Literary Criticism

In 2024 I encourage you to read specific genres of literature. October 2024 theme is literary criticism. I usually never read it. It is important to understand what it is. It is professional or non-professional information about a book. It may include personal opinion or objective description. It can be anonymous or signed so you either know or don't who wrote it. Before letting it influence on you, you should ask at least two questions: who wrote it and why?

In this challenge I randomly seek literary criticism articles on magazines, newspapers and internet. I didn't read them all but seek one about a book I am interested about and have already read or want to read. I experienced this a good way to find a book I've never heard about but now add it on my "want-to-read" list.

DiagonalZipperCase

I designed and made this pillow case already in September. I have been hiding it because today is a very special day. It's the Birthday of my very special friend. I didn't want to spoil the surprise so I had to keep it out from the blog until now.

It is a very simple and traditional quilt block design but it has something very special too. I used hours of thinking how to make the background in the way that it doesn't look at all like the background. Meaning that you can keep the case at any side front without it looks it's placed backside at front. 

Also, I wanted to use recycled zipper for it so I had to think how to use the zipper in the way that it still works and doesn't hurt your face if you want to lay your head on it while resting. I didn't want to place the zipper in the side edge seam as usual and typical. I neither didn't want it to run across the whole pillow case because then it hurts your face. I think I invent quite a genius way to place the zipper and for sure will use this also in the future with other pillow cases I will make.

Basket No 2 Ribbon

I designed this 2nd warm up basket to follow the 1st one. This was far more complicated because of the material I used. The design is simple basic design but the material creates the challenge.

I had to start it twice until I was satisfied how it got on, progressed and looked out. I used the ribbons I bought years ago. The ribbon is very slippery.

I could have sewn the finishing with invisible stitches. Instead I wanted something firm to keep the tall basket stand straight also at the top. That's why I used wider ribbon around the mouth of the basket to hide the finishing. It also secures the slippery ribbons and prevents them to get open and free.

VerandaRagRugs

These 3 rag rugs I designed and made for our veranda. The veranda has 30 years old rugs, which still are ok and in use. For the arriving winter we need just thicker so I made extra triplet for cold season use. I have used old recycled linen and other home textiles plus old t-shirts and LP-yarn (80% of recycled cotton and 20% of other fibers) for these rugs. 

These two smaller ones will be placed by the doorsteps. Now you have seen all the 8 rag rugs I made summer 2024 following FashionNOW trend: HallwayRagRugs, PinkRagRug. NauticalRagRug, LibraryRagRugs and these 3 ones seen in this post for our veranda.

Hilja

Two weeks ago we drove to Salla, Finland. From there I drive to Kuusamo Finland with a friend and visited a very nice lady. We were there to do some volunteer work for our siida (Sámi community & village). At one point we talked about it how people throw away and destroy old items which have at least a cultural heritage value. The conversation went to the point where I mentioned old skills like spinning and wheel spindles. That's how I faced a question "Do you want a wheel spindle? Do you need one?" My respond was: "Well, not actually, I used to have antique one but later gave it away and bought a new modern one." I also asked what she and her husband meant. And they meant this: The old wheel spindle of the lady's mother was given away 40 years ago by her mom. 12 months ago it had returned in a huge box back to them. It had been 12 months in the box (they had not opened it) in their cottage because hey didn't know where to put it or what to do with it. You can guess my mind got curious at this point. So, we drove to the cottage, found a huge box and it was filled with polystyrene foam. We dig it with our hands and finally found this beauty inside. We packed it into the car and drove back to Salla.

I had warned Him about that I was donated an antique wheel spindle and hopefully we can fit it into his car with the dogs and our bags. Otherwise I will drive back alone some day to get her home. But he was able to fit it all in and we all arrived home together, safe and sound. At home we opened the wrapping. She was quite ok but not in the condition you could spin right away.

She has faced a total cleaning and oiling plus some fixing already to her pedal so that you can spin with her. Next summer she will face more preparing when you can do it outside. 

She is very shy and such a good girl. After a week she whispered her name is Hilja (it means something like silence). Last night we were able to spin together. She is a kind girl, a bit excited about it what I do but works very well. She is my girl and is happy to have her new sister and friend Liinu in her new home. Hilja will follow me and Liinu to work when ever needed.

I started to spun merino wool with her which I had dyed by Cinnamon Webcap (Cortinarius cinnamomeus). It all goes on just fine.💚