Friday Faves - All About the Dads!

Well, it's getting close to that time of year again when we take a little time out of our busy schedules to honor those skillful men we call our fathers. That's right! It's almost Father's Day! So I've picked some fun items for the dads out there and I hope you like them.

It's the Dad Life via American Greetings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIt0NLJQvTY
(Just stay away from the Roundup stuff, guys. Major bad news for the environment = major bad news for people and animals.)

Now, let's go shopping!

Blue Clara
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueClara
I like the one where the kids are running to the father. We always did that when we were kids. Nearly bowled him over sometimes!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/49521719/custom-silhouette-print-mother-or-father

Stick 'em Up Customs
https://www.etsy.com/shop/StickemUpCustoms
Aw, dad! We're only going up to the point!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/98534345/funny-fathers-day-t-shirt-birthday-idea

Cheeky Kumquat
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CheekyKumquat
Perfect companion piece for the previous t-shirt.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/128457120/funny-fathers-day-card-dad-birthday?ref=shop_home_feat

Designs 2 Express
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Designs2Express?ref=seller_info
For that special bearded guy in your life.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/118659574/fathers-day-gifts-shirt-for-men-with

I hope all the great dads out there have an awesome Father's Day! Please drop by my Cherish blog on Monday when I feature some really old skool tunes from a guy called Al Bowlly. This is some 1930s stuff, kiddies! Cool stuff! Then right here at No Stranger Here we'll enjoy some more nautical tutorials. After all, Summer's almost here and there's lots of fun to be had out on the water. Next Friday Faves will be more Father's Day items.

Until then, have a great weekend, everyone, and take care out there!

Something From My Cherish Blog

 http://cherishthenovel.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-built-boat.html

Tuesday Tutorial 38 - Let's Get Knotty!

Before we begin today I must post the following.

WARNING!!!!
STUDIES INDICATE THAT WHILE KNOT TYING MAY HAVE SOME THERAPEUTIC OR ARTISTIC VALUE IT MAY ALSO BE HABIT FORMING.
SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
(1) INABILITY TO THROW AWAY EVEN THE SMALLEST PIECE OF STRING, CORD, OR ROPE.
(2) AN IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO EXAMINE ALL KNOTS YOU SEE.
(3) ALWAYS CARRYING A SMALL PIECE OF STRING OR CORD WHEREVER YOU GO.
(4) OBSESSION WITH LEARNING NEW KNOTS.
(5) YOU TIE KNOTS IN EVERYTHING WHETHER NEEDED OR NOT.
SHOULD YOU OBSERVE THESE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD:
(1) BUY A NEW KNOT BOOK.
(2) LEARN A NEW KNOT.
(3) TEACH KNOT TYING TO SOMEONE ELSE.

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrVyz9cVtU

Each one of the knots in the video tutorial by Purpleshirts has a purpose:

• Figure-Eight: This knot is classed as a Stopper Knot in that, as with an Overhand Knot, it will jam. However, unlike the Overhand it is easier to untie.
• Reef Knot: Is used for binding purposes.
• Clove Hitch: Is an adjustable knot. In other words, you can feed rope in or out of it while it remains tied.
• Sheet Bend: These are used in net-making. It is the preferred knot for joining two ropes together, even of different sizes, because it doesn't slip under load pressure. However, it can be untied easily.
• Double Sheet Bend: This is an attractive knot (used sometimes for decorative purposes) that has a usage similar to the Sheet Bend, only with an extra wrap for added security.
• Bowline: This knot is often used in rescue efforts when retrieving a person who has fallen off a cliff or ledge etc. It provides a fairly secure loop in the end for tying a boat to a post. However you can't untie it under load.
• Rolling Hitch: This knot has many uses but its most common usage is for exerting force along another line, such as when one line gets jammed you can attach another line to it with the Rolling Hitch and relieve pressure so you can clear up the jam.
• Fisherman's Bend or Anchor Bend: (This is a favorite of mine.) This knot is sometimes called the True Lover's Knot. It is used for tying two ends of line together because it binds up well and the ends of the knot can be trimmed closely so they don't get tangled. 

 [The image at the top of this post is a picture of part of the first net I ever made. This was a while back when I was still in my teens. It was made entirely using Sheet Bends. It's still in one piece and is even usable to this day.]

Enjoy!

Friday Faves - Swim For It or Dive Trying!

As some of you may be already aware, I have a book coming out called, Cherish. That's what that 'Cherish' tab up there under the big picture of the merry-go-round is all about. But for the sake of new visitors (Hi! Glad you stopped by!), I thought I might get in a small plug for my book in the form of a Friday Faves post about Swim and Dive-related items at Etsy.

I know! I'm --
Shameless (as sung by Garth Brooks):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx_ODsubYp8

What can I say? None of that conditional love for me, like Meatloaf. ;-)

Now, let's go shopping!

Salty Sea Treasures
https://www.etsy.com/shop/saltyseatreasures
I like the tone of this!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/112535194/live-in-the-sunshine-swim-in-the-sea

Sage Studios
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SageStudios
Wow! This is just incredibly cool!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/117078959/diving-woman-perfume-bottle

Her Gummy Grin
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HerGummyGrin
For the swimmer in your life!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/130059912/personalized-award-ribbon-display-sign

Vidadnarayan
https://www.etsy.com/shop/vidadnarayan
Sometimes it takes a leap of faith...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103453293/leap-print-limited-edition

Deemai
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Deemai
Who doesn't love a cute suit?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/125426167/pink-tankini

Thanks for indulging my passion this week. I hope you'll drop by my Cherish blog for Music Monday when I feature the music of a group I recently discovered called, Cherish. You knew I had to give these young ladies a listen when I found them! They are very smooth and soulful. Tuesday Tutorial, which is featured here at No Stranger Here, will be about Nautical Knot Tying. Friday Faves will feature Father's Day items.

Until then, have a great weekend, everyone, and take care out there!

Tuesday Tutorial 37 - Mini Tug Boat

This week we have something that is near and dear to my heart, footage of a Mini Tug Boat Build by DeepBeeps.

I love Mini Tugs and other small craft. I still hope to build my very own small houseboat, because I miss being on the water like I was when I was a kid.

Just follow the numerical listings to watch the videos in order.

1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=febUCq1e3kw
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1--jr_V07VU
3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPgMhn5xrD0
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQn-PRZvRQo
5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzCL7vyQEKo
6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHBb__C4W18
7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2EdOmaUeaM

I couldn't find another update on his build, but I think this gives a general idea of what you have to do to put one of these together. You can get the plans at:

http://www.berkeley-engineering.com/MiniTugboatPlans.html

Enjoy!

Friday Faves 102 - Vintage Spree

Sometimes I find myself pining for the "good old days" and so I enjoy taking a time trip through objects d'vintage. That's what this week's Friday Faves is all about - vintage.

A little vintage mood music by Ray Coniff with Beyond the Sea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CngVx3g99_w

Now, let's go vintage shopping!

First up is a lovely pair of milk glass serving dishes with gold trim!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/106853859/vintage-anchor-hocking-fire-king-milk
From: Kellie Creations - https://www.etsy.com/shop/kelliecreations

Our second vintage pick is a lovely crochet pattern for a wedding dress!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/128289663/vintage-70s-pdf-crochet-wedding-dress
From: Scarlet's Divine Vintage - https://www.etsy.com/shop/scarlettess

For our third vintage pick we have a gorgeous aquamarine ring!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/88611031/antique-style-queen-aquamarine-ring
From: Jan Palombo Design - https://www.etsy.com/shop/JanPalomboDesign

And for our fourth and final vintage pick is a favorite item of mine a red plaid lunch box and thermos!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/123602046/50s-red-plaid-lunch-box-with-thermos
From: Behold All Things New - https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeholdAllThingsNew

Be sure to drop back by on my Cherish blog for Music Monday when I feature the music of Talking Heads. Tuesday on this blog I'll share video footage on the building of a Mini Tug Boat! Then, for next Friday Faves, right here on No Stranger Here, we'll dive into all things swim and dive related on Etsy!

Until then, have a great weekend, everyone, and take care out there!

Tuesday Tutorial 36 - Japanese Stab Book

These are fun to make and use! Vanillajoy1 brings us a very good tutorial, in two parts, on making a simple Japanese Stab Book.

Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUD0iKBkCVo
Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO-KYuC85sk

Enjoy!