(no subject)

[itcouldbelove.livejournal.com]

I graduated from college a few weeks ago, which means I'm living at home, jobless, and bored. When I get bored, I get creative, though nothing usually comes of it. Most of the time my photography blossoms a bit... but I always want to do something more substantial... with my hands. So I think for Christmas I am going to make small plush monsters for my best friends. I'm not very good at sewing, but I do have access to a sewing machine and a lovely mother who doesn't usually mind helping me figure it out. So I want to make those monsters. BUT... I want to do something else with them. For example, I would like to PUT them in something equally cute. I could make my own gift bag or wrapping paper or something, but I kind of want to do something that'll last longer than the time it takes my friends to open the gift. Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks everyone!

Cat collars

[raverqueenage.livejournal.com]

Hi ladies!

I was wondering if any of you know the best way to make cat collars. I don't want anything too chunky and was thinking of using some kind of sturdy yet flexible fabric like vinyl.

I will try and explain whats in my head and see if any of you get it and think it will work:

You know the adjustable ones like these:

See the spot where it adjusts? That square piece of plastic? Would it be possible to just make one out of fabric/vinyl? I don't have easy access to get those plastic pieces nor do I want to order them online if I don't have to. Also, if I made it out of fabric, I wouldn't really need the clip closure would I? Because in my head I think that if it's fully adjustable to fit any size then I don't need a clip. Just seems over kill.

These collars will be worn only in the apartment when we are home and will have little bells on them so we will know where the kitties are.

Thanks for any help :) Hope I made sense.

Bubble stationery

[lilbrigid.livejournal.com]

I got started on some holiday presents (finally) Wednesday evening. This would be a great project for kids or those of us who still act like children! The instructions came from Mark Montano's Big Ass Book of Crafts.

Supplies:
Food coloring (mine was icing gel)
Blank stationery
Small bowls
Straw for each color
1 tsp dish soap
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup of water

Instructions:
Combine dish soap, sugar, and water in a bowl. Add food coloring. If you're using the normal stuff, the book recommends 10 drops. I just eyeballed it with my gel. Make the color a bit darker than you expect because the color will lighten quite a bit when it dries. Remember: you can mix the colors to make new ones. Oh the joys of primary colors. Anyway, stir until everything is combined and the sugar dissolves. Here comes the fun part: insert your straw into the bottom of the bowl and start blowing bubbles until they rise over the top. Now, take your blank stationery and run it gently over the top of the bubbles, popping them. Try not to saturate too much or the moisture will leak through. Coat to your liking. Let it dry. If you like, repeat the process a second time with another color.

( Pictures are this way . . . )

I plan to gift them in sets of 10 cards with envelopes. I'm hoping to acquire some card boxes to put them in. I must get to Goodwill to look.

I barely made the deadline...

[gmubabe2004.livejournal.com]

But I made it! Lark Publishing recently put out a call to artists for work with gems/jewels. I knew I was going to include a wrist cuff I had made for the Saul Bell competition, but didn't place. I made a ring, but then decided I wanted an additional piece which caused me all sorts of headaches (i.e. there is a wood clay that you can use to make hollowed out pieces and it has replaced the cork clay, but it really doesn't hold up in the kiln, and can cause lot of problems...grrr). The postmark deadline is today, and I finished the final piece last night, well, this morning...at 2am. I photographed everything, filled out the forms, and packaged it all up and was at the UPS store by 9am. Whew.

All pieces are made out of Precious Metal Clay, which when burned out, leaves .999 fine silver.

( Click to see the pieces I submitted )

Now I'm at work and I can't wait to go home and sleep. :) It is a real relief to get that one off my plate.

(no subject)

[lisatanesa.livejournal.com]

i made this for my cousin for chrismas. she LOVES cows!

Polymer clay ornaments...and a cat

[glassmouse13.livejournal.com]

These are ornaments I made as gifts (except for the 2 penguins - The misfit one is for me.)...and one of my new baby kittens.

Bathrobe

[faerieariel.livejournal.com]

I am a HUGE fan of flannel-backed satin, it's the perfect fabric for a bathrobe in southern california.  I've made a few for myself, but this one is for a 5 year old. ( So CUTE! )

(no subject)

[inertiaflux.livejournal.com]

So I have a weird request to make, I'd like to make a cane like House's. Well at least the cool one that was black with flames on it. And though not crafty where could I possibly find cool canes online?

I'm asking this because my father has ALS and is having a very hard time walking as the muscles in one of his legs is getting pretty bad and it sometimes causes him to fall. Well I think he'd walk better with a cane but he's stubborn, so maybe if I make, find, buy a cane for him that looks cooler than maybe he'll use it more. He likes House and I thought maybe that would be a cool cane to have?

Any suggestions?

two questions

[halation.livejournal.com]

hello!

it's been a while since i've posted here but i have a new baby, and we want to decorate some onesies and side-snap tees with fabric markers. i bought a package of them at joann's today but i am wondering, should i wash the onesies and tees before writing on them? does anyone know? any pointers on decorating baby clothes with fabric markers are appreciated.

also, my feet grew during my pregnancy, and i have loads and loads of gorgeous and fun socks that will likely never fit again. any ideas for things i can make with socks? any pointers to patterns or web sites with patterns? many are knee-high socks. i have some with worn heels & toes but still good legs.

thanks in advance for your tips & ideas!

Some Christmas presents I made

[chlstu.livejournal.com]

( crappy picture quality behind the cut... )

carbon transfer paper for fabric

[francisbmewbly.livejournal.com]

Anyone know a commercial store where I can get this?  JoAnn's?