tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52040194956752695852012-02-16T03:04:34.217-05:00an alterernoreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-57120425437117479402011-11-15T19:40:00.000-05:002011-11-15T19:40:21.703-05:00

I guess we've been busy.  I started a new website All Over the Map about family travel, got hired to write an app about my home town of Washington DC, and decided to plan a round the world adventure for 2012-13.  So yes, it's been busy around here.  John has been making some interesting stuff out of fabric and concrete, while I have been trying to get rid of the many craft supplies I have

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-44959737980844931302010-02-21T22:57:00.001-05:002010-02-21T22:57:55.348-05:00

I thought I would try again to make this ring.  It's a good 30-minute project.   I thought I was getting the hang of it, and then it came out a bit lopsided and not quite right.  There are a few other ring patterns I could try, but I think I'll take a break from the crochet needle for a couple of days.  I found the duct tape, so I can finish my dress form tomorrow. Posted via email from

an alterernoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-2766250029718598042010-02-20T18:53:00.001-05:002010-02-20T18:53:20.623-05:00

Added some beads to the rings I made for 18 and 19, but, um, I forgot to add the band for the ring.  So it's basically a nice little flower.  Definitely getting quicker, though! Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-4791406252669633402010-02-20T00:04:00.001-05:002010-02-20T00:04:47.353-05:00

Found the right size needle today and a better crochet book to tidy up the second ring.  I'm getting closer to liking the finished product.  I'm thinking about adding some beads to the next one. Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-2229941480803588792010-02-18T22:14:00.001-05:002010-02-18T22:14:07.705-05:00

So I taught myself to crochet tonight.  Sort of.  Of course, I used the wrong size needle and the wrong kind of yarn, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.It's rather lopsided, and I'm pretty sure I didn't count my stitches quite right, but it is generally a ring shape and it kind of fits on my finger.  So it's a ring thing.  See the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-42780496655887119822010-02-16T22:34:00.001-05:002010-02-16T22:34:39.634-05:00

Who doesn't love a shrinky-dink every once in a while?  While the kids were playing with them, I thought it would be the perfect thing to make some Batala earrings.  (Check out www.batalawashington.com.)  So here's the shrunken result.  Forgot to punch a hole before I shrank them, so will have to drill tomorrow so I can finish. Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-41833801702078766992010-02-15T20:43:00.001-05:002010-02-15T20:43:12.536-05:00

I spent the afternoon with my friend Gioia, an art therapist, who is constantly creating things.  She has a most amazing supply of materials and methods for all kinds of things.  She brought out some wool for the kids to make beads, but they were busy playing a game involving teenagers and school and babies (!), so Gioia and I jumped in.  They look massive in the picture, but the largest are

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-30169682402367208242010-02-14T22:27:00.001-05:002010-02-14T22:27:25.858-05:00

This may not look like much, but it's a project I've been wanting to do for a long time.  When it's finished, it will be a custom-made dress form for my (many unfinished) sewing projects.  Couldn't finish it today because, well, we ran out of duct tape.  Thanks for wrapping me up, honey love! Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-42827065271115940982010-02-14T22:22:00.001-05:002010-02-14T22:22:48.830-05:00

This may not look like much, but it's a project I've been wanting to do for a long time.  When it's finished, it will be a custom-made dress form for my (many unfinished) sewing projects.  Couldn't finish it today because, well, we ran out of duct tape.  Thanks for wrapping me up, honey love! Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-90356472171805570342010-02-14T22:18:00.001-05:002010-02-14T22:18:37.726-05:00

It was a busy day, so I ended it by starting a new knitting project.  Miss Calla was not fond of the balaclava I made her a few days ago, so asked me to knit a ski mask for her.  She chose one based on Jack Skellington, a favorite of hers.  I love these Knitty patterns!  I had to start it on circular needles that were way too long, but I found some double pointed needles I can move it onto. 

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-82679155970991235132010-02-12T19:57:00.001-05:002010-02-12T19:57:26.184-05:00

Oh I just love this challenge for making me finish all my old unfinished projects!  This is a pillow that I knitted from some crazy yarn about a year ago, felted it about 2 months ago, and finally today stuffed it and finished it.  Yay for me! Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-42049398430036348112010-02-11T18:04:00.001-05:002010-02-11T18:04:22.680-05:00

Still working on using up every scrap of the previous project.  Here John used a simple knot to tie the remnants of the turtleneck sweater into a fine winter hat.  We love this hat! See the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-70245038920642671512010-02-10T23:13:00.001-05:002010-02-10T23:13:16.680-05:00

One more pair of long johns from another found sweater.  Pretty quick project.  Just a little tough to sew the knits together properly.  But they came out pretty well and will be super comfy for Miss Calla while she lounges around for the next snow days. Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-87954547271779438812010-02-10T16:44:00.001-05:002010-02-10T16:44:46.431-05:00

A request from Calla for a ski mask came right around the time I had some nice leftovers from making her sister a pair of long johns from an old sweater (see TAD 6).  Used the turtleneck part of the sweater turned upside down, and sewed the seams together to make a balaclava.  A little plain, but oh so useful during our blizzard!  Calla didn't want it, but our neighbor did! And we made cookies.

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-15402097313333112382010-02-10T16:35:00.001-05:002010-02-10T16:35:29.360-05:00

A request from Calla for a ski mask came right around the time I had some nice leftovers from making her sister a pair of long johns from an old sweater.  Used the turtleneck part of the sweater turned upside down, and sewed the seams together to make a balaclava.  Calla didn't want it, but our neighbor did! Oh and we made cookies. See the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-19242683590304667832010-02-08T19:29:00.001-05:002010-02-08T19:29:43.278-05:00

Another creature from the lost sock bin.  Already claimed by my daughter. Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-21231072967967122992010-02-08T19:27:00.001-05:002010-02-08T19:27:12.212-05:00

A long-unfinished project that was born from the lost-sock and -glove bin.  Somehow it took me months to get around to attaching the eyes to my little cock-a-doodle-dude.  I still feel like he needs a little something.  Some chicken feet?  A tailfeather to shake? (Thanks to 2 feet of snow and resulting power outages, I'm a bit delayed in my postings.  But I did do the things on time!  I was

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-38504232938017686302010-02-08T16:00:00.001-05:002010-02-08T16:00:17.092-05:00

The power went out before I could sew the last seam, so I'll post the almost-finished version via phone.  Found a couple of comfy sweaters at the thrift store the other day and thought I could try out this project from craftzine.  They were too small to fit me, but luckily I have couple of ten-year-olds who were willing to try them out.  They were a little trickier than I thought they'd be, but

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-25225756229371319422010-02-05T20:14:00.001-05:002010-02-05T20:14:40.779-05:00

Homemade.  Using my new stand mixer.  Dipped in butter and then in cinnamon sugar.  Quite delicious, if I do say so myself!  Back to non-food items tomorrow.  Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-18920401714941575792010-02-05T13:18:00.001-05:002010-02-05T13:18:43.694-05:00

I think this is better photo of yesterday's octopus.  And you can see the snow falling!  Since there's no point of reference, I'll just tell you:  it's about 10 inches tall. Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-37088963969621745552010-02-05T09:25:00.001-05:002010-02-05T09:25:08.683-05:00

I liked yesterday's octopus, but I knew I could better.  Moving more into 3 dimensions helped, dontcha think? Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-11727966741556300972010-02-03T23:18:00.001-05:002010-02-03T23:18:41.455-05:00

Well, I went back to the wire today, with mixed results.  I loved the first half (the left) but it went awry somewhere on the right and I wasn't quite sure how to finish it.  I"ll bet if I made the head about twice as big, it would look better.  I may have to work on my line drawing skills a bit before I come back to this material.  It looks like we have a few snow days coming up, so I'll stock

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-40537013936681755142010-02-03T01:36:00.001-05:002010-02-03T01:36:56.121-05:00

Just under the wire... and yes, it's wire!  Heavy, greasy black wire that's been sitting in my cabinet for months, just waiting to come out and play.  This was my first time working with several wire bending tools, so there was a bit of experimentation.  I think I'll come back to this material later in the month, though, for sure.  For now, some sweet heart-shaped paper clips! Posted via email

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-27506814365872048512010-02-01T18:23:00.003-05:002010-02-01T18:23:45.662-05:00

I picked up these chinese and arabic language papers months ago intending to make them into envelopes.  Finally got around to doing it!  Thanks, thing-a-day challenge!  Maybe I'll get to those thank you notes next.... Posted via email from minoralterations's posterous

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-87655757802890550322010-01-30T16:23:00.002-05:002010-01-31T13:03:07.095-05:00

OK, we're often making things, but generally not every day.  In February, we are accepting the challenge to make something every dadgum day.  We've got some ideas, but, wow, every day?  We're going to try our best.  And we'll post them across all our platforms (aren't we sophisticated with our social networking?) for you to see and comment.  Wish us luck.  Seriously.  We'd love to hear from you.

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-41091371340063786452009-12-03T19:43:00.002-05:002010-01-31T12:47:57.022-05:00

Ah, the festival of lights. But why, you might ask, does the minoralterations menorah feature seven beerlights with blue candles, and one beerlight with a white candle suggesting that it is the shamash, which of course is the ninth candle used to light the other eight candles? Simple, because [delete mildly offensive joke involving beer and the invented past participle "shamashed" -- Ed.]

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-90950981237568521392009-12-01T20:06:00.002-05:002010-01-31T12:47:28.039-05:00

2008's holiday card was a bit more labor-intensive than the clementines of 2007.  This time we dropped blobs of ink on the card, blew it with a straw into tree-like shapes, then used a pencil-eraser to stamp red berries on the branches. [Ed. Note:  Could it be the memory of the hours spent on this project deterred us from making a 2009 card?  Could be.  Could be.  Sorry.  We'll do better in

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-70908497937232037902009-11-30T20:00:00.005-05:002010-01-31T12:47:07.379-05:00

We feel the chill in the air and our minds turn to this year's Christmas card.  Just our minds, so far, not our hands.  In the meantime,we'll show a selection of  minoralterations cards from years past. First up, 2007:  we dipped clementines in red paint and stamped them on the card, then added tops (carved from an eraser) stamped in silver and drew hooks on in pencil.

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-81660198310172823392009-11-15T12:45:00.001-05:002010-01-31T12:46:36.224-05:00

We found this chair on the side of the road.  It had no seat at all, and a scuzzy brown upholstered back with crusty foam, and we wanted very much to bring it back to life.  I had been collecting the Tyvek envelopes I received at work for a few months.  I did not have a specific project in mind, but the material is so strong that I was thinking that furniture covering was a possibility.  Besides,

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-15199296474561712782009-06-10T20:35:00.002-04:002010-01-31T12:48:22.969-05:00

This is the story of the first planter in what became an evolving series, which now includes several varieties of vessels with both Corian and wood bases.The idea was to take the concrete planter idea and adapt it for indoor use.  The slice of Corian underneath the concrete adds a nice color contrast and also protects the shelf or table surface from scratches from the concrete.I chose a

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-37641861371671068712009-05-30T20:22:00.002-04:002010-01-30T20:46:18.535-05:00

I had done some researching on where to buy sheets of hard plastic materials -- acrylic, polypropylene, HDPE, that kind of thing.  I thought there would be some good project potential with this kind of stuff, either furniture (in particular I was thinking about a table top made of the same material as a cutting board we got from Ikea) or something else.  Unfortunately, the hardware and home

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-85921017555683303652009-05-19T00:14:00.006-04:002010-01-31T12:37:28.750-05:00

J and I went to NYC this weekend in search of inspiration, and yes, I think we found some. We started off with a great meal at the Spotted Pig in the Village (because we were going to need some nutrition for the big afternoon we had planned). Braised radishes with prosciutto were the big hit for John, while I loved my fried duck egg on a bed of asparagus and ramps. Plus beer. Yum. From there

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204019495675269585.post-27139180935125377052007-11-30T17:51:00.000-05:002007-11-30T17:58:35.318-05:00

Find some of our holiday creations at the Bizarre Market in the upstairs gallery of Chop Suey Books 1317 West Cary Street Richmond, VA.Go to the opening on Saturday, December 1 from 6-9 PM, with food, music and merry-making.Dec. 2nd thru 24th, the market will be open during regular Chop Suey biz hours (11-6 M-Sat, 1-6 Sun)

an alterernoreply@blogger.com0