Do you Power Tool?

Today is the last chance to vote on May's Poll about your use of Power Tools. (Located on the right hand side of the blog.) Tomorrow we start a new one!

Hot Glue Gun

A hot glue is a wonderful thing, a wonderful tool. You can find the one that fits you. For most projects I am a HUGE fan of my mini low temp hot glue. At camp I had a basket full of them. (I kept the high temp ones for counselors and staff only, since I have been known to burn myself enough on them.)

I was helping a few friends with costumes awhile back and got to introduce one of them to the hot glue gun, something she had never used before. I was convinced I would come back the next day to find that she had hot glued sea shells and things to every surface of her home. It wasn't that severe, but she did find how much easier it was to attach things to the shoes and make accessories for her costumes. I think she even got one as a Christmas present.

Hot glue guns are one of those little things that should be a part of every crafter's supplies, every stage box (for you theater bugs out there), and just handy to have around the house (you never know when one might come in handy).

Scissors

It may seem like something minor, but I have found it important to mark my scissors. The sewing scissors are marked with an initial and sometimes a 's', especially if they are ones that will be traveling with me and my sewing machine (like to the theater). The non-sewing scissors, usually ones that have been demoted from sewing scissors are usually marked with a 'NS' or 'non-sewing'  or 'paper only' on the handle with a black magic marker. It's important to keep your sewing scissors separate from your paper and other scissors, as paper can dull your sewing scissors. Trust me, when I say you will be glad you've marked them to keep track of what they are or are not to be used for.

Pin Cushion Jar

Anyone who sews or crafts knows how important the tools they use are. Taking a little inspiration from Queen Martha (as in Martha Stewart and her website), I made this to keep on hand and as a handy gift for other sewers in my life (Mom, Grandma, Aunt someone or other, or just a best friend). I use this one as a button jar. (Something we can all use on hand.)

So, use one of those jars you might have on hand (especially if you or someone or know is into canning), a scrap of fabric, a bit of cardboard, a little extra bit of filling/stuffing and make one for yourself (or someone you know).

Power Tools - May Poll

Check out the May crafting poll (located on the sidebar) - "Have you ever used power tools?" Take a chance & give your vote. (You know you want to.)

My Sewing Machine

My sewing machine is a beautiful asset and friend. For years I was stuck using one of my mom's multiple machine, ravaged from the years of her sewing projects and our 4-H projects. (Five kids doing 1 or more sewing projects every year... three of them being boys who worked the peddles like a race car.) The final straw was one year after I had cut all of the pieces of a Halloween costume and had started to piece it together, I got into an argument with her machine. Now, you might think a sewing machine, being an inanimate object can not argue back, but they can, in their own special way. I conceded and packed away the cut pieces of the costume and soon forgot it. (No worries, I didn't go without a costume that year - I have an entire closet dedicated to costumes.) Having packed away the costume I was content to keep my sewing to handwork (which as a child I preferred over using a machine).

After years of using my parents' (both of my parents can sew) machines, I received my Singer Inspiration  as a Christmas present. Finally, I had MY machine, that my brothers hadn't messed the tension up, with cords I knew where they were, with my machine accessories where I put them. I no longer had to share AND in spirit of me being me, I added a few personal touches.

It travels some with me when I'm doing costumes or helping sew costumes for a show (I do so love theater). At first I carted it around in the original box it came in (it was better than nothing), but now I have a very nice traveling machine case on wheels with a handle (another Christmas present that followed the machine). The Human Rights Campaign Equality sticker was a dead give away that it was mine (0f course the "Trust Women" and the "No Fur" on the sides probably helped too), when sitting in a costume shop among other machines. One of the actors came in the room, pointed, and asked, "Is that one your's?" I am what I am... no apologies.

Camp Tales - A Girl & a Drill Press

One of the benefits of working at camp as an Arts& Craft Instructor, was being able to teaching basic woodworking to kids 9-14, a good portion of them never having any previous experience with it. This was especially true with many of the young girls. It was nothing too difficult; hammering (for string art), wood burning, sanding, and the drill press (for wood games using golf tees and wooden squares pre-cut for them). I had safety lines, safety goggles, and strict rules about no one using the drill press without my supervision and wood burners needing my supervision or the supervision of one of my counselors or other staff.

I was exposed to woodworking young through my grandpa and 4-H, debating in Middle School of becoming a Shop Teacher. I took woodworking projects in 4-H and even built a cedar chest that went to State Fair (for another story). I even helped with 4-H woodworking judging at State Fair one year (a great story for another time). I wanted my campers to be safe, but I also wanted them to know that the basics were attainable.

One sunny afternoon, I had the usual mix of boys and girls in the Craft Hall ready to take on the drill press. A little girl of about 9 or 10 crossed my red line into the drill press area, safety glasses on, her sanded & marked piece of wood in hand. She didn't act too sure about the powerful machine she had watched others use & was now standing before. I went over the basics again, encouraging her that she was just as capable of this as anyone else. There was no rule that said girls couldn't do woodworking or handle power tools. We lined up the first hole to be drilled as she took a hold of the handle, slowly and gingerly pulling the drill bit down into the wood, making the hole. As she raised the handle and released, I watched her change as her face lit up. In an instant, something changed and suddenly the little girl timid about a power tool knew that she could do it and knew that she had done it. There was excitement and a realization that come about in drilling that first hole as well as a truth that she was truly just as capable as anyone else. That day a little girl was introduced to woodworking and maybe to the power she was a capable of.

Perhaps, it's the feminist in me or a reminder of the little girl I was, going to woodworking judging surrounded by boys, but that afternoon a little girl realized that girls can and being a girl shouldn't stop her. That afternoon, I got to be make a difference in one little girl and I got to watch it happen.

March Craft Poll

For something extra take a chance to vote in the March Crafting Poll (located on the right side). I want to know what your favorite crafting tools are.