Been working on not purchasing “things” so much as purchasing materials to make the things I need/want and it’s been paying off in spades.
Needed new bath mat. Had the last one for 7 years, paid $20. So $2.86 a year.
Bought cotton cording and I’m stick weaving some of the best mats I’ve ever owned, and I’m not even good at this.
1/2
They’re going to last decades for 6 sticks and some cotton cording, cost $34. I’ll have two mats from this cord which brings it to $17 per mat. No joke these mats with the right care can last 20 years.
Brings the bath mat cost down to $1.18.
Less than half the cost for better thing for longer.
Makes the time worth it, because time has value, but it’s fun for me so I get the entertainment as a “cost.”
That looks fabulous! (And I'm not particularly happy that you've encouraged me to learn yet another fiber skill...😂)
@Agatha @Coffee_and_Salt same. I've been wistfully adding to my "weavings" board on pinterest for years without actually having woven anything. this post might push me right over the edge
I've looked at rope weaving for rugs that doesn't need tools. But, tools are half the fun. 😕
My husband is a woodworker. It's time we join forces! 😍😍
@Agatha @fernfren hehe that’s rad really, you’ll have the finest tools! He’ll be right too, the smoothness helps.
Used to do it as a kid with dowel rods, a hand turn drill and a pencil sharpener. Was usually too eager to get going to take any further steps. Can confirm, did get splinters, sanding would have helped 😂
He just made me a yarn box from wood from a set of shelves my dad made me as a teen! He knew smooth was vital for the yarn. He's all self-taught, but he had 2 step-grandfathers who were carpenters, and their work inspired him. ♥️
Fingers joints by hand. No nails or screws. Made it to my specifications. Inside you can see a vertical "scar" left from when it was a shelf. I asked him to leave it as a reminder. Dad would be proud. Dad threw the shelves together quick - not his finer work. So this was a good use for the wood. Hus made a 2nd one for my sister who also knits and crochets. ♥️
I'm going to add some rubber feet and nice handles.
Thank you. He said he learned a lot from making it, so that's a nice plus. ♥️
😂He's mostly working on the house.
WIP. He's converting all doorways & windows to look "fancy". He's also replacing all baseboards and crown molding, and eventually the stairs. Nothing is square in this house, so every cut is custom.
Those shelves were once a second doorway into the guest bathroom. There were just too many doors. Since we ripped out the nasty cabs, we needed the storage. We opened space bet wall studs to add more shelves & make it feel more open.
It's all messy atm. This weekend he will finally put up the new door. We're replacing all the hollow doors with solid paneled doors.
We had a plumbing issue that required removal of the old giant double sink. I said NEVER AGAIN. 😂
This house has a lot of storage. Almost excessive. We figured we could do without some cabinets. Besides the giant double sink cabinet, there was another huge floor to ceiling one next to the toilet. We found mold on the ceiling when we pulled it out. 🤮
Doors were constantly in the way of each other, too. Super annoying.
@Agatha @Coffee_and_Salt @fernfren Ooh, can I join this conversation? We’re getting our bathroom renovated in about two weeks!
@Agatha @Coffee_and_Salt @fernfren Yay! I don’t want to steamroll over someone else’s story, so please stop me if I do!
But we have a double-brick flat from 1960 and there’s a bit of galvanised iron pipe SOMEWHERE between the sink and the shower/bath that is gradually rusting closed so we have no hot water pressure. They have to take out an entire section of wall to find it so we figured we may as well do the whole thing!
@Agatha @Coffee_and_Salt @fernfren Of course, that’s just the main issue. I’ll gladly regain you about everything g else that’s wrong with it 😅
@Nimthiriel @Coffee_and_Salt @fernfren
We have mostly copper, but our gas line is galvanized. I'm waiting for it to go. (1976 house)
He's doing it all with pine, amazingly. He knows how to make the cheap look $$$.
He wants to do the stairs in reclaimed hardwood, since they will get a lot of abuse.
@Agatha Oh my word that is just stunning... ❤️
He only sees the flaws. Typical creator. But I LOVE IT.
I have ZERO patience for sanding. I'm like you there. 😂
@Coffee_and_Salt @fernfren
He's far more picky than I am. He'll work on sanding FOREVER. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. 😂