Getting better at making rugs

I'm getting getter at making the rag rug with the toothbrush method.  I'm figuring out what works and what doesn't work for me.  Below is a picture of my 2nd attempt at rug making, measuring  35in x 22in.

And my 3rd attempt, my first try at doing a round one, pictured below. It is 28 inches across. I wanted to make this one bigger, but sadly ran out of yellow material. Note to self: don't by twin sheets, they are too small! Which is a shame, because I really love the buttery yellow color of this one.

Eggs again

Well, I'm finally getting eggs again.  The hens stopped laying in November because of the low # of hours of daylight, and due to molting.  The days are finally long enough (in combination with finishing their molt) which means I got my first egg of the year last week. Right now, just one of the Rhode Island Reds (RIR's) is laying.  One of the Black Star's looks like she is about to start laying (her comb is brighter, more red than pink). I could make them lay better/longer throughout the winter by providing an hour or two  of artificial light daily, but my coop doesn't have electricity. Some people do this, but I feel like if nature intended them to take a break for the winter, so be it.

First rug

 Today I finished my first "rag rug".  It's made from upcycled bedsheets torn into strips, then knotted together. There are several different methods to make them, but I used the "toothbrush" method (just google it).  Also, there is a crocheting method, which I'd like to try at some point.  As with all craft projects, the first try comes out "eh".   Here is the progression.

Baby Quilt

I recently finished a baby quilt for my brother and sister in law, so wanted to post pictures of it. I think it is my favorite one that I have done so far. I love the neutral colors, and I finally figured out why my sewing machine kept giving me trouble before.

It is made of cotton (the main print) and flannel squares.  The edges are sewn, the snipped, then washed and dried many times to fray the edges, giving it the fuzziness.  Each time it is washed, the edges will fray more, and the flannel will get even softer. 

This is the front, before the seams are snipped

 The back, before the seams are snipped:

 After the seams are snipped on the front, but before it is washed:

 Finished front!

Hoof trimming

One day we'd really like sheep (yes, leaning away from goats), but I know little about their day to day veterinary care. Which worries me.  Scares me actually.  I'm the type of person who likes to educate myself a lot before jumping into something.  Years before getting chickens, I read tons of books (some I reread multiple times) to study up on them so I'd be familar/comfortable when the time came. Yes, all that for chickens.  Which are really about as much work as a housecat.

The veterinary care scares me, because reading it is one thing, seeing it and doing it is something else altogether. And it's a mammal - way more complicated. So, in preparation for wanting sheep, I put up an ad on the local farm co-op, and found a local person with goats who needed assistance trimming her goats hooves.   I'd help her out with the chore, in exchange for learning how to do the task.  Last week was my first 'lesson'. I watched her do it, and have confidence to try it myself next time.  I am definitely feeling motivated to learn new skills!

Goals for the year

I don't usually make 'goals' for myself as part of new years, but am feeling pressured to do so for some reason.

 I was reflecting on this past year and feel like we accomplished so much last year.  I learned how to (and did) to cull a hen, I complete a first year beekeeping apprenticeship,  and we built 2 garden beds.  Also I made friends and connections. 

This year I feel so limited. I can't get any new animals (other than ducks, hubby still isn't a fan of that idea).  I could do a batch of meat chickens.  I am going to do another year of beekeeping apprenticeship, and get my own hive (as well as the hives of my mentor to manage). I definetly need to continue making friends/connections here.  I'd also love to build a new chicken coop. 

I also feel like I need to develop my skill set more. Eventually, we'd like to move further into the country with more land.  Unfortunately, that means less people to learn from. So I need to learn other useful skills while we live closer to the city. 

Kitchen Pictures: Before and After

 Kitchen work began the first week of December.  Some things did not function, for example to open a utensil drawer, you first had to open the oven so the drawer would open fully. The counters were original gold swirl Formica.  The space the fridge was in, had been roughly cut with a jigsaw to fit the modern fridge into the space.  There were holes in the floor from where we moved the washer, dryer, and utility sink out of the kitchen. Also, the fridge was next to the stove.

In the new kitchen, the hardwood flooring will be continued from the living room (bye-bye laminate). Cabinets are custom built, white beadboard, with a Cambria stone counter (tan/brown, to reflect the warmth of the new floor). Also, there will be a stone and glass tile backsplash, with some accents.  I can't wait to post after pictures so you can see the new space!

The East wall

Close up of the sink

 

 

The  South wall leading to the living room and hallway

                                           Note the large burn mark in the old counter.

The West wall where the washer and utility sink were

 The North wall, where the fridge used to be

Some other pictures of details: