I was “stumbling” today – newest obsession/timekiller – and I ran across 27 things, a site with a tutorial for making your own bubble mailers. Just brilliant! And easy, too. All you need is cardstock, decorative paper, bubble wrap, and some rubber cement. These may come in handy with my RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) that I’m sending out to my CPS sisters. I’m considering sending out beads next month…and the cost of mailers was holding me back. Quite the […]
Archives for February 2008
Crafty-Goat’s Weigh in on Studio by Sculpey Clay
I was visiting some of my favorite blogs, and I was reading Crafty Goat’s Notes and her “revised” take on the Studio by Sculpey Clays. She’s finding that right out of the package, it’s too soft….and some of her older clay (the first batch sent out by polyform to be tested by PC artists) is now getting crumbly. (Really. Read her whole article.) Aaak! I’m disappointed to hear this…. I had such high hopes for this clay! I still like […]
Sew on Thursday….Review of Craft Apple Mini Patchfolio Pattern
So, ok, originally the poem said, “MEND on Wednesday,” but what the heck. I pulled out my Mini Patchfolio pattern from Craft Apple, and got to work. The first dilemma was picking fabric. Yes, I have a 5-drawer chest filled with fabric in my sewing room. But upon closer inspection, I seem to have a bazillion mini-prints and solids, and very few focus fabrics. The other thing is that I rarely buy a line of fabrics… usually just a yard […]
Trendy Totes by Tasha Toth
See, it’s not just me. There is a local teen-ager here in the greater Cleveland, OH area that is making and selling her own line of tote bags! She makes hers out of oilcloth, and sells them at craft shows and some local shops. HELLO??!!! How great is this? And she’s using some of her proceeds to save up for…. Fashion College! (Don’t ya just love her already?) If you want to support her, she’s selling them by special order. […]
My First Hollow Polymer Clay Bead
So I took 2 cabs that I formed over the lightbulb, sanded them, then baked them together using TLS and my embossing gun. The result? My first hollow bead! I’m disappointed that I can still see the seam. Maybe a little alcohol ink over it to cover it a bit? Hmmm. More to experiment with…. Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
More Recycled Necktie Crafts – Necktie Daisies!
Well, I sent off my Necktie Bags today to my CPS Group swap hostess today, and wouldn’t cha know, I ran across another necktie craft!! These are super cute, and kind of fall in with my yo-yo obsession, too. The tutorial was found on Craftster, and the idea is simple: take the small points from the small end of the tie, snip ’em to about 2 inches, gather the cut ends together by stitching them by hand, and then making […]
Button Tote From Martha Stewart
Not that I’m on a kick or anything, but I ran across this cute button tote today at Martha Stewart Crafts. She give the directions for making the tote and then covering it with buttons, either by gluing or stitching. I had another idea. (Don’t I always?) Why not cover up a give-away tote – like from a convention or trade show – and really give it a new life? My hubby goes to conferences at least 2-3 times per […]
Fun with Foil: Polymer Clay Cabs in Progress
I’ve been playing with a new technique and developing a class for Grand River Beads. My new beady-friend Maryann and I were scheming to come up with a new 2-part class. I’ll teach PC faces, cabs, and buttons in the AM, and she’ll teach us how to whip them into fabulous bead-embroidered pins in the afternoon. The faces and buttons are pretty easy, but I wanted something new to do with the cabs…. so out comes all of my stuff […]
Lake Farm Park Quilt Show
….and speaking of field trips I have to schedule, the Lake Farm Park Quilt Show is going on right now, through March 9th. I’ve gone every year for the past 7. Always a good time. This year, since I have some child care, I’m planning on just going by myself so I can really take it all in and even take some notes. If you are going to be in or around the Mentor, Ohio area, check out link above. […]
For the Insomniacs – Directory of Craft Blogs at Blogflux
Ok, so I’m sure that there are a bunch of blog directories out there. I’m just not aware of them!! But I ran across Blog Flux quite by accident today, and found a whole directory of crafting blogs! Hooray! Something to do the next time I’m up at 3 AM with a migraine! If you’d like to surf around – or add yours – check it out here! Directory of Crafts Blogs Have fun!
Cleveland Sewing and Quilt: The Countdown Begins!
Oh, what little things make my heart go pitter-pat! One of them is the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo, coming up at the end of March. It’s on the tail end of spring break, and I’m taking at least 2 whole days to go and play. Ever since my dear friend Nicole left town- what, 3 years ago?- I haven’t had a buddy to schlep around with. This year, however, cousin-in-law Carla may come for a day, and Nicole is […]
Magazine Addict – Got My Home Companion Fix
I love magazines. Well, crafty ones, at least. Whether they are jewelry, clay, beads, fiber…. well, they all make me happy, and get my brain moving in new directions. Yesterday I picked up a Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion. Her style is very “cutesy,” which really isn’t my thing. However, I do like her new fabrics and use of color. Anyhoo, what made me buy the magazine was the project for making fabric slippers, using only fat quarters of fabric. I […]
More Happiness from the Faux Dichro Class
I got this e-mail from Beth today: Thank you SO MUCH! I love them…..meeting with some friends from high school this evening and plan on putting in the middle of the table and letting them each select one! That will inspire me to make more…… I think they turned out spectacularly! And the bottom one is my favorite. In person, it’s this fabulous pink blush color, and looks like a fairy stone. Hope we get to do another Faux Dichro […]
Yarn Painting from Skull-a-Day
Ok, so I am often inspired by other crafters, and this site is definitely worth mentioning. Skull-A-Day is the idea that you take a theme – in this case, a skull – and create one everyday, using every technique and medium you can. Since I couldn’t find an “about” page, I got no info to share on who, or why, this is happening. BUT, I do like the concept. And in particular, this yarn painting has captured my interest. This […]
Recycled Shirt Backpacks
So I’ve been visiting Martha Stewart’s Craft of the Day site, and today’s “Shirt Sack” I thought was worth sharing! Basically you take a man’s shirt and stitch in into a little backpack. True, it’s not a heavy-duty rucksack, but it would be a cute little tote. Here are my ideas for them: Add an iron-on applique or an initial to dress it up. Make it more “boy” appropriate by using a flannel shirt. Whip up a bunch of these, […]
Polymer Clay Covered Altoid Tins
Thinking on my next set of classes for Stamplistic. I whipped up these two tins using the Studio By Sculpey texture sheets as prep for writing my review on them. Anyhoo, I use them for holding my UTEE, so took them to the Art Doll class. They got lots of oohs and aaaahs. Makes me think I need to make some more, trying a few new techniques. There’s always something new to explore! The one on the top, here, was […]
Eye Candy: Handimals by Guido Daniele
These are just stunning eye candy for you…. Visit www.guidodaniele for more info & artwork! [youtube YZ8c4W3Ovx0]
Altered Art Bobbins
So, I’m still on my Random Act of Kindness crafting kick. Our dear moderator Diane reminded me that March is rapidly approaching, so I got a-thinkin’. My challenge to myself is to a) create a handmade item b) using what I’ve got in my studio c) can be duplicated a dozen or so times, and d) can be sent in an envelope requiring no extra postage! Really, quite a tall order, if you think about it. Now, I’ve made bookmarks […]
More Polymer Clay Art Doll Pins, pt 2
I had another Polymer Clay Art Doll Pin class at Stamplistic on Valentine’s Day. We had 3 players, and their work is stunning. Thanks to Terri, MaryAnn, and her granddaughter Christina for coming to create with me! Mine is the one with the shamrock… lucky, lucky me! I get to teach cool things to great people!!! For info on other classes I have scheduled, check out my classes and events!
Valentine’s Day Cards – and More Heart Yo-Yo’s!
So you knew this was coming – Valentine’s day cards with heart yo-yo’s on them! I used the smaller heart yo-yo maker, and whipped up two for my cards to Mom and Sis. I used some Strathmore cards (just watercolor paper card blanks) and a smudged on some chalks to create the background. I also dusted on some pearl-ex gold powder to add some shimmer to it. I added some felt lace and photo corners, and then cut a 2 […]