sewing machines and candles and milk jars o my

[missh.livejournal.com]

Hi - I have two questions that are entirely unrelated.

1. My (mother's) sewing machine started giving me wildly uneven stitches, and sometimes it looks like it's not even picking up the bobbin thread. it's not consistently performing poorly, though - it will go for a minute or two with nice stitches and then fail again. ALSO, the thread keeps breaking. I googled both of these issues, and everything I found basically said, "check everything ever on your machine." which I will, but I was wondering if anyone had previously experienced that exact combination of failure before, so I could know where to start. it's a pretty basic New Home machine, if that matters. I think she got it off QVC maybe ten years ago.

2. we have these sweet quart glass milk bottles from the milk that we buy, and my mother (again) wants to use them as candle holders. the bottles are much larger than most candles though. she propped one in there with nothing today, which looked cool until the flame touched the glass and the bottle exploded. has anyone ever done any sort of craft like this? can you suggest things that we could put in the bottom to hold the candles?


thanks in advance!

Introduction

[bobandiarepals.livejournal.com]

Hi. My name is Dawn. I'm 20 and I live in Michigan. I'm a college student right now, majoring in English. I started crocheting about a year ago and I've been steadily doing more and more things. I also just bought a sewing machine to make some clothes. Right now, I'd say I'm just past the beginners' stage with crocheting. I am currently working on a granny square purse. Mostly I make hats since hats are always fun and they're so darn cute!
I can pretty much figure out a pattern in my head for something just by looking at it, although I rarely use patterns. For example, I just started a mitten last weekend and just figured it out as I went. Both turned out great.
I find crafting addictive and I am restless when I have to do anything else. I have yards and yards of fabric and skeins and skeins of yarn just waiting for me to use them. :) The reason I like hand making things is that it's a diminishing art. Our culture is so disposable, we hardly appreciate anything anymore. Everything is ready-to-wear, ready-to-eat, etc., and I just want to preserve some of the unique, custom-made traditions.
Anyway, HI! Nice to meet crafty people, too.

Xmas ideas for a wonderful grandpa?

[tilmorninlight.livejournal.com]

I want to make something for my grandpa for christmas. Ever since I moved to NYC this past summer he's been sending me checks (he told my mom it was because he doesn't want me to feel the way he did when he was living here and he feels guilty because he lost the money he had in  stocks that was going to pay for mine and my brothers and cousins' college tuition ) and letters and while I always send a card back and give him a phone call I want to do something really great for him. Problem is I have no clue what. I live in NYC and he used to live in NYC when he was in the Navy, so I was thinking of something to do with that... any ideas?? I'm sorry this is so vague, I'm just in the planning stages and feel lost!  BTW I'm horrid at sewing and knitting. I just want to do something really great, because I think he feels guilty for not being able to help out in the way he originally thought he would, so I want to show him how much what he does is appreciated and how great he is.
Oh, btw he loves Brooklyn bagels. He always tells me stories of how him and my grandma would get up at 5 AM to go to the baker and get fresh bagels.. I sent him a dozen bagels from H and H (NY bagel place) after hearing how he went to a bagel place in Florida near his condo and how they said "NY bagels" and they "tasted like bread" and instead of just accepting the gift he sent me $100 as a "thank you" .  I can never just give him something, he ALWAYS sends money afterwards so I want  to make something that he can't send money back for. Something that you can't put a price on.


thank you so much!

EDIT: HERES WHAT I'VE ALREADY DONE FOR HIM FOR XMAS: build a bear in a sailor suit
                                                                                                                        sailor ornament with his name inscribed
                                                                                                                        scrapbook of vacations we've taken with him
                                                                                                                        Clay box I made in art class back in high school (4-5 yrs ago)

Whath do you think?

[jumpingrae.livejournal.com]

I've been having fun making stuff with all these old postage stamps I have that I randomly bought on ebay once. Here is one of my more recent creations:


They are decopaged onto a little cardboard jewelry box. Tell me what you think!

Harley Quinn Spandex Mod

[wishyoulove.livejournal.com]

Hi-o! :D

So, for halloween my boyfriend had to be Joker, of course. So I thought I would naturally be Harley Quinn.. now my question. I decided I would modernize her, so I'm not wearing the full spandex costume, but I still do need her hat.

How can I get spandex hat to stay on my head without making it a full head piece?
i.e not down under my chin

( Harley Quinn )

Thank you so much for any help or advice!

What do you think about these shoes?

[armstreet.livejournal.com]

(no subject)

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

any ideas for quick, easy, and nice ways to make a pirate costume?


my friend is having a pirate themed party,
and im definitely not feeling like buying a costume.

thanks