tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post8850119076526430657..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Make it yourself, do it yourselfUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73488451330612997402012-03-23T17:40:11.749+10:002012-03-23T17:40:11.749+10:00The item you found at the antique shop appears to ...The item you found at the antique shop appears to be a sampler or table runner. I'm guessing table runner from the length.squirrelbandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07570422309534237415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8417809176599618982011-12-30T03:16:57.038+10:002011-12-30T03:16:57.038+10:00Thank you Rhonda, that is reassuring. I didn'...Thank you Rhonda, that is reassuring. I didn't notice that comment in the post on making the laundry soap. Mine turned out to be a VERY firm gel, much like Jello with not enough water. However, it has gotten the stains out of garments I had given up on, and I am going to keep making it until I get the texture right. I just pour some of the liquid in along with the gel, and it seems to work out just fine.Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659736904999383614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63710200827301548102011-12-28T04:19:38.180+10:002011-12-28T04:19:38.180+10:00Joan, you didn't do anything wrong, it separat...Joan, you didn't do anything wrong, it separates. If you read the post on making it, it says it separates. If you have some for a long time and shake it every time you use it, it stops separating but in the beginning, it's normal.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14439010047173875572011-12-28T03:27:34.842+10:002011-12-28T03:27:34.842+10:00I have been following a similar path for going on ...I have been following a similar path for going on 40 years now. It is deeply satisfying and also makes me feel at peace to not be a part of the selfish, acquisition minded world that uses a disproportionate share of the worlds resources. I also feel prepared for whatever comes, whether prosperity or poverty, we can do just fine.<br />I just recently tried your recipe for laundry soap. I have been making my own for years out of my homemade soap leftovers. The Fels-Naptha soap works fine, but after a few days began separating into soap gel and clear liquid. Any ideas what I did wrong?Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659736904999383614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22037798371369203582011-12-22T23:58:34.499+10:002011-12-22T23:58:34.499+10:00Hi Rhonda, you are so right. I'm trying to mak...Hi Rhonda, you are so right. I'm trying to make a lot myself too. Just finished a sweater and am now knitting my third pair of bedsocks. We wear them over our socks to keep our feet warm ; )<br /><br />Could the stitched piece be a clock runner ? I have something similar lying on top of my coo coo clock ??<br /><br />Have a wonderful day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72945358897174008812011-12-22T03:21:06.708+10:002011-12-22T03:21:06.708+10:00My kids are 11 (today) and 15. They still want gif...My kids are 11 (today) and 15. They still want gifts at holiday time. But crafting, making things at home, and getting "new" clothes at the thrift shop and "new" books at the used book store are very much part of the plan. One of the best gifts my husband and I give the kids throughout the year are skills: cooking, sewing, fixing, using tools safely.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02608993353454831043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59387214205470078112011-12-22T02:33:43.381+10:002011-12-22T02:33:43.381+10:00I cook from scratch out of necessity as we have a ...I cook from scratch out of necessity as we have a daughter with a peanut allergy. At first it was a chore but now I've come to learn it's a way for me to show my family love. After some of my early attempts it is a way of them showing me trust - I'll admit to throwing out a dinner that went awry during the cooking process & having cheese on toast for dinner, thankfully less often these days with a little more experience.<br /><br />I am coming to understand the extra love in making something yourself - be it dinner, a cross stitch as a gift or even a child's costume for book week at preschool - rather than buying off the shelf. For the next few years I am studying part time & working full time, so I treasure more my 'Mummy time' than ever before.<br /><br />Donna from near CanberraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7572365371968425052011-12-22T01:29:00.105+10:002011-12-22T01:29:00.105+10:00Jacqueline, this is the first comment I've had...Jacqueline, this is the first comment I've had from you. No others have shown up. The cover for the back of a grandfather clock makes sense to me. Thank you.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30077792085549806962011-12-22T00:42:44.591+10:002011-12-22T00:42:44.591+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Pretty and cute bird hanging and pillo...Hi Rhonda, <br />Pretty and cute bird hanging and pillow case. I too embroidery for my cloths and pillow cases, stitch pillow covers with old clothes like so many things.<br />cheers<br />raniRani acharyuluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11912424224708304341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23902558393876105942011-12-21T23:17:38.979+10:002011-12-21T23:17:38.979+10:00I love your posts about the value of crafting and ...I love your posts about the value of crafting and cooking, handmade and homemade, showing us that they can be more than just nice hobbies, but a way of life. You are such an inspiration! Thank you!Sarah-Our Island Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05893239999157205381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10960700666954355912011-12-21T21:58:22.993+10:002011-12-21T21:58:22.993+10:00I wrote today about your runner but am not sure if...I wrote today about your runner but am not sure if you received my reply. I have never made a comment on your blog. Not sure if I do it right but this is my last try. Your runner is ment to hang over the back of a grandfathers clock. My mother had made one identical as yours. I am new to your blog and enjoy it very much. Have made my own soap and knitting my own dishcloths. Next step washing powder. Haven been making my own bread for some time and have always cooked from scratch. <br />Jacqueline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68756706504438048932011-12-21T20:11:40.297+10:002011-12-21T20:11:40.297+10:00A thought provoking post as always Rhonda...i am c...A thought provoking post as always Rhonda...i am constantly in awe and inspired by the blogging community and wonderful things being created!Jodehttp://mummymusingsandmayhem.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80233646090211628952011-12-21T18:52:42.453+10:002011-12-21T18:52:42.453+10:00The polka dot bird and the backyard birds are crac...The polka dot bird and the backyard birds are cracking me up. They are so fun. Talent and creativity kind of runs through your family. Yep.<br /><br />brenda from arkansasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27178578627299172502011-12-21T18:07:41.134+10:002011-12-21T18:07:41.134+10:00Inspiring as usual Rhonda Jean! Your mystery embro...Inspiring as usual Rhonda Jean! Your mystery embroidered object looks sooo Swedish. You would find things like that in virtually every Swedish home - handwork done by the older generations. If it had been wider it would definitely would have served as a table runner. Maybe it was custom made for a narrower surface.<br />Although this kind of embroidery sadly belongs more to the past, I saw a funny revival in our local Design Store. I couldn´t resist buying a prepared sampler to be done in cross stitch with the text "I used to be indecisive but now I´m not sure". Some of them were quite rude but fun. What the heck as long as they keep the art of embroidery alive.<br />Greetings from Uppsala/Sweden where we have just had our first snow.<br />RamonaRamona Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19672771674465672022011-12-21T14:47:56.592+10:002011-12-21T14:47:56.592+10:00It looks like a door hanging to me. I used to see...It looks like a door hanging to me. I used to see them seasonally but not so much lately. My grandmother was a prolific embroiderer and cross stitcher and taught me both skills.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396716408304381802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22080064231900709172011-12-21T14:22:56.582+10:002011-12-21T14:22:56.582+10:00Ladies, I don't think it's a bell pull. Th...Ladies, I don't think it's a bell pull. There is a ¼ inch hem all round and no space for dowels. It's 5 inches wide and 50 inches long. I think it may be a narrow table runner that someone has worked as a sampler. Maybe. : - )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35696040851022797102011-12-21T14:06:18.677+10:002011-12-21T14:06:18.677+10:00Love that pillow, Rhonda. It's as cute as it c...Love that pillow, Rhonda. It's as cute as it can be.<br />Warmest wishes....Jeri from Utah, USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22324555415648786642011-12-21T12:49:34.374+10:002011-12-21T12:49:34.374+10:00I would also guess that it's a bell pull. You...I would also guess that it's a bell pull. You put decorative wooden or metal rowels or strips in the bottom and the top and then hang it on your wall. The Dutch ladies used to embroider these with all kinds of pictures; a strip of six different windmills or old fashioned clocks, or flowers or toadstools, etc. I think this might e a Dutch tradition. My Dutch mother has made quite a few of these. Usually they are done in cross stitch, but not necessarily. Ellie from Toronto, CanadaEllie/Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290234091304076400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76966405597600409012011-12-21T12:22:46.553+10:002011-12-21T12:22:46.553+10:00Your beautiful homespun cross-stitch is a bell pul...Your beautiful homespun cross-stitch is a bell pull I am sure. If it has pockets on the ends to hold a dowel on both ends, if not, you can sew small 1/2 inch or 1 inch pockets to put dowels through them, I am sure Hanno can make something. Then you hang on the wall. You need ends that are heavy enough to hold but yet light enough not to pucker or sag this beautiful piece.<br />My mother and I used to to own and operate a needlepoint and embroidery shop in my community and we did custom needlework, needlepoint, and church embroideries by hand.denimflyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04737448177805751756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49786475543473672872011-12-21T12:09:36.627+10:002011-12-21T12:09:36.627+10:00More articles like this please, simple but basic! ...More articles like this please, simple but basic! It's nice to see the older ways return to current times!anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269208573774815462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2813039409561117112011-12-21T11:59:49.622+10:002011-12-21T11:59:49.622+10:00We reuse and repurpose everything we can too. Kee...We reuse and repurpose everything we can too. Keeps the ol brain cells working trying to reinvent things! :) Fun too! When we cannot use something and it is still good we pass it on to others who can use it. One person who gets some of it has a small shop and supports their family from its sales. A win win solution. Since most everything we have was once used to begin with who knows how many lives they have lived. :) As usual Rhonda I get lots of inspiration and motivation from reading your posts. The deep satisfaction felt from living this type of life is priceless. SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26968957924322523572011-12-21T11:47:09.246+10:002011-12-21T11:47:09.246+10:00"a soft and beautiful revolution" - so w..."a soft and beautiful revolution" - so well put! All your things are so pretty; I particularly love the bird, and I can see I'll have to make one for myself.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12503930255842185609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88969337229022324022011-12-21T11:16:56.987+10:002011-12-21T11:16:56.987+10:00@Susan,
I'm in California and I am a knitter....@Susan,<br /><br />I'm in California and I am a knitter...especially of socks. That's one of my favorite things to knit. It is very easy to use four-double pointed needles and knit in with the fifth. That's how I learned to knit. It gives you a much nicer rounded shape with less stress at the corners :) :) If you can knit and purl, you can make socks :) :) <br /><br />Rhonda, if you ever do a sock-knitting tutorial let us know. Otherwise, Susan, you can private email me, if you feel comfortable, and I could certainly try and do a tutorial on my blog :) :)<br /><br />I love socks... :) :)<br /><br />Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)Heather's Blog-o-ramahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79738530906951188152011-12-21T10:59:26.036+10:002011-12-21T10:59:26.036+10:00Love your blog. We have much in common. Wondered...Love your blog. We have much in common. Wondered if you could post on knitting socks? With our winter here in the U.S. I would love to knit wool socks but have never attempted it. Using four needles seems beyond my abilities...Maybe you could prove it to be easy?? Thanks. Susan (homemaker wife and mom of two children)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65326453095635231292011-12-21T09:33:18.520+10:002011-12-21T09:33:18.520+10:00New stuff isn't something that happens round h...New stuff isn't something that happens round here. I've just finished making the last present and I think I've spent exactly $4 altogether. (two items from the local junk shop to incorporate into other things).<br /><br />I have one or two ideas to share about making this and that which I really should put online. There is a really pretty bell pattern there now so I will have to add to that. I suppose I am lucky in that we were brought up with very little and simply made anything extra ourselves so I just do it anyhow - by osmosis I think!<br /><br />I do like this site :) It shows that my way of life is out there too.<br /><br />viv in nzknutty knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00325560883289908412noreply@blogger.com