I modified a liquid medicine spoon to make a tube turning tool, it is a tube also. So you need a tie ready to turn, a tube (approx. the diameter of your pinky) and a pencil or other long smaller object that fits inside the tube. Enjoy the video. It takes a bit to get the hang of it, but once you do, it is faster than using a safety pin. You can see I'm still clumsy when it comes to getting the tube and pencil out.
If anyone would like to try a tube or a liquid medicine spoon (used for measuring an dispensing the watersorb into the cool ties), please email me your snail mail address and request. (funtobewithlp@yahoo.com)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
We worked on ties on Memorial Day, but folks were doing other things, so turnout was low. We will continue making them on our own.
We have 50 finished and are working on the next 50!
Margaret & Alivia
Thanks girls and ladies! Go Team(s)!!!
Thank you watersorb for the grand idea and the following definition, you can read more about watersorb, the amazing polymer, at http://www.watersorb.com
Cool Ties have become a very popular method of keeping cool during the summer heat. Each cool tie is made with medium size polymer which is safe and non-toxic. Cool Ties work on the principal of evaporative cooling. Once the polymer is hydrated, the fabric surface of the Cool Tie draws the moisture from the polymer to the fabric surface, which evaporates resulting in an effective body cooler. In areas of high humidity where no wind is present use two or three Cool Ties, keeping one in a refrigerator or ice chest and as soon as the one being worn reaches body temperature, exchange it with the one in the cooler. Wear the Cool Tie around the neck or head and it will bring great relief from the heat!
This just in from Illinois:
Rolling Meadows, IL boy scout troop 96 adults, made 80 cool ties for oqc not to mention the 75 that got sent to my son unit.
Maggie Alvarado, proud mom of Josh: Army, Natasha, Jeremy: Navy[R.I.P.2-7-08], and Marcus
Rest safely tonight - our sons are on duty.
Some heros wear capes - mine wears Kevlar
Way to go East Coast! You're HOT!
Go Team(s)!!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
First pic ~ Dry cool tie - two channels with watersorb inside
Second pic ~ Hydrated cool tie - you can sort of see how the center part (the v part of the tie) is filled and hydrated with the expanded watersorb.
Third pic ~ Cool tie in use, as modeled by my son - who is my main cool tie filler dude!
Here's how to turn cool ties with a safety pin. It's my first video, so be kind :)
I have also recently figured out how to turn them with a tube and a dowel - stay tuned for another video :) and I've sent my hubby to the store today to figure out how to make turning tools ourselves, so stay tuned for more updates.
We're UP to 23% of our goal team(s). See updated thermometers!
Thanks to a group of girl scouts, the East Coast team just got a boost! 30 ties made by 9 girls in Cadette Troop 30609 in Mercer, PA with help from one of the girl's grandmothers.
Excellent!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Here are some pics from our first OQC Open House. We worked on a Four Freedoms Gratitude Quilt and Cool Ties! Surprise!
And we had a lot of fun, so much fun that we're still working on them a year later!
It's never too late to get involved! Your help is always appreciated. Email me anytime (funtobewithlp@yahoo.com) or post a comment here :)
Updated 2009 totals coming soon!
Excellent! We are making progress. I'm anxiously awaiting an update from the girl scouts who worked on cool ties yesterday, but for now, I'll just post our CA update.
On Saturday, we made 108 cool ties and on Sunday, I made another 79 - bringing our weekend total to 187! Which bring the West up to 618!
Looking forward to a boy scout eagle project on cool ties starting next week to really boost up the totals, and yes, he's in CA!
Back to email as we await more numbers from this long weekend!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I just got the idea to blog about OQC - Operation Quiet Comfort and our Cool Ties for the Troops project! We have a competition going, as you can see from the thermometers to the right. The West Coast is ahead, but that might change after this weekend! Who knows?!?!
Did everyone see or hear President Obama's speech today. He encouraged us all to Support the Troops by sending a care package, card/letter or just to expess thanks to a veteran or current soldier. Wahoo!
I did my part today... we worked on over 100 cool ties, care packages and cards! Why do just ONE thing?!?!
I'll be posting about our successes this cool tie season, I can't wait to see how close we get to our goal - or maybe we'll surpass it. WOW, that might just blow my mind!
Last year OQC sent 1755 cool ties, so this year, with two coordinators, we're aiming for 3510! We CAN do this!
Comments welcome, and volunteers always needed! Many hands make light work. Come join the fun!
