also, canada is in mourning to hear of the beheading of hostage, robert hall.
DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Sewing Machine Day
Long ago, when mankind first started working with fibers to produce clothing, things were long and arduous. Fiber had to be laboriously broken down and spun into yarn and thread, and then thread woven into cloth. That cloth would then be cut and stitched together using a needle and thread, with someone laborious picking out every stitch by hand. Then something amazing happened, the Sewing Machine was invented, and with it the process of making clothing grew ever more efficient. Sewing Machine Day celebrates the invention of this amazing device.
In 1755 there was a man who saw a need, and decided that he would be the one to fill that need with a miraculous device that took all the labor out of hand sewing. Charles Frederick Wiesenthal created the idea of a double pointed needle with an eye at an end, but it wasn’t until 1790 that the true revolution in sewing was conceived of by Thomas Saint, but alas, it failed to be properly introduced to the world, no sign of a working version of his invention still exists.
So the tale goes on until 1829, when Barthélemy Thimonnier invented and patented an amazing machine that would go on to revolutionize the textile industry. From that point forward the development of the sewing machine has only gotten better, with high power surgers and programmable embroidery machines coming along to fill every possible niche in the sewing world.
Sewing Machine Day celebrates the creation of this device, and all the men and women who have worked diligently over the years to produce the next best sewing machine. These wonderful people are directly responsible for the ease with which clothing is obtainable today, and how easily someone can pick up the age old art of sewing.
Word of the Day
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Definition: | (noun) A smaller room serving as an entryway into a larger room. | ||
Synonyms: | foyer, lobby, vestibule, hall, anteroom, entrance hall | ||
Usage: | He led the way across the hall, through the common drawing-room and one useless antechamber, into a room magnificent both in size and furniture. |
Idiom of the Day
advanced in years— Of an older age. |
History
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The Pentagon Papers were top secret government documents detailing US involvement in SE Asia from WWII to 1968. In 1971, a former government employee leaked portions of the 47-volume study, which revealed both miscalculation and deception on the part of US policymakers, to The New York Times, which began publishing articles about it. Citing national security, the Justice Department obtained an injunction against further publication, and the case went to the Supreme Court. |
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Agricola was a Roman general responsible for much of the Roman conquest of Britain, where he was made consul and governor after a distinguished military and political career. He pacified most of the territory, conquering North Wales and advancing far into Scotland, and also circumnavigated the island. |
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Shavuot ("weeks") is the second of the three Pilgrim Festivals. At one time, all adult male Jews were expected to bring their first omer, or "sheaf," of barley to the Temple in Jerusalem as a thanksgiving offering. Today, dairy dishes are associated with Shavuot, particularly cheese blintzes. After the period of Jewish slavery in Egypt, Shavuot celebrated Moses' return from the top of Mt. Sinai with the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, and it is therefore also known as the Festival of the Giving of the Law. |
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A powerful new technique for changing genes in insects, animals and plants holds great promise, according to a report from an influential panel of scientists released Wednesday. But the group also says it's potentially very dangerous. |
1825 - Walter Hunt patented the safety pin. Hunt then then sold the rights for $400.
1912 - Captain Albert Berry made the first successful parachute jump from an airplane in Jefferson, Mississippi.
1922 - Charlie Osborne started the longest attack on hiccups. He hiccuped over 435 million times before stopping. He died in 1991, 11 months after his hiccups ended.
1927 - Charles Lindbergh was honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City.
thanks, shelley
1966 - For the first time, an American Flag was displayed from the right hand of the Statue of Liberty. . READ MORE!
1967 - Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to become the first black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
1971 - The New York Times began publishing the "Pentagon Papers". The articles were a secret study of America's involvement in Vietnam.
1975 - John Lennon made his last TV appearance to sing "Imagine."
1983 - The unmanned U.S. space probe Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system. It was launched in March 1972. The first up-close images of the planet Jupiter were provided by Pioneer 10.
1989 - Jerry Lee Lewis got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
DAILY SQU-EEK
Picture of the day | |
The Nice tramway crossing Place Garibaldi, Nice, where it lowers its pantograph and is powered by batteries. This 8.7-kilometre (5.4 mi), single-line tramway is operated by Veolia Transdev. It opened on 24 November 2007, replacing bus lines 1, 2, 5 and 18.
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Crackling Cold
Photograph by Anton Petrus, National Geographic
The icy surface of Russia’s Lake Baikal cracks around the rocky outcropping of Elenka Island. Photographer Anton Petrus braved winter temperatures to capture this sunset image.
thanks, cher, for all the following pics
knit, 6 - 24 mths
knit
knit
knit
crochet
crochet
crochet
crochet
DIY Nautical Knot Bracelets
blog.etsy
Bring a little seafaring flair to your style with these bright, bold bracelets. Inspired by Simone’s sailor’s knot bracelet tutorial, I decided to reimagine this nautical classic. The project itself is very approachable, so even if you’re not an experienced knotter, you’ll be able to cruise through these steps.
You will need:
Cotton, paracord or maritime cord
Measuring tape
Light-colored masking tape
E-600 glue or hot glue gun
Large spring clasp
Embroidery floss
Large needle
Pen
Cotton, paracord or maritime cord
Measuring tape
Light-colored masking tape
E-600 glue or hot glue gun
Large spring clasp
Embroidery floss
Large needle
Pen
Optional:
Paint brush and acrylic paint
Rhinestone chain
Iron-on studs
Large jump rings
Paint brush and acrylic paint
Rhinestone chain
Iron-on studs
Large jump rings
Step 1: Measure and Cut
First, make a measuring cord. This will help you create a bracelet that fits perfectly. Wrap the measuring tape around the bony part of your wrist, making sure the fit is snug but not tight. For a tighter fit, round the measurement to the nearest 1/2 inch. For a looser fit, add an extra inch to your measurement. Cut your cord to this measurement.
Next, set your clasp next to the piece of cut cord, and trim away the total length of the clasp. This will be your measuring cord; set it aside.
Step 2: Create Your Knot
Next, cut 2 pieces of cord measuring at least 22 inches long. Fold one piece of cord in half, and tape the cut ends together using the masking tape. Repeat with the other piece of cord.
To create a carrick knot, take one of your long, taped pieces of cord and make a loop with the masking taped end on the underside, pointing upwards. We’ll call the taped end of this loop “a” and the other end of the loop “b.”
Take the second piece of looped, taped cord and place it on top of the loop you created. The end with the tape facing upwards will be end “A.” The looped end that faces downwards will be end “B.”
Wrap “A” under “a,” and over “b” of the previous loop you created.
Next, wrap end “A” under the loop created with your other piece of cord, over end “B,” and back under the loop (photographed above).
Pull on all four ends of your knot to tighten it. If it looks wonky, use your fingers to even out the cord and flatten your knot.
Step 3: The Perfect Fit
To finish your bracelet, you need to bring the ends of the cord together. You’ll want the taped cord ends to be shorter and the looped ends to be longer. Cut both of the taped ends (“a” and “A”) to be approximately 1 to 1 ½ inches in length.
Place the measuring cord you made in Step 1 next to your bracelet as a guide, so that the knot aligns with the center of the cord.
Take one of the looped ends and fold it back over itself so that it lines up with the end of your measuring cord. Take the taped end of the bracelet and place it over the folded side. Mark a line where the cords meet.
Unfold the longer, marked cord and apply a thin layer of tape over the marking. Trim at the line and repeat on the other side.
To add your hardware, choose the side you want to have the clasp. Slide the clasp onto the end of the longer piece of cord. Fold that piece back to meet the shorter piece of cord.
Dab glue where the ends meet, holding them down until the bond is made. Cover with masking tape. Repeat this step on the other side, without the clasp to make a loop of cord that the clasp will catch to close the bracelet. If you’d like a larger fit, you can add a jump ring to this side before you glue the cord.
To finish the bracelet, cover the masking tape with wrapped embroidery floss. You’ll want to secure the floss with a square knot, hold the tail end against the masking tape and wrap tightly until the tape is covered.
Tie off the floss with a knot, then use a needle to hide the tail under the wrapped section. Trim. Repeat these steps on the other side of your bracelet.
If you want to take things a step further, you can add embellishments like studs, paint, or rhinestone chain. Get creative!
And there you have it. Your bracelet is all set for a trip to the beach!
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... building
QUOTE
thanks, shelley
CLEVER
Make Your Own Weed Killer With Vinegar!
Vinegar is known for its very strong odor – and odor that keeps pests at bay and that, apparently, also comes in handy for unwanted weeds! If until now you used to manually remove all the weeds, then you certainly know how difficult and time consuming that task can turn out to be. Why not save yourself some time and effort and make a highly efficient, natural and eco-friendly weed killer based on vinegar? Vinegar has not only therapeutic properties that can heal a variety of conditions and ailments that people suffer from, but it can also heal your plants and flowers and keep them safe and sound, away from weeds that tend to rob them of their moisture, sunlight and, most importantly – nutrients!
EYE OPENER
YOUR STATE’S FAVORITE REALITY TV SHOW (MAP)
cabletv
Sewing machine day? Sigh, I have 4 treadles, one in my office and one in the dining room. There is a handcrank on a cabinet in my dining room that looks like a buffet but really is for sewing machines and right now, there is a white modern wonder on the dining room table. Don't ask how many more machines lurk in the shadows of moving boxes in the basement sewing room.
ReplyDeleteI must confess I'm rather appalled that my state has a favorite reality tv show...no matter which it is:(
ReplyDelete