Alabama Chanin Skirt vs Summer List

I am a list maker by nature. It's not that I stick to the list, but a list helps me keep track of what I would like to do. Often I get sidetracked by the day to day things that require my attention or too fatigued to remember what was a priority before hunger took over. Often my lists are laughable, very aspirational, but sometimes I'll return to them to find what I hoped to do actually does get done over time.

Last summer (as with this summer), the boys and I made a list of what we wanted to do over the summer. We accomplished pretty much everything on the family list. I also made my own list of projects. On it, only "Hang out with kids--HAVE FUN" was accomplished.

On last year's list I included "hand stitched skirt". Much to my surprise, I finished it this summer. The pattern is from the awesome Alabama Stitch Book. Cutting the fabric was tiresome because this is a double layer skirt with eight panels instead of four. I used a rotary cutter on a cutting board, which I recommend. It would be very tedious to cut the t shirt fabric using scissors.

The stitching went very quickly once the fabric was cut & it was incredibly fun to make. I riffed on the waistband opting for a t shirt bias with no added elastic. I may regret this as it stretches, but I figured I was going to just go for it and see how it wears. I'm ready to make another one already, a size bigger. I have plans to dye this one with coffee because white fabric and I are just not made for each other.

In reviewing last year's summer list, I'm pleased to see that without really focusing on it, I've completed four out of six the items on my list: the have fun part, 2 quilts for the boys, tent bench, and this skirt. Cleaning out the garage is ongoing & a quilt for Eric and I remains on the list. Not bad. And hanging out and fun continues to be had.

Windlass

Through Freecycle, we picked up a stack of contemporary Boy Scout manuals. My youngest son spotted the instructions on how to build a windlass.

He waited patiently for the milk carton to become available, opting for refills at dinner to do his part. I found him at the table with all the tools at the ready, so we dove in and made the vision a reality.

Sidewalk Score

We always keep our eyes peeled on the side of the road around our neighborhood for free stuff people are discarding. When someone has something that they think is worth keeping but that they no longer have a use for they put it out on the curb near but not in the trash.

Such was the case with this small haul of quality items: 3 Ikea boxes, a plate with a stylish map of Manhattan and a cross section slice of a log.

You may be surprised to hear that the log is the best of the score because it perfectly fits beneath the bell-jar I keep my Shiitake log under. The log is not pictured here because it was being soaked in ice water. The extra cool thing about the log slice is that it has a split which I expect will act as a perfect vent to let in air.

Not sure what we'll do with the Manhattan plate but it's in great condition and quirky enough to be at home in our place. I think it's kind of the stray dog principle applied to a plates: the right ones seem to find you.

Insulation

About three weeks ago, the insulation truck rolled up to our house, unwound a hose and blew TAP insulation into our drafty attic. Living in a farmhouse construction house brings you much closer to the elements, even in southern California. The insulation was a much needed improvement at Camp Ramshackle.

TAP is 85% recycled post-consumer newsprint. Eric did the bulk of the research about our options. While searching online, he found a post on Treehugger.com about recycled newsprint insulation.

The insulation comes in block form which was opened and put into a shedder/blower machine.

Because the insulation is blown in, the job took only a few hours. The change was drastic. Even with our farmhouse construction (which means that our interior wall is also our exterior wall), the heat is more consistent.

With winter waning, I'm looking forward to seeing how the insulation works with the summer heat.

Cool Swap Opportunity Hosted by Our Yellow House

Leah at Our Yellow House is hosting a special swap. In her own words:

This swap is for us adults. You don't have to be a mother. You don't have to be crafty. You don't have to have a blog. (Though you can be any or all of these things.) You just need to enjoy putting together packages and receiving packages.

I participated in the Stocking Stuffer swap Leah organized in December '09. It was a real treat. I had a great time making things for other people and I was blown away by the amazing gifts I received. If you are interested in sharing your work and meeting new talented people, a swap is a great way to do it. I'm still debating whether I can balance my workload and commitments to join in this swap. Whether I sit this one out or not, I plan to join the 2010 Stocking Stuffer swap (if it happens).

The Beauty of Freecycle

In 2003, Deron Beal started The Freecycle Network in Tuscon Arizona through a small non-profit called RISE. RISE was a recycling service to downtown Tuscon businesses. However, a lot of the items offered up for recycling were still working. Instead of channeling those items into recycling, the folks at RISE found themselves making phone calls to other non-profits/charities/friends who might be able to use them. To make distribution easier, Beal launched an email service, which is now known as Freecycle.

For those of you unfamiliar with how Freecycle works. you sign up for a group near you through their website. As a registered user, you can post items to give away, items you're looking for, or you can browse.

Recently, I was reading our local Freecycle and saw a post looking for an "Sonicare electric toothbrush base". While cleaning out my tool box, I found one. (We used the brush for cleaning items. The brush stopped working consistently, so I was ready to recycle it.) Instead of channeling the entire item into recycling, the base was "allowed another chance at glory" ¹.

If you haven't given Freecycle a try, perhaps now is the time while you're cleaning out your closet and/or toolbox fueled by the promise of a new year's resolve.

1. Mr. Jalopy, bike advertisement for Coco's Variety, c. 2008ish.

Thrifted Glasses

I found these glasses this afternoon at the Sierra Madre Woman's Club Wistaria Thrift Shop. At two bucks each, I may have made my most expensive purchase there. I thought these were so pretty and figured I could use them as a candle votive or as a glamorous nightcap glass.

Candle Making Time Again

Our stubs were overflowing so last night I made some more candles.


I bought a roll of wick last time I was in the hobby store. This stuff doesn't have a wire in the center like the last wick string I bought. I think I like it better without the metal. I made this wick holder out of a twisted paper clip. I've found that if I dip the wick in the hot wax and let it cool it will become stiffer and easier to straighten prior to pouring the wax in. It's best if the wick goes straight through the center of candle.

Here is the last of the wire filled wick string. The nice thing about this kind is it will stand on its own.

Shoe Repair

Just when it got cold, my cold weather shoes came apart. I've been eying a nice pair of Clarks boots which are similar to these but probably much more comfortable. I was tempted use the excuse of the sole delamination to justify the purchase of the new shoes but these were just starting to grow on me and I have to try to fix them.


I brushed on some Weldwood contact cement. This stuff is not environmentally friendly - high VOC. I try to keep the can open for as short a period as possible but I figure if I were to take these to a repair shop they'd use a similar glue. I've use the same small can for many similar projects.


I painted both pieces with glue wherever there would be contact. After 15 minutes of letting the glue dry on each piece, I put them together as carefully as I could and then stood in them to set the cement. I rolled my foot a little to distribute pressure which is probably what caused the heel to slip a bit. It doesn't quite match up around the back but over all it turned out pretty good.


Now I have a kind of history with these shoes. They are imperfect but gaining character and therefore gaining interest to me. It should be "reduce, reuse, recycle, repair."

Second Hand Shirt

Stocking Stuffer Swap

I am excited to be part of the Stocking Stuffer Swap organized by Leah of Our Yellow House. I made the owl above for it. Our swap is closed, but if you are interested, you might consider organizing one yourself.

The brilliant idea (all credit goes to Leah) is to assemble a group of crafty people. Each person must make something that can fit into a stocking for each family (or each child if the group is small enough). The goods are to be mailed the first week of December. Then each participant receives some handmade goodness to stuff in a stocking.

I love this idea. I'm honored to share some of my projects with others and delighted that I will be able to share other people's handwork with my sons. A big thank you to Leah for organizing this.

When I think of what sentiments and traditions I hope to create with my family around the winter holiday season, this is what I hope for. So much of the December festivities are manufactured and frantic. What I want is time spent fireside with my family snuggling and drinking spiced cider. Instead of frantic consumption, I want moments, handmade mementos, sparkling lights and the luxury of time.

And you, what do you hope for this season?

Curbside Salvage Score

I found a few items on the street in my neighborhood. I often hem & haw about bringing a new item into our house. Despite my inner dialogue, the green table made it into my car. I figured if it didn't work out for our house, it certainly could be re-curbsided for the next lucky scavenger. I cleaned it up today and tightened loose screws. It may make it into the kitchen or remain an outdoor table.


I picked up these pots and saucers at the same place. I've been thinking about doing some small succulent plantings like the ones pictured below. These pots were perfect. Also on my shopping list were more light bulbs. Found curbside! What a score. I felt like it was the power of positive thinking in action.

The Annals of Small Improvements

We fixed a gifted pocket shade that we like to take to the beach. It's a great shade for napping kids. One of the tent poles splintered. We finally found some replacement poles, cut them to size and rethreaded the shock poles.


Back in action. This small repair inspired another.


While camping, we noticed our tent had a hole. We fixed it before it was too late.


Ready for our next adventure. Although we are slowly outgrowing this tent.

Cabinet Fix

We have a cabinet in our bathroom that swings open and hits your toes when you brush your teeth - at least we did until Monday. I've been thinking about this fix for a while but finally got around to cutting a little piece of a Toyon branch from our yard to make a crude latch.



Here it is on our modest home made 1950's era home made custom cabinets with the Formica veneer pulled off (it was flapping months after we bought the house and Julia finally just ripped what wasn't well glued down off).


Here's the latch in the down position - cabinet closed. I used a screw that had a smooth shank near the top so that the piece of wood could move freely without threads in the way. I also counter sunk the screw head so that it doesn't catch on anything.


Here it is in the up position - watch your toes!

It is so satisfying to actually take the time to fix something like this, something that has been needing it for a long time. Afterward I always get new motivation to take care of as many of those little nagging problems as I can before I fall back under the spell of the bigger things I need to work on or worry about. The lesson for me here is that small wins are very important.

Oh yeah and the latch is 100% biodegradable/compost-able, is an extremely local natural product, is made from reused hardware, and was for all practical purposes free (1/2 hour of work).

On the Mend

I scored these hooks, eyes and loops for a pittance at a garage sale a few months ago.  The hooks were enlisted to fix a much loved skirt in need of repair.

While I was at it, I secured the loose loops.  I used regular thread for the loops, then remembered my stash of button hole thread and used that for the hooks.  The button thread is better for this purpose.  I may reinforce the loops.

Such a small project but oddly rewarding.

The oil cloth tablecloth in the background was bought  from Coco's Variety.  

Handmade Doll

At last!  I started this project in December for my youngest son. Seven months later, I finished it.  Some projects linger.  The Waldorf doll was certainly one of those.  I read about the project in Creative Play for Your Toddler, a generous loan from my friend at RamblingLA.  

The instructions were fairly straight forward until the hair, which said something to the effect "attach yarn hair to head".  Frankly, I could use a bit more clarification.  I ended up cutting the yarn to length, tying a knot in the middle and sewing each on individually.  I recommend using a different tactic.  Perhaps your project won't take seven months.  

While I was working away on this doll, I saw Leah of the lovely Our Yellow House whip up not one but two Waldorf dolls in a weekend or so.  Much respect, Leah.  

**Note:  As I write this in the evening, my little one started to stir.  Eric and I went to check on him.  We found him spooning his doll.  I guess it was worth the wait.

Weekend Sewing Projects

On Sunday, I finished a few projects that had been swimming in my head. The shirt pictured above is for my oldest son. It is an American Apparel shirt with applique patches. I made the patches from recycled t-shirts. The shirt was inspired by one I saw in Mini Boden.


The Mini Boden shirt is called a Tipped Applique T-shirt and it's on sale if you're interested.


I also made sleep pants for both my sons. As we move into hotter weather, I had been looking for some cropped pants or short sets. I looked in some stores, but I realized I should just make them myself. I used recycled/repurposed t-shirts (also used on the bulls eye t-shirt).


I drew some inspiration from this sleep set also at Mini Boden. I don't think I've ever bought anything from the Boden empire, but I get a lot of ideas to include in my own sewing.

Chase's Recycled Lumber Bicycle Hutch

Ramshackle Solid reader Chase shared his fantastic recycled lumber bicycle hutch after seeing Eric's Shack Shelves. Our saw blades are spinning with inspiration.

Eric has gone bike sexy upgrading the old bike with something a bit easier to ride to work. His new ride merits a prominent parking spot.


We look forward to building storage inspired by Chase's work that can house the kid's rides as well.

Thanks, Chase!

Machine Project: Sewing 102

My mother's day gift (aside from a great day at home) was Machine Project's Sewing 102: Introduction to Pattern Making and Alteration. The gracious and capable duo of Annie O'Malley and Lake Sharp, who honed their sartorial skills at the costume department at Occidental College, taught the class.

Sage Chin wearing her sleeve on her arm.

Over three Sundays, they supervised the deconstruction and reassembly of shirts and pants, showed how to make a pattern from an existing garment, and imparted a wealth of information on how to make clothes fit properly.

My pattern and project in the making.

For the final class many students constructed a pattern of a favorite garment and set to work. I'm working on a pair of pajama pants.

Classmate Sage with her newly constructed shirt.

Transforming clothes to fit perfectly is a surprisingly empowering experience. I altered a t-shirt that been originally sewn improperly. The shirt always twisted awkwardly. The remedy was to rip the bottom hem, turn the shirt inside out and pin it to fit my body. I tailored the shirt to fit and resewed the hem. The knowledge gained from the class has me rethinking everything that is hanging in my closet.

Machine Project periodically offers sewing classes. Although a Sewing 102 is not currently scheduled, you can always email Machine Project expressing your interest. The crew at Machine is quite receptive.

And while I'm at it, if you have a few pennies in your change jar and are looking for a worthy non-profit, I recommend Machine Project. If your change jar and couch cushions are combed clean of all copper and silver, visit Machine Project anyway. It is truly a great place in L.A.