Page and Text size

   

     The first thing that I needed to do was to determine a suitable size and font for the text on my pages. I soon knew that I wanted a font that was semi-script so that when I was embroidering the text, I'd have some flow from letter to letter.  I always backweave my loose ends and avoid knots when at all possible, so I didn't want to be having to do that every letter. 
     I also marked a half inch between the facing pages, as described in the original post I found.  I created a template on a piece of posterboard and cut out the spaces where the sewing would be.  I could then lay that on the pieces of muslin I had cut and draw pencil lines to show my margins.  I did learn that I should NOT have drawn the pencil lines.  I should have only lightly marked the eight corner points.  Then, if text was too close to the margin, I could make the page slightly bigger as needed, without my future blanket stitches running into my text. 
     I did make the muslin pieces big enough so that I could eventually use my stretching frame when sewing certain parts.  When doing the text I did use a small hoop. 

Fabric Book

     And so the journey begins.  I saw these two links several years ago and this last year I decided that I would start to make a version of this myself.  I'd collected several quotes that I liked, and eventually narrowed it down to 16.  Once that was done, I picked a font and size and from this decided the size of each "page" in my book.  Quotes would be on the left, and some sort of embroidery or applique or beading, or some sort of stitchery would be on the right.  Depending on the length of the quote, some of this might bleed onto the left page as well. 
     I'm trying to take pictures along the way and document how I've progressed as the project moves forward.  Celebrate the successes and learn from the challenges, and share what I've learned.  I hope you enjoy following as much as I'm enjoying the creating.

http://millionlittlestitches.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-i-make-my-fiber-books.html

http://millionlittlestitches.blogspot.com/2009/10/take-it-further-fiber-book.html

Sunflower

Flower Friday



A sunflower that popped up from the birdseed over the winter of bird feeding.  A nice surprise even if small. 

Fish

Throwback Thursday



Yep, I used to fish a bit.  Wasn't real keen on ice-fishing since I didn't really care for standing out in the cold, but some of the lakes around the town I grew up in had a lot of walleye.  Was considered really good eating in the day, but now I don't think I could hardly handle it.  Not that good of a taste and way, way too many bones to deal with while eating.  Loved that wool shirt jacket though.  Had another in my early teens.  Wish I could still find something like that.  Comfortable and warm.  Probably about fourth or fifth grade here. 

A difference made

Whatever Wednesday

As a teacher, you hope that over the course of time and the hundreds of students that walk through your door, you make a difference in one of those lives.  Upon retiring, that question has seemed to dwell in my mind more often as what I did all those years is now set in stone and it is too late to try and correct things anymore to be even better since I am no longer in the classroom.  This is part of a Facebook message I received today from my former Assistant Principal and colleague.

Steve, I have been working hard to transfer all of our accounts out of Wells Fargo to Matanuska Valley Credit Union. I have spent at least 4 hours with a young married women in the Eagle River Branch named C V.  She is fabulously bright, professional, detail oriented and personable. She delighted me today to regale me with stories about her time at PHS and her two favorite teachers Mr. Cook and Mrs. R-A. She credits you both with your kindness, teaching style and compassion. She stated she entered business because of you, BRAVO.  She says hello to you.

Well, nothing like making my day.  I count amongst my former students that credit me with many things, a writer for the Corps of Engineers who is also a musician and has released a CD, an actor who has been nominated for an international award, a scrub-nurse in training, a fellow teacher who credits my keyboarding class as the most important class in her education and has challenged both my writing and that of her students, and several who are now involved in various educational aspects. 

It's been a good day.

Scissors

Textile Tuesday



Three by three by three.  Three generations, three specialties, three scissors.  The top pair are my Gingher scissors.  I'm mostly a quilter and taught Business and IT.  The middle pair are my Mom's Gingher scissors, now mine because of her dementia, she at one time mostly sewed clothing but ended up being a quilter, and was a Home Ec teacher.  The bottom pair are my Great Aunt's pair of Hartfort Buttonhole scissors, she sewed her own clothing and some embroidery, and taught math, specifically upper level math and mostly Calculus. 

Monday Memories


This is the Sowle Farmstead.  In the picture is my Great Grandfather John Sowle, his wife Viola and my Great Aunt Mabel.  Viola would die before Mabel was 20 years old and John would marry Pearl and their son, Leland, would be my Grandpa.  There was 20 years age difference between Mabel and Leland.  Mom lived here through high school when the farm was sold.  The house was there until after I was born, although I'm not sure how much longer, and I would have still been a baby so I have no recollection of ever seeing this in person.  The house and barn are long gone and corn now grows there.