Re-Caning Chairs: Final Post

So I finally finished re-caning one of my chairs. It took me longer than I thought, but I have been a lot busier than usually the last few weeks.



Re-Caned Chair



I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  My husband and I did a "test sit", just to make sure that we wouldn't fall through. It feels very sturdy!  I would definitely recommend re-caning your own chairs if you have the time.  It costs significantly less than paying someone else do it and it feels very rewarding once it is complete. Now I need to order more supplies for the other chairs and teach my husband how to do it!



Tin Jack o lanterns

I was just checking out the Martha Stewart website and I found this Halloween project and it involves recycling! This project is really simple. All you have to do is

1. Take a clean used coffee or soup can
2. Fit with water & freeze
3. Take the frozen can and lay it across a bag of rice to steady it
4. Punch holes using an awl and hammer into any pattern you want
5. Paint the can using oil based enamel & let dry. If the holes become covered, use a toothpick to clear them.

You can then add a votive candle and you get a tin jack o lantern!

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/tin-can-jack-o-lanterns?lnc=a7367dbc53cee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=taxonomylist_crafts_recycling-crafts

GOOS Paper

If you know me, then you know I hate throwing things away. Especially things that I know have not gotten as much use out of them as I would have liked. For instance, I have a huge folder full of GOOS paper (Good On One Side). I try to use it for taking notes, making to do lists, etc. but let's face it, it's not very pretty to look at. So, I found these websites which offer great ideas on ways to use that GOOS paper, while keeping it pretty at the same time.

The first website shows you how to make notepads using padding compound:

http://www.blogger.com/thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=1646

I looked on amazon for the padding compound and I found a quart for $9.41

The second website shows you how to make little notebooks out of old cards:
http://www.craftypod.com/?p=485

Now I need to go home to make these cute things!

Crafty

I've been having craft fever. Here is a list of projects that I am either working on, or want to work on:

1. Cardigan - I've been working on this project for 2+ years. Don't you think it's about time I finished it?


2. Short sleeved sweater - This has been a six month project, but I've only done about 2 inches.

3. Embroidery - this is a small project, maybe 3 x 4 inches. I don't even know how long ago I started it

4. Rug hooking - this is a small (9 X 12 in) beginner project I started a few months ago. It's an easy project to pick up every once in awhile. I have been wanting to design my own pattern though.

I guess the point of this post was to remind myself of how much I slacker I am with my projects - or is it that I'm just insanely busy with work, school, and wedding planning?