Monday, December 20, 2010

Necklace with plastic parachute men

Yes, smarty pants. I just posted about psidmadethis. But you know when you find a website that has so much eye candy and great ideas that you can't stop yourself from looking at the whole *&%@ thing? So far this project is my favorite. I could make it, would totally wear it and can think of at least 3 friends who would want one. Maybe that's my new project criteria. Pantone declared TURQUOISE as the color of 2010.  I must admit I’ve always declared my devotion to this rock solid hue!  Turquoise, the blue-ish green-ish mineral gets tumbled into stones, polished into perfect accessories, and painted all over town.  This happy hue of a rock, makes any outfit pop and standout.  My fashion friends, TORY, RALPH, & OSCAR often drip and drape collections always making it work in turq!
To make your version of the turquoise-inspired statement necklace, hit up local toy stores, 5 and Dimes, or AMAZON for Parachute Men toy soldiers. Purchase a few packs and pick out all the blue ones.  Another option is to spray paint them with a coat of turq paint, if you cant find the hue you want. Find your center point of the necklace, knot on the middle man, and continue to space equal distance on both sides, securing with knots as you go.  Double knot a turquoise ribbon on either end, and snip excess.  P.S.- Look fab, look poised… look chic in your faux turquoise!

Making Jackpot!!!!

Fashion, art, and creativity make the world go ‘round.  When all are combined, endless and innovative magic happens.  The never-ending cycle of a circle is something that is sought after.  This season, set your sights not only on infinite possibilities, but also scarves!  The circle scarf has become a staple in everyones’ wardrobe.  Infuse the essential chunky knit to stay cozy and au currant.  Continuous knit circle scarves can be worn long and loose or wrapped up right.  Either way you style it,  circle gets the square!
To create your own DIY circle scarf, simply cut off the bottom half of your sweater, hem the raw edge with Gorilla Tape by sticking halfway down, and folding over to seal.  After completely “hemmed”, roll underneath several times to hide the tape and create a soft edge.Have you seen psimadethis.com? Go! Right now!!! If you aren't inspired by this website, well. You can finish that sentence for yourself. And Gorilla Tape?? Who knew? Wait until you see the blogger's "craft closet."

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

More fun with fleece... longggg mittens......

The best part about this tutorial might be the super cute picture of the baby getting his/her hand measured. And its a good chance to practice sewing with elastic.... and once you get the hang of it you could make A LOT. Update! Made three pairs this morning - great instructions. Might try it next with two layers of fleece for the older kids.long mittens

Thinking about making this in a knit fabric..... someday.....

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZZi-YUdqLL_jTUNECtYfG7zU8e7mqaSttY-uVBB7kgvkE4F4vOA5Z55X55i13yFMD1GUdvn4HMVMwkZMoYtPIz7MK9-zwCWnrNMX8Z62u92GtHv9PqF0FSHTpOmQaWDQpZAK5_-0jpM/s1600/multi+reversible+cape02.jpg
Check out this blog for an amazing cape, scarf, jacket, thing.... I'm not convinced that it would look great on everyone but I am convinced that I need to check out the other projects on this site! 405 followers can't be wrong...

Friday, December 10, 2010

oh boy! got an old fleece blanket?

...then you can make SOCKS for everyone in your NEIGHBORHOOD! Well. At least 20 of them? Check out this post from (again) Instructables. The finished produce is a little rough, but the whole process of how to make the pattern and sew it together is super clear. I'm pretty sure this is a job for Serger Girl! The author also writes the "Heirloom Technology" column for Instructables. I think its his foot in the picture. Update: if you try this remember to run the stretchy part of the fleece width-wise - in this picture the stripes run across the stretch direction. you want the finished socks to stretch width-wise... especially if you made them a little tight to begin with. Like someone I know. I'm also considering getting a pattern so I can make these for people whose actual foot and calf might not be present. Cause who doesn't need more fleece socks! Make Paper Patterns

Pajama pants!!!

Lounge!I have to hand it to the youngsters who wear flannel pajama pants out and about. That would be my choice 27/7. Of course, if they keep doing it into adulthood, it might negatively impact their employment opportunities. But hey, with this easy tutorial they can at least keep themselves clothed! No pattern required. Thanks Instructables! Update: made a pair for a present and got some fleece to make a pair for meeeeee! Very easy. I'm liking the tutorials for minimal pattern projects.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Embellished tees for boyz and girlz (and me!)

OK. This great t-shirt project is supposed to be for kids. But I really want to do this argyle. I love that they just use a simple stitch and pieces of cut up other shirts or jersey. Thanks makeit-loveit.com!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

lovely "catch and release" scarf

Someone can make one of these lovely scarves for me anytime. Maybe navy blue? Brava Presser Foot! (http://presserfoot.blogspot.com) ps: Do you think her dining room is always that clean? The floors are shiny!

Will someone please try this???

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Really. This belt is CUTE! Tell me how it goes. Thanks alemonsqueezyhome.blogspot.com!

More silk screening techniques for people with no skills (me)!



























Wow. This method for silk screening seems much more doable than the whole silk, squeegee, having your own studio, being 22 and cool method. Thanks naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com!

I can print something off, trace it, modge-podge it and dab some ink around... right Danyelle? (A big shout out to my only follower so far!) (I know you are out there Shannon...)

It seems to allow for more detail than the freezer paper method. Maybe we should stage some kind of celebrity death match - the hoop team vs. the freezer paper team. Or we could just have the unicorn onesie baby face-off against the gold-fish pants baby.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Another project for the wee-ones

It shows how to make these pacifier clips using a serger (word of the day!!!) but you could do this with a sewing machine no problem (she says having never done it but with total authority). I may need to make one of these for my keys. And wallet. And cell phone. And brain. Thanks sewmamasew.com!

Silk screening for people with no skills (me)

Who likes Goldfish? I like this idea for making a stencil out of freezer paper... But really, if you like Goldfish tell me cause then I know what I'm making you for xmas...tiny tiny tiny brown pants. With Goldfish on them. And a bag of Goldfish. G'damn. Pepperidge Farms should be paying me for this post! Back to http://www.dana-made-it.com/ to see what other stuff she's got going on!

What about something for those babies?????



Love this project except for the part about buying the scarf from the dollar store to make them. I wonder what else you could use? Can you buy that scrunchy fabric by the yard? And please note.... this project requires a SERGER!! Let the countdown to Friday begin!!! I said COUNT!!

Thanks obsessively stitching!

OK THAT'S IT!

I'm buying a serger. Because I'm pretty sure you all would rather get one of these than a crazy flower broach. Am I right? Am I right????? Update: this project is my nemesis. Broke two needles in the seger, finally gave up and just made some jersey scarves without the lettuce edge. It's not like I can write to the Etsy seller and say, "hey, how did you make that so I can make it and not buy it from you?" Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. After all. Tomorrow is another day!


Ladies and Gentlemen. I give you...

The Zipper Flower. Why do I love it? Because its awesome. Because it combines metal and felt. Because I think I could actually make it. Not sure about the tulle. But I could be convinced... Yes, the photograph is also very well composed.

Friday, November 19, 2010

new kitchen rug from old bedroom sheets?

There isn't enough time in the day for projects like this recycled rag rug from my new favorite site Craft Passion. Someday, if I ever stop surfing for tutorials on how to make stuff... I will make some stuff....Recycle Braided Rag Rug

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Enough with the flower broaches! Bring on the scarves!!

scarf_tiled.jpgThis project reuses an old sweater to make a new scarf (the author calls it a "donor sweater"). I wonder how it would look without the ribbon? But then you couldn't wear it like an Elizabethan collar.

Definitely worth a try... thanks Craftzine.scarf_beauty_600x400.jpg

Sunday, November 7, 2010

This one is pretty-pretty and involves FIRE!!!

Noone wants hair on their knuckles anyway, so why not try singeing some silk to make this FANTASTIC broach? (Just slap a little hand-made butter on that burn and it will heal up in no time.) (no. don't do that. butter is bad for burns. even hand-churned butter.)

Crafting Wisdom from Amy Sedaris

"If you craft, and you should, craft with abandon and don’t judge your work. It’s the process that’s important, not the final product. Remember, for every person who deems your project crap, there is another person who hasn’t seen it. The only person you have to please is yourself, and what do you know about art?" Amy Sedaris, from an interview with who else... Etsy.Simple-Times-foretsy-page-47.jpg

OK, this one is not about the sweater...

Love the color gradation and the size and shape of the petals - from the same Etsy shop as the orangy-one. Vaivanat. Now how do we find felt like that? Is this going to be one of those infinitely-expanding projects where you have to make the raw materials yourself? Like making toast and realizing you've got to churn the g-damn butter yourself?Etsy :: vaivanat :: Felt Flower Brooch --Black and White Dahlia -- Hand felted wool -- size X Large

I'm not sure about the flower broach. Tell me more...

Tell ya... I'm a gonna show ya! Some fantastic ideas for felt flower broaches. Like this one from stylehive. But do I love the flower or that sweater? Or the fact that that lady has no wrinkles and lips people pay good money for...

Coming in on the back-end of a trend....?

Who cares. These flower pins are darn cute. Let's make-em!

Want to have a crafting night with friends...

But don't know what projects are do-able. Especially after a little red wine? Here are some ideas that are easy, don't require sewing machines and won't lead to major injuries. Well. You know your friends better than I. They may just put an eye out with one of these lovely little pencils from omiyagegblogs.

You've Got to Make It Make It!

It's dark at 5. There's nothing on TV. You are wondering what a tote bag made out of plastic bags would look like and how to make it. You've come to the right place...