HELLO my name is Heather

  • Air — It’s Not Just for Breathing

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    PaintSprayer
    One tool we’ve learned we can’t live without is an air-powered paint sprayer.  This month alone we have painted up two huge work tables, a large dining table, two small tables, a chair, a chest of drawers and several frames.  I should say, Isaac has painted up all of these things.  I just ran the kids around and made all of the dinners so he could keep at it.  For three weeks, our front driveway housed what looked like a terrorist interrogation tent, dusty tarps flapping in the wind.  Isaac called it his “hobo shanty town.”  Painting this many pieces would have been misery with a paint brush and the finishes wouldn’t have been so smooth and professional. 

    DeWalt_Air_CompressorOf course, it would have taken far less time if we weren’t experimenting with some bullet-proof, professional paint Isaac tracked down.  This stuff was rough to use, but the finished work tables are hard as glass.  We used regular paint from the hardware store for all of the other projects and they were far easier to complete.

    We have refinished a ton of furniture over the last 15 years.  I regret not getting an air compressor and a paint sprayer sooner. 

    AIR COMPRESSOR
    As far as air compressors go, for spraying paint, it’s important to get a compressor that is large enough and powerful enough to keep up with you. Usually you would need, at minimum, a 20- to 30-gallon compressor for powering a paint sprayer because you are using the compressed air in a steady stream instead of in short bursts (as for a nail gun or staple gun).  However, we have found that the 15-gallon DeWalt D55168 is up to the task.  It has an extra-powerful motor and is capable of being filled to a very high pressure — many 30-gallon compressors will only go up to 140 PSI (pounds per square inch), while this guy will go up to 200 PSI so it releases a longer flow of air than you would normally expect from a smaller tank.  And it takes up less room.  Furthermore, when we turned this machine on at the store, we found that it was also considerably more quiet than other models.  Sold!

    Make sure to compare the SCFM ratings (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute) of the compressors you are considering, which measures air flow (into the tank, I think).  For spraying paint, you will want a machine with an SCFM of 5 or more.  Most air compressor tools will list what SCFM is needed to operate them, so look at the different tools you will want to use before choosing which model of air compressor to purchase.  If you plan to use an air compressor for tasks that only require small bursts of air, like for a nail gun or a staple gun, then you might be able to get away with a smaller compressor.  Read more about how to choose an air compressor here.

    PAINT SPRAYER
    In my opinion, the gravity-fed pneumatic paint sprayers (with the paint tank on top) work a little better than the siphon-fed ones.  I haven’t used enough different models to say which brand/model is best.  Ours is a Husky Pro HVLP and we have been plenty happy with it thus far.  Make sure to get a professional-quality respirator to wear while you’re working.


  • “For Your Pleasant Life”

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    Japanese_Cut_Off_Saw
    Woodworking projects sometimes call for a dowel or rod to be cut off at surface level.  Power saws aren't usually up to the task and most hand saws, on top of too inflexible to stay flush with the surface, would damage the surface with their offset teeth. 

    Enter the Japanese Flush-Cut Saw.  This handy saw is not only rigid enough to make fine cuts in thin material, but also flexible enough to press tightly against the surface of your project — imagine a long, metal spatula with sharp, toothy edges.  The teeth curl back toward the handle and do not offset each other which means two things:  one, the bottom of the saw is smooth and will not marr up your project; and two, it only cuts on the pull stroke.

    There really is no other saw that can do this job.  Sure, perhaps only a handful of you will find need for such a device in the near future, but I love this thing, so there you are.  And if you are in a family full of men, you now have a new topic to bring up at dinner.  And there are birthdays and Father's Day to consider.  Isaac calls this simple tool a "revelation." 

    Funny — I just noticed this — ours has a stamp on the blade that reads, "For your pleasant life."  How about that!?

  • The Universal Survival Tool

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    ChocolateBars470
    Chocolate is perhaps the best tool of all.  Of course, if I was stuck on the prairie with bodies to clothe, food to procure, and a shelter to build, I may not think so.  Then again, maybe I would.

    I’ve come to the conclusion that if I’m going to splurge, then I’m going to splurge.  When I want chocolate, I want the good kind, not some cheap, grainy, make-your-mouth-sore chocolate wanna-be.  Good chocolate, or no chocolate at all.  Same goes for ice cream, cake, butter, mayonaise, and so forth.  Why bother if it isn’t any good?  In the end, what real pain is there in spending $2 on chocolate satisfaction over $0.50 on chocolate disappointment?  This is my thinking.

    RitterSport_ButterBiscuitBarW2 My favorite, easy-grab indulgence is the Ritter Sport Butter Biscuit bar from Germany.  It’s creamy and dreamy.  I’m sure there are plenty of other varieties that are just as delicious, but this is one of my all-time favorites AND the Target nearby has them displayed at their checkout stands — which adds an undeniable convenience factor to the equation.

    When I’m feeling extra snazzy, I may even venture to the other side of the store to grab one of Ritter Sport’s other varieties.  They make a surprisingly fantastic Cornflakes bar and I’m ga-ga for their Marzipan bar as well. 

    Good chocolate.  Chocolate, good.

    How about you?  Who makes your favorite chocolate bar?  Or, if you’re not into chocolate, then how in the world do you get by?  Do tell.



  • Chef’n Spatulas

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    Chefn_Spatulas

    A few years back I picked up an oddly-shaped silicone spatula on sale at a fancy, local grocery store.  I was intrigued by it’s double-ended design and the claim it was heat-resistant to 650º F (340º C).  It worked so well as a spatula for baking and also as a stirring tool for cooking that I hustled back to that store and purchased the only other one left. These are now among my favorite, everyday kitchen tools.

    The spatula is reinforced down the center with a super-strong, super-stiff metal bar.  The silicone at either end is flexible, but not too flexible.  It scrapes up brownie batter like nothing else. 

    I am glad to have tracked down the company’s website so easily.  It turns out they have a ton of nifty tools based on the same concept.  Look at all of these options and colors!  My exact spatula is no longer in the collection, but it is most similar to the clear design below.

    Who knows, it may no longer be my favorite once I have my hands on that violet one above, or perhaps the red one. It looks like they are available on Amazon for $10 to $13  each or so.

    ChefnSpatula_Clear300THere are the product names for easier hunting:

    1. Chef’n Switchit Flex Wide (pink + 3 other colors)

    2. Chef’n Switchit All Purpose (violet + 7 other colors)

    3. Chef’n Switchit Spoon/Spatula (yellow + 5 other colors)

    4. Chef’n Switchit Spreader (red +7 other colors)

    5. Chef’n Switchit All Purpose (cream + 7 other colors)

    6. Chef’n Switchit Flex Spoon (blue + 7 other colors)

    7. Chef’n Switchit Slim (green + 7 other colors)

    8. Chef’n Switchit Long (clear + 5 other colors)

    And check out this groovy salt and pepper grinder — it’s a bunny and you squeeze it’s ears!

  • He Knows the Drill

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    Drilling

    Isaac is moving along on two mammoth work tables.  Each one will sit on a large, rolling base so it will be counter-height for working, but can be lowered to table-height if needed. Here’s a great trick we use for drilling holes to the perfect depth. Wrap the drill bit in masking tape at the depth you wish each hole to be. Stop drilling when the edge of the tape meets the top of the surface. Works like a charm.



  • Stripped Teaser

    ByHeather Bailey

    It’s Saturday!  And I’m determined to spend a good part of my day outside.  I’m either going to prune the rose bushes or clear out the garden to prep it for planting.  It’s stormy outside, so we’ll see how it goes.

    Stripping_Table_Legs

    Isaac is finishing up two big tables for the studio.  (The same ones I mentioned last year.  You know how that goes.  They are looking awesome though!)  After having at these reclaimed table legs with a palm sander for a while this morning (above), he gave up and purchased an orbital sander.  This has made a huge difference, especially with the deep, turned contours at the top and bottom of each leg.  The palm sander wasn’t working too well on the rounded surfaces.

    The rest of the table parts he has built from scratch and everything is ready for assembly.  These tables are HUGE and I can’t wait to spread projects out all over them.  I might have to try them out for napping as well.  They are that big.

    What are you up to today?  With the way the wind is blowing outside, I might be baking cookies and crocheting granny squares by nightfall.  Cold-weather activities sound equally appealing.


  • Holiday Mints – Recipe

    ByHeather Bailey

    Valentine_Mints_Recipe_Heather_Bailey
    I’ll take any excuse to whip up some sugar-coated sugar.  Of course, for Valentine’s Day no justification is needed.  That’s what makes it a holiday right?

    Or is it love? 

    Something like that.

    This year Charlotte and I did a little Lucy & Ethel.  We put on our aprons and our disposable food-gloves and cranked out the candy.  We used a favorite Christmas Mints recipe to make Valentine hearts.  Really the easiest recipe — three ingredients, plus food coloring.  Normally, we just roll each mint into a ball and press it flat with a fork, a la peanut butter cookies. 

    Valentine_Heart_Mint_Molds
    This was my first go with the candy molds and they worked perfectly.  Now to keep an eye out for a good Easter mold – not too big though – I like these mints small.  Imagine pink, yellow, green, & blue bunnies.  And if we’re not too sugared out come July, we could put together some red, white, & blue stars — but only if there is a party going on — this is a lot of sweet — definitely a great treat to share with a group.

     

    Christmas Mints / Valentine Mints
    Easter Mints / Anytime Mints

    1 pkg cream cheese, 8 oz.
    2 lbs. powdered sugar
    1/2 tsp. mint extract
    food coloring

    Let cream cheese soften in bowl for 15-20 minutes.  Mix in powdered sugar gradually.  When a third of the sugar has been mixed in, add mint extract and food coloring. Knead* mixture till coloring is consistent throughout, then gradually knead in remaining powdered sugar.  Roll into 3/4″ balls.  Toss in fine sugar & press with fork to flatten.  Chill mints in freezer to cool.  Refridgerate till served.

    Candy Mold Option: Toss in sugar before pressing mint into mold for an easy release from mold. Chill mints thoroughly before releasing from mold.

    * Disposable, food-prep gloves recommended. Otherwise, scrub your hands really well, as recipe requires a lot of kneading.

    Holiday_Mint_RecipeS


  • The Plan, the Plan!

    ByHeather Bailey

    Tonight is “Preview Night” at one of the high schools we are considering for Elijah. We’re taking the big tour. We did the same thing with another high school last Wednesday night. It was crazy. They had everything from business and marketing classes to horse-care and computer-repair classes. You can raise your own goat or chicken at this school, yet it’s totally state of the art — straight out of the movies. Where was this place when I was a teenager?  Right here, I guess — not in San Ramon, CA.

    Anyhow, there I was going through the typical process of accepting that I have a child this old and that he really is going to high school next year, when the principal gets up to speak. His ENTIRE presentation was about planning for college and how our kids need to carefully plot out their high school ‘careers’ in order to best pursue their futures. Whoa, Mister, one wrinkle at a time!

    HB_HappyStackerSpeaking of wrinkles. I have been so good this week. I’ve gotten a ton of big things done, yet my to-do list is longer than it was on Monday. What’s up with that!?

    To combat this annoyance, I’m now keeping a list of weekly accomplishments. As I wrap up a task, I move it from the devilish to-do list to the angelic all-done list. It’s fantastic. Try it out sometime.

    One big project I’m excited to get going on is our Trunk Show Program — a travelling circus of sewing-pattern samples for fabric shops to display. I’m busy drawing up fabric choices and construction notes for elephants, turtles, handbags, Happy Stackers, you name it. If you have a quilt shop and are interested in receiving info about this program once it’s ready, email Nica and we’ll put you on our list!

    Now to plan out some class Valentines with Charlotte. The whole troop has just trumpeted through the front door, feeling particularly chatty today.  If you can’t shush ’em, join ’em!


  • One Way or Another

    ByHeather Bailey

    Cambridge_Satchel_Green470a
    What I want to know is whether the 15" green leather bag from The Cambridge Satchel Company will fit my 17" laptop. This is a pressing matter, as my birthday is only six months away.

    Poetic_License_Toughen_Up_7671415If that won't fit, then perhaps these will. Of course, leather boots may not work for Arizona in August. 

    Hm. 

    Half Birthday then?  That's next week.

    Want to help me out here?

    Who is good at this?

     

     

    Toughen Up boots by Poetic License