Tag Archives: craft

Staying Productive {craft swaps, forums and the internet}

Posted on by under Hand Made Creations

I am easily distracted.  I frequently think that looking online for three hours is considered “inspiration” or “research”.  I don’t give myself enough time to do the stuff I *actually* need to do (organizing, crafting, diy-ing, cooking… gah). Controlling my internet time and usage is a BIG part of my 2012 goals.  Despite trying to pare down internet time, I still post on Craftster, and I still love to do craft swaps.

Currently, I am doing an on-going Birthday swap (since my birthday was this month).  This type of swap is different, in that you pick people to make gifts for, and people pick you to make gifts for (based on a list you make and your communication).  I have already sent out one gift, which was a cell phone case:

Teal wool felt, with rich brown accents, and bright yellow stitching

It was made based off of these cases, originally designed and made by Etsy seller Hine.  I felt a little weird about making something completely based off of a product someone else makes and sells, so I made sure to create something that still my own.  I used some 100% felted wool for the main casing, and used eco-felt as the liner and for details.  This made it a bit thicker and heavier than the originals.  It is kept closed with Velcro. It has a slot on the bottom for head phones and a small pocket on the back (much like the originals).

Check out the Craftster thread, showing off all of the January birthday gifts here.

I am also signed up for an OTT (one tiny thing) Anime swap, and am already started on that project too.. so expect another swap update in a few weeks!

What I love about craft swaps, and about posting on Craftster is that it really pushes me to create.  With swaps, I get to make something that I otherwise would probably never make.  Being able to post projects is also really great, a lot of people will respond with feedback and criticisms, helpful tips or ideas.  Craftster just released their “best of 2011″ list and.. my “IT Came From Beneath the Sea” silk screen actually made it on!  See my fancy new badge on the side there?  This makes me pretty happy, I must say.  This reminds me of the fact that I have about 15 of these prints sitting in my portfolio.. maybe its time to pull them out and sell a couple of them?

Thanks for reading, as always

xoxo

White Catopus {hand sewn original collectible plush}

Posted on by under Hand Made Creations

{2011 PROJECT}

My sister Amanda has supported my efforts and small business from the start.  She was my first “official” customer.  At the time of her first purchase, she really wanted to purchase a catopus, however I only have four finished and it was only a few weeks till Shock Stock.  I promised her I would make her a unique catopus after Shock Stock.  Well, as life usually goes, her catopus was delayed.  After Shock Stock, we found out about our sick kitty, and we needed to raise money for his operation.  I had no time to sew, as I worked extra hours serving and trying to sell the left over merchandise from Shock Stock.  Amanda even bought a few items during that period to help us too.  I wanted to make sure that her catopus was extra special, and so I present to you my newly adjusted Catopus design:

extra long tentacles, a slimmer face, and longer neck

Thanks for looking!

xoxo

Upcycled Vintage Table Cloth turned Body Pillow

Posted on by under DIY Home Decorating

I found this beautiful vintage table cloth (or at least.. I think it was a table cloth..) at a new, local vintage store called the Sentimentalist.  They have *the best* entrance door, which I unfortunately don’t have a photo of, but one day I will and I will post it.  Their official website is still pretty bare, but their Facebook page is kept up to date and have a bunch of photos showing some of their stuff and the shop itself.

The Sentamentalist on our fridge

Any ways, on to my lovely new pillow:

Front and back of finished pillow

I made a simple pillow insert, and then made the table cloth into a pillow case (so that I can wash it when necessary.. it is white, we do have cats and I am very clumsy). I added the red buttons on the back, I have a huge collection of buttons and I was surprised to actually find a set of five that were the same, and they matched.  Originally I was going to use a variety of over sized ms-matched buttons, but I like how “clean” these ones look.  I actually can’t decide which side I prefer!

A "Before" shot, and a few clsoe ups of the material.

The cloth itself depicts various birds from New Zealand.  Each bird is even labelled.

I am really happy that I was able to use this in a new project, and turn it into something that I use every day, and without cutting it up at all!  I love how it fits on my couch, and it is super comfy, since the pillow insert is a rag pillow.  All together, this project cost $8.99, for both the pillow insert and pillow case, and it took me about 4 hours all together.  If anyone is interested in a tutorial, let me know!  I think I will be making more pillows like this in the near future.

Thanks for looking!!

Don’t forget, get a free gift with every purchase until Midnight tomorrow at my Etsy shop!! Or receive free shipping on my Retro Alien crayon sculptures. Click Here!

xoxo

V Stands for Victory {Sailor V Costume}

Posted on by under Sailor Moon

Okay, these are still not the *best* images, and that is entirely my fault (I was extremely tired when they were taken, I managed to forget to put my gloves on, and I didn’t get a single shot that shows the pretty awesome, glittery moon I had on my forehead..  so better pictures will have to wait until I fix the top of the costume).

Sailor V Costume/ Cosplay

So, technically, the costume isn’t finished.  The top needs the most work, I need to fix the red panels on the bottom, and add the red on the sleeves.  I also need to make the pointy shoulder guards (I did however, have armour with shoulder guards, but they  are not pointy).  I also failed to make the white choker, which will be easy to make for next time.  I had an elaborate idea of making an Artemis purse, but I couldn’t figure out the design in time to actually make it.

But, overall, I am pretty happy with my first full attempt at making a Sailor Moon costume of any kind.  I think that I adjusted the costume to be appropriate to withstand cold, Canadian Halloweens, which was a goal when making it.  I hand dyed the skirt and fuku (technically the fuku is made from material cut off the bottom of the skirt, I am so crafty!), and I hand dyed the front bow.  The glasses I made from previously owned glasses that I made clay additions for, glued on and painted red.  If anyone has any questions, or wants details about any part of the costume let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to give more info!

xoxo

Lauren Brevner – blog contest

Posted on by under Artist's Bios

As a few people know, I am completely infatuated with the idea of making Ball Jointed Dolls, and using clay in my plush creations.  In my never-ending quest to find understandable information on the subject I came across this blog, of a fellow Canadian artist named Lauren Brevner.  What I enjoy the most about her blog is that she posts a lot of progress shots, and that she shares both her (beautiful) successes and failures.  Once I start actually working on my own BJD, I hope that I can also be so candid and post so frequently about my progress and set backs.

She is currently hosting a contest to win this very lovely doll:

Lauren Brevner

To enter, click here, and follow her very easy instructions. 

I really would love to win this though, being able to see and hold another clay doll would help me immensely, and I would definitely love to hang some original and beautiful art in my home. *Fingers Crossed*

xoxo