The Mop Head

Yesterday I made a mop head for my Swiffer. The refills for the Swiffer work fine but you need to buy more when you run out. That really doesn't make me happy. Now a mop is a much needed tool for a house, if there are any un-rugged (this is a new, just patented word) floors. About two years ago, the woman that had been cleaning the house for me threw out the washable mop head that I had kept. My mother had bought it from Fuller Brush. It was very old but very handy for wood floors. When it got grimy, I could take it off and throw it into the washer. Very handy, indeed. I did not realize that she had thrown it away until she was long gone. I missed that mop. I bought miscellaneous battery powered sweepers but nothing made me that happy.
I did google Dust Mops and this is what I found.
Then last week I decided to make one. I went to the 99 cent Store to see what I could do cheaply.
I found these two car washing mitts at , yes, 99 cents.
At that time, it was not clear but I took them home and began. I really do like fulfilling my ideas well and doing it inexpensively.
I took the elastic off, saving the end for later.
I turned the rough edges under.
I cut the elastic to about 3 inches long.
I sewed it on in the middle of the spaghetti ends with a zig zag stitch.
I then attached a tying cord on the top side.
Now, it was good to go. And what makes it all the more special, it is the micro fiber that picks up everything. I was really surprised at what it picked up, even after using my battery powered sweeper.
Plus the colors are SO cheerful.

Roll or Schmoll

I made this a retrospective of four people. My sister, my niece, my great niece and me. I made this for my niece and I wanted this to be very special. The basis for all this was the transfer paper and my favorite photos of people I love.
The basis of the little pocket bag is a very lovely cream Silk that was imported and was embroidered in India. I think that is the most luscious Silk that I have ever seen. The belting is from Tibet and hand woven.
The reason for the photo: my niece has an aviary and she raises Canaries. This perfect photo is of my Great Niece with some baby Canaries. The photo is so special - the framing, the light and most of all the subject.

This transfer is a Siamese Fighting fish that my Great Niece purchased and then made a drawing for me. It is a lovely combination of form and color. I felt that it was important enough to be immortalized on transfer paper. The gold ribbon is metal ribbon that I was lucky enough to procure down at the FIDM store.
These are Garnets that I had included in a necklace that I had made for my sister, my Darling Niece's mother. The Yin-Yang was my Uncle's. And of course my favorite stone, Pearls.
This Silver Quan Yin was also my sister's. I put all these memories together and I hope that it will bring happiness to my Niece.
My Darling Niece will not see this post because she is camping away from phones and the Internet. It will arrive by the time she returns. Oh crafty me!

The Joys of Life

I made this little pocket bag for my daughter-in-law. I love the transfer paper. It seems to be transferring me into something else. The top photo is of my grandchildren. The photo was taken about three years ago.
Now this photo is of my son about 35 years ago. But as my daughter-in-law said "All of my honeys".
Since I made it, I got to choose the photos.
This is my favorite photos of the children. They were watching a video on the computer. This photo tells so much about each child. Lucy with so much poise and then there is little Hollis not knowing what to think and on the verge of terror.
And here is my son. I did cut the top of his head off but I caught his enthusiasm and his great sense of life's joys. This would be right after Christmas because this is the hobby horse that my father had made for him.
I am enjoying making this little purses. Now, I get to make a very special one for my Darling Niece. It will be a secret, so don't tell!

I'm Crazy?

No, I am not crazy. Just crazy about this boy!!!!

Fun on the Homestead

I have been having fun with the fabric transfer paper. I thought I would expand my pleasure and make this little bag for a friend who's daughter had a baby. I met this lovely lady through my Darling Niece. She is my Darling Niece's mother-in-law. She will like the thought and I hope she uses it for a while. But babies change so fast that in three months it won't look a bit like this day old infant.
The fabric is silk inside and out. The flowers are linen and the is a touch of Agate and Amber as a zipper pull.

The Confrontation Over Property Rights

I have never seen Chester so relaxed (and so long). He was completely out. It was a pleasure to see him sleeping like this.
My son and daughter-in-law remodeled the children's room while the children were off at Computer Camp (supervised by the other grandmother). So, being able to, they cleaned and eliminate lots and lots. The beneficiary of the largess is the Dog Yard Sale. Somehow the sheep skin was put in with everything else.
I threw it down in the front room to see what the cats would do. Chester was the only one that saw me do this. He went over to check it out, found that it was very comfy and decided he needed a nap.
A while later Penelope went looking for Chester and then went ballistic that he took the rug before she had a chance to look at it.
Remember that when you are a Princess, you get to call the shots.
I haven't decided whether to give the rug away or keep it.

We'll see. Good behavior counts !

The Dog Raffle

A long time ago, I read a post by Menofleur, and she left me with an idea that I knew I had to explore. Phyllis made a tribute wall hanging for a singer who had died to early. It was a lovely tribute but what impressed me and stayed with me is that she used a photo that was put on fabric. "Transfer paper". I knew about it but didn't realize that it was so accessible. So, when I volunteered to donate a purse for the AKC Dog Trial that the club has every year, I knew that in some way I was going to include this wonderful product "Transfer Paper".
In the club, there is this wonderful lady and she and her husband have Keeshonds. They are very beautiful and fluffy dogs. The coloring goes from light gray to almost black. I asked my friend for photos of the dogs and there began my adventure with "Transfer Paper". I wanted the photos to look like dropped postcards. The fabric is a bonded cotton. I chose brown because with dogs, everything gets dirty or smudged with dirt. One of the photos forms a pocket.
Now, I realized that the winner of the raffle may not have a Keeshond, so that means I have committed myself to making two purses for the dog raffle - one for my friend and won for the winner. But it is all for a good cause and an excuse for using "Transfer Paper"

The Long Awaited Event

On the cold, wintry day of the first of August, I am walking on the old Navy Base that is located in Alameda, California. The reason I am here is to attend the Antique Flea Market that is held every first Sunday of every month. The items are "guaranteed" to be at least 20 years old. That sign amused me because 1/2 my clothes qualify as antique. Who knew? This was the beginning of the long walk to get in. The parking lot was extensive and full of cars. We were in the back of the lot. It was cold and my niece was bundled up and I had a wool sweater.
I had a lot of fun looking at everything. The flea market was HUGE. I didn't count but there was probably about 40 rows and each row was about 2 city blocks long. We saw every booth and commented on many items.
For me, this was the most interesting booth and still I did not purchase much at the market.
I did enjoy the antique buttons. There was a card with seven very lovely glass buttons. The seller wanted $ 18.00 and since I like to wash clothes in the machine, it wouldn't work for me. They were very lovely but very delicate. I have used glass buttons before and just sewing it on the blouse, I broke one by pulling the thread to tight.Here we are at the end of a hard, hard day checking out all the stalls. The sun did finally come out and I had to wear this hat to ward off the rays.We had a wonderful time and I figured that we walked about 4-5 miles and my feet vibrated in the middle of the night complaining with fatigue.
What fun we had!