Nancy Shares

Hi Friends,
I'm letting you know of a new series of videos that I'll be making. Since they are not basket weaving related, I won't be posting them here. You can find them either on my YouTube channel or on my other blog How To Homemaker.

I just feel that this is the direction that God is taking my life at this time.

God Bless,
Nancy

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy 4th of July. I hope you are spending it with family and doing some fun activities. I saw a basket similar to this on in a magazine one time and thought, I could make that. The blue is Rit dye royal blue and the red is Rit dye cardinal. The stars are wooden from the craft store and the handles are 1 1/2" wooden beads. They are leftover from my days of doing macrame. A small piece of 11/64" flat blue is threaded through each bead and then is incorporated into the rim as I did the lashing. The stars are glued onto the reed. What you cannot see is the seagrass that is used as a rim filler is also dyed red.

Remember, whenever you want to add wooden objects like my beads and stars shown here, you can also dye those if you desire. Just throw them in the dye pot as you dye your reed and it is a fun way to personalize any project.

Enjoy the fireworks tonight!

Baskets of Blessings,

Nancy

What is a Mug Rug? Let Me Show You!

Hi Friends,
Have you seen these little cuties floating around the internet lately?  I love these things!  They are called a mug rug.  What is a mug rug you ask?  A mug rug is like a mini quilt that is somewhere in size between a coaster and a place mat.  Most I've seen are rectangular in shape but I've seen heart shaped and flower shaped ones as well.  They are made to set your beverage on as well as a crumbly baked good.  You are encouraged to eat off these sweet mats!  I think this is just a nice little touch as I sit quitely with my coffee and spend time with our Lord.

If you are a scrapbooker, you probably know what ATC's are.  IMHO, this is the ATC in the sewing world except sizes vary unlike the ATC's.  These mug rugs are embellished lavishly and traded in sewing and quilting circles.  One of the best parts is that they use your scraps!  I'm going to encourage you to google mug rugs and you will see the beautiful work quilters have done in making these.  Some are true mini works of art!

Let me tell you how I made my mug rug.

I found my favorite size to be 5 1/2" x 11".  I like this size where the length is double from the height.  The binding you see around the edge is the backing of my mug rug just wrapped around to the front.  You could finish the edge in bias tape or with another binding, but I find it is super easy to just wrap the backing around to the front side, fold it under so there is no raw edge, and stitch.  There is a piece of batting 5 1/2" x 11" sandwiched between the front and back.

I made my mug rug just last night and it took about an hour.  The only real embellishing I did is I stitched this little phrase with my sewing machine.

Here is the back side of my mug rug.  I cut the backing one inch wider than the mug rug so that I could wrap it around to the front and fold under my raw edges. 

So my top fabric I did first and pieced the pieces together and then squared it up to a size of 5 1/2" x 11".  I cut a piece of batting 5 1/2" x 11".  I cut the backing 7 1/2" x 13".

Here was my first attempt at making a mug rug.  This was leftover fabric from my son's curtains that I sewed several years ago.  The fabric is printed to have this pieced look to it.  This mug rug happens to be 5" x 10".  That is when I decided I wanted my next one to be just a bit larger.  This will be great for his room though. 

Have you tried to make one of these?  Send me a picture if you have.  What else are you sewing, weaving or crafting these days?  I'd love to hear!

Blessings,

Nancy

Enjoying a Windowsill Herb Garden

(Photo from Mega Gardening Articles)

Here's a tip:  Weave your basket around a cottage cheese container and then use the cottage cheese container to grow your indoor herbs.  I always have plants and herbs growing on my kitchen windowsill.  How about you?

Have a blessed Sunday,
Nancy

Finishes for a Basket - A Reader Question

Dear Friends,
A sweet reader has asked me the following question.

I see that you like to use Minwax yellow can for staining. Do you also use some kind of protective coating - either after staining or instead of staining? I've heard a weaver should treat their reed baskets. Is there a good product other than those specifically for baskets (which I would have to order).

Here is my answer:
I only use Minwax stain in the yellow can either spray or liquid. I have in the past used Weaver’s spray stain which worked quite nice but I had to order it. Minwax is just readily available and there are so many colors to choose from.

I personally do NOT put on any type of protective coating at all on my baskets after they are woven. I think some of the coatings that you mentioned make the basket hard and brittle. (she had mentioned using polycrylic, acrylic, polyurethane in her letter to me)  I’m not saying this is wrong, but I just don’t like it. I’ve tried other stains that have a finish to them, perhaps kind of a shellac type finish. I tried it and said never again. My basket was sticky for weeks.  I guess it is a personal preference thing, but I'm just happy with my good ol' Minwax and that's it.

So dear readers.....What do YOU do?  Do you put a finish on your baskets?  Please leave a comment and let us know.

Happy Weaving everyone.  I hope the weather is treating you all well in your neck of the woods.  We are fine here in New Mexico but the smoke from the Arizona fires is something else.  For my readers who are close to the fires, please know you are in my prayers.  Also for my dear readers who have been dealing with all the tornadoes and crazy weather, know I'm praying for you too.
Blessings,
Nancy

Wool Drying Basket

Hi Everyone,
I am a fan of baskets with feet, so I think this wool drying basket is just beautiful!  W.H. Baskets has the pattern for FREE on their site, but it is only available for this month.  Grab it now!  Wanda, this is another beautiful basket!  Thanks for another great pattern!!!

At the end of the month the pattern goes up for sale so you can get it later, but getting it now is your best opportunity.  I've had requests from some of you to send the pattern after it is no longer for free.  Sorry gang, but I just can't do that.  These businesses that I showcase here have to put food on the table for their families.  It is kind and generous that they offer the patterns for free for the month.  I try to give you a heads-up to grab the pattern while you can, but that is the best I can do.  If you miss it, just order the pattern from them.  It is a way of saying thanks for all they are doing.

On another note...  Mike and I had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating our 23rd anniversary.  He took me to Chic-Fil-A for breakfast!  What a sweetie!  We had a business party at the house last night as one of his colleagues was changing divisions within the company.  Tonight after church we will go out for a nice dinner and really celebrate.  Best thing about having a party at the house is now the house is fully clean!  Today I can just rest and relax.

Hugs everyone and have a blessed Sunday.
I love you guys.
Nancy

A Little Basket Help For a Dear Reader Please

Dear Friends,
A sweet reader, Libby, wrote to me with pictures of a basket she is working on and is in need of help.  I've received her permission to post her pictures here on the blog.

To make a long story short, I rescued a misfit basket from a dumpster at work.  It was just a cheap basket with a broken rim and the handle off.  The basket bottom was good so I have remade it from the bottom up but I'm having trouble getting my rim on.  It has round spokes and they are short and I can't seem to get them all in my rim.  I think I may can glue them once I get them all in and get my wrapping finished.  Any suggestions?  I am sending pictures but it really doesn't show my problem.  I think I really don't have anything to attach my rim too.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

I've responded to her with first off, how cool to rescue an orphan basket from its untimely demise!  Now my suggestions to here were 1.  Make the basket shorter and 2.  Insert round reed spokes next to the existing ones so there is more to work with when dealing with the rim. 

What other ideas do you have that could help Libby?  All suggestions are welcome!  When more people look at a situation the more alternatives we can get and Libby will have more to choose from and can make a decision that will work best for her.

Thanks everyone!
Blessings and happy weaving,
Nancy

Free Jelly Jar Basket Pattern

Hi Friends,
It is a new month so I want to direct you to a new free pattern on the web.  W. H. Baskets has a free pattern for a jelly jar basket.  Very sweet!  This is a beginner level basket so for you new weavers this is a perfect one to get started with.  I also like how they have shown the different embellishments so how it can easily be adapted for different seasons.
Be sure to pop over there and print off your pattern sometime this month.
Happy Weaving,
Nancy

Some Lighthearted Funnies

Hi Friends,
This came to my in-box and gave me quite a laugh.  You know I teach religion to first graders.  I have to add one of my own here.  When all the grades were called into an assembly, our nun who runs the education department in our church asked a question to the kids.  The answer was the Holy Trinity.  One of the second graders answered with the Holy Mackerel.  I had to turn away so no one would see me giggle.
I hope these put a smile on your face.
Blessings,
Nancy

A Nun Grading Papers


CAN YOU IMAGINE THE NUN SITTING AT HER DESK GRADING THESE PAPERS, ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE AND MAINTAIN HER COMPOSURE!
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORDING AND SPELLING. IF YOU KNOW THE BIBLE EVEN A LITTLE, YOU'LL FIND THIS HILARIOUS! IT COMES FROM A CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST.

KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. THE FOLLOWING 25 STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED.

INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD, WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.

8. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE COMMANDMENTS.
9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.

16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY, WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.

Happy Mother's Day