Craft Tip of the Day

To make your house smell like you've been baking at the holidays, make gingerbread ornaments by combining glue, applesauce, and cinnamon into dough, rolling out, and cutting with gingerbread cookie cutters. Decorate with cloves, punch a hole in the top, and let dry over night or longer. Then, string ribbon through the hole, and hang on your christmas tree, in your car, or anywhere else that needs a little holiday touch. These also make great gifts!

Craft Tip of the Day

Always Keep your Crafting Supplies Organized, or You Could End Up With An Immense Mess

Craft Tip of the Day

To make a chair look like new, reupholster it in a funky fabric!

Craft Tip of the Day

Jazz up a wreath by wrapping it in red, green, or silver ribbon.

Jazz up your lampshade by adding feathers along the rims!

Craft Tip of the Day

To make namecards pop, write on them in calligraphy, but after each letter, before the ink dries, sprinkle with glitter. Then, clear the glitter off and you have a name that seems to be written in glitter glue. This also works for gift tags, since the holidays are so near!

Craft Tip of the Day

When beading with resilient string, be sure to fasten knots securely, or they will slip out of place.

Craft Tip of the Day

If you're interested in calligraphy but don't know how to make the letters, invest in a starter kit of pens and ink. They usually include a pamphlet that displays the company's font of calligraphy, and sometimes a generall font, also.

Craft Tip of the Day

For really great beading ideas and directions, go to jewelryrecipes.com

Craft Tip of the Day

Instead of using liquid glue to stick paper together, use glue stick, glue dots, or even double sided tape!

Craft Tip of the Day

To make keepsake gift tags, write names on card stock in hand calligraphy. You can put these tags in scrap books for keepsakes.

Craft Tip of The Day

To make something wood look like it's made of metal, wrap it in alluminum foil.

Tip of the Day

Paint a small chest to look like a treasure chest. Place various items in it, such as an eye patch, a stuffed parrot, and chocolate coins.  Give it to a child for their birthday, or for another holiday when you recieve gifts, or keep it in your room, and use the items as a reward when kids behave well.

Cratf Tip of the Day

Make your own tree skirt out of felt using a simple pattern.

Tip of the Day

To paint small polka dots, use the end of a paper clip dipped in paint.

New Updates

I have not sorted all of my beads yet but I have done a few. I was going to participate in the Big Run craft show on Saturday, tomorrow, but I have dicided to go to Smicksburg, PA, Amish country, instead. They have 2 craft shows every year, so I can set up a table at the next one. Well, as usual, always craft creatively!

Sry

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while but I have been very busy sorting my beads, and I'm still not done.  I might not post for a while, but just to let you know, that is why, and I am still alive, and definately not dead.  Thank you, and if I die, please send daisies or lilacs.  Thank You.

In Addition to Spill The Beads

I would like to add an extended ending to Don't Spill The Beads.  Another Moral to this story is make sure that if you have a little brother that he either knows not to go into your room, or else your door has a lock on it, or maybe, if all else fails, that your door at least closes the whole way, and latches.  That is all.

Never Spill the Beads

Recently, someone, who I do not know the name of, went into my room, got into my collection of various beads, and spilled them all throughout my bead case.  I was not a happy camper, and will not be doing anything for the next few days except sorting beads, so if I don't post for a while you will know why.  In conclusion, a word of advice: NEVER SPILL THE BEADS!!!

Note to Readers

Here is a note to all of my blog readers.  I have been saying the whole time that I have been publishing on this blog that I will show you how to make tigertail wire bracelets.  So, as soon as I record it, there will be the directions, plus a recording of me explaining how to make these tigertail wire bracelets.  This is actually true this time!.................................hopefully.

Dog Collars

Today I am going to tell you how to make a pretty dog collar for a pretty dog that you own or know.  These make great gifts to pet lovers!  First, you start out with a regular chain link dog collar.  Then, you hot glue a piece of ribbon to one end and weave it through all of the links.  Then you hot glue it on the other end, put the dog's tags on it, and put it on your dog!  Remember, always craft creatively!

2 Minute Locker Magnet

If you need to have a magnet for your locker and are on a tight schedule, try the 2 minute locker magnet!  First, cut a shape or letter from paper or cardstock.  Then, glue or tape it to a magnet.  Well, there you have it, the 2 minute locker magnet.

Bracelets........Finally

So, finally, I am going to show you how to make a high-quality homemade bracelet. For this project, you will need1 10" Piece of Tigertail Wire

4 Crimping Beads

1 Lobster Claw Clasp

1 Jump Ring

Scissors

Pliers

Assorted Beads

Here are the directions in print, or you can listen to the recording at the bottom.

Take your 10 inch piece of tigertail wireand string on 2 crimping beads. Then, string on your jump ring and double tigertail wire back through the crimping beads. Crimp with Pliers. Next, string on assorted beads that you like in a nice fashion, or a pattern, if you so desire. String on 2 more crimping beads, and then your lobster claw clasp. Double your tigertail wire back through the crimping beads, and then crimp the crimping beads with pliers. Now you are ready to wear your bracelet!

Why are they called fat quarters: Answered!

So, remember my theory about how those pieces of fabric came to be known as fat quarters?

Well, I got an answer from a friend:

A fat quarter is cut differently than a regular fourth yard of fabric, and is slightly bigger, hence the name "Fat Quarter."

Afterwords, an anonymous reader commented that Jean Wells (Author and owner of the Stitchin' Post quilt shop in Sisters, Oregon) claims that she invented the term 30+ years ago.

Well, hope this solves your curiosity and that you also enjoyed the comical theory in my former post.

Today's Random Thoughts

Well, I haven't done anything crafti recently, here are today's random thoughts:

I love the laptop that I got for my birthday yesterday!!!

The middle school is awesome.

Wal-Mart is cool.

Always craft creatively!!

Mp3 Player Cases

If you ever try to sew an Mp3 Player or Ipod case, good luck to you. We have been trying for 2 days now and still have not finished a single one. But, maybe you will find a better pattern for one. For anybody who has a pattern out of quilts and more magazine, when you are sewing the corners, if you find the directions a bit confusing, like we did, you may want to refer to the Eleanor Burns show aired on August 7, 2008. She shows you exactly what to do. Well, hope this helped! Always craft creatively!

Locker Bulletin Boards

Did you ever think that having a bulletin board in your locker would be helpful? Well, so did I, so I made a mini bulletin board to hang in my locker this year. Do you think you know how I made it? Well, if you do, scroll down to find out if you're right, and if you don't, scroll down to find out



Materials:

• 1 piece of thick cardboard


• 1 piece of patterned paper


• a stapler


• stickers (optional)


• calligraphy equipment (optional)

You take the patterned paper and place it face down on your work space. Place the cardboard face down over top of the paper. Fold the paper back over the edges of the cardboard and staple in place. Flip it over so it is face up. You can either leave it as it is, or embellish. When I did mine, I put the name of the person at the top. Say I was making it for a girl named Amber. At the top, I wrote Amber's locker at the top in calligraphy and placed smiley face stickers that matched the paper on either side of the calligraphy. Hope this helped you! Always craft creatively!

Tips For The Crafter

If you ever decide that you want to make your own school gym bag, or any bag for that matter, be careful when buying interfacing. Make sure that it is not too short. I am telling you this from experience. Also, if you're making something out of mohair yarn, and think you can just use a yarn that is similar, think again! Someone I know made this mistake and the similar yarn was too fuzzy for her project. Always craft creatively!

Duct Tape Beads.......Not A Good Idea

Have you ever tried to make a bead out of duct tape? Well, I have. I do not recommend it. All it does is waste duct tape and your time and make your bead hole maker sticky. So, what do you make beads out of? If you want to make one-of-a-kind beads that don't make anything sticky, I suggest making your beads out of wool roving. 1 ounce can make about thirty beads. You just wet a small amount of it in warm, soapy water, and roll into a ball. Then, let dry for a few seconds, and stick a needle, pin, kabob skewer, or something along those lines, depending on how big you want your hole to be, into the middle of the bead, and let dry overnight, or until completely dry. You can also use a blow dryer for quicker drying time.

Why is the fabric called Fat Quarters?????

Has anybody out there ever wondered how they began to call those pieces of fabric fat quarters? Well if this is you, join the club, but then scroll down to find the answer.



























And the answer is: .....................................................................................................Nobody knows. But, if you would like to hear my theory on the subject, read on.



Fat quarters must have been invented long ago, when girls were taught to sew at a very young age, but few could spell even beginner words such as flat. Now, before I go on, I should tell you that if you go to Jo Ann Fabrics and buy a fat quarter, the label actually says "Flat Quarters." So, continuing with the story, the girl was sent to the store by her mother to buy a small amount of fabric, that their local general store sold. She got there, and looked for the fabric. The shopkeepers wife had labeled it "Fat Quarters" by mistake. The young girl sounded it out fat, and then in conversations with many people, these fat quarters came up, and so everyone began to know these small amounts of fabric as fat quarters. I hope you enjoyed my theory.

Rugs...........How to and what with.

Ever wonder how you can make your own rug? Well, I am now going to tell you. First, you should know what materials you need. Below is a list for your convenience.

• Fabric cut into strips or a ball of yarn (choose 1)
• Thread
• Needle
• Scissors

So, your first material in the list, take that and braid it together. Then, take that and sew it in a circle by hand, and you have a rug!

P. S. This is not as easy as it seems, and can easily turn into a long-term project. Have fun!

Watercolor Pencils

Hello. Recently, we were doing some spring cleaning and came across an old Watercolor Pencils kit, so I decided to try the art. I did most of the projects in the book and I think they turned out quite well. If you like the look of watercolors, but have yet to succeed in the art of shading and mixing, and do not want to buy expensive high quality watercolors just to practice with, watercolor pencils are for you. All you need is a set of watercolor pencils, a cup or jar of water, and a paintbrush. There are two main tecniques. You can color and draw with the dry pencils and the go over with a wet paintbrush, or you can dip the tips of the pencils in water and then draw or color. The first is good for creating a softer effect, the second better for bold strokes. Hope that you try your hand at the art of watercolor pencils!

Craft Books 101.......What to look for, Where to go

I know what you're thinking...Why would I buy books on crafts when I could just search my craft with a search engine such as Google, MSN, Verizon, or Yahoo? The answer is this: no matter what website you go to, you may not remember the web address to review, they will not have as detailed information, and most websites are subject to deletion at any time. So, what do I need to look for in a book, you say? Well, if you generally craft in many different ways, you may want to choose something with multiple crafts listed. If you're into jewelery making, and mostly use one certain brand of beads, you will want to buy a book that is made by that same company, because most likely they will use their beads for the projects in the book. If you're into sewing and love a certain collection's fabrics, you will want to buy a book that focuses on projects that use fabric from that collection for the same reasons. Now, where do you go to buy craft books? If you're looking for specific crafts, you may want to check out Michael's or Jo Ann Fabrics, but if you are looking for books with many types of crafts, or want many different books with one craft each in them, I will suggest a store such as Trader Horn or Ollie's Discount Store. I hope that this helps you in your search for craft books, whether you are a weaver, jeweler, or a painter.

Crafts That I Enjoy

Since I haven't done anything crafty lately, I have decided to post a list of crafts that I enjoy on the right of my blog. I hope you are inspired to give some of my listings a try!

Videos

I am currently incapable of filming my own videos and posting them so I have installed a video bracket at the bottom of my blog with bracelet making videos. Please enjoy them!

Craft Shows

Salutations. I thought I'd tell you about a local craft show that my friend, the author of http://www.pickelpretzel.blogspot.com/ , and I participate in. One year we made the infamous bracelets that I make and another year we made doorhangers. That is what I am going to tell you how to make right now. This is what you need:

1. foam or cardstock doorhangers
2. markers or glitter glue
3. glue
4. decals, e.g. sequins, stickers and foam shapes or letters

Instructions:

First, pick a theme for your doorhanger, e.g. girls rule. Put GIRLS RULE on it with markers, glitter glue or foam letters. Then, glue decals on, such as pink and purple sequins, foam flowers and stickers of purses, sunglasses, etc. You can do this with many sifferent themes, and even make custom hangers with names, or make them double-sided with things such as KEEP OUT on one side and COME ON IN on the other. The possibilities are endless!

Butterflies

Hello! We just recently flew to Kansas, where I am currently, to visit some friends, Adriana, Bella, Nancy and Mike. Nancy and Adriana showed us these really cool butterfly decorations that they had made. One was pink, and one was purple. They got the kit, attached the wings to the bodies, and then decorated the wings with glitter glue in various colors. The kit also came with supplies to make butterfly bobby pins. I bet with some creativity you could make these even without buying the kit. Good luck!

I Appologize for the Wait

Sorry about the wait, my monitor broke so I cannot use my computer. My mom also can't find her fire wire cord to place the video into cyberspace. That means that the instructional video will be very late, even though it was supposed to be published on the second Saturday in May. It will probably out by approximately the last Saturday in June, if we have a bit of luck. Lately the crafts i have done are these:

• More bracelets, of course
• I bought a small wooden box from Michaels (you can find the link to their website under the heading "Craft Store Sites"), painted the outside teal and the inside green, decorated it with dragonfly stickers and dark green adhesive foam applique dots, personalized it with a friend's name, and gave it to her as a birthday present with one of my favorite bracelets and a Wal~Mart gift card inside. You could use this as a base, only change a few things, for example black and gold paint with football stickers and the word Steelers instead of a name, or the same paint with Penguins and penguin stickers, or hockey stick stickers, or even mix it up by using both. The possibilities are endless, and can be changed slightly or massively depending on who it is for. You could even seal the inside and use it as a soap box for your bathroom! Be creative, and you can add personal charm to whatever you create in the magical business of craftiness.

I recently got a book entitled 52 Weekend Decorating Projects, and plan to read it and pursue a few of them, if they apply to me or someone that I am acquainted with. Well, check back soon for more ideas, postings, and maybe even a review on 52 Weekend Decorating Projects. Bye for now!

May Instructional Video Supply List

Below is the list of supplies that will be used in the May Instructional Video. You can find them at any JoAnn Fabrics near you.

• 4 Crimping Beads
• Needle-Nosed Pliers
• Scissors
• Assorted Beads Of Any Material
• 1 Lobster Claw Clasp
• 1 Jump Ring
• Tiger Tail Wire

Hope you will try to make some jewelry after you watch my instructional video in May!

Instructional Videos

Hello. From now on I will be posting a monthly instructional video, starting in May. The May edition will show how to make a beaded bracelet. Each video will premier the second Saturday of the month, but a couple of weeks in advance, a supply list will appear (eg. May Instructional Supply List), so that you will know exactly what products are used and where to find them. Check back into my blog in a while for the supply list for May.

Today's random thoughts

There is no such thing as a "Rock, paper, scissors force field." According to my brother nothing beats a force field, but how can that be if one does not exist? Just thought I'd share.

The only crafti thing I have made recently was an awesome Easter egg. It was a sunset.

I am working on designing my own outfit and creating it with my grandma. We are probably going to make it out of green cotton material.

I find numerous craft ideas out of the "Michaels Book of Crafts." Check back with my blog as I learn more I will share links and updates on my crafti projects.