A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
I do not know who originally wrote this...but got it from my pal Eileene; I liked it so much...thought y'all might too!
"Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement - not even her parents nasty divorce.
Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!
A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!
Jennifer asked her father's new young wife to exchange it, but she refused. Absolutely not! I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it, she replied.
Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart, I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day."
A few days later, they went shopping, and did find another gorgeous dress for her mother.
When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it."
Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do dear...I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night BEFORE the wedding.
NOW I ASK YOU, IS THERE A WOMAN OUT THERE THAT WOULDN'T ENJOY THIS STORY?
Women are like phones: They like to be held, talked to, and touched often. But push the wrong button and you're disconnected!
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings...we simply continue to fly...on a broomstick.We're flexible like that!
(Thanks Eileen, this was a really good one!)
Last night, was my test night for sleep aphea. I already had this done about 15 years ago, and know that I do have that condition...but I didn't do anything about it at the time. Now, I just can't ignore it any longer. I'm tired all the time.
And, I was right...I'm not resting at all when I sleep.Last night, I was hooked to about 15-20 sensors that were "stuck" to my body in various place to measure my breathing, my brain waves, whether I kick my legs, etc. There was a clip on my finger to monitor my oxygen levels and a tubing strapped to my face with nodes in my nose and mouth to measure my breathing.
It's a wonder that I could even get to sleep...but after settling in, it was possible after about 45 minutes. They wanted me to sleep on my back if possible...but that was not happening...as I have slept on my side for decades. I tried, really, I did...but after about 20 minutes...gave up and rolled to my side. Was asleep in about 15 minutes after that.Woke up twice during the night...or so I thought.But, being "fully awake" and being just "awake" is two different things.My brain can wake up...without me being fully awake. And, apparently...when your brain is awake...that means you are not resting. Okay, that makes sense to me.Why would your brain "wake up" when you are asleep? Well...mostly...because you stop breathing. And the brain wakes up, mentally slaps you around...so that you start breathing again. Okay, that might also explain why I'm so tired and achy in the morning...all that "slapping around".Bottom line...my brain woke up "69 times an hour", and I stopped breathing "46 times an hour", and my oxygen level dropped below 89% for about 58% of an hour...as the lowest it dropped to 70% level.Yep, I'm not getting any rest!So, I go back to the Sleep Center on the 30th of July...to be fitted for my CPAP machine.
This handy little scientific breakthrough will push air into my throat/nose...keeping my throat from closing and me from stopping to breath. It is intended to keep you sleeping and resting longer. That's after you get used to having something strapped to your face pushing air down your throat. I'm not looking forward to the new "addition" but it is needed, and I'm praying that I'll be able to tolerate it...and that it will help.Will keep y'all posted along the process.
Right now...I've got to go wash the "goo" out of my hair...this is the stuff that holds the little "sensors" in place on my head...and feels like Silly Putty or Slime. Yuck!
There was a window full of ripe tomatoes this morning, so I managed to get two more quarts of tomatoe juice canned...and have a glass full left over.Check out the tutorial for canning tomatoes if you missed it.
I'm working on a cover for My Crazy Ideas Sketchbook, and thought you might enjoy doing the same for a journal or sketchbook of yours.Here is the layout of the front cover that I'm using.
Trace the lines of the design (not the numbers) on to a piece of white muslin, linen, or other favorite fabric to create the embroidery. Resize the layout to fit your own journal size front.
Trace the embroidery design into the pattern area "1". Place the design a little below the "center"... (Mine is a little too high).You will use the drawn lines to help align fabric pieces one-at-a-time to complete the crazy style patchwork. Work in order of the numbered pieces (start with "1", then "2", etc). Note: these are not the "stitching lines", these are the "alignment lines".
I like to use left-over strips of fabric...but you can just cut several from a few fat quarters. Make them different heights, using the pattern guide to determine just high.
Align fabric edge with pencil line, pin, and stitch...
Fold up and Press, Fold Excess Back at Next Alignment Pencil Line,
Trim to match the next alignment line,
Repeat until you have worked all of the pieces, in order of their number.Place the front in your embroidery hoop, and complete your stitching.
.In Part 2...we'll work on some seam stitching, and create the journal cover.
My journal is full of ideas for organizational tools, I just can't get the samples and class instructions written as fast as I want. But, it's good to be feeling "excited" again about stitching, and not as tired as I have been lately.
Here is a tote that I just finished sewing, and am working on the directions for.
It has loads of pockets, including one large one in the back that will hold a hoop, and a medium on that is large enough for a large book, large rotary cutter, and pencil/pen/crochet hook in the sectioned off parts.
The inside also has multiple pockets, as well as the sides.One side has rings to hold "clip on" items...that are not created yet, but are in my Crazy Ideas Journal so I don't forget. Wish I had enough energy and time to do all that my brain can think up!If you are interested in the Rose & Lilac Collection of organizational items, you can obtain the pattern as part of the class instruction over at Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions...just click on her link to Anytime Classes.The cost of the class is about what a sewing pattern costs these days...as I'm keeping them really affordable.They are so easy, I don't expect to be doing a lot of "work" to provide extra instructions...but, will of course if a students needs any help.Hugs!
Check out this report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation... "Six Estonian nationals have been arrested and
charged with running a sophisticated Internet fraud ring that infected
millions of computers worldwide with a virus and enabled the thieves to
manipulate the multi-billion-dollar Internet advertising industry. Users
of infected machines were unaware that their computers had been
compromised—or that the malicious software rendered their machines
vulnerable to a host of other viruses." Read more about this on the FBI website at this link:http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911 Check you computer to see if it is infected by clicking on the link in this FBI table for your country:https://forms.fbi.gov/check-to-see-if-your-computer-is-using-rogue-DNS
For those in the United States, here is the link:http://www.dns-ok.us/
When you go to the site, you will see a graphic image. If your image comes up with a green background, your computer is recognizing DNS IP Addresses correctly, if the background is red...you need to clean your computer.Check and clean your computer by Monday, 9 July which is the day that the virus activates if your system is infected.
Just trying to get the word out.Hugs,
Okay, the heading should give you fair warning!I'm a bit aggravated this morning. Not overly so...just, tired of working...at something that I think is the companies job...not the customers.I'm talking about my cable company. You know, television was free when I was small...you had an antenna...and you did not pay to watch all of the channels (yes, there were only about three back then). The advertising commercials that the customer was "forced" to endure watching...paid for whatever costs were associated with the television programming. Then, someone (and they should be shot) came up with the wonderful idea of having "special programs"...that no one else had...if you just subscribed to their service. So now, to get even the most basic of programs...everyone has to have a "service"...isn't progress wonderful. Now, my subscribed service... happens to be cable television...but the "dishes and such" are just as bad. Anyway...that's still not what got me aggravated.Yesterday I went to pay for this wonderful service...as I do every month. And, for those of you that are curious...my bill was $111 for the month...which included about $50 for internet service too. So, about $60 for watching television...and I do not get all those movie channels or things...just the most basic of things that includes the local news.Okay, that's another thing...to get my local news/weather...I have to have a special package...the "extended" basic...not just basic service which is the cheapest way to go. So, what the heck is logical about Local Channels not being included in BASIC service? Anyway...that's still not what got me aggravated...Yesterday, I upgraded (yeah I'm stupid) to get two DVR-R boxes...these are the type that let you "record" programs so can watch what you might have missed otherwise. Ha! there isn't anything much worth watching on television in the first place...if you are not into the "reality" scene...so what is there to record? My problem is just that...there is nothing to watch...so what few programs that I do consider good television...(I'm a NCIS junkie)...are not on all the time. So, I'm going to record those...and watch them over and over...instead of the reality junk that is being passed as television.I'm sure that Kim K. will not loose any money because I don't care to watch her...but, still...I'm not. Anyway...that's still not what got me aggravated...Yesterday, when I upgraded...I was handed two beautiful shinny new boxes...for ME to connect. That's bad enough...but, hey...I'm not stupid...and can figure out how to plug in a cord.But...when I sat down last night...after the dear-grandDaughter went home and it was quiet enough for me to think...I determined that the lovely lady at the counter...failed to give me any power cords for these boxes.Huh! Don't you think they need to be plugged in? I searched for a slot for batteries...but nope...I was right...they ar supposed to run off electricity. So, another trip to Charter Communications this morning to obtain the two cords was needed.Then, five hours later...I have successfully installed two DVR-R boxes, and relocated my extended basic box. I have placed three calls to the technical support folks to "activate" same boxes with each connection. I have had to go online to download the instruction manual for one of the mufti-functional changers (for the old extended box) because I have no idea where the original "programming" instructions were and could not get it to recognize the "new" television to save me! I strongly believe that customers that perform their own "installation" should not merely..."save" money by not having a company technician do a house call...(one that should be part of "customer service" in my book)...but should get some type of rebate on top of that! Customer service? What is that?Certainly my definition is not the same as most companies I deal with today.If the lady/gent at the counter smiles as you...and doesn't bite your head off when you ask a question...that's supposed to be good customer service? Boy, I'm feeling awful old today.....and behind the times. Thanks for listening to my rant...I feel better!Time to work out my frustration on some piece of cloth...but, think I'll leave that rotary cutter along for just a while longer...just to be safe.Hugs! ("Walking off and chanting..."that which does not kill you will make you stronger, that which does not kil......" )
I've had a really relaxing day, totally peaceful...no visitors or phone calls. Hours spent with my embroidery hoop and threads. Just lovely! I'm working on the 3rd class in my Rose & Lilac Collection, but remembered that I have not yet shared my 2nd class with you. So sorry to have forgotten.
This class is for a work basket. It can be large or small...really, any cyllinder shape would work. The instructions give loads of options and can be created in any heighth or width.
The basket is fully lined and could have a gathered top or a detached flat top...or, no top at all.Wish I had a medium sized one when my son was small...it would have been perfect to put some "quiet" toys into for Sunday services. When he was small...clothes were all that were sewn...as I did not yet quilt or embroider.Now, when I create things like this...they go to Aidan for her room. She loves to put special writing and drawing books tucked inside for short trips just down stairs. If there was a quilt guild here in my town...she's have less organizational things..because I would need them for myself. Hugs! The basket has a removable liner, and the cloth basket part can be washed. So, it's perfect for little fingers to dig around in...even though it was designed as a tribute to the Victorian ladies' work baskets, for holding sewing items.
Here's my June block. I decided that it would be a good canvas to add my beetle to from Arlene's class on stumpwork beetles. I also added a baby beetle to keep the larger one company. A mom and baby...Loved learning about Arlene's process and will be doing more of these for sure!
To Preserve (or Can) Tomatoes...
You need...sterile hot canning jarstight fitting lidsboiling hot super ripe tomatoessaltpatience If you have always wanted to say that you "can" and have never tried....tomatoes are about the easiest produce to learn on. So, I thought I'd cover how to approach this...my way. First off...remember that you are dealing with food...so keep everything extra clean as you work. I like to start off by cleaning my sinks...really well. (Now, after I have dumped tomatoes in them and made a mess...I do wonder why I bother...but, at least I know that they were clean BEFORE I began!) By the way...I have a tiny galley style kitchen in this little garage apartment...
My total counter space includes the right side of my sink, before you get to the stove...
and a sliver of space on the left side before you get to the refrigerator. So, I have to be organized. But, that just shows that you don't need tons of space to can tomatoes...
I do have a double sink...which comes in handy.
...and a dish washer under the counter. I begin by putting my jars into the dishwasher, and make sure that is set for Heated Drying Cycle. This will get them clean and hot...but not sterile.
For that, I submerge them into boiling water for about 3 minutes. Because I don't have a lot of space, this is done in my largest soup stock pot...and I handle 2-3 quart size jars at a time.
Boiling water keeps the jars super hot until I need them...and I boil my jar lids in a small pan at the same time (see behind the big pot).
Next, I wash the tomatoes...and place them into a large dish pan. Using a bread knife (cause that works best for me) I score each tomato. The "slit" does not have to be very deep..it is just to encourage the peelings to come off. To make that happen easily...the tomatoes will be submerged into boiling hot water for about 3 minutes.
Here is the largest pot I have...a huge pressure caner bottom. It is a great pot! Really thick...and holds about 3 gallons at least. Right now, it holding water...that just is taking forever to get hot! But, it will...in a few minutes. Then, I'll dip about a dozen tomatoes into it and let them get really hot...that takes around 3-5 minutes...so the skin will start to wrinkle and want to slide off.
See...here is the first one out of that hot water. The little "slit" that was made by scoring the tomato has caused the skin to start to curl up. Now, it goes into the sink...which I have filled about half full with cold water. Handling HOT tomatoes with your bare hands...is no fun! So, dunkning them into the cold water in the sink makes them manageable...and helps to get the skins to start loosing up even more.
Next, cut the cor out of each tomato. If you want to can whole tomatoes...and cut out any blemishes or bad spots the tomato might have. If you are canning whole tomatoes...that's all the cutting you do. But, for stewed tomatoes or chunky tomatoes...at least cut the tomatoes into four parts. You can see from the photo above that I've already done 3-4 tomatoes at this point. Next, just keep scoring, hot bath, cold bath, coring, peeling until all of the tomatoes are now finished and ready to be cooked.At this point...your sink is a real mess! All of the discarded tomato cores and peels are still in there.
So, take the time to dip these out into a plastic bag to be discarded. Actually, I had to do this about three times...emptying and re-filling my sink each time. Then, I squeezed out as much liquid from the plastic bag, down the drain, and put this bag...into a triple bag so it didn't run all over my garbage pail. Tomato parts are juicy!
Now that the messy part is over...I'm left with a huge dishpan full of tomatoes. They are all clean, and skinned, and cored! These are ready to go into the cooker. I have poured out the water from my big canning pot... washed it, dryed it...and it is ready to have the tomatoes put into it for cooking. Well, almost...At my house, we have an extra step...the blender.
Aidan does not like "chunky" tomatoes in her soups, stews, etc...so, I run the tomatoes through the blender...and can juice instead of stewed or large chunks of tomatoes. But, that step is optional in this process...you don't have to "pulverize" the tomatoes.
Now, there is a huge pot of tomatoes on the stove. They have to be super hot to go into the jars...so, put them on medium high heat and stir occasionally.
In a few minutes, they will begin to boil...cook them for about 3-4 minutes at least to ensure that they are super hot! After they start to boil...it's time to get a couple of jars ready to fill. Take them out of your hot water bath...being careful to pour the excess hot water completely out of them. I use a pair of metal tongs to lift the jars and pour the water from them as I'm lifting them from the pan. Then, I set them into my metal dish pan...about 2-3 at a time, open and ready to pour the hot tomatoes into them. I use a soup ladle...but a cup would also work to get the tomatoes from the canning pot into the jars. I like the ladle because the handle is long. You can use a large mouth funnel to help you get them the tomatoes into the jar...without making a mess. I didn't get a photo of this "filling"...sorry, was busy...but, you want to fill the jar almost all the way up.
Then, and this is IMPORTANT...wipe the top of the jar with a paper towel or clean dish towel. This is so that you remove any drops of water or tomato juice from the very top of mouth of the jar...so that when the jar lid is placed on the jar...there is NOTHING that prevents that lid from sealing to the jar. BUT, before you put the jar lid down...add 1 teaspoon of salt to the jar (for quart jar size). The salt will increase the acidity of the tomatoes...to help them preserve...AND will enhance the taste. (IF you are on a low-sodium diet...I suggest you freeze your tomatoes...cause they will not store correctly without a little salt...unless they are super acid types (perhaps)). I keep my salt in a bowl with my measuring spoon...and my paper towel handy...close by my dried off lids...so that I don't forget this step! The lids are removed from their hot water bath...only as I need them...and wiped dry. Put the hot dry jar lid on the jar of tomatoes...after you have salted them and wiped the jar top dry. Then place the jar ring on to hold the lid in place. There is no need to super tighten the ring at this point...just twist it on until it resists.
Use a thick towel or pot holder to grasp the filled jar and place it on the counter with the other filled jars. They should be about an inch of space between the jars while they cool...and cover all of them with a thick towel. This will keep them from cooling too quickly, and from getting "drafts" of cool air which could cause the jars to burst.
Later, after the jars have completely cooled off...tighten the jar rings and store them in your pantry. They will keep for about two years (IMHO). I use my canned tomatoes in vegetable soup and chili most often. Note: properly sealed jars will have a slide "depressed" center to the jar lid. If after the jars have cooled, you can push the center of the lid down...that jar has not sealed properly...and you need to use those tomatoes immediately.
I had just enough juice left to place a glass full into the fridge to get good and cold.Hugs!Try canning tomatoes...it's messy...but easy...and rewarding!.
