"Make Do" Niddy Noddy

For the longest time, I've been meaning to pick up, or order a niddy noddy. I have just been spinning for personal use, so my hand to elbow has been a substitute for the n.n. We had a few pieces of wood down in the shop that was left over from ripping down some boards and I thought it was worth a try.. scrap wood and 2 screws, what was there to lose? I cut the 2 ends to the same length and left the center piece as it was. If I was to be technical, I would have measured it to a length that would work out easy to calculate the yardage by the wraps, but ...ok, i didn't.


I'm just wondering now why I wrapped yarn hand to elbow all this time? The n.n. would be more comfortable if I rounded the edges in the center, but until I find that niddy noddy that I just can't live without, this one will do!

It certainly helped to make a nicer looking skein than my arm winding did!

A stack of savings...

I love to recycle. Just recently, we went thru our closet again in efforts to make space.

Most of the clothes will hopefully be worn again. However, there were a lot of t-shirts and such that wasn't of quality to give away -most everything i've worn around the house has paint on it! I had been planning to make cloth diapers anyways - so this was a perfect project to use up those old shirts.Just an idea of the savings that can be had with cloth diapers - if you replace just one pamper a day with a cloth one, in a years time, you've saved right at 100 dollars. That's amazing, isn't it? (the diapers we're using now cost 26 cents, but it could be more or less depending on the size and brand and quantity purchased) That 100 dollars might not sound like a huge savings over a years time, but if you multiply that by the number of diapers you use a day, say, 10 a day, you're now looking at a sizable savings! If you keep your kid in diapers long enough, you can probably convince your husband that you have saved enough to buy a large flock of sheep. lol.

Of course, you do have the laundering with the cloth diapers, but it is simple, and much easier than I expected. I just rinse them out in the laundry sink. I have diluted laundry detergent in a pump bottle and if the diaper is dirty, a bar of natural soap gets them sparkly white again. (it's only gross if it's some other kid's diaper..lol) I wring them out and hang them on a hanger to dry, and just throw them in the dryer the next time the dryer is running. (we don't have to deduct any cleaning expenses from the savings now :) it's very minimal)

Buying cloth diapers can require an up front investment. but it will pay off in the long run. Initially, I purchased just 6 cloth diapers at a price of 94.00 - (some were up to 17.00 each) The price of making diapers is pennies on the dollar compared to buying them, especially if you have a stash of old t-shirts that can be used. I bought 100% cotton flannel for the inside of the diaper and cotton wash cloths for the inserts, and spent less than 10 dollars for 14 diapers! These cotton diapers are not waterproof, so do need to be covered. We are using wool covers.

Even if you don't feel comfortable with sewing, you can still use cloth diapers and save big! That is, if you have a use for cloth diapers.

I'll be sharing the link to the pattern i used along with some diaper sewing tips in an upcoming post.

Recycling again..

In an effort to get the wool off the kitchen table, kitchen chairs, ... (we've all been there, right?)

This simple drying rack was made from salvaged closet racks that were removed from a closet during a remodel. The lumber was remnants of 1" lumber that was ripped down, and in the fire pile. Well.. I actually took them out of the fire pile a week or so ago in hopes to find a purpose for them. I had originally thought of using 2x4 lumber to make a drying rack, but these worked perfect! (and 2x4s would have made this too heavy to move around as easy) The rack seems to work well for it's purpose, I only wish I had not nailed the side pieces - I think it could have easily folded up and fit under the bed when not in use. (but when it comes down to it, when will it not be in use?) I am thinking that when it is not being used for wool, it would be a great for drying pottery on -which is why i saved the wire shelves to begin with.

The basket is a fun find from a fridge/freezer that had been thrown away. (actually the old freezer had 2 of them in it) Anyways, it matches.. and even if it didn't.. it's getting re-purposed!

Total cost of the project? You guessed it.. plus, it's great to use up that 'fire pile' lumber!

Recycling..

Actually, I think i might have a disorder here.. compulsive recycling. (but i won't go into all that)

I found another use today for the cardboard box.. between it's original purpose of shipping, and the recycling purpose here of "fire starter" the box has an added purpose now of being a disposable pottery 'throwing bat.

(for the non-potter, the bat sits on the pottery wheel head and once your pot is made, you lift the bat off the wheel head and set it aside for drying - put down another bat and you're ready to make another pot! - the other option is to throw directly on the wheel head and lift the wet pot off the wheel head, taking a chance on distorting the pot)

I have bats that i've purchased (anywhere from 13.00 to 28.00 a piece) and others that have been made out of scrap plywood, and masonite pieces.. but my collection of bats is limited to 7. So, after 7 pots are made, that's all the pots that i can throw until those 7 pots start to dry enough to remove from the bat.

All that being said - today I really needed to make more than 7 pots at a time. The cardboard was a great temporary, easy solution! In just a minute a bat can be cut out of cardboard with a utility knife and ready to use. I don't know how well they would work if using large amounts of clay, but i was throwing 1 to 2 pounds at a time and they held up quite well.

So well, i might just use them again before putting them back in the 'fire starter pile!

(after they dry out that is)