August 21, 2010
Gillian
closeAuthor: Gillian
Name: Gillian Grimm
Site: http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/
About: Gillian Grimm lives in Charlottesville, Virginia where she balances writing, cooking and crafts with eight chickens, two kids, a dog, a cat and a husband. As the daughter of a Journalist, she grew up all over the United States, switching schools, towns and newspapers every few years and loved every minute of it! She now works as a freelance writer, primarily in the craft industry but with a few forays into travel writing, narrative non-fiction and educational matters. Gillian was recently published in the literary journal the “The Northville Review”. You can find more of Gillian’s work at “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.See Authors Posts (75)
Crafts, Jewelry Making, Projects, Techniques and Mediums, Trends
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By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.
Aside from my wedding ring and my grandmother’s screw on (i.e. can’t fall off) diamond earrings, the only jewelry that I wear on any kind of regular basis are bracelets. I love necklaces, but about a week after my first child was born I realized that kids and necklaces don’t mix. Or at least my kids and necklaces don’t mix. Although now that they are 4 and 8 I’m probably safe to wear them again. But I’m out of practice. My jewelry box is full of bracelets.
Or I should say it’s full of lots of broken bracelets and a few hearty specimens that have survived where the others failed. I break bracelets all the time. Part of this I can blame on the kids, but most of it is all me. I spend a lot of time at the computer and I am constantly putting on and taking off my bracelets, and eventually, they break. Recently I moved most of the broken but-I’ll-fix-it-someday bracelets to a bead jar on my desk and in the process I realized that in most cases I don’t have all the bits and bobs from the originals, so returning them back to that state is probably not going to happen. Enter Stretch Magic.
If you are a veteran of jewelry making, you know all about this stuff, but I’d never tried it and I was so excited to get my hands on some and start turning my jar-o-beads back into wearable jewelry again.
Before you start, think about the size of the holes on your beads. Stretch Magic comes in a variety of thicknesses and several colors. Most of my beads had larger holes and since breaking has been an issue in the past, I chose the 1mm clear for my projects.
If you don’t have any broken bracelets or necklaces to start with (lucky you!) you can always peruse the many options that are out there just waiting for you to make something from them. I know I could go absolutely overboard buying different beads and charms in the jewelry making section.
Cut a good four inches longer than your wrist is around and start sliding on the beads, thinner Stretch Magic may require a needle but I had no problem using it straight with my larger holed beads. Once you have arranged your beads the way you want, tie the ends together using an overhand knot or two to secure the two pieces together without slippage. Trim the ends and enjoy your new (old) jewelry!
August 17, 2010
GilliancloseAuthor: Gillian
Name: Gillian Grimm
Site: http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/
About: Gillian Grimm lives in Charlottesville, Virginia where she balances writing, cooking and crafts with eight chickens, two kids, a dog, a cat and a husband. As the daughter of a Journalist, she grew up all over the United States, switching schools, towns and newspapers every few years and loved every minute of it! She now works as a freelance writer, primarily in the craft industry but with a few forays into travel writing, narrative non-fiction and educational matters. Gillian was recently published in the literary journal the “The Northville Review”. You can find more of Gillian’s work at “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.See Authors Posts (75)
Crafts, Green Crafting, Kid's Crafts, Projects
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By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.
I don’t know about you, but where I live, it’s full on farmer’s market season. Something new seems to come into season every few days and the stalls, and my garden, are overflowing with produce. Between the peaches and blackberries and beans and corn, we’re entering into the busy season for preserving. Our pantry is beginning to look like we’re preparing for Y2K.
But rather than prepping for disaster, I like to stock up on homemade goodies every summer in part to have a ready supply of gifts to give come winter. When the snow is falling and the temperature has dropped below freezing, there’s nothing better than a jar of homemade strawberry jam to cheer everyone up. And to help get my self jam-giving ready, this year I’m making ready to go jam covers so that when the time comes, I don’t even have to wrap. One of the styles of covers I’m working on this summer is this simple, stamped burlap cover. And you can make some too in less time than it takes to sterilize your jars.
Here’s what you need:
Burlap
Fabric Scissors
Foam Letter Stamps
Craft Paint
Foam Brush
Newsprint or scrap paper
1.Using one of the rings from your jars as a guide, cut a circle two inches wider all around out of the burlap.
2. Set the circle onto the scrap paper to catch any paint that seeps through the fabric.
3. Brush a light coat of paint onto each letter and, centering the word on the circle, stamp your letters firmly.
4. Allow the paint to dry before tying on with a colorful string of bulky piece of yarn.
Presto! Gift ready!
August 16, 2010
Anitra
closeAuthor: Anitra
Name: Anitra Cameron
Site: http://coffee-pot-people.blogspot.com/
About: Anitra Cameron had the good fortune to be born into a family where creativity ran rampant. Her father has authored several books and worked as a photographer and her mother hand-painted portraits. Anitra’s favorite crafts to make are: Jewelry (especially using buttons), collaged book marks, miniature cake stands, all from recycled materials. Anitra’s moto: “Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without.” Live with that long enough and you’ll never want to throw anything away, so best to turn it into art! Anitra lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, where their combined family’s total seven children, and (so far) seventeen grandchildren. Recently Anitra became a great-grandmother of a darling little boy! You can find more of Anitra’s work at “Coffee Pot People”.See Authors Posts (44)
Crafts, Green Crafting, Projects, Techniques and Mediums
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By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.
It was the perfect confluence of habits: I love, collect, and acquire a lot of laces, braids, and other trims, our family of two eats a lot of eggs, and I hate throwing things out that look like they could be useful.
I heard that! You’re scratching your head and saying, “HUH?”
Here’s the deal. I’ve been looking at egg cartons for years, trying to think of an afterlife for them. I also groan every time I open the drawer that holds those laces and trims I’m such a magnet for. Hard as I try to keep that drawer tidy, it always ends up seriously jumbled. Yesterday those two things just sort of collided in my brain, and I had an epiphany, just a little-bitty one, but a good one nonetheless.
Here’s what I did. I took an egg carton, in this case one from a five-dozen pack (told you) but a regular one would work as well, cut off the edges, and started wrapping lace trims around it.
The egg cup rows kept the laces in their places, the texture of the paper carton held onto the trims like gentle Velcro, and the rectangles still had just a bit of that nestling instinct. And they fit perfectly into those shoebox size plastic boxes, of which I had several, with room on the ends for a baggie filled with the short bits and pieces left over from past projects.
Now I can either put those boxes in the lace drawer or on a shelf, and instead of trying to riffle through this:
I can pick up one of these and see exactly what I have, without causing a lace explosion!
August 12, 2010
GilliancloseAuthor: Gillian
Name: Gillian Grimm
Site: http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/
About: Gillian Grimm lives in Charlottesville, Virginia where she balances writing, cooking and crafts with eight chickens, two kids, a dog, a cat and a husband. As the daughter of a Journalist, she grew up all over the United States, switching schools, towns and newspapers every few years and loved every minute of it! She now works as a freelance writer, primarily in the craft industry but with a few forays into travel writing, narrative non-fiction and educational matters. Gillian was recently published in the literary journal the “The Northville Review”. You can find more of Gillian’s work at “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.See Authors Posts (75)
Crafts, Jewelry Making, Projects
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By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.
Here’s the perfect project for your fashionista tween. These button bobby pins are fast, easy and infinitely customizable. And bonus! They require no sewing! You need very (VERY) little fabric for this so instead of buying new, have your tween search through your scrap bag or even harvest some fabric from favorite worn-out clothing. You can also vary the style by changing the button size. Look for variety packs for button kits so they can create all kinds of styles and looks.
Here’s what you need:
Fabric scraps
Covered Button Kit
Fabric Scissors
Bobby Pins
1. Cut circles of fabric about the size indicated on the back of the button package. Pay attention to what is centered on the fabric, this will be what’s on your button.
2. Center the circle of fabric on your button holder and press the button top in so that the fabric is pulled tight over the front.
3. Fold down the edges and place the button backing on top, pressing it into place with the presser piece.
4. Pop out your button and thread the shank of the button onto the bobby pin. Pop them in your hair and your ready to go!
August 8, 2010
Mable Craftsalot
closeAuthor: Mable Craftsalot
Name: Mable Craftsalot
Site: http://www.Facebook.com/CreateForLess
About: The name says it all! Mable Crafts-alot is an avid reader of craft blogs & magazines and has aspirations to improve her crafting skills. Mable has never met a craft she didn’t like! Mable spends her free time attending craft classes at local community centers, and even teaches a few. When she is not crafting she enjoys cooking, reading, photography and gardening. Mable loves to connect with other crafters to share project ideas, discuss craft trends and chat about favorite crafting tools and techniques. To learn more about Mable, become her friend on Facebook!See Authors Posts (18)
Crafts, Holidays & Seasons, Needlearts, Paper Crafts, Projects
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By Crafts-a lot Contributor, Mable who is an avid reader of craft blogs & magazines and has aspirations to improve her crafting skills.
I love Birthdays! My birthday was a few weeks ago, and I received the cutest gift bag from my crafty friend Kim. She made a felted cake with candles, and glued to the front of my card. I loved the idea so much I stole it and used it to make a birthday gift bag.
To start, gather these supplies:
Felt
Roving felt
Felting needle
Foam block
Gift Bag
Birthday Scrapbook paper
Hot glue gun
Optional: Birthday stickers, embellishments, die cuts
To create this cupcake felt appliqué, start with a square piece of felt. The first layer of felt will be the cupcake holder. I cut the bottom piece of felt in the shape of a cupcake. Lay the felt on your foam block, and take pieces of a different color roving felt and make long “snakes” by rubbing them in your palms. Attach the roving felt snakes to the bottom felt with your felting needle. To do this, push the needle through the roving felt into the bottom felt. Repeat this around the edges of each stripe on the cupcake holder.
For the cupcake top, I took yellow roving felt and formed a circle. I laid it on the round part of my cupcake bottom felt piece and secured the yellow roving felt with my felting needle. My cupcake was completely shaped with three small circles.
I decorated my cupcake with a flower also made from roving felt. To make the flower I made another “snake” from red roving felt. I attached one end to the cupcake, made a loop, and attached the other end to make each bloom. There were five loops to make my flower.
After my flower was done, it was ready to be glued onto the gift bag. I had decorated the gift bag by gluing 2 different patterned birthday scrapbook sheets down to make the backdrop. Next I just needed to glue down my felt cupcake with the hot glue gun.
July 22, 2010
GilliancloseAuthor: Gillian
Name: Gillian Grimm
Site: http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/
About: Gillian Grimm lives in Charlottesville, Virginia where she balances writing, cooking and crafts with eight chickens, two kids, a dog, a cat and a husband. As the daughter of a Journalist, she grew up all over the United States, switching schools, towns and newspapers every few years and loved every minute of it! She now works as a freelance writer, primarily in the craft industry but with a few forays into travel writing, narrative non-fiction and educational matters. Gillian was recently published in the literary journal the “The Northville Review”. You can find more of Gillian’s work at “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.See Authors Posts (75)
Crafts, Holidays & Seasons, Kid's Crafts, Projects
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By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.
Whether you’re sending the kids off to camp this summer or just dropping them at your parents for the weekend, it’s always nice to get a note from them so you can see what they are up to. Send them off on their adventure with a set of cards made by their own hands (and don’t forget the pre-addressed and stamped envelopes!) to help ensure you get a few scribbled lines from them while they are away having fun!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Blank card or half a sheet of cardstock for each card
Unpopped bubblewrap
Craft Paint (any colors!)
Foam brush
1. Brush paint in a pattern over the bubbles, try stripes or paint each dot a different hue, let them go a little crazy with the paint. You’ll want to work fairly quickly so that the paint doesn’t dry before you make your print, but even if some of the dots don’t print, you’ll still get a fun look!
2. Center your paper over the painted bubbles and smooth so that every bubble comes in contact with the paper.
3. Peel the paper back carefully and lay flat to dry.
4. Fold into cards and pack them up with the envelopes in their bags and they are ready to go!
July 21, 2010
Amy A
closeAuthor: Amy A
Name: Amy A
Site:
About: Amy Anderson is a 32-year-old transplant from Seattle living in Atlanta, Georgia. She was born from creative genes, and is carrying on the tradition. She has been knitting for 17 years, sewing for longer and decoupaging for just a few. She does all of these things on a daily basis, or at least as much as she can. In addition to Mod Podge, Amy loves the color blue, dogs, reading, cold weather, funny movies, road rallies, yogurt, garden gnomes, sock monkeys, running, tattoos, being outdoors, buttons, snuggling and apparently blogging. Amy says “who knew I could enjoy crafting and then blogging about it this much?” You can find more of Amy’s work at “Mod Podge Rocks!”See Authors Posts (30)
Crafts, Jewelry Making, Projects, Trends
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By General Crafts Contributor Amy, from the Blog “Mod Podge Rocks!”
As a crafter, I have TONS of bags. Some of the bags I have are merely functional rather than good looking, so I like to embellish them. Ones of the ways I embellish things are with pins! Pins can be small or large, and they are easy to make with supplies that you probably already have on hand. Pins are great scrapbusters! They can also be made pretty quickly and give as gifts. As you can see, my pin is inspired by summer.
To make, you’ll need to gather these supplies:
Chipboard shape – approximately 2″ x 4″
K&Company Berry Sweet Paper and Chipboard Fruit Embellishments
Mod Podge Matte
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – Yellow Citron, Hot Pink (or coordinating colors)
Pink Rhinestones
Wood Letter – initial of your choice
Pin back
Craft Glue
Scissors
Pencil
Take a small piece of scrapbook paper a little larger than your chipboard piece and trace. Cut the shape out and set aside.
Paint your chipboard shape and letter – since they are so small, I just painted them both on both sides. Cover completely and allow to dry.
Spread Mod Podge on the top of your chipboard shape. Grab the paper you cut and smooth down thoroughly. You can use your hands – I always use a brayer because it works *really* well. Allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
You are now ready to coat the top. Give a medium layer of Mod Podge and allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes. I also put a coat of Mod Podge onto my letter “A.”
Time to add embellishments! I used craft glue to add the letter “A,” the strawberry and then one rhinestone in each corner for a little bling. Allow to dry.
