My New Year's Resolution...

[madfishmonger.livejournal.com]

Is to do one creative thing a day (of any kind). Here's... ( a couple bags )

Thanks for looking :) I think the bags are getting better. I learn a little more each time.

Paper Beads!

[sin-da-rella.livejournal.com]

I have decided to try my hand at making paper beads... I even went out and bought some pretty pretty paper last night...
In one of the tutorials, I saw that I should be using a teeny tiny straw as my bead "base" so that it has a hole in it and what-not.... but the only straws that I can find are red...
Here's my question: Is there any way that I can make the beads on wooden skewers (which would create the hole!)? If so, how would I slide them off without destroying the completed bead? Or, is there an easier way?
Thanks!!

(no subject)

[yowsah.livejournal.com]

so for a while now i've been trying to make some cute little crocheted animals. every time i would start one and the body just wouldn't end up how i wanted at all. but then i got a really cute idea! (more stumbled upon it, whateves)


a finger puppet!

( a few more! )

Another Christmas Gift quilt

[chaelaanne.livejournal.com]

Here is another quilt for Christmas. This was for my Aunt Maureen and my Uncle Bill. 

( It's got a lot going on, but I think it's good. )

(no subject)

[precious-junk.livejournal.com]

I've made two more ( bracelets )

Since I got a, "How did you do that?" I decided I'll post a [not really needed] tutorial.

( tutorial )

jump into spring

[tummymunkey.livejournal.com]

i hope everyone had a great christmas! i'm going to offer some new year's advice for everyone. one of the many questions i always get is how i take my pictures and what camera i use. i've been into photography much longer than i've been crafting, and you don't certainly don't need a good camera! a lot of craftgrrl is about looking at photos, yes? my photos skills are by no means professional and i am certainly not very knowledgable in the photo editing process, but here's a few ideas

my best advice:
1. turn on your tulip (detail) button if you're taking photos up close
2. TURN OFF YOUR FLASH!
3. take your pictures outside, out of direct sunlight. indoor lighting makes for very bad photos.
4. take several photos of each item from different angles. a few of them are bound to come out blurry anyway.
5. did i mention take your pictures outdoors?

up until now, i've never masked out my backgrounds - all i've done is adjust the brightness, contrast and sharpness. but i'm starting to do the masking (it's too labor intensive though!). i read somewhere on the switchboards that someone recommended using the "levels" function in photoshop. it's been working pretty good for me.

taking photos outside isn't necessarily consitent, and you're often at the mercy of the weather. a small lightbox eliminates the need for the great outdoors. if anyone's especially industrious - MAKE A LIGHT BOX and post your results on craftgrrl - scroll down to the bottom of this page to find some links on how to make one: make it blog

cheers to a new year and prettier photographs of your lovely crafts!

finishing seams

[temptinglies.livejournal.com]

i'm sewing a wedding dress and i'm not sure how i should finish the seams. i don't have a serger so i was thinking that clean-edge finish (each raw edge turned under 1/4" and stitched) but i'm worried about the bulk of that. i could just zig-zag the raw edges but i want it to look nice since it is a wedding dress. i should also mention that none of these seams are actually visible unless someone decides to look at the construction of the dress, since there is lining and all. any advice?

(no subject)

[fire4ice.livejournal.com]

( Two paintings. )

(no subject)

[seestephgo.livejournal.com]

Last two out of the batch of 6:

( If I had a boat, I' go out on the ocean. And if I had a pony, I'd ride him on my boat. And we could, all together, go out on the ocean; just me upon my pony on my boat. )

Mask!

[ayalanya.livejournal.com]

I made a mask (for the same art show that the hairpiece is going in). Sterling silver and hematite. :) Please pardon the "I am *really* skeptical!" facial expressions.

( Mask )

(no subject)

[yowsah.livejournal.com]

another puppet!

Butterfly in Crochet

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

My 'resolution' for this year was to go through all of those billions of craft instructions/books/magazine pages that I've hoarded over the years and try out at least one project a week. This week was a Crochet Butterfly Magnet.

( Original Picture from the Book )

I think my finished project was a little large, also, the suggested hook size made for rather loose, sloppy stitches (even though I tend to be a tight crocheter). I think I was using a thinner yarn than they recommended, but it's something I just had around, so....

( My attempt )

I actually picked it because I thought it would be easy, because it was so small, but it took quite awhile. The question is, is it even worth trying again? I'm not sure.