There's a pseudoscience born every minute...

Because food is such an issue for me with celiac disease and a number of anaphylactic level food allergies, it really gets my dander up when fear mongers like the Food Babe and others get people riled up about things.  That's saying a lot for a *mostly* logical person like me.

It's not that I mind getting riled up about things... I just think you should know what you're talking about before you do.  Vax/Antivax?  Hey, I made my choice and I totally support you making yours - but *be informed* before you do.  Organic/raw/vegan/paleo/the all twinkie diet?  Again, I've made my choice and will support your right to make yours - but *be informed* before you do.

This has been a hot spot for me for decades when I first researched herbal medicine and found so many things were misrepresented simply to sell capsules. Seeing a marketing campaign online does "not" make it true.

Not sure what the current dander is all about?  Check out these links... because you know... I'm actually allergic to dander!  ;o)

Jennifer Raff, Violent Metaphors - Business Insider - best summary I've read to date and includes a lot of informatice pass through linkys so you can learn more.

Yvette d'Entremont on Gawker - aka Sci Babe  - I thought she was going to be my new best friend when she mentioned Real Girl Scouts, but her comments about the seriousness of food allergies won be over, along with the dirty jokes.  ;o)

Steven Novella, NeuroLogica - The Google University Effect - It's not just Food Babe!

James Fell - Avoiding Weight Loss Snake Oil - So many good things in here.  Just read it.

Even Uncle George Takei posted this one... which is how a lot of this stuff gets sold.  Buyer beware - whether you're buying a product *or* information.
 

Here Kitty, Kitty!

Cute right?  Would you be surprised to know that these little kitties are crocheted using only single crochet?  The shape comes from increasing or decreasing the number of stitches in a round.

You can find Nekoyama's free pattern for these beauties HERE.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy making toys.  yes, I may have to count my stitches, but I can let muscle memory take over and I don't have to think much farther than 1-2-3-4-increase. 

My other reason for enjoying toy making?  Giving them away!  These babies are on their way to my friend Swati's house...

Interestingly, most of the toys I make end up going to adults.  Although my grandsons get whatever they want from Gramma, it's the grown ups who love an excuse to "play" again.

Whether it's a geeky fandom or just something that makes us smile and feel happy... we all deserve a little playtime.

Speaking of playtime, Steve and I had fun last week trying to decide what should go into these "shaker" eggs. 

Yes, that mental image of us running around the house putting various things inside a plastic egg and shaking it is completely accurate!  It was an interesting experiment to see if something we thought would make an interesting noise actually did, and it was more difficult than you might think!

Here's what we came up with: nuts, plastic pellets, a nickel, a jingle bell, glass beads, and a large paper clip.

Each makes a fairly unique sound, and I think perhaps we had more fun with them than our two year old grandson, but that's how the egg rolls.  (I crack myself up with the yolks.  Haha!)

Hope you find a way to play today. Whether it's simply running around with your eyes closed in the park or making someone laugh... it's the best medicine!

Crochet Keeps Me From Unravelling

Over the last few years, my health has become more and more complicated.  It's no coincidence that this is also the same period in which my dedication to the art and craft of crochet has taken root.


I often say that crochet keeps me sane, buying yarn is still cheaper than therapy, and lots of other quippy half jokes... but you know... they're true.

Share my fifteen minutes of fame with me and check out my chat with Swati over at The Purple Flower about how crochet heals.  There's a also a super easy tutorial on how to crochet a journal cover!

Crochet Hook Roll Tutorial

Yes... we're dragging out the sewing machine again!  Ok, I know you are all like me... all of your crochet hooks are stored neatly by size and type and you can always find your scissors... what?  Why can't you stop laughing?!  :oP 

I hear you, I really do.  On the go, everything ends up in a pile at the bottom of the most organized project bag you could find... been there.

I have a bunch of project bags that I really love but I still need hook rolls. 

I like being able to lay everything out flat, to put my active hook in a separate slot rather than the bottom of the bag, to have room for scissors, and glasses, and to not have to tie it all up in a ribbon (total non-starter if I have to actually tie it.  It just is.  lol)  So here is my favorite, very basic yet effective crochet hook roll.  As usual, I am not a seamstress and therefore I skip all the proper protocols like cutting straight, pressing seams or caring whether it has perfect 90 degree angles.  ;o)

Materials:

Any fabric will do, you'll need about a half yard in total. Mix and match them up just for fun!

3 - 10 in squares, fabric
1 - 10 x 8 inches, fabric
1 - 10 in square, fusible fleece
1- 8 in elastic, I like waistband elastic
Matching thread, scissors, pins, something to measure with

Decide which of the 10 inch squares will be the front (the piece partially hidden by pockets inside) and the back (the part you see when it's rolled up).

Fold the third 10 inch square in half and line it up with the edge of your front piece.  Do the same with the 8 x 10 piece, making sure to fold the 8 inch side in half so the 10 inch side matches your other edges.

Pin the pockets in place at both edges.  This is just going to keep everything in place while we work on the pockets.

Time to whip out that measuring device!

 I personally like the pocket on the far right edge to be about 2 1/2 inches wide so I mark that one first.  That ways it's wide enough to slide a pair of cheaters in there for fine work.  ;o)

Then, I divide the remaining width by 5 and place pins equally.  Each section will be about 1 1/4 inches wide this way... but now is the time to customize it and make it work for you!

Line up your measurement pins and get ready to sew the pockets.  In the photo here you can see the two horizontal pins at the right, holding my pocket fabric in place, and a vertical pin just below the presser foot.

Once you have your aim set, remove that vertical pin!  Do NOT sew over it.

Sew straight down, through all layers, right off the bottom edge.

Do the same for each of the pocket pins across the width of your piece.

It'll look something like this...

Time to remove the pins holding the pocket fabric in place at the edges.  It's not going anywhere now.

Set this piece aside while we switch to the back for a moment.

Grab the piece of fabric you'll be using for the back and the fusible fleece.  They should be roughly the same size, but don't worry about the edges matching up perfectly.

Place them together on your ironing board. The fusible fleece has a rough side and a smooth side.  The rough side should touch your fabric.

Follow the directions on your package - most will say to press on high for a few seconds in each are, starting in the center and working toward the edges.  Keep the iron moving to help prevent scorching.

After pressing, you'll see the two layers have fused together into one thicker piece.  This will help your hook roll keep it's shape as well as add another layer of protection between your tools and the outside world.

What was I saying about the edges don't have to match up perfectly?  ;o)

Now to put the front and the back together!

Place the front and the back together with right sides facing.  Don't worry, we're only going to sew three sides while it's inside out.

Pin the left side and be sure to place pins where your pockets meet the edge to help keep them from rolling and creating weirdness as you sew.

Pin the bottom edge, smoothing all the layers together from the center outward.  Don't worry if the edges are a little crooked as long as they are as close as you can get them without going crazy.

Leave the top completely open, we'll deal with that later.  Now, for the right side... most of this will be pinned normally, but where we have pins at the pocket fabric on the left side, we're going to add that elastic.

It's important to remember that we'll be turning this right side out, so for now, the elastic will actually be in between the layers.

Take the time to place the elastic properly.  Make sure it is between the front and the back, not pocket layers.

Fold the elastic in half, and line the edge up with the edge of your fabric - with the loop sandwiched in between.

Pin the elastic into place.

I've pinned the layers just above and just below the elastic, as well as through the elastic itself.

If you look closely you can see the edge of the elastic under my finger.  The rest of the elastic is lying flat between the layers...

Sew your square!

Start in the top right corner and sew down the right side (be careful over the elastic as it may be especially thick there - you may have to adjust your presser foot).

When you reach the bottom right corner, leave the needle in the fabric, raise your presser foot, and turn your fabric 90 degrees.  This way, you can continue to sew the next edge and maintain a nice crisp corner.

Sew across the bottom, execute another turn, and sew up the left hand side. 

Cut your thread and remove from the machine.  Don't sew the top yet!  ;o)

Trim your seam allowances about 1/4 inch from the thread.  Make sure all pins are removed, threads trimmed and everything is nice and tidy because once we turn it right side out you'll never go back.

Last chance!  lol

Turn the entire piece right side out through the open top. 

You should see your pockets and your elastic
 all properly in place.

If not, now is the time to go back and fix things.

Trim the top edge so that all the layers are fairly even.  it doesn't have to be perfect.

To close the top, fold the front and back edge toward each other and in, so that the topmost edge is actually the fold.

I find pinning each end in place before I start pinning the middle helps me keep it even and flat.

Pin all the way across, leaving no openings.  We'll top seam it closed.

Sew a straight seam through all layers straight across the top edge.  I run two seams about an 1/8 inch apart to make sure I catch all the fabric edges inside.

We're almost there!  One last seam for the flap...

 If it's helpful, put a hook or two inside to help gauge the height.

Fold the top edge down toward the pockets.  I like the flap come down just below the pocket edge - where I am pointing in this fuzzy photo below.

Sorry about that!  My hands were getting tired.  lol  Two hands on the camera is always best.

Anyway, find that sweet spot between how much room you want for your hook height, and keeping them covered.  Fold all the way across, creating a new "top edge" of the roll.

Pin your new top edge in place and sew a top seam across from edge to edge.  This will hold your fold in place permanently.

Now go fill it up!

 

I know it sounds like a lot of steps, but I promise, once you make one, you'll be making one for every project bag. 

 

Ummm... sort of like I did, to match my other project bags by Slipped Stitch Studios.

 

If you're taking your project on the go, may as well have fun doing it!

 

Disney Villains Meet Up at the Haunted Mansion
(fabric at Joann)

 

 

 

Flowers in the Dowager's Garden
(fabrics by c'est_la_viv at Spoonflower)

 

 

Vincent Meets the Doctor's Peeps

(fabric by id_designs at Spoonflower and risarocksit at Spoonflower)

 

Aliens belong in UFOs (Unfinished Objects)
(fabrics by id_designs at Spoonflower)

 

 

 

 

 

A Celiac's Day Out

A few months ago I mentioned how frustrating it can be when  people don't take celiac disease seriously.

Add other food and pet allergies and it can be downright scary to go out.  Just to go *out*. 

It's almost impossible to grasp how huge this is.  Just to go *out*.

I can't go to the grocery, the bank, the Doctor, anywhere, without the risk of coming across pet dander.  Think about how many people touch their animals before leaving the house.  Those people are all poison for me.

Look at the photo for a moment.  If I walk into this store, I have to think about which of these people has a pet - and everything they might touch and therefore transfer allergens while in the store.  Expand that to every store, every office, every crowd.

According to The Humane Society, in 2012 62% of American households had at least one pet.  That means in this photo two-thirds of the people I will come in contact with will have some sort of pet dander on them.  My grandkids are all part of that majority too, which means even if their Moms are careful about clean clothes and limiting contact with the dogs... even with a 20mg dose of prednisone, I will still have an allergic reaction after seeing them.  I usually take the next day to sit in my chair, crochet, and moan about it.  :oP  (Poor Steve!)

Adding food allergies on top of that means I also can't eat at most restaurants.  I have to bring my own food everywhere.

Not a big deal you say - I pack my lunch every day.  Sure... but that morning coffee on the go or the treat from the vending machine at 3pm?  Uh-uh.  And unless you made your sandwich bread from scratch it doesn't count.  Haha!

It's true that one meal isn't that tough to cover.  Picnic at the park?  Family BBQ?  Sure, but what about something longer like a weekend away?

I have to begin plotting weeks in advance in order to make everything I need from scratch. 

This year I found the Holy Grail of gluten and major allergen free cookbooks: The Healthy Gluten Free Life by Tammy Credicott of Celiac Maniac fame.  I have tried many recipes from this book and haven't found a single dud.  These recipes actually work, and are good on their own, not just 'ok for allergen free'. 

I also like The Allergy Free Cook Bakes Bread which has a great focaccia recipe.  Yep, you heard me right!  And that crowning glory donut I made for Grandson #2's birthday?  This book.

The third book I use on a regular basis is Gluten Free on a Shoestring Quick & Easy.   She uses prepared flour mixes and a lot of her recipes use egg which is a no-no for me, but I have been able to get away with substitutes, and the Crazy Cake is truly quick & easy.

So if you are still reading... here's how I plan my big day out.

First, I check the freezer, the food allergy sufferer's friend because I can make things in advance and just take one serving at a time out of the freezer.

Sandwich bread - my favorite at the moment is actually a bun made from the Celiac Maniac English Muffin recipe.  I follow all directions in the recipe but bake them in a hamburger bun pan.  As a bun, I can make a cheese sandwich or indulge in the occasional burger.  It is great as morning toast too, so I'll want to take several with me.  This recipe alone is worth the price of the cookbook.

Breakfast - Ever thought about how most breakfast foods have grains?  Not just the obvious breads, cereals, baked goods, but even the flour in that sausage gravy.  Luckily, I can get away with commercial Rice Chex and non-dairy milk (which incidentally travels really well), and perhaps the occasional banana bread (THGFL cookbook).

Anything but another sandwich - Ever tried to eat the same sandwich for every meal four days in a  row?  It's a bigger challenge than it sounds, especially when everyone around you is enjoying a nice meal.  For these times, I try to change it up with some Bean Pie (Called Creamy Quiche from the Food Allergy Survival Guide).  It's not creamy and not even remotely quiche-like but it *is* hearty, filling, easy to carry and eat cold or hot... and *not* another sandwich!  I've taken a slice of this pie into the fanciest restaurants at Disneyland and felt almost normal, enjoying a meal with my husband.

Snacks - Ever tried to have a day out without a single treat?  No dessert, no granola bar, no fruit, no margarita.  Sitting there smiling patiently while everyone else gets to indulge in whatever they like?  Pretending like it's no big deal?  Yeah.  Give me a darn cookie or I swear, blood will be spilt!  :oP 

Thank goodness again for THGFL cookbook and almost completely allergen free recipes for chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and many more... that actually taste like they are supposed to taste!

Now plan all your meals and get them packed 'cause we're hittin' the road!  ;o)

Feeling a bit Sassenach!

You know... Sassenach!

I've been enjoying the new Starz series Outlander, based on Diana Gabaldon's book.

To be honest, I got bored with the book.  I loved the concept, time travel is one of my favorites.  Add magic stone circles, Scottish Highlands and political intrigue and you've got me!  Alas,  the story wandered a bit too much for me and I found the ending incredibly predictable.

That said... I always felt a little bad about not liking it as much as everyone else did.  So, I was glad to hear about the TV series, thinking they might cut some of the things that bored me.  So far I have not been disappointed and I love the series.

As you can imagine, the costumes provide lots of inspiration for crafters!  I've been inspired by some of the fingerless gloves and "wristers" (wrist warmers aka a tube that can be pulled down over the hands) as shown here.

So I created my own crochet cables... 

First is a wrister in silk/cotton blend Rowan Summer Tweed - Toast, a tube worn over the wrist that can be pulled down over the hands.  But, I did leave thumb slits in mine as an option.  It is worked flat and seamed.

The second is a fingerless glove, with a formal thumb gusset.  It's also a silk/cotton blend,  Knit One Crochet Too's Cozette - Moss.  It's worked in the round.


Add a tunisian crochet tam, a cabled scarf... and I am ready to join Clan Mackenzie!  Just don't tell my Edinburgh ancestor John Knox.  ;o)

Here are a few more photos of these projects...