Y Is For… Yarn! – Of course!
I love yarn, (which is probably obvious, since I wrote about the joys of a yarn stash on my main blog today, too). But I do love the stuff – I adore digging my hands into it, squeezing it, … Continue reading →
X Is For… X Marks the Spot, or, Maps!
Maps are a helpful way to orient oneself in a physical place. We use them in all sorts of ways: when driving from one place to another, when finding a new-to-us store or restaurant, even wandering around a mall or … Continue reading →
X Is For… X-Stitch!
Cross-stitch is one of the easiest needle arts to learn. It’s just making little “x’s” all over the fabric, using different colors to create a design. This particular one is from a book called Hand-Stitched Boxes by Meg Evans. … Continue reading →
W Is For… Writing
Writing by hand is magical. There’s something special in it, visceral. Yes, computers can reproduce calligraphy. But they cannot create. They are not people and therefore, they cannot make what we can. The sad thing about the ease with … Continue reading →
W Is For… Weaving!
Weaving is one of the oldest textile arts in the world. The most complicated looms, like the huge one featured in the movie Wanted, are the same in principle to the simple back looms used in the mountains of Peru … Continue reading →
V Is For… Vanuatu!
Vanuatu. An archipelago halfway between Hawaii and Australia, it’s been under many outside colonial jurisdictions in its history. In researching for my post today, I couldn’t think of a “V” to feature so I asked the internet. It gave me … Continue reading →
V Is For… Vinegar!
I love vinegar. I use it in salad with fruit instead of dressing; I splash it on vegetables when I steam them; and I use it as part of the seasoning when cooking chicken. I particularly like flavored vinegar. Making … Continue reading →
U Is For… Umbrella!
I always carry an umbrella. I live in Chicago, which is called “The Windy City,” but should be called, “The City of Unpredictable Weather.” When I arrived here over a decade and a half ago, I believed in the power … Continue reading →
U Is For… Upholstery!
Yes, I know. It’s an ugly chair. I, however, happen to like it. It belonged to my great-grandfather and is in serious need of re-upholstering, but because of its construction that’s not inexpensive. For one thing, the pegs that hold … Continue reading →
T Is For… Temp Work!
Temp work is a good way to learn the world of work without committing to a particular company. Temporary agencies are used by companies of all sizes, from small single proprietorships to multi-national corporations. You can spend your time learning … Continue reading →