tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88187168373362506172024-03-08T03:33:51.507-08:00capable of flying<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/6724112313/" title="header2 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6724112313_7d7369f3e9_b.jpg" width="660" height="453" alt="header2"></a></center>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.comBlogger582125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-15081272157955790862016-11-08T15:35:00.002-08:002016-11-09T08:28:17.224-08:00We got this.<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s up to us now. It usually is, you know. Sewist know all about tears, frayed edges and unstable seams -- and we know how to fix them. We know how to overlook a few minor flaws to see the beauty and the purpose of the whole thing. We may even appreciate those flaws in our own way and call them charms. This is what we do. I have been quiet online about the election, even though this stuff is right there in my education and day-job wheelhouse. I have degrees in political science, journalism and German (the German degree with emphasis in political culture). My day job has a lot to do with recognizing and accounting for things like confirmation bias. So this election is my jam and my peanut butter. And I can handle talking to anybody about this election, over cocktails in the backyard on a warm evening, but not like this. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This here are screenshots of an <a href="http://data.huffingtonpost.com/2016/we-the-tweeple/sewing" target="_blank">algorithm on huffingtonpost.com</a>, which links words found in a Twitter profile and whether that person is pro-Clinton or pro-Trump. “Sewing” falls about halfway between the two.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftnlWN_x2Dl5L_cUrFb_6tXnnvljlX8LtYhsvUUOeC4Y4XV4GefH61lxFT4_L2djnumJ-M5ssWF40FGY3Y4rX4VOx2PW9g9TZ99RI0W-DDhA3GnEZ3GPywzvQzYl9csXUfZYzM08UdKkR/s1600/tweeple_sewing.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftnlWN_x2Dl5L_cUrFb_6tXnnvljlX8LtYhsvUUOeC4Y4XV4GefH61lxFT4_L2djnumJ-M5ssWF40FGY3Y4rX4VOx2PW9g9TZ99RI0W-DDhA3GnEZ3GPywzvQzYl9csXUfZYzM08UdKkR/s320/tweeple_sewing.tiff" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will share with you an anecdote from over a decade ago, when I was making sewing patterns. I would lurk about a couple of popular sewing forums to see what the resonance for my designs was. But I would also get sidetracked by other things, as one does, on these forums. I recall encountering one forum, with an active participant, who was a man sewing for his son. It really is less of a novelty than it sounds like, as I now come across many men, who enjoy sewing. But at the time, I hadn’t really come across it and I was curious. That man happened to be in a same-sex relationship and his child had two fathers. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many other participants, one could discern, from their avatars, signature taglines and involvement in church activities and so on, that they were from conservative backgrounds.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These forum members from conservative backgrounds, who would otherwise eagerly answer a question on different hand stitches or cleaning a serger, kept a polite distance from this man. Nothing uncivil, nothing disrespectful, nothing disgracious and nothing indelicate. Just distance. Just didn’t reply to his posts. Didn’t comment on his sewing accomplishments.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was over here, they were over there. Ne’er the twain would meet or some such.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As it goes with sewing forums, especially ones about sewing for children, members come to know one another and get a glimpse into the lives of others. Members often share things more than discount codes for Fabric.com. Members watch their children grow and share in their joys and milestones. And they share other times, as well. Such as when this particular man shared that he was diagnosed with cancer.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And just like that, those ladies, the ones who held a very different belief system and very likely held deep and damning (in the truest sense of the word) convictions about this man’s sexual orientation, set into action. They organized prayer circles. They asked for the son’s measurements and went to their sewing machines. They took out jars of homemade jam from their pantries and put together care packages. They gave recipe tips learned from their own bouts of nausea that comes with chemotherapy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The twain met.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The whole while, as this one set of members were keeping that polite distance, they were also curious, were also taking a look into this man’s life. And they must have at that point just seen the man as a person, that he was diagnosed with cancer and that he had a young son. My eyes are tearing up as I write those words. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That memory has stayed with me throughout this election cycle. This ugly, bullying, mean election cycle. I know that we really have more in common than our differences. We all love our children. That’s a start. We all know within our families and circle of friends the pain and destruction of cancer. Another start. We know love. We know pain. That’s a good start. Separate circles on a Venn diagram that actually touch and very often overlap.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-d894f3a6-4641-4960-06d1-acb2fd462822"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sewists know how to improvise and how to make the best of the few scraps we have. So the tedious task of mending falls to us, again. And we know we don’t know how to do everything and we know when we need help. I have met professional tailors, who were open to learning a new trick. So let’s show ‘em all how creative we all really are. And how caring we are. Let’s stitch this thing back up. The edges, they may fray and hopefully we will be able to replace them with something more sensible. But the seams will hold and keep us together, keep us warm, keep us safe, keep us working, keep us moving forward.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"There's nothing wrong with America that can't be fixed by what's right with America." -Bill Clinton, 1992</span>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-3427323316837925922016-11-08T15:35:00.001-08:002016-11-09T08:24:40.333-08:00We got this.<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s up to us now. It usually is, you know. Sewist know all about tears, frayed edges and unstable seams -- and we know how to fix them. We know how to overlook a few minor flaws to see the beauty and the purpose of the whole thing. We may even appreciate those flaws in our own way and call them charms. This is what we do. I have been quiet online about the election, even though this stuff is right there in my education and day-job wheelhouse. I have degrees in political science, journalism and German (the German degree with emphasis in political culture). My day job has a lot to do with recognizing and accounting for things like confirmation bias. So this election is my jam and my peanut butter. And I can handle talking to anybody about this election, over cocktails in the backyard on a warm evening, but not like this. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This here are screenshots of an <a href="http://data.huffingtonpost.com/2016/we-the-tweeple/sewing" target="_blank">algorithm on huffingtonpost.com</a>, which links words found in a Twitter profile and whether that person is pro-Clinton or pro-Trump. “Sewing” falls about halfway between the two.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftnlWN_x2Dl5L_cUrFb_6tXnnvljlX8LtYhsvUUOeC4Y4XV4GefH61lxFT4_L2djnumJ-M5ssWF40FGY3Y4rX4VOx2PW9g9TZ99RI0W-DDhA3GnEZ3GPywzvQzYl9csXUfZYzM08UdKkR/s1600/tweeple_sewing.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftnlWN_x2Dl5L_cUrFb_6tXnnvljlX8LtYhsvUUOeC4Y4XV4GefH61lxFT4_L2djnumJ-M5ssWF40FGY3Y4rX4VOx2PW9g9TZ99RI0W-DDhA3GnEZ3GPywzvQzYl9csXUfZYzM08UdKkR/s320/tweeple_sewing.tiff" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will share with you an anecdote from over a decade ago, when I was making sewing patterns. I would lurk about a couple of popular sewing forums to see what the resonance for my designs was. But I would also get sidetracked by other things, as one does, on these forums. I recall encountering one forum, with an active participant, who was a man sewing for his son. It really is less of a novelty than it sounds like, as I now come across many men, who enjoy sewing. But at the time, I hadn’t really come across it and I was curious. That man happened to be in a same-sex relationship and his child had two fathers. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many other participants, one could discern, from their avatars, signature taglines and involvement in church activities and so on, that they were from conservative backgrounds.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those forum members from conservative backgrounds, who would otherwise eagerly answer a question on different hand stitches or cleaning a serger, kept a polite distance from this man. Nothing uncivil, nothing disrespectful, nothing disgracious and nothing indelicate. Just distance. Just didn’t reply to his posts. Didn’t comment on his sewing accomplishments.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was over here. They were over there. Ne’er the twain would meet or some such.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As it goes with sewing forums, especially ones about sewing for children, members come to know one another and get a glimpse into the lives of others. Members often share things more than discount codes for Fabric.com. Members watch their children grow and share in their joys and milestones. And they share other things, as well. Such as when this particular man shared that he was diagnosed with cancer.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And just like that, those ladies, the ones who held a very different belief system and very likely held deep and damning (in the truest sense of the word) convictions about this man’s sexual orientation, set into action. They organized prayer circles. They asked for the son’s measurements and went to their sewing machines. They took out jars of homemade jam from their pantries and put together care packages. They gave recipe tips from when they were going through their own bouts of nausea with chemo. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The twain met.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So the whole while, as this one set of members were keeping that polite distance, they were also curious, were also taking a look into this man’s life. And they must have at that point just seen the man, that he was diagnosed with cancer and that he had a young son. My eyes are tearing up as I write those words. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That memory has stayed with me throughout this election cycle. This ugly, bullying, mean election cycle. I know that we really have more in common than our differences. We all love our children. That’s a start. We all know within our families and circle of friends the pain and destruction of cancer. Another start. We know love. We know pain. That’s a good start. Separate circles on a Venn diagram that actually touch and very often overlap.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-d894f3a6-4641-4960-06d1-acb2fd462822"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sewists know how to improvise and how to make the best of the few scraps we have. So the tedious task of mending falls to us, again. And we know we don’t know how to do everything and we know when we need help. I have met professional tailors, who were open to learning a new trick. So let’s show ‘em all how creative we all really are. And how caring we are. Let’s stitch this thing back up. The edges, they may fray and hopefully we will be able to replace them with something more sensible. But the seams will hold and keep us together, keep us warm, keep us safe, keep us working, keep us moving forward.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"There's nothing wrong with America that can't be fixed by what's right with America." -Bill Clinton, 1992</span>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-48264245938165526562016-02-16T14:06:00.001-08:002016-02-17T07:06:29.599-08:00DIY Felt Storage Baskets and Hang-It-All SorterHappy Valentine's Day! Okay, I am a little belated, I will admit, but we took off spontaneously to enjoy a couple of days at a different beach. Check out my Instagram feed, if you're curious.<br />
<br />
But I do still have a Valentine for you: A DIY instruction for woven felt totes.<br />
All you need for these are some basic sewing supplies and 3 mm thick wool or wool-blend felt.<br />
<br />
A place for everything and everything in its place, right? This is a simple project to create just that "place" for those "everythings" that seem to get scattered here and there. I do like a handy basket, don't you? I made these baskets from felt, because I like the look and feel and also because they don't scratch my very favorite coffee table ever.<br />
<br />
In English and German!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdlpTLsy1H_oWo1QEBeVb_w1CLPNxXsFxrUkCs4OasL1a4A4XtC1itTmZB3iRzdp3v2mhc-IMNR9Gaeu0hBPWpuMznCyFRnmRPWe7D3gu40Y7YoMOVkuXv-uQjR6RzbVGAIwToHa09g9q/s640/Felt_basket_cover_2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank"><img alt=" http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq2d0BueqgzgrAaGUuxlDaoqLp3bWRBSdkeqglKrTudEAw39cZVMOfSfjhsxhTsVQJ7sRVg5Hc_3vyu3m13_mshqmqkizkzLrf5Njm0ov6Q0PoBMs8skllvg1j2ZHVCx8BkC_RE_nCv6P/s640/random_stuff_ENG_sm.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Follow the link <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
<br />
As a little bonus, I have also included instructions for making these hanging woven felt pockets. I have strung them on a bit of hemp rope for a nice bit of texture.<br />
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Follow the links for a PDF file containing both tutorials. Enjoy!<br />
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<img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5-4FgKPVQk1tC4Ub5qQZ-JBU7NuxSpY3bi8499bwr0bigmtDXK-7PcCXtSoRBkhN9nBJDzZO6aVPywfJyC-tRA7_NoiH00Yq6WmIgjsFrTJG5CONPtiglaS3r5Kr-nAnMniCqro2vl_V/s640/Hanging_Sort_It_All_2.jpg" width="640" /><a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank">http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_niXsKULfd_4mjG0qxyyLF1PTInzpTg1lNKzrzcE5khKI5L6jOaztiyIPjGdf3MwJi8PDbAdhIyYfQE-86PDbLPqRJumJeQjyDeMViAflod5cVrQbQphfnNPQ-2LBCSXA59j06nJNoc2/s640/Hanging_Sort_It_All_sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Zum Valentinstag habe ich für Euch nachträglich ein kleines Geschenk: Anleitung für gewebte Sammelkörbe und Hängetaschen aus 3 mm-dickem Wollfilz.</i><br />
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<i>Ordnung muß sein! Oder zumindest den ernsten Versuch, nicht wahr? Ich mag dafür Sammelkörbe für all das, was sich so ansammelt. Diese habe ich aus Wollfilz gewebt, den Wollfilz finde ich gleichermaßen modern und rustikal, und ausserdem kratzen diese nicht so meinen allerliebsten Couchtisch wie so manchen Bastkörbe.</i><br />
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<i>Die Hängetaschen kann frau beispielsweise über dem Schreibtisch, dem Nähtisch oder beim Eingangstür aufhängen, um so dies und das aufzubewahren.</i><br />
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<i>Na dann: Viel Spaß!</i><br />
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<b><i>Auf Englisch und auf <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank">Deutsch</a>!</i></b><br />
<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-85201165057027444082015-12-26T14:05:00.001-08:002015-12-27T13:33:45.961-08:00(Pillow-)Case Study - A tutorial for a tied pillowcase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3ycvavLBCmaOjdG8vdtaTEJy3cOG1ngqVhMDtGjf2T038pD-uTwn0vTkkoTj2gnUH1mWQHnkSioWw_NNcPr_mDozG5NKak87aXrufUzsXNkizAyOxMYTxbRMUBnl0bT4_39jq064su9I/s1600/pillowcase_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3ycvavLBCmaOjdG8vdtaTEJy3cOG1ngqVhMDtGjf2T038pD-uTwn0vTkkoTj2gnUH1mWQHnkSioWw_NNcPr_mDozG5NKak87aXrufUzsXNkizAyOxMYTxbRMUBnl0bT4_39jq064su9I/s640/pillowcase_cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Holidays!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yup, a bit late with my present to you this year. "Boxing Day", okay? That still counts, right?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My gift to you is a simple pillowcase tutorial that makes a tied pillowcase for a total luxe look. Do you have house guests spending the holidays? Does the price of new bedding for the guest room keep you awake at night? Why not make your own for pennies on the dollar?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bedding is really, really simple to sew--all straight seams! To get you started, here is something so, so easy that looks just so, so high-end: tied pillow cases. As a treat for yourself or for someone else, these pillowcases make terrific gifts. With only very basic sewing skills, you can make this something special for a friend, who is feeling under the weather, for a niece leaving for college, or for that sweetheart of a neighbor, who takes in the mail and feeds the cat whenever you are out of town.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This particular pillowcase design has flaps of material that totally cover the pillow insert inside. The bow ties are a romantic touch, which are not hard against your skin, like buttons or zippers would be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Design options: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use your favorite printed woven fabric or go all out with embroidery or appliqué. Use a contrasting fabric for the ties for an unexpected punch of color. Or just use plain white linen and let the pretty ties do all the design talking. Cut the ties shorter and tie in square knots instead of bows for a less romantic, more utilitarian look. Instead of making fabric ties, consider using other options: Grosgrain ribbon is an time-saving choice for a feminine look. Or how about this? Grab some fabric with your favorite sports fan’s favorite team logo on it and then use shoelaces for the ties! Or maybe try using soft twisted cotton cording with plain navy blue fabric to for a nautical look. I’ll be excited to see what you come up with! Just make sure whatever tying material you use will stay securely tied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have this tutorial in both English and German (or "German-close-enough"). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hf4vimsIKgUWxMLTFiZGJsWk0/view" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for ENGLISH</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hf4vimsIKgODFjRXBmY3VsYUE/view" target="_blank">HIER KLICKEN für DEUTSCH</a></span><br />
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Frohes Fest!<br />
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Ja, ja, immer spät dran... Immerhin, mein Weihnachtsgeschenk an Euch: Eine allgemeine Anleitung um diese mit Schleifen gebundenen Kissenbezüge selberzunähen. Da (gute) Bettwäsche so wahnsinnsteuer ist, wundert es mich, warum nicht mehrere diese selber nähen--denn Bettwäsche super einfach zu nähen ist. Nur gerade Säumen!<br />
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Um damit anzufangen, hier ein ganz edeler, doch sehr einfacher Kissenbezug. Die Schleifen verleihen ein romantisches Flair, wobei wenn die Bindestreifen einfach kürzer zugeschnitten und in Kreuzknoten anstatt Schleifen zugebunden sind und sieht schon der Kissenbezug eher modern, maskulin und utilitärisch aus. Ein Kissenbezug ist vielleicht etwas ungewöhnlich, aber immer gerne als Geschenk gesehen. Hat die Grippe eine Freundin erwischt? So ein schöner Kissenbezug wäre doch ein nettes "Ich-denke-an-Dich". Oder geht die Nichte nun zur Uni in einer anderen Stadt? Schicke ihr doch einen hübschen von Dir selbstgenähten Kissenbezug--sie freut sich bestimmt. Oder Übernachtet der kleine Sohnemann zum ersten mal bei Oma und Opa "alleine", na, dann gebe ihm doch einen Gute-Nacht-Kissenbezug mit!<br />
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Die PDF-Anleitung findet Ihr hier auf Englisch sowie auf Deutsch (bzw. "Deutsch-ähnlich"...viele Typ- bzw. Grammatikfehler habe ich auch nun nachträglich in der Anleitung erkannt... aber an meinem besonderem, ähm, "Dialekt" seid Ihr inszwischen gewohnt, nicht?).<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hf4vimsIKgUWxMLTFiZGJsWk0/view" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />CLICK HERE for ENGLISH</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hf4vimsIKgODFjRXBmY3VsYUE/view" target="_blank">HIER KLICKEN für DEUTSCH</a></span><br />
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<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-55274022632098204512015-07-25T07:03:00.003-07:002015-07-25T07:03:20.439-07:00DIY Cactus PincushionPrickly, yet low-maintenance: Perhaps that is why I identify with the cactus?<br />
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Here's a quick-lickety-split DIY cactus pincushion. Great to make as a quick gift for a sewing sister.<br />
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Just <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank">follow this link</a> for a complete photo-tutorial. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/free/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4QgKZxbYdHJqDdlwfOr1iqj01fqvuaCnXGj6TP_kyJ0N52K_TZVAKka4nThIdbGgrqLrj9Z9iMl1oOttJ6x07XNt0HKcUVe0GaX4raqFKqlTjg1BzheaTwnMS0wOZ2oY2vE55r-PQxOm/s640/cover.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-92048429765847197412014-11-16T16:47:00.000-08:002014-11-17T09:54:33.993-08:00Drop everything! There's a craft idea on the Internet!Hey! A DIY Tree Thing! For Thanksgiving!<br />
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<i>Hey! Ein DIY Baumdingens im Internet! Für Thanksgiving...moment mal...das ist ja das Ami-Holiday-Freßfest...aber zu Weihnachten? Neujahr? Was spricht dagegen?</i><br />
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<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong945371318" name="gsSong945371318" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=9453713&style=metal&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=9453713&style=metal&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Massive%20Attack%20Be%20Thankful%20For%20What%20You've%20Got" title="Be Thankful For What You've Got by Massive Attack on Grooveshark">Be Thankful For What You've Got by Massive Attack on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object><br />
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Super simple.<br />
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Super cheap.</div>
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This Thanksgiving Tree is kinetic and interactive and chic in that Mid Century-Meets-Martha kinda way. You can do this.</div>
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This tree thing can be used as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece, on a mantle, coffee table... Leave it up all week with a few "thankful-for" leaves scattered and a pen and see what people are thankful for.<br />
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<i>Ganz einfach.</i><br />
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<i>Ganz billig.</i><br />
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<i>Dieses Baumdingens ist kinetisch, interaktiv und Mid Century+Martha Stewart-schick. Das kannst du auch. </i></div>
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<div>
<b>You will need: <i>Brauchen wirst du:</i></b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>1 3x3" Dobie: </b>These are sold in<b> home improvement stores</b> in the aisle where cement and cement accoutrement are found, usually near the rebar. A dobie is a chunk of concrete with a couple of wires sticking out. They are often found 3-4 on a piece and are easily broken apart by dropping them, or giving them a good whack with a hammer. They cost less than a buck apiece.</li>
<li><b>12 gauge aluminum floral wire:</b> I like gold for this holiday. But this wire also comes in silver and black. </li>
<li><b>Bakers twine:</b> optional.</li>
<li><b>Dried fall leaves</b></li>
<li><b>Spray paint:</b> Gold, if you like.</li>
<li><b>Craft paper:</b> optional</li>
<li><b>Empty paper towel/toilet paper tube(s): </b>For trivet</li>
<li><b>Protective gloves:</b> Spray paint, know what I mean?</li>
<li><b>Leaf-shaped paper punch:</b> If you got one. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><i><b>1 sog. "Dobie":</b> Schau das Bild bitte an. Wie das Ding auf deutsch heißt? Who knows? Das Dingens findest du allerdings im <b>Baumarkt</b> wo du alles zum Zement hast, meistens beim Armiereisen. Ein "Dobie" besteht aus einem Stück Beton mit zwei Drähten, die 'rausgucken. Dobies sind spottbillig und sollen kein Euro kosten.</i></li>
<li><i><b>Dicker Aludraht: </b>Ich mag den goldfarbenen. Gibt's auch in silber und schwarz.</i></li>
<li><i><b>Buntes Bindegarn:</b> nach Wunsch</i></li>
<li><i><b>Trockenes Laub</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Sprayfarbe:</b> Gold gefällig?</i></li>
<li><i><b>Dickes Papier/Pappe</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Papierhülsen von der Papierhandtücherrolle bzw. vom Toilettenpapier:</b> für den Untersetzer</i></li>
<li><i><b>Gummihandschuhe:</b> Denn Sprühfarbe, nicht wahr?</i></li>
<li><i><b>Blattförmiger Papierstanzer: </b>Falls vorhanden.</i></li>
</ul>
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<div>
<u><b>Tools:</b></u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Needle-nose pliers</b></li>
<li><b>Hot glue gun + glue </b></li>
<li><b>Scissors</b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b><i><u>Werkzeug:</u></i></b><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Spitzzangen</i></li>
<li><i>Heißkleber</i></li>
<li><i>Schere</i></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>This is how we do it:<i> So geht's:</i></b></div>
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Cut paper towel tube into even rings approx. 1 cm/5/8" thick.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Papierhülsen in ca. 1 cm-dicke Stücke abschneiden.</i></div>
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Spread out your craft paper and spray paint the dobie, dried leaves and paper towel tube rings with spray paint.</div>
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<br />
<i>Pappe ausbreiten und "Dobie," Hülsenringe und das Blattlaub mit Sprayfarbe besprühen.</i><br />
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<div>
While those things are drying, write out the words "give" and "thanks" (or "joy" or "family" or "wish" or whatever not-too-long word strikes your fancy) largely in cursive onto a piece of paper. </div>
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<div>
With the aid of your needle-nose pliers "trace" the word with your wire.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Während das o.g. trocknet, deine gewünschte Worten -- z.B. "frieden," "freude," "freunde," wie auch immer -- großzügig auf Papier ausschreiben. Mit Hilfer der Spitzzange, das Wort im Draht "nachzeichnen."</i></div>
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Optional: Dab a bid of hot glue onto the finished word and wrap, wrap, wrap, wrap...wrap bakers twine around your word. Secure the end of the twine with another dab of hot glue and trim the excess twine.</div>
<div>
<br />
<i>Nach Wunsch dein Wort mit buntem Bindegarn umwickeln. Die Enden mit Heißkleber befestigen.</i><br />
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<div>
Cut 8-10 pieces of 12-gauge aluminum wire in varying lengths between 35-75 cm/15-30" and gather them into a bundle. Add the word branches to this bundle.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Secure this bundle of wires to the dobie, by twisting the two dobie wires around the bundle of aluminum wires.<br />
<br />
<i>Ca. 8-10 Stück vom Aludraht in verschiedenen Längen (ca. 35-75 cm) zuschneiden und diese zusammen bündeln. Dein Wort-Draht zu dem Draht-Bündel tun.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Dieses Drahtbündel (inkl. Wort-Draht) am sog. Dobie mit den zwie Dobie-Drähten festbinden.</i></div>
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<div>
Wrap a long stretch of aluminum wire around the base of the tree to form a "trunk."<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Ein langes Stück Aludraht um den Bündel für den "Baumstamm" herumwickeln.</i></div>
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<div>
Using your needle-nose pliers, twist loops at the end of each tree branch to secure whatever should hang from there.<br />
<br />
<i>Mit Hilfe der Spitzzange, die Enden vom Draht kringeln, um die Anhängsel einen festen Sitz zu schenken.</i><br />
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<div>
Cut or punch out leaves from the craft paper which was spray painted.</div>
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<div>
Add bakers twine to the spray painted paper leaves and real dried leaves.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Bend the tree thing the way you like it and decorate with the leaves. Allow your family to write what they are thankful for on the leaves.<br />
<br />
<i>Vom Pappe, die als Unterlage zum Spraypainting diente, Papierlaub (oder Schneeflocken oder Sterne oder wie auch immer) ausstanzen bzw. ausschneiden. Buntes Bindegarn am Laub (Schneeflöckchen, Sternchen...) kleben.</i></div>
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<div>
<b>Trivet: <i>Untersetzer:</i></b></div>
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Hot glue rings of paper towel tube like this. Dobies aren't really great for putting on your nice wood table, so a trivet is helpful. (Didn't spray paint my dried leaves in the first go-around...so here we go...)<br />
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<i>Die Ringe vom Papierhülse wie abgebildet zusammenkleben. Der Untersetzer schütz vor Kratzer vom Dobie. Hier oben abgebildet das echte Laub wird gold gesprüht.</i></div>
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<div>
Trim any extra paper towel rings in half and make these.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Schneide überbliebene Hülsenringen halb zu breit und solche "Blumen" zusammenkleben.</i></div>
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That's it! <i>Das war's!</i></div>
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<b><u>Cost:</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Dobie: $.79 ea.</li>
<li>12-gauge aluminum wire: $2.99</li>
<li>Spray paint: $3.59</li>
<li>Baker's twine: $1.99</li>
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<b><i>Here's an idea:</i></b> Make matching bent wire and baker's twine name cards and add a "thankful-for" leaf at each table setting. So fancy!</div>
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<i><b>Eine weitere Idee:</b> Das Draht in passenden Namenschilder für den Tisch biegen. Doch hübsch, oder?</i><br />
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Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-44449993939900022742014-11-13T09:13:00.003-08:002014-11-13T09:31:38.974-08:00Happy Birthday, Farbenmix!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsCB52E0p_YpPakBoDfS5TMQcpb8kFgj2sKCfwMkitwdhj14C2mny-WmG5B1Jhd7PQZcQ-6Ma7D6CRF5B6w682dSM25a32n4y8uYymg_gaX7-tH_VwLPnyLhcEkh8ALGTLG6_WZskwtLG/s1600/happy_10_farbenmix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsCB52E0p_YpPakBoDfS5TMQcpb8kFgj2sKCfwMkitwdhj14C2mny-WmG5B1Jhd7PQZcQ-6Ma7D6CRF5B6w682dSM25a32n4y8uYymg_gaX7-tH_VwLPnyLhcEkh8ALGTLG6_WZskwtLG/s640/happy_10_farbenmix.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten years? Has it been ten years already? Ten years of fun and color, creativity and friendships. What a great time to be sewing! To celebrate Farbenmix’s first ten years as the leader in putting the “fun” into funtional and the “wings” into your sewings, Farbenmix has many presents for you! Please click on over there to see all that is going on!</span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-d-JU-O3ZAMkmBijVIBBshCVnLpkvrPvy0lfsBA1FxXGkzcDTCeCyN7kO8NofkFuGOZiI5MgkKhVT2OUWYu823Tu8lOgUBHlKg4D7ihQ69JCekyXqB-StJEp1pnf_k51LOE48MajWSz0/s1600/14632836339_d56639780e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-d-JU-O3ZAMkmBijVIBBshCVnLpkvrPvy0lfsBA1FxXGkzcDTCeCyN7kO8NofkFuGOZiI5MgkKhVT2OUWYu823Tu8lOgUBHlKg4D7ihQ69JCekyXqB-StJEp1pnf_k51LOE48MajWSz0/s640/14632836339_d56639780e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember when it was just the patterns “Anjana.” “Cara” and “Dortje” over at klickundblick.de and you had to write Sabine a personal email to order yours? I’m getting a bit nostalgic. Being that I am, my present to you is this <a href="https://studiotantrum.squarespace.com/new-products/morro-cloche-ladies-hat">little retro hat pattern named “Morro.”</a> I named it for Morro Rock on the California Coast, because it has a similar form. "Like a rock...like a rock of ages..." Okay...let's just listen to that classic together right now.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong2652281880" name="gsSong2652281880" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=26522818&style=metal&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=26522818&style=metal&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=The%20O%20Jays%20Loves%20Me%20Like%20A%20Rock" title="Loves Me Like A Rock by The O Jays on Grooveshark">Loves Me Like A Rock by The O Jays on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7"><b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7"><b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morro is a one-size-fits-all hat: The size of the hat can be adjusted with the ribbon. The cap can be worn “Sherlock Holmes” style, with the brim to the front, or more Roaring 20s, like a cloche.</span></b></b></div>
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Blue boiled wool <a href="http://www.swafing.de/deutsch/naomi.html">"Naomi" from Swafing</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.swafing.de/deutsch/vechte.html">Wool suiting "Vechte" from Swafing.</a><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.swafing.de/deutsch/naomi.html">Boiled wool "Naomi" from Swafing.</a></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morro can be stitched up from many different sturdier fabrics, even a good jersey, if you have the right interfacing for the brim. I like it stitched up in wool suiting or boiled wool with a gross grain or velvet ribbon for a nostalgic take, because I am in that nostalgic mood. But how and where you take Morro and Morro takes you is your take! YOU are the designer! I think that’s one of the greatest things Farbenmix has taught us.</span></b></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All proceeds of the sale of this downloadable ePattern will benefit Nahow, a comprehensive program to bring education, hygiene, solar power and a better way of life to a village in Cameroon, Africa. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.15;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.15;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://studiotantrum.squarespace.com/new-products/morro-cloche-ladies-hat">Click here for all the information on Morro!</a></span></div>
</b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7">
</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy!</span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-94d4c710-aa29-e0d5-6844-4f776049a0a7">
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many thanks to my lovely model, Jacqui! Please check out her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofjacqui">YouTube channel</a> to hear the beautiful voice inside this beautiful person.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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</b>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-83632193218558359722014-09-25T15:37:00.000-07:002014-09-25T15:37:11.457-07:00Of Summers PastWell, fall has fallen. And I feel like I am falling off. Lately, I don't feel like I've been doing anything right. I'm working on a simple, simple, simple blouse design that is proving <i>so</i> hard. Three pieces...c'mon...go together the way I want...Nope. I went to a free yoga class. Do you know what I found out? I don't even <i>breathe</i> right. Breathing? Really? You're telling me I don't know how to <i>breathe</i>? Like I said, I can't do anything right.<br />
<br />
So, let me go back to summer, when the kids and I stumbled onto Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is already the most beautiful of California cities. Now, cover that town in confetti, cascarones, flamenco dancers and street taco vendors? Santa Barbara gets it right!<br />
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<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-8486960554708626302014-09-12T18:52:00.000-07:002014-09-12T19:38:26.338-07:00"Do you like Swafing?" <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"I don't know, I've never swaffed before"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(My apologies to the fans of <u><a href="http://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/10/02/like-kipling/">the famous Kippling postcard</a></u>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hello All!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How was your summer? Mine was comprised of rather boring
stretches of tedium punctuated with stressful bouts of activity. For reasons of
compromised space and compromised finances…and really compromises in general, I
didn’t seem to get done the many things I had intended for the summer.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But I did/do have some work! Some months ago, the one sewist
in the world whose work I admire the very most (but doesn’t much like
attention, so I won’t mention her by name) called me and told me about a firm
she has been working with for a couple of years. This firm works closely with
Farbenmix and, well, this firm is looking to expand outside of the
German-speaking market and further into Europe. Would I like to help?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Um, help? How? You realize, I am in Californa. So, ideally
situated to expand into France and Italy and Spain and so forth I am/je suis/io
sono/soy not so much, ne c’est pas/non/no? Whatever: If this is a partner firm
of Farbenmix, and if you, awesome sewist/dear-friend-who-shall-not-be-named,
work for these guys, that’s good enough for me. Count me in. What do you want
me to do?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For a few months, I’ve just done some translations of German
blog posts into English. Really no sweat off my keyboard. I haven’t even sent
this company an invoice and I hadn’t really told anyone—until now—that I’ll be
getting a paycheck from these guys once in awhile.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That is because I really want to stand behind what I am called to represent, especially when it comes to something near and dear to my
heart like sewing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Swafing is a mid-sized firm in the greatest tradition of
European mid-sized firms, which are still the backbone of European industry. These are the kinds of companies with, maybe, 150
employees, max, that are handed down through the generations and, therefore, are not
hyperactively and shortsightedly focused on “shareholder value” and “quarterly
returns”. These firms like to consider things in terms of longevity and
sustainability. Something that can be passed on to to the next generation. Swafing
is located in Nordhorn, Germany, a small town near the Dutch border. In its
heyday, Nordhorn was an important industrial center for the textile industry.
Mills, manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers and service providers
in the textile and apparel industry value chain all called Norhorn home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swafing Sr. would go to these different
firms and purchase up what they had laying around to sell to the home sewing
market. And then the 1990s came. Outsourcing. China. “Nuff said. Nordhorn as an
industrial center for the textile industry? Very much less so. (North Carolina,
you can sing this song, too, am I right?). Swafing Jr. was facing very tough
times, tough times indeed. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At just about the right time, this rather manly company got quite the
estrogen injection, in form of very enthusiastic sewists, who love them some
fabulous fabric. And fabulous fabric of the sort they were unable to find.
High-quality cotton knits and high thread-count percales printed with whimsy
and wonder and fun. Sumptuous fashion fabrics that were on trend. Pretty, but
nonetheless utilitarian fabrics for things like handbags and ski jackets.
Worsted wools in a broad pallet of colors. Yarn-dyed striped interlocks in most every color and most every width. Digital prints. French terry. Confidence in Textiles/Oeko-Tex and respected organic standards. You
know what we want. You know how hard it is to find it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Swafing was the kind of company that knew how to find or
make whatever kind of material was wanted, if they only knew which fabrics were
wanted. These are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dudes, remember:
No matter how hard they may try, sometimes they don’t get it. Am I right? And so Sabine Pollehn of Farbenmix came with a wish list. And that wish list fulfilled many, many wishes
of many, many home sewists. Many, many, many. And so, many more fabrics were
made and innovative new designers discovered and many, many, many pretty things
were sewn up all around the land. And then Swafing hired some highly enthused
gals having both excellent sewing and business-y skills to handle things like creative
direction and online marketing. And Swafing made a name for itself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And they lived happily every after…not yet. Mr. Swafing is
not content to sit on his laurels. He also understands how fickle we sewists
can be and wants to continue to grow and meet new demands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And this is about where I was called and started translating
blog posts. Whatever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This company, <a href="http://www.swafing.de/englisch/">Swafing</a>, recently invited me to attend their
semiannual “Hausmesse”. What looks like might be translated into “house mess”
is really something different. (“House mess,” come to think of it, has no
German translation. Probably because it doesn’t exist. Very tidy country.)
Translated by a pro like myself, I used the term “in-house exhibition” in the
blog posts for “Hausemesse.” But translating words doesn’t necessarily convey
the meaning. For example, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">zum Beispiel</i>,
if you’re invited for coffee in the U.S., you’ll likely just meet a friend at
(please-anyplace-but-)Starbucks and drink lattes from paper cups. In Germany,
on the other hand, if you are invited for coffee, please consider bringing
flowers (from a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">florist</i>), please
calculate at least two hours around a beautiful table resplendent with
different homemade cakes and pastries, fine china, napkins folded prettily,
special forks, linen table cloths and so on, and please wear your Sunday best, but
sensible shoes, because “having coffee” invariably concludes with a lengthy
walk (Spaziergang) no matter what the weather. Coffee vs. Kaffee. Same thing,
completely different.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And the “Hausmesse” might translate to “in-house exhibition”
or “open house” or “warehouse sale” or some such. But a lot gets lost in
translation. Below, I’ve tried to let a few of the hundreds of people who
attended explain why they drove hundreds of miles (excuse me, “kilometers”) to
some ho-dunk (excuse me, “quaint”) town in the countryside. And also to explain
in a small way, why I am now proud to call myself a member of the Swafing team.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But please remember: no one can pay me enough to promote
something I don’t believe in. Or at least nothing under the
buy-my-own-island-and-my-own-flying-horse-that-speaks-fluent-French price
point. So, if I show you something made with Swafing fabric, it is because I
really stand behind it. I really do like this fabric and the company behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If I start Instagramming pix of Jean-Pierre flying among tall palm trees, you are welcome to call my judgement into question. Until then, when I say </span>the fabric is off the hook? Seriously, it is. This is that marvelous European fabric woven by elves on magic golden looms in an enchanted forest or some such. Seriously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>A Fabric Paradise on the Dutch-German Border</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So, what brought you to Nordhorn today?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was my question to attendees at the recent Swafing
In-House Exhibition. Nordhorn has its charms—don’t get me wrong. There are, for
example canals surrounding the central shopping district. But, let’s face it,
Venice Nordhorn is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, everybody goes to the Hausmesse!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everybody? To an in-house exhibition of a mid-sized,
family-run fabric distributor? People drive hundreds of kilometers to mill
about a collection of rather non-descript industrial buildings near the
German-Dutch border? As I press against the racks to allow yet another smiling
customer and her full cart is push past, I will have agree with Sabine Pollehn
of Farbenmix. But why?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Swa-fing</i>,” explained
to me in slow, deliberate syllables. Like the three-year old, who as discovered
that “why” is the one of the Five W’s that just can have no end, I bite again.
“Why Swafing?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xo0wAS2fZ63mo4D57vFtpA4wxYAoVOztq65gZV8hh7i5v5d5fquPJeXa1Din1N-sjXeBiHTI5riSyd-WCJV3nfc1F7rtqCEDxmwLNgoprV1WYRIbMPL-frCemZ545xdYUOrFchNpd2gF/s1600/Anke_800_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xo0wAS2fZ63mo4D57vFtpA4wxYAoVOztq65gZV8hh7i5v5d5fquPJeXa1Din1N-sjXeBiHTI5riSyd-WCJV3nfc1F7rtqCEDxmwLNgoprV1WYRIbMPL-frCemZ545xdYUOrFchNpd2gF/s1600/Anke_800_800.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anke Müller, the creative force behind <a href="http://www.cherry-picking.de/">Cherry Picking</a>, gives us our first German lesson for fab fabric fans. Everybody: "ISH LEE-beh SHTAW-feh!" "I love fabrics!"</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Und warum sind Sie
heute in Nordhorn?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So meine Frage an so
mancher Besucher des diesjährigen Swafing Hausmesse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nordhorn hat gewiss seine Reize—mich also bitte nicht falsch
verstehen. Die hübsche Innenstadt ist umringt von Kannelen, die mit Booten
befahrbar sind. Aber wir machen uns doch nichts hier vor: Venedig ist Nordhorn
wohl nicht.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Ach! Jeder fährt zur
Hausmesse!”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeder? Zu der
Hausmesse eines Mittelstandsunternehmens, das Stoffe vertreibt? Es fahren Leute
Hunderte von Kilometern zu einer Kleinstadt an der deutschen-holländischen
Grenze, um um einigen unscheinbaren gewerblichen Bauten aus der Nachkriegszeit
herumzulaufen und Stoffe kaufen, die sie ja sonst bequem und gemütlich online
bestellen könnten? Während ich schon wieder gegen die Regale mich drucken
müssen, um eine lächelnde Kundin mit vollem Wagen vorbeifahren zu dürfen, muß
ich es wohl glauben. Aber warum?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Weil es Swa-fing
ist,” für mich extra in langsamen Sylben ausgesprochen. Und wie die freche dreijährige,
die soeben herausgefunden hat, das die frage “Warum” immer wieder und immer
wieder zur Frage gestellt werden kann, frage ich auch wieder, “Warum?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uFmcF3Xs0dw6_-aIF_UyiGdMXCV7vqTmYzibZVn2b4m-DJrnVnKkM0C_gpzgo0PWXolcBpK1U93zClanlPmKseaBvvu_q_pBvD7qdSuu3mZFymIIH0mQwfJxIAUxiD1DWE791HA9VhWB/s1600/Anne_Hebbedinge_600_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uFmcF3Xs0dw6_-aIF_UyiGdMXCV7vqTmYzibZVn2b4m-DJrnVnKkM0C_gpzgo0PWXolcBpK1U93zClanlPmKseaBvvu_q_pBvD7qdSuu3mZFymIIH0mQwfJxIAUxiD1DWE791HA9VhWB/s1600/Anne_Hebbedinge_600_900.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Anne Petry, artist and creative tour-de-force behind <a href="https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/hebbedinge">Hebbedinge</a> <i>makes </i>new friends. Literally, m<i>akes</i> new friends. Get it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this is where the conversation gets interesting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am a passionate wool felter,” explained Silke Freitag of
Müritz. “I run a successful yarn shop for knitting and crochet, but my
customers keep coming in asking for fabric. Swafing fabric. I think it is
important, in business, to go new ways and try new things. So I’m learning to
sew!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think it is important to always try new things. That is
the wonderful thing about making things with your hands. You are always going
in new directions,” Ms. Freitag explains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Put that way, I have to agree with this mother of five grown
children, who might just been seen about Müritz going new directions on a
groovy old GDR-issued bicycle, which Ms. Freitag has colorfully yarn-bombed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO7Xa-fs1hMAZ1fF_r_sp61ldCKC9BW52vsSIPRWsvRuEMDzxOrvCPbj98XZD6bfQGkcvxWk2aQ7vbvxXHVJ9Bmh7xw66iE2xPrPOjIx5PI1jENzqTMoOXDPnTpQ3DiWnRIHL2C2YU48t/s1600/Freitag_600_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO7Xa-fs1hMAZ1fF_r_sp61ldCKC9BW52vsSIPRWsvRuEMDzxOrvCPbj98XZD6bfQGkcvxWk2aQ7vbvxXHVJ9Bmh7xw66iE2xPrPOjIx5PI1jENzqTMoOXDPnTpQ3DiWnRIHL2C2YU48t/s1600/Freitag_600_900.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shop owner Silke Freitag of <a href="http://www.wir-sind-mueritzer.de/allgemein/ein-geschaeft-mit-kuschelfaktor/">Müritz's Wollfaden</a>.</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Und nun wird das
Gespräch interessant.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Ich bin Filzerin,”
erkläre Silke Freitag aus Müritz, “Und habe einen Wollladen für Stricken und
Häkeln. Aber meine Kunden fragten nach Stoffen, auch Swafing-Stoffen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wenn man ein Geschäft hat, finde ich es
wichtige, auch neue Wege zu gehen. Deswegen lerne ich nähen!”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Ich finde es wichtig,
immer neue Sachen auszuprobieren. Das ist das schöne an Handarbeit. Du mußt
immer neue Richtungen gehen,” drucke Frau Freit aus.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Und so ausgedruckt muß
ich ja der Mutter fünf erwachsener Kinder recht geben, welche man wohl um
Müritz herum eventuell ihre neue Wege fahren sehen könnte--und zwar auf einem
absolut fetzigen DDR-Fahrad, das Frau Freitag bunt “yarn-bombed” hatte.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjEj8FW2xIV2epDZw2VpLje9JJtuigEehUY_tzhgveQOyIlytmpFjCgp0J2rfMEEeq7II6LXKDxgrqfS-Mbtlv1Kg39N_uSYI7qf_ITwirSvzG7IJJp1vQaWpTY4xGq6WjlA0UJP_btEH/s1600/AnneSvea_600_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjEj8FW2xIV2epDZw2VpLje9JJtuigEehUY_tzhgveQOyIlytmpFjCgp0J2rfMEEeq7II6LXKDxgrqfS-Mbtlv1Kg39N_uSYI7qf_ITwirSvzG7IJJp1vQaWpTY4xGq6WjlA0UJP_btEH/s1600/AnneSvea_600_900.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anne Svea, <a href="http://www.annesvea.de/">shopowner and DIY guru</a>. Even better in real life!</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sewing is like breathing,” explains Jette, communications
director and all-around girl-Friday for Farbenmix. “It is just like that.
Sewing is like breathing to me. Whatever else is going on around me, I need my
creative time. Just to breath.” And good fabric is like fresh, clean air, then,
Jetta? “Exactly! Swafing gives me the fabric to breath creatively!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Das Nähen ist wie
Atem,” sagt Jette, Kommunikationdirektorin und
<strike>Mädchen</strike> Frau-für-Alles bei Farbenmix. “Genauso ist
es. Nähen ist wie Atem. Egal was um mich herum abgeht, brauche ich mein Nähen.
Einfach Atem zu können.” Und gute Stoffe sind dann wie frische Luft, liebe Jette?
Stoff als metaphorischer Sauerstoff? “Genau! Swafing gibt mir den Stoff, um
kreativ Atem zu können.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W_P2jLxw1gEpWNX5PhO-a3MgZQPnSaWtPfmClJ5GunehMbh9t-8zKNJCjJJR9tHQBeQws0siQAJ5fwPbJDc4zKwhVxLNN2MuNbpOHasGVCDXDrRUfFrB8WOv21PjCYpP8VdS8XZ998xx/s1600/fabric_cart_800_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W_P2jLxw1gEpWNX5PhO-a3MgZQPnSaWtPfmClJ5GunehMbh9t-8zKNJCjJJR9tHQBeQws0siQAJ5fwPbJDc4zKwhVxLNN2MuNbpOHasGVCDXDrRUfFrB8WOv21PjCYpP8VdS8XZ998xx/s1600/fabric_cart_800_800.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Swafing is just good,” explain a group of three ladies near
the workshop tent. Hm, I think, judging from your accent, you three have come
quite a distance. “Yes, we drove from Switzerland.” That’s a good 600
kilometes, at least! “Yes, but Swafing has the kinds of fabrics we want for
children’s apparel.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then a round of smart phones are lit up to show off some
sewing creations, but also to show off some adorable Swiss grandchildren.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKCLn620-iIwbcEreIYI9sWeMpdrgEMjp6ws0juzRNRAi62WBFizYZzbh7yylCq8M1e_emVZ3bep0JWMXrKVjJCSovG3H4RDLPJtrS9alWqfzC2ADRSR99vR6p5xTjVnju3OmiE8pa41p/s1600/maja_600_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKCLn620-iIwbcEreIYI9sWeMpdrgEMjp6ws0juzRNRAi62WBFizYZzbh7yylCq8M1e_emVZ3bep0JWMXrKVjJCSovG3H4RDLPJtrS9alWqfzC2ADRSR99vR6p5xTjVnju3OmiE8pa41p/s1600/maja_600_900.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Super fangirl showing off her "Spooky" shirt sewn from Cherry Picking's recent collection.</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Swafing ist einfach
gut,” erläutet eine Gruppe von drei Damen, die in der Nähe vom Workshopzelt
standen. Hm, denke ich, anhand ihre Dialekten, sind diese drei sehr weit
gereist. “Ja, wir sind aus der Schweiz gekommen.” Das sind sicherlich
mindestens 600 Kilomerter! “Ja, aber Swafing hat die Stoffe, die wir für Kinderklamotten
brauchen.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Und dann werden ja die
Smartphones herausgeholt und stolz sowohl Selbstgenähtes als auch bildhübsche,
schweizerische Enkelkinder gezeigt.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So, why Swafing?” I ask a couple dressed proudly in beautiful
Alpine garb. They had driven up from Austria.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Swafing has good service, good quality. No complaints
whatsoever! Not from me nor my customers,” explained this Alpine shop owner. “I
have a rather large shop. I need to stock a little bit of everything. And my
customers are very price and quality conscious. They want a good deal. I can
count on Swafing fabrics selling well, to help ease the inventory risk with the
slower moving items. It’s a very good working relationship.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Jö. Und warum
Swafing?” frage ich ein Paar wunderschön in voller Alpentracht angezogen. Sie
sind extra aus Österreich gefahren.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Swafing hat guten
Service, gute Qualität. Keine Beschwerden. Weder von mir noch meinen Kundinnen,”
sage die Ladenbesitzerin mit Shop in den Alpen, “Ich habe ein ziemlich grosses
Geschäft. Ich muß ein bißl von allem anbieten können. Auch Spitze und so
weiter. Meine Kunden achten sehr auf den Preis und die Qualität. Ich kann mich
daruaf verlassen, daß die Swafing-Stoffe gut verkauft werden und somit das
Risiko mit den Langsamläufern zu decken. Es ist eine gute Beziehung.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re just starting out,” explained a young couple in the
coffee tent, “We’re in the process of setting up a Web site and online shop.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It began for this couple, as it has for so many shop owners,
with the young mother’s passion for sewing. I probably needn’t explain in too
much detail to this audience how quickly and completely sewing can take hold of
your imagination…and soon after your living quarters and perhaps your career.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So,” explained the couple, “We’re going to open our own
online shop. And Swafing is the fabric people want by name.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Wir fangen jetzt erst
an,” erzähle ein junges Paar im Kaffeezelt. “Wir sind dabei ein Onlineshop zu
bauen.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Es fing für dieses
Päarchen an, wie wir<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>es ja kennen,
mit der Leidenschaft der jungen Mutter für das Nähen für ihre Kinder. Ich muß
wahrscheinlich Leser dieses Blogs nicht in besonders vielen Worten erzählen,
wie schnell das Nähen deine Fantasie…und wenig später den ganzen Wohnraum und
gar die Kariere übernehmen kann.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Also,” sage das Paar,
“Wir machen das eigene Onlineshop auf. Und Swafing-Stoffe werden per Namen von
Leuten gefagt.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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“The Hausmesse is like a class reunion,” explains Anke
Müller the creative force behind the Cherry Picking line of exclusive designer
fabrics, “You see your customers, who have become like friends, year after year
at the Hausmesse. Swafing is just like that.” As I pet Mr. Swafing’s two dogs
sniffing curiously around my feet in the office, watch customer’s children
create a makeshift slide out of the ramp at the warehouse dock and have a sweet
little girl crawl up on my lap in the workshop tent as if I were some familiar
auntie, I have to admit that there is a certain something “just like that” about
Swafing. It is a business, but it is the business of creative expression. So
maybe that is why Swafing is something different.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Hausmesse ist wie
Klassentreff,” sage Anke Müller, die Designerin hinter Cherry Picking, “Du
siehst deine Kunden, die wie Freunde geworden sind, Jahr für Jahr, auf der
Hausmesse. Swafing ist einfach so.” Währen ich die zwei Hunden von
Geschäftführer Hans-Gerd Swafing am Kopf streichele während sie neugierig um
meine Füsse herumschnüffeln, beobachte wie die Kinder der Besucher aus der
einst Lagerrampe den eigentlichen Rütschenzweck entdeckt haben, oder während so
ein süsses Töchterchen eines Kundens auf meinem Schoss will, als wäre ich ja
eine bekannte alte Tante, muß ich auch zugeben, das es ein gewisses “einfach
so” bei Swafing gibt. Gewiss: Swafing ist ein Business. Aber dies ist das
Geschäft des kreativen Könnens. Vielleicht ist deswegen Swafing etwas anderes
und “einfach so.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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“Swafing is just ‘Stoffhimmel’ ,” explains another smiling customer,
pushing past with her cart and who doesn’t have time for my silly questions
when beautiful exclusive designer fabrics are just waiting to be snatched up.</div>
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Fabric paradise, indeed!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Swafing ist
Stoffhimmel,” sage eine weitere, mit Wagen vorbeifahrende Kundin, die für meine
doofe Fragestellungen keine Zeit hat, denn da drüben die schönen
Designerstoffen greifbar liegen.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fabric paradise, aber
ja!<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://link%20swafing/"><br /></a></i>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://link%20swafing/">SWAFING Web site</a></span></div>
Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-90738559480683677902014-07-05T20:03:00.000-07:002014-07-05T20:03:03.192-07:00Ginger Lime Ice Pops and Black Velvet Apricots, because you need to knowBlack velvet apricots. Ever heard of 'em? Me neither. I needed apricot-apricots. Well, actually, peaches, but the peaches were still rock hard, as were the apricots. But these "black velvet" apricots things were ripe, so let's take a bunch of those, Mr. Farmer's Market Man.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14582612712" title="DSC04119 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04119" height="534" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14582612712_3e7b1faaf0_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14560288186" title="DSC04125 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04125" height="534" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14560288186_046da21fc8_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
Oh. Em. Gee! These are delicious. "Black velvet" apricots is what some marketing genius decided to call the baby of a plum and an apricot when they got busy. Plumicot. Aprilum? Anyway, very yummy. And with blueberries in a pecan-oatmeal crumble? Don't get me started!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14580004861" title="DSC04130 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04130" height="534" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/14580004861_c7c724ab90_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong2488007677" name="gsSong2488007677" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=24880076&style=grass&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=24880076&style=grass&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Alannah%20Myles%20Black%20Velvet" title="Black Velvet by Alannah Myles on Grooveshark">Black Velvet by Alannah Myles on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object><br />
<br />
Now, doesn't that song sound like a long, lazy hot afternoon?<br />
<br />
If you are in the throes of such a hot, lazy summer day, may I offer you a ginger lime ice pop?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14582576242" title="DSC04138 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04138" height="534" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14582576242_b0101f8b1a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14560237316" title="DSC04156 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04156" height="800" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/14560237316_7fdb1bd33d_c.jpg" width="534" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14579959911" title="DSC04157 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04157" height="534" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/14579959911_0e6e45ae29_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
Here's my (Sorta) How-To<br />
<br />
Boil enough water.<br />
Add enough sugar or honey.<br />
Remove water+sugar-and/or-honey from heat.<br />
Shave enough fresh ginger knob* into the hot water and let cool. <br />
Squeeze enough limes.<br />
Strain ginger from water.<br />
Stir lime juice into cooled water. Taste and adjust as you like.<br />
Decorate popsicle sticks (very important: do not skip this step!) and place into holder.<br />
Pour mixture into popsicle form and freeze.<br />
<br />
*The root thing, not the cheeky jerk from that pub in Bristol!<br />
<br />
Pour remaining mixture in glass over ice, add fresh mint, raspberries...and...and...let's see what do we have?...Tequilla! (Na-na-na-na-nah-na-neh-naaah!) Drink mixture and dance like Pee Wee Herman (also very important).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/14396663189" title="DSC04170 by Nancy Langdon, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC04170" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/14396663189_3d9bfb8f5a_c.jpg" width="534" /></a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong3166905716" name="gsSong3166905716" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=31669057&style=grass&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=31669057&style=grass&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Gipsy%20Kings%20Tequilla" title="Tequilla by Gipsy Kings on Grooveshark">Tequilla by Gipsy Kings on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-41884567633802362592014-06-21T15:23:00.000-07:002014-06-22T10:14:19.883-07:00Craftmageddon or a party for a 13 year-old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
So, yeah, that sweet little girl you met on this blog, well, the traitor went and grew up <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">into a teenager. Thirteen years old. Each time now when someone asks how old my children are and I say my daughter is thirteen, I, without fail, get a two-note chuckle followed by, "Just wait," in response. Wait? Wait for what?</span><br />
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I can only imagine. Anna was <i>born</i> with a special dose of attitude I call Annatude. Two priceless examples: The girl is, oh, six or so and I reprimand her for leaving the water running in the kitchen. Her response, hands on hips (which has since become a family joke), "Where's your proofidence?!" Proofidence. Right. The second example is when the girl was about eight, I think. I presented some pretty bare boned facts about her needing to come along while I ran some errands. "Not in my world. And right now, I'm in my world."<br />
<br />
Living with that world in my world takes a special kind of patience and humor, I think. The girl has had the eye-roll and the scoff down pat for some time now. Her older bother and I have toyed with the idea of an phone app to interpret most of these scoffs: Heavy sigh = "I don't want to eat dinner, I'm Skyping with Ellie", tongue click + short grunt = "my brother is an idiot", growl = "my mother will never understand me, never!", low-pitched grunt = "my dad is so embarrassing." Needless to say, Anna did not find this amusing. Not in her world.<br />
<br />
I guess teenage girls are just somewhat difficult to please, am I right? So, for her birthday party, I want to give her what she wants, exactly what she wants. Overall, she wanted "A small group (check). Everything black and white (if that's what you want). Crafts (what kinds of crafts, dear? grunt + burst of breath through front teeth = "don't ask me--you're the craft expert. Not too complicated. And not stupid").<br />
<br />
I'll admit, I did become a bit of a Pinterest victim, but the four little projects this "craft expert" choose worked well for girls this age, I think. There was a well-timed 50%-off coupon in my inbox, so I had some custom mugs made up at <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/custom_two_tone_mug-168898232396333775">Zazzle</a> with each of the girls' names and then "you + me = a<b>we</b>some" (see the "we" there in red? Get it?).<br />
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<br />
Before the party, I tested different paint pens, Sharpies and the like. I found that puffy (fabric) paint, believe it or not, worked about the best. It didn't scratch off and survived a few bouts of hand washing in hot soapy water.<br />
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Next, the girls painted some wooden picture frames with chalkboard paint (I know, I know, chalkboard paint is <i>so</i> Pinterest 2010. But when black-and-white is all you're given to work with...). Before painting the girls used stick-on letters to add their names or messages, which were then peeled off once the paint dried.<br />
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And lastly, I had the ladies make two different kinds of scrap memory books. The girls can add photos and things to these later. These memory books, I think, were the biggest hit with the gals.<br />
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We made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9PNYrknPbM">these round kind that open up to displa<u>y (How-To LINK)</u></a>. I pre-cut all the papers like this...<br />
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And then they made these little square squash book ones. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWh-n4JdAqI">These are <i>so</i> easy and fun to </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWh-n4JdAqI">mak<u>e (How-To LINK)</u>.</a><br />
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I own a random glass chandelier. Because I do. I take it out of the garage and hang it in the yard when things need to get fancy. I added these tissue tassels. I haven't seen tissue tassels on backyard chandelier on Pinterest yet. So there! I hope that makes up for the overuse of chalk.<br />
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I also fell victim to a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafts-Monarch-Butterfly/dp/B002YIRJHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403382566&sr=8-1&keywords=martha+butterfly+punch">Martha Stewart butterfly punch</a>. Easy to do. Anna and I made these black and white butterfly garlands on fishing line and hung them from black paper parasols.<br />
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Do <u>this</u>: Make homemade fruit pops and serve them in tumblers. Use fancy straws in case you blog. Pour French lemonade over them: So fancy! (this mom poured French champagne over hers, hee-hee).<br />
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Oh, for all my whining, I love my baby girl. When she's happy, I'm happy. And she was happy with her birthday party. Happy, happy, giggly, giggly, sweet, sweet, hugs and kisses for me happy.</div>
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Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-74022781455162971382014-06-06T08:01:00.001-07:002014-06-06T08:35:25.572-07:00Copy catsOh! Hello there...<br />
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I have <a href="http://fledgeflyingiseasy.blogspot.com/2010/08/big-surprise-milo-likes-food.html">mused in the past </a>about the cat/man divide and how I prefer to maintain this boundary. Again, it is nothing personal, it is just the chemical warfare that reeks havoc with my sinuses and eyes and lungs that is cats. But again, whatever I want or need is of no matter to cats. If our feline overlords decide that they like you, then like you they will and you will like it (say that like Colonel Klink)!<br />
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For some time, a black and white spotted cat and a grey and white tiger striped cat decided they liked us. Or at least our yard.<br />
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Shortly thereafter, one very early morning, before the sun came up, I stepped outside my front door and -- zoom! zoom! zoom! -- three tiny exact copy cats of these two big cats ran right over my feet!<br />
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Kittens.<br />
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Oh boy.<br />
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Kittens.<br />
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We have kittens. Strike that: As I just explained, we don't have kittens. Kittens have us.<br />
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Fortunately, the kittens also have Mama Cat watching them. She is doing a fine job, too. But kittens!?<br />
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Thank you, Internet, for giving me a few tips on the situation. We are offering them bits of food and we sit as close as we can, so that the cats will hopefully become socialized. I hope they will become trusting enough to let us touch them, so that at least we can get them spayed or neutered. Best case scenario, someone will be willing to take them in. For now, they seem pretty young still and they are probably best staying by Mama Cat. Dad Cat is actually not such a deadbeat and shows up once in awhile, too. I hope he's not just being a Tom Cat. I don't need more copy cats.<br />
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Anyway, here I'll let the kittens work their cuteness voodoo on you, too...<br />
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This one I call Braveheart, because she has the most courage.<br />
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This one we call Meow Zedong, because he's kind of a dictator, bossing his sisters about.</div>
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And this one. This one is so shy and stays back and lets her brother and sister do all the exploring. We just call her Grey One or PC2 (Pretty Cat, Too).</div>
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<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-36559867219845928992014-05-30T20:41:00.000-07:002014-05-30T20:41:01.253-07:00Not so black and white<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I was at this park watching all these little, little kids inline skate on this really crazy, difficult course. It was insane! These little kids, maybe 4 or 5 years old, doing these jumps and flips and going so fast. And I thought, uh-oh, this is something <i>else</i> my kids cannot do. Something <i>else</i> that I've neglected to offer my children. All the kids will grow up being able to jump and flip, but not my kids. At any rate, it was time to leave, so I got in the car with my husband. He was driving. Jack was walking with his friends up ahead a ways. I asked my husband to stop to pick him up. He drove past him, saying it was not a good place to stop. Stop, I say, and let him get in the car! Jack is running as fast as he can to catch us. But my husband speeds up. The world is not waiting for Jack, my husband says, Jack needs to pick up the pace, this is good for him to run. Jack hears this and then he turns away from us and starts running down a foot path, which we cannot drive down. Jack just keeps running and running away and we cannot follow him. I want to apologize to Jack. I am not sure if I want to apologize for not pushing him enough, because he cannot flip and jump on inline skates, or if I want to apologize for pushing him too much, making him take all those AP classes and not slowing down a bit. "Jack!" I to yell aloud to the boy running away from me..."Jack!"... And my yell wakes me up.</div>
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It was a dream.</div>
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My subconscious is not subtle. While pushing the kids to excel, will I push them away? Will I always feel so guilty for not doing enough and for doing too much? I know several families, who have a child graduating from high school. These sons and daughters have awards and scholarships. They know to which excellent universities they will be attending in the fall. Those parents got it right. I wish it were all more black and white to me.</div>
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But it's not, is it? The one thing I really want to get right, help my kids to the best of my ability become the best version of themselves, I might be getting wrong. </div>
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It should be simple. Black and white simple. Like a <a href="http://www.saulsteinbergfoundation.org/life_work.html">Saul Steinberg </a>drawing. Which is actually very sophisticated and layered and complex, even though it is simple.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"The artist is an educator of artists of the future... who are able to understand and in the process of understanding perform unexpected – the best – evolutions."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Saul Steinberg</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSULm3g1fbelMFtuwiUBrxDEFsZSMUN_jbcBLlN14G8RMvTtELzCqPq1w2NuSttKG0SnZVPs6l3QZRWGy-OcdK2VbFuJeGdh6ZjbP6yxWbeo9r1k1ixEL3xqJlkjB4yuoAXj8ZMZ4yb57/s1600/gallery_untitled1948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSULm3g1fbelMFtuwiUBrxDEFsZSMUN_jbcBLlN14G8RMvTtELzCqPq1w2NuSttKG0SnZVPs6l3QZRWGy-OcdK2VbFuJeGdh6ZjbP6yxWbeo9r1k1ixEL3xqJlkjB4yuoAXj8ZMZ4yb57/s1600/gallery_untitled1948.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i>Saul Steinberg</i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: small;">Untitled</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;">, 1948.</span></div>
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Ink on paper, 14 1/4 x 11 1/4".</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;">Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKkd8yqkAi2PmAVl6fSgZCKDusZj7SuZe-2mYUA1K9fTyyAZ_d_ZefGOVbXyn-ckUVrqgd23yIHRkK93ha7U_HKl3Go0JsbsvWiT_HnwJVIhp_CDjtIewJ6fhV_wZG90AUGfXRrC5FSyQ/s1600/saul_1_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKkd8yqkAi2PmAVl6fSgZCKDusZj7SuZe-2mYUA1K9fTyyAZ_d_ZefGOVbXyn-ckUVrqgd23yIHRkK93ha7U_HKl3Go0JsbsvWiT_HnwJVIhp_CDjtIewJ6fhV_wZG90AUGfXRrC5FSyQ/s1600/saul_1_sm.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
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This is my blatant infringement. Can we agree on "homage"? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nX1lIDa8y9HX-PrzHMnXb2-ucnVdUAd2P_PuJf52heW63j44yAjxPmmW1wpXWYyfx3-O9ed2_L2LgHLSjGbW_E6IZAahBNQV-orEa56_LXwxiQDasUx2Zrhe2xuDFD3XBHFOYTX-Pg6u/s1600/loose_thread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nX1lIDa8y9HX-PrzHMnXb2-ucnVdUAd2P_PuJf52heW63j44yAjxPmmW1wpXWYyfx3-O9ed2_L2LgHLSjGbW_E6IZAahBNQV-orEa56_LXwxiQDasUx2Zrhe2xuDFD3XBHFOYTX-Pg6u/s1600/loose_thread.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></div>
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I left this thread loose, hanging out of the needle. It may not last long there. Or maybe it will.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZozxlB1CBljVUx3H5s0SVkGQ84eSFphBpsrlvWILYpY005a6HUa3uBgPjRtNvJKa8UWaahKv6p6MshCwzbQqU8K-pfikcPVRHBB93Ds4oOUpaAWAybCCa4FwEv5MDqzT2qi6-v29FMMY/s1600/therefore_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZozxlB1CBljVUx3H5s0SVkGQ84eSFphBpsrlvWILYpY005a6HUa3uBgPjRtNvJKa8UWaahKv6p6MshCwzbQqU8K-pfikcPVRHBB93Ds4oOUpaAWAybCCa4FwEv5MDqzT2qi6-v29FMMY/s1600/therefore_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Okay, that's a tad dramatic...but I do believe doing something creative does lend itself to a considered and experienced life, don't you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygfCXjagId_SjrYSSWG0FXpWfUFl9ALQVOTOtwgUZh53Bzfw_l5eqAvllPYGltCrtNb_PHDiW7t7O-5edTzzdcWGHh_wS7MxdR72Pe7FINKzEMlKrMGWVl8sp-kBJbf1MQXWGmyuBfZg5/s1600/roll_1_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygfCXjagId_SjrYSSWG0FXpWfUFl9ALQVOTOtwgUZh53Bzfw_l5eqAvllPYGltCrtNb_PHDiW7t7O-5edTzzdcWGHh_wS7MxdR72Pe7FINKzEMlKrMGWVl8sp-kBJbf1MQXWGmyuBfZg5/s1600/roll_1_sm.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jXAGTp4me4ZIbR3C0LCnB3oBmO5Tdc8HT4EA_1l_wR9L6BtjMz1Fsho8A9y0JjX_w0iGvLrZDT_C_QDIBABNqJXD9PiK3vkAFD8Pyezsvhsm2THXCGiv82S2sEZJkNzWBG47QALd1Qj3/s1600/unrolled_inside_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jXAGTp4me4ZIbR3C0LCnB3oBmO5Tdc8HT4EA_1l_wR9L6BtjMz1Fsho8A9y0JjX_w0iGvLrZDT_C_QDIBABNqJXD9PiK3vkAFD8Pyezsvhsm2THXCGiv82S2sEZJkNzWBG47QALd1Qj3/s1600/unrolled_inside_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, that Saul Steinberg <strike>infringement </strike>homage is the outside to a roll-up sewing tool kit. I'm always doing a bit at home, then a bit at my office...and I'm always leaving this or that tool somewhere. So, I'm hoping something like this will help me keep my stuff together. If I can't keep my sh*t together, at least my stuff is together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixKItWr7Q3Eb068-XmMNV-lnkgNo6G05Ukcw78rlbCk_hUZOBrswfjIDWX07viVQ0Bvy2QgJg7Qx6UjAOSuM_GQjY1cQQzvEOLT6-SNgzxGNk3LAofeqRngwJ-9GCKh5jMVZ-L6S8Zke8/s1600/smalls_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixKItWr7Q3Eb068-XmMNV-lnkgNo6G05Ukcw78rlbCk_hUZOBrswfjIDWX07viVQ0Bvy2QgJg7Qx6UjAOSuM_GQjY1cQQzvEOLT6-SNgzxGNk3LAofeqRngwJ-9GCKh5jMVZ-L6S8Zke8/s1600/smalls_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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I quickly made some "smalls" to put in the kit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3At4r_ukQg7gHYBf0c2_N5EOJiygRHu-R4EIvJJFMpD-N1luRdv7ac7BvLiBh3XvOUAZV0QdtR6k-EpqmjPygy2rClc2a647joCCE97FWY5xGYNmLzLtRb04HTS-Cnvu9ouiShQHH0vy1/s1600/smalls_open_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3At4r_ukQg7gHYBf0c2_N5EOJiygRHu-R4EIvJJFMpD-N1luRdv7ac7BvLiBh3XvOUAZV0QdtR6k-EpqmjPygy2rClc2a647joCCE97FWY5xGYNmLzLtRb04HTS-Cnvu9ouiShQHH0vy1/s1600/smalls_open_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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I liked making these itty-bitty smalls. In about fifteen minutes, I've sewn something. And something super practical. I like to carry around a tape measure. And I like to have itty-bitty Post-Its handy. So these do the trick pretty well.<br />
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I also made a book cover for my old copy of <i>The Hobbit</i>. Anna doesn't think she needs to read <i>The Hobbit </i>and/or <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>, because she saw the movies. If I were Queen of the World (am I am available for that position), I would make sure everybody read <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Lord of the Rings </i>before seeing the movie. Or at least after. So I made Anna this book cover to help encourage her to read this book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow5YeQJbxYYYLgLPq4-_p1aHJmBzCjH7iPyi2R8ntwiEk_JWv46gvfTyAi1wjyMxenHzgeBt6IOZKGZyCOxY713RtJ7fexspQz8tKSJ5BWsuijbE6cCrhppYC_wBWR7n6VKSX5LeTl6r0/s1600/bookcover_1_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow5YeQJbxYYYLgLPq4-_p1aHJmBzCjH7iPyi2R8ntwiEk_JWv46gvfTyAi1wjyMxenHzgeBt6IOZKGZyCOxY713RtJ7fexspQz8tKSJ5BWsuijbE6cCrhppYC_wBWR7n6VKSX5LeTl6r0/s1600/bookcover_1_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyolextP__u7qJLaCbHgAX-wMdpOwNSY7D0tTAwnpVgBH-jVgRoDAi3tKVzbZdbo-BQB6Tx5mn2Xg3g57rsUbc3YnuDNChwYCsoKfuR9eTIH-VERHhCZn1nuvz65_PXUtpnFefl1JAmloR/s1600/bookcover_back_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyolextP__u7qJLaCbHgAX-wMdpOwNSY7D0tTAwnpVgBH-jVgRoDAi3tKVzbZdbo-BQB6Tx5mn2Xg3g57rsUbc3YnuDNChwYCsoKfuR9eTIH-VERHhCZn1nuvz65_PXUtpnFefl1JAmloR/s1600/bookcover_back_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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By pulling a tab at the top, you can move the owls eyes up and down. By pulling the tab all the way out, you have a book marker.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB378P0j_lrHuOqxglbWrvgowKOsZ-lIo2yLg6HzNswVbkm5RVZbxmnOuWbhtLYC_0V8V4OsdCXC1PO20od4OjQ7B8XxyNSd5Fq79L54xZHTGyZ4g-QWao30f9kOBGJyo86Sx9wEx_V0G/s1600/bookmark_1_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB378P0j_lrHuOqxglbWrvgowKOsZ-lIo2yLg6HzNswVbkm5RVZbxmnOuWbhtLYC_0V8V4OsdCXC1PO20od4OjQ7B8XxyNSd5Fq79L54xZHTGyZ4g-QWao30f9kOBGJyo86Sx9wEx_V0G/s1600/bookmark_1_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-eDGKZKQnYbPbHhJ5pRHpWYzvaNvvO8Aw1BGnJjlEnmVKYW_Cw4mtefP9RQtbhQrNlR_bEQTzV7gGzRTD-OywSfbXD6t2xIIze-C_SfIQahEeE7y67cw1Syo4FUDWDPAFRCctNpgaQh9/s1600/bookmark_2_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-eDGKZKQnYbPbHhJ5pRHpWYzvaNvvO8Aw1BGnJjlEnmVKYW_Cw4mtefP9RQtbhQrNlR_bEQTzV7gGzRTD-OywSfbXD6t2xIIze-C_SfIQahEeE7y67cw1Syo4FUDWDPAFRCctNpgaQh9/s1600/bookmark_2_sm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82lKMh9NR0fFV60CCDCYI5i1cDmENGywld0_DK571bXiGj6jYEiXqVhzMDHe3o5KroOI_ULcN9QVRfWz5lWAvLssbOOizVu0uus1mXHq8nfYtC8v8CVI8enmb03fVk1FQiQG-mGGbGCY2/s1600/read_more_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82lKMh9NR0fFV60CCDCYI5i1cDmENGywld0_DK571bXiGj6jYEiXqVhzMDHe3o5KroOI_ULcN9QVRfWz5lWAvLssbOOizVu0uus1mXHq8nfYtC8v8CVI8enmb03fVk1FQiQG-mGGbGCY2/s1600/read_more_sm.jpg" height="640" width="526" /></a></div>
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Behind the eyes I used stamps to write "Read more"... a bit of dyslexic stamping on that "E" there... *sigh* </div>
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Even black and white gets complicated. Anyway, this keeps me from getting bored, right?</div>
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<i style="font-weight: normal;">“The life of the creative man is lead, directed and controlled by boredom. Avoiding boredom is one of our most important purposes."</i></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/419109.Saul_Steinberg" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Saul Steinberg</a></div>
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Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-79865935724432156522014-05-25T15:43:00.001-07:002014-05-25T19:09:49.955-07:00Blood determines lineage, but I have a working hypothesis that hearts
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Ever been to Tijuana? "T.J."? Even if you haven't, I'll bet you think it's shorthand for anything-goes partying, a bit of lawlessness, cheap prescription medicine and pervasive hopelessness. What Tijuana really is, is a border town that is experiencing tremendous growth in population, as people relocate from rural areas in hopes of a better life. The search of a better life sometimes ends up rather bad. And often, it is the children that get the worst of the bad. Poverty often brings abuse, neglect and abandonment in its wake.</div>
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I won't make any assumptions about the Mexican foster care or child welfare systems, because I really don't know anything about them. However, I've seen a thing or two relating to the American foster care and child welfare systems, and, suffice it to say, that no matter a nation's wealth or relative position in the world, every nation often falls short in their obligations in protecting and caring for the youngest and most vulnerable among us. Child abuse, neglect and abandonment all belong to our collective human shame.</div>
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<i>The hills are covered in ad hoc dwellings. The ingenuity of many makes it a shame to call them shanties. The people do the best they can with what they have and that is something to truly admire. </i></div>
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<i>"Find your honor in trustworthiness. Laugh and sing during difficult times." </i></div>
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But there are people and there are places that are doing good by our children. Yesterday, I had the honor to visit one such place, a wonderful, happy place.<a href="http://www.corazondevida.org/"> Corazon de Vida</a>, is, year by year, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, giving child by child a fighting chance at a great future. About 60 children, ranging in age from infants to teens, are cared for, clothed, fed, educated and nurtured, day in and day out, at this home in Tijuana.<br>
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<a href="http://www.corazondevida.org/">Corazon de Vida</a> ("heart of life") is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit charity dedicated to empowering children. This is from their Web site:<br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 28px;"><br></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 28px;">OUR MISSION</span><br>
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<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">To raise contributions in the form of money, materials and volunteer work to support and empower the children of Baja.</span></div>
<h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">OUR VISION</span></h3>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That every child in the world has someone committed to the possibility that their life hold the same excitement and opportunity as the most fortunate child on Earth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">OUR BELIEF</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We believe that every child’s life is valued and holds the same potential, excitement and opportunity as any other life. It is up to us to work together to make sure our care transforms into each child’s hope for the future.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">OUR GOAL</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">To End The Cycle of Poverty and Homelessness</span></div>
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<i>"I don't know if I should be happy or sad," my son Jack says to me after our visit. </i></div>
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Blood determines lineage. But what about hearts? I have a working hypothesis that says hearts determine families. Corazon de Vida is not an orphanage per se. It is a <i>home</i>. And a home is a place for families. Families are where children are loved, nurtured, cared for, given boundaries, responsibilities, brothers and sisters, a place of their own and a chance to grow and blossom into the greatest version of themselves. Some of these children may be reunited with their mothers as their circumstances improve. And some will be with Corazon de Vida until they are 18. Or older. Because family is forever.<br>
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Mexican public (free) schools go up to the ninth grade. After that, schooling costs tuition, as does a university education. Children of Corazon de Vida will be sponsored--given room and board, school uniforms, books and the rest of it--for as long as they are in school, past their 18th birthday if need be. "I want to make these kids become millionaires one day," remarked Corazon de Vida board member Nicholas Sandoval, "That way, they can come back and end the cycle." Right on, brother!<br>
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<i>A volunteer donates belly tickles and hugs.</i></div>
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<i>This home runs its own school, which also teaches children from outside Corazon de Vida.</i></div>
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<i>A hand up (not out).</i></div>
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<i>Teenagers at Corazon de Vida are given private rooms to share with one or two others. Each child has his own belongings and clothes, so that each child can develop his own sense of self.</i><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Every child’s life is valued and holds the same potential, excitement and opportunity as any other life."</i></span></span></div>
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<i>Everything at Corazon de Vida Tijuana is super clean, organized, well-maintained and neat as a pin. The children are instructed in how to keep their toys and spaces neat and do their small part to make this home their home.</i></div>
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<i>I think I can...I think I can!</i></div>
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<i>Board Member Andrew travels from Los Angeles to Tijuana 2-3 a month times to volunteer and give some love.</i></div>
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<i>A roof. A shoe. A gaggle of boys. And my son right smack in the middle of all this. Yep: looks about right.</i></div>
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<i>It's only a foul if it's called! Final score: USA - 6, Mexico - 10. (Also, 6 Mexicans against my one gringo, but, in the end, the final score is all that counts, right?)</i></div>
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<i>Here's something my surfer boy might have a better shot at.</i></div>
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<i>Sweet, sweet baby girl.</i></div>
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<i>To save on the grocery bill and teach the kids a thing or two about botany, the home has planted vegetable gardens.</i></div>
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<i>A blessed home.</i></div>
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If you look in your own corazon and see that you may have even a small donation in your budget, please consider a gift to <a href="http://www.corazondevida.org/">Corazon de Vida</a>. It only costs about $60 for all the needs of a child for a month. Think about it: Could you clothe, feed, house and educate your kid on $60 a month? I've already discussed this with my daughter Anna: She has a birthday coming up and one of her "presents" will be a donation to Corazon de Vida. Her idea. (Did I ever mention how wonderful my Anna is? Well, consider it mentioned!) </div>
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Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-39539909414039665422014-05-19T13:50:00.001-07:002014-05-19T14:19:08.274-07:00Lemonade!When life hands you lemons, am I right?<br />
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I had an opportunity to visit the International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh (more on that later). For my flight back to LA, I had to change flights in Miami. And my flight into Miami was late. And that was the last connecting flight that evening.<br />
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After two hours of standing in the rebooking line (thank goodness I was standing between a good-humored sys admin from Montreal and an Aussie gal on her way to the Galapagos Islands: we almost got a flash mob started...anyway...), I got a hotel room and another flight early the next morning. Well, I thought to myself, instead of getting only about three hours of sleep and then spend five hours on a plane, if my day was going to be shot anyway, why not just take the last flight out of Miami and spend the day at South Beach? I know, poor me. I slept in late in a lovely Marriot bed (I like Marriot mattresses), watched an episode of <i>Ancient Aliens</i> (I don't have television in at home, just Hulu and Netflix, so I miss out of gems like <i>Ancient Aliens</i>, where, let's face it, anything that cannot be easily explained, for example, Leonardo da Vinci's brief hiatus from painting, <a href="http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=ancient-aliens&episode=s04e08">can only logically be explained by the influence of extraterrestrials</a>. Obviously). I had lovely blue meal ticket vouchers, which paid for a leisurely breakfast and then a whole day to myself. Just me, myself and Miami. South Beach, let's do this thing!<br />
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I shoot people!</div>
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The Left and Right Coasts are different as far as beach culture is concerned. Considering both coasts are all about the <i>beach</i>, how differently could we possibly dress? Very differently, turns out: SoCal = flip flops. SoBe = high heels. SoCal = suncreen. SoBe = eyeshadow. SoCal = floppy hats. SoBe = hair pieces. And so forth and so on. I mean, it takes a stylist to go to the beach here, seriously. </div>
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Anyway, a great day away from the grind. I'll take those kinds of lemons any day.</div>
Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-33102829193859416232014-05-14T13:28:00.002-07:002014-05-14T13:28:51.484-07:00Respect for what he may becomeOkay...that was two days ago...<br />
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But we're still mothers, no? Everyday is Mother's Day for most of us, amiright?<br />
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There is a quote I was thinking of. I need to look it up real quick...hmmm...<br />
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<i>"When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments: tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become."</i></div>
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<i>- Louis Pasteur</i></div>
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(If any one person can be credited with saving the greatest number of children's lives, I would suppose Pasteur would be number one.)<br />
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My kids are 12 and 15 now. When I read blogs of mothers with much younger children, or see a mom buckle a little one into a car seat or grab a curious monkey teetering precariously from a shopping cart or a mom humming quietly to the tiny one resting in the baby carrier on her chest, for me, it's like driving past my old high school: I was part of that, I think. I did the best I could. I graduated. I went on to what came next.<br />
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I am rather anxious about what comes next. College is around the corner for my son. He's a good kid. His grades are <i>okay</i>. Used to be, that these grades would be good grades. Or good enough. Not anymore. Not when 88% of UCLA freshmen has high school GPAs <i>above</i> 4.0. Sure, he's clever, has a lightning-fast intellect and his wits about him, and I am proud of him in every way. But will he soar? I know I subconsciously raised my eyebrows a decade ago at the moms who were paying for $100 private tennis lessons for their five-year-olds. Today, those raised eyebrows have wilted as I learn that those same kids are choosing among competing full-ride tennis scholarships. Was my best good enough? Ap<b><i>parent</i></b>ly not.<br />
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Everything I read and see and know tells me that my kids will have to work harder and longer to achieve less. My son says he'd be happy if he could live as he does now: In a small, simple house near the beach, where he can bike or walk to wherever he needs to go. Dude, do you know what a tiny, crumbling 60-year old house near the beach will put you back? On the other hand, statistics tell me that my son will likely live in a small house near the beach: namely, <i>this </i>house, as he boomerangs back after facing dismal job prospects and crippling student loan debt.<br />
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Now, my parents were born during the Great Depression and my dad fought in World War II, so, really, I certainly have had a stroll down Easy Street. And these kids have never seen a day of truly hard work. I'm not afraid or entirely opposed to a few years of living lean and working harder than they ever imagined they would. Perseverance. If I could just gift my children one thing, it would be perseverance.<br />
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<i>"I have found that the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and advise them to do it."</i></div>
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<i>- Harry S. Truman</i></div>
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I have no good idea what the next few years will hold. My anxiousness is making me forget to enjoy the moment. It will be over all too soon.</div>
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<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-19336975736432270642014-04-14T12:46:00.002-07:002014-04-15T14:48:55.425-07:00Hip Hopper DIY Backpack<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong3271337461" name="gsSong3271337461" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=32713374&style=water&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=32713374&style=water&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=SouthMp3.Net%20Bunny" title="Bunny by SouthMp3.Net on Grooveshark">Bunny by SouthMp3.Net on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object><br />
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(Search for songs with "bunny" in the title and this is about my favorite so far!)<br />
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So: Spring is springing! The wildflowers are just wild. Birds are tweeting (without hashtags). And the world feels alive! The season's big holidays are also upon us. Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover or are just a grateful witness to spring, this DIY backpack pattern is my gift to you. This basic backpack features rabbit ear shoulder straps and a funny fluffy bunny tail.<br />
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Follow<a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/do-good/hopper-backpack-e" target="_blank"> this LINK </a>to find instructions and pattern pieces.<br />
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Hopper has only a few pattern pieces, so this is pretty quick to sew.<br />
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And...if you like those <a href="http://fledgeflyingiseasy.blogspot.com/2013/03/quick-as-bunny-and-cheap-cheap-cheap.html" target="_blank">bunny ear clips</a>, that tutorial can be found <a href="http://fledgeflyingiseasy.blogspot.com/2013/03/quick-as-bunny-and-cheap-cheap-cheap.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I am asking for a small donation for the download. $3.00. Most of which goes to PayPal and Swipe anyway, but all remaining proceeds from the sale of this pattern from studiotantrum.com will benefit <a href="http://www.oceandefenders.org/" target="_blank">Ocean Defenders Alliance</a>. Ocean Defenders is an indefatigable band of volunteers, who clean the coastline of dangerous debris. I'd like to give you this pattern and I'd like you to pay a tiny bit forward. Okay-doke?<br />
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Please send me a link of your finished project, if you'd like to share!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Osterkörbchen? <i>Körbchen</i>? Du lieber Hase: Welches Jahrhundert haben wir inszwischen? Es ist wohl zwo-tausend-vierzehn, meine Damen, und vielleicht ist dies wohl das Jahr dem Osterkorb selber einen Korb zu geben. Ein flauschiger Rabbit-Rucksack sammelt genauso die Schokoeier ist aber dafür viel witziger!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopper ist ein Rucksack, den frau für das Kind, als Geschenk oder gar für sich selbst nähen kann. Der Rucksack besteht aus wenigen Teilen und ist somit schnell genäht.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p>Hier der <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/do-good/hopper-backpack-e" target="_blank">LINK zur Photoanleitung und zum Schnittmuster</a> von Hopper. Hopper wird auch demnächst bei <a href="http://farbenmix.de/">farbenmix.de</a> erhältlich. Alle Erlöse gehen zur günsten von <a href="http://www.farbenmix.de/kamerun.html">Nahow.de</a>. </o:p></div>
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<o:p>Sollten die <a href="http://fledgeflyingiseasy.blogspot.com/2013/03/quick-as-bunny-and-cheap-cheap-cheap.html" target="_blank">Hasenöhrchenhaarspangen </a>von Interesse sei, <a href="http://fledgeflyingiseasy.blogspot.com/2013/03/quick-as-bunny-and-cheap-cheap-cheap.html" target="_blank">hier</a> findet Ihr die Anleitung.</o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ich wünsche Euch viel Freude beim nähen. Schick’ mir bitte einen Link, wenn Du Dein Hopper mit uns teilen möchtest!</span></div>
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<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-29094464328102753672014-03-25T16:38:00.001-07:002014-03-25T16:38:46.167-07:00Sometimes the book is better than the movieSometimes I just want to sew. The <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/retail-store/el-porto-tote-bag-accessory-pattern-by-studiotantrumfledge" target="_blank">El Porto </a>"journey-is-the-destination" bag is a great project to just get your sew on. It takes two, maybe three good sessions to get the thing all done. But sewing El Porto is not about the amount of work, necessarily. To me, sewing is kind of like reading a book: Sure, you can watch the movie and you've got the plot, the characters, the costumes, the set design, the whole shebang all done for you in an hour and 42 minutes. Awesome.<br />
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But sometimes, just sometimes, the book is better. I mean, the act of actually reading the book. Stealing away a few minutes to read here and there and, in-between stolen reading moments, the thinking and wondering want might come next. That's what sewing is like for me. Will it turn out how I imagine? Will this look good? What if I do this instead? Piece by piece a project like El Porto comes together with creative plot twists and turns of your choosing as you make it.<br />
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Summer is around the corner. This bag holds just about everything you'll need for a day at the beach or sightseeing in Rome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUhx2xXZPsH-EHHzOR31_MfLEPlJPCpefMyRbX290WpivFINs8orzvQcRjYMGXA7VGEycmFR1vvATgfNZMHwMjsgHIXYAPPlrI1Y3h8TOm7dtZ_cr_m_NoAENnv1DUBDeuoZisz_AH4t9/s1600/DSC08414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUhx2xXZPsH-EHHzOR31_MfLEPlJPCpefMyRbX290WpivFINs8orzvQcRjYMGXA7VGEycmFR1vvATgfNZMHwMjsgHIXYAPPlrI1Y3h8TOm7dtZ_cr_m_NoAENnv1DUBDeuoZisz_AH4t9/s1600/DSC08414.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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This is a fun project to mix and match and use up scraps. I have a tiny bit of this crazy fabric salvaged from some old swim trunks.<br />
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If you've made an El Porto, I'd love to see it!</div>
Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-48985165411163244712014-03-17T13:26:00.004-07:002014-03-17T13:26:45.348-07:00"Is e do mhac do mhac inniu, ach is i d'inion d'inion go deo."<div style="text-align: center;">
"Your son is your son today, but your daughter is your daughter forever." </div>
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-Traditional Irish saying</div>
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As such, for your daughter (or wee granddaughter...) there is still time to make a bonny Saint Patrick's day shamrock, now there!<br />
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<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong3598954811" name="gsSong3598954811" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=35989548&style=grass&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=35989548&style=grass&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Floggin%20Molly%20The%20Rare%20Oul'%20Times" title="The Rare Oul' Times by Floggin Molly on Grooveshark">The Rare Oul' Times by Floggin Molly on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKSXtRaZScz1AHxKoJIhcV5B_5LW7WBQVJMak9YwQVG88gtzM76lSX3OLsY-eJJmtzAlHorLHsRg3eoZ4XyRpkWJg3qVHRBc2mBq0CpBvsS0hpjYagC5oFKrUGhbukYpOn7BKhl4zjAVz/s1600/shamrock_headband_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKSXtRaZScz1AHxKoJIhcV5B_5LW7WBQVJMak9YwQVG88gtzM76lSX3OLsY-eJJmtzAlHorLHsRg3eoZ4XyRpkWJg3qVHRBc2mBq0CpBvsS0hpjYagC5oFKrUGhbukYpOn7BKhl4zjAVz/s1600/shamrock_headband_1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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First off, trace and cut <b>four circles</b> of woven fabric (quilting cotton) approximately 3" (8 cm) in diameter. I traced the inside of a standard roll of packing tape. That's about the right size.</div>
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Als erstes vier Kreise von einem Durchmesser von ca. 8 cm ausmalen und ausschneiden. Hier habe ich das innere von einer Packbandrolle als Schablone genommen. Das hat frau doch herumliegen, nicht?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs_DU_PCpwWhIZ86MHSs-4c_1jcMoqQegOCZt37jKGjT5jZCsWi4jDonsehobf1xty8PbK23U5B_Ls4fUenp-xxexMojmctNrBHKzQQZy_zRs1maiL0WtP6NXdEodkjEBL_9jEzcJXesi/s1600/shamrock_how-to_trace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs_DU_PCpwWhIZ86MHSs-4c_1jcMoqQegOCZt37jKGjT5jZCsWi4jDonsehobf1xty8PbK23U5B_Ls4fUenp-xxexMojmctNrBHKzQQZy_zRs1maiL0WtP6NXdEodkjEBL_9jEzcJXesi/s1600/shamrock_how-to_trace.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fold the circles in half. Stitch a running stitch along the curved edge of your first circle. Gather that running stitch, so that the half circle forms a leaf. Keep that first leaf on the thread and add the next half circle to the thread.</div>
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Die Kreise in Hälften falten. Die Halbkreise mit Laufstich steppen. Die Halbkreise nach einander am selben Garn steppen und einkräuseln.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBgMRyLXisks7BclmswCaYNPNHizFZm8YJqq75MbTuwVy5aJwCHCATo4kP-9g6ntg059LEo9I90aiPUitq3p63nE1Nyb914NKPTJlopH_PYxwyGAdGpzpVN2Sv9apaoYoHomhXmGsC_Ce/s1600/shamrock_how-to_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBgMRyLXisks7BclmswCaYNPNHizFZm8YJqq75MbTuwVy5aJwCHCATo4kP-9g6ntg059LEo9I90aiPUitq3p63nE1Nyb914NKPTJlopH_PYxwyGAdGpzpVN2Sv9apaoYoHomhXmGsC_Ce/s1600/shamrock_how-to_stitch.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gather each folded circle on the thread. Tie the ends of the thread together.</div>
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Die Garnenden zusammenschnurren um einen Glücksklee zu formen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QmyIl3MV1OcZz3rXDemdRplmTzGb2SS5WfiD3XlIuUMUPisDgfFbjw_aE2pS7XKRfCi2tOfpaLhBXs1k0NfIkquf6zumHL_ONSDUWN__Xb49kFAcKnNbCZBYJ0dSZhV9L08sGynmHqbF/s1600/shamrock_how-to_tying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QmyIl3MV1OcZz3rXDemdRplmTzGb2SS5WfiD3XlIuUMUPisDgfFbjw_aE2pS7XKRfCi2tOfpaLhBXs1k0NfIkquf6zumHL_ONSDUWN__Xb49kFAcKnNbCZBYJ0dSZhV9L08sGynmHqbF/s1600/shamrock_how-to_tying.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></div>
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There you have the basic shape of your shamrock (if you want to make clovers, well, you can stop here!).</div>
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With the needle and thread still attached, pierce up through the leaves and back down the middle. Pull the thread taunt to make the "dents" in the shamrock leaves.</div>
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<i>Um den irischen Glücksklee zu formen, den Nadel mitten durch das Kleeblatt stechen, umdrehen und zurückstechen. Den Garn stram ziehen, so daß das die kleine Delle im Blatt formt.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvT1ToiroOHdL53UlWCXKG9ODIWeaMXlaMG-kzNQZyFRSULGLo9ve0RfwvBpa4vko2GXMRmXmPktdX65yuAePvGIHJwbOqGDuRpwhr0WEJ7-zyoYZd9GlZsBKTU74xDeP47q3wXXXXb5K/s1600/shamrock_how-to_dent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvT1ToiroOHdL53UlWCXKG9ODIWeaMXlaMG-kzNQZyFRSULGLo9ve0RfwvBpa4vko2GXMRmXmPktdX65yuAePvGIHJwbOqGDuRpwhr0WEJ7-zyoYZd9GlZsBKTU74xDeP47q3wXXXXb5K/s1600/shamrock_how-to_dent.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pR42PQIUezX_Hou1ofR1g4LNOaCksGR4DTP0_21NuBo8xq5N7VmZWcU2dfYNohLuuIy1zSbmIiwMsPTTpjqlLGL0kHF-2PXx9b0sKM1VhsuX__jcKxKvnfWmVsFkQwZ-X7CLgc6N5b0p/s1600/shamrock_how-to_complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pR42PQIUezX_Hou1ofR1g4LNOaCksGR4DTP0_21NuBo8xq5N7VmZWcU2dfYNohLuuIy1zSbmIiwMsPTTpjqlLGL0kHF-2PXx9b0sKM1VhsuX__jcKxKvnfWmVsFkQwZ-X7CLgc6N5b0p/s1600/shamrock_how-to_complete.jpg" height="392" width="400" /></a></div>
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To make white shamrock blossoms, cut <b>five squares</b> from white quilting cotton approximately the size of a postage stamp (1" or 2.5 cm). Fold the squares in half to form little right triangles. Gather these triangles on a single thread as above and tie to form a tiny flower.</div>
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<i>Um die irische Glückskleeblume zu formen, bitte <b>fünf kleine Rechteckchen </b>weissen Stoff ca. 2,5x2,5 cm zuschneiden.</i></div>
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<i>Diese Rechteckchen falten, um kleine Dreiecke zu formen. Diese Dreiecke wie oben beschrieben zu einer Blume formen.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8gDQkKGix20u3RLb04fJ23dWX05etDIPeEsCTg5ZnRL1Dtc3ItzrWDrvR7T7N1_Z-FMldJo8tB9smq3IOnSkCAKUWv02wO2WJnqPfk4EkvPoiuviRkMyOSSZpGUyDEcGmJBKNxkujzsq/s1600/shamrock_how-to_blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8gDQkKGix20u3RLb04fJ23dWX05etDIPeEsCTg5ZnRL1Dtc3ItzrWDrvR7T7N1_Z-FMldJo8tB9smq3IOnSkCAKUWv02wO2WJnqPfk4EkvPoiuviRkMyOSSZpGUyDEcGmJBKNxkujzsq/s1600/shamrock_how-to_blossom.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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Glue or stitch your shamrocks and blossoms to anything you like! Here, I've made a quick headband.</div>
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Deine Glückskleee (Ha! Deutsch ist lüstig: Ein Wort mit drei "e"...okay, zurück zum Unterricht...) wie bzw. wo erwünscht ansteppen bzw. ankleben.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bQigjlUAwYSnpIewUeb8iGF2wyhs6A6ob6_QViCJhNICMUfvmz-VnHPUPqyZYugcAO4HDJqV7Xk-YTVRj6-YZAaFQvOrZY_gfYGqmUB3nbWwo5qQ2mFEsl0VT43F6SpDJcL2j2LubhZH/s1600/shamrock_how-to_headband_pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bQigjlUAwYSnpIewUeb8iGF2wyhs6A6ob6_QViCJhNICMUfvmz-VnHPUPqyZYugcAO4HDJqV7Xk-YTVRj6-YZAaFQvOrZY_gfYGqmUB3nbWwo5qQ2mFEsl0VT43F6SpDJcL2j2LubhZH/s1600/shamrock_how-to_headband_pieces.jpg" height="378" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UHuQ_6F_XkHBNmfZFZx3BnYyp2bNrWuO8AVMVysS0JXcthJ-lyrZN-b4wQ6I8SfL-K7JR-UHp5WE-JQmLs8yLMBwLnGBxY2ks4TOklmAvj5YPp5lo648TDbY58uPrbKVbwOtaxobHRPz/s1600/shamrock_how-to_headband_complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UHuQ_6F_XkHBNmfZFZx3BnYyp2bNrWuO8AVMVysS0JXcthJ-lyrZN-b4wQ6I8SfL-K7JR-UHp5WE-JQmLs8yLMBwLnGBxY2ks4TOklmAvj5YPp5lo648TDbY58uPrbKVbwOtaxobHRPz/s1600/shamrock_how-to_headband_complete.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's it!</div>
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Happy Saint Patrick's Day!</div>
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<i>Das war's! Happy Saint Patrick's Day!</i></div>
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<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong4059124155" name="gsSong4059124155" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=40591241&style=grass&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=40591241&style=grass&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Macklemore%20Irish%20Celebration" title="Irish Celebration by Macklemore on Grooveshark">Irish Celebration by Macklemore on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object></div>
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Slainte!</div>
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<br />Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-79228682246538219452014-02-14T16:27:00.001-08:002014-02-14T16:42:33.932-08:00Love Love Love (and GIVEAWAY!)Happy Valentine's Day!<br />
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I didn't get my tutorial for Valentine's Day done, so I opted for a superquick <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/blog/2014/2/14/something-sweet-from-us-to-you" target="_blank">GIVEAWAY</a> over <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/blog/2014/2/14/something-sweet-from-us-to-you" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Thank you, dear Jen, for getting that up and running so quickly. (Jen can do anything. She can even raise a son who gets a <b>perfect 800 in math</b> on the SAT and a<b> 97% on the English part. </b>Good on ya, young Camden! I, on the other hand, am also raising a son, and let alone produce stellar test results, I have yet to have the young man use a fork on a consistent basis).<br />
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So get on getting over <a href="http://www.studiotantrum.com/blog/2014/2/14/something-sweet-from-us-to-you" target="_blank">there</a> so I can get on giving away.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/12528380123/" title="DSC02391 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC02391" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/12528380123_257fed882e.jpg" height="333" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/12528416543/" title="DSC02379 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC02379" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/12528416543_1326dd5c82.jpg" height="500" width="333" /></a><br />
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I (may or may not) know someone, who may or may not have initiated a little bit of random happiness, which she may or may not have entitled "<a href="http://instagram.com/kpfunism" target="_blank">Funism</a>". It has a pretty good Instagram following. Funism may or may not include taking a bit of harmless chalk and writing a bit of love. It may (or may not) be taking a tiny mermaid and photographing her adventures in the world. Funism may (or may not) be wearing wax lips (life hack: Nothing fights polar vortex induced chapped lips better than wax lips). What Funism is supposed to be is fun. <i>Love</i> and fun, really. And so, a fan of Funism may or may not have encouraged a bit of Valentine love on the Hermosa Beach strand today and may or may not have invited anyone to a bit of chalk.<br />
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Chalk messages such as these also have detractors. Angry, angry detractors. I mean it. There is strong opinion among some that there is a municipal cost arising from happy chalk messages on the strand. Perhaps there are costs to clean the chalk, money that could go to other things in the town. And thus chalk should be banned from possession in the town, chalkers fined and so on. The chalk actually fades away on its own in about 72 hours and is completely gone in less than a week. That fact notwithstanding, I have been trying to understand this point of view, really understand, because this bit of Fun has caused division and disgruntlement. Making anybody upset is quite the opposite of the mission of Funism. The polar opposite. The polar vortex opposite. Of course, no good deed goes unpunished.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/12528278195/" title="DSC02385 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC02385" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/12528278195_caaa53e94c.jpg" height="500" width="333" /></a><br />
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So much for a possible <i>cost</i> side. There is a possible <i>benefit</i> side, too, however. Specifically, there was a fail woman in a wheelchair, who made her way down to the Funism-In. Her speech was slow and quiet, her movements shaky, but deliberate. She made her way to the Hermosa strand to perhaps speak to the person, who always wrote the happy messages. She really looked forward to finding them, as they made her happy. Then, there was gal going through the physical agony of fibero-something-or-other, as well as the emotional pain of divorce. She made her way to the Funism-In, because the messages snapped things back into perspective: because life is good. The ups and the downs--that's all part of it. There was also a celebrity appearance: <a href="http://instagram.com/horsenhorse" target="_blank">Horse N Horse</a>. Horse N Horse travel the world and posts selfies of their horseselves. One Horse is, in fact, a professional model, and I would like to posit, that perhaps beauty and life are temporal, so the moment is what is important, living in the here and now, and that is why Horse N Horse were in the naaaay-borhood (catch that? "Naaaay-borhood"?). Those things, I would further posit, all fall on the benefit side of Funism. What do our municipalities spend to promote happiness? Just plain happiness? No matter your age, race, gender, physical ability, or income? Our municipality is going to construct a boat launch. I don't have a boat. So, how many people of all ages, any race, gender, physical ability, and income benefit from the costs of the boat launch?<br />
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Who doesn't need to be reminded every once in a while, that there is love, there is goodness, and that it doesn't have to be all that complicated.<br />
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Fortunately, the Funism-In-istas may or may not have received many, many, many more positive comments than negative ones. If you wish to participate, you may. Coming disguised for your protection is up to you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/12528617734/" title="DSC02428 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC02428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/12528617734_64a8933c96.jpg" height="500" width="333" /></a><br />
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Happy Valentine's Day! And I mean it!Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-65986830024289996462014-01-24T14:24:00.003-08:002014-01-24T14:37:19.365-08:00So Loco SoBa Love<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/12108453824/" title="DSC00124 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC00124" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/12108453824_749c1ce089.jpg" height="333" width="500" /></a><br />
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Que hermosa, Hermosa Beach.Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-81012998888682928512014-01-20T17:46:00.000-08:002014-01-24T14:40:04.975-08:00Unconditional love will have the final word<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."<br /><br />- Dr. Martin Luther King</span><br />
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Word.Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-77734206729006630422014-01-15T11:52:00.001-08:002014-01-15T11:52:31.726-08:00Pinterested (?) (!)Hey y'all!<br />
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Hope your New Year is going well. I will catch up on my a few thoughts in my head another day. Today, just some basic crafting I did as Christmas gifts: Felt pincusions!<br />
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This is all hand embroidery on felt and attached to wood bracelets, to wear as wrist pincushions.<br />
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No real plan or pattern...just stitched my merry way along!<br />
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The mushroom polymer pin toppers were made by Etsy seller <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NADELWERK?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank">Nadelwerk</a>. They add just the right touch, no?<br />
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Bunny hides in a hollow tree trunk to avoid getting stuck!<br />
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Hedgie curiously peeks to see what you are making!<br />
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Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-36251739204205873932013-12-06T13:12:00.000-08:002013-12-06T13:14:17.727-08:00"I am ready.""I am ready. To go into the light. Or into the dark. To board that ship. I am ready."<br />
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- John's final words.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1xVa7coI83bdZhCE-V07eX5cxsi1qdehfZP6rd8QePLdhvN_rQaXfkVyqPUZ6ssCcZbLi0xhzSpw__0UMJ-LxH8XlTn3hKqWqT_wCVfohO0PSblFlpv2jXuj6A2nEgZjJY_MobwOGJoo/s1600/Dad+Navy+Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1xVa7coI83bdZhCE-V07eX5cxsi1qdehfZP6rd8QePLdhvN_rQaXfkVyqPUZ6ssCcZbLi0xhzSpw__0UMJ-LxH8XlTn3hKqWqT_wCVfohO0PSblFlpv2jXuj6A2nEgZjJY_MobwOGJoo/s640/Dad+Navy+Cropped.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
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<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong3574273128" name="gsSong3574273128" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=35742731&style=metal&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=35742731&style=metal&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Vera%20Lynn%20There's%20A%20Ship%20Rolling%20Home" title="There's A Ship Rolling Home by Vera Lynn on Grooveshark">There's A Ship Rolling Home by Vera Lynn on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX3NF2DxG8yXCB1cExGoLYi5XY5rW2jv5GZQiN3Y5SgVh-CCpsSOfsqu0UigZoTBkuKWUrCNB3n0rlcaKArB6oQAS5ltzPdHE3YNqsROt5ELNWURMXTedO4FdA5OArjmPAB6MOes4o0TW/s1600/Dad_Fisherman_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX3NF2DxG8yXCB1cExGoLYi5XY5rW2jv5GZQiN3Y5SgVh-CCpsSOfsqu0UigZoTBkuKWUrCNB3n0rlcaKArB6oQAS5ltzPdHE3YNqsROt5ELNWURMXTedO4FdA5OArjmPAB6MOes4o0TW/s640/Dad_Fisherman_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You may have been ready, even though I am not. But, as my sister held your one hand and I the other, you took your last breath and went in love and in peace. You are loved.<br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3fa0d8a7-c9bd-8a27-19a7-e058331efe2d" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John Everette Langdon, 90, passed peacefully from this life in the presence of loving family, Sunday, December 1, 2013. Son, farmer, sailor, student, engineer, husband, father, grandfather, colleague, true friend, Jack-of-all-trades, man for all seasons, John, a direct descendant of Mayflower crew member John Alden and passenger Priscilla Mullens, was the eldest of five children born to Everett (E.J.) and Fannie (Shirley) Langdon, October 13, 1923, in Hornersville, MO. John’s early life was spent on the family cotton farm, where he learned the value of hard work. John’s fascination with anything mechanical began already in toddlerhood when young J</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ohn would unrig the cultivators by hammering on the tail nuts with any tools that the hired help (much to their chagrin) may have left laying about. John was sworn into United States Naval Reserve on December 31, 1941, and achieved the rank of Electrician's Mate First Class. “Red,” as he was called by his shipmates, was honored with the Navy and Marine Corp Medal for saving the lives of 12 capsized British sailors from turbulent waters without regard to his own safety. Honorably disch</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">arged in January 1946, John enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he played football and received a degree in Agricultural Engineering. In 1951, he married the only gal tall enough at the college dance, his “pretty lady,” Marilyn L. (Schmadeke) Langdon, and raised their two daughters in Phoenix, AZ and Racine, WI. John and Marilyn enjoyed 41 years together before her untimely passing in 1992. An engineer with the J.I. Case Co. for 40 years, John travelled the world on behalf of Case, including within Cold War Soviet Russia, developing and improving machinery for different conditions. If there were a better way to do something, John would work until he found it and was assigned four patents. John’s lessons to his family were to work hard, put others before self, take responsibility, continue to learn,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and to act with common sense, integrity, courage, dignity and honesty. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Private services with full military honors will be held and he will lay to rest alongside Marilyn in Racine, WI.</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8818716837336250617.post-54830460927341335902013-11-30T16:53:00.001-08:002013-11-30T17:30:47.666-08:00Thankful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">"I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends." -Walt Whitman</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I am thankful for my friends. And for you, Jen. Thank you for all you've done.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I am also thankful for every miracle, including the Internet, Mozart's concertos, allergy medicine, running water, dolphins playing in the surf, weeds that find there way through the asphalt, the growing up of my children. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jack and I volunteered at the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving (okay,<i> I</i> volunteered Jack to volunteer...). As Thanksgiving goes, I usually find myself relegated to the kid's table. In the case of volunteering at the SA, I was at the table of high schoolers, while the grown-ups attended to more important matters, like stuffing making. One task assigned to the kids was to write Thanksgiving messages to Meals-On-Wheels recipients. What to write? Whatever I might ever even conceive to write has been much better written by Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman. Goes without saying. So, I pull out my go-to quotations to write in these notes. To my dismay, these high schoolers, most in their senior year, had never heard of Emerson, Thoreau and/or Whitman. In my view, you simply cannot send young people out into the world without having read Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman, am I right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Since everyone of a more mature nature was already tasked with stuffing making, turkey carving, and green bean casserole making, the last task, making mashed potatoes fell to me. That meant using the big Hobart. That's right, <a href="http://www.hobartcorp.com/products/food-prep/mixers/legacy-floor-mixer/" target="_blank">the Hobart</a>: Suck it, stuffing makers!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I like volunteering on Thanksgiving, because, if I am frank, Thanksgiving makes me feel a bit resentful and I usually need a good dose of perspective. But let me whine, a bit, okay? I'm the mom, right? And although there was a rather successful women's liberation movement (for which I am immensely thankful: Thank you, sisters of today and of yore!), here I am to be tasked with lots and lots of shopping and cleaning and cooking, cooking, cooking, all whilst the fam can go about and do as they enjoy. Cooking. With <a href="http://fledgeflyingiseasy.blogspot.com/2012/11/giving-thanks.html" target="_blank">Mr. Roper</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Because the flames on Mr. Roper's cooktop only exit to the right, and because the oven is heated only from the bottom, there is quite a bit of pot turning and content rearranging to avoid what one would otherwise think impossible, but Mr. Roper makes probable: Burned and raw at the same time! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">But I got through it. And have found a couple of new favorite recipes that go great with poultry: <a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/artichoke-gratinata.html" target="_blank">artichoke gratinata</a> and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/cranberry-apple-and-ginger-chutney-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">cranberry/ginger/apple chutney</a>! Holler! (I made the chutney with about half the vinegar of the recipe and I liked it). I also winged an apple cake recipe! Which I will share, once I make it again and figure out exactly what I did.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/11142106054/" title="apple_cake_2 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="apple_cake_2" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/11142106054_eb5b72becd_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/11142105644/" title="thanksgiving_table_1 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="thanksgiving_table_1" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/11142105644_8e73db3c79_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Other details: I have these old 50s "Go to the Head of the Class" board game pieces, so for place cards, Jack was Cowboy Joe, Anna was Bonnie, etc. etc. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/11142105784/" title="place_card_1 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="place_card_1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/11142105784_ba1d116139_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I hope your holiday was full of hope and joy and fun and yum and laughter and hugs!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18188546@N00/11118353635/" title="DSC09571 by boosegumps, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC09571" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/11118353635_082c28047b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Fledglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773079154826856034noreply@blogger.com1