I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES,
PRETTY BUBBLES IN THE AIR!
You'll find out why later!
I was getting bunting withdrawal symptoms - haven't made any for ages! I can't show you the finished item yet as I know that the recipient reads this blog :-)
I had a fabric lapse.....oh dearie me. But those spots are perfect for bag linings and I needed more owls and then that silvery grey fabric 'spoke' to me....oh yes it did :-) The spots are 100% cotton but with a linen finish - it's gorgeous fabric and £4.95 a metre in Fabricland. I cut a square metre very carefully to maximise what I can get out of it!!
I just had to dive straight into the grey fabric - here's a tote just on the point of final assembly. I might have to keep this one....grin!
My old maths teacher, Miss Phillips, would be so proud if she saw that I had to use geometry to work out the ratio of the circumference to the edge of the rectangle. And all to make some desk bins for the Crop, lol! Inserting a circular bottom into a cylinder is one of the trickier sewing things I do....
A couple more mini totes (these were done last week, gotta be honest!)
Right then, the reason for today's lyric.
I didn't realise, until I became a brass player 8 years ago, that occasionally a brass instrument has to have a clean out. After all, you're breathing into it all the time and 'water' - ok, SPIT! - collects. So, you need to clean it out. Now this is easy peasy with cornets up to baritones, they're manageable. But a bass??
Reclining in the tub - do ya think I put in too much washing up liquid??
Draining outside - it's at this point that you're trying to remember what went where!!
But then the fun started, I thought I'd use my steam cleaner to really get in all the nooks and crannies.....
We had such fun pointing the jet down one tube and guessing where the steam was going to emerge!! It wasn't always obvious. So this is how we turn a bass into a reciprocating steam engine...grin.
And just in case you're worried, all the bits went back in ok, I played it at practice....and no bubbles came out of the bell. Yay :-)
Sometimes I wish I played the triangle though!!
xxxx
55 comments:
The bags are so lovely!
And, for what it's worth, geometry is the only math for which I ever had an innate aptitude. :)
"Reciprocating steam engine" sounds like a Steampunk invention. Sadly, although I played anything percussion related in school, I knew you had to clean the spittle out of the brass instruments.
That fabric caught my eye, too. The spots REALLY caught my eye. Oh no, what I should say is, I'm seeing spots now.
happy WOYWW. No number yet, but you know where I live.
These steam cleaners have so many uses & i'd never have thought of using it in a musical instrument like that. Happy woyww Jill #13
Oh wow! You never know what things you learn on WOYWW each week! Great projects! Love the grey cloth too! patsy
Ha! I can just imagine you filling the room with bubbles at band practice! Your material is zoo pretty. Can't wait to see you all at the crop!
Hugs
Lynda B xx
Ha ha so that explains the FB picture... somehow knew it wouldn't be a football reference... LOVE that fabric, and the new bags. Happy WOYWW Helen, 13
That leaf fabric would speak to me too - love it!! And I guess the ads are true - you really can steam clean anything!!
Happy WOYWW :)
no. 7
Oh boy did I need you today, you had me laughing... so many bubbles but how shiny and clean it must be now!!
Your bags are absolutely divine, love the chicken one and the spotty material, yep, that talked to me and the ferns did too... in fact the whole lots was chattering madly!! Annette #9
You are such a hoot, LLJ! Blowing bubbles for sure! LOL I am in serious love with your totes! And the new grey fabric spoke to me too. Love the black dots for the trim and lining. And scrap tubes for the crop! Oh I wish I could join y'all for that. Hugs and Happy WOYWW! Nan G #8
Lol now that would be a woot to see bubbles coming out while your playing looks like you've gotten it all nice and shiny again and your totes love the Grey with the polka dots so pretty they are hugs Nikki 12
LOL at the random steam emergence, potential bubbly band and OMG I LOVE that grey fabric. Now I am dithering about the birdie bag...I may have to dash off to FLUK and see if they have it in the local branch - SO SO perfectly lovely. Of course, I have been up for HOURS and perhaps not firing on all cylinders, so maybe another look at the birdie bag will help. Maybe I can see them both at the crop then decide??? Cheeky I know, but there is just too much loveliness on show to commit to one or the other - or any future sneaky peeks, I fear - so if it's ok .... pretty please?
Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (1)
Oh Jan. How I wish John had internet access there in the hospital! You had me laughing out loud at the pictures of your bass. I remember my elder daughter, Joy, turning her alto sax inside out to clean it, and younger one, Ruth, pushing a rod and cloth through her piccolo and flute - but neither resorted to the bath, bubbles and steam cleaner. Brilliant. Thank you for the hilarity after a really rough night!!
PS - like the bunting and the totes too...
All the best
Margaret#28
Noooooooo!!!! I've been such a good girl. Finishing up things in progress and not buying any fabric. Now I need that silvery grey fabric. It's speaking to me too!
Oh how I'd love to have helped your cleaning your instrument ;-) Bet it looked amazing after too. Love the bunting and bags....you always seem to get so much done in a week.
Hugs,
Annie x # 27
Love the grey tote bag, of course you will have to keep it, actually they are all fabulous. You have a great eye for co-ordinating fabrics. It never occurred to me that instruments have to be cleaned.Duh
Sandra @41
ha ha had to chuckle, Lunch Lady Jan... I used to play the flute so know what you mean about them needing a clean...
Sigh always fall in love with same things too ... that leaf pattern is just truly wonderful, it does speak to you.. love them all of course as always.. happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x #35
Love the cleaning business you set up LOL.
Great fabrics, love that grey one with the leaves on but hen they all are gorgeous. The bags look fabulous when made up.
Hugs Neet 25 xx
Love your bags, must have a go at making one. Love your fabrics, you are lucky to have fabric shops with such great prices. Have a great day.
Such lovely totes - and that fabric is dreamy - and so reasonable, how could a girl resist?! You're very brave, taking that apart and cleaning it - I'd have been terrified I'd break it or have some left over after assembly! have a great week. Chris # 47 xx
Hi Jan
Happy WOYWW. OMG your totes are gorgeous...I love the new grey/white one you are making. Love that owl fabric too. WOAH regarding playing and cleaning that...I am very impressed indeed LOL
hugs
Annette In Oz #39
Your bags are gorgeous, and I was impressed with your application of geometry into sewing, but the bass cleaning is what I found the most fascinating - LOL! It would have been quite a site to see you playing during a parade with bubbles flying out of your bass. Blessings, my friend!
ROFL honestly LLJ you crack me up I saw the post onFB and wandered what it was all about. Love all the fabric what happened ton orbiting any more eh? But hey a girls gotta shop
Have a good week
Janet @30 and 31 not sure what's going on with me this week!
You are like a magician with fabric projects. Wow always so beautiful ...And the instrument cleaing...always wondered about that. I've an alto sax and a clarinet, packed away. Thought of a display while cleaning around them last week. Your gray fabric is awesome. I'm looking at shades of gray for my kitchen redo. I've way too many ideas running thru this head. Enjoy the week, and if you know where they go let me know.
Lol at that cleaning of your musical instrument! All those bubbles!
As always I love seeing all your fabric and what you have made.... It's just fabulous!
Lots of fun stuff going on here. Both the owl fabric and rooster tote spoke to me. But don't tell anyone, they'll think we're both dotty! Susanne #62
Just exactly how does one clean a triangle? It might be a lot more complicated than you think! Although there won't be any chance of blowing bubbles. Love the new fabric, the grey is tres sophisticated, but I do love the bird bag the best, you should line the next one with egg fabric, lol!
Hugs
Brenda 62
It's ok, I had a stamp lapse...I can relate. Love the "steam engine" Never thought of it having to be cleaned either! #28
woohoo! Hello hun! Just popping by (not playing myself this week) to say a hello and put some business your way - I need some bunting in purple, white and dove grey (my HareMoon logo colours in fact...... can you help me, please?
Love the reciprocating steam engine, by the way..........
Gosh you have given me a really giggle this week with the suds and all. Now that is called giving it a blow oooooppppsss we wont go there will we, needless to say it is now sterile clean LOL I really don't need to think about the spit either it makes me ill thinking about it. Now you have tarnished my brain life, brass instruments will never be the same. But then again I could think of steam engines that might help. Love the owl fabric. You can just see a peek of your bunting hanging in my office this week. Have a great week.
Happy WOYWW
Eliza & Yoda 51
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the fabrics. Those bags are so stinkin cute. I too have been going through more fabric withdrawal than anything else. Thanks for sharing.
Mindy - The Determined Scrapper #75
You always have such gorgeous fabrics and I know I have said it before but the bags are great.
You are a clever girl being able to play the bass. I have a lovely saxophone that is feeling very lonely but really need a good teacher if I am going to get anywhere with it.
Happy crafting, Angela x 46
Wow Jan - I love your bubble blower! What a multi-talented lass you are! Those fabrics are so perfect for your totes. Fab job all round I'd say. x Jo
I'm so glad you're cleaning your instrument! I meant to tell you a while back about something I had read about that--I don't want you to get sick, so good! I love that owl print and the hearts too--your math skills are impressive Miss Thing! I hope you can feel the gigantic hug that is coming to you from across the ocean waves--to May's precious daughter, from June's precious daughter. I feel thankful every day to have had the kind of mother that worked so hard for me, loved me so much, and would have done anything for me, and I know you feel like that too. We are so blessed to have had the moms we had. Without them, we wouldn't be the kind of moms we are! My mother was so happy when I first started telling her about my lovely, talented, crafty soul sister in the UK. She just couldn't believe I had made a friend like you. So now, I really, honestly have no doubt that she has been having tea with your May, and that they are chumming around together in paradise! It doesn't mean we don't miss them horribly and cry sometimes...but I have a feeling May has her arms around you today and watches over you! And yes, wouldn't an exotic holiday with some pina coladas be amazing! (I love that song) Super duper hugs dearest! Sandy Leigh #71
OMG I still haven't stopped laughing.
All your fabric goodies makes me want to set up my sewer and make something. I own 3 machines and a serger. I use my old Singer to mostly mend things anymore (I know that's really sad) Your totes are soooo gorgeous.
Now for the blowing bubbles (laughing again) May have to change the LLJ to BBJ
Thanks for the visit, I did fire the laundry fairies this morning, and I too hate my iron and ironing board!
Krisha #18
Hello LLJ,
Haaaa. I had a good chuckle with your instrument overtaken with bubbles. The steam cleaner down the pipes was interesting - full of experimentation!
The new fabrics are great. When you purchase fabric how much do you usually buy? Is a mitre a yard? Hmmm, I might need to buy a conversion book so I know what my friends across the pond are saying! haaa
I haven't started sewing yet. After I wrote my post I thought, dang, I'm going to have to iron my seams...... haaa
By the way, I had finished that baby blanket once and it was wonky so I ripped it all out and started over. I can't tell you how bored I was re-knitting it. And yes, it took lots of patience.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay
PS THank you for visiting me already!!
ROFL! Made my day...and that is why I play the flute! Oh, and your fabric and totes are lovely...but, really, wait till I tell our base players about your steamer! Brilliant!
My brother plays the tuba so this is all very familiar! Thanks for visiting me already - my fingers were almost as messy as the paper. Thanks for sharing. Happy WOYWW. Caro x (#43)
Love the tote..don't care it was last week or when...but I can't wait to show this to my son about you steam cleaning that. Lol. Thanks for the peek Roberta 34
Love seeing your fabric and bags, Oh wow I did not know you could bath an instrument! Thank you for your visit. Karen #22
Not playing this week as up to my eyes....but your grey leaf fabric caught them! Darn you....I may need to pop into Fabricland now!
Kyla ps...LOVE those totes
Your totes are amazing! I am drooling over the rooster! You did your geometry teacher proud for sure. I barely passed geometry so I wou ld be hopeless at this can't sew either. Maybe someday I will have my sister show me as she took it in school. LOVE that you clean your own instrument. I know my sister sends her kids flute out year to get cleaned. Had no idea you can do it yourself. I have to show her this. Thanks for the visit today! Play on!! Winnie #50
Love watching the trials and tribulations of tuba cleaning, now feeling rather guilty about the hygiene of my daughters flute! :) LOVE the fact you took it up 8 years ago! Your mini totes are all so beautiful. x
OH my gosh, that grey fabric and tote are so yummy. Love them!! I understand your addiction, yes I do.
:)
Happy WOYWW #68
Cathy
I can absolutely understand the fabric talking to you. I heard them talking right here. Those owls!!! They said they wanted to come and live with me!
Happy WOYWW!
Tertia #20
I'm loving your bags !
I was making one this last weekend & the instructions in the book were useless - I thought of you & wished I could get your expert opinion !
As it is I am going to have to put in some hand stitching in to get it to work !
Think I might have used much too thick interfacing !
The bubbles frothing out of the brass instrument is hilarious - glad it all went bacl together in the end !
See you at the crop ! Ali xx
I thought your post was funny, then I imagined you playing with bubbles coming out and laughed out loud. Truly out loud. But shame on you for buying new stash. Although you have used it wisely, so I'll forgive you.
Happy WOYWW,
KatzElbows #92
Am chuckling at the thought of the bubbles coming out the top in true cartoon style.... and a girl can never go to long without some bunting I say!! Happy WOYWW Cindy
Like Cindy, I wish bubbles HAD come out of the bell! The fabrics are lovely, that linen-y blue spot is just the biz..and I think you're right about the leafy one..it would have been a crime to leave it in the shop!
Lovely fun post - made smile loudly. Bags are beautiful as ever - you have such an eye for gorgeous fabric
Famfa 63
You are one clever lady!! You can operate scissors, sewing machine and TWO phones at the same time!!! Me? The phone does not get answered if I am on my machine!
Now that chicken tote is just fabulous. I NEED that one. What is the pattern? Love it.
Hugs
xx
LOL! I had visions of you playing a sedate affair and then everyone trying to stifle the giggles as you produced lots of bubbles!! Looking forward to catching up again soon! x
Sorry I am so late visiting not sure where the week had gone so having a quick fly round the desks before we start again, thanks for sharing - Nicky 11
Ok I know I am a bit behind the times with this but just had to comment on the bass cleaning - how cool was that! BJ
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