I know it's been a while, but...

There's been absolutely nothing blog worthy to write about.  I've done a couple of samples and hope to get around to putting up pics.  I did get to Sheep and Wool, but spent less than $100.  Being retired is not always fun.  A couple of emergencies have almost depleted the emergency savings account and rebuilding it is challenging.

So what you ask has brings me back to Blogland?  I read Erica B's post, then read the transcript of the CBS Sunday Morning program on how America has become a nation slobs and no one dresses up anymore.  I wanted to add my two cents and it'd didn't seem appropriate to comment on her blog.

You see, I agree.  My mother, sisters and I went to a Mother's Day Tea last Saturday; hats and gloves required. I had a ball.   I'm old enough to remember to hats and gloves, stockings with garter belts, shirts, ties and jackets.  I remember having three sets of clothes: school clothes, play clothes and church clothes.  I remember getting dressed up to go out to eat and the theater.  And I wonder how we got here.

Anything goes anywhere.  Very few people know what well fitting clothes are supposed to look like or how clothes are supposed to fit.  And shopping for clothing is a joke.  Everything is too short and vanity sizing is the norm.

Don't get me wrong.  I love my jeans as much as anyone, but I do believe that there's a time and place for them.  I like being comfortable, but there's nothing wrong with looking like I care about myself. Dress codes need to make a come back.  And while I like wearing hats and gloves, I'm not advocating they become mandatory again. 

When did it become okay to wear wrinkled, stained and dirty clothing? I don't mind belly buttons as much as I do butt cracks, but really both should be covered up.  I'm not advocating everyone look like a fashion plate but as a nation (and individually) we can do better. 

When did pajamas become outdoor wear, unless you were running out to get the paper?  I don't get it.  Are we Baby Boomers, responsible for all of it? 

It's not that difficult.  It doesn't take that much more time.  We can do better!

TTYL,

Melodye

Stash Busting

          It’s been a while since my last post, but in my defense I am without a laptop, my email crashed and my desktop while sufficient for embroidery patterns isn’t so great for surfing the net.  I’ve also been making shop samples for the next quarter so I’ve been buried.  If you’ve sent me an email and it’s gone unanswered that’s why.  I’m working from Harold’s desktop now.

          Last Sunday Harold and I went to a fundraiser for his cousin, Sharon Tindall.  Sharon is a master quilter and teacher (G Street Fabrics in Centreville and other Virginia locations) and makes absolutely gorgeous quilts.  She will be traveling to Liberia to teach quilting and sewing June.  In addition to improving their quality of life in Liberia, these skills will provide an income for women struggling to make a difference in their lives.



Liberia is a country in West Africa and was founded by African-Americans, most of whom were freed slaves.  These immigrants established a new country with the help of the American Colonization Society.  African captives, freed from slave ships were also sent to Liberia instead of being returned to their native countries.   In 1847, this country became the Republic of Liberia, establishing a government modeled on that of the United States and naming its capital city Monrovia after James Monroe, fifth president of the United States.  As a result of civil wars in the 1980s the country’s economy was devastated.  Peace was achieved in 2003 and democratic elections were held in 2005.  While Liberia is recovering from the effects of these wars 85% live below the poverty line (roughly $1.25 a day in 2005 purchasing power).  
 

Sharon will be traveling under the auspices of Hinds Feet Ministries, a 501(c ) 3 organization.  (Information is currently unavailable on Guidestar.org, but you can (and should!!) request IRS 990 informatiodirectly from Hinds Feet Ministries.) She is not only raising funds but she needs quilting supplies and here’s where the title of the post comes in.  If you have any of the following extra supplies hanging around Sharon could really use them on her trip.  Donations are tax-deductible and will be more appreciated than we can ever imagine.  Here’s what’s needed:

Backing fabric

Books with Afro-centric designs

Chalk

Cotton Batting

Hoops

Needles – betweens or sharps

Pins and Pin Cushions

Clear plastic rulers

Large Rustproof Safety pins

Fiskars Scissors

Seam Rippers

Tape Measures

Quilting Templates (not template plastic)

Tracing paper and wheel

Thimbles

Thread (all kinds)

I am not going to act as middleman.  Sharon’s email addy is quiltsandmorebysharon@gmail.com.  Please contact her directly for additional information and mailing directions.  Supplies will be shipped by boat so Sharon needs to have them by the end of March.

I can’t say I’m not affiliated, but I have no direct financial interest in this trip or Hinds Feet Ministries.  I do want Sharon’s trip to be productive and successful.  She will be writing a book and lecturing about her experiences and I for one can’t wait. 

 

 

 

 

Needle Storage

      I've been knitting since I was 12.  Not constantly but off and on for almost 50 years. I don't have a set of interchangeables but I have lots of individual circulars and straights.  Since I never knew what I had, whenever I'd find a sale I buy needles regardless of the size. Storage has always been a problem.   Last year I bought this, thinking I'd use it for circular Addis.  It's cute, but I didn't find it practical. I keep my straights in a vase I bought in Vegas especially for them.  I had been keeping my circulars in a binder with the needles in document protectors.  It worked until I dropped the binder and all the needles fell out.
      A couple of weeks ago at Sit and Stitch one of the women had a zipped binder from Knit Picks.  It had individual zipped pockets for needles and room for loads of needles.  Alas, Knit Picks doesn't make it anymore.
      A friend suggested a fishing binder.  It's really called a Worm Binder.  It comes in several sizes and replacment pages are readily available.  During the first half of the game Sunday, I set it up and labled the individual pockets.  I love it.  All my circulars (or all that I can find) are finally in one place.  I don't have to worry about them falling out and there's room for other needles that I'm sure are lurking in project bags. I'll admit it was scary to finally see how many needles I actually have!
       I found this at the local outdoor store.  WalMart and Kmart didn't have them.  Prices range from $9.99 to $29.99.  Replacement pages are $5.99 for 10.  The largest size comes with 20 pages.  I have 40 pages so far.  When I get back to the store, I'll pick up additional pages as I'm also going to store my DPNs in here.  There are also lots of pockets for notions.  It fits in the tote bag I carry most often.  One word of caution, check the binder rings before you leave the store.  I had to return the first one as one of the rings was broken.  I'm going to replace all the rings as I think they are flimsy, but that's the only drawback to an otherwise great bag.
      Now I need to find a way to store my crochet hooks.  I've been crocheting since I was 7!

 

 

 

TTYL,

 

 

Melodye

    

Nuff Said!

We The People

          This year I also received Inaugural tickets. Unlike last time, I was able to go. One of my sisters went with me and we had a great time. I am unabashedly patriotic and love this country. I freely admit to getting choked up hearing the National Anthem and seeing the flag flying in the breeze. I've lived and traveld abroad. And as much as Ive enjoyed my travels I'm always glad to be home. I've not always agreed with decisions made by those in government, but I believe in "We the people." Standing on the mall with Americans of every stripe, my faith and belief in this country were reaffirmed. Frank L.Baum had it right, "there's no place like home."

TTYL,

Melodye