By stephanie, on October 2nd, 2012
I had purchased a cast iron wok, and for some reason that now escapes me, I thought that the box would make a perfect washing machine/dryer for play. So I made one for my little ones to play with. The only thing I bought was the brads, which I needed to have in my crafty house anyway, and really, for less than $1 it didn’t make much of a dent in my wallet!
First, I have to state that this was made easier because there was an insert with a circle already cut out. I used that to make the circle on the front of the box, then cut it out.
Then, I used the cut out piece as a door, trimmed it to be a bit smaller, and cut out a notch in the top so little fingers could grab the door and pull it out. I also cut some small pieces of cardboard to make a latch for the door side. I used duct tape to cover them.
I then used some of the paper that came in another shipment to wrap the outside, used duct tape to secure the front edge, and clear packing tape to secure the paper like a present. To make the duct tape go around the hole, I cut slits every inch or less to help it fit the curve.
I also notched the one side and taped the latch part to the body of the box. I bought some brads to secure the latch to the door, which I covered in paper and decorated to look like clothes.
I used duct tape as the door hinge, and rummaged in the recycling to make buttons and drew with a black magic marker for the other details. Finished!
And action!
The only problem was that since the box was thinner, it tended to topple forward, but my daughter used one of her bigger blocks to weight the bottom. Brilliant kid that one!
Also, when we went away this summer, the duct tape holding the door didn’t stand up to the heated house, so I have to find a better way to secure the hinge.
For the future, I have plans to knit some felted soap nuts/dryer balls, and possibly make a cardboard wash basket.
By stephanie, on September 28th, 2012
However, not much blogging!
I made a shirt for myself and some gifts for my nephew
Knit some squares and spun a little
Did some cooking
Decorated some cakes
Have done a smidge more in the garden then I have on the blog…
…which isn’t much.
And took a trip or two.
What have you been up to? Hopefully I can post more regularly again, but don’t hold me to it!
By stephanie, on May 7th, 2012
cake made by mama
dress made by mama
family and friends
a great day. Huzzah!
By stephanie, on April 20th, 2012
I have completed some things in the past two weeks, all for an afghan swap I decided to take part in. We had to make a 12”x12” square and add in some goodies.
My square is made from Cascade 220 superwash, and I used the Squared Cross Pattern from the first Barbara Walker treasury. I must have cast on about 6-7 times before I got the math and pattern right. I got the width right, but the length could have been shortened by one repeat, as it grew more than I thought it would.
I also knit some dish clothes from some Sugar ‘n Cream cotton. The pattern is a free pattern, Three Dishcloths. I only got two out of my ball, since I used a variegated yarn, as the ombres in this yarn have less yardage than the solids. I would have made them a bit larger if I would have thought about it before hand. Next time I know.
Finally I made a set of stitch markers. They are ones similar to ones I have made in the past. I think they are very pretty for the short amount of time put in.
In addition, I added some stationary and some mints. It’s too hot for chocolate!
My package came earlier in the week. I got a wonderful box of goodies!
The bunny is goat’s milk soap, which made it through in great condition, but the chocolate had to sit a spell in the fridge before I could eat it!
By stephanie, on April 18th, 2012
A bit late but….
For Easter, Riley wore a cute little suit. It had a tie, blue blazer, wnd khaki shorts. While she loved it, I have no clue where this comment came from when we were commenting how cute she was…
"I look like a judge!"
How does she know what a judge is, much less what one looks like?!
By stephanie, on April 5th, 2012
My mind is a bit blah. We have been sick here for over a month, and my thoughts are not so coherent. It is therefore surprising that I actually have some finished projects.
First are my “Bumblebees on Acid” socks, made of Ladybug Fiber Co. self-striping yarn. I have been taking these in the car with me, while I drop one off at school or wait to pick her up, so they have gone quickly. Plus, it was fast doing the afterthough heel with no heel turning. Although I have decided I’m not fond of this construction. I don’t like breaking the yarn to make the heel, and the heel is a bit tight across the instep. I have high arches so I need a deeper heel. I could try doing the heel over more stitches, and if I try this again I will attempt that, but for now I will go try some other methods of sock construction.
I have also completed one of two mug rugs that I have been attempting to complete since January. I promised these as a gift, but between the illness and fatigue and other shenanigans around here, they have been slow to make progress.
All of this making is good, because I am not the type of parent/mother who can be at home with my little ones and be satisfied and fulfilled watching them play and spit-up. I am an introvert who needs a good deal of time to myself, and it is hard to find that among so much else that needs to be done. But I will keep trying, keep putting time aside for me. Then maybe my mental stability will come back.
By stephanie, on March 15th, 2012
I finished the sweater, it doesn’t fit. I have ideas on why it doesn’t fit, but I will not dwell on that now. I had my pity party last night, but I get a new sweater out of it and I am content with that.
I have a little bit left to spin on the fiber I am currently working on, then I can start the second single. I’m doing two fibers separately then plying the singles together. The first fiber looks like this unspun.
I have a pair of socks that are almost done, I could have them finished by the end of the weekend if I work on them. We shall see if I prove faithful.
I don’t feel particularly faithful now. I itch to cast on something else. I have a number of things I want to do, particularly some simple shawls. But really, I need to work on baby items. I have a baby coming into my life soon, as my sister is 5 months pregnant, and I want to make the baby something. I have plans for a hat, and I could make a vest, however I want to make a little sweater as well. I’m not going to do a blanket, as that is my grandmother’s department, and maybe my mom might make one. I will also sew some bibs and maybe more. She knows she is having a little boy, which is marvelous, but I wanted a girl so I could knit some of the things I never made Riley!
I also have numerous sewing and knitting projects already on the needles I could work on.
Oh, the curse of having choices!
By stephanie, on March 13th, 2012
Below is a picture of my knitting soaking. These are all woolens that need washing, and perhaps will be stored away for the next cold season. But there on the right, you will see my latest finished object.
I have completed another sweater for my husband. Two years after the last one, I wove in the ends on a day that the temperatures reached into the eighties (Fahrenheit, for clarification). In March.
It seems that I have started a new tradition, where I complete warm wooly sweaters for my beloved husband only when the weather gets to a point where woolens are obsolete.
Perhaps, though, I will be pleasantly surprised by a twist in temperatures in the next week or so, and there will be a chill in the air once again. Then he might be persuaded to don said sweater and gander about. Maybe I will even find a zipper and the time to sew it in before that happens!
By stephanie, on February 28th, 2012
My hubby has gone to England for business, leaving me alone with two children. Actually, closer to three, since the dog is only a year old and very needy. She ends up needing as much attention as one of the other kids or she becomes so crazy she tears around the house at full speed, unmindful of who or what she takes out in the process. So far so good though.
Last night Riley said, ‘Daddy went to London. He’s going to see the queen.”
Oh, baby! If only daddy were that important! (In addition to the fact that I have no idea how you know there is a queen in England)
By stephanie, on February 13th, 2012
Actual conversation from the other day while the approaching-three child was eating dates:
Me: “You’re a date-aholic!”
Her: “I’m going to turn into a date!”
Me: “Yes, you are at this rate.”
Her: after a thoughtful pause, “And daddy is going to turn into a beer!”
Me: “A beer?!”
Her: “That’s the way it is.”
‘Nough said.
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