How to handknit rickrack

From Redlipstick.
Done as an edging or trim on tiny needles, or on giant needles for a scarf, this simple but fun-to-knit original pattern is a handknit version of an old favorite.

I love the look of rickrack and think this might be a good way to embellish a purchased sweater.
I have a couple of balls of lovely white mohair that is very thin. Another thing for the list of a zillion projects.

On another subject.....Have any of you tried any sweater surgery? My mother gave me two beautiful cashmere sweater sets. One cream, one pink. I would love to wear them but they are a little too big in the body and a little too long. The main thing I want to do with them is to remove the ribbing at the hems. I am in a quandry about the proper technique to use to hem these very expensive sweaters. A satin ribbon hem? I don't know. I'm less worried about shaping the side seams but want the hems to equal the quality of the sweaters.

The Circus is in town!

Cheering accepted. Frowns prohibited.
I was so taken by the design of this coupon that I snagged a few to keep in my collage stash.
Click the pic. for a printable.

Vintage Postcards 2

Click for larger versions. I wish these were higher resolution.

Sock Knitting calculators

Two calculators generate knitting patterns.
Liz's Sock Calculator
This cool tool will produce a sock pattern based on the guage of the yarn you have, height from floor and length of foot and if it is for hand or machine knitting.
Elizabeth Bennett's sock program for crew socks.

Collage Cubie

Another interesting idea from Chris Dunmire.
Collage Cubies are a fun play on traditional collage art.
Instead of simply producing a two-dimensional work of art, this creative technique allows you to first design your collage flat, and then fold it into a three-dimensional sculpture. Includes printable template.

Vintage Postcards

These digital images are shared by a new friend. Thanks, Jeff!
Clicking the pics will take you a larger (120ppi) version.

Cereal Box Maker

From Mr. Breakfast.com. I saw this on the Food Channel.

Meggiecat's Arty-O's...... Inspiration with every bite.
Larger image here

Beinecke Library at Yale

The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is a treasure trove of images. I'll show you some samples from searches I've done. My thumbnails will take you directly to that image but if you use their search engine you will find many more. Using their "Click to Zoom" feature will produce the highest resolution of the images.
Search for Peter Pan found three pages of thumbnails
Mermaid paper dolls

Peter Pan poster

Search for illustrator Maginel Wright Enright found 8 illustrations
from the book Policeman Bluejay by Laura Bancroft
"Peep! Peep! Peep!" Cried the baby goldfinches

Search for playing cards turned up 6 pages of thumbnails
Queen of Swords

The Moon

Search for Illustration found this poster
"The Prodigal Son," illustration for God's Trombones

Blues Stencils

More Goodies from France

Patricia of Des Chapeaux has another blog, Agence eureka, where she is sharing some more paper dolls, ephemera and photos of her life in Rhone, France. She is such a good friend to share her amazing collections with us.

She says that two of the doll dresses were too big for the scanner and will need to be pieced together with glue.
Be sure to follow her link "site neerlandais sur la pub". It's ReclameArsenaal, a virtual museum of advertising in the Netherlands with thousands of enlarged images. By far one of the best resources I've explored and found it intuitive even though it's in Dutch. Sheesh, I'm such an American...... speaking only one language. Four years of Latin...what was I thinking?
I'll post some of the things I found there as soon as I get some time.

Liam's Pictures from Old Books

Over 390 high-resolution images scanned from old books. They are all public domain unless otherwise noted, and can be used as stock images or on your Web site. Offered in a variety of resolutions.
From Old English Country Cottages, edited by Charles Holme [1848-1923], London, 1906

From A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences by Ebenezer Sibly [1751-1800], M.D. F.R.H.S., Embellished with Curious Copper-Plates, London, 1806.

Labels and Hatboxes

On June 6, generous Patricia of Des Chapeaux shared some beautiful images on her blog of vintage hatboxes and labels because I mentioned that I love old paper. Clicking on her images will take you to a high resolution version. Thank you, friend.

Patricia's Paper Dolls

Generous Patricia of Agence eureka sent me some lovely vintage paper dolls.
Unfortunately I stored them on Image Shack and they are gone.
The good news is that she has a huge collection of paper dolls online at Agence eureka.
She is so generous with her very large collections and was one of my first online friends.

My Dad is Famous ;- )

There was an article in the Monterey Herald about my father and wonderful stepmother.
Dad tells the story in his blog.
Fame and Fortune

Aren't they cute? So very much in love.

Biologia Centrali-Americana

Images of over 18,000 species of animals and plants available
as high resolution .jpg or PDF.
Click on BCA Digital Edition.