So many awesome ideas! I was on a business trip for a few days and just came back to a full thread!

I'm knit-handicapped (I can only crochet), so I'm in envy of you, Mrs Redboots.

Vegasgirl, unfortunately, I've tried the football pads, too (already open packages at Modells is a great thing), and they didn't give me the mobility that I still wanted (I was starting to feel like I was the kid it "A Christmas Story", all bundled up and unable ot move). But bluemoon111, I never thought of mousepads...

I'm currently trying one of those shoe insoles (they're a soft gel-ly material that can be cut to size), but if they don't work, I'll move to mousepads-- heavens knows I have millions of those!

Wow! You guys are so crafty! I am jealous! I am so not artistic, I will be left in the dust paying the big bucks to have stuff to use!

You need to make friends with a crafty person....someone who wants someone to "try out" their experiments on!!!!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

LOL SkateDelaware....will you be my new very best friend? giggle

Sure! My next new "experiment" is a cushion for the top of my Zuca bag...I've got the gears going, waiting for my next "zing" of inspiration for more things to create !!!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

I use a skate hook to undo my laces (and those of any kid in close proximity). It's faster and easier on my hands. I keep it on a lanyard clipped to an outside pocket of my skate bag. Easily accessible.

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I like to use the zippered zip-loc type of bags for keeping things neat and tidy in my skate bag...they come in different sizes and I can write my name on the outside so I know it's MY baggie of pins, candy, etc...

of course, my bag of candy keeps emptying

And it makes finding things IN my bag easier!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Skate@del - I was also thinking of getting a seat cushion for my zuca. The ones for my kitchen bar seats fit is pretty well and have the ties. I want a Zuca cozy for mine for when I have to check it. The Zucas don't fit in all overhead containers.

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Ok, I'm stumped...what's a Zuca cozy???? I'm trying to figure out what that is..

As for the cushion, since I am Queen of the Rink (my unofficial title, mind you) I have to have a cushion fitting a Queen.....actually I just want it to match the pink and have some fringe and stoning on it. Yeah, completely over the top.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Hi,
Like a tea cozy, that's quilted and fits over the Zuca so it won't get dinged up. I like the fringe. I want those pom-pom things.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Zuca cosy and pillow? Great ideas, but please please share patterns if you have any (I can copy or follow a pattern, seriously challenged to do from scratch)

We have an abundance of Zucas (Zuci?) at our rink, so my daughter and friends are planning on making customized licence plates for them.

Er - please, what is a Zuca?

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I don't have any crafty ideas, but thank you for posting yours!

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Sasha Cohen & Evan Lysacek Fan for Life.
Figure Skating ... it isn't just tights & sequins ...

http://www.zuca.com/

great skate bags.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

sounds like a new mission!!!! It shouldn't be too hard to draft up a pattern...finding time will be the big issue...stay tuned!

I like the plate idea! Our pro shop is finally getting them in, altho i've been told no pink ones (so I will be the only pink one in the rink)!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Not so crafty or clever but when I get too many holes in my over the boot tights in the foot part from doing drags or kicking myself in jumps and spins I just cut off the toe part of the over the boot bit and still wear them as stirrup type tights over my boots. My tights only seem to get holes in the over the boot bit - the rest of the tights are fine.

I frequently sew up holes in tights and gloves.

This ones not so clever but people have been surprised by it - I don't wear a leotard under a chiffon skirt - instead just ordinary black knickers over my tights. Cheaper and easier. And then a T-Shirt.

Thanks. Not a brand I've seen over here.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I do exactly the same thing. Only I use control-panel knickers, which you probably don't need to do!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Don't the tights run when you cut them off, or do you seal them with something?

I'd sew up my gloves but they are worn thin all over so I'd be wasting my time....

Don't like leotards and one-pieces because it's hard enough untangling to go to the bathroom (and sometimes the heat is off in there). The less I have to drop the better...I know you can get the cheerleader's type of panties or short-shorts for about $10-15 and they come in a zillion colors (sometimes you can snag them for about $5 each when they are on clearance).

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Why don't you try putting clear nail polish around the holes on your tights. It stops them from getting any bigger or laddering. And if you put a little bit at the top of ladders, it stops them from growing to. I use it on my practice tights because it seems to work alot better than sewing the holes up.

Or to stop the holes from laddering, you can take a dry bar of soap and rub it on the hole. It still works even after the garment is washed.

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Ask me about becoming a bone marrow donor.
http://www.marrow.org
http://www.nmdp.org

My tights don't tend to ladder - I had the thick mondor ones - they just get holes which are from kicking myself usually. Some of them I just can't explain how they appear! Nail polish works for a bit. I'll try the soap thing. I start cutting the feet off as a last resort!

I wear the thick Mondor OTB tights too and I have lots of holes. I buy them a size big (this gives me extra fabric OTB and they last longer) and then I sew up the holes. After two or three sewings I either throw them out or cut off the feet.

I also sew skating dresses, skirts and I'm working on fleece pants with zippers. The trouble is finding the zippers long enough!

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Working on:
NOVICE! MIF
Juvenile FS
Bronze Dances

Let me know if you find a source for the zippers. I wanted a few pairs of fleece pants for teaching, as coverups over my regular pants.

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My local sewing store can special order zippers....you might want to check around your area. I have been somewhat lucky to find a 32" separating zipper in my local store, but only in black.

Check online also...

http://www.denverfabrics.com/Merchan...&source=Search
I've ordered from denverfabrics before, very fast service

http://www.zipperstop.com/id19.htm
has multiple styles AND colors; i haven't used this company before but I might!

Just google "separating zippers" I was amazed at the number that came up!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!