I used to use a heated light bulb to quickly iron ribbons. However, now that almost all of our bulbs are either LED or CFL, they don't generate enough heat to iron anything.
Enter my hair flat iron. My flat iron heats up in seconds and doesn't require an ironing board. I slip the ribbon between the paddles and pull it through a half dozen times. Hair flat irons always seem to have a sweet spot where the paddles make better contact than the rest. That's where I pull the ribbons through.
These satin ribbons were used to tie up some small gifts for my step-mom for Mother's Day. I save and reuse nice ribbons. Sometimes they become a tad rumpled when piled haphazardly in a box. A quick pressing makes them look good as new. Big but -- do not try this with plastic ribbons!!! Eek! I can just imagine the smell!Anyway, if you were a previous light bulb-ribbon ironer, just a quick tip for if and when you need to iron satin or grosgrain ribbons in the future (and also happen to have curly hair (like me) that you straighten with a styling flat iron). :)
Just curious, do you have plans for Mother's Day? I'm still not sure exactly what we'll do. But I'm hoping to have my son and daughter-in-law join us. Keeping my fingers crossed for no rain, as we'll be outdoors once again.
Did you pick any flowers for May Day?
Here's my May Day posy. I went out into the yard to look for flowers to pick. In early May, there's not a lot to choose from in my yard. But I did find a lot of violets. I cut a handful and tucked them into this tiny vase.
On another note, the adorable little bunny has become a hungry, adorable bunny. He/she got into our strawberry beds and ate most of the leaves. The blossoms are still developing, so fortunately, they're safe from our hungry friend. One afternoon last week, we had to quickly devise some fencing for those beds. I wanted to show you one small critter fence that my daughters helped me make that day.
(My husband used the last of the chicken wire on the bed just behind this one.) I worked with what I had on hand. I didn't have a lot of time to think something up, so I went with rustic.
We collected a bunch of sticks from our woodlot and stuck them into the ground just inside the perimeter of the bed. Afterward, I used wire along the top third of the fence to anchor key sticks together, making it a little more difficult for either a squirrel or bunny to push the sticks over to get in.
I had read that a rabbit fence needs to have slats no more than 2 inches apart. I'm assuming some of our squirrels could squeeze in through even tinier openings. So, we went with 1 1/2 inches apart. Anyway, so far, so good. It's been a little over a week, and the fence hasn't been breached. I like the look of this fence. If it works this strawberry season, this is what I'll use for future years. If not, it's back to the drawing board.
Next up, devise a fence that will keep raccoons out of the corn. Any (cheap) suggestions for keeping hungry raccoons out of a small corn patch?
I hope you fence continues to work. I like the rustic look.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the raccoons. They are very clever animals. My brother-in-law had a problem with a raccoon getting into their chicken house and could not figure out how it was getting in. After trying many things, he figured out that there was a loose shingle on the roof that the raccoon was moving to get in and putting back in place when it left.
Hi Live and Learn,
DeleteNow that's a smart raccoon!
We tried corn a couple of times before, but the raccoons ate the whole plant before it could grow ears. I'm hoping we can do better this year. Time will tell.
I really like the rustic look in this fence, too. It felt very "pioneer" to be making it.
I don't have a flat iron but I wonder if a curling iron could do the same thing? It's funny--my hair was always quite straight but now I have a wave. I've toyed with buying a flat iron but they can be soooo expensive; plus, I'm getting used to the wave and I think I kinda like it.
ReplyDeleteI think that raccoons can get into anything. We were camping once and a thunderstorm came up--we hurried to bustle everyone and everything under cover but forgot the cooler. When I did my middle of the night bathroom run, I discovered that a raccoon had a field day with our cooler. He ate the hamburger and the chocolate chip muffins but left the veggies alone so maybe you will be safe!
Hi Kris,
DeleteI think a curling iron would also take out wrinkles from fabric ribbons, as I simply pulled the ribbon through the paddles. I don't think it matters that the barrel of a curling iron is curved, either. I used to quickly "iron" ribbons on a curved lightbulb, back when lightbulbs got hot.
That's so interesting that our hair now has wave to it. My hair has relaxed in the last year. I don't know if that's due to something with aging/menopause or with co-washing (conditioner-only washing).
Now that would upset me -- eating all the hamburger and choc chip muffins, but leaving the veggies! Sadly, I think the raccoons in my yard are vegans. They eat as many cherries, apples, and plums as they can get before I chase them off. I'll be working at devising something for the corn very soon.
I told all three daughter's I didn't want to do anything this year. My Rachel is having her in-laws over. Haven't seen them for Christmas or Easter so is due too. The two older step daughter's will probably do the same. My husband is taking me for a drive and hard to believe dinner out for only the third time since last March. We will be able to go anywhere without restrictions on May 31 but still wear a mask. It is a small Chinese restaurant that isn't busy and does ton of takeout. If it is busy, I'll order to go but hope not. I am very excited to eat out so sad I know.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl,
DeleteYour plans for Mother's Day sound lovely. I'm excited for you. I hope that the restaurant isn't too busy and you can just enjoy being out.
Happy Mother's Day to you, Cheryl!