Reviews by zipknitter

zipknitter says "Made 3 of us sick" about PureVia All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener

zipknitter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:55:23 GMT

I decided to try PureVia to see what all the hype was about and if it would help with all of the kid's sugar desires and my inability to use other artificial sweeteners because of side effects. Since it is supposed to be natural, I hoped it would be a much better product to use. It tasted really good when we drank the Kool Aid I mixed it into at dinner, but within an hour I had the worst migraine I have had in years and so did my husband who can usually eat anything with no ill effects. Our 11 yr old granddaughter had a really upset stomach and severe diarrhea all that night too. The two younger children had no ill effects from it thank heavens.

So, I'm sorry I cannot recommend it. It was the only thing that we ate that day that was different or unusual so cannot attribute the side effects to the beef roast and vegetables we had for dinner along with the Kool Aid.

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zipknitter says "Kept falling apart" about Windex Outdoor All-In-One Window Cleaner

zipknitter — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:48:24 GMT

I received the Windex Outdoor all in one Window Cleaner as a gift from a friend and was ready to go. But, the head kept coming loose from the pole and finally wouldn't stay on it at all, the pole is not long enough to do more than the lowest windows and the product left streaks even after rinsing 3 times. So, I am not a happy camper when it comes to recommending this product. The store wouldn't even take it back and replace it for me even though it was broken.

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zipknitter says "Just as good as the others in the series" about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:18:16 GMT

Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix is a book that I will gladly read several times over the years. I am not a kid and haven't been for a long time, but JK Rowling is able to invite me into Harry's world and not disappoint me. I have followed Harry Potter since his first step into the world of magic and entrance in Hogwarts. This book is a continuing story of his growing and maturing into the great wizard we all know he would become.

I had heard from others that I would be sorely disappointed at the way it was written, but they were wrong. The only disappointments were that a favorite character was lost so that the story could continue and the fact that more books will not be added to the series so that we will know Harry as he grows in his powers and experiences the dark side of magic that we know he will encounter. I hope JK can be enticed to write more books as this is a series that my 10 year old granddaughter loves and her 6 year old brother begs me to read to...

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zipknitter says "good book for beginners" about Knitting Pretty - Simple Instructions For 30 Fabulous Projects

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:59:46 GMT

I wanted to teach my friend wife and her daughter how to knit but felt they needed more than just working on projects while I am around. Got them Knitting Pretty-Simple Instructions and am very glad I did. I can teach them how to knit, but when they are home alone and run into a problem, they turn to the book for help and it gets them over the terror of possibly ruining a piece. They can see how to fix a dropped stitch, repair a purled stitch in the middle of a knitted row and to make things that they didn't think to ask me about while they were here. They have already gotten a second copy so each can have a copy handy to help or give them ideas about new projects to try. It is well written and doesn't talk down to new knitters.

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zipknitter says "You need to know loom knitting before buying this" about Loom Crafts with Knifty Knitter

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:49:51 GMT

Loom Crafts with Knifty Knitter is a pretty good book and provides a lot of really nice patterns to make on the round looms. My only problem with it is that many of the patterns will make a novice loomer think twice about doing them as they can be pretty intimidating for a beginner. Once you have some more experience under your belt though, they will be quite easy and very enjoyable to make. So, this is a good book to buy as it will keep you busy for a long time. The patterns cover several types of projects instead of just concentrating on one or two. It is pretty detailed too, providing the supply lists for the projects, so you will learn a lot just from reading it. and it will give you a lot of ideas that will help you make other projects that aren't in the book just by following the rules as they apply to using the looms. It's well worth the money.

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zipknitter says "Great video for the knitter who wants to learn new things" about I Can't Believe I'm Knitting Cables, Bobbles, & Lace in Motion

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:39:14 GMT

I can't believe I'm Knitting Cables, Bobbles and Lace is a great video to teach any knitter new techniques. It shows the proper way to make the stitches and is very helpful because you can actually see the hands and needles clearly. Many videos forget that people actually need to see the stitches being done it seems. The audio is good too so you can hear all of the instructions being clearly explained.

Any knitter who wants to broaden their abilities will do the right thing by buying this video and keeping it in their library. You can never learn too much or have enough information on hand to remind yourself of how a particular stitch is done if you don't do it very often.

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zipknitter says "better then the stove for quick jobs" about Hamilton Beach Toaster Over #31507

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:30:18 GMT

I bought the Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven because I was tired of heating up the stove just to cook pizza or biscuits and don't enjoy the way it stays hot to just run up the electric bill. The toaster oven does a great job and is a major saving on light bills. We use it for just about everything but turkeys for the holidays now it's just the two of us at home. It gets a bit too hot on the outside but I just set it on tiles and now the counter is fine. The food we cook in it is done just right and we like cinnamon broiler toast a lot so it is much easier to fix it this way then trying to do it under the big broiler. It is high enough that I don't have to bend when trying to take things out and I can keep a good watch on the food to make sure it isn't overcooked. Don't think we want to be without this oven as it is used so often these days.

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zipknitter says "this machine does several jobs easily" about Melitta One Cup Coffee Maker

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:14:55 GMT

I enjoy coffee but my husband does not like me to leave the pot on as the coffee gets nasty tasting after awhile so when I saw an offer online to get the Melitta One Cup Coffeemaker and a years worth of pods, it was easy to say yes to try it. Now I have had it for over a year and there is no way I could do without it and bought a second just in case they get discontinued. The coffee and tea flavors are really good and usually what you can't find in a grocery store. I can easily get 6 cups of tea out of one pod as I like it a little weaker than most people.

We are avid tea drinkers and I can stick the pod in and fill a pitcher to put in the fridge. Or, I can leave the pods out and just heat water for cocoa, other teas or whatever is needed. It doesn't take long to come up to the right temperature and evn when I'm cooking and need hot water to add to recipes, I just leave the coffeemaker on and take out what I need . The pods are even carried at our local hardware store now and are...

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zipknitter says "good but not the greatest" about Breadman Bread Machine

zipknitter — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:02:40 GMT

After my old bread machine was knocked off the counter I had to get a new one and a friend convinced me to buy the Breadman Bread Maker as a replacement. It does a good job, but I don't like the fact that it takes around 90 minutes to make the dough. It also seems to vary from time to time about how the finished bread comes out. This didn't happen on either of the other bread machines I used over the last 6 years and I am still using the same ingreients and recipes, so am not sure if I will continue to use it or will end up getting another model as we really enjoy having home made bread for our meals.

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zipknitter says "great for kids" about Nintendo DS - Cats & Dogs

zipknitter — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:52:43 GMT

I got our 10 year old Granddaughter a DS for Christmas and the game she wanted was Cats and Dogs. She absolutely loves it and it keeps her busy for hours when she rides in the car(we are in the country and it's 3 hours to a big city). Now, she likes to hit the road with me and doesn't complain about the long car trip. She asks a lot of questions, tells me all about what is going on with the game and generally keeps up a steady stream of conversation while we drive. This in itself would have sold me on the game as nothing usually keeps her attention for very long and that includes my video games.

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zipknitter says "not just for kids" about Pop Cap Games - Chuzzle Deluxe 1.0

zipknitter — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:46:32 GMT

I haven't been a kid for many years but enjoy video games. Chuzzle is one that keeps my mind occupied when my legs hurt and I can't walk much. It keeps me going for hours and doesn't get old like so many games do. The little furry critters sometimes seem to laugh at you and other times will easily line up in groups of three to disappear. Even my husband who doesn't play any games will sit down and play for an hour or too until someone discovers him giggling as he makes the critters disappear. That says more to me about how much fun it is than any commercial or pop up add could possibly say. If you try it, you'll most likely enjoy relaxing and having fun the Chuzzle way.

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zipknitter says "finally found one that stays charged" about Black & Decker Cordless Drill 18 Volt

zipknitter — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:34:43 GMT

I like to do work around the house and always had to borrow my husband's tools. For Christmas I was given the Black and Decker 18 volt re chargeable drill. Now I fight to keep it in my tool cabinet as my husband keeps borrowing it for his workshop.

The drill stays charged longer than the other two we have which is a big plus and is much better balanced so it's easier to use and my arm doesn't get as tired when putting together bookshelves or other projects I build. Wish I had spent the money to buy it when it first came out but didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do. Now I have it, my husband says he needs a good gift for Father's Day and holds up the drill to make sure I know what he means.

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zipknitter says "I'm finally sleeping most of the night" about Tempurpedic Memory Foam Mattress

zipknitter — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:25:20 GMT

I have had a bad back for years from a car wreck and the past few years have been miserable. I am also disabled and when I go to visit my son it is rough. Last time he had a new Tempurpedic bed for me and I fell in love.

It took a day to get used to it, but I can't say enough about how much I enjoy it. I slept 8 hours instead of 2 at a time, didn't ache all over when I got up and generally felt like my life is worthwhile instead of just being tired and miserable all the time. I also did't have to use a pillow to prop up my knee and didn't toss and turn. Now we just need to save up to get one for my husband and my rooms so we can feel that way all of the time. They are expensive, but I definately feel they are worth the price.

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zipknitter says "The cats love to sleep on it" about Eden Pure Quartz Infrared Portable Heater

zipknitter — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:08:04 GMT

My son got this for the rooms I would have when I came to visit as his old heater had died. The Eden Pure lives up to its name. It was quiet, did the job and was safe enough that both cats slept on it every day I was there. It heated up both rooms and kept them at a comfortable temperature at a low setting. The air wasn't dry and I had no problems with my sinuses. My son says the light bill cost less with this heater then the old one he had in there.

Next time they are on sale I will definately get one to replace the one in my husband's bedroom as he sleeps upstairs where there is no heat, the Eden Pure will be perfect.

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zipknitter says "It works it a lot of places and does it well" about Scotch Brite Scour Pads

zipknitter — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:02:22 GMT

It would be hard to function around our house without Scotch brite Scouring Pads. We bought a 90 year old house and I used them to remove paint from the shower walls, towel racks and window panes. They are perfect for cleaning pots and pans, especially cast iron ware and scrubbing down flower pots and brick planters in the spring. My husband is a small engine mechanic and he had found dozens of jobs that Scotch Brite never planned on but their Scouring pads tackle with no problems. They polish up crud and oil encrusted parts with little trouble and hubby insists on having several packages in spots around his shop so he can grab them any time he needs them. It's one of the few things that he asks for by name for me to buy when I go to the store and never wants to be without....

zipknitter says "works good but not all the time" about Fray Check

zipknitter — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:47:41 GMT

Over the years I have used Fray Check many times and it has saved the day at work or even when I was on maneuvers with my Nat'l Guard unit when others forgot their sewing kist. It was always in my ditty bag. As a matter of fact the very old jeans I am wearing right now have fray check on the front seams where the threads broke. I have recently found that it doesn't always last through more than a washing or two before it needs to be replaced now. It used to last much longer. Don't know if the formula has changed, but I'm not nearly as satisfied as I used to be. It seems to make a much scratchier finish than it used to also. But, for a rush job, emergency or if you don't want to get out the sewing machine, it is great in a pinch. Just be careful how and where you use it....

zipknitter says "Caron has yarns for all types of work" about Caron International Yarns

zipknitter — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:37:29 GMT

Caron makes a good variety of yarns and I have used most of them on my projects with great satisfaction. Simply soft is just one line of their products it's really nice and makes great spa and facecloths. It works well for anything that you need softness for against your skin. I have only ever had problems with 2 skeins where there were many knots in them. Contacted the manufacturer and the skeins were replaced in just a matter of days and they even sent an extra one in case I ran into another bad skein in the 12 that I had bought. to make a complete outfit for my daughter. That is a good company. They didn't try to make me out as a liar, or want me to confess to cutting the yarn and tying it like another company I had called about a yarn problem. They just replaced the 2 skeins and thanked me for bringing the problem it to their attention. I have no problem with their yarns and recommend it to friends quite often.

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zipknitter says "After years of using it I still love it" about Red Heart Super Saver Yarn

zipknitter — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:23:42 GMT

I have used Red Heart Super Saver yarn since it first came out. I'm not bragging, but over the years I have knitted 100s of hats, scarves, sweaters and afghans for homeless shelters around the country with it. It wears well, keeps people warm and looks good. I have used it to make items for sale at Christmas craft sales and never had a complaint about it making a scratchy garment. Whenever someone I know is expecting or getting married they always know they'll get a set of items from me and quite often I get a wish list of what they would like. Many of the items I made are now being used by children of the ones who got it first. This says a lot to me. Red Heart lasts a long time.

I have used a lot of expensive yarn that I hated, have had yarn snobs make fun of me for my yarn choice, but Red Heart does the trick and you can throw it in the wash after the baby spits up on it or rinse it out in the river when your camping without destroying it. It won't felt in hot water....

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zipknitter says "Small, good instructors, great place to study and learn" about Sinte Gleska University

zipknitter — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:49:22 GMT

This is a small school with smaller classes so you have a better chance of interacting with the professors. It is not just for Native American students, but anyone can apply. I found it so much nicer to attend than the large ones I have been in before where I had to wait for days sometimes just to have a conference with my instructors. The range of studies is very good for a small school and their library is large with a great selection of books, magazines and other information. The tuition is very reasonable too for those of us who can't afford the Ivy League. The Art Institute is very well known nationwide and the teachers are tops in their ability to make students understand what they need to accomplish. If you want to learn, enjoy the classes while you do it, then Sinte(sin-tay) is the place you should think about applying....

zipknitter says "easier to put in the car than others I've tried" about Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

zipknitter — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:34:52 GMT

We bought the Nautilas 3 in 1 car seat for our newest grandson. It is much more comfortable for him than the one we used for the 1st four months. He is now a year old and doesn't mind riding in this model. There is no crying to get out or constantly wiggling around. He is very content for the whole hour long ride to and from our house or for long trips to the closest major city for our shopping expeditions. There are more spots to clip toys for him so they don't constantly fall to the floor like usually happens. It doesn't take up as much room in the backseat either so his brother and sister can be more comfortable without being jammed into their space.

Just wish it was easier to mount in the seat when I switch cars, but that is a small problem compared to using other car seats that I have used over the past few years for other grandchildren..

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