Wednesday

Ruffled Scarves
Above is the first scarf I made using netted yarn.   I never knew this yarn had existed. It was my Zia Rae that turned us on to it.  She had sent my mom a ball of it, mom could not see enough to navigate the netting so she passed it on to me, as she sometimes does when she becomes frustrated with a knitting project.
The results turned out to be very lovely, and in turn became a money maker for me.
I wore my scarf but a few times to work. Each time I wore the scarf I had admiring eyes watching me. My co-workers know my talents.  One co-worker  requested  of  me to make one for her, that request turned into the next request, then another and another.   Before I knew it I was pumping scarves out like a machine.   I lost count of how many I made.  Honestly, I couldn't even keep the yarn in stock.

Karma, is a belief I live by each day and giving is part of Karma.  I donated more then  one of these scarves to charity and have given a few away, just because   That donation, brought in yet more requests for scarves!  I also received a request to teach a class in how to knit the ruffled scarves.  Before I knew it I had filled the class and have taught two Ruffled Scarf knitting classes since as other knitting classes as well.  That's Karma for you.

While knitting my bounty I ran into some interesting problems with the material/yarn namely... a  gaping hole in the netting.  I didn't see that coming in advance, it is only until your well into your project and, .....There it is.  Now what to do with the hole, I certainly did not want to rip back, this yarn is not exactly easy to rip back.  It is delicate yarn to work with.  What I discovered was to simply pick up the row below the "Gaping" hole, then knit it.  

Then there were the Giant Knots.  Again, you didn't see the knots at the beginning of the project.   So what to do with the knots.   I simply knitted around them, in so doing hid the knots at the center of of the scarf.

My resolve  in the less then average Sashy yarn  was to feel for the knots as best as possible upon selecting the ball of yarn you want to use for your projects. 

I could have purchased another brand and a more expensive brand but that would not have allowed me to sell the scarves at a reasonable price.  As all DIYers have found, we never get back the time we put into our projects.   Accept of course the good Karma that comes back to us.

Most of the yarn for the project was purchased from, http://www.marymaxim.com/  I find that you get about the same price as you would if you purchased from Joann's Fabrics or Michael's.   Hobby Lobby does not carry Sashy but has other types and brands.   Somethng to keep in mind when purchasing yarn for the Ruffled Scarf is to pay attention to the amount of yards per ball.  The more yards you have of yarn, the longer the scarf. 

With many scarves behind me and good Karma earned.  I wonder if the Ruffled Scarf will be popular this Fall/Winter.


 

Tuesday

37 Days and Counting.....Retirement from the Work A Day Life

Friends, I can hardly wait for retirement as much as I don't like that word.  Anyone that knows me, even a little bit, knows that I will not be retired.   Siimply t I am graduating from a "Work a Day" life and moving into what I love to do.   Teach.  Teach all the creative classes I want, at my own pace and my own design. 

But first, there is travel.  Travel to see my sons, travel to see my grandsons, travel for creative purposes, travel for a change of pace, you name it I am traveling to it.   This summer I won't be home much. 

How nice it will be to enjoy my little dogs with out all three of us being pushed and rushed to do what we "must" do, instead of what we want to do.   How nice it will be to finally design my days the way I want to, to not have to take orders from bosses,  or to take directives from others, to not hear the constant Blah, Blah, Blah of daily work place chatter.    How nice it will be to sit on the back patio and enjoy peace, read a book, watch the humming birds do their airel dance.  How nice it will be to see my Mom at a slower pace, enjoy our visits, knitting together, going for a ride in the car without  feeling like I have to get on that freeway before everyone else gets there first.   Futal I know, but that is how I feel, doesn't everyone else?

My sewing room is calling my name, my home is calling my name.  The projects I have to yet complete and many new projects to begin. 

The future of my blog looks bright, I look forward to sharing my adventures with my readers, pass along  creative interests, tips and tricks.  

Friends it is going to be a blast.  Please check in now and then.  Leave a comment or two.  Share with me the creative life. Your creative life.

Sincerely,
Gabby

Monday

In stitches.

It has been some time , as in one year or more since I have payed any attention to my blog.  I took about a year off to learn how to ballroom dance, took some sewing classes of my own.  Joined Coustumers Guild and yet a third city to teach with.  My new location for teaching sewing is. Claremont  California.

I am now teaching in Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and now Claremont.

Adventures in Spice Land

अद्वेंतुरेस न स्पीचे
Adventures in Spice
** Disclaimer** Be it food ,art, clothing etc.   In no way is this post meant to disparage the culture of Inida. 
  As promised this will be my post about our eating experience,in Little India Artesia.    After our wonderful shopping experience at Sona Chandi we needed a little something to eat.  As we drove up and down Pioneer Blvd. and often times backing my car up where I shouldn't have, we happened upon what seemed to be an Indian fast food.  We parked the car "finally" and adventurously walked into this little restaurant.  Wha La!   Indian Fair.
Now salivating from the aromas in the restaurant I spy the buffet.  Hum!  Didn't have a clue what was on the buffet menu, didn't know one dish from the other except the Tandori Chicken.   Great!  Safe on that Score. Whew!  Something familiar.
  So I say to the attendant.  How do you order?   Buffet she says.  The attendant, yet another well dressed woman, with beautiful black hair and wearing a beautiful Kameez, I asked.....which one of these items is spicy?  She pointed at a couple of the items, then pointing to a variety bowl of spices, says....try the food then if you like you can add more specie.  Great I thought.  Just the ticket for me.
So here is what I chose, not by name but by description.
* Tandori Chicken
* Hard boiled egg in Masala sauce, I didn't know it was an egg, I thought it was a fish <*)))>< until I looked closer.  Not bad, but I am not a fan of hard boiled eggs.
*Potato, cabbage dish (I think. yellow in color)  and...Whew!  Spicy!!! I didn't need the variety bowl of spice for this one.
*Chicken, okra?  and more Masala sauce.  Very Yummy!  I didn't need the variety bowl of spice for this one either.
*Jasmin rice.  More Yum!
*Bread is complimentary and the assortment is Nann ( I love Nann...Yum!)and some other kind of whole grain flat bread.
* Canned Coca Cola
Note: no beef, cows are sacred. I support that.
Every thing, tasted awesome, each bite, everything was good.
While my friend Karen and I were eating we noticed a few young Indian men at antoher table.  We struck a bit of a conversation with them. They went on to point out some of the other great restaurants in the area.  Great we responded, and told the young men we would try some of the  suggested restaurants our next trip back to Artesia.
  As we ate our food, I noticed my nose running from the spicy flavors.  I was pounding the Coca Cola by now.  Karen pushed her spicy choice to one side of her plate.  She was pounding the water, served in a tin cup.  You had to go to the  water cooler for your water.  Hum, interesting!
  As I enjoyed my Indian fare I look over at the young Indian men.  They were eating and pounding the tin up water like no tomorrow.  I began to wonder as I watched them devour their food.  Maybe this is the catch when eating  Indian food.   Eat, Drink from the tin cup.  Eat some more, drink from the tin cup.   Yikes!
  After Karen and I finished our lunch it was time to hit the road for home.  We talked about our adventure on the way home comparing what we enjoyed and what was interesting to us.  We parted saying have a good day and each of us retired to our little homes.  Little did we know what was waiting for us.
  Some where in the night my body began to turn inside out.  Was I possessed by Krishna?  Did someone put a Hindu curse on me.   I don't eat meat, so I knew it couldn't be a curse from the sacred cow.  Suddenly, I was awoken by a hard kick to the stomach. What the hell was that I thought.  Gina (my dog) kicking me?  Nope, she was fast asleep next to me.  Another kick to the stomach, it was like my body was possessed. I was sicker than a dog.  No offence to Gina of course.
  Was it the Okra, the hard boiled egg that looked like fish, the potato, the spice?  What was it?  I didn't  drink from the tin cup.  My God!  I haven't been this sick for sometime.   I hate being sick.  Hate it!  I am rarely sick....so what was going on, what was it?  Krishna, send me some good Karma.  Please!
  The next morning, I called my friend.  Hello Karen?   The fist thing Karen says to me, I am so sick Gabby.  Did you get sick too?  Karen drank from the tin cup, I didn't what was up?
  In the end we figured it had to have been food poisoning.  Thank God we were over it in 12 hours or so.
Will we go back to Little India?  You bet ya!  Karen says we just won't eat at that restaurant.
  Finally, if and when you visit Southern California, Google Little India. Artesia.  Visit, you won't be sorry for the adventure and just think what you have saved in Air Fare.  It's a mini vacation/visit.  Little India Artesia is a jewel in our own back yard.

Thursday

Summer Trip Little India

I'm feeling the heat!  Summer has arrived and so have my flashes!

Summer Trippin     ...............................     Little India Artesia California

I have wanted to find my way to Little India in Artesia California http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artesia,_California
In my opinion Indian people are some of the most peaceful  people I have encountered.  I have always been fascinated by the sights, sounds and aromas of their culture.  I'm sure this fascination began in my days as a Hippie.  What ever my exposure to the Indian culture then and now has always left me with endearing memories. 

It was my good fortune recently to have yet another Indian woman join one of my sewing classes in Rancho Cucamonga.  http://www.rcpark.com/ .  My appreciation to  my student Suma for giving me an address of an Indian Boutique, Sona Chandi.  Unknowingly Suma gave me the wrong address as I was looking for fabric and not clothing.   I am so glad Suma got the  address incorrect because what I found at the incorrect address was amazing.

My Friend Karen and I had to wait for a bit to enter Sona Chandi as it was not yet open when we arrived.   It was well worth the short wait.  Two very polite and pretty Indian women allowed us in.  I say allowed as most Indian merchants in Artesia are closed on Monday.  Note this if you are planning a trip to Little India.   Oh!  Wear Walking shoes.  You will want to shop till you drop.

Once we entered Sona Chandi my eyes just about jumped out of my head.   Wow!   Was the operative word for that day's experience.  Everywhere I looked in that shop was a sensory delight.  Each wall and clothing rack was filled with some of the most beautiful fabrics and sequins and Indian clothing I have ever seen.  I knew I had hit the mother load and had achieved my quest to find the ultimate local Indian experience.

While shopping I had a couple of things in mind to purchase.  One, a Tunic,  and maybe just maybe a Sari.  If nothing else I had to at least try a Sari on.  Wearing a Sari has always been a item on the "List of Little Pleasure" to achieve in my life.    Check!  Done!    

In my minds eye I would wonder just which vibrant color I would choose for my Sari when my time came.   My favorite color for many years was Blue and any shade of it.  But my new favorite has become Red.  I looked at the Red Saris and found myself trembling with excitement.  I don't know what it is about the color of Red but I love it.    To the suggestion of my friend Karen and the sales girl I tried on Pink.  Yes Pink!  But Pink the Indian way, vibrant!  Pink by Indian standards 'beautiful".    Once I was wrapped in the Sari I felt like royalty if only for a brief moment or two. 

Wrapping  the Sari  is not something I knew anything about.  How do these women keep the dress up?  There are no buttons, zippers, hooks or strings, nothing.!   I was curious, I had to know!   

The Sari must consist of 5 yards of fabric, half of that 5 yards is sequined and heavy.   You can however, purchase others that are made of cotton and no sequins.   I wanted to try the beauty....the sequined one.  I asked the sales girl, how do you stop the Sari from falling off your body as you move?   The secret at least to anyone but the Indian woman, is an under slip.  It amazes me that a dress as ancient as the Sari remains today. 

Now the next item on my shopping list was a Tunic.  Tunics are a specialty of India in my opinion, they too are beautiful.  I don't know if the Indian culture originated the Tunic or if they made it popular but they have and wear beautiful Tunics.  Indian men and women wear Tunics.   I had to have one!    I bought two!  And!  Karen bought one too.

Next purchase, a Salwar Kameez, this consists of; a Tunic, Harem Pants and a Scarf.   Oh so Beautiful!    The Salwar Kameez is practical comfortable and is flattering to any figure.  I can't wait to wear it.

Just the shopping experience alone was delightful at minimum.   Our culinary experience was yet to come.  I will however, save that for a latter post. 

Stay Tuned!


Tuesday

Updating the Blog

Updating My Blog


I have become tired of my blog back drop for sometime and have decided to up date it. As you all know by now my strength is in sewing, not computer applications. Even though I try my best to learn more about computers I simply am not. Savvy yet.
I found this great website: http://hotbliggityblog.com/backgrounds.php?offset=210&limit=15&querystring=
This website allows be to choose a back round that is lovely and suits my flare for color in sewing. Polka Dots are always a favorite and they are timeless. Thus the back round for my blog update. I do like this back round, but now I have to change the color of my banner. Man! More work ahead of me. Being creative, even in the world of blogging takes time.
Please be patient with me as I transform my blog to champion some of the best blogs I have seen. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Fabric Savings in Pomona California

MYLEE SEWING MaCHINE CO.
Fabrics & Craft
Sewing Machines Parts Thread
Supplies, Fabrics Repair Service


909-620-5773
1221 Holt Ave.
Pomona, Ca. 91767

This is good fabric shop if you like to pick through bolts and bolts of fabric. A couple of things to note when you are looking for this place. “Don’t Give up” It is very hidden from view, so if you have a GPS use it.

Directly next to the fabric shop is a Nursery. Also Look for a Carwash. When you see the carwash you are close. There is also a large car repair shop next to it. Mylee Sewing is on the North side of Holt Blvd and the Carwash is diagonal on the South side of Holt Blvd.


The neighborhood is a bit poor (this part of Pomona certainly needs some redevelopment) so be careful as always. Everyone that works in the store is very friendly and helpful………………You will save a bundle here.

Here are some examples of money saving ops. Zippers $1.00 each for many sizes

Many Fabric prices at: 2.99 per yard or 3.99per yard or 6.99 per yard. Many of the bolts are at 60” wide so for many garments you will purchase fewer yardages. Trims, buttons…Cheap, Cheap , Cheap.

GIVE MYLEE SEWING SHOP A LOOK
You won’t be sorry.