Making a Cookbook...

[a-happenstance.livejournal.com]

Hello crafters!

So I've had the most brilliant idea for a gift for my mother for Christmas (yes I know it's early but I've been rather shame faced listening to Christmas music this afternoon and it's gotten me in the spirit). She's been using this old tatty binder with her recipes in it for years and years and years (hand written most of them) and I want to make her something that's a little more permanent (so that the recipe for her amazing spinach dip and butter tarts aren't lost!).

( Now here comes my question. )

Curves, Feathers, and...Decoupage?

[j-d0e.livejournal.com]

I picked up a worn, curvy antique lamp from a rummage sale and was inspired by this picture to make a peacock lamp. I'd like to spray paint it in a similar shade of blue and decoupage real feathers onto the base of the lamp. Has anyone ever tried decoupaging feathers? I've never done decoupage before. From what I've gathered, I should lay down a layer of Mod Podge on the clean, smooth surface and use my finger to spread additional Mod Podge over the object I'd like to adhere to my surface.

Is that all there is to it? Should I use something like a clear Krylon spray to seal it? Any other tips and suggestions before I commit myself to this?

Many thanks in advance. I'll be sure to post pictures later!

trouble shirring

[petatron.livejournal.com]

i've been trying to make a simple shirred summer dress. for some reason my fabric won't shirr. i've never shirred anything with this machine before, i've only had it for a few months.

i've tried winding the elastic on the bobbin tight and loosely, i've tried a straight stitch on the longest setting, i've been told to try a small zig zag and that didnt' work either.
i've even tried two different types of elastic thread.
it just won't shirr.

someone tell me what i'm doing wrong. or point me in the direction of something helpful. i've googled the crap out of this, and i can't find anything helpful.

(no subject)

[wild-huntress.livejournal.com]

First, remember my post brainstorming about how to DIY an agenda - and manage to get it back together again? Well, I feel that worked out pretty well and want to thank you guys. ( Large-ish pics behind the cut )

Once again, thanks for all your help - and I am now seeking help/brainstorming with a new project. I have a gorgeous handbag with weak straps that I'm afraid are liable to break suddenly and without prior notice. However, this is one of the few handbags I have that can carry my gigantic amounts of stuff (that I need to survive and can't unload (10 points if you spot the Spaceballs reference :P)). Does anyone know of a way to make/buy and put on alternate straps that would look relatively professional and dignified? I fixed a similar problem in high school by attaching metal dog collars as the straps and a bunch of pins on the body of the purse, and turning a plain purse into this wild punk rock one. (It was a great success; I still have that purse.) Unfortunately, what worked then does not work now because - being a conservative, grown up law student in her second to last year of university - I need a purse that matches (which means my old purse needs replacement straps that more or less match). Is this too ambitious/impossible? ( A pic of the purse in question - and just my luck, it's an odd colour that'll probably by impossible to match )

Reading robot

[sillysarasue.livejournal.com]

I make robots out of clay, here is my favorite picture of my newest one....

( Come look at the reading robot.... )

(no subject)

[hopeless-scitz.livejournal.com]

Well I've been crafting a bunch lately and wanted to share my latest design:)
( Skeleton and spider dvd holder! )

Dragons dragons everywhere

[ldhenson.livejournal.com]

I can't stay away from dragons long, it seems. My latest ones...





( Fake cut! )