Local History Lessons

Summer is a great time to be a kid again; to learn new things, especially when it comes to local history.  I love spending time with my children, and as part of the joys of parenting, we visit various museums, nature preserves, and historic locations throughout the summer.

This week we visited Putnam Park located in Redding, Connecticut.  I have known for some time that our little area in the country is rich with historical events that helped shape the birth of our country, but how much still amazes me!  This week we learned about the soldiers stay in Redding, Connecticut, during the harsh winter of 1778-1779. 

In the museum, along side items like utensils, musket balls and glass that were excavated from the campsite, there were many "fiber" related items on display.  (The kids were as excited as I was with this discovery!)

On the upper left is the Spinning Jenny, named after the inventor's daughter who knocked it down by accident. James Hargreaves' invention helped speed up the process of spinning thread that was used to create garments such as the soldiers shirts and uniforms.  In the picture, Dee Jr. is holding the wheel that must be turned to work all the spindles -- the wheel was designed to be at the correct height for a child his size or slightly larger -- to work.

To the upper right is the display of various tools used to make the fiber.  It took a year from  the time of the first planting of the flax seed, to harvesting, to drying, then moistening the fiber to pound the dickens out of it, then combing it repeatedly to soften & straighten, to finally spinning a fiber that would eventually be woven into a linen fabric that would be used to create a single shirt.  It was an amazing amount of work -- there was no running to your local yarn shop for a skein of yarn or ball of thread!  (It would be almost 20 years later that cotton, due to the invention of the Cotton Gin, would become the fiber/fabric of choice.) 

The cloth dyeing techniques also interested the children greatly.  They were fascinated that they used items such as tree bark and onions to create various colorways. (Perhaps the kids never considered those green knees from diving in the grass?)  I'm hoping we have time this summer to experiment with some merino wool I've been hoarding for some time!

At the end of the Museum tour the children were able to share their knowledge of "The Mad Hatter" -- not of the Alice In Wonderland Fame, but more in line with the history of Danbury, possible birthplace of the felting technique (less the use of Mercury). To the left is an image of one of the tools used to stretch the beaver's pelt prior to the felting technique.  see my blog entry here for some history.

We learned much more than how much fiber played a role while the soldiers awaited the end of what was known as one of the worst winters in our state history, but this is the part I thought you, my readers, would enjoy most.  I highly recommend visiting Putnam Park should you find yourself visiting the state of Connecticut!

Two New Patterns by Dee!

With great delight, I'm proud to announce that it's official: I have two new patterns published!  The book became available for purchase TODAY!

Check them out in the NEW book, The Dancer's Book of Ballet Crafts: Dancewear, Accessories, and Keepsakes!

It was a treat to work with Christina Haskin, a dancer herself who now has her daughter following in her ballet slippers.  For me, in designing the patterns for this book, I thought of it as an opportunity to re-embrace my early childhood; who knew that all those ballet lessons, so many yesterdays ago, would pay off?  (Won't Mom be proud when I tell her?!!!)

I haven't seen a copy yet, so if you get to flip through the pages before I do, please share your thoughts.  Look for my crochet Beaded Ballet Bun Cover pattern and Ballet Slippers pattern included in this book that specializes in dancewear, accessories and keepsakes for your inner -- and real life -- ballet dancer.  I understand they used REAL dancers for the photography, so the pictures should beautiful!  :)

Note: The direct links offered in today's post go to Amazon -- proceeds from any orders placed through these links help The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, raise funds.  Want more information about the Chapter? Send an email to KrochetKlubinKT@hotmail.comedy -- change the "K's" to C's and replace "comedy" with "com" for the email addy to work. Thanks! Tags: crochet ballet slippers, crochet ballet bun cover, dee stanziano, The Dancer's Book of Ballet Crafts: Dancewear, Accessories, and Keepsakes

Flattering Fits of Frustration

I spent the weekend trying to get my new Blackberry Pearl working.  I've had it for a week and a half and it's been a miserable union.  Something was wrong with it so they exchanged it for me yesterday (the SIM card kept getting "rejected" and then they determined the "mother board" was bad -- cell phones have mother boards? who knew?).  I'm still having a rough go with the replacement; in trying to figure out how it works.  Right now it's rejecting bluetooth links and refuses to play nicely with my PC.  I might return it and get an entirely different phone. 

Hooboy.  One would think I'd be most miserable about not getting the technology to function properly, but that's not the entire case here.  I think, deep down, I'm more miserable because as I was purchasing the phone last week, a new design concept popped into my head!! -- I wanted to start working on it IMMEDIATELY using some of the fibers obtained from the recent CGOA Conference, but I can't!  Augh!  I don't like being in limbo like this!

It's like ordering a "Mail Order Groom" and having him arrive.  Sure his personality is everything you wanted, along with some unfortunate annoying hiccups, but it's his dimension that's totally throwing you.  Say your Groom arrived some 200 pounds (plus or minus, take your pick) of what you expected him to be and that you were already working up a crocheted cable sweater for him to wear to the wedding.  It's not going to work!  Without the proper measurements, no mater how much stretching, or tucking, the sweater is not going to have a flattering fit! 

And this is the case with my Blackberry: why start the project if I don't know that this will be the cell phone I'll end up with?  I think that if I'm going to be in a two-year committed relationship, I should be able to at least have some say in what he, er, it, wears.  ;)

 

(Note: I have no idea if Mail Order Grooms exist, I'm just using this as a metaphor to prove my point.)

The Tribble With Yarn is ...

It's been said that many stores are feeling as though fiber artists are not spending money on supplies as they once did.  So they're slashing prices and some, sadly, are closing their doors forever.  But, even with the cost of fuel, electricity, housing, and food climb, I don't think we're spending less on yarn and hooks.  No way!

Instead I think it is entirely possible that, like the Enterprise, we simply cannot house any more of it!  All this week, in my own home, I've been dealing with the apparent "over running" of various yarns!  Remember that Star Trek episode where there was trouble with the Tribbles?  What if we yarn consumers ARE in fact still purchasing yarn at the same rate but find that once home those purring balls of fancy fibers, in the privacy of our closets, under our beds, and in the trunks of our cars, are breeding?!?  Yes, I said  b-r-e-e-d-i-n-g !!

That is what I told Mr. Dee tonight.  That this could, indeed, explain my recent feelings of being overrun by my own stash collection.  After all, it IS everywhere -- seemingly multiplying as each day passes; some I haven't a clue as to when or where I may have purchased it!  I find myself questioning if I did purchase it, or if they are, in fact, the clever offspring of some alpaca skeins and silk hanks I had set aside for future projects?  Could it be that I'm not alone in this; is it possible that this is exactly what happened to this woman?  Had I not been alerted to this from the Crochet Partners group, I may never have believed it myself!  Obviously she, and possibly myself included, could use the skills of Scotty to beam the excess onto a passing Klingon ship.

Since beaming my stash into another galaxy is out for the moment, and that I'm still playing "catch-up" from attending the recent CGOA Conference, my plan of action is to go after those fur babies with hook in hand -- they'd look great crocheted as chemo caps!  Crocheting them up is a small enough project to work on in this Connecticut heat while ensuring there will be no more tribble -- at least for the moment!  ;)

CGOA 2007 Conference: Oh, Those Freeformers!

As I start to wind down my series about the National CGOA Conference (seriously, how much longer do you think I can stretch this out?? lol) I want to make special note that it was an honor to hunt down the perfect " Tree of Life Tree of Peace" tree used in the International Free Form Crochet Guild's display. 

I was worried, for a bit, about the tree "toasting" and "twisting in the highway wind" while enroute from Connecticut to New Hampshire, and more so while it seemed to wither a bit more as it awaited in our hotel room for it's time to "shine" -- I wondered, how would the tree look?  When I had heard that Mr. Dee and the kids snuck it down the fire escape (stairs) rather than through the hotel lobby again, I couldn't help but chuckle a bit.  I will admit that the tree had that "Charlie Brown" christmas tree appeal -- it wasn't looking good at all!

But, then, after class, when I visited the booth, I looked up to see that it was placed beneath a sky light and decorated with love.  The tree, a red maple once upon a time, looked like it had perked up a bit -- I think, and this is my own humble opinion -- it knew it was representing "The Tree of Life;" and in today's world of "evil doers" all one needs is a few ounces of hope, right?  I think so.    And so in this case, the "Charlie Brown Red Maple" did quite well if I do say so myself.  :)

I did not participate in actually creating one of the fantastic ornaments, but I was in awe!!  Freeform in actual 3-D -- no special viewing glasses required!  My hat is off to all those who participatedin this challenge!  :)

I did, however,  if you recall, participate in the Earth, Air, Fire, Water challenge.  Myra did an absolute AMAZING job of assembling the pieces together!  She has also done a most fantastic job of moderating and inspiring the group (I mean, look she got me to haul a TREE to a Conference!) then it should be no surprise that she was invited to join the President's Panel for the CGOA as the Freeform Liason!  Congratulations Myra!-- I know you will rock in this new position!!  

Now, here's an interesting tidbit about the photo you see to the left -- I had asked Myra to pose "like Vanna White" for me.  See how eagerly she wants to please us Freeformers?  Yes, this is just more proof she will do superbly as our Liason!   Seriously folks, she had no idea (nor did I!) until I zoomed in on the photograph, that what Myra really wanted to do was to point out where my contribution is in this gorgous piece of art!  LOL 

Myra, could you now show all my lovely readers where you added my "fire?" (see photo below for the answer)

Forgive me, Myra, this was just too much of a coincidence to pass up!  LOL 
Readers, click onto the photo to get a close-up of my work prior to Myra adding it to the collection.

Myra, Thank you for playing "Vanna White" for me, and for everything you do for the group!  You're an amazing & wonderful person that I'm delighted to know!  :)

CGOA 2007 Conference: More! More! More!

Finding links of others sharing their thoughts and pictures has been a challenging task -- but I think I've snagged just about all of them to make it easier for you, my readers, to experience more about the Conference.  If I find more, I'll update this entry.  Hey, and this also means that if you know of one I missed, please drop me a line and let me know! Thanks.

What Others Had to Say About the Conference:

Andrea: http://theyarnbasket.blogspot.com/2007/07/chain-link-2007.html

Anne: http://redcrochets.blogspot.com/2007/08/cgoa-2007-conventionfashion-show-silent.html

Amie: http://nexblog.mycrochetblog.com/?p=141

Barbara: http://www.xanga.com/weavingtheweb/604899662/my-cgoa-chain-link-conference-report.html

Carol: http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/blog/?p=4

Darla: http://darlafanton.com/fiber-events/crochet-conference-camaraderie.php

Diana: http://libraryyarnballs.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-hamphire-cgoa-chain-link-conference.html

Drew: http://blog.thecrochetdude.com/2007/07/17/live-free-or-die.aspx

Gigi: http://adventuresincrochet.blogspot.com/2007/07/tkgacgoa-aftermath.html

Ginny: http://flyinghooks.blogspot.com/2007/07/cgoa-chain-link-conference.html

Karen: http://www.krwknitwear.com/blog/?p=19

Margaret: http://journals.aol.com/mhdesigner1/MyHooksandNeedles

Mary Beth: http://alpacaaddict.blogspot.com/2007/07/cgoa-madness.html

Nichole: http://www.lapdogcreations.com/2007/07/stash-enhancement-at-tkga-show.html

Noreen: http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/

Regina: http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/2007/07/manchester-highlights.html

Sheryl: http://hipcat.blogspot.com/2007/07/welcome-to-new-hampshire.html

Vashti: http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2007/07/cgoa-conference-shopping.html

 

More Pictures Can Be Found At:

Kim: http://flickr.com/photos/kpwerker/822263449/

Pirk: www.pirkcrochets.blogspot.com

Myra: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559907353rfQzjl

Irene: http://community.webshots.com/album/560013183uefZGh

AND from the CGOA, be sure to check out The Knit & Crochet Show Gallery:  http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com/summergallery.asp

 

There are more pictures and great postings on the CGOA_Membership board.  Are you missing out?  You don't have to!  You can join in the fun by becoming a CGOA member too!  For more information visit www.Crochet.org!

 

 

Also Haley wanted to share this song that got stuck in her head after the "After Party;" I thought it was a pretty tune so I thought I'd share it with everyone.  Enjoy!

CGOA 2007 Conference: Day Four

Day Four of the National CGOA Conference is always a sad one for me -- it's the day of sobering up -- not because of all the partying, well, maybe for some it is -- but more so because as you make your way through the hotel lobby on your way to class you see many of your fiber friends preparing to leave.  For them the Conference is over.  They'll be heading back to home -- homes as far away as Alaska to Texas, from Finland to Australia.  It is the last time you'll see each other until perhaps the next Conference, and that, my readers is always hard to accept.  Me? I'd personally like to see the Conference extended by a day just so we can space the events out a bit more and have more time to visit with each other before returning to our regular lives.  So, yes, saying goodbye is always tough. {{snif whimper whaa}}  I'm thinking that perhaps the "after party" should be expanded, yes?

But, once you get yourself together and finally make it to your first class of the day, it is then that you realize that the class you're taking should have been the first class they offered during the Conference!  Classes, IMHO, on the last day of the Conference should be "fluff" classes, or at least some sort of lecture, perhaps on the History of Crochet, so attendees can sit and pass notes to each other about keeping in touch after the Conference.  (Shouldn't we have some sort of yearbook to sign?? Or at least have Barbara Streisand singing "Memories" in the hotel lobby?  They DO have a piano there ... ) 

Instead, there I was sitting in Darla Fanton's "Crochet Illusions" class -- and it was tough -- not because of the material (oh, who am I kidding, yes the material was tough!) but also because we (and when I say we I really mean me) were drained.  The late nights and the emotional lobby goodbyes rob you of so much energy!  Eventually though, I was able to grasp the concept -- thankfully because I had memories of Haley, a crochet student of mine, whispering over & over in my head.  I was recalling when I taught her techniques that were a little challenging that she would exclaim, "Yea, it's a 'Reward Row!'" each time we came to an easy section of the task.  Now, I used her "Reward Row" concept, and I did just fine! [[Thanks for the motivation Haley!! lol]]  Of course Darla was a wonderful teacher, often times checking in on me, "How are we doing, Dee?"  And we would chuckle together when I'd reply, "I think it's an Illusion that I'm awake, Darla, but I'm getting it!"  :)

I nearly finished my class sample, but rather than use mine, I decided to photograph Darla's samples.  How could I refuse when they modeled so nicely? {{VBG}}  One thing I do want to point out, directly from Darla, is that her Crochet Illusions technique is NOT the same one that appears in the (now defunct) Crochet Fantasy magazine (you might be able to find an issue on ebay; Winter 2005)  For more information about Darla, can visit her website at www.DarlaFanton.com

After class I headed to the Vendors Market.  I used this time as an opportunity to have some books autographed, chat with some more attendees before they left, and to take one last look for any "must haves" before it closed.  I was delighted that I was able to locate Doris and give her a bottle of the wine -- after all, it was all her idea to bring it! -- and you know what a fan of hers I am!  heh heh heh

After lunch with the family, it was back to stalking, er, attending another of Darla's classes.  This time it was "Tunisian Crochet Goes Tubular."  Thankfully I'd been practicing "casting on" using Margaret's method so I was immediately able to grasp Darla's version.  (Her cast on technique is to help reduce the famed "Tunisian Curl" we all experience!)  About midway through the class I was fading fast; I knew I wouldn't last until 5:00 PM and then endure the long ride home!  Once I grasped the tubular concept I checked in on Rose, (you know, the one I said fell because she tripped over her yarn & crochet hook) and decided to say my final goodbyes.  By 4:30 PM, I was fast asleep with sweet Conference Dreams while Mr. Dee began safely driving us back home to Connecticut.

So, is this the end of the Conference series?  No!  Tune in tomorrow for more details!  :D