Nostalgia & Tips and things ….
Mrs Lewis of Wiltshire used her old tights (legs only) for crocheting bath mats, and, whilst the crocheting bug was still with her, used up the rest of her old tights by treating the dog to a new cover for the inside of its basket. As she says - "it is simple to wash and quick to dry". She crochets these circles along the same lines as we used to make shoulder handbags. Do you remember them ladies? We used to crochet two matching circles plus a long narrow strip and then join the circles to the strip and hey presto! a bag which was very fashionable at the time . .
. And as everything comes round in circles, they will no doubt one day be fashionable again. Come to think of it, the same bag created out of old tights/stockings would make a very useful 'peg bag', one which you could sling over your shoulder and so leave the hands free for hanging out the washing.CrochetingAs soon as Mrs L mentioned 'crocheting with fabric', my mind immediately flipped back to my childhood. I can remember my friends' mothers and also grandmothers sitting together, chatting, and at the same time pushing strips of old woollen cloth into a sacking backing (with a special metal dibber) and then pulling the same strip towards them. The result was a closely woven 'shag style' rug with an approx.
2" pile, often of a beautiful and intricate design. Of course, the children weren't allowed to be idle and they were roped in to cut up old woollen coats, skirts, etc. into 4" x l" strips. Most families were content with the making of just a fireside rug which could be taken up, thrown over the washing line and given its once-a-week beating, but my friend's mother had ambition and the whole family (including the six children) spent the winter evenings making a rug which when completed filled the whole of the living room. (I think she must have been the Mrs Bouquet of her day).
This was the first time that I had seen a fitted carpet and Oh! what bliss! as we rolled around on it. Not very hygienic of course with six children, two dogs, cats and friends playing on it, and as it was too heavy for its weekly 'lift' and was therefore only moved for its 'once-a-year' spring clean, it probably had a few more additions to the family, living and growing in it. Well, we didn't have vacuum cleaners, health visitors, etc, but didn't we have fun? It was such a change from the usual cold lino with just the obligatory rug in front of the fire and often that was made of hard coconut matting, which was not exactly child friendly. (You didn't have to play outside to get a grazed knee you could get it by playing inside on the coconut matting.) Perhaps that is why most of the games were played at the family table, as the cold lino was not the place to play during the cold winter evenings. Isn't it funny how times have changed? Now, the focal point of any living/family room is the TV and, then, the large family table dominated the room.
In fact, it was often half the size of the living room as it had to accommodate large families (several of my friends had six or eight siblings) and of course they all sat down together for mealsLiving rooms Note that I have mentioned 'living rooms' - the word 'lounge' had not yet arrived in the family vocabulary. Lounges as far as our young ears could determine were rather dubious places in pubs and hotels, places where good girls didn't frequent. Isn't it funny also how actual words come in and go out of fashion. I think lounge has done the complete circle now. The working class front room/sitting room became the estate agents' upmarket 'spacious lounge' and now the word 'lounge' is considered a 'no, no' and we are back to the estate agents' 'large, airy living room/sitting room', etc.
And, can you remember when 'sofas' suddenly went upmarket and became 'settees', and now 'settee' is downmarket and it's back to 'sofa'? Which reminds me - last week I mentioned the word 'anorak' to my grandchildren, and they looked at me blankly and asked 'what's an anorak?' I wonder if the pre-anorak word 'windcheater' will make a comeback. Hope so, it was such an apt name and we could certainly do with a 'wind cheater' at the moment!All these memories from just one tip. Hope the above has evoked happy childhood memories for you also, but unfortunately all these meanderings means that I am out of space ..... but, watch this space and join me for the rest of the tips .... Unless, of course, you've been encouraged to start making a rug or two?.
Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.Organizing a Sewing Room
5 Solutions for Organizing a Sewing Room - Spend less time searching for supplies and more time sewing!Whether sewing is a relaxing hobby or an income-generating profession, you can make organizing a sewing room into a fun and productive project. If you are lucky enough to have a room just for sewing, then you will have more flexibility in your organizing design, but if you need to share this room with a home office or guest bedroom, then you will need to keep some considerations in mind while organizing a sewing room.Before you begin organizing, make a thorough inventory list of all the items you need in your sewing room, such as:?Sewing machine?Sewing table?Fabric?Cutting board?Patterns?Threads?Mirror?Notions: thimbles, threaders, rulers, tracing tools, needles, pins, cushions, bobbins, elastic, seam rippers, pins, ribbon, dyes, fabric care, etc.?Iron and ironing board?Garment steamer?Dressforms?OtherNext, designate areas within your sewing room. I have simplified the process for you...
Organizing a Sewing Room
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Personalized Wedding Gifts for the Newlywed Couple
Nothing helps a couple remember their special day like a personalized wedding gift. Such a gift can bring back all the sentiment of their ceremony and celebration by displaying their names, initials or wedding date on a precious item.
Personalized gifts are widely available, though most stores will add a small charge for this service. It is important to note that a personalized gift will usually require additional processing time, which may delay delivery. Therefore, when ordering a personalized item, it is important to purchase the gift well in advance of the wedding date.
Monogrammed Gifts
Monogrammed gifts are both practical and romantic. From towels and glassware to stationary, monogrammed wedding gifts are a personal treasure.
Personalized Photo Options
Newlyweds are left with literally hundreds of photos documenting their wedding day and honeymoon.
Engraved frames and photo albums give...
Personalized Wedding Gifts for the Newlywed Couple
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Beverly Hills People On Hand For The Jennifer Nicholson Fall Preview At Mercedes Benz/Smashbox Studios Fashion Week
(ContentDesk) March 25, 2006 -- Beverly Hills People has concluded its week-long coverage of the L.A. Fashion Week events hosted by Mercedes Benz and SmashBox Studios.
Beverly Hills People highlighted its week of coverage by being on hand for the much-anticipated Jennifer Nicholson show on Wednesday night. The event was slated as the most anticipated show of the week with a standing-room-only audience that waited over an hour for the show to start. Designer Jennifer's father, Jack Nicholson, proved to be the reason for the late start when he was delayed en route from a Laker game.Those kept waiting included a squad of celebs including Paula Abdul, Lisa Rinna, Rebecca de Mornay, and Jacks former squeeze, Lara Flynn-Boyle. Hollywoods number one basketball fan finally arrived at 10:06 p.m., parting the standing-room-only crowd on his way to his pre-assigned seat near...
Skirts > Beverly Hills People On Hand For The Jennifer Nicholson Fall Preview At Mercedes Benz/Smashbox Studios Fashion Week
Welcome to TheTailoredLife.com by The Executive Clothing Company Inc.
The Executive Clothing Company Inc. (ECC), an affordable custom tailor-made clothing and cobbled shoe company, announces the launch of its new website TheTailoredLife.com.
The company, launched in 2004, recently created the website as an added information resource for clients who prefer to preview their thousands of swatches and style recommendations, prior to an ECC consultant's visit. "I'm excited to offer the TheTailoredLife.com as another resource to our clients." said Aenis Harris, President. Through simple navigation, clients can read about ECC, its fabrics, materials, style recommendations, shoe offering, accessories, make gift certificate purchase, and more! TheTailoredLife.com's Style Smarts page offers the professional, dress recommendations, style tips which are industry specific, how-to's, best practices, tips, and common mistakes.
"Style Smarts is our way of offering tried-and-true suggestions to our clients to help them distinguish themselves from everyone...
Welcome to TheTailoredLife.com by The Executive Clothing Company Inc.
Skirts > Welcome to TheTailoredLife.com by The Executive Clothing Company Inc.
15 Questions to ask your software vendor
15 Questions to ask your software vendor.Author: When making a decision to buy any piece of software there are a number of criteria typically evaluated. One of the most important elements in the decision process is the strength of the company that builds the software. In fact a survey of 19,000 customers has identified that company strength is the most important factor in choosing software, with the price of the software being the fifth most important element.In evaluating a company's strength I would suggest you ask the following 15 questions, the answers to which will provide invaluable information in determining the viability of the company, their processes and their commitment to the product you are reviewing.1.How long have you been in business?2.When was you last upgrade released? When is the next one planned?3.What's involved in doing an upgrade?a.Can your customer's do it?b.Are upgrades included in your annual fee?c.Are they downloadable from your website?d.Is documentation ...
15 Questions to ask your software vendor
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Embroidery is the embellishment of cloth with designs
Embroidery is an ancient variety of decorative
needlework in which designs and pictures are created
by stitching strands of some material on to a layer of
another material. Most embroidery uses thread or wool
stitched onto a woven fabric, but the stitches could be
executed in, for example, wire or leather strands, and
embroidery can be worked onto many materials. ...
An embellishment of a fabric or garment in which
colored threads are sewn on to the fabric to create a
design. Embroidery may be done either by hand or
machine.It is A term applied to a hill or mount with
several copings or rises and falls.
Decorative stitching on fabric. Generally involves non-
lettering designs but can also include lettering and/or
monograms.
Evidence of embroidery exists during the
reign of Egyptian pharaohs, in the writings of Homer
and from the Crusaders...
Skirts > Embroidery is the embellishment of cloth with designs