Monthly Archives: July 2024

Stuff

Lawn mowers.

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My gas mower became hard for me to start. When I was still able to start it, I had to use a bungee cord to keep it running. It was just too difficult with my bad shoulder to keep yanking the pull cord. Eventually, the pull cord became too difficult for even my son to start it.

I bought a battery powered mower and have been keeping up with the front lawn until this year. We have had so many alternating days of rain and sun, that the electric mower can’t keep up. I only get 45 minutes to a charge, but it takes both batteries to run and the chargers takes at least 4 hours to fully charge them. The mower originally came with just one charger for both batteries so I bought a second charger so I wouldn’t spend all day charging two batteries.

Yesterday, I wheeled the gas mower out to find out what the problem was with the recoil starter. I disassembled the housing then pulled out the cord casing. I rotated the motor fins a few times and it was moving freely, so the motor hadn’t seized. I did check the oil and it was clean, since the mower got a tune-up and oil change when I did the snowblower.

I tried to start it and I’m not strong enough to pull the cord to start it, so I asked my neighbor if he would get it started. It was a little rough but did start. I used a bungee cord to wrap the handle and managed to get my front yard mowed. Yay me!

The mower conked out when I tried to cut the back. It’s gets like a hay field back there sometimes. I finally hauled out the battery powered one and most of the back is now done. It was too hot to finish.

Tomorrow – weed whacking.

Crafting

Current Mood

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I started this a couple of gloomy days ago. Grey. Grey skies again. Raining – good for plants, bad for me. it’s so dark at 8 am. This will be another day of not getting my shed assembled. I can’t do it alone, but my help is really bad on the follow-through. Is it bad parenting? Or is the alcohol?

My family where I live consists of two people other than me – my son and my youngest granddaughter. I rarely see either of them. My son has to work, made plans with a friend he hasn’t seen in 5 years, doesn’t have gas money, promised someone he’d help them do their yard, or some other equally obnoxious excuse. The only time I hear from him is if he needs gas money or food.

My Granddaughter works, and when she’s not working, watches her younger sister, or hangs with friends. She’s still a kid at 16, soon to be 17. I cut her plenty of slack. I’m not her responsibility. If I call her and say I need her help, she’ll figure out a day and time. But I don’t impose on her.

So my shed is in its component parts waiting. If it wasn’t a two-person job, I’d have done it by now. Enough bitchin’ and moaning. You’re not here for that. You’re here to find out if I ever made it to the Quilt Museum. Yes I did. The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts, located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, has been hosting the traveling exhibit 25 Million Stitches: One Stitch, One Refugee.

This exhibit is an artistic collaboration from many different nations and people about human displacement, immigration, and solidarity. It consists of over 25 million hand-sewn stitches, each representing a single displaced human being. The stitches are sewn on muslin banners of varying lengths, which were connected to form banners each 14’ long. Completing this physical representation of this huge statistic required participation from over 2,300 stitchers from 37 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

I spent several hours there at the Museum, actually looking for my panel which I could not find. Several other guests helped after I showed a photo from my phone, but I never did find it. I thought I had, but it was not clearly visible from the floor.

The center aisle of the exhibit.
Some of the panels from the left side of
the room.
An example of some of the intricate stitchery that made of the exhibit.
The center panel of this image vaguely suggests the panel I made. I’m not certain it is actually mine.

That last photo was taken from the floor, looking up at the panel. It seems to be washed out by the overhead light. The picture below is what my panel looked like before I packed it up to send out.

My entry to the 25 Million Stitches Project.

I did find my name on the list of contributors so I know they received it. The exhibit has been traveling for several years not so there’s bound to be fading and damage even though they pack the banners very carefully. It was worth the drive even though my GPS kept trying to get me back on the selected route after I had to detour because one of the bridges was out of service for replacement.

Crafting, Stuff

Storage Shed and Other stuff

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The big project today was to assemble the shed I bought a month ago. The Boy Wonder came over early to finish laying the pavers for the shed base. But we didn’t finish because we both got over-heated preparing the ground for the paver base.

Tomorrow we need to re-do the pavers we did today. I totally forgot to put down the weed barrier. We still have one row of pavers to finish. Then we can assemble the shed and the yard equipment and furniture will no longer have to be stored in the garage. I might finally have enough room to pull the car all the way into the garage and be able to walk around it.

I’ve been working on my Will. That’s a lot of work. I spent 4 hours typing 5 pages. I’m not the best typist for words. Nor am I any longer a great number typist. I worked retail for so many years, and I was fairly fast with either hand, depending on how the checkout counter faced. But now I’m Miss Pokey. I never learned to touch type. That was taught in 9th grade, but I worked in the library at that class period.

The funny thing is that to replace missing pages in a book, we had to borrow a copy from the local library, create a page template, and then manually type the replacement text. So I did type but never learned the keyboard properly. Those replacement pages were then cut to size and inserted into the book. That’s how I learned book repair and re-binding – a skill I still use to make my own books and journals.

Today was supposed to be the day I held a paper-making class, but only one person had signed up. She’s willing to attend the August session which should have more people signed. Several who were interested had planned vacations for this July weekend.

I need to drive over to the Quilt Museum. I actually have a piece on display as a part of the 25 Million Stitches Project. It will be interesting to see the full display. Sad as well. Each stitch represents a refugee from an area with war, or drought, or other life-changing disaster. At this point in time, 25 million stitches is probably too few. I did 2500 stitches on my piece. Not nearly enough, considering the current state of the world.

And that is today’s update. I promise I will get back to crafting and posting pictures. The depression still has a tight hold on my brain, but I am getting better.

Crafting

Back to Bad Habits

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As in not posting. My paper-making class is about to be cancelled. Only one person signed up. I guess I charged too much. Most classes at the maker-space are from $50 to $250. I charged $50 per person and $25 for kids. I normally only charge a materials fee based on the average amount I pay for supplies plus $5, so people probably think the cost is too high.

As far as I know as of today, only one person has signed up for tomorrow’s session. I’ll ask if they want to attend the August class and postpone this session.

Update: July class is definitely cancelled.

Crafting, Stuff

Rainbow

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I’ve never seen a rainbow at night.

Rainbow 8:25 pm. Taken with phone.

I was at the Maker-space for Craft Night, but due to the weather reports, most people stayed home. Those of us there stayed until a bit after 8. The drive home was nothing special until I saw the rainbow the red sky.

I didn’t want to pull over on the side of the road so I took the photo after I pulled into the garage. It was weird seeing the multicolored arc in the evening sky. I thought it might be a moonbow, except the sun was just setting behind storm clouds in the west and the rainbow was to the east. So technically, it should be a rainbow not a moonbow. But someone who knows more can feel free to correct this old lady.

So far, I only have one person signed up for my first Basic Papermaking class. I hope I get a few more students by Saturday or I’ll have to cancel. And move that person to the session in August. Ah well. That’s it for now.

Crafting, Paper Crafts

Paper making

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I’m teaching a class in basic paper-making on July 20th at the maker space, it’ll be making pulp with the contents of my shredder. I’ve mentioned previously that I’ve done classes like this before.

Once I did a demo for another organization using flowers and herbs embedded in the pulp itself. That was very successful. Papermaking is easy to do, particularly if you have a paper shredder. Turning the shreds into pulp is a great way to prevent identity theft.

Run your shreds through a blender, scoop the pulp up with a specialty frame and press out the excess water with a few weighted objects. Once it dries, random letters may appear, but there’s no way to piece together anything with usable information. I’ve seen tv shows and movies where they painstakingly piece together shredded documents, but the reality is, it would take an incredible number of hours to gain useful information.

I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it’s unlikely for regular people to have their shredded documents pieced back together when there are easier ways of recovering data from computers and phones. But movies and television featuring criminals and spies would be less exciting to watch.

So – now that I’ve wandered off track — I have two sessions planned for paper-making, about a month apart. I have a brand new press to try. I’ve been using a wooden press I acquired many years ago. It’s just two pieces of wood with carriage bolts on the corners that get screwed down. The wet pulp is not particularly good for the bare wood. I also have two bamboo cutting boards that I stack bricks on to use as a press. The bamboo is less prone to the water damage, but still not ideal.

I almost had a 12-ton hydraulic press, but I couldn’t figure out where I would store it at the maker space. It would have been free, but by the time I figured a place for it, it had been sold. It might have been overkill for making paper. It certainly would have flattened it.

So far no one has signed up for the classes. Monday, I’m taking samples and items made from handmade papers to show what can be done. I hope that helps. Otherwise, the classes will be cancelled.

Crafting, Sewing

Makers Camp

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Yesterday I took part in the Maker Space’s Maker Camp. This is our first time offering something like this. The camp started in Monday with 8 youths participating. The first day was Orientation, designing name tags, woodcarving and metal work. I have a few pictures, but I’m only posting those without faces as I have not gotten permission from the parents or teacher to show them.

Some of the owls carved by the young makers in wood working..

Tuesday’s activities were an introduction to stained glass soldering, sewing, and ceramics. My part was showing the students how use a sewing machine. I showed them the different parts and how to wind a bobbin, and thread the machine. I had previously cut 1-yard pieces of different fabrics for them to use for sewing either a pillowcase or a drawstring bag.

Most of the students had no problems. There were two who did not catch on as fast as the others but in spite of a few stitching errors, completed their projects first. Everyone was so proud of their work. I did have one who forgot to sew the bottom of his bag so he put it on like a skirt and walked around wearing it until his group went to their next project. The rest of the week is filled with more ceramics, screen printing, bike maintenance, graphics design, woodworking, and laser cutting.

It was a lot of fun working with those kids and I plan to do it the next time we have an event like this. The camp continues for the rest of the week and ends with the kids learning to screen print after creating a design to go on their shirts. We adults get to have a shirt made as well.

For the next camp, I may suggest adding paper-making and book binding – two things I like to teach. Both are suitable if we decide to host younger kids. Another thing they could do would be would be weaving on a cardboard frame. I have a lot of ideas for the craftier young people.

About me, Stuff

Old?

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In the last two weeks, I have been called “old” more than once. Not directly, mind you. (Okay, that’s an old people phrase.) But old? I’m only 76. How can I be old?

When I look in the mirror, I don’t see an old face. I see a face with some maturity, some lines, a bit of sag, but not old. My hair is 90% grey and not as curly as it used to be, but I’ve been going grey since I was in my early 30’s. Parts ache, but I’ve been hard on this body. Sprained wrists and ankles. Broken bones. Scars from all the stupid stuff I did as a kid growing up with mostly boys as playmates.

Arthritis seems to be invading so I have trouble with my hands and knees. My memory is still sharp. My memory is still sharp. Okay, I did that on purpose. But yesterday, I was referred to as “that old woman.” Say what?

And I have an appointment with the Geriatric Fall Clinic. Old people go there. I can’t just go to the regular Fall Clinic. And I keep hearing, “people your age…” I mean I use the “people your age” line when I’m telling my son he needs to consider his life choices, or telling a child they’re too old to be behaving that bratty.

But I’m not old. I know people a lot younger than I, who behave as though they’ll fall over dead tomorrow – they’re old. They shuffle along like 90 year-olds and complain about “young people”. They eat at old people restaurants so they can stuff bags with food from the all-you-can-eat buffets. They know where every restroom is in a three state area and they drive 10 miles under the speed limit. That’s old.

I know I’m getting there. Almost everyday I get an email – “so-and-so from our high school class has died” or the euphemistic “has passed.” I think of it as I failed to die. I’ve outlived a lot of friends, classmates, and relatives. In a way, it’s not fair. There won’t be anyone left to go to my funeral in 30 or 40 years from now. Or tomorrow, which ever comes first.

I’m not really concerned with my life ending. No one gets to live forever. When I go, I’m gone. Fast or slow. And on that happy note, have a good day.

Crafting, Sewing

Summer Camp.

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Next Tuesday, the 9th, I will be teaching some young folks how to sew. The maker space I belong to received a grant to buy instructional kits for various shop areas. My area got 6 beginner sewing machines and I’ll be teaching groups of 4 to 6 students the basics of machine sewing.

This is our first year doing this summer camp, so it will be a learning experience for almost everyone. I’ve taught classes before. I did a paper making class for some elementary students and their parents as part of a public library program. I’ve taught simple printmaking, bookbinding, and a sun-catcher class to a group of variously challenged adults as part of an outreach program.

I’ve done basic book making classes for members and the public at the maker space several times as well as helping a troop of Girl Scouts with bookbinding. I have two classes scheduled for beginning paper making. These are paid classes where I provide the tools and supplies. I don’t actually make much money on these classes except to cover the cost of supplies. These particular classes are the first where I’ve offered a two-tier pricing – one for adults and half-price for ages 5 to 17.

For the Summer Camp, I plan to start with a simple pattern to show them the basics of reading a pattern. They won’t get much practical experience with the pattern, but I want to show them basics like seam allowances and markings and fabric grain. I’ll have some kits made up for making either a pillow case or stuff sack. I’m not certain if I will let them use an iron to press the fabric.

I’ll explain the parts of the sewing machine, how to wind a bobbin, and how to thread the machine. I’ll demonstrate each step and let the students try the steps. Next, I’ll explain the guide markings on the throat plate and how to tell if they are sewing straight. I’ll show them how to tell the right/wrong sides of the fabric and how to pin the seams together. I’ll give a demo on starting and ending seams.

They should have an hour to make the pillowcases and stuff bags. I’ll post pictures of the bags. The students might be holding them up, but there won’t be faces showing. I don’t post pictures of kids without parental approval.