11.28.08

[bestill.livejournal.com]

I haven't worked in my journal for over a month. This paged started out where I was angry at someone, and wrote everything I was angry about. I knew I was going to work over it later because just getting it out was the important part--I didn't need to be able to read it later. While I was in Albuquerque over my birthday, I started working on top of it, then I finished it after Thanksgiving.

Sewing Machine Question

[trenthamfamily.livejournal.com]

I've been getting really crafty lately with my sewing machine and have run into a problem maybe you know something about.

While sewing, everything is set up the right way, suddenly the top bobbin will be pulled very hard like a yank in the thread and normally the thread will snap but I've gotten some very durable stuff that isn't breaking as easily.

Underneath the fabric when I take it off of the machine and turn it over, there is almost a rats nest of thread tangled up underneath. The bobbin is in correctly and I'm not sure how to do the tension so it's probably at a 2 (I'm assuming this is okay). The stitch length and width is also set about a 2. I've used those settings for a really long time and it was fine beforehand.

Do you know what that could be? I'd love to finish up these projects for work and would have to take it back in for another $100 or so service. I did that a couple of years back for the same thing and it worked again for a while. Does that sound like an oil issue? I've never oiled it before and someone mentioned it to me earlier today.

Need help...Any experience making custom Rock Band skins?

[brzerkpenguin.livejournal.com]

**I asked this on Craft_qs but that community seems to be dead. If this isnt allowed - I understand, I was just hoping to get some help. Thanks*** So for Christmas I decided I am going to make my boyfriend custom skins for his Rock Band 2 kit. I planned to buy a set of the vinyl covers - paint them white and then screen paint a design on them for him. Either something custom or maybe something with Venture brothers on it - since he loves that show. Anyhoo - what do you think the success rate is going to be on finding a paint that will cover the vinyl like a base/primer and then screen printing over it? Any ideas on types/brands - or...if its even possible? I worry that the paint will crack or peel off Here is an example of the covers: http://www.teamteabag.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/rockbandskin.png The add only states that it is "high quality vinyl." They have hard plastic covers for guitar hero on clearance at Target for $3 right now and Im wondering if those will fit the rock bands guitars....any ideas-tips-etc? I could totally use anything you have to offer. Thanks!

Mini quilts

[twocheeseplease.livejournal.com]

A few months ago I came across a mini quilt swapping group on Flickr. I signed up and after my first one I was HOOKED! I want to swap and swap and swap until my wall is full of lovely swapped mini quilters from around the world like this one.


Here is my latest - foundation pieced (my first try - LOVE it!) from 1930s reproduction prints.

 

( More minis here. )

what kind of glue?

[dragonclan.livejournal.com]

My mom has a gold necklace with a semi clear brown stone that the stone has fallen off of. It's a nice wide surface to re-glue, but what kind of glue should be used? I want something clear and strong... Help!

Easy no-sew fabric bookmarks.

[sonnetofthemoon.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone. I posted this over on handmade_gifts and thought it might be useful for people over here as well: really easy no-sew fabric bookmarks. Everyone in my family is getting a couple for the holidays.



I’ve written up a tutorial on my blog with lots of pictures. I hope you like these...I know I can't get enough! Thanks for looking.

Gingerbread ornaments

[mybeautifulwars]

Anyone know of (or can point me towards) a good gingerbread cookie recipe that is suitable for making ornaments with? I have a box mix for ones we'll eat, but I'm not sure they'll be sturdy enough for the tree.

And how about "icing" that we can use on them that will last through the holidays?

Handmade Apple Spice Ornaments

[glassmouse13.livejournal.com]

Cinnamon Dough for Ornaments

Spicy scented dough to make ornaments etc.

* 1 cup (250 ml) cinnamon
* 1 Tbsp (15 ml) cloves
* 1 Tbsp (15 ml) nutmeg
* 3/4 c (375 ml) applesauce, drained
* 2 Tbsp (30 ml) white all purpose glue

1. Combine cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add applesauce and glue.
2. Mix well with hands until mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Roll one quarter of the dough between 2 pieces of waxed paper til about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters, etc. Use toothpick or similar object to make holes for hanging. Wiggle the toothpick around a little to make the hole larger.
5. Dry on wire rack for several days, turning daily so they don't curl up as they dry. You could also dry them in a 250 degree F oven (125 degrees C) til hard and dry.
6.  String ornaments with some linen thread for hanging.

I found this recipe at: http://cweb.snip.net/CountryCupboard/craftrecipes.htm
 

New crafts for baby!

[just-goodnight.livejournal.com]

Hey there grrl's.

Here's some new stuff my little fingers have been workin on.


( Kind of picture heavy )

Crochet Update

[lunaticraft.livejournal.com]

Just some stuff I've been working on. Well more to come eventually, since my holiday gift-giving crochet/knit/sewing/jewelry making is entering full swing.

For now, just some small crochet pieces.

( Click here for crochet goodness )

Hope you liked! x-posted to Crochetcrochet

(no subject)

[vinylparadise.livejournal.com]

Hey! Long time lurker first time poster.

( some old some new )

squeakers?

[a-starstar.livejournal.com]

Hi! I just recently found this community, and I was hoping someone here could help me out with a long-time problem of mine. I'm obsessed with those squeakers you find in dog toys.

They're self-contained little plastic bubbles with a metal/plastic squeaker device on one side. I want to buy them in bulk for sewing with instead of cannibalizing dog toys all the time -_-;; I can't find them anywhere, though. Any ideas? Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

steampunk watch face pendants lots of pictures

[dolphin-daze.livejournal.com]

I love working with different styles and wanted to try my hand at some steampunk designs and these are my first pieces

The faces are made out of a clay called paperclay, I then press antique watch parts into the clay and run the ends of the tiny gears over the clay to make really cool impression (some of the faces have actual gears on them) . I also cut out a tiny circle in some of the faces and inserted tiny wires and beads into the sides of the cut out to give the face a real 3D look. After the clay drys I then take a small brush and paint the face and tiny gear impressions in shades of copper, bronze, gold, silver and platinum and more. The faces are then sealed in several coats of indoor/outdoor sealer to protect it (the watch parts are done is glossy and the face is done in a matte finish to give it extra contrast.

The finished face is then wire wrapped with customized colored wire and beads specific to each individual piece.

Face size is approximately 1.75 long by 1 3/8 inches across, with bail pendants measure 2 3/8 inches tall.

I am so addicted to these old watch parts that I have :)

( Read more... )

(no subject)

[art-lurker.livejournal.com]

( poor sad things )

With two eyes made out of coal....

[brainysmurf.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure this could be counted as a craft, but it *is* creative....

I'm a teen/children's librarian (okay, technically not a "real" librarian as I don't have the degree, but I do the same job as one....) at a small town library and today our Christmas tree arrived at work and the Christmas village went into the adult display case, so I decided to get the children's room all ready for Christmas -- pulled Christmas books to put on display, and then updated the children's display case. Last week I was struck by a flash of brilliance... but could I really pull it off? Today... I did.

( Meet Booker, the snowman! )