Ribbon Ideas

[stupidusername.livejournal.com]

While at Wal-Mart tonight, I went into the craft department, per usual and I came across this giant display of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson stuff. It was all on clearance. After briefly laughing to myself I spied some ribbon. It is only about 12 feet long and I got it for a dollar. Anyways it has a white background and says Love, Trust, Dream on it. It is very cute. I bought it because I thought it was adorable and now I know of nothing to do with it. Anyone got any ideas?

Ohh does anyone know how to make chokers? Like I can hook them together with velcro, but how do I get the ends not to fray?

onother use for dead cd's

[saisha.livejournal.com]

(Or those annoying AOL CD's)

My honey frequently burns cd's and half the time it craps out before the burn finishes. That leaves us with a ton of useless cd's lying around the office. So what I did was, I laid them out in a 4x7 rectangle. (of course you can make it any size you want or can with the CD's you have) One row under, the next row over and so on with the blank side up. I used e6000 and glued them together and then glued a picture hanger on the back. Voila! Art! The super nifty thing is that it catches the light and looks really beautiful. Later, when I have more money, I'll mount a clock movement through one of the holes and paint on the numbers, and not only is it art, it's a clock.

I have no idea if anyone will understand this. If anyone wants me to take a picture of it (sans clock movement), let me know. I'll see what I can do.

If you're like we are and have a ton of CD's, this is a SUPER cheap gift idea for any "Geek" in your life. It doesn't look girly and it's a super interesting piece for any office area.

Scented Sugar *Another Jar Gift*

[shannon-elaine.livejournal.com]

Scented sugar adds a subtle perfume and flavor to coffee, fruit desserts, and baked goods. Layer granulated sugar with aromatic edibles like scented geranium leaves, rose petals, orange and lemon peel (first set out for a day to dry), or vanilla beans. Mix small batches, and let them sit for a few days in tightly sealed jars while the scents infuse the sugar. One jar or a trio serves makes an unusual present for whomever you think could use a little sweetness.

Holiday greeting cards

[palinade.livejournal.com]

Hallo Craftgrrls!

I love this community--so many excellent ideas for budget-conscious crafters! I'm planning on making a whole bunch of gifts from some of your ideas!

I also make greeting cards--usually with store-bought stamps, paper, glitter, beads... started using ribbon and fabric and other non-traditional items, but can't seem to make them stay stuck (going through the postal system ruins a lot of the effect).

Anyone know of a sealant or glue that will hold 3-D items (like beads, charms, oragami) onto card stock?

Or perhaps I shouldn't mail cards with 3-D items?

Soap making and molding

[palinade.livejournal.com]

Another question: I've been very busy thinking of craft projects, :-).

I've molded some soaps out of melt and pour glycerin and find them fun and super easy, but now want to step into the world of non-glycerin soaps.

However, I'm 5 mos. pregnant and a little hesitant to work with lye and large batches (can't lift very much weight and can't bend over or move up and down very easily).

Would you experienced soap makers suggest I wait until after the baby is born to work with soap? Anyone with children made soap during their pregnancy?

And does anyone have internet links to easy soap making receipes? I have really basic kitchen utensils (knife, cutting boards, pots) and no experience other than basic cooking experience....

Thanks!

CD Art

[saisha.livejournal.com]

A few people were asking about the CD Art I mentioned earlier this morning. Well the dig cam is broken so we used a webcam. This means crappy quality but you get the jist.
( show me the picture )

soapmaking

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

"I have been making our soap for over 20 years and in the beginning we got some of the materials from raising our own beef." -- this is quite cool, and reminded me of when I spent a year as an exchange student on a farm in very-rural Australia, and my host mother made her own soap of lye, ashes from our fire, and fat from our own sheep. However, it was a very harsh soap. We used "store-bough" in the regular bathroom, and, because it was such effective soap, though harsh, the home-made soap in the back bathroom where the men washed when they came in from working with animals or farm equipment.

I'd like to make soap, but can't even stand store-bought castile on my own skin. I usually use a very mild glycerin. Are any of these recipes good for very sensitive and/or dry skin? Can you recommend some?

(no subject)

[tygerlilly.livejournal.com]

I have an aluminum can with no top or bottom. What can I transform it to? Any ideas? Other than a luminary.

Crafty class project

[pancakex.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone! I'd justl ike to say that this is an excellent community! It's nice to see all kinds of nifty ideas posted every day.

I'm looking for ideas for a class I'm in. Our last project of this semester is to make a unique, non-metal piece of jewelry. Clasps can be metal if necessary, but other than that, no metal or pre-made things (like store-bought beads) can be used.

So, my first thought was that I'd buy all kind of small packages of japanese snack food and thread them in an interesting way to make a necklace, or possibly a crown or tiara-type thing. Maybe have a repeating color pattern, or perhaps a rainbow gradient.

Any other suggestions for my idea of junk food jewelry? I might recycle it into a Christmas tree ornament after I'm done, or hang it on my rear view mirror. Or eat the candy :)

(no subject)

[ginamoog.livejournal.com]

I'm new here. I just wanted to show my first successful craft project. Marble Magnets!
I got the idea from http://www.papercandy.com/Projects/stamptalktwo.htm ..
They're so wonderful and easy to make.



Sorry for the crappy quality, but you get the point:)

Clear Glycerine Soap OnSale at Michael's This week

[tersa.livejournal.com]

Public service announcement! The 10 gal. clear glycerine soap base is on sale at Michael's Craft Store this week for $26.99/tub.

(no subject)

[jen-shumate.livejournal.com]

does anyone know of a good link or book on bookbinding? preferrably a how to that doesnt want me to buy alot of tools to do it...

(no subject)

[moi81.livejournal.com]

just a quick question. i've been noticing that everyone are making scarfs as a xmas gift. well i want to make some too but i dont know what yarn to use. I know someone mentioned a brand called lion (??). I went to RagShop yesterday and noticed there are many kinds of this brand not just one. So i ended up leaving the store empty handed because i dont know which one is the best one. HELP!

Mod Podge question

[sassenach.livejournal.com]

has anyone ever used it on a cross-stitch project?

i'd like to put to put a cross-stitch design i've done on the top of a box...

thanks!

Dresdens?

[zeisgeist.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to make that wreath that's on the cover of the December issue of Martha Stewart Living - it's just adorable - but it requires something called Dresdens. These, I think, are just little tiny gold-colored ornamental things in shapes like birds and stuff. But I can't seem to find them in the stores or online. I've tried to be creative - I bought some Victorian-looking gold stickers, and some cheapy music ornament things that I think will work. But I need more STUFF.

Suggestions?

SHHHhhhhh.....

[dejablu503.livejournal.com]

Our favorite grocery store checker (the one who shaves her head bald twice a year "for effect"),told us a gal who works for Michaels told her Michaels is having a HUGE no fanfaire "day after Thanksgiving" Day sale, starting at 6am on Friday. Ladies, get your checkbooks and charge cards ready.....

Stuff I made recently

[pumpsnail.livejournal.com]

( lucky stars, and soap )

I also made lip balm today using caramel candy flavoring instead of flavor oil. I'm either a complete genius for getting the same result with cheaper stuff OR a complete moron for ruining her batch of lip balm by using unorthodox flavoring methods. You guys tell me which. ;)

(no subject)

[hartstar99.livejournal.com]

Okay, I know this has been asked about 1 bazillion times but -
regarding the aol tins, can I just used watered down glue to "decoupage" some magazine pics on to the tin. Will that be good enough to keep the paper on there?
Thanks in advance :)

bear with me- i might screw up the image hosting

[pjshuts.livejournal.com]

anybody know where to find these cards? I've been looking all over with no success- any suggestions are greatly appreciated-

( Read more... )

Super Sudsy Girly Fun

[unluckymonkey.livejournal.com]

hey ladies! Here's more on my soap making venture. The site's not yet complete but tell me what you think so far....
( check out the fun )