COUCH ARM COVER

This beauty has kept my couch nice through two toddlers. We threw it in the wash one time too many.

No worry....this is simple sewing.  Three rectangles and you have a new and improved arm cover!  

VINTAGE THREADS

I love it when people give me their old sewing things.  You should not use old thread when sewing because it can break and disintegrate.  So what should you do with it?

MAKE AN ART PROJECT OUT OF IT! My daughters helped me paint shadowboxes. I had some old ones my Aunt gave me.

I liked them so much; that, I decided to buy some more. I got these clear picture frames from Michaels.

TA-DA!!!

HOW I FIXED OUR WASHING MACHINE

We woke up to flooded water on our floor.  I looked online for possible causes....and the best recommendation was to call a service man....GRRR!! I called the service man who charged 50.00 for a diagnosis...

A built in sensor. As you can see the line and reservoir are dirty.  If the line is not clear your tank will overflow.  The service man told me he needed to order a new line (20.00) and had to come back another day (another labor/service charge).  

As soon as he left, I got my tools ready... 1st and foremost...there are about 5 different things that can cause an overflow...I was lucky mine was a easy fix.  UNPLUG YOUR WASHING MACHINE BEFORE YOU TOUCH ANYTHING!!!!   Hopefully yours is this easy fix, but if not GET HELP!!!  Step 1) unplug washing machine 2) Pop off the front door.

Insert your butter knives on the two front corners to lift springs to release front panel door... shown here without panel door on so you can see the spring better.

3) Locate tube, pull off and insert wire hanger to remove gunk. (You will need a new  

tube if it is cracked or split. Mine was not.)

4) Insert syringe of hot water. Push plunger in and out to force the water backwards and forwards. Continue till line is clear.

5) Insert safety pin into the top to clear line into tank.  6) Reassemble the line.  Plug washing machine in. Run your washing machine with hot water and some vinegar to finish cleaning out the reservoir.

IT WORKED!!! 

MISSING GLOCKENSPIEL C

Glockenspiel set with a missing middle C... You can't buy only a middle C from the company.  You have to

buy a new set.

So.......I stole one from a kids toy.

I glued some wood.

Used the D for sizing...

And made a new C...(thanks to Brian Rogerson who helped me with drilling, and setting the

new note).

I sanded and stained the block.  Painted the red note white.

 The new note in the set.

BABY BOY FORMAL BIB

I crocheted my boy some cotton bibs.  I hate when we put him in nicer clothing; and, he drools on his nice clothes.  There aren't a lot of nice/formal bibs for boys out there.  

The pattern is from the 1800's....made with 100% cotton for absorbency.

I modified the pattern a bit to make a tie shaped one.

Cream, to match more outfit choices.

I think he is handsome...I am a bit biased.

My mom went above and beyond; and, made my boy this killer bib.  Also, a pattern from the 1800's. She made my daughter's cute curly q's for her hair too.

GYMNASTICS BEAM

Real beam dimensions are 4" wide x 16' long. My beam is a 4"x 4" x 8'.

 (Not truly 4" because finished wood is shy.) The height of mine is 16".

My braces

Dollar store carpet.  I used 8 mats.

Tools I used to put on the carpet.

Finished product.....

in....

ACTION!!!

CHEAP POOL COVER UPDATE

IT WORKED!!!

Cleaning the fallen debris off it from winter.  Rolled it up to use again next year.

Pool view right after taking the tarp off.  Not bad.  No green water, and minimal debris. We have left our solar cover on all winter before, and had more debris plus super green water.  We did have water collect on top of the tarp.  It turned pond green, but did not seep through to the pool.  I give our cheap tarp solution a high five...

INCLINE GYM MAT

Our neighbor was getting rid of this foam, and I jumped at the chance to take it.  FOAM IS PRICY!!

I used my trusty knife and cut it up. There was enough foam to make 3 mats. 24" x 24" x 15"

I used spray fix 77 to glue two layers together. Then I marked my diagonal cutting line. 1" down on left side to the center of the right side.

Use a long serrated knife; and, cut slow and sure.

Now take measurements of the foam sides. Transfer the measurements to fabric but make all the dimensions 1/4" wider for seam allowance. You will sew it at 1/2" seam allowance.  You want the foam to be tight inside.

I covered them in pleather.  The first two I made the wedge was connected by the top piece of fabric.  I made this one come apart; so, we could use it for two purposes: gymnastics and elevation.

 Awesome incline gym mat is held together with velcro.

Awesome wedge for sick kids whose noses need draining.

SWANTS!!

I came across a brilliant idea, and I had to copy it.  

http://westknits.com/index.php/2013/11/swants-tutorial/

I saw these; and, I really "SWANTED" some. Swants make for great family photos. Pictures by Jeff Archibald jcarchibald@hotmail.com