Tool Time Tuesday...Clamp For Turning Fabric Tube

Woo Hoo...another fabulous "man" tool that can be used for sewing and crafting. I started Tool Time over 3 years ago and thought I might find a few things in different stores that can be used for something other than it's intended purpose. Never thought I would find 3 years worth...

Well, I found one more...a locking clamp. I found this in Harbor Freight Tools for $3.99. It's used to hold things securely and reach into tight places. Probably for clamping hoses on motors or something. We also have locking clamps in the dental office where I work. They are called hemostats...much smaller though. Hmmm...need to ask my boss if I can have one. Add to my collection. LOL!!

The handle is like a scissor handle, but has a ratcheting locking system that locks the tip to hold something.

Here's a picture of the tip or nose of the clamp.

This is a long one...12 inches. (pictured compared to a pen)

Now onto the "Sewing" transformation of this tool... TURNING A FABRIC TUBE.

When you sew a fabric tube for handles on bags or anything long and narrow, boy can it be a pain turning it right side out.

Just insert the clamp nose into the narrow fabric tube until you reach the end.

When you reach the end, open up the locking handle...

grab a little of the end fabric and lock the clamp.

Pull back on the "locked in" fabric and pull through the tube.

Tah Dah!!!

I am not kidding with this...it is fabulous!! Fastest turning for me...ever.

You really need to get one. I have no affiliation with Harbor Freight, but it is a great store. I'm sure you can find this online or in an automotive store if you don't have Harbor Freight. I'm so mad, the one Harbor Freight sells on their website has cute bright red handles :(    Would have match my sewing room.

Happy Turning,
~Karen~

Blog Buddy...Explaining Blogger's Post Editor

When I learn something new, I want to share it with you. I know most of you will know a lot of this information, but there might be something new for you to learn too!!

Most all of Blogger users will be using the post editor in the picture below. We seem to stick to what we know and do all the time and never venture from the norm. Well, I am here to get you out of your comfort zone and step outside the box.

Usually I am saying "think" outside the box...now I'm saying "step" outside the box. Either way, don't "box" yourself in, in the creativity department. Ok, I'll stop saying box now! Lol

This is the post editor on Blogger...this is my interpretation of each feature. If someone knows more, please share in the comment section.

The one that was NEW to me is the one that looks like a broken piece of paper. If you scroll your mouse over each one, it gives you the name. It's called Jump Break. Yeah, that helped me. Lol What's a jump break? Now I know and shared below. Scared me for a while..if it looks "broken" or "ripped", I didn't want to touch it!




Features, from left-to-right: with a short explanation and "the look" of the item

• Undo...this will "remove" the very last thing you did
• Redo...this will "put back" the very last thing you did
• Font Style...drop down menu for different Fonts. Just high light what you want to look different and pick the different style. (see the word different is changed)
• Font Size...drop down menu for different sizes of your fonts.
• Bold....high light and click to bold the print
• Italic...high light and click to slant the word.
• Underline...high light the word or words to underline
• Strikethrough...high light to have a line going through a word. Great for when you're funny creative with your writing!
• Font Color...Drop down chart. High light the word or words and change the color.
• High lighter...Drop down chart. High light the word and then high light with color! Lol
• Link...high light the word or words that you want  to be linked some where else (another web site) High light the word or words and click on the word Link and then add the URL address of the link.
• Picture...add a photo to your post
• Video...add a video clip to your post
• Jump Break...adds the "Read More" feature to your post. Gives the reader a little portion of the full article. Write your post. After the first few sentences (or where ever you want to end it) place the jump break in there. It will show on your post editor as "jump break", but in the actual post on your blog it will show the first few sentences and then say "READ MORE...". The your reader will have to click to finish reading your post.
• Justify...drop down menu for Left, Center, Right and Full Justify. High light the section or put your cursor in front of the section you want justified.
• Numbered List...this will number a list of the things for you 1, 2, 3 etc
• Bullet List...this post is an example of a bullet list!
• Block Quote...high light what you are going to be quoting. It just changes the placement of the phrase, like a block of words that is justified all by itself. See below, how it's separated from the rest of the post.

"To err is human...to forgive, divine". Alexander Pope

• Remove Formatting...I think this is if you are copying and pasting something, high light and it will remove the formatting that already exist from say Microsoft Word or something and convert it to plain text for your post
• Spell Checker...I use this EVERY time I write a post. When you are done with a post, bring the cursor up to the top of the post, click the ABC and it will high light all the incorrectly spelled words.

The only one I'm not sure of is the drop down box that says "Normal" between text size and the bold feature. It says Heading, Subheading, Minor Heading, Normal. I always feel "Normal", so I'll stick with that! I'm sure it's the set up of the post, but not sure. LOL

Hope this was helpful for all the new bloggers out there and even for us old timers too.

Have a great day,
~Karen~

Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party...Week 64

Welcome to another fabulous week here at Sew Darn Crafty! Each week, the links you share never disappoint. They inspire and delight people. Even if you've touched just one person...you've sparked someone creativity and that's fabulous!

If you're NEW to Sew Darn Crafty, then grab a cup of something tasty, sit back and join in on the fun (starts Sunday and lasts all week long here at Sew Many Ways).

If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button

WHAT IS A LINKING PARTY...

I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures on my blog. The picture is a link that other bloggers provide to share their projects.

Two things can happen at a linking party...looking and/or linking

• you can be greatly inspired by wonderful projects, ideas or vacation pictures (looking) and/or
• you can share what you've been up to (linking)

If you want to be inspired by all the great ideas...just click on a picture and it will take you to that post from a wonderful blogger who was willing to share her thoughts and ideas.

HOW AND WHAT TO LINK TO THE PARTY...

Sew Darn Crafty is all about YOU!! Show off your projects, share a tutorial, show us your vacation pictures, share a family favorite recipe...share anything. Not only does linking inspire us all, it also brings lots of new people to your blog for a visit. Click here for past parties and lots of inspiration

Easy steps to join in on the fun...

• link up to the specific project post, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not  search through all your entire blog. To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the Title of your post. Copy and paste the address that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
• link as many projects as you'd like...old or new
• anything goes...cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, organizing, remodeling projects, vacations, parties etc...
• visit other links to share some blogging love! You know we all love comments!
• linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
• just click the blue "click here to enter" button below and follow the easy steps

Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week

~Karen~

Find a Friend Friday...

It's Friday and you know what that means...

Find a Friend Friday!!!

Starts on Fridays, but you can link up all week long. A place to add your blog, look for new blogs or just pop to look around.

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If you are new to Find a Friend Friday (FaFF), you are in for a treat! It's a simple linking party to add a link to your blog so friends, old and new, can stop by and visit.

It's great to share your blog with everyone, but it's also fun just to look around. Even if you don't have a blog, you can find a wealth of great people willing to share their talents.

Tell your blogging friends about the linking party too and more will join in with us!

This is an easy one to participate in...you are just linking to your own blog. No projects to sew, no furniture to paint, no cookies to bake or pictures to take. You are just sharing your blog and then friends will stop by for a looksy.

• click on the blue "click here to enter" link below
• copy and paste or just type in your blog address
• enter title of link...your blog name or phrase to grab attention
• add a photo of you, your profile picture or your blog button or whatever you think will grab some one's attention...(I'm thinking a picture of a big piece of strawberry cheese cake, but that just me LOL)

That's it...super easy. Just think of the possibilities of finding some wonderful blogs.

Thanks for participating,

~Karen~

Thoughts on Thursday...

When you were little, did you ever have a special thought, dream or wish about something? I know as children we all have many "wishes", but I remember and still think of one once in a while.

It's a street name that I always wanted to live on when I was little. Mind you, it wasn't even a street that was in the town where we lived...just a street that I thought would be cute to live on.

I always wanted to live on 2 Blueberry Lane...silly wish, but a child's wish none the less.

Just so darn cute!!

It will be funny if any of you live on Blueberry Lane and even better if it's 2 Blueberry Lane!!

How about you...any silly childhood wishes and did any one's wish come true??

Happy Thoughts on Thursday,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Quilt Ruler Suction Handle

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!  Today's Tool Time is not so much a tutorial, but more of a "fabulous find". You all know my 2 favorite stores are fabric stores and hardware stores. What I try to do is combine both loves into a TTT post.

Well, take a look at this beauty that I found in a Harbor Freight Tools store. ( I have no affiliation with the store, just sharing my "finds").

I know what you're thinking...what the heck is that?

For the normal construction worker, it's a great tool to suction to windows, doors, mirrors etc to carrying things around.

Two large suction cups lock down securely onto glass and then you can use the handle.

Tah Dah !!!! It suctions to a large quilt ruler.

Great handle for picking up the ruler from the fabric...

and the large suction cup areas provide equal pressure across the ruler when you press on the handle, so no slipping of the ruler.

I know the suction cups are large, but you can still see the lines on the ruler just under the handle if you cut this way. See my finger pointing to the line?

or you can easily see the marking on your cutting mat too.

This handle is the best purchase. I just love the ease of picking up the ruler with a handle.

Here's the BEST part...it was $5.99. AMAZING!!!

I bought it in the store, but click HERE for the link I found to their site! There is a single handled one too for square rulers. I need that one too. They didn't have it in the store we were in.

Hope you love this idea. Let's keep this our little secret from Harbor Freight. If they find out we're using their tools for sewing, they might raise the price! LOL

Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

Upcycled Curtain Tabs To A Belt...

The tabs I cut off the curtains I finished up last Saturday just keep on giving!! Click HERE to see that curtain post where I made the tabs into napkin rings.

Now more tabs have turned into a belt...

Here was the before...

I didn't need the tabs, because I use the ring and clips.

Just sew the ends together with a 1/4 inch seam and iron seams flat.

Fold over one end to a point and sew across. For the other end, add 2 "D" rings, fold raw edge under and the sew across.

Easy!

I also have key rings going too and my brain is still ticking for more ideas.

Happy sewing,
~Karen~