Whirlygigs #2 and #3

My friend, Cindy, and I are getting ready to take a load of "stuff" to the Alpine St. Flea Market this coming weekend.  It didn't seem like the time would go so fast when I reserved our spot.  I thought "how long could it take to put together a half dozen whirlygigs?"...I have plenty of materials and quickly discovered that is not the biggest challenge.

The biggest challenge is my learning curve.  In the past two weekends I have learned to restore (grease and adjust) old bike hubs, drill multiple sized holes into all sorts of materials, tighten screws with nuts, use rivets, and use a chop saw.  Since I refused to try welding these projects would not have been possible without my dear husband's help.  I keep thinking there must be an easier way and I am determined to find it. 

A couple of observations: Fittings that screw directly to the bike hub (eliminating the need for welding).  Larger holes in the bike hub that don't need to be drilled out.  Mechanics gloves (for grip and overall less dirt on hands).  I really hate having dirty hands.

So a few more adjustments to these two and making maybe two more, before Saturday...wish me luck.

I love this guy! 

Whirligig, nearly complete!

A little time available today to finish up my project and put it out in the yard.  A little breeze even gave it a slow spin.  I thought I was finished but after seeing the photos it definitely needs three more jello molds on the bottom ring to give it some visual weight. 

I'm rating it "not bad" for my first attempt and I'm excited about what the next one could be.  I have a box full of aluminum pans, utensils, and cups...add that to all the ideas in my head and it could turn out pretty cool.  We shall see!

It works!

Whirligig!

Such a beautiful sunny day, it seems spring might really have arrived.  I've had a project in the works for many, many months.  A whirligig for my garden.  I have collected two bins of metal objects (pan lids, cups, tea pots and more).  Most of the items have been acquired from Goodwill but then as usual word-of-mouth spreads and the next thing you know everyone getting ready for a garage sale has things to give you (great fun!! and cheaper too).  One of my bins filled with copper cups, jello molds, colander, and even a great serving dish (chafing dish?).  

So today the project got off the ground.  I could not have even begun without the help of my amazing talented husband.  We bought a galvanized pipe for a post and a bell fitting to attach a bicycle hub to the top of the post.  I found the bicycle wheel at the Cracked Pots sale (McMenamins Edgefield) in the Metro Recycle bin...free is a very good price.  Scott gave it a good cleaning and greasing, something a new hub probably wouldn't have required.  I think the designing, deciding which item goes where, might be the challenging part but we got a good start today and might be able to finish it up this week. 

I will definitely be posting pictures.  I can already picture it getting a lovely green patina and spinning in the gentle summer breeze.

Sewing with Nancy!

There is nothing like a 'play day' to revive ones spirit and energy. It had been quite some time and I was in dire need....Nancy to the rescue.  She found an awesome quilt on Pinterest that we could make together from our stash fabric.

So far I have twelve blocks finished.  Here are another sixteen blocks in progress....and below, I see at least two blocks I really don't like, maybe they'll live together in a different quilt.

Nancy posted a terrific tutorial on her blog for making the blocks.  I had a terrific day!

Desperately wants to PLAY!!!

Yep!  Nothing really to blog about.  Just been busy working and staying on task...except for this distraction called Pinterest.  So many fun things to see and inspirations to motivate the heart to create.  One day, soon I hope.

Christmas Sewing

I started the month with great plans for making grand kiddo gifts.  I had great ideas for the girls, certainly I could just shop for the two boys and be done.  Well, the typical Star Wars stuff and I was done for them.

Next up, a ruffly purse for the oldest...I knew which fabric I wanted to use but trying to lay out the plan just didn't come together.  Having a pattern may have helped but I gave up before that and went to the store.  Found cool stuff, on sale....three down, three to go!

Little girls costume dresses!!  Natalie LOVES Snow White and Addisyn LOVES Tinkerbell...piece of cake!  Not so much.  I had planned to use fabric I had on hand but really, if they aren't shiny or sparkly princesses and fairies lose their appeal.   Back to the store...one cool thing, one ok...nothing on sale (yikes)...five down, one to go!

So.  Middle grand girlie is getting an American Girl doll and she needs a wardrobe.  Knowing this several months ago I made a great find of Simplicity patterns for $1 each at Jo Ann Fabrics.  Easy, right?  Well, happy to say I persevered and only need to add one fancy dress at this point :)

Nothing more to shop for since dog surgery blew any budget for ourselves.  I did pick up a little something for my sweetie.  Nothing special but I know he'll enjoy it (yes, food related).

Poor Ratchet!

It's been an interesting few dog weeks.  Took Ratchet in to be neutered, rabies shot, license and such.  All went well.  The weather that week was especially cold and I couldn't bear to put him out in the kennel so I put a crate up in my shop so he could at least be warm and close by.

BIG MISTAKE!  Ratchet's middle name really should be Hoover (as in vacuum) because he sucks up anything he finds on the floor.  I never saw him get into anything.  A couple of days later he started vomiting and wouldn't/couldn't stop.  Murphy's law couldn't let it be during normal vet hours....NO! A Saturday morning trip to the emergency vet.  Ratchet had swallowed a straight pin and it perforated his stomach.  Surgery....brought him home the next day....along with plenty of meds.

Poor sweet puppy totally doped up and wearing the 'cone of shame'.  It's not the most wonderful accessory though it is useful if one wanted to be hit in the back of the knee or scoop gravel from the driveway during a potty walk.  He's done a great job in the last ten days of attempting to destroy it and we will both be happy when it comes off tomorrow when the sutures are removed.