Repairs on a lampshade

This was one of the first lampshades I made. It was just a copper foil lamp, and had started to get wobbly.
I pulled it off and set it down, then a pane came half off, and while removing the one to fix, the other came off.
Fiddly, and more annoying than making the thing, because of having to get all the old solder and foil off. But patience won and finally it's fixed.
Just needs the patina to bring it the black, leady kind of colour of the rest.

 

 

A little kitty girl and her dadda.

This was just so adorable to walk into, I had to share :)

Yes they were both sound alseep :)

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My little hat.

I talked awhile ago about my fail hat because I didn't swatch first. here

Well here is the hat all sewn up.. IT barely fits on my head and the punch lace was too tight to have the effect that I was after :)

At least it is something to add a laugh to your day! :)

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DIY Hair Cuts

I don't want to put anyone out of a job here, but girls, you have to at least once, try and cut your own hair!
I am not talking like a major re-style, but for trims etc, it's just so ease to do it yourself.

With the advent of You Tube, there are a zillion different tutorials out there. Choose a few and try them.
This is the one I use, I haven't tried others yet:







.Don't be afraid to try. Your hair WILL grow back and in the event that you have a catastrophe, there will always be a trusty hairdresser to fix it.

Try it on a day off when you can experiment etc?

Imagine all the things you could put that $25 a month to?



 

Would this work? - Tree bed

I see so many things and get so many ideas; I never do even a 20th of them, so things that I know I am not going to get around to in this life time, I thought I would post and share the ideas I had from looking at them.

 

I saw this and thought how beautiful it was, but not many people I know would want to spend forever making this from Timber.

What I thought was you could use a regular bed frame, and either cardboard or foam, or even like a balsa wood to make the "trees" and attach them to the bed frame.

I would imagine it would have to be reinforced otherwise every time you make the bed you risk breaking the tress.

It wouldn't be hard to do, and so effective, and you could swap around the trees depending on seasons.. imagine that?

OH and as a little added touch:

How cute would a few of these hanging from the ceiling add to the ambiance of the room... provided you don't have kitties like I do... unfortunately I could never trust them not to play with them and strangle themselves in the process.. silly kitties and string... :)



 

The girls - first cuddle

This is the first time I have seen the girls cuddle. It was in a sun spot, maybe that is what made the difference.
Can you believe that my little ginger girl is only 6 months old in this picture?! She is a BIG girl!

Tech knitting and Oh boy I am a bad blogger.

Not even going to try and make any promises about blogging now. I can't believe it's been over a month.
I did get obsessed with twitter for awhile, but hopefully, I think, I may be over it.

Not to obsess with being away, but to post something...

I found this blog a long time ago, I should have shared it then. TECHknitting is an amazing little website.
A lot of the stuff is such common sense, but when you have the problem, it's usually these things you don;t think about.

If you machine knit or hand.. even crochet, I really recommend this blog.

Arm full of kitty love.

Just a kitty post. Miss Cleo was laying in my arms.

I love this little girl so much!

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Ideas that don't work (or need tweaking)

I haven't posted in so long I thought I better post something.

One idea I had was for a double thickness beanie. It was to be one layer of lacy material with the second layer of just regular stocking stitch in a contrasting colour.
That way, it would be reversible, but also the contrasting colour would show through the lace fabric and creating a different effect.

Well, it's my fault! I have to start swatching.
here are the failed pictures:

This is why you need to swatch!

Trying cut and sew to trim excess.

Ready for sewing up

I did make the hat, though it would be better for a child than my head. You can also see the problem I had with the ribber (which didn't matter as I was only writing the pattern), I was going to cover it up with a flower or butterfly adornment.

I haven't given up, just haven't had the time to get back at it and have something else I want to do now.

I really need to make myself a roster so I can find the time to do all these things I want to do.

So here is me sharing a failure :)

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Used needles

I have been slack yet again, I have been doing things but it has been raining what seems like ages, so too cloudy to get any good pictures.

Thought I would just share this today.
It is a picture of a hypodermic needle, but what i wonder is if our sewing machine needles get wrecked just as quick?
I know myself, I next to never change them :(

Food for thought huh? ;)

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Yellowing plastic or brighten up that knitting machine

I had seen this website a long time ago, but has since gotten lost in my bookmarks for things to do.
I do want to try this on one of the yellowing bits on the knitting machine (where it won't hurt), to see how it goes, but of course that is for "later".
Luckily someone posted about it on Ravelry again, so instead of getting lost in my ever growing bookmarks for "to make and do", here it is for me, and for anyone that may want to give it a shot. :)

The site is called Retro bright and you will need a UV lamp (I have one for cleaning). There are a lot more pictures over at the site and could be used in all sorts of applications.
I have not read it all though and would advise, like anything to do so;But it's great to have options. :)

Wry Neck...

This is what happened when i was brushing my teeth on Wednesday morning. It was pretty bad, couldn't;t hardly move my head and has spasms that would make me stop when they were happening.
Went to the docs and was prescribed Panadine forte, took some; they lessened the pain but it was still there.
Went to the phisyo the next day (expensive), and he gave it a rub and stretch the muscles, showed me exercises and hubby what to do.
Practiced exercises  and was careful with all that i done ( really wanted to get better as so much to do), woke up Friday night, got out of bed and had mind numbing pain in left shoulder.. I have never given birth, but the pain waves i was getting ... all I could do from scream each time... they were the worst I have felt.
Called the medical line to check if anything I could do, husband had to talk as I was screaming every time I had a wave of the pain,instructed to go to hospital as there are other ways to manage pain.
Triage nurse gave some tablets? while waiting for Er doc. didn't work, still pain and trying not to scream  so loud when in waiting room.
Got into see doc, wanted to give me some pain killers, asked if they were like pethidine, because last time I had that it made me so sick i was better with the pain. he said they were the same line, but he would give me other tablet to off set the sick.. hesitated long time, but pain got the better of me and said yes.. no sickness, doc was right.
Said i should stay in hospital, to see phisyo and because he didn't want to send me home like I was and also, so he could give me the stronger medication, which they had to observe when given.
hesitated a long time (wanted to go home), but wanted to he pain to ease or go away more.
drugged out of my mind, head all fuzzy, but couldn't sleep, shoulder kept waking me up with pain waves, not as intense or as long, but still there. Nurses were really nice, always so hard to explain how bad the pain is, wish there was some sort of meter they could hook you up to , to see and believe just how bad it was.. some of us handle pain better..(because we are too embarrassed to scream out loud).
Phisyo finally came, pain happened when first started talking to him, he then took me for a walk and nothing, walked up stairs nothing... not sure weather he believed or not, but was scared it was like when you go to the docs symptoms disappear then when you get home they are back again.
Nothing I could do, so i just said thanks and asked to go home, doc wrote out some prescriptions and I only got the one; Figured that I would get the other if I needed it.
Searing should pain was good through the night, and by time of waking up this morning (touch wood gone).
The only different thing I did was sleep sitting up, so I didn't strain or pull the muscles trying to get up out of bed.
pain from Wry neck still there, but easing up.. must be getting better, but still can't lift anything with weight to it yet, at least it's on the mend, and the wry neck is nothing now compared to having those awful pains, it's funny how relative things are.. we forget.

I am sorry to physios, but I think if there is a next time of this happening ( hopefully not), I will just be getting the pain killers to relax the muscle, make sure to keep moving around gently, to keep the blood flowing, and sleep upright, so it is easier to get up and out of bed without stuffing anything else.

Oh, and I made a deal with the universe last night that if I was allowed to get better now I would exercise every day... I was better this morning.. almost good.. almost.. that means have to keep my part of deal :( LOL

Apparenty I am a creator.. online career test, fun

This is so neat! The 2nd career choice is NOT me, but the first pretty much sums it up... how do they get that out of choosing colours? wow~!

• Color Career Counselor

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas. CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're a PERSUADER

Keywords:
Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive
These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.

• Section I: You and Your Team
  This personality overview section highlights your natural workplace talents—the tasks you pursue with passion. You'll learn how your natural strengths complement those of your coworkers and how, joining forces, you can resolve on-the-job dilemmas.
• Section II: Your Key To Success
  Here you discover your capacity for dispelling disruption and maximizing profitability. Use this proven, beyond-self-perception advice to create a more positive career path free of detours.
• Section III: Managing Strengths and Weaknesses
  Your evaluation's highest and lowest scores result in this section's recommendations for staying on-track in your career and reversing wrong turns. In focusing on your talents and missteps, you'll re-stoke your energy and enthusiasm for managing costly mistakes.
• Section IV: Leadership Power Moves
  This final section identifies your "street sense," those power moves that turn obstacles into insignificant details. Here suggestions based on your color-ranked evaluations will guide you towards making the most of an interview or harnessing your fast-paced workday.

Man cats says----

What he says to momma all the time anyway ;)

Foot for my sewing machine

The picture is just for the sake of having a pretty picture there.
I have been slack with the posting, I get in moods like "only post when you have something to post about", then others where I have tons of things to post about and try and post every day.

I thought I would just share a story that not even shopkeepers know best.
A couple of years ago I bought my sewing machine brand new, and not knowing a whole lot about sewing..(still learning), I went to a specialist sewing machine shop.
I told the lady what I wanted to do (free motion embroidery or thread painting, she called it), and she said you need a special foot, and sold me one for $45.. ouch!
Well, a couple of years later I get over my "what if I fail" and try it out. There were no instructions, so I had to fiddle to work out how to put it on, when I finally worked it out, it would make a huge big clunk when I lowered the needle.
I found that the wire bit coming out of the top was catching on the needle screw, but there was no other way that the foot would go on, I know this because I tried for a few hours.
In the end I called the lady at the shop, feeling stupid because this lady would know best right?
I had to bring the machine and the foot into the shop, turns out it was the wrong foot for the machine, she swapped it over for one that works, so all is well now.
However I am just re-telling the story because, even though you think the experienced old lady that runs and has run the sewing machine shop for years, knows all. They too are prone to mistakes, so don't take all for gospel, listen, but research on your own :)

Cats with thumbs... beware! *grin*

Not a big post, just a video... this is SO cute I watched it like 5 times! :)

Monthly donation - Pet Rescue

This months, monthly donation was to Pet Rescue.
I have heard about this place before and about all the hard work they do to find animals new homes.
I really wanted to donate to the RSPCA, as of course , as they do, they sent out a letter saying there is more need than ever for donations for this and that.. the thing is, after my beautiful Mr Tocks and myself, the experience ... well it still makes me cry to think about it.
I just can't trust them anymore, you know like a politician, you want to believe what they are saying and it sounds right, but when it comes down to it, it's just all lies... I hate thinking that way, but I do still at this time.
I even sent them an email about my experience, just the facts about what happened and how I felt and have heard nothing back.
I suppose I was hoping that they would look into it and let me know the facts of what happened and that it wasn't laziness etc .. but meh, time to change the subject because I miss that beautiful boy still, very much.

But from what I have heard Pet Rescue is just as deserving, so this is my monthly donation this month :)

You can click on the picture to be taken through to their home page or go to :  http://www.petrescue.com.au/

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The girls are getting along better.

Cut and sew - Stretch and cheating

First up, My hat isn't going as smoothly as I would have liked, but then that happens when you don't swatch and just guess... but all is never lost.

What I wanted to talk about was cut and sew. Just briefly, hence the subject, it is just a quick post.
I am finishing off my hat via sewing and also fixed some "over knitting" with the cut and sew method.

I used it on a lace piece of fabric I have ironed/steamed because it was too long.

As you can see, what I have read is that you sew like a channel; Two vertical lines and cut down the middle.
I did this and it worked fine, no unravelling, nice and strong.

The only thing I would do next time, is to do it in a stretch stitch or something. I assumed they were talking about just a running stitch, which is what I used, and I didn't even think about it, but the knitted fabric has stretch and the running stitch doesn't.

Anyway, if you want your fabric even and stretchy all the way around, don't use running stitch!

On a side note... I see a few machine knitters talking about finishing, and how they like to seam on the K'machine and traditional seams etc etc... It kind of makes you using the sewing machine or serger, feel like you are cheating.
What do they call Hong Kong seams? is that sewing machine done?

Either way, I think it's kind of hypocritical being that they are also the ones who complain about hand knitters saying machine knitting is cheating.
I mean do all these actions work to the end result intended? Who cares how you do it, if it works and the finished result is just as good? (as in a usage, what the end result was intended for, use)
I mean is someone going to come up to you and say " wow that is a pretty jumper? let me look at your seams?"... come one guys, like with knitting machines, the technology is there... if you can afford it, use it?

Unless you find hand seaming soothing, which you would probably enjoy hand knitting better?

I love knitting machines for the creative side, and I am not afraid to say, that if there is a shortcut and the end result is the same, I will take it. The quicker I get the ideas out of my head the quicker I can move on to the rest.

What are you ideas on hand seaming/finishing? :)

Elastic in socks

I got this idea forever ago. It was from my dad, he used to use little elastic bands that he would hide in the fold of his socks to keep them up.

I was going to do this with the first socks I made but incorporate them in; Then I ran across this blog post and thought it might just be easier to put a link here, being that I am not the best of getting ideas across right.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Socks falling down? Consider elastic

Socks won't stay up? You're not alone. Socks are a very popular item to knit but recurrent discussions on Internet knitting forums show falling-down socks are a problem to many.

There are many, many ways to solve this problem, but one of the most direct is elastic. Here are four different methods.

Elastic garters inside the sock

Click on the test to be taken to the website. There is a whole  post about it, and while your at it, look through the rest of the blog, she has some great ideas for knitters... I love logical thinkers :)