Monthly Archives: November 2013

Velcro

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Velcro has to be one of the best inventions yet.  Tiny, slightly stiff hooks on one side and soft loops on the other. velcro colseuo My first experience with Velcro was when I was in a marching group and our uniforms had Velcro closures on the vests.  Pure magic. velcro dots The carpet in our first house was just like Velcro.  Everything stuck to it. When I had major surgery in 1990, I asked the doctor how I was put back together: staples, stitches, glue?  His reply in broken English sounded like “Velcro”.  It turned out to be the brand name of dissolvable sutures: virkron ?, vicryl?, the exact name escapes me.  Being put back together with Velcro is still a family joke. velcro strip Velcro or hook-and-loop material is so common anymore that we take it for granted.

We use hook-and-loop strips to keep our electrical cords corralled.

velcro tie

Do they even make kids shoes that tie anymore or do they all close with Velcro? velcro shoe A blast from the past: Velcro hair rollers. velcro rollers Wearing flannel pajamas to bed with flannel sheets is almost like wearing Velcro.  There’s no sliding into bed or getting into the best sleeping position.  The two flannel pieces are stuck together like Velcro. velcro suit

Usefulness

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I’ve had a couple of people ask me what is the use of fingerless mitts.

Mitts-for-Pat-2

Having fingers exposed allows one to use their fingers while keeping the rest of their han and wrist warm.  Think of buttoning you child’s coat or tieing their shoes when it’s cold outside.  Feeling for something (keys, lip gloss, tissues, gum) in your purse without taking your gloves or mittens off.  Answering your cell phone or texting.  Buckling your child into a car seat when it’s c-o-l-d outside.  Typing, filing, taking notes in a cold classroom or office.

The difference between fingerless mitts and fingerless gloves is (IMHO) is that fingerless mitts just end so the fingers are free while fingerless gloves have topless fingers.

I’ve made a combination of fingerless gloves and mittens once for a friend who loves to take photographs on the C&O Canal towpath in our area.  Ever try to take a picture with gloves on?  The pattern is called “Glittens” by Nuttinbutknittin.

Glittens for Mark 2007

Glittens for Mark 2007

On the other hand (no pun intended) many pairs of fingerless mitts have come off my knitting needles.

office-mitts.1

Fingerless mitts for my office, Christmas 2011.

Mr Aitch's Musica Mitts 2010

Mr Aitch’s Musica Mitts 2010

Fingerless mitts for Mr. Aitch.

Leah's Musica Mitts

Leah’s Musica Mitts

Fingerless mitts for my friend Leah.

Mitts-for-Pat-1

Fingerless mitts for my friend Pat.

Chreey-Berry-mitts-001

Fingerless mitts for ME!

Have you made or own any fingerless mitts or gloves?

Do you find them useful?

Tea

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teaTea, please.  I’m not a coffee drinker.  I do love coffee ice cream and the smell of coffee but I just can’t drink it.  I tried to like it.  Just not for me.

My day starts with a cup of tea.  Right now my favorite is green chai tea.

tea-morning

The first time I tasted it, it reminded me of Christmas.  In fact I told my friend that it smelled like Christmas.  Spicy.  Sweet.  Comforting.  I add half and half and sugar to it and sometimes a bit of this pumpkin pie liqueur instead of sugar.

Fultons-Harvest-pumpkin-liqueur

My day ends with a cup of peppermint tea.

tea-night

Hot water and tea.  Nothing more.  Soothing.  Calming.  Relaxing.

Alas…I receive no compensation from Stash Tea or Fulton’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur.

Snowman kit

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The snowman ornament kit for a Christmas Wishes Craft.

From left to right:

  1. Naked tongue depressors
  2. Painted tongue depressors. 
  3. One bottle of white paint.
  4. One bottle of pealizing medium for the icy sheen.
  5. Painted tongue depressors with a ribbon loop attached by a glue dot.  The paper covering the top is to keep anything else from sticking to the glue dot.  Also penciled in eyes for placement.
  6. Strips of paper with glue dots attached.  Felt would be nice, too.
  7. Paper noses. (Orange Post-it)
  8. Black felt hats with glue dot on the back.
  9. Buttons with glue dot backing.
  10. Black marker.  Oops!  Not shown.
  11. Finished Snowman.snowman-kit-cropped

Actually I’ve prepainted the tongue depressors so the first four items aren’t in the real kits.  As much as 4-5 year olds would love to paint and use real glue, I’m thinking of the mothers and the ensuing mess.  This is supposed to be fun for everyone!  This is my first time with glue dots so I’m anxious to see how it all works out.