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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It’s Back

I’ve been slacking off a bit with my craftiness and all.  I find I’m most productive with my lists, so in the name of crafty organization, here’s:

Project List #2:

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

Rev the engines and let’s roll.

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Yeee Hah!

Yesterday, I went to the Old West Days Festival, just to check it out a bit.  It was a little odd at first, the first thing I heard was gunshots.  That was from the gunfight reenactment which I missed completely. 

 

 

 

One of the first things I saw was a Avon booth, an inflatable bull ride thing for kids only and one of these signs.  It does seem a little ironic for a West festival to not allow guns, especially with the shooting ranges.  There were two of them, one was a little more child friendly.

It’s one of those ones where if you it the target it moves and does something funny.  That sign on the piano the says no flashes is serious.  The woman who ran the thing told me that it’s light activated so a camera flash would cause the gallery to short out.  Tempting as it was to see that out of curiosity, I’d hate to be the one to ruin the kids fun by breaking the shooting gallery.

By the way, I saw this saw next the booth and thought it was the cutest thing.  I assume it was suppose to hang in front, but it was just sitting there.  I think it’d be cool if they made stickers of it or something but that’s just my opinion.

 

 

 

Like any good festival, there was plenty of options for food, including this one that featured old time camp out grub.  When I first saw it, I thought they were an antique shop.  Love the pink parasol.

 

 

Can’t forget the Kettle corn, another staple.  The stand for it was shaped like a covered wagon, goes with the theme, right?

 

 

Luckily for me, since I missed the reenactment, there were plenty a people in costume.  I heard there was supposed to be a contest of some sort, but I didn’t see anything about.  I wonder who won.

 

 

 

And the most important part of any festival, the port-a-potty.  It may be smelly, but it shouldn’t be overlooked, especially with all the campfire chili and fiber loaded popcorn.  I think it would have been funny if these were decorated to match the “Old West” theme too.  Maybe next year.  I also thought this photo would make an interesting greeting card.  What would it say, any ideas?  Anyway, it was a fun trip and maybe next year it’ll be even better. 

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A+ and Stuff

Yesterday was my first exam at Apollo, and I got 100% on it.  Seriously, it had 100 with a smiley face.  To celebrate, I made myself a new wallet, the old one was starting to look kind of cruddy.  I used some scraps of denim and my Tweety Bird fabric.  The picture’s kind of lousy though.  It has a pocket for bills and three pockets for cards and stuff, one of them is on the outside for convenience.  It’s easier when I need my library card in a hurry or something.  And of course, there is a zippered pocket for change, always a necessity for me.  I’ve always had good luck when it comes to finding change on the ground.  They say it’s lucky to find a penny, what is it when you find a twenty?  That actually has happened to me.  Maybe “Tweety” will make me even luckier.  I can always dream.

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Dead Fest

Over the weekend, The MAC had a Dia De Los Muertos Festival.  I checked it out a little on my way to other activities, including going to the Museum (again), going to a funeral and Halloween trick or treating. 

 

 

There were tons of booths with anything you could imagine with skulls.  I even saw furniture.

 

 

Here’s the real purpose of the day.  This beautiful altar was spread out on the steps in honor of loved ones in the community, at least I think that’s what it was there for.  I love the paper cutouts used, the colors contrast nicely with the black and white photos of the deceased.  Maybe next year I should set up an altar at home to honor my relatives.  It’s important to remember those who’ve gone on after all, and there’s nothing like whipping out the paint and glitter to honor my crafty ancestors. 

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