Another Knitting Poll

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

This is more school work. Any help would be appreciated. I know it's long, don't feel pressured to fill out every question. By the way, if you crochet or weave (etc.) please read that where knitting is mentioned. This is the first time I'm cross-posting a poll, so I hope it works right. Thanks to everyone who helped on the last one.
~K

[Poll #213427]

I want to make one of these, but...

[murdercitygrrrl.livejournal.com]

I can't figure out how its made.
I have a button maker, and it looks like the crafter used buttons, but the backs are all weird. I've never seen a back like this before.
Any guesses?
Neat bracelet

x-posted to buttonmakers

EDIT: I just bid on the pin-up bracelet, so maybe I'll win it. If I do, that'll let me get a closer look and I can take it apart. I only bid the opening amount, so I'll probably get outbid, so I'll still need your help.

EDIT 2: The lovely, lovely, fantastic, brilliant crafty honey that made these will tell us how in a few days! Everyone send love and happy vibes her way (and if you don't have a button maker, and have some cash unlike the rest of us poor fools, buy something too!)

HELP! AND FAST!!!

[tryst.livejournal.com]

I need to commission someone to make a ring for my mother for Christmas. Any suggestions on where I would go to do this? Any webpages? Any of you here do soldering with jewelry?

Basically, what I need is a silver ring, with two cabochons - one garnet, one Peridot. Any direction pointing would really help!

(no subject)

[grump-e.livejournal.com]

Hi! I've been reading for a while, but this is my first post!

So, to the question!
I'm painting my Mom a picture for Christmas. It's going to be of bamboo, and down one side is a saying about making your life like bamboo. Anyway, I need suggestions of what to write the saying down the side with! It's not REAL long, but it's also not real short. I'm doing the whole thing kind of chinese/feng shui style, so I was thinking of like black ink for the writing. The problem is, I've never done any kind of fancy writing on anything. I was considering calligraphy.. but I've never done it before, and I'm not sure it's the look I'm trying to go for. Someone suggested that I get a really fine/small nice paint brush and just dip it in black ink and paint it on there, I think that might work out ok. I'm just afraid of screwing it up! Does anyone know if that WILL work well? And if so, what kind of paint brush and/or ink I should use? Like I said, I've never tried something like this - painting nice writing onto a picture. So I'm wondering if anyone here has had any experience with this and/or has any suggestions for what I might use? ANY way people could think of doing this, barring probably printing it on there with a printer or something, as I kind of want to make the whole thing myself.
So, alright, I think that's it! Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated =)

another marble magnet question

[twotrees.livejournal.com]

I know I am being annoying, but where do I get the circle magnets? Home Depot? Michael's? Lowe's? or online?

Thanks

Painting on Velvet?

[http://users.livejournal.com/defenestrator_/]

Hi. I want to make my mom a scarf similar to these -
http://www.gravestoneartwear.com/2003/new2003.html

Brass rubbing velvet art

- she used to do brass rubbings when she was young. Does anyone have any experience painting on velvet? I'm wondering if I should use acrylics or fabric paint or spray paint or screenprint ink...(which i think wouldn't work - too thin?).

Thinking fo a little change...

[tairae.livejournal.com]

Sooooo...My front door is white and it sits right in my living room. All the walls have posters/paintings/etc. on them and the white door is driving me mad! So I was thinking I could modpodge or something similar a bunch of things to it to cover it up a bit. I am one of those crazy people who chops up magazines constantly, and I have a million things I could put up there. The only problem...I rent! Now, my landlords are all about me making this place my own, they don't care if I paint or punch holes or anything like that. But I don't think I would get much of my deposit back if I left a bunch of things glued to the door. That, and I kinda want them back when I leave! So, any thoughts? Is it easy to take that stuff off of surfaces? Is there something else that I should use? Any thoughts would be great. Thanks everyone in advance...Tai

Skirt madness!

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

(X-posted to craftgrrl, sew_hip and my own journal...)

I've been on a big skirt making kick recently and here's the first two skirts to have made it to the wearable stage:

( Skirt from Simplicity pattern #5546 made from cotton print I found in the quilting section at Joann's.  )

( Slightly crapy photo of another skirt from the same pattern... )

I want to make more skirts, but unfortunately, other projects are in the way. Bleh.

word ideas

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

Hi all,
I'm sewing my boyfriend and his father a chef's hat and BBQ apron each and i'll like to have words on the chef's hat. I dont know what i can put though.
I probably cant have more than 6 letters. I was going to put their names on it but it seemed rather boring so anyone with suggestions?
Thanks very much!!

And just to make this post a bit craftier, here's a vintage replica dress i sewed a while ago. I have shown it on craftgrrl almost 8 months ago but i didnt have a dressform then and the pictures were really crappy. so if u want to have a look [or second look] click here

My first *finished* quilt!

[loosetooth.livejournal.com]

The story is behind the cut...

( Read more... )

Help with Secret Santa

[tiggzie.livejournal.com]

You must all be tired of Xmas questions but i'm stumped and who better to throw ideas around with!? :)

I have to get a gift for a Secret Santa. I have to send it by mail (i'm in NYC, he's in...georgia I think). This is what i know about him:
Professional (he's lawyer or doctor)
His fave colour is blue
He likes coffee
He loves loves loves music (so I'm making him some mixed cds...any idea how to dress that up?)
He doesn't have much time for writing because he's so busy.
He's vegetarian so dairy and eggs are ok.
He's funny and seems to like those email jokes everyone always sends around.

Any ideas??? Please with an organic cherry on top? :)
( Second Question )

(no subject)

[freeto-goodhome.livejournal.com]

just an fyi..

those Altoids tins are perfect for gift boxes for Marble Magnets! Just spray paint the outside of the box (flat colors would work best)and decoupage on a little pic related to the magnets!

the post goes on and on and on. be prepared. haha

[destroyreality.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the great comments you guys provide me with... and I know you love me, so you can answer all my questions! I am just a living question. bear with me. pretty please.

on my christmas topic....(you can totally tell I'm a craft VIRGIN)

I got out of school early today and got to work on presents. I made the oatmeal soap, which ended up very strange and very LITTLE OF IT. I plopped it into an ice cube tray and into the fridge. lo and behold... it is hardening as we speak. lets just hope it wants to come out when the time comes.

The chocolate dipped spoons were the part I was very pleased with. Just a little water added to the chocolate, and dipped, then sprinkled some crushed pepermint candy on it, and stuck in the fridge for a few minutes, then govered with green seran wrap and tied with a red ribbon. TOO cute.

(okay... experience tip... when you put a bunch of peppermints in a plastic baggie and SMASH it into the counter to try and break them, the bag will bust open and mess the whole kitchen with sticky. Maybe that thinking thing would have paid off)

now this is where I need help.
I have a few recipies where I need oh say, two tablespoons of dry milk. and dry milk only comes in a box thats like.... 5 lbs. I'm exaggerating alot here, but you get the point.

What can I do with leftover Dry Milk?
beef boullion? (though I am a vegitarian so having it myself is out... to make something for someone else is my idea...)
Whole Wheat flour?
Rasberry preserves?


Another question! My best friend's parents take me with them to Rhode Island for a week vacation every year and pay for pretty much everything we do. I feel like I should do something for them in return. Like a big THANK YOU basket. what to include...

so far I'm thinking of some wine glasses where I can paint their names on it and such. They drink. maybe a fleece blanket for when they watch tv. they do that a lot too. everything else im kinda stuck. I wanna stay a little professional... I mean they watch south park but I'd rather not buy them a season box set, ya know?

Last question... I promise.

My family consists of 2 types. The women...aka the easy to make for, and the hunters/fishermen.
It would be so great if anyone could think up an idea for a man... who hunts or fishes... who owns everything in the world.


<3<3<3

potential!

[calliek.livejournal.com]

I had this mirror. Wood, painted this ugly-ass goldish color. I have had it just sitting around my apartment (and now, the condo I bought), and not on the wall, because it's hideous.

So today, I did the simplest thing...just got out the black paint and a sponge brush and painted it, in a kind of dabbing way so it would be texturized, cause I have a lot of wrought iron in my room.

It looks great!

Creativity is being able to see potential in something. Someone else might have thrown that mirror out, or given it away. Creativity is being able to make a couple of simple adjustments, and making the ugly bearable!

Here's to all the crafty people in the world, who aren't afraid to try new things, possibly fail, but ultimately make more fabulous things to brighten the world!

*end corniness*

;)

christmas cookies

[letmeburyem.livejournal.com]

Hi all,
Last Christmas, someone brought some excellent cookies to work...they weren't quite sugar cookies, and they had small peanut butter cups in the middle. Does this sound familliar to anyone? Got a recipe?

Thanks!

Cross posted to Hip Domestics.

Another Non-Magnet Marble Idea

[inimitable-fran.livejournal.com]

A lot of people are celebrating winter holidays soon so I thought I'd throw out an idea that could be used as a gift. I made marble runes about six years ago. I took a set of translucent, flat-backed marbles and used a silver paint pen to write the runes on the flat side of the marble. If you are careful to remember to reverse the runes they show up magnified through the round side of the marble. The paint didn't chip through tumbling. I didn't put anything on the backs because I wanted to keep the translucent feel. While the runes were drying I stitched together a small felt bag to hold them. I don't cast runes for divination or anything but the swishing sound the marbles made was really nice. :) All in all a cheap little project that was a lot of fun to do.

????

[g1rlcalledk1ll.livejournal.com]

hey girls.

i was wondering.. is there anyway to turn regular tights into thigh-highs?

like... cut/sew them somehow so i can attatch them to a guarder belt?

i love my current tights. i dont want to let them go!

and its so hard to find cute thigh-highs with fun patterens on them.

any help would be great.... although, im not sure if it can be done. =/ Thanks! <3

(no subject)

[sairyuu.livejournal.com]

ok, so offically presents for all of my inlaws are gift baskets.

they will have:
-choco espresso beans (white/milk choco)
-dippy spoons (white/milk choco) with peppermint, cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa dippings
-peppermint bark (white choclate with crushed peppermint in broken peices, i use a baking sheet and just let it dry adn flake it off. YUM)
-sugar stars (white, plain maybe a few slightly tinted ones)
-tea (maybe)
-an ornament (possibly etched with thier names as a gift tag, but more likely just written in glitter.)

i found super cute decorated celaphane bags at target, they have little trees, snowmen, etc on them.

advice, look what i made, hi i'm new

[the-love-cat.livejournal.com]

hi i'm new. so i wanted to ask for some advice and show off a couple of things.

- i have this sweater that's comfy and warm and i like to wear it a lot, but it's Boring. i was wondering if anyone has suggestions as to how i could embellish it. i'm not looking to cut it up, but if anyone can suggest patch ideas, creative glitter, applique, etc. any suggestions welcome. i'm kind of stuck.

( pictures and more here )

polar fleece scarves

[sairyuu.livejournal.com]

i want to make my brother a black one with skulls/a jolly roger on it. has anyone cut polar fleece with an exacto? or should i just make the appliques white felt? and should there be an applique on both sides of each end?

how does no-sew glue work on fleece/felt?

are wrap-around-the-neck-a-few-times scarves cool for guys? or do you think they should be average length? i make all *my* personal scarves at least 4 feet. but i don't know if that is manly. (btw my bro is 20 and semi-gothy/punkrock)

paint off brushes?

[annelito.livejournal.com]

hello all ya creative grrls!

a question for you:

how can i get off the dried paint off my brushes? some of the brushes have paint since many years that i've never bothered to clean...but now i think i might take them in use again, that is, if i can get off that paint that has been there for a few years...it's both acrylic and oil. i really hope someone has the answer to this problem! it would be greatly appreciated.



a few of my brushes enclosed...

help is on the way?

[reachforlight.livejournal.com]

hey! it is i, anne mary, back to annoy you all once again.

i have a question. with an altoid tin, i'm making my guy friend a little place where he can keep his money/guitar picks/etc. i'm doing good so far.. decorating and everything.. but i want to have kind of two compartments in the deeper section of the tin, and i just can't figure out how to do it. i have some real stiff paperish stuff that might work if i could figure out a way to keep it in the middle without budging. so... if anyone could help me with ideas, i would so greatly appreciate it. thanks in advance. :D

Here's a story for the kids!

[moonlights.livejournal.com]

( i finished sewing another shirt tonight )

x-posted to craftgrrl and t_shirt_surgery

current project

[littlewoman.livejournal.com]

i'm working on this skirt. it's my first one and i had high hopes, but since i was doing it all as i went things didn't turn out right. i wanted there to be lace or ribbon on the botton as decoration but i ended up putting it at the top as a sort of belt since i didn't cut the top narrower than the front. so now i don't know what to do with the bottom. i don't want to put a ribbon or lace because then i think it would be too much. i COULD hem it, but i wanted to see if you guys had any suggestions before i did. also, other than having the top narrower than the bottom, any other quick hints for my second try?

( pictures )

X-posted wristwarmers/fingerless gloves ?'s

[tairae.livejournal.com]

All right, so my little sister (18, really my boy's sister, but still) is getting a crocheted-by-me set of wristwarmers for christmas. I am making them go almost to the elbow. Now, seeing as how my arms, and I am thinking the arms of most people, get smaller the closer you get to the wrist, should I fit the wrist warmers to decrese in size as well? Does that make sense? Hrm, I hope so. Basically, should I decrease a little bit as I get closer towards the wrist part? Also...I was hoping to crochet in a little kittie pattern onto it, but I am not sure I could just do it off the top of my head (it's almost like drawing, something I can not do for the life of me!). Does anyone have any cat patterns for crochet? Thanks again everyone...Tai

Craft Grrl with a Craft Boy!

[one-more-grrl.livejournal.com]

Tonight I made some ornaments... and my boyfriend did too!

( pics inside )

Non-wearable

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

( Yoni, baby )

Question from a newbie

[readingmezzo.livejournal.com]

Ok, I checked the memories/FAQs but didn't see an answer...

When making the cute little rice warmer bags, could I hand sew them? I do not have a sewing machine and wont be able to procure one until after Christmas. If I can, what would I use (like thread wise)? And does anyone have suggestions on places/sites where I can learn basic sewing? I'd really like to make these but want to know if that's feasible.

Sorry for the seemingly stupid questions, but I'm just getting started. Thanks in advance. I love this community! Y'all are sooooo clever.

grommet help?

[spin-sugar.livejournal.com]

I had a really cool watch with a grommeted band, but unfortunately my boy lost it when he borrowed it one day. I've tried and tried to find a similar watch, but no luck. My question: can I buy a watch (or watches, one for each of us... ah ha! xmas present idea!) with a plain old band, and add my own grommets? I have one of those grommeting tools for paper... could I possibly use that? Any suggestions as to how I should punch the holes in the band? I could experiment, but I'd rather not ruin a watch if I can avoid it.

Thanks in advance!

my first upholstery project!

[kachina.livejournal.com]

(plain $10 wicker basket found in chinatown)

+ particle board, 1" foam, craft batting, fabric, upholstery tacks, staples, hot glue and masonite (in that order) =

( after )