Shop tip

when working with power tools, put Bag Balm on your hands.

They soften the hands so they do not dry out.
It lets your grip better.
It protects your hands from grime and wear.
When (not if) you cut yourself, the sulfur in the Balm will start the antibiodic reaction.

Still playing with dolls

Somehow I ran across this website with paper dolls.  I think it was when I was looking for things for paper craft.  Like there are paper models of the Lunar Module which I am going to do sometime.  Along with some paper crafts from Video games I play.

Paper dolls

I printed some up for my students.  Yes I have played with them too.  Primarilly to work on my insufficient drawing skills.

I printed some up for friends' daughters.

I like the Bodacious ones, they are not skinny.

Craft day

Since I have had the day off I did many household chores.  Including putting a new strap on my new bag.  I like the bag but with my OCD, I like things in different pouches.

  Dumping in does not work.  Using my leather sewing machine I did this for my pens, moleskine pad and multitool.

Everything I read about the bag says the strap does not work for long.  I can see why, the support is off balance.  Two large compartments but the strap is connnected on one side.

I used some of the original straps and clips then sewed them to the large strap.  Then I put a D ring on the other compartment.  I adjusted so the new ones do not hold much weight but it could be enough to relieve the strain.

Toward the end I had trouble.  After much fuming and fussing I replaced the needle then had to rethread the thing and adjust the bobbin tension.  Lesson learned.  When the thing acts up, take the time and get the instructions troubleshooting guide.

Crafting storage

Adam Savage (of Mythbusters) has several tool boxes.  As a person who works in the prop business he builds many things, for job and pleasure.  Organizing and having is necessary.  He has what he calls First Order Accessability.  Which means he likes things where he sees them.

So I made something for my sewing and crafting.  My husband helped me.  It was my first use of Forsner bits.

Organizing

Tested on Tested.com and its Youtube channel posted favorite things.
Many were fun then I saw this

Favorite things start at 1:50

This is not complicated, a backing, some straps.  I did some google search for instructions and found some with staples, cardboard etc

Then I made this.

It is made from elastic, some strapping, posterboard, staples and washi tape.  This is something my students can make and use for their equipment.  So I have an easy STEM project.

decorating

Washi tape is like mini duct tape.  I started using it to focus on my things...

My students use the washi tape I give them to decorate their notebooks.  I do not mind.  They take pride in their work, can use them to organize and personalize.  The one who used all my tape to cover the front of her notebook bothers me.  "you could have used Duct tape...!"

I have some more I'm taking in to try to get my ...lazy...erhmm. challenging class working.

I also have some bought for my students as christmas presents.

RPg storage

I made the stencil from online and used craft paint with paper towels to make a griffin.  It is a book storage box. I used foam from work, that they donated along with the book/boxes my son gave me.  A kickstarter of gaming stuff inspired me.  this looks better than what photos show.  It has my dice, a journal, pens and minatures along with another slot under the journal.  The BSG journal is the smalled I have.  It took me time, gluing the leather cover, getting the foam in place (it involved a clamp) and lots of setting and covering.

paracord jig

From Instructable.

I plan on having an afternoon project for my students.