knit ... stitch ... crochet

Blackwork Freebie

2012-01-10T20:50:00.002+02:00

Negrita

Hello everybody ... Just a short stop to share a new freebie with you guys. Hope you enjoy!

2011-08-06T15:30:00.000+03:00

Not yet finished but had the courage to take some pictures with the terrible heat here where you rather not see anything that is reminiscent of warmth ... In this case, the wool yarn and a WIP! Turned out better to my expectations and surely and as always, looking forward to autumn :)

2011-05-22T17:07:00.002+03:00

This darning sampler of 1895 has been waiting for my attention to take its niche in my blog. It is a small one, the size is 24.5 cm x 26 cm.

Today, I also want to introduce you to two special ladies that I had the joy to meet online some years ago. I am sure you already know and admire them but I still want to make sure every visitor gets to learn of the beauties they offer!

Sabine Taterra-Gundacker

European Reproduction Samplers

Gigi

GigiR Designs

Gigi's Blog

I am sure these two specially talented ladies will keep you busy for a long while :)

2011-05-11T17:21:00.000+03:00

A beautiful new addition to my needlepoint family ... Late 19th Century Berlin Woolwork with beads stitched on very fine silk gauze.

Origin : UK

2011-05-05T22:04:00.000+03:00

Muzeshop

2011-04-25T12:18:00.001+03:00

2011-04-13T15:31:00.003+03:00

2011-04-09T11:06:00.000+03:00

I love peacock colours ... There is no other colour that could make me lose control!

I have this local yarn, a mix of 70% Acrylic and 30% Wool and am knitting mitered squares. As to why all that synthetic for a naturally dyed fiber, is beyond my conception! I call this project "Vagabond" cause I have not yet decided of the form and/or purpose. Worst comes worse, I shall end up with an other blanket :)

I have more colour variations which are anxiously waiting to blend in ... Will share pictures as I proceed with this ultra light, very fun to knit yarn. This is the same yarn that I had used for my Himalayan Cardigan.

2011-04-04T07:00:00.003+03:00

Ebru

Marbling, paper marbling or water marbling; Ebru is the surface design of swirling colours floating on water, then taking its niche in immortality once transfered to paper.

The net is abundant with talented artists but I have chosen two for your visit : Peyami Gürel and Mahmut Peşteli ... Enjoy!

2011-04-02T07:00:00.004+03:00

Shall we knit something, dear?

Rachel Denny

2011-04-01T13:25:00.003+03:00

Dane Scarf FINITO!

My dear friend Tomurcuk, who is the sole inspirational source of my Yack Blanket was the first to ever admire it :) Anyone willing to give it a try, it was a very pleasant project to knit. I damped and blocked the scarf but then decided I like it better unblocked.

Thanks Jane!

2011-03-23T16:45:00.011+02:00

Frequent visitors of this blog may remember the project for the adorable powder pink yarn in my stash. On and off, I have been working on it and want to show you how it looks like so far.

As could be observed in the pictures, I have knitted all the front and back pieces together in one and divided it to three when reached the arm pits. The cuffs will be lacy again and rest, still to be planned :)

It probably is a dream of an intermediate knitter to knit a lacy shawl one day. I guess about time I give it a try with the Dane Shawl and make the dream come true. It appears to be simple and is a free download from Ravelry, designed by Jane Tanner.

If I am lucky, this is how it should look once finished :)

2011-03-22T07:00:00.011+02:00

Beaded Berlin Work
Origin : English

New addition to my collection :) Possibly late 19th Century and in perfect condition though the colours have faded away. Overall size is 47 cm square ... The lilies are all beads; rest stitched with wool. Have a look at the reverse picture below to see the original colours.

2011-03-21T09:40:00.002+02:00

NORO Silk Garden scarf completed :) The yardage was not enough for Helix Scarf as previously annouced and I improvised this pattern ... Only a couple hours of knitting and VERY pleased with the way it turned out. The colours are too good to be true ... By the way, the number is 230 incase you wonder! I had knitted about seven inches until I reckoned my fifty gram yarn is too thrifty for Helix, but if you like ruffles, the pattern is a delight to knit and a MUST in my list of projects!

2011-03-19T17:50:00.000+02:00

Yack blanket COMPLETED :)

Just checked now and it was first started on November 20, 2010. That is a good four months of knitting but only when watching TV. I must confess it turned out real nice and is not as heavy as I thought it would be.

2011-03-18T10:01:00.001+02:00

Whenever I can, I sneak into blogger to upload what I can. This morning again, I was able to somehow share this wonderful NORO yarn purchased while visiting the show. It is a Silk (45%), Kid Mohair (45%) and Lamb's Wool (10%) mix with wonderful colours that the pictures do not do any justice.

This beauty is 50 grams (and indeed expensive compared to what we would have paid for an equivalent over here), so the Helix Scarf recently offered by Knitting Daily would be a perfect match.

Talking of NORO which is Japanese, I want to stress my deep sadness over what the country is going through. About time every one starts seriously considering the nuclear energy and thus, the future of our planet and mama nature!

The Great American Afghan

2011-03-12T12:47:00.002+02:00

The Great American Afghan

This beauty could be yours for a noble cause!

Not the book nor the kit ... The actual piece of history. This is the Great American Afghan that was knit and photographed for the Great American Afghan book.

2011-03-08T12:45:00.004+02:00

Above is from the DMC stand at l'aiguille en fête!

And an amazing lady Natalie Mei with her stitching. The picture of the stitching below is high resolution. Please click on the picture to see details ... Amazing!

2011-03-07T12:07:00.000+02:00

Is this possible?

2000 participants and +54 kilometres of knitting :)

L'écharpe des records

Turkey - 21st Century !!!

2011-03-06T10:54:00.006+02:00

BLOGGER becomes latest victim of
Turkish Internet bans

2011-03-05T13:43:00.003+02:00

European Quilt Association

2011-02-28T16:58:00.011+02:00

Have you heard of Sophie Digard?

It's all Lisa's fault :) It is through her that I heard of Sophie Digard and her creations! As Lisa says, they will never go out of style. I had to see them in person to really appreciate why Lisa is so mesmerized with them. And I do not blame her!

The Selvedge stand at l'aiguille en fete were displaying some wonderful pieces and I could not possibly stop myself from buying a couple of the beauties. I think we all need to treat ourselves every-once-in-a-while :) N'est ce pas?

All beautifully handmade from very fine pure wool ... Handspun ... Hand-dyed ... And as far as I am concerned, naturally dyed. Stunning!

2011-02-27T14:35:00.002+02:00

While visiting the show l'aiguille en fete, I met wonderful people. Among them are Hélène and Valérie. Two exceptional ladies

Hélène Magnússon
TRICOTEUSE D'ISLANDE

Hélène has various books but the one for us is "ICELANDIC KNITTING using Rose Patterns".

She is currently working on a second knitting book about old Icelandic knitter Aðalbjörg Jónsdóttir and her amazing lace dresses, expected 2012.

I am looking forward to her new book and am aiming to be one of the first to order :) Do not also miss to visit her blog and look for her at Ravelry ... If you see her, please say hello from me :)

The other lovely lady, neighbouring Hélène was Valérie Lejeune ... Valérie would be known to any stitcher but incase you have not yet heard of her, DO NOT miss her books ... They are a stitcher's bible! And they are worth every penny. It is so very stupid of me that I missed taking her contact details :( but just google her name and you will have loads of links to her books.

2011-02-22T12:38:00.001+02:00

I want to present you with a few pictures of the antique lace exhibitions by two Belgian companies mentioned earlier. Both 't Apostelientje and Serena were very generous and kind to allow us visitors to freely picture their collection. I was very impressed with their peaceful, welcoming and comforting attitude. Dank u!

You can contact them by clicking on the titles. 't Aposelientje has a webpage where you can see what they have to offer but Serena can only be contacted via her e-mail address for inquiries, if any.

't Apostelientje

Serena

2011-02-20T11:41:00.003+02:00

The Treasures of Lace

Beautiful antique lace samples in a small chamber and wonderfully presented. I missed looking at the name of the collection but I believe it is of DMC - Les trésors dentelliers de Thérèse de Dillmont.

2011-02-19T15:11:00.003+02:00

My rep in the US, and a good friend Lisa of Frenchneedle is also the US distributor of Rouge du Rhin who had a stand and were very kind to provide me with an entry to the show l'aiguille en fete ... The first day was packed with people and I would not be wrong if I said thousands of them ... The fastest speed one could walk around and between the lanes was the speed of a penguen swinging left & right.

Luckily, I made another visit to the show and comfortably had a chance to breath and enjoy all the wonderful art on display. As mentioned earlier, I was a bit disappointed that though lace was to be the hit of the show, it wasn't at all, grace to two Belgian lace companies who had some wonderful antique lace exhibited in their stands.

Anyone into cross stitch would know the brand Rouge du Rhin but if you are not familiar, please do not miss to see the wonderful collection by Marianne & Marie at their webpage.

2011-02-18T20:23:00.001+02:00

L'aiguille en fête

I was there for the first time this year ... It appears there is a theme every year and lace was to be the craze for 2011 as the poster suggests : La Folie Dentelle

Surely, for someone who goes there for the first time especially triggered by the topic "lace mania", I was a bit disappointed. There were not much lace to my astonishment. The show was somehow similar to its genre. Nevertheless, I am very pleased with my visit and delighted to meet wonderful people.

Surely, staying in Paris 16ème for almost eight days in an apartment fully furnished, was the bonus :)

I shall be posting more on the show ... A bientôt!

2011-02-14T16:40:00.003+02:00

2011-02-04T15:59:00.000+02:00

New colours added to Yack Blanket :)

2011-01-27T18:28:00.003+02:00

This is Amber :)

Specially posing for me, to the knitter of the blanket she's wrapped in! Dad and mom are very kind to use the blanket daily. Such a bliss to know that it has been so much appreciated :)

2011-01-14T17:39:00.000+02:00

This tiny needlepoint is 16 stitches to the centimetre. That is 16 stitches to 0.39 inch. Stitched with wool on silk gauze. And the size is 11.5 x 8.5 cm ( 4.52" x 3.35" ). No record of age but it cannot be newer than 19th Century. It's a beauty!

2011-01-12T16:17:00.000+02:00

Another spectacular beadwork and needlepoint ( Berlin Work - Late 19th or early 20th Century ) chairback arrived from the UK ... In perfect condition with a few missing stitches at the background, most likely by moths :) The size is about 56 cm x 48 cm.

2010-12-22T16:00:00.003+02:00

No wishes this time!

But a call ... A call to invite you all ... To invite you all to think twice for the nature and future ... We all have been wishing for all these years ... Wishes do not seem to work ... If we do not individually do something or contribute for sustainability, the decline is very close!

P.S. Half way through with the "Yack" blanket :)

2010-12-16T13:54:00.001+02:00

1857 Darning Sampler (probably) by PW

As suggested by the previous owner, it is likely that that this beauty was stitched by PW, making WW her father and PDH her mother ... Leaving AC to be her teacher :)

2010-12-12T16:01:00.005+02:00

A very cold week-end in a small town over the Aegean peninsula. This is when the sun is most enjoyed accompanied by the sound of burning wood crackles. And a nice simple spicy lunch with sake indeed adds to the warmth while spending the afternoon knitting :)

2010-12-09T12:31:00.000+02:00

Ready and waiting for the arrival :)

2010-12-09T12:24:00.001+02:00

A miniature sampler from Austria - 30 x 6 cm

2010-12-02T12:56:00.001+02:00

Progress so far with the "to be born" blanket :) I am about to finish the edging and once they all are one, you will have another view to it!

Turning out nicer than what I visualized :)

2010-11-25T15:07:00.000+02:00

Marie Erdtmann - 1862

2010-11-20T16:08:00.002+02:00

Remember I was talking about dissolving the synthetic colours in my stash, knitting them into a medium size blanket while watching TV? Well ... Here it is ... All acrylic ... Yack!

Oh! By the way, I cherish your comments. Please forgive me, I am not good at responding them but do love them and all are valuable. Please do not deprive me of them, they are the fuel of this blog.

2010-11-18T16:21:00.004+02:00

Here is another spectacular darning sampler from the same source as the 1874 darning sampler in my possession ... The perfection in stitches makes me wonder ... Were they stitched by the same talented young lady? Probably not ... Names are different.

A good way to identify the source of a sampler, as I learn, is the names stitched on them. But speaking non of the languages - Dutch or German, I could have never guessed their origin if I had not known that they arrived from Germany.

These pictures below are high resolution. Please click on them to observe the amazing details!

Look how perfectly the mending blends into the unity of the pattern ... Fascinating!

2010-11-15T11:43:00.009+02:00

I am DISGUSTED ... HORRIFIED !!! I detest, protest, condemn this ATROCITY !!! I deny & do not RECOGNISE this BLOODY MASSACRE!

In the meantime, you may want to sign the petition from Australia calling for an end to live animal export for this bloody feast!

2010-11-08T10:11:00.001+02:00

My powder pink cardigan project is put aside for a short while, until I finish this VIP ( very important project ) ... It is a baby blanket for a lady to be born early December next. Now that I am in my knitting gear, I wanted a special piece for my special friends rather than just go and buy something ordinary. I am knitting it with unbrushed pure wool which makes it soft and drapery. Once finished, the blanket will have a nice lacy edging. I chose cream colour to avail usage once it completes its mission. Surely, if it still is in one piece :) The mother to be or the future lady herself can always use it as a decor at home or something to keep the knees warm while watching TV or whatever!

2010-11-06T08:43:00.007+02:00

This spectacular beadwork and needlepoint ( Berlin Work - Late 19th or early 20th Century ) chairback is from Iowa, USA ... As to how it got there and to whom it belonged to as well as its stitcher will always be a mystery. It is quite big ( 45 x 60 cm ) and in EXCELLENT condition.

Now happily residing in its new home :)

2010-11-04T14:51:00.000+02:00

Humour for a change ... Everybody knows Maxine ... This is Marvin, the male Maxine :)

2010-11-01T16:00:00.006+02:00

This delightful old pattern was probably designed for a lace weight yarn to add romance to a shawl or stole but I am using a worsted weight yarn which makes the width 20 cm ( 8" ) and far being from romantic. I was not expecting the width to be that wide but this will not stop my me :) OK ... The plan is to knit it enough long until it makes the lower edge of a cardigan, surrounding the periphery of my butt :) So, imagine it horizontal on which I shall be knitting the upper part of the project and am also planning to add another edging at the bottom to make it even more complex :)

Below is the swatch I knitted for the upper part of the cardigan. I still need to decide the lower edging which should be a narrower pattern. Or may be just do something with the crochet. We'll see! Shall definitely inform of the progress :)

I have started another knitting project to keep me awake while watching TV and to dissolve the immense but colourful acrylic yarn stash. However, I cannot yet provide you with a picture cause it is some 350 stitches and I was only able to knit a few rows :( Will share that as soon as it starts looking handsome :)

2010-10-30T11:17:00.004+03:00

Pénélope Brode

I want you to meet Cristina ... A talented artist with sweet, warm character! I am sure we would make wonderful friends if we meet one day because as I see, we have loads in common :) I knew her web page since some time but my first contact was when I recently bought a nice piece from her, without realizing that she stitched it herself ... A lovely little reproduction, a Berlin Work pattern stitched on linen with silk. Apparently, everything you see at her online shop are model-stitched by herself!

If you like my style of patterns, I am sure you will love her web page and her compositions, all reasonably priced. She also sells at eBay, so feel free to pay her a visit :)

2010-10-29T16:13:00.000+03:00

2010-10-29T12:15:00.006+03:00

When I came across the knitting instructions of the lovely lacy border, I said I found the right colar I have been looking for for my hand-sewn dress. Despite the heavy look, knitting it is amazingly simple.

However, this morning, I have decided to use it for a pending project of mine that I had posted along with my lavender sachet.

Need to do a bit of sewing before I can post the final look :) I hope it to turn out nice cause this makes it a special little piece where all three essentials of handcraft are used ... The needle; the crochet hook; and the knitting needles!

2010-10-28T10:55:00.003+03:00

Beidermeier Sampler

Anna Kirchner - 1852

Wool on Linen

2010-10-23T15:28:00.002+03:00

Et Voilà!

2010-10-19T13:31:00.002+03:00

Silk version of my Sunday Trio ... Again, only water and naturals. Nice and pale, kind of an antique hue with a sheen :)

2010-10-18T14:37:00.003+03:00

Sunday Trio

Vitex Agnus-Castus ~ Walnut Husk ~ Onion Skin

Spent all afternoon dyeing the wool yarn with available naturals in a farm near-by owned by a friend. I now have a nice book on natural dyeing but did not get to read to see the essentials so with my friend's encouragement, we did "all naturals" on wood fire ... No mordant, no salt, no vinegar!

Cloudy day here and my sweeties are drying indoors. Below picture taken while the yarn is still wet, so I expect them to be a bit paler! The yarn used again is PURE by the Knitbox :)

BTW, I want to thank Chantal who thought me how to make the mosaic pictures!

2010-10-09T11:01:00.001+03:00

Berlin Work sampler from my collection

Austria - Late 19th Century

2010-10-05T09:26:00.000+03:00

THANK YOU ... Thanks to all that signed the petition :)

World Animal Day
marked in Turkey with calls for law change

Turkish animal rights activists are hopeful of a securing a change in the country’s laws that would criminalize the abuse of animals after collecting a record number of signatures for a petition campaign.

The petition campaign has collected 250,000 signatures in only 55 days, higher than the total amount of signatures gathered by Greenpeace during all of its campaigns in the country, fashion designer Barbaros Şansal, one of the campaign’s supporters, said during Oct. 4 World Animal Day.

Signatures collected by nongovernmental organization Animal Right’s Platform during a sit-in led by Turkish actress Tuna Arman on Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue were taken to the Justice Ministry’s General Directorate for Law early Monday.

The campaign, which started Aug. 15, argued that animal abuse should be reclassified as a criminal offense rather than a misdemeanor. Under current Animal Law No. 5199, which falls under the Law on Misdemeanors, a person who abuses or rapes a stray animal receives a fine of 300 liras, but the case is not investigated as a judicial case.

“My experience as we stood there gathering signatures from passersby is that those raping animals consider their acts as a natural sexual preference, not as perverseness,” Şansal said.

Speaking on the issue in the past to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Arman said, “If there is a person who raped an animal in your district, your children are not in safe.” Oct. 4 is also World Children’s Day.

After presenting helping present the signature campaign to the Justice Ministry, Tuna Bayık said Justice Commission Chairman Ahmet İyimaya told him that authorities plan to work in collaboration with the group to rectify the matter.

There were protests in many parts of Turkey ahead of Animal Day, Anatolia news agency reported.

In Konak Square in the Aegean province of İzmir, activists from the Animal Rights Federation protested animal abuse with banners reading “The murderers in the air, on land and under the water are among us.”

The action was supported by the animal activists from the Mediterranean province of Antalya, who “urged deputies” to stop animal abuse.

...

2010-10-04T12:30:00.000+03:00

I am the proud and happy owner of this gorgeous baby that has been anxiously waiting to be exhibited in one of my drawers ... Had gotten it from Germany and it is in fascinating condition compared to its age. All samples done in silk floss ... As to fabric, it may well be silk too but cannot really tell. I'd say very finely woven linen. Except for the corner "peacock" bit as I call it, all patterns are about 5 cm square. Peacock is an 8 cm square!

2010-09-23T16:18:00.002+03:00

I cannot possibly watch TV if I do not knit or stitch. I am hopeless to stay awake. I manage for about 30 minutes and then "zzzzzz" ... This lovely green, very soft cotton-acrylic mix was not a pain to knit during the very hot times of August last. Above is the beginning and the swatch.

The front is completed ...

... and the back is about to finish.

2010-09-20T07:00:00.002+03:00

Canan Berber

2010-09-18T13:40:00.006+03:00

İsmail Acar

2010-09-17T10:47:00.001+03:00

Stricter Laws Against Animal Abuse

On October 3rd at 1 pm, there will be an event to request stronger laws against animal cruelty. Public stands and information tables in cities around the world will inform people about animal cruelty, raise awareness and gather signatures for a special created petition. The petition together with the signatures will be sent to the country's governments to ask them to create stronger laws against animal cruelty. More than 30 countries around the world - from A as in Afghanistan to Z as in Zimbabwe - are taking part in this event.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

2010-09-14T10:22:00.001+03:00

My friend Irina of Mishutka Design Studio has started blogging too :) And she is sharing this beautiful pattern with visitors through her BLOG!

2010-09-10T19:13:00.001+03:00

Çeng

The earliest known examples of this musical instrument from the Anatolian, Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilisations, date back to around 1,000 B.C.

Angled harps were used for thousands of years by Anatolian, Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilisations, and the latest to emerge was the Ottoman çeng that was used up until the last quarter of the 17th century, but due to the difficulties in playing, carrying and tuning it, and the increasing popularity of such instruments as the tambur and santur, it slowly disappeared from the stage of history until Fikret Karakaya who had to reinvent the instrument, then learnt to play it himself when he was unable to find a musician to play it.

HERE, Fikret Karakaya plays the çeng he built himself.

2010-09-09T17:29:00.002+03:00

Dying to Dye :)

Once the bug is in you, dyeing seems to be quite addictive. The pink fabric is a worn silk pyjama which I retained from a visiting friend who was preparing to throw away! I was going to recycle it into a silk yarn but decided to use it in my new medley; the cotton muslin and the silk duet. Adding a bit of cotton and silk thread into this khaki adventure was a very good idea :)

I love the "trial & error" trip ... While still in dye solution, I observed that the silk pyjama had a different hue to khaki which led me to think that it must have been due to the "pink" factor! However, once they all were rinsed and dried, I now know that it is due to the "cotton versus silk" factor!

They all were in the same bath but silk had a different variation of the colour than the cotton. Most likely one being a plant fibre and the other being an animal fibre!

As to what I may end up doing with this crowd, is still unknown!

2010-09-07T20:36:00.000+03:00

Mes chers amis Français, chers visiteurs Français et francophone ... Il ya un article magnifique; une petite histoire a nous raconter encore une fois que le monde est si petit ... SVP visitez chez Nina :

Couleurs d'Istanbul

2010-09-03T12:11:00.007+03:00

This has been lying around for over a year and I decided to make it into a lavender sachet. I had improvised the pattern then, whilst training myself for hardanger.

I enjoyed stitching this sachet ... Very much indeed ... I used "palestrina" and "mountmellick" stitches to decorate the joining edges of the fabrics of different structure. The source for these stitches are from Needle and Thread by Mary Corbet :)

I stitched everything by hand and the beaded crochet carnations ( oya ) are from the book by Sevgi Şenol ... The price is TL 20 and that is about USD 13.5 with today's rate ... I had the privilege to meet Mrs Şenol two years ago and this book is a first in this country, the native home of "oya" and is full of most beautiful samples from the past and as far as I am concerned, remains to be the only so far.

The sad story is that she is better known abroad than in her native land and the sadder story is that she was invited to Japan for an exhibition and she showed the attendees the little tricks during a workshop. Only a few months later that her doorbell rings to bring her the shocking news. The postman hands her the envelop which bears a book printed in Japan with beautiful bead oya and "how to" illustrations by a Japanese woman. The book is exactly the same bead oya patterns with a different presentation. The Japanese version which I find beautiful but totally "unethical" is now out of print and sold for about USD 40 excluding shipment.

Well ... If anybody is interested, I - without any PROFIT expectation - volunteer to arrange you to get a copy of the English version to be sent directly by Mrs Şenol herself. Just contact me!

This one is also from a training session and the pattern was found online but alas, I cannot find the link. I did modify it with beads and satin stitch and it looks forward to become a lavender sachet :)

2010-08-29T13:38:00.007+03:00

2010: The time has come when Turkey must rejoin the rest of the world in its treatment of animals

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

Thespian starts sit-in to ease plight
of Turkish strays

A man approaches a stand in front of İstanbul’s prestigious Galatasaray High School located on İstiklal, the busiest no-traffic street in town walked by tens of thousands daily, and inquires what the people on the other side of the stand are doing.

They explain their purpose in opening up a stand on İstiklal speaking in lay terms, “We are gathering signatures to make animal rape a crime.” The man eyes them suspiciously. “You don’t get my signature ‘cuz I don’t believe in your cause!” he exclaims, and explains himself: “Why do you think it should be a crime? Sex with animals is normal in Anatolia. I did it myself in my own time. But look, now I am a school teacher.” He walks away from the stand leaving behind four or five animal-rights activists led by Turkish television and theater actor Tuna Arman completely aghast.

Arman and several volunteers who joined her after she announced her cause on Facebook and other social networking sites are organizing a 50-day sit-in, to begin on Aug. 15, to appeal to lawmakers to amend the penalties imposed for raping, torturing or maiming animals. They are also making an effort to announce to the country that this is not an animal rights issue, but a highly social one that concerns humans as well. The emphasis on safety of the society in defending justice for animals is more than apt in a country where people who teach your children at school can overtly brag about their past sexual escapades with donkeys, justify their own zoophilia as culturally normal and even customary and get away with it.

Currently injuring or killing in animal is not punishable under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), but is treated as a misdemeanor, and is subject to penal laws under that category. If you murder an animal, if you are caught, you can walk away a free person and an unrecorded menace to society just by paying a fine (anywhere between TL 70 to TL 300, depending on if the animal had an owner). The word “unrecorded” is key here, as misdemeanors are not registered on one’s criminal record. In other words, a dog rapist could be your friend whom you invite to your house to hang around your kids, your employee (or employer) or an acquaintance and there is no way you could know. Arman and her supporters are trying to get legislators to change that, emphasizing the threat to society caused by people who harm animals.

In fact, there is an animal rights website that makes the point clearer for lay people and that has a quite morbid chart that lists well-known violent offenders and their known acts of cruelty against animals prior to harming humans. According to the list, Michael Cartier, the murderer of Kristin Lardner, an art student he dated for a while, pulled rabbits’ legs out of their sockets when he was just 4 years old and threw a kitten through a closed window. Henry Lee Lucas, who killed his mother, his wife and several others, killed animals and had sex with their corpses. Christine Falling -- who had killed five children and elderly man by the time she was 19 -- killed cats to see if they did have nine lives as a child. Ted Bundy is also on the long list too, as he grew up witnessing acts of animal cruelty by his grandfather.

Public reaction

As of Friday, the group had collected 35,000 signatures in less than two weeks of collecting signatures for four hours a day. Although the protestors get the occasional deviant who thinks and openly says it is “OK” to rape an animal, people overall have been supportive. “We get 2,500 signatures on the worst days,” says Arman. One of the volunteers says the number of daily signatures can be as high as 7,500.

Although certainly, they have not been as supportive as one would hope. “Some people approach the stand, and they turn around saying ‘I don’t care’ when they hear the word animals.” Arman says this is exactly why Turkey needs stricter laws punishing those who inflict pain on animals. Since a portion of society, although not a large section, doesn’t see animals as worthy of having rights, we need good laws to ensure justice for animals until every part of Turkish society is informed.

This is why, at least for now, emphasizing the risks posed by violent individuals feeding their urges through torturing animals is crucial. It is also a fact that study after study has shown an undeniable correlation between animal abuse and child abuse. Although overstated, it is a fact that most serial killers start their careers by butchering innocent animals.

Animal cruelty and violence

According to a classic study conducted by DeViney, Dickert, & Lockwood in 1983, frequently cited by animal rights groups, child abuse and animal cruelty are strongly correlated. The study surveyed pet-owning families with substantiated child abuse and neglect and found that animals were abused in 88 percent of homes where physical child abuse was present. Another study on women seeking shelter at a safe house showed that 71 percent of those having pets affirmed that their partner had threatened, hurt or killed their companion animals. Another study found that offenders incarcerated in maximum-security prisons were significantly more likely than nonviolent offenders to have committed childhood acts of cruelty toward pets (Merz-Perez, Heide, & Silverman, 2001). Scientifically speaking, society is taking a huge risk by letting acts of animal cruelty go unchecked.

State Minister Hayati Yazıcı, Arman informed us, also signed the petition, which will be sent to the Prime Ministry and the Justice Ministry at the end of the campaign. “We are also trying to schedule a meeting with the prime minister,” Arman said. Volunteers in 11 other provinces are also collecting signatures.

Arman’s stand will be in front of the Galatasaray High School until Oct. 4, known in Turkey as Animal Day. She and the other protestors collect signatures between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

29 August 2010, Sunday – Barış ALTINTAŞ, İstanbul

2010-08-24T12:14:00.008+03:00

I'm Dyeing !!!

It all started with a surprise gift from Marie-Louise, a dear friend in Belgium, an out-of-print book on samplers accompanied with a few metres of hand-dyed silk floss.

I had long wanted to experiment dyeing fibre and this beautiful, shiny little string triggered the neglected appetite of mine :) I was lucky to find a few powder colour dyes and bought two ( Khaki and Jean Blue ) while in town and zoomed home for the very first and curious journey of dyeing! The result - in my opinion - was glorious :)

The second trial was with one of the powder dyes that I had since 30 years that I had used for my batik then. I chose colour red to go with the blue above but was not very happy with the combination and re-dyed the reds by pouring the same blue over and the result was rewarding :) I thought I would get a nice purple hue but to my surprise it was a beautiful shade of brown!

And a nice view of the three musketeers :)

With the uncontrollable speed of enthusiasm, I dyed the white muslin dress that I have been wearing all summer long ... I was very much impressed with the result and especially happy to see that my new dress went very well with the Indian scarf that I had bought years and years ago and had embroidered the edges with beads myself then :)

You see, I have been quite busy despite the unbearable heat here ... My dyeing adventure continues with one last project and that is dyeing with Tang though not much of colour choices/flavours here ... We do not have Kool Aid here and I was curious to see the result with edible dyes! Got cherry, peach and orange. Peach and orange turned out to be very close in colour. I used Pure by the Knit Box, a luxurious 100% pure blend of Turkish 80% merino and 20% mohair :)

By the way, the Knit Box will have a stand at the " I Knit Weekender " in London ... Figen dear, I would have loved to be there with you!

2010-08-13T15:22:00.004+03:00

Minia

Beginning of 2010, I had hopes to start a series of mini samplers. Minia is one of them ... One of the three that I had managed to finalize then ... My favourate of the three ... So, it gets the honour to be exposed, used and abused for a very good cause :)

Anyone who likes this design of mine and is willing to get a FREE copy, please SIGN the petition announced below. Then, get in touch with me to inform of the name used for the petition and the e-mail where you want the pattern to be sent.

The pattern will again be presented as a PDF file and as long as there is a demand, will be sent at the end of each day ( my day which is GMT +2 ).

Am looking forward to your contribution for this noble cause!

2010-08-12T07:00:00.005+03:00

Sadly and unfortunately, the animal rights decree - decree number 5199 - ratified by the Turkish National Assembly (TBMM) on June 24th, 2004 is suffering neglection and many crimes against innocent animals are reluctantly handled or not handled at all ...

Please help us reach 5.199.000 signatures FOR JUSTICE FOR INNOCENT ANIMALS ... We need your support to remind the local authorities their duties !!!

PLEASE SIGN ... 6 easy steps!

1. Your Name
2. Select OTHER COUNTRIES
3. Type in 123456
4. Your e-mail
5. Type in the Security code on left
6. Hit GÖNDER

DONE :) THANK YOU!

2010-08-11T07:00:00.009+03:00

Bazılarınıza çok zahmet olacak ama, HAYDİ pamuk eller TIK TIKLAYIN bakalım!

TC 5199 sayılı

HAYVANLARI KORUMA YASASI

değişikliği için DİLEKÇE

2010-08-10T11:44:00.012+03:00

Watch and ACT NOW !!!

...animals have not been as critical to the advancement of medicine as is typically claimed by proponents of animal experimentation.

Moreover, a great deal of animal experimentation has been misleading and resulted in either withholding of drugs, sometimes for years, that were subsequently found to be highly beneficial to humans, or to the release and use of drugs that, though harmless to animals, have actually contributed to human suffering and death.

Jane Goodall 'Reason for Hope', 1999

Sign the Pledge Against Animal Testing

Once you look into the list of companies below by PETA, you will see that you are contributing to this crime with at least one product available at home now. I am HORRIFIED to see today that I have been sponsoring these criminals for years and years. About time we all look into what we're buying and from whom!

COMPANIES THAT DO TEST ON ANIMALS

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these companies included on the 'Do Test' list?

The following companies manufacture products that ARE tested on animals. Those marked with a  are currently observing a moratorium (i.e., current suspension of) on animal testing. Please encourage them to announce a permanent ban. Listed in parentheses are examples of products manufactured by either the company listed or, if applicable, its parent company. For a complete listing of products manufactured by a company on this list, please visit the company's Web site or contact the company directly for more information. Companies on this list may manufacture individual lines of products without animal testing (e.g., Clairol claims that its Herbal Essences line is not animal-tested). They have not, however, eliminated animal testing from their entire line of cosmetics and household products.
Similarly, companies on this list may make some products, such as pharmaceuticals, that are required by law to be tested on animals. However, the reason for these companies' inclusion on the list is not the animal testing that they conduct that is required by law, but rather the animal testing (of personal-care and household products) that is not required by law.

What can be done about animal tests required by law?

Although animal testing of pharmaceuticals and certain chemicals is still mandated by law, the arguments against using animals in cosmetics testing are still valid when applied to the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. These industries are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, respectively, and it is the responsibility of the companies that kill animals in order to bring their products to market to convince the regulatory agencies that there is a better way to determine product safety. PETA is actively working on this front by funding the development and validation of non-animal test methods and providing input through our involvement on government advisory committees at both the national and international levels. Companies often resist progress and, instead of using human-relevant non-animal tests, choose to use animal tests because their results can be manipulated. Let companies know how you feel about this.

Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight), P.O. Box 1625, Horsham, PA 19044-6625; 609-683-5900; 800-524-1328; http://www.armhammer.com/

Bic Corporation, 1 Bic Way, Ste.1, Shelton, CT 06484; 203-783-2000; http://www.bicworld.com/

Church & Dwight (Aim, Arm & Hammer, Arrid, Brillo, Close-up, Kaboom, Lady's Choice, Mentadent, Nair, Orange Glo International, Oxi Clean, Pearl Drops), P.O. Box 1625, Horsham, PA 19044-6625; 609-683-5900; 800-524-1328; http://www.churchdwight.com/

Clairol (Aussie, Daily Defense, Herbal Essences, Infusium 23, Procter & Gamble), 1 Blachley Rd., Stamford, CT 06922; 800-252-4765; http://www.clairol.com/

Clorox (ArmorAll, Formula 409, Fresh Step, Glad, Liquid Plumber, Pine-Sol, Soft Scrub, S.O.S., Tilex), 1221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612; 510-271-7000; 800-227-1860; http://www.clorox.com/

Dial Corporation (Dry Idea, Purex, Renuzit, Right Guard, Soft & Dri), 15101 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 5028, Scottsdale, AZ 85254-2199; 800-528-0849; http://www.dialcorp.com/

Johnson & Johnson (Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Listerine, Lubriderm, Neutrogena, Rembrandt, ROC), 1 Johnson & Johnson Plz., New Brunswick, NJ 08933; 732-524-0400; 800-526-3967; http://www.jnj.com/

L'Oréal (Biotherm, Cacharel, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Helena Rubinstein, Lancôme, Matrix Essentials, Maybelline, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Redken, Soft Sheen, Vichy), 575 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10017; 212-818-1500; http://www.loreal.com/

Max Factor (Procter & Gamble), 1 Procter & Gamble Plz., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 513-983-1100; 800-543-1745; http://www.maxfactor.com/

Mead, 10 W. Second St., #1, Dayton, OH 45402; 937-495-6323; http://www.meadweb.com/

Melaleuca, 3910 S. Yellowstone Hwy., Idaho Falls, ID 83402-6003; 208-522-0700; http://www.melaleuca.com/

New Dana Perfumes, 470 Oakhill Rd., Crestwood Industrial Park, Mountaintop, PA 18707; 800-822-8547

Olay (Procter & Gamble), P.O. Box 599, Cincinnati, OH 45201; 800-543-1745; http://www.oilofolay.com/

Pantene (Procter & Gamble), 1 Procter & Gamble Plz., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 800-945-7768; http://www.pantene.com/

Physique (Procter & Gamble), 1 Procter & Gamble Plz., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 800-214-8957; http://www.physique.com/

Ponds (Unilever), 800 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; 800-909-9493; http://www.ponds.com/

Procter & Gamble Co. (Clairol, Crest, Gillette, Giorgio, Iams, Max Factor, Physique, Tide), 1 Procter & Gamble Plz., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 513-983-1100; 800-543-1745; http://www.pg.com/

Reckitt Benckiser (Easy Off, Lysol, Mop & Glo, Old English, Resolve, Spray 'N Wash, Veet, Woolite), 399 Interpace Pkwy., Parsippany, NJ 07054; 973-633-3600; 800-333-3899; http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/

Shiseido Cosmetics, 5-5, Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-k, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan; 212-805-2300; http://www.shiseido.com/

Schering-Plough (Bain de Soleil, Coppertone, Dr. Scholl's), 2000 Galloping Hill Rd., Kenilworth, NJ 07033-0530; 800-842-4090; http://www.sch-plough.com/

S.C. Johnson (Drano, Edge, Fantastik, Glade, OFF!, Oust, Pledge, Scrubbing Bubbles, Shout, Skintimate, Windex, Ziploc), 1525 Howe St., Racine, WI 53403; 800-494-4855; http://www.scjohnson.com/

Suave (Unilever), 800 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; 212-888-1260; 800-782-8301; http://www.suave.com/

Unilever (Axe, Dove, Lever Bros., Suave, Sunsilk), 800 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; 212-888-1260; 800-598-1223; http://www.unilever.com/

Vicks (Procter & Gamble), 1 Procter & Gamble Plz., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 513-983-1100; 800-543-1745; http://www.pg.com/

Support PETA Campaigns

LIST of companies that DO NOT TEST on animals ...

2010-07-22T17:42:00.000+03:00

My friend Esin Atabeyli ... Look what she did with my little angels and some shibori scraps from her stash!

Look at this!

Well ... Don't bother looking for the border pattern. What you see here is the only copy available. She improvised it whilst travelling ... At her leisure!

And look at these babies :)

All improvised!

2010-07-19T13:41:00.000+03:00

A favourate dish of the Aegean ... And amazingly enough, best done by the people of Mardin, a south-eastern town of Turkey, hundreds of miles away from the closest sea!

The inevitable end!

2010-07-16T14:24:00.013+03:00

Weather here? Well ... Slightly cooler than hell!

Saw the lavender wands in one of the blogs. Luckily, I still have lavenders in the garden and one of the two ribbon colours available at home suited the cause real fine! Instructions : HERE and many more links HERE :)

Also found this in one of flicr albums ... What a wonderful idea!

Lavender has been noted for thousands of years. Pliny the Elder says that its blossom, called Asarum, sold for a hundrend Roman denarii. The Greeks called it Nardus, after a city in Syria on the banks of the Euphrates. It was used by the ancients in perfuming bathwater, and for strewing on the floors of temples and houses. It was cultivated in England for the first time around 1560, and is mentioned in the writings of William Shakespeare.

Medicinally, lavender has many uses. Culpeper recommends "a decoction made with the flowers of Lavender, Horehound, Fennel and Asparagus root, and a little Cinnamon" to help with epilepsy and other disorders of the brain. Tincture of lavender has been officially recognized as a treatment in the British Pharmacopceia for two centuries.

Magically speaking, lavender is often associated with love spells, as well as for workings to bring calmness and peace. To bring love your way, carry lavender flowers in a sachet on your person, or hang stalks of it in your home. To get a good night's sleep, with calming dreams, stuff a pillow with sprigs of lavender. It can also be used in a purifying bath or smudging ritual.

Other Names: Nardus, Elf-leaf
Gender: Masculine
Element: Air
Planetary Connection: Mercury

2010-07-13T18:29:00.001+03:00

I had mentioned this kit before ... Stitching on and off, finished yesterday!

2010-07-03T15:16:00.009+03:00

Canon in D Major

Johan C. Pachelbel

Performed by Jay Lim

Highest record with over 75 Million Views!

This is what I call a talent. Interview : HERE

2010-07-01T15:13:00.005+03:00

Sun of a Strawberry

This is what I want to call today's activity ... Making jam with sun! Sun jam is a memory from my childhood ... I had first seen it done in a little town on the Mediterranean coast. It was surprising to see people leaving their jam jars outside, in the sun. I later learn that this was how they prepared their jam. Their favourates were cherry and peach ... I shall use strawberries!

Drain and add sugar. Normally, the ratio is 1:1 ... That means, if you have 1 kg of fruits, you will need 1 kg of sugar. I use much lesser sugar!

Place it on very low heat until sugar melts ... Remove! Poor into a glass jar ... Add a couple lemon salt (citric acid) flakes as a preservative; cover with a clean muslin and wrap tightly.

Keep in the sun for about 30 days. Next project will hopefully be : sun of a peach :)

2010-07-01T07:33:00.000+03:00

Following my recent post on lacy edging with coton floche, as predicted then, I ended up choosing a pattern from Estonian lace (Crown Prince Square Shawl). Finished the first of the pair that will serve as cuffs to one of my sweaters :)

2010-06-30T07:00:00.070+03:00

I thought this to be a quite interesting way of presenting and preserving a darning sampler. Surely, there is no way I could know if this was done by its owner or later by one of the family members. May be this is very normal to a German lady and is mundane. Nevertheless, of all the zillion samplers, I have not yet seen one like this. It is sewn into a form of envelop and the bearer had something in mind to place in it. The wrapped width is only 22 cm, so it cannot be meant for lingerie. May be to place a hand-written note to the dear one, who knows!

I want to preserve it as is but, using my simple picture software flavoured with determined patience, managed to cut & paste the corners along with the central bit, made the necessary rotations, retouches ... And voila, this is how it should look if the pompom was to be removed and the linen ironed flat :)

Not well visible from the pictures above but there are five different darning samples and here are the close-ups :

2010-06-29T07:00:00.015+03:00

This is too funny not to share ... It really made me laugh out loud :)

A recent scientific study found that women find different male faces attractive depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle.

For example, when a woman is ovulating, she will prefer a man with rugged, masculine features. However, when she is menstruating, she prefers a man doused in petrol and set on fire, with scissors stuck in his eye and a cricket stump shoved up his backside!

2010-06-28T08:37:00.002+03:00

Berlin Work sampler from the US ... However, of German or Austrian origin ... Possibly late 19th or early 20th!

2010-06-27T21:25:00.002+03:00

Another lazy day ... The heat is back after a few nice cool days!

I like the lacy edgings ... I have loads of lace weight yarn in my stash but still keep stockpiling. A new arrival yesterday is from the US. Coton Floche for embroidery but I shall probably use them for the nice knitted lacy cotton edging. Their accomplice will be size 1.5 needles ... The seller told me that they are from 1920. I do not know if that really is the case but they were very reasonably priced; very hard to ignore and resist. Each ninety nine-meters and thirty-four of them in their original box!

Now, I need to decide what pattern to use. Among many wonderful samples, I keep clinging on my Estonian Lace by Nancy Bush. And use little pearl beads instead of the nupps!

2010-06-26T07:00:00.006+03:00

Knitting Socks

Men knitting socks at their leisure after work as an additional income to their family budget. The men of Yenikaraağaç village of Bursa province in north-western Turkey, have been knitting socks since 80 years after migrating to their new home from Thessaloniki, Greece.

One of the elder gentlemen, Mr Yusuf Hilmişen (63), says he knits five pairs a day ... Probaby keeping the doctor away :)

However, somehow they do not look very happy :)

2010-06-25T07:00:00.010+03:00

Some Humour Today :)

2010-06-24T09:28:00.004+03:00

No, I have not seen your lipstick!

2010-06-23T07:00:00.021+03:00

SORRY, this has to be Turkish ...

Beni izleyen bazı Türklere sormak istiyorum : Bir dakikadan bile az bir süreyi niçin bana çok görüyorsunuz?

Hadi hayvanlar umurunuzda değil; paylaştığım resimlere bakmak, bedelsiz desenleri indirmek için vakit buluyorsunuz da, niçin birkaç saniyenizi beni mutlu etmek adına harcayamıyorsunuz?

Burada birkaç kere mağdur hayvanlar için desteğinizi istedim ... Destek vermek bu kadar mı zor geliyor size?

Tanıdığım ve bu blogu izlediğini bildiğim isimlerin bir çoğunu dilekçe listelerinde göremiyorum. İçiniz o kadar mı sevgisiz; o kadar mı acıma yok yüreğinizde? Bu kadar mı duyarsızsınız, hiç anlayamıyorum!

Bilginiz olsun, dilekçelere imza atmak da BEDAVA!

2010-06-22T19:13:00.003+03:00

Some daylight pictures of Adaev and Adasofra that I had introduced a few months ago ...

2010-06-21T22:47:00.005+03:00

2010-06-20T07:00:00.009+03:00

Myndos

Yesterday, Myndos ( modern Gümüşlük ) was one of the stops in our path while touring the peninsula with mom. Myndos is a site under protection but still too commercial to my taste. Nevertheless, still very very beautiful if you could focus into the innocent details :)

Only a few minutes drive from Myndos, there is a wonderful spot "Limon" where you can have a delicious lunch; a romantic sunset or just dine-and-wine!

2010-06-19T10:41:00.002+03:00

Silk Road

Now live and free with

The Caron Collection

2010-06-18T19:47:00.002+03:00

Aybüke Baran

An exceptional woman with an exceptional collection and ability! We met her yesterday in one of her boutiques which are full of dresses, blouses, scarves, hats ... Shortly, anything a woman would want to possess ... All hand-made ... Lace and embroidery in various forms ... Antique and vintage!

Aybüke does not yet have a webpage but until then, I took loads of pictures for you to enjoy her treasures :)

2010-06-17T22:06:00.007+03:00

Yaşam Hakkı İçin

DİLEKÇE

Niğde'de tecavüze uğrayan köpek ve yavruları için

Sadece BİR DAKİKA lütfen!

2010-06-17T19:52:00.001+03:00

Mom is here since Monday and I get a chance to socialize taking her around. We were visiting Dibeklihan again and met Cenap Tezer, the founder and mayor of the little art town ...

He was very kind to invite us to his office and surely, I took the opportunity to shoot the impressive surrounding walls full of art objects :)

And here is mom with her new ethnic Afghan hat :)

Our day ended with these wonderful snapshots while touring at the other end of the peninsula!

2010-06-16T07:00:00.030+03:00

I had introduced Tevfik Türen Karagözoğlu a couple months ago ... I was lucky to see his new collection and am most impressed to share them with you again ...

2010-06-15T21:57:00.001+03:00

2010-06-14T08:38:00.005+03:00

2010-06-13T21:26:00.002+03:00

Darning-mending sampler

Possibly early 1900 - Germany

2010-06-12T07:00:00.040+03:00

I am always fascinated by bottles, coloured glass ... Especially primitives! Today, the colourful world of the fragile beauties; snapshots from various locations and occassions :)

2010-06-11T20:37:00.000+03:00

2010-06-10T10:25:00.006+03:00

This will have to be in Turkish cause we live in a country where some natural rights are confiscated by law! One of them is access to Youtube !!! But thanks to some genius, there is a way to break this nonsense and I shall be addressing it to my Turkish audience :)

Bildiğiniz gibi, Youtube'a girmek bir ızdırap olmaya devam ediyor. Daha önceden kullanılan DNS ayarlarını da bloke etmeyi başardılar. Ktunnel gibi proxy linkler de çok randımanlı değil. Dün biraz araştırdım, Firefox tarayıcı ile basit bir-iki işlem sonucu, tekrar rahatlıkla girebiliyorum. Sizlere de önermek istedim ... Bağlantı için BURAYI tıklayın ... Umarım bunu da kitlemezler :) Kolay gelsin!