I haven't forgotten about this week's make, I simply haven't had time to post about it yet! I have a project that I've completed, though, and will post about it ASAP. Thanks!

Vodka Update

     I finally had a chance to bottle the ginger-infused vodka today. I poured it out of the mason jar through a sieve, and then into the bottles through a tea strainer. The end result:

As you can see, I ended up with 1.5 bottles. The bottles I used were glass bottles that were from kombucha purchased at the store. (Spoiler: expect to read about homemade kombucha as some point in the next few weeks). I did sample the vodka, and it was really good! It was gingery, but with just a hint of heat. The flavor of ginger definitely came through, though. It is now in the freezer, getting ice cold, and waiting to be drunk neat, or in a tasty cocktail. Recipe suggestions,anyone?

Make 8: Knitter Please!

     Knitting! It's not just for ladies anymore! My project this week was a knit hat, or tuke for my Canadian friends. I have actually been thinking about this for awhile, and when at the craft store looking for materials and inspiration, I stumbled across a set of knitting looms. These looked so easy, that even a completely non-handy person like myself could give knitting a go.
      Now some of you are probably saying to yourselves "But isn't knitting for the ladies?" First,  I would encourage you to let go of outdated gender stereotypes and roles. Second, I would ask you to consider what, at it's core, is knitting? It's taking yarn and tying knots in it. Using the same gender stereotypes that I am encouraging you to abandon, it seems to me that tying knots in cordage is pretty damn manly! In fact, there's even a documentary that claims that not only is knitting a manly endeavor, it was men who first started knitting (think fishnets, etc) and that in traditional societies, knitting was always men's work.
     Putting aside such debates, though, it is true that the majority of knitters these days are women. Still, Why shouldn't anyone, regardless of gender, have an opportunity to try their hand at knitting? That is precisely what I set out to do.
     My materials for this week's make were very simple: Yarn, knitting loom, and a knitting needle:

I then started by making loops on each peg of the loom. I made a second set of loops, then started using the needle to pull the bottom loop over the top loop. At first, I wasn't sure what I was doing, but I seemed to be following the instructions, and eventually, I had something that looked like this (not on the same loom, but the same yarn, etc.):

I kept doing this for quite a while, although not nearly as long as I thought it would take, After making a brim and closing up the top of the hat, here is is the final product:

My son, Dylan, was kind enough to model the finished hat, which suited him so well, I gave it to him, Here are a couple of photos of him with it on:

     I'm now working on a scarf from the same yarn (as seen above on the green loom). I am pretty sure I will be knitting some more, as I really like the hat I made, and want one for myself! I also find the whole process of knitting relaxing, and, as a fidgety person, having something to do with my hands while sitting is a godsend. Now, what should I make for next week...

Make 7: Ginger-Infused Vodka

     I like booze. Good booze, that is. As a graduate student in Arizona, I had a professor who had a very good single-malt scotch collection. I developed a taste for scotch far beyond my means at the time, although I now have a reasonable good collection of my own. But my enjoyment of spirits is not limited to scotch and whiskey. I also enjoy vodka, gin, etc. A nice cold bottle of vodka in the freezer is a wonderful thing, and a toast with friends is something I cherish.

     Last year, our friends Melissa and Brett had us over for dinner. In addition to other delicious goodies, they had some homemade cilantro-infused vodka. It was delicious! So, I'm going with this principle, and making my own ginger-infused vodka. 

     I started with a bottle of vodka. I didn't buy top-shelf stuff, but it was a decent vodka from somewhere in the middle of the shelf. Here is it with the ginger root I purchased for this purpose:

I cut about a 2 inch length of ginger root, peeled it, and sliced it up:

This I put into a quart mason jar, and poured the vodka over it:

I'll let this sit for a for a few days, and then I'll strain it, and pour it into 2-3 smaller bottles. I have high hopes for this! I'll post more pics as the process continues...

Make 6: Catapult!

     So here's the thing: I wasn't sure about this week's make, for a couple of reasons. First, it's a kit, and I struggled with the idea of using a kit to make something, or make something from scratch. Second, it technically wasn't even my kit, as I had bought it for my son for Christmas. I decided to go through with this make because it is practice for making something similar (and bigger) later in the year (expect a summertime catapult or trebuchet) and my son has shown zero interest in the kit himself. Besides, I really wanted to make this! What is it? A tabletop catapult, of course!

     I have long been fascinated by all manner of large-scale pre-gunpowder weapons. The Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all had some version of a tension/torsion weapon, and all were deadly. Shows such as Mythbusters and Deadliest Warrior have recreated some of these weapons, and the sublimely absurd Punkin' Chunkin' takes the process and physics of such weapons to ridiculous new heights. Still, all of these devices are designed to do basically the same thing: launch a stone, bolt, flaming ball of pitch, or, well, pumpkin, as far as possible, with as accurate a shot a possible. Sounds simple right? It's not. In fact, the physics and logistics of such devices are surprisingly complicated.

     Now my little tabletop catapult is not a weapon by any means, and its accuracy and power are limited. Still, the principles of operations that it uses are the same as the large devices, and let's face it: launching a ball of tinfoil across the room is fun! So let's get started, shall we?

     The kit I used for this Make was purchased at Barnes & Noble, and included a great book by William Gurstelle. A quick Googling of Mr. Gurstelle reveals that he has written quite a few books on backyard siege engines, and the book that actually came with the kit was both informative and entertaining. The book, along with the pieces of the kit, are pictured here:

The actual build was  pretty simple, and only took a few minutes. First, the frame was assembled:

Then, the strings, which create the torsion, were threaded through the base of the frame:

Finally, the arm of the catapult was inserted into the torsion strings, and the strings were turned to create the torsion necessary to launch the ballistics material, er, tinfoil ball:

That's it! With this lovely tabletop device, I was able to launch a ball of foil across the dining room and living room. If only I could take this to work...

     So that's it this week. Nothing fancy, but I had fun! Tune in next time to see what I make!