Keep Your Cool

I have been sewing up a storm lately. One of the top items on my sewing list are cooling neck ties...

Neckties that help you cool down?

Why yes!

There are pulse points all over your body and by placing a cool damp cloth on these points you can help keep your body temp down despite the rising temperatures. Everyone has a few different spots on their neck and head that are pulse points.

I make these ties that can be worn in several ways.

Tied on your forehead like a bandana:

Tied around your head with the wet part at the base of your skull:

Tied with the ends hanging around your neck, or tucked into a shirt:

I like to freeze mine over night to get them extra cold on day's that I know I will be outside all day. First wet the gel area (center back of each tie) then place in a zip lock baggie (to prevent sticking to anything in the freezer) and toss on in the freezer.

You can re-wet the ties at any point in the day should they dry out or become to warm.

You can hand wash them should they get grungy with mild soap and water. I make my own soap but I would suggest something that is perfume free and just the smallest amount rubbed into the fabric, rinsed well and hung to dry. Do not put these in the dryer as it can damage the silica beads inside.

If your beads clump up to much and dry into a hard ball or tube simply soak in water for 5 -10 minutes and then squish with hands to move the beads apart.

Wear them indoors (and raise your thermostat a little) or outdoors if you are going for a walk, exercising, strolling the farmers markets, shopping, paying bills, working on your yard or in your garden.

I personally wear mine when ever I go out to do yard work even in the early morning hours.
Here are a few examples of past ties that I have made and sold:

I make these in a variety of colors and fabric prints. If you are interested in one please send me a message.

Recycling Old Towels

I am in desperate need of dog beds! We took out the carpet that was stained, smelly and wouldn't come clean in our rental. I painted the floor just to add a little protection. The landlord doesn't want to put new carpet in with pets being allowed, so I am on the hunt for some other free alternatives. I have a few idea's that involve paint, stencils and free upcycled mat's... But in the mean time my dog's are constantly on the prowl for somewhere softer to lay.

So I thought about the many falling apart old towels I have...

Then the thought hit me...

Why not make a rug out of them!

Perfect for the dog's to curl up on, and I can still toss them in the washer to clean them without it being a major deal!

I have two different idea's, One is a braided rug and the other is a weaved rug.

So I am working on them today and will come back to post pictures of the finished projects!

*Stay Tuned for the Edit and picture upload*

Some changes round the blog

You may have noticed some changes I already made, Like the new background (finally) and colors on the blog. This fits me better and feels more genuine than the previous background.

I am still trying to work out a few things like a silly pinterest button because I love to pin and lets face it blogs that have the button are easier to deal with! I am also working on creating links to favorite blogs so that you can click on the tab and go to that blog directly, hopefully this makes it easier to find projects or whatnot. So be sure to check the tabs up top for the page that will link directly to that blog.

I hope that you all can appreciate the changes and work that has gone on so far, more is to come and I am trying to get it there quickly.

Spitfire's Birthday dresses

In June the Spitfire turned 9. I am still amazed that my little tiny thing is 9 but she will tell you 9 isn't "old enough!" Finances being what they are I could afford time more than things. So i spent about 3 days creating a pattern just for her and hoping that my guesses were correct.

This is the result:

 And just to show the little celebration we had here are her cupcakes that she decorated herself: