Welcome!

I’m Robin Habunek, founder and proprietor of Lavender Way.

The love of gardening, particularly herb gardening, has led me to working with and using botanicals in many of my products, from greeting cards to soft cloth dolls. We seem to collect and save many different types of items as we move through life, treasures that sometimes get passed onto the next generation.

Lavender Way is my way of reshaping, recycling and creating new memories. Please use the menu links above to see what we have to offer…everything from Memory Bears, Cards, Dolls, Sachets, Plushies, Gnomes, Mini Quilts, Driftwood, Slate, Wreath and Fabric Arts, Seasonal Creations and so much more. All unique, eco-friendly, and created just for YOU.

Please stop over and see all we have to offer when you have a moment.

This blog came about as a way to interact with folks, as well as to post the latest info on my creations, AND showcase musings I’ve come up with over the years. Hope you enjoy taking a look around.

Best,

Robin

Lavender Oil is easy way to remove Mothball smell.

When selling a house, a closet that smells like mothballs is a big turnoff for many buyers, said Fabienne Lecole, an associate real-estate broker at William Raveis in New York.

“It’s not attractive at all,” she said. “It’s a very strong and unusual smell that reminds me of my great-great-great-grandmother.”

And it could make your entire home seem just as dated. Beyond objections to the smell, buyers might also have health concerns. Mothballs are usually made with naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — pesticides that can be harmful to people and animals.

Unfortunately, eliminating the odor isn’t simply a matter of removing the mothballs. Even after they’re gone and the clothing that was stored with them has been cleaned, the smell can linger.

“It’s actually really hard to get rid of it,” said Lecole, who encountered the problem in an apartment she listed as part of an estate sale. Her solution? A deep cleaning, scented candles and lots of patience.

There are more reliable ways of eliminating the odor.

If you’re considering renovating the closet, removing the existing fixtures and drywall will immediately solve the problem, said Melanie Charlton, CEO of the New York closet design company Clos-ette.

But you needn’t go to such lengths. “If you’re not demolishing and taking shelves out,” Charlton said, “the most effective way to remove the smell — and it’s the simplest thing ever — is lavender oil.”

Scatter lavender sachets around the space and dab lavender essential oil directly on the shelves with your fingertip or a cotton swab.

“It won’t hurt the wood,” she said. “It’s actually moisturizing.” The oil is “so aromatic and antiseptic that it will take out that smell” in a matter of days, she said, leaving a scent that most people find pleasing.

The oil also offers continued protection against moths, she added. “And it’s not poisonous. You can forget moths and any other bugs that might be there.”

It might sound too good to be true, but when it comes to closets, Charlton said, lavender is ” the most amazing essential oil there is.”

Fat’ hummingbird migration in full force, keep those feeders up

Mary Ann Thomas | Thursday, September 10, 2020 12:33 p.m.

Their bags are packed for a 1,000-plus mile flight to Mexico and South America. The essential luggage for a ruby-throated hummingbird? Up to an extra gram of fat.

Yes, fat on the smallest breeding bird in the eastern United States is discernible, desirable for migration and definitely measured at the banding station at Powdermill Nature Reserve of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Cook, Westmoreland County.

Pennsylvania’s only breeding hummingbird species, the ruby-throated leaves heavier in fall migration than when they arrived in mid-April.

The region is in peak hummingbird fall migration, which is between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20, said Annie Lindsay, bird banding program manager at Powdermill’s environmental research station. Powdermill has operated the banding station since 1961, making it the longest running, year-round station in the country.

Last week, the station netted 25 hummers in a single day, which is a lot but doesn’t break the birding station’s single day high of 39. On Wednesday, banders caught 14.

“Once they’re done breeding, their next job is to eat and migrate,” Lindsay said.

With the smallest bands imaginable, much smaller than a pea, maybe the size of that tiny screw that holds the joint together on a pair of eyeglasses, Powdermill banders and volunteers are getting the job done.

They notice and record the larger size of the hummers heading south.

“We assume a bird that is really fat is ready to leave,” Lindsay said.

Normally, the 3-inch ruby-throated hummingbird weights 3 to 3.5 grams — about the weight of several paper clips. They can gain 0.2 grams to a whole gram of fat before migration, according to Powdermill records.

“One of the misconceptions is hummingbirds won’t migrate if feeders are up but that is not true,” she said. The changing amount of daylight is one of the drivers prodding them to move on, Lindsay said.

In fact, regional and state experts advise keeping hummingbird feeders up until late October and changing the sugar water every three days.

The hummingbirds undeniably love the feeders.

The birds are widely distributed throughout Pennsylvania and is a “species good at taking advantage of suburban habitat,” said Sean Murphy, the state ornithologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“They are a natural phenomenon that hits you in the face on how wonderful nature can be,” he said.

They are peculiar in how small and fast they are, but there are other interesting qualities such as the fact that, unlike a number of other bird species who also migrate south, hummers migrate alone and during the day, he noted.

“They rise in the morning, fuel up on flowers nearby and spend the day migrating and at the end of the day and they will stop and fuel up before night.”

It’s all the more important to keep up feeders to help the late migrants, which are usually females and juveniles, he said.

“If they are lucky to find your feeder and fuel for the night, that will benefit them for the rest of their trek,” he said.|

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, mthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter

Sewing pattern copyright law – myths debunked

Sewing pattern copyright law – myths debunked

By Deby from So Sew Easy

There were a couple of articles in July that had a lot of interest, both about sewing to sell.  How to price your work and a round up of projects that are good to sell.

Good to see so many people were interested in this subject, but at the same time I got such a lot of emails telling me that it was illegal to sell things you had made from either someone else’s sewing pattern, or from licensed fabric.  Or that you had to buy a licence from the pattern designer if you wanted to sell an item made from their pattern, known as a cottage licence.  Or that if you want to make more than one item (such as 3 matching bridesmaid dresses) that you have to buy a new pattern for each person!  Sadly it only proves that there is a lot of mis-information out there which is holding you and your business back!

So I got in touch with a couple of contacts, one of whom is a lawyer, and another who has a lot of personal experience in copyright law, and scoured the internet looking for definitive advice on this subject.  There is too much nonsense out there.  I had to wade through a lot of people who were apparently stating a fact but in the end were just really passing on hearsay and opinion without any basis in fact at all, and thereby just perpetuating the myth that you cannot sell certain items.

I’m trying to put the record straight here in an easy to understand way, but at the same time it is a VERY complicated area and opinions, even legal opinions, can sometimes vary.  Please therefore make your own enquiries with your lawyer if you wish to set up any kind of business and think these sort of restrictions might apply to you and your products.  Different laws may also apply to different regions of the world.  Check your local laws.

Sewing pattern Copyright law – myths debunked

I’m aware that some of which I state here below may be controversial, and not everyone will either agree with me or like what I say.  Of course as usual all comments and feedback are welcome.  If you do make a statement of fact that relates to the law regarding sewing patterns and copyright, that contradicts any of these statements below, please provide a source in law where such information can be found and verified.  Saying this isn’t true because I read it on the internet, only provides even more confusion and passes on inaccurate information which is something we are trying to avoid.

1 – If you make something yourself from a commercially available sewing pattern, it is illegal to sell it because of copyright laws.

Not true.  A sewing pattern itself may be subject to copyright law, but that is only the pattern illustrations, diagrams, written instructions and the pattern envelope art (sometimes, again there are limitations).  That means that you cannot simply photocopy or scan in the sewing pattern and then sell copies of it.  Naturally, I’m sure you wouldn’t do that.  Although if you look on Etsy there are plenty of seemingly illegal copies of sewing/knitting patterns and even scanned copies of whole books on there.  But that’s another matter for another day…

You CAN sell things that you make from sewing patterns, with only minor limitations (see later).  A pattern is simply that – a template to follow to create a uniform item.  You add your own artistic flare to what you create using that template.  What you make is your property and is yours to do with as you will.

Will this happen if you sell what you sew? Absolutely not.

In legal-ese.  Patterns for clothing and other useful items generally are not copyrightable. See Supreme Court – Baker v Selden, 101 U.S. 99, (1878).  Even if patterns were copyrightable, the product made from the pattern would not be covered  by the copyright. see Baker v Selden, (1878). Copyright owners only have the rights defined under copyright law and cannot make statements that restrict the subsequent use of their product once they have sold it. see Supreme Court – Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus, 210 U.S. 339, (1908)

As you can see, these Supreme Court rulings established certain factors over 100 years ago, and those have not changed since that time.

You might enjoy this interesting TED Talk about copyright in the fashion industry that explains how utilitarian items cannot be subject to copyright.

So if I saw a cat-walk dress I loved, I could create a pattern for how to make a similar item and you could all sew up similar dresses, no problem. That’s how the high-street stores are able to create copies of designer clothing.

2 – If you buy an ‘indie’ pattern and then find right at the end it says for personal use only, or not for commercial use etc, then you aren’t allowed to sell any items you make using that pattern.

Not true.  These terms are trying to impose a contract between the pattern seller and the buyer.  But for a contract to be legally binding, both parties have to be fully aware of all of the terms of that contract and both expressly agree to them before entering into that contract – at the point of the purchase of the pattern.

In legal-ese. Unless the purchaser agrees to the restriction before the sale. the limitations on the product do not apply.  (Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus) The non-commercial limitation is not legally binding upon the purchaser because the manufacturer lacks the legal standing to make such demands.

3 – What about the designers who want to charge you for a ‘licence’ to sell what you made from their pattern? 

Angel licences, sometimes called cottage licences, are agreements between two parties. If you purchase the pattern without first agreeing to limitations the same applies as in #2. These licences are attempts by designers to get around copyright law.  Don’t fall for it and pay out money for a licence you don’t need and isn’t worth anything.

If a pattern designer expresses their wish that you do not sell items created from the pattern, then you may decide to simply use another pattern, there are lots out there.  Don’t waste your time and money on pattern designers who are overly-restrictive or unco-operative.

4 – You can’t sell items made with ‘licensed’ fabric, such as Dr Who fabric.  That’s illegal and the BBC will come after you for making forgeries, illegal copies of their products or going outside of the licence agreement for the fabric.

Not necessarily true.  Licensed fabric means the design was licensed by the rights owner to be manufactured. The licence is between those two parties, not between the manufacturer and the fabric buyer.  There is no license on the use of the fabric as long as the user insures that when selling the items it is very clear to any potential purchaser that the product is not an official licensed product but rather made from licensed fabric. We suggest users include a Disclaimer when advertising anything made in this way.

Read more about the use of licensed fabrics here. Are there ‘restrictions’ printed in the selvege edge of your fabric?  These restrictions aren’t legally binding on the fabric purchaser – read more about that here.

5 – What about those designers who insist you ‘credit’ them by adding a notice to your sales pages and a tag to the item saying it was made with their pattern? 

Depends where you live.  American copyright law does not require the original author be given credit as you describe. European copyright law does require attribution but Congress declined to add that to American copyright law.  Their demands for credit are not legally enforceable.

6 – You must purchase a pattern for EVERY item you make.

Not true.  Patterns are reusable and there is nothing in the law that allows any pattern designer/manufacturer to set such a limit on the number of items that can be produced from the pattern, even if they are items of clothing intended for different people.  Imagine if you had two daughters and wanted to make them matching dresses – why would you need to buy two patterns?  The same applies even if you are sewing items to sell.

MARCH – National Caffeine Awareness Month

March is Caffeine Awareness Month 3/2019

Moderately drunk, coffee removes vapours from the brain, occasioned by fumes of wine, or other strong liquors; eases pains in the head, prevents sour belchings, and provokes appetite.”                                      -England’s Happiness Improved (1699)

Vapours, or Brain Fog can definitely weigh down one’s ability to focus, especially in the workplace. A cup of coffee may help bring some mental clarity. The caffeine in coffee has been shown to increase alertness, improve mood, boost cognitive function, and make you feel less tired. It’s no wonder why 85% of the US population relies on caffeine to start their day. Tea and coffee are still the most popular pick-me-ups choices.

Most people don’t think of coffee as an herb. However, if we define an herb as a medicinal plant, then not only is coffee an herb, it’s one of the most popular herbs in the world, with over 500 billion cups of coffee being consumed annually, and over 75 million people making their livelihood from coffee.  Tea can be considered both an herb or a spice.

Real tea comes from a tea bush, whereas herbal tea comes from other plants. But herbal tea also comes from leaves. Therefore, as regular tea is similar, despite the fermentation process, I would consider tea to be an herb before a spice.

Tea is a key part of social engagements, where it plays a central role in political meetings and celebrating special occasions. Tea culture varies dramatically in style from Japanese tea ceremonies to a simple afternoon cuppa with friends and family on the veranda.

Teatime is by its very nature a combination of small luxuries arranged in social symmetry. And although tea for one is certainly a fine thing, the addition of a circle of dear friends to share it with ensures the whole is larger than the parts.” – Author Unknown

Tea and coffee are not only used for drinking.
Give these fun recipes a try! Give these fun recipes a try!

Coffee Rubbed Steak   Steak of Choice, rub and grill
2 tablespoons coffee grounds NOT instant
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Chamomile Tea bag Brine:
4 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves garlic
1 handful fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
4 chamomile tea bags

For the brine: Add salt, brown sugar, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, tea bags and 2 quarts water to a large
sauce pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool completely.
Add your protein, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Cook accordingly and enjoy!  

Tea Hack: Sometimes our shoes get a bit stinky, but you can use dry teabags to absorb the smell.

Coffee Hack: Freeze leftover Joe in ice cube trays for future iced creations. Add spice or flavorings like cinnamon or nutmeg before freezing for extra zing. Add a few cubes to your next cup of java to create iced coffee that isn’t watered down

April – National Month of Hope

April is NATIONAL MONTH OF HOPE

Spring is a time of renewal, restoration and hope. Recharging and restoring our hope. “During April, buds come into full bloom brightening our days, and National Month of Hope also lends a hand in lifting our spirits.

Bringing hope to someone can take many forms. Being a positive role model in the life of a child or providing a community a foundation for future endeavors both provide hope for the future. Lift the spirits of a friend suffering from a medical issue or volunteer at a local homeless shelter. We are each able to bring a ray of hope in our own ways by contributing wisdom, time, kindness and when possible donate to charities that make the impossible possible.”

Service to others can bring happiness. So it’s hard to be sad when you’re being useful. Whether rappelling down a side of a building to raise funds for Leukemia research, contributing to non-profits like Hope Alliance out of Texas, a crisis center, or The Parkinsons’ Foundation in the hope that one day a cure will be found; or The Confetti Foundation, an org. that packs birthday’s in a box for children spending their birthday’s in the hospital. People everywhere are very helpful by nature and that helpfulness gives us all hope, hope that fills our hearts. A dear friend honors her departed mother each year by committing 71 Random Acts of Kindness on her mother’s birthday. She pays forward at parking meters, in the fast food restaurant line, she and her daughters pack bags of personal care items to distribute to homeless, take donuts to the local fire station, flowers to teachers, and so on throughout the day. They create smiles and spread hope of goodness in human nature.

Being useful and providing service to others is a good thing.

HISTORY

Orion Cinched His Belt Today

An Astronomical Bestiary

Perhaps second only to the Big Dipper in Ursa Major, the constellation of Orion is one of the most recognizable patterns of stars in the northern sky. Orion, the hunter, stands by the river Eridanus and is accompanied by his faithful dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Together they hunt various celestial animals, including Lepus, the rabbit, and Taurus, the bull. According to Greek mythology, Orion was in love with Merope, one of the Seven Sisters who form the Pleiades, but Merope would have nothing to do with him. Orion’s tragic life ended when he stepped on Scorpius, the scorpion. The gods felt sorry for him, so they put him and his dogs in the sky as constellations. They also put all of the animals he hunted up there near him. Scorpius, however, was placed on the opposite side of the sky so Orion would never be hurt by it again.

See also another version of the Orion myth written by Kevin Grey.

From the northern hemisphere, the three bright stars (Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka) in a straight line that form Orion’s Belt are easily visible on the southern horizon in winter evenings. The bright star that forms Orion’s left shoulder is Betelgeuse. The name of this star means “The Armpit of the Central One” in Arabic, which shows that like many other constellations, Orion was recognized across many cultures.

Hanging down from Orion’s belt is his sword that is made up of three fainter stars. The central “star” of the sword is actually not a star at all, but the Great Orion Nebula, one of the regions most studied by astronomers in the whole sky. Nearby is the Horsehead Nebula (IC 434), which is a swirl of dark dust in front of a bright nebula.

My Journey

I was once strong, young, with sturdy limbs, deeply rooted keeping my surroundings in place. I provided shelter and food, a place to climb and comfort. I provided shade to cool the earth around me and for any who would come under my long branches.


Through the course of life, events knocked me off my mooring; I ended up at sea. Drifting many miles, seeing many lands, seeking answers and purpose. While traveling I was able to provide some shelter again and a place of rest for some of God’s creatures. This gave me some comfort.


Yet I floundered, pondering the meanings of this new existence. While moving from sea to sea seeking the yet unknown, I was battered, knocked around and chipped. Pieces of me gone, worn, tired and then ended up on shore again.


I was put to the fire temporarily providing heat, and was sent to sea again to drift, contemplate more. Again seeking, wandering and wondering, experiencing. My roughness worn off though still carrying scars of burn and battering, to beach once again.


I’ve been reclaimed, soothed of the char surrounding my body, limbs long worn down, now wondering if there is still purpose, what purpose for me? My once mighty roots grounded in the strong foundation given to me by another, worn and tired now, is there still hope?


Another life chapter and venture to embark on? Yes, yes there is.
The char is nearly gone now by the diligence of tender loving hands revealing outward beauty and strength within. With renewed vision and resolve, the beauty now seen from within this broken and weakened vessel, has sought and found some answers.


Now rejoicing in the findings and meanings, to once again provide shelter, comfort and sustenance. Sail with me now, there is strength still in my foundation, strong enough, to rejoice and embrace. My sails are full. My Faith restored.


rkh 8.21.15