iBuds

iBuds, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

I have historically had the hardest time with in the ear and over the ear headphones. They don't like my anatomy. They fall out or off in a very short time. Even bluetooth devices. It's been much to my consternation because I would love to listen to books or music sometimes just by myself, but I haven't been able to find a solution.
Jenny, my knitting buddy, mentioned how the iPhone standard ear buds worked sufficiently for her so I decided to go home and resurrect mine, sealed in my iPhone box and give them a try. Would you know, they stayed in!
I just had to deal with the 2nd reason why I don't get along with most of these types of gadgets. Tangles.
I had seen icorded headphones on Ravelry, as a solution so I decided that if I was going to be carrying mine around, they needed sleeves.
A few Netflix selections and scrap sock yarn knitting later and voila! iBuds!
The final solution needed was how to transport them in my bag without damage, and how to easily locate them. There's nothing like deciding you need something and not being able to find it!
Here's where the Tom Bihn Mini Cordura Organizer Pouch in Wasabi comes in. Looking at it, it's not anything super special, but these little pouches, and their friends are now the mainstay of the organization and upkeep of my Every Day Carry bag!
When I purchased my first TB bag, these Organizer Pouches came highly recommended. I didn't get it though. It took ordering a few and playing around with them to find out their secret.
They come in 6 fabrics, Cork, Ballistic, Cordura, Clear front Cordura, Dyneema ripstop and Padded. They come in 7 sizes, mini, small, pencil, medium, super drive, large and now Kindle. The color choices are dependent on what TB has on hand, but usually range the gamut of colors available in their bags.
I currently use in my EDC mini sizes in Cork, Iberian Dyneema, Azalea and now the Wasabi Cordura. In small size, Ultraviolet Dyneema and a special gift to forum members a Friend of Tom pouch. The pouches are flat construction and the fabrics light weight so they don't take up significant room or weight, but they add an immeasurable amount of organization to my bag. They are like pockets, but each one a different size/fabric combination so it's SO EASY to find anything in my bag. It's also easy to find out if I've put something in that doesn't belong. It's NOT in an Organizer Pouch.
Lastly the clip keeps them secure, and easy to find whether clipped to an internal o-ring in my bag, or a keystrap, they don't fall out or get accidentally left out and lost, and they don't settle into the bottom of the black hole in my bag.
They also are useful in travel or in children's bags for corralling those little things that seem to go missing into corners or under the bottom of the bulky stuff. They are useful by themselves as a grab and go pouch for anything from medicine pouch to a place to keep books from getting dogeared in your bag. And that's one more thing that I love about them. Since I've started using them, my contents are protected and remain looking nicer because they aren't being beat up floating in my bag.
So if you couldn't tell, I love TB organizer Pouches. They are fun little accessories, that make a huge impact in the organization of my life, and more specifically my bags. :)

Two Bihns run errands

Well today I spent some time making over my blog.  I hope that it's a pleasure to read for all.  I wanted to share something that is a pleasure for me.  

In my pages section I have a  list called tools of the trade where I feature some of my favorite things.  Some of my recent favorites are my Tom Bihn bags.  Pictured here are the Little Swift in Vulcana Hemp/Recycled Rubber as my purse and an Shop Bag in Ultraviolet Dyneema as my mailbag.  

For years I have searched for a quality, useful bag system and I believe I have finally found it.  

I fell in love with these bags way back in 2007 when I was searching for the perfect knitting bag.  I found the Swift.  I didn't buy one then, it wasn't until the end of 2010 that I finally bought one of their bags, and this year I finally got my first full sized Swift.  

n+1. . .

My bags have had babies, and I now have bags for travel, shopping, library trips, the beach, post office runs, day trips, my laptop, edc's and of course knitting.  

I love how the organizer pouches fit and clip into the bags to add infinite pockets and organization.  Due to the fact that they come in different sizes, and different materials and are removable they work to organize whatever bag I am currently using easily by sight or feel.  

I also love the durability of the fabrics and findings, most of them USA made.  Many owners from 15+ years report still using their bags as they look nearly new.   I love the real cork, recycled rubber/vulcana hemp and Dyneema fabrics.  They are so unique and original just to TB bags.  They work well in different settings and make the bags very versatile, durable and aesthetically pleasing.

I have yet to find anything that doesn't "go" with the cork or the hemp fabrics in my wardrobe.  And I use the Dyneema shop bag (plus his 3 friends) weekly to haul heavy loads of groceries and there is no signs of stress or fail!

The fact that I had the opportunity to go to the factory in Seattle, meet the employees, talk to Tom Bihn himself and see how the business is run (on a day they were not open to the public no less) really makes this company stand apart.  

A real business giving Americans real jobs, both in their product, but the resources to make their products.  Very rare, and hard to find.  To top it all off, Tom stands behind his merchandise and will repair or replace it if it has been through normal use (care instructions) and has failed during it's lifetime.  Hardly any company offers this anymore for their products, let alone products that are used daily.  

Oh, and these bags make great gifts! 

I think I may start blogging again. . .

I have been so busy with life lately that this blog has been neglected. I haven't meant to stop, it just happened. So much to do with schooling the kids, keeping house, being a wife, crafting and well you know, just living has come between me and the blog, but I think I would like to return to it. I think sharing is a part what makes me, me. I think I have some things worth saying and sharing. I've actually missed posting here.

So I will attempt to blog again.

Thanks Jeffmac from TomBihn forums for encouraging me. Sometimes the simplest question, "what is your blog address" is all it takes. It's embarrassing to direct anybody to come and look here. Right now this blog is a hot mess, but in some ways, it's a reflection of things for me right now. Let's hope things move towards being more calm.

For now, this is all, but I will be back soon.

To my friends who have been waiting, you can expect to see posts again on your RSS feeds.