Get Down with Your Stars and Stripes

Usually when some kind of festival or event happens over the weekend, I blogged about how great it was afterwards.  I’ve been thinking that maybe I should mention something beforehand because some of you who may be in the area at the time might actually want to go.  So this Friday and Saturday there will be a two day event in downtown Mesa, Arizona.  They’re calling it Arizona Celebration of Freedom, I think they are planning to make it a yearly event.  Why else would set up a website for it?  Anyway, they will have motorcycles and classic cars, craft vendors, giant inflatables, a watermelon eating contest, tons of live music and a whole lot more.  I can’t wait to check it out, sounds like a lot of fun.

Read More »

It’s About Time

I finally finished my list, multiple weeks after I had planned to do so.  Late or not, it’s done and I am so relieved.  So let’s get to it.

I had this shirt dumped on me by my sister who didn’t want it anymore.  It was a cute top, but it had these odd stains on the sleeves and the front that made it un-wearable.  Just needed a little crafty magic.

Here’s the before, sorry about the photo quality.

 

…Here’s the after, again sorry about the photo quality.  To fix the sleeves I just cut them off, sometimes the quickest method is best.  I cut them along the seam and edge of the neckline, gives it a nice shape.  I stitched along the side seams to make it more fitted.  Then I used one of the sleeves to make simple little flowers to hide to spots on the front.  Now I have a sweet new tank top to grace the Summer sun.

Next up is this old large size polo shirt I salvaged a while back.  I took one look at it and thought that it would make a great little dress.

So here’s the before…

 

…And the after.  Simple enough, I took it in on the sides because it was huge on me, and then added a large ruffle at the bottom for fun and for a little more modesty.  Without it the dress was ultra micro-mini, enough said.  Funny enough, for the ruffle I cut off the bottom of another large polo shirt.  It was actually my sister’s old work shirt from working at Circle K.  It seems she provided materials for both of these projects without even knowing it.  Aren’t sisters wonderful?

Here’s the finished list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

Six down and out.  Hopefully the next list won’t have as many delays.  Keeping fingers crossed.

Read More »

…And Found

So yesterday I mentioned a kitten I found.  Today I am proud to say she is doing well.  I took her to this great non-profit animal shelter in Gilbert, AZ called Friends for Life.  They have already placed her in a foster home with a really nice lady.  It was hard to leave her there, but at least she will be taken care of beautifully.  It was strange going home from there on the bus with an empty pet carrier, people kept on asking what was in there.  I think it would have been funny if I tossed in a stuff animal and showed it to anyone who asked.  The looks on there faces would have been priceless.

Read More »

Lost

As I was leaving this morning, I spotted a small furry face by the dumpster.  It was a kitten, the cutest little black cat you’ve ever seen, not including my cat Midnight of course.  I haven’t managed to get a picture, but she does bare a striking resemblance to Midnight, this is a picture of Midnight.  Too bad she doesn’t like the kitten.  She hisses at her whenever she gets close, I hear it’s a natural reaction for cats.  I’ve always found it odd, you see Midnight use to live with a family that had a ton of cats.  And for a cat that came from a multi-cat household, she doesn’t seem to be too good with other cats.  Anyway way, the kitten is so cute, but she was really scared when I found her.  It took a while to get her inside and I ended up being late at the clinic.  She is eating okay and seems to like me very much right now, too bad I can’t keep her.  Wish I could so badly.  I will have to take her to a shelter sometime tomorrow, I’m still trying to decide which one.  For now she’s in good hands.

Read More »

Something about Zippers

Anyone know what to do with a broken zipper?  I just found something.  Ucreate just posted a guest tutorial on making these cute, vintage looking little rosettes with old zippers.  You can put them anywhere, but especially on head bands, pins, and bags.  What’s great is how simple they are to make, not to mention how simple it is to gather the materials.  You can salvage zippers from old clothing that wouldn’t have a use otherwise, like totally destroyed jeans.  I’m thinking of making more bracelets with them, that is as soon as I finish my current project list, I am so behind on it. :(

Read More »

Stick to the Pattern

Don’t worry, I’m still alive and well.  I haven’t posted in a while because I have been so very busy with my externship and stuff that I haven’t had the time to blog or to craft for that matter.  But I finally finished the dress from my list, so here it goes.

Some of you may remember this pattern that I got half off from Goodwill a while ago (see Good Deals From Goodwill).  It’s Butterick 6333, and I decided to actually use it since it is suppose to be an easy pattern and I should start actually using the patterns I buy.  I have several unopened ones I scored at thrift stores and rummage sales.  I never used them because usually, when I sew I don’t use a pattern, except ones I’ve made myself which are usually simple ones that are more like templates than patterns.  I find that although the cover of a store bought pattern is pleasing to the eye, the paper patterns and instructions are a night mare.  So it is easy see why when I sew with them I don’t get the results I want.

Here’s the proof of that.  This is the dress I made with the pattern and they’re several things wrong with it, of course I would rather not point them out.  Just take my word for it.  But at least I finally used this fabric, I’ve had it for what seems like an eternity.  And despite the goof ups, it is a cute dress.  What is funny is that I didn’t stick to pattern when it came to sleeves and that’s the part I think I did well on.  It look sweet sleeve-less, and it kind of reminds me of the dress that Tinker Bell wears.  Maybe it would make a great Halloween costume for next year.  I would just need to make a new set of fairy wings since the ones I have are blue and won’t match (see Crafty All Nighter).
Here’s the updated list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

Four down, just two to go.  I shouldn’t have too much trouble finishing up the last two in a timely manner, I hope.

Read More »

Real Men Craft

I think this is something everyone should check out, especially those who thinks crafts are too girly.  Nathan Vincent has create several lace doilies with a somewhat more masculine theme to them.  They feature such icons as John Deer, James Bond, Superman, and other shall we say “manly” images and trademarks.  Who says real men can’t crochet?

Read More »

Glue Gun Coronation

My old glue gun’s reign has come to an end.  It has held out for over 6 years, not too bad for a dollar store glue gun.   But now the stand is bent, the wiring is shot, the trigger is busted, and it has even shot off sparks.  It is definitely time to retire.

 

Here’s the successor to the throne.  I wanted to get another one form Dollar Tree, but they didn’t have any although they did have the glue sticks.  I got this at Wal-Mart for about $2.50.  I look forward to seeing if it will last any longer than the other one.  At least it has a 2 year warranty, that’s a good sign.  Long live the new glue gun.

Read More »

Carting Cards

Today was the first day of my externship at a veterinary clinic, and what an exciting day it was.  I helped out with two dogs that needed their anal glands expressed (not too pleasant), I observed two dogs having their teeth cleaned (and some removed),  and watched a surgery on a puppy.   Could have been worse for the first day.  Oh yeah, I also saw a dog get euthanized, see there is always something worse.
Enough about that, a while back I went to a picnic for work and came back with a bag of goodies.  One of which was a business card holder which I thought would be useful.  I tend to collect business cards a lot when I go to craft fairs and such, so it is great to have a place to store and organize them.  Except that it looks totally lame, but that’s too easy to fix.

So here’s the before, that dark and gloomy appearance isn’t just because of bad lighting by the way.

And here’s the after, it’s now bright, cheerful, and so pretty.  Having the same problem with photos as yesterday, so sorry for the blurriness.  I used some white scraps to make a removable cover for the card holder, then covered it with strips of this cute wide trim I got from Goodwill (see More Goodwill Friends for a better look).  A single bow on the front completes the look, it also makes it easier to tell which is the front end.
Here’s the updated list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

Three down, three to go.  The next one won’t be up for a week, so please be patient.

Read More »

In the Name of the Moon

I got this up way later than I had intended to due to technical difficulties, and human error.  I’m house sitting this week, away from home.  I realized I didn’t pack my camera, so I had to use the webcam on my netbook which is a little shall we say, temperamental.  Plus photo quality is lousy, so I apologize for the blurriness of the picture.
Anyway, here’s the surprise.  The doll costume I made is Sailor Moon.  I had been think of making a Sailor Moon costume for some time now.  I am a bit of a fan, plus the design of the outfit is pretty easy to make and still really cute.  I just can’t wait to show this to my niece, she will flip.  She actually wants me to make her a Sailor Moon costume too, maybe another day.  For the costume, I used scraps of material from some dresses I cut up for some costumes for myself, including the one I made for Halloween(see Two New Outfits, One Special Day).  I added premade bows from the enormous stash of them I have that I’m still trying to find uses for,  someday they all will be gone.  The tiara and hair jewels are made from ornament hook wire and a couple of buttons decorated with sparkly paint.  Looks pretty good, except that I get the feeling that I’m missing something.  By the way, she’s wearing a pair of plastic doll boots that didn’t quite make it into the photo, Sailor Moon has got to have her footwear right?
Here’s the updated list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

Two down, four to go.  By the way, my final exam went fairly okay today.  And tomorrow is the first day of my externship, wish me luck. :)

Read More »

A Little Cardboard and Biology

This is something I’ve been working on for a project for school.  I guess it kind of looks like a big, blue cardboard drum.  I drew pictures of the the lifecycle of Dipetalonema recoditum(it’s an internal parasite) and glued them around it.  Hence the reason for the circular shape.  Then I glued on more information on the other sides.  I think it looks great, and I guess my drawing skills aren’t too bad considering that I haven’t really done much drawing in oh so many years.  Now the only problem is getting it to class tomorrow, that and presenting it orally.  Not entirely looking forward to that.  It could be worse, I could end up accidentally leaving it at home.  Now that would be a nightmare.  

Read More »

Another Summer Top

It’s always great to finish the first project on a new list, it means you are really on your way to getting it all crossed off. 
I had some ruched fabric I got from Goodwill, and I was wondering what to do with it.  Then I thought how easy it would be to make a tube top.  So here it is, I zig-zag stitched the hems for a slight ruffled look, and I added ribbon straps because I tend to feel nervous in tube tops without them.  I feel like it will slide down and I will end up flashing the whole world.  Straps are a safety net, plus they look cute, especially with the little bows I added as an afterthought.  Not too bad, and it only took about 20 minutes to make.
Here’s the updated list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

One down, five to go.  The next one should be up by Tuesday, the same day as my final exam.  :(

Read More »

A Little Fun with Paper

A while ago, I saw this project on Craftlicious that I thought was so awesome.  It’s sort of a diorama of a pond made by paper quilling.  Paper quilling is where you roll up strips of paper in decorative ways to make all sorts of different things.  Check it out for more information.  This is one of the reasons why I like Craftlicious, it is always featuring a unique craft technique that’s new to me.  Such an easy and great way to learn something each day.

Read More »

Squeezing in One More To-Do

I haven’t posted in the last couple of days because I’ve been busy with school work and preparing for my externship.  I have less than a week to go, and I am both super excited and scared out of my mind at the same time.  I have a project for school that I still haven’t finished.  If it comes out okay I will probably post it here. 

Anyway, I made up my new and noticeably shorter list.  I’m sorry to say there aren’t any miniatures, unless you count the doll costume as a miniature.  It will be a great surprise what sort of costume it will be.  Here’s the list.

Project List #8

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

I plan to have them all finished in about 2 weeks.  It would have been sooner, except I’m going to be pretty busy in the next week and probably a bit scarce too. 

Read More »