Author: Caryn

A different way

On By CarynIn Cats

Sitting in the car in my neighbor’s driveway has worked to catch 17 unfixed cats so far, but the remaining couple are elusive and wary so I have to approach in a different way. I set up a web camera behind my coop to monitor a trap.

Camera mounted behind the coop

I have a water station and insulated box behind my coop for our outdoor cat, and we have noticed that neighborhood cats from both sides also use the area. Even the elusive Momma cat. Hm. I have a trap out there, but upside down so no one gets caught without supervision (a trapped cat panics and can injure themselves if not closely monitored and swiftly covered and moved). I’ve been putting tasty morsels in there to get them used to checking for food. When we are ready to trap, I will set it and monitor through the camera, so the cats can’t see me.

Camera view

Fingers crossed.

Weights and measures

On By CarynIn Craft

I put together seven top/bottom whorl spindles to sell at our local spinning/game store. I put the length and weight on each one on a custom stamped tag. I consider these student spindles, since the whorls are made from wooden toy wheels. I did shape the shaft with a notch on one end, and a reinforced hook at the other end, so they are fancier than the mass produced versions. Each spindle is also slightly different, which I think it good to appeal to different preferences.

Student spindles, weighed and measured

Pan handle

On By CarynIn Craft

One of my Dad’s favorite cooking implements is a cast iron pan. I saw ideas on leather handle covers so thought I would make him one. I started out with some card stock to make a template. I liked the idea of a wrap around handle cover because it seemed it would be more comfortable to grip.

Making a paper template

I used the template and leather shears to cut the design from tooling leather. With the wrap around design, only the end needs sewing, the wrap has enough give to slide onto the handle, but should stay in place. I wetted the leather and punched holes, then I lashed the end with a strip of leather.

Securing the end with leather thong

I let the sewn assembly dry in place on a cast iron pan (both my sister and I have pans at our house in case Dad needs to cook something while he is visiting.) When it was dry I sealed it with Resolene to protect it from food spills.

Finished leather pan handle

Resist

On By CarynIn art

Resolene is an acrylic based leather finish that can protect smooth leather. I have a very large bottle of it. What else can I use it for? Will it work as a resist for watercolor art? It should, and it does!

Preparing to use Resolene as a resist on watercolor paper

I used a small paint brush to write “Happy Birthday” on two sheets of water color paper, then used a hair dryer to dry the writing.

Resist added to paper and dried

My youngest and I then each painted watercolors over the entire paper. We wanted to try out some new pearlescent watercolors, so it was a double experiment (not recommended in scientific experiments, but encouraged in artistic endeavors.)

Watercolor paintings

I think if I use Resolene to make words again, I will make the letters a little thicker, but overall the venture was a success! The clear acrylic kept the resisted areas mostly white, so the writing is readable in the final product. Pearlescent watercolors don’t photograph well for sparkle, but they do have a nice shimmer in person.