Tuesday, March 10, 2009

My Toilet Paper Roll Holder.

I wanted a unique and original toilet paper roll holder for my entry in the Toilet Paper Roll Design competition with in the Crochet Lovers Victoria competition.
I had wire and beads in mind from the very beginning.
First of all I collected the medium that I needed.


I pre strung the wire with the beads.

Then I began to crochet away, beginning with a chained circle and increasing for 3 rows only.
I noticed that this wire was very hard to crochet with and it was scratching up my good no 6 hook. I have crocheted with wire before and I do not remember it being this hard before.
I eventually changed to another no 6 hook and kept going on for the outer side of the holder. I eventually ran out of one whole spool of wire, but I knew I had back up from another spool of wire.
It was not until I used the back up spool that I realized the wire was a thinner gauge. I had been crocheting with 24 gauge wire, I usually crochet with 28 gauge wire and it is much easier on the hands and the hook!
Now I had used that spool of wire too. I had no more back up on hand.
So I just sat the unfinished wire toilet paper cover on the toilet roll, whilst I thought about my next move. Wait and buy more wire, I couldn’t even remember where I had bought it in the first place, or try another medium. Oh yeah sure what could possibly look good with the wire?
Brain storm, try this. Crochet a lacey bottom.


So I did.
With a no 2.5 hook and some fine crochet cotton I made up the design as I went around the out sides.
As it started to take form, I got more and more excited, “this is going to work I thought”.
But my job was not over as I finished my final round.
I must stiffen this lace for it to stay in place for ever.
I wanted the perfect shape, but I knew the glue would stick to the toilet paper roll. So I wrapped the toilet paper roll in glad wrap to prevent this from happening.

Using a mixture of both PVA glue and water slightly heated, I dipped the lace into the mixture and shaped it around the paper roll.

My next step was to sit back and wait for the lace to dry out and hope that it will hold up the wire and beaded top part.
I would venture out side now and then with an egg flip to make sure the cotton was not adhering to the plastic board.

Finally I knew the cotton crocheted part was dry enough, due to the extreme hot weather we have been having. So I removed it from the toilet paper roll and it was upright and sturdy. Yay!

Sharkey the toilet lid cover was now going to have a new friend.
But I really wanted this to match the large toilet paper roll holder and the toilet brush, which is a steel look.
I think it is actually too delicate for this toilet and I know my sister-in-laws bathroom in her holiday house is decked out in all of these colours. So guess where it is headed? Off to Phillip Island where it will truly blend in and show off its unique individuality.


Oh boy it looks good on my kitchen table with all of my stainless steel.
But I do not think that is really an option, do you?

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Fire Truck Fund Raiser Day

I rocked up just prior to 8.00 am and set up next to the sausage sizzle man, he is to the left of the table in the picture below.




I was then provided with a marquee, which looked more like a mosquito net and I also set up and sold the items that are on the table out side to the right of my tent. Those items were all donated for the day and I did a pretty good trade on those as I set bargain prices. Better to be sold than not, was my motto on the day.
The star dish cloths were made by Shilo from Ravelry. Shilo also made many more things for the day and she even came along to help for a while. I must thank Shilo's husband for bringing her there, Shilo's daughter for being such a sweety and Shilo for helping out. So a big thank you, to the Shilo family.

Oh now who do you think this clown is? Nah, I wouldn't be caught dead in that get up! But hey, anything to drag extra business in was well worth it.

Now this little fellow is my grandson Braydn. He came along to see the fire trucks and fast cars.
And this is Bradyn's brother Cooper, who got to go in the fire truck and the lovely girl next to him, is my number 3 daughter who assisted to get the fund raiser off and running.

For you footy fans, here is the Melbourne Demons Mascot, near some very nice hotted up cars.

There was plenty of fire trucks on board for the day, but sadly 2 of them were called out, to yet another fire.

Now this was a real thrill, a jet engine vehicle. I have never seen one before and I was not aware of what happens when they start up. But I soon found out and jumped 10 foot into the air! I was able to snap this awesome picture of the flames ripping out of the jet. I'd love to have one of those for heating on a cold night, but not the noise along with it. My hubby was at home and he said our windows shook, he thought it may have been another earth tremor as we had a real one the night before.
Just some more hotted up cars. Boys and their toys.
Well the day was it self was enjoyable, a band played some toe tapping songs. There was plenty of activity happening around to just sit back and take in. And between the 2 stalls I ended up with a grand total of $400 for the day! I was very pleased and it was a pleasure to be able to pitch in and help raise the money for the day.
I do have left over stock that I will be taking to the Salvo's collection centre for the fire victims.
I hope you have enjoyed my little adventure here.



Friday, March 6, 2009

This is what the relief packages look like now.

The yellow ribbon that all the parcels are wrapped in, represent the bush fire victims, just like a pink ribbon represents breast cancer.
Below is a group shot.
Feminine scent's, moisturiser and deodorant wrapped in a lovely soft cotton face cloth.
Luxury soaps, again wrapped in a lovely soft cotton face cloth.
Deodorant's for the men too.
And a little bit for baby, baby powder and nappy change lotion packs.

I just may be able to source some more goodies before they are sent off. A special thank you to those who have helped me with supplies and the making of some cloths too.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

My New Betty Boop Figurine

She's very cute and very blue, a gift from one of my daughters. But I really wanted to show you some progress shots of the collection of face cloths that are coming along. 11 of them are pictured below, whilst more are being made. The one's on the left were made by Shilo from Ravelry. Thanks for your assistance Shilo, much appreciated!betty boop figurine along side crochet face cloths
This is a lovely shiny pink cotton, supplied from Happy Peacock, another member from Ravelry. Thank you Happy Peacock! The pink cotton is making lovely face cloths.

crocheted face cloths
A crochet face cloth