(no subject)

[reowarbaby.livejournal.com]

does anybody know of anything i could do creatively with staples?

decoupage question

[laura-borealis.livejournal.com]

I think I know why everyone calls it modge podge, even if they are using some other decoupage medium. The word decoupage is hard to spell.

Ok, my question. I haven't done decoupage since girl scouts. Reading craftgrrl has inspired me to decoupage over some of my magazine collages, to protect them and keep the edges from curling up. These are already completed collages, and I used rubber cement because I didn't know any better.

So I got some Modge Podge and foam brushes, and this morning I made one coat on the top of a collaged cigar box. Too late, I noticed that there were a bunch of air bubbles. I tried to smooth them out. They kept popping back up. So once the coat was dry to the touch, I smashed them down as much as I could, put a sheet of wax paper on top, and then piled some heavy books on top and I'm hoping for the best. I'm sure there will still be bubbles though.

I've only coated the top, but I noticed I have bubbles all over the sides and the inside, too. I don't think they were there when I first made the collage; they seem to have appeared after the rubber cement was totally dry.

So I looked online for decoupage troubleshooting tips just now and found a site that said to make a tiny slit or a pinprick in the edge of the bubble, slip some glue in (or Modge Podge I assume), and press it down. I'll try that when I get back home, but my question is, have any of you tried this? How do you slip the Modge Podge in? On a toothpick? If I use a pin to pop the air bubble, that's going to be impossible. Do you have any other suggestions or tips?

From now on I'll use Modge Podge to glue my collage bits down, and make sure everything is all smooth and pretty, but I have these already finished ones that I want to rescue if possible, so any help will be greatly appreciated! And of course I will post piccies once they are done.

Thanks!

(no subject)

[ex-clumsily.livejournal.com]

also! check this link out. how to make a pinhole camera! neat
http://users.rcn.com/stewoody/makecam.htm

The great scam of prom

[pumpsnail.livejournal.com]

Argh, I'm all frustrated now.

I originally thought I would buy a prom dress because though I can sew, I'm not that good at it and I didn't feel like tackling something as complicated (and as special) as a prom dress. I ordered one from Delia*s and when it arrived...

I realized it was a piece of junk.

The skirt was made of a few layers of lavender tulle with glitter and a layer of acetate (is that what that thin synthetic fabric is called?) underneath. So thin, in fact, that you could see my underwear right through the dress. I decided it WASN'T that difficult to make and that I'd return it and make my own for much much less (it cost $72, can you believe it?) The top I thought I'd keep, because I still don't feel up to making such a form-fitting thing. I'm scared. ;)

But while searching for fabric I realized it'd probably be easier to just start from scratch. I could have bought a pattern and just started sewing, but I ended up on EBay, with this tacky thing (and by tacky I mean it's so ugly it's gorgeous and omg I love it to bits).

So. Now I want to sew/knit/crochet/thrift some sort of shoulder covering so I don't freeze to death in that dress. What do you guys think would go well? I'm thinking a brightly colored cardigan of some sort - that or a nice crocheted shawl.

And what colors go with orange, anyway? I need to buy shoes and I'm clueless as to what color wouldn't clash horribly. :)

Anyone else had similar experiences? (not just the "Hey, I could make that" experience, but the "Hey, I could make this TEN TIMES BETTER FOR TEN TIMES LESS" experience ;)

And lastly, as long as I'm thinking about it - those of you who make your own clothes by sewing/knitting/etc - have you noticed yourselves mentally taking clothes apart? I was looking at my shirt today and I realized I was subconsciously trying to figure out exactly what shapes it was made of and how I could reconstruct it. Awesome. :)

today's craftiness

[kimmercake.livejournal.com]

heeey, check out what i made today..


( butterfly mobile )

it took more than today to make, but i love it. instructions coming soon. woot to me recycling a yogurt cup :) and figuring out sealers for acrylic paint. and FINALLY being able to use my glittery gimp!

Hi, All :)

[ginnygoblin.livejournal.com]

Was bored tonight. Made a mirror...

Actually, the mirror is a mirrored tile, but I made the rest of it! :)

embroidery on knitting?

[princesskill.livejournal.com]

hi all,
i was wondering if anyone knew how to embroider on knitted things? im knitting a purse and want to embroider something simple like a flower or such on it but ive only ever done cross stich on that aiada cloth, never embroiderd on knitting. the purse is in garter stitch too so im afraid because its bumpy embroidery might not work. any ideas? any embroidery links for free patterns would be great too. i have an emboridery hoop if i need it... im so at a loss at how to attempt this.