Results for "glass"
| handmade bead doll charm | Friday August 07th, 2009 06:09 PM |
| by variation |
Little doll pendant/charm is made of vintage glass and lucite beads. Face is hand painted. www.variation.etsy.com |
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| | | Looking for Glass or Plexiglass | Friday November 07th, 2008 01:28 PM |
| by livawne |
I am wanting to make photo ornaments to give this year as gifts and also use some as the gift name tags. I have all my pictures printed on my decal paper, cut the ribbon for hanging them but.......I am having a hard time finding the actual ornament. Or should I say at a reasonable price.
I am looking for a source for 3" round glass or plexiglass that would have an additional hole in it for hanging. Do you have a source for these?
Thanks so much!! |
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| | | PROJECT: Faux Tattoo Sunglasses | Saturday July 26th, 2008 10:19 PM |
| by CraftyChicaAZ |
By Kathy Cano-Murillo Special for the Republic
I love Ed Hardy sunglasses. But I can’t afford Ed Hardy sunglasses. I’m not one to give up so easy. With a little tinkering in my art studio, I came up with a more affordable recipe. Hello temporary tattoos! These tatts are just like little decals that can easily be applied to any surface. You can find them at gift boutiques, party supply stores, and even the craft store. The best aspect is you can pick up a few different sets of sunglasses and decorate them all different.
Here’s a tip: I found that a white base works best. If you are using black glasses, paint a layer of white and then apply the temporary tattoo and you are good to go. Not into sunglasses? You can use this technique to add personality to your portable music player, cell phone, business card holder, or any other hard surface.
Faux Tattoo Sunglasses
Supplies:
1 set of sunglasses with wide sides Temporary tattoos (smaller the better) Wet paper towel Micro glitter and mini crystals Clear adhesive Toothpick Clear nail polish
Directions: Set the temporary tattoo on the surface. Apply the wet paper towel over the tattoo and leave until the backing paper is soaked. Carefully peel away the backing. Tattoo will be set in place. Let dry. Apply a coat of clear nail polish over the tattoo, let dry. Use a toothpick and glue to add loose micro glitter and mini-crystals.
Variation: Use a fine brush and enamel paint to hand paint your own design, or cut small images and decoupage them on. You can also use water slide decal paper such as Lazer Tran, printed with your own designs.
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| | | I just can't give it away | Monday May 19th, 2008 01:53 PM |
| by AnitasArts |
Donna Dewberry One Stroke Book
Okay so this book is titled Gifts to Remember, but I'm not giving away the Milk Glass plate that I painted using one of the patterns from the book. I painted creamy yellow roses on the plate, and ran a yellow ribbon through the holes in the plate. Then I made a hanger with the yellow ribbon, and it just looks too pretty in my kitchen to give away. Maybe the next plate..... |
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| | | Allow Me to Introduce Myself | Tuesday April 08th, 2008 02:06 PM |
| by Shelly Bedsaul |
First and formost, I'm an artist. I started my painting career as an infant, creating wall murals with "available" materials. Seriously, as with others of my ilk, I cannot remember a moment when I did not want to be doing something creative. It's taken me through many different careers, from forensic artist to picture framing to graphic designer for a company specializing in the decorative glass that goes into slot machines. All through it, I also free lanced plus, learned many crafting skills to enhance my home, due to the fact I was too budget impaired (cheap) to pay the prices of home decor boutiques.
All this has led to a (though interesting) disorganized home, many projects in various states of completion. Example: The table pictured is one I've had for twenty years and finally managed to complete it. It's the "mechanics have the worst cars" syndrome. It was a garage sale purchase. Antique and oak, unfortunately it had been painted an electric blue. After stripping the piece, I found the blue had saturated the grain. I had no choice, but paint it. I took inspiration from the petite point tulips found in my sofa's upholstery and using a simple folk art "stroke" technique, painted the garland of tulips on the table top. Couple of coats of satin acrylic varnish and it's done. This old castoff has a new life.
In my world, there is no such thing as junk. It's my own translation of living green, keeping unwanted items from our landfills and cutting back on the need of further consumption, simply recycling. As I complete my various home decorating projects, I'll post them here. I have ambitions of not just sharing, but step by step teaching, so others can live what Mary Englebreit (my hero) calls the "artful life". Ain't hard folks. Trust me.
PS. I was going to add a picture, but was unable to and as I can't seem to find a help file or more detailed instructions, any advice would be appreciated. |
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| | | New Beginnings! | Saturday March 15th, 2008 11:21 AM |
| by weymouthgem |
Hello!
First, I guess I should introduce myself - my name is Gemma (I prefer Gem though) and I have just moved to Weymouth (in Dorset) having lived, worked and studied in London for the past four years.
I moved down to Weymouth with my boyfriend - Paul - who is a musician; playing guitar primarily - but writing, playing and teaching a variety of instruments and for many different styles of music (can you tell he impresses me much!?). We have swapped the chaotic, dusty and hot streets of London for a little flat just behind the beach and around the corner from the harbour in Dorset!
I've only recently discovered - or maybe rather unearthed - my creative juices really. Having had a period of quite ill health over 2007, I started painting last November which seemed to really help in my recovery - I like to think of it as my art therapy! And from painting it ballooned really - I tried painting pottery, writing (which was not necessarily totally creative, but certainly cathartic). I also make jewellery - particularly earrings, but this recent burst of creative energy inspired me to branch out and try other things - like bracelets.
From there, I decided to try and make as many Xmas presents as possible - and actually did quite well considering. I was also really pleased and proud of my efforts - even though they maybe are quite immature in their own way!
Over Christmas Paul got offered a lot of work (as a musician) down in Weymouth - and so we decided to make the move. I moved down at the end of February (so have been here just under a month now) - and so far have been enjoying life by the sea; getting back to nature and having the time (something I seemed to lack in London) to follow my inspirations creatively. That got me thinking about trying to set up a business geared more towards/around this new found creative energy - or try selling some of my creations in Weymouth. It's an idea at least - and having found this new way of expressing myself, I'm desperate not to lose it - or lose myself in the busy-nesss of life again so that I don't have time for it.
One of the best things though, is that I am now continually seeking new ways to be creative - I tried painting glass the other day; and last week I baked a cake. I want to try pottery/clay making - though think I'll need to enrol in a class for that! And I'd like to expand my jewellery making too... and now this blog as well! I'm really excited about finding this website (recommended to me by a friend) - as it is so encouraging to find so many like minded people out there; one of the things I've found most daunting is that TOTAL giving of yourself by creating something - and how you are putting yourself up for criticism! So to feel some sort of suppot from this community - even just in that I can read/see people expressing the same fears about their own artwork (regardless of what they might think of mine) - is really something special!
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| | | Our Bead Show Visit | Sunday February 03rd, 2008 02:51 PM |
| by AnitasArts |
My daughter and I went to the Bead Show at the Gwinnett Civic Center this past Saturday, and what beautiful beads we saw! There were many amazing hand blown glass beads. Lots of beautiful fresh water pearls. And there was a man that had real stone pendants that had tiny clay leaves and other designs at the top. I really can't describe how pretty they were, and I sadly I didn't get a picture. But here are a few pictures I did manage to remember to take.
Anita
Bucilla Jeweled Felt Calendar Kits |
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| | | Petaluma Got Craft (a city guide to crafty resources) | Friday December 14th, 2007 06:39 PM |
| by Petaluma Craft Mafia |
Being a graphic artist and crafter, I get asked a lot by my friends in Petaluma where I go in Petaluma to find all of my crafty resources.
For those of you who follow our Petaluma Craft Mafia Blog, I posted a list several months ago, listing not only your usual crafty stores such as Michaels, and our local Petaluma Art & Earth store, but a few off the beaten path ones as well such as Craig's Warehouse and Heebe Jeebe for some of my personal and kitschy projects.
Where you go for crafty resources depends on what your craft is and on a particular project. Not being a knitter, I would rarely step inside Knitterly for any of my personal projects ... but that just may change as I'm burning to learn this craft as well as wool felting. I also think Knitterly is gorgeous and a great resource for those who do knit.
Riley Street in Santa Rosa is one of my favorite places in the world. The folks know me and are always very good to me. Good news! Riley Street has also opened a second store in San Rafael. I'm so happy to see them thrive, as they've always been very accommodating to me since my student days.
Those into making jewelry and bling can look for beads locally at Beads and More and Natural Touch Beads. Aurora colors not only offers a gallery for many local arts and crafters but has classes in glass making as well. Pelican Art & Frame has just a fantastic selection of frames, and Donna is great to work with. Another favorite local source for more heavy duty materials for projects requiring assemblage or painting is Rex Ace Hardware and Orchard Supply Hardware. Yardbird's Home Depot also has a nice selection of items and tools that have come in handy as well,and a great staff. For some of my projects I also like what I personally refer to as Copperfield's Underground. Most people know this bookstore for their great selection of crafty and artsy guides and books,but I also utilize the Underground for some of my projects, where I incorporate vintage books into my art.
We are sadly low on fabric stores in our fair town. For quilters the Quilted Angel might be a good stop. I also look to the Good Will store on Lakeville for some projects as well. There is so much you can do with Good Will offerings, it's crazy. Recycle these items and give them new potential, from cutting up a vintage shirt into a sewn project or utilizing any of the ceramics and picture frames.
So much of our local resources depends on what the project is. How far can you stretch the limits of your imagination? Building a Kokeshi doll from the ground up? All kinds of places to look for parts and paints and fasteners. Making vintage inspired kitschy jewelry ... several places come to mind.
I will be updating this list. So look for more P-Town crafty resources here.
Happy Holidays,
Cheryl Aronson, Founder
Petaluma Craft Mafia
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| | | Pumpkin Pie Glass Etching | Friday November 16th, 2007 10:34 AM |
| by Marie |
Pumpking Pie Glass Etching
For this pumpkin, I found a pumpkin image on the computer and printed it out. Then I traced it onto contact paper and cut out the inside image. Follow the directions from the post about glass etching and you too can have a beautiful pie plate ready to be filled with your delicious holiday pumpkin pie.
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| | | Finally got a new bracelet up on my blog! | Wednesday October 31st, 2007 05:30 PM |
| by Aliciag |
I finally got a decent photo of a bracelet I made recently. Just in time for Fall too, the colors of it are perfect. The bracelet is made out of wire wrapped ClinkIts (Glass pieces I make). I have a few more of these to take photos of for my Etsy store. I'm not one to design pieces for the season really, I just go with what I'm feeling on the day. Considering I managed to wear my tshirt inside out the entire day without noticing, I'm surprised I was with it enough to take some good photos. I also managed to sit on an ant hill while I was taking the other photos and score a few ant bites on my back. OUCH!
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| | | NEW NEW | Tuesday October 23rd, 2007 12:15 PM |
| by maustudio |
I found some pretty glass pendants and made some necklaces, check them out at MAUstudio
I'm happy that they turn out nice. I was able to photograhy many new products this past weekend, so they'll be up on my website shortly. |
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| | | 3 AM in the urgent care | Sunday September 16th, 2007 02:54 AM |
| by nyfeiman |
waiting for my asthmatic patient to go upstairs and working on my hourglass sweater (from the last minute knitted gifts book)
at 3 AM I have trouble studying but knitting is no problem |
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| | | New camera and the birthday boy... | Friday August 17th, 2007 03:14 PM |
| by girlsavage |
I got a new camera! Yay, so exciting! With the help of it and a new lighting setup I went through and completely re-shot my whole etsy shop. My eyes were burning from being under he light for so long, but I think it was worth it. You can see the details and expressions so much better on all of my items. Now I can also start listing new stuff!
My hubbys birthday is tomorrow! We are going to Cape Cod for the weekend and taking the pup with. Today I'm making him cupcakes and a sunglass case. I also need to wrap his other prezzies, a t-shirt from Mixed Species and a robot I'm trying to finish too.
Took a walk Wednesday with the Bean, it was so nice out. I love this pic, check out the Leave it to Beaver houses in our neighborhood! Wish one of them was mine...
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| | | Migratory Art and Free Range Glass | Friday August 10th, 2007 10:05 AM |
| by Feral Glass |
Migratory Art - Free Range Glass
I am one of those who feels uneasy at the zoo. All those beautiful creations pacing within their artificial confines.
I feel the same way about art.
I notice that my art seems happiest when travelling in small herds. We see a few pieces here, which have ventured out of the garden and into a clearing to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
You can tell it is Fall, and their bright coloration makes them stand out more, as the summer's growth fades back. Good thing they have no natural predators. Even my dog keeps out of their way.
Mixed herds are not uncommon. In the top photo you see a small red Lawn Dot has joined the taller Garden Spirits.
In the second photo you can see a Double Ejecta in the foreground and a blue Lawn Dot on the other side of the herd.
Feral Glass and other forms of free range art is meant to liberate your spirit as well as the art work. Put art in unexpected places.
It is common to spend $250 for a painting to decorate one wall. For less than that, you can have a small herd of art grazing in your lawn or garden.
Improve your Outlook
Provide Color and Form All Year Round
You can see here how they come together for company in the coldest months. They prefer a lot of sunlight, and really glow out there in the snowfields.
The largest herds of Feral Glass are to be found in Virgina, though their natural range is the entire United States and Canada. Sizeable herds have been established in Oklahoma, Texas and New Hampshire, and small numbers are being introduced into other states as you read this. Soon they will be in Europe.
Won't you please help them in their migration? www.feralglass.com
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| | | lovely | Sunday April 29th, 2007 10:48 PM |
| by oosewcute |
always rely on live help chats. when in need. librarians on demand. the music i am listening to is just so wonderful. im making new stuff tonight. having a glass of wine, an apple ;), and a kick in the seat of the pants.
i recommend checking out the book. its fun and cheap if you get it on amazon
its "a kick in the seat of the pants" and its a creative guide i guess. it has articles about creativity and has lots of fun exercises to warm up your mind! have a nice evening i will finish mine soaking my tosies and reading a book. till next time
ps. i found a 1940s industrial singer sewing machine. table lamp and all. ill post pics soon! |
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| | | Family Affair | Tuesday April 17th, 2007 11:01 AM |
| by jean |
Zoe and Rob, our good friends, have had two children back to back (the crazy fools), just like Steve and I. Susanna and Ron, another couple we know, also did the same. Maria and Mario, have just one child, Sabrina, but still, when we get together, that makes 5 kids under 4. Of course, extreme chaos ensues. However, there is safety in numbers and having other parents around feels oddly comforting. Perhaps you yell at your children a little less. And if your kid has a temper tantrum or breaks something, everyone will automatically understand.
Last night, we all went to Rob and Zoe's Soho loft (a loft which, I should note, Zoe grew up in) for dinner. We ate in two stages: children first, then once, fed, we put the kids in front of Baby Einstein, and then the parents ate. Zoe made an amazing meal, especially since she had worked all day and she is still breastfeeding her youngest, one year old Maya. (Zoe is pro at simultaneously cooking and breastfeeding, which quite frankly, should be an Olympic sport.) Maria boiled the Barilla whole grain pasta, which is the best pasta in the entire world, topped with string beans, walnuts, potatoes and pesto. A huge salad came with it. Plus, of course, wine.
After the kids were fed and before the parents sat down to eat, the moms huddled around the wine, like it was a warm fire on a freezing cold day.
As I opened bottle number 2, Susanna said, "Jean, that's why I like you. Always willing to go that extra mile"
"Glad I could be of usefulness," I laughed, as we clinked our glasses.
Somehow we got into the conversation of your kids driving you crazy, and how isolating motherhood can be, particularly in New York City, where market capitalism and its subsequent competition seeps into our emotional lives as well. Parenting becomes a sport, something to win at. The truth is, childrearing can push you to the precarious edge of sanity and sometimes the only thing that can save you is talking with a group of other parents about the craziness of it all.
"I once grabbed Sydney's arm and dragged him into his room," I confessed, feeling relief wash over me to say it out loud.
"I bit Maya one day after she twisted my nipples," said Zoe. We all laughed.
"I fantasize about giving Rita up for adoption," claimed Susanna.
"It's hard," I said.
From here the talk veered towards therapy and "good-enough" mothering and books and techniques all designed to make us better. The funny thing is, we are better. We are loving mothers who read books and thoughtfully fret about our children and interview at countless preschools and desperately want the best for our kids. We sometimes make mistakes and if we can support each other, over a few glasses of wine and a bunch of pasta, then we might just make it through.
By 8:00, everyone was fed, dishes were getting washed, and Steve and I packed up the kids into the stroller and walked home. Damn, I love having a family
Cross posted at: http://mealbymeal.blogspot.com/ |
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| | | Sunday Night Dinners | Wednesday April 11th, 2007 11:03 AM |
| by jean |
Why would an overextended writer and mother of two take on the additional task of throwing 25 dinner parties in 12 months? At this point, I'm not entirely sure, but it has something to do with wanting to combat those seemingly cliched, but ultimately important issues: community, family, human connection. Only I want in a small, everyday way.
My tale begins just four years ago. My husband and I used to lead wildly social New York City lives, going out most evenings and being involved in various communities, organizations and social groups. Now in just a half of a decade, we’ve become virtual recluses, going to bed at 9, getting up at 5:30am, and rarely leaving our apartment after dark. It’s gotten so bad that last night, I decided I would stay up, drink a glass of wine and catch up on my magazine reading. Ten minutes later, I was asleep in my chair with my Sangiovese anchored precariously in my hand and my three-year-old standing in front of me asking: ”Daddy, why are Mama ‘s eyes closed?”
“She’s just tired sweetie.”
How did this happen to me?
In my twenties I started the web site getcrafty.com. I knit, I decorated my crappy apartment, and I met with girlfriends every Friday night for drinks. I was a member of a writer’s group, an outer-borough dinning club and a stitch-n-bitch. Even when I was married, a typical evening might include attending a yoga class, meeting up with my husband for dinner around 9:00 and then catching up with friends for drinks before getting home around midnight. We had wide circles of friends and there were dinner parties, rooftop parties, salons, reading groups, art openings, champagne escapades and the like.
With our first child, Sydney, we were still quite adventurous. When he was one month old, we drove across the country in a rented car, eating pulled pork sandwiches and staying at motels that allowed babies and dogs (our fourteen-year-old Doberman also joined us). When Syd was one, we took out a student loan and went to Florence for six weeks to live out our own ex-pat fantasies. While neither trip was particularly prudent, they each had their own charm. With Syd, we still did most of the things we used to do, only with a baby in tow.
In Italy, our life was pretty terrific, save for the fact Sydney refused to sit through a meal--and that we were completely broke. Not that either mattered. Camping out in a studio apartment in the scruffy San Frediano district we lived out our own Fellini film, albeit one on a shoe-string budget and with a tiny dictator as our director. There was wine at lunch. There were hikes through the Renaissance city and quick visits to museums (Sydney screamed through Botticelli, wailed through Brunelleschi and laughed, loudly, through Francesca). Mostly we shopped at local markets for the bounty of summer in Tuscany: Porcini mushrooms, tomatoes, basil, fennel, fresh pasta, truffle oil, Pecorino and the unsalted breads of the region. Afternoons unfolded into early evening strolls for cocktails at our local outdoor café, where everyone knew Sydney by name. Once home, we would cook elaborate meals and share a bottle of wine. Often, we invited new friends to share in the bounty on our balcony table. Life, you could say, was almost too good. Two weeks after we returned, I discovered I was pregnant. Sydney was merely 12 months old.
There is nothing like two babies born back-to-back to squeeze out every last drop of adventure left in your system. With two, you give up trying to have it all and reconcile yourself to the chaos. There are babysitters to manage, preschool to go to, freelance writing assignments to juggle, and Steve’s academic career to fret about. There are tears and tantrums and toys strewn about and lunches to pack and a home to clean. It’s so exhausting that even though I wrote the book on modern crafting, I rarely have time to craft! This Christmas, instead of all handmade gifts that I usually send out, wrapped and packaged in unexpected ways, I merely knit one scarf for my father-in-law and gave up. Everyone else received gifts pre-wrapped by Amazon.com. The only remnants of my former crafty self is the quick and easy crafts I do with my kids in the afternoons––magic wands, bath-tub paints, making our own play-dough––and, the overly intricate dinners I make for our family each night. And yes, I love, adore, worship my family. But the adult part of my life has to be more than a cheap bottle of Shiraz and a few saved episodes Grey’s Anatomy.
I have decided that if we can’t afford a babysitter (nor the restaurant check at the end of the night), and I’m utterly obsessed with cooking, we’ll bring the party home. It’s what my family has always done. For my French immigrants grandparents, dinner parties were the focal point of life; it was the reason they toiled as waiters and chefs. They worked to pay the rent and to have enough money to eat well, plus spend time with friends, drinking and eating and arguing politics and philosophy. Somehow, this art—and it’s not just cooking, but community of the table––seems to have become lost in the shuffle of my own family life. So, against the better judgment of my weary girlfriends, the trepidation of my slightly misanthropic husband, and the warning from my therapist that it “sounds like a lot of work,” I’ve decided to take on this quest. I will cook 25 Sunday night dinners over the next year, starting now, Spring 2007. I will not cancel at the last minute, even though the house is a mess and the two-year-old is tired and throwing a hissy-fit. I will build community, even if it kills me.
In the end, the reason for my quest is simple. As the world becomes more global and technological and fast, we have become less connected to centuries-old tradition of communing over a meal. And while Meal by Meal is not necessarily about Slow Food, or against Fast Food, or decrying the loss of the family meal, it is about the possibilities of the table—of making time and space in your life for eating and enjoying with friends and family. Mostly it is about my attempts, as a thirty-six year old mother of two, a writer, and a citizen, to create meaning and share something of myself with the people around me. Over the course of one year, by throwing dinner parties a couple times a month, I hope to gain a better understanding of what it all means, or at least to have eaten a bunch of food, drank a lot of wine and enjoyed my friends.
Read up on what happens next at: http://mealbymeal.blogspot.com/
I'll also be updating here at getcrafty!
Cross-posted at:
http://mealbymeal.blogspot.com/
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| | | Original art meets art glass | Friday March 23rd, 2007 11:27 PM |
| by liskidder |
 I love collaborating with other artists to make unique glass pieces. When I saw Mari-Claire's original linoleum cut design, Psychedelic Rabbit in the BeeCZAR Cards and Gifts Etsy shop, I knew it would be perfect for a fused glass pendant. Check out the finished piece here. Here is a photo that Mari-Claire took of two of her images that I fused into glass pendants:
The Psychedelic Rabbit is also available as a lino cut art card, hand printed by Mari-Claire using embossing powders and inks, and as a pin back button.
I have another collaboration with Mari-Claire in the works, so stay tuned! |
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| | | New Necklaces! | Monday November 27th, 2006 08:34 AM |
| by Juliet |
Here are my new more formal broken plate necklaces. The main pendant is made of a broken plate, and the two side pieces are stained glass. I am working on a matching bracelet. They just keep evolving! =)
iBreakPlates |
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| | | finally! A great new/used digi cam! | Saturday November 11th, 2006 07:02 PM |
| by lexis |
I am so happy to have recieved a slightly used Olympus Digital Camera from my Father-in law who was fed up with its too many options. :) The Hubby on the other hand, gratefully accepts it as a new addition to his photography passions, and is joyfully tinkering with it as much as he can.
:)
I finally get a chance to try my hand at macro shots of the fibres I've felted. :) Including the larger pieces from my previous post that i wanted to turn into scarfettes- (or fluffy collars) I am glad to see the silk (purple) turn up really well- it has such a slight but lovely shimmer on it.
here is another one with pink angora rabbit tufts and dark red wensleydale locks. :)
Babsy my partner in crime over at our etsy shop (www.mwahcreations.etsy.com) has been taking fused glass sessions at a nearby studio in London (U.K) and sent me some great pins for my crafts, I think they are the perfect match for the mini-scarves and add just the right amount of pizazz! hahaha. Love collaborating!
Anyways, I did finally strain my blackberry cordial that's been sitting on my kitchen floor in bottles. (They are the bottles in the backgroud of the photos above. :) ) Took a great deal of time to get it through the cheesecloth, and I might have put too much cinnamon into it, BUT it looks fab in my recycled soda bottles. :) Will have to let it sit for a bit longer and then have a taste session with the hubby on a cozy Saturday night. :)
Thanks for reading and much peace, love and creativity to you.
Tanis xo |
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| | | More Halloween Goodness | Friday November 03rd, 2006 03:15 PM |
| by girlsavage |
We had a nice quiet Halloween. The disappointment from not many T-O-Ters was made ok by our pumpkin carving and goodies. I made pumpkin seed brittle!! Sooo yummy!
I got the recipe online, it was much easier than I thought it would be.
~Pumpkin Seed Brittle~
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (procedure follows)
For toasted pumpkin seeds:
1/2 cup fresh pumpkin seeds, unrinsed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
In a heavy skillet combine the sugar and the water, cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring and washing down the sugar crystals with a brush dipped in cold water until the sugar is dissolved, and simmer it, undisturbed, tilting and rotating the skillet, until it is a deep caramel color. Stir in the pumpkin seeds, stirring until they are coated well, and turn the mixture out onto a buttered sheet of foil, spreading it evenly. Let the brittle cool completely and break it into pieces.
To toast pumpkin seeds: In a bowl toss the seeds with the oil and salt to taste and on an ungreased baking sheet bake them in the middle of a preheated 250°F. oven, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours, or until they are golden and crisp. (Alternatively the prepared seeds may be spread in a microwave-safe glass baking dish, microwaved at high power (100%), stirring after every minute, for 4 minutes, and microwaved at medium power (50%), stirring after every 2 minutes, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until they are crisp.) Makes 1/2 cups.
I also did some that I just toasted with a little chili powder, cumin, salt and a dash of sugar. Yum! We had lots of seeds from our pumpkins we carved. My husband saw an idea where you don't cut all the way though, instead you carve off the outer membrane. I had a white pumpkin, I've always wanted to carve one! I did some simple fall leaf designs.
 
The boys, husband and his bro, each did one too.
My b-i-l carved all the way through his mouth and pupils.
We watched Halloween 4 and 5 and laughed at Julie in her fairy wings.
I've been roasting the pumpkins we didn't carve so I can make pie and muffins. I also made more brittle today, some w/ toasted almonds and a touch of cinnamon instead of seeds. |
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| | | Melted Slide Pendant | Tuesday October 31st, 2006 08:57 AM |
| by Juliet |
This pendant is made with an old slide of my artwork. It is sandwiched in glass and then heated until it starts to melt. The top piece of glass cracked, but the melted plastic holds it together nicely, and gives it more texture. This is photographed with a light source behind it. When it is worn it is a lot more subtle.
www.thebrokenplate.etsy.com |
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| | | Saturday October 14th, 2006 10:25 PM |
| by lexis |
This is sorta my current state of affairs when it comes to 'work areas'. On the opposite wall is exactly where I am sitting now- in front of the computer- so I guess you could call it a multi-function room. Something which we wouldn't be able to afford if we lived in the city. The cost of rent has sky-rocketed in Vancouver and most attribute it to the pending 2010 Olympic Games. I can only imagine what it will be like by then. I know that the two of us wont be here. .. but anyways this is my work space. I do all of my fine arts and painting here. Most of my felting takes over the livingroom and the kitchen. Thank goodness for my patient and accepting man. I dont deny that I am ever so fortunate for a guy who pushes me to continue on my artistic path. :) (GRIN)
Well, I have to make a statement and say that a couple of my wishes on my wish list have been granted and it gives me further faith to continue to believe in the secret of life. It is: Ask and ye shall recieve. Although it is a little trickier than that.. Its also "Thoughts become Things" ...I could get deeper...but that's enough food for thought for me tonight. And I am grateful that I am already seeing the results.
I guess I kinda have always treated life like a big science experiment. Even with my creative pursuits, I learn something new, and then I want to immediately take it to the utmost extreme and challenge its limits to really get to know it. It was like that with learning how to felt in the tradtitional and ancient ways, and then mixing it up with a high-tech version of felting with needles... Same thing with oil paints. I was so used to acrylic, and then I jumped feet first into oils.. Did i start with something small and build up? no! I grabbed the biggest canvas I could find.. 4' x 4' and began a week long, intensive journey. I wasn't even quite sure what I was going to even paint. But it's there. I guess it's all about trust in the creative flow being there too......
And this glass of red wine.. LOL!!
Gosh- I barely drink (had alcoholic parents.. etc...cant handle booze..you know the story...) but give me a nice glass of red. and blammo! One glass is enough! heehee
Anyways, we rented some vid's tonite. an old classic and "art school confidential" - just coz i wanna laugh at arty stereotypes tonite. haha
Tomorrow- I do some promo for our Trans-Canada Etsy Street Team (all Canadian etsy shop links for the Canadian buyer ;) ) and some felting with my new stash of fiber from Birkeland Brothers Wool. Weee!
G'nite and love.
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| | | Cat Eyes | Wednesday September 13th, 2006 06:33 PM |
| by laydenwithstitches |
I've had such an overwhelming response to the Cat Eyes Case that I have created a free revised design for needlecrafters.
You can get the pattern at Layden With Stitches
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| | | Saturday September 09th, 2006 03:53 PM |
| by miapig |
This is the newest pic addition of another item i made. Once more, the photo doesn't really do much justice. The beads came from an ancient rosery that kept breaking because the links were too weak, so i finally took them off & made this wire necklace out of them with added black beads to give some extra length. The really beautiful thing about these rich faceted purple glass beads is their flaws. A lot of them are murky, stained looking, & just downright ancient seeming. i am giving the necklace to my mother who loves purple stones & jewellry.
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| | | Birthday Cake Patch | Saturday August 26th, 2006 04:07 PM |
| by mololi |
So I tried to make a birthday cake patch for my mom's birthday:
I used a pattern from Sublime Stitching Stitch-It Kit, and a technique I saw on craftster for making stained-glass style patches.
As you can see, my edges don't look so great. I think my choice of fabric wasn't so good, as the fabric started fraying a little. But I think the cake parts looks pretty cute :-) |
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| | | Wonderpets Tin Can Phone | Wednesday August 02nd, 2006 12:21 PM |
| by edenza |
One of the two original decorations I'm making for my daughter's third birthday party: the tin can phone from "The Wonderpets"
I used two small Bush's cans, some red foam sheets, foam glue and a scrap of twine. I also needed scissors, thick rubber bands, plastic bags and clothespins.
To make the phone, trace the cans twice so you have four circles. One interior bottom, one exterior bottom of each can. Put a small slit in the center of two of the circles to feed the twine through. Knot the twine twice and glue it to the foam for each end. Set aside.
Glue the other two circles to the inside of the can bottoms.
Cut two sheets of foam that just overlap if you wrap them around the cans longways. When you fold the foam over the edge of the can, the length should go about 2/3-3/4 of the way into the can. If you make it longer, it will bunch and the exterior will lift up and not keep a smooth appearance.
Glue these foam sheets to the cans. Use the clothespins at the seam especially. If you have more clothespins, pinch the edge of the can to secure the foam while the glue dries. Put your rubber bands around the cans to hold the foam on while the glue dries. You can also shove plastic bags down inside the can to push the interior foam against the can walls.
Cut a strip to finish covering the interior of the can. Use plastic blags to hold the glued foam against the walls of the can.
Glue the twine-joined bottoms to the cans. You can use a glass or something to hold down the foam circles if you like. I also added an extra bead of glue around the exterior edge of the bottoms, knowing the string will be a handle for my daughter to carry the phone around.
You can embellish the foam tin cans with foam bits or stickers. Wonderpets stickers are available for printout at the Nick Jr website.
I chose to coat the cans with foam rather than just paint them b/c of the sharp edges. You could probably make tin can phone out of foam w/o using cans, which was my original plan. Using cans makes a sturdier phone though.
I'm also making a Flyboat and will blog that once it's finished. I have more process photos at Flickr. You can also see the progress on the Flyboat.
~ Eden |
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| | | Bookish by Jessica Reed: : Hot Hot Hot! | Monday July 31st, 2006 01:24 PM |
| by bibliomaniac |
I never attached the word hate to summer until I moved to NYC. Coming from a much drier climate out west, the humidity coupled with the smell of a city street at high noon was enough to make me at times re-think why in the world I decided to move to such a crowded, stench-heavy, HOT place. At such desperate moments (and the entire month of August is, for me, a desperate moment), I like to dive back into some of the books that helped me fall in love with NYC and remind myself why, crowded-subway-cars-on-100-degree-days and all, it’s such a brilliant place to live.
Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
Oh, how I wanted (and still want) an Auntie Mame. Hers is a life I coveted, all weird parties, nonchalance in the face of poverty (at least the kind of poverty that forces a woman-about-town to take a job as a sales clerk or find a rich husband), and wild outfits more akin to costumes. This novel is New York City in Technicolor, and a lovely, funny slice of the city in the 1950’s.
(Also, the film version starring Rosalind Russell is a must-see.)
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
Though most call THE CATCHER IN THE RYE their first Salinger love, Franny and Zooey is by far my favorite. I’ve wanted to be Franny and date Zooey, though I have a feeling neither situation would have turned out well. The apartment the Glass family calls home always strikes me as the quintessential New York family apartment—bursting with heavy wood furniture, shawls to wrap yourself up in for a good cry on the sofa, and lots of dust. This is a must-read.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
In middle school, my dream was to move to NYC and work at a fashion magazine while living in a woman’s housing facility and wearing chic outfits that involved hats. True, this dream came about after I read THE BELL JAR, but it was a dream nevertheless (and one I may still harbor). What I find so brilliant about this novel is the way in which Plath took a young woman who was working towards the life she wanted, but still could not keep her demons at bay, and crafted her in such a way that, regardless of decade, location, or profession, most every woman can relate.
The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
Before I moved to NYC, a friend joked with me that I would not be allowed out of JFK without having read this novel. New Yorkers for the most part love this book, and even if they don’t they still hold it in high regard. Consisting of three literary mysteries that interlock, this classic has recently been printed as part of the Penguin deluxe series and features cover illustrations by the incomparable Art Spiegelman.
Bright Lights, Big City by Jay Mcinerney
What would a list about NYC novels be without one of the literary brat pack represented? Great fun to read and my favorite of all Mcinerney’s novels, BLBC is a good way for those who tend to shy away from drug-fueled all-nighters (or those who embrace them) to get a taste of that particular aspect NYC living. Good times!
As drug binges are always a great place to stop, here’s to hoping that you’re cool and comfortable wherever you are. Happy August.
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| | | i'm at the beach! | Wednesday July 19th, 2006 11:27 AM |
| by mrs maraschino |
and our townhome neighborhood has wireless?...strange
the beach bag
this trip i have been paying special attention to what the perfect beach bag would contain.
+first, the bag, it must be plastic mesh or other material that will breathe and dry quickly. and big!
+a towel, of course...but make sure it is big and fluffy, and if you're like me it's got to match your baithing suit.
+fold up lounge chair (it is surprising to me how hard it is to find a cheap, plastic, lounge chair...evern in the beach town!)
+sunglasses
+sunblock, i like water proof waterbabies in the spray bottle.
+leave in conditioner in a spray bottle (or add 1/3 regular conitioner, 2/3 water, and a squirt of sunblock to a spray bottle)
+water in a spray bottle to cool off or refresh from the sticky salt water
+a plastic cup with lid (to keep out the sand), a straw (cause i enjoy straws), and a huggie (which i soon plan on knitting somehow...does anyone know of a foam yarn?)
-for inside the cup: iced coffee, sweet tea, or pinapple juice are my favorites.
+snacks! nothing that will melt, frozen grapes?
+cover up, mine happens to be embarasingly ugly...but my sister found a really cute lightweight cotton dress that she uses and it looks bootiful!
+a book or magazines
+if you're there all day: an umbrella
+if you're there at night: glass lanterns and candles (ikea has a cutest ones with stars on them for 4$)
+if you're cool: a tape player
sea shell mulch
i've been colecting seashells (small kinds) to use as mulch on potted plants. i wish i was living in one place more than few months so i could have as many pots of plants as i can fit onto my tiny patio! but for now i think i'll just stick with my jade plant, make a larger pot of suculents, and a few different kinds of herbs. i want to make little hanging baskets for the herbs out of tin cans.
beachy gifts
instead of magnets from the souveneir shop for my friends i'm going to make them beach exfoliation. first i need to find jars aroud here somewhere (they only sell in 12 packs at the piggly wiggly), then i'll add sand, sea salt, almond butter, canola oil, the essensial oit i baught in apalachacola yesterday, and a little sea sponge and star fish in the top of each. does anyone have a better idea for what to use instead of canola oil?
for the boys who dont want to exfoliate, i'm making jars with sand, ocean water, sea glass, and shells ive found. it might stink after a few days but they can throw it away. and for boys who dont care about the ocean...they are getting voodoo dolls and cup with bats on them.
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| | | Second hand pretties! | Tuesday July 18th, 2006 07:06 AM |
| by KatrinaKate |
Just showing off my latest second hand finds.
I got a couple of cute green glasses. I wanted the matching water jug to go with it but considering the glasses were only $2, i wasn't paying the $25 they wanted for the water jug. It's a funny place where i got them, some of the really good stuff is cheap but the junk is expensive. Go figure.
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I also got a cast iron mug tree that i am going to use to hang my bracelets on. Well some of them anyway. I'm not sure about the colour, thinking I'll paint it white but the yellow may be growing on me.
What do you think, white or yellow?? |
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| | | July 2006: Summer Crafting Party! | Saturday July 01st, 2006 02:00 PM |
| by West Coast Crafty |
Summer is the perfect time of year to throw a crafty party! Invite a few friends to bring their projects-in-progress over to your backyard (or meet at a neighborhood park), and serve something cool and delicious, picnic-style.
Here are a few of my favorite drink recipes and some suggestions for cool summer-friendly stuff to make. Just don’t forget the sunscreen…
photo by Charity of Pancakes and Noodles
Cold Drinks!
lavender lemonade--two ways!
I love this lemonade--it's so summery and delicious, and such a pretty color. You can also make it with limes instead of lemons, and make it sweeter or tangier to taste. Version #1 is homemade from scratch, version #2 is a quick way to doctor up the store-bought stuff.
1-make it from scratch
You’ll need:
6 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar (or to taste)
12-16 stalks of fresh lavender, with blossoms
2 cups of lemon juice
ice
1. Bring the sugar and 3 cups of the water to a boil, stirring until all the sugar dissolves. Add the lavender and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and cover it. Let it sit for a few hours until it’s cool, then strain out the lavender stalks. (You can do this step ahead of time and set it aside in the refrigerator.)
2. When you’re ready to serve the lemonade, add the rest of the water and the lemon juice. Mix it well and serve in a pitcher with plenty of ice.
2-doctor store-bought lemonade
You'll need:
1 cup water
a little sugar (to taste)
24 lavender stalks with blossoms
1 gallon lemonade
a little fresh lemon juice
ice
1. Bring a cup of water with a little sugar in it to a boil. Add the lavender, stirring so that all the blooms are submerged. Let it simmer for a few minutes and then take it off the heat and cover it. Set it aside until it cools. Strain out the lavender stalks.
2. Mix the lavender-syrup (and a little fresh lemon juice, if you have any) into the lemonade, stirring well. Serve it in a pitcher with plenty of ice.
pineapple mimosas
All you’ll need is chilled champagne and pineapple juice!
Fill each glass about 2/3 full with champagne. Add pineapple juice to taste.
Or make it as a punch: pour a bottle of champagne into a large bowl, add pineapple juice to your liking, and garnish with fresh or frozen berries. Another lovely addition is a little pomegranate juice—it gives gorgeous color, too.
Craft Projects!
Skip the hot, heavy, wintery stuff and try something portable. Instead of stirring hot melt-and-pour soap or lip balms on the stove, how about mixing up
•a cool papaya face mask, or a beach sand scrub for your feet?
•some custom-scented dusting powder?
Instead of plugging away at the gorgeous (but thick and woolly) sweater you started months ago, how about trying…
•teeny, super-stylish knitting for Blythe dolls?
•crocheting your own sandals? (note: the third icon on the page offers a free PDF download of the pattern)
And instead of dragging out your trusty sewing machine, try these lightweight stitching projects—everything you’ll need fits in a tote bag or purse!
•embroidery, like Jenny Hart’s deliciously cool $3 sushi patterns?
•cross-stitch, like Julie Jackson’s new $5 pattern-only sets?
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Susan Beal loves summer as long as she has plenty of SPF 30 on hand.
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| | | 2 of my collections | Tuesday June 06th, 2006 01:08 PM |
| by girlsavage |
I've been trying to find a shelf for my juice glass collection. I found this one last weekend at my favorite Upstate antiques store, Aunt Katie's Attic in Scotia.
My grandma had a shelf like this in her bathroom when I was little, so when I saw it I had to have it! It's the perfect size for my collection of 16 glasses. I also found the cute towels on sale for $3.00 a piece. So for a $20 investment I can highlight my collection and it's conveinent too! :) Right within reach of my stove. Here it is with my shelf over the stove.
The shelf over my stove not only holds my favorite, most used cookbooks, but also holds my S&P collection. I got the cutest new Bambi shakers last weekend also. They we on sale for $3!! Here's my collection so far...
 
Notice I still have the silly animal thing going too! :D I still have to find a good shelf for that collection.
Other than that I've been finishing all the spring cleaning and organizing. The hall closet is the only thing I have left now, YAY!
I'm also in process of making a bed skirt. I can't seem to find one in the right color, so I found some fabric and decided I'll try to make one. Yikes! I washed the fabric today and will start ironing and measuring and cutting this afternoon. Hopefully by next week I'll have a new color coordinated bed skirt!
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| | | Summer Theme Parties | Thursday June 01st, 2006 11:54 PM |
| by dilettantecrafter |
By Nancy Flynn
I love a party. I’m inspired to throw one at the slightest provocation, but summer is truly the party season. The light lasts longer, the nights are warmer, fresh fruits and veggies abound, and for many people, work slows down a bit too. While of course it is not necessary to have an excuse to invite friends over for snacks, drinks and conversation, it spices things up to set a theme to build your food, drink and ambiance around. The travel bug also bites in summer, but since many of us don’t get more than a few days off, a party is great way to have a little bit of the exotic at home. I’ll share some of my favorite ideas, and I hope you’ll share yours in the comments.
The Sun Also Rises
Tickets to Barcelona a bit too pricey? Bring a little of Hemingway’s Spain to your own living room or back yard.
To wet your whistle:
Low-rent Sangria
1 jug Carlo Rossi Red Sangria wine (or other two buck chuck)
1 2 litre bottle lemon-lime soda
2 fresh oranges, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered (or package frozen berries of your choice)
Pour wine to fill three quarters of a pitcher, add fruit, and refrigerate. Just before serving, fill pitcher the rest of the way with lemon-lime soda. Serve over ice.
To tempt your tastebuds:
Bacon-wrapped dates
Gazpacho
To enchant your ears:
The Gypsy Kings- Greatest Hits
B-Tribe- Suave Suave
That’s Amore
I’m told that the canals in Venice get a bit ripe in the heat of the summer, so skip the plane trip and have some Italian romance at home.
Beve
Brachetto
This was my favorite drink in Italy—it is rather like a Kir Royale, but uses strawberry liqueur instead of Chambord. You can substitute strawberry Italian syrup
1 bottle Prosecco (Italian sparking wine)
Fragolo (Italian Strawberry Liqueur) or strawberry flavored syrup
Fill a champagne glass 3/4 full of Prosecco, then top with a generous pour of strawberry liqueur or syrup. Yum!
Mangia
Mozzerella Caprese
This super-easy salad is a crowd pleaser, especially when fresh basil and tomatoes are in season, the recipe below will serve 6 who are nibbling delicately.
1 container mini mozzerella balls (or one large ball mozzerella diced into just smaller than bite-size pieces)
1 container sweet cherry tomatoes (or 2-3 large firm, ripe tomatoes diced)
5-6 large fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
salt & pepper
Combine mozzerella and tomatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and a splash vinegar, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Just before serving, toss with basil leaves.
Tortellini Pesto Salad
1 container cheese tortellini
1/4 cup pine nuts (pignoli)
2-4T store-bought pesto sauce
Cook tortellini according to package directions. Put pine nuts into a dry skillet over medium heat and toast, shaking often-- keep an eye on them, they seem like they're doing nothing, but they can burn up very quickly!
Musica:
Lucio Dalla
Old Blue Eyes
Land of the Midnight Sun
Did you know that on Midsummer in Sweden the sun hardly goes down at all? This of course is cause for a great big, all-night party.
Ulrika Cocktail
My favorite Swedish restaurant in NYC closed recently, so I won't be able to have my favorite cocktail again unless I make it myself(or hop a plane to Stockholm)!
Elderflower cordial
white wine
cucumber, seeded and diced
strawberries, diced
ice
Place a few ice cubes, a few cubes of cucumber and pieces of strawberry in a wine glass. Pour a shot of elderflower cordial over the fruit and ice, then fill glass the rest of the way with white wine.
Cucumber Cooler
Sparkling water
Sugar syrup
1T fresh lime juice
diced, seeded cucumber
ice
Place 2T of diced cucumber in a large glass, pour lime juice and 2T sugar syrup over cucumber, add ice then fill with sparkling water.
Salmon and Pumpernickel
Smoked salmon
Dill
Honey Mustard
Pumpernickel or other dark bread
Cut bread into snack-sized triangles. Spread with honey mustard. Place a portion of salmon atop the honey mustart, and top with a small sprig of dill. Serve immediately
And of course, everyone's favorite Swedish band provides perfect accompaniment:
Abba
South of the Border
So maybe Cinco de Mayo passed you by—it's never too late for a little bit of ole!
Drink up
Super-easy Margaritas
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
Tequila
Water
Ice cubes
Large-grain salt (i.e. Kosher or sea salt)
3 limes, cut into wedges
Pour frozen concentrate into the bowl of your blender. Fill can with water and add to concentrate. Fill can 1/3 full of tequila (or your preference, less for weaker drinks, more for stronger), add ice and blend until nice and frosty. Cut a lime wedge in the middle and run it around the rim of the glass. Pour salt into a saucer, then twist top of glass on saucer to make salty rim (you can skip this, or substitute sugar if you prefer), place lime wedge in bottom of glass and pour margarita over top.
Fizzy Limeade
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
1 litre club soda or seltzer
Place 2T of limeade concentrate in bottom of glass. Fill glass 2/3 full with seltzer and mix gently, then fill the rest of the way with ice.
Yum
Tortilla Pie
Black Bean Salad
Of course there are plenty of other trips I'd like to take on my terrace, but there are only so many Friday and Saturday nights in the summer! I'd love to hear about yours.
Nancy Flynn is a dilettante crafter who lives in San Francisco with her fiance. She is in the midst of planning the biggest party of all-- her wedding in July! |
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| | | food for thought + recipe | Tuesday May 23rd, 2006 10:37 AM |
| by jean |
Food for Thought
Two nights ago, my friend Kimberly and I set out for one of my favorite New York Institutions – The American Museum of Natural History. The journalist Michael Pollan was joined by Chef Peter Hoffman of Savoy (a brilliant downtown restaurant) to talk about the cornification of America, as documented in Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
The crowd at this museum lecture was decidedly Public Radio--lots of tote bags, New Yorker Magazines, a few tattoos, one black person, and smattering of thirty-something guys in horn-rimmed glasses and vintage chic gals, and a majority of older women wearing sensible shoes. Kimberly and I took our seats towards the back.
Michael Pollan emerged looking cute in a middle-aged Berkeley-kind of way, with a big smile. It took him a few minutes of checking pockets and ruffling through papers to find his notes. He laughed about this and then went into his talk.
It seems during the research for The Ominvore’s Dilemma, he became a bit of food detective, and as he traced the roots of many ingredients back to their origin, he kept coming back to cornfields in Iowa. His basic premise is that corn has conquered America, and while doing so, has left us undernourished and overweight.
“It’s the perfect capitalist plant,” he said with a bit of a smirk. “It allows you to accumulate wealth.” With the overproduction of corn, mostly sponsored by subsidies from the US government, corn has become so cheap, that it’s used as filler and sweetener in a staggering number of food products, like Mc Donald’s chicken nuggets, which his something like 40% corn. Corn has lead to super-sizing as an ingenious marketing ploy to sell more cheap food. Corn syrup sweetens our sodas and adds calories to our frozen entrees.
Ultimately, what Pollan is asking for is a return to local agriculture, fresh produce and a less industrialized food system. At this point, peter Hoffman presented his contribution to the evening, a incredibly delicious posole, made from traditional maize and all local ingredients. Spectacular.
As someone deeply passionate about eating and the enjoyment of food, I’m eager to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma. However, I think that what Pollan is calling for, a return to a more humane and sustainable approach to food in our country, we would need more than an agricultural revolution. Because at the end of the day, we buy processed foods as much for the cheap price tag as we do for convenience. Until women and men are allowed shorter work weeks and more support in the form of state subsidized daycare, health insurance and longer paid vacations, no American is going to have time to go to the farmer’s market, let alone cook dinner each night from fresh, organic ingredients. That said, I think there is nothing less important to our country right now than the crisis in our food system. Hopefully this book will be the beginning of a long, thoughtful conversation about what we can do next.
Peter Hoffman’s Grilled Leeks With Romesco
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for Frying
2 small slices sourdough bread
3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1/2 cup almonds, toasted
2 large dried ancho chiles, soaked overnight and seeded
1 1/2 cups canned plum tomatoes, liquid reserved
1 tbsp. pimentón 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/2 lemon, juiced
Salt
2 or 3 bunches leeks
For Romesco: Heat half an inch of olive oil in a sauté pan and fry bread, browning both sides. (1) In a food processor, grind garlic, almonds, and bread. Process until fine. Add the anchos, tomatoes, and pimentón. Purée until smooth. Add the olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice and purée. If texture isn’t loose enough to work as a dip, add either water, drained tomato juice, or more lemon juice, depending on taste. Season with salt.
For Leeks: Clean leeks and (2) rub them with a bit of olive oil. (3) Grill outdoors over fairly high heat until they char and blacken considerably (2–3 minutes per side; thicker leeks will take longer). Pile leeks in a heap, and let rest 5 minutes to allow heat to penetrate. When they’ve cooled, peel back the charred outer layer and dip the soft hearts in the romesco sauce.
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| | | Backbreaking Work of Domestic Genius | Wednesday April 26th, 2006 05:30 PM |
| by jean |
My first thought when I decided to take on a weekly column at getcrafty, was "Finally, I can write about all the things brewing in the tea pot of my brain." The only problem being that said tea pot is not filled with something smooth and proper like English Breakfast. My tea pot is more like a crazy Chai, tons of different ingredients and spices that don't seem to fit, rarely make sense, and can easily be overwhelmed by too much of any one thing.
I worried -- don't I need a theme, a structure, something cool and easily classified? Maybe I could write about the new domesticity? Cooking? Raising kids? Crafting your life? Cool new craft businesses? Wine? Politics? Living frugrally? Urban parenting? Generation DIY?
Clearly, there was a tempest in my tea pot.
So I drank another cup of coffee and decided to just write. I don't know where exactly this column will take us, but I suppose we will find out in good time.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with a current obsession.
Wine
Watch The documentary Mondovino -- The Farenheight 9/11 for Oenophiles . Although long, it's hilarious, political, touching and very, very sweet.
http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70025657&trkid=189530&strkid=544874618_0_0
Drink Inexpensively. Seriously, if you have a glass or two each night with dinner, as my husband and I inevitably do, research and keeping notes is essential for keeping costs down. Here are some recent cheap wines (under 10) that we enjoyed. We're still drinking red -- stay tuned for more recommendations for summery whites.
Abadiia de Arcis Tempranillo 2003, Spain (under 10)
Delicious light red. Spanish reds are a great value, with lots of flavor at the low end. This is no exception.
Hogue Cabernet-Merlot Columbia Valley (can be found for $6 or $7)
There is no need to drink Trader Jo's 2-buck-chuck, when you can get a much tastier wine for a few more dollars. I simply like this everyday wine. It's smooth, round and tastes great when you just want to come home, kick off your shoes and have a simple glass of wine that doesn't require anything. Not all wines need to tell a complicated story. Sometimes a well-balanced approach is all you need.
Read Wine blogs.
The Wine Offensive
Finally! Someone takes back wine from the food snobs. Here's what M. Savarino says: This blog is dedicated to the people who bus the tables, muddle the cocktails, grill the steaks, and serve the food. We are the real gourmets; we’re around food every day, and it’s our life. Viva La Proletariado Gastronomo!
http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/
Wines under $20 Reviewed in detail
http://www.vinography.com/archives/cat_wines_under_20.html
Funny wine rants
http://goodgrape.typepad.com/celebrate/2006/04/wine_blog_round.html
Insider's Wine Talk
Although popular with the mainstream press, Dr. Vino's "wine talk that does down easy" is entertaining as all hell.
http://drvino.blogspot.com/
Until next time, cheers! |
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| | | Prepping for painting! | Tuesday April 25th, 2006 05:44 PM |
| by girlsavage |
I talked to our apartment complexes manager the other day about painting my kitchen cabinets. I was so suprised when he said I could paint anything in the apartment as long as it would be easy enough to repaint when we move!!
So... I have started prepping the kitchen cabinets! The top cabinets are the origional from the late '30's, painted wood w/ crown molding. The lower cabnets are that awful particle board, veneer stuff that they replaced in the 70's. We have decided on a color called tangy lemon, a very soft, buttery yellow. So today I have been scrubbing the top cabinets and sanding the lower so that I can start priming the cabinets tomorrow!
Next is the bathroom! We have had a mildew problem in there and it just looks gross! The bottom 1/2 of the room is tiled. So the top of the room and ceiling I will clean and prime with Kilz and then paint. I think we have decided on a color called "sea air" for in there. It is a beautiful pale blue/green tone that reminds us of sea glass.
I'll post some pics when I have some progress beyond the prepping. |
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| | | Hard Lesson to Learn | Sunday April 16th, 2006 09:26 AM |
| by ChristineRenee |
I just finished my first commissioned piece ordered on Etsy--it looks like this but bigger: 
I only charged $50 for it because I feel guilty charging a lot since the materials to make them are really cheap (It's just flat window glass on top of a painted surface). But of course it's really time consuming. The commissioned mirror took about 2 weeks to make. Not that I was working on it every second, but there are a lot of steps involved, and putting the glass on alone takes about a week.
Not that I mind because I do it while I watch TV and it's fun for me.
But if I'm supposed to be making a living out of this I have to get out of the "I'm just doing this for fun" mindset and consider the value of my time. I didn't actually keep track of my time, but it must have been at least 20 hours of work. That's less than minimum wage.
But here's the worst part: I actually did the mirror twice because the first time the grout got underneath the glass and it looked really bad (another 2 weeks of work wasted) so by the time I was finally done with the good mirror I told her that I wouldn't charge for shipping. I felt guilty about how long she had to wait, and I wanted to keep the customer happy. But it cost $48 to ship!!!! That's by UPS ground and includes letting the guy at the USP store pack it for me (which I shouldn't have done, but I wanted to be certain it was packed well.)
So that was four weeks of my life (including the earlier mirror that got messed up) and I didn't make any money off the deal. If you consider materials and Etsy/PayPal fees it COST me about $10. :(
I need to start thinking more like a businessperson. At least this happened now and not 6 months from now when I'm on my own and trying to make a living from my craftiness. |
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| | | Seen and Heard At Indie Craft Fair: 3D | Saturday April 08th, 2006 01:06 PM |
| by cincinnaticraftmafia |
Seen and Heard At Indie Craft Fair: 3D
On March 1st, I made a vow to myself, a sort of Crafting Lent: no outside projects for 1 month. I needed that month to prepare for http://www.indiecraftfair.com Indie Craft Fair: 3D, and I knew if I got distracted by outside projects, I wouldn't get nearly enough actual work done. This was especially hard, because when Spring comes and the weather turns nice, it is so hard to keep those creative juices in check. But I did it, I remained resolved and I actually got a ton of work done for the show.
A little backstory is probably necessary. I've only done one craft fair so far, http://craftinoutlaws.luckykat.net Craftin' Outlaws in Columbus, Ohio. I shared a table with my fellow craft mafia member, Amy of Ambulette http://www.ambuletteonline.com and I brought along some of my husband's (Todd from Up With Soap! www.cincinnaticraftmafia.com/upwithsoap soaps. I didn't prepare well enough (give me a break, I was six weeks postpartum with my son Oscar) and I didn't have time to make proper displays for any of my stuff, so I decided to take along my prototype board. My prototype board consists of all the first fetos I produce, superglued to a piece of glass I harvested from a now defunct tv cabinet. Needless to say, it was not a great display. Nor was it very practical, because people spent the entire fair saying, "Oh, are these magnets?" and yanking them off the board. I also had a lot of fetos on the board that I didn't have supply of, really obvious fetos I should have had like the Geisha and Eva the Unicorn. But I *did* remember to bring along a ton of useless jewelry I didn't sell very much of! And I made a big mistake, according to Amy (who works in retail and knows all about selling stuff to strangers) because I put my big bowl of Cletuses and Sweetests in their variety of skintones for $0.50/each right in the front of my display, which apparently meant that more people would just hurry and buy the one feto for $0.50 rather than look around the entire display and spend more money. She was absolutely right. We also had nothing to draw people in and engage them for a few moments, which I can now say is key to surviving these shows. No matter what you sell, your table is pretty much like everybody elses. So the longer you can get them to stick around, the better, right?
For this show, I tried to be a lot more on the ball. I made a ton of magnets, since everybody was asking about them and mangling my display, and went without the jewelry. I also put the Cletus and Sweetest bowl further out of reach, BEHIND the other fetos. To draw people in, my husband and I constructed a carnival-type display board where you put your head through the hole, and you look like youv'e got the body of a fetus. It went over really well, since a lot of people have cellphones in their camera. We photographed the people who didnt, and they signed a little form so we could email it to them (along with a can we add you to the mailing list checkbox, sneaky sneaky!). We also put together a free sample box of stuff from the craft mafia members, so nobody walked away without a sample of something. (Who turns down something free?) And we had a coloring contest where you decorated a pig (Cincinnati is Porkopolis, afterall) to win a gift basket full of prizes from CCM. It went over really well, and the entries are hysterical. Finally, since this was the debut of my Cute Little Sprouts display, I had a little garden pot with free Grow Your Own Sprout Kits, which was basically that growing a bean with a wet paper towel in a plastic baggie thing you did in first grade. Needless to say, there was a lot to look at, and a lot to talk about, which kept most people there for a few minutes.
In my efforts to make a display board, I decided the easiest route would be to glue photographs of the fetos next to their name on a big piece of display board. I ordered the photos from Kodak Gallery well in advance, and waited. And waited. And waited. On Friday, the day before the show, my mailbox was yet again empty (as it was today, as well, actually), so I knew I was going to have to improvise. I ended up having to pry them off my make board (which I use as a guide when I make fetos) and glue them onto the new board in a big collection of squares with their name and number on them. It looked pretty nice, and I was pretty happy with it, until I got to the show and realized it basically made a huge fort that didnt allow me to see 1/3 of my table...whoops!
But I have to say I highly recommend the samples thing. It seems that when people visit a craft fair, they already know exactly how much money they are prepared to spend. This is especially true since there are usually no ATMs at the show, which means they will have to have an exact amount before they walk in. It also seems that people don't intend to walk out of the fair with nothing. They have x amount of dollars, and they are going to leave with $0 and hopefully your stuff when they walk out.
Like I said, I've only done one more of these before, but I am starting to learn a little bit about them. The free samples helped tremendously, and I now highly recommend them to anybody who is a vendor. People were walking around with Sweetest Fetus decals or a sample of Todd's soap, and they worked like magnets, drawing people back to our table as they did their rounds. That's another weird thing about craft fairs. People always do a lap before they buy. So you get all discouraged for the first hour, because people look at your stuff, comment on it, and then walk away. Craft fair customers are always of the "grass is greener" variety. They only have a set amount of money, and they want to make damn sure that after they spend it on your stuff, they don't walk to the next table and go "Oh crap! I just wasted my money on fetuses, and theres this really cute purse!"
The night before the fair, if you could have peeked in my windows at 4 AM, you would have seen a very exhausted looking mother, with her baby tied to her back, glueguning fetuses onto a display board. It was not a pretty sight, but I think children pick up on the stress of their parents, because every time I NEED to get something done, Oscar knows that these would be the best times to not nap, be salty, and generally get in the way. Not to turn this into an advertisement for mei-tai carriers http://www.meitaicarriers.com , but they are seriously lifesaving in a situation like this. I got to bed around 5:30 AM, and when the alarm rang at 7:30, I was too sleepy to understand, as was my husband, so we both basically rolled back over and accidentally slept another hour. Which made us an hour late for the rest of the morning. Also, in the midst of packing the car, I placed the Cute Little Sprouts www.cincinnaticraftmafia.com/cutelittlesprouts display on the roof, and it was never seen nor heard from again. So if you were in Northern Kentucky or Ohio on April 1st, and a little garden display with a picket fence and some foam vegetables came flying at you I am deeply sorry.
We arrived at the show, very, very late, and with minimal time to set up. I was pleased to see that the Cincinnati Craft Mafia table and the Fetopia table were indeed right next to each other, just as we had requested, and that they were both clearly marked. There was also a marked improvement in the lighting, considering it was a bar. As I walked in, holding a bunch of stuff, Amy D http://amyd.etsy.com called out, "Hey, is that a baby?" I don't think she recognized me until I started putting out my stuff on the Fetopia table. Amy D is seriously the most awesome person to host a craft fair. She is so helpful, and checks on you to make sure things are going alright. When Oscar got bored, she took him on a tour of the fair, introducing him to other people. She is awesome. And because of her help, we were able to set up in record time, which was good, because we were still in the middle of setting up when the first customers were walking around.
About an hour went by before we sold anything. And I do mean ANYTHING. There is always an amount of sheer panic in between when you set up for a show, and when you sell your first item. Something happens in your brain when you make your first sale, like, "Okay, at least I sold one thing. If I dont sell anything else, at least I sold one thing." But before that happens, you get all doubtful of your work, "Maybe nobody will get it. Maybe nobody will think its funny. Is this the right venue for this stuff?" It is torturous. People seem to forget that whether it's fetuses, or soap, or purses, or whatever, it's your art form. And seeing people face-to-face, judging your work, is scary. And it will probably always be scary. At least for me. I don't have a thick enough skin yet to not take it personally when people don't like my work.
The previous morning, Amy and Trish, who ran the show, did a radio interview about the show. Amy informed me that they had mentioned we would be there, saying we were like rock stars to the local craft world. Very nice, but very, very embarassing. And so not true. Especially since NATALIE DEE www.nataliedee.com was there. She came over when the show was just starting and said, "I'm supposed to introduce myself to you. I'm Natalie Dee." In movies, whenever somebody meets a celebrity and gets all gushy, I always thought, "I'd never act like that. I'd play it totally cool." And man, did I try. I tried to talk to her like a human being, and even managed to, but I don't think my eyeballs ever got smaller than grapefruits. I was crazy excited.
The show moved along very quickly. I could not believe it when there was only a half hour left. I have never had enough time to get away and see what else people are selling. I only see what is right across to me and right next to me. It is now my mission at my next show to take a tour. I always make a deal with myself: if I sell $100 at a show, I'm allowed to buy 1 thing. It would be so easy to blow all the money you make buying everybody else's stuff! I already knew what that one thing would be before the show started, a T-bone Cuddler http://www.mrpickles.com/HTML/cuddlers.htm to go with the Mr. Pickle I bought Oscar at Craftin Outlaws. Team Pickles www.mrpickles.com is so freaking cool. They have Team Pickles jackets! I wish I had that kind of organization. I never get to talk to them at shows, I always have to rush right over, buy something, and get back to my table. But the T-bone is so freaking cute! And it even comes wrapped in celophane on a styrofoam meat tray, just like in the meat aisle at a grocery store. There is no end to their cleverness.
I also had to rush over and buy a Toothpaste for Dinner www.toothpastefordinner.com shirt for my husband. He wanted the one that said "Bad Poetry- Oh Noetry!" www.toothpastefordinner.com/gallery-badpoetry.jpg But they were sold out! Which is good for them, so I wish them no bodily harm! Remember, we are the mafia! You do not screw with the mafia! But I did get to buy a cute Natalie Dee shirt with a coconut frog http://www.nataliedee.com/061505/math.jpg on it. And it was only $10! Then Trish let me come to her table, and I got an Altar magazine for free. I've always meant to check it out, it comes highly recommended from a number of sources.
I didn't get any trades this time, which made me sort of sad. I love doing trades with other vendors. We even had a cute sign this time "Interesting Trades Considered - No Firstborns!" Maybe it wasnt as funny as we thought it was...
All and all, I had a very successful show, and highly recommend it to anybody in the Ohio (or the surrounding region) area who wants to get their feet wet at a craft show. They had cool stuff like a puppet show, and a raffle for Planned Parenthood. Plus, Natalie Dee entered my coloring contest. I now have original Natalie Dee artwork to call my very own. Sweet! It's going right on ebay!
Just kidding...
(I also need to add that while editing this to put the correct links in, I got sidetracked for half an hour looking at Toothpaste for Dinner. Panflute flow chart? Genius!)
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| | | April 2006: Craft Books Galore! | Sunday April 02nd, 2006 10:50 PM |
| by West Coast Crafty |
If you’ve stopped by your neighborhood bookstore lately, you’ve probably spotted a shelf full of cool new craft books covering everything from t-shirt surgery and naughty needlework to cleverly repurposing everyday objects with glue guns, power tools, and everything in between. Spring is the perfect time to get crafty with inspiring titles like these!
I’ve picked six of my favorites to spotlight, and had a chance to ask their authors about their favorite projects and what writing their books was like—thank you so much to Kathy Cano Murillo, Sarah Sockit, Julie Jackson, Grace Hawthorne, Jessica Vitkus, and Megan Nicolay.
Art de la Soul, by Kathy Cano Murillo
This charming collection of lively, lovely craft projects is punctuated by Kathy's candid and funny "Diary of a Crafty Chica" entries--covering everything from an ill-advised attempt at spray-painting a cute new pair of shoes to her grandmother saving her from too-tight bridesmaid dress hell at the last minute. Each themed chapter includes three open-ended, wonderfully customizable DIY projects: "Las Luminarias" has delightful candles and tiny lanterns, for example, while "Patio Pleasures" fancies up any yard with ideas like a hand-painted fence.
Kathy says: I wrote La Casa Loca back in 2003 and got such a huge response from it, not only from Latinas, but also from crafters who love Mexican culture. The colors and pop art are so addictive! So it was my goal to do another book, bigger and better, with a larger publisher. I loved that my husband Patrick did all of my illustrations, he really captured the spirit I was looking for. I knew I didn't want this to just be a craft book. I wanted uplifting features, funky projects, and fab illustrations. My favorite aspect is adding the "Diary of a Crafty Chica" features. These are first person stories about my adventures in crafting. Some are embarrassing, others sentimental, but they succeed in proving that art really does come with drama! And I know that the Latino crafter is sorely under represented in the crafts industry so this is my shout-out to my peeps!
Her favorite project: I like the "Latin Power Jean Jacket" project. I love functional art and you can totally turn an old jeans jacket and fabric scraps into something spectacular! I used the front of an old t-shirt as the focal point and random pieces of scrap fabric and trims. You can hand-sew it or use flexible fabric glue from Duncan Crafts (I discovered this after I wrote the book!). The jacket makes such a statement and it was so inexpensive to make!
My favorite project: I was instantly drawn to the "Super Santitos Fabric Prayer Book"... but the "Fantastico Fantasy Paper Lights" are such a charming idea, and using your own imagery makes them truly one-of-a-kind.
Tease, edited by Sarah Sockit
Full disclosure: Sure, I contributed a project to Tease, but I'm certainly a fan of the other 49! Sarah rounded up super cool t-shirt makeover ideas from everyone from Angela Adams to Fred Flare, and the results are colorful, fun, and inviting. Each one is rated with handy icons like "Done in Under an Hour," "Special Shopping Trip Required," and "Knitting [or Crocheting, Embroidery, or Cross Stitch] Knowledge Helpful." They're also graded for difficulty from S (like the Hula Lampshade) to XL (T-Shirt Boxers) so you can plan your dream project accordingly.
Sarah says: Working with 44 different contributors on a project gave me the opportunity to have a lot of great interactions with a lot of amazing people. It was so incredible to contact people like the Austin Craft Mafia girls, Angela Adams, Katherine Shaughnessy, or Leah Kramer out of the blue and ask them to contribute and have them all so enthusiastically say, “Yes!” I thought I’d really have to court people like Amy Sedaris, Todd Oldham, Patricia Field and David Dalrymple to be a part of the book, but they too were caught up in the concept and the impressive crowd of contributors and were totally gung-ho.
The best part, now that the book is complete, is seeing people flip through the book and loving some projects so much that they want to go home and get right to work turning their drawer of junky ol’ tees into something cool. Inspiring, yo!
Her favorite project: Many projects in the book are extraordinary in their remarkable transformations of a T-shirt into something totally different like a tote bag, circus doll, treasure chest or room décor. Others are brilliant fashion transformations from a boring old shirt to a clever, style-y garment that is totally unique. Callie Janoff, the founder of The Church of Craft, managed a superhero feat of making a really great-looking shirt, the "Empire Waist Tee," that requires absolutely no supplies, no skills, and virtually no time to create. It's one shirt cut in a few places to create ties for the shoulders and an empire waist, and it turns a totally blah, big t-shirt into a cute and unique fashion item. Brilliant!
My favorite project: I'm partial to the very first piece in the book, the feminine "Flower Cutout Tee" by Alison Rose--it's a cleverly designed applique that adorns the neckline with gorgeous cutout petals, just in time for spring.
Subversive Cross Stitch, by Julie Jackson
This hilarious collection of patterns puts the #@%&!! cross in cross-stitch, from profane pieces like "Bitch in Kitchen" to simply surly messages like "No You DIDN'T!," all embellished with deceptively charming borders of birds, hearts, or flower designs. Julie gives a thorough and beginner-friendly introduction to her preferred craft and then launches right into the 33 patterns themselves, encouraging her readers to "enjoy the delicious thrill of embroidering saucy messages in the last place people expect to see them."
Julie says: My favorite anecdote about the book is that my mother, who is in her 80s, loves it and told me that she keeps it right under her mattress. I was apprehensive about what my parents would think of the language, but they were supportive as always. On the copy I sent to them, I put Post-It notes over all of the "bad" words. I think it allows them to show it to their friends without their friends wondering if they've raised some kind of monster.
Her favorite project: I'd have to say "Is That All There Is?", for so many reasons. Not only am I a huge fan of Peggy Lee, but this song has always amused and perplexed me since it loomed large in that great jukebox scene from the movie "After Hours". And, sometimes, when I was stuck in a cube at a job that I hated, I found it really comforting to listen to this tune now and then. So this pattern is closest to my heart for all of these reasons. My little tribute to Ms. Lee: "Let's break out the booze and have a ball, if that's all... there is."
My favorite project: I love "#@%&!!" (aka "Curses") for so many reasons... it just says it all. Plus (if this happens to be an issue for you) it's work-safe for your cubicle, unlike some of Julie's more explicit creations.
ReadyMade: How to Make [Almost] Everything, by Shoshana Berger and Grace Hawthorne
This utilitarian primer to all things handmade is what you might get if the brilliant minds behind Martha Stewart Living, McSweeney's, and Wired all guest-edited each other's publications for a few shining months, and then crammed the resulting mash-up into a single book. Dozens of original projects are arranged by their main raw material--paper, plastic, wood, metal, glass, and fabric--and each chapter kicks off with a clever, visually driven history of the medium. Shoshana contributed the writing, while Grace came up with all the projects. And they managed to pull it all off in eight months, all while putting out four issues of their magazine and planning a wedding (Shoshana) and having a baby (Grace). Wow.
Grace says: The book was an opportunity for Shana and me to roll up our own sleeves and get our hands dirty to return to the roots of why we started ReadyMade in the first place. When you put together a magazine that's also a business, you don't always get to indulge in your own creative fantasies. Since the essentials of ReadyMade include design/customization, understanding the means of production and making stuff with your hands, we organized the book according to material, provided brief material histories (how man evolved from cave drawings to the Victoria's Secret catalog), projects of varying degrees of difficulty (okay, let's be honest, glass was hard! It is a difficult material to work with), and signature humorous essays (for example, in the plastic chapter, how to avoid plastic surgery).
The most challenging part about the book was coming up with the right mix of projects for each chapter. For each raw material, I wanted to make sure there was a nice diversity, and the projects had to look good. There was a TON of trial and error and infinite trips to Home Depot.
Project with the most anecdotes: the “Take-out Chandelier.” It's one of those projects that midstream, you wonder, “what the heck am I thinking?” because you're in the thick fog of what appears to be a big mess. I was about 5 months pregnant in my freezing garage in rainy December drilling holes in plastic spoons dressed like Nanook of the North to keep warm. My husband was not happy. People in the office were big cynics. "What the hell is that?" they'd ask me. But when it was done... "Ahhhh" was the popular response.
The chandelier photo (above) has a nice-looking couple with loving gazes. That's Shana and her then-boyfriend. I told her... you better marry this guy if we're going to have him in the book... and they're getting married this weekend.
Her favorite project: My personal favorite from the book is the “No Sew Messenger Bag” because it represents ReadyMade on all fronts: the key ingredient is an everyday material, the end object has utility, it is easily customizable, the project is very gender neutral... anyone can make it, no sewing machine or sewing skills necessary, it's easy on the eyes (the NYT bags are a great blue color), and besides, who doesn't have newspaper bags or an iron?
My favorite project: It's tough, I adore (and covet) the “Eames-Style Drawer Unit,” but ultimately I have to go with the instant-gratification “Coat-Hanger Wine Rack,” which transforms eight wire coathangers into a remarkably stylish wine-storage solution with a few deft twists. I'm a pliers-over-power-tools type of girl, what can I say?
AlternaCrafts, by Jessica Vitkus
This glossy spiral-bound book, filled to the brim with colorful collage-style photographs and sidebars, invites both teens and adults to jump-start their DIYing. Jessica includes beginner-friendly projects in a broad range of craft mediums, from embroidery and decoupage to summer-camp favorites like woodburning and macrame. As she says, it's "a relaxed approach to crafting with an emphasis on recycling and transformation," with a few curveballs in the mix.
Jessica says: Basically, the book is supposed to entice cool girls into the craft scene--it's good for beginners. Nothing is too hard. But hopefully there are enough oddball, interesting ideas to keep the experienced crafter awake and excited. I get bored of my clothes, and if I'm not wearing a certain T-shirt, jeans, or sweater I am likely to attack it and improve it or turn it into something else. So there are lots of projects like that.
Many of the projects teach really basic craft 101 techniques (knitting, macrame, quilting, woodburning, printing, paper flowers embroidery) but apply it in a non-granny-ish way. Most AlternaCrafts projects involve using and reusing what's around you -- bottlecaps, buttons, T-shirts, wingnuts, chopsticks. Also, I hate glue guns and I prefer handsewing to machine stitching. (When I worked in the craft department at Martha Stewart's old show--the one before jail--my co-crafters made fun of me for being sewing machine phobic.) I find handstitching and embroidery super relaxing. So there's a lot of both.
Her favorite project:Well, it's like asking me which of my children I love best, but I do have a special warm spot for the "Pintastic Cards"-- the technique is so easy and the supplies are so few. It's based on an old Victorian technique called paper piercing--done with a special tool that you still see sometimes among scrapbooking supplies. But a pushpin (a thumbtack with a better grip) makes lovely little holes and is pretty easy to control. One of my favorite designs came from tracing jar lids and drinking glasses to fill the page with circles. You can also use templates over and over. If you are feeling feisty, poke your holes from back-to-front on your card for a more 3D effect.
My favorite project: I love those cards, too! I also like the "Table Talk" embroidered napkins embellished with tiny buttons--so sweet.
Generation T, by Megan Nicolay
Megan has created a staggering 108 t-shirt transformation projects, many of them scissors-only (ie, no sewing required!). She starts things off with helpful cutting, stitching, and embellishing tutorials and includes unexpected jewelry and accessories ideas alongside her garment designs for a truly well-rounded collection. Sprinkled throughout are clever snippets of "Tee Trivia" (did you know it takes about six miles of yarn to make a single shirt?) and "Tees in the Movies," listing every iconic t-shirt flick worth a spot in your Netflix queue, from Rebel Without a Cause to Flashdance.
Megan says: I like hosting Tee Parties from time to time -- everyone brings a T-shirt to refashion; we sit around gossiping and sipping tea (hot or iced, pick your poison), and at the end of the day, everyone gets to walk away with the perfect party favor.
During the writing process, we were getting close to the deadline for the photo shoot—and I still had about 30 projects left to make from the book. I hosted my largest Tee Party to date in order to get those projects made—it lasted 2 days! Friends and friends of friends came on over—I had T-shirts piled all over the room. It was great.
Her favorite project: Ooh, just one? With 108, it's so hard to choose... But my favorite in the shirt chapter is "Ode to the Mullet"—it looks like an ordinary T-shirt from the front, but has this cool ribcage effect in the back (i.e. "business in front, party in the back"). My favorite skirt is the "Flare Thee Well" circle skirt. Not only is it super spinner-rrific, but the fold-over waistband is comfortable and flattering on everyone I've seen wear it. And lastly, my favorite accessory—the "Go-Go Gauntlets." They’re functional too—when the cold winds start to blow, they bravely defend against that pesky draft between your coat and mittens!
My favorite project: Too bad I got married last year, because project #108, "Tying the Knot," is a real head-turner: it's a formal, floor-length wedding dress made out of seven white t-shirts! Pair it with "Ice T," the perfect ring to symbolize your eternal love for all things DIY.
If you’re eager for more book recommendations, be sure to check out getcrafty’s own Bibliomaniac column by Jessica Reed for engaging reviews of titles in every genre, from classics to hot off the presses.
Susan Beal is a West Coast writer and jewelry designer whose all-time favorite craft book is the Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing.
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| | | No Excuses | Monday March 20th, 2006 10:59 AM |
| by Nancy Flynn |
No, nothing big happened in my life or anything, just the whole lifeness of it all closing in and keeping me from blogging! It didn't keep me from crafting though, so with no further ad0, let me show you what I've been up to:
A pink version of the spring bag in The Best Fabric Ever, already snapped up by a work colleague who has the same name, and who we've also discovered has the same trousers, and two of the same pairs of shoes that I do (it should be no suprise that I like her!)
I also made another orange one, which will make its way up on Etsy when I feel like I have enough things to qualify as a spring line. Also for the spring line I gocco'd some muslin to make lavendar-sachet hangtags
And a headband from some scraps of my favorite cotton pattern thus far:
I would show you what it looks like on, but I have kind of sticky-outy ears that don't do it justice. It is very good for holding my hair back while crafting, though.
As for culinary crafts, I made delicious and decadent Pumpkin Muffins, courtesy of this post at Thimble (which is an excellent craft blog, incidentally)
I also saw the loveliest simple flower arrangement at an event that I have to share with you, in case any of you are as hopeless at flowers as I am (really, not only do I kill living ones, I make the ugliest arrangements with the prettiest flowers).
Just two tulips curved into a little round glass-- could it be more perfect?
I am currently in NYC for work, and had a little crafty adventure yesterday that I'll share later on, as I've blogged your ears off already today. |
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| | | Too long. Again. | Wednesday March 08th, 2006 03:05 PM |
| by Em Bee |
That last blog entry? Dated almost a year ago? The title still applies!
What have I been doing... Not blogging, that's for sure. I stopped knitting last summer because of terrible pain in both arms. That's gone - I suspect stress was partly to blame - and so I've taken up the knitting again. And have a co-worker primed to teach me to crochet.
Not that I'm ambitious or anything... ;D
For Christmas I did some glass ornaments - not much more than glue & glitter & ribbon. And picked up some great Christmas fabrics (on sale) but have yet to create anything with them.
Instead of items for gifts, I did a lot of baking & a little candy making. The chocolate gingerbread from Nigella Lawson's Feasts is just about the best thing I've ever eaten. That gift went over very well indeed! Also made sugar plums, booze balls, honey cakes, and assorted small cookies.
And now, back to knitting... |
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| | | Digital Camera Case | Wednesday March 01st, 2006 04:32 PM |
| by Chelsea |
I made this camera case out of purplish blue felt and Sublime Stitching patterns. (The skull is from Tattoo Your Towels, and the bat and flower are from Gothic Grandeur.) The button was originally going to be used to close the strap, but I realized I wanted something a little sturdier, so I used velcro. It said "sew on" velcro...right. There is no way I could sew in that tight of a circle, so I just glued it on ;)
It was also my first sewing project after FINALLY learning how to sew w/ my great grandma's Singer. Now I think I'll make some sunglass cases for me and some other people so I can use more patterns. I was going to use Monkey Love for this one, but they were a little too big. |
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| | | Crafty Spring Cleaning | Friday February 24th, 2006 11:32 PM |
| by dilettantecrafter |
by Nancy Flynn
Even if it is still cold outside where you live, the days are getting noticeably longer and spring is on the way. In the interest of full disclosure, spring cleaning chez Nancy happened by force—the moving truck was coming, and I didn’t have enough boxes for all the stuff. But certainly casting off the old, polishing off the dusty, and getting things in order is a great way to start off the warmer months coming our way (or the cooler fall months for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere!).
For a crafty person, obviously spring cleaning is going to be a bit different—instead of having two piles—donate and toss, you might have four—donate, sell, good for crafting, and toss. What to hold on to, what to let go of, and what to do with the stuff you keep can be hard to navigate, so this column will explore crafty options for spring cleaning.
Let it go:
The rules of thumb for letting go of various sorts of “stuff” are widely known. But I need to be reminded of them every time I take on a spring clean, or a move. It is necessary to be both brutal and ruthless. Said brutality and ruthlessness are all in the service of doing good—making donations to charities that either sell your stuff to help people in need, or pass along your stuff directly. So, a little room-by-room recap on the rules for letting go:
Your Closet:
•If something in your closet hasn’t had a showing in a full cycle of the seasons (i.e. one year), let it go.
•If you’ve worn it and it caused you pain or discomfort—too tight, too short etc—let it go. Get rid of your skinny clothes, or your fat clothes, because honestly when you lose or gain that weight again, I guarantee you styles will be different. And it doesn’t matter if those shoes were a great deal, if they pinch your little toe every time you wear them, let them go.
•If you just don’t like it, let it go. Do not make yourself do penance for bad purchases—if you accidentally bought ugly boots because they were on sale, or didn’t check the rear view on a pair of pants before buying, or otherwise just don’t like something, even if it is perfectly good, or even almost new, let it go.
Your Kitchen:
•If it is expired, throw it out—check all of your cans, boxes and bags, and everything in your freezer. Open all of your spices and sniff them to make sure they’re still nice and spicy. Some say they should be tossed after 6 months, some say 4, but the sniff test is good enough for me.
•If you have more of them than you need, let them go—in my house, this is mugs. Glasses break, so I keep all of those because they winnow themselves out. I have way too many mugs, and only one I really like drinking out of that I’ll wash rather than using another one. Keep enough of any serving item that isn’t part of a set only for the number of guests you realistically may have for dinner/drinks/tea, and let go of the stragglers.
•If you don’t use it, let it go. I have a madeleine pan. There is a Proustian fantasy that made me buy said pan, but I have made them twice in three years. There are other cookies I like better that don’t require a unique pan that takes up space.
Your Bathroom:
•Expiration: Toss any prescriptions, painkillers and even sunscreen that have expired
•Purge your cosmetics and bath stuff: If it is caked, badly broken, or smells funny, toss it out. If you discovered that blue eye shadow really wasn’t you, let it go, if it comes back into fashion it probably still won’t be you. Don’t save bath stuff or moisturizer or perfume for special occasions—it can go bad. Either put it somewhere that you’ll see it and use it (you deserve it), or get rid of it.
•Give your towels a good look—if they are badly discolored, ripped, or no longer absorbent, they may belong in the rag bag--you deserve some new ones! It is possible to get inexpensive towels in a rainbow of colors at any number of discount stores, and it can really spruce up your shower.
Your Bedroom:
•Check out your bedside table- put away or give away books you’ve read that you don’t need right at hand, and make sure any hand lotion or lip balm you keep there is as fresh as you’d like
•Under the bed is a wonderful storage space—make sure you remember what is down there and that you still need it.
Your Home Office/Bookshelves:
•There are all sorts of rules about when you can shred papers related to tax-time. The general rule of thumb is about 3 years, but if you feel better keeping everything, that is one area where throwing away precipitately can lead to active regret in the case of an audit! Click here for a good idea of what to keep and how long to keep it.
•Books are hard for me to let go of, but they take up a lot of space. Get rid of the ones you know will always be available at the library (i.e. classics), get rid of any you definitely won’t read again, and get rid of any that you bought/acquired but have sat on your shelf for more than six months without being read or referred to once.
•Get rid of stuff that doesn’t work-- headphones that are scratchy, the stapler that always jams, your old laptop with the broken screen and the dead hard drive (get any data you need recovered if possible). You will not use it again, and if you have a Mr. or Ms Fix-it in your life (or that person is you) and the item hasn’t been seen to yet, it probably never will be.
•Magazines: If you have stacks of favorites and lots of time, get yourself some 3-ring binders and plastic sheet protectors and get ripping. Pull out any article or recipe you think necessary, pop it in a page protector and snap it in a binder. Keep your binders organized however makes sense to you—I have a main-course recipe binder, a dessert binder, and a craft ideas binder.
Your Craft Space:
This is a tough one, as every crafter is different, so I’ll just offer up one piece of advice:
*It is good to let go of crafts you took up enthusiastically but found were not really your style. For me, that would include tatting and tiny-piece quilting. I do not keep tiny pieces of scrap fabric anymore, and I’m giving away my tatting needles. Be honest with yourself about how you want to spend your crafting time—if you know you will probably never prefer crocheting to embroidery, that is ok, and maybe you want to make space for more thread and less yarn.
Clearly this doesn’t cover every room, or every category of stuff that could be culled. There are those who have garages and attics, which seem to me to be places that require whole other systems of cleaning and organization. Spring cleaning is about making the spaces you live in daily lighter and easier, so give yourself a break about rooms you rarely use, or that are designated for keeping odds and ends.
The Pile System
Ok, you know the rules, so as you go through your rooms and your stuff, it is time to designate piles for the things you are ruthlessly, but altruistically, getting rid of.
Pile 1: Donate
There are so many wonderful charities out there that accept gently used items. Most people have a favorite, but the resources section at the end of this column offers a few to choose from if you need some guidance. Some will come to pick up large or bulky items like furniture, and all you have to do is call. Some tips on what to donate:
•Clothes that you wouldn’t wear for reasons of fit or style, not because they are terribly dirty or in bad shape—random logo t-shirts, acid washed jeans etc.
•Old sheet sets—it is ok if they are faded and worn, just not stained or ripped.
•Books- in my opinion even dog-eared and lightly highlighted or written-in are ok, as long as they are still legible
Pile 2: Sell
A confession- I do not have a sell pile. I know myself well enough to know that I do not have the patience, time or energy to sell my stuff on Ebay, or to have a garage sale. I prefer to use this pile to throw a modified Naked Lady Party and pass along good stuff to my friends. Unless you are an Ebay or garage sale master, you should only sell things for which the sale price will be worth the time and effort you took to put them up for sale, some examples include:
•Nearly new clothes/shoes you’ve barely worn.
•Books in good condition (many used bookstores will give you credit for these so you can come back for more!)
•In-demand vintage items.
Pile 3: Craft it Up!
There are in-between things that may not be new enough to sell, old enough to donate, or flawed enough to throw away, that crafters can give a new life. Imagine that you are thrift shopping in your own house, and finding new uses for worn-out things.
A few ideas to get you started:
•Wool sweaters with edges that haven’t been serged: If you are a knitter or crocheter, you can unravel these sweaters for lovely yarn! Obviously this is a bit harder with super-fine weight yarns, so choose carefully. Some great tutorials on recycling sweaters for the yarn can be found here and here
•Wool things that went in the wash: Yay for felt! I have some wool/cashmere socks my sweetie accidentally put in the wash that are going to become the softest, cutest sock monkey ever. If you have fine weave sweaters that are too holey to donate (a moth got at one of my cashmere sweaters), try machine-felting them and use the resulting soft, thick fabric to make pouches, mittens, hats or anything else you desire
•Linens with holes in them: If your favorite sheet set has holes in it, or your curtains have faded beyond recognition , you can salvage them. Sheets can make great aprons, linings for bags, and skirts. You can also cut squares from unfaded portions to use in a quilt, or cut a floral motif out to use as an appliqué
•Clothes with special meaning: The old standby t-shirt quilt is great here.
If you don’t think you can come up with a use for it, but don’t want to throw it away, think about posting it for other crafters on Freecycle.com , or even craigslist.
Pile 4: Throw away
When I say throw away, I don’t mean just the garbage, I also mean the recycling bin. In my experience, every area has different rules about what can be sent to local recycling centers. Spring cleaning is a good time to brush up on those rules, and make sure that anything that can avoid the landfill does. It is also good to keep a rag bag in your pantry full of cotton from old t-shirts and even underwear , as they make great polishing cloths.
There is only really one hard and fast rule as far as throwing stuff away goes:
*I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you this, but don’t donate anything that is so gross you would never use it. If the charity staff has to put on HazMat gear to deal with it, it should go in the trash. For example, badly stained or threadbare clothes and linens, dangerously chipped classes or mugs, everything expired from your kitchen or bathroom.
When all is said and done, and you’ve brushed the dust from your jeans and cleaned the dirt from under your fingernails, you’ll feel great. There is a feeling of satisfaction in loving everything you have around you—knowing that the clothes in your closet fit and make you feel pretty, that your favorite books are at your fingertips, your linen closet isn’t bursting open, and you have a perfectly edited selection of craft supplies that includes new items you’ve thrifted from your own house. So brew yourself a cup of tea or coffee, relax and enjoy it!
Resources:
By no means exhaustive—please feel free to add your own favorites in the comments!
Charities for Donation:
The Salvation Army
Goodwill
The Red Cross-
Dress for Success—Good condition women’s business clothing-
The Princess Project—for dresses/bridesmaids dresses-
Crafty Organization Inspiration:
How to by Ceebee
Organizational Craftistas-
HGTV’s Take
Craft Blogger Cotton Strudel calls March "The Month of Spring Cleaning" and blogs her progress.
Nancy Flynn is a dilettante crafter in San Francisco who just moved a block from her old apartment. She lives with her fiancé in her new apartment, which is full of boxes of stuff she is sure she loves. She’ll be using Ceebee’s tutorial on organizing a craft space very soon.
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| | | sick recovery | Saturday February 11th, 2006 01:36 PM |
| by anotherjen |
I've spent the week home from work sick with an infection. That definitely stunk and the worst part about it was I was home all week and didn't even finish reading a book or get to do anything crafty since I was so tired! After five days of daily IV drips of antibiotics, I'm finally back on my feet again.
So, now that I'm better, I'm spending my Saturday getting the creative juices flowing again..
Here's a bracelet I made with silver wire and blue glass beads:
And some earrings I made, inspired by one of my favorite pink dresses:
I think I'll be trying to take advantage of etsy's free weekend...
http://tifa.etsy.com
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| | | Vintage Glass Earrings! | Thursday February 09th, 2006 12:07 PM |
| by trudesign |
These were hand cut, and sanded. Don't worry they are soft around the edges!
I'm thinking about making a bunch of them and putting them up for sale. If anyone is interested in a pair, email me. They are $25 dollars plus shipping.
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| | | This and That. | Wednesday February 08th, 2006 04:05 PM |
| by witchybelle4u2 |
I'm in a really down place right now and can't quite figure out why or how to get out of it. *sigh* Anyway, that's my moan for right now. Saw Memoirs of a Geisha today and I thought it was brilliant. Haven't read the book, which is strange for me, but I might just do that now.
Anyway, thought I'd catch up with a few things I've been meaning to post....
I've decided to take advantage of the fact that Jay's mate is a complete lush. So, I have him and his S.O. collecting corks for me. Why? So I can do this.... (They're hand painted.)
On my day off last week, I decided to put a few things together for my penpals for Valentine's Day. Just getting them ready to ship out today: (Happy happy heart stickers, mini stamped notebooks and felt pin cushions.)
I'm still not quite sure how my Boo got her head stuck in that towel but she's not allowed to help with the laundry any more!
Oh, there was one more thing....I thought you might enjoy this....I was in the shower this morning and when I reached around the shower curtain to grab a towel, I saw this ghostly apparation in the mirror and....Well, I did what any mature woman would do. Screamed like a bitch and dove behind the shower curtain again. Well, I reached out and grabbed my glasses off the back of the toilet and slowly peered around the curtain to find myself face-to-face with...Myself. Looks like I'm gonna be getting my pale ass out in the sun more this summer! |
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| | | NYC: Swap-O-Rama-Rama | Sunday February 05th, 2006 10:31 AM |
| by wendy tremayne |
Hello Crafters, Please let me introduce you to an event that I produce in NYC. And let me also invite you to copy it!
Swap-O-Rama-Rama
Sunday February 12, 2006 - 2pm to 7pm
$10 and a bag of your unwanted clothes
all workshop and DIY materials are provided
http://www.swaporamarama.org
Galapagos Art Space
70 North 6th (btw Wythe & Kent), Brooklyn NY
L train to Bedford, two blocks
Join in the communal process of creative reuse!
It’s time to clean out your closet and get rid of those unloved items to get ready for the winter Swap-O-Rama-Rama! Dig out the clothes you bought thinking “I’ll fit into it one day,” the gifts that made you wonder how well your aunt Marilyn really knows you and the stuff your hanging on to thinking it may come back into fashion. Let it go! At Swap-O-Rama-Rama you will trade your unloved items in for over 4,000 lbs of clothing for you to dig through. And it’s all free!
Once you’ve picked your new favorite duds you are invited to take back creativity from industry... bring your new clothes over to the DIY stations where you can learn to create new from old. Here you can work with skilled designers (Wheylan Dean Ford, Rieneke Redman Akkerhuis, Kpoene Kofi Bruce and Claire Shaw) and modify your finds into something special or do on-site tailoring. You can also download images off the web and iron them on at Nat’s iron station or silk-screen your new clothes at the silk-screen station with friends from Antimart to show you how. Explore a mass of bows, buttons, decals, trim patches and other notions at the decoration stations where Lina and Blanka will show you how to embroider, knit and have an all around great time doing hand sewn mods. All of your creativity materials are provided. Dive in and have fun!
You’ll also find artist taught workshops (a new one each 1/2 hr) where you can learn a unique clothing modification or recycling skill. The winter swap features: Alison Lewis’s Fashion Hack - create your own Twinkle Tote bag which lights up when your cell phone rings, Megan Nicolay’s Tee Party with 108 ways to transform a T-shirt; Dana Moskowitz's Knitting with Recycled Ts; Mikey Sklar’s RFID tag pocket replacement; Itsi Atkins Bra to Handbag conversion; or Daniel Tainow’s how to on composting organic textiles.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama also features a DIY fashion show. This winter swap highlights Kate Goldwater’s AuH2O Designs created using recycled clothing from the autumn swap. You are also welcome to join in the “Do It At the Swap” fashion show where your invited to show off the items you modified at the swap and win prizes.
When you need a break from the action sit back and watch two on theme films: artist Jess Dobkin’s michevious Restored project and Faye Lederman's A Good Uplift, a documentary about a lower east side shop where jewish grandmother Magda will size you up for the perfect bra or catch Jessica Delfino’s stand up comedy.
What to bring? Bring: Clothes in season: jackets, wallets, hats, pants,shirts, skirts, shoes, gloves, belts, accessories, jewelry, sunglasses, bags, costumes, lingere, pjs etc. Only clothes please! What not to bring: books, bikes, vases, lamps etc... If you cant wear it, dont bring it! Quantity is not important. Come with a little or a lot, whatever you got.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama is for boys, girls, men, women.
All left over clothing is donated to St. Martin DePorres Shelter in Brooklyn, NY.
More Info: http://www.swaporamarama.org
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| | | Sister Inspiration | Saturday February 04th, 2006 12:11 AM |
| by h_pets360 |
My sister and I decided to do a Valentine's themed swap.
Some of the things I'm planning for her I'm doubling so I can send some to my year-long craft partner. ((Don't read if you want to be suprised, Tootsie Cat!))
I actually made quite a bit of Love Bath Salts. I don't know about your beliefs about energy and aromatherapy, but I know mine allow enough belief in the power of energy, passion, and thoughts to change things that I figure it can't hurt.
I'm planning on portioning this stuff out prn, with like 1/2 a cup per gift, in special little handmade pouches.
I should clarify that the "Love Bath Salts" are more of a "Bathe in these when you need to feel like a super badass vixen who is amazingly confident and intelligent and beautiful" Salts. I made 'em specifically with my sister in mind. She's gorgeous and smart and funny. And sometimes - way too often - not very confident, and not as appreciated as she should be by her husband. He loves her, but takes her very much for granted lately.
Plus, this stuff smells good.
How to make it somewhat exactly like I did:
Get a glass jar. I like glass better than plastic, and you should be recycling your plastic. Lots of places don't do glass anymore. I really think it's better to reuse a glass jar rather than go out and buy something new. It's part of reducing your consumption. But it's up to you, of course.
So. Glass jar. You want the container to be a visual reminder of what a badass vixen etc etc you are. I had a piece of silver net-like fabric. I glued it with lovely E-6000 to the outside of very clean ex-Alfredo sauce jar. Then glued some black ribbon around the top. Then glued some red felt hearts randomly around. On one of the hearts I hand stitched "Love Yo'Self." Some glass jars will have little numbers that are hard/impossible to remove. That's where the hearts come in handy :) Just place them over those numbers or random bits of label glue that you couldn't get off.
What goes inside? The SuperVixen Bath Salt!
I used:
just over 1.5 cups of epsom salts
1/2 cup table salt
1 cup baking soda
Mix the above well.
1 tsp real vanilla extract
5 drops jasmine essential oil
5 drops sweet orange essential oil
5 drops sandalwood oil
Mix the above together, then combine the oils with the salt mixture.
Then mix 20 drops red food coloring into the combination.
Make sure you use a container that's not for food purposes. I just mixed it in a plastic bag, which worked suprisingly well.
I spraypainted the lid previously. I still have to finish it. I think I'll glue some more black ribbon around the edge, and put red heart dots around the top.
Here's the (almost) final product:
close up of the stitched heart:
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| | | Decorating the House | Wednesday February 01st, 2006 08:14 PM |
| by happyhats |
Thanks to computer woes, I haven't updated my blog in forever.
Well, the holidays are over, and all the presents were met with great reviews. My family was gushing over the record bowl baskets, and my niece got overzealous opening presents and accidentally stepped on hers. Oops, heh. My family doesn't do the same crafting as me (they are crafters and creative though; my mother makes quilts, candles, and homemade soap; my younger sister writes and does beads) so the record bowls were a bit of a "new thing" for them.
So, now the holidays are over and I have to find a new way to entertain myself. As I've said before, I live with roommates. I haven't done much decorating outside of my private bed and bathroom, simply because or tastes don't often match our the living room, dining room, and kitchen aren't clean. But I got bored of our home looking like a dump zone, lol. I just had to do a few more things to spruce the decor up.
In our living room and dining room with have hideous blinds that the roommates want to keep up for some reason. I wasn't able to buy fabric for curtains, so I decorated the blinds in our living room with contact paper cut outs of leaves (we have a lot of green in our living room, and a leafy green area rug). In our dining room, I covered the window itself with leftover contact paper (which is see through, so the sun shines throughout the day) and a promo sign for Newcastle Brown Ale. The blinds are still on, but seperated to enjoy the view.
Next up to tackle was our kitchen. Nothing has been done in our kitchen, decor wise, since we moved in. We have been putting our tools and such in the little alcove where a refrigerator should go (the roommates and my boyfriend and I have seperate mini refrigerators) so it was looky cluttered and junky. That was the first thing to tackle. I bought a cheap shower curtain and tacked that over the area. I then arranged my bottle collection in a set of cabinets we never use, and took the doors off to display them. I finished off the decorating by putting up some jazzy record cover sleeves as splashes above the sink and stove, and on the fronts of the stove and dishwasher. It's not too much, but we have a small kitchen, and I wouldn't want to overwhelm it. Later on, I may glue some small mirror beads to cabinetry, and/or find a nice area rug to finish things off in there.
Of course, my roommate complained about the doors being off the cabinet, so that may change again anyway. I'm getting a glass case from a lady I work for (I am so psyched, I've been scouring for a hutch/case to put all my glassware in for some time, and now for free!), so if there is enough room the bottles may be moved into there.
I am contemplating another decorating experiment in the future, and would like some opinions. Our hallways have very little to no art in them. Everyone here likes to doodle, and I have a lot of extra blank paper. I was thinking of taping up sheets of blank construction paper in a few areas, and leaving out some colored pencils, crayons, pens, etc. I thought that once those papers were filled up, they could come down and we could then start again. I was thinking of filling a book/binder with some of the favorites. What do you think? |
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| | | Pictures of my desk. | Saturday January 28th, 2006 05:28 PM |
| by Chelsea |
Okay, well, it's half done. I still need more storage and a chair. I'm trying to decide which matching thing I can get with the desk, either shelves, a shelf unit w/ baskets - both will be on the wall, or a tall ladder bookshelf that sits on the floor (which there is some room on the other side of the TV. It's weird how small it looks in the pictures.
That's Isis...our model cat. She keeps popping up in almost every picture we take, it's like finding the mouse in those Richard Scarry books. ;) This was an obvious "Ooh, look at me!" moment though, other times she sneaks in the shot.
The jars are spaghetti sauce jars I cleaned out. Two have beads in them, the other has different sized glass balls and some plastic crystal cut things. I painted the lids in a swirly pattern, not sure if it shows up in the pictures.
Now I just need to get some kind of storage thingy so I can get rid of those milk crates and plastic bags. I would just keep it in the crates, but my cats LOVE to eat yarn, so it has to be in an enclosed container. :) Plus it would just get all dusty like that.
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| | | Bookmarks! | Saturday January 28th, 2006 04:16 PM |
| by anotherjen |
As an avid readaholic, I've clearly transferred my addiction to making bookmarks!
Here's some I've made recently.
I love this one with pretty porcelain, butterfly beads:
And a green one, with glass beads:
I put them on my etsy site, but I might not be able to let them go...
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| | | Valentine Words Lights | Saturday January 28th, 2006 12:19 PM |
| by CraftyChicaAZ |
I was inspired by the candy conversation hearts, so i used rub on letters on a set of glass lights for these. kinda hard to see with the lights plugged, but it worked great! |
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| | | wine glass charms and a new lamp | Wednesday January 25th, 2006 08:53 PM |
| by tootsiecat |
i made these charms for a food group i'm going to tomorrow night. the hostess was nice enough to start the group and invite us all into her home. she'll be serving wine, so i thought i'd bring these to her.
i'm nervous and excited because i do not know anyone that will be there. i learned about the food group from getcrafty.com in craft up. food, wine and hopefully new friends. of course i'm excited!
and this is a lamp i bought. i have a second job in a nursery/gift store. they have very cool things. i've been coveting this hanging lamp and i bought it with a girf cert i received for christmas.
pretty things make it all better.....
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| | | January 2006: New Year, New Craft! | Tuesday January 10th, 2006 12:53 AM |
| by West Coast Crafty |
Want to learn a brand-new crafty skill as one of your resolutions for 2006? Take a fun class and you'll be crocheting, printmaking or even making your own shoes by Valentine's Day!
I've listed some of the best places to get your craft on worldwide, but I'd love to include your favorites, too, just comment or e-mail me and I'll add them on. And don't forget to check with your local bead, fabric, or yarn store to see if they're offering classes. Many stores also offer private lessons for one or more people, so feel free to ask about something that isn't listed!
note: Please read the comments for info on why you should NOT support Sew Fast Sew Easy--thanks!
United States
Portland, Oregon:
DIY Lounge
I may be prejudiced since I teach here, but I think this is one of the coolest DIY spots around... aside from the great selection of sewing, jewelry-making, and crochet classes, where else can you learn rock & roll keyboards, shrink art, how to run your small business, photography, zinemaking, podcasting, and poker, all under one sparkly pink roof?! Don't deny your DIY!
*What's craftastic: Rock the Stencil and make your own t-shirt designs!
Independent Publishers' Resource Center
Though the IPRC has an amazing zine library, their workshops really stand out. Their printmaking, bookbinding, graphic design, intro to distro, computer, and letterpress classes are affordable and accessible, and even cheaper if you become a member. Once you join, you can use their letterpresses, copier, and other cool equipment, too. Bonus: Reading Frenzy is right downstairs!
*What's craftastic: Gocco 101 and making your own books!
Oregon College of Art and Craft
Book arts, lantern and lamp-making, ceramics, millinery, metalsmithing, cabinetmaking, fiber arts, photography... it's spendy but the course offerings are remarkable. It's also in a beautiful wooded setting outside of town, and the school has a gorgeous gallery with rotating shows of fine craft.
*What's craftastic: you can learn to make your own belt buckles using a hydraulic press!
Seattle, Washington:
Ballard Sewing & Craft Studios, 206-334-6090
Sewing classes for regular machines and sergers, plus scrapbooking and beading, right down the street from Cupcake Royale and Archie McPhee.
*What's craftastic: you can rent studio space to work on your own projects!
San Francisco/Bay Area, California:
Stitch Lounge
Stylish sewing classes cover everything from machine basics to handbag and apparel design, plus making patterns from your own finished clothes. You can even throw a swanky sewing party there... very cool.
*What's craftastic: Make a custom-fitted duct tape dress form!
The Craft Gym
This new spot offers everything from candlemaking to crocheted embellishments, plus jewelry-making, paper-making, custom lingerie design, and dyeing fabric. Plus they have a special "As seen in" series to walk you through projects from ReadyMade magazine!
*What's craftastic? The lingerie class sounds awesome... but I have to spotlight the make-your-own silver-ID-bracelet-out-of-PMC workshop.
Los Angeles, California:
Otis College of Art + Design
Otis is famous for its apparel design program, but you also can take continuing education classes in illustration, jewelry-making, painting, woodworking, textiles, photography, and graphic design.
*What's craftastic? Toy design classes!
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
Crafty Planet
Knit socks and mittens, sew your own pajama bottoms, stitch up a beginner-friendly bag--they offer lots of handy and functional classes to get you started! Crafty Planet also carries plenty of cool supplies from lines like Sublime Stitching and Amy Butler, and they host a Craft & Chat on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.
*What's craftastic: There's a drop-in knitting and crochet workshop every Wednesday--just bring a project you'd like a little help with!
New York, New York:
MAKE Workshop
MAKE puts a chic spin on all the basics (like a class on sewing a custom sundress), plus they offer more unusual fare like batik, block printing, Kool-Aid fabric dyeing, soapmaking, machine knitting, and millinery. The space also hosts sales, shows, and events, and look for special workshops taught by quilter extraordinaire Denyse Schmidt and embroidery queen Jenny Hart!
*What's craftastic? Make your very own shoes--sandals, boots, or moccasins! Wow.
Boston/Somerville, Massachusetts:
Spark Craft Studios
Where to start...? Well, how about the classes--everything paper-related, from embossing to Valentines, plus knitting, sewing, and jewelry. If you want to work on your own projects or shop, you can come by the studio and browse the boutique with a cup of complimentary coffee, tea, or hot chocolate!
*What's craftastic? Wine and Craft workshops every Friday night, featuring projects like "I Love Lucite Charm Bracelet" and "Stunning Stone Necklaces."
Canada
Vancouver, BC:
Seamrippers
This East Van craft collective hosts events at their gallery and workspace, plus workshops like doll-making, sewing, alterations, beading, and knitting.
*What’s craftastic? DIY underwear and fetish gear classes!
United Kingdom
Manchester, England:
Creative Recycling
An emphasis on reuse and style goes into the inventive class list here: papermaking, collage, stained glass, glass fusing, running your crafts business, and plastic bonding, to name a few. Check out the gallery shows for inspiring recycled artwork as well.
*What’s craftastic? Their motto is “Works of art from waste.”
Susan Beal is a West Coast crafter whose number-one New Year's resolution is to (finally) learn to crochet in 2006!
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| | | Glass Etching Fun | Thursday January 05th, 2006 09:10 AM |
| by witchybelle4u2 |
So happy. My mum-in-law got me this cool Chizzle It thingie for Christmas with all these attachments that do different things. I've only figured out the one to etch on glass so far...
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| | | HOW TO: get the new year started right | Tuesday January 03rd, 2006 08:38 PM |
| by how to by ceebee |
New Year’s resolutions have never worked out well for me. I’ve tried for years. I’d make the requisite list and have the best of intentions, but just never really got around to making it happen. I think the resolutions seemed too much like rules and my heart just wasn’t ever in it.
This is not to say that I have no use for goals or improvement however. I can’t help but get excited about the New Year. Perhaps because Christmas is such a huge undertaking, January seems like this big blank slate. It’s not just a new page in my calendar...it is a new calendar all together. An opportunity to do things different as well as repeat what worked last year.
The new year is a golden opportunity to evaluate and redefine. An old coworker once told me that he uses his birthday as a time to review the previous year and
make changes if needed. This is some of the best advise anyone ever gave me. And why wait until your birthday when you can do it this week? I’m lucky because my birthday is in mid-March so if I get off track after my January evaluation two and a half months later I can start over when my birthday rolls around. I can even pretend like that whole January and February thing never even happened!
2005 was a great year for me. I got promoted at my day job, I was a bridesmaid in a close friend’s wedding, I finally got a computer and internet at home and craftily speaking...wow! I formed the I.C.E. Collective with two friends, we organized the Indie Craft Experience in the summer and during the holiday season, we joined the Beehive Co-op, we participated in many local shows as well as in Renegade Brooklyn and Chicago, we had a live interview on a local radio station and a huge write up in our local, alternative newspaper and I started writing this column.
There is always a flip side though! In 2005, I ran up a ton of credit card debt, my apartment was in varying stages of a-mess all year long, I ate a lot of expensive, unhealthy lunches because I was too busy to pack a lunch, I didn’t spend enough time with my family and too much of the time I spent with my husband was in front of the tv. In 2005, I spent a lot of time just plain exhausted.
Clearly, in 2006 I need balance. I want to keep my crafty momentum going but I have to prioritize and decide which things I did last year that were the most effective so that I can make time to see my family and friends and keep my apartment looking cute. I feel so much more relaxed when my apartment is clean and I am much more productive with my sewing.
I also need to keep my money in check. My biggest weakness is going out to eat and for drinks. In the past few months, I’ve already made major headway. I’ve entirely cut out going to the coffee shop unless it is to meet a friend, whereas I used to go every day for my morning coffee. The coffee in the break room at my office is far below my former-barista standards, but it is f-r-e-e. We eat at home a lot more and have beer in the fridge most of the time. And, I’ll admit it, if I’m ready for an evening of sewing and there’s no beer at home, I walk to the gas station a block from our apartment and I buy myself a 22 oz. Budweiser. It costs $1.75 and if I pour it in a fancy glass I am good to go! When I think back to my younger $6 gin-and-tonic days I cringe at how many times I pulled the credit card out to pay my bill which often crept over $20. Some might say my classiness has been depleted but I just keep telling myself that the debt isn’t worth it. And I’m going to get out from underneath debt, one 22 oz. at a time!
So I’ve come up with a few small practices I’m going to implement in 2006. I guess they are resolutions, but I’m not calling them that in hopes that I can
actually pull them off!
__Watch much less TV. It slows me down when I’m sewing, stifles creativity, takes up gobs of time and I’d rather read anyway.
__Don’t use my credit cards!!!! There are instances of true emergency, but NOTHING else is worth the weight of debt.
__A weekly check list of chores. I don’t know who hates cleaning more, me or my husband. A list will keep us in order. And instead of me having to remind him that it’s his turn to scrub the tub, I’ll let the list do that dirty work!
__I’m going to go out less so that means I have to have people over more. This is three-fold....it costs less, will make me keep the apartment looking cute and it is just plain fun!
__We are doing great at cooking dinner at home, but we need to do better at taking our lunch to work. If my husband can make a big pot of soup each week and I can make some big batches of different salads then packing lunches will be super easy. Plus, we have to go to the farmers market every week. They have the cheapest and freshest food in town.
I’m not sure how I’ll make it all happen this year, but I’m hopeful. As I write this there is a big pot of soup on the stove. I’m a big believer in getting started. Most of the time that’s half the battle. So let’s get 2006 started right!
What are you doing different this year?
Christy Petterson lives in Atlanta where she writes, sews, works in PR, organizes crafty events, roadies for her drummer-of-a-husband, eats the yummy food he cooks her, drinks coffee, goes for walks and spends time with her friends and family.
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| | | Quick Holiday/Hostess Gift | Friday December 23rd, 2005 10:28 AM |
| by Nancy Flynn |
You all really know how to get me out of a cranky mood, thank you! No more cranky crafting for me when I know the craftistas are out there being so kind and supportive.
Our department is having a tiny holiday celebration today, each of us bringing something for lunch (I'm bringing mozzerella and tomato salad), and, since we occasionally have happy hour in my boss's office after a bad day, we're getting her wine glasses (one for each of us) and a drinks tray. I offered to make wine charms with our initials on them so we can claim glasses and tell them apart. That is what you see above! Granted, it is not genius beadwork, but if you're in a crunch and need to make a quick stocking stuffer or hostess gift, some ear-wires and sparkly beads will make a unique set of wine charms.
Happy Holidays everyone! I will likely be checking in from my travels, but I know many of you may not be, so I hope you all have safe travels and festive, happy celebrations.
Edited to Add mozerella Salad Recipe-- super easy:
1 container small mozzerella balls (ciligine) or 2-3 medium balls (packed in water)cut into small cubes
1 container cherry or grape or other small tomatos (or 1-2 diced big tomatos)
Balsamic Vinegrette--
2 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 t sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 black pepper
Put all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a little screw-top jar and shake to mix, then drizzle over the mozz and tomato and mix up-- that's it! Also nice to garnish it with some basil leaves, or even to rip/shred fresh basil and mix it in. And if you don't want to make the vinaigrette, it is also good with store-bought pesto sauce drizzled over top.
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| | | My First Craft Show! | Saturday December 10th, 2005 04:38 PM |
| by ZoeStar7 |
Denton Craft Mafia Handmade Gift Show
December 17, 2005 - Saturday
From noon until midnight
List of designers and what they will be selling:
- Mandy Metts -
necklaces, earrings, bracelets, stained glass crosses, buttons
- Judy Stump -
ceramics, fabric wrist cuffs, crocheted flower pins
- Casey Claybourne -
hand knit coin purses and scarves
- Rachel Nichelson -
handmade clothing and silkscreened tops
- Katie Walag -
cell phone covers, guitar straps, knit and crochet scarves,
- Andrea Hair -
button necklaces and bracelets
- Alex Sturdevant -
necklaces, bracelets, earrings
- Jennifer French -
homemade hard candy
- Audrey Wells -
one of a kind purses
- Melanie Goodwin -
purses tshirts accessories
- Kate Althoff - |
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| | | Winter gifts part 2 | Friday December 02nd, 2005 10:57 PM |
| by jens |
Please Veiw The Pictures Of This In My Gallery...
I went a little nuts with the glass etching. But who doesn't like something shiny?
Notice the " goblet o' fire" my boyfriend made.
These goblets have some canada pride a happening. The seemingly random lines and dots are part of a set that spells out our friends' names in binary code.src
This is a pitcher that goes with 4 iced tea glasses that all have random dots.
These are all flutes that all have their own matching sets. ![]()  ![]() Random things with writing. The beer mug is for my friend who is notoriously bad.  ![]() A couple of vases...
 ![]() And finally, a re-used wine bottle for my boyfriend's dad, the home wine maker.
 ![]() I also etched some frames. On a larger frame i etched a chess board. I am going to make peiced for it. I'll post that when I am finished. Like I said earlier, feel free to use any of my ideas or get dangerously close to my imagery. |
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| | | ready, steady, go! | Saturday November 26th, 2005 08:04 PM |
| by jens |
It's that time of year again. I am going to be crafting like a maniac for the next month. I finally got with the times and bought a digi camera, so I plan on keeping you all up to date with the gift making. Feel free to swoop my ideas (well except the button designs and silk screens) and craft them for you loved ones.
On my list for this week:
Silk screen making so I can print ties, t-shirts, and bags.
Glass etching. I bought 20 wine glasses for 14 dollars at target. They are going to be given to people in sets of 4 and 2.
Cards, oh yes, of course they will be handmade, all 50 of them.
I also need to design 4 one inch buttons. I will be ordering them from Whammy.
And, finally, a ZINE! |
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| | | Calling all artists | Friday November 25th, 2005 06:43 PM |
| by jean |
Help me
I have no talent with illustrator and am at a blank as to what my get crafty avatar should be. Can you make me one? If I use it, i'll send you a free copy of my book: Get Crafty Hip Home Ec
what the? i want something inspired, sexy, strong and crafty. my favorite crafts are cooking and writing. i have brown hair and sometimes i wear glasses. (i can send you a photo too.)
How the? Create an illustrated avatar that is no larger than 6kb, and 65 by 65 pixels which I can upload to the site.
When the? The deadline for this is Dec. 10, 2005.
Where the? All submissions should be emailed to me through the site.
email me jean[at]getcrafty[dot]com |
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| | | Get Crafty Guide: Erie, PA | Friday November 25th, 2005 11:12 AM |
| by edenza |
Maybe I was supposed to post this in my blog. It didn't show up in the newsletter but it was approved. If I hear otherwise, I'll delete this post. Until then...
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Get Crafty! Erie and northwestern Pennsylvania
Knitting and Crocheting Supplies
Cultured Purl
http://www.kniterie.com/
3141 W. 26th St
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 836-7879
CP is a yarn shop in an old house. Offers places to sit & knit, which are usually occupied. Has a diverse selection of unusual yarns and some harder-to-find needles. Offers classes. Sells handcrafted goods. Be wary of the in-out parking situation (ex.: you go “in” what would normally be the “out” and the exit view is blocked by a utility pole) but there is off-street parking.
Rustic and Refined
2598 W 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-1710
R&R is a tiny shop with select quality yarns and some gifts/souvenirs. Patterns are free with purchase of supplies; several items on display. Sells handcrafted goods. Difficult to navigate with a stroller or wheelchair; no ramp access to bargain basement. The new bargain basement is brightly colored and homey. R&R now offers classes and get-togethers in the basement. Call for hours; the store is only open about 4 hours per day, not every day of the week
A C Moore
http://www.acmoore.com/
(888) ACM-OORE
(814) 864-9220
345 Millcreek Mall
Erie, PA 16565
Slightly larger yarn selection than Michaels has but still basic compared to the specialty shops. Has some novelty yarns and luxury yarns, like cashmere blends. Good needle and notion selection. Their embroidery selection of thread, needles and supplies is also quite good and melts into the yarn section. Check out A C Moore for papercrafts, dollhouse supplies, woodcrafts, etc. as well.
Michaels Arts & Crafts Store
http://www.michaels.com
(800) MIC-HAEL
(814) 868-2931
2088 Interchange Rd
Erie, PA 16565
Good supply of basic yarns and needles. Sells some handcrafted goods, possibly by employees or class members. Offers classes, including kid-friendly ones, for beginner and intermediate knitting and crochet. Offers classes in other types of crafts as well. Michaels is the largest craft store in town with a large selection of very general craft supplies. Their focus seems to be on wedding supplies (favor-making, silk arrangements, etc.) but their papercraft area is especially nice and there’s a good selection of kid crafts here.
Beads, Fabric and Craft Supplies
The Bead Shoppe
http://www.edinborobeads.com/
Lakeside Commons
220 West Plum Street, Suite 305
Edinboro PA 16412
(814) 734-2464
A fun store with an extensive selection of beads and jewelry-making supplies. Recently added papercraft supplies. Offers classes, parties, etc.
SuperStitch
http://www.superstitch.com/
55 West Main St
North East, PA 16428
(814) 725-3335
(888) 525-9724
Sells sewing machines, Sergers, embroidery machines, thread, books, magazines, patterns and designs. Offers classes and more.
Stitchin’ Stuff
3734 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-8519
Quilting and embroidery supply store
Joann Fabrics and Crafts
http://www.jo-ann.com/
Eastway Plaza: 7175 Buffalo Rd, Erie, PA 16510, 899-6324
Summit: 7200 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509
Limited but basic supply of general craft supplies but the best selection of fabric in Erie
Target
http://www.target.com
Erie’s Target has craft supplies cattered throughout the store. Woodcrafts, stencils, paints, etc. are located near the home improvement and kids furniture sections. Occasionally has knitting supplies (up front in new $1 section or in kids craft section with crayons, posterboard, etc.). Papercrafts and scrapbooking supplies are located near gift wrap and photo albums. Looks like they may be phasing out some items but they bring new things in at the same rate.
Wal-Mart
http://www.walmart.com/
There are several Wal-Marts in NW Pa., all of which offer fabric and beads as well as yarns, papercrafts, woodcrafts etc. A very general selection but covers a variety of bases. Often the only craft supply source in smaller towns and one of the few outlets for fabric.
Paper crafts
Scrapbook Studio
http://www.scrapbkstudio.com/
3305 Liberty St
Erie, PA 16508
(814) 860-8245
Scrapbook Studio has a wide selection of papercraft materials, including stamping supplies, embossing and especially papers. SS also carries locally-themed supplies, like diecuts and papers with logos and colors from high schools, sports teams and attractions. The store is bright and hours are convenient. SS may be difficult to access with a wheelchair; umbrella strollers and “doable.” Offers classes, community crops, secret sales and more.
Morning Sun Studio
http://www.morningsunstudio.typepad.com/
11391 Route 98
Edinboro, PA
(814) 873 4837
Sells papercraft supplies like stamping materials, papers, etc. Offers classes.
Books Galore
http://www.geocities.com/eriebooksgalore/
5546 Peach St.
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 864-1853
Small bookstore, specializing in used books. Possible outlet for zines in Erie. Call or e-mail to get the times when to catch the owner/manager.
Misery Bay Trading Company
Corner of W 26th St and Zuck Rd
Erie, PA
Small, eclectic store selling papercrafting supplies. Sells crafter goods
Oils, incenses and aromatherapy supplies
Chicory Hill Herbs
2516 1/2 Peach St,
Erie, PA 16502
Sells a wide supply of herbs, balms, oils, teas and more. Good place to get base oils and vials. CHH also sells crafter items like handmade bags. A comfortable, bright store with a helpful staff. Offers a free monthly mail newsletter. Located next door to Grasshoppers. Look for the building-size mural of a grasshopper.
Once In a Blue Moon
643 W 29th St
Erie, Pa 16508
(814) 864-8227
Sells oil-making supplies, herbs, etc. Call ahead for hours, which are very limited.
Art and Craft
Glass Growers Gallery
http://www.glassgrowersgallery.com/
10 E 5th St
ERIE, PA 16507
(814) 453-3758
“Blends the functional with the decorative in its offerings of jewelry, pottery, blown glass, metal and wood works. Also, you can purchase and enjoy this region’s finest paintings, prints, and sculpture.”
Kada Gallery
2632 W 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 835-5232
The Kada Gallery showcases fine art, especially by local artisans. A warm, accessible small gallery of high-quality pieces available for purchase. Also offers framing services. The Kada Gallery is in the same plaza as Rustic & Refined (see knitting & crochet section)
Claytopia
2503 W 15th St Ste 8
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 836-7722
Pottery-making supplies. Offers parties and classes.
Stover’s Ceramic Supply
535 E 25th St
Erie, PA 16503
(814) 459-9088
Pottery and ceramic supplies
Maxwell's Hobby Shop
(814) 899-1821
5014 Station Rd
Erie, PA 16510
A variety of craft and hobby supplies
A C D Miniatures
4001 W Ridge Rd
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 838-0005
Supplies for dollhouses
Crafty Shopping
Relish
http://www.relishinc.com/
3835 West 12th St
Local: (814) 836-1827
Toll-free: (877) 811-3830
Relish creates and sells handmade beach glass jewelry. You can browse and buy online or stop into this quirky, purple-stuccoed shop. They also sell unusual items like license plate handbags. You can watch jewelry and other beach glass items being crafted through the large glass windows in the shop.
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| | | Millie's Memos! | Sunday November 13th, 2005 08:11 PM |
| by udandi |
I haven't updated this blog in many moons because I quit my job, moved and began grad school and an assistantship in preparation for a new career -- WOOT!!
Prior to that, I made this for my now former coworker's birthday. It is a magnetic memo board with a chalk and cork board, too. I hope it is keeping her ultra-organized, especially the over-sized clothes pin, which is for "really important memos." I find over-sized objects to be highly amusing (over-sized sunglasses, anyone?!)
I used Staz-on ink to stamp on the metal and worried I went from pleasant to tacky in a matter of a few stamps, but she really liked it!
(on the off chance someone is wondering, I had to tag the photo so I don't infringe the copyright of said stamp company) |
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| | | Frosted Wine Glasses | Friday November 11th, 2005 08:22 PM |
| by ZoeStar7 |
I've been wanting to make some frosted glasses for a while now but didn't know what to put on them.. PLUS.. I broke most of my wine glasses and my friends are coming over for wine before my bday party tonight so I really needed some new glasses.
Wed I was in this wine bar and they had all these cool words describing the wine. So I bought some wine glasses at a thrift store and some Armor Etch and went to work. I used contact paper for the 'swoosh' shapes and scrapbook alphabet stickers for the words.. "juicy" "luscious" "sweet" "bold" "spicy" "smooth"
They were really hard to photograph but you can kinda see it!
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| | | Prepping for holiday crafting | Monday November 07th, 2005 09:40 AM |
| by Crafty Chica |
By Kathy Cano Murillo
Special for Get Crafty.com
Let the rest of the world worry about Thanksgiving and recipes for pumpkin banana bread. There are more serious issues at hand - like what you are going to make this year to give as holiday gifts.
But it’s barely November – why fuss about this topic now? Isn’t that what the month of December is all about?
Here is a Crafty Chica secret: If you wait, my dear, for Thanksgiving to pass before you decide to tackle a crafty shopping list, you will suffer. Why? Because all the best shades of paint, glitter and fabric will be lonnnng gone. The prettiest glass beads will be cleaned out and there will be nada of those handy silver 6mm jump rings you’ve come to depend upon. That’s because the die-hard d-i-yers will have already been there. Do you know some people began making their holiday cards in August?
Anyway, you must go now - before Thanksgiving - to purchase your supplies, while most of everyone else is distracted with cornucopia centerpieces. Not to mention, you'll need the extra weeks to work on finishing everything. Who wants to rush during December, there are cocoktail parties to attend!
Before we begin, we must acknowledge that giving handmade works of art is a tricky deal. It can be hit or miss. Not everyone will appreciate the hours, sweat, cuss words and tears you put into that sumptuous skinny scarf that you not only knitted with novelty yarn, but also embellished with hand stitched beadwork. For them, Target gift cards come in handy. Your one-of-a-kind creations not only consume a lot of your time, but also a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Don’t let that be wasted. Give to the grateful! I have a friend who made a beautiful item for his mom and found it months later at her house in the same box, still half wrapped. Heartbreaking!
So now that we got that down, let’s get organized. Sit down with a Quad Venti Mocha (OK, a cup of hot tea will do nicely as well), and a notepad. Create a gift list with three headings – first tier gifts (parents, spouse, kids, best friend), second tier (extended family, close friends) and third (hostess gifts, co-workers, etc). Now write down the names under the proper headings. Usually first tier gifts are specifically made to the person’s personality. Second and third, you can set up a little production plant in your home and adjust the colors to fit the recipients. My tip on first tier people on your list: Handmade items make wonderful starter gifts – they stretch out the climax to the opening of the main present! Plus, it’s just always fun to open multiple gifts.
Now that you have your list, come up with a list of projects to match. Think of things to make that are more clever than costly. Don’t overextend yourself. Take a simple idea and put your twist on it. Come up with three basic plans that can be tweaked to fit each person. Make that shopping list and spend pre-turkey day time collecting the supplies. Look for coupons in your local paper, as well as online ads, eBay, supply swaps, etc.
Don’t know where to start as far as ideas? Here are some of my favorites that fit well with anyone who is grateful for personalized handmade goodies.
1. Crafty kits with a finished sample.
Who doesn’t like to have artsy playtime? Think of a fun kit idea – like a little rock and roll shrine kit that comes with a cigar box filled with nifty art supplies and pictures that the recipient can use to make the project. Or maybe:
- a knitting gift basket for your sister who has talked about wanting to learn for the past two years. You could put a gift card for lessons from a local store (or from you!), plus yarn, needles and a book or video.
- A set of terra cotta pots filled with bottles of paint, texture crème, pictures to decoupage on and so forth.
- A beading kit. Paint a jewelry box and fill it with beads, string, findings and charms. -
- A card making or altered book kit that comes with the basics.
Remember though, the impact for giving a kit type of gift is to include a finished version. That way the person will be able to use their kit once they see how wonderful yours came out.
2. Personal accessory holders.
Knit, sew or glue together holders for portable music players, cell phones, pdas, notepads, checkbook, jewelry case and cosmetics. Hint: Mint tins make great ear bud holders. They also make a great mini sewing kit for the office, car or classroom.
3. Framed art sets.
Buy a box of cool note cards in an ooo-la-la theme, and then some 5x7 frames (I HEART those inexpensive ones at IKEA). You’ll also need to pick up some of your favorite handmade or scrapbook paper. Cut the scrapbook paper to fit in the frame. Use a glue stick to affix the note card in the center of the piece of scrapbook paper. I personally like to sew the pieces together for a more textured look. Insert into the frame. Do this with three other frames, so you have a matching set of four. Wrap these up or tie them together with a fluffy ribbon to give as a set!
Hey, instead of note cards, you could even print power words from your computer and frame them – like “mighty, wonder, grace, passion”. Personally, I’m a little burnt out on “hope, faith, imagine, laugh” quips. There are zillions of juicy words to choose from. You could even put a weird word and then put the definition too. Or you could pick goofy slang words to conjure up smiles or words that describe the person you are giving it to. You get the idea!
4. Decorated journal set.
Buy three blank journals in three different sizes. Embellish the front of them differently, but in a way that they are still coordinated. If you are up for it, paint some bic ballpoint pens with acrylics and varnish them (yes, I've done this before), and then add them in the gift set. Paint or decoupage a big papier-mâché box to hold them.
5. A “Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That” gift card pocket book.
Make a mini book that has pages with pockets, so you can insert gift cards – like $5 from Starbucks, $5 from Michaels, $5 from Barnes & Noble, $5 from the movie theater, etc.
These ideas are just to get you thinking. The most important item on your agenda right now should be to score your supplies early before it’s too late.
What ideas do you have? Post them here so we can all share!
Kathy Cano Murillo is a syndicated craft columnist, author of five artsy creativity books and is a Latina artist from Phoenix, Arizona. You can see more of her work at http://www.CraftyChica.com.
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| | | Smaller than an iPod cozy... | Sunday November 06th, 2005 07:11 PM |
| by kindarana |
I'm making a cozy for one of these little buggers:
I dug out the variegated sock yarn and have finally decided that making the fabric in an hourglass shape will let me sew the seam up the front and still have a little number window. Otherwise the case is pretty much pointless. I was going to work in the round and do all that crazy stuff you need to do for making holes in the middle of things, but with the striping yarn that would just look ugly. I'll be surprised if we get out of the black stripe and into the purple, though, it's so tiny!
Will update with a pic once it's done. |
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| | | bit of glass | Thursday November 03rd, 2005 10:55 PM |
| by dumplingrrl |
Thankyou for the kind words about my wedding :D
Today some things arrived in the mail. During our mini (one night) honeymoon we took a glass blowing lesson, and the stuff we made arrived finally. Yay!
This is the one I made. A small vase with little leaf wings.
And this is what my boy made. You can't see the swirls of white and green at the bottom too well in this pic. It's a little lopsided but very cute. We had lots of fun making them :) |
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| | | I scream about IceCream | Wednesday November 02nd, 2005 11:30 PM |
| by Brokendove |
Hi,
I am having a weekend party with an asian theme, we will be eatin sushi, table will be dressed in chinese style
we will be eating on a balinese deck and iam looking for some creative ways to serve dessert.
most of the food will be finger food, so I dont particually want them to sit down to a dessert, but i am open to anything.
I was thinking along the lines of homeade icecream. either coconut or green tea.
but wanted a fun or interestingly asian way to serve it.
I have seeen icecream balls done, where you make ball sof icecream and serve with toothpicks.
I have some asian takeout boxes which they could be served in... but was looking for some other ideas.
I dont have enough asian boxes to give each person their own box plus I think they might be too big.
I was also thinking lychees....
I need help with this one terrible brain dead I just dont think my heart is in this party and i have high expectations to meet as might I just say my parties are usually the most creative....
I am not even cooking this time so iam not even sure how that will go down... I just ordered a sushi tray and planning on making some homeade dips.
-brian idea-
what about serving the icecream greentea-coconut in a champage glass (have hepas of these from wedding) with a asian umbrella sticking out??
the party is this sunday so think quick...lol
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| | | Victoria Lust for the Bling! | Monday October 24th, 2005 08:53 AM |
| by victoriawhite |
Allow me to introduce you to my world. The world of color(primarily pink), style, glamour,and the Bling-Bling. If it shines I love it, not tasteless bling-bling, but bling that says something, makes a statment, has a purpose. Fulfills a need in the viewer and the wearer, I mean Bling with a higher calling. We are talking Holy-Bling here.
I use only the best materials available: Swarovski Crystal, precious stones, semi-precious stones, Czech glass beads, hand made glass from Murano*, hand made beads for India, Nickel-free metal only from European suppliers, plus a host of other items, that I feel satisfies the overall statement of the design. If there are any questions about the quality of the item I am using, I simply don't use it! I require only the finest components in the jewelry pieces I create. I wear my pieces as well, and I want only the best for myself, so I wish the best for my clients as well. Simple really.
I am about to make my bi-yearly pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Bling; Milan, Italy. This is where I get inspiration, and supplies for my up coming collections, not to mention a look at the truly fashionable elite, you haven't seen Versace, until you see it in Milan.
I will post photos, and comments for all the curious and interested. But in the mean time, please enjoy my selection of offerings.
Love, peace, and Bling
Victoria
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| | | Title: 2 cute projects | Wednesday October 19th, 2005 09:52 PM |
| by delacute |
| Im planning 2 projects...one is a little felt lunch bag for my daughter inspired by this cute halloween glass container i bought. The other is altering 2 matching jackets, my girlfriend and i love matching jackets and shoes lol but we wanna make the jackets cuter SO...we are gonna pull out the zippers and buttons and replace them with really cute magenta-ish pink ones. Im going to a sewing meet-up in a few days (meetup.com > my sn is iHeartTacoBella i think, that or delacute) so ill get some advice on the best way to take the jackets appart...i dont wanna ruin them. |
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| | | Cleaning Out the Fridge | Tuesday October 18th, 2005 11:31 PM |
| by Miepshe11 |
Not much musing here, though I'm so happy someone bumped the "share your favorite soup" thread. If everyone could send a little cool air down this way, I would be thrilled. I wish I could make some soup or stew but with temperatures in the high 80's, it's too unseasonably hot. I have to make something that reminds me of autumn, because it's just depressing that we're not going to have an autumn this year. Sigh. Well, I also needed to clean out my refrigerator, so I have a very quick and easy fall/winter type recipe to share. I know you probably could have made this up yourself, but the biscuit recipe alone is worth it I promise. I'm from Texas, so I know how important fluffy buttermilk biscuits are and biscuits from a can just don't compare.
Clean Out the Fridge Bake
6 Tbs butter (cut up into pieces)
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 Cup buttermilk OR
1 Tbsp white distilled vinegar + 3/4 Cup whole milk
3/4 Cup leftover taco meat, other leftover meat, or veggie "meat"
1/2 Cup red kidney beans
1/2 package frozen mixed vegetables
Preheat the oven to 400F. Combine leftovers and veggies in a 9x9 baking dish (I used dark glass) and microwave until hot. Leave in microwave to keep warm.
*If meat does not have a sauce, consider adding that leftover pasta sauce or other sauce to dish, probably no more than 1/2 cup and stir well. You don't want too much liquid or the top will be soggy.*
Combine flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Using pastry blender or fork, add butter until flour looks coarsely ground. If using buttermilk, stir in with fork and shape dough into a ball. If not using buttermilk put vinegar in a bowl and add milk. Milk should thicken but not separate. You may need to wait a couple of minutes depending on milk temperature. Add as above.
Knead dough on a floured surface for about 1 minute. I patted the dough down to 1/2 inch thick but you can roll it if you like. Lay the dough on top of the leftover mixture like the top of a crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes until top is golden.
This could easily serve four or maybe six, depending on appetites. I cook for two and we ate about 1/3. So, the leftovers became lunch-worthy.
For biscuits: After kneading the dough, roll to 1/2 inch thick and cut 2 inch circles (grease the rim of a drinking glass) and set on a cookie sheet about an inch apart. Bake about 10-15 minutes until golden. I love them with cream gravy.
PS- Please think happy thoughts for me. I have 2-4 weeks to find out if the teacher certification program accepted my application. Hopefully I will move from preschool to kindergarten. Ha ha, I'll graduate from preschool :) |
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| | | All that sparkles and shines | Tuesday October 18th, 2005 10:52 AM |
| by dumplingrrl |
I wanted to give a shout out to the fabulous www.moodswingstudio.com she did my jewelry for the wedding and I'm so so glad I contacted her for it. She made me a wonderful pearl and glass bead necklace complete with a brass ginko leaf that I sent her in the mail. It's just perfect. (plus she also sent me oodles of great free goodies, a ring, a customised key ring, a sweet wooden sign and loads more, Yay! )
So here are the pics:
It looks even more sparkly and awesome under a light, and since the wedding will be in the evening, I'm a very happy girl.
Another pic of the necklace, this one with my husband to be. He's wearing the clapotis that I knitted him. It's made from Rowan's summer tweed and feels absolutely fab. (He's allergic to wool so he gets to wear all this amazing materials instead, I'm turning green.)
On another note, has anyone checked out knitty's autumn surprise? I love love love the felted pumkins. I see a few of these in my future, hmm... |
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| | | more monkeying around | Thursday October 13th, 2005 12:30 AM |
| by shawneemonkey |
look who just joined my stable (herd? flock?) of monkeys!
i haven't named it, since i'm not keeping it. i did have fun putting it together, making the little wig and glasses. i considered making an outfit, but i don't want to cover up the fun-factor of the socks!
lookit that smart face! heh. more monkeys coming soon. |
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| | | Tequila Shot Glasses | Monday October 10th, 2005 12:36 AM |
| by Brokendove |
1 tequila...2 tequila....3 tequila....4 !!!
I made this tequilla shot Glasses for a party.
Using poly clay and a little creativity
I just wrote up the inctructions for my site so you can see the tutorial here
Tutorial and more Images
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| | | Hurrah! | Sunday October 09th, 2005 05:59 AM |
| by manukenkun |
Last night was the opening of 24 frames a second, the anniversary show for our shop. It went so well and we sold the frames made by flyingfish,
 Peskimo,
 Amanda Kindregan ,
 Tracy from Happy Owl Glass,
 Julie from Subversive Cross Stitch,
 Jeremy Dennis
and  Tom Bugs amongst others- I think we sold half the frames already, so I was really busy taking money and hanging new frames all night long.
It's been so exciting and inspiring to see what people have done with their frames- I gave out blank frames to people and asked them to fill them, there really weren't any other criteria, so it's been great to see how people interpreted it. There have been people who've done simple drawings, paintings, stitched things, collaged, sculpted, put photos in...pretty much anything you can think of- from something basic like a frame there's been things as crazy as this:
 by sculptor Clive Miles
and things as 'simple' as this:
 by artist and knitter Kirsty Hall, I say 'simple' because on the one hand this is 'just' a photo- on the other it's a photo of 'ghost lace' and has an amazing spooky quality to it (one of my favourites and not just because Kirsty is a friend!)
If you want to take part you can! I've run out of frames now- but if you want to send in a piece of work in a frame that's cool- they are all sold at the same price (£20/$40) and if you want you get the thrill of donating your share to help the shop continue to be a volunteer run special place. |
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| | | October 2005: Thrift Stores Galore! | Friday October 07th, 2005 12:17 AM |
| by West Coast Crafty |
Ever wondered where the best thrift stores are? Here are 60+ favorite spots across North America and Europe!
So you need some pretty fabric for a skirt, a pair of size 7 knitting needles, or a few glass jars to try etching your brand-new designs onto. Stop by a thrift store before you buy spendy new stuff. Thrift stores can be an incredible source of clothes, furniture, fabric, yarn, craft supplies, books--pretty much anything and everything, from 1960s party invitations still in the package to rick-rack in every color! As Jean says in Get Crafty, "Thrifting is one of the great pleasures of the crafty life."
I think one of the best things about secondhand shopping is the serendipitousness of what you find. The day you're desperately looking for a pink blazer is when you come home with a 1970s Pfaff sewing machine with all the original accessories, for $10. Then again, the afternoon you really want a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird, there's one on the shelf waiting for you for 69 cents. Maybe you spot a pillowcase from the set you had (and loved!) as a little kid, or a vintage Lilly Pulitzer dress in your size with a half-off tag. Some days you might not see anything good, or you might spot something awesome out of the corner of your eye... in someone else's shopping cart. Bummer.
The golden (pre-eBay and Antiques Roadshow, sigh) age of thrift stores may be on the wane, but you can still find incredible things if you're persistent. Independent charity shops in smaller towns can be a gold mine of cool stuff, and are usually far less picked over than chain stores in bigger cities.
Here are a few tips I've picked up over the years:
-Wear a skirt. It's much easier to change out of quickly in a dressing room than pants are!
-A quick and fairly accurate way to judge if a waistband will fit you is to hold it up to your neck and see if it wraps around. If it does with a little to spare, it will most likely fit your waist.
-Bring cash. Some thrift stores take credit cards or checks, but it is brutal to find incredible stuff and then realize you have no way of paying for it.
-Don't overpay. Some stores (I'm looking at you, Goodwill) have really started raising their prices, so a t-shirt or book is about as much as it would be new. Look for sales or try other, smaller shops that don't gouge you! Look for half-off-everything day, or fill a grocery bag for $2.
-If you're traveling, look in the phone book (or if you're in a smaller town, ask around or look in the main part of downtown) for thrift stores. My husband and I stopped at a few places along the Oregon coast this summer and found amazing stuff--a vintage Lacoste dress for me, a bunch of great 1940s baseball cards for him.
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I asked a bunch of cool crafty women where their favorite thrift and affordable vintage stores were, and got plenty of recommendations. Here they are, sorted by location. I'd love to include yours, just comment with it and I'll add it on!
East Coast
Standish, ME:
Goodwill (with cheap LL Bean returns!)
Boston and Cambridge, MA:
The Garment District
Salvation Army
Saugus
Second Time Around
New York, NY:
Alice Underground
Beacon's Closet
Centricity
Goodwill
Housing Works
Salvation Army
Philadephia, PA:
New to Nearly New
Junior League Shop
Baltimore, MD:
Value Village
Laurel, MD:
Village Thrift
Catonsville, MD:
Salvation Army As-Is department
Berkeley Springs, WV:
R.A.G. (Recycled American Goods)
Richmond, VA:
Nonesuch
Virginia Beach, VA:
Salvation Army (and lots of others along Virginia Beach Blvd.)
Raleigh, NC:
American Way
Chapel Hill/Carrboro, NC:
PTA Thrift Shop (3 locations, also in Pittsboro)
Club Nova
Durham, NC:
Thrift World
Athens, GA:
Potter's House
St. Pete, FL:
Sunshine Thrift
The Midwest
Chicago, IL:
The Brown Elephant
Hollywood Mirror
Ragstock
Unique Thrift
Village Discount
Aurora, IL:
Community Thrift Store
Village Thrift
Columbus, OH:
State of Ohio
Village Thrift Store (also throughout the Midwest)
Cleveland, OH:
Unique Thrift Store
St. Louis, MO:
Feed My People
Denver, CO:
The Arc
Savers
Unique Thrift Store
Boulder, CO:
Goodwill
Salvation Army
Austin, TX:
New Bohemia
West Coast
Seattle, WA:
Red Light
Vintage Voola
Olympia, WA:
Goodwill
Portland, OR:
Goodwill Bins
Red, White, and Blue
Beaverton, OR:
Goodwill
Tigard and Salem, OR:
Value Village
Yreka, CA:
Hospice Shop
San Francisco, CA:
Buffalo Exchange
Cross Roads
Goodwill Superstore
Thrift Town
Wasteland
Berkeley, CA:
Stop the Clock
San Jose, CA:
Savers
Los Gatos, CA:
The Happy Dragon
Ventura, CA:
Assistance League
Battered Women's Thrift Store
Goodwill
Humane Society Thrift Shop
Los Angeles, CA:
Children's Hospital Thrift Shop
Out of the Closet
St. Vincent DePaul
UK
London:
Absolute Vintage
Oxfam
All the shops along Walthamstow High Street
Glasgow:
Salvation Army
Europe
Paris:
Kilowatch
Lots of shops along the Boulevard de Clichy
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Thanks so much to the indiebrides and craftistas who shared their favorites!!
Susan Beal is a crafty writer and jewelry designer who absolutely loves thrift store shopping. |
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| | | Project UK- Make your own mono print paper bags | Thursday October 06th, 2005 04:02 PM |
| by Project UK! |
In the last column I showed you how I made felt from cat fur, this time round it’s something slightly more conventional, with less of an ‘ick’ factor I hope.
Have you ever looked at people posting images of the amazing prints they’ve made with their print Gocco machine, or wished you could get your head round screen-printing? Well I can’t promise to help you master the art of those printing techniques, but here’s something that anyone can do at home- it’s cheap, it’s easy and the results are super cool. What is it? It’s mono printing of course!
Monoprinting
You will need these things:
A sheet of glass or Perspex
Water soluble printing ink, or thick water based acrylic paint
A roller (or brayer)
Paper (try a bunch of different kinds)
Pencil/pens
Inspiration
It had been a while since I’d done any mono-printing, and I was a bit worried I might have forgotten the technique, so I got my good friend Alys Paterson to talk me through it again. We were feeling a bit the worse for wear as we’d been up late the night before (entertaining these boys ) and we had to print and cook spaghetti bolognaise at the same time as we were in a rush to get to a meeting at the shop) but still- as you can see from the results, it really is super easy, and even with hangovers and spaghetti sauce to worry about we created our own mini works of art.
The process:
1. First things first- make sure the area you are working in is well covered with newspaper or something similar, in order to protect it. Lay your sheet of glass or Perspex (is this what you called Plexiglass?) on the newspapers. We used a sheet of glass that was only small- but there’s nothing stopping you using a huge sheet- just bare in mind the safety issues of working with glass.
2. Apply a small (I mean it) amount of water based printing ink, or thick acrylic paint, onto your glass
3. Using your brayer (roller) roll the ink out evenly over the entire plate of glass (Alys went so fast it was just a blur- but take your time over this to make sure it’s a thin even layer)
  
4. Take another look at your inspiration and get ready to print
 
5. Place a sheet of paper over the inked up plate
6. Draw using pen or pencil (or whatever you want really) onto the sheet of paper
7. Remember that any writing you do needs to be reversed (which is pretty tricky)
 
8. When you have finished your drawing, gently pull the sheet of paper from the glass and admire your handiwork
9. Not happy with it? Easy- roll the ink again (no need to apply more yet) and start again. Warning- mono-printing is addictive and soon you will end up with a pile of prints
  
There are several variations on mono-printing you can try:
Draw directly onto the inked up plate of glass with a twig, paintbrush, pencil, anything- and then place sheet of paper over the inked plate and press gently to lift the print
Draw or paint with the inks directly onto the glass in a design you like, then press a sheet of paper over the ink and see what you get.
And not content with just showing you how easy mono printing is, I’m going to let you into the secrets of making your own paper bags, a trick I learnt when my friend Jane (Trick Pony) took me to meet an old man called Bob at the Industrial Museum - combine the two and you have the perfect technique for making unique wrappings for your crafty gifts, or maybe use them for trick or treating…
Paper bags:
You will need these things:
Paper
Glue ( pritt stick or whatever it might be called in America)
Maybe a ruler or something to help with the folds.
Making the bags is basically origami, and as such it makes much more sense when you are actually making them, than when you are reading the instructions. I decided to draw the instructions out- if you need clarification on any points let me know and i'll try and help you.
Just remember that it's much easier to monoprint onto flat sheets of paper rather than onto the made up bags- if you are printing onto flat sheets take into consideration where the image will be once the bag is made up.
There's no need to stick with white paper and black ink- you can use pretty much any paper to print on, and you can draw with anything you can think of- fingers, sticks, keys, palms of hands, wooden blocks pressed into the paper...the list is as endless as your imagination.
Camilla Stacey lives by the English seaside in Weston-super-Mare. She is sometimes Made by Milla, other times a curator at here shop and gallery in Bristol. She has just gone back to school to study art all over again and is thoroughly enjoying herself. She likes buttons, cups of tea and unravelling her knitting.
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| | | Pics of sea glass | Monday October 03rd, 2005 01:18 PM |
| by crispypigsaw |
| Help a college gal!!! Does anyone have any pictures of sea glass? Friday, I have a presentation on the French Riviera. All of my sea glass is at home. Darn it! I left all of the stuff that I ACTUALLY will use :). Help! |
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| | | Screen Printing! | Friday September 30th, 2005 03:42 PM |
| by Dream of Stars |
I am soo happy! My first attempt at making a screen for screen printing did not turn out too bad (it was just a test, so I only used a corner of the frame). But I used the photo emulsion this time, and it turned out great, although unusable because I let the screen dry lying down, and drops formed on the underside (too much emulsion on top I guess). But everything rinsed out and left just my image, nice and crisp and detailed. Awesome!! Next time, I am going to make sure the emulsion is not on too thick, and it shouldbe perfect! I am going to maybe post steps on here too. It is not as hard as it seemed to me, and I am so glad I finally tried it. I will definitely be making many more screens, and I am going to make another tonight and test the print tomorrow. I should really get a fan to speed up the emulsion drying, as I had to leave it in my closet all night... and also, the lamp I have got really hot, and because there was glass over my transparency, it warped a little, but did not effect the outcome of the screen. Anyway, a very successful first attempt, I think. I can't wait to actually start screen printing all the time!!
-Emily
http://dreamofstars.com |
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| | | Saturday September 24th, 2005 08:27 PM |
| by Cate Powers |
Okay, this is day one. Of something momentous, no doubt.
I am in the process of reinventing myself . . . I am 46, my marriage is ending (all over but the shouting, as my father would say), and my two children are mostly grown . . . and mostly out of the house (Tristan is a junior in high school, Kelso is in her sophmore year at college). I'm floundering just a weeeeeeee bit for direction in my life.
I am plunging myself into all the activities that I've felt have been put on hold for years and years, things I've always wanted to do (dancing, kayaking, biking), but not enough to actually do them. And, damn, I feel old! But I'm doing it anyway, and my body is waking up, and my emotions are thawing.
Life is all about change, and that's the direction I'm headed. My friend Karen reintroduced me to knitting last winter (after a hiatus of, oh, twenty-five years), and I've been hooked since. My favorite books for this purpose are the two by Mary Thomas: just the principles of knitting. Get those down, and you can knit anything!
I'm also taking classes at the local community college: drawing and sculpture. I haven't done much drawing in the last twenty years, and it feels good to be back to it.
Sculpture is totally new to me . . . but I'm likin' it. Our next project is an "assemblage", using different, unrelated items . . . I'm making a corset from window screening, and it will be decorated with black & grey ribbon flowers and some raggedy trim . . . inside I want to put a hollow, red glass heart (probably done with copper wrapped glass) . . . and there will be nails or pins sticking into the interior as well. I'm hoping to have the heart act as a votive candle holder - sort of a personal joke, as the first project I brought home from the class, my husband looked at and said, "Oh, is it a candle holder?" (it wasn't) - thought I'd add one for real to this project. I want it to look beautiful, sexy, feminine, restricting and painful . . .
I'm not sure how this blog thing works, but here it is for today.
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| | | renegade | Thursday September 22nd, 2005 01:46 PM |
| by Christy Petterson |
hooray it is finally here!
i leave the atl at 4 in the morning tomorrow!!!! yikes!
anyone who'll be there please stop by and say hi. we have a green tent and there'll be a sign that says Indie Craft Experience/ICE Collective. there are 3 of us in the collective and i'm the one with brown hair and big chanel glasses.
xoxo, christy |
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| | | Dorm Life | Thursday September 15th, 2005 06:02 PM |
| by cheryblosom |
Finally I am able to go online and talk about my arts and crafts! If you are coming from my Live Journal, I can't update anytime soon cause its been blocked (the school block a lot of sites). The good news, here is I can work on my papier mache or anything I really want, W-F after class for a few hours and of course, it is free.
Once I have it somewhat done, I will upload images of my big "W" mache thing. It's going to look like me on one side (pipe cleaner glasses, fake hair etc) and on the other have "w" words all about me. |
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| | | Sunday September 11th, 2005 05:34 PM |
| by jezze |
Here they are! All my little portfolio/business card discs, ready to go out into the world and get me some crafty type jobs (and Heather, she's the one who put the whole thing together).
And this is the bag I made for my friend Jacqui. It's partially felted, because I got bored with the hot water cold water thing, and the hot water burned my hands and made my glasses steam up.
And this is the label for my bags.
And that's all. |
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| | | August 2005: Getting Crafty in Southern California! | Monday September 05th, 2005 06:48 PM |
| by West Coast Crafty |
Southern California may be better known for its beaches, star sightings, and relentlessly perfect weather, but there are tons of crafty resources here too - great shops, classes, museums, stitch n bitch meetups, and bazaars galore. I've listed some of my favorite spots below!
Crafty Community
Bring your knitting, crochet, tatting, beading, quilting, embroidery, papercraft, scrapbooking, darning, be-dazzling, pot-holder making, needlepoint, drop spinning, lace making, towel mending, and any other craft you're working on to Los Angeles Church of Craft meetings! The group meets monthly, usually on Sunday afternoons. Join their mailing list for updates.
Stitch n Bitch Los Angeles meets every Tuesday at the Talking Stick Lounge (1630 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, 310-450-6052) for an open knitting and crochet night. The SnB LA yahoo group also lists meetings and events all over the L.A. area, including Hollywood, Glendale, and the Valley.
SnB Long Beach meets every Wednesday at the Viento y Agua Gallery (4007 E. 4th St.). Further south, SnB San Diego meets every Monday night at Influx (1948 Broadway in Golden Hill). A North County SnB chapter also meets on Tuesdays at the E Street Cafe (130 W. E Street, Encinitas, 760-230- 2038).
There are also SnB chapters in Orange County, Santa Barbara, and at UC-Irvine.
Knitting and Crocheting Supplies
Despite the delightfully warm weather, Southern California has no shortage of great (air-conditioned) yarn stores!
In the Valley, Stitch Cafe (12443 Magnolia Blvd, 818-980-1234) offers free tutoring plus more in-depth classes in crochet, spinning, and felting. They even serve sandwiches! La Knitterie Parisienne (12642 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, 818-766-1515) has floor-to-ceiling displays of yarn, plus buttons, magazines, patterns and accessories.
In addition to classes and trunk shows, Unwind (818 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, 818-840-0800) features cool extras like wireless internet and Camp Knit and Crochet (classes for kids 8-12). Bonus points if you recognize the shop from Six Feet Under--Ruth comes here to knit.
In Santa Monica, Stitches from the Heart (3306 Pico Blvd, 866-472-6903) is an amazing all-volunteer-run yarn shop. All the money raised goes to their charity organization, which donates knitted and crocheted items to preemie babies. Wildfiber (1453 E 14th St., 310-458-2748) offers unexpected classes in wearable art, incorporating freeform crochet and other techniques. Also check out Yarns Unlimited if you're in the neighborhood (828 Pico Blvd #1, 310-395-3880).
On the west side of L.A., I love Knit Cafe (8441 Melrose Ave, 323-658-5648) - they are so friendly, and their yarn selection is really nice - lots of imports! Suss Design (7350 Beverly Blvd, 323-954-9650) sells unique house-designed yarns, patterns, and kits. The Knitters Studio (8118 W. 3rd St., 323-655-6487) offers swanky knitting parties as well as workshops and classes.
In Hollywood, check out Black Sheep Knittery (6324 Yucca St., 323-464-2253), and in Silver Lake, stop by Edna Hart Boutique and Knittery (2941 Rowena Ave, 323-661-4070) for super cute jewelry, handbags, and knitting supplies and classes on the east side.
In Orange County, Strands and Stitches (1516 PCH, Laguna Beach, 949-497-KNIT) offers free knitting and needlepoint workshops each week. Yarn Lady (24371 Avenida de la Carlota Suite M 1&2, Laguna Hills, 949-770-7809) has 50% off bag sales a few times a year! And Velona Yarn (5701-M Santa Ana Canyon Blvd, Anaheim Hills, 714-974-1570) has tons of yarn and basic supplies galore.
Beads, Fabric, and Craft Supplies
Downtown L.A. is an incredible source of jewelry-making and sewing supplies, but there are tons of cool stores all over Southern California.
Jewelry Source.com has a huge list of California bead stores in alphabetical order on their website. Bead Source LA has 6 brick-and-mortar locations as well as a huge online catalog.
The jewelry district in downtown Los Angeles is amazing. Just wander around the Hill and Olive streets area, especially near 7th Avenue. There are dozens of shops carrying jewelry-making supplies, beads, and display and packaging materials. I recommend taking the subway downtown to both the fashion and jewelry districts - parking is kind of a hassle.
The Bead Boutique (8313 W 3rd Street, 323-966-5880) hosts beginning to advanced jewelry-making classes, with 10% off any purchase the day you take a class. In Orange County, Beads Beads (949 N. Tustin Ave., Orange, 714-639-1611) has a great selection of cool stuff.
Filmbiz.com has very handy lists of bead, fabric, and notion stores and wardrobe and costume resources.
Here's another giant listing of L.A. fabric stores online - most are downtown in the fashion district. Check out the few blocks around 9th Avenue, especially between Maple and San Julian streets. You'll find dozens of fabric stores specializing in stretch, laces, buttons, trims, and everything in between, and many of them are dollar-a-yard shops.
The mother ship is indisputably Michael Levine (920 Maple Ave., 213-622-6259), which has an incredible selection of all things sewing-related. Check out their upholstery and home fabrics store across the street, too. West of downtown, F&S Fabrics (10624 W Pico Blvd, 310-441-2477) has three buildings of new and vintage fabrics!
Of course there are plenty of JoAnn Fabrics and Michaels locations all over the L.A. area, too. And there are two Pearl Paint stores: Los Angeles (1250 S. La Cienega Blvd., 310-854-4900) and Huntington Beach (7227 Edinger, 714-903-5100).
Art and Craft
The Craft and Folk Art Museum (5814 Wilshire Blvd., 323-937-4230) has rotating craft exhibitions and a remarkable gift shop. Admission is free on the first Wednesday of the month.
Through August 14, Machine Project (1220-D Alvarado St, 213-483-8761) is showing "Crocheting the Hyperbolic Plane," curated by The Institute for Figuring. Nearly 50 crocheted models that "initially appear to be colorful cozies for Christmas ornaments are actually precise 3-D diagrams of post-Euclidian, post Newtonian space" (LA Times). Wow.
Otis College of Art and Design (9045 Lincoln Blvd, 310-665-6800) offers non-credit craft classes like machine knitting, glass etching and jewelry design.
The Art Bar in the Santa Ana Artists Village (209 N. Broadway, 714-558-2445) offers hands-on classes and open studio hours. There are art openings and open studios on the first Saturday of every month in Santa Ana, too.
The next Contemporary Crafts Market takes place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium from November 4-6. And Bazaar Bizarre is a great place to sell your own work, or buy cool handmade holiday presents.
Thanks so much to the crafty girls of L.A. and the O.C. for their fabulous suggestions!
Susan Beal is a crafty writer, editor and jewelry designer who divides her time between Portland and Los Angeles. Check out more of her how-tos and cool handmade stuff at susanstars.com and PDX Super Crafty.com. |
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| | | July 2005: Getting Crafty in Portland! | Thursday September 01st, 2005 11:12 PM |
| by West Coast Crafty |
If we had to choose just one city in the world to be *the* crafty mecca, we would pick Portland, Oregon. Perhaps it's the DIY ethos of its punk rock music scene bleeding over into the crafty arena -- or maybe it's just all those long rainy winters, but you can't throw a skein of organic wool in this town without hitting a knitter in a handmade dress on her way to craft night at the local lounge. Long-time getcrafty contributor and all-around West Coast superstar Susan Beal shows you the ins and outs of this crafty city.
Crafty Community
Church of Craft has a very active and fun chapter in Portland led by Sister Diane, which meets at Rimsky-Korsakoffee House (707 SE 12th, 503-232-2640) one Sunday each month from 11:30-2:30. There’s a hands-on class at each meeting, or bring your own projects to work on over coffee and dessert.
The ever-fabulous vintage and handmade emporium Frock (2940 NE Alberta, 503-595-0379) partnered with Jen Neitzel of Knot Ugly for a new project, DIY Lounge. The stylish space in the back of the shop offers all-encompassing craft and DIY classes—everything from knit and crochet to jewelrymaking and even voice lessons! Keep an eye out for the Tacky Craft Classes and Iron Chef-style Tack-Off contests.
Right down the street, Retrospect (1532 NE Alberta, 503-284-9799) has cool recycled art and craft for sale. Stop by and use their sewing machine and other craft supplies…
The super wonderful Knittn Kitten (7530 NE Glisan, 503-255-3022) has amazing vintage and craft supplies and fabric at thrift-store prices. Across the street, Touchstone Coffeehouse (7631 NE Glisan, 503-262-7613) has a craft night every Monday.
Memoir PDX (3731 N Mississippi, 503-528-1000) is an adorable new shop with a craft night every Tuesday at 7 pm. And ACME (1305 SE 8th, 503-230-9020) has a craft night every Wednesday after 6 with DJs plus food and a full bar.
Seaplane (827 NW 23rd, 503-234-2409) sells gorgeous and inventive clothes and accessories by Portland and West Coast designers. The last Wednesday of each month is also an in-house fashion show.
Crafty Publications
Learn everything from letterpress to bookbinding and transfer printing at the IPRC (917 SW Oak #218, 503-827-0249). They also have a kick-ass zine library and resource room. Downstairs at 921 SW Oak, Reading Frenzy (503-274-1449) carries an array of zines and independent publications with an excellent selection of craft books.
And don’t forget to stop by the Orange Room of Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside, 503-228-0540) to check out their craft book section too.
Art and Craft
Check out PORT for gallery and outsider reviews and listings and a well-edited guide to the best of the hundreds (thousands?) of art events going on every month in the Rose City. One of the founding contributors, Jennifer Armbrust, also runs a remarkable gallery and shop called motel (19 NW 5th, 503-222-6699) with rotating monthly art shows and gorgeous handmade pieces in the shop.
Contemporary Crafts Museum is one of my favorite places in the world. The museum shows international craft artists’ work in a stunning gallery space—everything from fiber and glass to wood and clay. Show openings, lectures, workshops, and classes for kids go on year-round.
Crafty Online
Two yahoo groups, PDX Stitch & Bitch and Stitch & Bitch Portland, list knitting and crochet-centric events and happenings around town.
The LiveJournal community Portland Craft is another resource to find out what’s going on in town or post your own event.
Crafty Business
Want to sell your handmade stuff, or shop for cool indie designs? Check out Crafty Wonderland on the second Sunday of the month at Doug Fir Lounge. Forty-plus crafters sell their work each month and there's also a free make-your-own-craft table hosted by Sister Diane of Church of Craft and Jen Neitzel of DIY Lounge.
Twice a year, in summer and winter, is the one-of-a-kind Handmade Bazaar! The buy-sell-trade event has bands all day and amazing stuff for sale or swap.
Saturday Market has been going strong downtown since 1973, every weekend from March to December. Stop by to shop or apply to sell your own work.
For general advice on creative business, check out the website my craft collective put together, PDX Super Crafty. We compiled all the information we wish we’d had when we got started and added some fun DIY projects and interviews with some of our favorite crafters and artists.
Crafty Shopping
My favorite bead store is Dava Bead and Trade (1815 NE Broadway, 503-288-3991 and 6357 SW Capitol Hwy, 503-246-1934). They carry a great range of glass, semi-precious, wood, and metal beads plus plenty of tools, findings and books. Their classes are wonderful too.
For yarn and all things knitting and crochet, I love Yarn Garden (1413 SE Hawthorne, 503-239-7950). Check out their open knitting night every Wednesday. My other favorite is Mabel’s Café and Knittery (3041 SE Division, 231-4107) which combines a gorgeous selection of yarn and supplies with a darling coffee-and-pastries hangout. Both shops have in-house classes for everything from felting to intarsia.
SCRAP (3901A N Williams, 503-294-0769) must be seen to be believed. Their typical inventory of super cheap recycled craft supplies includes all types of textile remnants such as fabric and yarn, corks, office supplies, various types of paper (decorative & office), framing supplies, metal remnants, wood scraps, magazines, industrial widgets and much, much more!
For a huge selection of fabrics and notions, you can’t go wrong with the giant emporiums in town: Fabric Depot (700 SE 122nd, 503-252-9530) or Mill End (9701 SE McLoughlin, 503-786-1234). Watch for their sales.
There’s also a JoAnn Fabrics (1928 NE 42nd, 503-281-1033) in the Hollywood neighborhood and a Michael’s (1798 Jantzen Beach Center, 503-289-1481) for craft supplies.
Josephine’s Dry Goods (521 SW 11th, 503-224-4202) carries exquisite cashmeres, silks, and other gorgeous fabrics.
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Susan Beal is a crafty writer, editor and jewelry designer who divides her time between Portland and Los Angeles. Check out more of her how-tos and cool handmade stuff at susanstars.com and PDX Super Crafty.com. |
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| | | Wishful Thinking... | Wednesday August 24th, 2005 11:52 PM |
| by Lesleyd |
Boy I wish I could have traveled more this summer! I only got to go on a weekend trip to Dahlonega GA (4 hours not including time change from Birmingham). It was great! I did get to visit 3 wineries & came home with souvenier glasses, and a good buzz. :-) Don't worry folks I didn't drive, Tom my husband did. My beautiful daughter had a blast with her Aunt Liz swimming all the live long day.
I get these emails with great deals like $399 from New York to Rome including 4 nights. How nice would that be huh?
Hmm. There's a goal!
OO I finally finished MY purse, well my prototype I keep claiming. I'm testing it out to see how this particular fabric works out. I took a shot at the hobo bag that was posted in one of the forums. I swar that is the easiest & quickest & most enjoyable purse I've made. I'll post the pic in a bit under my pictures.
Ta ta for now!
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| | | Purge projects 2 and 3 | Wednesday August 24th, 2005 12:20 PM |
| by girlsavage |
I've had a little extra time to do more purges. Here is the first one...a mail organizer I got on clearance at Target a while back. It was a little dinged up, but it was only $3.00!
  I used a glass bead medium mixed with acrylic paint and changed it to this. It was lacking something after the first color was on so I used a yellow/ gold on the egdes. Plus that gave it a more 70's/retro feel, which we have a lot of! lol.
The next purge project was to put up cutains in my kitchen. I got a set of very cute sheers at a yard sale at the beginning of the summer and really wanted to hang them somewhere. So I went to the dollar store and got 2 rods, one for each window and hung them up. It's a little hard to tell in the picture, but they have a very sweet flocked flower design running up and down them. I love how they help pull the room together and make an apartment kitchen feel much warmer. Plus kitchen curtains and rods for $4.00 total!
Now I have to go clean the house a bit for more last minute company. My sister-in-law and her boyfriend flew into Vermont last night to visit some friends who are letting them use a car to come down here for a couple of nights. They called last night and we made the decision for them to go ahead and come up tonight since we all have other weekend plans ,but want to get together.
I added more bags to the site this past weekend. Also had the webmaster do a new shorter intro. for the site.Check it out. |
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| | | New Crafty Magazine... | Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 11:45 AM |
| by flyingfish |
So I got this email in my inbox yesterday, I know nothing about this guy or his validity BUT if you are interested in following up~ he says he's looking for peeps. Check it out!
QUOTED:
Hello Crafty!
You're invited to put your crafty talents to work on a
new Pussycat Magazine book project for
Sterling/Chapelle.
Old records, bowling trophies, glassware, wrecked
furniture, abandoned toys and silverware. I’m sure
you’ve seen piles of this kind of stuff at thrift
stores, second hand stores, flea markets and yard
sales. Well, it’s time to put on your crafty thinking
cap and give these items a new life!
The editors of Pussycat Magazine.com are compiling a
retro revamp craft book. It will show craftsters and
hipsters the world over how to turn common second hand
items into fabulous, hip new fashion accessories,
furniture and home decor items.
If you know a way to turn a second-hand lamp into a
showstopper, a bowling trophy into a fashion must-have
or a worn out chair into a zebra print nightmare, we
want you!
You’ll help make Retro Revamp the best brazen, glossy
collection of innovative and off-the-wall ideas from
the best professional and amateur crafters around.
It’s an excellent opportunity to strut your stuff. In
exchange for your wonderful idea, of course, you’ll
get shameless free promotion for your crafty business,
super bragging rights and a fabulous
fresh-off-the-press copy of the book, compliments of
moi.
In addition to shameless promo on the Pussycat
Magazine web site, a bio of you and your crafty
business will appear in the book. This is a big part
of the shameless promotion!
All you need to do is
A.) take a digital photo of the completed craft
B.) jot down the instructions and any tools or
patterns needed to make it
C.) tell us a little bit about yourself and your
crafty biz
D.) include your contact information, including your
web address and email address
Then, email everything to denise@pussycatmagazine.com.
Or snail mail it to
Pussycat Magazine.com
PO Box 531331
New Orleans, LA
The deadline is October 25, 2005. If you'd definitely
like to participate, feel free to send me a reply.
For more information and to view craft guidelines,
visit
http://www.PussycatMagazine.com/crafty.html
Happy Crafting! And feel free to pass this email along
to all of your crafty friends. The more the merrier!
Denise Trowbridge
humble editor
http://www.PussycatMagazine.com
denise@pussycatmagazine.com |
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| | | I'm so exhausted! | Monday August 22nd, 2005 03:49 AM |
| by fastasleep |
Yet again it's not a very good picture, I would have got a better one but my batteries died on me and the hubby's hidden the charger, so I might update again with loads of pictures later... Anyway it's my latest order for my MIL's workmate who wanted a brown one like my MIL but my MIL didn't want her to have a brown one like hers so.... lol it's only simple again, 2 twisted strands strung with slate grey, copper, and bronze seed beads, chips of garnet, and some really nice dark brown bugles (the colour doesn't show well, hopefully I'll fix that later!) I hung the glass centre bead on a triangle of wire then beaded around it... simple really :)
I'm so exhausted :( my toddler's a hyperactive pooey monster by day and by night I've been sat there stringing beads while my huge bump wriggles at me... more and more beads... until my hands hurt and my eyes aren't working! My knitting's feeling neglected, mainly because I've been buying 2 skeins of yarn a week while pretending to be thrifty, and the damn store ran out of both of the colours for my baby blanket, you'd think I'd be safe only using two colours but nooo... so I started on this other project - a devil hat for the devil toddler, and I just can't get to grips with 4 double pointeds so I have to wait until I can venture into town to buy a round needle... oh what challenges me and my knitting are facing :P I also can't sleep, pregnancy dreams have kicked in and you'd be likely to find me mumbling at 3 am - 'No... NO!.... I don't HAVE round needles... NOO a pink necklace, I know I haven't finished it yet NO!'... my poor, poor hubby... he's currently sat at work pouring coffee into every orifice.
Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have enough jewellery to stock my Etsy shop, at the rate I'm going I definately will! Ooh I also got my first actual *~payment~* on Saturday and have earned about £10 in actual profit (20 dollars sounds bigger :P) which means yaaaay more beads, ooh, no, we're skint it means yaaaay we can afford baby wipes! |
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| | | so. | Friday August 19th, 2005 08:19 PM |
| by faithin |
i hate when i'm a jerk and have a blog somewhere and just never get around to updating it. especially this one, because i joined getcrafty in hopes that having a craft blog would encourage me to be more crafty in general.
does any of this make sense?
is it spelled correctly? i have to go find my glasses.
much better. anyway since this is my first blog post maybe i should discuss myself.
in general i design websites for myself (it's a soothing hobby for me), knit, sew (purses and little things), spin yarn, write/draw stuff (although i have no zines completed as of yet) and make stationery. usually i only make it to send to friends as little hellos or thank yous, but maybe i'll make some to sell.
i love to do lino printing also but the equipment is super expensive and i'm a broke college student right now.
my computer's running really slowly for some reason!
this is my favorite yarn but there are two others in my album!
i hope i update this and use it! |
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| | | Sp Topic: Dorm Decorating! | Friday August 19th, 2005 03:21 PM |
| by soapandwater |
I'm too excited for much sleep lately because my body is slowly but surely returning to school schedule. I am thinking about my return to campus constantly, especially about things like, "How will I decorate my dorm room door? Should I quote lyrics, or should I just put up a sign that says 'Macondo' on it?" and "What's a good way to hide my coffee pot but still keep it accessible? What would Alton Brown do?" These things I will undoubtedly figure out on my own, but until then, I feel it necessary to share my dorm room decoration tips, if only to pass the time.
Air raid, freshmen. Listen up:
1. You do not need to bring all of your books and DVDs, or even as many that will fit in the back of your parent's car. I promise you this. If your school has a decent library, you definitely don't need them. Even if they don't, there are people on your hall who will not be reading this and taking this advice, and they will have brought all of their favorite movies and books. Besides, college is a time for growth and experience and an evolving tolerance for caffeine intake. Read something new from your library. Do you reading for your classes on time. Watch Citizen Kane in a film class and learn about nonlinear narratives. If you have to, of course you should bring the few books of poetry you just can't live without and whatnot, but keep in mind that you may not have a lot of free time for leisure reading.
2. Although posters are fun, and I'd encourage bringing them, try to think of alternatives for decorating your walls. The following look good on your walls: tapestries, random pieces of fabric (ah, look, we have a fabric wall thread going on!), the art and photography by you or your friends, old calendar pictures arranged neatly (a horizontal line? a vertical line? a border for the entire room?), and good old fashioned pictures of rock and rollers (Sleater-Kinney? Le Tigre? Uh, Lynyrd Skynyrd?). Also, I've taken to cutting pictures out of Venus magazine for the bright illustrations. What a great way to recycle the parts of a magazine you don't read!
3. Buy cleaning supplies. Enough said? No, not really. At one point during the year, I had a pile of human hair on the floor from DIY haircuts. Fortunately, my roommate and I owned a trusty red broom that would do our bidding. One of the most important aspects of having a beautiful, hip, rustic, indie, sexy, vibrant, cool, dark, bright, light, gorgeous-- personal, in short-- room is making sure from time to time it's clean. Oddly enough, college usually works this out for you. One day you're scoffing at people who brought irons to school, and the next day you're folding your underwear, which you'd never done before in your life. A few good cleaning supplies that came in handy for me: a broom, Lysol disinfectant wipes (kept me from getting pink eye), and various rags for picking up spills and drying things off. This is much more important than buying that Family Guy poster.
4. Don't feel pressured to color coordinate your side of the room with your roommate's. I realize that at some schools, roommates are allowed to communicate with each other prior to their moving in together, or maybe you will be moving in with someone you know; this can lead to an increase in excitement and planning ahead ("OKAY, I'll bring the red broom, and you'll bring the illegal coffee pot, and we'll put it under this mosaic mirror I made, and we'll decorate the room in taupe!!! Do you mind my Miranda July shrine in the corner?"). If you two happen to match without even realizing it, great. But don't let the fact that Suzie Q prefers a pastel room hinder you from doing a purple and orange motif. You may feel passionately loyal to the person you're living with, and that could easily change after nights of her playing Marvin Gaye repeatedly as she obsessively cleans her side of the room, only looking up to glare at you as you watch Food Network and try to make a limoncello without getting caught by your R.A. The last thing you want is to feel bitter about color coordination when you two go your separate ways.
5. Go thrifting! Need a new lamp to counter the buzzing fluorescence of your entire dorm? Check flea markets, thrift stores, dumpsters. Come on, we know all about this. As crafty folks with a DIY ethic, it's imperative to master the art of thrifting. But most importantly, coffee cups, plates, and bowls can all be acquired at places like Goodwill. This goes the same for wine glasses when you want to drink from the water fountain by the bathroom in style. Set them out on all those shelves you freed up from not having to bring any pesky books or videos.
6. Buy DIY! Who else on the hall is going to have that handmade hat rack that you hang the scarf you knitted from handspun wool you bought online? Who else is going to have that hand sewn tapestry? And, remember, if there's a crafty person you want to support, what goes in your room and on your body makes you a piece of advertisement. How fun!
7. A repeat of rule number 1: make space. When you make space, you will have more room for decorative pieces, for knickknacks you pick up along the way, for plants (aloe, cactus, bonsai, as well as more edible things like sprouts), for the books you have to buy for school (especially English majors), and for a sense of calm. In a shared room, even in a single room, your mission is to arrange the furniture and beds and colors so that you feel the space as much as you see it, and your room becomes more than just a place to sleep and study.
I'm still working on it. I spent most of my year outside of my room because it made me feel almost ill to be in my room, among the clutter and the Marvin Gaye. Now I've learned my lesson. I've got my trusty red broom in storage waiting for me, and I've got the peace that comes with knowledge.
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| | | this week's update | Thursday August 18th, 2005 01:15 AM |
| by beadgalsarita |
two new items in the store for this week. We've got a pair of earrings and a lovely necklace.
Heart Felt
this pair of earrings is made completely by hand (even the inverted heart) out of ss wire and glass beads. I love them to pieces and may end up adopting this pair to wear to a shindig my other half's company is having tomorrow night.
and
Moon Fall
this necklace is made out of dark peach moonstone, ss wire, button pearls, 3mm ss rounds, and ss chain (what a pain in the petard, let me tell ya). I've been tempted to annex this necklace as well, but I've been resisting fairly well. My inner magpie is a greedy little bugger.
both available at my LJ and my Etsy store (they'll be listed on etsy over the weekend).
~Sleepy Sarah |
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| | | Bead Jackpot | Wednesday August 17th, 2005 04:00 PM |
| by Chelsea |
I just got into beads recently, and have been kind of stuck because I can't really afford to buy more, I already spent about $20. THEN. We had a bunch of left over summer and some fall mobiles and windchimes at work precariously hanging from an unstable rack. Yes, it fell over. EVERYTHING broke! A couple days later, when we were still trying to untangle the mess I realized how great these beads were. I asked my manager if it would be possible for me to buy the beads (I was thinking about $5) instead of just throwing them away. They were all so perfect! Come back a few days later, "Yeah you can have these...ya got 15 cents on you?"
=D Yay me! lol. Here's some that I've unstrung so far. There's also some of those glass marbles that I can use for something. And the flowers and the leaves are made of stained glass, PERFECT for mosaics!!
Here's a closeup of the really good beads. The others that are in the pile are multicolored wooden beads. These are my favorite.
Here's what's left of the beaded mobiles. Other windchimes were just made out of porcelain and were all broken and useless. Imagine this scene only taking up 2 1/2 by 4 feet on the floor of our shop. It was an absolute MESS. Took us two days to untangle most of it (we did save I think FOUR windchimes). I'm just going to cut the strings to get the beads out of this mess...I'm not bothering with untangling it since they're all broken.
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| | | Money? For my tat?! Plus help me I'm British! | Wednesday August 17th, 2005 08:07 AM |
| by fastasleep |
Wow, it's been busy around here - I was going to post with the details of some of my embroidery projects... but my MIL called with 3 orders for necklaces! 3! They're going to pay me £10, it costs £4.50 to make an average necklace so OH MY GOD I'm actually going to *make* money!
This as you might have guessed has spurred on thoughts of online shops and the like **mad grin** trust me to get ahead of myself! I just emailed etsy.com about being British.... is it ok to be British on Etsy? Will I have to get an Ebay shop? Is there a better way?! Someone come along and point me in the right direction!
Anyway, (I'm not exactly sure how to do this yet...) underneath here should be a picture of my latest necklace, my MIL wanted simple and brown so that's what she got! It's a terrible picture, going to have to work on that if I want a shop lol... It's made around the center faceted teardrop bead which is a lovely warm coppery brown colour, I strung it between two 'ribbed' metal beads, the general bead pattern is - 2 chocolate brown opaque seed beads, then two see through copper seed beads, then a chip of garnet, then 2 jet black seed beads, then a chip, then copper, then chocolate then repeat - it's a really simple design....
Below this chunk of babble should be the first necklace I made for my MIL, I prefer this one, she wanted simple and blue... I made this on two strings, I strung sections of 4 seed beads at a time in different shades of blue and then twisted the two strings together, I then fed both strings through one of the largish blue cube beads I strung a pattern of small seed beads with some large frosted seed beads on both strings at once, hung the nice round bottle blue glass pendant in the middle and then repeated it on the other side, I thought this one turned out nicely for a simplistic necklace :)
That's me all typed out, I bet my image linky things didn't work! |
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| | | Sangria and Wallets | Wednesday August 17th, 2005 05:26 AM |
| by Chebang! |
Yes, I am up too late tonight. I think it is a bad habit I formed as a child, getting into a project and then starting another and another, until I realize I have been up half the night, crafting, writing, or whatever I am into at that moment. I know it doesn't help that I have gulped down three glasses of jug happy Sangria in the last two hours.
But I made a new wallet for myself, fixed a much loved handbag, and watched 2 hours of a Grateful Dead rockumentary on PBS. What a strange night and I am hoping my hubby doesn't wake and realize I haven't gotten to bed yet.
By the way...how do I post pics. Where do I host pics so I can post them here, because I really want to show the purse and wallet I made. If anyone can help, I'd be so grateful. |
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| | | Bookish: Inspiration is 1% Perspiration. By Jessica Reed | Monday August 15th, 2005 12:18 PM |
| by bibliomaniac |
The perspiration required to lift a book, that is.
I have a love-hate relationship with the inspirational sort of books written for the creatively stalled. Not that I don’t own a whole slew of them, titles filled with stories, project jump-starts, and exercises meant to unclog the tunnels of the right brain, but I don’t read them very often as I sometimes find them, well, a little too inspirational. Too happy. Weird, I know, given that I did buy them for that purpose in the first place.
As someone who, among other things, writes, takes photographs, etches glass, bakes, embroiders, knits and tries really hard to sew a straight line, inspiration for me tends to come from other sorts of books. Stories and images that are so well-crafted, creative, dark or funny, or often just plain brilliant, that I feel compelled to create something of my own. Now, given how obsessively I read, I happen to come across quite a few books that inspire me in some way, but I do have my old-faithfuls, titles that I read and look at over and over again. That said, I thought I’d offer you a few suggestions for books that don’t tell how to be creative, but rather show what creativity can do.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
I would recommend anything and everything by Mr. Gaiman, as I think he produces fantastic work all around, but this slim volume written for children is one of my favorites, and always leaves me wanting to make strange things with buttons.
Confessions of a Window Dresser by Simon Doonan
Last month I wrote a small bit on his latest book, Nasty, but it’s his first memoirish tome that I keep by my worktable at all times. The images of his weird and wonderful window displays are enough to make me want to do something crazy. Crafty-crazy, of course.
How to Eat by Nigella Lawson
I usually avoid cookbooks without lovely, glossy pictures because I really like to see what the things that I cook should look like as opposed to how they tend to look when I’m at the stove, but I make an exception for this book. Recipes in general inspire me, (And not just to cook. The ideas for some of my better photographs came to me while reading cookbooks.) but there is something extra about a Nigella Lawson book—she can write. Absurdly well.
Twilight by Gregory Crewdson
Crewdson takes elaborately staged, cinematic shots that are beautifully composed and intensely strange. Each image strikes me as one piece of dozens of possible stories. I also like to read about his process for setting up the shots, and the lengths that he goes to in order to produce such surreal work (Oh, to have a large budget). This is a book I turn to again and again.
The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce
I love reference books, but I especially love ones where the author has taken liberty with accepted truth. This is a cynics dictionary, filled with witty, acid definitions like "Famous: Conspicuously miserable," and "Craft: A Fool’s substitute for brains." I like to grab this book, close my eyes, open to a random page and point my finger at a word, then use it to try and jump-start a current project. Usually it just jump-starts a new one, but at least it helps me do something...
...Like in this case, I happened upon his definition for "Friendship: A ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul." Idea! Figuring that my friends were an untapped resource for alternative inspirational reading material, I chatted up a few of the crafty, creative ones to see which books they rely on for a kick in the creative bum.
Betsy, a writer and artist whose mildly obsessed with paint-by-number these days, reads Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries.
Brian, a photographer, likes “any and all” graphic novels. I tried to get him to elaborate, but he just ignored me.
Erin, an compulsive entertainer, gets ideas for her many themed dinner parties from biographies, but turns again and again to The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell.
Kate, who designs clothing and jewelry, loves to look at books that showcase the work of graphic designer Paul Rand.
Robert, an illustrator and silk screener, can’t get enough of Edward Gorey, particularly Amphigorey and Amphigorey Too.
Ah, Edward Gorey. It really is hard to go wrong with him as inspiration.
On that note, enjoy looking for inspiration beyond the usual suspects, whatever your “fool’s substitute for brains” may be.
Jessica Reed is a writer, artist, and bibliomaniac. She spends her days working in publishing, her nights working on her MLS, and her late nights passed out in her Brooklyn apartment. She wishes she had more time.
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| | | The Dilettante Crafter: Be Your Own Barista | Thursday August 11th, 2005 09:31 AM |
| by dilettantecrafter |
The Dilettante Crafter
Be Your Own Barista: DIY Coffee-house Treats
by Nancy Flynn
Lo those many years ago, when I was seventeen, there was but one Starbucks per 20 blocks in Manhattan, and a good cappuccino from the diner across the street cost $1.25. That was when I knew I was an addict, so far gone that it nearly came to blows when a girl in my homeroom accidentally kicked over my morning cup. But my coffee preferences were honed much earlier, by my grandmother. Way back in the early ‘80s she served me a kiddie version of a frappuccino—a shot-glass sized amount of coffee with sugar, vanilla ice cream and heavy cream, and I’ve never looked back. The recipes in this column are testament to what I learned from her—coffee is at its best heavily adulterated with cream, sugar and flavorings. To the real “I drink it black” aficionados out there, I admit that I can’t tell the difference between Kona and Kenya, and I abandoned my darling red stove-top espresso maker in favor of instant when it grew some kind of chic Italian mold. What follows are ingredients and recipes for DIY coffee-house style treats in your own kitchen, whenever you feel like it, for a fraction of the price (more money for craft supplies!).
The Tools of the Trade
*Kettle to boil water: Electric works in a dorm, or stove-top if you’ve got it.
*Frothing device: Can be a schmancy one from Bodum, an electric one, or an old fashioned whisk. I love my manual frother from Bodum, which I bought at a discount store for $5. A regular coffee press (aka French press) actually whips up a nice froth if used on milk and pumped repeatedly. You can often find an inexpensive coffee press in the house wares section of stores like Marshall’s, Ross, TJ Maxx or Homegoods. I’m not wild about the electric frother, but it will do in a pinch. Mine cost only $1.99, so not a huge investment. Be sure not to spend more than $10 on an electric one, since none of the expensive ones I’ve seen work much better than mine does. If you don’t want to store another kitchen appliance, a whisk will do just fine, and you’ll get a little arm work-out with your cappuccino
*A Blender: For frappe style blended drinks
*Coffee maker: Most of these drinks are made with instant espresso, and will work with instant coffee too. But there’s no harm in having a coffee maker—either a drip one (I have a tiny Kitchenaid that cost $15), or a French press. n.b. coffee needs to be ground differently for a press than a drip machine.
Ingredients
*Instant Espresso Powder: I use and love Medaglia D’Oro. It has a nice carmelly taste, and they sell the little jars at my local grocery. It may look small, but it lasts a nice long time. Any other brand will work as well, and in a pinch good instant coffee will do—just be sure to brew it strong.
*Milk: I use 2% cow’s milk in most of my drinks. Believe it or not, low-fat and skim milks froth much better than whole. Soy is also lovely in coffee, as it cuts any bitterness better than cow’s milk. It does not hold a very good froth in my experience, but makes up for that with its innate creaminess. Evaporated, or condensed, sweetened milk is also very good and called for in drinks like café con leche and Vietnamese coffee. It is hard to store neatly in the fridge once opened, so best used when you have company, or have a bit left over from making pie filling. Whipped cream is great when you are feeling fancy or indulgent too.
*Sugar: I love sugar cubes. They generally don’t cost much more than granulated sugar, and make portioning out your sugar by the teaspoon very easy. Plus they are cute in your sugar bowl, and give you an excuse to buy tiny silver tongs at the thrift store. If you must, use artificial sweetener. Just be sure to use less than the amounts of sugar recommended below, since artificial is more concentrated.
*Vanilla (or whatever flavor you like) Syrup: They sell this at many markets. I do not recommend the Starbucks brand of flavor syrup—it often has a nasty aftertaste, and doesn’t taste the same as what they use in their drinks. Stick with Torani, or another good Italian brand.
*Cocoa Powder: Hershey’s will work, if it’s what you have in the cupboard. I like Van Houten’s, which comes in a terrific old-fashioned looking tin. They sell it at Trader Joe’s, and I think the flavor and consistency is better than Hershey’s. I prefer unsweetened cocoa so I can control the sweetness of my drink. I like my chocolate drinks a little bittersweet, which is difficult with Hershey’s syrup or Nesquick.
*Good Dark Chocolate Bar: My favorite is Lindt, even though it costs a pretty penny. It has a low wax content and great flavor. It is definitely grown-up chocolate, and I like to think it I has all those health benefits they talk about.
*Chai Tea: I like Pacific Chai powder for instant gratification. It actually tastes good if you just make it with water. Trader Joe’s brand of chai powder is tasty too. Liquid chai like the kind from Oregon Chai is also quite good, and gives you a non-dairy option since you add your own milk to it.
*Kaluah and Frangelico: For grown-up girl coffee drinks.
THE DRINKS
What’s Cooler than Cool?
Since it is summer, we’ll start with the icy. Be careful to always add cold milk to your hot espresso mixture before adding ice—you don’t want to crack your glass with sudden temperature change. If you choose not to add cold milk first, put a metal spoon in the glass to conduct the heat/cold and prevent breakage.
Iced Mocha
2tsp instant espresso powder
6oz boiling water
8oz milk
3tsp sugar
3tsp cocoa powder
Ice
Add boiling water to instant espresso in heat-proof container.
Place sugar and cocoa in a tall glass. Pour hot espresso over cocoa and sugar, and whisk until dissolved and syrupy. Add 4oz cold milk and whisk again. Add ice, enough to pack in and cool the bottom of the glass. Froth remaining 4 oz milk and pour into glass. Sprinkle frothy white top with cocoa and sugar if you like.
Iced Cappuccino
Very much like the mocha, but without the chocolate, naturally.
2tsp instant espresso powder
6oz boiling water
8oz milk
3tsp sugar
Ice
Add boiling water to instant espresso in heat-proof container.
Pour hot espresso sugar, and whisk until dissolved. Add 4oz cold milk and whisk again. Add ice, enough to pack in and cool the bottom of the glass. Froth remaining 4 oz milk and pour into glass. A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg is nice and fancy.
Vietnamese-style Iced Coffee
This recipe is designed for more than one person, since the sweetened, condensed milk is awkward to keep in the fridge after you’ve used just a bit. This is also a bit more time intensive than some of the others, but very yummy!
4 cups brewed coffee or instant coffee
1 can condensed, sweetened milk
Allow the coffee to cool, then pour in ice cube trays and put in the freezer. Once frozen, chop into chips in the blender. Place chips in clear glasses, and pour in the condensed, sweetened milk (a few tablespoons per glass). Tasty and very cooling on a hot day!
Chai Smoothie
2 scoops/ 1/3 c chai tea powder
3 oz boiling water
8oz cold milk
Ice
Add boiling water to chai tea powder and whisk until dissolved (can be a bit lumpy). Pour into blender jar. Add milk to jar, and enough ice to pack in the liquid. Blend until it reaches the consistency you like.
* if you prefer liquid chai, substitute the powder and water for ½ c liquid chai and continue from there.
Kaluah Malted Milkshake
2t espresso powder
1T malted milk powder
1T chocolate syrup
1 oz kaluah coffee liqueur (or your favorite)
1 c milk
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Pop it all in the blender and push the button, then put it in a frosty glass and enjoy! Top with whipped cream if you like. This recipe is good multiplied for a fun girls’ night in.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Cappuccino
1 tsp instant espresso
Sugar, if you like
4 oz milk
Boiling water
Add 2 oz boiling water to instant espresso and whisk until dissolved
Place milk in small saucepan and heat until hot but not boiling.
Froth milk until it has doubled in volume, then add to espresso. Top with cinnamon if desired.
*For a latte, simply double the amount of milk, add 4oz to the espresso, then froth the remaining 4 to top.
Mocha
2 tsp instant espresso
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp cocoa powder
8 oz milk
Boiling water
Add 2 oz boiling water to espresso in a small pitcher to dissolve.
Place sugar and cocoa powder in your mug, and then pour espresso mixture over and whisk until nice and syrupy.
Heat milk in a saucepan (or the microwave) until it is as hot as you like it. Pour 4 oz milk into your mug, then froth the remaining four to top. Sprinkle with cocoa powder if you like.
Hot Chocolate
Full disclosure about hot chocolate: if you really want to pamper yourself, get over to Vosages or Mirabelle and buy one of their divine hot chocolate mixes—utter heaven. A more than acceptable facsimile can be made thus:
2 squares good quality dark chocolate, broken into bits
2 tsp cocoa powder
3 tsp sugar
6 oz milk
2 oz heavy cream or ½ and ½ (you can use all milk if you prefer, but the cream really adds some luxury to the drink)
2T boiling water
Add boiling water to cocoa and sugar to dissolve and make a paste.
Heat milk and cream in a small saucepan until boiling gently.
Pour milk/cream mixture over chocolate bits, let stand for a few minutes, then whisk until melted. Add to cocoa and sugar syrup mixture, and whisk again. For extra frothy goodness, put hot cocoa in a blender(an immersion blender works well too) and blend until doubled in volume. Best enjoyed in a leisurely fashion, out of a small teapot and poured into a delicate teacup.
Café Josephine
An attempt to recreate a divine drink I had at a Café Rouge in Oxford.
3 t instant espresso (6 oz brewed coffee will work well here)
1 oz kalua liqueur
1 oz frangelico hazelnut liqueur
2 oz heavy cream (trust me, use the cream)
6 oz boiling water
Add boiling water to espresso and stir. This is equally good with regular brewed coffee if you want to bust out your coffee maker. Pour in Kaluah and Frangelico. Top with cold heavy cream. Gorgeous and SO yummy—you hardly know whether to feel drowsy with drink or revved with caffeine, but in the BEST way.
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| | | Tequilla, lime chicken w/ roasted corn and black bean salsa | Sunday August 07th, 2005 11:04 AM |
| by girlsavage |
Here are the recipes from lastnights dinner. Tequilla, lime chicken with roasted corn and blackbean salsa on a bed of cilantro rice.
First for the chicken, so it has at least 2 hours to marinate.
In a non-reactive bowl mix together:
~Almost one tiny bottle of good clear tequilla
~ 2-3 Tbs. rice wine vinegar
~handfull of chopped cilantro
~juice of 2 limes
~1 green onion chopped
~2-3 cloves minced garlic
wisk together and add in 2 chicken breasts cut into 6 tender size pieces. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refridgerator for at least 2 hours. When ready to cook pre-heat broiler and cook tenders for 10-15 minutes or until cooked throughout depending on your broiler. This could also be grilled! Yummy!
Roasted corn and blackbean salsa
In a roasting or glass cassarole dish mix together: preheat oven to 375 degrees
~ corn cut off of 3 ears of corn, or 2 cups corn
~ about 6 cloves minced garlic
~1/2 tsp. salt
~ground pepper to taste
~2 Tbs. water
~2 Tbs. olive oil
mix well and roast uncovered in oven for 20 min.
In a bowl mix together:
~3 tomatoes or 6 plum tomatoes or about 20 cherrysize tomaotes cored and chopped fine
~juice of 2 limes
~1-2 jalapenos, minced, seeds included if you like a lot of heat
~ a handfull of chpped cilanto
~1 can rinsed balck beans
After corn comes out of oven add to the above mixture and alow to sit for about an hour at room temp. for flavors to develop. This salsa stays good in the refridgerator for a few days if it lasts that long.:) It only gets better with time too!
Cilantro rice:
~1 cup cup water
~1 cup chicken stock
bring to boil in sauce pan
Add
~1 cup white rice
~ handfull of chopped cilantro
cover and reduce heat and cook on low simmer for 20 minutes.
Plate a serving of rice in center of plate, top with a piece or 2 of chicken and spoon some of the salsa overtop. Seave with corn chips on the side! Enjoy!!!
I know this takes some time, but it's ohhh sooo worth it. Great for Sunday afternoon dinners! These amounts above served 2 people with some left-overs. Amounts can be increased to serve more people easily. |
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| | | new member saying hello | Saturday August 06th, 2005 12:39 AM |
| by groovyglassgirl |
| I'm a self employed glass crafter stayin home with 2 rugrats while dad is out in the world 9-5'n it. When i'm busy i work mostly at night while everyone else is relaxin. Check out my work at www.groovyglassgirl.com and at www.groovyglassgirl.etsy.com |
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| | | Crafty Chica: Living an Artful Life | Thursday August 04th, 2005 01:55 PM |
| by Crafty Chica |
by Kathy Cano Murillo
Special for GetCrafty.com
Oh, to live the life of a bohemian artist. No clocks. No 9 to 5. No cable TV bills. Just a creativity carnival 24/7. Sweet, huh? It’s called living the artful life, and anyone can achieve it with the right frame of mind.
These days however, that kind of boho bliss is hard to come by if you need to pay rent, are addicted to shopping (art supplies!) or just like to keep the fridge stocked. Don’t feel bad. It takes some artists and designers years before they can achieve that level of freedom, and even then – yes, that 9 to 5 is there as well, except it comes in stressful random spurts when the electricity bill is due.
Basically we are all in the same sequin-encrusted situation: making the most of our time - making every action count, as well as appreciating the moments that fly by so fast. Take this as your wake up call to slow things down a bit and add that bohemian spirit into your days, without taking away from your chores.
If you are serious about giving up modern life, there are ways to succeed. For the past decade, my husband and I have made a living from selling art, writing, and performing music. We knew going in that our lives would consist of cozy quarters, used cars, mucho coupons and lots of hustling for gigs. There have been struggles, but overall, it’s worth it. Here are a few ideas I’ve learned that will help you live an artful life, even if you do have to "clock in" every day.
1. Saturate your space.
Think of the places where you spend the most time – your desk at work, your computer center at home, a bedroom. How are these places decorated? Do you feel like you tolerate the environment, instead of enjoying it? Not good. Take a weekend to paint your walls in a cheery color or hang up saris or large pieces of fabric to cover the space. Take some of your favorite postcards or pictures and frame them or attach them to long pieces of string and hang them from your ceiling. If you are at work, paint a large piece of art paper that you can use to line the top of your desk. Glue jewels on your stapler. Surround yourself with objects that make you happy.
2. Come up with a personal mission statement.
Ew, that sounds kind of corporate. It’s not really. This is just a short summary or sentence of the kind of person you want to be. No one should live day-to-day, just because they have to. Think about your goal here on Earth and put it into a saucy sentence. Use lots of glittery, bouncy words to make you sound like a great person to be around. Now stencil it on a canvas or wall, or use it on your letterhead or business cards. Put it someplace where you can see it every day. Soon that message will just ooze out of you so much that you’ll want to go paint or do something else creative.
3. Do something unexpected at least once a day.
This will make life more interesting. It can be as small as ordering something different on the menu, using a weird art supply, using a new word or visiting a relative/friend out of the blue. Going outside of your routine will give you sense of spontaneity and will bring on fresh perspectives. You can think about how you felt at those times and use it in your artwork or writing.
4. Force yourself to be creative for at least five minutes a day.
It’s harder than it sounds. It’s fine to be a couch potato now and then, but you know when you have that gut feeling of guilt when you know you can be making better use of your time? Listen to your gut. Turn off the TV, crank up the stereo so it filters all through your house and redecorate your living room, go paint a chair or glue rhinestones around the doorframe to your bedroom. If that’s too much, then jot in your journal or make a collage on a page. If you are stumped on an idea, go window-shopping. Not to spend money, but to get ideas of things to make. Challenge yourself to make your own version of something really cool in the store. Go to a thrift store and buy some cheap things that you can revamp.
5. Keep a crafty area set up at all times.
You’ll be more likely to make things if you have a workstation set up and stocked.
6. Fill your house with your creations.
This is a way to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Hang your paintings, put the pillows on the couch, etc. Invite your friends over for a mini-art show. In fact, have them bring some of their pieces as well!
7. Have a crafty potluck.
Pick a theme, like “Frida”. Invite some friends over, have a dress code (eyebrows!) and tell them to bring supplies that they don’t use or want. Someone else will love them! Choose a project that fits with the theme for everyone to make using the potluck supplies. Hostess sets out basic tools, guests bring a dish of food and a favorite CD. Pop in the movie or soundtrack and have fun!
8. Visit a local artist studio.
Call your local arts commission to see when there are open houses. Visiting another creative person’s home or studio will get your juices flowing. Ask the artist questions about their work and lifestyle. You can also check out farmers markets for artists or go to arts festivals. Heck, sign up to be in one!
9. Practice sketching or take lots of pictures.
Even if it is stick people with smiley faces, try sketching what you see. Too chicken? Then take a camera with you at all times to capture kooky moments. When you get home, write funny captions to go with each one, or at least put them in a photo album. Better yet, decorate them with photo-coloring pens.
10. Use food as art.
When you put your food on your plate, balance out the colors, slice up a bright fruit like a kiwi or mango and it them around the border. Always use your favorite dishes to eat off of and drink from the "good" glasses, don’t save them for company - you are worth it!
11. For one day, make a batch of small art items and give them out.
Make little sliding shrines from matchboxes and glue in fortune cookie messages. How about marble magnets or lapel pins? Pass them out to whoever you encounter that day. It will be a nice surprise for them!
12. Pay it forward!
Karma. It’s your choice. Do you have an absolute favorite pen or pair of lucky scissors? Let them go - give them to someone else to enjoy. Chances are, your new artful life will help you find a worthy replacement!
***
Kathy Cano Murillo is a nationally syndicated craft columnist, artist, journalist and book author. See more of her work at CraftyChica.com or email her at Kathy@craftychica.com
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| | | Tomorrow/Today | Wednesday August 03rd, 2005 01:11 AM |
| by karlaBOO |
I will finish the Lime Green Nightgown Project, w/ Matching Hair Poofs , to take to friend's store for 70/30 consignment deal. I will make the 3 important phone calls that I've been putting off. I will get rid of the button up shirts that do not fit the "post baby" boobs.
I will try desperately to not have a guilty hangover from having cocktails and a movie with friends and hubby this evening. I will drink 2 full glasses of water before bed.
*this has been a public service announcement from The Daily Affirmation Society* |
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| | | Hello again | Tuesday August 02nd, 2005 05:36 AM |
| by Miepshe11 |
I know last time I said, "goodbye", so this time I'm saying, "hello". It's been months and months, but here I am again. Just couldn't stay away I guess.
My veggie garden is doing better than I expected. I have picked 3 tomatoes from the hybrid grape tomato plant, and my heirloom tomatoes are still green and promising. This isn't my first attempt at tomatoes, just my first organic attempt. It is my first attempt with pole beans, black-eyed peas and cucumbers. As far as the pole beans and black-eyed peas, I should have planted so many more. My heirloom pickling cukes have set one and are still blooming. I had no luck at all with my beautiful Japanese hybrids. I got one little seedling and that was it. My little heirloom cuke is very bumpy and adorable on the 8-ft tall vine. I had to add 2 extra feet to my pole. Luckily I cannibalized a little table/shelving unit that my mother-in-law left us to dispose of, so the spindles became customizable garden maypoles and the shelves wil become wall mounted someday... My projects are often finished way before my husband's projects...
I've been really working on the house: clearing the clutter and getting organized. We have interior paint left over from the walls. The best (and only) way to recycle paint is to use it, so I painted some Office Depot cardboard file boxes and they look just like those expensive boxes on the HGTV shows. I just did solid blue, but I'm sure they would be lovely with some stencils or decoupage. Right now they hold my sewing and crafting supplies and stack neatly in the spare room closet.
After searching for clear glass canisters for a reasonable price, I finally organized my pantry's dry goods with 1 quart mason jars. We had a weevil problem a couple of years ago. It made me so mad to have to throw away so many boxes of pasta and bags of rice. I put everything in either the freezer or in ziplocks and we starved out the nasty little vagrants. Now, the jars serve the same purpose, but are much more attractive and I can find what I need without digging. Another plus is that I bought a 12-pack of jars and they came in a sort of cardboard tray with plastic shrinkwrap. Guess what happened to the cardboard tray and a little paint.
As a lame excuse for a recipe installment, I can tell you about the yummy sandwich accident I had for lunch.
I went to the kitchen to make a sandwich with the lovely avocado I had in the fridge. My husband doesn't like avocado, so all for me. I started imagining avocado and mixed organic greens on whole wheat only to find my bread was moldy. So I did the next best thing, and used 2 corn tortillas to make 2 little wrap sandwiches with:
1/4 avocado on each (cut into pieces just smaller than sugar cubes)
1-2 tbl nice garlicky hummus spread in a row down the middle
1 small handful of fresh mixed greens
a dab or so of mustard
It was quite good, and would be better with tomato, but my tomatoes weren't ripe enough yet.
Oh! If you ever run across Hershey's Dutch Process Cocoa Powder, and you like the taste of dark chocolate, do make the truffle brownies recipe on the back of the can. It's a bit of work, and a bit of wait, but so worth it!
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| | | whoops, i forgot one! | Sunday July 31st, 2005 03:11 PM |
| by shawneemonkey |
nothing major, just a preliminary photo of a shadowbox i finished last week.
i need to get outside and take a photo when the sun's not too blazing, because DANG, it's hard to shoot through glass without getting a glare.
i bought the box at IKEA months and months ago. i figured i'd use it "eventually", but could never come up with a solid idea. so i pulled it out of the closet last week, and gathered up some random elements and starting putting things together. i painted the outside pink and the inside is periwinkle. there's a repro of an old key hanging on the right side, and the other side (not pictured) has a wooden ladybug, a peapod charm and a 4-leaf clover charm glued to it. the porcelain monkey figurine sits on a clear-topped metal tin, and there's a picture of a clock face glued in the botton of the tin. the back has poetry dog tags attached with small brads. there's a small glass slipper sitting atop a mirror next to the monkey.
and now i want to make some more. |
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| | | Stash Buster (a la flying fish) | Wednesday July 27th, 2005 08:52 PM |
| by lindastar |
I've been meaning to make this for a while. It's a simple picnic blanket/beach mat/what have you.
I sewed 2 large glass marbles into each corner of the fabric (from stash) as weights so it doesn't blow away, and then used the remaining tiny piece of fabric to make a pillowcase for my memory foam bolster pillow (also from the stash), closing with some velcro dots (woohoo, more stash). I'm going to use it a lot this month, I hope, so yay.
p.s. i barely ever post anymore- just busy busy busy with work and not feeling the urge to craft at home, but i'm still reading! |
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| | | dressed in white. | Saturday July 23rd, 2005 07:55 AM |
| by dumplingrrl |
I finally made some progress on the wedding dress. Yep people, this is me in the muslin mock-up of my wedding dress.
The lace is some vintage bits of lace my favourite aunt gave me from her trip to Paris. She used it on another dress and when it got old she cut off the lace and saved it. This bit of lace on my dress means a lot to me because she was the one who taught me how to sew and set me on my path to crafting.
This is a pic of the full dress before I added the lace. The shoes are the pair I'm going to be wearing for the wedding too.
A close up of my chubby face :D And of the lace and neck line. The glasses will have to stay home on the big day though.
Making this dress has made me realise that a seamstress/tailor should never work together on one dress. My boy started making up the pattern and I was like, nooo it should be done like this, and he's like but this is how I've always done it, and I go no but I've always done it this way On and on and on. GAH!!!!
So I finally told him I'm taking over the dress project. I'm such a control freak sometimes. But his job is going to be getting a lot busier next month so he said ok.
So from now on I'm making the clothes, and invitation, and he can scout for and contact: locations and food catering, plus the new apartment. I think I've got the fun share, but it's going to be a lot of work.
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| | | New Username. | Friday July 22nd, 2005 11:04 AM |
| by .kenzie |
So, I got tired of loser__kenzie, and it started to irritate me. And for everything, I always end up coming right back to just... kenzie. With nothing added. So here it is.
That would be Raven, a 3 year old girl I absolutely love, whom I used to babysit, all dressed up as, guess who... me! She made me give her my glasses, jacket, and shoes, and demanded I take a picture.
[She's a bossy little brat. But I love her to death. And I miss her loads, seeing as it's been like, 8 monthes since I've seen her].
So, loser__kenzie won't be updated anymore, probably. On with the new, right?
With no negativity in the name, this time. |
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| | | Inigo etc | Thursday July 21st, 2005 10:06 PM |
| by Rosered |
Click on the thumb to see the full image
So this is a quick ink and watercolour thing I did today of Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride. I spent a good portion of my night watching that film and episode of Dead Like Me (Mandy Patinkin is rad). It's not a piece I love to death, but I suck at watercolours, so it's not bad by my standards.
And that's the lovely stuff I got from Lauren Urban for her part in a trade we're doing. She mentioned she had a bunch of paint chips she didn't need anywhere and that's where our trade started from. I love the glass pendant she made. It's really fantastic!
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| | | thrifting | Sunday July 17th, 2005 03:51 AM |
| by evenstar |
so i went thrift store shopping the a while back and picked up a bunch of fun stuff.. :)
kimono $4.99 - my favorite buy!!
 
cute skirt $3.70
 
cute strapless top - $2.95
orange tank top that matches a pair of shorts i own perfectlyyy! - $.97
 
curious george tank - $1.95
flower bowl from pier 1 - $1 - i'll probably use this for keys - maybe hairclips?
matching flower mug - $.50
 
jack in the box "liberty mug" from 1976 - $.50 - for my pens
jager glass - $.50 - i bought two for my boyfriend and our friend
vlade divac bobblehead from sacramento kings - $5 - i'm going to give this to my brother.. hehe
35mm single stainless steel developing tank with reel - $1 - i would've LOVED if this was a 120 film tank but it's okay - and it's missing the cap, but i can get one somewhere else - squealed when i found this - it was in the kitchen section :P
  
scotch pump decanter - $4.75 - i originally wanted to use this as a soap dispenser, but my boyfriend actually wants to put scotch in it.... they don't even DRINK scotch!! |
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| | | Postage stamp crafts | Friday July 15th, 2005 06:22 AM |
| by teagrrl |
So, I played around a bit with a bunch of postage stamps at work...
(Tissue paper and stamp on a cardboard box)
(Same same...but with glitter glue as well. It looks a bit tacky though, I should have used sequins or rhinestones or something instead of glitter glue)
(Tissue paper and stamps on a glass tealight holder. There would have been more stamps, but I couldn't find more than three in the colour scheme. I will try to get a better picture of it once the light is better.) |
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| | | Workin' on being bored | Wednesday July 13th, 2005 02:49 PM |
| by MonaCupcake |
There are 3.5 hours left of the workday and I'm itching to get out. It's getting harder and harder to stay at work all day. All I want to do is kick back on my deck, play with the puppy dogs and drink a glass of wine. In Chicago there are only about 3 months that this is even possible. I use and abuse these days.
Out of sheer boredom I put this crazy henna design on my wrist. It just kept growning and I kind-of lost myself in the design of it... now it's taking up half of my arm. I tried to wash it off, realizing that I'd left it on for too long and the dye had already set into my skin. Bummer. I have a client meeting tomorrow. I guess it's going to be a long sleeve day. :)
Cheers |
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| | | New project? | Tuesday July 12th, 2005 12:20 PM |
| by girlsavage |
I've been working on a bag all morning and don't know if I like it. I'm really wanting to do a new project that doesn't involve sewing. I have a mail sorter to hang on the wall in our entry that I need to do something to. It was on clearance because it has a few scuffs in the finish so I thought I would do something to it, but i don't know what yet.
Finally got around to putting more stuff up on http://www.girlsavage.com/ Put up about 5 new bags. One of my friends just bought the Birdbrain handle bag!! I still need to update wallets and put the new purple shade of vinyl pins up...The web master doesn't really have any other projects this week so hopefully I'll get him to do more later this week. I haven't heard yet how the stuff at DIG did over the weekend yet. I am supposed to call them to find out.*fingers crossed*
Maybe cooking something will help with my craft needs. I'm kinda drawing a blank there too though. We're trying to be on a shoe string budget right now so I've only been shopping for the stuff we really need. Although we do have the stuff to make brownies...;)
I did a trade with my best friend this weekend. I gave her a bag I made with my blue/grey metallic fabric, it's trianlge shape with small wood handles. In return she gave me one of her new rings she has been making. It's very cute, silver with a oragami pper cutout under glass. http://www.leftsideart.com/id18.html Only problem is that it fits the same finger as the other ring she made me so I have to change them. It works out though because one is more fun than the other. |
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| | | Girls' Night In! | Sunday July 10th, 2005 04:34 PM |
| by Nancy Flynn |
My sweetie was away for the weekend, so I had a girls' night in party last night, which was SO much fun! Above is the "dinner"-- tortellini salad and insalata caprese, bread and of course blow pops, red wine and crazy straws. Tee hee. The girls brought the desserts, including cupcakes, cake mix cookies and peanutbutter cookies with reese's pieces (some recipes I need to get). I served fun girlie drinks, including my favorite low-rent sangria and champagne cocktails. After a lot of gabbing and giggling, we watched 13 Going on 30, and then a bit of The Notebook. Love the chick flicks...
In honor of old-school all-girl birthday parties, I also made goodie bags for everyone, filled with grown-up fun stuff:
And inside, so you can see the treats (mud pack, lip smacker, nivea hand cream, and sweets):
And, in case you want them, the recipes:
Tortellini Salad
1 family size pkg 4-cheese tortellini
1/4 c pine nuts
1/2 c pesto sauce
Boil your water and cook pasta according to directions. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet until they turn golden and smell nice and nutty. Drain tortellini and toss with pesto sauce. Sprinkle in pine nuts and toss again if you like. Can be served warm, but I put in the fridge until the party and then served room temp
Insalata Caprese
1 container small balls mozzerella in water
1 container cherry tomato (or pearl)
basil leaves
2T olive oil
salt and pepper
Rip/cut basil leaves into thin strips, drain mozzerella, mix with tomato, toss with basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Garnish with more basil leaves. You can also dice up a large mozz. ball and larger tomato if you can't find the small ones.
Low-Rent Sangria (yummy, no bad hangover, i swear)
1 jug carlo rossi red sangria wine (any cheapish red wine will do, but this is nice and fruity)
1 2-litre container sprite (or Safeway lemon/lime, which actually is better)
Oranges
Strawberries
any other fruit you like in your sangria
Cut up one orange, and a handful of strawberries (frozen berries are fine too) and place in pitcher. Pour sangria wine over fruit and put in fridge. When ready to serve, place some more cut fruit into the glass, fill 2/3 full of sangria, then top off with lemon/lime soda. That's it! Super yummy and everyone at the party liked it
Bellini-ish Champers Cocktail
1 Bottle Sparkling Wine or Champagne
2-3 cans Kearn's Apricot Nectar (better than the peach, i think)
strawberries, rasperries or what you like (frozen ok)
Fill glass 2/3 with champagne or sparkling wine, quick pour of nectar, drop in a berry. Looks pretty in a champagne glass, and tastes yummy (even if your wine/champagne isn't Krug)
And, if you've been patient enough to get through all of this, you deserve another picture-- here are some of the girls enjoying the party!
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| | | Jewellery | Monday July 04th, 2005 09:23 AM |
| by di0nne |
Just a quick update with some jewellery I've been working on recently.
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| | | Turkey Crossing | Sunday July 03rd, 2005 12:47 AM |
| by madepersonal |
Yesterday, when I was driving to work, a wild turkey carelessly crossed the street in front of me. I don't know where they come from, but turkey sitings are not rare on this road. I sat in my car waiting patiently, with a half smile, for the pedestrian to reach the safety zone on the green grass. My foot moved off the brake, then almost instantly slammed down again as a quail looking bird followed the same path as the turkey. Baby turkey? Yes! There's an other one! One, two,three.....six, seven... a car.. surely they see...STOP! An old lady with huge dark sunglasses zipped by me in her death vehicle. Thank goodness they didn't cross yet! Eight...nine..ten! I couldn't believe it! The brown birds looked like adult quails following a big turkey. Just a little something that made me smile, (except for the part with the old lady).
Made Personal |
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| | | Room With A View * City Style | Friday June 24th, 2005 07:18 PM |
| by 2beanornot2bean |
Cramped New York City apartments often leave me dreaming of my days in Vermont...I decided to bring some nature into my home regardless of the fact that the unforgiving metropolis outside my window isn't having it.
An antique window frame (with glass), a high-resolution photo of a place that relaxes you, some picture hanging wire and some thumbtacks...voila...a room with a view
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| | | Crafty Lately | Tuesday June 21st, 2005 06:53 PM |
| by karen0 |
I got this in the mail a few days ago, but until now I've been able to post it. I ordered this cute wallet from Girl Savage. Thanks Kate!! I LOVE it <3
And here are two of my creations. The first is a sunglasses case inspired by stik_o_butta's ipod case and the second is a stack of greeting cards I put together:
Finally....my sister and I are painting our bedroom. Here she is priming the celling and the second shot is of the old paint (yellow walls with a blue sky, clouds, and stars) It's definitely time for a change...stay tuned for the final product.....
PS: Thanks to those who replyed to my blog about posting photos <3
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| | | Going Out and FIM (Fear of Imminent Meltdown) | Tuesday June 21st, 2005 09:39 AM |
| by jorendell |
Taking a toddler to a rock concert is one thing. Taking a toddler out to eat is quite another.
I remember those days when Benny was a few months old and we used to take him everywhere. Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, strip joints (only kidding). I would sit smugly with little Benny in my lap and think how lucky we were to be able to carry on our lives despite having a newborn in tow. I vowed to myself that I’d never be one of the parents that slink off at 7pm saying “we have to get him home.” I was convinced Benny was the most accepting and mellow child ever to live and that I would carry on taking him wherever, whenever, until the day he set off for college (or at least until he decided it wasn’t cool to hang out with one’s parents anymore).
Oh, the delusions of a new parent! These days I know exactly why people creep off home muttering “bedtime” and “I don’t think this place is going to work.” After chasing Benny around bars, apologizing to other patrons when he’s knocked over their drinks, and trying to hush him while he’s squealing at the top of his lungs to get out of his high chair in way too quiet restaurants, we’ve realized that taking Benny “out” is no longer an easy exercise.
Being stubborn types, we haven’t completely resigned ourselves to every night in, watching movies, and eating home cooked food (although we do that much more now). When we do go out, however, in order to ease our FIM (Fear of Imminent Meltdown), we choose locations that adhere to the following criteria…
Pubs: must have relaxed owners, no stairs, no pay phones (if there is one, he spends hours whining and pointing at it until one of us give in, picks him up and lets him shout “ee-ooo” into the receiver repeatedly), no open doors, not too much glass and crap on the floor, no other small children (to whip him up into an over-excited frenzy), a supply of straws to play with, and cheap drinks (in case we have to leave early).
Restaurants: must have loud music, already messy floors, quick service, child seats, friendly staff (who will pull faces at and generally entertain Benny), rice and black beans (the only food that Benny will eat consistently), a supply of napkins to draw on, and cheap food (in case we have to leave early).
Surprisingly, despite our new parameters, we do still manage to get out quite a bit. Even if it is to the same three or four places. However, we remain on our toes. We are fully aware that anything, anything, can happen to throw a spanner in the works.
For example, the other night we were in a restaurant. I was happily eating my own rice and beans when, like a flash, a small arm reached in front of me, grabbed my margarita, and sent it puddling on to our table. While Brad said the obligatory “No’s” to Benny, I frantically grabbed a pile of napkins and used them to carefully (and quite brilliantly, I thought!) channel my margarita back into the glass. The whole operation was remarkably successful. I still had over half a glass. Okay, I admit I must have looked a little desperate to our neighboring diners. But, what they might not know is, there’s only a small window of time in which to eat and drink with a toddler. There is no time for sitting round ordering more rounds. If you have to drink a rice and bean flavored Margie (with little bits of napkin floating in it), then so be it!
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| | | More pictures and some history on my mini monsters... | Thursday June 16th, 2005 02:44 PM |
| by flyinpurplemunkiez |
First up is Steve, the original mini monster. He’s a bit conceded because he knows he was thought up long before any of the other monsters.
Steve has glass marble eyes and fun foam teeth.
Jeff the Pirate, he spends most of his days looting villages and getting drunk with all the beautiful ladies. Unfortunately he had a little accident recently with his right eye, apparently one of those ladies didn’t want his attentions.
Jeff has a fun foam hat, paper eye and fleece eye patch.
Marzipan is very confused. So confused that she’s not sure what that thing on her head is. has a fleece tongue and fake fur lips and hair/hat/thing on her head.
Emo kid has had some bad times lately. His last girlfriend broke his heart, aww.
He has fun foam glasses, a yarn mouth, fleece tear and paper eyes.
Worm may look cute and cuddly but watch out; he’s the meanest of the bunch.
Worm has fun foam teeth and pipe cleaner antenna.
Spaz is just that. He’s well know for running into walls, forgetting why he came into a room and drooling on himself. Spaz has fun foam eyes and a fleece tongue.
Petunia is a model and boy does she know. Watch out for the ego on that one. Petunia has a fun foam eye and lips.
All of my mini monsters were made out of free fabric samples from www.distinctivefabric.com. They'll send you 10 free fabric samples if you sign up for an (free) account. |
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| | | Wedding bag completed!! | Tuesday June 14th, 2005 12:39 PM |
| by girlsavage |
Yay! I finished the bag about an hour ago.
I used a piece that had been cut off the dress for the ruffle. I also added a pin made with seaglass and shells.
I hand tacked on the ruffles. and added a tube of the chiffon over top of the handle for an embellishment. I also made the ruffle go all the way around the bag to further soften the shape.
Sorry the pics are a bit dark. I used the flash, but it's very dark in the apartment today to keep the heat down as much as possible.
Now I'm just waiting to hear from our friends to see how we are going to get together to get them the bag. They fly to Key West tomoorow for the wedding!!
Ohhh...I hope she likes it!:0 |
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| | | Bridal bag and new items | Sunday June 12th, 2005 11:59 PM |
| by girlsavage |
The webmaster and I have been working through the heat all weekend. I have been working on the commission bag for the bride and he has been doing updates for girlsavage.
We added wallets to the accessories section and a new clutch to the bags section. Also the link page is up! He made buttons for the sites that didn't have them, I think it looks nice.
The brides bag is coming along. I met with her Friday night and got her distructions.lol.
Sorry, thats what we always called it when I was doing hair. ;)
She had a completely different idea from the mock-up bag. Oh well, I'm going to finish the butterfly bag I made from that pattern this week, finally, it should be cute. Anyway, she wants a flatter bag with ruffles from the leftover chiffon from her dress. I've never done chiffon! What a pain to start off, then I got the hang of it. I will finish putting on the ruffles tomorrow and stitch in the lining. I'm also going to do an embellishment with some seaglass my best friend has and some small shells. I think I will make that a pin so she can take it off if she wants and wear it with other things. I'll post pictures when I finish. My friends are coming to pick it up on Tuesday! Aaakkk! I have to work tomorrow.
Three days for a custom bag....Am I nuts?
http://www.girlsavage.com/ |
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| | | thrift me | Thursday June 09th, 2005 09:44 PM |
| by evenstar |
i haven't been thrift store shopping since i've moved down here and i went for the first time today. it was nice - there's a shopping center with about 6 thrift stores right next to each other not too far away from me. i had fun and picked out some stuff. :)
four champange glasses for $.50 each (i'm going to use them for desserts too), and a silver tray for $4.50
mini muffin pan for $2 and glass pie pan for $2.50
fabric swatch sample pad for $2
uv filter for my 50mm lens for $1.50
thrift shopping is pretty soothing - and it's always fun to find a great find. :)
i decided to sign up for jazz II classes after watching vh1's 100 most wanted bodies. i need to stop eating more than i exercise.
now i'm going to attempt to make creme brulée |
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| | | Just need checker pieces | Wednesday June 08th, 2005 05:05 PM |
| by brdgt |
The pattern calls for some recycled glass (flat) beads, but I'm still on the hunt for something suitable for the checker pieces. Otherwise, it is done:
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| | | ah ha! | Tuesday May 24th, 2005 07:52 PM |
| by bridgetroll |
Yes I'm still here. I took some time to disappear for a while since Amelia came around (can't believe she's a MONTH old already) we all needed to adjust and I had to get used to breastfeeding. She's eating every 3-4 hours and sleeping 5 hours (in a row!) a night. Whee! Danny's been really good with his sister he's very gentle with her. When she's crying he goes over to her and puts his hand on her chest and says very softly "it's okay you're big brother is here" or while we're holding her "it's okay momma's (or daddy's) got you and your big brother is here too". Amelia likes to stare at him. It's fun :-)
on another note..on Friday the 13th our cat died. He just went over to the sliding glass door and laid down. We all thought he was sleeping until hub went over to pet him. He was stiff but still warm we think he was dead an hour before we found him. Very freaky. I think I'm still in shock about it.
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| | | community guidelines | Monday May 23rd, 2005 01:10 PM |
| by jean |
hey there,
in response to some recent complaints, i have created a new community guidelines page, which you can see by clicking here: http://www.getcrafty.com/home_community.php
i have also pasted them below:
Get Crafty Community Guidelines
The Forum and Blog Codes of Honor
Here are the rules we live by here.
Get Crafty is a place for sharing your creativity, thoughts, dreams, plans, craft project updates or what you ate for breakfast. That said:
Please do not use your blog as an advertising tool. Even if your company is super-bitchen crafty-tastic, the blogs are meant to build community, not businesses. (We are working on a tool that can help you sell your stuff online called etsy.com, due to go live this summer.)
Please refrain from pornography, unless it is highly crafty.
Please do not use a flashing, animated avatar. It hurts our eyes.
Please do not post super-duper huge photos. It takes too long to download.
Please post your comments on other people's blogs and respond to forums. It's a nice thing to do.
Please have fun.
Moderators
There are a number of amazing moderators. Please respect, honor and worship them.
Forum Moderators
We love sarabell and are waiting for her bio! I will update this soon.
Craftista maka10 likes to describe her life as: WONDERFUL!
Amanda Rybin (aka for_esme) is an undergrad studying Art History and English, and her favorite creative activities include writing, cooking, knitting, and thrifting.
Blog Moderators
Sunni Johnson (aka lecandypoprock) is a business student in Atlanta, GA, who has amateur skills in web design, screen printing and knitting and loves baby animals, kid power and Glass Candy.
Kate Kerr (AKA saffronwoman) is a Stay-at-home unschooling mom, a wife and an artist/craftster.
Please PM the moderators by their get crafty names if you have any questions or concerns.
Technical Concerns
If you are looking for technical answers to your questions, such as how to post photos or PM (private message) a get crafty user or moderator, please see our FAQ: http://www.getcrafty.com/faq.php |
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| | | i've been listening to depeche mode WAY too much | Tuesday May 17th, 2005 03:03 PM |
| by leCandypopRock |
it's been really beautiful out lately. and i have sadly not been crafting (except for my first stencil above! woo hoo!!!). i dyed the underneath of my hair "raspberry kamikaze", so that's something to add to my d.i.y. efforts? i made a glass candy flier for their show in athens on thursday?
but otherwise i'm just currently working hard on mm&lll #3 and i'm still on the lookout for recipe/crafty submissions - you'll of course get a free copy as a submitter. :)
OH! i'm also the new blog moderator, along with saffronwoman. yep! |
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| | | beads, findings, jewelry supplies in general | Monday May 16th, 2005 03:12 AM |
| by champion |
i get kind of grumpy sometimes because of trying to find cool beads to use in my jewelry. even mediocre beads!
it seems like either the bead stores are hundreds of km apart (as they are in nz) or that online bead stores are either badly designed, take hours to get through and/or don't ship out to nz. i tried buying some on nz's version of ebay, but it turned out that they weren't quite what i thought they were going to be.
all i want are glass beads (not even terribly fancy ones!) that i can have posted here and know that they will be good quality!
where do you guys get your jewelry supplies from? can you recommend bead suppliers? would anyone want to do swaps? |
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| | | dress | Saturday May 14th, 2005 11:24 PM |
| by Rumgummblebee |
I made this dress tonight for my sister. It fits her pretty good, although it was a little big in the chest. This is my first 'party' dress.
I made it from a simplicty pattern, but my sister is such an hourglass figure, it fit weird in some places and had to be altered. I think the next dress i make for her i will make my own pattern. |
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| | | first post | Thursday May 05th, 2005 02:34 AM |
| by oscine |
ugh.
i feel like a blackhole for ideas lately..... like, i'll have little snippits and ghosts of things i'd like to do, but nothing concrete enough to start anything.. it's like crafty ADD or something... perhaps the problem is i'm hoping to find a marketable idea also? it would be SO great to make some extra money, and my mom told me that a table at the flea market doesnt cost very much at all! my goal is to buy myself a pair of glasses, or at least help pay for half(my dad said he'd pay for half)- i know i know, i'm 20 and spoiled, but they're 300 dollars!! i need therapeutic lenses which are prism cut and can only be ordered through my dr's office... they're to keep me from becoming nearsighted(!), and considering i'm a fine art major who does freelance graphic art and crafts...................................... you get the idea.
i did have a pair at one time, but i lost them on the highway(long story!) and since i couldnt find even remnants of the spectacles, insurance wont cover the damages. darn.
so, to make a long story short....... i want to do some crafts, and art! and stuff!! but i've just ran out of inspiration, i spose.
you know what's sad?? i get unlimited access to clay and glaze with school, and i cant think of a way to use any of it! |
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| | | Tiara | Wednesday May 04th, 2005 10:20 AM |
| by teagrrl |
I'd completely forgotten I had this blog - but I haven't crafted that much lately anyway. Here is a tiara I just finished for my sister's wedding:
(silver wire and glass beads...and their initials embedded in it) |
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| | | mom's day | Thursday April 28th, 2005 02:45 AM |
| by mochaviolino |
so when exactly is mother's day?
i started on the mother's day mirrors.
remember i started, i have one more row of colored tile to add, which i'll do tomorrow or so. oh, and so you know, it's purple glass tile followed by mirror tile. there are little glass marble beads at the ends of each row.
dave and i are celebrating our 2 yr anniversary tomorrow. :) i still have yet to actually make the card. haven't gotten him a present. but i think it's ok since i got him something for valentine's day. anyway, i'm still thinking of what to do for his card. i have a list of "i love you" written in 100 languages, so i may use that. otherwise i'm stuck :-/
i have 18 hrs to come up with something.
mind you, i did have a date all planned out a month in advance. i had planned on having a candlelit picnic dinner at the park where we first kissed. but that kinda went downhill when i got sick 1.5 wks ago, and don't want to aggrevate my cold with sitting out in the cool weather at night.
anyway, i'm mindlessly rambling about nothing to do with being crafty. i need sleep!
oh! i did have one question. i'm making one card with ribbon. i was wondering, how do i attach the ribbon? do i glue it on? or do i sew it? and what do i do about the ends? cut them or fold them under?
thanks! |
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| | | New vegan lip balms | Monday April 25th, 2005 11:29 PM |
| by pinkcurtains |
New Literati vegan lip balms in the Pink Curtains shop. There are four very fun flavours, ShakeSpearmint, PoeMegranate, Alcott Apricot, and Bronte Berry. Each tin has the face of the author on it. These are a great addition to my shop.
In the very near future I plan getting some funky, retro barware, and some new tiki glasses for the shop. I would really like to find some hip, fun jeweler who is interested in selling wholsale, because I would love to start carrying different accessories. |
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| | | Saturday April 23rd, 2005 12:35 PM |
| by earthenwood |
This is my first evening bag, made from vintage Kimono fabric which has been overdyed, and embellished with my porcelain buttons, beads, and charms, and other copper and glass beads.
A close up:
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| | | Wrapping Paper | Saturday April 23rd, 2005 11:01 AM |
| by cheryblosom |
I haven't been doing much crafting since the basement is getting painting. And I needed to wrap some birthday gifts.
So all I did is took some brown shipping paper and watercolor paints and went at it! I painted a tree and a yellow and purple patten. Then took the extra paper and ripped it in to different shapes and tape them to the packages.
Its nothing great took maybe 10 minutes (just waiting for the paper to dry.) It's something a 1st grader could do. I like it! and its cheap and original. |
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| | | play tea set to swap | Tuesday April 12th, 2005 02:29 PM |
| by emjwisc |
ive had this for a while and cant throw it away, but i no longer want it. its glass or ceramic and a 10 piece set (2 cups 2 saucers, sugar bowl with lid, creamer, large platter, tea pot with lid)
perfect for a little girl!
anyone care to swap? or its yours for the cost of shipping!! |
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| | | Too Old for All-Nighters | Tuesday April 12th, 2005 11:05 AM |
| by smokingmonkey |
One thing I never expected to still be doing once my personal decade odometer turned over for the third time, was having to do marathon all nighters for work. It would be different if it were at least interesting work, or painting, or making something... something you could have a personal attachment to. It's an alltogether different story when you have to work 20 hours straight on an investment banking intranet demo. ugh.
Also, there's a Yes Men film showing at UW tonight but I can't go because I'll probably head straight home from work and go to bed.
On the up side, I did take some time out to carve out my logo in a rubber stamp. Found a kit over the weekend with a slab of eraser material and a couple nibs for carving into it. It was starting to look like crap and headed for the trash until I tested it, and realized the not so perfectly straight edges or radiused corners added some character. Added bonus that I managed to not slice off a finger. I'll be making a few more to use on packaging and for making business cards.
Along with the stamp kit, I bought a basic fabric screen printing kit. I'm tagging along with the boy to a recording geek conference in New Orleans in June and he's going to have t-shirts to hand out whether he likes it or not. Well, depending on whether or not work slows down. Also have to pack and move in the next few weeks... finish my store... etc.
Anyway.... So my fellow yarn obsessing coworker came into my office this morning, and without even knowing, totally made my day. She said she's making me take a glass blowing class with her. One of our other coworkers has some friends who have a studio and teach classes. I don't know where the $500 (!!!) is going to come from, but that would rock! Fire! I could make my own beads! (I used to weld so I've got a thing with torches.) We were conspiring yesterday to maybe share a booth at the Experience Art RiverWalk thingy, and eventually figure out how we can quit our jobs. That's a ways off yet.
*sigh* back to work.
Here's a couple more pieces of jewelry:
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| | | we're having a wedding reception | Tuesday April 12th, 2005 01:35 AM |
| by bridgetroll |
okay sort of. One of the guys in hub's office is getting married on the 22nd (which also happens to be my expected due date! hooray!). Basically the chica is getting on a plane on the 21st flying from Atlanta to ABQ and they are going to the court house. Apparently Tweak (the groom, don't ask about the name. I think it's a guy thing or a military thing I don't know anyone's first name around here.) already got approved for housing and whatnot (thank goodness!) so they'll have a week to get settled as much as they can and we're having a little something for them on the 30th. We're renting a pavilion with a grill at the park on the base. We're going to have hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad (have to remember how to make this it's been a few years!), pasta salad, watermelon basket, and a cake. I'm not sure what kind of cake though I'm thinking maybe cupcakes, it will be a lot easier for me. We also bought them a set a wine glasses, despite the fact that they are only 18. I'm going to bring apple juice for them to toast.
Any suggestions? There will be no vegetarians there and the crowd will mostly be guys. I think there *might* be four females there, that's including myself, my daughter, and the bride. |
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| | | mess making. no, yarn dyeing! | Saturday April 09th, 2005 08:23 PM |
| by lindastar |
I scored a huge bunch of bulkyspun in boring cream, and since I read about easter egg dyeing, I couldn't wait to try it!
Materials:
-Easter egg dye (Some friends got mine for me on major sale)
-latex gloves (for the love of god, do not remove these, even at the end when you think you're done, esp if you then decide to stick your hand in the dye vat. doh!)
-apron
-bigass bottle of vinegar
-large bowls or tubs for soaking yarn
-lots of yarn made from natural fibers (wool, cotton)
-condiment bottles (clear would be best)
-saran wrap
-one copy of Beck "Guero" for your listening pleasure
First, you'll need to wrap up your work space to make sure you don't spill dye on it. I laid down grocery bags, then wrapped the table in press'n'seal wrap, which worked quite well. I laid an old shower curtain on the floor, not that it was ever clean in the first place.
Bulkyspun, my nemesis!
You'll most likely need to split your hanks up into more manageable sizes. I split them in half, b/c I am lazy and also damn, it took forever. I wrapped it around the bottom of my chair to spread it out (this is good for color saturation, if you want to make self patterning stripes, etc). I tried a variety of methods to decrease tangling but came to the conclusion that this process just sucks. You could totally do this before you wrapped up your workspace (in fact I recommend spacing it over many days so you forget how annoying it is), but I forgot.
Once you have wrestled the yarn into it's smaller hanks, soak it in vinegar and water for 20 minutes. This helps it to absorb the dye. Remind yourself how your landlord said he would fix that unfinished floor when you moved in 1.5 years ago.
Lay out enough saran wrap to cover the table and place your yarn hank over it. Mix up the dye as per instructions on the box (3 tbsp vinegar, 1 c. water, 1 tablet) and squirt it all over the place!
So's it looks like this.
Wrap the saran wrap around the hank (you might want to add some more so you don't drip dye) and put it in a microwaveable dish. A bowl would be best, but I didn't have one, so I used a glass plate.
Nuke it for 2 minutes, let it rest for 2 minutes. Repeat. My book said twice is enough. Some sites say to repeat. I'll never know till I wash it. This is to set the color. Make sure to let it rest and don't go more than 2 minutes at a time, because the yarn could burn! It will be stinky if that happens (oops, I read wrong and nuked it for 4 minutes).
Wring it out and hang it to dry. I threw my shower curtain down again so the tub doesn't get dyed (it's old).
Realize that not only did you not clean your house today, you made an even bigger mess! |
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| | | Bowling and Headaches | Thursday April 07th, 2005 10:59 AM |
| by smokingmonkey |
Last night was my last night of bowling for the season. I'm a little sad because I actually didn't do too poorly (I'm a crap bowler) and there's something charming about the weird mix of ages and lifestyles that that sport attracts in the small, rural Wisconsin town where I go to play. We finished early and I was full of energy so I met the boy at the cowboy bar for some food.
We had great intentions for getting up early and going "jogging" (which right now turns into more of a brisk walk and pretending to jog because I'm really out of shape) but me head, she was in pain. Too much Pabst, facilitated by $1 PBR in a can night. I've never been much of an excerciser, but since my job involves mostly sitting, and when I get home I sit to crochet/bead/work on freelance, I figured I needed to do something - especially since my energy level is way low. So in a moment of stupidity I joined a soccer team. Fortunately it's in a wuss league and everyone else sucks as badly as I do, or at least haven't played in 20 years. After the first practice I could barely walk the next day. Bad bad idea.
What does this have to do with crafts? Nothing! But it does mean that I didn't get to make anything last night. I did stop by a bead shop and found some pretty pale blue glass pillow beads. Also stopped at the craft store in the small town where I bowl to buy some teeny tiny crochet hooks because the order of super fine gauge sterling wire arrived the other day. I'm all in experimental mode these day.
I did manage to find my first customer though. Earlier this week, I gave a coworker an iPod cozy. I showed her preliminary photos for my site, and she fell in love with some earings, and a bracelet I'll be modifying to make into a choker necklace. woo!
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| | | Rainy Day/Cheerful Book | Monday April 04th, 2005 09:04 AM |
| by naomi |
It is mizzly outside today. All grey skies and drizzle. And it is Monday! So to fight back, I have been to the stationers, and bought a sky blue folder and a spiral bound book, and some packs of butterfly stickers. I have decorated them with the stickers, and now I have a rainy day/cheerful book.
I am going to keep in the folder the book, and any prints off of the net for recipes or craft projects and patterns that I would like to do, as well as any that I have done that have turned out well. In the book I am going to write out quotes that I like, books that I have either read or want to read, activities, projects, films etc. So I have in one place things to do, read, make etc to.
Any ideas for particularly nice projects/reads/recipes/films, good for a rainy day or a little attack of blues?
(I can sew, crochet, knit and dabble in others such as glass painting and so on)
Thanks! |
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| | | Mosaic Idiot | Friday April 01st, 2005 10:30 PM |
| by ChelleA |
Hey—
I’ve been checking out this site for awhile now, but this is my first time making an entry. I need some advice…
What do you think of my mosaic planting pot? Be honest, but keep in mind that this is my first time attempting mosaics by myself. I’m usually in a craft class or at Pottery Works being helped by a professional. Also ignore the top part of the pot, it’s very lumpy, but I’m going to fix it sometime this weekend. I just want advice on whether I should keep using the same pattern/color of glass and grout for my next three pots. Or if you’re skilled in mosaics, what can I do make the others look better? I have no problem with the cutting and gluing the glass part; it’s just the grouting that’s always a pain in the ass. I think sometimes I leave it on too long, other times I take it off to soon. It’s very frustrating! Should I make the glass pieces bigger/smaller? How much grout should I use? Should I completely cover the piece or just add a small amount?
Thanks.. :)
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| | | You smell good! | Sunday March 27th, 2005 02:04 PM |
| by jenniferdarling |
I've added oil stenches to the shop. Right now there are only a few blends up, and I need to write descriptions for those. I was wondering if the price I set was too high, even though I've looked around & that's cheaper than what some places charge for similar items. It's worth the $13, trust me. I had many o' compliment on the "bewitched" I wore this weekend & the oils & glass bottles are high end.
I've received raffle goods for the Southeastern Swag Market from Fork & Spoon Distro so far & Eye Candy Zine/Sweet Candy Distro has joined the vendor family. Hooray! |
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| | | fuurin | Monday March 21st, 2005 10:04 PM |
| by ohbara |
A fuurin is a Japanese windchime; the top is shaped like a round bell and is made of glass or metal, and from the clapper hangs a piece of thread or string holding a paper. Sometimes there's a poem written on the paper, too. When the wind move ths paper, the bell rings. They are very symbolic of summer.
I made this for my friend who had a baby girl in January. On the 'paper' (actually two layers of felt) I embroidered 'elly' (the baby's name is Elanor) and the Japanese transliteration of her name. I sewed a bell inside so it would jingle when shaken. I meant it to be a crib mobile. I just sent it out today, so we'll see if she likes it!
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| | | Fingerless gloves and Knitting. | Wednesday March 16th, 2005 02:23 PM |
| by loser__kenzie |
Last night, I made a 'pattern' for a pair of fingerless gloves. Really, it's just a rectangle with single crochet and back stitch only that was sewn together on the ends with a gap for my thumb. I only have one finished, and while I'm not thrilled with it, I'm proud nonetheless. This is only the second thing I've finished in crochet, the fourth thing I've started, and it didn't take me long at all.
There it is. I was going to do it holding the red with a nice grey, but it ended up being too thick. I'm not worried about it though, because I like the simplicity of just the red in the two stitches. It's a little loose around the wrist, and that kind of bugs me, but they'll do to keep my hands warm without interfering with my typing til I can make another pair.
I cleaned today, before I even got out of my pajamas. Opened the sliding glass door and two windows, opened the blinds. It wasn't much to do, because I'm trying to clean what needs done every morning, or every night, so that it doesn't build up and turn into much of a chore.
Mr. Manlyman has been running around and meowing endlessly all day, and I was mad at him, but he's sitting in my lap right now, stretched out. He's snoring, and his leg is twitching [he's dreaming, I guess], and I can't possibly be upset with him anymore, even if he did get stuck behind the stackable washer and dryer, and I still don't know how he even got on top of the dryer.
Ah- I want to learn how to knit. I love crocheting, but I do desperately want to learn how to knit. When I first attempted it early this winter, all I got was a jumble of yarn with a billion dropped stitches. So, we'll see if I can manage it this go round, I guess. |
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| | | Aaaa-chooo! | Sunday March 13th, 2005 09:56 PM |
| by Iowa-art-teacher |
So, I know that this isn't something that I made, but I found it on clearance at a gift shop, and I thought that it might give someone an idea to make something similar. It's a volcano that erupts kleenex!! I think it's just hilarious... the kleenex box hides underneath. I feel like I should plug the companies website since I'm posting a picture of their product - it is www.loopnyc.com
My main crafty project in the works right now is a set of ikea drawers that I am decorating with mosaic glass. Hopefully I can grout and assemble this week and post a finished picture next weekend!
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| | | More winter crafts | Thursday March 10th, 2005 10:07 PM |
| by val3ntine |
More pictures of stuff that I made over the winter but never got pictures of:
Sorry if this picture makes your eyes blurry. It was hard to get a good picture of the texture. No, they're not excessively worn out. The yarn was plied with different colors but also had slubby bits of wool coming out. They're thick and warm.
Hey guys, remember marble magnets? A set of regular ol' marble magnets. The red blobs are supposed to be red glass hearts that I also put magnets on. I made the heart magnets for goodie bags for my bro's kindergarten class. I found the hearts in the same spot of the craft store as the marbles, so they were really cheap. The glue was a generic brand of E600000000000 stuff. |
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| | | Retail Therapy | Wednesday March 09th, 2005 09:52 AM |
| by bessiemae |
Scored some great finds, yesterday! Guess no one else was foolish enough to venutre out in the wicked Lake Effect snows and wretched winds. All the better, as more good stuff waiting to come home with me.
Aside from the dull required purchases(40lb sacks of Large Breed Puppy Chow, 2nd grade manuscript paper), and fueled by a double cafe au lait, I indulged in a lovely assortment of lingerie scarfed up on clearance. Gotta love -80%! Ombre silks. Point d' Suisse. Silk ribbon embroidery. Beads. Happiness.
Best deal of the day? Brown seude Belgian slipper loafers with cheetah printed pony fur insets and tiny tailored bows. Love. Like wicked warped Pappagallo. $7.40!! How could I possibly leave them?
Shoes and lingerie (what else does a girl need?) needs met, moved on to check the linens. I've been searching high and low for the perfect cross between periwinkle and robins' egg 300ct+ flat sheets for bedroom drapes. Our walls are painted an Opal color which changes between blue and green throughout the day. Want fairly plain drapes with a beaded fringe detail and exquisite pressed glass holds. Iridecsent silk shades beneath for interest. Found my sheets for $5.99 each, twin size!!! Bought 4, and used a coupon. Now, to figure out the beaded fringe. Sheets in washer, now.
Joann's tomorrow for matching thread and to check on the fringe.
Today's craftiness? House Blessings; sewing a coin purse before my procrastination gets the better of me.
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| | | Thrifting and mail | Friday March 04th, 2005 03:15 AM |
| by Rosered |
I hit up a thrift store in Oakville today with Craig that we didn't know existed there. I ended up getting some pretty neat stuff. A Canada travel bag (I'm going to re engineer it to make myself another but with cotton), a hot pink cassette tape, a giant spool of blue trim stuff (I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, but it's so pretty!), a pink pillow cover with a dragon and a bird on it ( I doubt it will remain a pillow cover for long), and just under two metres of hot pink cotton fabric. All for ten bucks.
And that's some great mail I've gotten lately. My pin up girl mirror from Looking glass girl, my Lord of the rings special edition case thingy (I'm a sucker for those things where you send in shipping and handling and you get something sent to you for free), and a cassette tape of Neil Gaiman reading his book Coraline from a gril on Postcardx. Now what Postcardx is, is you sign up, put down your address and some things about yourself, and people might randomly send you some mail or letters or something, and you of course, do the same. It's really nice, and good for people who like to send mail, and also receive it. Anyways that tape totally made my day, beacuse I had my horrible Art History midterm, and I was in a foul mood whem I woke up, but getting that surprise in the mail was great! And so the lovely sounds of Neil Gaiman was what I listened to on my way to college. |
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| | | Dye job | Thursday March 03rd, 2005 08:46 PM |
| by bessiemae |
Craftiness for the day? Not as much as I wanted, but better than none.
- despite NUMEROUS interuptions (Jehovah's Witnesses, Police, and Amvets Donation Picker-Uppers), managed to get my hair dyed a lovely Crushed Garnet. I think it's marvelous, which is good, as it's permanent. Why bother with a silly strand test, when there's a whole head of hair to be hussied? Makes my eyes look incredibly blue and saucer sized. Way cool!
- tracked down the elusive Cure sheet music for cello miester. Yeah, my oldest son plays cello and requested the music for cello. Not a virutuoso, but clearly talented. On order. Can't wait to hear "caterpiller" or "love cats" on the cello. Also picked up new Black Jade rosin for him. What's in your Easter Basket/Pagan Rites of Spring Loot?
- scored Green Day tickets. Yeah!!!!
- around the corner from the music shop is a way cool vintage and junk shop Einstein's Attic. Bought some vintage cigar flags and a faceted emerald green glass choker. Picked up a silver tone Marge Simpson necklace. Will try to clean it up, a bit.
- paid bills and balanced checking account...could be construed as 'Crafty".
- Harry-ism for the day: walking around with his vial of ear infection antibiotics open and his 90lb labrador, Fig, trying to lick the tablets,"What are you?? Some kinda crackhead??"
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| | | CAD studio space | Tuesday March 01st, 2005 10:04 AM |
| by DesignerSara |
My assignment was to redesign this studio space in the industrial design building.
The space had to have 60 exsisting desks and dividers, the "idea bar", the stools, and none of the windows or doors could be modified.
I added some folding screens and 2 large room dividers. Work can be pinned to all of the walls, except the one glass room divider.
Here's a nice shot of my blue glass wall.
It might not look too impressive, but this room in reality is totally unorganized. I broke up the desks into 2 classrooms, and one graduate student area. The lighting is a little crazy.. Looks like an eclipse might be going on outside. And the shapes are really simple... In order to keep this model from being like 100 megs, I had to simplify a lot of things. (People would fall over if they sat on the stools, I know).
For my final project, I can design any product I want, existing or not. I think I'm going to design my sewing machine. I think it would be just hard enough.. and I could actually make it cool looking. We'll see. |
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| | | Glass bead necklaces | Monday February 28th, 2005 11:21 AM |
| by DesignerSara |
I haven't made any glass beads in a while, but I thought I'd post some older stuff I made. This one is my favorite.
This was my first completed necklace.
I sold this one to a lady for $65.. It took me so long to make that I asked for $55 I think, but she thought it was worth $65.
And thats all for now. |
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| | | Rowing goggles | Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 10:38 AM |
| by DesignerSara |
My assignment was to create an eye protection device for sports.. So I made rowing goggles because whenever I row, my sunglasses always slip down my nose. They are pretty intimidating I would say. |
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| | | Hair Thong | Saturday February 19th, 2005 04:27 PM |
| by kindarana |
So after looking through the blogs last night I realized that I'm a big crafty wannabe. So I got out the nasty acrylic yarn I picked up at a post-garage sale freebie pile and made this:
It's essentially a granny triangle, not that I know that's actually something. But I dug out the little glass beads I got a while back and sewed them into the chain stitch holes. More pictures in my pictures.
And now I *really* want to do needle felting. Too bad the nearest store I've found online is in Berkeley, which isn't very near at all. |
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| | | I'm not real valentines-y | Monday February 14th, 2005 11:47 AM |
| by go-fish |
Got these the other day from looking glass girl. They are sweet. One for each of us, not including the man of the house. He's not a dandy.
I got up early this morning and rolled out the best batch of (rolled) cookies I have made yet. We cut them out with heart cookie cutters and sent them w/ Opal to school.
Refridgeration is the key to rolled stuff. I used to try to make pie dough when I didn't have a fridge, under the black roof in California. It would get up to 105 in that house, but I didn't try to bake on those days. Actually, I did have to make a cake for a summer b-day once. That was some messed up frosting.
I didn't miss the fridge much, except for dough and beer. We had a community cow, so the fresh milk kept coming in, and it would clabber, sure, and then I would make cheese.
I did miss an iron though. I finally got one and cut the cord off and heated it on the burner.
Where did all that come from? |
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| | | Fun with Paper, Part 2 | Sunday February 13th, 2005 02:04 PM |
| by Nancy Flynn |
This kirigami stuff is rather addictive-- and, as you see, can be done with square or rectangular paper. I think the fan-like hearty one would be nice flattened out and made into a cylinder around a candle (in a glass holder, to avoid fire). I will have to figure out something productive to do with them, like gluing on cardstock... |
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| | | NEW JOB less crafting :/ | Sunday February 13th, 2005 11:55 AM |
| by cheryblosom |
Now that I am working 40 hours a week, full time for now, I wouldn't be able to papier mache during the week. I have the weekends off (thank goodness!) but I will see how much I can even do then...
I am working on my own lamp, the shade is done, as you can see. To make all I used was cheap x-mas tissue paper, wallpaper paste, and a balloon.
I need to work on the base, somehow. The stand will be made from strong tube from x-mas wrapping paper, then need to papier mache that and paint. |
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| | | Craftalong & my computer | Tuesday February 01st, 2005 06:29 PM |
| by artemis.sun |
My computer and I have a sort of love hate relationship, I love it and it hates me. I've been told to move on, dump it and get a younger, shinier model, but I'm too attached. I don't think it returns the affection. See, I painted and smanchied up it's first moniter, a veritable work of art. When that one broke, I decided to go more low key with the new one, so it's decorated much more simply. I have a feeling that the computer resents me for not giving it a more complete plastic surgery.
The computer is quite the passive aggressive beast, working perfectly fine most of the time. Then the day comes when I've need to print a paper that's due in half an hour, and bam! Openoffice takes 31 minutes to load. Or, right as I'm starting a research project, it plays in the rain without a hat and catches a virus and I've got to reformat the whole thing.
Now, before I get too carried away in my rambling, I reassure you that this is indeed related to crafting. Over at supernaturale, melmelon (hilarious gal with awesome ideas) has organized a craftalong - every week or so, someone makes a thread and explains a craft, and then we all work on it together. I've got the week of February 1. My crafts are a sock dog and a cd slipcase. I started a thread last night to announce that the photos would be posted this afternoon, but when I tried to log in to glitter to post the tutorials, I couldn't get in. I put in my screenname, my password, and click the button, then it takes me to the home page, except that I'm not logged in. I've tried leaving the page, loading through the pm link. I'm even using explorer because some other glitterati suggested that firefox and glitter might not get along. And even though there is a thread where some other members mention problems they've had, I'm convinced that it's not glitter, it's my computer. It's too much of a coincidence.
Argh, the frustration! It's like watching puppies through a glass wall - I can read posts, I can see my thread, but I can't jump in and play. So I am sorry, all those who were waiting with bated breath to see a floppy eared sock dog! I will try again tomorrow.
--
On a brighter note, my sweet friend "K" is lending me her digital camera, so expect photos! My room is neat as of now, so I'm thinking of snapping a few pics to send to my mother. Oh, and I did laundry last night, so I can send a picture of my clean, folded clothes, too! I love making her proud.
Now it's time for dinner, then an early bedtime because I've got a confusing headache. Confusing because it's a headache I'm unaccustomed to. Oddly enough, this one's much milder than my usual ones, but it's having a greater affect (ie, I am so out of it I had to reword this sentence 3 times to make it understandable) because the difference is throwing me off!
I will be having what my friend "I" calls my "poseur vegetarian dish". I am not vegetarian, but I love love tofu and all tofu products, including tofu based fake meat. Yum yum yum.
Have a good night! |
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| | | Fun with fleece | Sunday January 30th, 2005 10:15 PM |
| by Rivercat0338 |
Specifically, Hello Kitty fleece! The big deal here, folks, is that I DO NOT SEW. I inherited my grandmother's old Singer 404 and until yesterday it's been languishing in the garage. But I wanted to make warming pillows for my cats so I got a half yard of this stuff on sale at Joann's and made the two lumpy things in the photo. They're filled with brown rice (thanks to advice from several of you at Get Crafty!) which seems to actually hold the heat longer than the buckwheat hulls in the store-bought pillow I got for Isis after she had her surgery in November.
I had quite a bit of the fleece left so I found directions for making easy fleece hats at Martha Stewart's site and made this one for my friend's daughter, the little monster who pulled my double pointed needles out. It was her birthday last week and she adores Hello Kitty, so what the heck. What else am I going to do with a 1/4 yard of Hello Kitty fleece?
I think that's pretty much it for my sewing for the next 5 years! I had to look up on the Web how to thread the dang machine because the manual is missing, and thank goodness the bobbin was already wound because attempting to get thread on it would have defeated me. As it was I needed a big glass of wine when I was done. |
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| | | Art or Craft? | Monday January 17th, 2005 03:41 PM |
| by cosmosgrrl |
This is gonna be a long 'un, so settle in.
I've been making stuff pretty much my whole life. My first significant memory is of receiving a set of markers and a pad of paper for my 3rd birthday. I still remember the thrill of opening that package of rainbow colored goodness. My childhood art forays included several joyous summers making papier mache thingies at the playground down the street, collecting and painting rocks, coloring in those huge "color-your-own" posters of unicorns and fairy tale castles, and all the usual kid stuff.
I took the requisite high school art classes, and even attempted to major in art in college. I say attempted because that was where I first ran into the whole bitchy art versus craft thing. I so clearly remember this snippy little woman who was visiting my college from NYC for the semester and teaching studio art. She would totally lift her nose in the air to everything I produced, while slobbering over this other arty girl who produced things like a plastic Jesus submerged in a cup of piss to show the commercialism of Christmas. *gag* I made it through the semester but never took another formal art class again.
However, I continued to pursue the "domestic" crafts like knitting and crocheting, baking, decoupage, and so on. I eventually found my way to stained glass, which led me to jewelry and beads. As I've gotten older, I've also gotten more confident and less consumed with what other people think. So, I have happily immersed myself in my little crafts and have gotten pretty good at some stuff. In my search to share my passion with other like-minded people, I started going to a local bead group. What a rush! Spending one afternoon a month looking at other people's work, talking to them about such things as the best crimp beads, where to buy silver wire, melting, slumping and fusing glass, stitches such as spiral, ndebele, african helix, and peyote (which my husband still thinks is an hallucinogen), and just the general happiness that comes from a good gab session with people who love the same things you do has been liberating.
But, I have become the victim of my own success. I have been asked to instruct a class on beading at the studio where the group meets. Now, I don't have any problem getting up in front of a group of people and talking, teaching, and leading a class. My problem is this: many of the other people involved with this studio consider themselves artists, which is *fine* with me. And I guess I consider myself an artist, too. But I find myself at odds with some of the things coming out of their mouths. For instance, at a meeting yesterday, I was gently chastised for not charging enough for my class. WTF! It's not like I *knew* how much to charge...I've never done this before! And quite frankly, I'd just as soon *not* charge for anything but supplies. Despite what the others think, I *know* there are folks out there who can't afford $30 bucks for a two hour class, much less $60! And I'm happy to do it for free. I love sharing what I do.
But the thing that pissed me off the most? I know there were other people in the room like me, who were thinking the same thing. One woman actually had the balls to say what she was thinking -- that she felt guilty charging even $30 -- but some of the others sat there with their eyes downcast and their hands folded in their laps, probably feeling like shit because they don't consider themselves artists and therefore think they are less worthy or talented than those who do.
Does it really make such a difference if a piece of art is crafted in a professional studio or in someone's basement, or kitchen, or corner of the apartment? Do those things have any less intrinsic value? Art is about life, and if my life has room for making stuff at my kitchen table, then dammit, that's where I'm gonna work!
I'm thinking a lot about what makes something art and what makes something a craft. I've seen a lot of *art* in my day, and quite frankly, a lot of it is crap. Art is supposed to convey a message or statement, but I've never quite been able to figure out the message of a big-ass red canvas, or a pile of dog shit sculpted into the form of a human torso. It seems like the art world is divided into two parts -- those who place limits on what is considered art and those who don't. One of the things I like best about this small slice of the digital world is that there doesn't seem to be that divide here. I've seen things as diverse as a tuna tampon pouch, an afghan made of handstitched granny squares, an amazing mosaic table top, kittys made out of felt, and handbags made out of old jeans. All these things have at least two things in common -- imagination and ingenuity -- which I have always thought to be the building blocks of any piece of art.
Well, that's my rant for today. I think I will retire to my basement and make some earrings. |
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| | | your chaos is glamorous | Friday January 14th, 2005 08:28 PM |
| by lindastar |
I got my new yarn today, it was so fast. I want to make little heart pins out of it for valentines day, or something. It's from Lampes Lumps. You can't really see, but the peppermint stripe's got little gold tinsel twisted in all over. Does anyone know of a crochet heart pattern?
And I got a check for one of my button hats . I didn't realize how long mail takes these days, even though I guess CA to NYC in a week is still something close to amazing.
I've been singing this song in my head absentmindedly. I can't tell you enough how much I am loving arcade fire, cute boy giving it to me aside. That one's actually from the EP, and I heart it lots.
Life is good. It snowed, and now it's freezing, but I really can't complain. A glass of wine, a friend's gig this evening, and time for a nap in between. Happy.
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| | | Lessons and cake | Friday January 14th, 2005 01:46 AM |
| by Miepshe11 |
So, we went to the Dallas ISD Alternative Teacher Certification info seminar tonight. It was a cross between an Amway presentation and a Salvation Army funeral. I've mentioned before that I need a job, and starting teachers get $38,500 a year with Dallas, but I felt like they were asking for my soul. There's also a $50 application fee: nonrefundable of course. Plus the $3000 program fee and the $600+ for summer university classes plus books and parking. Naturally, they do payroll deductions for the $3000, just not the classes. They got me to actually consider it, at least the idea of teaching pre-K through 4th grade ESL. The kicker is, my husband went too, and he doesn't qualify. He was actually going to do it too. I can't think of a better person to be a high school English teacher than my husband, but so it goes.
To cheer both of us up, I made some brownies. At least, I thought I was making brownies. I ended up with chocolate cake. It's surprisingly good. So good, I may have to make it again.
I used the recipe from the Betty Crocker Cookbook, with a few changes.
The recipe says to melt 4 oz of unsweetened chocolate with 2/3 cup shortening in a large saucepan. I only had cocoa powder (so I thought) and I don't use shortening. So, I mixed 12 Tbls of Ghirardeli chocolate powder (already sweetened) with 4 Tbls oil and 1/2 cup butter. So far, so good. I then added 1 Tbls Amaretto and 1 tsp cinnamon. Then I added only 1 cup of sugar, since the chocolate was already sweetened, and the rest of the ingredients and mixed it all up. I believe it was:
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (don't tell!)
3/4 cup regular white flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
It is very liquid. Then, I baked it all in a greased 8x8x2 glass baking dish at 350 for about 45 minutes. It said 30 minutes, but I waited until the middle wasn't runny anymore. The result was that it puffed up beautifully, just like a cake. And it is good!
PS- Last time I blogged (sounds like a dance, no?) I was very worried about my doggie. She is fine, and acts as though nothing happened. Our vet gave us some valium in case she has another seizure, but so far, so good. I'm so glad to have my puppy home, barking at everyone who walks on our front sidewalk! |
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| | | Thursday January 13th, 2005 09:07 PM |
| by mrs maraschino |
i did my first pearling today! i am making a sunglasses case out of turquise yarn..i hope itll turn out pretty. even though i already messed up : /
cookie count: 6?
coffee count: 2.5 cups
cig count: 0
-bagle and cream cheese and coffee
-2 molasses cookies
-banana peanut butter sandwich on wheat
-cheese calzone and very small cesar salad and another molasses cookie
-kettle corn
-frappachino
-2 molasses cookies
-cesar salad and potatoe casserole and sweet tea
i love donna hay magazine...its so spesive though |
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| | | Sunday January 09th, 2005 06:35 PM |
| by mrs maraschino |
cookie count: none
coffee count: less than a cup
cig count: one
-black berry oatmeal crunch
-indian vegetable curry dishes of all sorts, nann bread, one bite of some nasty doughnut thing, water, and the best rice pudding in the world.
-pina colada smoothie
-sample bite of angle food cake
-sips of coffee
-cigarette
-whipped strawberry yogurt
-mate vana tea
-sweet potatoe, salad with blue cheese vinigarete, broccoli, and sweet tea
-strawberry shortcake
-2 scrambled eggs with green onion and cheese and a glass of tomato juice.
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| | | junk | Saturday January 08th, 2005 10:01 PM |
| by Ena24 |
| I tried to clean my room over break, but it's very hard, because i keep so much junk, which to me is not junk, because SOMEDAY i will use it. and that someday will come much quicker if i get rid of it. So i had to find uses for junk the last few weeks. I finally used those cardboard inserts in underwear packages for drawing and painting, i painted on some clear thin plastic that came protecting a glass surface and stuck it to my window creating a stained glass effect. and of course....i started making another book! actually two. actually one has drawings started in it, but the other is junk that i will turn into a baby book(as in small, not for a baby) it's a fabulous blue velvety perfume sample holder - they come in book cover like packages, and i couldn't throw it away. now i have to decide what to put into it....and i will try to get pictures up too....maybe soon :) |
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| | | Waiting | Thursday January 06th, 2005 01:55 AM |
| by Miepshe11 |
My husband says I screamed. I don't remember screaming. I thought I was saying, "Lana," but apparently I screamed it. Our dog was lying on the floor, behind my husband's chair, asleep. I thought perhaps her paw was caught on the chair, at first. Then I saw her eyes. I don't think I will ever forget seeing her flailing like that, with her head bent back and her eyes rolling. It only lasted a minute but my god. She's never done this before. She tries to run in her sleep, and it's cute, but this was so frightening. It was six hours ago, and I can't sleep. She's at the emergency vet clinic now, and they said she was fine, no more seizures. They said they took her outside on a leash and she kept trying to get into the cars in the parking lot. They said she was trying to go home. She's really young and healthy though. She's only two, and she's only had external problems. We sort of rescued her from this really shady character. She had mange and a staph infection when we got her from him as a puppy. She's had fleas, and once about a year ago, she cut her front leg open on some glass, and you could see her muscle. She didn't seem to care, but we took her to the emergency clinic. That's how we remembered where it was tonight.
I know she'll be fine, and this may never happen again, but I can't sleep. When I was seventeen, my cat was very sick so I took her to a different emergency clinic so they could observe her overnight. They took her into the back to weigh her, and she had a seizure and died. She was gone two minutes. I handed over a live cat and got back a dead one, only two minutes later. Maybe I'm bizarre, but I held my poor dead cat all the way home in the car, just sobbing. And now, tonight, I see my dog have a seizure, and I keep thinking she's going to die. Then I tell myself that she's fine, the vet said some dogs will have one or two seizures their entire, long lives and be just fine.
They said I could call whenever I wanted, as many times as I wanted. My husband is still awake too. We are both so afraid. We have no children, just our dog and two cats. I have already called once, when they told me about the cars. I'll probably call again soon. I don't want to be bothersome, but I guess they understand, working in an emergency clinic and all. I'm sure some people are far more panicky than I am.
Perhaps I should have put a warning at the beginning. Something like, "Warning: really depressing rant from uber-sap." Sometimes, you just have to type it out, I guess. |
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| | | Birthday Gifts | Sunday January 02nd, 2005 05:38 PM |
| by evenstar |
More gifts that I gave my boyfriend last year:
Nintendo Controller belt
Record clock
Strongbad Figurine! Hand painted myself :)
Shotglasses etched with a flame on it
To make the belt, I simply took an old controller, unscrewed it open, cut off the cord, close it back up (you could close up the hole from where the cord was too), and used E6000 glue to glue it onto a flat belt buckle. The image is an example of the kind that I used. |
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| | | Friday December 31st, 2004 02:17 PM |
| by mrs maraschino |
cookie count: one
coffee count: 2 cups
cig count: 4
-left over greek food from last night (one spanicopita roll, greek salad, flat bread, potaoes)
-gingerbread waffle and coffee
-tarro chips
-a new years feast of shrim cocktail, creme puffs, bite size brownies, veggies and dip, blueberry tarts, red hots, brie and crackers, chocolate sandwich cookie things, margaritas made with sprite instead of rum, 2 glasses of cherry sparkling juice, 2 glasses of martini and rossi, half of a beer, 4 cigarettes, and snow caps
i dont know what to bring to my new years cocktail party (where we will dress up in our finest atire, drink virgin cocktails, and watch rocky horror...the 4 of us hehe). i thought fondu...to hard to transport...i thought cupcakes...i do thta so much...i just dont know.
_edit_ i ended up bringing the cherry bubblies, frozed creme puffs, and the blue berry tarts (which did not turn out so well)
i finished my purpe scarf today for a work friend while watching martha. |
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| | | Pottery | Tuesday December 28th, 2004 09:51 AM |
| by cheryblosom |
I made these at school. I am not good at throwing so I am going to use them to make something mosaic. I normally see stepping stones or candle holders, yet do you guys know of anything else I can make? |
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| | | gummi bear bracelet | Friday December 24th, 2004 12:21 AM |
| by mrs maraschino |
i made this bracelet out of gummi bears for my cousin!! it turned out cute. if anyone wants to know how to doit i' be glad to post directions.
i also made finished this scarf for my sister. it was kindof short, but i didnt want to buy another 25 dollar skein of yarn!
by the way, i know that most of the ladies and gents at get crafty probably know how to knit better than i...but i'm happy to knit scarves for the cost of yarn plus 5 dollars and shipping. just e-mail me and tell me what you'd like and we can work somthing out ( i have paypal, too) : blackandwhitepassion@hotmail.com
---the foods for today---
cookie count: 4
coffee count: 6 cups
cigarette count: 1
-a christmas cookie
-bowl of corn flakes and a sliced pear (both toped with honey), and a few sips of coffee
-cigarette
- a mint hershey's kiss and a dark chocolate truffle
-pasta salad, all natural honey mustard chips, and a glass of water
-a cup of coffee
-a bite of sugar cookie
-a short bread cookie and a chocolate covered pretzle
-a christmas cookie
-2 ritz crackers
-a bagle with chive and onion cream cheese, flat bread with pesto hummus, greenolives, and melted motzerela on top (that was very good i must say), and "silk nog" (the soy milk egg nog)
-coffee
-a christmas cookie |
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| | | Biscotti is done | Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 11:47 AM |
| by Rivercat0338 |
Finally motivated myself to get the lemon pistachio biscotti done since the ingredients have been sitting around the counter for a week now. It's a recipe from Sunset magazine and was by far the most popular of the three varieties I gave for gifts year before last. The icing gets a little sloppy after that second glass of wine :)
I cut the @#$% fudge into tiny squares (it is really rich) ready to plonk into the tins right before I give it away 'cuz if it stays out of the fridge too long it kinda melts. Cutting it up was oh-so fun. Don't think I'll be making fudge again anytime soon!
And some good news: we finally get DIY on Comcast! No more slavishly checking On Demand to see if they've added new episodes of Knitty Gritty |
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| | | My crafing journal | Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 06:21 AM |
| by craftylady53014 |
I am new here and I hope I am doing this right. This is going to be my crafting journal.
I have been working on decopaging my daughter's picture on glass jars for Christmas presents. She was killed in a car crash 19 months ago and we sure do miss her. If I ever figure it out, I will post pictures.
I also like to decorative paint on found objects. This fall I did pumpkins on wooden candle sticks and now am doing Santas on wooden candle sticks. I will post those too whenever I figure out how to do that.
I just finished a crochet baby blanket for a friend of mine and I plan on doing something with some of the gourds I grew a couple of years ago.> |
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| | | More supplies | Monday December 20th, 2004 06:31 PM |
| by cheryblosom |
Its been a while since I talked about my crafts. So today I went to Joann's and picked up a few items below. I been spending a lot of money just getting the basic stuff to make something. I hope this will be the last.
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| | | John Waters' Dead Bug Ornaments | Tuesday December 14th, 2004 05:01 PM |
| by Rivercat0338 |
I was just listening to Fresh Air on NPR on the way back from lunch today, and Terry Gross was interviewing John Waters (again). He described a Christmas ornament he sent to friends one holiday: a glass globe with Merry Christmas from John Waters on in and a plastic dead roach inside. I was laughing so hard I almost swerved into the guy next to me. The mind boggles at the possibilities!
I had to get new tires for my car today and was alert enough this morning to remember to bring my knitting along. Much more fun than reading last month's auto magazines :) |
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| | | Books | Tuesday December 07th, 2004 01:38 AM |
| by cheryblosom |
I just picked up some really old papier mache books from my school. I really want to see if I can make something neat and show everyone and myself that I can make it.
Creative papier mache by Betty Lorrimar
Design In Papier Mache by Carla and John B.Kenny
Original Creations with Papier Mache by Mildred Anderson |
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| | | Crafty Christmas | Monday December 06th, 2004 12:06 PM |
| by naomi |
It feels like Christmas now! On Saturday, we got our first ever Christmas tree for our first ever Christmas living away from home. We were driving back home from Maldon to CHelmsford, and on the way I saw a sign proclaiming 'Christmas Trees This Way'. So we followed the sign, and drove for ages down twisty twisty roads before coming to the place, a little independent Garden Centre. Although I had planned on getting a huge tree originally, I fell in love with this little dinky three foot tree.
It is now sitting in our living room, with lots of lights on it, teeny baubles, and I put lots of silver foil wrapped chocolate coins on silver thread to hang too. I made a silver pipe cleaner angel for the top, and I love it!
(No where seemed to sell angels for the top of trees this year...it seems stars are in! Likewise few frosty blue ornaments).
The other thing I did was cut out lots and lots of beautiful intricate snowflakes out of plain white paper, and put them on the doors. If you stand in the hall in our flat, with all the doors closed, it is like being in a little snow storm.
Today has been a good day, posted all my overseas Christmas parcels, and got free coffee and cake from the cafe that has just opened at work. Tonight I am going to a quiz with some work friends....eeep!
I am also trying not to think too much about Christmas shopping- already the shops are swamped. And the more I try to think in my head who I have to buy for or make for the more dizzying it all feels. But then I think if I write it all down I might be even more afraid...perhaps tomorrow night with a glass of mulled red wine (my new favourite drink...after mint hot choc...how I love seasonal food and drink!) I shall make the list and try not to faint or scream! |
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| | | Xmas gift list | Thursday December 02nd, 2004 09:04 AM |
| by teagrrl |
Here's my Christmas gift list, hopefully someone can get ideas from it...or give me ideas... :-)
(mostly copied & pasted from my Glitter post, because I'm lazy)
Parents - my sisters and I will buy something together for them. We gave them nice anniversary gifts in Nov so a boring gift is OK...they don't really want or need anything anyway.
Sister #1 - will get a CD that she wanted, my other sis and I will co-give it. She will also get a super cheap (and probably super crappy) four-lens camera because I bought three of them when I was supposed to buy the gift for my other sister (see below).
Sister #1's fiancé - homemade Bailey's truffles, probably. That's also from my other sister and me (I'll be making the truffles, my sister adds two Bailey's glasses that she doesn't want anymore).
Niece #1 (5yo) - a silver bracelet I made, and one of those magnetic stick-and-ball kits that you can build with...what are they called? I bought a cheap ripoff version...
Niece #2 (2yo) - prolly a jigsaw puzzle, but I haven't bought it yet.
Sister #2 - crappy four-lens camera and ??? We need to find something more.
Sister #2's bf - it's the first Xmas he spends with us, I really have no idea what to get him. He doesn't eat much candy so no truffles.
Six younger cousins (girls) (9, 13, 15, 16x2, 18yo) - knitted wristwarmers (see my last blog entry)
One younger cousin (boy) (12yo)- ??? Maybe buttons of his fave hockey team, or something else hockey-related.
Cousin's kids (one girl, one boy) (6 and 9yo)- ??? (I could probably chip in on my parents' gift for them though) I was going to knit mittens for the girl but I don't think I'll have the time. Also I don't have a pattern.
Aunt/Godmother - ??? (truffles? I guess I could make a huge batch and give everyone truffles this year... :-)
Sister's dog, cousins' dogs - a couple of dog crackers, wrapped so they can open the gifts by themselves.
Four friends - one Sublime Stitching pattern each (great gifts, cheap to mail!)
I'm lucky because everyone in my family appreciates homemade gifts. Unfortunately I haven't had the time to craft much lately... :-(
***edited to add ages and fix typos
***edited again: FUDGE! My aunt loves fudge. *off to search for fudge recipes* |
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| | | paper village | Thursday December 02nd, 2004 12:03 AM |
| by maitreya |
Here's the paper village I made a few years back from the Martha Stewart Living December 2000 patterns. They're made of watercolor paper. The little house in the middle has beaded "lights," and the church has colored acetate windows. The other windows are glassine, and they all look really pretty when you put little lights under them.
closeup of the center one
And last but not least the hospital my husband built for the victims of the cholera epidemic. The next year, Christmas Village had a horrific train derailment. Luckily my new Halloween village kit comes with a graveyard.
crossposted |
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| | | Seeking inspiration | Wednesday December 01st, 2004 02:22 AM |
| by kai |
I have this bag full of shells I collected from the beach awhile back and I don't know what to do with them. I glued some to a mirror and it turned out...well, eh. I know someone who makes fancy wall hangings from drift wood, beads, shells and beach glass but she's saavy with the power tools whereas I don't even know how to string a necklace together.
So any suggestions are welcome. Also, most of the shells are broken, not full shells. |
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| | | Happy Soap | Tuesday November 30th, 2004 02:46 AM |
| by yardenxanthe |
 This is my very first batch of CP (cold process) soap. As you can see, it appears to be happy!
Cold process soap is the kind where you use lye, fats & liquid to make soap. Here are some really general instructions, but you will need to do more research before you proceed.
I won't know until tomorrow when I unmold it if I was successful or not. It's really shiny, and I'm not sure if it's supposed to be shiny or not! It's made with olive oil & canola oil. The liquid is green tea, and I added some cinnamon (for speckles and brown color!) and Oatmeal-Milk-Honey Fragrance Oil (FO). When I put it into the mold, it was a pretty peanut butter brown with tiny cinnamon speckles in it.
I based my recipe on this Carrot Juice Castille Soap recipe because it had common kitchen measurements for the ingredients (normal CP recipes are calculated and measured out by weight, but I can't find my scale! ), and also because it was a very small batch. I wanted to make a small, manageable batch for my first attempt.
I was apprehensive about making my first batch of CP soap because of all the warnings about lye (and y'know, that scene from Fight Club). I got rubber gloves, wore shoes, and should have had goggles (but I have glasses, so that kind of counts. I would still like to get goggles) for protection from the lye.
I was also apprehensive because I wasn't measuring the ingredients like you're supposed to, I was making a small batch (which means more possibility for an error in the correct amount of lye), and I was substituting ingredients, and I wasn't sure how that would affect the process.
Anyway, it all turned out fine. I was careful, and there weren't any mishaps.
A short rundown on the process:
Prep: you'll determine your recipe and measurements.
1. Measure liquid into a tall plastic (or pyrex or stainless steel -- aluminum is NOT OKAY) container -- I used a 3 cup plastic measuring cup.
1.5. Make sure you have your protective gear on.
2. Measure lye into a disposable container (those wax-covered soft drink cups were recommended to me by an experienced soaper, but I ended up using a left over ricotta cheese tub)
3. Add lye to liquid. (NEVER add liquid to lye because it can cause an eruptive reaction). Stir for about a minute until the lye dissolves (liquid will become unclouded -- mine was brown, so it was hard to tell).
4. Lye reacts with liquid and causes heat. You let the lye mixture cool down to warm (you can barely feel it through your gloves). Meanwhile,
5. Make sure your oils are melted, but not hot. Mine were liquid oils, so I didn't have to do this. Someone recommended microwaving the oil for a minute in the microwave, and then letting it cool down to about 100 degrees.
(Alternatively, and this is interesting: you can leave your fats/oils in their cool, solid state, and just add the hot lye mixture to them. The lye mixture will melt the oils, and the cool oils will help bring the temp of the lye mixture down. Please do more reading and research on this before you try this.)
6. When the lye mixture is cooled down (takes forever -- like 45 minutes. To speed it along, put the container -- carefully! -- in a cold water bath, and stir it to help cool it down), add it to the oils and stir!
7. If you have a stick blender (which will from then on be devoted to only soap making!), use it to blend and alternately stir the mixture until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency (called "trace" -- if you drip some of the mixture on the surface of the mixture, it should stay separate from the mix, leaving a trace behind). If you don't have a stick blender, stir with a plastic, wooden, glass, or stainless steel spoon for ever. Like twenty minutes to hours.
8. When you reach trace, quickly add your additional ingredients, pre-measured out and ready to go, of course. In my case, it was 1/4 cup of cinnamon, and 3ml of Oatmeal-Milk-Honey Fragrance Oil. (The only one I had that was suitable for CP soap). Mix thoroughly. Apparently, some of these additional ingredients can accelerate your trace, so be quick about this and don't mix too much or your batch will do bad things (correctable bad things, but, wouldn't you rather avoid those if possible?)
9. Pour/spoon into your prepared mold. A mold is anything (made out of the acceptable materials -- plastic, glass, stainless steel, or wood) that you can pour into. It's recommended that you line it with plastic wrap before you pour, to make it easier when it comes time to remove it. I used a little sandwich container.
Your mold should already be situated in an insulated spot -- mine was a small cardboard box, and the mold was surrounded with dish towels (pre-pouring, because I didn't want to risk a spill by moving a full container of raw soap).
When I poured it into the mold, it was at completely non-runny pudding consistency. It was glossy, though, which kind of worried me, because I read somewhere that it should get kind of dull.
10. Cover your soap (I had a plastic lid) and cover the whole affair with a towel. The soap will continue to cook out the lye.
11. Un-mold in 24 hours, and cut. Let your soap bars cure for 4 weeks or so before using. (I haven't gotten to this step yet!)
I hope it turns out. At least it looks happy!
The process wasn't as scary or intimidating as I thought it would be. Tomorrow, I think I will try making a larger batch with some veggie shortening I bought. I need to find my scale first, though, so I can measure out my ingredients.
Now, a couple hours after I poured it, the mold is still quite hot. The soap isn't glossy anymore, and the peanut butter brown has lightened to a nice lighter brown.
If you decide to go for it, please read some more info on it. There's lots on the web.
The Miller Soap Website
Walton Feed Soap Making Instructions
The Soap Dish Forums rock! |
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| | | It's Christmas! | Sunday November 28th, 2004 11:01 PM |
| by lindastar |
I thought I'd start a blog here even though I've got another one to update, just to feature my crafty projects (a backlog of sorts can be found in my lil store: www.lindamade.com). Welcome!
First, here's a wreath I made for the door- just a store bought wreath with fun ribbon and picks stuffed inside.
and here's a clock i made for my best friend. I just popped a clock from the dollar store open, replaced the face, glued on felt numbers, reworked the hands (which was a pain!!) and popped it back together.
and here's a closeup of my tree. you can see the crocheted stars I made 2 years ago when I was learning to crochet. I nearly went blind because it was thread crochet, but I really like them. I also made the pipe cleaner snowflakes, which are relatively easy -- just bend and cut iridescent cleaners into the shape of the flakes. most of the ornaments are hand made- i even replicated the glass ball subway lines (for those of you in NY) by buying the glass balls and using glitter paint to put the numbers/letters on.
Happy holidays! |
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| | | Super Sewing Class | Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 03:52 PM |
| by Nancy Flynn |
I took the "beginner handbag" class at Muse last night and it was totally fabulous and fantastic. I haven't had a chance to take a photo of the bag yet, but I will, and will post it later. I know just what some of my christmas presents this year will be! And I'm taking the clutch bag glass there next weekend if i can figure out my paypal issues and sign up in time.... all I want to do is sew! Which is a problem, since I'm knitting stuff for some people for Christmas... and I have some necklaces to make...
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| | | The Fruit Series! | Monday November 22nd, 2004 03:14 PM |
| by Nancy Flynn |
I made a series of necklaces on silk cord with fruit and veggie glass beads-- too much fun! But now I'm wondering if anyone would actually wear one if I gave it for christmas? |
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| | | iPod cosy and cable tote | Monday November 22nd, 2004 12:10 AM |
| by maitreya |
Good Husband got me an iPod for my birthday. I've already banged it up a bit carrying it unprotected in my purse. I made it this little sleeve while I come up with something more elaborate. It's a layer of fabric on top and a layer of eyeglass-cleaning chamois inside, with one layer each of thin interfacing and quilt batting sandwiched between. I made it pretty snug so it doesn't need a fastener. Now, everytime I slide the iPod in it automatically gets polished. I am clever.
The drawstring bag is a tote for the connector cable and the earbuds. It's also big enough to carry the iPod and the earbuds if I so desire. One layer fabric, one layer quilt batting.
crossposted |
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| | | thikin about presents..and aroma therapy...and thanksgiving feast...and craft festivals | Friday November 19th, 2004 09:41 PM |
| by mrs maraschino |
i have been trying to get my list of presents for everyone so i'll have time to make things and not get stressed, cause who needs that at x-mas. i am a little worried about spending too much money, more than i have..i just want to make people like things, and there is so much i want to make! i dont even have enough people to give things too. so, in the list of presents to make is an herb garden ( in little decoated pots), a broosh to go with a nice scarf, purfume in a decorated bottle 9you know the ones that have the sqeezy things, i love those.), a pink, sparkly, crown ash trey(for my grandpa hehe), candy jewlery (poly eurithaned), snow globes ( idea from martha living), a set of picure albums for my grandma, scarfs, little doll house filled with stuffed animal creatures, aroma therapy kits (tea, bath salts, purfume), mittens for babies, gardens in a glass container (i forget whatyou call them but i learned how to make one on the brini maxwell show), cactus garden, pins made from bottle caps and sea shells.
some edibles i want to make : baklava, ice box cookies, bannana bread, lemony pound cakes, candied ginger, jam, cut-out cookies of courrse, cupcakes toped with sugar crystals and coconut to look like snow, snowflake jelly cookies.
i was thinking that i want to make ginger bread houses so bad and give them to people, but i also wanted to give them baked goods and both might be too much. so i decided i am going to make small-ish ginger bread houses with roofs that come off and put the cookies and such inside, i think that will be cute for my good friends...i dont want to do taht for everyone, thats too much work!
i plan on posting pictures of these things once i make them.
some recipies i am thining about for a turkey-less thankgiving:
roasted root vegetables (from martha stewart living)
pasta salad of some sort..any suggestions?
sauted acorn squash:
preheat oven to 300. cut the acorn squash in quarters by sitting it on the cutting board so it is steady, place the biggest knife you have on top and tap with a meat tenderizer/hammer, do it again for each half. Scoop out the insides, save the seeds for roasting if you like. Put a tablespoon or so of butter in each half + sprinkle cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Bake for 30 minutes open side up on a pan.
Cool and slice into squares (cut a grid into each quarter and then cut under the meat as close to the outside as you can get. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium low heat. Add 1/4 of a yellow onion chopped, 1 clove minced garlic, and ½ tsp grated ginger (you can judge how much you want for yourself, but I think it is best with out too much of any of these.). Add the squash and stir often (making sure each side of the squares gets a turn on the bottom…and don’t forget to sprinkle on some salt a little bit after you put them in the pan.) for about 15 minutes or until the pieces are golden. You can also add in any other types of veggies into this and it would make a lovely meal or side dish.
To make curried acorn squash 9or any hard squash for that matter) just add less onion and a tsp. Of curry with the garlic, and minus the ginger if you want.
fruit ka-bobs (made with peaches... i got the idea from "eeryday italian " on foodtv)
yorkshire pudding (probably the recipie from niggella bites)
i just realised how much cooking/craft television i watch...thats a good thing i suppose, oh god now im even talking ilike martha.
this weekend i am going to "big angel blow out" in atlanta , it is like a seasonal art show..they also have one in the spring that i went to that was really cool. i am looking forward to it, they will have lots of artsy angels and christmas things to buy.
with all this crafty chirstmas inspiration i really want to have more craft-y shows in atlanta. a while back there was a post about somthing like taht but nothing really happened. if anyone is interesteed i think it'd be cool to have a monthly, or bi-monthly depending, craft/antique gathering somewhere to sell and trade, and maybe even make it more festival-like with bands playing and such. i think after the hollidays wouldbe a good time to start, but still if you live in atlanta and want to help or just think its a good idea and people would come comment and we will see. |
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| | | cold ohio night | Friday November 12th, 2004 09:30 PM |
| by chelbeads |
| Just a first hello tonight...a contact call from where I sit. I work in fiber, metal and glass....love using found objects....collaging it all together. I've just had the web site up for a few months but I'm not thrilled with it--too safe and soft for the edginess I carry with me. I want to put more fiber and collage on it----have it be less of a catalog and more of a glimpse of me. It's hard flying blind sometimes. I waffle between exhilaration and terror. |
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| | | All New to me... | Monday November 01st, 2004 05:11 PM |
| by Shutterbug1 |
| Well, hmmm...this is like talking on an answering machine....you have all kinds of ideas 'til you hear that little beep and everything goes blank!! I'm one of those 'tried almost everything' people. I have crocheted, knitted (a little), embroideried, made candles, faster plastered, made jewelery, wood-working, wood burning, gallery glass and a bunch of other stuff. Jack of all trades, mistress of none, I guess. My current projects are making frames and decorating mats. I'm a photographer by trade so that fits right in. |
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| | | Cookie Pizza | Wednesday October 27th, 2004 09:44 PM |
| by udandi |
A lady who used to work at my organization loved Halloween and got everyone excited about it to the point that people dressed up and got group photos taken. She passed away so in her honor, we're having "Treat Thursday" and everyone is asked to bring in something to share be it muffins, snacks, cookies, soda, etc!
I'm taking in my Halloween version of Cookie Pizza, which means the "toppings" will be orange and black peanut M&Ms!
12 inch pizza pan
1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough
3 tablesppons of creay peanut butter
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
2 candy bars (ie Snickers, M&Ms)
Spread cookie dough in pizza pan - use wax paper and a glass tumbler to roll it out
Cook at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes
Remove from oven and drop peanut butter and chocolate chips on cookie
Put in over for 30 seconds to melt
Once you remove it, use the back of a spoon to "ice" the cookie
Chop candy bars and sprinkle on top
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| | | Introducing... | Sunday October 24th, 2004 10:00 PM |
| by caitlin |
Well, well, well, isn't this exciting? here I am, writing a blog...!
I guess i should introduce myself. I am Caitlin, and I craft, and grow African violets. I just recently finished a blanket/ curtain for my new floor-to-ceiling plant window/ greenhouse. Living in Massachusetts, I really can't keep plants in it over the winter, and since it is not insulated glass, I have made a curtain to block it off.
My current project is sewing flannel squares together to make a blanket-type comforter for my bed. I thought I was making a quilt, but my sister says it's not a quilt because I am not 'quilting' it...I am simply sewing squares together. Oh well, who needs a dumb ole quilt anyway? lol.
Go Sox!!!! |
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| | | Holiday Craft Party | Sunday October 10th, 2004 07:21 PM |
| by udandi |
Today was my Get Crafty for the Holidays party!
I asked my guests to help with the menu by bringing a dish and the recipe to share. We had spicy chicken dip, taco dip, chicken salad, veggie pizza, potato soup, candied apples, German chocolate cheesecake and brownies.
We began by eating so everyone could enjoy the food and get fueled up to craft.
The theme of the projects was easy, useful items to give away throughout the upcoming holidays. I like to incorporate recycled items (jar lids, cardboard, magazines) with minimal new supplies (beads, ribbon, marbles, eyelets, cardstock).
We started with simple stringing of beads on wire hoops to make stem glass markers. Using cardstock and stamps, we made a card to hang them so they looked just as good if not better than the store bought variety!
Next, using scrap cardboard, paper, ribbon, vellum and eyelets we made CD booklets complete with an area to list the tracks or liner notes and a pocket to hold a mixed CD. The outsides were decorated with a variety of paper and stamps.
We finished up with marble magnets. I provided spray painted jar lids for each to hold her magents, then we put the lid in a cellophane bag and finished it with a cardstock "topper" so it became a ready to give gift.
Some guests took a break from crafting to enjoy the Get Crafty book!
Hopefully, everyone had as good of time as I did sharing the afternoon making crafts. I realized after the fact that I didn't do a drawing for door prizes (I love door prizes!) so I had my mom draw names: Erin won the holiday CD; Laura won the Get Crafty book. I'll drop those off to you next time I see you.
Also, thank you to those that took shoeboxes, jars, coffee cans and other "treasures" off my hands. I have complete faith that you'll craft up something wonderful with them! |
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| | | finaly | Saturday October 09th, 2004 11:41 PM |
| by mrs maraschino |
oh no...i just spent so long writing in this and it disappeared. i will try again.
so its been our first full day of fall in atlanta and i am very happy about that!
my parents are gone for the night so me and my friend walked to the grocery and came home to make a rather odd meal, but most of it turned out good. we had:
-hot green tea sweetened with honey
-mixed spinach and ice berg salad with ginger dressing and toasted acorn squash seeds
-stir fry made with eggplant/sugarsnap peas and other delectible veggies
-fried lima beans
-an atempt at buttered and baked acorn squash
-honey pear cake
the stir fry was really good, this is basically how it went down:
chop up (not too small):
eggplant (do this first and salt it so that some of the water comes out)
carrot
onion
galic
bell pepper (we use an orange one)
cilantro(about a table spoon)
fresh ginger (grated...just a little bit, like a teaspoon maybe not even)
plus things you dont have to chop:
frozen sugar snap peas
frozen broccoli
(these ingredients can all be proportioned and changed out depending on what you like of course)
coat the bottom on a big pan with plenty of olive oil and heat on low
add the frozen veggies and heat them up
add everything else exept the cilantro and ginger
cook that for a minute or two
add grated ginger, cilantro, some salt, a few splashes of soy sauce, a splash more of olive oil.
cook for about 20 minutes longer stiring occationaly or untill it looks good to you.
serve with rice or undon noodles (they are like thick spagetti noodles and very yummy).
the honey pear cake is also very yummy:
this is the messed up way i did it due to some confusions and lack of pans with holes in the middle:
preheat the oven to 180
peel and slice 3 green pears
cook on low with 1/2 c. honey and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. drain, save the liquid, set aside.
beat 1 1/2 sticks of room temp. butter with 2/3 c. brown sugar untill creamy.
whisk 3 eggs and then gradualy mix into the butter mixture...blend well.
fold in 1/3 c. milk
sift (or whisk together in a bowl) 1 1/2 c. all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice and fold into the wet mixture.
pour into a lightly greased 24 c. glass pie dish ( i think thats what it is called), arrange the pears on top.
bake for an hour. then bake for 20 minutes at 325 (take it out while its preheating )
let it cool for a minute, then pour the honey pear liquid over it..soak for a second..pour out exess.
this would be realy good i think with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream or ginger ice cream...or a combo of any of those : ) i dont have any of them though : (
the real recipie calls for 1/4 teaspoon of ntmeg instead of pumpkin pie spice
and to bake it for 90 mintues in a 325 oven in a deep 23 c. fluted flan tin.
ps. if anyone knows of a good way to cook acorn squash please tell me....i have one in my fridge that is crappily baked with some spices and butter on top that i dont know what to do with, any suggestions?
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| | | Where have you gone, Marcy Lewis? | Wednesday October 06th, 2004 12:00 PM |
| by revafisheye |
The newest issue of Bitch came in my mailbox yesterday, but it was craft night so I didn't tear it open until today. Travel mug of tea in one hand and back pack on my lap, I flipped through the pages, back to front, in keeping with my life-long habit, looking for a short article to read on my commute. I read about The Office (sigh...Tim...) and Female Friend Cuture; I glanced at the Janeane Garofalo interview. As I reached the front pages, always chock full of interesting tibits, my heart sank and tears welled up in my eyes. There, next to a smiling photo of my one of my favorite childhood authors, Paula Danziger, it read 1944 - 2004.
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, and its sequel, There's a Bat in Bunk Five, got me through 7th grade. I was the new kid, an alien from the midwest that had infiltrated the south, I was shy and I was fat. Okay, Gramma, pleasingly plump. I had read Cat... the year before in sixth grade, but I returned to it in a time of crisis. It was like my little, 12-year-old Bible, my guarantee that life, with all its trials and tribulations, would be good if I just believed. Through Marcy, I could laugh at myself, be angry with my parents and dream of something beyond W.C. Friday Jr. High. I carried that book to school with me everyday. I didn't have my own copy; money was tight and the library was my home away from home. If the school copy was checked out, I would have my mom take me to the public library. I would renew it over and over. Marcy was me and Marcy always won in the end.
When I first moved to New York 9 years ago, I waited tables on the Upper West Side at a popular brunch spot. One evening a stout woman wearing purple reading glasses, multi-colored Doc Marten's and draped in Joseph's technicolor dreamcoat, joined a group of people in my section. Paula Danziger, my own personal Jesus, the woman who wrote my bible, was sitting at my table. I was too awestruck to tell her how much she touched me; how she made me believe, way down in a tiny corner of my adolescent heart, that I was beautiful; how she helped a timid seventh grader through the worst year of her young life.
Ms. Danziger, you did all of those things, laughing all the way. Thank you.
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| | | Knitting and Stitching | Wednesday October 06th, 2004 10:20 AM |
| by naomi |
Amongst the thoughts of Christmas Crafting that are rampaging through my mind, this weekend is the Knitting and Stitching Exhibiton at Alexandra Palace in London. I like that it is an actual palace. This is my first year there, and my first show of this kind as an actual knitter, so I am really looking forward to it.
At the same time, I am planning my first Annual Pumpkin Carving Party, and am trying to think of scary films to show, and weather I should make Martha Stewart's Bat Pinata or an easier Pumpkin one. hmmm.
Also, there is a shop in town I want to show my Cobweb scarves to, but here in the library, we have a glass display case- free to exhibit, they just charge 30% commission and it is not very booked up....dare I book a slot? And if I do, what should I put in? And is there time to do this when I should be concentrating on Christmas?! |
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| | | my lush life | Friday October 01st, 2004 03:27 PM |
| by lushlife |
Hi ya. I have a livejournal, but I am not a person that updates every day.
I was thinking that maybe I can use this journal to track my crafting, `cause i have been very slow in the production department. I am a slacker. I suck. Well not all the time.
So here is a list of not quite finished projects that need some closure.
stain glass kitty pillows
seagull clutch
renaissance tote
cow jumped over moon cocktail
buttoned wrist sling bags
Okay that is all I can think of for now, but I know there are more. Also, I very much need to organize the crafting area. Actually I need to make it into one area., because stuff is scattered all over the house.
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| | | Ikea Project | Thursday September 23rd, 2004 05:40 AM |
| by naomi |
Ok so I did not get a chance to start the cross stitch cards yesterday. But I did today, and also, best of all, I am going to Ikea tonight.
This year I plan to make Christmas biscuits for a lot of people, particularly Carl's Aunts, Uncles, etc. It occured to me I can buy some reasonably priced glass biscuit barrels at Ikea, then paint them with glass paints, fill them with goodies, all ready to give out at Christmas. (Of course, the making of Christmas goodies will have to wait until nearer to Christmas!)
I will probably have to buy one to practise on- yay, new cookie jar for me! And I guess if I have a cookie jar, it would be wrong not to fill it with nice new cookies from the Ikea food hall... |
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| | | Apple Pie | Wednesday September 22nd, 2004 02:42 PM |
| by deborahthecraft |
With insperation from...this thread I made pie crust-dough and apple pie filling(I even bought myself an apple coarer/slicer-I've wanted one for years and at $4.99 I couldn't pass it up).Then realized I didn't own a rolling pin.It didn't think of using a drinking glass(like I ALWAYS do for sugar cookies) until I was in the shower after turning the oven off,feeling all defeated.
If it turnes out pretty I'll post pictures.
The thing I like about this recipie is that it only uses ingredients you regularly would have on hand anyway.Nothing fancy like say...this one that has special ingredients. |
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| | | Carving stamps is great fun! | Tuesday September 21st, 2004 12:45 PM |
| by yardenxanthe |
These are wristbands I made for a wristband swap I hosted. You can see examples of two of the stamps I carved -- the glasses and the cup of coffee. I just stamped them with acrylic paint -- I am not sure how that will work if someone wants to wash the wristband, but I read that you can set the paint by ironing a vinegar-soaked cloth over the images.
I hosted this wristband swap at nervousness.org, and all of the wristbands I received were incredible! One person sent in white leather-like wristbands with asian-printed (origami paper?) squares under clear vinyl -- my description doesn't do justice, but they are amazing. (Unfortunately, I have wrists that are too large for these wristbands -- yes, I am big-boned!!)
I really love carving little stamps because there are so many uses for them. I am so much more interested in my own hand-carved ones than in store-bought stamps. I have used mine to make stationery (from regular-sized cards and postcards, to teeny gift-enclosure-style cards and matching envelopes), as well as these wristbands. I thought about trying to print about a yard of fabric -- that might make a neat and unique gift!
Stamps I've carved: two piratey skull and crossbones stamps, coffee, eyeglasses, a high-heeled rollerskate, an ant, a robot, and a disappointing one where I did my address but it's barely readable. |
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| | | Handbag Addiction | Monday September 20th, 2004 03:05 PM |
| by gerberagirl |
I'm addicted. I admit it. I can't stop making purses - or I at least can't stop thinking about bags that I want to make eventually.
This is a bag a made several weeks ago:
Right now I'm working on a black and red Martini Bag. For the front flappy thing, I cut a martini glass out of clear vinyl, fillled it with translucent sequins and a felt olive, sewed it on with clear thread and stitched "drink me" in curly silver letters next to it. I'm not completely happy with the martini glass so I haven't finished it.
I spent today thinking about an Elvis Costello bag...perhaps stenciled with his geeky handsome face and some song lyrics.... |
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| | | Using show tunes for the greater good. | Sunday September 19th, 2004 07:14 PM |
| by revafisheye |
One of the best things about living in a city like New York is watching the crazies be crazy; it's voyeurism at it's best.
Standing on the platform of the E train.
Today, I was taking the subway home from an audition at Columbia and I was so happy I opted not to walk, even on such a gorgeous day. I boarded the 1 train at 110th Street and Broadway, eating the apple I just bought at a street-side stand. It was pretty crowded; I stood in the center of the car, holding onto a pole. At 96th Street, the car nearly emptied, so I took a seat. Among the new passengers was a man wearing a white tux shirt, black pants, a purple sequined vest and silver sequened top hat. He also carried a silver wand with a star on the end and wore a plain piece of cardboard tied with twine around his neck. I slipped my sunglasses down from the top of my head to cover my eyes; I wanted to watch him, but I didn't want to look like I was watching.
As the train began moving, he broke into song, dancing around the car and waving his wand:
Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate.
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead and feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
At this point, he turned his sign around to reveal a collage of unflattering pictures of George W. Bush accompanied by headlines and news articles.
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll never catch wise!
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em.
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will crow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Throw 'em a fake and a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze and dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big bambooz-a-ler.
Give 'em the old three ring circus,
Stun and stagger 'em.
When you're in trouble, go into your dance.
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder.
Here, he approached the couple sitting to my right and gave a little wave of his wand around their heads.
Razzle dazzle 'em
And you've got a romance.
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em.
Show 'em the first rate sorceror you are.
Long as you keep 'em way off balance,
How can they spot you've got no talent
Razzle Dazzle 'em
And they'll make you a star!
Thank you crazy sequined man for sharing the insight. And thank you, Kander and dear departed Ebb for writing such a prescient song. As we all know, great [musical] theater is timeless and relevant. |
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| | | Friday September 17th, 2004 02:50 PM |
| by notmarcie |
I went to the People's Museum today. It's my last day off work until Christmas Eve, and I've spent my holiday playing tourist in my own city. It's quite fun actually, I've done all the things that you don't do, I've enjoyed the architecture, been to 3 awesome museums and just hung out in the city without a purpose. How often do you do that, go into your city or town with no aims, not buying things, not going to the bank, not having any purpose except just looking at everything around you, learning about where you live,
So, the People's Museum, it's a history of well, basically the struggle of "the people", working classes and women mostly. Manchester was essentially the home of the suffragette movement, home to the Pankhursts and Hannah Mitchell. It's pretty awe inspiring to see the banners these women carried (and oh my, embroidery that traditional "womanly past time" being used in such a subversive manner), and the certificates they gave to honour the women who were force fed in prison. It's even stranger to think this wasn't even 100 years ago, it's only been since 1928 that women had equal suffrage with men.
The food exhibition was fun too, smelling various bowls and guessing what the smell was, I got 9 out of 12, the meat ones just made feel sick before I could guess, and what I thought was custard was actually cookie mix. I also snaffled a few recipes from around the exhibition ( you were encouraged to), my favourite display was the vegetarian section. Manchester was pretty much the birth place of vegetarianism too, with the Vegetarian Society being established her in 1847. It was hugely encouraged amongst the working classes as a way to stay healthy, as well as morally pure (think that last one has escaped me). Looking into the various kitchen cupboards from 1850, 1900, 1950 and present day also made me laugh, my cupboards most resemble the cupboard from 1900 with the huge amounts of flour, beans, onions, potatoes and carrots I keep.
I also got to indulge my crafty side by working on a rag rug in the museum, I got a little carried away and Andrew had to pretty much force me away from it because I was "scaring the children" ! I was only pointing out how to do it properly !
So my crafty tip for this week is, go be a tourist in your own town, go to the museums you've never been in, hang out with no purpose and enjoy the sights, eat ice cream outside a cafe whilst wearing sunglasses. Pretending you're from "out of town" can give you a whole new persepctive on where you liv. |
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| | | venus. | Saturday September 11th, 2004 09:02 AM |
| by soapandwater |
This is genius.
This makes me want to pick up my knitting needles and finish a scarf I promised. If only I could find my glasses.
My friends and I drove fifty miles to go see a drive-in double feature of The Village and SuperSizeMe. The latter was undoubtedly better, worth the drive of avoiding semis in a borrowed car on an interstate where bright lights were all we had.
That and the stars, but who can drive and stare out the moon roof, anyway?
Well, come to think of it, when Mandy Moore first came out, that's exactly what she did, driving around in a green VW, not even sixteen. Of course, there was probably a tow truck towing her around for the video, and all music videos involve some level of suspended belief.
I started knitting and took a break because I'm easily distracted and wanted to write more on this post, rather than my previous three sentences.
There's a vigil tonight on campus for 9/11. I'll probably go, but I can only imagine the types of girls who will show up to that. Those with the hate and the polished shoe.
The other women's college in the state got Jerry Falwell's attention. He referred to them as "the whorehouse on the hill" or something similar. All we get here is the "girls who have an affinity for pearls." Well-to-do and riding horses. Waving the flag blindly.
Someone on my hall has a picture of Mary-Kate Olsen on her door. Not even ironically. |
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