Choosing shoes...

One of my favorite poems

growing up 

was

Choosing Shoes 

by Ffrida Wolfe

Now, was that really her name

F f r i d a

or was that a typo in the book?

hmmmm

Anyway...

Choosing shoes

New shoes, new shoes

Red and pink and blue shoes,

Tell me, what would you choose

If they'd let us buy?

Buckle shoes, bow shoes,

Pretty pointy-toe shoes,

Strappy, cappy low shoes;

Let's have some to try.

Bright shoes, white shoes

Dandy dance-by-night shoes,

Perhaps-a-little-tight shoes;

Like some? So would I.

BUT

Flat shoes, fat shoes,

Stump-along-like-that-shoes,

Wipe-them-on-the-mat shoes,

O that's the sort they'll buy.

I think I developed a shoe fetish

by chanting that poem for so many years....

I learned to make shoes...
from paper.

When I'm making them
it makes me happy.

Can't wear 'em...
but I can loose my imagination about where
these shoes might go...

I know, I know...
I've got to get a life....!

Estate Sale! Wow...that was fun...

What a great weekend...

An estate sale

I've been to a couple recently

that made me quite happy.

Each sale has it's own

personality 

or culture...
I picked up vintage photos and vintage letters at this...
Wow!
I'll share...

I love that even back in the early 1900's 
Women loved to play dress-up 
and have their photo taken.
Can you image getting your girl cousins together
for a photo shoot like this?
How can they keep those straight faces?
I'd be howling with laughter....

Sisters, Maude, Ester (in front)
Millie (behind Ester)
1911
I want to know them.
They look nice and friendly.
I learned quite a bit about Maude 
from reading letters written to her from 
her friend then fiance then husband...
Herman.
Sweet letters written from 1913 to 1919.
Even a proposal letter...
Wowza!

Herman and Eugene...
Maude's husband and son...
Note the date 1927.
Herman was a Brakeman on 
the Great Northern Rail Road.
Eugene grew up to be a bomber pilot. 
He flew in WWII
and was honored with the 
Flying Cross Medal for a mission he flew.

 

These sisters are from a different family.
I'd like to know them too...
Late 1800's...
guess I missed my chance to meet and greet.

Betty Lou Blue bird

Is it OK to post something like this?

It's really, really old...

from a

1917

Fleisher's Knitting and Crochet Manual

I haven't seen this label on threads...

hmmmm.

So, if it's not OK 

Tell me - Please.

My Mom says her nick-name was 

Betty Lou Blue bird, when she was little.

She was also called 

Betty Lou Red bird - 

wonder if it was the same person who

used those nick names?

Mom's day tomorrow is huge 

and she

is ever present in my mind.

My hands can't make this

even to honor Mom.

But - someone might want to take on the project

for their own special little bird.

10 or 11 skeins of snow white

1 ball or skein of 233 

and 

1 ball or skein of 235

Fleisher's Germantown Zephyr, 4-fold

Amber hook 3 1/2.

4 stitches = 1 inch

5 rows = 1 inch

Chain 123.

Work even for 190 rows

using a single crochet catching both threads

With blue - copy the Blue Bird design in cross stitch

Placing the birds as shown in illustration.

 

a sweet blanket 

crocheted with love.

Deep breaths - but not too many at once.

 

Penguins - can't get them out of my mind...Why?

Penguins...

What is it with the penguins in 

my head...

Maybe the weather...

wet and cool,

really, really wet -

but nice to breathe

the air.

 

If you're looking for some felting inspiration....

These penguins, Santa's and trees are - 

EASY!

Yes, easy.

And - 

QUICK!

Well, quick is relative...

If I have an hour in bits and pieces, 

I can get one of these little creatures

made and maybe start another.

Bits and pieces- 

that's how I work.

Needle felting can be hauled around

without much effort.

I use an old lunch box 

or one of those

cool, cute, stiff plastic-y bags

with a handle.

A few chunks of wool-

a piece of foam-

Felting tool and some extra needles-

and my imagination.

Then,

one idea leads to 

3.

Then I have a collection or an obsession.

It's hard to determine which.

If you're not tired of penguins, yet...

Here are a couple more...

Happy 

felting - needle punching - quilting

or 

whatever!

Solder art - here we come....

Can you say 

"Obsessive - compulsive"

I can, and I am...

I get that way about every new artsy crafty thingy 

I learn...

Solder art is no exception.

I am having a blast 

and 

teaching other folks along the way...

This is a kit we carry...

Everything to get you started - soldering

 Super cool extra hands 

for which I have already found

many, many more uses
including threading a needle -
Yes, it's true.

 Wavy copper foil that looks so cool

on the winter-y ornaments

 2" x 3" glass that makes perfect sized ornaments

Use images from cards you've received

or 

Cut images from calendars,

postcards,

old books.

art books

oh, my gosh the list is endless....

 

The back of this one says -

These are a few of the pieces

my friend and I made one day.

Oh, my goodness!

We had so much fun.

Lots more fun in store for everyone.

You can do this...

Yes, you can!

Kaw! Kaw! said Crow

I love, love, love sparkles.

Doesn't everyone?

Scored these at an estate sale.

Sweet success...

Oh, Happy day!

Make Believer

That isn't a typo...

I'm a Make Believer...

I'm officially out of the closet

Make Believer's Unite!

Of course if I'm going to Make Believe

then I have to have a tiara...

And not any old tiara but

a special 

Handmade

Special-for-the-character tiara.

This tiara is for the 

Princess of Change.

Not pocket change 

Change - change

Like change in the weather 

or 

seasons change.

I'm always changing - well in my mind, at least.

 Adventure gurl made the second tiara...

She is also a 

Make Believer

These little wonders are so easy to build.

I kid you NOT!

Easy!

In a few days...

I'll have a little video thingy posted

so you can see how easy it is.

AND

we are going to carry solder art supplies and kits so you can make your own

tiara.

In my opinion...

We should wear a tiara every day.

Yep!
Everyday Tiaras

For sure.