Bicycle Spinning Wheel

 

In one of my back issues of Spin-Off Magazine, in the letters to the editor, a reader sent in her photos of her bicycle spinning wheel she made using their article. These are my clues, and now I am on the case. Searching for the back issue where the pattern appears (I don't remember a notation about the issue).

I really want my wheel to still look like a bicycle. The kids love to use my wheel, but I usually have a bigger project loaded on  my bobbin, so it makes sense to convert this ratty old bike I just found in pieces on the curb (with a free bike sign).

 

Phase  2
 
I finally took a minute to look through my old Spin-Off back issues, and it must really be important, because the magazine was on top, folded open to that page! Here is the letter to the editor I am using for Phase 3- buying the back issue.

 
 

 

 

 

See the important data? Summer 2000. Off to Interweave web-site to buy.

 

Phase 3

 

Phase 3 admittedly took me all of 3 minutes. It will take you less. For $12, you get 4 back issues from 2000, the summer one containing the article on the bicycle spinning wheel. I'm still in the check-out, but in 5 minutes I should be reading the article. Here's the link . Let me know if you try this. I'll be posting the construction and use in separate blogs. Isn't the internet wonderful?

 

Tapping the Maple tree

Our backyard is blessed with several mature Sugar Maple trees. In the spring, when the nights are still freezing and the days are warm is the perfect time to tap your trees. That is when the sap begins to move from the roots back up into the tree.
Tapping the trees and boiling down one batch of sugar water is a wonderful way of showing your family just how much effort goes into a bottle of syrup. But do not count on a huge batch of syrup from these directions. My first batch came to 1 Tablespoon of syrup after 3 hours of boiling.

Here is what you need:
3/8" Nylon Tee

3/8"I.D (interior diameter)
1/2" OD (outer diameter Clear Vinyl Tubing (this is actually approved on the label for potable water)

The tubing is shown attached to the Tee, and inserted through the hole I drilled in the lid (ok, hubby drilled it, but I would have.

 

Also use a clean large bucket, the kind you buy at Menards/Home Depot/Lowes/ etc. I used a clear bucket the first time, or semi-opaque. That would have been better than the one I bought this time because you can see how much fluid is inside.

There is a tiny air hole in the top.

Hubby took me seriously when I said Tiny hole. I ended up enlarging this just a little.

You will need a drill with a 3/8" bit. I used a bit-brace, but if you just have an electric drill, that is fine, too.

 

I was able to drill the hole myself.

 

 

  Drill into the tree higher than the bucket, and go in about the depth of the notches on your Tee.

 

The wood begins to look wet:

 

 

The hole will look wet, and begin to well with sugar water. I prefer to get the tap in there before it drips because I don't want the sugar on the outside of my bucket drawing bugs:

 

Insert tap, and twist and push it in tight, positioning the Tee up for air release.

 

See the water begin to drip?:

 

More drips:

 

The main threat to our tap:

 

Empty your bucket everyday. I'd do a boil down after 2-3 days but refrigerate your water. It will mold.

Cool Sewing trick

I'm not sure where I learned this trick. Have you ever tried using your zig zag movement while using a straight stitch? It is doable on newer models, and I'll explain thoroughly. Many times, when I am working on a tight edge, or a thicker one, it makes more sense to move the needle to where I need it than the presser foot. When the presser foot is placed in a more stable position, your stitch line will be more even.

Another really great result of using the lateral shift is that you can use the inside edge of your presser foot to guide your fabric, which is much more consistent than using the marks on the plate.

 

The zig zag feature set at center.

 

 

The zig zag feature shifted to the right. Depending on which direction I am most comfortable sewing, I either shift it to the right or left. The top photo has the needle shifted to the left.

 

Photo of the needle shifted to the right in position of 6.0. This is really handy for putting zippers in. I blocked out the shaft so you can see the needle better. Give this a try on a couple scraps. I guarantee you will use it from now on!

 

Detergents on the Cheap

I've always intended to write a blog spotlighting the Laundry Detergent Recipe I found years ago. Someone else beat me to it. Plus, they have recipes for Dishwasher Detergent, Shampoo and Conditioner. Why recreate the wheel.
Homemade recipes link
Curious? Here's the shopping list:

Lemi Shine (I've used this in the closed compartment of the dishwasher for years. We have hard water):

Kosher Salt
White Vinegar
Cider Vinegar

compare that with a shopping list of what you are replacing:
Dishwasher Detergent: $4-$12
Laundry Detergent: $4-$20
Shampoo $1-$8
Conditioner $1-$8
When I used the homemade laundry detergent, I washed my whites in Tide every few loads to whiten. Now I'd recommend throwing Borax in now and then. I do that anyway.

The other day I had to clean the grime off the dishwasher door to stop a leak, and I can honestly say the following load was the cleanest dish load we have had in years. I cannot wait to try the Dishwasher Detergent.

Add in a bar of Ivory Soap and you have the ingredients for laundry soap. But, if you would like a simple laundry soap, how about trying Soap Nuts. My neighbor told me about Soap Nuts.

                                            

They sound fun. Today she brought me a baggy of the nuts and I can't wait to try them. They are the meat around a seed of the Sapindus Mukorossi berry. They peel the meat off and replant the seeds. You can use each nut 4 times, then squeeze it to see if the white soap is still coming out. If so, you can use it some more. 4-5 nuts does 4 loads of laundry and they really cost very little. My friend said they come out costing less than Tide. But they don't have any chemicals other than the saponius, which is a natural extract of the fruit. Once you use all the saponius, they are safe to put in your compost heap.
More excitement? You can use the Soap Nuts to make shampoo, dish soap and cleanser (although once liquified they only last a few days). You can boil and soak the nuts, then use one batch for all these uses. I've ordered my Soap Nuts. Can't wait to try them.
My neighbor is at her house right now testing how to make her Soap Nuts form a gel by adding Knox Gel. I have high hopes because I'm a little leery of using a pure liquid to wash my hair.

Here is a way to cinch the belt in a little tighter which is fun. Making your own detergents and household cleaners is empowering. Products we thought nothing of buying all our lives are things we can create ourselves in minutes. The results are healthier cheaper and work just as well. Let me know what you think.

Dyeing (note the spelling so you don't panic)

I'm making two black capes for a friend. I have looked all over town (try over a 45 mile radius) for the Tailor's Fine Quality Interfacing in black I always use. It's the Pellon Interfacing with long lines of fibers in it, holding it together longer. It also bonds better to fabric. I can never seem to get the regular interfacing to stay on- I get bubbles no matter what I do.
So, back to the search. During Sunday lunch I dragged the whole family of five into a fabric store, and my husband said,"why don't you dye it?" Well, for starters, the dye is $5 a bottle. But I have no other choice.

This is the same exact color you buy in the store. I cut out my pieces first, then hung them to dry after dying. Once it was almost dry, I went ahead and ironed it on, since I usually steam the pieces on anyway. Yeah! Then, left with all that fresh dye, we went through the house for any faded black clothes and tossed them in:

Yet another thrifty moment :)

While the interfacing was dying, I cut out my pattern:

when this happens, I pray there are no coyotes nearby and throw him outside.

The directions on the bottle (which I in general ignored) said Wear Gloves. I normally have extremely white fingernails. It took me way too long to figure out what was stuck under my nails was really that my poor nails are dyed a pale gray. I hope I don't have any emergency situations until this clears up or they will think I am cyanotic (spell check isn't getting this, but I know it's a word because I heard it on ER).

Hiring the A Team

A while back, Kathy Griffin referred to herself as a B- List Actress. Since then, I've noticed how some businesses or work men are just better than others. Yesterday I got the A Team.

We have needed a sliding door for several years. We looked at Lowes, Menards and Home Depot, and the floor models were so shabby, we decided to have a home consult with Pella Windows. They have The Top of the Line, and they also have a couple lines below that which are more affordable. Our home is not top of the line. We have about a Wal-mart level house, so we didn't go top of the line, but we still got the A Team when it came to installers.

Two years ago, we had a flood and our insurance company hired the A Team to come in and repair everything. Unfortunately, when our A Team contractor hired his workers, he called in every Tom Dick and Harry that he knew from the sticks. They were not the A Team. Or the B Team. So I've got a wide range to compare.

The A Team puts booties on even after you tell them you don't mind if they track in a little dirt. Then they roll out sheets to cover your floor. They politely talk to your pets and don't notice the Pop-Tart crumbs stuck to your shoulder.

Team B- they make snide remards about How You Took out the stopper in the sink when it quit working (B team plumber).

Team A vaccuums up dust as they go, and carries off the scraps in their OWN trash can! Wow!

Team B dents your gutters with their ladder, burns a hole in your towel and leaves drips of solder on the floor.

Team B hires help that cuts trim directly on your new vinyl flooring as they are installing it, then don't say anything when they cut into your flooring. And don't say anything when they notice a hole in said flooring. Sigh.

We used to be Do-It-Yourselfers. Then we hired the people we flagged down off neighbor jobs. Then we found people in the phone book. (those were actually good at first but they got bought out by B Teams- go figure).

Signs of the A Team: Clean Uniform Shirts all clean and pressed even if they are about to do a sloppy job.
Politeness
Often a manager will come along to introduce the employees, and let you know to contact him if there are any problems (at this point, you may be panicing about the price of the job- don't).
A Team doesn't run anybody down.
they are proud of their company, and it shines through. They don't make negative comments about you, your job, or the people that came before. I have no idea why that is- but if the guy working on your house tells you he is the only one in the area that does the job and most people won't look at it, tell him you will let him know when you are ready and go find someone else.
The A Team brings enough people to do the job from the start. Team B calls in a few "buddies" at 4pm, and you are so happy they got extra help you don't care that the buddies were sitting at the local bar all day waiting for a call. (it happened)
Hire The A Team. It may cost more, but it is almost always warranteed. You are going to be happy at the end. I've never been unhappy with the A Team. On the B Team jobs, I just sigh and plan to redo it when it falls apart. Houses need enough repairs without having to be redone soon.

Downside to being Cutting Edge

Just a thought occurring to me lately.
When I started scrapbooking, it was so new we were excited when a new die cut came out, and we designed most of our own decorative paper. Now creating your own embellishments isn't even necessary. Yes, that was exciting and creative and unique, but also time consuming.

Now, I'm on the cutting edge of digital scrapbooking. There are a lot more options even now than in my first example, but at the same time, I wonder what will come next and if I'm wasting resources by starting to work on my books this early in the game (oh, please!, right?)

You could even bring this thought to my copious diapering blog entries. Five years ago, when my son was born, no one was using cloth. Last year a couple people were talking about going to cloth, but in my head, it was still the triangle of wet soggy diaper fabric and a pin. (I realize now that I may have been misinformed). Now, not only are the new cloth diapers easy to use, economical and cute, the stuff to make them is easy to find, and of just as high quality as the professionally made diapers. In this last example, I am kicking myself at not trying to go cloth with #3, but five years ago I don't think I could have even been cutting edge because there was no edge. Oh, I paid a huge amount of money for some flannel nursing pads :( Still really mad at myself about that one. I could have sewn them in half an hour.