Power to the quilters

I was talking to a good friend the other day and she said something interesting. She refrenced a converstation she had earlier about women and quilting circles in the 1800's. Thought this was an interesting topic so I looked it up. This is what I found from http://www.fracturedfriendships.com check this out


Why women need a circle of friends
Posted October 13th, 2007 by Irene
Another reason why the fantasy, Best Friends Forever (BFF), isn’t all it’s cracked up to be: When the all-consuming, all-fulfilling, one-and-only female friendship in your life fizzles out or blows up, you’re left in excruciating pain. And there’s no one to talk to or share your misery with. Generally, you would call your Bestie---but she’s the problem!
If you ever have unexpectedly lost a friendship that you were sure would last forever, you must realize that it is always a good idea to encircle yourself with more than just one best friend...
The idea isn’t a new one. Beginning in the late 1800s, Amish women formed quilting circles to share expertise and companionship. After they had finished individual patches for a quilt, they would come together (sometimes over long distances) to lend a hand in piecing them together. The quilters socialized as they sewed, developing long-lasting bonds that became part of the fabric of the Amish culture.
A study published in the American Sociological Review two years ago (June 2006) reported that the circle of close friends held by Americans over the past two decades has shrunk markedly. (This landmark research was the first nationally representative study on this topic over that time period.) During the same period, the researchers found that the number of people who said that had no close confidants had doubled.
What can we do to increase the number of female relationships that nurture and sustain us? Get ready to form a circle: a regular meeting of a group of women who share meet over a shared interest or activity. Here are some ideas:
1) Form a knitting or sewing circle, possibly with a charitable aim.
2) Play canasta, bridge or mah-jongg
3) Take to the links
4) Join a bowling team
5) Create a scrabble club
6) Start a book group
7) Join a cooking club
The options are endless; the chances for starting new friendships are boundless too.

Colder than s*&t.....

I love Illinois. At least that's what I was telling myself last night walking to the car at 4 a.m. with temps in the -30 range. I hate winter, that's all there is to it. Oh and my feet hurt like a son-of-a-gun. Dad sent me this and I thought it was appropriate.....

I was wondering. . . .

When the hell is spring coming?

Well I am going back to work for about a month. I am not to pleased, it's night shift. 6p - 4 a. 6 days a wk, 10 hours a day. This means I won't see the kids or my husbanc for a month, and I get to try and sleep while there are workmen here putting up siding and windows on my house. I won't be posting for a while...... Grrrrr..........
The things we do for money.
S

New Endavour

Today I am going to the shop to weld. And I am hoping to come home with a pair of new fire fans. I would like to eventually sell them on the net, make a few extra bucks. I think I might list the first pair on e-bay. I will post pics/video asap. I am kinda scared, what it this is a total disaster?

Pillow review anyone??

Ah, another glorious morning in Central Illinois. It's cold, rainy and dreary. I think I need to make something quick and easy today to lift my spirits. I think I will make slipcovers for my couch pillows! We have this comfortable couch, but it is ugly as all sin. I would like to get one of the mircrosuede slip covers for it. We went to one of our friends houses last night, and they had one on their couch. I loved it! Best part is...they have the exact same couch as us so I got a preview of what it would look like. I looked online and they are a bit expensive but I would like to swing it if I can. It would be like having a new couch, and you need new pillows if you get a new couch right? Wrong, here's why....

With a sewing machine, some spare fabric (about 1/2 a yard for most pillows), matching thread and some time you can remake your old pillows!

This tutorial assumes you have a very basic sewing knowledge. If you have questions about terminology check them here....http://sewing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=sewing&cdn=hobbies&tm=5&gps=439_241_1020_622&f=20&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.fabriclink.com/Dictionaries/Textile.cfm

You will need:
Sewing machine
Scissors (pinking shears work best)
Fabric ( a sturdy cotton or heavier)
Matching thread
Sew on Velcro - optional ( two dots/small strips per pillow)
Any little trim or tassels you would like to add - optional
Old pillows that still have life in them


Begin by measuring your pillows. Squish down as much as you can and measure across and top to bottom. I find that child butts work well for squishing. Be sure and jot down your measurements so you don't forget them (like me).

Cut a piece of fabric to match your dimensions, add in 1-1 1/2 inches for seam allowance and pillow movement. This will be the front piece of your pillow case. At this time you can add embellishments/patches/pretty baubles to the cover. Just remember people will be using these so whatever you add should be comfortable.

Next you will cut two piece for the back. Divide your front measurement from top to bottom in half. Now add 3 inches to the length, 4 if you have large pillows. Cut two pieces.

Now fold down 1/2 inch on each of the back pieces and run a hem.

Turn the front piece over so that the printed side is facing you and pin one of the back pieces - print away from you - to the front, matching up corners. Run a hem along all three of the sides of the case. Personally I like to use a tight zigzag if you are using a heavy fabric, it holds up better to washing, children and pets.

Now pin the second half in exactly the same manner, overlapping the first back piece ( it's supposed to do this, don't worry!). Run your hem around three sides of the case. Now turn the case inside out.

You should have a solid front pieces with two overlapping back pieces. At this point insert your pillow and you can mark where you would like to sew your Velcro tabs. This helps to hold the pillow in the case as well as give it a professional finish. Simply put a pin through the top layer of the back piece where you would like the Velcro to be. Whip stitch the Velcro in place and Voila, New pillows for you at a fraction of the cost!

Well I woke up this morning after a long night with two nine year old girls in the house only to find that the Christmas tree has fallen over...a second time! So now I have the fun task of stripping the ornaments while the tree is laying down. It seems that one of the tines that stick out from the base has broken. Again. I think I might try putting the stem into one of those patio umbrella bases.

On another more creative note I am making cool stuff!! I am going to be cutting and welding a set of fire fans on Monday at the welding school shop. here is a cool example of what I am making for those of you who have never seen me play with them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivljVpUAvjU I am hoping to open a website and begin selling these. Anyone know any fire dancers/marketing people?

Last night the girls and I tye dyed the fabric for my new patchwork skirt. I will be posting a tutorial with pictures of the measuring, dying, and sewing. More on that in a few days.

For now I need to get back to brushing little girl hair and drinking coffee. Ciao!

Welcome!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Hippy Homestead, my little blog on the web. I am a a wife, mother of two girls, mom to two cats, two dogs, and two goldfish, union pipefitter and all around hippy. Here I hope to share knowledge of sewing, house keeping, gardening, ren faire life, belly dancing, fire dancing, pinching pennies and just general thoughts. Feel free to post comments, I would love to hear from ya'll! Keep on truckin!