WOYWW 381

STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT
STRAIGHTEN UP AND STAY RIGHT....

There's been many strange things on my workdesk recently, but this must be one of the weirdest.....
That's right, two heavy floor tiles that we found in the garage of our rental place.

Here you are - a bit of a hint!

I tried to fix my cutting mat, which was warped into a banana shape by the heat in the conservatory! I consulted the Interwebs on how to rectify the situation and so put a sopping wet towel over the mat, then steam ironed it for ten minutes until it was floppy and then put heavy weights on it overnight. It's not perfect but it's a lot better than it was and will do ok for my needs!

I was in a fabric shop and bought a few 25cms worth of cotton to make some Christmas bunting for a charity thing.

The conservatory has cooled down a lot now the temps have decreased so I spent a happy couple of hours cutting out flags while the rain poured down outside. I shall do a grey/red selection of the five in the front and a jolly snowman one with the green fabric. That should keep me quiet for a while!!

I've been busy playing with my band too (those lights from last week have already earned their keep!)  and was in Pewsey on Sunday eve for the close of carnival service. The river Avon had been taken over by these characters:
Someone had done a lot of hard work there!  Apparently it was a Pokestop too. For a small village they do really well in Carnival fortnight - it was good to be a part of it :-D

Have a great crafty week! xxxx

34 comments:

Ohhh Snap said...

I'm so glad you were able to work out a fix for your cutting mat. As ever, your choice of fabrics is beautiful : D. That is a LOT of pokemons lol.

Helen said...

glad you sorted your cutting mat.. I have a small one I warped with a Melt Pot once; I must try that remedy. The river looks fab; and I love that fabric! Helen #?

okienurse said...

I had a similar issue with my mat this year…don't know why it curled but it did. I took it out and laid it on the concrete on the drive and sprayed it down with water. Took one afternoon of 104 deg heat and it was flat again! Sounds like you did pretty much the same. Love all the new fabric you bought. Pokemon seems to be the rage right now. My daughter and son in law talked with in to playing with them when we went to Pennsylvania this year…WOW! it is a lot of fun. Hope you have a great week. Vickie #4

misteejay said...

Glad you were able to sort your mat and it looks like you have been putting it to use again cutting the bunting. The fabrics you have picked are lovely.
The Pokémon figures at the river look fun and I'm glad your light is proving its worth.
Have a super week Jan.
Toni xx

Neet said...

Thanks for the info on sorting out your mat - I have a couple need attention. Have had them stood under a weight but not got anywhere - must try the steaming next.
So glad you got to take part with the band and thank you so much for showing us those colourful characters in (or on?) the River Avon. What a lovely idea. Not sure about this "Poke" thing that is going around but i do like to see these.
Look forward to seeing the bunting.
Hugs, Neet 2 xx

Lynn Holland said...

You could patent that idea for the cutting mat haha. It's certainly one I'm going to use Jan, thanks.
I love all the characters in the river, what fun.
Have a great week
Lynn xx 9

Kathyk said...

Gr8 tip on the warped mat! Love the Pewsey pix too

Happy WOYWW

Kathyk
#10

Sue said...

Hi Jan, Glad you have managed to correct your cutting mat.

Loving the bunting fabric.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #11

Inside the artists shed said...

I too have a slightly warped cutting mat and will have to try this technique. Glad you can cut more accurately again without the wobbles. Have a great week x Jackie 15

Christine said...

Thank goodness it has cooled down I say as well but not for the same reasons!! Look forward to seeing the bunting, great colours. I picked up some lovely pink wool - odd balls of different shades - in a charity shop yesterday so am able to crochet some blankets for little girls .... amazing where you can find the items you need ... only went in to look for a book!!!
Have a good week, lots of laughs
Christine
Bishopsmate #17

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya JAn, You will probably find over time that the last little bits of warp will flatten themselves out as you use it. I can also remember reading on a US forum about people putting warped mats in a bath of hot water before weighting down. Very festive fabric, should look ace. This Pokemon thing- it's mad, but I suppose on the upside, it's got a lot of kids off their backside & outdoors. Lots of love and huge hugs, Shaz #18 xxxxx

My name is Cindy said...

Wow those pokemons are great - someone did work hard! Great fabric - very restrained of you though! Sadly I doubt I will be able to make the new crop date, but if that changes will let you know. I didn't realise you were renting.... I am so behind with all the news..... Happy WOYWW Cindy #23

Annie said...

Love the fabrics Jan....our fav shop aren't doing many Christmas fat quarters this year as they say they can't afford to do them at fat quarter prices! I managed to get a few but may be looking elsewhere for the rest :-( Hope you have fun sewing your bunting.
Hugs,
Annie x # 12
ps yes the gingerbread are in felt and when I've beaded them up I think they will be my fav too.

LisaDV said...

Sorry your mat got wonky. Sounds like you fixed it to usable again. I love the fabrics, and they will make a wonderful banner. Had a laugh at the pokemon display. Whoever made it did some great work. Happy Wednesday, LisaDV #25

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ahhh know what you mean about bumpy mats, but looks like you've it sorted, love your "my favourite Martian" style lights for your music stand below, had to have a peek. The bunting is truly imaginatively stunning selection, love red, so cheery.
And I loved the Celtic knots too, have an idea for them, but have a number of must do things first but prob may even be able to work them in somehow soon. That's the problem isn't it? Too many things to do... Saw dad again today, took him out to my sisters on Monday ..the one who lives right on the beach, for lunch. He really loved the drive out, and he's doing some of his oils too, mind you they haven't organised a proper spot for him yet. Still he's making the best of it which is good.
Tomorrow arvo we're booked for an icecream drive to one of our local beaches.
Happy WOYWW!!
Shaz in Oz.x #19

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love that fabric - and hope to see what you make too! The Pokemon decorations look great - having been on a Pokemon hunt with my two Grandsons I actually recognise some of them!! I'm coming to the crop! Yay! Hugs, Chrisxx 32

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

That's a very clever hack to straighten your mat! I always go to the internet if I have a problem to solve too! Amazing what you can find online! Loving those Christmas fabrics - that's a great combo you came up with. There's something so happy about bunting! Thanks for visiting earlier! I hope Oreo will start using his new toy, so we don't have to sell it! They're thankless little creatures, aren't they? Enjoy your week, zsuzsa #24

Sharon said...

Sounds like you're settling in nicely. Good idea on flattening the cutting mat. I love the new fabric - you always seem to find the nicest prints.

Have a great week
Sharon K #35

jill said...

The cutting mat should straight out soon, hopefully for you.
Happy woyww Jill #28

Kelly said...

Pretty fabrics. Looks as if those tile slabs are doing their job. Possibly store the mat under those for awhile to see if the mat continues to flatten. I love small-town events. So much more fun than larger cities, in my opinion. Glad you enjoyed the evening. Creative Blessings! Kelly #39

Anonymous said...

Happy WOYWW. I found that the boxes from Ikea before I unpacked the contents were suitably heavy for flattening journals etc! I now have two large stones from a wall on the farmyard, which I washed (hubby thought I had finally gone mad), wrapped in plastic and now use them as weights. Gorgeous selection of fabrics. Ali x #33

Unknown said...

You are just having too much fun!! Clever you figuring out how to fix your mat. I just always thought they'd go back flat if they laid somewhere long enough, but I guess not! It looks like you've broken in your new place with some crafty stitching--you go girl! Hugs! Happy Wednesday. Sandy Leigh #30

Kim said...

Welcome back! I hope your move went well, while I went missing myself for a few weeks. too funny to have real pokomon's to play with the virtual ones (though i still don't quite get that at all! LOL!) Have a great week.
-K #43

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Oh Jan! I was really worried there when I saw that empty desk, what a relief! Pleased you managed to fix the problem with the cutting mat. Thanks for the visit to mine and happy woyww,
Angela x 16

Shoshi said...

I've got several cutting mats that have got warped, and I thought they were irredemable, but maybe not! Love your fabric pieces for the bunting.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #46

Elizabeth said...

Well, goodness, gracious me! I think I have heard everything now, Jan. Ironing a warped cutting mat to straighten it sounds counter-intuitive somehow but it looks like it works alright. I've got one warped mat so must give it a try. I like the fabric for the bunting - nicely festive. The Pokeman characters are fun too. Have a great week. Hugs, Elizabeth x #45

Unknown said...

What a great way to straighten your cutting mat! I had to look back to see what all happened with your move since I was on vacation the last 2 weeks. I've been purging a bit for the last few months just trying to unclutter. Fun fabric and looking forward to your bunting! Hope you have a great rest of the week!
Carol N #36

Nikki said...

Great idea on flattening out your mat I'm sure you'll get it straight again you could try popping it in a oven for a minute or two on a low heat. Lovely start on your bunting hugs Nikki 7

dmgarafalo said...

Hi Jan, I am just getting around to my rounds.You are such a busy lady, fun fabrics! cheers, donna #8

BJ said...

Naughty cutting mat. I had the same sort of misfortune when using a light box on mine, never did that again as they don't like heat one bit!

Survived the dentist although the numbness took ages to go and then I had to go sort an oil leak from car, really didn't need that when all I wanted to do was sleep!

Pokemon is somewhat unpredictable here, sometimes it will load sometimes not, so I mainly stick to geocaching. It was such a pickle yesterday as I had to walk to and from the garage to sort the car out! Could have accumulated a couple of miles but no it was deciding not to load!

Thanks for visiting me BJ #21

buterfliecrafter said...

lovely selection of fabrics, the autocorrect made me laughing at 'mom', have a nice week, vicky

Marit said...

Such a great idea to put those tiles on your mat! I don't play pokemon-go but I LOVE the 'real ones' on the photo, must have been so much fun to come up with such an idea (and make it...) Creative people indeed! thanks for visiting my little space on the web earlier. Hug from Holland, Marit #20

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Now that is warped! Glad you managed to sort it. I ruined one of mine, a long time ago, by storing it on its edge rather than flat. Now I keep it under the sofa. Can't believe it's taken me until Sunday evening to return your visit!

Tilly Tea Dance said...

Ooh that Scandi-style bunting and the coaster sets are fab - they'll be very popular at the charity sale I should think. Love the little bird too. I do something silimar each year to hang from the drawstrings of Ben's Christmas Santa sack. Happy crafting, Max #33 :-)

WOYWW 769

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