So now that I’m back to posting things for sale on Etsy, I needed a way to organize and protect my inventory. In the past I would tuck boxes into a cupboard, but then have to rummage through the boxes when something sold. This time I bought a file box with hanging folders, and am tucking the cards and wood work into the folders and labeling.
This should keep my inventory safe and dry (rather than on a table or counter where anything could happen), and I know where everything is!
I have been trained well. I put the fuzzy blanket back on my chair (excuse me, the cat’s seat) when I get up so she can get comfortable. The problem comes when I come back. She allows me to pick her up with the blanket and settle her back on my lap, but then unfolding the blanket is awkward and she leaves. I have found a solution.
If I place the blanket folded roughly in half, with the edge forward, I can slide my arms under the first layer, pick up the cat, sit back down on my chair, get the blanket spread on my legs and the cat settled on my lap with minimal fuss.
Yes, I am a good cat minion.
I spend a chunk of money on sketch books, both for me and my kids. I want them to practice their art skills, and they enjoy it, so it is a worthwhile sacrifice of paper. But purchased journals are usually heavy as well as expensive. To help lighten up my youngest’s backpack, I made some simple blank journals from printer paper, card stock, and upholstery thread.
My youngest noticed that when the microwave is going, her bluetooth connection from her iPad to her hearing aids gets glitchy. Then my husband mentioned that when ever I start the microwave, the TV connection goes out. Our microwave is in a strange location, tucked into a hole on the end of the kitchen island. Our router and internet connection are on the counter opposite. Options on moving either device so they don’t face each other are low, and all the possibilities involve drilling new holes. So I tried taking my largest cookie sheet and propping it up against the microwave to block the interference. It seems to work. It is an ugly hack, so I might design a decorative door with patterned perforated metal in the future. Conductive metal blocks microwave radiation. As long as the holes are smaller than the electromagnetic waves coming out, it should work and still provide ventilation. Here is an interesting article on microwaves and wireless devices from Wired, which supports my thinking.
Last minute Valentine’s hack! To tie up some goodies in a bag, when you don’t have a pre-made bag, but you do have some fabric and some ribbon. This is like a hobo bag, but fancy, as the resulting tied fabric looks like a flower. I used a square of chiffon fabric and sealed the edges by passing them by the flame of a candle to melt them. If your sewing machine is up and running you could also hem the fabric, but the slightly melted edge works for this flower form. You could also use a pre-hemmed square of fabric. To tie the bag shut, I used about two feet of ribbon. I put the chocolates in the middle, gathered the ends together, then tucked the corners back under. I have made a short video on how to here.
Critters and Craft 