Thread-lace hearts

First picture is pink thread-lace heart on card. We added a fabric flower cut-out in between the layers of fabric. This heart did not get as much sewing on the inside as we would have liked. Second is the white thread-lace heart still in embroidery hoop on water-soluble fabric. In his heart we added strips of white ribbon between the layers of fabric before sewing. Third is the red thread-lace heart on white card.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. The time to plan is now. Do not wait until the last minute.
We are making thread-lace hearts to decorate cards with. We got the idea from the book “decorative crafts sourcebook” published by Thunder Bay Press. This 304 page book is full of recipes and projects for paper, fabric and more. It is a great book to get starter ideas from and then create a whole new project with those ideas.
Beginners to advanced sewers can make thread-lace hearts but a zigzag sewing machine is required. Other items needed include: water-soluble embroidery fabric, disappearing ink marker, thread, thread snippets, ribbon pieces and an embroidery hoop.
There are different types of water-soluble embroidery fabric but for this project a completely clear one is best. We used “Super Solvy” made by sulky. Two layers of water-soluble fabric are placed in the embroidery hoop. If snippets of thread or ribbon are used they should be placed between the two layers.
Next we drew a heart shape onto the fabric. We used a regular pen as we did not have a disappearing ink type. Since the fabric washes away it seemed to us that the ink would wash away also. Turns out it did just that.
Thread the sewing machine with the color thread to be used and set it to a medium zigzag stitch. Lower the feed dogs so that the embroidery hoop can be moved freely while stitching. Begin stitching around the outline of the heart making at least three rounds. Continue sewing across the center to fill in with a random mixture of connecting straight and zigzag stitches.
When the sewing is complete remove the fabric from the hoop and trim excess fabric from the edges. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for dissolving fabric. If a stiffer ornament is desired, remove the embroidery from the water as soon as the fabric melts from between the stitches.
Our sewing machine is a Bernina 1030 model. To fit the embroidery hoop under the presser foot we had to remove it, put the hoop under and then reattach the foot. We also used a smaller foot that is more suited for embroidery work.
The hearts only take about 10 minutes each to sew. It took us longer to plan and design them. But once that part is done they work up fast.
We found that more stitching was needed than we first thought to hold the design together. The first heart we made our stitches did not overlap enough. When the fabric was melted away our design was a little lopsided.
The heart pictured above is done with just zigzag stitching repeated over and over around and across the design. Other hearts we have made including the one without enough stitching and one with the fabric still in place will be posted at our blog site listed below.
Be creative and try something new for Valentine’s Day. Share your results in comments.

Refashion, old to new

New shades made from window screen and painted to match lamp.

Things get old, fall apart, break and are rendered useless. But do not give in, you can be creative and repair or remake the offending item.
We have a floor lamp with three lights at the top, each with their own shade. The shades were just hard plastic. They have become brittle with age and were beginning to show cracks. Then one broke enough to touch the light bulb and started to melt. What a stink!
After looking at many floor lamps in stores and online we could not find one we liked that would replace the one we have. Finally an idea struck that we could make new shades for the one we have. In our online search we got an idea from a lamp that someone used mesh window screen to make a shade around one light bulb.
First we purchased a roll of aluminum window screen. Next we made a pattern from newspaper, a 14-inch diameter circle. Tracing around the pattern onto the screen gave us a guide for cutting out the screen circle. Then we cut a 2-inch diameter hole in the center. We folded the edges in about a fourth-inch and then pleated the wire until it stood up in the shape of a bowl.
After making two more we had three new shades. They fit over the bulb sockets and are held down with the plastic rings that held the old shades on. To finish the look we spray painted them bronze to match the rest of the lamp.
Our old lamp now has a new look. And the cost was far less than a new lamp would have been. Not bad!
The project was simple and quick. The thing that took the most time was coming up with the idea. But it was worth the time. Now the money we saved can be used for something else.
Recently we were also looking to buy a new coffee table. Our old one was large and took up too much space. We looked in many furniture stores and even online. Nothing looked just right or was the right size.
Then on one of our thrift store shopping sprees we found just the thing. It was an extra large end table in just the style we were looking for to replace our coffee table. For only $17 and a good rubbing with polish we have our new coffee table.
Refashioning and refinishing old items to make new ones can be challenging but rewarding. We would like to hear about your remade items. Post them in comments below.

Sourdough starter

Sourdough starter in re-sealable bag on counter.

Making our own sourdough bread is something we decided to try again last week. Prior to commercial yeast becoming available all bread was sourdough. We found that making sourdough bread was very simple, but does require a couple of extra steps. First, a starter is needed. This is a bubbly batter that serves as the yeast to make the dough rise.
We got premade starter culture from the flour mill in Redding and followed the directions it came with. Currently our starter is in a re-sealable bag on the counter. When kept at room temperature, the starter should be fed half cup flour and half cup warm water daily. If stored in the refrigerator, it needs feeding only once a week.
If your child wants a pet they could practice feeding sourdough starter to see if they are ready for the responsibility.
Several hours before making dough, a sponge needs to be made. This is a bowl of warm, fermented batter. First, remove one cup starter from the starter container and put it into a large plastic or glass mixing bowl. For starter kept in the refrigerator, allow the removed portion to warm up to room temperature. Feed original starter and put it away. Add one and a half cups flour and one cup warm water to the bowl. Stir well and set in a warm place for several hours, or overnight. This is called proofing. The sponge is ready when it is bubbly and has a pungent or sour odor.
The proofing-time varies. Some can be ready in an hour or two. Others take six to eight hours, or even longer. If we want to bake in the morning, we make the sponge and proof overnight. One reason ours takes longer is we use spelt flour instead of white flour.
This is the basic recipe we use: two cups sponge, three cups flour, two tablespoons vegetable oil, four teaspoons sugar and two teaspoons salt. Combine the ingredients and knead by hand for 15 minutes or 10 minutes with dough hook.
Put dough in a warm place and allow to raise until double. Next, shape into loaves and let it raise again until doubled. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Then place a small pan of water on the bottom shelf of oven. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees and bake the bread for 30 to 45 minutes.
The recipe says to allow the baked bread to cool before cutting, but we never do that. There is just something about fresh hot sourdough bread with butter that cannot wait.
We also like to make pancakes with the sourdough starter. Use one cup starter, one cup flour, one teaspoon baking soda, one-half teaspoon salt, two tablespoons oil, one egg, two tablespoons sugar and three-fourths cup milk. Mix everything together while heating the skillet; a few lumps are fine. Cook until bubbles appear then flip over for about 45 seconds. Remove from pan and serve with syrup, jam, or fruit. Enjoy!

Marriage Bible

The “Marriage Devotional Bible” for couples.

This is the beginning of a new year. One thing we are starting new this year is using the “Marriage Devotional Bible” published by Zondervan Publishing House. It is in the New International Version.
The authors of the devotionals include: Dave and Claudia Arp, Bob and Rosemary Barnes, and Les and Leslie Parrott. They are all involved in many ministries and have written many books on relationships.
The Arps are the founders and directors of Marriage Alive International and have written several books including “The Second Half of Marriage” and “10 Great Dates.” The Barnes are involved in many ministries that work with families and have written several books including: “Great Sexpectations,” “We Need to Talk” and “Rock-Solid Marriage.” The Parrotts are co-directors of the Center for Relationship Development at Seattle Pacific University and have written several books including “Becoming Soul Mates,” “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts” and “Questions Couples Ask.”
Devotions are provided for everyday in the week and one for the weekend in the “Marriage Devotional Bible” each written by one of these couples. It can be started at any time during the year. We just happen to be starting at the beginning of January. Also each devotional takes less than 10 minutes to read including the suggested scripture it refers to.
In addition to the devotionals there are book introductions which give an overview of each book in the Bible. There are also quizzes called “Just Between You and Me” which allow for discussion between spouses.
Another feature is profiles of couples in the Bible. These offer readers points of discussion and application to improve their relationship with God and their spouse. They show both good and bad examples of married couples in the Bible.
Indexes are also included to help find certain topics from the devotions, such as communication, prayer, intimacy and finances. Other indexes included are for the “Couples in the Bible” and “Just Between You and Me” segments.
For those wishing to read through the Bible there are several plans in the back that give three different ways to do that. They include: reading the Bible for the first time, reading through the entire Bible in one year and then also in two years. Then it lists each book of the Bible and a place to check off each chapter that has been read.
Other things included in the back are weights and measures mentioned in the Bible and approximate American and metric equivalents for them. Then at the end are about 15 pages to write personal notes on.
There are many other good devotional books out there, many of which we have used in the past. This is the current one we are using beginning this week. We would love to hear from our readers about new things they are doing this year.

CA Academy of Sciences

Albino alligator in the swamp display at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

San Francisco’s newest attraction is the California Academy of Sciences in the Golden Gate Park. It opened September 27, 2008. We went for a visit last week not fully realizing the crowds we would be facing. The member’s entrance line was almost as long as the visitor’s line!
There are a lot of displays to see and things to do. If the trip is planned right everything can be seen. We arrived early and bought our tickets. Tickets can also be bought online if you are sure which day your visit will take place.
Next we found the end of the line and waited for the academy to open. After filing in we should have gotten passes for a planetarium showing. Then we should have headed for the line to walk through the rainforest. We did neither of these so we missed them entirely.
Our first stop was the swamp where there was an albino alligator, snapping turtles, snakes, frogs and salamanders. The swamp can be viewed from above and below.
Then we walked around the lower level which included: the Philippine coral reef, water planet, Northern California coast, discovery tide pool and Amazonian flooded rainforest displays can be seen. There was also a tank of alligator gars which are actually just large fish.
Level one has many interesting displays but the one we were most interested in was the Africa hall. There they have a colony of African penguins which were quite active and fun to watch. The hall also includes dioramas of other African animals. This level also includes the research lab where visitors can watch scientists at work through the windows of the laboratory.
Other displays on level one include: islands of evolution, science in action, early explorers cove, the planetarium, building green, rainforests of the world, climate change in California and the academy gardens.
The next level houses an auditorium and 3D theater. Level three is the naturalist center where reference librarians and educators are on hand to answer questions.
Last but not least is the roof. It is a living roof that has a 2.5-acre expanse of native California plants. This creates a habitat for native birds, butterflies and other local wildlife. Visitors view all this on an observation deck.
Inside there is also a couple of choices for dining: a café and a full-service restaurant. Tourists can find souvenirs to remind them of their trip in several stores throughout the complex.
For those considering a visit we suggest planning a full day for the experience. Arriving early is a must to getting a space in the parking garage and then a spot in line. They close the doors to visitors once they reach capacity and those left in line wait until sufficient numbers leave before more are let in.
More information is available at the academy’s website at www.calacademy.org.