Spinning and Dyeing of Wool

The last project we did in this class was learning how to use a spinning wheel and how to dye wool using Koolaid. The first step of dyeing wool is to wash the wool until it becomes felted. We didn't have the use of a washer in the classroom, so we got stuck using a hand crank Wonder  Wash. We cranked the wonder wash for about 20 minutes until the wool became felted. We proceeded to cut the wool into squares for the class and used pipets to drizzle Koolaide onto the felted wool. After doing this, you put it in the microwave for several minutes. Once it has microwaved, you are left with dyed wool. After learning how to dye wool, we were then taught how to operate a spinning wheel, which proved very hard for most of us. It's hard to keep rythm while feeding wool into the spinning wheel. Don't think I'll be making my own yarn anytime soon!

Blankets for Baby's

Today we added the sewing machine as one of our many skills we've learned during this class. I had never used a sewing machine before, though I've always watched my mawmaw use one. At first, it was confusing just learning how to thread the machine, but the actual sewing was a piece of cake. We decided to take our sewing skills past sewing little pieces of cloth together. We decided to make baby blankets for children in China who are suffering from the col of the winter months because their families cannot provide them with one. It feels good knowing I did something that's going to provide comfort to a child.

Cross Stitching Software

Today we learned an easier form of making cross stitch patterns. All you have to do is download the software, upload an image off the web, and there ya go. This software allows you to pick any image you find on the internet that you would like to cross stitch, and puts it into a stitching pattern for you. It allows you to be more creative with what you chose to stitch.

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Soap making was an interesting experience. It involved melting the actual clear soap, then adding the scent and color to it. I did burn my finger during the process, a dumb error on my part, but making soap is more dangerous than people may think :) My group ended up making soap in the form of a pig and fish with a lavender scent. Above are some pictures of amazing soap creations.

Cheese Anyone??

Let me start by saying cheese is possibly one of my favorite foods on this earth. I eat cheese on EVERYTHING! So when I heard we were going to be making our own cheese I got very excited. We were going to make our own Queso Blanco Cheese. We started off by mixing skim milk, cream, and vinegar in a mixing bowl. We then microwaved the mixture until it started to boil. We then took the mixture out of the microwave and poured it into a pillow case. Yes, I said a pillow case. The pillow case was used to seperate the curds from the whey. They whey drips out of the pillow case into a bucket, while the curds of cheese remain in the pillow case. Once this step is completes, scoop out the curds from inside the pillow case, add a little salt, and there's your cheese. It was soooo delicious!

Thing's That Make Crafts Easier

    
    There are so many forms of technology/software in existence that speed up "crafting" and other leisure activities. Some of these technologies include knitting machines, sewing machines, and even DIGITAL sewing machines.
    First let's start off with the sewing machines. I love sewing, but now that I have been taught how to use a sewing machine it's 100 times easier and faster.  I was just recently introduced to a digital sewing machine. I was AMAZED!!! The fact that you can plug your computer up to this sewing machine, upload an image, and it's done sewing it within minutes! I'm gonna have to invest in one of these.
    Next let's talk about the knitting machine. Myself, being a struggling knitter, became an extremely happy person when I learned of the knitting machine. All you have to do is thread the machine with your chosen yarn, and oush a little gadget across a board, instantly producing rows of knits. While it would take months to hand knit a scarf, hat, socks, or a sweater, it only takes about half an hour to make one using the knitting machine.

Historic Bethany's Alexander Campbell Mansion

    
     
      This mansion, home to Alexander Campbell and his family, was built in four stages from 1795 to 1840. It may not look like the typical mansion now, but back in the day it was considered to be one of the most beautiful mansions and to be invited to stay in it was a big deal.
      In 1795, technology wasn't readily available even for the Campbell family. There were no ovens, no washers or dryers, no TV, no air conditioning, no electricity, and no plumbing. But the things they did have to make up for what they lacked were incredible. They used oil lamps for light, fireplaces in every room for heat and to cook food, chairs with holes cut out which were used as a toilet, and homemade cooking utensils such as dough rollers and butter churns.
      Of the items found in the home, I thought the homemade toilet was interesting. We are so used to having plumbing and a toilet where all you have to do is push a handle down and everything just disappears. We forget to think that back then, it all went into a bucket and you had to empty it out. Another thing I thought was neat was the recliner. I wasn't aware that they had reclining seats back then.
      A typical day in the Campbell house probably consisted of a lot of worshiping, seeing as how Campbell was a teacher of religion. Alexander would sit in his parlor and right sermons, while the kids either helped out around the house, played the family piano, or played outside, and Campbell's wife helped prepare the meals that the family ate as well as knit the families clothing.