer I use to type letters on. But here I am again! Bookmarked, and I actually managed my profile to include a lovely personal photo. I'm so proud.

It's raining again.

Guerilla Crochet

2008-04-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

Anonymous installation in front of the Langlois Library

Granny Square 1

2008-04-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

Along the Amazon Creek bike path, near Garfield Street.

Check it out!

2008-04-05T12:16:00.001-07:00

If you have one of those days when you feel guilty for not grabbing
your crochet hook and being creative, take a look at this site:

http://whatnottocrochet.wordpress.com/

Advancing Bravely Backwards

2008-04-05T09:56:00.001-07:00

I picked up me embroidery this morning and set to work... removing
half of the stitches I'd done at relping Wednesday night. The color
was unpleasing. Is this progress?

Lesson in Humility

2008-04-04T16:13:00.001-07:00

Hi all. In case you are wondering, I was led here by pangolin.

I've sewed since I was in middle school, and just this past year decided to teach myself knitting. I've made a few scarfs, a hat, and even a pair of socks (that fit!). Made a small scarf for my husband's granddaughter (eeew, Disney princess pink).

While on vacation to visit said granddaughter, she expressed a desire to have a "nap blanket" for the summer -- in pink.

So, now, I'm up to my eyebrows in pink yarn, and progress is going something like this:

Attempt 1: Cast on. Debate if it's wide enough on the circular needle. Start to knit. Take with me on the road when husband decides to take photos of Elk. Hit a bump, drop a stitch. Stop mid-way through a row, and forget which side I'm working on. Take a wild stab in the dark, and keep going. Drop another stitch. Decide to randomly tie pink ribbon in the holes -- reject as "Cheating". Decide to unravel it, and start over.

Attempt 2: Cast on. Make it wider. Finish first row during a basketball game. Realize that my eyes are ready to fall out of head, and put aside. Decide that I never want to make anything pink again. So far, no dropped stitches, but it's only row 5. Look at my bag with bamboo/wool blend yarn, and think, "Wow, those socks are calling my name."

Sigh. The blanket isn't due until mid-May (for granddaughter's birthday), but if I don't work on it during the nights, I'll never get it done.

Anyhow, glad to be here, and happy to be an associate member of the relping society.

Gaining wisdom from your child

2008-04-02T09:04:00.001-07:00

Since I began writing more my relping projects have been languishing.
The white shirt gained a layer of dust sitting in the basket,
untouched. The crocheted shawl, thoughtfully dubbed My Shroud, is so
far from completion I will be dust before it is large enough to cover
a single shoulder. It hasn't gotten even a single crochet in weeks
(months?).

My daughter, a high school teacher and mother of three, recently
shared her resolution to attend to her crafts, in her case
crocheting, on a daily basis. "I will do at least one stitch every
day" she has vowed. That has inspired me to emulate her. I now sit
with my embroidery or crocheting each day. One stitch often leads to
another. At least progress is being made.

Present!

2008-03-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

For my birthday my daughter made me a pair of great scrubbable washcloths. She said if I used one to cool a fevered brow it would look like a starfish was eating my face. She was right!

Inspired!

2008-03-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

I was so inspired by the fact that some of the relping ladies actually posted to the blog that I picked up my embroidery needle and sewed a few stitches this morning. Okay, the stitches were on that shirt you've seen me holding at relping for... weeks, months? now. But I managed to curve my keyboarding fingers sufficient to hold the needle and (gasp!) sew. That shirt may get done someday. Not soon, mind you, but advances are being made.

Want another shock? Are you sitting down? I looked at my crochet basket too. Don't get too optimistic. No crocheting happened. But the subject was considered. And now that the flu is history and recovery nearly complete I may even make it to relping this week. If I survive the morning of whale watch duty. Think sunshine everybody. And pray that the grandkids are germ-free when they visit!

How do YOU pronounce "Plastic"???

2008-03-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

How Do You Say

PLASTIC?*

“Superwash Wool”, Orlon, Dacron, Polyester, Polypropylene, Mylar, Polyamide, Acrylic, Resin, Tencel, Angelina, Firestar, Trilobal Nylon, Microfiber, Spandex, Lurex, Soy Silk, Acrylan, Pashmina, Rayon, Ingeo, Bamboo Silk, Nylon, Lycra, Wintuk, Viscose, Elastane, Sayelle, Latex, Antron, Taslan, Modacrylic, Acetate, Saran, Aslon, Nytril, PLA, Glass, Rubber, Vinal, Metallic, PBI, Anidex, Novoloid, Aramid, Sulfar, Elastoester, Melamine, Elasthane, Fluoropolymer, Cupro, Ceramic, Polyethylene, Grilon, Smartcel.

* as defined in Federal Guidelines for Regulating Fiber Labels,

Section 303.7

This is a poster on my wool factory wall, designed to make a point about superwash wool... which is a wool fiber which has been stripped of it's outer cuticle and scale layer by alkaline chemicals, and then coated in resin plastic. Gee, how many of wool's wonderful natural properties are preserved using this technique? None? You get a cigar.

How to REALLY Felt With Acrylic

2008-03-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

I had to quit laughing before I could write a riposte to that article. Thank you for sharing, I printed it out! And don't anybody faint, but I actually told my 13 year old daughter to make her own school lunch this morning so I could carve time out to write. I'm up to 43 sheeps, but that will change before Sunday, as my mom has requested a nice leg of "lamb" to serve her dinner guests. Comin' right up, Ma. Convenience food it isn't.

Ok, here's how you felt with acrylic. Grab your acrylic yarn, then find 100% wool yarn that complements it and is at least as thick as it is. Knit them together. When you felt the resulting project, you get an interesting boucle effect, and it DOES felt using the usual methods. Label the resulting project "wool blend". It's a great use for bits and pieces of acrylic, work them into a continuous strand of contrasting wool.

Now on to instructions on how to make handspun wool yarn: First you get a ram and a ewe....

Felting Follies

2008-03-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

This month has been interesting as far as felting goes. I had 2 hats to make. One was a skull cap type and the other a beret.
The scull cap was easy, first try was slightly too small, second try was just right..
The Beret is still giving me fits of sorts. First try with the original pattern turned in to a cute porkpie hat. Not what I was expecting but cute, thick and fuzzy, like all good felted hats should be.. After the addition of a new crocheted brim it has become a thick fuzzy and most important, a usable cap. Second try, same yarn, larger needles and different pattern. Well it looked like a beret, it was fuzzy. Looked good when on the head..
But seen from inside it was a very light and airy bit of fabric.. in otherwords it was a very holy knitting project.. I swear it was thicker before the felting process..
Now I'm on beret number 3. This time I'm using 2 ply,a nice solid dark charcoal gray and a gray varigated, yarn. It is working up into a nice thick beret. The prof will be in the felting. I have this horrible feeling that it will become a beret best used in sub-zero weather...
Wish me luck!!

A must-read

2008-03-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

How to Felt With Acrylic.

Relping Thought for the Day

2008-03-06T08:48:00.001-08:00

What do you do when someone gifts you with a large bag of tangled and
knotted embroidery thread? You say "Thank You," ponder the
metaphorical possibilities, and get to the task of un-tangling and un-
knotting.

Some crochet & stuff

2008-02-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

I finally finished some stuff:

Critter. I don't know what he is.

I also just finally posted our first two finished Zafu pillows on Etsy.

R2D2 Beanie

2008-02-23T06:44:00.001-08:00

This makes me wish I knew how to knit: Carissa Knits: R2D2 Beanie.

Seen on Extreme Craft.

"Still" at it!

2008-02-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

I suppose the STILL part dominates, as in silent and unmoving. Relping hasn't much been going on in my house but this morning I actually un-stilled my embroidery needle and set a few stitches to fabric. Just to show how little I've been doing, the stitches I did were into the entwined fish I was working on last August. There is a bit more done... but not a whole lot. In between I began a crochet project that I fully expect to be working on (or not working on, if lack of relping activity prevails) as I draw my final earthly breath.

Old patterns. My enthusiasm ebbs and flows not at all with tidal precision but with the same come and go. It is just more in geological scale these days.

Prototype

2008-02-02T13:59:00.001-08:00

Here's the mock-up, my morning (and part of the afternoon)'s work:

The zafu on the right is for comparison, we bought it at Mt. Madonna years ago. The one on the left is mine, and it's so flimpy because I ran out of stuffing.

This was: 12" diameter circles, rectangular strip 7.5" x 59".

Notes for next time: smaller diameter circle (will use 11" Winnie-the-Pooh plate). Need to adjust the arrangement of the pleats on the strip so they come out more evenly at the opening and so there's more overlap. And add the handle! (I had cut one out and got it ready for this one, but when pinning it in I realized - duh - that it needed to have been made longer than the width of the pleated rectangular strip to compensate for the pleats bulging it out on the side. I think I needed about another .5").

I've got enough denim to make one more (maybe two) before I have to start buying material, and I just ordered 10 lbs. of kapok fiber. Don't know how far that will go (yet). Could get it cheaper if I had a retail license.

New Year's project list

2008-01-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

1. Complete the doll I started for a friend's son, which I decided to crochet after doing a test run in fabric that completely bombed and was given to NTS. Then most of the way through crocheting it, it occurred to me that I should have done it a different way, to make it look like the friend's comic book character Tony Maggot. But since it's too late, I'm shelving that idea and will just complete the doll as is. Besides, it's enough that I feel totally inadequate making a gift for a friend who makes these.

2. Complete the washtowel set I'm crocheting for a friend's birthday. My arm aches from taking up crochet again. What, am I nuts?

3. Continue working on the new Bigg-Ass King-Sized Comforter.

4. Complete the painted Jizos-on-rocks.

5. Postpone anything I might make for myself, ever, because of the lack-of-time-ever-approaching-birthdays-holidays-etc. Feh.

Okay Ladies - Sit and Spin!

2007-10-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Relping this week was sit and spin time as the Langlois Relpers, AKA
The Ladies Who Lunch in the Evening worked their will on wool and
mohair.

First Wednesday of the Month

2007-10-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

On the first Wednesday of every month the Langlois Relper's venture
forth to host a meeting open to community members. We meet at the
library and get 2 to 4 additions to our group. It is fun to share
knowledge and a cup of coffee with other women addicted to the
Relping Arts. This month we gathered at the library and were
surprised to realize nobody had a key to the locked building.
Impromptu change of plans! A short parade of pick-up trucks (rural
living!) rolled down the dirt road to my house as we redeployed. It
worked just fine (thank goodness I dusted the living room earlier
Wednesday) though my husband may take another week to emerge from the
hiding place he sought after 7 chattering women suddenly arrived at
his door.

Bah! Humbug!

2007-09-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Drat and Dagnabbit!

No matter how much love you pack into them, or how hard you work,
some projects just don't come out successful.

Almost the End of September!

2007-09-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

My relping has recently bogged down to those projects that are
convenient to carry around. A stitch or three here and there but more
carting it along "just in cae I need something to do." Sans evident
ambition these projects could last me the rest of my life.

The holidays are still bubbling up in the background though. And
since funds are really limited, and the ideal of homemade or locally
acquired gifts has politically correct appeal, I'm feeling the need
to get organized. To that purpose I've done a mental tally of my
various cupboards and drawers. Fabric... ah yes. Flannel I bought 2
seasons ago and corduroy purchased for the first grandchild. A shirts
stowed away to embroider someday. Time to grit my teeth and drag some
of this out of hiding and put it to use.

Oh, but I'm so much better at planning projects and buying the
components than at actually buckling down to the work.

A Note from the Sydney (Australia) Relpers

2007-09-04T07:47:00.001-07:00

Here is the final totals for all that Ann Richardson handed in to Guardian
Pharmacies for the World Vision Knitting for Mongolia Project:

28 knitted lap blankets
13 Doona's (quilt) (these are crib size)
200 flannelette sheets to wrap a small baby in
38 pairs of booties
22 pairs of mittens
6 scarves
261 hats
50 premie sets (includes: sweater, hat, booties and flannelette wrap)
13 sweater and flannelette rap set for 1 year old
43 sweaters for 1 to 12 year olds
4 ponchos
4 sweater and hat sets

Neighbors, Epping Lace Group, Quilters Guild, and teachers from the
Deaf & Blind School were the contributors.

Wednesday Night Meeting

2007-08-30T07:39:00.001-07:00

At last night's meeting the Langlois Relpers relped sweet potato
fries, crab dip, beer, shrimp, chicken sandwiches, and chocolate
cheesecake. It was our every once-in-a-while Ladies Who Lunch in the
Evening session and we invaded the mostly male sanctuary of the pub
at our somewhat local golf resort. A rousing chorus of Happy Birthday
was sung (the tune of the Star Spangled Banner) to Cindy/Sandie, and
scattered applause was received. We toddled forth, bellies happily
full, and shall relp in earnest next week.

The Time Has Come, The Walrus Said...

2007-08-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us here in coastal Oregon. The equinox may be more than
a month away but the warmish days, chill nights, morning ground fog
and the very scent of the air say **FALL**. Mama Nature in Arachne's
guise spins intricate relping on the fences and the night moisture
embellishes the webs with drops that morning sun reveals as fancy
jewels better than any created for royalty.

And my thoughts turn to "Omigod! Yule is coming!"

When budgets are tight and/or avoiding a leap into the material
purchasing frenzy of the holidays is a concern, relping changes from
hobby to necessity. The pleasant occasional project gives way to a To-
Do list of staggering proportions. It is at this point that I wish
for a quicker skill than the few that are mine. Less carpal tunnel
problems would be nice. Cloning and a cure for attention deficit
would help. Hear that clock tick-tick-ticking? Get to work! Sew,
knit, crochet, spin, felt! My mind's inventiveness is up to the task
and my heart wants to gift every loved one with something special.
Isn't there some old saying about "Good Intentions?"

I'm making my list. And starting to work, good intentions abounding.
Stay tuned for updates!

Ileah's Lace Bobbins - from OZ

2007-08-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Top row from left to right:

Cottoneaster
Carob
Budgeroo
Buddhawood
Almond

Bottom row from left to right:

Western Australia Swamp Banksia
Tasmanian Blackwood
Orange Boxwood
North Queensland Beefwood
Frangipani

Wednesday Night Relping

2007-08-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

I threatened the group with posted photos. It never pays to threaten
unless you follow through!

Go Fish!

2007-08-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

This is the latest project - an addition to my current "shirt in progress". For some time now I've carried it back and forth to relping and not added a single stitch but when I was immobile for a day it got picked up and relping went forth. I'm thinking maybe when it is done the next design on the shirt will be a snake twined around the left arm. Of course, my mind may change before then.

Annual Pilgrimage

2007-08-03T07:22:00.001-07:00

Once again I have made my annual (?) pilgrimage, through burning deserts, over lofty mountains, through raging torrents and past hideous unimaginable horrors, to visit the relper's blog. Did I mention the terrible slowness of dial up internet? I meant to. I have overcome vast mental barriers, and laboriously carved out the time necessary to actually post a message, and then, against all odds, figured out HOW. Be amazed.

Sandie

Testing to see if photos will post via e-mail

2007-08-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Executive Broads - Time for a new portrait?

Back to Relping!

2007-08-02T10:14:00.001-07:00

After a long period of relplessness I'm back to my needle and thread.
Last weekend I went ass-over-teakettle and the resulting bruises kept
me sitting for the day so there was nothing between me and sewing.
Good progress was made on the Celtic fish design which graces the
front of my white shirt/jacket. Pictures forthcoming...

Mermaid

2007-08-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

On re-reading some older posts I noticed that the promised photos of a certain lovely mermaid had never appeared. Here are a couple I had from the presentation fete:

Facelift

2007-07-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Facelift

Ballerina Success

2007-06-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

The granddaughter seems to have liked the ballerina doll. With Grammy's help (hah!) she was named Lindsey Maleka Pony Strawberry Sauce but I have since heard that Ruthanne has changed it to Tutu. Want to guess what Grammy will continue to call her?

And is that not the world's most beautiful little girl?

One Pissed-Off Ballerina Doll

2007-05-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Definitely *not* destined for the Bolshoi...
She's mad as hell, and she's NOT going to dance for you. EVER.

Charlie's Doll

2007-05-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

This is what emerged from yesterday's sewing box. The whimsical part of me struggled to be free and didn't quite make it but sure put up a fight. Now, back to sober and serious!

Inspirations

2007-05-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

True relpers are the ones who begin a project and find their brains flooded with ideas for more, More, MORE!

"Nice sweater I'm knitting. What if I shortened the sleeve a bit, added some cables down the front, and did it in...."

"Interesting skirt she's wearing. I bet I could make on in blue with kick pleats in the back and..."

"Look at all these bits of leftover cotton. It would be neat to use them for..."

We twitch and whimper and itch to get through one project just so we can launch ourselves into the next, and the next, and the next, all conceived while doing the first.

To whit: I made this doll for the granddaughter. Today I embark on one for the toddler grandson - after which I've asked friends to waylay me should I begin another. Back to the UNFINISHED shirt. No more detours! Heh.

Fiber Art In Extremius

2007-05-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

You simply MUST check out this site - I feel like such an underachiever in the "make it out of fiber" category!

http://www.patriciawaller.com/en/images.html

Wall o' Ribbon

2007-05-19T06:44:00.001-07:00

Wall o' Ribbon
Originally uploaded by pangolina.

Last weekend I finally got the chance to go to Mindy's, the needlework store over at the 5th Street Market. It really is a treasure of a store, not just because she has *every* kind of embroidery floss you could ever dream of, but also because of this Wall of Ribbon. Unfortunately, I only had my phone camera with me at the time, so I couldn't really do it justice.

Kitty!

2007-05-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

For a niece's birthday present.

The m**m*** d** proceeds apace. Got the tail almost done. Will be pictures soonish.

Whose idea was this, anyway?

2007-05-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

I cannot comprehend why anyone in their right mind would sew doll clothes, especially for the 12" fashion dolls. Except perhaps for an indulgent (and stubborn) grandmother. Come to think about it she does not qualify for "in their right mind", does she? Teeny, tiny seams. Itsy-bitsy facings, and snaps and buttons. Miniature pieces of fabric that resist machine stitching.

I've seen some wonderful and intricate outfits for these dolls and that is certainly NOT what I'm achieving! Clothed is the desired end result upon which I shall throw up my hands and make a dignified retreat. Knowing the kids, clothed is not what the doll family will remain for long anyway. Granddaughter will remove the clothes whereupon Grandson #2 will lose them. Then Grandson #1 will make hysterical 11 year old jokes about bare butts and proceed to use the dolls as naked super-heroes complete with loud explosions and doll bodies flying through the air.

So why am I making clothes anyway? Because recycling the old dolls seemed the politically correct grandmotherly gift giving thing to do. And it was on my project list. And though donating them to the local Goodwill would have gotten me off the hook AND delighted my daughter (No. More. Toys!), see "stubborn" and "indulgent" and "right mind" (out of) in paragraph one.

By the way - there will be no pictures of the results.

Gecko - To remember the Big Island!

2007-04-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this isn't exactly RELPING either, but it does constitute one more item crossed off my To-Do list. This is getting rather exciting.

And as for relping, the tradition, long held as it has been, may be winding down. The Sydney contingent no longer meets and the Langlois group has been a bit anemic of late. The Oakland leader moved to Eugene and is attempting to create a unit there. And the Fairbanks group has been silent. Hibernating?

Gosh, is this how the last few dinosaurs felt?

For the grandkids

2007-04-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

It's relping, really it is. With wood and paint. Another item off my ever increasing To-Do list. That doggone list doesn't get shorter no matter how many items I complete. Some danged fool keeps coming up with "Wow! I could....." and adding projects. I'd kick her buns if my knees would bend that direction.

Finished - At last!

2007-04-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Such a simple little design. It should have been done in a day or two. It wasn't. But it is now.

Bad project goes good!

2007-04-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

The difficult project finally settled down and allowed itself to be completed with a minimum of further fussiness. Do you suppose it was embarrassed at being written about in a public place? Sensitive about potential public ridicule and being thought of as stubborn and cranky? No matter, since it chose to mend its ways and hum smoothly and quickly along. Even removing the waste cloth, a task often made teeth grindingly maddening by somebody (moi?) sewing through the mesh instead of THROUGH the mesh, went without a hitch.

Oh yeah? Like YOU don't ever refer to inanimate objects as sentient beings!

Recalcitrant Projects

2007-04-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

So some sewing projects bop along happily and you hum as you work and enjoy the process hoping it will last, and last, and last.

And some Don't.

The Don'ts are the ones that buck and whinny, whine and carry on, stutter, stammer and hiccup. Threads tangle. Needles disappear, then emerge suddenly solidly lodged in your finger tip. Patterns refuse to make sense and change right before your eyes. Seams don't match, pieces are cut backwards, measurements require advanced calculus.

I'm staggering through a project like that. Counted cross-stitch.

(Hysterical laughter is heard trailing off into the dark wet Oregon night...............)

%#@%&*

2007-04-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that was me you heard swearing. Loud and colorful words of frustration as I realized that I was cheerfully stitching along on a shirt for my grandchild, AFTER MIS-COUNTING. And not in a place I could fudge either. And did I notice this after a stitch or two. Oh no. I'll be unsewing for the next hour or two. This makes a nifty mess of the waste cloth and may cause me a year's worth of wear on my molars as I grit my teeth.

How does that Neil Sedaka song go? "Backing up is hard to do!"

Finished with the embroidery part

2007-03-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

I just finished the embroidery on RRW's mermaid doll:

Timeless Treasures

2007-03-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

All relpers should check out this site.

http://www.threadbared.com/

Nostalgia. Weren't we totally cool dressed in out crocheted shawls and macramed vests, a flower tucked into a paisley headband and a blissful smile on our faces? I'm thinking maybe we need a summer retro party where we can all resurrect our 60's garb and listen to Jimi Hendrix, and the Stones.

Of course for me the music was Beatles and Monkees. Fab. Gear.

Prices Today

2007-03-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Since the relping ladies appreciate the value of a good supply of Cabana Boys, and since one of our members was with me on my recent trip to Hawaii and she thought to treat us to the ever pleasant Cabana Boy experience, I thought I'd post the receipt here for proof. You'll note other mentionable items on that receipt. Feel free to comment!

Going Tropic

2007-01-28T09:44:00.000-08:00

I'm off in a few days to spend 2 glorious weeks in the WARM Hawaiian sun. It will be a nice break from the cold we've been having in the Pacific Northwest. No relping though. It was more than I could stand trying to figure out if I could take my needle and thread snippers on the airplane. The government apparently thinks nail clippers can be used to hijack a plane. Can you imagine what I could accomplish with needle and thread? "Everybody get in the back or I'll stitch you to the cabin wall!" I'll read a book in transit and watch the waves on the Big Island - and relp again when I get home.

Newest Project

2007-01-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

I've been consumed by an on-line game recently but when I'm not doing that I still manage to do some relping. Here is the latest piece under construction:

Well maybe not. Every attempt at adding the photo results in:

There were errors during upload.

The following images were not uploaded.

Shirt

Sometimes I hate technology!

Cross Stitch

2007-01-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

Crochet wasn't the only relping I did last fall...

And one last doily!

2007-01-02T11:22:00.000-08:00

Continuing...

2007-01-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

Can you tell I was loving the crochet work?

And more!

2007-01-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

I was busy! Enough so that now I have a bum right wrist...

Recent Relping

2007-01-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

Here is the first of my doily pictures:

Happy 2007!

2007-01-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

We made it to another year. I'm of an age now where staying up for the midnight HooHa lacks the excitement that a good night's sleep brings so I was in bed by 10pm and only woke briefly at midnight when neighbors set off some particularly loud fireworks. Now that the holidays are past I can try to post pictures of some of the gift projects.

And It Keeps Flying!

2006-12-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

I said time was flying. It seems to have switched from a pokey old bi-plane to a sleek corporate jet. And I missed the connection at the airport.

Barely done with Yule gifts, and by done I mean that point where you throw up your hands and holler "It ain't gonna get done!" - and abandon further flurried and frustrating attempts, and my eyes raise to the new year and see PANIC!!! birthdays. I'm surrounded by family born in springtime. Willie Chuck in January begins the season. The sewing needle is frantically at work on a cross-stitched shirt for him... with one for Ruthie next into the queue. And I chant "Relping, relping, relping!"

How Time Flies!

2006-12-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

Wow. Has it really been 7 months since I wrote? Seems my hands have been busy relping and not blogging. I've been crocheting up a storm preparing for Christmas. Limited funds and lots of love mean making many gifts by hand. Since my current passion is doilies I can only hope my friends have places under their lamps and knick-knacks for the various things they will soon be receiving. After the Big Day I'll try to post some pictures.

The relping broads continue to host once a month "public" sessions. It is pleasant to sit and share our various interests with others. Last night we had simultaneous embroidery, spinning, crocheting, knitting and sock toe darning. And the conversation ranges from political to bawdy. I always enjoy, and hope to see new faces from our community.

Dress

2006-05-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

I started the crocheted top of this sundress at Open Relping and finished it the next day. Another "recycle" project since the yarn had been purchased for something else and the ribbon and fabric were left-overs as well.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2006-05-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

About a month ago a few of my Algebra students, girls all, showed up in class with these little crocheted wreaths hanging from their belts. It turns out that one of my colleagues had crocheted a bunch of these and the girls thought they were cute. I thought they would be a great project for a girls' crochet club (which I may someday start as a teacher-advisor), especially since the ring that is used for the base is cut from the plastic rings that a six-pack of soda comes in. A cool way to teach kids to turn garbage into art.

Project list update

2006-04-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Crocheted spirit bag for E****'s baby (The bag is FINISHED and so is the lining - I just need to sew the lining in to the bag and add the cute beads).
NEW ITEM: Granny squares for our crazy quilt afghan, which I will work on in the car on the drive to Oregon next week.

NEW ITEM: Crocheted scarf for myself out of the same thread as the bag (This is really easy and I'm about 3/4 done).
Vanna's flower granny squares for a bag FOR MYSELF DARN IT. (Stalled because MY TODDLER STOLE MY H CROCHET HOOK)
Cross stitch and dyed shirt project for MYSELF (NO PROGRESS)
Embroider a shirt for the House Bean with a Celtic knot. (NO PROGRESS - I need to keep working on the knot design)
Paint the watermelon seeds on the three girls dresses I dyed last summer to look like watermelons. (I SUCK, but I'm taking these to Oregon with me next week)
Lazy Daisy shirt (It's sitting on my table now)
Sew the two cute dresses I picked up the pattern and the fabric for last spring (This is never going to happen)

Sweatshirt Redux

2006-03-28T07:21:00.000-08:00

These are the designs on two shirts I just finished. The green was first. Stitched for a friend's birthday. When it was done I realized the colors were not practical for her. Back to my needle and thread with the same pattern but different background and adjusted design colors more appropriate to her use of the completed shirt. The green is now destined for another friend who likes the paler colors.

And I'm free for a bit to work on a denim "crazy shirt" for moi...