Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
How to Make an Envelope Laptop Bag
Modifying the materials of what was needed to make my laptop case sans cardboard, foam padding and buckles, this is the resulting list of necessary items for an envelope case:
1/2 yard of quilted fabric (quilted material takes the place of extra padding)This is a picture of a laptop pattern from Instructables (you can go there and look through all those instructions):
Sewing machine
Thread, scissors, velcro and adhesive for velcro
But all I really needed was a sort of "envelope" for the netbook. And I wanted to make it look sharp, updated and personalized.
In comes a small piece of needlepoint that my mother completed in the 70's. Finally, I found a use for this piece that would be just right for using on the front of the case:
And I bought a half yard of this quilted Amy Butler fabric for the casing from the local fabric store:
Also, I found a previously used leather identification tag to adhere to the back of the case. In my notions stash was an old ribbon belt just the right colors to match the quilted fabric. That ribbon belt is actually old enough to be called vintage! So the belt was cut up and used for the front and back closing flap finishing.
This is the resulting envelope laptop case that was quickly sewn with right sides together, taking into account the 10 inch by 7 inch by 1 inch size of the HP netwook (the needlepoint was appliqued on by machine).
This is the back of the case showing the id tag, velcro closing, and belted ribbon for extra jazz:
Final picture of the back of the case with flap closed:
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Crafting Every Day
My goal is to spend time everyday working on something handmade for a year & photograph it.And she pretty well did it!
Here is a new challenge Kat mentioned that sounds fun from Iron Craft:.
Welcome to our 2011 craft challenge!
Crafting connects us. Glitter glues our friendship together. If we embark on a quilting expedition, we will put on our pith helmets, and do it together. Across the miles, we admire, advise and sympathize.
Here’s how it works:
Every Thursday one of us will post a creative challenge to be completed by the following Wednesday. The challenges maybe as specific as a particular pattern or as vague as a theme. They'll cover the gamut of crafting skills: knitting, sewing, quilting and so on. Every Wednesday we'll spotlight the results of the previous Thursday's challenge from our Flickr group. We'd love to have you join us for the year of what we hope will be a lot of fun.
Entry details can be found here. Are you up to it?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Carving on Cottonwood
Having all the appropriate paraphernalia (including several pieces of tree wood, the Dremel set and wood carving tools, sandpaper and paints), inspiration was all that was needed.
My first thought was to try and carve a forest gnome from this "raw branch" from the wood pile we use as fuel for our fire pit:
But wait! My analytic side said that a web search on wood carving was also needed. A refresher course on the Dremel tool for wood carving was found here; carving on wood information was found here; more basics on how to carve were found here. And finally, rules for carving faces from Gene Graham were found and can be accessed below the page break.
This rescued branch had an outgrowth of small twigs growing from it. After a bit of finessing with the Dremel sander and various small drills, it began to resemble an open mouth. Those twigs were filed down and refined and lo and behold, they began looking like big old teeth!
This is what the "Christmas deer" or gnome, or dog is looking like, but he still needs lots of work on his ears, forehead and temple.
It is a warm Saturday, so more carving refinement might be on today's agenda. And it will need paint!
To read more about carving heads from Gene Graham:
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Ink Jet Printer for Maps on a Tote Bag
Included on the map are places visited and written about in the UK by Jane Austen, Louise May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Mary Shelley and others. These are just some of the authors that Craftlit fans have been listening to over the past couple of years, and just a few of the cities referred to in the classics by these authors.
We are also planning on meeting up with other knitters in the UK at various pubs and yarn shops, whiling away our visiting time with our Craftlit neighbors across the pond.
Here is the website that helped me create injet printing of the maps on scrap fabric.
First, I Googled maps for London, ensuring our "home hotel", The Rembrandt, was the center of the map. Then I took a screen shot of the map, downloaded it and placed a few titles on the maps.
Similarly, for the second map used on the reverse side of the tote, Wales in the UK was Googled, with the Cardiff Hyatt as our central point of departure for various tours.
Then the maps were printed out onto fabric adhered to the freezer paper. After printing, the paper backing was ripped off and discarded.
After splitting open an inexpensive canvas tote bag, the fabric maps were sewn onto the outsides, secured with an applique edging over a corded ribbon for additional glitz.
Behind the map, a border of "foreign coin" fabric was used as a border for the map. After sewing on the maps and borders and ribbon, the tote was sewn back to its original shape.
Monday, August 16, 2010
How to Make a Watchband with Beads
This band was loosely based on the pattern by My Bagatelle.
Here is how it was made:
Cast on three stitches, using #1 double point needles and waxed cotton cord available at your local craft store. Knit three rows (for strength and attachment of the clasp on either end of the band). Then knit in one bead on each row, alternating putting the beads on either on the first or second stitch, ensuring the bead is facing the front and then purling it in place.
Attach the watch face to the beaded piece you have completed (about 2 inches long), and bead the other side in the same manner. Attach clasp end pieces to either side of the band. Done!
Here is a video showing the process of beading while knitting:
This was a fun and quick project.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Toad House
With that process in mind, a bit of looking around on the internet came up with some classy accommodations for toads that can be purchased here (picture also courtesy of that site):
It took several days for Mr. Toad to find his new home, but hopefully we can keep this renter through the rest of the summer.
Amazing how his toady skin is camouflaged in the dirt!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Knitted Wire and Beaded Bracelet
and here was good information and a free pattern to make another attractive bracelet.
With stretchy cord in hand, the first attempt was too bulky. Rip. Out it went.
Below is a picture of the final cuff. It was made in a similar manner to that found free at this site. Not only did I end up knitting on size 3 needles and copper wire, but also added embroidery floss crocheted edges.
If you are one of those knitters that has to touch every yarn you see (and owns a good bit of it), then you probably look at the myriads of beads on the market with an envious eye. All of those colors and textures are just begging to be tried. But – how can you possibly knit with every yarn and learn to bead at the same time? Here’s a logical solution: knit with beads.
Like you, I like to try new ideas, but so many seem to take too long to learn or too much of an investment. That is what led me to design a beaded bracelet that a beginner knitter could do with expert results. While knitting jewellery is a bit more tedious, in just a couple of hours you will have a piece that costs hundreds of dollars at a jewellery show (and you can say you knit your original yourself).
There are thousands of beads: glass, crystal, gemstone, clay, wood, etc. Any of which could be incorporated into a unique piece of jewellery, but for a basic bracelet (shown here in blue topaz, crystal quartz, and aquamarine) I recommend beads approximately 4mm in size.Give it a go and made a beaded bracelet, if you have the will. It is not a project for the faint of heart. I'm thinking that was my last beaded bracelet knit with wire the size of dental floss.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Earbud err.. Earwire Covers & Ishbel Scarf
Here is a very clever and quick remedy to your tangled listening problems: earwires in their own separate holders that keep them from getting on one another's turf.
Don't you jthink that is a great solution to keep your wires straight? Yes, my pretties, you know it is.
Here is my rendition of earwires, using a red 18" sport zipper and sewn up within ten minutes:
Now you go and make some for yourself and show me yours. Mr. Piggy is just too classy with his new listening accessory, and his earwires are now tangle free.
Ravelry friends, the Ishbel scarf, in rendition number two, is completed. All knitting specs and intricacies are shown on this Ravelry page regarding the lace weight sparkly kid merino and silk yarn.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
A Good Recipe for Oil Stains
In staining wood chairs, picture frames and even wooden siding on a small outdoor utility house, I have mixed together turpentine, oil paints and linseed oil in various proportions. Now I find a real formula for creating a stain! Here is the formula given from the site Antiquerestorers ...
Friday, June 11, 2010
Refinishing An Old Cedar Chest
But this was no ordinary cedar chest, because it once held the baby clothes of my now 91 year old father. So the chest has to be at least close to 100 years old. It just cannot be relegated to Good Will after being in the family for a century.
And simple advice: "A good paint stripper, a stain color that best matches the original, and finish with 3 coats of low lustre tung oil from All Experts.Secure the necessary tools and materials for refinishing a cedar chest. You will need sandpaper for removing the old finish and smoothing the cedar before refinishing. You can also select a mild stripper for removing the old finish; the cedar may be old and fragile, thus requiring a less abrasive method of finish removal. Stain will not be necessary; however, you will need to purchase water- or oil-based clear finish for the chest. Oil-based finish dries faster, and water-based cleans up easier. Choose satin, semi-gloss or glossy for the level of shine that you desire on the chest. You can also purchase wipe-on or brush-on finish. Use a cotton rag for the wipe-on finish and a fine-bristled brush for the brush-on finish.
Here is a peak of a little of what was stored in the old cedar chest, if there is a bit of closet voyeur in you:
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Jewelry Made from Silver Plated Flatware
In 1993, a Dallas newspaper wrote a story about dad's silver pieces and his crafting business.
Wm. Rogers Company cashed in on the deal of the popular oranges being shipped all over the country, and began plating flatware with orange blossoms on the handles of tableware. In 1910, Orange Blossom was one of its most popular flatware patterns.
From Charles McCarroll's memoirs:
The railroads had refrigerator cars manufactured to carry ice in order to keep the fruit fresh. Huge ice plants were built in stations across the country. The railcars were moved slowly so that the blocks of ice could be dumped from overhead into the refrigerator cars. The citrus fruits were picked from the trees, wrapped in tissue paper and packed in layers into the special wooden boxes in order to extend the freshness of the fruit. The California citrus growers found that Wm Rogers & Sons were plating silver. They made a deal for them to plate a unique pattern of dinnerware called Orange Blossom with silver.
Our families had numerous pieces of Orange Blossom and did use them. The spoons and tines of the forks were well worn but the handles can be used for key rings
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New Lamps from Old
From the All Free Crafts Blog:
...don’t relegate that old, boring lamp to the trash heap just yet. Take another look at it, and think what a coat of paint, a fancy button and some new feet could do.
Wood Lamp base of choiceWhite Paint
Decorative Button
Super Glue or Household Goop
Fine Sandpaper
Brass Corner Feet (optional)
Lamp Shade
Decorative Beaded Trim
Hot Glue Gun and Glue or Fabric Glue
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Making Fabric Labels
How do you begin? Instructables comes to the rescue with a simple method of transferring printing onto fabric. All that is needed is freezer paper, a pair of scissors and an iron, along with the fabric for printing.
A Piper Knits showed a nice label for her prayer shawls, thusly:
It's a good idea.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Nostepinne: a yarn winding tool
It was hand turned, all wood, with a natural finish, available for less than $15.
You can go here to a video of how to use it, courtesy of Designed by Kristi.
This should make crafting with yarn a bit easier, insofar as winding goes.
Monday, November 23, 2009
LED Lighting for Decoration
Here is a good summarization of LED cool white lights:
LEDs present many advantages over incandescent light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved robustness, smaller size, faster switching, durable and reliable. However, they are relatively expensive and require more precise current and heat management than traditional light sources. Current LED products for general lighting have higher costs than fluorescent lamp sources of comparable output.Also, the lights are stated to have a 25,000 hour average light bulb life. The purchased light string consisting of 30 bulbs was less than $5.
Although the cool lights do not emit a "warm" glow, hopefully the candles on the table centerpiece will add to the soft lighting ambience.
Please visit tomorrow for a famous cranberry relish recipe supplied via an NPR podcast.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Fall Decorations - Quilted Centerpieces
Pat has also shown one of her quilts at the annual International Quilt Festival always held in Houston.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Faux Pearls, Satin Ribbon and Lace Bible for Brides
Aunt Mary George made me this Bible cover back in the 60's when I married my children's father. As you can see, I could not bear to discard it. Perhaps it can be repurposed for another wedding years later, if the bride cares to use it as a "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" sentiment to be carried for the ceremony.
The yellowing of the white lace adds to the vintage look, so perhaps only a touch of new ivory lace is all that will be added for a later bride.
Then again, if the bride and groom trade vows while skydiving or wearing hiking boots on an Australian walkabout adventure, this sentimental touch would be a bit anachronistic.
Maybe I'll just hang on to this vintage decorated Bible as a touch of the past.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Affirmation Journal - Keeping Centered
Looking through her journals today and seeing her signature watercolors makes me smile long after she has died. While working on a psychiatric hospital mental health team a few years ago, I used this form of "paper and reading craft" in helping severely depressed clients. Giving each patient the knowledge that positive affirmations kept in the forefront of our spirits is an aid to better mental health, and then teaching this simple act of clipping and pasting, proved to be a valuable teaching activity. Call it occupational therapy if you wish; affirmation journal making was engaging and helpful in channeling innermost thoughts toward a higher plane of purpose.
Above are some pictures of the pages of Ann McCarroll's journal. I hope you enjoy them, and perhaps this simple idea may set you on your own personal journey of seeking, saving and reviewing affirmations.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Foliage Centerpiece inside Centerpiece
After the soil was watered, transplantation of blooming grape hyacinths and ajuga ground cover completed the task. Then it was time for Mother Nature to take over, helping roots to establish and the plants to begin flourishing.
In the middle of the container, I placed this plant to take up the negative space:
Then all that was needed to finish off the project were some silk fall foliage.
Supply list: One large decorative container; one smaller container to fit inside the decorative one; potting soil, perennial plants and silk flowers to dress up the project
It is outside on the patio table, still blooming and looking "fallish". It was an easy project and fun to complete. The plastic pot inside the larger teacup container is a bit too high for this particular centerpiece, but you get the idea of how this can be finished off.