Red Hen Studios

Yarning away my stay

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Whoa, once again more than a month

has elapsed since my last post.

In my defense, we've had a lot going on --

preparations for and a trip to Scotland,

sending the oldest boy off to college and,

now, getting the younger ones ready for school.

Before our vacation overseas,

I spent a week in a hotel suite as the chaperone

for a gaggle of boys at band camp.

Perfect for indulging in my new favorite pastime,

spinning wool, and my old standby, crocheting.

I did both in the room, by the pool and basically

anywhere I needed to be to keep an eye on my charges.

Even with needing to supervise their high-energy fun,

I had time to spin three skeins of yarn

And get a start on a granny square baby afghan.

Can't wait to volunteer again next year.
It was rough. :-)

Bagpipes (and drums) are our life

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 16:48:00 +0000

We've spent most of the last nine summers.

involved in the pipe band community.

That's half of the time we have been parents as our oldest

is now 18 and heading to college.

That's him, third from left, playing snare for Oran Mor,

one of only a few Grade One bands from the United States.

My piper just turned 14 and has been playing for about 4 years.

He's the tall one in the back.

And our newest competitior, is the 10yo tenor drummer.

He's the one with the wild hair in the center.

And here is the youngest who is six.

He has time to decide which instrument he wants to play,

but for now he is a banner carrier.

Before and after

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Here is a more extensive Photoshop edit than I usually do.

He moved too fast for me to get the strap out of the way,

so it had to be removed electronically.

Can you spot what else I removed?

What a real beauty!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Every time we go out of town, particularly for parades,

I'm on the lookout for fixer-uppers for sale.

This one caught my eye the minute I saw

the three levels of porches through the trees.

Most definitely a fixer-upper, that's for sure.

But what potential it has!

The porches wrap around all four sides,

including the one that faces the lake.

Sadly it is way out of my price range,

unless I win the lottery or get adopted by someone very wealthy.

Pointy gnome hats

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Don't know which is keeping me busier --
spinning yarn or making baby hats with it.
Both are so much fun!

One of my earliest successful skeins was from
a bit of red alpaca blend that I bought at a show last year.

It needed some more length so I added white trim.
The other two were made with handspun yarn from The Fine Lime.
Each one is $30 including shipping.

Two more gnome hats in masculine colors and 3 month size.
Made of my own handspun yarns.
$30 each including shipping.

These are gnome hats made with store-bought yarns.
Two newborn sizes and the green one a 3-6 month size.

$20 each including shipping.

More newborn-sized gnome hats in a rainbow of colors.
$20 each including shipping.

Recent photography

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:51:00 +0000

It has been a wonderful summer here so far.

So much time spent out of doors,

at Scottish festivals, parades, the lake

and just generally enjoying nature.

Here are my favorite shots from the past month.

(Click each image for a larger view.)

Second attempt at spinning

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:00:00 +0000

What an improvement with my second attempt at spinning.

Thinner and more even yarn.

No more of that thick-and-thin yarn

unless that is what I am going for specifically.

I've had the lime green roving since last fall

and brought the bamboo silk yarn more recently
with plans to make myself a shawl.

Amazing results when the two of them are plied together!

And the resulting scarf is thick and cushy

and shimmery all at the same time.

I can't wait for it to be done and for when I can wear it.

Furniture fixes with fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:52:00 +0000

I went fabric shopping the other day,

for the first time in I can't tell you how long.

My sewing machine broke a year ago and

I've been destashing fabrics for a few months now.

With two very specific projects in mind --

one for Red Hen Studios and one for our home --

I felt justified in getting more.

Helps that they were at great prices!

The apple and owl prints were in the clearance remnant bin.

My plan is to paint both chairs a cheery red

and make removable cushions for the backs and seats.

I've made seats for these folding chairs before.

This time I bought outdoor fabric

so they don't get moldy from being wet.

My husband can't wait for them to be done

so we can once again enjoy our back porch.

Time to get sewing and painting!

Dream car

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:39:00 +0000

I've shared with you some of my dream houses,

but I have now come across my dream car.

It shall have the license plate "R3D H3N"

and will be for transporting more than just children.

This gorgeous VW truck was at a car show in NJ.

Its more "rustic" counterpart is for sale here locally.

Every time we drive by it the kids and I talk

about how cool it would be all fixed up.

And now we have something to aspire to.

This was such a beauty!

I've caught the spinning bug

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:02:00 +0000

I have my own drop spindle and bundles of roving.

An failed attempt at spinning wool with a YouTube video,

made me give up trying over six months ago.

But thanks to the ladies of The Rhode Island Spinners Guild

had me successfully spinning in about 10 minutes.
Can't wait to practice more!!!!
And maybe a real spinning wheel will be in my future.

New life for old things

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:43:00 +0000

Now that I have more room in my workspace,

after destashing quite a bit,

my eyes are on refinishing things I have collected.

I plan to use Krylon Fusion paint for plastic

on these two preschool-size chairs.

It will also work on the rusty metal legs.

This sled will look great with all the metal painted glossy red

and with refinished and stained wood.

Not sure how to get the stain off the logo though...

These sweet rocking chairs need new fabric for cushions

and a fresh coat of bright paint.

The base of this globe is broken

so it will be turned into two lamps --

one uplight and the other a hanging pendant.

Time to go to the hardware and fabric stores

for color inspiration and supplies.

Classic cars

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:42:00 +0000

I love classic cars.

Who doesn't?

I especially love when I have my camera

when we come across them.

(Be sure to click the images for a larger view.)

This beauty was in a Memorial Day parade.

Check out the flags reflecting in the hub cap.

We see these cute little cars every year

at the Bonnie Brae Scottish Festival in New Jersey.

When we were leaving our hotel on Sunday morning,

we noticed classic cars were pulling into the parking lot.

Our favorite was this VW truck, but the rest were pretty cool too.

Let the sun shine

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:33:00 +0000

Like my yarn ball holder?

No need for a fancy one when a 50¢ garage sale find will do.

I'd had my heart set on making myself a summery shawl

from this cotton turquoise yarn I had recycled from a sweater.

It just wasn't meant to be as I hated everything I tried.

Turns out, it makes better sun hats for wee ones anyway.

I was able to finish two of these during our weekend away.

This one is a 6-month size and the other one is 2-year size.

They are $20 each, including shipping.

Let me know if your wee one needs some cute sun protection.

The accidental gardener

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:15:00 +0000

Based on what is blooming in my yard,

my gardening attempts are either a failure or a success.

It's all in how you see it.

(Be sure to click the photos to see larger views.)

This is my only wisteria bloom for the year.

It's also only the second one ever from the four plants

we planted at least 10 years ago.

I thought the plant it is on was a clematis...

Yeah, I am quite the gardener.

Here is the lone bearded iris from a clump near my driveway.

Not sure why more don't blossom, but then again

I don't ever do anything to them.

All in one day, it provided a great show.

The first photo was from the morning,

the second much later in the afternoon.

I wonder if there is any hope for me as a gardener.

Too many hobbies, not enough time, I guess.

A whole new me

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:40:00 +0000

If you noticed the new blog banner above,

you will see that I have finally gotten around

to working on Red Hen Studios redesign.

Most of the other places I can be seen on the Internet

have been updated and have ordered new business cards.

Up next is redhenstudios.com with an all-new blog.
Please mark the new link in your favorites
so you don't miss anything!

Unexpected surprises while thrifting

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:30:00 +0000

I am in a bit of a quandary.

While thrifting I came across a garbage bag

with yarn, an knitting instruction booklet and

what I thought was an unfinished sweater.

I bought it all for $2 just so I could reuse

the vintage Spinnerin wool yarns.

The sweater is actually complete.

And gorgeous, with cables all down the white.

I'd hate to take apart someone's handiwork,

but it has most likely been bagged up

for over half a century.

What would you do?

(PS, if you are interested in vintage knitting patterns,
I have quite a few books in my Etsy shop)

Before and After - First birthday edition

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

(Click image for a larger view.)

Here's another before-and-after transformation.

I said in the past that most editing to be done in the camera.

But when photos are taken in low light,

an editing program can be your best friend.

I am probably really late to the game,

but I have discovered how to better brighten a photo

by duplicating the layer, switching it from normal to screen

and changing the opacity for how bright I want it to be.

Newborn prop hats with rosettes

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Before the pixie bonnets my habit was creating

adorable newborn prop hats with rosettes.

The Crystal Palace Yarns are from my local yarn shop.

Each is referred to by its yarn color name.

All are ready to ship for $26 incl. shipping.

Send me a message if you would like one.

(Click on the photos for a larger view.)

"Rose Petals" 100% wool Iceland yarn.

"Flame" 100% wool Iceland yarn.

"Valentines" in wool blend tick-and-thin yarn.

"Picnic" in wool blend tick-and-thin yarn.

Wildflower on top, Misty Green at left and Pink Lady at right.

Sunflower on the left and Tulips on the right.

Pixie baby bonnets -- and a new model

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Here are my latest crocheting obsession --

sweet little pixie-style bonnets,

most with rosettes and braided ties.

And notice how I have graduated from photographing

my hats on a ball of yarn to a baby doll head.

I found her on eBay and am on the search for more.

Not sure if I will find another one as cute as her.

Newborn size with rosette in pink acrylic.

$20 incl. shipping.

Newborn size with rosette in purple acrylic.

$20 incl. shipping.

Newborn size with rosette in black-and-white baby alpaca.

$36 incl. shipping.

Newborn size with rosette in handpainted boucle yarn.

$30 incl. shipping.

SOLD! But I can make these in any infant and toddler size.

Babyweight acrylic with rosette, lace trim and extra-long braids.

$22 incl. shipping.

"Little Red Riding Hood" in red acrylic. Size 6-12 months.

$18 incl. shipping.

A reason to declutter

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

This furniture has sent me on a cleaning spree

for the last few weeks.

I visited the thrift store on a Saturday.

The set was then marked 25% off.

I went back the following Tuesday

and it was marked 50% off.

Even though I didn't have a place for it

I knew I just had to have it.

Who could pass up vintage toile for $90?

Not me, especially when I saw that the grimy surfaces

were actually custom-made slipcovers.

A quick run through the washer with a bit of bleach

and they now look perfectly shabby chic.

They just needed to come in from the driveway.

That was when my cleaning spree started.

My plan was to remove the dining room table and chairs

and move them in. Which I did.

But what about all the bins of fabric, trims, supplies, etc

that were taking up so much room in my work space?

I've been methodically moving things out.

Donating bags-full back to the thrift store,

listing things on online crafters and garage sale sites

and getting rid of paperwork we no longer need.

I'm almost done.

Amazingly, I've made back more than enough

to cover the cost of my new seating arrangement.

And I am almost ready to enjoy the room again.

The nature of spring

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Yes, I know I have been remiss.

I can't seem to post here on a regular basis.

I am working on a redesign for Red Hen Studios and

plan to launch a new website that will include a new blog.

It's been very slow going and I am,

therefore, unmotivated to post.

Trying to get back on track now.

See how beautiful nature has been this spring.

(Click on each photo for a larger view.)

Dreaming of a house

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:33:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I drove past a house I love, the one above.

Not that we are looking to move, but I still like to look.

Bright white paint and pretty green shutters.
And look at all those window panes!

It's on my list of potential future homes

or maybe even a little craft or antique shop.

The list includes other older homes

plus a grist mill and other historic businesses.

Maybe someday...

From my camera

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:52:00 +0000

Warm and sunny spring days means

I have my camera whenever I go out.

Here are a few recent shots.

(Click images to see a larger view.)

Rooftops in the setting sun, downtown Albany, NY.

Budding lilacs.

Our neighbors' hens and chicks.

Off my hook

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:33:00 +0000

I've been busy making small items with my hooks and yarn.

So satisfying to finish a piece within minutes instead of hours.

I just end up making many multiples of the same things.
All are perfect for using up last little bits of yarn.

First, it was many colors of baby booties.
I once tried to make them from a pattern that
worked in the round but this one made of straight rows
and then folded in half was so much faster.
And just as cute!

I've always loved these full and round rosettes
but never knew how they were created.
All you have to do is crochet 3 relatively simple rows
and then roll and sew to hold them in place.
They look great on hats or headbands
or anything you want to give a feminine touch.

With a nod to spring, I used some pretty cottons

to create textured scrubbies in granny square stitches.

They can be used to wash your face or your dishes.
I like them best to scrub vegetables, then toss in the laundry.

My Etsy bookshelf

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:52:00 +0000

I've recently expanded the offerings
in the Red Hen Studios bookshelf.

Beautiful covers, children's classics plus a bit of history

ready for you to purchase for your own home library.

Aunt Sophy's Boys and Girls

German Fables for Children

Baby Book from Better Homes & Gardens

This Fabulous Century series from Time Life Books

20th Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism books

Pair from the Bronte Sisters

Set of 4 books by Louisa May Alcott