Ground cover

Here's the latest in home projects: A t-shirt rug. These pictures are trial one. We are on to trial two. Stretchy fabric is difficult to work with, particularly in that it continues to stretch even after it's woven, so constant tightening is necessary. Too much tightening yields a not flat rug. Hence, we are on to trial two. More pictures when it ever gets finished. It has to though, as it is a borrowed hula hoop. The inspiration come from some online source and said 2-3 hours. Hours on Venus maybe?

Want to know how it's done? Cut strips of t-shirt (horizontally) from the bottom hem to the sleeves. Use several strips, loops actually, as the front and back remain in tact, as the cross pieces (the warp) and wrap them around the hula hoop. Loop another t-shirt piece around the center of these, as you would a luggage tag, and begin the over/under weave (the weft). Two of the warp pieces must be treated as one, in order to give an odd number. Continue adding pieces and weaving. Eventually, separate each warp into two strands in order to give the rug more structure. How's that for an explanation. I have yet to finish it off. You may get that story someday.

Christmas gifts

Here are the promised pictures now that all the Christmas gifts have been sent. The sheets were for my sisters (the first three are one set in a spiral and fish tail? pattern, the second three are the sun, star, and sunset, though the star ended up with 6 points and didn't come out very clearly)

and the apron for my mother-in-law. Thanks for the old jeans, Mom! The Princess even got a matching one entirely of pockets!!!

What I learned:

• Tie dye really does stain stuff. It also washes out a lot, so the colors you start with are not what you will get. It's worth a try though and really fun, if you stop worrying about how many colors your little person will be by the end. There's more to share, but maybe another time.
• When cutting a square, say, around a pocket, maker sure to leave lots of room for the seam. These are called flat felled seams, I think, and are like the double seam in jeans, where there is no rough edge. It's done by putting the two wrong sides together, staggered slightly, so that the longer edge can roll over the other and a second seam holds it together. 

Merry Christmas once again! May the spirit of Christmas last all year!

25 Days of Wellness - Day 25

For the final day, here the best idea yet: share some joy by giving service, just as the Savior did. Merry Christmas and God bless us, every one!

25 Days of Wellness - Day 24

Nothing so far has been food based, so here's one: Resist one treat. Even better, add a fruit or veggie in. Nom nom nom.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 23

Have you spent time outside today? It might be late where you are, but the Princess and I spent time watching the rain from inside the garage. It was the fresh air without getting wet, which was lovely...we were barefoot though, so it would have been cold. Sounds fun! Maybe again tomorrow.

25 Days of Wellness - Day 22

Take a walk! Have we already done this one? Well, I'm going to be walking and sitting a lot today, so that's the plan! Wanna join me?