"Everything Else" projects
I made a place to note projects that aren't knit, crochet or embroidery. I love papercrafts, sewing, and organizing. This page is like the Miscellaneous box in the craft room -- you never know what you might find.
Brood V Magicicadas reboot in 2016
This is not my project. It's Mother Earth's. But I was there with a camera to capture the emergence of the Brood V Magicicadas in our corner of PA, way back in 2016. Here are my notes and some pics.
Brood V cicada emerged in southwestern PA 5-20-16
5-21-16 This is the second Friday when they appeared in mass, all over the hostas, shrubs, honeysuckle, and maple leaves. Last weekend there was a persistent cold, soaking rain and they seemed to have disappeared. But then they came up again the following Friday. It was dry and sunny, so I snapped some pics before the rain came back.
It's amazing how they can change their entire form in just a few days. Last time around, I didn't pay so much attention to them. This time, I plan to enjoy the whole thing!
We haven't heard them yet. Can't wait!
It's amazing how they can change their entire form in just a few days. Last time around, I didn't pay so much attention to them. This time, I plan to enjoy the whole thing!
We haven't heard them yet. Can't wait!
Brood V cicada and husks on hosta leaf in mid-May. Southwestern PA
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Two Brood V husks found on Yellow Twig dogwood bush. 5-20-16 in southwestern PA
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5-25-16 magicicada update - lots more coming up. The new ones seem a lot smaller. We heard the first song this afternoon. If it is just one cicada we hear - it should be an interesting June, as this fellow is very loud and attention-getting! Here are more pics.
This cicada nymph is very red.
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Fast and easy sewing machine cover
My work horse is a commercial grade Singer that's as basic as you can get--1980s state of the art with reverse, zig-zag, blind stitch, button hole features ...that kind of machine. And the needle threads front to back, though now I am very used to it.
When I finally decided to make a cover for it, I figured I didn't need a pattern, just a few measurements.
When I finally decided to make a cover for it, I figured I didn't need a pattern, just a few measurements.
I used a ruler and found that front, top and back measured about 24 inches, with the width coming in at 19 inches. I also found that the side dimensions were basically 8.5 inches by 11 inches, which is the size of regular paper. So I took a piece of ruled paper and rounded off the top edges, to get a gentle curve to attach to the main piece that goes over the machine. See my little schematic below. It's not astrophysics!
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I cut the three pattern pieces (2 sides and 19"x24" piece) out from quilted fabric I saved from an old coverlet and stitched around each piece before joining, so the top-batting-backing would not shift too much. Then I stitched the sides to the main piece. It fit perfectly. This was a fast project; I didn't even line it. But I did finish the bottom edge with some craft ribbon.
This was a particularly happy AM project.
This was a particularly happy AM project.