(no subject)

[anewseptember.livejournal.com]

okay craftgrrls, im at the end of my rope, i hope you can help!

in 8 days i'm going to be flying from atlanta to greece, which will be almost a 10 hour flight. for the life of me, i cannot think of any crafty things i could do on a plane, keeping in mind the restrictions they have now:

if youre not familiar, this means: no needles, including plastic knitting needles (mine got taken the last time i tried to fly in october with them in my carry on.), no scissors, nothing sharp at all, very small amounts of liquid (in seperate containers that can fit in a 1 qt size ziploc bag)...and i'd prefer not to have anything that would have a strong odor, as i'd like to avoid making a planeful of enemies. i wouldnt really have the space for a button press or a sewing machine or anything large like that, im flying coach...

the only ideas i've come up with are cake watercolors or something with felt maybe? aside from a written journal i keep, im at a loss.

any ideas?

[if this isnt appropriate, somebody let me know and ill delete it, no problem :)]

(no subject)

[heyminaaa.livejournal.com]

Well hey thar!
My birthday is about a week away, so my dad gave me a sewing machine! yeehaw!
BUT this ain't just any sewing machine- this is like, ancient!

A 1963 Bernina 730 Record from Switzerland!

I got it running for a bit, then lost the thread and couldn't figure out how to get the bottom thread working again. D<

So- do you guys have any favorite websites for absolute sewing machine beginners? :D

(no subject)

[redpandajewelry.livejournal.com]

Hello! My name's Jessica (aka redpanda). I've been watching this community on my other journal for a LONG time, and I figured it's about high time that I stopped lurking. I wanted to share my latest creation with y'all and get your opinions/comments.

It's a chainmaille scarf.

A scarf made entirely of metal.

Pic behind cut!
( Read more... )

Here's my theory. Metal is a great conductor of heat. I figure when you put it on, yeah it's going to be cold at first, but then your body heat will warm it up. Then it will use that body heat to remain warm as long as you're not in say, fierce winds. When I was out the day I took that picture, the theory worked, but it's yet to be really cold out here. I figure even if it doesn't stay warm, it would be just an awesome fashion accessory (even in the summer).

It's a LOT more light weight than it looks. Weighs about as much as a thick wool scarf does.

What do you think?

Firefly/Serenity Stuff

[j9crafts.livejournal.com]

I made a bunch of Firefly stuff for a swap I was in recently.

( warning, lots of pictures... )

homemade ironing board <3

[love-dump-.livejournal.com]

hello ladies
I made this tiny ironing board for my bedroom, since that is where I do all my sewing.. that way I don't have to run back and forth to the basement every time I need to iron a seam. I'm not sure what to do with the back of it though.. I don't know how to attach a panel of fabric or something so that it looks proper. and I can't use tacks, because I have a hardwood floor, and my parents will kill me if I scratch it. =/ Got any ideas? Thanks for looking!


( ironing board )

(no subject)

[exousia.livejournal.com]

I've discovered the answer to crappy glues. For example. Making jewelry and want something to REALLY stick, and not fall off? Use epoxy resin. You can get it at walmart. The brand I use is LePage. You squirt a bit out on a scrap of wood. The two seperate chambers combine the resin and hardner to produce a REALLY strong glue. Don't use too much because it shows a little yellowy. I may get cancer or pass out from the fumes, but no more ring bases will fall off!

Also, Want to lamenate somemething, like glitter onto earrings? Use resin. Envirotex lite and a pipette to finely coat the surface and voila, permanent and just as lusterous sparkles. And they won't itch against you or fall off with friction!

Stencil sheets as shrinky dinks?

[helenahandbag.livejournal.com]

I've been searching the memories and working my Google-fu, but I can't seem to find an answer to this question. I've been looking into shrinky dinks as a way of expanding my jewelry making, but no place in my town sells them (well, there's a Klutz book at my local bookstore, but I don't really want to pay $20 when I can order shrinky dinks sheets online for much cheaper). I don't have any #6 plastic around right now, but my mother swears I can use some blank stencil sheets that I have lying around as shrinky dinks. I, however, am not so sure, and short of putting some in the oven and seeing what happens, I have no way of knowing if this will work.

Has anyone attempted using these before? Should I go ahead and try it, keeping a can of oven cleaner and a fire extinguisher on hand in case Very Bad Things happen? Thanks for your help!

Edit: As it turns out, Mylar stencil sheets are a #1 (PET or PETE) plastic, which won't work for shrinky dinks. Thanks to everyone who helped!

Newbie: Decopage

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

I'm looking into the world of decopage to expand my craftiness. :] I've read all the decopage memories and such and I was wondering if you could post pictures of some of the stuff you've done so I can be inspired. The memories were mostly about mod podge and all that jazz and I really am still not sure what exactly to do decopage with as far as materials use. So, any crafty pictures would be great!

Thanks!!!

Halloween costume pics!

[1498rozz.livejournal.com]

So, for those of you who know or gave me ideas of my Halloween prop, my boyfriend and I went as Jack the Ripper and a dead prostitute... complete with fake uterus.


( Uterusy-Goodness! )

(no subject)

[stephc.livejournal.com]

Several years ago I made air dry clay Christmas tree ornaments with my kids from an Arm & Hammer baking soda recipe. We had used other recipes but this is the best. I came across the recipe again while I was looking for Thanksgiving recipes and thought I'd share.

Arm & Hammer Play Clay
2 C baking soda (1 lb. package)
1 C cornstarch
1 1/4 C cold water*

Stir together baking soda and cornstarch in saucepan. Add water and cook over medium heat stirring constantly. When mixture is the consistency of moist mashed potatoes (approx. 10-15 minutes), turn out on a plate and cover with a damp cloth.

As soon as the Play Clay cools enough to handle, gently pat until it's smooth, then it's ready to use. (Or, you can store unused portions in a tightly sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator, but remember to bring them to room temperature before using.)

Roll out Play Clay to 1/4-inch thickness on waxed paper. Cut with cookie cutters. Place on flat surface. Thin designs should harden overnight. Thick designs may need more time. To shorten drying time, ornaments on a cookie sheet can be placed in preheated oven at lowest setting for 10-15 minutes.

Pieces can be painted with acrylic paint, poster paint or watercolor paint or markers. Finish with clear varnish.

*Food coloring can be added to water before mixing with baking soad and cornstarch.

~Just a note from personal experience: If you live in an area that is humid and store your Christimas decorations in an un-climate controlled area such as the garage or attic, make sure you seal them with a good water proof varnish. If they absorb any moisture they will get soft and crumbley~:0(

Coasters

[cest-la-vie.livejournal.com]

My mother-in-law's birthday is next week and since we are all going to be busy I gave her the present today.  I got the idea from a gal at my MOPS group at church and took it from there.  

- 4 inch square glass (2 of them)
- metal tape
- creativity sandwiched in between the two pieces of glass (in my case pictures of the kiddos)

Packaged

( Read more... )

Quick question...

[msformaldehyde.livejournal.com]

Anyone who has made barrets before applying beads to the barrets what do you use?
I was told to use ribbon and glue it on the barret.Let it dry and then apply the beads. Any help will be appreciated.

FO: Stitch Markers = Stocking Stuffers!

[crafti.livejournal.com]

( Click for pic... )

sun print paper?

[jessicalois.livejournal.com]

I've googled this and can't seem to find a tutorial anywhere- only links on buying pre-made papers. I want to make sun print paper. I have a darkroom and all the common chemicals that go along with that, but I think that sun print paper is something more akin to gum printing... I'm not sure though. Does anyone know anything about making your own sun print paper? Anyone know where to buy the chemicals to get started, if they're different from standard darkroom fare?

Thanks in advance!

PS I checked the memories under "photos" and didn't see anything already posted.

Down will come baby... cradle and all.....

[mercy-mile.livejournal.com]

20 years ago when I was five my dad wanted me to have a baby doll bed that would last a life time, instead of a crappy store bought one that would fall apart. So he got busy and created the item that's behind the cut. Oh and by the way, the little extra that's inside of it... I made that, took me a whole nine months to do so (Note... it's not a doll lol)

( Onward to the crafty goodness )