wool dryer balls

I prefer to hang dry clothes.  I do have a dryer though.  I was kind of talked into it.  But I do use it occasionally.  Especially if thunderstorms have rinsed the clothes on the line three times.

But I do not like the dryer sheets or liquid fabric softeners.  It is both the how they make the clothes feel and the smells.  I do not like the smells.

I have been looking at the wool dryer balls and decided to make them.  The easiest way was to take a ball of wool yarn, put it in a nylon, wash it with a load of wash, and then dry it.  I have plenty of wool yarn but no nylons.  I had some napkins I could tie around the ball very tightly so I tried that.

I will say it worked quite well.  I made two, thinking I can make more as I go through my yarn basket, deciding what I wished to use or not.  One worked perfectly.  The other has a bit of a felted cap.  They actually still look like balls of yarn but behave like balls.

I have enough wool fleeces I was thinking I might try the same thing with a lot of fiber packed into my holey napkin.  That would be even easier then making the yarn first.  Maybe the next load of laundry.  

This was incredibly easy.  So easy I may make some for my Etsy shop or gifts.  Easy stocking stuffers are always a plus!

mad rush of pajama making

It is the wild pajama making season again.  I am not really sure how I am going to get everything done for Christmas that I have planned to do.  I have also decided not to worry about it.  My life is goign to be rather topsy turvy for the next couple of months.  Maybe even four.

I was laughing because my December posts could be the same every year.  Similar cookies get baked and sent.  Pajamas are madly made.  This year I also need to build two beds.  It is going to be a very interesting December.

And on top of that, everyone I know seems to have a cold.  Drinking tea hurts.  That is unforgivable.  But there is also not much I can do about it.  I have tried to rest more.  Sleep does not always seem to happen which is why I say rest.

I am going to try to get all that flannel ironed today so I am ready for cutting.  There is one more piece that I did not show.  I will probably iron until dinner, at leaset.  Not that I have any ideas for that.  Are cookies okay?

mid steps

Now that I can stand for any length of time again, I am cutting paper.  So exciting!  Not really but it very much part of the process.  I was planning to do this last week but the body work I had done actually put me down.  I love the idea of body work or massage but most times it is not good for me.  It pushed back the paper cutting by a week.  I am also going to need to order more paper the next time I am printing.

I realized that I have been wearing my new colorful shawl a lot.  The cream sweater I made awhile back is lovely but I do not wear it.  I realized it is because it is mostly too warm.  I had some of that yarn leftover and I started a different style sweater.  Still a cardigan but looser.  More like a shawl in shape.  I just want something I wear more often. 

I have gotten to the point that I go through my closets, drawers, and stash before I even think about going to buy supplies for a dress, shawl, or sweater.  I like the materials I make something with but I do not always like the end product.  There is another sweater that may become a shawl as well.  I will admit that the dress I am wearing today is wearing out.  This fabric may be something I try to find again but it has been so many years that I might not find a brown turquoise combination.  

I put fabric in water to get ready for dyeing.  There are squares to be laid out.  Everything is in the mid step of making.  But I did sell a knife roll yesterday.  I need to make another.  Maybe I will start that tomorrow!

started bitters

I received the Issue 21 of Taproot.  My thoughts about this magazine are always a bit divided.  There are just enough good ideas for me to keep subscribing.  Part of my divided thoughts are that there is a counter culture type vibe going on with it and I just feel they try a bit hard.  Maybe because I have already lived through it before.  But I guess it says something when I pull out my flour mill to make fresh flour for soy sauce.  Been there, done that.  Just relax.

This issue had an article on making your own bitters which I have been thinking about doing.  To add another steeping jar of bits on the counter.  Why not?  I saved the peels from the mandarin oranges Koda Bear eats by the dozen.  I went through my spice shelf and pulled a few things.  I added a bit of honey.

Brandy, mandarin orange, mandarin orange peel, four vanilla beans, a knob of peeled ginger, six cardamon pods, ten whole cloves, six whole allspice, and a tablespoon of honey or so into a jar.  I shake it occassionally but it is supposed to sit until next month.  Then we will see.  To add to drinks.  To settle tummies.  To help with digestion.  I like the idea of making my own.

I will just have to see how it all turns out in about a month.