Bonus Fiber Content !

We had passes to take the kids to the Crayola Factory in Easton, PA (Thanks Mom & Dad!).

They share the space with the National Canal Museum.

There's a small room across from the admissions area that recognizes the area's fiber heritage. Some of these are hands-on displays for kids, including one where you can twist four strands into a "S" or "Z" twist.

A second looks a little like a cage, and kids take long 'noodles' (made of cotton filled with fiberfill) and thread them through the 'bars' as if they're weaving.





There's also a LOOM (Please Do Not Touch!):



And a display where you can spin the wheel and see magnifications of different fiber types:





The entire building has FOUR floors. THREE of which are 'Canal Museum'.

The Crayola Factory is only one floor. More crayons in one place than most people suck up in their vacuum in a lifetime!


Also, lots of small people running around with marker all over themselves. The kids thought it was great.

They had the "Hall of Fame" where they show the 'Retired Colors" and the 100 Billionth Crayon, which was molded by "Mr. Rogers".

It was a little 'commercial', but then again, I remember 'back in the day', when we went to the Actual Factory for a tour, and the waiting list was over 2 years long at one point. Heck, you could step in some wax and trail it around all day!

Blog Catch-Up Post

I've been meaning to post these photos (as requested).

These are the 'gift bags' made from dish towels, displayed fetchingly upon my ironing board.





Directions are ridiculously easy:

1) Buy embroidered cotton dish towels on Deep Clearance at Target.
2) Put them away for a year.
3) Dig them out just before the holidays and remember WHY you bought them.
4) Embroider names with Mom's machine.
5) Sew together on the serger.
5a) Be sure to angle them so the big thick hem drops off.
5b) Put a piece of ribbon in the seam BEFORE you sew it, to tie it closed.
6) Rip out at least one bag because you forgot to do 5b.
7) Wrap all the gifts in tissue, stuff 'em in, and tie shut.
No wrapping paper, gift tags, or tape required.

8) Optional: Do a little dance when you realize how much time this saves.

January AC4C Project- Baby Packs!

The January Project for All Crafts for Charity is KwaZula-Natal Baby Packs.

List member SAM has set up a site
here with all the project details, as well as photos and info about this area of South Africa.

I sent my package a little early, and included two of the kimonos from Mason-Dixon Knitting, with matching hats and some diaper pins.