Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Busy Hands

I just wanted to show ya'll what I've been doing these last few weeks. Before I really begin to pack for our move to Arkansas, I wanted to put at least one post together. I have in the works some tutorials about soapmaking and other bath and body products. I'm even thinking about doing some about crocheting even though I'm not an expert.

While on the lookout for another place to serve Christ's Family, we occasionally went to Flagstaff. During the 45 min trip, I liked to keep my hands busy. So I decided to make use of the "free" time to make up some necessary items for my household. My sponges were biting the dust and needed to be replaced. As we were out of work with no extra money to buy such things, I turned to my ability to crochet. I had extra yarn and the hooks, I just needed a pattern.

I found this pattern that I liked the look of. It was very easy and fast to make up. But to my chagrin, I found it too big for me to use to wash my dishes. I do love using these to clean the counters and table and such. They are great. They hold a lot and I do use them quite a bit, but I wanted something small to wash my dishes. So I searched the web yet again.

Then I came across this little gem. Perfect size for me. I like washing dishes with this. Very easy and fast, it doesn't use too much yarn. If I use my smaller pipe mold for round soaps, then I can plop a soap in there before I sew it up. If I use acrylic yarn, then it would be a nice exfoliating bath sponge. Later, when I can afford to, I'm gonna buy some nylon netting and make up some real scrubbies with this pattern.

The first picture is the Magic Shell Potholder by Teresa. If you are a beginner crocheter, check out her YouTube channel. She is very good about going slow and showing the stitches clearly. The second picture is of my Face Dots. Well, I'm still not sure what to call them. I made them to replace cotton balls. I know they are small and most likely to get lost in the wash, but when you can't buy more cotton balls, something has to be done. Not to mention, it is better, in my opinion, to reuse and to make things washable. In short, I'm trying to get rid of my dependence on the disposable products that can be wasteful. The last picture is of a hair scrunchie I made. I'll post the pattern later when I have a chance. It was very easy and now I can made my hair accessories match my clothes if I so choose. I'm not much into matching at times, I'm such a tomboy.

And last but not least, I needed diaper covers. This was a free pattern offered by Celtic Cloths. I'm so glad they offered up a free pattern in a size that seems to be most common. I am definitely gonna buy some more from them. I like it when a company offers up a free pattern so you can try it out and see if it works for you. This works great. Of course, I did change the pattern a bit when I added granny tabs instead of the suggested placement. If I had to do it all again, I think I would go for snaps and a snap press. But more on that later.

I hope you enjoyed the links. This is why I offer my information for free. To give back a little that I have found in the various places that offered up advice, patterns etc. It it helps another person that might be in the same boat as my family, then that is to the Glory of the Lord I serve. Thanks to all who offer up their hard earned information for those of us who search for it.

CJ