Month: January 2023

Faster plarn cutting

On By CarynIn Craft

I have had plastic grocery bags waiting to be processed into plarn (plastic yarn) for … well, let’s just say it has been awhile.

Plastic shopping bags waiting to be processed

The technique I have been using involves folding and cutting one bag at a time, which is why they have languished on the hook, waiting. I decided to try a different method, using a cutting board and a rotary wheel. I pull each bag flat, which easiest by finding the bottom corner and pulling on the handle, and stack it on the cutting board. Pictured is a stack of five bags. I then used a ruler that is one inch wide and my rotary cutter to cut off the sealed bottom.

Five bags being cut with a rotary cutter

I continue up the bags, cutting one inch strips using the ruler, until I reach the handles. This gives me approximately 60 plastic loops for 13 passes of the cutter. I do discard the bottom and top of the bag. I have cut up to seven bags at the same time comfortably, and could probably go higher, when I’m feeling brave.

Plastic bag loops, ready to be made into plarn

It is definitely worth getting out the cutting board and rotary cutter to process bags, this goes so much faster than with scissors. The loops are more consistent as well, using the ruler, than eyeballing the angle with scissors.

Ginger hearts

On By CarynIn Recipe

I had an interesting piece of ginger root in my grocery order. As I sliced it, I made heart shapes because of the naturally occurring crease in the side of the root. What a pleasing serendipity.

Ginger heart shapes

I sliced the ginger to make Singer’s tea, which is a wonderful tonic for raspy and sore throats. The recipe calls for boiling 8” of ginger, in enough water to cover, for 45 minutes. I did that the first time, but tried the Instapot the second time for 10 minutes on high. Much less water loss. Here is the way I make it:

  • 8” ginger root, washed, unpeeled
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, ground
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup honey (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup Apple cider (to taste)

Slice ginger root in approximately 1/4” slices, add to Instapot, add water to cover. Add cayenne pepper. Pressure cook for 10 minutes on high, natural pressure release. Strain out ginger slices. Add honey, lemon juice, and apple cider. If the heat of the ginger is still too much, dilute with water. Keep in fridge. I do not reheat the tea to sip it (and it needs to be sipped). I feel the warmth in my throat, a soothing gentle warmth that also clears mucus. This has been especially helpful for me on high allergen days, and the day after intense chorus practice.

Honestly “to taste” means I don’t really measure, but taste it, add a dollop, stir, taste again. You know, scientific-like. Ha.

Staring into the void

On By CarynIn Cats
And the void stares back

This is Mr Tom’s buddy, that hangs out in the meadow with him, and will sometimes accept treats, from a distance. He is fixed, and probably remembers I had something to do with it. The two white whiskers are quite charming, even with the death stare.

Paper pins

On By CarynIn Craft

I love singing harmony, especially four-part harmony. I sing with a women’s barbershop chorus and on coaching night we needed a way to distinguish the sections and do a little team building, so I made pins for the basses. I did the design in Adobe Illustrator, printed on card stock, then cut out the 5” circles. To make the circles into pins, I had 1” pin bases in my stash. I cut out 2” card stock circles to hold the pin bases.

Pin parts

The pin base has prongs, which I poked through the card stock and bent over with pliers to hold it to the smaller circle.

Pin base attached to cardstock

Then I used hot glue to attach the pin and circle to the larger sign.

Hot glue provides a strong bond for cardstock

I didn’t have quite enough pin bases, but the technique works great with safety pins as well. I cut two slits in the card stock circle to hold the safety pin, then used hot glue

Two different ways to attach safety pins

Recipe book hack

On By CarynIn Life Hack

I have a precious recipe book that my sister put together from my Grandmother’s most used recipe cards. I don’t want to spill or drip on it, so I cover the pages with a sheet of plastic wrap to protect it.

Recipe book protected with plastic wrap

The cucumber salad is the recipe I use the most often.