My laptop hard drive died this weekend in a spectacular blue screen of death. Maybe that's what I get for naming it Beaker.
I spent most of the weekend crafting while Ben recovered as much as he could. (Nightstand facelift tutorial coming soon) I still lost my Firefox bookmarks. While recently I had been using Pinterest more often I still had a ton of bookmarks. We're trying to recover those as well.
There will be some crafty posts in the future, especially since shirred tops have become my new addiction.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
When support groups aren't so supportive.
I used to belong to an online support group for parents who had children on the Autism Spectrum. Yesterday a post came up that ended with the line "My son with autism is way cooler than any boring typical any day."
I was a little surprised to see that, especially because as parents of special needs children we don't want others saying things like that to our children.
So I commented to her and said that we should be mindful of saying things like that because if you replaced autism and typical with other words (like normal and retarded) people would be upset.
I was told it was a joke. Again I responded that I didn't think it was funny and we were only doing to others what we hate them doing to us.
The admin decided I was being nasty, hateful and unsupportive. She actually said that to me before she deleted the thread. I never called anyone any names, no one acknowledged my point. But I got called some nasty things.
A post was soon put up with "rules" for the support community which included no "arguing" (because sadly we have a generation of adults that can't functionally disagree) no bad-mouthing and so on. The golden rule was mentioned (do unto others...)
Someone commented about how they've seen people bash teachers and schools, why was that ok? (I swear, not me). I commented saying that there wasn't any drama, I didn't say anything rude to anyone and my point was exactly a "Do Unto Others" thing.
Then...I got called some names. The admin threatened to delete the group. Deleted the post and removed and blocked me. So here I sit...now I can't even go to the physical meetings because I won't know when they are scheduled. I opened my mouth to say "Don't talk that way about others when you don't want them talking about you that way" and was told I was unsupportive. I'm really not one for double standards so considering what was said I felt the admin was being incredibly hypocritical.
The reason I'm really upset is because I feel that both Ben and Garrett have also been cut off from the support that other members of that group could have provided.
When did support become enabling? Does a support group mean you can't disagree or even say "What you said it hurtful to others?" Saying something like that certainly isn't taking a jab at the person posting it (while the person who posted that took a jab at "typical" children)
So I sit here confused. This support group has gone and done the most unsupportive thing in the name of helping others.
That still doesn't make that statement right. No matter who says it.
I should add that I loved this group. It was a wonderful resource and I am in no way bashing the group itself which has been a great resource for so many people.
I was a little surprised to see that, especially because as parents of special needs children we don't want others saying things like that to our children.
So I commented to her and said that we should be mindful of saying things like that because if you replaced autism and typical with other words (like normal and retarded) people would be upset.
I was told it was a joke. Again I responded that I didn't think it was funny and we were only doing to others what we hate them doing to us.
The admin decided I was being nasty, hateful and unsupportive. She actually said that to me before she deleted the thread. I never called anyone any names, no one acknowledged my point. But I got called some nasty things.
A post was soon put up with "rules" for the support community which included no "arguing" (because sadly we have a generation of adults that can't functionally disagree) no bad-mouthing and so on. The golden rule was mentioned (do unto others...)
Someone commented about how they've seen people bash teachers and schools, why was that ok? (I swear, not me). I commented saying that there wasn't any drama, I didn't say anything rude to anyone and my point was exactly a "Do Unto Others" thing.
Then...I got called some names. The admin threatened to delete the group. Deleted the post and removed and blocked me. So here I sit...now I can't even go to the physical meetings because I won't know when they are scheduled. I opened my mouth to say "Don't talk that way about others when you don't want them talking about you that way" and was told I was unsupportive. I'm really not one for double standards so considering what was said I felt the admin was being incredibly hypocritical.
The reason I'm really upset is because I feel that both Ben and Garrett have also been cut off from the support that other members of that group could have provided.
When did support become enabling? Does a support group mean you can't disagree or even say "What you said it hurtful to others?" Saying something like that certainly isn't taking a jab at the person posting it (while the person who posted that took a jab at "typical" children)
So I sit here confused. This support group has gone and done the most unsupportive thing in the name of helping others.
That still doesn't make that statement right. No matter who says it.
I should add that I loved this group. It was a wonderful resource and I am in no way bashing the group itself which has been a great resource for so many people.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
teawithfrodo's photostream
teawithfrodo's photostream on Flickr.
Don't forget to check out my flickr photostream to see what else I'm making.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
No Sew Book Cover for a Tablet Computer
I'm excited about finally being able to get a tablet computer. I'm even more excited about making some awesome covers for my new tablet.
I've seen a ton of cool book covers, some required me to put Velcro on the back of my tablet. Others wanted me to use something called "sugru". So I made one for myself.
You can use this tutorial for any size tablet or eReader.
My tablet measures 10.1" x 6.9" x 0.34"
I wanted to get a book that would fit so I looked for something approximately 11" x 7.5" x 1".
I'm rather particular about which book I was using even though I was covering it with fabric. This book was so appropriate, not only was it a Southern cookbook but it was my for my birth year. $2.99 at Goodwill, can't beat that.
These are the supplies you'll need:
Book to fit your tablet or eReader
Fabric (1/2 yard should be more than enough)
Chipboard (if you have an old binder you can cut this out of the front and back. Otherwise look for "MatteBoard" in an art store)
Elastic
Crafting Glue (such as E600)
Batting (optional)
Xacto/Box cutter
Start by cutting the pages out of the book. You can use those for wrapping paper or other projects. I saved mine since it had some good recipes.
Open up the book and measure the fabric around the outside. Measure and cut an inch larger all the way around. Fold the extra inch of fabric to the inside of the book and glue it down. Give special care to your corners.
Measure a piece of fabric about and inch longer spine of the book and twice as wide. Center this on the inside of the spine and glue down. Take the top and bottom ends, fold them over and glue them under. You should have some overlap on either side of the spine.
Now take your chip board and cut 2 pieces the size of the front and back cover. Cut 2 pieces of batting the same size at the chip board. Then cut 2 pieces of fabric an inch larger around than the chip board.
Cut 4 equal pieces of elastic. Length depends on size of your tablet/eReader.
You are only attaching elastic to 1 of the inner pieces, this will be used on the inside back (right hand side) of the book.
Start with 1 set of inner cover pieces. Lay the fabric face down. Center the batting and then the chipboard on top of it. fold the edge around the same way you did with the outside of the book and glue them down. The edges of the elastic will come around to the back of the chip board.
After I had the fabric on I added the elastic to the corners. Make it go around the corners. I secured it to the chip board with staples.
Repeat for the other inner cover but don't add elastic. You can add a shorter layer of fabric first to give yourself a pocket. (I sewed the 2 pieces of fabric together to make them a bit more secure but you don't have to).
Glue the inner pieces to the inside of the book. If you have wax paper put it down and put a heavy book on it to help the glue adhere securely.
You're done. Check out how cool your tablet/eReader looks in it's new cover.
I've seen a ton of cool book covers, some required me to put Velcro on the back of my tablet. Others wanted me to use something called "sugru". So I made one for myself.
You can use this tutorial for any size tablet or eReader.
My tablet measures 10.1" x 6.9" x 0.34"
I wanted to get a book that would fit so I looked for something approximately 11" x 7.5" x 1".
I'm rather particular about which book I was using even though I was covering it with fabric. This book was so appropriate, not only was it a Southern cookbook but it was my for my birth year. $2.99 at Goodwill, can't beat that.
These are the supplies you'll need:
Book to fit your tablet or eReader
Fabric (1/2 yard should be more than enough)
Chipboard (if you have an old binder you can cut this out of the front and back. Otherwise look for "MatteBoard" in an art store)
Elastic
Crafting Glue (such as E600)
Batting (optional)
Xacto/Box cutter
Start by cutting the pages out of the book. You can use those for wrapping paper or other projects. I saved mine since it had some good recipes.
Open up the book and measure the fabric around the outside. Measure and cut an inch larger all the way around. Fold the extra inch of fabric to the inside of the book and glue it down. Give special care to your corners.
Measure a piece of fabric about and inch longer spine of the book and twice as wide. Center this on the inside of the spine and glue down. Take the top and bottom ends, fold them over and glue them under. You should have some overlap on either side of the spine.
Now take your chip board and cut 2 pieces the size of the front and back cover. Cut 2 pieces of batting the same size at the chip board. Then cut 2 pieces of fabric an inch larger around than the chip board.
Cut 4 equal pieces of elastic. Length depends on size of your tablet/eReader.
You are only attaching elastic to 1 of the inner pieces, this will be used on the inside back (right hand side) of the book.
Start with 1 set of inner cover pieces. Lay the fabric face down. Center the batting and then the chipboard on top of it. fold the edge around the same way you did with the outside of the book and glue them down. The edges of the elastic will come around to the back of the chip board.
After I had the fabric on I added the elastic to the corners. Make it go around the corners. I secured it to the chip board with staples.
 |
| I ended up having to redo the elastic and have it higher up to hold my tablet |
Repeat for the other inner cover but don't add elastic. You can add a shorter layer of fabric first to give yourself a pocket. (I sewed the 2 pieces of fabric together to make them a bit more secure but you don't have to).
Glue the inner pieces to the inside of the book. If you have wax paper put it down and put a heavy book on it to help the glue adhere securely.
You're done. Check out how cool your tablet/eReader looks in it's new cover.
 |
| You can barely tell there is a pocket on the left side. |
Monday, February 27, 2012
Ruffle shirt
I've been eying this awesome shirt for a while. I had some cute fabric in my stash so what was I waiting for? I was told that the summer here was going to be hell.
That was enough to get me to start making more clothing for myself. I love that I can use light weight cotton for this shirt.
I had 2 sets of fabric I was going to use to make 2 separate shirts. I decided to start with the one I liked less just in case I screwed it up the first go around. I did try out the shoulder ruffles but moved the pockets from the sides to the front.
The pattern is simple and straight forward and I promise the math at the beginning isn't that hard if you write it down as you measure.
That was enough to get me to start making more clothing for myself. I love that I can use light weight cotton for this shirt.
 |
| New shirt and a new haircut |
I had 2 sets of fabric I was going to use to make 2 separate shirts. I decided to start with the one I liked less just in case I screwed it up the first go around. I did try out the shoulder ruffles but moved the pockets from the sides to the front.
The pattern is simple and straight forward and I promise the math at the beginning isn't that hard if you write it down as you measure.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Taxes, Tablets and Crafts
I'm so excited that when our tax refund comes in I'll finally be able to get the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 that I've been saving up for.
I was able to use the Amazon.com gift cards I had to buy some accessories for it. I was going to buy a cover and then I remembered how many crafted covers I've seen.
I'll be crafting 2 covers for my new tablet computer. I'm waiting for the fabric to come in. I will be posting a tutorial for a no sew tablet book cover.
I've also been getting sewing work on a regular basis. Feel free to check out my flickr stream to see what new things I'm adding.
I was able to use the Amazon.com gift cards I had to buy some accessories for it. I was going to buy a cover and then I remembered how many crafted covers I've seen.
I'll be crafting 2 covers for my new tablet computer. I'm waiting for the fabric to come in. I will be posting a tutorial for a no sew tablet book cover.
I've also been getting sewing work on a regular basis. Feel free to check out my flickr stream to see what new things I'm adding.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Nightgown
I've been meaning to make myself a new nightgown. I have one made of cotton that I got for $6 on clearance at the GAP.
I came across a simple nightgown pattern the other day. I didn't have enough of one fabric for the pattern so I used 2 fabrics with the same color scheme.
It's nice and loose which will be really comfy in the summer months. This pattern would also make a cute top if you shortened it.
Not only is the pattern easy but even with my doing fabric strips I finished it in an afternoon (with interruptions).
I came across a simple nightgown pattern the other day. I didn't have enough of one fabric for the pattern so I used 2 fabrics with the same color scheme.
It's nice and loose which will be really comfy in the summer months. This pattern would also make a cute top if you shortened it.
 |
| Kid tested |
Not only is the pattern easy but even with my doing fabric strips I finished it in an afternoon (with interruptions).
 |
| Doxie approved |
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