help needed

[niffysniffy.livejournal.com]

hm, does anybody know how to do a portfolio?
do I order my work chronological or issue-oriented?

I never did it before :/

A question, then a boatload of project pictures!

[cirrussilvus.livejournal.com]

So, I'm seriously thinking about getting myself an embroidery machine. I've been looking at the Janome Memory Craft 200E, but I thought I should ask you lovely ladies (and lads) for some input. I'm looking for a low-cost ($500 or less, if possible) machine that has a USB slot. At this point, those are the only factors I care about. Anyone have any personal recommendations/favorites?

And now for the pictures!
( Steampunk, Leatherwork, & Knitting! Oh my! )

Needle Felting tips...

[muffetly.livejournal.com]

I'm a beginner at needle felting. I've had the gear for about 6 months, but not really gotten into it yet. I'm using merino roving and "general purpose" felting needles. I bought a handle for a single needle, figuring I'd be making pretty small things and the larger 4 needle handles would be better for much larger work.

I've made a couple of things, but when I'm making the wool into solid shapes for heads and bodies etc, I always seem to have needle holes in my work, its not as smooth and beautiful as those I see on etsy. Is it because I'm using the wrong size needles, or is it some other trick I'm missing? I've googled and tried the memories for advice, but there isn't much advise out there...

Any other tips for a newbie? I have an elephant on the needles at the moment, but hubby has run off with the camera, so pics to follow when its finished.

( I've only got black, grey and yellow roving so far.... but I can make happy bees!!! )

LAAAAAAAAHHH!

[eyeswideshut28.livejournal.com]

For those of you that wanted to see the finished product, here is the peacock all done :)

planning a Summer of Love / 60's party and looking for favor ideas

[jasperkitty.livejournal.com]

Hey there!

I'm planning my groups annual woman's sleepover retreat for this year and we've decided on a 60's theme.  With more of a peace and love emphasis and less about the drugs.  Every year we I team up with one or 2 of members and we go all out to make it extra special.  We've got craft ideas galore and something of a menu set to go but we're still brainstorming on decorations and goodie bag ideas.  We have some but I'm hoping to go all (last year was an Alice in wonderland theme with a full on scavenger hunt and tea party as the theme) out but still on the cheap side. 

So far we have for decorations- sari fabric draped everywhere with lots of pillows, a large smiley face, daisy chain garlands, a couple of retro posters, a black light we're hoping to incorporate. a lava lamp, candles and incense.  I'm also planning on picking up some flowers closer to the date.

For the goodie bags we have - love beads, peace symbol key chains, crystals, smileys, and maybe a button or 2. 

Any other suggestions?

::thanks for all the quick replies!::

Drop Spindle Success and Lazy Kate

[megsies26.livejournal.com]

I went out last week and bought a drop spindle. So far I have had some success! I found myself today with a full spindle and absolutely no idea what to do with it! So, I went to the Masters (aka: Gram and Great Gram) for a lesson and they both said: "You need a Lazy Kate!" I know a fair share of lazy Kates, so this baffled me for a minute until Great Gram went and found one of hers. After unwinding the spindle, I decided that I needed my own, so I went over to my Mother's house (yes, multi-generational crafties unite!) and helped myself to some power tools while I was doing my laundry.

This is the result...

( Read more... )

Yay!

stupid winter rerun...

[saintlexi.livejournal.com]

Cincinnati dipped back into winter, much to my dismay. But the heat was on at the studio, so on I went :) Hope you like these three lovelies!


( be still my heart )