Got it all working

So after some thinking and some probing with my volt tester I came to the conclusion that the problem was with the transformer in the track light, so I took it apart again and reseated the wires and presto, it works. I absolutely love how bright it is now in the kitchen, I also didn't realize how dirty the old track light was, so this was a good opportunity to give it a good cleaning.

New Kitchen Lights

Craig has been complaining that we haven't had enough light in the kitchen since we remodeled. I was so over electrical stuff by the time we finished, I just didn't have it in me to wire one more thing. I went to Lowe's today to get some light bulbs and stopped by the lighting section and started thinking, (That's a dangerous thing) I thought pendant lights would look great over the sink, that space has always looked like it needed something, anyway, I took Craig back to Lowe's to show him my idea and he was all for it!

Of course I wasted no time getting up into the attic to survey and think about how I was going to tackle this. I decided to run a wire from the overhead lights, that way all of the lights would work off of the same switch. I got back out of the attic and gathered my tools and headed back up. Our attic is very shallow and it is full of blown-in insulation, so I basically have to slither my way around. Craig ran a drill bit up in the location of the new junction box so I could find it, then he cut out the hole for the junction box. I then had to work my way to the area and secure the junction box to the rafters, this was not easy since I had about 10" of space to work in, this is not a job for people with claustrophobia, I think all of those years long ago when I was a contortionist helped as well. Anyway, I fed my wire through the old light junction box to the new box and my work in the attic was done.

So, I unwired the old light so I could tie the new light into it and I discover 3 separate wires coming into the box, I changed out most of our wiring when we remodeled except this one, all of the wiring in this house is so bizarre, anyway, I hooked it up tried it out and........nothing...........argh!!! Neither light worked, so I start over and draw myself a diagram and think and think and think, what is going on here, I then tried just hooking up the old light the way it was and..........nothing again, so I hook up just the new light and.........Success! So I unwire everything, test the wires, figure out which one is the power line, draw it all out again on a piece of paper, go back and rewire everything and ..........only the new light works. I have no idea why my old light (which isn't really old) isn't working, I am going to give it another go tomorrow after I sleep on it. All in all, success, I love the new lights.

Craftsy BOM 2012

Here are my first two blocks in the Craftsy 2012 Block of the Month. They will have two blocks every month for 10 months and the last two months will be lessons on putting them together. I love BOM's, these are "Slash Blocks" and I have to say in all the years of my quilting I have never made these kind of blocks, they are super fast and easy. This should be quite the eclectic quilt, I am just grabbing fabric from my stash, so I should end up with some interesting color combinations.

Sock finished

Well, I got one finished. I have learned a lot from this sock, 1. I need to use more pegs on my loom, it is a little snug. 2. I think I will try a different cuff next time, I'm not fond of this one. 3. I will sew the toe together differently, this one is a little bulky looking. All in all I am happy with it.

Notice I did shave my legs for this photo shoot, I just forgot to put lotion on afterwards.

This angle isn't very attractive, lol, I have such skinny feet.

Sock Loom Project Progress

So I have gotten past the heel and just have a few more inches to go on the foot, then just the toe left to do. So this may take less than three months to make after all, but still a slow process. But I found I can work on it and sort of watch TV at the same time. I'm am already thinking ahead to my next pair and designing it in my mind, but I haven't even started the second sock yet, I would really just like to make a bunch of different unmatched socks, but that isn't practicable.

Sock Loom Project

Normally I find it difficult to do a project that can be done faster and easier with a machine, but I decided I wanted to try making myself some socks, the sort-of old fashioned way. After doing some research I found that circular sock machines were really popular in the 1800's and early 1900's but they can cost thousands of dollars for a refurbished one, I wasn't planning on making that many socks, as far as I could research (google), I couldn't find anyone manufacturing modern day ones except for the super expensive computerized ones. I didn't even think that there was such a thing as a sock loom, I thought you had to do them with needles and that was out of the question for me, my knitting isn't that great with only 2 needles and for socks it takes like 4-5 needles. But alas, I found this handy little adjustable sock loom, and best of all they had it on sale at Joann's for only $18 and change.

After casting on and doing a few rows I realized I wouldn't be wearing these socks anytime soon, it is a slow process and the yarn is very fine.

I'm finally starting to see some progress, it gives me hope, I have already managed to get two blisters and a sore muscle in my shoulder, but I am determined to get this done.

Felted Purse

I decided I wanted to try and make a felted purse, every felted purse I had ever seen was knitted and my knitting is just so-so, I am a much better crocheter. So I decided to see if I could make a crocheted felted purse. Here is the purse and straps before washing. It was probably 16" across and 18" tall.

Here it is right out of the washing machine, I stuffed a towel in it to help shape it while it dried. It smelled like a wet dog so I also Febreezed it. I stretched the straps out and clamped them onto my table to straighten them out. Now it has shrunk down to about 10" wide and the widest point and 12" tall.

I put a simple cotton lining in it, no pockets or anything.

I like it, it's kinda homely but charming at the same time. I'm glad I decided to add the eyelash yarn at the top, it gives it even more of a rustic look (or something).