Soda Can Flowers

Since I had plenty of extra cans to play with, I decided to make some flowers with them! I copied some that I've seen that were made in South Africa, and they are fun! At first I was going to put them in a vase, but I like them in with my other plants for decoration!

If you think I'm crafty....

Check out what my hubby can do! He designed and made this pirate ship playhouse with his own 2 hands!! Our kids (and the neighbor kids) all love it, and we keep adding more awesomeness to it all the time!! p.s. It also has electricity!

Flora and Theo- Monsters

It's been 6 months since I made these monsters for my kids for Christmas. I'm amazed that they've made it this far, between doubting my craftsmanship and the fact that a 3 & 4 year old's playing with them... I love the "ugli" dolls, and figured I could make my own!!

2nd try at Nuno Felting

Today I felt inspired to try nuno felting again, since my last attempt didn't come out like I expected...

I saw an episode of Uncommon Threads using this felted medallion technique, so thought I'd try it too!

I think I'm happy with this peacock inspired scarf, maybe I'll wait til tomorrow to decide!

Record Bowl Tutorial

I love making these fun retro bowls from records I've saved or found, they are so funky, kitchy, and cool, plus easy to make!!!!

1. Start with a record/lp, 2 nesting pyrex bowls (2 that fit inside each other), and your oven.

2. Heat oven to 200 degree, place rack in center of oven.

3. Place record over the smaller bowl, match up center to the center top of the bowl, let "melt/slump" over it for 2-3 minutes, keeping an eye on it!

4. Working quickly, place rubbery warm record in larger bowl, then put the smaller bowl inside (using a pot holder) and squeeze/press it as you want it. If you don't get the results you want this time, you can start all over again.

5. It'll cool completely in 5-10 minutes, and you are ready!! Not food safe, but great for anything else!!

Recycled Silk Sari Yarn

I'm very excited about the new yarn that came today!! I ordered some recycled silk sari yarn, and didn't know what to expect, It could have been stiff, have an odor, be hard to work with, etc... BUT, this yarn is amazing!!! Soft, no odor, incredible deep color, and well matched for 5 skeins worth!!

I'm also happy with the swift I made from tinkertoys to wind it, great for an occasional ball winder like me!

Check out how at:http://www.folkcatart.com/blogs/jen/?p=742

Green Knit Scarf Purse - Finished!!!!

This purse took me about 2-3 months working on it a little here, a little there... Made of 2 balls of boucle, a yard sale scarf, and a vintage button of my grandmother's. I'm sooo happy to be done, so I can start on my next project, (maybe with the sari silk yarn that came in the mail today)!!!!!

Lotsa new ideas!!!

Since coming back from Boston/Salem last weekend, I have lotsa new ideas and projects in mind!! I got some awesome Ozark Mountain yarn, buttons, recycled sari silk yarn, etc, and now I'm working out what to do with it all!! Think I'll do a messenger bag with the sari yarn, and a needle felted van gogh scene on a purse, and a striped fun fur/woven scarf, and I still need some crochet flowers for another purse... WOW, Good thing all I have is time!!!!!
P.S. I need some more help with my crochet flowers, anyone got any good tutorials???

Resin Frame Tutorial

Tutorial for Resin Frames!!!

These summery frames are a great way of using objects that are meaningful to you, to preserve them forever! You can use vintage buttons, coins, shells from your beach vacation..., the possibilites are endless!! They are very simple and cheap to make, here's how!

You will need: 2-part epoxy resin, double-sided tape, freezer paper, 2 compatible frames that allow enough space between them to put your objects, popcicle sticks, 2-4 small disposable measuring cups, a picture hanger and scotch tape.

1. First, take all glass & inserts out of both frames. You can discard the stuff from the larger frame, put inner frame insides aside. Make sure the backs of frames are flush and even.
2. Tape a large piece of freezer paper to a flat surface, shiny side up.

3. Put double-sided tape along edges on the back of the frames, cover as well as you can so that no resin can leak past.

4. Carefully put down both frames, spacing as you wish, push down to seal tightly.

5. Arrange your items in the area between frames. Don't feel the need to cover entire area, it looks cool to let blank spaces show through!

6. Mix 2-part epoxy as directed, 4-6 ounces worth. ( Pour exact equal parts epoxy and hardener in 2 seperate cups, add a drop or 2 more of hardener, then mix hardener to epoxy, stir slowly 3-4 minutes)

7. Pour your resin slowly over the items in your frame, staying in the inner area, spread around with stick to distribute, add glitter now if desired.

8. Use a match to wave closely over surface to pop bubbles. Keep and eye on the frame for 10 minutes, keep popping until all is smooth.
9. Wait 24 hours, then add another 4-6 oz layer of resin, (you can add another layer of items now for a 3-D effect), pop bubbles again, let dry totally for 48 hours.
10. Peel frames off freezer paper, trim any resin that had leaked with scissors, put glass back in inner frame.
11. Cover sticky edges from the double-sided tape with invisible scotch tape.

12. Add your picture hanger to the top on back.

13. You are ready to go! Enjoy!!

Crafty Cat!

Just a random photo of my cat Elvis playing in my yarn!

Soda Tab Purse- Progress!!!!

Getting there slowly, at least now I can see that this will work great!!

Soda Can Mosaic mirror- Just starting!!

This is a project I've had in mind for months, after seeing a photo on Flickr of Dogfaceboy's "Can You?" mirror. I've had all my friends save me cans for months and just started cutting the cans, then into cool squares using the best graphics. This will be a long project, gotta get my hubby to make the frames next, but I'll keep you posted with my progress!!!