Monday, March 20, 2017

T Stands for Tuesday Nursing a Sore Back and Crafts

                    Happy T for Tuesday everyone!

Please join us at Bluebeard and Elizabeth here

    This past week has gone slow for me, but then here we are another Tuesday has arrived.

   I am prone to lower back problems-it goes "out" on me when I overdo physical activity. This time I am definately out of alignment for sure from neck down to my lower back. It usually takes a month to work its way back to normal.  I have had much worse where I could barely sit stand or lie down. So thankful for that. 

  And we have had a very cold week with lows in the low teens. I covered up my two clematis plants that were loaded with buds, one doesn't look like it fared so well-time will tell if I saved some of the flowers.
   Then over the weekend-right back up to summer type temperatures. We still so need rain. Today (Monday) promises to be another 80 f degree plus day The guys grabbed the opportunity to go out fishing in the boat today for walleye. Wish them a very fun day with friends and good fishing.

  So what have I been doing since I am rather down? Definately not able to get back on the ladder and work in the bathroom-so I have dug out favorite movie cds, books, and my crafts.

  A little bit of hand sewing on the civil war hexies That cool felted bowl and the one inside were both made by my friend Barbara   Note: Barbara is an amazing artist and creates so many amazing pieces and in many different mediums. Her latest right now is her sculpted piece adorned with tea bags to finish.

 All photos will enlarge




  I dug out a bag of cheviot wool to spin on my drop spindle. I am getting much improved with my spindle now. Inside the bag is some skeins I spun last year of this wool  and natural dyed with my own collected tansy and goldenrod flowers.  Also a photo of a finished skein on the niddy noddy-that is now dry from being wetted down real well. Ready to make into a hank and label.
  I had purchased several white rovings from different sheep breeds to learn to spin with and lots to dye with-love that!







 Speaking of tags-end of last year I needed more tags-they are a nice way to label the hand spuns and I was running out of them Shopping on etsy I didn't care for the choices of the gift tags I usually buy-but I ran into a shop on etsy (she is on vacation now) that makes tea or coffee dyed tags-never thought of doing that lol So I ordered a big bag of those and also a stamp of a sheep.  I found this one etsy too-handcarved by a lady in France.  More fun! lol


                



  And over the weekend I have tackled the tunisian crochet. I knew this would be a challenge for me with my left hand being the one for tension and that one is my messed up hand. It took a bit to get the chain right-I know easy it seems; but the stitches kept being too tight for me to work with and the chain would flip over on me-so after several attempts I got a chain I liked better. 
    I did get in the mail the book of tunisian stitches however there was no photo how to's-so that book will be a good reference for later.
   I did find lots of information on the web with videos, tutorials, and lots of free patterns. I started a pinterest board and just started loading the information there. 
    I found a crochet blog that you will find in my blog list and also on the pinterest board, that just had excellent photos in her tutorials-every motion had a photo. So I ended up printing off the basic stitches so I could follow along better. (link for the crochet blog takes you to her first tutorial)
   This was what I did last night-of course there are tension issues but didn't want to worry about that right now-I will do a few more rows of this stitch and then on to a different stitch, the ones that look like knitted stitches.

   


 
I also bought a new book-I ran into this one-at Amazon's suggestion lol-sounded fascinating-woven shibori. The technique is weaving in threads to pull for the shibori dye technique-sounds fun!


 The Weaver's Studio: Woven Shibori -  ()


For my drink today I am sharing a photo of my glass of dry red wine which has been really nice in the evenings.




Happy T Day!!

38 comments:

  1. Dear Kathy,

    Sorry to hear about your back! I have heard of people being helped by applying tincture of solomon's seal root to back injuries, and taking it internally to help, but I've never experienced it first hand.
    I wish I knew how to spin and knit! I shall have to learn, when I don't have a million other things to do. :)

    Love,

    Marqueta

    p.s. For St. Patrick's Day we made Colcannon; yum!

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    1. Hi Marqueta, thanks so much for dropping by for a visit-I am not familiar with that use of solomon seal either-I don't use chiropracters any more especially in the area where we now live, so it takes awhile for everything to get back in place.
      I am retired now and a couple years I told myself now or its not going happen lol so 2 years ago I taught myself how to spin from onlline videos, and help online from friends that spin and I took a couple classes too--I probably won't obtain more perfect yarn but I am getting better although it is still thick and thin-which will be fun to make something out of.
      I need to check out what colcannon is Happy T day

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  2. Hoping your back issue resolves quickly for you, Kathy! I have that happen occasionally, so I know how it can sideline all activity. It appears you are getting yourself through recovery with hand work. I love your sheep stamp and tags for labeling spun wool! I simply can't wait to get back to drop spindle spinning, and I'm using ugly scraps of paper for labels. I need her shop to reopen at least for the tags. Perhaps when my hands are better, I'll have real tags by then. Thanks for showing my bowl. I want to knit again as well! Soon, I hope. Take good care.

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  3. PS...I'm confused. I thought it was Monday. Are you a day early with "T for Tuesday"? No matter, your drink doesn't look like tea anyhow. Hehe

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  4. Sounds like you had a busy week with your spinning and crocheting. Sorry your back is playing up and hope it is soon better. Happy T Day hugs Valerie

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  5. Oh, I hope your back isn't too painful, wishing you a speedy recovery! It looks like you've been keeping busy, how amazing it must be to spin your own yarn and I adore your new tags and sheep stamp - they made me smile :-) . Your tunisian crochet is so beautiful, the stitches look lovely and seem so different from other crochet and knitting. It's nice to share a glass of red wine with you this Tuesday, cheers and Happy T Day! J :-)

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  6. oh my- back issues are a problem I know:( Hopefully things will get back in place and work for you again soon. In the meantime you are doing well with the wools and darling sheep tag:) Lovely pieces by your talented friend Barbara. I'd have that glass of dry red with you:) Happy T day!

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    1. Hi Linda, you are most welcome to join me for a glass of wine. Happy T Day. thanks so much for stopping by Kathy

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  7. Wow- you have had a busy week. Sorry to hear about your back, but maybe that gave you lots of play time. :) You're like a Renaissance woman. I love Shibori dyeing and I can't wait to see if you do any of this pulled technique and how it comes out. Enjoy that glass of wine. Happy T day. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Good evening Erika, at least I have plenty of craft projects I can work on lol I am curious to try this shibori dyeing too-thank you for visiting Happy T Day

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  8. I know your back pain. If I sleep wrong, I can't sit or stand without pain for a few days. So, I empathize with you, and hope yours clears up soon.

    For the past two days, the high has been 90F here. I did a bunch of laundry today and hung it on the line. It was dry in about an hour, maybe less.

    I adore your wool for spinning and those tea dyed tags. That sheep is adorable, and a great artsy way to mark your yarn.

    Even though I don't drink wine, I would be glad to join you for a glass over crocheting.

    Thanks for sharing your yarn, your stamp, the tags, and your red wine with us for T this soon-t-be-Tuesday.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth, thanks again for hosting this fun event.
      wow 90 is pretty warm for now-we get into the mid 80s though yesterday and now cooling off for a few days.
      Happy T Day

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  9. that shibori book really Looks like what i´m searching for... i want to try some of These dyeings this year!
    all the best for your back and happy t-day!

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  10. I hope your back will soon get a lot better than it is at the moment as you seem to be a very busy bee

    The wool looks amazing and I would just love to knot an Aran sweater in something like that. All get now is acrylic and wool mix and it is awful.

    Happy T Day

    Love Chrissie xx

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    1. Hi Chrissie, I have never been crazy with acrylic either I prefer the natural fibers. thanks so much for visiting Happy T Day

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  11. I hope you are feeling a bit better, there is nothing as uncomforable as back pain.
    I was interested to read about you spinning your own yarn, the sheep stamp looks great on your tags. The croquet looks lovely, something I have never been able to do.
    Happy T day.
    Yvonne xx

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    1. Hi Yvonne Happy T Day, I have never tried crochet, and never did good at knitting but this one fascinated me-and so far pretty easy to grasp.
      so glad you stopped by

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  12. Hi Kathy, I hope your back is better soon. Your crocheting looks great, and I'm sure your tension will even out soon. I usually have to use a smaller hook at the beginning of a project because my tension is always loose at first. Have fun!

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  13. I understand all too well what you mean about your back. I have had surgery on my spine. I use a tens unit that really helps. I found my crochet/knitting needle, and looked up a site that explained the process. I have another knitting project UFO that I haven't gotten back to in literally years, so I don't know if I need to start another one!

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  14. Sorry to hear about your back problems.
    They are the pits.
    Mine (knock on wood) has been less of a problem since I see an acupuncturist on a regular basis. In fact I have an appt later today for a tune up.
    Take care and feel better soon.
    Your natural dyed wool is beautiful and your tags are perfect.
    Happy T Day oxo

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  15. I can sympathize with back issues but am forunate that surgery fixed mine decades ago and I no longer have any trouble. I can actually feel your pain, tho, so know I wish you a fast recovery so you can get back to what you love to do.

    I'm mainly wondering what dry red wine that is lol, as I'm always looking for something new along those lines to try :)

    Happy T Tuesday

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  16. Oh feel better soon kathy... Hubby has been plagued with back problems for as long as i have known him... I checked out Barbaras website... It so nice to see both you ladies so interested in so many different things. Your crochet is coming along beautifully. I admire your tenacity Kathy. Hubby is off fishing today ... finally!!! I hope they don't get caught in a storm but they like fishing before a storm... told hubby to send me photos if they catch anything.. Happy happy T day my friend .... Hugs! deb

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  17. Clematis are beautiful flowers. I hope yours pull through for this spring's show! I'm in awe of how far back to basics you've gone. Your home spun yarn looks lovely and the tags are adorable.

    Hope you get relief from your back pain soon ;-( Back pain is the pits!

    Happy T-Day, Kathy! Hugs, Eileen

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    1. Happy T Day Eileen, I am hoping for some clematis flowers too-thanks-the spinning has been fun to learn don't know if I will get it perfected but I enjoy it
      thanks so much for dropping by

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  18. seems as though you've managed to keep busy while not on the ladder! love the shots of your hexies and wool. Very cute tags you've made too! Hope you are feeling better very soon - Happy T day!

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  19. I have a chiropractor that keeps me moving, but I understand that acupuncture works really well too.
    Hopefully you will be on the mend soon.
    Happy T-day.......I love the sheep stamp!

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  20. I hope your back is better. Your spinning is so beautiful and the tags so cute.

    Take care.

    Hunter

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  21. Love the look of your crochet work... it takes a bit to get the hang of it but I'm sure you'll conquer it... you're one determined woman. Take care of that back so you can enjoy your Yellowstone trip!!!

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  22. Sorry to hear about your back - good idea to give yourself a break and craft and watch films! Love your photos - I haven't done any needle felting for a while - think I should as I have loads of wool!!! Your crochet looks great! Happy T day! Chrisx

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  23. Hope your back is feeling better by now. Oh, so that's what the Tunisian crochet needles does. It's beautiful with the variegated yarn. Rest up and relax. The wine will sure help. (-; Happy T Day

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  24. The tea stained, sheep tags are perfect! Ugh..the ol back. Yoga really helps mine. Wine of course...is always a favorite of mine. LOL!!

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  25. So sorry your back is "out". Back pain can be so exhausting. Enjoy your crafts and spinning while you stay off of ladders. Love the tea stained tags with the sweet sheep stamp. Healing Energy Dear...<3

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  26. I hope your back is getting better Kathy, that is no fun at all, we have easterly winds here today and my Magnolia tree is getting its blossom blown to bits, so sad I wait all year for the gorgeous huge blooms and then they are gone too fast!!
    Keep well and warm.

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  27. So here I am doing a belated comment. We've been away for a few days for my birthday and the campsite did not have wifi or electricity (my laptop battery is knackered and I can use it only on mains power). We had a lovely few days with good weather. Thank you for the birthday wishes.
    I'm so sorry you back is playing up again. I hope it gets better soon.
    I love your spinning efforts and the white wool is gorgeous.#Well done you for doing the tunisian crochet. You'll get there.
    I love the little 'sheep' tag. That was a good find!
    Have a great weekend,
    Lisca

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    1. Hi Lisca, your camping for your birthday sounds perfect! Thanks for stopping by, my back is finally getting mostly back to normal

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  28. Hope you arre well by now!Love your tags and your spinning too!

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    ReplyDelete

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