Crafters UNITE!

[DamonK]

I'm currently working on two blankets. One is driving me batty, but I know once I get this row done, it will become easier.

The other... well it's easy as hell.

That is all.

Oh... and Juney? If'n you figure out dryer sheets, lemme know.

[Truly Scrumptious]

A few weeks ago, I made soap for the first time. I started saving the little end pieces of soap about a year ago, and when I had what I thought was enough, I grated them, added a little water, and packed them in muffin tins. They didn’t hold, so I took them apart, dried them again, and started over. This time I melted them in the microwave. Now, the instructions said to make sure to use a large bowl because the soap would rise, but I really wasn’t prepared for the soap soufflé that rose (and rapidly fell) and made a huge but beautifully scented mess in the oven. I salvaged as much as I could, and ended up being able to make exactly 2 muffin sized bars of soap (kind of anticlimactic after a year of scrap saving, but it’s a learning process, I suppose). They held together perfectly and popped out of the muffin tray a week later, and while they were the strangest looking bars of soap I’d ever seen, I adored them. They were rich, creamy, and smelled heavenly. Not my finest crafting effort, but I’m already back to saving scraps so that I can try it again. I have this vision of making white soap with chunks of coloured soap throughout, sort of a mosaic effect. (It always comes back to mosaics with me.)

[chai~]

too cute, had to share!

http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2012/01/...ne-crafts.html

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by June

I guess this is kinda crafty.

Yesterday, I made laundry detergent with one of my friends. The recipe can be found >Here<.

We grated the Fels-Naptha in my food processor using the cheese thingy, then put it in a bowl and redid it with the blade so it got powdery, then mixed it with the Laundry Soda and Borax. It smells delightful and I am on my third load with it. It does not suds up at all, and the Fels-Naptha dissolves in cold water, which is what I generally wash in.

For about $8, you can make a ton of laundry soap, and you only use about a tablespoon each time. Because I wasn't sure about using so little for a large load, I used about 1/4 cup.

Next, finding an alternative to dryer sheets, because I am addicted to them, and they have really horrible stuff in them.

We also made deoderant using coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch and some escentual oil. I am wearing it now to test. We put it in existing Secret containers that we had cleaned out. It rolls up, but is a little bit soft. I will update this later after I have tested it during exercise.

You could try a damp cloth with a few drops of essential oils on it in the dryer. I do this to freshen up a blouse or a pair of slacks....a little like home dry cleaning, lol!

[1QuirkyKiwi]

I’ve just made this Lingerie bag set….this is one of two sets made with the last pieces of the Broderie Anglais fabric. I’ve made another two sets with vintage polka dot fabric….I’ve still to sew the lace on.

These sets are going to a charity Valentine’s Raffle as prizes….

The set consists of:
Bustier style Lingerie bag



Moontime Pad bag



And a Laundry bag



Next up to make is some more body butter and facial moisturiser.

[Medusa]

This is where I confess that last night Jack and I stopped at the Dollar General to get her favorite gum (since she quit dipping and chewing nicotine gum, she now chews a case a week of Mentos spearamint) and discovered that ALL of the Christmas decorations left in the store were on clearance for 10 cents each.

There were ornaments and beaded garlands and boxes and bags and and and.

I spent $7 and got enough crap to dismantle and make my next art project (a giant ode to the blessed virgin Mary) realllly fabulous.

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by Medusa

This is where I confess that last night Jack and I stopped at the Dollar General to get her favorite gum (since she quit dipping and chewing nicotine gum, she now chews a case a week of Mentos spearamint) and discovered that ALL of the Christmas decorations left in the store were on clearance for 10 cents each.

There were ornaments and beaded garlands and boxes and bags and and and.

I spent $7 and got enough crap to dismantle and make my next art project (a giant ode to the blessed virgin Mary) realllly fabulous.

Photos when your project is done; please and thank you!

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

Photos when your project is done; please and thank you!

YES! I think I might also make a new gallery for art projects and crafts in case people want to share there too!

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

I was asked to make this Lavender Sachet for a colleague’s daughter who has just come out.

I meant to tell you earlier that I LOVE this! The little gay ribbon is fabulous and I'd LOVE to see those in drawers and hanging in closets!

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by Medusa

YES! I think I might also make a new gallery for art projects and crafts in case people want to share there too!

That would be great! Would it have separate categories for each of the Art and Crafts projects?

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by Medusa

I meant to tell you earlier that I LOVE this! The little gay ribbon is fabulous and I'd LOVE to see those in drawers and hanging in closets!

Thank you! I've sold some recently (with pastel lila, pink and green ribbons instead of the rainbow one), after showing photos of this one. I've been asked to make a few more which I'll start once I've got the Lingerie bag sets out of the way, lol!

[Hollylane]

I have been looking through the thread, enjoying a lot of the artwork, ideas and great links...

Here are a few things I came up with that I have done besides my jewelry (a fairly new road I am traveling).



The one on top, was a box that an award pin came in from an employer. I used clear craft glue to paste torn up paper bag, twine, clay and beads on it. The little clay starfish and lobster were things I picked up at Michael's many years ago, and the seashell was from La Jolla. I sealed this to prevent moisture damage.

The second one is colored paper and clear glue on a vase I picked up at a thrift store. I hand painted the flowers and sealed it to prevent moisture damage.

My favorite places to pick up items for crafts, and jewelry when I can, are local thrift stores. People seem to think of starting crafts, purchase all the materials, and then leave them in their garage for 5 years, before donating them to thrift stores. I get a steal of a deal on brand new craft materials, my money goes somewhere that counts, and I am recycling something that could end up in a landfill.

I can stand around in the some of the junk isles of thrift stores for hours, mulling over new ideas.

Thank you all for sharing your talent and ideas...

[dixie]

I've started back on sewing. These are the two newest.

fleece blanket (completely finished)


patchwork quilt top (still needs to be backed and quilted)



I have another quilt top I've started, but I haven't uploaded pics of that one yet.

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by dixielady

I have another quilt top I've started, but I haven't uploaded pics of that one yet.

I have a brand new sewing machine for quilting, never used, I had big plans to learn to use it, but never have found the time to go to a class, and no relatives that are crafty. Can you come over and show me?

[dixie]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

I have a brand new sewing machine for quilting, never used, I had big plans to learn to use it, but never have found the time to go to a class, and no relatives that are crafty. Can you come over and show me?

Of course! lol Sewing and quilting has been a big thing in my family for generations. My grandmother had a sewing needle in my hand at a very early age. We all learned to sew by darning socks that my grandmother kept in a basket...lol

[dixie]

Ok, I went ahead and uploaded a few pics. These are some of the squares for the new quilt. I think the color scheme is going to be really pretty on this one.

[Stitch]

Holy quilts!!!

I think they are fascinating! no two are ever the same really.

[OS Butch]

I love quilts, even better the patterns make great stained glass panels. I have done several stained glass commissions for quilters of their favorite pattern. Picking out glass is just as cool as picking out fabric, who knew?!

Originally Posted by dixielady

Ok, I went ahead and uploaded a few pics. These are some of the squares for the new quilt. I think the color scheme is going to be really pretty on this one.

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by dixielady

Ok, I went ahead and uploaded a few pics. These are some of the squares for the new quilt. I think the color scheme is going to be really pretty on this one.

These are fantastic! Do you use a machine or do them by hand?

I don't have the patience to sit doing patchwork quilting, yet, I love sitting doing hand quilting.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

These are fantastic! Do you use a machine or do them by hand?

I don't have the patience to sit doing patchwork quilting, yet, I love sitting doing hand quilting.

I did these by machine. I normally do the quilt tops by machine then finish/back them by hand quilting.