Dumpster Find!

Ya, I don't know why either. 

But I couldn't leave it in the 

paper recycling dumpster. 

That's just crazy! 

Happy Sunday!!

Driftwood Picture Hanger

I was wondering around Pinterest and came across this:

ahorrarencrisis.com

I liked it but decided  to go bigger:

This was a piece of driftwood we collected in Duluth. I liked it but didn't know what to do with it. Now it has a purpose. I plan to add more pics and move the buffet that sits under it so it becomes the main feature. 

Fun and easy piece! 

Homemade Lantern, er, sorta....

So. I'm reading this book, The Man Who Quit Money, by Mark Sundeen. It's about this guy who decides that money is just a made up stupid thing and he's not going to use it anymore. It's pretty interesting, although I'm only about 30 pages in.

I stopped reading when I came across this, "Oil lamps arranged on small rock ledges around the cave are a more reliable light source. To make one he simply fills a glass jar with vegetable oil, then inserts a short length of cotton cord into a wine cork, which floats on top. A tinfoil barrier keeps the cork from catching fire, and the wick burns for days."

Oh, easy. I'm totally making one of these. So, without consulting the interweb, youtube, or putting much thought into the idea, I decide to set out and make one.

This craft is slightly dangerous and involves an open flame. Please use caution if you attempt to make one yourself. Please find better instructions, please.

Step One. Find a Jar.

Check.

Step Two. Dig up a cork, cotton yarn, and tin foil. 

                       Check.           Check.          And Check. 

Step Three. Vegetable Oil. Check. 

With supplies in hand I set out to create this easy little lantern. A lantern that a man living in a cave uses as a light source. 

Of course, to set the mood one of the first things I do is cut myself. 

Sure, it doesn't look like much but it hurt ok?

Nevermind that, I tell myself. I throw the cotton into some oil to let it soak for a while, drill a hole through my cork, and cut the tinfoil to size. Then I thread my yarn through the cork, and put the tinfoil around the cork and drop it in, where it sinks to the bottom...

It took some finagling but I just nixed the tin foil and rigged up this wire thing. I thought it looked cuter anyway. 

Of course now I see that the tinfoil is supposed to protect the cork, which makes sense since my cork started on fire every time I tried to light the wick. For some reason I just figured the cork wouldn't burn. It does. Smells good though. 

This is NOT a kid friendly craft by the way. 

Anyway. After it burnt the wick and then the cork the flame just dies out. After several more attempts I give up, and clean up, before the husband finds out that I'm playing with fire. He's under enough stress as it is. 

A quick online search gives me some ideas on how to actually make this work. It appears that I should have at least a 6-ply cord or shoelace, I have 4-ply yarn, and I should cut the cork lengthwise to help it float. Maybe I can tackle these tomorrow. 

For now I'll just have some fun with the pics I took. Have a good, safe, weekend!

Paddle Update

Finally did something with the old paddle I found in a dumpster.


First, I went shopping for iron on transfers. I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for. I had been inspired by an artist who printed directly onto pieces of old wood. The effect was pretty cool. Sorry, I don't have a pic. Anyway, JoAnn's had some cute tea towel transfers and I thought I would give it a whirl, no idea if it would even transfer to a hunk of wood. 


If you are interested this is what you're looking for: 

Designs were limited in the store, but there are a bunch online. I chose this:

Just follow the instructions on the package. It turned out pretty well. I ended up adding 3 flowers. I may fill in with paint later, or not, I have yet to decide. The paddle now hangs proudly in my home!

Have a great weekend!

Wrap turned Ugly Blanket

So, making my way through my crochet binder and came across this: 

Easy enough summer knit. I pictured myself wearing it around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and reliving old memories. Then I remembered that I haven't been camping in ages, and Missouri summer nights are not like Wisconsin summer nights. They are hot, and sticky, and I would never be able to wear this anyway. So instead of making 2 panels, I just kept on going. I have a huge stash of yarn that must go and it's going in the form of an ugly blanket, er, retro blanket. 

I will be posting the pattern for anyone who may actually want to make and use the wrap. Its really easy, just double crochet the whole way! 

Weekend Craft Project

Picked up an old fireplace screen for $2 at an estate sale over the weekend. 

A little elbow grease, and ta-daa!

Dumpster Find of the Week!

Find this beauty today. Not sure what I'll do with it, but I couldn't leave it in the dumpster. Plus it was in a recycling, paper only, dumpster. Who would have thought I would find a paddle? Just one. 

Knitting in Springtime

It's always harder to knit when the weather is warm. 
It seems a bit unnatural. 
But I have an entire binder full of knits to get through. 
I better get started. 

Apron Success!

Well, I had to do a little tweaking but I think the apron is a success!
The original pattern called for mercerized cotton thread but I didn't have enough and I could not get the correct gage using what I had. Something must have changed from the 60's. Either crochet hook size or thread count. Of course, crochet is not my forte.
Anyway, this is what I came up with. I gave it my own spin.

The color gives it that extra vintage feel. 

Not quite finished. Still have to weave in loose ends and find a better fitting ribbon but I think it turned out well. I like it so much I think this summer I will make a cute skirt using the same pattern/idea. Although a lighter yarn would be better. I used "I Love This Yarn" 4 ply worsted. 

A Homemade Christmas

Homemade Christmas 2011 was a success! And more rewarding than I think we all imagined. My family is so amazingly talented! 

Here's some of what was made: 

My brother made our dad an amazing walking stick. This pic does not do it justice. He even carved in my dad's initials and a quote. Beautiful. 

This is the hat I made for dad. It says DIG IT! Not to be confuse with digit... My dad worked as a backhoe operator for most of his life and owns his own Dynahoe. Still working hard even though he's technically retired. 

This is the painting my brother made for Hubs and I. We love it. This, weirdly, reminds us of the Wisconsin/Minnesota we miss. 

This is what I made for mom. She was a tough one. I hope she likes it. 

This is what dad made for Hubs. A "manly" desk organizer as he called it. 

This is the less manly? organizer he made me. Love it! Made from 100 yr old reclaimed wood. It smells so good. Sometimes you just got to stop to sniff the wood, you know?

This is the quilt mom made for Hubs and I. We love it! As do the cats. It's so beautiful and perfect. She did a fantastic job!

Here's my sister's gift to Hubs...I brought it home to finish...

Here's my sis's gift to me. Finished. She's more of a sewer than knitter. It's a knitting needle travel thing so I don't have to lug my big bag around on a plane. Super cute!

This is the hat I made for my sis. The moment I came across it I knew I had to make her one. Hope she wears orange while wearing it. 

Well that's not everything but most. My husband's contribution was making food. He made 2 breakfasts, and his amazing bread pudding. 


Reasons to love a homemade Christmas

1. I didn't have to fight the crowds at the mall. Seriously, that was a wonderful, albeit strange feeling. 
2. It's super personal. Not only is it handmade, but handmade for you. So much thought is put into each gift. You're not just giving a generic "one fits all" gift. 
3. Because we currently live far from family it was like being able to take a piece of everyone home with me. Every time I look at our gifts I can't help but think of my family and get a warm and fuzzy feeling.
4. Depending on what you decide to do it can be relatively low cost. The hats cost only a few bucks in yarn. The desk organizers were made from wood dad already had. The walking stick was found in the woods. 
5. Appreciation. You know the work that went into it, and how much you put into yours. You now love it that much more. 

Well, I know Christmas is over, but I hope you consider this idea for the next. I know we are doing it again and this time we have the whole year to decide and make everyone something unique and awesome! 

Hope everyone had a great Christmas, and very happy new year!! Can't wait to see what 2012 has to bring!!!!!