tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356080682024-02-18T23:23:28.578-05:00Fish Eye RugsJen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comBlogger847125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-6050176364318266162014-11-27T10:04:00.001-05:002014-11-27T10:04:10.998-05:00TTFN....hope to see you again soonIt's done. <b>Fish Eye Sisters</b> is born! :-D<br />
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Our <a href="http://fisheyesisters.ca/" target="_blank">new site</a> and <a href="http://fisheyesisters.ca/blogs/news" target="_blank">new blog</a> are both up and running...and you can discover what we are all about. We still need to set up the shoppe, and Sandra and I have that planned for early in the new year. In the meantime, please sign up for our <a href="http://fisheyesisters.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=498482b71cb840bc15dce237d&id=ed2366e137" target="_blank">newsletter</a> so that you can easily stay in the loop. <br />
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I miss you already, but I hope you will join me at my new home. Today I shared all of the details on how I made my bed-sized blanket.<br />
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Thank you again for all of your support and good wishes, <br />
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xxoo JenJen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-87779037882344943042014-11-19T21:16:00.000-05:002014-11-20T09:01:28.109-05:00blog highlightsI am going to be switching over and start blogging at our new site (www.fisheyesisters.ca) soon, but this blog will stay here indefinitely for people to be able to access. The only change that I've made recently is that I have decided to remove all of the pictures that I posted from the OHCG Annual and Hooked in the Mountains in Vermont, since I really did not have permission to share all of the photos. <i>{Truth be told, I have only ever heard from one person who objected....but I think this is the right time (and especially as we live in the age of Pinterest - where it is all too easy to share pictures and images without the appropriate references). If I have missed any - and you want your work removed - please let me know (new addy: jen (at) fisheyesisters (dot) ca) and I will remove right away.}</i><br />
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Before I leave this place though, I thought it might be fun to take a bit of a walk down memory lane, and highlight some of the best and most popular posts over the past 8 years...enjoy!<br />
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TRICKS + TIPS...<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2010/01/one-year-later.html">Using a syringe needle to speed up your sewing through any holes (buttons, handles, etc.)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2011/03/salvaging-selvedge.html">Salvaging the selvedge - reducing waste when cutting strips for rug hooking</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2011/11/wardrobe-refashion-part-2.html">Wardrobe Refashion: over-dyeing sweaters and yarn to make them more wearable</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2009/01/pencil-trick.html">Pencil Trick for auditioning yarn for whipping</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2009/06/attaching-grayson-e-handlesmy-preferred.html">Attaching pre-punched purse handles</a> (and I would also check out the syringe needle trick at the top of the list - perfect for this job)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2010/06/neat-trick.html">Keeping rows of hooking parallel and loops nice and straight</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2010/12/how-to-hook-fasteror-how-to-get-more.html">How to hook faster</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2011/04/new-label-idea.html">Pretty label idea</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2011/08/how-to-turn-belt-into-purse-strap.html">How to turn a belt into a purse strap</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2012/11/hiding-your-tailsnot-between-your-legs.html">Hiding tails amongst your hooked loops</a></li>
</ul>
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POPULAR PROJECTS + POSTS<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/Jumbo%20rug">Jumbo - my room sized rug</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/snow%20folks">Snow Folks</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/my%20Matrix%20Mats">Amazing Matrix Mats</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/my%20hooked%20purses">My Hooked Purses</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2013/04/newest-experiments-in-jewellry-making.html">My Newest Adventures in Jewellery Making</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/Guatemala">My Guatemalan Adventure</a> (the first post is about the TMC show, but the rest are my trip in February 2013)</li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2009/11/more-from-brick-house.html">Rugs from the Brick House, Shelburne Farms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2009/11/hooked-rug-seminar-at-tmc.html">Behind the scenes with antique rugs at the Textile Museum of Canada</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2008/11/some-rugs-from-shelburne-museum.html">Some Rugs from the Shelburne Museum</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2012/11/catherine-henning-featured-artist.html">Catherine Henning's Rugs</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you again for all of your support and kind words over the years.<br />
I will be back to let you know when the new site is up and running.... ;-)<br />
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Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-76459720023808388502014-11-15T16:44:00.002-05:002014-11-15T17:17:33.924-05:00cha..cha..cha...changes....<span id="ecxOLK_SRC_BODY_SECTION">It has sure been quiet around here. I
really didn't intend to be gone so long, but 2014 has definitely been
filled with lots of big changes for me</span> - some good, some bad, and some kinda ugly. Here are some of the good things that I'd like to catch you up on....<br />
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Right after we gathered to celebrate the lives of AJ and UB, I drove to the airport and headed straight down to Georgia to hang with my fibre arts group. Although I arrived a day late, it was just the respite and escape I needed. Four days of making, talking, laughing, and sharing our love of making was too short. Luckily I extended my escape for a few days of exploring in Savannah with <a href="http://www.emilykrobertson.com/">Emmy</a> - a place I'd wanted to visit since the summer before I was in grade 13 (and yes, long before I read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_in_the_Garden_of_Good_and_Evil">Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil</a> ;-) ). It did not disappoint. <br />
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The rest of the first half of the year was filled with preparing to move, then moving and settling into my new digs. After my dad died, my mum asked if I would like to move in with her... and so we began the process of sprucing up their house a bit and making room for me and my stuff. Our weekends and evenings were filled with taking down paintings, removing wallpaper, packing up belongings, moving furniture, patching, sanding, painting, moving furniture, pulling up carpet, scraping off old floor tiles, moving furniture, watching new floors be laid, trying my hand at 'mudding' drywall, more sanding and painting, unpacking belongings, more moving furniture, hanging artwork, and still more moving of furniture. Needless to say, we got really good at moving furniture! ;-) It was a lot of work, for sure, but the facelift was overdue, and making some changes was good for all of us.<br />
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One of the many positive things that came out of the move was that <a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/Jumbo%20rug">Jumbo</a> finally found a fitting place to be in use and on display... and has already survived a few doses of dog barf.... ;-)<br />
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In the Spring, Elaine came to visit and we tried our hand at another
round of indigo. It was great fun and some great learning. I still
have another kit that I hope to break out soon.<br />
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In April we took a bit of a break from our re-decorating to work on sewing 13 flannel 'camp blankets' for the most regular campers at our family Campsite. Over the 4 days of Easter weekend we completed 312 blocks, arranged and sewed together the tops, and even started tying the quilts! My sister Sandra, my mum and I worked full time on the project, with some part-time helpers drifting in and out. We had purchased all of the fabric and planned the project for the Christmas holidays, but then with everything that happened with Dad, it got put on the back burner. It was good to finally get them made, though, and great fun (and super cosy) to have them in our tents - especially with our new foam mattresses and the custom flannel sheets and pillowcases we made to match!<br />
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In July I was inspired to recommence my own 'making' when I travelled
to Nova Scotia to attend a lecture and take a class with Kaffe Fassett,
at <a href="http://www.hookingrugs.wordpress.com/">Deanne's</a>. I have
been a big fan for more than half of my life, so this opportunity was
one I just couldn't pass up. And although taking time off in the summer
is practically unheard of for me, I took the Friday off and spent a
wonderful 48 hours in Nova Scotia. I enjoyed the class (especially the
part when he chose my piece to discuss with the class), and most of all
that I returned home energized about really creating again.<br />
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In short order, I began working on a bed-sized blanket. I've used <a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2012/04/blocking-miracle.html">my first one</a> a lot and I've been wanting to knit another one for a few years now, and it was finally time to get started. It was great to be able to find my <a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2012/01/fininto-blankito.html">post-project notes from last time</a> (and another reminder to myself about why I need to resume and keep blogging! ;-) ) and refresh my memory on what I had done, needle size, etc. After a few trial and error attempts to get started, I finally figured out how to create the rectangular centre (I will give full details in a blog post very soon). After many evenings by the campfire, knitting until it got too dark, and several rain days at home, I finally cast off in mid-August. The finished blanket is much bigger than its cousin (weighing in at a whopping 7.5lbs), easily covering my double-bed (and will be even bigger when I finally get around to blocking it... LOL!). For now, it's on my bed and quite cosy.<br />
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<br />
The blanket was barely 'put to bed' (:-D), and I was diving into my drawers of batiks and pulling out colours for a quilt top. To make a long story short, one quilt top turned into <i>four</i>! All sewn in less than a month. I am not saying farewell to rug hooking just yet, but I can't deny that it takes a lot less time to make a quilt than it takes to hook a rug - and there is still all of the fun colour play. Plus, my sister Sandra and I have been working together on most of these projects, with plans for more in the future... better still we are even more productive together - and it's heaps more fun!<br />
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<br />
In late September we even tried our hand at long arm quilting on a computerized machine. Then at the beginning of October I took a free motion quilting class, and a whole new world of possibilities appeared. I also taught a couple of fun jewellery classes, though I failed to take a single photo. You can see a few on Elizabeth's blog <a href="http://sunshinerughooking.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/jennifer-manuell-workshop/">here</a>, though... ;-) <br />
<br />
I decided to forgo my tradition of travelling to Vermont for Hooked in the Mountains this year, and instead spent the time and the budget doing some serious work and organization in our studio and storage areas. There was not much idle time over the course of 9 days in October. In addition to more painting (and moving of furniture!) we managed to get all of our supplies completely reorganized, into labelled bins, and neatly stored all together in the storage room. 'Box Mountain' (the massive pile of boxes of "craft stuff" that arrived with me when I moved) was dismantled and downsized - and just in time, since I had quickly become fed up with having to move boxes around and around trying to find what I was looking for.<br />
<br />
After this massive reorganization and a marathon trip to Ikea, the conversion of my mum's previous studio space into our new <i>Sewing Room</i>, is pretty much complete. We have given just a small amount of space for storing/displaying fabrics (including a 'working stash' of hooking wools), books, and frequently used tools... with the bulk of the room left as working space. There are 4 work tables that can be configured all sorts of different ways, depending on the project at hand. We have already had a few full working days in the space and I have to say, I think it's going to be awesome for my Mum, Sandra and I to work in. <br />
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<br />
To that end we've been brainstorming ideas and have lots of possibilities percolating. After many years of 'going it on my own' and focused mostly on rug hooking, I am ready to branch out by partnering with my sister and expanding my creativity to include other fibre mediums. I will be sharing more about this transition to our new and shared <b><i>Fish Eye Sisters </i></b>very soon.... ;-)<br />
<br />
In the meantime, welcome back! After no less than 6 various unfinished drafts over the last several months, it's great to be home again! I will try harder to get back into the swing of blogging, but I also just started Instagramming, and I think that little 'microblogs' might be a better fit at this stage. You can follow me/us on Instagram @fisheyesistersJen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-50133382654222886382014-01-18T07:03:00.000-05:002014-01-27T14:44:25.545-05:00another angel gets her wings...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>W. Jean Armstrong</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">July 30, 1927 - January 15, 2014</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tQ68P6_MejlciWaU_fuLsxrpXBdIv5QsMHdqBvLHkV55tCcrbpQtTvDZMxRFEBYUr0XzgCEoov6meGiv02RsKeHg-ta3iw6vp44WUiJKv6kTfH2ijrU-xHF8DtnfZN87fR3B/s1600/AJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tQ68P6_MejlciWaU_fuLsxrpXBdIv5QsMHdqBvLHkV55tCcrbpQtTvDZMxRFEBYUr0XzgCEoov6meGiv02RsKeHg-ta3iw6vp44WUiJKv6kTfH2ijrU-xHF8DtnfZN87fR3B/s1600/AJ.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My aunt, mentor and friend, Jean Armstrong, passed away,
peacefully, on January 15, 2014, surrounded by many, including her children,
sisters and favourite niece.<br />
<br />
She had been having trouble breathing and was taken by
ambulance to the hospital on Monday morning, and seemed to be rallying....but on
Wednesday, she announced that she was tired, it was time and she was ‘ready to
go and join <a href="http://fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2009/01/another-angel-gets-his-wings.html">Bob</a>’. True to her spirit, she was stubborn, alert and in
control right to the end, and even cracked a few jokes in her last moments.<br />
<br />
She will be dearly missed.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<i>Our family will be gathering to celebrate the lives of Bob
and Jean this afternoon, and here are the thoughts I hope to share… </i><br />
<br />
A miserable bitch.
That is what Auntie Jean had to say about herself when we spoke just a
few hours before she died (and we both laughed!). And if your knew her, you’d likely agree…..but then again, if
you really knew her, you’d also know that she was a much more complex person than
that. She was definitely more than
that to me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehfawe5nE3I5BSkH4mvwgF7D_nQ3fUaME4lqV2mfESS6fUJRyWVCyPSvTMOGByP57gNRS4Fn5u6yvsmbykAKKTlr4SylW6mdbQDYht_zFFfqtwll5wuQn0ft3LXBOE45eD890/s1600/with+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehfawe5nE3I5BSkH4mvwgF7D_nQ3fUaME4lqV2mfESS6fUJRyWVCyPSvTMOGByP57gNRS4Fn5u6yvsmbykAKKTlr4SylW6mdbQDYht_zFFfqtwll5wuQn0ft3LXBOE45eD890/s1600/with+rug.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
When I was a child, AJ was my aunt with the long braids –
and the wigs! From her job working
at Sears, she had drawers full of cosmetics and samples, and she generously
shared them with us. She drove a
little silver sports car, very quickly – so fast that we called her Armstrong
Airways. I remember that whenever
my family would visit them in Kitchener, we would always eat Chinese food, fish
and chips, or Pepe’s pizza…and for us, having take-out was always a treat.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T5MiJQ-pZCxf5wfoan3QnwTpLkfyedLcwRU3lY453kzRAJROZjHdN9T6KI9mQ0iQpMynIAePyQG4gWCTmpTvrgE93DVwn_ZpT1XA-KYmoZWdziia1CqNPazdKURdMsUfA7Zh/s1600/watershed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T5MiJQ-pZCxf5wfoan3QnwTpLkfyedLcwRU3lY453kzRAJROZjHdN9T6KI9mQ0iQpMynIAePyQG4gWCTmpTvrgE93DVwn_ZpT1XA-KYmoZWdziia1CqNPazdKURdMsUfA7Zh/s1600/watershed.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
My mum and I came back to Canada for a visit on our own when
I was ten, and I was adopted by AJ and UB for several days. We took their trailer, their dog
Copper, and went off on a camping adventure. It was great to be the only child for a change, instead of
the youngest of three. They
spoiled me, and Uncle Bob and I went fishing at least once every day. I think that our special bond began on
that trip.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7chJBsixvhtAkX6erK4VdGB5P37OuQtzxPJM_TzEbsE6pLI6O_KWhxx1Wtq5cT4tys04okCqHywjjmhZ2KAPPsWI0tly6lw5exL0rGE5yE-K3KmeVyKfKQ7uCj2ApxJJPmAs5/s1600/camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7chJBsixvhtAkX6erK4VdGB5P37OuQtzxPJM_TzEbsE6pLI6O_KWhxx1Wtq5cT4tys04okCqHywjjmhZ2KAPPsWI0tly6lw5exL0rGE5yE-K3KmeVyKfKQ7uCj2ApxJJPmAs5/s1600/camping.jpg" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When AJ and UB moved north more than 25 years ago, just a
year after my family moved to Emsdale, it was the first time we had ever lived
so close to relatives and we saw a lot of them. Uncle Bob and Dad would work together on odd jobs around the
Farm, home improvements and other projects in the workshop…and they had a
little ‘bromance’, regularly exchanging gifts of fancy tools and gadgets,
mostly from Lee Valley. Mum and
Auntie Jean would get to work in the studio, winding and dyeing yarn, and working
together on weaving and other ambitious craft projects. They often stayed for dinner, even
though we only went to their place once as a family (we always blamed that on
the fact that my sister, Chris (a.k.a. The Breaker), chipped one of her crystal
wine glasses that night!).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiPmP1SXuyxb0_6hVYfndUt32WxDZym8kLqx2hh92FOWV55q6ht36Y1s6f1w4r_rJQsZBNb2HTzp1PH-Oc5XBxR1wNanTcsMF9sTNH0LjAhF-nTHqKLIOBfgZwGJR21acG0nQ/s1600/mum+and+AJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiPmP1SXuyxb0_6hVYfndUt32WxDZym8kLqx2hh92FOWV55q6ht36Y1s6f1w4r_rJQsZBNb2HTzp1PH-Oc5XBxR1wNanTcsMF9sTNH0LjAhF-nTHqKLIOBfgZwGJR21acG0nQ/s1600/mum+and+AJ.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But we really bonded when I decided that I wanted to learn
how to rug hook. And the whole
reason I wanted to learn how to hook in the first place, was in order to keep
her hooked Christmas stocking tradition alive for the next generation in my
family. She helped me gather the
necessary supplies for my first project (a still un-sewn floor cushion), and
Uncle Bob supplied the hook and a simple thumbtack frame. I am still not sure who was more excited
about me starting to hook – AJ or UB… </div>
<br />
I spent a lot of time at their house during that first
year….hooking and learning how to dye, and having many sleepovers. When I was too tired to hook, I would
often curl up in their spare room with a collection of rug hooking books, only
to awake to more of the same the next day. I not only learned plenty about rug hooking and dyeing
wool….but I also learned that AJ did, in fact, know how to cook more than just
her famous Nuts & Bolts. And
she made wonderful comfort food, especially her special mac and cheese and
yummy chili.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLNT7VBAgBgWjw05qTMpztp7jtx3PoOhI4s4Z6yKTxitmGZai09CE6FU1rKzwHMDHLVrCUIZ3-ZqF7aZ5OW2DqdBQ-M-frQkOt-g1H4xDqw45E7WMJKESvz8Zwls0pSjAzzWD/s1600/shelburne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLNT7VBAgBgWjw05qTMpztp7jtx3PoOhI4s4Z6yKTxitmGZai09CE6FU1rKzwHMDHLVrCUIZ3-ZqF7aZ5OW2DqdBQ-M-frQkOt-g1H4xDqw45E7WMJKESvz8Zwls0pSjAzzWD/s1600/shelburne.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
She advised me on rug hooking teachers and classes. I consulted her on colours in those first
years…and I looked to her for advice on my early original designs. We went on a great a trip to Vermont
together with Shellie and my mum in 2001….but unfortunately our plans to take a
couple of classes together the next year was interrupted by her heart
attack. She introduced me to
R.U.G. and many talented rug hooking friends, many of whom became friends of
mine. We had several fun hooking
weeks at their place with Shellie, Cathy, Dorinda, Marilyn, Jane, Edith, Connie,
the two Joans, and others.<br />
<br />
While her heyday as a rug hooking teacher was over before
mine began, her involvement with the Green Mountain Rug School, Ontario Hooking
Craft Guild, Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild, and National Guild of McGown
Hookcrafters, influenced many rug hookers across North America. Even though she was not hooking for most
of the new millennium, she maintained a very active interest in the rug hooking
community. We always liked to talk about what was happening in rug hooking and freely
shared our books and magazines with one another.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_n6UynYaGGQ9uYg6_1oyX-vPHWBlue9igZ49eHjrA_cT0BmpI_vKYx0sP0U6vgYZxi2XdOn3QDw3u6BxGyzV67J9CjSkzPOi1-cnuDUJbQQ57l6RBNR8aNKSVFgDnJQaD_zb/s1600/with+floral+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_n6UynYaGGQ9uYg6_1oyX-vPHWBlue9igZ49eHjrA_cT0BmpI_vKYx0sP0U6vgYZxi2XdOn3QDw3u6BxGyzV67J9CjSkzPOi1-cnuDUJbQQ57l6RBNR8aNKSVFgDnJQaD_zb/s1600/with+floral+rug.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></div>
<br />
It’s only now that I look back, that I can see that AJ was
effectively passing her hook to me.
There was really only 2-3 of years overlap when we were both hooking,
but I didn’t really see it at the time – she was still so involved with the
craft.<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago, she said to me <i>“Jen, I don’t think
that you are my niece anymore, I think that I am your aunt”</i>…a pretty big compliment,
for sure. But really, I am equally
proud of both parts of that sentiment.
I can honestly say that I would not be the rug hooker I am today without
my Auntie Jean.<br />
<br />
If I were asked to describe her in just five words, they
would be creative, curious, generous, intelligent, and annoying. And don’t think for a second that I
wouldn’t have shared this very same list with her! We spoke several times most weeks for the last fifteen
years…and if nothing else, we were pretty upfront and truthful with one
another.<br />
<br />
We had a unique and special relationship and I will miss her
more than I know.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBezLbRJ_6e1rEdqXpUmy0a_7HEBVWuMve_jUiW3a8b2tohRoHXXumVSP4Q_dqT6ELMIALWQ9rx0klDJhlPR907hbSjWuTj0Gr31cx2f2xgcEndkPiESecLk5-NA-vUROzsKG/s1600/trailer+hooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBezLbRJ_6e1rEdqXpUmy0a_7HEBVWuMve_jUiW3a8b2tohRoHXXumVSP4Q_dqT6ELMIALWQ9rx0klDJhlPR907hbSjWuTj0Gr31cx2f2xgcEndkPiESecLk5-NA-vUROzsKG/s1600/trailer+hooking.jpg" height="381" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>When I come to the end of the road,</i><br />
<i>And the sun has set for me,</i><br />
<i>I want no rites in gloom-filled rooms,</i><br />
<i>Why cry for a soul set free?</i><br />
<i>Miss me a little--but not too long,</i><br />
<i>And not with your head bowed low;</i><br />
<i>Remember the love that we once shared</i><br />
<i>Miss me--but let me go.</i><br />
<i>For this is a journey that we all must take,</i><br />
<i>And each must go alone.</i><br />
<i>It's all a part of the Master's plan,</i><br />
<i>A step on the road to home.</i><br />
<i>When you are lonely and sick at heart,</i><br />
<i>Go to the friends we know,</i><br />
<i>And busy your sorrows in doing good deeds.</i><br />
<i>Miss me - but let me go. </i><br />
–Betty Miller
</blockquote>
Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-25785820932868321222014-01-02T14:53:00.000-05:002014-01-09T10:54:35.897-05:00Dad<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hugh Charles Manuell </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>March 7, 1944 – December 25, 2013 </i></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyywqgX769EFBgg1iZ0bcQ0s_OCQkk-SigRynbj4E5QPcsImRsK79-YkYywDXKnpE0gO4tCGf1ioodRPFDCr9jDwPAvDeqWtv_cir5FWceRxTWpCaiyNp-qGrSM-p2YCtU3TH/s1600/IMG_3010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyywqgX769EFBgg1iZ0bcQ0s_OCQkk-SigRynbj4E5QPcsImRsK79-YkYywDXKnpE0gO4tCGf1ioodRPFDCr9jDwPAvDeqWtv_cir5FWceRxTWpCaiyNp-qGrSM-p2YCtU3TH/s400/IMG_3010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a short final battle, Hugh Charles Manuell passed away peacefully at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. Despite his illnesses, he lived a very full life. In typical Hugh Manuell style, he maintained his dignity, composure, and a clear mind. True to form, he died as he lived: on his own terms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hugh will be dearly missed by his wife Mary and three daughters Christine, Sandra and Jennifer, sons-in-law James Hermiston and Devin Stetler, grandchildren Sean, Hannah, Michael, Claire, Wyatt and Sienna, and new great granddaughter
Stella. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hugh will also be missed by a large and close extended family including his sister Marg Attridge, sisters-in-law Betty Soth and Jean Armstrong, brothers-in-law Ron Attridge and Randy Soth. Uncle Hugh was very special to all of his nieces and nephews, and especially Lorrie, Laura, the two Marks, Nancy and their families. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There will be a private family service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation are appreciated. Any donations will be earmarked for the Critical Care Unit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">www.huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWaw_Z_TvgUiBBtpCT8rP930qzUdLs254lhy3ogFprOTyH2ORQiEMaT1cvh68xp7TKenej1WidfxecHCHLxMgtZySGzcH8iYMCbG2QmnVQddKZFKEsQdhONdLyOvHV6S3zUSG/s1600/picturewall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWaw_Z_TvgUiBBtpCT8rP930qzUdLs254lhy3ogFprOTyH2ORQiEMaT1cvh68xp7TKenej1WidfxecHCHLxMgtZySGzcH8iYMCbG2QmnVQddKZFKEsQdhONdLyOvHV6S3zUSG/s400/picturewall.jpeg" height="253" width="400" /></a></span></div>
Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-66141649844027934932013-10-17T14:33:00.003-04:002014-11-15T11:04:23.391-05:00latest quilting adventuresFor weeks now, all I have really wanted to do was to make another quilt (or two, or three....LOL!) With my first jewellery class put to bed a couple of weeks ago, I put off putting everything away* and starting going through my batiks, plucking out some possible contenders for my first project.<br />
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If you're interested in a bit of the how and why, read on....but I will warn you, it's not really all that interesting, unless you are interested! No one will know if you just scroll through the pictures.... ;-)<br />
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Inspired by <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/401946335463975504/">this</a>, I knew that I wanted to start with squares of fabric as my base. Since I already had a bunch of 10" squares (<i>including those I won on <a href="http://adailydoseoffiber.wordpress.com/">Debbie's blog</a> giveaway eons ago - thanks again Debbie! <3 i="">, it was a easy choice to go with a match (and use 10" squares for my starting point). To make a quilt large enough for a Queen bed, I quickly determined that I needed 110 squares (later revised to 121 because I initially only factored in half of the seam allowance loss...sometimes it doesn't pay to rush through the math!). I was determined that they would all be different fabrics, so I had to make several passes through my fabrics and broaden my range a little to include a few greyish greens and some lighter values than I would have otherwise chosen....</3></i><br />
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All of the fabrics lined along the back and in the first 2
rows in front (above) were pre-cut squares - the rest needed a quick pressing
and a square cut. This process took a couple of evenings....but by the
Friday night, I was ready to start making little groupings of fabrics I
would 'stack 'n' whack' (essentially stacking 5 different fabrics in one
pile, then taking even cuts off of two sides and repeating a second
time....then shuffling the pieces from the first pair of cut to reveal
the fabric in 3rd place, and the pieces from the second pair of cuts to
reveal the fabric in 2nd place). But first I decided that I should
loosely sort my final fabrics into lights, mediums and darks....<br />
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About half of my stacks of 5 pieces were lights + mediums and the other half were more mediums + darks. I tried to make sure that I didn't pick two pieces that were too similar one after the other....but I later discovered that when a bigger piece is cut, it can almost look like the parts came from different pieces of fabric (since there is sometimes a lot of variation in both colour and value across the surface of a single batik, esp. in a 10" square piece)....so when some of my blocks were sewn together, there was a bit less definition (= more blending) than I would have liked to see. All in all, I was pretty pleased with how it all came together. <br />
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So on the Friday evening I started making sets of five fabrics and cut four of the stacks and sewed them back together again (=20 completed blocks). Each set of 5 squares received a different set of cuts, so essentially there are really only 5 blocks with the exact same shape dimensions within the block (just look at the corner squares in the above picture and see the range....then look at other blocks with the same corner-square size, but likely different framing widths around it). <br />
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For my attention span, I need to work with a system and it's especially important that I trim as I go....so I would work on sewing two sets of blocks at one time (=10), chain sewing the first piece and then pressing (for all 10 squares), then attaching the 2nd piece to all 10 squares, etc. Once each set of 10 blocks was completely sewn and pressed, I would trim (to 8 7/8" square) and then stack in a pile of either 'dark' or 'light'.<br />
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On the Saturday I was able to sew the rest of the blocks (= 101 or 121 in total), and I finished off my evening by starting to lay them out on the floor. But before I did that, I did 'deal' my lights into five different piles, in an attempt to spread the fabrics around a bit (each fabric appears only 3 times - so I didn't want to have to worry too much about clustering them all together). I was only able to fit about 4-5 rows at a time in my open space...so I alternated between light and dark squares (on the diagonal), and then adjusted as necessary. Once I was happy with the arrangement, I stacked up each row and kept the pairs/squares in order. <br />
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Sunday morning I started working on sewing the blocks into rows and then joining the rows together. By lunchtime the quilt top was all sewn together, save the centre seam (I really want to give it a good pressing first, and the smaller pieces will be a bit easier to handle).<br />
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Now I just need to piece together the back (yes it will be pieced, but more simply)....and then deliver it off to Sue to work her magic and make it into a quilt! Hopefully I can get it put to bed (tee hee!) before I head off to Vermont in 10 days...<br />
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<i>* in the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that for more than a week following the class, the wonky piles of baskets and bins from class were still cluttering up my mud room. Right where I unloaded them upon arriving home. Once again, it's a good thing that I live alone and get very little company.... ;-) </i>Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-41610029686539189052013-10-10T18:18:00.002-04:002013-10-10T18:19:09.116-04:00cool beansI received a v. interesting email yesterday from <a href="https://www.textilemuseum.ca/">The Textile Museum</a> about an upcoming event/workshop/project and wanted to share with those who might be interested.....<br />
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"<span style="color: #595959;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We’ve partnered with Creative Matters (a Toronto based rug design firm) to host a display, a series of workshops and a lecture about rug design and production. The workshops are 2 hours each and invite participants into our exhibitions to design artwork for a rug design. The designs will be judged and the wining rug will be hand-woven by fair trade artists in Nepal."<br />
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You can learn more about it <a href="http://www.textilemuseum.ca/microsites/artdayproject/ArtDayProject.html">here</a>. Unfortunately I will just be flying back from Nova Scotia that day, so can't attend myself....but I would <i>love</i> to hear from anyone who attends about the experience... ;-)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #45818e;">+ + + + + + +</span></b><i><br /></i></div>
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<i>I am so behind in my blogging lately, I might never catch
up.....projects without photos, photos without posts, and a desperate
need for an assistant! Sadly, nobody wants to work for free, but maybe I
could convince someone to work for wool...? ;-) The good news is that
I am back in the habit of making AND feeling like blogging again (finally!), just need to make the
time...</i>Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-12884707420430993702013-10-03T19:42:00.001-04:002013-10-04T09:05:15.123-04:00yesterday at the Textile Museum of CanadaI am freshly back from a little whirlwind trip to the city, where I met up with Elaine and we went and took in the "Artistry and Ancestry: Maya Textiles from Guatemala" show at the <a href="https://www.textilemuseum.ca/">Textile Museum</a> and then returned for a hands-on, behind the scenes seminar to look at more items in the collection.<br />
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In short, it was amazing. I would imagine that there isn't a rug hooker around who wouldn't leave the exhibit and not feel the urge to rush home and hook a simple geometric rug, be inspired to be more random in their colour placements, or just plain old use more colours in their work. Yes, it is that inspiring and wonderful....and I am very confident that you won't regret going. And the show has been extended to January 12, 2014, so you have time to plan a trip.<br />
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I took a few snaps - just with my phone, so not the greatest....<br />
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Here is a little tease about the rugs - but if you want to see them, you will have to go and see the show for yourself... ;-)<br />
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P.S. If you do go, you should try to view the show in a clockwise direction from the elevator. or stairs - this way you will save the hooked rugs for last... ;-)<br />
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P.P.S. There is also a great catalogue available at the gift shop.... ;-)Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-83440138477527612832013-09-18T17:25:00.001-04:002013-09-18T17:31:32.655-04:00Coldwater is hot stuff!A bit of a cheesy title, I'll admit.....but also v. true! Needless to say, I had a wonderful couple of days in teaching at <a href="http://www.thepurplesock.ca/">the Purple Sock</a> in Coldwater, and everyone was very warm and welcoming. And, I am sure you will agree that their projects are pretty awesome, too.<br />
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I was so excited to see everyone using my basic methods, but coming up with finished pieces that didn't look like I made them. They were uniquely theirs – and that is a great thing! Nothing pleases me more than people making things their very own....from choosing their own colours, to freely modifying techniques and putting their own spin on ideas to suit, and ending up with a finished product that reflects themselves.<br />
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On Monday, people started with a fairly simple first project, creating a smaller 'gem' and turning it into a pin or necklace. The ladies made spectacular progress and most everyone left with their jewellery finished. I think almost everyone come to class on the second day wearing their necklace or pin they made the day before.<br />
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On Tuesday, people worked on a more complex piece....and pretty much just ran with their own ideas for filling in their frames. It was great! Of course there was the familiar chatter and sharing of ideas all day long. Some of us were a bit better at focusing on the project at hand than others....but as long as everyone has fun, it's really all that matters. Plus those with a little left do finish can accomplish that quite quickly at home. <br />
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Watching everyone's projects come to life over the last couple of days in Coldwater has just made me more excited about the workshops to come where I can share more of my ideas on making hooked jewellery....<br />
<b>October 31 to November 3rd </b> • <a href="http://www.hookedinthemountainsworkshops.com/index.html">Hooked in the Mountains</a> held this year in Stowe, Vermont<br />
<b>November 15 to 17</b> • <a href="http://hookingrugs.com/store/shop/C48">Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio</a> in Amherst, Nova Scotia<br />
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<br />I really must recommend Lynn's shop, <a href="http://www.thepurplesock.ca/">The Purple Sock</a>, to anyone within easy driving distance - she has a great selection of wool, lots of project ideas, delicious teas, unique products, and such a cosy atmosphere in her shop, that you will want to stay all day. She also blogs <a href="http://thepurplesock.blogspot.ca/">here</a> about upcoming events, new products, etc. I know that both <a href="http://www.theruggedmoose.blogspot.ca/">Wendie</a> and I enjoyed shopping there this week... ;-) Just don't arrive on a Monday or Tuesday...she's usually closed at the beginning of the week. Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-2132345705638635112013-09-10T17:56:00.001-04:002013-09-18T16:05:55.409-04:00new + fun things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been scurrying to get ready for some upcoming workshops* - first up is at the Purple Sock early next week. So it is crunch time. I was relieve to receive my shipment of hand-dyed pearl cotton threads today....and took more than a couple of minutes to gorge on the yummy colours. I was beyond thrilled to discover that the little balls I bought in Vermont a couple of years ago are actually from a <i>Canadian</i> company, <a href="https://www.valdani.com/products">Valdani</a>!<br />
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Also exciting was the receipt of a second parcel in today's mail - double the goodness! I ordered some more Washi tape and other fun stuff from another Canadian company, <a href="http://www.omiyage.ca/">Omiyage</a>. Super speedy service (ordered Saturday afternoon and it arrived today!)<br />
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It's great to have a large selection again - I used up quite a few ends of rolls in bundling yarn for my class kits.<br />
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Better get back to work – there is always more to do when it's a new class.... <br />
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<i>* here is a quick list of dates + links for classes I am teaching this Fall....</i><br />
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<b>September 16+17</b> • <a href="http://thepurplesock.blogspot.ca/2013/07/upcoming-workshops.html">The Purple Sock</a> in Coldwater, Ontario <i>(possibly one opening? there was a last-minute cancellation)</i><br />
<b>October 31 to November 3rd </b> • <a href="http://www.hookedinthemountainsworkshops.com/index.html">Hooked in the Mountains</a> held this year in Stowe, Vermont<br />
<b>November 15 to 17</b> • <a href="http://hookingrugs.com/store/shop/C48">Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio</a> in Amherst, Nova Scotia<br />
<b>November 25</b> • <a href="http://thepurplesock.blogspot.ca/2013/07/upcoming-workshops.html">The Purple Sock</a> in Coldwater, Ontario Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-83262724573927117772013-09-04T18:46:00.002-04:002013-09-04T18:46:38.160-04:00Quilt: 8 Days in MaySo it's taken me a few days to get the photos snapped...but if I am being honest, I will blame it all on Mother Nature. We've been having such damp and humid weather lately...and it seems like we finally saw the sun late this afternoon for the first time in ages – or at least since Sunday. <br />
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As soon as I got home from work tonight, I quickly grabbed the quilt and the camera, went back outside and snapped away....carefully laying it in the grass, running up and down the stairs to snap and adjust. Of course things are rarely so simple. Imagine my surprise when I came inside and tried to download all of my carefully snapped photos.....and there were <i>none</i>! Now I will admit that I noticed the "no memory card" flashing on the screen,
but I also kept hearing the camera 'snapping' the images...and
assumed that the photos were being stored on some internal memory. <u> Note to self</u> (and anyone else who is a foolish as me): no memory card = no memory <strike>card</strike>. Even if the camera sound effects are identical to when it is actually taking photos. Even if you think it <strike>might</strike> should be working. Even if you are just too much in a hurry to take 20 seconds to come inside and grab one. Get. The. Card.<br />
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So what to do? After I had inserted a SD card, I headed back out....and not wanting to repeat everything a second time, I changed locations and layouts, and here are some of the actual snaps. I have no idea if they are better or worse than the first lot...but they are okay. And the whole episode has had zero effect on how much I love my quilt. Nor has it managed to put a halt to all of the fantasy quilt planning and piecing I've been indulging in for the last week...<br />
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Random Details....<br />
<ul>
<li>The front was based on <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2010/04/wonky-cross-block-sew-along/">this tutorial </a>(with modifications, since I didn't really have pieces fabric wide enough to begin with complete squares). Blocks were 10" finished, so dimensions are 100" by 80" wide.</li>
<li>I made all of the wonky cross blocks and pieced the front first, before starting work on the back. The back is totally a improv, fly-by-the-seat of my pants creation. But it worked! :-)</li>
<li>I had purchased 3-4 <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/HABERDASHERY/Liberty-Patchwork-Bundle/34540">fabric bundles</a> and three .5m pieces and a larger 2m piece (the dark grey floral paisley) of Tana Lawn right at Liberty, on my trip to London in Fall 2011. Of all of the random pieces in the bundles I only avoided using one (waaay too white - and even though I am learning lights are my friend, this piece was 'lit from within'). </li>
<li>Most of the bundle leftovers were used up in the gradation on the quilt back. I have still some larger pieces of the cut yardage remaining and a few scraps of the dark grey remain (I also used it for binding the edge). </li>
<li>When I decided that I wanted to use all Liberty, I did some research online and discovered that the most practical (and cost-effective) source was <a href="http://www.theworkroom.ca/">the Workroom</a> in Toronto. I called to inquire about their current inventory (in May - there are some truly gorgeous prints that arrived recently) and picked the cream/grey/sage <i>Pepper </i>for the light half of the back (which ended up being about as perfect as thought I had planned it IMHO). Very pleasant to deal with, speedy service, and a very fair price (£22 = $36.08 at current exchange rates (UK price at Liberty store) vs. $32 (Cdn price at the Workroom).</li>
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<br />Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-38131224726715859322013-09-01T13:23:00.001-04:002014-11-15T11:04:23.388-05:00binding my first bed quiltFor 8 days in May, I immersed myself in the bliss of cutting, pinning, stitching, and pressing, of my lovely Liberty Tana Lawn...and when then marathon was over, I was left with a finished quilt top and a pieced back. Granted it was a bit of an impulsive beginning (I just decided on Victoria Day weekend* that that I was going to get started, and five minutes later I had my rotary cutter in hand), but I came to the realization that I was probably never going to love those fabrics any more than I did right then and there. I'd been crushing on them for as long as I'd been back from my trip to England (2 years ago this month). And while I didn't see that love fading any time soon, I realized that I didn't want to risk waiting until it had before I started using them. Because sometime that happens - you use up all of your love for something in the imagining, the dreaming, the playing in your mind.....and when it's all said and done, nothing can live up to all of that imagined potential. And that is never good! Especially when you really $plurge -- and I think few would argue that making an entire quilt out of Liberty Tana Lawn is anything short of <strike>insanity</strike> a major $plurge.<br />
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For the last three months, my quilt has been sitting and waiting at the long-arm lady's to be quilted (machine quilting is not in my repertoire), and I was excited to finally go and pick it up a few days ago. My first reaction was "I can't believe how light and airy it is....", which is because of the fabric itself and also the silk batting I chose (why stop $plurging at that point!?!?). <br />
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I still had the binding left to finish, and I carefully pinned it in place and sewed it onto the front with my machine, yesterday. Now, I am a novice quilter....and while I have sewn lots of binding onto hotpads, etc., recently, I have never had to bind something so large as a bed quilt, so I was more than a little nervous to begin. <br />
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When I picked up my quilt, Sue had trimmed away the excess batting and backing about 1/4" from the edge of the quilt top. I was curious about whether or not I should do further trimming before I attached my binding, and she recommended that I did not - the excess will help fill and firm the edge. I was a bit skeptical at first, but decided to heed her advice. I lined up the edge of my binding (2 1/2", folded in half) with the edge of the quilt top and pinned in place. When I started sewing, I initially used a 1/4" seam allowance. After I sewed several inches, I removed the pins and wrapped the binding around to the backside. What I discovered was that the edge wasn't quite as full as I was expecting – or desiring. So I quickly switched feet on my machine and changed the seam allowance to be a bit more generous, and re-sewed the same section over again. A quick flip later, I was much happier with the results. <br />
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Because I know that this is something I will be doing infrequently (and thus easily forgetting), I took a quick picture to remind myself of what I did – and which foot I used for the job. And, posting it here on the blog just means that I will be able to find it more easily in the future! :-)<br />
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I've hand-sewn about 2/3 of the binding onto the backside of the quilt so far.....and when I am finished, I will take some proper snaps to share. I can already say that the promises of silk being as warm as down appear to be true – having the quilt on my lap while I was stitching quickly had me turning on the A/C! ;-)<br />
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<i>*I don't know what it is about Victoria Day weekend, but just realized that this is also the weekend I started working on <a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/Jumbo%20rug">Jumbo</a> three years ago.....!?!?!</i>Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-82028129112507657562013-08-31T11:22:00.001-04:002013-08-31T11:22:26.504-04:00handles are here!It's been a while since I've shared snaps of the leather purse <a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/search/label/handles">handles</a>. With a few new colours added to the mix, I thought it was time to post them. All of the handles are the <strike>new</strike> reintroduced (the same as the original, from waaaay back, when I first started using the leather handles) saddle leather...which is a bit firmer than the softer drum-dyed leather that was available for a few years 1+ years ago. They are still handmade in the USA...and still very easy to attach to your project (both styles come with pre-punched holes for sewing in place). <br />
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So without further ado, here are the colours....<br />
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L --> R: Black, Brown, Grape, Turquoise, Emerald, Olive, Hot Pink, Red</div>
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Please note that not all colours are available in both styles. At the moment the <b>Single Urban </b>handle (with the buckles - $38 each) is available only in Black, Brown, Olive, Red, and, for possibly a limited time, Emerald (apparently it was a dyeing oops - but I hope they decide to keep making them.....). The <b>Long Rolled</b> handles ($54 per pair) are available in all of the colours, except for Emerald. <br />
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My selection varies (you can always send me an email and I will let you know what I have on hand at the moment), but here is a peek at my current offerings....<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> *the colour is pretty accurate on my screen - the background really is grey, not white! ;-) </i></span></div>
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If you are thinking about making a purse and want to use these leather handles, I strongly encourage you to get your handles first and then plan the rest around the colour of your handles. Otherwise you might be disappointed. There are infinite colours of wools and fabrics to choose from, but just a handful of colours of handles available....and even so, they vary between shipments. <br />
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<br />Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-81096109048194371802013-08-25T11:07:00.000-04:002013-08-25T11:09:12.599-04:00Sunday morning...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYl3u2Ex_V4OnvMCXMB9kAEnlHMlGcWc53beuUFE3vKbsmhVigZcxfTXFWwlQAqn4hbdwfIN7pxZcRni1UNPvEy1GMyHcJgIttH8R84MrtIW2SDVng5YJizUbyuyFXz9mgKnLJ/s1600/photo-752600.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYl3u2Ex_V4OnvMCXMB9kAEnlHMlGcWc53beuUFE3vKbsmhVigZcxfTXFWwlQAqn4hbdwfIN7pxZcRni1UNPvEy1GMyHcJgIttH8R84MrtIW2SDVng5YJizUbyuyFXz9mgKnLJ/s320/photo-752600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5916074168565693522" /></a></p>It's been a great summer for camping at The Campsite. We've been enjoying our new outdoor kitchen, and our new propane coffee pots are the bomb, too. They definitely help us have happy mornings - even when it's chilly. LOL!
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<br>I've been up most weekends, and often bring projects to work on while I'm here. My favourite and most suited so far are the stockings. I like the limited amount of supplies required, the simple pace, and the ease with which I can pick it up, put it down, and look around to what is going on around. With an ever-changing group of people and kids, there is usually something happening to distract me a little... :-)
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<br>It's hard to believe there is just one week left until Labour Day...
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<br>I've had mixed success with my summer project plans. No failures, just less accomplished than I was hoping for...but hopefully this wee post will be the beginning of my return to blogging. It's been far too long. xxooJen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-68361211822305850032013-07-02T07:37:00.001-04:002013-07-19T16:46:01.915-04:00Welcome July!May and June just zoomed right on by.....and it's hard to believe that it's already July! In just two short months, it will be Labour Day. Fall will follow, and the desire to burrow at home with my hook and frame will be strong. I have already picked out my Fall project - and I am very excited about it. I was up visiting artist/friend <a href="http://www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com/Members%27_Studios/Members/Haviland/haviland.htm">Bobbi (R.W.) Haviland </a>a couple of weekends ago and fell in love with a big canvas painting. The dimensions are about 3' by 4', and I am planning on adapting and hooking it the same size, using a mixture of yarns and various fabrics. So in between the summer camping, crazy-busy work life, and preparing for the Farmer's Markets and Fall workshops (more on those upcoming events below....), I am going to be planning the project...gathering up supplies...and trying to draw an outline for the pattern. If you are in the Huntsville area over the next couple of weeks, she currently has <a href="http://www.algonquintheatre.ca/en/eventsprograms/artexhibitions.asp">a show mounted inside the Algonquin Theatre</a> (until July 30th).....and it includes the painting I will be adapting (with permission, of course!),<i> Borodin Ponders</i>.<br />
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<u>LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET...</u><br />
Despite the quiet on the blog, things have been busy for the last several weeks. Neighbours have organized a <a href="http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/news-story/3573642-new-market-for-huntsville/">new Farmers Market</a> on Saturday mornings, and I have committed to having a booth on <strike><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>July 20th</b></span></span> </strike>(Cancelled - sorry!)<strike>and </strike><span style="color: magenta;"><b>August 3rd</b></span>, from 9am-1pm. Depending on how they go, I might add another weekend or two. I have been busy making Ewe-Fuse hot pads....and I am going to start making more jewellery this week. I figure I won't know how it will go, unless I try. I also want to try to set up some sort of an online shop, but that will probably have to wait until the markets are over. I will keep you posted....<br />
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<u>TEACHING THIS FALL...</u><br />
I have had amazing response to <a href="http://www.fisheyerugs.blogspot.ca/2013/04/newest-experiments-in-jewellry-making.html">the jewellery I shared here </a>a while back.....and several inquiries for workshops (<i>thank you! ;-) </i>). Some of the details and dates are still being worked out....and some of the classes will be exclusively for a particular group, but there are a few that are 'open'. I will share what I know now, and when more are added, I will update here on the blog. <br />
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I am thrilled to announce that I will be heading East this Fall....for more than just feasting on seafood! ;-) In mid-November, I will be teaching three different one-day classes in <a href="http://www.hookingrugs.com/">Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio in Amherst, Nova Scotia</a>. <i>Coin Purses </i>on <span style="color: magenta;"><b>November 15th</b></span>, <i>Hooked Jewellery </i>on <b><span style="color: magenta;">November 16th</span></b>, and <i>Christmas Stockings</i> on <b><span style="color: magenta;">November 17th</span></b>. All of the details, including registration information can be found on Deanne's site <a href="http://hookingrugs.com/store/shop/C48">here</a>. It seems like ages since I was last there, and I am really looking forward to going back for a visit.<br />
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But just before that, I will be teaching at <a href="http://www.hookedinthemountainsworkshops.com/index.html">Hooked in the Mountains</a>, to be held in beautiful Stowe, Vermont, again this year. This will be a three day class on all sorts of small-scale projects (jewellery belts, etc.) ....and there should be ample time for everyone to finish at least a couple of projects over the course of the weekend. The dates are <span style="color: magenta;"><b>October 31st to November 3rd,</b></span> and more information can be found <a href="http://www.hookedinthemountainsworkshops.com/id2.html">here</a>. <br />
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<u>VENDING THIS FALL...</u><br />
The next <b>R.U.G. </b>will be held on <span style="color: magenta;"><b>October 5th</b></span>,and I will be bringing some of my wares to sell. I have also been invited to have a table at the <b>Powassan Hook-In</b> on <b><span style="color: magenta;">October 26th</span></b>. Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-82436201188944155552013-05-01T14:20:00.001-04:002013-05-01T14:31:02.275-04:00random housekeeping<b>:: Guatemalan Textiles @ the Textile Museum of Canada</b><br />
So exciting to know that three rugs, hooked by three lovely ladies I met on my trip will soon be on display at the Textile Museum in Toronto. Definitely a road-trip worthy event - and one I will be making!<br />
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<b>:: OHCG Kingston Annual </b><br />
Sadly I will have to skip out on attending (and vending) at the Annual this year. I had already decided that I wanted to be able to ride the creative momentum that was undoubtedly going to surge following my travels earlier in the year (and did!), and I was planning to take a year off from vending, so that I didn't have to focus all of my energy and spare time on getting products ready for market....but I was still hoping to be able to just go, see, chat, and hang out with my peeps. Sadly, the %$^#&*@! day job is getting in the way again and I can't get around working that weekend. So I am feeling a little bummed, but in the scheme of things it's a very minor.... ;-) <br />
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<b>:: R.U.G. on May 4th</b><br />
Yes, I will be vending again at R.U.G., this upcoming Saturday, at the Simcoe County Museum. As I am not going to be at the Annual this year, and I would really like to reduce a bit of my inventory and free up some space in my hallway.....I have decided to offer a rare sale of 10% off all in-stock and available items. Discount available in person and at R.U.G. on May 4th, only. Hope to see you there! ;-)<br />
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<b>:: May is <i>Making up for Lost Time </i>Month for me</b><br />
For the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to tackle the growing list of things I've been waiting and wanting to do, but just never seem to get around to it. So far I have finished a purse, made 2 pieced Euro shams, hemmed two pairs of jeans, caught up on my business paperwork and figured out my taxes <i>(admittedly at the 11th hour, so it barely counts...LOL!)</i>, and other, more trivial matters. I will share some snaps of the fun stuff soon.....and hopefully continue adding to the list.<br />
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<b>:: Cool video site</b><br />
I found a link to this site on someones blog - sorry can't remember where, just that it was a non-rug hooking one – to <a href="http://littlescrapsofpaper.co.uk/Little-Scraps-of-Paper">little scraps of paper</a>. The site contains many short little documentaries of various artisans, their studios, inspirations, glimpses of process, and bits of wisdom. A great way to distract you from things you should be doing....and hopefully inspire you to get back to them! ;-) <br />
I have watched quite a few, but am trying to draw them out a bit...to savour, rather than gorge. Enjoy.Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-60504022811054297332013-04-25T18:30:00.000-04:002013-10-02T08:16:58.975-04:00newest experiments in jewellry making....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For many months now, making some 'bib' or statement necklaces has been on my list of things I've wanted to do. Maybe even years. After much brainstorming and imaginary problem-solving, it was finally the right time to just sit down, try out some of my ideas, and make (it work). Of course, creating a self-imposed deadline, by way of offering it up as a potential class*, certainly helped! LOL! Regardless of the <i>why</i>, the <i>how</i> and the <i>when</i> finally combine to start creating the <i>what </i>a few short weeks ago. Easter weekend, to be precise.<br />
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I find, for me, the best approach to working out a completely new project is to make sure that I have a big chunk of available time when I finally sit down to start playing. Regardless of how many potential process kinks I work out prior to starting - simply by spending a lot of time thinking, there are always some rude surprises along the way...and for me, I know that <i>the absolute worst time to stop is right after enduring a disappointment</i>. So by setting aside more time than I know I will need, which in this case worked out to be a whole day/evening, with nothing else to do, on a long weekend...I was able to make some real progress.<br />
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Usually with new techniques and processes, there is a bit of a learning curve. For the first time in a long time, I was able to witness a fairly quick evolution of my own ideas, practically right before my eyes...modifying, revising and fine-tuning my techniques along the way. Such is the charm of a small, quick project: there is little time to forget what you learn before you finish the next one, and another, and yet another! ;-) It's actually a little bit addictive, to be honest. And it certainly helps that I am so excited about the possibilities.....<br />
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I've even experimented with making belts...and soon hope to expand and play with the idea and basic techniques to incorporate them into other functional items, too. Stay tuned....<br />
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Frequently, over the course of the last few weeks, I have been reminded about how <strike>important</strike> amazing it is to have a little stash of inspiring supplies on hand, at all times. I've also been having a great time revisiting some of the trips where the various items were acquired – and let me tell you, some have been lying in wait of an opportunity to shine for years! Many years.... Some items purchased with a project in mind that never came to pass, some things just because I thought they were interesting, and others just because they might come in handy, <i>someday</i>. Jewellery disassembled and reinvented, breaths of new life into old beads, and merging memories with new possibilities. Wow! It's been so much fun to create something brand new and totally different, and using all stuff that I had on hand already. Kinda scary, but also kinda great to be able to pull some things out of hibernation and use an eclectic mix of ingredients. All were hooked over two 24-hour periods (including sleeping, but not including the assembly....LOL!)<br />
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So this is just a little glimpse into what has been exciting me and occupying me of late....back soon with more new projects.... ;-) <br />
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* I will be teaching class on these in Vermont this October/November. All of the details available <a href="http://www.hookedinthemountainsworkshops.com/">here</a>. Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-48958729458077356162013-04-17T15:12:00.001-04:002013-04-17T15:12:22.405-04:00the seven year itch?For the last many weeks (months?) I've been spending quite a bit of thinking time pondering this blog and blogging in general. It seems like many people are a little less committed to updating their blogs lately - at least a lot of the blogs that I seek out. I've been stuck in a bit of rut of my own lately and feeling unsure about how to get out - and where to go from here. <a href="http://birdbraindesigns.ca/"> A wise friend </a>said that I should just share where I am at, here on the blog, and explain a bit how I am feeling. Basically stop ignoring it and hoping that it goes away.....LOL!<br />
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Over the past 7+ years that I have been blogging, the blog has undergone many transformations... changes in themes, purposes, and intentions. I've been very happy to have it as an online presence....and it's been a great way for me to share information, ideas, and current projects. <br />
I've also found it to be highly motivating - encouraging me to create, make and share. In spite of all of the good, there seems to have been a bit of a shortage of energy here lately for me. <strike>Stupidly</strike> Naively, I tend to operate on the assumption that I know everyone who is reading my blog - because, when I am writing, I am writing it directly to people I actually know are reading (friends, family, former students, etc.), and as a result, maybe sometimes I am a little more familiar or open than I should be in the sharing. <br />
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Just in case I missed the fact that I don't know people in all of the 47 different countries listed on my Google Analytics page <i>– or even people in 47 countries, for that matter....ha ha! – </i>recent events have proved that there are many 'strangers' lurking in my midst, and visiting my blog. I'm not going to really get into what has transpired, but suffice is to say that it's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and zapped my blogging mojo.<br />
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Despite all of this, I still want to be here in this space. I want to make it work. For me. I haven't got a firm plan yet, but I have decided a few things. Baby steps. So here is the plan, for now....<br />
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<b>1. Bye Bye Comments</b><br />
I've come to the conclusion that the Comment feature was/is just
dragging me down. Too much spam. Too few comments. Bothersome snarky
comments. Too much guilt about reciprocating and feeling obligated to reply. And, really, why does any of it matter, anyway? I don't want to care about the comments or have to worry about them any more. <br />
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So this morning I changed my settings and turned off/hid all of the comments. You can always contact me via email (fisheyerugs AT hotmail DOT com) if you want to share your thoughts or have questions. I welcome real comments from real people, at all times - and I promise that if you email me, I <i>will</i> email you back....just maybe not for a day or two... ;-)<br />
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<b>2. More pictures, less text?</b><br />
Writing blog posts takes a lot of time - at least for me it does! I probably spend an hour writing a typical post. And well it might be time well spent, it also pulls time away from all of the other things I have going on. I have the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else, and I am finding it's just not enough to do everything I <i>should</i> be doing - not to mention everything I <i>want</i> to be doing. So blogging has become an easy sacrifice. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, maybe I should spend just a little more time on taking pictures - instead of the explanatory text? Plus, it will be more practice for my new camera. Win-win. <br />
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<b>3. No commitment to post</b><br />
I'm tired of feeling guilty about not posting regularly. Tired of feeling behind in sharing projects or ideas. From now on, I am going to try to give myself the gift of freedom to post only what - and when - I want to share. Whether this translates into posts on back-to-back days or weeks apart, that remains to be seen....but I am really intrigued by the whole idea of "slow blogging". So setting up feed reader (to alert you to new posts) might be a good idea, if you want to avoid the frustration of returning here to no new content....<br />
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Apart from the comments that I have hidden <i>(this is the only way I could find to permanently turn them off - any other ideas?)</i>, all of the old content and pictures will remain here indefinitely for now. <br />
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So this is where I am at.... ;-)<br />
See you when I see you, and hope you are well.<br />
xxoo <br />
<br />Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-13851946474739597552013-04-14T14:50:00.002-04:002013-04-14T14:50:28.958-04:00Some Guatemala Links....I cannot say enough about the wonderful and amazing trip I took to Guatemala in February. I hope the photos and text I've been sharing along the way have helped to convey this....but really, it's just but a small glimpse into the trip, and a somewhat superficial one, at that. <br />
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If you are intrigued, want to learn more, and maybe even thinking about going on the trip yourself, I would have no problem talking one-on-one about my own experiences, and no hesitation at all in recommending it to those who have a sense of adventure, compassion and love of textiles. <br />
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There are some great places online where you can see some photos and learn more about some of various programs and groups at work in the country.....<br />
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<a href="http://oxlajujbatz.org/"> Oxlajuj B'atz' - Thirteen Threads</a><br />
<i>(pronouced Osh-la-who-bats)....organized the tour, but that is but a small part of what they do. With projects in health, artisan and product development, small business, democracy and team building, the focus is on empowerment by increasing knowledge and skills. "The
mission of Oxlajuj B’atz’ is to facilitate processes for Maya women
artisans to bring about change, through their own efforts, that will
alleviate the adverse effects of poverty and improve their quality of
life. Our mission is guided by the principles of harmony, democracy,
and sustainability."</i><br />
<i> </i><br /><a href="http://www.culturalcloth.com/_/Welcome.html">Cultural Cloth</a><br />
<i>Is Mary Anne and Jody's business, based in Wisconsin, that collaborates with artisans around the world to promote women's economic empowerment and environmentally sustainable practices. You can purchase Guatemalan rugs directly from them.</i><br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/102746676631497436557/albums/5864823756762814657">Robert Egg's Photos</a><br />
<i>Robert own Casa Kachiquel, home to Oxlajuj Batz in Panajachel. He took quite a few photos over the course of the week, especially during our farewell gathering.</i><br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113488282125439807572/albums/5847131721487807793">Rachel's Photos</a><br />
<i>Rachel is an American who is presently volunteering with Thirteen Threads. It was delightful to meet her. She took some fabulous video (and, unlike me, has figured out how to share it online....), including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=84EG8qLvmbY#!">this one</a>....you can see more on the <a href="https://plus.google.com/113488282125439807572/posts">Oxlajuj B'atz' Google + page</a>.</i><br />
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After being home for seven weeks now, I think I am slowly starting to get a bit of a handle on the impact this trip has had on me, personally. It's going to take a little more time, though. Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-19150183775322650152013-04-14T13:56:00.001-04:002013-04-14T13:56:23.441-04:00Some Chichicastenango Market snaps....Have I told you lately how many pictures I took on my trip? Well, it was over 2,000. Yes. Many. Many. Photos. Here are just a few of the dozens I took on market day – eye candy everywhere you look...<br />
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<i> (Interesting procession.....)</i></div>
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<i> I love belts! ;-)</i></div>
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<i> (weaving and loom parts and tools)</i></div>
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<i>(patterns for huipiles, etc.)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9RqI6G6NJqXsMmsooDpbTlSQVmgGDtrWGqCqjWyIrmTFkuJao6nfUwai_LetOt2oOzlhbDCMh1lFO287AM9GkJ9afCHDsVQjQFSSeCfVj0pxrDolTCoLnvmjfF4WsQspaPmI/s1600/DSC01904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9RqI6G6NJqXsMmsooDpbTlSQVmgGDtrWGqCqjWyIrmTFkuJao6nfUwai_LetOt2oOzlhbDCMh1lFO287AM9GkJ9afCHDsVQjQFSSeCfVj0pxrDolTCoLnvmjfF4WsQspaPmI/s400/DSC01904.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i> shanks of coloured threads for embroidery and weaving....</i></div>
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<br />Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-32486125796040592152013-04-14T13:30:00.002-04:002013-04-14T13:34:45.291-04:00Asociación Maya de Desarrollo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On our way back from Chichicastenago (day 8), we stopped in Solola at a
women's weaving co-op. Luckily we arrived right in time to be able to
watch part of the dyeing process. Here are some of the snaps I took....</div>
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<img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQk2y8KwCyDYf9iF94ewULBlIC7M8IOObXEeeLTxqhJU00xlZpNf9OMrniCg0pOdEF5BWV9E8gSv-HaCajQb8_3fqIbqscVmMNU_J1dpVgvY-xNxqHBpdky6QTVmoV6pi285X/s320/DSC01971.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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You can find out more information about the project <a href="http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/guatemala/peacebuilding-organisations/asociacion-maya-de-desarrollo/">here</a> and it looks like you might (soon?) be able to purchase items <a href="http://www.athreadofhope.org/">here</a>. Plus, I was happy to discover this wonderful video today by accident that shows the whole process - from start to finish. It's great!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HvmblAuULto?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-80407331532182078402013-04-14T13:11:00.003-04:002013-04-14T13:34:24.460-04:00Guatemala Day 10 - Panajachel + Antigua<i>My apologies for the delay in getting back to the Guatemala posts....I really didn't anticipate that it would take me this long. Enjoy!</i><br />
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Saturday morning was our last full day, and the final day for spending time with our buddies. Everyone took full advantage in the morning, working hard together with their buddy to plan the remainder of their rug. I really wanted my project to reflect Zoila, so we dumped out the whole garbage bag of used clothing (that we purchased earlier in the week at the Pacas), and started picking and choosing. Along the way, we added some details to the design, incorporating some repeating motifs and also mixed up the colour placement a bit to balance the colours (mostly having opposite corners matching) over the rug, but still allowing more variety. </div>
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One benefit of using inexpensive materials like the tshirts (cost in US$ ended up being less than a quarter per item), is that you can feel a bit more care-free and cut odd shapes to 'test' your plan prior to hooking. Knowing that it was impossible for me to hook all of our ideas, we cut out shapes of the various colours to make a mock-up.....</div>
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Knowing that I didn't want to fill precious luggage space with all of the old clothes....I cut strips of all of the various colours for the motifs. Hopefully I made good guesses about how much I will end up needing, but only time will tell. I did not bring anything home for the background....but I am sure I will be able to find something suitable and similar here. </div>
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In the late morning, we did a final show and tell....<br />
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...and everyone packed up their stuff to head home.....<br />
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And after lunch, it was time to 'hit the road'. I was pretty photoed out.....and only took a handful of snaps on the drive back to Antigua. This is one of them....still shocking to see after a week of similar sights.....<br />
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Although we didn't leave until the next day, fittingly this next snap ended up being the last photo I took with my camera....<br />
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<i>(Elaine and I had both just woken up right before I took the snap - we were all down for the count.... ;-) )</i><br />
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It is hard to believe that I have been back now for seven weeks already. Everything is still so fresh in my mind, it could easily have been just last week that I came home. It was truly an amazing, life-changing experience....and I sincerely hope that the changes I have noticed that it has made in me last indefinitely. Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-54514757913913880422013-03-20T19:27:00.001-04:002013-03-20T19:27:17.629-04:00Spring?<p>Apparently today is the first day of Spring. At least that is what I have been hearing on the radio all day. But as with every March 20th for the last decade or so, I always do a little double-take. You see, my birthday is March 21st <em>(yeah, big four-oh tomorrow...ugh)</em>, and growing up, I was always told that my birthday was on the First Day of Spring. Now I am not sure if was a perpetuated little white lie, along the same lines as the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and jolly old Santa, or if the global universe actually decided to change the day sometime in the last 20 years....but apparently my birthday is no longer on the First Day of Spring. Go figure.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">With Winter still very much on display (I snapped these photos on my way to work this morning, just using the camera on my iPad), it is hard to feel much Spring in the air here. More snow fell again last night...and I can't help but wonder if maybe Mother Nature is having a little intervention solely for my benefit? Along with the much needed Spring Cleaning that can start happening any day now... I am also desperately in need of a little snow cleaning for a couple of my hand hooked rugs. Especially the one that lives in front of my kitchen sink. It is bordering on nasty. I've been meaning to do it for some time now....well, practically since January. But I only seem to think of it at a time when it's not possible to do it right away, so this little reprieve of more snow is welcome. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">So if you, like me, have been procrastinating, accidentally forgot, or have just been too busy to get around to it.....it's not too late for many of us in northern North America to snow clean our rugs. I picked up a brand spanking new corn broom....and will start sweeping away the dirt and grime tomorrow morning before work, when it's a little cooler and the snow is a little more crisp.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">If you have never tried cleaning your rugs in fresh snow, I really encourage you do to so. Our foremothers did it with their rugs and the process couldn't be easier. Basically just lay your rug on top of freshly fallen snow, and repeatedly sweep loose snow over top, flip and repeat until you rug looks fresh and clean. If the rug is particularly dirty, I will try to scrub or grind the snow into the loops a bit more (in the past I have even used the plain, flat surface of a Swiffer to help with this). As long as it is cold outside and the snow is not wet, the snow doesn't melt or make your rug wet. Depending on the temperature and type of snow (dry, loose snow is sheet IMHO), it might get a wee bit damp, but not really enough to get concerned about. It will burn off in an hour or two once it is back inside the house. Shake off the last bit of snow and any remaining loose dirt and dust...and put it back on the floor.</div>
<p> </p>Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-22767375809175467132013-03-17T15:28:00.001-04:002013-03-17T15:28:21.970-04:00Upcoming Hook In in St. Louis, MO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is too far away for me to be able to get to, but Maria, Nina and Donna asked me to share this with you. If you live near St. Louis, you might want to click on the image to find out more about an event coming up on April 27th.....<br />
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P.S. More Guatemala posts coming this week - it's been a total zoo since I got home....but there are still lots of wonderful memories and photos to share.... ;-)Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35608068.post-66494520053640731092013-02-24T14:00:00.001-05:002013-04-14T13:34:11.129-04:00Guatemala Day 9 - PanajachelToday was our last full day of hooking (we go back tomorrow for a half day). In the afternoon, we had a lovely celebration ceremony, complete with singing and dancing, sharing mutual admiration and gratitude, and exchanging some small gifts. I took pictures of each of the participants with their buddies - and their rugs - and Jody ran and got them printed and framed for us to share. One thing that we all noticed is that the Guatemalan women had very few photos or even access to cameras, etc., so this was a great idea (kudos Jody!) that will provide them with a lasting memento. The only tricky part was trying to get them to SMILE! They are so stoic.<br />
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So without further ado...and in no particular order (other than the order the photos were taken), here are the 2013 Tour participants and their buddies....<br />
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Marcella and Elaine</div>
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Yolanda and Kristen</div>
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Zoila and me</div>
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Carmen and Sandra </div>
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Maria and Sue</div>
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Ramona and Linda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvSoVAliMGMBTD61xkpgzIG_ljqW3oO2GgWZNjBgIB2chQt3Tpq4FAjNNGVFhpkl9ETCK9BDAD2VoyL-BIYqda2F6NNwVIizei4nOEVnKivSdADuUmLYTH8a6JSHP4SohljJY/s1024/Photo%2525202013-02-22%25252010%25253A37%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="332" id="blogsy-1361732446669.2139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvSoVAliMGMBTD61xkpgzIG_ljqW3oO2GgWZNjBgIB2chQt3Tpq4FAjNNGVFhpkl9ETCK9BDAD2VoyL-BIYqda2F6NNwVIizei4nOEVnKivSdADuUmLYTH8a6JSHP4SohljJY/s500/Photo%2525202013-02-22%25252010%25253A37%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Cindy and Lori</div>
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Marta and Donna </div>
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Paula and Jody</div>
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Glendy and Sally Ann</div>
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Rosmery and Mary Ellen</div>
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Yessica and Cathie</div>
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Now if you are paying attention, you might notice that I am wearing <i>Traje</i> (pronounced traw-hey). Zoila so sweetly brought me a complete set to wear "for one day only". It consists of a <i>huipil</i> (wee-peel = blouse), <i>corta</i> (court-ah = skirt), <i>faja</i> (fa-ha = belt). It was lots of fun to play dress-up! </div>
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We had an amazing dinner at a lovely bed and breakfast, with beautiful gardens and wonderfully smelling evening jasmine perfuming the air once it got dark. A very magical place that I would love to visit in the daytime - and better yet stay there.</div>
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Again, the days are starting to feel very long and we are eager to get to bed at night. 9pm feels like 11!</div>
Jen Manuellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679700591869514347noreply@blogger.com