A fiber artist nightmare

In the process of sorting out the stuff from GGH house, I spread out moth crystals just because some of the old items had old holes and I wanted to be careful because there are over 700 lbs of wool in my rugs on my floors, not to mention the wool in my sewing room that I use for crocheting, knitting, felting, embroidery, and wool to make more rugs and wool in sweaters and other clothes such as winter hats and things. There's probably well over 1000 lbs of wool in this house, maybe more. I usually spread crystals twice a year when we go on week-long vacations so we don't have to live with the smell.

In GGH stuff there was a box that was opened last night around 10 pm; it had a funny, musty smell. It had two rugs and three pillows and was set aside to air out. Today I brought the opened clear plastic box from the basement to the main floor of my home, over two wool rugs and such. Then it was taken to my wash room where it was left for about 3 hours, open still. Then, around noon, I washed the first rug and left the room. When I came back to wash the second rug that was stored in the box, I noticed white things on it. Well, they sort of looked like white inch worms with brownish, reddish heads. I was panic stricken; called my mother-in-law scared of what I thought they might be. Asked her what cloth moths look like, and while talking to her I was googling it. At the same time, I was looking at the clear plastic box closer when I noticed some insects with wings. I instantly reached for the cupboard next to me and dumped a half gallon of ammonia in the box and closed it; did the same to my washer. Yes, they are moth larvae and cloth moths, themselves, and probably eggs. Terror is the only way to describe the way I felt at that moment. All the things I had spent years and years making are now in danger of moths. I had always been so careful (whenever I buy old or thrifted items they are placed in garbage bags in the garage and the bags have moth crystal them. 2 to 4 weeks later I wash the items and dry them, then bring them into the home). I always had crystals on hand for if anything came into my home. But I wasn't prepared for tons of boxes coming into my home that had been stored in a myriad of places over the years and some stored unclean, a real big no, no.

Now my house smells of moth crystals and our praying mantis has to go live at my husband's work and maybe the fish, too I will take them tonight when I pick him up. I don't want to kill innocent by-standers. But, usually, I don't live in my home, either, when I spread crystals. It isn't good for humans, either, definitely not in this amount, anyway.

But there is no way I am going to let them set up housekeeping in my home, either!

Clover edging / baby lace

Pattern on Ravely and etsy

I finished the yellow edging, made 21 yards. I still need to finish the red one. My middle daughter decided to give crochet a try, again. I think she gets it this time with this pattern because it is so simple. She is using green cebelia for her piece of lace. I decided to modify the pattern a little for her next project, so she has to think just a tiny bit more; don't want to scare her off the project. It will be as follows:

my weekend in photos

Coming down the canyon, snow starting to fall (yes I have a cracked windshield) and look at all the pretty fall-colored leaves on the trees. Woke up Sunday to snow all around, and the kids made their traditional haunted ginger bread house. The kit looks very similar to last year's Easter kit rather than one for Halloween.

It is not a garage/basement sale

This is what my basement looks like at the moment. My extended family (my father-in-law, mother-in- law, uncle-in- law, and aunt- in-law) are trying to go through GGH stuff. I have an empty basement, so it seemed like a good place to do this, especially since, yes, there is snow outside. Found a few more of GGH aprons; will post them later. For now, this is my basement 'till most of it is gone through tonight. It was so neat unpacking all the boxes that have been stored for about 5 years. The trunks had been in storage since about 1930; real neat opening them up. Such pretty, old photos; too bad they are not named, so we do not know who the family members are. Sad, most of her items got tossed in the quick move, but I think a lot of the important stuff is here, like her handwork; stacks and stacks of handwork, both hers and her mother's. Sorry, bad lighting in an unfinished basement. Just so you know, the linens are not actually sitting on the floor; there is a tarp between them and the dirty cement.