Mending in the Meantime

Here’s a long sweater vest I saved a while ago.  Someone was just going to toss it because it had no buttons.  I covered the buttons myself with some scraps of fabric from Midnight’s blankie.  You can’t tell from the photo, but they are light-pink.  Sure this isn’t on my list.  But since I’m replacing lost buttons, this is considered a mending job so it doesn’t count.  No matter how much fun it was.  And if it helps, I also covered some buttons for one of the projects I my list.

 

Speaking of which, here’s a peak at my progress.  I’m boiling the jacket in tea to alter the color slightly.  Just look at all that steam.  Stirring it with a broom handle made me feel like one of the witches from that one play.  Double double, toil and trouble.  A little late for Halloween.

Today, I’m on a quest for building materials for the doll house on my list.  If you’ve been reading my posts well, you can probably already guess what I’m going to be using.  If not, enjoy the surprise.

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Cones and Cat food

While running a few errands yesterday, I found some pinecones on the ground and inspiration sparked.  I decided to gather some and use them for one of the projects on my new list that I posted yesterday.  Bet you can’t guess which one?  I also discovered that 15 lbs. isn’t very heavy at all.  I had to buy more cat food since I was desperately low.  It is cheaper to buy in bulk, so I walked home lugging 15lbs. of a certain Purina brand that Midnight went wild over.  All I can say is I wish large bags of pet food had handles on them or something.  It’d make them so much easier to lug around.  Today I just want cuddle with my now well-fed kitty and just read all day.   Oh, and maybe boil fabric in tea.  Another hint of one of my projects.  Good weekend to all.

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Crafting Onward

I managed to successfully complete my last list despite how hefty it was, so I made my newest list a tad shorter.

Craft List #3

• Altered jacket
• doll house
• sleeping bags
• hat
• Glittery makeover

Not much really, although a few of the projects probably should be broken down into smaller projects.  I’d better get cracking at it.

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Christmas Operation: Complete and Then Some

It’s Christmas Eve and I finished my list, just in time.

 

Here are some of the little houses I made.  They are made from a tutorial from UK Lass in US.  I actually made mine a little simpler, I just hope the recipients will know what they are and what to do with them.

I made my mitten ornaments with more sweat pants scraps.  I never knew old sweat pants could be so useful. 

They’re pretty and I stitched them by hand instead of machine.  I actually did them in class yesterday, someone had to ask about them.  Apparently they look like they could be mittens for a baby.

For this pretty tote bag, I used a tutorial from Belle Epoque Whimsy.  I’ve used a lot of other sources for this list haven’t I? 

Anyway, the bag is made with what’s left of this gorgeous dragon print and has a cotton lining.  The bias trim on top looks great and makes it so easy to do.  

This is going to someone who desperately needs a slightly larger purse.  She crams too much into her current one, which is looking worn out and then some.

The last one on my list is this craft apron based on a tutorial from Creative Little Daisy.  The one in the tutorial involves patchwork which is cute, but not my thing. 

I use black material for the main part of the apron  to emphasize the cute polka dot pockets.  I used bric brac trim that clashed mainly because I felt like it.

Finished up with some straps, and it is perfect for stashing my tools when I work instead of placing them anywhere and losing them.  Something that happens frequently.

Here’s my updated list:

• tiny scarves
• tiny boxes
• sock monkey
• pom-poms
• wire ornaments
• kitty
• belt
• mitten ornaments
• scarf
• CD holder
• horsie
• pin cushions
• wrapped accessories
• apron
• felt ornaments
• disk boxes
• tote
• house
• pet house
• bell ornaments
• Key chains
• roll

All done!  Now I just have to finish wrapping.

Bonus!  I finished the Kailey and Boris holiday episode.

 

Enjoy.

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Almost Done

Despite several distractions (i.e. school, work stuff, life), I managed to take on a good chunk of my list.  First is this simple belt for one of my nieces.  It is made from cut-up cargos and stamped with little blue flowers.  I added glitter because she is really girly, but she still has to wear uniforms to school.  Hopefully this will past inspection.


I used the fuzzy sweatpants again (see Checking Off One by One)to make this “horsie” toy for one of my nephews.  He loves ponies.  It is similar to some moose toys I made last year.  I may post a picture of them if I can find any of them.



I made another t-shirt scarf (see A is For…) for someone whom really like the first one.  I had a accident with some red paint.  Long story short, it’s now tie-dyed pink.  Pretty cute, but I wonder if the recipient will think so as well.




This is a key chain I made from a tutorial from Creative Little Daisy.  I think the ones from the tutorial are cuter, but this one works.  I didn’t have any d-rings so I used another split ring instead.  It works either way.


I made these hair clips and pins for two of my nieces.  I wrapped them with wired ornament hooks and pretty beads.   I know they will love them, and I’m thinking of making some for myself.



I’ve been trying to find something to do with these old floppy disks for so long.  Then I thought “why not boxes?”  They are perfect for little odds and ends, and they would make great gift boxes.


I made these ornaments from a project in an eBook from Fave Crafts.  There are suppose to look like bells, I don’t really see the resemblance.  I went the quick and easy route using pinking shears and sparkly squeeze tube fabric paints.  I outlined the flowers in the fabric print with the paint.  I think it adds a nice touch, maybe I should do it to more things.  Maybe touch up my wardrobe.

I made these pincushions with fabric scraps and bottle caps based on a tutorial from How about Orange.  Mine look a little more like mushrooms than they should.  They’re still cute, I thought it would be cool maybe to attach them to old rings or something like that.  I do recall seeing pincushions rings somewhere.

I couldn’t resist making these adorable crayon roll thingies.  I used a tutorial from Skip to my Lou.  I actually made them out of three different shirts. They were pretty quick to make, except for the stitching for the little pockets.  That was time consuming.  I found it was quicker if I didn’t clip the threads and just went on to the next row.  Then I just clipped them all afterward.

I made this CD holder from a tutorial from Mushroom Villagers.  I’m not sure if you can tell it is meant for CDs.  Maybe it can be used for other things.  Anyway, I’m glad I still had some of this wanted poster fabric.  I think it is so adorable, plus it is male friendly which is great since this is for a guy.  Sort of.

For my felt tree ornaments, I used scraps of fuzzy purple felt.  It reminds me of those pink and purple plastic Christmas trees.  I actually saw a pink Disney Princess one today at Bookman’s.  I decorated them with plenty of glitter paint to make them sparkle and shine.
Here’s my updated list:

• tiny scarves
• tiny boxes
• sock monkey
• pom-poms
• wire ornaments
• kitty
• belt
• mitten ornaments
• scarf
• CD holder
• horsie
• pin cushions
• wrapped accessories
• apron
• felt ornaments
• disk boxes
• tote
• house
• pet house
• bell ornaments
• Key chains
• roll

Seventeen down, only five more to go!

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Checking Off One by One

Here’s what I finished over the weekend.  These ornament were made with ornament hooks, so ironic.  I twisted one into a ring, and attached the other hooks in petal shapes.  I strung faux pearls onto the wires as I attached them.  Then I finished with a hook left as a hook to hang them up.  They were easy, but they made my hands cramp up.  I’m not really use to working with so much wire.

I wanted to make some pom-pom toys for my cat and realized I was out of yarn, so I improvised.  I cut fabric scraps into strips with my pinking shears, then made them into crinkly pom-poms.  I used some fabric to secure them and tied them to kite string.  Now I can dangle them for her.


I made this sock monkey for one of the men on my list.  Guys are so hard to craft for, hopefully he will at least find this amusing. The bow, stripes, heart eyes and hair on painted on.  I felt inspired some how.  I decided not to add a tail,  Curious George doesn’t have a tail and nobody complains about him, right?



This little kitty is for a certain little guy.  I made it out of a pair of old sweat pants.  I turn them inside-out to make it look fuzzier.  I hope he likes it.  Little boys can be just as hard to craft for as bigger boys.

Here’s my updated list:

• tiny scarves
• tiny boxes
• sock monkey
• pom-poms
• wire ornaments
• kitty
• belt
• mitten ornaments
• scarf
• CD holder
• horsie
• pin cushions
• wrapped accessories
• apron
• felt ornaments
• disk boxes
• tote
• house
• pet house
• bell ornaments
• Key chains
• roll

Six down, Sixteen to go.  In order so far.

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A Tiny Christmas

I finished to little scarves and boxes.    Here’s who they were for.  Now Kailey and Boris are ready for Christmas, and with cute little stockings too.  Of course I’m going to make a new video of this soon. 
Also, while looking over my list, I realize I left something out by mistake.  So here’s the updated and corrected list:

• tiny scarves
• tiny boxes
• sock monkey
• pom-poms
• wire ornaments
• kitty
• belt
• mitten ornaments
• scarf
• CD holder
• horsie
• pin cushions
• wrapped accessories
• apron
• felt ornaments
• disk boxes
• tote
• house
• pet house
• bell ornaments
• Key chains
• roll

Two down, twenty-two to go.  This is going to be a lot a work.

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Making a List and Checking it Twice

As usual, I will be making all my gifts this year.  I also intend to trim my tree with new handmade ornaments this year.  So here’s my newest list.

Holiday Craft List:

• tiny scarves
• tiny boxes
• sock monkey
• pom-poms
• wire ornaments
• kitty
• belt
• mitten ornaments
• scarf
• CD holder
• horsie
• pin cushions
• wrapped accessories
• apron
• felt ornaments
• disk boxes
• tote
• house
• pet house
• bell ornaments
• roll

I’ve got a lot to do in a little bit of time, but I can pull it off.  I hope.

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Going on a Picnic

I finally finished another short film with Kailey and Boris.  In this one, they go on a picnic and run into a little surprise.  It was fun to make, but there were a few problems.  Just the usual kind of thing.
Enjoy!

Also, I had a few more pieces of writing accepted on Associated Content, including this funny little Christmas-y thing.
The Twelve Bad Gifts of Christmas
Have fun.

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Crafty All-nighter

I got on a roll the other night and finished up my list.  Nothing like staying up late crafting, especially when you’re suppose to be studying.

For the snowflake angels, I made paper snowflakes and cut them in half.  One half was made into a cone for the dress, and the other for the wings.  The head is a scrap of fabric with some fiberfill, it’s made the same way as those tissue ghost things you make in elementary school.  The halos are sparkly plastic tubes I had left over from some bracelets.  I was inspired to make these from some doilies in a cake box.  Another reason to eat cake.

 

I made the bottle cozy out of leftover fuzzy felt.  I made it to look like a furry collared jacket.  I thought about adding sleeves, but it seemed too odd.  It is a very simple design and goes on with Velcro.  Now my water bottle is well insulated, I wish I could say the same for myself.  It’s been unusually cold here lately.

 

 

For the handkerchiefs, I decided to try out my new used pinking shears.  I used some more of this pretty cotton, and added some stitching so they wouldn’t end up looking like napkins instead of handkerchiefs.

 

The wings were really fun to do.  I used scraps from an old dress and hangers for most of it.  The hangers were kind of hard to shape, but hopefully they look like wings at least.  The best part was decorating them, I used tons of glitter.  My niece is modeling them here.  She just loves them, so does her little brother.  I guess it’s not that odd for a 2 year old boy to want to wear sparkly fairy wings.  They do look cute on him.

Here’s the headband I made, again modeled by my niece.  I used faceted beads and wire from a spiral notebook.  Now you know what to do with those old school notebooks.  Make accessories!  I’m not very experienced with working with wire so my hands starting to cramp up.  I manage to finish it, but I won’t exactly be working with wire anytime soon.  At least not this week.

My last project is the pouch. Fairly simple, I used an envelope as a pattern, hence the resemblance.  This is the first time I have ever used snaps that aren’t sewn on.  It was easier than I thought it would be.  You learn something new everyday.

 

 

Here’s the best part.  Since it looks like an envelope, it should have a stamp, right?  I wonder if I could mail it for real, with a real stamp I mean.  I’ve heard of fabric postcards being mailed, why not envelopes?  I guess it would depend on what’s being mailed and the type of fabric.

So here’s the finished list:

• bottle cozy
• half apron
• hankies
• snowflake angels
• bias tape accessories
• mini baskets
• pouches
• bead headbands
• Wings
• scarf
• id tag holder

All done!  Yay!  Of course now I have to start working on the rest of the
Christmas stuff.  Maybe another list is in order.

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Another Festive Weekend

As I’m typing this, I’m sitting on a bench in downtown Mesa, Arizona.  There’s plenty of stuff going on down here.  My church had their winter festival that just ended, the Mesa Arts Center is having their weekly arts and craft marketplace along Main St., and Macdonald St. is partially closed for the Christkindlmarkt.  I think it’s suppose to be a German Christmas marketplace.  Whatever, there’s tons of booths, food and free entertainment going on until 9pm. 

I think the best part of all these festivals and bazaars happening this time of year is the festive atmosphere.  There’s the holidays crafts being sold, the roasted chestnuts and other seasonal food, and the decorations.

See, booths aren’t as carefully decorated the rest of the year.  Maybe they should be.  Just a thought. 

Well, I’m done for the day.  I need to rest up for next week.  The MAC it having another festival.  Maybe by the end of the season I’ll be sick of them.  Could be worse.

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Book it to Bookman’s

I’ve been clearing out a lot of stuff lately and taking them to trade at Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange.  Well, I ended of with a whole mess of trade credit, and so yesterday I decided to use some of it.  Actually most of it.  I came home with one of their super cute paper bags brimming with goodies.

 

I got this magazine/book thing called Altered Couture.  I’m not sure if it is suppose to be a magazine or a book since it’s so thick, but it’s chock full of ideas for altering old clothes into something more interesting.  Along with it, I found a pair of pinking shears.  Woo Hoo!  They were priced at $5.  I’ve been dying to get a pair.  Now just think of all the things I can do with them.  Heh, Heh.

I also found this book, 100 Things You Don’t Need a Man For.  It’s about doing repair work and home improvement, and it’s really cute.  The instructions are fun and easy to understand, and it’s full of vintage illustrations and funny pictures of fashion dolls.  I just find it amusing as well as useful.

 

And for fun, I got this.  Really, those other things are for practical purposes.  I love Cathy, though not as much as my sister.  She finished this one off before I got a chance to look at it.  Still, Cathy comic strips are hilarious, I especially love the shopping ones.  We all can relate to her predicaments in the dressing room.  And if not, they’re still funny.

With all this, it only came to about $27.  And I use trade credit, so essentially it was free to me.  Not too shabby, right?  And this time I did spread out beyond my usual path.  When I buy stuff at Bookman’s, it’s usually anime DVDs or videos and manga.  And sometimes Archie comics.  I guess sometimes it more interesting to do things a little differently.  Maybe next time, I’ll look for my comics at Goodwill instead of craft stuff.

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A is For…

A lot of good things have happened this week.  I got 100 percent on my latest exam, again. Totally aced the class.  A poem I wrote was excepted at Associated Content.  Associated Content is one of those sites for freelance writers and media artists or whatever to promote their work and hopefully make a living.  Check out my poem here.  I also finally sold something from my etsy shop.  Yay!
To celebrate, I tackled both the apron and scarf from my list.  The apron is made from an ugly dress that was handed down to me.  I thought the embroidery was cute, so I used it for the front.  I added the lacey part on a whim, sometimes you just have to trust your gut on these things.




For the scarf, I used a promotional t-shirt.  I got the idea from this eBook from favecrafts.  I didn’t exactly follow the instructions to the letter, but I think it looks okay.  It’s kind of ironic to wear a scarf with the logo of a car insurance company when I can’t drive.  It’s part of the fun.


So here’s the updated list:

• bottle cozy
• half apron
• hankies
• snowflake angels
• bias tape accessories
• mini baskets
• pouches
• bead headbands
• Wings
• scarf
• id tag holder

Five down, six to go.  Next is the angels or maybe the hankies.

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More on Cardboard

This is what I made as part of a project for school.  It’s the Finnish Spitz.  I found a photo of it here, and glued it to a some cardboard on both sides.  I had to flip the photo for the other side and print out extras to make the legs, and the legs joints are made from a pen tube cut in half.  It came out well, so did the report I had to write.  To get the cardboard for it, I had to do a little searching downtown.

I had meant to use a plain cardboard box, but I couldn’t find one.  I found this thing instead.  I’m not sure what it was used for, but I thought the shape was so cool so I grab two of them.  It would make a good magazine rack.

From the side it reminds me of a house.  Maybe I could make a doll house, or maybe an album.

On another note, I finished the ID tag holder.  I just took an old one and wrapped it with lace and stitched it in place.  I used some sparkly squeeze tube fabric paint just for kicks.  I wanted to decorate my card too, but I don’t think it’s allowed.  Oh well.
So here’s the updated list:

• bottle cozy
• half apron
• hankies
• snowflake angels
• bias tape accessories
• mini baskets
• pouches
• bead headbands
• Wings
• scarf
• id tag holder

Three down, eight to go.  Next will be either the scarf or the apron.

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Fun With Cardboard

So I was bored and killing time on the internet when I should have been studying, and found some things to do with cardboard.  It is one of the most abundant items in most households, especially after a move.  Instead of dumping that old box in the recycling bin (or gasp! the dumpster), why not get some amusement from it.

• Doll House—This link shows you how to make your very own doll house with an old box. Perfect for your special doll, or dolls you’re going to make now that you have a little house to kill some time on. 
• Igloo—Speaking of houses, why not your own cardboard igloo.  If nothing else, it’d make a great school project for the kids.
• Print making—According to this article, you can use cardboard to make shapes and print on fabric and stuff.  I guess it’s kind of like that old project where you cut designs into potatoes and use them as stamps to decorate wrapping paper.  Just use cardboard and save the potatoes for dinner.
• Oven—This project is from Martha Stewart so it’s a little ambitious, but darn it if it doesn’t look so cool.
• Puppet Theatre—Another from Martha Stewart, but seems easier to conquer.  It brings back memories for me, when I was younger I spent a great deal of time making puppets and writing plays for them.  I still have a few of them, but they haven’t exactly aged gracefully.
• Purse—This one is really pretty, it’s suppose to use those boxes you use to mail videos and DVDs.
• Furniture—Feeling ambitious? How about a cardboard chair, this will support an adult.  At least that’s what the article says, but it’s all part of the adventure.

Now the next time you move or order something online, just think of what you can do with the box and some imagination.  Or you can just dump your extra supplies in it.

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Bows, Not Just for Gift Wrap

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

Here is some jewelry I made with bias tape, as modeled by one of my nieces.  I had some packages of the stuff catching dust and had to do something with them.

First I made a bunch of little bows.  They’re made the same way as those packaged gift bows you see in stores.  Why buy them when you can easily make them out of anything. 

For the necklace and bracelet I just attached them to a longer piece of the bias and tied them on.

For the ring I glued one on an old plastic ring with gem glue.  I got the plastic ring years ago from one of those coin machines.  The fake jewel fell off, so a bow made an excellent substitute. 

I used gem glue to attach pin backs to make the two pins. 

So here’s the updated list:

• bottle cozy
• half apron
• hankies
• snowflake angels
• bias tape accessories
• mini baskets
• pouches
• bead headbands
• Wings
• scarf
• id tag holder

Two down, nine to go.  Next is the tag holder.

Give it a try:

• Aleene's Jewel-It Embellishing Glue
• 1-1/4" Steel Pin Back with Nickel Finish, 10pcs.
• Bead Landing™ Bar Pin, 3/4"
• Wrights Double Fold Bias Tape-1/4'' x 4yds

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Itty Bitty Baskets

This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

I saw this tutorial here for these little baskets and just had to try it.  They have a bunch of other tutorials for miniatures, they’re all so cute. Check them out here. 

My baskets didn’t come out quite as well, but they aren’t too bad.  The smaller one got some of Midnight’s fur stuck in it while I was twisting, so there’s some “natural” color variation. 

I really like the larger one and have special plans for it.  Look forward to it.

Now the updated list:

• bottle cozy
• half apron
• hankies
• snowflake angels
• bias tape accessories
• mini baskets
• pouches
• bead headbands
• Wings
• scarf
• id tag holder

One down, ten to go.  I think I’ll do the bias tape accessories next.

Give it a try:

• DMC® 6 Strand Embroidery Floss
• DMC Color Variations Six Strand Embroidery Cotton Thread 8.7 Yds

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