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Posted by: voodoo_princess Apr 23 2006, 08:25 PM

I'm going to start making throw pillows out of that really neato "fur" material. I have found it in blue/green and pink/orange. I plan to find riveted eyes to attach to the fronts and use colorful ribbon to tie into bows and sew them on near the corners (like hair decorations)....
I'm just really into pillows, the more unique, the better.
I've already been making soft toys out of scrap material. They kind of are like oddly shaped, soft toy monsters. I use cool beer bottle caps for the eyes. I poke holes in them with nails and sew them on like buttons and then use fabric paint to put on mouths and toenails. My kids love them and I make them for my friends kids too. Some of them I scent with oils. I use plastic grocery bags to stuff them, so they get used and not just thrown away. Waste not want not, right?

Posted by: pepper Apr 23 2006, 11:53 PM

what a freaking GR8 idea to stuff with grocery bags, you're a genius!

Posted by: voodoo_princess Apr 24 2006, 04:52 AM

pepper- thanks! it just came about that I was wanting to make a soft toy and had everything but the stuffing and had NO money but did have TONS of plastic bags that I just never throw away, so it only made sense.

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 3 2006, 06:51 AM

Where are the crafty Busties?

Posted by: pepper May 3 2006, 09:28 AM

sorry, craftster. there's just so much there.

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 3 2006, 09:36 AM

is ok.... i'm just so bored i'm sitting here watching "The Price Is Right" and jonesing for a new craft idea.
i have got to get a life! or a friend.... something! hee hee hee

Posted by: lot49 May 3 2006, 10:14 AM

voodoo, can you post pics of your monsters? I would love to see them.

I must do something crafty, like this weekend. I finally bought an instructional manual for mosaics (I've been thinking about doing a mosaic for like two years and I certainly have enough broken china at this point to get started). Can anyone recommend a good online source for mosaic supplies?

Posted by: pepper May 3 2006, 10:43 AM

do you have littles? my kid loves egg shell planters. we crack a shell, dump out the egg, give 'er a rinse, draw on a funny face, fill with wet cotton balls, sprinkle in seeds and mist every day until our eggs have hair. so much fun.
last week i wrapped the legs of our table with fake ivy and teeny little flowers. looks so cute.
i'm looking for some great fabric, maybe an old sari or something, to use as a curtain in front of the closet doors in my room. they are the slidey kind and are just a big beige blank on one wall. time for a cover up!
i've just about paid off my new sewing machine so the next project on the agenda is to clean out the sewing room/closet and sort that all out. boring busy work but then i'll be able to sew again, yeah!! the outdoor market just started up here again and i'm only working 3 days/wk so i'm thinking about finishing those recycled tshirt panties that i make and throwing together a few tops, skirts, dresses and such out of reclaimed materials. i think i could actually make a few bucks with my crafty nonsense for once.
wish me luck!!
yes to pictures of monsters, ooh, i LOVE monsters!

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 3 2006, 10:57 AM

I have one pic of one of the "monsters" i made but i don't know how to link it from my photo album to here...... help anyone?

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 3 2006, 11:03 AM

http://hi5.com/friend/profile/displayGallery.do?userid=65605739&pic=2

Hey hey hey..... try this link. This is pics from a Hi5 account I used to use and I have the "monster" on there. Hope it works!

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 3 2006, 11:14 AM

WOW..... TRIPLE post but OH well, not like it's super busy here anyway!!!!! hee hee hee.
lot49 - Have you ever seen the Dick Blick catalog or website? They have tons and tons and tons (you get the idea) of art / craft stuff and probably have mosaic stuff. I have the catalog and I think you can get a catalog for free from the web site. I just prefer to have a real "live" catalog instead of just looking online.
Anyway, go to http://www.dickblick.com and check them out. You may find something else you like too.
If I ever win the lotto, I'm going on a Dick Blick shopping spree!!!!! WooHoo!!!!!!
I'll look around for you too and if I find anything good in way of mosaic supplies, I'll post it here.

Posted by: pepper May 3 2006, 11:42 AM

can't see your pics, try a photobucket account for links.

Posted by: lot49 May 3 2006, 12:18 PM

Yah, I can't see the pics either voodoo...it's asking me to register.

Thanks for the Dick Blick suggestion! I've gotten painting supplies from them several times before, but for some reason, I never thought of them for mosaics stuff.

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 3 2006, 01:19 PM

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i71/StarFlowerz/100_0241.jpg

try this...... i think i did it right..... i'm kind of PC dumb, you know?

Posted by: pepper May 3 2006, 02:31 PM

ooh, pippi longstockings monzie! i lurves her!

Posted by: lot49 May 4 2006, 08:55 AM

awww, so cute voodoo!!!

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 7 2006, 05:37 PM

http://www.makeyourcosmetics.com/recipes/index.asp?cat=hfh

For all of you who enjoy do-it-yourself face, hair and body care products, check out some of these recipes. I love this site!

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 14 2006, 08:31 PM

I have a question here..... anyone feel free to offer your 2 cents.....
I have ALOT of "flavored" oils from The Sage that I have used for making lip balms and I am wanting to use them to make "foody" shampoos and conditioners. Can anyone think of a reason why these oils might NOT work for this purpose? They call them "flavored" but I can detect NO flavor or sweetness at all, so they don't seem to have sugar (or very very little) and they ARE cosmetic grade oils. Maybe they call them "flavored" because they are food scents? I might try it anyway. I mean if it's ok for something as sensitive as lips (and massage products according to The Sage site) then it should be ok for shampoo and such, right? Anyone with experience making shampoos and conditioners, let me know what you think. Or if you have experience with oils and mixing them.
Thanks!!!!!!

Posted by: pepper May 14 2006, 09:03 PM

there isn't an ingredients list on the bottle? if not call or email the manufacturer and ask. oil of cinnamon should taste like cinnamon, not sweet cinnamon. i'd be surprised if they have sugar in them at all.
use away in cosmetics, shampoo, soap etc. just be sure to research the properties of the oils. citrus can sensitize the skin to sunlight, lots of other oils are strong and need to be diluted properly. get a book and read up.

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 15 2006, 05:13 AM

No, there aren't any ingredients listed on the bottle and I checked the website and couldn't find one there. Maybe I missed it. The "flavors" I have are BUTTERCREAM (smells like cupcakes), STRAWBERRY, PEACH and HONEY.
I have emailed the company lab and am waiting, now, for them to let me know if there is something about these oils that would make them a "no no" for hair products.....
Thanks for the advice pepper..... I'll check the net too for oils info.... just wasn't sure what to search for....

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 16 2006, 08:07 AM

blanche - thanks so much. I contacted the company I buy through and got some generic answer that didn't really tell me anything. They claim their flavor oils are for "favoring" not scenting, even though they have NO flavor what-so-ever and then suggested that I purchase other oils from them for scenting my shampoos etc. Sounded to me like they just wanted me to buy some more oils because they really couldn't give me any reason that the oils I have are not appropriate for scenting. That have 100% yummy smell-good-ness and 0% flavor, so I'm gonna use them anyway...... If my hair falls out, then.... I'll just be rockin that bald look, hey?
Here is the addy and phone number for a place that has embroidery ribbon

RibbonSmyth's
PO BOX 416
Fountainville, PA
18923
1-215-249-9096
They do have a web site and maybe you could look at it for your Gramm or she could just call or write them. I checked them out and they have some pretty stuff.

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 16 2006, 04:14 PM

blanche - No prob, really..... anything to help Grammy out....

Posted by: vesicapisces May 20 2006, 07:31 AM

Went to a pre-rummage sale last night - huge sale, at the pre-sale you pay $2 to get in and the prices are doubled, but you get first pick of the goodies. I scored a whole box of fans for $6 - most of them are from Asian airlines (Thai Air, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific) and were apparently given out to passengers. Also two sandalwood fans! I have no idea what I'm going to do with them, but I'm psyched at the possibilities!

Also got a really cool little Moroccan-style side table for my bedroom - it's been badly painted over but I'm going to repaint it in turquoise and rose and gold.

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 20 2006, 10:42 AM

vesi - oh the possibilities!!!!! I love all things Asian / Oriental so the fans sound like fun! and the table sounds like it's going to be beautiful when you finish it.... post a pic when you've finished, if you can...

Posted by: treehugger May 23 2006, 04:49 AM

So..are there any jewelry makers/wire wrapping, beading, and hemp artists in the house? That's my crafting passion. I'm recently, now that I don't live in a derelict shack anymore, I will have more time to do those things and I'm wanting to set myself up with a workspace. I'm trying to decide what'd be the best setup.

I'd need some way of holding spools of wire, hemp, and beading threads. Some way of organizing beads and pendants. Some way to keep my pliers and wire snippers organized. Probably a Dremel tool on a drill press setup. I have a lighted magnifying glass thingy that my guy got me for christmas. I just need something to clamp it to!

Probably some sort of template for typical necklace/bracelet/anklet sizes.

Now I just want to get a workspace going.

Any ideas? I sort of have a vision but I'm a little clueless!

Posted by: voodoo_princess May 23 2006, 05:24 AM

wow treehugger - are you skilled with the woodworking at all? with the right tools and such you could really come up with a great work space.... like a beading table with a space with dowels set in to slide your spools onto and hooks to hang your tools on and the magni-glass could clamp to the side of the beading table so you could swing it over when needed.... see, my dad is a fly fisherman and happens to be a woodworker too and he made this amazing work desk and had one of those magni-glasses and all sorts of places for spools and tools and it was just too cool and something like that would totally work for beading.... the spools could go on in set dowels or you could do the whole "overhead" thing and run a rod just slightly above "sitting" head level and thread the spools on there so you could just reach up and pull down what you need.... then your table could have like a back piece that comes up so you could put hooks and hang all your tools and they would be right in front of your face while your sitting there and all you would have to do is reach forward for what you want.... then you could have drawers and use those clear plastic tackle box things with all the dividers to separate bead and such, just remove the lids for use and put them back on for storage....
these are just a few ideas

Posted by: voodoo_princess Jun 27 2006, 11:40 AM

BUMP*
I went to the Tennessee Artisans and Craft Festival a couple of weeks ago at Centennial Park and got the most awsome "charm / pendant" if you wanna call it that.....
3 dimensional heart made of clay, glazed red with small nails and screws stuck in it all around the side edges and then raku fired.... a heavy duty staple was stuck in the top to make a "loop" prior to firing and is used for stringing "pendant" onto a cord.....
it is wicked awsome and i put it on a length of heavy duty black beading cord so i can wear as a (somewhat dangerous) necklace.... the nails and screws are inserted so that the sharp points are stuck into the heart and the heads are sticking out..... very very savage! i love it!
if i ever get batteries for the digi cam, i'll post a pic...... the woman who made them had all kinds of cool mixed media stuff, very dark and twisted type stuff (reminded me of a TOOL video) and here hubby made some wicked cool pottery figures etc..... i got their card and i think i'll get more of their works.....

Posted by: pepper Jun 27 2006, 06:06 PM

ooh! website?

Posted by: voodoo_princess Jun 27 2006, 07:25 PM

http://www.zzzdog.com/index.htm

Click on the "BEVERLY" link at the top of the page..... this will take you to her work..... it's awsome.....

I love it!

Posted by: treehugger Jul 19 2006, 04:36 AM

Oh, wow. I really want to see a pic of that heart. Sounds almost goth. (drool) Hmmm....never thought of making goth jewelry!

Posted by: angelle321 Jul 19 2006, 04:54 PM

Posted by: pepper Aug 4 2006, 11:51 PM

son of a MMfffTTT!

what the hell is wrong with me?
it's my friend's little girl's bday tomorrow and for some reason i am making fairy princess dressed for not only her but her two sisters as well. right. now. it's after 11. i'm getting picked up by my ride at 9am. i'm knee deep in purple silk and maribou, netting, crinoline and lame. darn darn darn it all to heck.

Posted by: voodoo_princess Aug 12 2006, 06:04 PM

So, I have been collecting beer caps for monthes now and have a ton of them and I'm trying to figure some cool crafty thing to do with them.
I am thinking to make something like beaded curtains, with beer caps and beads. Maybe drill or tap a hole in each cap and string it on some hemp twine or whatever along with some cool glass beads and stuff and then string them all from a dowel that I can hang over a door frame or window. Because caps are light I kind of want to find something heavier to weigh down the strands so they hang well.
Hmmmmm........ think think think........

Posted by: faith Aug 16 2006, 09:57 AM

Angelle, I would just make the "fill in" fabric bigger, and cut down the lighter spots, does that make sense? I think denim skirts often look even cuter with less of the original leg at the top.

Voodoo -- I like the curtains idea. I also was recently in an apartment where a girl had glued bottle caps to her coffee table, packing them really tight, and they looked good.

I jave a lot of jewelry supplies but I think I need lessons on the more complicated (i.e. not just stringing beads and knotting the ends) techniques. I keep my stuff in little cases in a larger box, and in an old library card catalog a friend gave me.

Posted by: pepper Aug 18 2006, 10:58 PM

i just saw an amazing donated quilt square project on craftster. all the pieces were mailed to this girl or swapped and they were awsome.
i'm thinking about doing this as a fund raiser for the local women's center, i know if a put the call out i'll get an abundance of donations, this is a super crafty town. now all i need is a theme, got any ideas?

Posted by: Divala Sep 20 2006, 09:45 AM

Resurecting the thread because I don't want to see it die, even if I don't post much!

Also, I've got a question for all you who bead: what online bead stores do you guys frequent? I normally order from Fire Mountain and Shipwreck Beads, but I'm looking for something in particular (8x10mm flower cones) that I can't find a decent selection of at my usual haunts in the size I need.

Posted by: pepper Oct 18 2006, 12:36 AM

wow, this thread was at the bottom of the page. tragic.

Posted by: margot Oct 18 2006, 11:58 AM

Pepper! That is absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by: knorl05 Nov 10 2006, 12:50 AM

voodoo.. have you done the curtain yet? you could buy little weights to weigh down the bottom.. i'm sure michaels would have something..?

Posted by: kelkello Nov 11 2006, 12:33 PM

Are there any cool scrapbookers on this site? I've been scrappin' awhile, but most sites just have soccer mom stuff. I like to be artistic with my pages, and I've yet to find a good place to discuss ideas, etc.

Posted by: evilangeline Nov 11 2006, 11:22 PM

Hey hey...... it's me, Voodoo...... I can't get logged on as Voodoo anymore and I can't recover or create a new password and I can't get anyone who can help me out, I think the emails aren't getting through or whatever..... but anyway, this is me now......
I haven't done the curtain yet because I got side tracked learning to knit and I've been cranking out big, fat, chunky, fuzzy scarves!!!!!! I'm soooo excited over it...... I learned by watching a video on the net...... so cool since I'm a lefthanded knitter and could never find anyone to teach me lefthanded.....
I am still planning on the curtain, just got alot going on right now..... possible move to Chicago in the works, hubby just got home tonight from interviews up there......
I will definitely post when I get it done and maybe with some pics.....
I'm also planning to make some of those dividers, like room dividers, japanese style and all...... was going to have the hubby weld up some cool frames and then I was going to use some semi-sheer fabric on metal rods (removable) to create the panels..... i just got to draw up the idea for him so he can make it for me.....
about the scrap booking...... i don't do it but mostly because how was mentioned about it being all soccer mom-ish..... i always check out the stuff at the craft stores but alot of it looks so cheesey and not at all like what i would want in my scrapbook (if i had one)..... i just wish there was a place to get some more creative, off the wall stuff for scrapbooking...... i don't want pastels and ponies, i want black and red, green and orange, skulls and black kitties, goth scrolls.... you get the idea...... some plcae to get all those kind of things in one place would be great, instead of having to search all over creation......
maybe there is a place, i just haven't found it.

Posted by: pepper Nov 11 2006, 11:46 PM

there are some absolutely amazing atc's (artist trading cards) on craftster. not quite scrapbooking but along the same lines, good inspiration anyhow.
voodooevilangeline, i've been yarning too, crochet though (pronounced by me as crotch-et, ha ha). so far i have a hat with a gigantic pompom and one side of two pairs of wrist warmers. i swear i'm going to finish the mates, i just keep starting another pair to see if i can get the pattern right before i commit to more. i hafta, hafta learn how to read a pattern. it's really sad making stuff up on my own, takes three times as long.
moving and crafting eh? can be so tough but if you aren't driving it's an awesome stretch of time with nuthin' else to do but craft.

Posted by: vesicapisces Nov 12 2006, 08:22 AM

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=121940.0 to a thread on Craftster about "alternative" scrapbooking resources - looks like the answer is "right now, not very much available" but others are looking the same direction, it's only a matter of time. In the meantime there are also great suggestions there for how to do some of your own.

Posted by: dusty Nov 13 2006, 11:53 AM

I'm not a scrapbooker, but I keep a visual journal which, um, often looks like a rough and ready scrapbook and sometimes I read scrapbooky stuff, like Scrap City: Scrapbooking for Urban Divas and Small Town Rebels and Legacy magazine.

There's lots of potential out there for cool scrapbooking, let me think on it...
www.sacredkitschstudio.com
www.mantofev.com
www.animadesigns.com

Its not too difficult to find interesting scrapbooking papers, Basic Grey is really nice.

There are gothic scroll-type rubber stamps at www.zettiology.com

A good scrapbooking store, not a cheesy one, is a real help.

Also, if you lean to 'altered art' in your search, instead of scrapbooking, I think you'll find more edgy stuff.

Posted by: princess evangeline Nov 26 2006, 10:25 AM

(this is voodoo princess)

i keep losing my user id's but........
i have tossed the beer cap curtain idea and have started making beer cap christmas tree ornaments!!!!!! and they ROCK!!!!!!! it all started because my mum has this tradition of swapping christmas tree ornaments in the family and this year she wanted to do it at Thanksgiving and since I had no money and no time to get any ornaments from the store, i busted out the good ole' hot glu gun and got busy with some awsome beer cap / sno flake-ish / star-ish ornaments.......
my digi cam is out of sorts at the moment but if i can figure out how to photo them with my cellular and then send to my email and then export to a file and download here, i will...... whew!
my fave so far has been the one i made with my all time fave ale caps, NEWCASTLE...... all yellow and red with blue stars in the middle of each..... it rocks!!!!!

i'll try to explain the pattern but i might get confusing, sorry.
i start with a center beer cap and hot glue 6 more beer caps around the outer edge of the center beer cap. the caps are glued edge to edge, so to speak, so the front of the ornament is the designed side of the caps and the back is the open, underside of the caps (so it's only pretty on one side)
once i have a cap in the middle, circled by 6 caps, i then glue 1 cap at the juncture of each 2 (outer) caps for a total of 6 more caps. when i say juncture i mean centered between the place where 2 of the original 6 inner caps meet. the end result kind of resembles the shape of a star of david, and it looks sooooo cool!
then, i decide what is my "top" most point so i can attach a yarn hanger. i make a loop of yarn and knot it, flip the ornament over, place the knotted end of yarn IN the top most beer cap, run a thick line of hot glue around the top face, outer edge of another, spare, beer cap and then press that beer cap, face down, into the back of the top most beer cap on the ornament where i have placed the knotted yarn. so the yarn ends up sandwiched between the 2 beer caps and the hot glue around the edge holds it all in place.

i currently have my ornaments hanging on my "christmas tree" which happens to be a huge fake palm tree that used to serve as a hermit crab home until they jumped ship........ literally. my children think it's cool though and we have added some of their artwork and some mardi gras beads from a parade and it's pretty kick'in if i do say so myself......

anybody else have any off the wall, non traditional holiday craft ideas?

Posted by: pepper Nov 26 2006, 11:23 AM

i'm making ornaments too, sets of three brown felt gingerbread people with white rickrack trim as piped on icing. pretty traditional 'scept one of the three has a big bite out of it's head, ha ha ha! think my family will get a kick out of it or just think i'm a grinchy sicko?

Posted by: grenadine Nov 26 2006, 12:01 PM

voodoo, that is awesome. beer cap ornaments. i'm going to have to start drinking beer now for the holidays...

pepper, i'm going to have to steal that idea. except i just make actual gingerbread cookie ornaments, so the bites will be considerably less effort. chomp!

last year (my son's first xmas) was the first time i did the whole rigamarole in ten years, so i'm pretty rusty. but i have a strict homemade-only ornaments policy, so i'll check back in if i think of anything worth sharing.

Posted by: princess evangeline Nov 27 2006, 06:09 AM

Yeah..... I don't actually drink anymore BUT my neighbors drink like fish and all their friends and now my mate drinks too, so when they get together I just set out a bag or bowl on the counter by the waste bin so that instead of tossing the caps in the bin, they toss them in the bowl. my mate drinks the best kind of caps (that's how I rate beer now, by how good it's caps are) because he doesn't drink the american piss (no offense to anyone who enjoys american beer) that the neighbors drink and the caps he gets are so much cooler than the americans, and he's even willing to try a beer JUST FOR THE CAP, so I can have a certain cap style for my creations!

Posted by: dusty Nov 28 2006, 02:57 PM

I'm icked out by craft supplies and craft projects that include the words, imagine, inspire, art, and dream.

Maybe that's why I have found myself lately buying skull themed art supplies.

Posted by: tart Nov 30 2006, 11:03 AM

(Delurking to cross-post from Sniff, Sniff)

So I made a few batches of BPAL-scented salt scrub, and they turned out really well. I went easy on the salt mix, figuring I can add more if it starts out too strong (Cairo, I suspect, will have to be diluted - yowza, that's strong stuff...)

For those of you following along at home:

2# epsom salts (half of a large carton)
2# fine sea salt (got mine at Whole Foods for 59 cents a pound)
1 4-ounce bottle pure glycerine (found at CVS)

Mix it all together & work the glycerine through by rubbing the salt between your hands. I divided the mix up into 1.5-cup portions (I got about 6) & added about 1 imp of oil to each & tossed it through. They're currently double-baggied & resting in the hall closet for a week or two, when I'll revisit each scent & decide if it needs to be diluted with more salt mix. It's a dryish mix, but a bit more glycerine or unscented body oil would moisten things up nicely. It's pretty & sparkly, and I'm thinking of adding some appropriate bits to each mix (lemon verbena to Arcana; green tea to Apothecary; vanilla paste to Velvet; etc.)

Good fun, and at $6 for the raw ingredients & a handful of imps I wasn't wearing anyway, a pretty inexpensive holiday project... /Martha moment

(and I'm with you, Dusty - that kind of crap reminds me too much of that bloody SARK woman, whose posters I admit I had on my wall in college... How to Eat a Mango & other atrocities...)

Posted by: princess evangeline Nov 30 2006, 04:55 PM

tart - have you ever made the scented milk bath? i was thinking to try it out for some inexpensive holiday gifts this year...... supposed to be just powdered milk and scented oil, though it seems to me the scented oil would gunk up the powdered milk a bit...... maybe there is a special way to mix it all about to avoid gunking..... got to remember where i saw the recipe...... was thinking to get some of those mason jar shorties that come out round the holidays that have the decorated lids, and put the milk bath mixture in those with a ribbon tied around......
still thinking on it tho.... when i find the recipe i'll post it here in case anyone likes milk bath......

Posted by: princess evangeline Dec 2 2006, 11:29 AM

i've decided to try my hand at making gift baskets, using the body products i make at home and usually give away. i've sorted through recipes and come up with the following

1. a bath salt scented with either vanilla or rum extract, or both just for kicks

2. a sugar based body scrub scented with vanilla or almond extract, or both

3. a salt based body scrub, scent undecided

4. a milk bath (i have made 3 scent batches so far), scented patchouli-amber, also kind of heavy musky floraly one and one is heavy and sweet and reminds me of the fall season and holiday cooking.

i chose these 4 things because they are easy to make, all have a shelf life of 6 monthes plus, and all can be packaged and stored in the same type container. right now i am using these wonderful new mason jars i found that are very short and squat and kind of a rounded sqare shape with a platinum finsh lid. to me, they just screamed PERFECT! simple but somehow elegent, for a mason jar anyway, and the platinum finished lid just topped it off. pretty enough to set out on a vanity, but simple enough not to clash or be garish. plus they can be reused for a tons of different things.
i tested out the patchouli-amber milk bath on my 5 year old daughter last night. the scent was wonderful and filled the house with yummy goodness, subsided after a bit but was still lingering enough that i think it didn't disapate too much in the water. i was worried that i would need to make the "1 use serving size" larger so the effect of the scent would last, but i think the size i have now is ok. i alos thimk the same size for all 4 products will do well. i might still make the milk bath ot the bath salt a bit larger size than the 2 body scrubs, but for now i think what i have will do. i also chose the body scrubs because women i have talked to who heard i make body stuff at home, have expressed an interest in an exfoliant.
i make a bunch of other stuff too like handmade soaps and lip balms and stuff, but these 4 things i thought would make an impressive basket and kind of fit a theme.
i handed out a sample to this woman who just started her own staffing business and she was way excited and said they are always looking for gifts and baskets for clients etc and since she has so many connections, i figure she'd be a good one start with. she wants my "card", so i guess i need to make some of those too. i also gave a sampole to an HR rep for a big company here, she's well connected too and maybe word of mouth will be on my side for once........
i figure now is a great time to try this, since i just lost my job on Friday (they didn't need me anymore....) and i could use any extra money i can get......
so...... if any of you wonderful BUSTY's have any ideas about how i could improve upon my new idea, let me know.......
i'm aiming for the "clean and simple" look and thought about using those wicker baskets that come with a plain cloth liner, anyone know what i'm talking about?
but anyway, any tips or hints or advice would be great. i've thought about going online with it, but i'm not sure how and with no job i really can't afford a web site. i would love to consign some of my stuff just not sure how to get started. business isn't really my thing...... i work with numbers and i do the creative stuff, not really too familiar with people and networking stuff, you know? i even thought about renting space at the Nashville Farmers Market, they get a really big crowd of people who are into the whole handmade, natural product stuff.

anyone made any christmas stuff yet? i'm still doing the beer cap ornaments and i'm thinking of even stringing some together to drape on the tree........ got to think on that one......

Oh yeah, this is voodoo princess by the way...... i hate having to add that just so everyone knows who i am.....

Posted by: stephanie_erin Dec 10 2006, 06:03 PM

you could try getting washers that fit in the caps,
it's probably cheap and could be found pretty much any where.
if you could email me pictures of how it turns out, i would be terribly thankful.

Posted by: angelle321 Dec 15 2006, 10:07 PM

Posted by: guitarfiend Dec 16 2006, 07:31 AM

Hey everyone, I'm hoping this topic is a good place to ask this question. I'm going to be in San Francisco in the New Year for a week or so (I live in the UK, have never been to the US before!!!) and was wondering if anyone could recommend me some good yarn / craftin' stores? I'm a knitter / crocheter mainly so I'd be looking for places that sell yarn & needles above everything else... but I dressmake too, so I'm interested in fabric places also... thanks everyone! xx

Posted by: princess evangeline Dec 23 2006, 08:39 AM

Last night whilst finishing up some holiday shopping, I treated myself to a gift too...... a set of 4 knitting rounds that came with a knitting "hook" and plastic needle in a neato little slide zip plactic bag with handle.... got it 1/2 price for $6.00US......
Needless to say I am sitting here typing this wearing a fabulicious, fuzzy wuzzy, bluegreenorangeyellow knitty cap!!!!!!!! I got that super hairy furry yarn and it is soooooo soft and light and just wonderful.... I am so excited and it's so fast to make a hat, I just love it!

Posted by: guitarfiend Dec 30 2006, 02:29 PM

Is four knitting rounds the same as a circular needle, or four double pointed needles?? (sorry if this is a dumb question...) I just got my first ever circular needle a couple of weeks ago, and am currently knitting my first ever circular sweater, using the "knitting by numbers" article from the Knitty.com website.... hope it comes out well...!

Posted by: princess evangeline Dec 31 2006, 01:02 AM

The only "dumb" question, is the one you don't ask........ so, your question is not dumb and here is the answer...... what I refer to as "knitting rounds" are the round, knitting "looms" that are popular now for making knit woolies (hats). Mine are made of bright colored placstic and the set contained 4 different diameters (from "kid head" to "fat head", ha ha ha!) They are super easy to use and are the fastest way I have found so far to make a "knit" woolie. The "looms" are circular and open in the center and have "pegs" that stick up all the way around. You simply wrap your yarn (instructions included with the kit) around each peg and then wrap again and then take a little hook thingy (included with the kit) and draw the bottom yarn "loop" over the upper yarn "loop", work your way around the loom, wrap again and repeat. As you knit on, the knitted portion begins to hang down from the center opening of the loom. After a bit you will have what looks like a knitted windsock attached to your loom. To finish off the woolie, you use a plastic needle (also included with the kit), thread it with your yarn "tail" after cutting away from your yarn ball, and run the needle through each "loop" still attached to the loom until you have thread the woolie off the loom and onto your yarn "tail"..... you then draw the "tail" tight, like a cinch top bag, and VOILA! you now have a rockin' cool woolie! You then tie off the two end of the "tail" where they meet and I usually leave them long and hanging and knot the ends so I have cool dangles from the top of my woolie. So far I have a black woolie with a multi color "peacock" fuzzy band and marbled blue band with black and pink multi dangles that hang down from the top and I have an ultra long marbled blue with multi color "peacock" fuzzy band with marbled blue and "peacock" dangles. I figured out on my own how to "add" the different colors to make the bands (stripes) and usually when I add a band, I also leave the "tails" from the addition, hanging a bit and knotted, so I have dangles that hang randomly on my woolie. I also made an olive green woolie for my da and he loved it. I have found that the best yarns to use for woolies on a "loom" are the very very thick, or very very furry type yarns so that you don't get a "gappy" look in your knit once the woolie is worn. The thinner yarns seem to "gap" quite a bit as the knit is semi-loose.
This is the first time I have ever knitted with anything other than straight knitting needles and I really love the ease and the speed of it. I make mostly scarves, as they are my fave accessory, and I usually use larger needles and very thick or furry yarn for those too. It was a pain for me to learn to knit as I knit "German style" or left-handed. I finally found a video on the internet that showed me how my hands should look and I've been a knitting fool since then!
Good luck with your sweater, I'm sure it will turn out great!

Posted by: guitarfiend Jan 2 2007, 05:18 PM

Thankyou : )

I have also just discovered knitting podcasts....!

Posted by: pepper Jan 10 2007, 12:15 AM

i have a bunch of old supplies and have been meaning to make a belly rub for my pregnant self so i thought since i'm going to be making a big, greasy mess in the kitchen anyhow why not make lipbalm while i'm at it?!
an hour and a half and the help of one neighbour later and i have 10 tubes and two and a half pots of almond shimmer lip butter, mmm. i used a bit of almond extract and it's so super yum, pretty and faintly sparkly with some gold mica dust. i can't even remember what the base was, i've had it so long. shea butter, coconut butter, almond oil, beeswax, honey, probably some other oils too.
the belly oil turned out great, almond, cocoa butter, coconut oil, avocado oil and grapeseed oil with some vit e and a wee bit of grapeseed extract. it has almost no smell but rubs in super well and leaves my skin wow-soft.
and the kitchen isn't too messy either! i have some paper towels around since i'm packing and they made clean up a snap! who knew?

Posted by: princess evangeline Jan 12 2007, 11:37 PM

voodoo princess here.......
i just completed 2 hooded scarves made of fleece and decorated with these ultra neato big buttons......
i made my little princess one with and Ariel (Under the Sea) print and rolled the edge around the face part and fastened it in place with a large, color coordinated button that i sewed on........
i also made myself a grey one with the edge around the face folded back and secured with a big button sewed in place and some colored safety pins...... i wish my cameraa worked cause i'd love to post pics.......
if anyone really really wants to see i could probably email a pic from my cellular.......
i really love mine and it is super super warm...... i can either wrap the scarf ends around my neck or i can leave them down and tucked into the front of my coat..... love it love it loveit!!!!!! and sooooooo easy, like 15 minutes or less!

Posted by: suds Jan 26 2007, 01:45 PM

hi crafty busties!

today i got the stitch and bitch book, needles and wool! and a crochet hook! i am hoping to become a sassy knitter like all of my friends in america are. i am moving on from a horrible relationship and i thought learning a new skill will take my mind off things.

the lady at the knitting shop was really nice. i want to make a hat! i don't even know how to cast off, but i am going to bloody go for it.

xxxxx

Posted by: vesicapisces Jan 26 2007, 04:14 PM

Suds! Holy crap, how long has it been since you've been on Bust? (It's JillieC, BTW - I lost my previous handle in a dingo raid.)

Posted by: suds Jan 27 2007, 07:10 AM

wow, hi!! it's awesome to 'see' you again, how have you been? have you got a livejournal?

ha ha yeah i'm amazed i managed to bag 'suds' again, the dingos DID NOT eat my username!

are you a knitter? i had a look at stitch and bitch again last night and realised it's going to take about forty five years for me to ever learn to cast off and make a slip knot!

Posted by: princess evangeline Jan 27 2007, 07:50 AM

voodoo princess here.......

Hey Suds! check out this website knittinghelp.com
I had tried forever to learn to knit and even had people try to show me (I could NEVER understand it from a book) but nobody could show me "left-hand" knitting so I gave up UNTIL I found this site. Read it, watch the films (they're FREE) and it should help. I watched the films I needed about 5 times and that was it! been knitting since then.
Also, if you want to make a hat, you could try the knitting looms that I talked about earlier in this thread somewhere. They are just fun and fast and you can get really creative with them if you figure out your own techniques with them.......
PM me if you want, I can tell you all about some of my recent finds and projects......

Posted by: suds Jan 27 2007, 03:01 PM

thank-you so much for the linkie, princess... that looks like such an awesome site.

i'll let you know how i get on

Posted by: hiddenpoet Jan 31 2007, 01:16 PM

thanks princess! my mom has tried to teach me to knit many times but since she's a leftie and i'm a rightie i never could grasp it before even with reading books. but with the help of this website i'll catch on fast.

Posted by: princess evangeline Jan 31 2007, 08:35 PM

You go poet!
My new thing is using my knitting looms and instead of knitting "full" hats, I knit about 1/2 the round length needed for a hat, remove from the loom, and instead of pulling tight like I would for a hat, I leave BOTH ENDS open (about the same diameter) and make a head "wrap" instead of a hat....... these are my new favorite thing! I can pull one on and since it leaves the top / back of my head exposed I can pull my hair into a ponybob or clip or just leave it down and flowing out of the top / back of the wrap...... it covers my ears, forehead and most the top my head and are super warm and really great for anyone with super thick long hair (not that I have super thick long hair, I wish, but they still work well for me)
ALSO, I have been using the looms with 2 different yarns at a time, doubled up, and it makes for some great color combos and for a really really thick sturdy knit.

Posted by: princess evangeline Feb 15 2007, 06:34 PM

I have been busy busy busy lately with all manner of crafti-ness!!!!!
I finally got my lotion making supplies and about 25 new oils (scents) and have been making up some of the most deliciously fragrant cremes for my UGLYbathworks line..... Even scored a great little wooden display box/case which I color washed RED and painted little yellow flowers down the front sides..... it even has this great handle made of a thick wooden dowel which doubles as the perfect place to display my memorey wire beaded bracelets.....
AND for the latest and greatest crafti-ness...... I have been taking beer caps, flattening them with a mallet, painting the insides, punching a hole at the top and bottom edge, affixing a small pic of sorts in the middle of the painted side, sealing the whole side in with clear silicone, connecting gypsy bells to the bottom hole with a jump ring and an ear wire to the top hole with a jump ring and VOILA!!!!!! I have the most awsome ear-fobs that nobody else has!!!!!! And everyone who's seen them has just flipped over them......
The ones I made for myself are painted various colors with border dots of a contrasting color and have a circular pic of tiny skulls sealed in with the silicone...... they are awsome!
I made some "double cap" long and "single cap" long...... I'm thinking of adding them to my ETSY store but I still have to think on it.....
Anyone else been crafty lately?

Posted by: guitarfiend Feb 16 2007, 11:57 AM

Ooh yes me, and I am sooo pleased with myself.

I bought some cheap jersey fabric while I was in the U.S. and some cute ribbon too. I made my first pair of knickers last week! They look great - really cute and sexy and just the right fit. I made the pattern from my current favourite pair of knickers and they were so quick and easy to make up. Just two pieces, front and back, with lace around the leg holes and stretchy wider ribbon around the top. I have enough fabric to make a lot of pairs too! For the next few pairs I will put gussets in as well, which I expect to be pretty simple. So I may never need to buy again.... I was in Britex fabrics while I was over there, looking at the notions, but their bra-pads only went up to a C-Cup... otherwise I would have had a bash at making bras to go with them too....

Tonight I'm making oven mitts. Wifey just bought a house and we expect to move in hopefully in two months' time. So I have some cheap curtain fabric I bought from IKEA and old t-shirts / jumpers etc that I'll use for padding in the centre...

Has anyone on here got flickr sites where they post pictures of their craft projects?

Posted by: kelkello Feb 16 2007, 05:28 PM

I've been going through a supply buying extravaganza but not really doing anything with my loot. Does anyone else do that? It's seems I like to look at my supplies with glee and then let them sit for long periods of time, unused. Poor things.

Posted by: princess evangeline Feb 17 2007, 07:18 AM

wow kelkello..... i want to come to your house! we would definitely "use" all your crafty supplies! my only problem is never having enough supplies..... i go, i buy, i use and then i'm like sh*t, now what? time to get more!

Posted by: pollystyrene Feb 17 2007, 08:46 AM

I'm just dropping in to brag- I finished my first http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/481/img1686ek9.jpg! I can't wait to take her to the http://www.midwayvillage.com/default.asp?page=upcomingevents&nav=upcomingevents&neventid=9 next month!

Posted by: guitarfiend Feb 17 2007, 12:25 PM

Yeah, but you'll think of something to do with your supplies eventually! I have the terrible habit of buying exciting things (eg funky fabrics, ribbon, lace etc) and not enough of the practical things a crafty girl needs (eg. pop-shut buttons, zips, etc). And then I get annoyed because I've suddenly thought of an ace use for some of the fabric I've got, but I can't bring my idea to fruition because I haven't got the right notions. Bah!

Posted by: princess evangeline Feb 18 2007, 09:32 AM

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/UGLYbathworks/100_0398.jpg

Here are the earrings I have been making lately. I also make them with just single caps with silver gypsy bells on the bottom. The doubles are fun to wear but a bit long for me as I'm not used to larger earrings.....

Posted by: yemaya Feb 19 2007, 02:59 PM

Hi. I really like your earrings. They're great.

By the way, thanks for the link you referenced on knitting earlier in this thread. I really want to learn how to knit (also crochet and sew my own clothes) but no one wants to give me the time of day and several of the books I previewed were so complicated.

Thanks.

Posted by: princess evangeline Feb 19 2007, 04:57 PM

Heya, thanks *yemaya*....... glad you like the earrings. I sold a pair the other day to the YMCA teacher at my childrens school. She LOVES the Grateful Dead and I made her some with the skeleton/red rose album cover pic...... she LOVED them! They were painted dark pink with black trim dots with a circular cut out pic of the skel/roses. I really liked them too so I might make myself some.

Posted by: treehugger Feb 24 2007, 07:08 AM

Is anybody into making stuff with polyclay? I picked up a couple books with what looks like some fun projects that don't look (sorry) childish...and I want to try my hand.

Just another way to spend money....we're getting a blizzard this weekend and I thought it'd be fun to try my hand at crafting some stuff!

Posted by: guitarfiend Feb 24 2007, 05:36 PM

Yemaya, The Happy Hooker is great for learning to crochet. I taught myself to crochet within a couple of hours using that book! I've never used Stitch n' Bitch (Debbie Stoller's knitting book), but I'd imagine that's fairly easy to use too?

Treehugger: what are you going to make with the polyclay?

My pink and black striped jersey fabric is soon to become a top and some panties....!

Posted by: tankgirl Feb 24 2007, 05:49 PM

stitch n bitch is extremely easy to learn knitting from. but, some people need an actual person to show them, depends how you learn.

i went to the local yarn store to pick up some needles and yarn to start off with and the lady there told me i needed to take a class and theres absolutely no way i can learn to cast on from a book. i told her that this book i had made knitting look easy and had detailed easy to use instructions (stich n bitch) and she pretty much shooed me away and said id be back for a class.

guess what... i learned from the book in like an hour. needless to say i go to another yarn store now (lol)

the thing with crafting is, if you can learn by yourself, by books, websites, other people whatever, however you want to learn... go for it. dont let other people tell you how you should learn.

Posted by: guitarfiend Feb 27 2007, 04:14 PM

amen!

Posted by: clairebear3 Feb 28 2007, 02:11 PM

Barging in...

I'm having a revelation, something which possibly everyone else already knows or has done is a mod on the rice bag.

Make them in rounds to fit your plates and they make perfect plate warmers like this...

http://www.hotideas.co.uk/images/products/micropad.jpg

yippee!!!

ducks back out...

Posted by: princess evangeline Feb 28 2007, 09:05 PM

What? I think I'm confused?

Posted by: guitarfiend Mar 17 2007, 05:48 AM

Hey crafty ladies... a plea for help...

I bought a lovely cream cashmere sweater in a thrift store - I want to dye it a darker colour (burgundy / brown / deep red) so it'll go better with my clothes, and I want to use natural or vegetable dye. I read online that you can dye clothes using beetroot but that you need some kind of chemical compound? And I don't know anything about chemistry, because I am rubbish at science.... (I also read on knitty.com that you can dye wool using kool-aid, but I'm in the UK and we can't get kool-aid here...)

So does anybody have tips / suggestions for dyeing clothes red / brown colours using vegetable or natural dyes? I would be very grateful.

I'm also thinking that I will set up a flickr group for us to post project pics onto, if anybody's into it? x

Posted by: mornington Apr 27 2007, 03:28 PM

*bump* for daisyjane

Posted by: DaisyJane Apr 27 2007, 04:08 PM

Thanks mornington!! Yipeeee!

Hi crafting ladies. I was looking for this thread for awhile.

Wanted someone to share my geeky enthusiasm for all things yarn, paper, and glue.

Posted by: mornington Apr 27 2007, 04:58 PM

ooh, i just remembered... guitarfiend, there is already a flickr group for busties. "http://www.flickr.com/groups/busties/". We don't really have many members! (guitarfiend, have you asked on craftermath.co.uk? They might know of natural dyes in the uk)

I'm an intermittent crafter. I know f.a. about it, I just tend to pootle around making a mess, and occasionally something halfway decent comes out of it.

Posted by: kelkello Apr 29 2007, 05:49 PM

DaisyJane, what sort of crafts do you fiddle around with? I'm a paper, glue, photo type of girl. I also make beaded jewelry, which I should be doing now, but I'm too tired.

Posted by: pepper Apr 30 2007, 12:56 PM

gf, i'll send you all the koolaid you could ever want if you'd like. it's about 30 cents a package here. pm with an address and colour requests if you'd like to give it a go...

i'm nearly done my first afghan and it's looking great but sort of, well, wonky. it's not the yarn, it's not my stitches, i think i need to "block" it but what the heck, how exactly do you block anything that darn Large?!?!! i'll post pics when i get it finished and figure this out.

Posted by: DaisyJane Apr 30 2007, 02:17 PM

Hey -

Well my mom taught me crochet when I was about 10 so Ive always made little dodads that way. I never liked the look of crochet though. So I did some cross stitch when I was around 15 on a road trip with the family. Then mom learned how to make paper out of lint and glue and stuff so I helped with that. Then we did beading for fun.
Now I knit, spin wool, and am just starting some scrapbooking project for my brother. We went to Europe together in October.

I know it sounds like I have ADD but I dip my hands in a bit of everything and then weed out what I dont like.

My poor Mr.Daisy has to deal with the 'office' having yarn everywhere (geat for two cats too) paints, buttons, you name it. Its all over the place!

Posted by: kelkello Apr 30 2007, 07:02 PM

Daisy, I'm like that too! Lately I've been into the scrapbooking thing. I do things like http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5352/smileyx7.jpg and http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9933/croplayouts0006xq7.jpg. I sometimes feel like I see paper scraps in my dreams.

Posted by: MaybeSparrow Apr 30 2007, 08:04 PM

Very nice kelkello! As a fellow scrapbooker I am impressed! Once the semester is over, I plan to go at my supplies like mad!

Posted by: princess evangeline May 1 2007, 05:29 PM

Voodoo Princess here.....
I have just discovered casting resin and I am having the best time making pendants with pics and beads and whatever else inside them..... It's so fun and super easy and I have made pendants with pics of my children and pics of my favorite river etc..... I have to get a dremel hand drill of my own for putting the holes in after the resin cures but my da has one so I use his for now.....
I'm also going to try my hand at blending my essential oils with vodka to make a perfume oil spray of sorts. I hear vodka is a good carrier for the oils to make a body spray...... we'll see!

Posted by: DaisyJane May 1 2007, 07:36 PM

Hey Princess!
With the vodka oils thing - Im not sure on it but I think that spritzing vodka on the skin would eventually dry you out in certain areas?
I know a shitload about soaps but not sprays. I would think there would be a better carrier for the oils out there than an alcohol? But I could be completely wrong....

Posted by: princess evangeline May 2 2007, 05:43 PM

Hey Daisy! Voodoo here......
You know I totally wondered about that whole vodka being drying thing..... I even wondered if it would BURN? Everything I have read and all the recipes I have found say use vodka since alot of "perfumes" are alcohol based and I guess that S D Alcohol that is found in "real" perfume is not that accessible...... so they use vodka as a substitute.....Like I said tho, I do have some reservations about it..... there has to be something else that could be a good spritz...... I was thinking maybe DRY OIL?????? The essential oils should blend well with that and it sounds so much better than vodka. And it would be moisturizing, right? HHHHmmmmm? Got to think this one over........

Posted by: pepper Sep 22 2007, 08:36 AM

seriously? this had almost dropped off the board, i can't believe it.

oh well...

i did a crafty swap with another mom on craftster this week, here's what i sent her

i can't wait to see what she sent me! it's amazing that i found time to do this (about 12 hrs total!)but i'm having a bit of insomnia at the moment so something mindless to do in bed while i'm Not sleeping is terrific. it was so fun!

Posted by: Porn Star Oct 10 2007, 05:34 AM

What did she sent you. I'm curious too.

Posted by: pepper Oct 10 2007, 07:40 AM

she sent me awesome loot!

Posted by: bunnyb Oct 10 2007, 04:39 PM

pepper, do you regularly make the baby clothes? if so, could I commission you? I LOVE the ones you have below, especially the giraffe.

Posted by: pepper Oct 10 2007, 07:19 PM

i love that giraffe, so cute! i do a lot of crafts, little really likes it. but getting things done "on time" is really hard, my life is a bit unpredictable lately with unpacking, new school and new baby... what did you have in mind? oh, and i didn't make the clothes, just embellished them. i could send you patches if you have stitching ability to apply them. i like patches 'cause then you can take them off and put them on something else once wee babe outgrows stuff.

there's a swap going on right now on craftster
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=200818.0

do you do any kind of crafts at all? there were so many different crafts last time, the gallery is here
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=195782.0

there were some AWESOME onseies, oh my goodness. sign in and take a look, the ruffle butt one is my outright fave!

Posted by: bunnyb Oct 11 2007, 04:23 AM

Unfortunately I'm not crafty .

I fell in love with the onesies and was thinking one or two for two different babies in my life (both boys) but patches could work... I don't have the capability myself but I know a woman who does!

Posted by: pepper Oct 11 2007, 07:01 AM

come on now, i refuse to believe that you aren't crafty in any way what-so-ever, you're so creative! if you were here i'd get you to come over and tempt you with my plethora of craft supplies, i know we'd find something that you'd love.

ok, i can translate any simple-ish picture into thread. pm me when you've got a collection (choose at least 10 images) and i'll give you my email so you can send them to me. i'll let you know what's possible and what i think will look terrific.

here's a barrage of images...

some felty fruits and veggies i've been making for little


a snow man i made him for xmas one year


more embroidery


an afghan i'm working on (it's my first and it's huge already but i just can't stop crochetting!)


my first teddy


xmas ornaments


and hats!

Posted by: dusty Oct 11 2007, 12:22 PM

Wow *in awe of Pepper*

Posted by: pepper Oct 11 2007, 01:24 PM

aw shucks!

Posted by: bunnyb Oct 11 2007, 04:46 PM

pepper, you're a star! and a very talented one.

I shall compile images.

You're right: I AM creative so I should be more crafty with it. This Christmas I'm going to try to do a few crafty things; they probably won't involve stitching but will be handmade with love.

Posted by: pepper Oct 11 2007, 04:57 PM

hee hee!

i knew you had it in you! any time you want to run ideas by me if you need a little help, i can usually figure out how to make anything out of anything. and that craftster board is a great source of inspiration too. check out the feature projects, the hot new topics and the new with pictures quick links. there is always some amazing stuff there.

Posted by: pepper Oct 12 2007, 10:30 AM

ok, i don't know where else to put this but here is the window my papa made for me. it's 2'x4', he designed it, hand cut the high lead crystal glass, hand bevelled the pieces with machines that he designed and built himself, and Voila! i wish this picture did it any kind of justice.

gorgeous glass. can't wait for a sunny afternoon when it will fill the house with bright, sparkly rainbows!



oh yes, and the frame is made of walnut from a tree that used to be on his old farm. wow!

Posted by: lilacwine13 Oct 12 2007, 02:18 PM

*delurks*

Wow, that's beautiful, pepper.

*relurks*

Posted by: faerietails2 Oct 13 2007, 06:50 PM

*delurks*

pepper, that is absolutely gorgeous! i bet it looks spectacular when the sun is hitting it!


(I'm cross posting this:)
Okay, gals...help me decide!

Have you all gone to the BUST Craftaculars in the past? I want to be a vendor this year, but I don't know if it'll be worth it. The way I see it, it's $225 to get my table, and about another $100 in the cost to make my product (gourmet organic dog/cat treats). So if my products sell at say, $10 a pop for a bag of organic goodies (much less for doggie brownies, etc.), I'll have to sell at least 33 bags to break even.

So first of all, do you think it's worth it, and second...do you think it's worth it? (lol, sorry...I'm a bit tipsy right now and lost my second question.) I mean, I went last year and people were selling soaps and stuff, so obviously they're making enough money to break even. And other people were selling handmade bags for upwards of $50, and they were selling. But dog/cat treats at a craft fair...do you think it's the right audience?

The deadline is Monday, and of course, I'm waiting until the last possible minute to do this...

I've never done this before. But I want to try if I think it won't be a waste of money (I'm kinda poor right now). I think it would be a lot of fun. It's a cool environment to be in.

*relurks*

Posted by: quietmadness Oct 20 2007, 02:58 AM

I have never visited this thread before, but it's 5:15 a.m., and I've got insomnia, so...

I just wanted to tell y'all that your creations are lovely!! Wow...love your crafts! And PEPPER---OMG---that window is AMAZING!!! Wish my Daddy was still around to dote on me!

Thanks for sharing your work, y'all. Lovely!

--Quiet--

Posted by: guitarfiend Oct 20 2007, 05:23 AM

Wow pepper I love that window! And all your crafty stuff!

I'm going to be getting my sewing machine out today. Very few manufacturers sell bras in my size, so I bought a few very plain ones, and this afternoon I'm going to be getting my craft on with some lace and ribbon to prettify them : )

So I'm hoping someone can help me with a question before I begin: has anybody on here ever dyed clothes using food colouring / vegetable dyes? I want to dye something black and was thinking of using food colouring, but if I did that, what could I use as a fixer?

Posted by: laniethezany Oct 20 2007, 07:26 AM

guitar - I'm a tie-dyeing fanatic, and when you buy kits they often come with soda ash to soak the material in before dyeing. It's to help the color last longer. I'm wondering if that would work with food color, too.

Meanwhile, I just recently moved into a new apartment, and I'm cursed with the white walls I'm not allowed to paint. So I'm looking for decorating ideas to spruce up the place and make it less bleak without violating my lease. I also want to expand on the hippie theme I have going in my bathroom (shower curtain covered in bright multi-colored daisies). My thought so far is to get black and white pictures of famous hippies, laminate them, and use them as sort of wallpaper. Any other suggestions?

Posted by: pepper Oct 20 2007, 08:47 AM

thanks guys!

as for while walls, i tack up my collection of saris and other fabulous fabric. makes it look like some kind of arabian tent sometimes, i love it. beaded curtains on the doors, fabulous fabric at the windows, sometimes i'm glad to have white walls to brighten up around my explosion of colour everywhere else! in fact, it's white in this apartment and i'm glad, it would be way too dark if it wasn't!

here's another pic of the fabulous window...

Posted by: themeiu Nov 1 2007, 05:52 PM

Oh Pepper! You're on Craftster (of course!). I was perusing threads yesterday and saw your beautiful window! I'm usually over in Clothing and Knitting, but i love checking out all of the creativity all over the site.

Posted by: Divala Nov 7 2007, 09:41 AM

Pepper, that window is amazing! I can't even imagine the amount of work put into that, but it's worth it. So. freaking. gorgeous.

Posted by: beck Nov 12 2007, 07:48 AM

not sure whether to post here or on the 'thread thread', but that seems to be mostly about knitting. i have a question for the crafting busties . i have this brown leather handbag - a very simple kind of over the shoulder satchel type of thing. it's a nice bag but the cheapskate shop (Zara I believe) skimped by not lining it. Which means my stuff gets covered in tons of little bits of brown fluff - nice. i am planning to run up a quick cotton lining for it , but not sure how to affix it once i'm done. I was wondering if i could just glue it on to the inside of the bag? i don't have any special equipment and am wary of spoiling a good leather bag - any advice?

update - there was fabric round the zip so I glued it to that rather than direct to the leather - worked fine.

Posted by: beck Dec 19 2007, 06:01 AM

i'm sad this thread sees so little action. I just popped by to hunt for the brilliant gingerbread tree decorations i saw here a while back, already trawled the holiday thread but finally found them here, i hope you don't mind me copying your idea pepper. as i'm here, i might as well post my first sock monkey, i finished him last night. not quite enough stuffing and I sewed one ear on upside down (a particularly gripping moment in Spooks) but i like him anyway.

Posted by: pepper Dec 19 2007, 08:04 AM

oh that is so totally not my idea! go ahead, copy away.

cutest upside-down-ear monkey ever! i have so many socks waiting to be attended to. i saw a sock horse that i have to try and i'm going to make some gloves into octopuses too. should be fun!

i hang out on craftster.org mostly, it's really busy and the crafts and swaps are a-mazing! more sock monkeys that you can imagine too

Posted by: beck Dec 19 2007, 11:01 AM

thanks! i'm on craftster too, there are so many great ideas to pinch! i think i've seen your stuff on there too, you had some supercool projects *in awe of pepper the craftmeister*. i saw a sock octopus somewhere which i think is a great idea but can't remember where.

Posted by: pepper Dec 19 2007, 11:28 AM

pft, i just saw you there!

the soctopus is actually here on bust. it's so freaking cute!

Posted by: snow white Dec 20 2007, 12:22 PM

beck, that's one hott sock monkey

does anyone else do any embroidering? i saw an ad for *sublime stiching* here on bust and ordered 8 designs from them. i wish i could embroider my x-mas presents in class b/c i get so bored just sitting there.

Posted by: pepper Dec 20 2007, 01:33 PM

i embroider. it's something i have to pay attention to and actually look at though. crochet i can watch tv if the pattern is fairly simple but anything with a needle requires a bit more focus!

Posted by: dusty Dec 20 2007, 02:50 PM

I embroidered a jean jacket a bit, and beaded it. I wish I could do that kind of stuff in meetings.

Posted by: prettynpink Dec 27 2007, 03:59 PM

So I just got my very own sewing machine. First project? Curtains! Second project? Scrub caps! Third and most lofty of them all? SLIP COVERS! oooooohhhh ahhhhhhhhhh.

wish me luck!

Posted by: knorl05 Dec 28 2007, 07:52 AM

omg beck that is adorable... and the mismatched ears really add to the appeal! love it.

Posted by: prettynpink Dec 28 2007, 03:31 PM

okay, so revision after last nights.. erm... mishaps....

First project: Learning to sew a straight line.

Second project: Curtains!
Third project: Scrub caps!
Fourth and most lofty of them all: SLIP COVERS!

oooooohhhh ahhhhhhhhhh again

Posted by: pepper Dec 28 2007, 07:45 PM

i did some freezer paper stencils for the first time this xmas. stupid easy and turned out really great. here are five with a quick tutorial in the first post. you can check out my profile to see other posts i've made with other crafts too. i have a flickr pool in there as well that i'll be adding the shirts to soon.

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=214971.0

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=215977.msg2322497#msg2322497

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=216539.msg2328203#msg2328203

Posted by: beck Jan 7 2008, 03:47 PM

OK I had to share this somewhere, but I can't put in craftster in case my mum sees.

it is a present for a friend who drops the c-bomb with real panache. I am also quite proud of my handiwork. But please don't look if you are offended by bad words and swearage, that is why I have posted just the link rather than the images themselves!

Bad cushion!
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/littlebeck/IMG_3038.jpg

but look at my neat stitching and the pretty buttons!
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/littlebeck/IMG_3037.jpg

PS Prettynpink, my tip for curtains (i made them for our front room and spare room and are simple but look alright, I could post pics if you like) is to make friends with your iron. I hate ironing but it does make a huge difference. Sorry if you knew that already though.

btw what is a scrub cap?

Posted by: zoya Jan 29 2008, 07:09 AM

bump

Posted by: pepper Jan 31 2008, 06:24 PM

beckster, fabuloso! loving the c word p'llow.

have a gander at my http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/, i just updated it with some awesome owly goodies i made for a swap. it was so much fun!

Posted by: beck Feb 1 2008, 07:08 AM

ooh so much cool stuff pepper! where on earth did you find that owl fabric? and your embroidery designs are amazing, you have so much patience with all that intricate stitching...it's making me want to learn how...

Posted by: pepper Feb 1 2008, 08:49 AM

i ordered fabic from harts in cali and from fabric tales in japan, i can't really remember what came from which place though.
i have some insomnia so a small hand craft to do at night is ideal for me. makes the time pass and i satiate my need to be busy, ha ha.
i lifted ALL of those embroidery images off the net. they weren't intended for that purpose but, meh, who cares? one thing was a metal pendant but i just sketched it out and got busy with the thread. it was sssoo much fun!

are you swapping there? it's a gas.

Posted by: beck Feb 1 2008, 09:39 AM

swapping - right now i'm just about keeping it together at work but letting everything else slip. but as soon as i get some more energy i think i might do...

Posted by: dusty Feb 1 2008, 12:28 PM

Hee. I've never swapped on Craftster, but I have to be really careful about swaps right now. I think Mr. Dusty just shakes his head when I get stressed about swaps. The last swap I did, I sent out eight cards each to two other people and got six back.

ATC Quarterly has a challenge on the subject of Rabbit. I carved a stamp for it, now I'm wondering if I should try a fabric ATC.

Posted by: pepper Feb 1 2008, 01:37 PM

oh dusty, no one ever gets bailed on for a craftster swap. if your partner flakes you get a swap angel who sends to you. it very well organized.

beck, i'm on mat leave or i wouldn't have time for crafting either. i need something to do while is hang around with baby!

Posted by: dusty Feb 1 2008, 06:34 PM

[quote name='pepper' post='187119' date='Feb 1 2008, 02:54 PM']oh dusty, no one ever gets bailed on for a craftster swap. if your partner flakes you get a swap angel who sends to you. it very well organized.

Hee, sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I get stressed because people bail on me. I get stressed because I don't have the time, and then I wonder why I'm running around doing a swap when I don't have time to work on my journal.

Posted by: beck Feb 2 2008, 02:36 PM

yeah if this babe sticks around i plan on doing the same - a whole blissful year of babies and craftiness mmmmmm
(some poo and sleep deprivation too i guess)

Posted by: MsYuefie Feb 2 2008, 06:14 PM

I just had to stop in and share this with you all:

http://subversivecrossstitch.com/valentines2008.htm

Posted by: beck Feb 3 2008, 07:07 AM

haha they're great - 'bite me' is my fave i think. i've made a pattern for one that says 'no loitering, no swearing, no spitting' - when it's done it's going up by the front door...

Posted by: pepper Feb 3 2008, 10:42 AM

i have this over the stove, it would make a terrific cross-stitch i think...


i want to make one for my brother with the words "Have A Day" and one of these
ha ha ha ha. it's so him.

Posted by: i_am_jan Feb 17 2008, 09:48 AM

So many adorable things linked here!

I've been inspired...

I'd love to make some gloves, just out of this old "sweatshirt" material I have. Could anyone possibly link me to a pattern for gloves? Mittens would work in a pinch, too.

Thanks Gs.

Posted by: pepper Feb 17 2008, 10:22 AM

check out http://www.threadbanger.com/hollyjolly/episode/HJH_20071212

Posted by: i_am_jan Feb 17 2008, 12:22 PM

oh, DECENT!! (giggles), these are EZ breezy!

(thanks pepper, that's exactly what i be needing!! )

Posted by: pepper Feb 18 2008, 03:00 PM

they have really great little videos there. you can subscribe to their newsletter thing too.

hey, here's my little girl's new dolly i just finished.
yes she has girly bits. they are in the pattern. seriously.

Posted by: bustygirl Feb 21 2008, 10:47 AM

I just found a great thing to do with sweaters that get boiled in the wash. Cut them into a tote bag pattern, add a woven liner and handles, and you have a cute wool purse. You can even sew or glue felt decorations on the outside.

I made one, but I don't have a picture yet. I'll post it when I do.

You can even make coin purses with the sleeves, by cutting them and laying them flat on one another, and cutting them into the shape of a coin purse.

Posted by: beck Feb 21 2008, 02:24 PM

dolly is awesome, baby even more so.

i've added that threadbanger to my faves. but where on earth would one source such a hideous sweater in the first place??

Posted by: pepper Feb 21 2008, 06:05 PM

the thrift store by my place has WAY worse sweaters than that! WAY worse!

there's new stuff in my flickr today.

Posted by: beck Feb 25 2008, 04:38 AM

hey you have been busy, i am actually a little scared of the zombie...i love the owls on a string, individual ones might look cool on a Christmas tree *note to self*.

Posted by: pepper Mar 20 2008, 07:58 AM

ok, i've been making crazy needlebooks, like SO many. do you think i could sell http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/ and if so for how much? they take at least an hour each and are 2.5 to 3 inches across both ways. there is an inside page in a co-ordinating colour for the needles.

Posted by: beck Mar 21 2008, 07:18 AM

they are cool! not sure on pricing - £5 each? today that is about 10 CAD. I've been thinking about making and selling stuff while on maternity leave, but some things are so labour-intensive I'm not sure i would make much money from it ...you probably have a better idea about the kind of prices people pay as you've sold your work before.

got to run, making hot cross buns!

Posted by: pepper Mar 21 2008, 04:45 PM

le sigh, that's the range i'm getting from most of the people i've asked. too bad, i can't swallow working for $10 an hour. that's crap. i suppose these will just be used as gifts or maybe i'll join that sweatshop thread on craftster! way to get some neat goodies from other crafters, woohoo! that's what i'll do.

i've never sold this kind of stuff before, only clothes. even then, pricing was a big issue for me. that part i just suck at.

mmm, hot cross buns. post a picture when you're done!

Posted by: dusty Mar 21 2008, 05:19 PM

What would be the downside of trying for $20?

That's me. I couldn't finish Gloria Page's Holy Mackeroly after I got to the part where she gave her philosophical reasons for not going above a certain price. I couldn't handle the idea of someone deliberately turning themselves into a sweatshop, especially when her market was museum stores and places like that.

Posted by: beck Mar 22 2008, 06:45 AM

gah the computer ate my post!

i agree with dusty - why not try for $20 - they are def worth it for the craftsmanship (craftswomanship?) that went into them, it just depends whether your potential customers can afford it?

forgot to take a pic of the buns but they were tasty!

Posted by: lunia666 Mar 31 2008, 06:29 PM

I want to ask has anybody every worked with resin before ? I would love to make something like is (see link)
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177080.0

anyway I hav never worked with resin can somebody rec a good starter kit. Also I have no clue where she got the mold for this from ( I think she says she used an old wood bangle) any way any ideas would be great
Thanks

Posted by: dusty Mar 31 2008, 08:42 PM

Sherri Haab has a good book called The Art of Resin Jewelry that might be helpful if you have never worked with resin before. She sells supplies on her website as well, www.sherrihaab.com, including a bangle mold.

It doesn't look to me as though the resin was integral to the project, since the artwork isn't embedded in the resin, it is decoupaged on the outside and the inside and then glazed or varnished.

Posted by: tankgirl Apr 1 2008, 12:03 PM

Hey guys I have a question some of you might be able to help me with. A friend of mine is having a baby and I want to make them some personalized onsies. I know that on baby clothing that hits their skin has to be very smooth, aka no embroidery backing. Anyone have any ideas that worked for them? Maybe making a patch and sewing it on, but would that still be irritating? I'm so confused.

Posted by: snarky7 Apr 1 2008, 09:19 PM

Hey TG: You can do paint. find the puffy paint at any craft store - fabric paint. You can get fairly intricate, most of it washes well, and it is inexpensive. also, not sure if you or your friends would dig it, but tie-dye too. Now, with all that said, i didn't have anyone make me fun personalized onesies. i bought or was given purchased items. an embroidered patch was a common theme - a patch lightly stiched onto the onesie. Not irritating to my snarkyboy, but SUPER CUTE! also, stitching on the arm seemed not so bothersome - avoid stuff around the neck or leg openings, that's my suggestion.

anyway, good luck - hope they turn out how you want!

Posted by: beck Apr 2 2008, 09:02 AM

ooh if we ask nicely maybe pepper will show us some of her embroidered patches, they are super cute. you out there pepper?

also, check out http://www.craftster.org as i remember seeing some amazing customised onesies on there, i think maybe as one of the swaps (i'm sorry I don't have a link to the actual pics but i think you could do a search)

Posted by: bustygirl Apr 2 2008, 07:37 PM

This is just for the STL area busties, but http://www.cooperella.com in Maplewood is having their first ever Stitch & Bitch on April 11th. Bring your sewing machine, knitting needles, Bedazzler, what have you, and enjoy good food, good beer, good coffee, and good company from 5 to 9!

Posted by: pepper Apr 3 2008, 09:06 AM

heya, if you sift through the pics in my http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/ account i have a few onsies in there. i embroidered patches and then blanket stitched them on hiding the knots between the patch and the onsie so they weren't exposed and didn't touch the baby. embroidery floss is very soft, it's not an irritant.
the bonus about the patches is that they can be cut off and sewn onto bigger clothes or something else (like a keepsack quilt or jacket or bag or whatever).

Posted by: beck Jun 2 2008, 06:16 AM

hey crafty busties. i've posted this on craftster too but thought you guys might have some ideas.

i want to make a baby activity mat/baby gym, so i get something unique, recycled, and cheaper than the 50 quid or so that they seem to cost.

for the mat, i was planning to use quilting and applique to give different textures, and pad it so that it can be put on our wooden floor and still be comfortable (the bought ones are very thin and need to be used with a cushion underneath). i thought i would do a border with some toys attached by cords or velcro, for when the baby is playing on its tummy or later on, sitting up.

Any suggestions for the most suitable filler to use would be welcome - i want the whole thing to be washable but ideally also to be able to wipe up minor messes without washing the whole thing - should i use something waterproof as an inner layer and if so, what? I'm thinking thick polyester wadding, the kind for quilts, and perhaps a fleece layer on the bottom, so it dries quickly.

What i am really stuck on though, is how to do the hanging stuff. The ones i have seen have two flexible poles (inside fabric tubes, kind of like in a tent) that cross over above the baby's head, and you can hang toys and bells and stuff from them. any suggestions for where i could get these kind of poles?

Hope this makes sense!

thanks!

Posted by: ladywildcurls Jun 13 2008, 02:33 PM

Hmm, reading all about crafty ladies and seeing pics of all the cute and chic stuff that you ladies craft has made me itch to be crafty (which I'm not, at all!). I want to learn how to knit and such but there's a lack of classes and workshops in my area, so I was wondering if anyone here can recommend a good starter book/video/kit or whatever to get started on my path to craftiness. Thank you!

Posted by: tankgirl Jun 13 2008, 02:49 PM

Here's a little mouse I knitted a while back.

Lsdy, the Stich n Bitch book taught me to knit. I learned really fast and there are great pictures that are really helpful.

Posted by: mornington Jun 16 2008, 08:23 AM

ladywildcurls, I used the s'n'b "happy hooker" to learn how to crochet, "subversive stitching" to cross-stitch (sort-of) and craftster to just... pick things up. It really depends on what you want to learn; embroidery kits are a good place to start with that. Burda does a site called "burdastyle" and they have lots of sewing tutorials and patterns , and I'm sure there is a "how-to" on one of those sites...

beck, I'd maybe make a machine-washable outer cover, and then use a waterproof fabric and wadding to make the pad itself - so if something gets spilt badly, it can be flung in the machine but the pad is still undamaged. No idea about the poles, though. I want to say dowl, but if it's got to be flexible... Sounds really very cool, though!

Posted by: beck Jun 18 2008, 12:11 PM

i think you're right about a separate outer cover mornington, i'll do that. luckily a lovely person on craftster is sending me some poles, so that part is now sorted! ladywildcurls, i second mornington, go on craftster, you'll get so many ideas!

Posted by: ladywildcurls Jun 24 2008, 10:45 PM

[quote name='mornington' date='Jun 16 2008, 11:40 AM' post='201460']
ladywildcurls, I used the s'n'b "happy hooker" to learn how to crochet, "subversive stitching" to cross-stitch (sort-of) and craftster to just... pick things up. It really depends on what you want to learn; embroidery kits are a good place to start with that. Burda does a site called "burdastyle" and they have lots of sewing tutorials and patterns , and I'm sure there is a "how-to" on one of those sites...

Thank you very much for your advice! I bought the s'nb book trough amazon, and it's great! Now, if I could find a knitting and crochet supplier locally, I'm set!

Posted by: bustygirl Jul 13 2008, 07:52 AM

Hey MO crafters, I'm spreading the word about a kid-friendly cafe I go to that has Crafternoons every second and fourth Sunday afternoon from 12 to 4. It's located in Maplewood, and you can get directions at http://www.cooperella.com.

Sewing Machines and sergers are welcome, and they serve beer and wine as well as coffee. Come say hi! I'll be there with my little 'un from about 2.

Posted by: auralpoison Jul 13 2008, 04:17 PM

When my gran died, I inherited her "Hobby Lobby room". She had one whole bedroom in her house dedicated to her crafty arts. I've only just recently started to pick through it all. I found one HUGE plastic container filled with nothing but seed beads. WTF do you do with a million scrillion seed beads? I've also found a big collection of antique buttons & old broken jewelry bits that could be made into some stuff. I found one whole tankard that's filled with broken Sarah Coventry & the like, some really neato big beads. I've already ordered the Naughty Secretary book so I can do some jewelry stuff, but I dunno what other resources might be helpful. Any ideas? I'd appreciate any & all help.

Posted by: kissmeducky Jul 28 2008, 01:10 AM

Ack! I'm jealous. I would LOVE to inherit a room full of crafty bits goodness. For inspiration for a whole slew of crafts try browsing around Cratster, which is a craft community, or Etsy which is a shopping site but you might get a feel for what you can/might like to do.

Posted by: pollystyrene Jul 29 2008, 11:50 AM

I found a great magazine called "Readymade" (I'll add a link as soon as the kinks are worked out of this new server- right now, I have no quickie button to hyperlink it.). It's all about crafty stuff, household tips, using old stuff to make new stuff and it's kind of hipster-y without being doofus-y. I've already signed up for a subscription!

Posted by: mornington Jul 29 2008, 04:09 PM

ap: I'm just jealous. I second looking on craftster. If you really have *no* idea, ebay it, as there are plenty of people who'd be happy to buy seed beads by the gram...

also: naughty secretary do a book? omfg!

Posted by: auralpoison Jul 29 2008, 04:38 PM

Yes! There is a Naughty Secretary book! I think I'm going to get Sherri Haab's books, the Art of Metal clay & the Art of Resin Jewelry, too.

THANKS GUYS!! Big fat smooches & booby squishins' to you all!

I've found a lot of inspiration in ads in BUST, on Etsy & the like. I kept seeing stuff where I thought, "hey I could do that!" I have a lot of those big fat round beads that seem to make cool rings. With the variety of the things I have, my only limit is my imagination.

My gran was a craft lady. She made all sorts of weird crafty shit, mostly underappreciated. I remember the year she gave me her "punk rock" sweatshirt covered in rainbow zippers. Now, had it beaan a fitted hoodie where the zippers actually showed flesh & there were maybe straps on the back. . . Tripp NYC would be selling it now.

The seed beads are just baffling. Baffling. And it looks like she's been collecting them for YEARS. They're in all sorts of containers. Old Avon perfume bottles, spice bottles, *glass* prescription vials, etc.

Some stuff will just make cool design accents when I finally settle in somewhere. There are several vintage, unusual Bell jars of buttons. They look cool.

Posted by: Moonpieluv Aug 7 2008, 08:06 PM

((Polly)) I totally have a bunch of ole' Readymade mags. I love them so!!! I find so much inspiration in them, but am usually at a total lack of funds or know-how or where-to-get on a lot of it. Overall, it's one of my favorite mags other than Bust.

Posted by: Moonpieluv Aug 11 2008, 07:23 PM

Hooray!! my first embroidery kit came in the mail today! I can't wait to get started... I also bought a cheesy latch hook rug from Michael's today, just to see if I would be diligent enough to make a rug period.. cause I want to move on to having my chosen pics imprinted on the latch hook canvas, like on leftsource. com...The possibilities are ENDLESS!! Muwaaahhhahahahaha!

ALso, needlecrafter. com, has great free embroidery patterns for the more vintage lover.

Ima gonna do a mix of old and new on some vintage dresses and lingerie..and I haven't stitched a stitch yet.

Posted by: ellenevenstar Aug 12 2008, 06:17 AM

Aaaahhhhh so excited!!!
Bestie and I are starting a regular easy-Sunday-morning craft gathering, come September. She does awesome glass art, leadlighting and the like. My game is more stitchin' and stuff. No more will my craft be left over at the bottom of my 'to-do' list!!! I SHALL make progress!
Tee Hee.


Lovin' all the links you crafty cats post here. Thanks. E.

Posted by: ellenevenstar Aug 12 2008, 06:31 AM

Oooooh pepper. You're so clever. I love your stuff.

Posted by: pepper Aug 12 2008, 08:07 AM

thanks! i've been on crafting haitus this summer but i'm starting to get back into it. i've joined a pincushion swap on craftster to get me back into the swing of things. http://flickr.com/photos/verybigjen/collections/72157594588116047/ are really inspiring.

there's a http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=8772.0 thread there with links to tons of free embroidery patterns if anyone is interested. you can find just about every kind of image.

Posted by: Moonpieluv Aug 14 2008, 04:22 PM

Pepper--I've been scouring craftster and didn't somehow get to the shared patterns thread. Thanks! I LOVE LOVE the patterns from Andrea Zuill-Badbirds... TOo cute.

I've been working vigorously on my first piece using Emily Martin's (Black Apple) patterns. I already have a wee bit of dry skin forming on my thumb...and this is from last night! lol! I woke up this morning itchin to start stitchin again. It's wonderful therapy. And could very possibly keep me outta trouble.

Gotta go pick up a fabric marker tonight, as well as some more floss and some smaller needles. SQueeee!

Posted by: pepper Aug 15 2008, 08:09 AM

badbird is wicked cool. i made http://flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/2384532921/ for the gnome swap.
got a link to your pattern or your work? the only black apple patterns i know of off hand are the http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=261977.0

Posted by: Moonpieluv Aug 15 2008, 12:59 PM

http://www.sublimestitching.com/theblackapple.htmlSee if this works...

And I could go to craftster and well, Hobby Lobby for this answer, but do you know if Hobby Lobby carries the fabric markers needed for tracing? I didn't get a chance to go last night.

Also, where's the best place and the best fabric that can be "stretched" for framed pieces?

Thanks!!!

Posted by: vixen_within Aug 15 2008, 04:42 PM

Your items are wonderful Pepper. Do you sell your crafts? I saw something I'd like to get my paws on...

Sorry moonpieluv, I know nothing..

Posted by: ellenevenstar Aug 15 2008, 05:55 PM

I don't know either Moonpieluv. I have always muddled along with tailor's chalk to trace patterns but a non-permanent marker would be much easier. Thanks for the Black Apple link - I have used quite a few Sublime Stitching patterns but I hadn't checked the site for AGES and there is so much awesome new stuff there. Gotta pay a lot to get them sent out here to Australia, though . And pepper, thanks for referring us to Badbird. Very cool - I can't believe I'd never encountered her blog before.

Have a crafty weekend.

Posted by: pepper Aug 15 2008, 10:50 PM

thanks vixen within! i don't sell anything, i could never charge a decent amount! those things take hours and hours, i'd have to work for like 50 cents on the hour to make them affordable! you never know though, what is it that you liked? i do so enjoy custom work and if it's fun i don't care so much about making money. that's why i love crafty swaps so much, i have fun and i get back something fantastic in exchange. really, the spirit of the crafty swapper is astounding, i've been moved to tears by some of my parcels.
i'm doing a http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=261791.0 on craftster right now to get me back into crafty mode after a delightful summer and a not so delightful moving of the house (eep!). there are a couple of other swaps that have caught my interest there lately too but i have vowed to unpack my studio/closet (yes my clothes are actually hanging up in here too. it's ridiculous!) before i sign up for anything big. it's hard to resist a little red ridinghood swap, i'm using that for motivation. that and the fact that i have only 5 more days to get costumes finished for my son's drama club performance, YIKES!

that black apple stuff is hilarious! i love the little ghost/sperm creature, hee hee hee!

Posted by: vixen_within Aug 16 2008, 12:15 AM

Pepper, I do like the "jingle lion", but I adore this little man http://flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/2384533137/
he reminds me of toys I had when I was little, also my boyfriend has a thing for gnomes and it's infectious. how did you attach the wooden head to the felt bits? I also like his soft curly beard. What sort of material is it? (oh wait, it must be the wool that you mentioned in the caption.)

Posted by: pepper Aug 16 2008, 08:17 AM

ahh, yes. the felt gnome mr. the wooden bead head is attached to pipe cleaners which form the armature of the figure. i am not very skilled at felting yet, that was my first attempt and i found it a little unsatisfying. not the end result, i was pretty happy about that, just the process. it's very pokey. the needles are so sharp, my fingers said ouch once or twice.
i can't remember how much time he took, i don't think it was excessive. i could probably be prevailed upon to try it again sometime after the summer is through. i think i have some more of that curly wool, it is pretty special isn't it? perfect for a beard!

Posted by: auralpoison Aug 18 2008, 06:46 PM

Uh, derr.

Posted by: zoya Aug 18 2008, 08:10 PM

wow. just... wow.

um...

Posted by: vixen_within Aug 18 2008, 11:52 PM

And the word for the day: subtlety

Posted by: pepper Aug 19 2008, 12:25 AM

i know it's been a while since we had to use the ignore function but it's still there and it's working just fine. i got an eyeful but meh, nothing i haven't seen before and now it's just a blip between legit posts.

i finished a whole slew of costumes and accessories for little's play. i can't wait to see all the kids on stage wearing all the stuff i stitched up for them! i have to work on a mask for pinocchio, i'm using plaster cast material and paper clay that i'll be painting to match his little face. i am SO excited about doing this project, it will be my first casting since we made my belly cast. fingers crossed it works out and i'll be sure to post pics if it does.

Posted by: zoya Aug 23 2008, 10:37 AM

and..... ignore!


I am however, curious (and amused) as to why in the craft thread?

I mean I know crafting is shexy and all, but...

Posted by: girltrouble Aug 23 2008, 09:28 PM

Posted by: pepper Aug 26 2008, 12:09 AM

holy gods, what an eyeful! wow. ok, i came in to say that the plaster cast mask came out Excellent! but i didn't take any pictures (d'oh!) because i got shanghaied into line prompting for the forgetful kiddies and couldn't make with the camera. oh well, everything turned out great and the kids were so cute! i ended up doing a bunch of face painting too so i was busy!
now i'm working on a pin cushion for a craft swap. i found some great fabric today at a store that was going out of business so i got some terrific deals INCLUDING fruity scratch and sniff fabric with bananas, oranges and apples that i plan to make skirts out of. ha ha, i know i'll secretly have kids trying to smell my legs when i'm at the school with little, just you wait and see!

oops, is that too sexy for this thread? am i illiciting more icky pics? sorry girls, i didn't mean it like that at all!

Posted by: vixen_within Aug 27 2008, 06:21 PM

Pepper, do felting crafts necessarily have to be quite tiny? Would felting a creature that's say, 7 inches large, work as well as a 3 inch one?

Posted by: pepper Aug 27 2008, 07:35 PM

well i just don't know, that tiny project was my first and only attempt at felting anything. there's a good discussion panel http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=199.0 though, you could ask the masters.

Posted by: crinoline Aug 31 2008, 08:55 PM

I finally made a duct tape http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/03/dress-form-tutorial-want-to-make-exact.html (with the help of my baffled boyfriend). With a little tape surgery, the measurements should fit me exactly! I can't wait to begin draping!

I also just made a really cute pair of cheeky panties (no pattern), I ruched the front at each leg and the center of the back. I used stretch cotton from an old pair of leggings, and they fit perfectly! I think I'll make a bralette to match them tomorrow out of the remnants.

Posted by: Queen Bull Aug 31 2008, 09:34 PM

wow, crinoline, that is SO cool. Im going to have to try it out. thanks for posting the link!

Posted by: pepper Aug 31 2008, 09:42 PM

oh, i so want to do that but can't find a friend to help me with it (we all have small babies!). one day i'll find the time though and maybe then i'll start making clothes for myself again!

Posted by: starpiste Aug 31 2008, 11:54 PM

crinoline, I've seen those before and I'm always so impressed when someone actually makes one.

I just spend about an hour make rings with sterling silver wire and vintage buttons. Super happy with the results.

Posted by: starpiste Aug 31 2008, 11:54 PM

ah, double post!

Posted by: humanist77 Sep 2 2008, 01:29 AM

So...I just bought http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/kits/fuckcancer.html from Subversive Cross Stitch. My bf's grandmother is going through chemo and thought this might be a nice thing to do. She also used to be an avid cross-stitcher and owned her own embroidery/yarn store at one time. I've never done cross stitch before, but it seems fairly easy-I just don't know how long it will take. Looking at this pattern, can anyone give me an idea of how long it might take, if say I worked on it a couple hours a day, give or take? It looks pretty simple-there's not a whole lot of detail on it, but really, I have no idea. thanks!

Posted by: period_monster Sep 2 2008, 08:06 AM

i'd guess that pattern will take you less than a week at the rate of 2 hours a day. it could be significantly less,
when working with patterns, i often lose track on the counting...

Posted by: vixen_within Sep 2 2008, 06:54 PM

Thank you Pepper! I found out everything I needed to know just by being a lurky loo.

Crinoline. Outstanding!

Posted by: pepper Sep 2 2008, 09:25 PM

happy finger stabbing, try not to bleed on your work!

Posted by: starpiste Sep 3 2008, 05:47 PM

humanist, I agree with period monster on the time estimate. Once you figure out the rhythm of cross-stitch it'll go quickly.

This is my first day off where there's no pressure of doing my hated-second-contract job. I have been focusing on cleaning so my room has more space for crafting (sewing and spinning primarily). Part of that is putting legs on a new table and hanging and making curtains. Both are well in progress, and as far as I'm concerned any day where I use my sewing machine and my dremel is a good day.

Posted by: Moonpieluv Sep 3 2008, 11:24 PM

rant:
grrr...I haven't been able to complete my bestest babe's bday embroidered pin-up girl teatowel cause of the bullcrap in my world right now.
I can't wait till next week when I may have some time to finish it and get it sent to her.
I have another bday gift coming up soon, as well.
At least I'll be able to keep myself busy while adjusting to a new situation...

and I'm not happy with the blue transfer pen. I have had to wipe it down with plain water over and over to get the blue water marks out...really frustrating!! I think Im going to use the carbon paper next time...

end crafty rant...

Posted by: humanist77 Sep 3 2008, 11:49 PM

thanks, ya'll! I'll post a photo when I finish!

Posted by: pepper Sep 4 2008, 07:11 AM

moonpieluv i just use a regular old pencil to mark patterns for embroidery. you can't see the lines at all when you're done. i make them very faint too so that i am never following a pattern exactly, i like the creative freedom to interpret the design a bit sometimes

Posted by: Moonpieluv Sep 5 2008, 10:25 AM

I do have a graphite pencil...and the regular ones, too. I just found it hard to trance on the window. I tried it on a glass coffee table putting a flashlight under it. That seemed to work better, but not like...amazing.
I hear ya on wanting creative freedom. I'll add hearts and X's to stuff..or a bigger bum as I gave to the pin up gal.

I'm SO happy cause I've already found a friend that lives where I'll be moving that embroiders! Yeeee! That makes me happy.

I may be able to get my parent's to give me their sewing machine again. I took it last time with the best intentions..did nothing..yada yada. But I think now I'm in a better mindset for crafting, as I've got the ball rollin. I wanna make a duvet cover and pillow shams for my bed using a mix of vintage and like, reprodepot fabrics.

Gahh.. I also wanna make latchhook rugs for my new apartment. Some maybe vintage ones from ebay..the BIG ones...and some I create myself.

Lawl, I better get busy, ladies.

Posted by: pepper Sep 5 2008, 12:12 PM

i always find cast off latch hook stuff at the second hand store, i have like a huge box full of the cut yarn! tons of canvas and patterns and hooks too. it's a bit time consuming though.
there is a fantastic crafter who does porn latch hook that i thought was awesome. i lost the link to that website when my last computer crashed though. wonder if i can find it again...

ah, http://www.madewithsweetlove.com/index.html we are.

and http://home.earthlink.net/~scarlet_a/ a great porn by numbers site.

dirty crafty, now that's the bomb!

Posted by: Moonpieluv Sep 5 2008, 01:16 PM

wowowoweee. I love the trashy latch hook kits...

leftsource.com has a way in which you can send in a picture, and they will digitally paint in on your canvas board. I think that's brillant..and it cuts out having to buy all the paint, try to paint something good for a latch hook rug...and then..yada..you understand.

Yeah, I think I'm going to focus on embroidery right now..cause I'm such a newbie. The back of my work looks like a bird's nest! Plus I've got bdays and the holiday gifts comin. Maybe by Jan. I can take up a hooker rug! So trash. love it.

Posted by: pepper Sep 5 2008, 02:46 PM

hooker rug, oh *holds sides laughing* hee hee!

if your embroidery looks like hell on the back take a look at some embroidery stitch books. they have great diagrams showing the how to and it will save you on thread! i am a real rule breaker when it comes to crafting but one thing that design school taught me is that sometimes the tried and true method is a billion times easier than trying to figure it out on your own.

though i do like that http://flickr.com/photos/joodles/2829544719/ look

Posted by: Moonpieluv Sep 7 2008, 08:43 PM

oh yes oh yes. I plan on getting a book when I get settled in my new state. I probably should have ordered a book with my kit, but..hey, we gotta start somewhere. I'm almost done with my second piece I've ever ever done, so I'm trying to go easy on myself at first. The book would be so helpful.

I've already got two gals interested in creating a night for embroidery..maybe call it "flossy friday" or something with like cocktails and good music. gahh I'm a nerd.

awww. I like the tangley look, too.

Posted by: pepper Sep 8 2008, 08:02 PM

library! don't bother buying until you peruse a few. there are so many of them! man, have i ever been finding some treasures on flickr, check there for inspiration. makes my little thread sketches look like baby stitches.

you know, my older lady friend was telling me that thursday has always been the traditional day for women's groups to meet. like quilting and canning bees way back in the day even. apparently meeting with other women on a thursday during the witch hunt era was a sign of craftwitchery and grounds for burning, eep! funny that, the sinister day just happened to be a day that women had been meeting for generations. huh.

Posted by: humanist77 Sep 10 2008, 06:50 PM

yay, I got my kit today-I'm excited to start!

I also wanted to post photos of my latest project. I cut my long dreadlocks off over 2 years ago. I didn't want to throw them out, and I wanted to do something creative but practical with them instead. I'm not sure where the idea came from, but i decided to decorate a lamp shade with them, using a glue gun. I finally got to carry out my idea when I recently found the right lampshade, and I'm utterly in love!!

Most people who I've told about this or who have actually seen it are grossed out or even shocked by it. At best, some people are all, 'um...it's interesting'. Only *4* people out of MANY think it's as neat as I do, and those people all happen to be artists. Be honest with me, people-everyone else has been, so I won't be offended if you find my lamp creepy and weird. But If you love it like I do, let me know too!
ETA: don't worry about the lamp overheating and making the hair smell or set on fire-I've left it on (supervised) for several hours now, and it's been perfectly fine. Lots of people were worried about this.

So...without further ado:

Posted by: vixen_within Sep 10 2008, 07:52 PM

I think it's really interesting Humanist. I also think most of those people wouldn't be grossed out if it was long shiny straight hair, instead of dreadlocked hair, which many folks are still suspicious of.
Just curious, the hair so dense, does light shine through or do you part the 'curtains' when you need to? The hairdresser in me wants to wrap a few of the locks in different threads and cowries and stuff.
I don't know if I like my hair enough to live with it like that. And once it leaves my head it's like shed skin.
I can see another reason that your artist friends like it - it generates controversy & thought for sure.

Posted by: pepper Sep 10 2008, 11:17 PM

super creative for sure and absolutely creepy too. "hair" art always creeps me out though. my friend made a felted ball necklace from her cat's sheddings that was just too much for me. everytime i saw that thing i'd have to turn away, ack!

Posted by: crinoline Sep 16 2008, 01:42 PM

I scored a ton of fabric remnants from my grandmother, some of them dating back to the 1920s. So my new project goal is to try and copy some of the latest fashions that I 1. can't afford and 2. can't find in my size (petite).

My first project is a blouse I'm doing without a pattern. It has a ruffled collar/front placket and a waistband with a peplum skirt. I think I'll do hook and eye closures down one side because I don't have a zipper and I don't want to make six buttonholes. Plus I think the hook and eyes will look invisible (going from under arm to just below waistband). I'm about 2/3 done on it.

I'm using some midcentury cotton fabric that is cream with a tiny black fern print. The ruffles will have contrast edges.

I also hope to make some high waisted skirts, but I want a heavy tweed or denim type fabric and satiny lining.

Any sewing tips/ techniques you'd like to share?


oh, and hairlamp = not for me

Posted by: lananans Sep 20 2008, 11:31 AM

My three year old cousin cut off a chunk of her hair and stuck it to her painting with glitter glue. My aunt said that she was just 'trying out different mediums' and then took her to get her hair cut.

Posted by: vixen_within Sep 20 2008, 07:20 PM

Oh lucky you Crinoline. I'm always afraid to start cutting into nice, old fabrics. I'm a terrible horder.
Hook and eye-closures = genius, especially down the side

Posted by: kittenb Sep 29 2008, 08:18 AM

Because you never know who is reading what where and when i am going to post this here:

http://crochetme.com/blog/calling-geek-crafters-we-want-interview-joss-whedon-and-we-need-your-help

Kids, CrochetMe.com—nay, the entire online crafts community—needs your help with something that could be so much fun, I can't even find words for it. We need you to help us get Joss Whedon's attention.

Who's Joss Whedon? We know many of you already know, because you've chatted here about your love for his work, like the TV shows he created: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. And the movie Serenity. And the Astonishing X-Men comics and the Buffy comics, too.

And it's possible that this week you watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (and if you haven't yet, you should; it's free for a limited time!). And maybe you read Whedonesque, the massive and wonderful site about all the people and projects remotely related to Joss Whedon's work.

See, Joss Whedon is a wicked creative guy, and he entertains us. And last week recently, in a tongue-in-cheek response to an interview question on the Wired blog, he practically begged for a crochet publication to interview him*. And CrochetMe.com simply must be that pub. Why? A bulleted list will tell you:

Just the thought of this makes me giggle. And as we all should know by now, absurdity is a big and special part of the internets.
He's trying something new on the internet with Dr. Horrible, and we love trying new things on the internet, too. If we knew people like Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day, we'd want to do fun things like crochet with them, too.
Tons of crafty types are geeks who love to combine crafts with their geekiness. And tons are geeks who never thought to combine their loves. And some aren't geeks at all, but would be thoroughly entertained by an interview with Joss, too.
Holy crap, have you seen Geek Central Station?
There are hundreds of crocheted or knitted Jayne hats posted on Ravelry, alone.
Speaking of Ravelry, there are over 900 members in a group on there that's devoted just to Whedon's work.
Loads of crafters don't have any idea who Joss Whedon is and have never known his work. We can't just sit around and not seize this speck of an opportunity to try to remedy that.
Ok, enough bullets; this is a peaceful blog. We're revisiting our grassroots... roots... here, and asking the whole community to help us. If we all play together, we can have a load of fun. Here's what you can do (I lied about the bullets; at least these have numbers):

Blog about this and link back here; post about this on the crafty boards you frequent.
Speak up. Thousands of you read this blog. Some of you must know someone who might know someone who can help us get a hold of someone who can tell Joss Whedon how much fun it would be to spend a few minutes with us, even over email.
Got a Whedonesque membership or know someone who does? Let them know what we're up to! Kiba posted about us!
Got ideas for what else we can do? We're all ears.

ETA three bullets (21 July):

Know someone who's made or bought some Whedoncraft? Phone them up or email them or Twitter them or otherwise nag them till they post about it here!
Got some contacts at a big blog somewhere? Or maybe you just like being an enthusiastic anonymous tipper? Let those big-blog writers know! There's enough fun in this to spread it all over the internets, from the crafts world to the tech world to the geek world, and beyond.
Remember: Just like crafty people wear many hats and can be found all over the internets due to their other interests both professional and recreational (how come there are so many crafters? Because we're doctors and teachers and lawyers and scientists and writers...), Whedon fans are everywhere, too! That means pretty much any place you hang out online is a good place to post about this (you know, within reason).

Posted by: pepper Oct 2 2008, 03:50 PM

ok, here are my latest.

five little monsters... don't know why i can't post an actual pic right now but oh well, here are the links.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/ripesugarplum/littlemonster-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/ripesugarplum/littlemonster-2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/ripesugarplum/littlemonster-3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/ripesugarplum/littlemonster-4.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/ripesugarplum/littlemonster-5.jpg

Posted by: vixen_within Oct 3 2008, 09:58 AM

tee hee those are perfect little nightmares

Posted by: pepper Oct 4 2008, 12:21 AM

one more, it didn't turn out very scary at all though! i still like it. baby tucks into mama's front pouch like a little kangaroo dolly.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/ripesugarplum/mamababy.jpg

Posted by: crinoline Oct 31 2008, 10:54 AM

I scored a ton of awesome furry yarns (eyelash yarn already wrapped around soft regular yarn so it's easier to work with) at Hobby Lobby for 79 cents a skein!!!
They should work up some wonderful furry critters. I'm thinking of strating an etsy store after I'm finished making my christmas list :
(small white Totoro, Pacman, one-eyed alien, snake, three beer cozys, four pairs of earrings, two brooches, one hat, one headband, and a dog sweater - all crochet)

Does anyone have etsy advice? And is anyone else crafting this christmas? (pepper- I know you are!)

Posted by: pepper Oct 31 2008, 12:09 PM

no advice here but let me know if you find out anything 'cause i'm thinking about it too. i sure am crafting, crafting my little head off! everything this year will be hand made except for a couple of toys that the little man wants and books, of course. i feel like i need another me right now, one to take care of the kids and the pets and the house while i lock myself into the craft room. geez.

Posted by: starpiste Oct 31 2008, 10:18 PM

I posted a few of my thoughts on selling on etsy in the DIY thread in working girls.

I haven't really thought about Christmas gifts at all yet. All my crafting has been business related. I might just end up buying all my gifts off etsy. Handmade, just not by me.

Posted by: treehugger Nov 17 2008, 05:13 AM

I'm going to crosspost this in the home decorating thread, too. Question for you artsy crafty types: I have sixteen six foot long bamboo poles, and I want to make some sort of wall hanging from them...something a little sophisticated, but sort of Bali-looking. Any ideas?

Posted by: culturehandy Dec 3 2008, 11:57 AM

*delurks*

To all the crafites, I thought some of you may like this, it has all sorts of projects on it.

http://www.instructables.com/

Posted by: alluna Dec 18 2008, 04:14 PM

I used bamboo poles to make tropical kinda blinds in my kitchen.

I just weaved them with some thick hemp on the sides and once down the middle. It looks like something you'd pay too much for at Ikea. But I'm liking Ikea lately, so we'll pretend I didn't say that.

Posted by: vixen_within Mar 27 2009, 05:10 PM

Did you guys know there's a blog called http://www.menwhoknit.com/community/? I'm tickled.

Posted by: PixiePink Apr 16 2009, 02:10 PM

Lol. How awesome is that. Hey by the way I just bought my Knifty Knitters last week. I can't find time to actually take a class on needle knitting yet. Does anyone know any cool blogs or tutorials on using the long looms? I'm trying to just make simple items like scarves.

Posted by: olivarria May 24 2009, 10:19 PM

Hello Ladies -
I’m selling a like-new Print Gocco Kit for Paper & Cloth (silkscreening kit). If anyone's interested, please visit:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5595464or

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=110394242291

Thanks! xo Olive

Posted by: girl_logic May 26 2009, 07:23 AM

Are any crafters planning to visit the Renegade fairs this year? Was hoping to go to the Brooklyn Renegade on Sunday, but I don't think I can get the time off work.

psst Olive, your links don't work

Posted by: MsKissyStarfish May 28 2009, 02:03 PM

Have any of you ever made or used a Pinhole Camera? I am fascinated by these suckers, but have yet to make one. Will be one of the first summer projects when my oldest child is out for break.
I <3 arts & crafts of all sorts super happy this thread is here!
Anybody else into low tech or square format photography?

Posted by: girl_logic May 28 2009, 02:33 PM

Hm the last time a made and used a pinhole camera was in grade 6 for science class and now it's all a blur.

Posted by: pepper May 30 2009, 12:05 PM

latest freezer paper stencil. this craft couldn't get any easier, everyone should give it a go! the results are always so terrific!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/3560222497/

lots of other crafts there. wish i could visit more often and chat about everything everybody is doing but so BUSY! x's and o's, have a crafty day!

Posted by: olivarria May 30 2009, 10:20 PM

Double post sorry

Posted by: olivarria May 30 2009, 10:21 PM

Sorry about that ladies - Here are the correct links:

http://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/art/1187294060.html

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25648145

Thanks for looking! Olive

Posted by: pepper May 31 2009, 02:41 PM

i checked out your machine, the second link isn't working for me but they are the same, right?. i've always wondered how exactly it is that those things work. you are burning a stencil of any image that can be used over and over again? and that machine is for not only burning the stencil but also for printing the image? using ink like a screen print or creating iron-on transfers that you then print on with the machine or with an iron? *confused*

Posted by: missjoy Aug 2 2009, 11:10 AM

I'm going to attempt a bit of a thread ressurect here - I just bought myself a book to learn to sew with some fun little projects and I've just purchased my first sewing machine. This is something I've been planning on doing for a while - and I'm so excited. The sewing machine is actually currently in the box - still need to get it set up, but I'm hoping this will open all kinds of crafty doors for me.

It's a Singer Advanced (it was on sale -whoo hoo) and I'm so excited to take it for it's first drive.

Posted by: missjoy Aug 3 2009, 09:11 AM

Oh - I love my new machine so much! I made a simple little makeup case out of a cheap cotton that is gold with red flowers and vines on it - very rich and looks a bit like a toile. I used a matching red zipper and, although not perfect (I didn't leave quite enough room for the zipper) I love it.

I love all the stiches on my machine and I love how relaxing my room is. My basset hound comes and sleeps on the couch next to me while I sew. I just need to rearrange the room a bit to get my computer off the big table that would be perfect for cutting and measuring.

I now have a tonne of this fabric left. I'm thinking next will be placemats, or perhaps a protective cozy for my good fabric scissors.

Posted by: kari Aug 3 2009, 09:54 AM

Hi, missjoy!

I don't sew, but I am considering taking a class to learn to do so. Did you take lessons or did someone teach you? My mom used to sew, she could probably help me out. I was thinking of taking this on in the fall, when the days get shorter & I'll start needing something to fill my evenings.

Posted by: thirteen Aug 3 2009, 12:16 PM

I'm looking for a calming hobby & my sister tells me that sewing/knitting, etc. would be perfect for keeping my mind off my anxiety, which always makes me fidget. However, the only thing I have ever sewed was a Loony Tunes-themed bag in my 6th grade home ec class, which was a stressful experience because my teacher was really impatient.

Could anyone recommend a good book for beginners? I am especially interested in making my own clothing!!

13

Posted by: missjoy Aug 3 2009, 12:29 PM

I didn't really ever sew much before - a couple sock monsters by hand. I bought the book Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp and I love it. My makeup case I made was actually a pencilcase in the book. It's got some humour in it too - which I like.

I know a lot of people like knitting, but I find it so hard to fix mistakes and takes so long. Sewing has much more of an immediate payoff. It's less portable, but I don't mind that.

Posted by: kari Aug 4 2009, 07:00 AM

Thirteen, I knit some. Nothing fancy, but I enjoy it. I think one advantage to knitting is that all you need is some yarn & 2 needles. I plan to get back into it soon, it's been a while for me.

Missjoy, thanks for the sewing book rec! I will check it out.

Posted by: culturehandy Aug 4 2009, 08:56 AM

what about embroidery? Same kind of pattern stuff.

I found the stuff put out my Jenny Hart was really delightful and you can add stuff to the clothes you already have!!

Posted by: foryoursplendor Aug 29 2009, 11:30 PM

I just found instructions on how to make your own terrarium, these things look so awesome. I thought I'd share in case anyone else is fascinated:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/08/made-with-love-found-terrariums.html

Posted by: snow white Sep 5 2009, 09:32 AM

i embroidered a wedding present for a friend of mine, just finished it (oh, and started it) last night. the wedding is today. i was going to put the date of the nuptuals but it looked to "graduation-ish" to me so i put "09" in small numbers instead. i originally wanted to spell out their entire names but it came out crooked so i went with something kinda fool proof. next time i'll have a better idea of what to do. this was my first attempt at anything like this, i usually do plain white fabrics but i had this and thought i'd give it try. i wish i could have balenced it with something else but i liked the simplicity. but all in all i'm proud of it and i hope the bride and groom like it


http://img34.imageshack.us/i/embroidery2.jpg/

http://img337.imageshack.us/i/embroidery.jpg/


thirteen, i like to embroider. i want to "graduate" to sewing but for now this is a great relaxing hobby you can put down for a few weeks and pick up again when your in the mood (that's what i like about it). and i love this site, sublime stitching. it's a really easy hobby to get into to, as soon as u pick up a needle you can start and as you work it more complicated stiches come naturally. but i do want to learn how to sew in the next few months so i can make x-mas presents. i think my gram has a sewing machine she'll let me use

Posted by: pepper Sep 5 2009, 08:28 PM

Hey Thirteen, I find crochet really relaxing and it's so portable that you can do it anywhere. I can't even read a pattern yet but I've still made some cute hats and cuffs and stuff. I can get a hat done in about an hour now, great for gifts or when you want to match an outfit. The best part is that all it takes is a hook and some yarn, that's it!

Foryoursplendour terrariums are so cute but these days the thing I do most with plants is kill them I'm afraid. Too busy looking after my own little sprouts, the green things in our lives have to live outside. Maybe later though, I do love those shamrocks.

Snowwhite, cute monogram! Nice straight stitches, looks great. Mine are never that neat, need more practice making things that arent' abstract and actually require stitching skillz.

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=319735.msg3683844#msg3683844 is my latest creation, I think he turned out great all things considered (incredibly bad assembly instructions and making half of it on a bus ride, ha!). I haven't been making much and now we're moving so it might be a while until I get the studio set up again. Sad. But motivated to really get on top of my list of projects when we get settled!

Posted by: snow white Sep 5 2009, 11:44 PM

omg pepper, that dog is so cute! wow, where do u find patterns for that kind of stuff?

Posted by: pepper Sep 7 2009, 07:01 AM

Thanks! I loved him so much, it was hard to hand him over. Surprisingly the kids were ok with that even though they liked him too. I guess that's a testiment to their belief that I can and will make more fabulous stuffies so yay! Bully for me, right? At least the kids have confidence in me when my own fails.
That pattern was in one of those weird old crafting books you find at a thrift store or a yardsale for a dollar. I have piles of them, I can't seem to resist even though they are mostly full of bunk. Keep your eyes peeled though and skim through next time you come across one. The pattern cutting and sewing instructions are usually slim to none so be prepared to get brave. See how well it works out though? And even one cute pattern in a book makes it a good book as far as I am concerned. Patterns are expensive on their own!
I get lots of books from the library too but the best place is my little boy. Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/2368932144/in/set-72157607135946953/ beauty we made for a friends B-day. I steal pictures out of the kids story books too, hee hee.

Posted by: snow white Sep 7 2009, 09:53 AM

uh-oh, i think i feel a new hobby coming on! wow, i totally want to make stuff like that. do u use a sewing machine or by hand?

Posted by: pepper Sep 7 2009, 02:44 PM

Lots on the machine, it's faster and better for a toy you have to stuff (way stronger seams) but I also do a lot of hand stitching.

Have you guys seen http://www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com/? What a beautiful idea. I joined, I make tons of toys for no good reason that I have nothing to do with. I've done swaps (a couple here even) but I prefer giving things away. It feels so good to do that. I gave my aunt this http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/3560226425/in/set-72157607132549056/ I made the other day (my Gran has passed and she used to make us tons of stuff, we all miss her and her handicrafts of love), she cried. That was it, she and her daughter my mom and I all in tears out on my porch over a blanket. It was great. Giving stuff away rocks, and if it's random I think it's even better!

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 10 2009, 12:30 PM

In response to the query on learning to sew/knit...

Have you crafters checked out Jennifer's Sewing Links (sokolodesign.com I BELIEVE is the address)??
There are links to everything from sewing for goth grrls to sewing for cool mamas (converting regular bras to nuring bras, making ALL kinds of baby slings, fitted diapers, etc.), not to mention sewing for regular people and newbie sewers...also knitting/crocheting/embroidery links...links to historical costume making, (for corsets, cloaks, peasant blouses, etc.) and the directions/patterns are (drum roll) FREE....seriously, WHO can pay $13.95 for a cheap tissue paper pattern???

Also check out knitty.com, an on-line magazine with totally FREE patterns. Lion yarn company has a wonderful web-site with thousands of free patterns and tutorials.

For books, of course there is the StitchnBitch series by Bust mag. editor/columnist Debbie Stoller. SHe has 3 knitting books and one on crochet.

I taught myself both knitting and crochet from books and I'm so addicted now...seriously, it's one of the coolest skills I've picked up. Now if I want a pair of fishnet stockings (that won't rip/run) or a lacey cashmere & silk shawl (that I could never afford to buy in the store) or just a simple tank top in my perfect shade of olive with a PERFECT fit, I can now make my own.
Don't forget to check out all the great craft books at the public library and check on-line to find your local StitchnBitch group. (For the uninitiated, a SnB is a gathering of crafters with a feminist edge who meet up for coffee, stitching and chatter. If you find a good group, it's lotsa fun)!

Sorry if I've rambled on and ON...I love to see others embracing these arts again...in my opinion, self-sufficiency is ALWAYS a feminist virtue. We can depend on our own skills...not shopping malls and sweat shops! (Okay, off of my soap box now...)

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 10 2009, 02:44 PM

The drops in Idaho Falls are REALLY near where i live...I wish I had been there that day.

Posted by: pepper Sep 11 2009, 09:37 PM

WORD sister! I feel that way about all the traditionally feminine things, any house keeping thing, cooking, gardening, stitching, etc. I can survive anywhere with those skills. Money only gets you so far in life, you gots to know how to do for yourself!

And deschatsrouge? Alls you have to do is figure out what you want to make for me and I'm up for a crafty swap. My specialty is http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/3265959504/in/set-72157607135946953/ up but I can do http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/2286367619/in/set-72157603700067591/ too.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 12 2009, 06:09 PM

Wow, that Toy Society link IS really sweet. I love the idea on so many levels...and can you imagine having one of thoses really wretched shithole days where all you wanted to do is go home and cry over a pint of Ben and Jerry's...and then finding one of those cute "take me home, I'm yours" monsters. What a cool way to brighten up someone's day.

BTW, does anyone have a favorite sewing book to recommend? I feel like there are zillions of wonderful, creative, inspiring knit and crochet books out there, but the sewing books are less than thrilling. (I have sort of a craft book fetish, I guess). The few sewing books I do really love are all decades old, imports and/or out of print.

Does anyone else also have my phobia about fabric...you know, you finally find this great fabric and you buy it and get it home, then you're afraid to cut into it for fear of screwing up or realizing an even better use for it after you'[ve already cut it up?? This especially strikes when the fabric is from a discontinued line and I know I can never buy more of it...Any suggestions for such a phobia?? (I feel really silly asking this..)

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 12 2009, 10:51 PM

I make masks sometimes. I could post a pic of my latest if you are interested.

Posted by: pepper Sep 13 2009, 06:01 AM

Wicked, do it! I absolutely love masks. I want to make some with the kids this year...

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 14 2009, 09:51 AM

Pepper- I just realized you are "craftylittlemonkey"...I've seen your work before (the stuffies); they are really fantastic/inspiring. I'm so jealous of your owls; you really do gorgeous work! The name "craftylittlemonkey" is so memorable, but I can't remember where I first saw it. Did you have some of your stuffies in one of the plushie books that came out on the market a few years ago (like Plush-o-Rama)?

Posted by: pepper Sep 14 2009, 02:25 PM

Hee hee, that's great that I've attained a little stuffy notariety, I love that! I used to be monkeythumb on craftster but I changed my name as I've been going by craftylittlemonkey for a while. I'm that on wist, flickr, craftster, etc. Nothing published yet though it seems like it would be fun. I think they only really publish people who are prolific creators of a specialty, you know? I am too random and all over the place and sometimes I won't make anything for ages and ages. We're moving (again, sigh) so the studio is getting packed up and then has to find it's flow in a new space so... it may be a while before I'm back at it. We'll see, I've got about 8 dozen drawings by my kid that need to be made into stuffies so badly. I'm itching to start on them, hopefully it won't be too long!

Oh, and I have tons of fabric that I'm terrified to cut up. It's sad really, all it ends up doing is living on a shelf until I pass it along to somebody braver than me. Boo.

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 15 2009, 12:10 PM

...pics coming soon...

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 15 2009, 01:53 PM

You def. have notoriety, sister...I think you're not far from craft celeb status. I seriously can't even tell you how many times I've either come upon your work browsing or been linked to it by other crafters. Lately, I've had links lead me to your flickr page. I haven't been through the whole thing yet, but have been through the first dozen pages or so. My six year old son is also a big fan. I showed him the fly costume you made - he is always unhappy that wings are made for little girls and he keeps wanting me to make him "boy wings". I'm trying to decide on a good theme for him; bat wings, dragon wings, etc.

And Deschatsrouge: I'll move the bellydancing conversation over here. Got your last post. We have a great bellydance school here (Habeeba's). One of my major goals is to take some more classes. Unless my partner suddenly sprouts lactating breasts, I'm gonna have to wait a little while. There's an annual festival I dance at, but that's really about it. Do you make some/all of your costumes?

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 15 2009, 05:11 PM

Pepper,
As promised here is the mask I'm thinking of swapping for a plushie

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx166/buxtkath/Mask4.jpg

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx166/buxtkath/Mask3.jpg

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx166/buxtkath/Mask2.jpg

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx166/buxtkath/Mask1.jpg

I never put strings or a stick on it so, you could decide which you want. It's made of paper mache and painted with acrylics and decorated gold and red glitter. Around the eyes it has sequins.

Posted by: pepper Sep 15 2009, 09:09 PM

That is awesomely cool, just begging for an excuse to be worn out in public!

I can't get over crafters linking me to eachother, that's so encouraging! I love that.
That fly costume was seriously cool, took so darn many hours but he looked Amazing! I looked at pics of real fly wings for inspiration.
The rest of his class were super heros, all store bought. He was the Only kooky character in the bunch.
I love making costumes best of all.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 16 2009, 08:04 AM

Deschatsrouge: You have me thinking about masks and mask makers...it's such an ancient, primal, universal craft associated with magic and ritual. Did anything in particular inspire you to become a mask maker?

And Pepper: I assume from your flickr yummies that you are vegan?? My older son is obsessed with telling everybody that we are veg. and asking me who IS and is NOT a vegetarian. I guess he's trying to figure out where our family fits into the scheme of things. Anyway, when I was showing him some of your photos one time, I told him, and YES, I think she probably IS a vegetarian. i suppose now he will think ALL crafty mommies are vegan or something...

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 16 2009, 08:28 AM

Hey to all the TOTORO/Studio Ghibli fans out there! I'm looking for some patterns and tutorials for an all-out Studio Ghibli X-mas/Solstice this year.

Please share any recent ghibli crafting adventures or ratings of any amigurumi Totoro patterns you've tried. I'm especially interested in which yarns worked well (or didn't work at all) for your Totoros.

To those crafters with husbands/boyfriends: any craft suggestions that appeal to guys you'd like to recommend?

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 16 2009, 01:00 PM

I like masks for a couple of reasons. first the Jungian idea of the different masks we wear in our daily lives. why not make a literal mask that reflects some of what you are? That mask I made in the pic represents the ability for darkness and even evil we all have inside of us. Being able to choose good or evil to me is what makes us human.

Also I am a fan of the Harry Hay, Mattachine Society idea. Of Fags as a third gender. Mattachine literally means mask, the mask we Fags wear to stay in the closet.

Pepper, pm me your info so we can swap. I'd like a cute monster to add to my collection of plush monsters.

Posted by: pepper Sep 16 2009, 03:44 PM

Hee, funny veg story! We eat veg and very often vegan, I do a lot of un-cooking too which is sometimes delicious and if not at least it's an adventure!

No idea what this totoro thing is, will look up.

Deschatsrouge, also no idea what you are talking about but sounds facinating! Will look up as well. Please post, link or send me pics of your current collection and/or a couple of creatures, colours, concepts that you like if you want a monster mash-up. I promise nothing specific as I go with the inspiration that hits me but your suggestions will be a guideline to get me started.
One thing, we are mid-pack/move so this project will take a while and by a while I mean maybe 2 months. Hope that's ok and also hope it will be worth the wait! Wish I could start crafting right away but the empty boxes beckon and I must obey....

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 17 2009, 06:59 AM

Since you've mentioned having kids I have to turn you on to Studio Ghibli...but childless grown-up kids love it, too.
There is a brilliant Japanese animator named Hayao Miyazaki...he would be the Japanese Walt Disney, if W.D. was about 100 times cooler. "Studio Ghibli" is the company that produces his films, subtitles them and releases them to the U.S. Miyazaki's done a lot of work; I particularly love "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Spirited Away". "My Neighbor Totoro" is a huge hit with Miyazaki fans, too. If you live in any decent size city you can probably find them (and his other great works) at the library if you do a "Miyazaki" search.

Once you've seen his films, you'll recognize his creatures everywhere, on Craftster, as other crafter's avatars, etc. His protagonists are often spunky, tomboyish young girls...definitely NOT sexist, super cutesy girly anime!

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 17 2009, 07:28 AM

Deschats: The power of masks is almost a little frightening. I defy anyone to put a mask over their face and not feel and behave a bit differently. And rather the change in a mask wearer's behavior is closer to their True self or is brought on by the power in the mask is always a bit of a mystery.

Please tell me a bit about the Mattachine Society...I've read theories of three (or five) genders, and certainly how we all use various masks for social and psychological survival, but Mattachine doesn't ring a bell for me, at all...

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 17 2009, 09:50 AM

I can wait, it'll give me somthing to look forward to. I loooove handmade so all my monsters are from etsy. http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=267609081&albumId=754843 is a pic of some of my stuffies. I like uber cute, so an uber cute monster mashup surprise sounds awesome.



http://www.harryhay.com/AH_matt.html is Harry Hay's official website. He was a pre stonewall Gay political activist. He provided a political front for Gays during the McCarthy era and pushed the equality agenda along with the Daughters of Bilitis. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattachine_Society has a good explanation for the name.

Posted by: crinoline Sep 17 2009, 12:23 PM

koffeewitch- I love Miyazaki, and my oldest brother is really into Studio Ghibli, so I've made both Totoros for his Xmas gifts two years in a row. Here's the patterns I used for http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2007/08/geek_craft_blue_totoro_crochet.html and http://heavens-hellcat.livejournal.com/730.html . The little white one is my favortie, I think it's the little pink feets.
I used plain old red heart for the blue and a nylon cotton blend (sporting wieght) for the white. Both worked just fine.

As to crocheting for boys, boy do I have that issue. Between my three brothers, boyfriend, friends, and other male relatives, I've had to face that challenge alot when doing an all crochet Xmas.
I have done a "Sgt. Hammy" for a friend in the army, it was a brown hamster with a camouflage beret and bandoleer. Ipod covers are well received if appropriately masculine (monkeys, monsters, etc.) In fact, freeform monsters are generally appreciated too. I'm currently working on a hat in the shape of a ba-bomb from the Mario series.
This isn't crochet, but I made an "octo-hoody" for my baby brother by splitting a hoodie six times and sewing tubes for fake "arms" so with the sleeves there are eight total. I used the pocket to make stuffed angry eyes on top of the hood. He loves it and reportedly wears it to class at his boarding school.

Crafty ladies, i have a query. My Aunt starts chemo soon and I've made a few (ok, 7 or 8) hats for her. My problem has been finding yarns that are soft enough and patterns that are snug yet flattering (and will distract from the lack of hair). I'm trying to avoid that "chemo-cap" look.
I love bamboo yarn and pure baby alpaca, does anyone have any recs for yarn or patterns?

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 17 2009, 02:27 PM

Crinoline: THANK YOU for the Totoro links; I can't tell you how thrilled I am to get them!!

I wish I could suggest a good yarn for you...maybe if you try sewing a super-soft lining into your hats that would snug them up a bit? This may not fit your aunt's personality type, but some of the knitted wigs are really cool. They definitely are for the edgier personalitites or those who are very young and/or very young at heart. If your aunt is at all conservative in her dress style, they definitely would not be her thing.

I would think that any of the baby yarns would be a good choice or maybe a knitted/crocheted bandana/head scarf that ties underneath her head to help it stay on. Good Luck and thanks again to linking me to Totoro!

Posted by: pepper Sep 17 2009, 03:27 PM

Wow, guys, blowing my mind from all directions here! Am reading and reading and reading... so interesting.

I do recognize that funny anime rabbity creature, I never knew what that was all about.
It's not really my style to make but I did see that Ponyo movie advertised at the theater the other day
and thought it looked cute, just watched the adverts and we'll definately have to check it out avec kids.
My little man is still so innocently appreciative of fun things, he asked me the other day if the
Littlest Petshop was really a toy for girls and couldn't he still collect some of the adorable kitties
and puppies with the bobble heads and their little house? Aww, I just love that. We are working
on him not basing what he likes on what other people think is cool or ok. It's a hard thing to have
the courage to stand alone on stuff like that but if I help him develop his sense of self now it might
stick with him forever, ye know?

Deschatsrouge, your stuffies are so cute. I think I have a vibe for what you might like.
Would you take a look at my things and let me know what you like best? Still give me
a couple of creature suggestions and colours too if you feel like it.

Hey guys, boy stuff... I print freezer paper stencils on t-shirts, you can make the best most amazing
One of a kind designs. If you look at my flickr stuff there are some there and I think a link to a tutorial.
If you google freezer paper tutorial though you'll find a bunch of them, it's dead easy I swear it.

Gotta run, just want to say that this is my favourite thread on the board by far right now,
I don't think it's ever been so active!

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 17 2009, 06:40 PM

I like bright colors, especially jewel tone. That does not rule out pastels though. I have a monster named Nars, he is made of this pastel woven upholstery fabric. I like interesting textures too, I have petunia who is made of fun fur. I see there monsters as art. I like visually interesting ones. After all, I do display them as art. I have found I don't care for monsters with a ton of eyes. I like one-eyed or two eyed creatures.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 18 2009, 02:06 PM

On Ponyo: Did get to check that out...it's very cute (and a little strange as Miyazaki often is). What I loved : it has a strong environmentalist message without being pedantic and beating you in the face with lofty platitudes. Also has a mom who breastfeeds her baby (first time I've EVER seen this in a kids show...doesn't show her nursing, but you definitely get the idea). It also has a sweet little boy protagonist this time (as I mentioned Miyazaki really loves his tomboyish girls who have to overcome their own limitations to transcend their environment).

My little boy loves "girl" toys too (and GODDAMN our toystores for their freakin' pink barbie smut vs. super macho robo-military toy mentality). Whatever happened to slinkies and bubble blowing and light brites? I've tried so hard to protect my kids from the stupid gender indoctrination in the toy stores but unless you never expose them to any media, billboards or other kids it's kind of a losing battle...why more parents aren't irked all to hell by this, I have no idea.

I'm kinda surprised to hear the Bust craft forum hasn't been more active in the past...Debbie Stoller (Bust zine editor) was super influential in my journey with the fiber arts. And Bust has always been DIY friendly...even when lots of feminists were in the closet about their "old lady" needlework hobbies.

Posted by: auralpoison Sep 18 2009, 04:03 PM

I'm glad to see this thread getting so much play lately. I am deeply envious of the crafty Busties as I cannot make anything.

Posted by: pepper Sep 18 2009, 07:28 PM

Bet you can so make something. I think people get intimidated by other people's skill and artistry, I know I sure do! It's difficult to see my little doodles and snippets of felt and beads and such as being anything much more than kinda fun and entertaining to cobble together next to some of the things I've seen people creating out there but... then people tell me they've come across my stuff and remember it and actually Like it!
My mom has this great saying about if you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing and she's added a line about being able to draw a line means you are an artist. You know what? I totally believe that. You ever see some people's doodles next to the phone? Or the way they do their makeup or style their hair or arrange their furniture or put food onto a plate. We've all got some creative juice in there somewhere itching to get out. I really think that's the truth.

Koffeewitch let me tell you, I avoid regular stores like Crazy! Not only do I think that cheap plastic crap they flog is useless landfill on a shelf most of the time, it costs SO freaking much! I can't stand that ridiculous pink or grisly nonsense they set up either. Makes me steaming mad. We find most of the kids games, books, toys, niknaks etc at the thrift store or yard sales. These kids are seriously spoiled rotten with amazing treasures that didn't break the bank and that they like just because they seemed cool to them amidst the jumble of random goodies. No tv helps cut down on the begging to have the latest piece of garbage toy too, I'm really loving the no tv action.

Ok Deschatsrouge, I think I've got your little misfit figured out. I have to make something for another friend too and the monsters I found in my files that seemed to want to be yours are just the thing I didn't know I wanted to make for her too. No two of my little creatures are ever the same but I think they will be sisters of sorts. I'm figuring it out... while I'm packing up the studio I'll set aside supplies I come across that I'll need so I can get started sooner.
Do you like them very basic or is it ok if it gets sort of busy with detail? I see that your 3 are each unique but all fairly simple, I tend to start out that way but they run away with themselves before I'm through...

Posted by: pepper Sep 20 2009, 08:31 PM

Check out this http://myvag.net/zine/2004summer/luckyvulva/! Oh, you know I am making one of these for every girl on my xmas list this year, woot! I've seen them before but not with instructions, this is fabulous!
Well, ok, not for every girl on my list. Not so sure my Aunt would like one of these very much... I would though, boy would I ever! What a statement at the grocery store, heh.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 21 2009, 06:04 AM

Hey, have you seen my scissors...oh, wait, let me check in my vagina! I think I must make a vagina notions bag. Thanks for sending the tutorial; I love it. I've seen a few crocheted and felt vulvas around the craft shows but I think that is the first vagina bag I've seen.

You are so right on about those cheap, plastic insipid toys meant for landfills. There are a few indie toy stores around with wonderful, creative, durable toys, but man are they expensive. I also get much of our toys (and books) from the thrift stores. (Not to mention 85% of our clothes). Speaking of thrift stores, I saw a great corporate logo makeover I want to shamelessly copy...Have you seen the "Aberzombie" shirts people have made? I've been looking for just the right Abercrombie Fitch to manipulate... I wish I had been stricter about TV...I only let my kids watch PBS shows, but even PBS now runs McDonalds commercials!

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 21 2009, 07:41 AM

Pepper, it happened again! I was checking out craft blogs just jumping from link to link and sure enough I ended up linked to something on your flickr page...I think it was from a blog called "I'm Counting" (which I found on the Crafty Chica site). You really are SO talented. I love looking at your stuff whenever I need a little inspiration for a new project.

BTW, that cute gnome/mushroom piece you made as a dishwasher sign... where did you get the design?

Posted by: pepper Sep 21 2009, 08:28 AM

Omg you don't know about http://zuill.us/andreablog/? Free embroidery designs regularly and they are Wonderful! That disgruntled gnome has gotten a lot of play, it's freaking hillarious and I love it.

I found the I'm counting blog, what did she link too? How thrilling that someone linked something to me! That and your compliment are totally making me blush. What a great way to start my day, appreciated for my craftiness by more than just my children. Squee.

Posted by: deschatsrouge Sep 21 2009, 02:17 PM

I'm open to very decorated things.




I would like a purse like that. I think it would be cute if it had hello kitty on it.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 22 2009, 06:39 AM

I'm pretty sure it was I'm Counting, when I'm hot link jumping I often forget who sent me where... anyway it was a link to the Doggie with the messenger bag right at the top of your site...

Bad Bird rocks...I've seen the name around, but if I had any idea how freakin' cool her stuff is, I would have jumped on a long time ago. When I'm googling for free patterns I'm usually looking for knit/crochet stuff, so I guess I miss all the other fantastic patterns on line. Thank you for sending that... my head is literally swimming with stuff to make.

On the freezer paper stencils...I've seen some great tutorials on this technique, but haven't tried it yet. I love the super professional-looking results I see some people getting with the technique. I'm amazed by the some of the very complicated looking designs I've seen people pull off (with tiny little details and multiple colors).

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 22 2009, 06:44 AM

I love it. A Hello Kitty Vagina Coin Purse. I think you've hit on the perfect idea.

Posted by: pepper Sep 22 2009, 10:54 AM

Would you make the purse of hello kitty with her vag? My imagination is on overload with that one...

I can't find the link but that's ok, I'm pretty thrilled just to know it's out there. That dog was fun to make, it's been a while since I did something in plush. Ok, to be honest it's been a while since I did anything crafty, it's a disaster area around here right now . But soon, a bigger studio in our new house Soon! And then I'm gonna craft like mad in time for xmas. While unpacking and homeschooling. Right. Sigh.

Bad Bird is really incredible, her embroidery is simply stunning and those designs, whoo! The kooky factor is sometimes off the chart! I love that there's a free pattern every month, that's just so incredibly generous and inspiring.

I liked how this http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftylittlemonkey/3560222497/in/set-72157607909138732/ freezer paper stencil turned out, it's the best one I've done so far and it was ridiculously easy. Just trace, exacto knife cut, iron, sponge, peel it off and there you go. I'm going to try a multilayer one next with at least three colours. After we do some tie dieing though, the kid has been bugging me to try that.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 22 2009, 11:12 AM

Pepper, did you see Bad Bird's link to your page? When I checked out her disgruntled gnome, she had a photo of your dishwasher sign project and a hot link to your site. I could be wrong about the link coming from "I'm Counting", like I said I sometimes jump around so much I lose track of where I've been, especially when I end up going in circles with dif. blogs linking me to dif. spots on the same site...

I am a homeschool mama, too... I'm so glad I took the plunge to just do it; I was pretty nervous at first as much as I've always wanted to homeschool...but it's much easier than I expected.

I found a great craft for kids (and childish grown-ups) in a book the other day; I wish I could show it to you guys. Anyway, it's a big furry monster with a child sized clothes hanger sewn in the top so it can hang on a closet door knob. The monster is sewn with it's mouth open and you drop laundry (or toys/whatever) into it's mouth where they fall into the monster's belly. Who wouldn't love a monster laundry bag?

Posted by: snow white Sep 24 2009, 12:22 PM

so for x-mas i'm making everyone embroiderd days of the week kitchen or tea towels and i was wondering where i could get towels for the best price and what the best matiral is for kitchen towels. if i can't any cheap enough i'm going to get some matiral and make them myself. i'm torn between cotton, linen (which i'm afraid won't be heavy enough), and floursack. (excuse my spelling :/ )

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 24 2009, 01:12 PM

I think floursack towels are really charming and have a vintage 30s era flair to them. If you want your towels to be servicable rather than just decorative, I think you are right to go with cotton or even thin terry cloth. I know people associate terry cloth with bathroom towels, but with the right trim, I think they are great in the kitchen. Oh, and there is always bamboo fabric now...bamboo is naturally anti-microbial (great for kitchens) and the newer bamboo fabrics on the market are super soft . A bamboo/cotton blend would be really cool , but probably on the costlier side...

Most fabric stores (like Jo ann's) sell plain towels for embroidery, but I don't know that they are necessarily cheap. Maybe just try to find plain colored towels in the usual discount stores if you decide against sewing your own? Anyway, good luck with your project...I hope you let us know how it turns out.

Posted by: pepper Sep 26 2009, 08:40 PM

Crap, moving date pushed up 2 weeks. Frantic packing of exceedingly messy studio ensues (actually, I am paralyzed with panic at the moment). Wish me luck! See you later with (hopefully) some new crafts underway...
Post pictures of your stuff so I can admire please

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 28 2009, 07:56 AM

I feel so bad for you, pepper...I hate moving, fucking packing and moving boxes and losing/breaking shit, etc. Atleast soon you'll have the somewhat more exciting task of organizing the new place. May the Goddess and Patron Saint of Harmonious Moving Days be with you... (and if not, a nice bottle of pinot grigio at the end of day sure helps)...

Posted by: pepper Sep 29 2009, 04:18 PM

Can you come over and help me sort all this crafting stuff out? Pretty pretty please with zippers and thread on top? I'll pay you!

Argh, this is madness. Movers coming tomorrow to deal with as much as we can get done before my babysitter burns out. I'm freaking,nearly paralized with frustration and starting to just toss stuff into boxes at this point.
My gf says I'm doing at least as well as she and her hub did on their last move though so maybe it isn't as terrible as I think it is...

No way, it's terrible, it IS!

Posted by: treehugger Sep 29 2009, 07:40 PM

Oh, SQUEEE! Finally a reason to learn how to sew~ I really want to make one or three of these!!

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 30 2009, 07:12 AM

I would just about rather do anything at all than move; I so feel your pain. Unfortunately we will also be moving in the not too distant future.
Anybody with hobbies, pets, kids, books, etc. hates to move. It's those people who live in spartan houses that are always immaculate who are good at handling moving. Well, and Martha Stewart. SHE has fabric and trim and yarn in her house, but I'm sure she handles it just perfectly. Think she'll write a book and teach the rest of us how? Of course, I'm sure my household otrganizational skills would never be up to par enough to follow her instructions.
You're on the right track. I also start to move in an orderly fashion...and then I just start throwing shit haphazardly in boxes. Don't feel bad; this is the way most of us survive moving. Along with the Pinot Griggio.

Posted by: koffeewitch Sep 30 2009, 07:16 AM

That's the sort of thing that first lured me, too. And girl, if you can master HVAC I know you can damn well sew!

Posted by: pepper Oct 14 2009, 12:09 PM

almost unpacked, just the tools to sort out, some seasonal stuff and the studio. more working space in there but less storage so stacks of fabric under every table. it's an absolute mess in there. have to use some stuff up, will post pics soonerish. no internet at home though so poop but oh well, less computer time = more time for crafting, right? yay!

Posted by: treehugger Oct 16 2009, 03:25 AM

Okay-I tried to make one of those coin purses, but the assembly is confounding me. There aren't enough pictures showing exactly how it's all layered...if anybody more familiar with this stuff makes one, I'd appreciate a little insight. ??? Or maybe I should start with something easier.

Posted by: pepper Oct 23 2009, 09:13 AM

could you post pics of your progress so we can take a look and offer suggestions?

you know what i do when i'm working with sketchy pattern instructions though? i just cheat. stick it all together however it will go and make sure to anchor it with adequate thread so it doesn't come apart. you may end up with a tangle of thread inside but it won't show and who cares if it's "right" so long as it works!

i'll get set up in here eventually and give it a go, will take pics as i do it so i can post them up for y'all.

anybody making halloweenie stuff? we've been decorating the porch and front windows and i'm loving it.

Posted by: snow white Oct 24 2009, 07:53 PM

wow, i just learned how to knit! i haven't made anything besides, like a pot holder (and then unraveled it so i could do it all over again, weird), but as long as i get the hang of scarves that will be cool b/c that's what i plan doing for alot of x-mas presants. tonight i'm gonna watch "zack and miri make a porno" just b/c miri is totally knit obbsessed (they show a shot of her room and it's got balls of yarn and needles all over, plus she's always wearing all this knitted stuff, i don't know if anyone relized that while watching, i love that movie!) i'm so proud of myself