You are here: Home / 2012 / Archives for January 2012

Getting Organized

January 29, 2012 By 10 Comments

Handmade Monday is here!  I do look forward to it, as it keeps me going no matter what and it’s becoming a Monday habit to go and see what everyone else is doing, even if I don’t get around to it the rest of the week.  So please do yourself a favor and click that little link above (or this one!) for Handmade Monday and see what all the fuss is about.  AFTER you see what I’ve done this time, of course.  🙂

I’m not going to blather on much here, except to say that if you missed it, I did post a Valentiney jar I made last week here as I promised I would. I also posted photos of some of my Mom’s knitting here in honor of her birthday this weekend.

But, for now, please head over and see how I solved one storage problem made some simple Ribbon Jars for my thin ribbon.

Filed Under: Crafts, Handmade Monday Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Knitting Memories

January 28, 2012 By 4 Comments

Mom would have been 79 today, which is hard to believe.  I know she would make a comment about it being hard to believe if I could call her and wish her Happy Birthday.  And she would tell me how much she liked whatever gift I had gotten her and then we’d talk about what the kids were doing and how everyone was doing where she was.  The conversation would turn to the weather (she liked to talk about the weather and she LOVED lightening storms, she really enjoyed them!).  Of course, I haven’t gotten to call her for her birthday for 12 years.  But I still think of her on her birthday, every year.

So, instead I thought I would share a few of the things she knitted that I have.  She was a prolific knitter and I remember sitting with her and listening to the click, click, click of her needles as she turned yarn into afghans or sweaters or whatever it was she was creating. I don’t know much about knitting, although I am going to try to learn, and she did try to teach me.  All I ever produced was a few pointless squares of yarn.  I never had the patience back then to really learn to knit.

But, Mom did wonderful things.  She made this vest for me, and I wore it for quite some time, back when it was in style.  I think maybe it has what is called a cable stitch, altho I’m not sure.

I had actually thought about turning it into a pillow, but I don’t know if I will do that or not.  Who knows, maybe vests will come back and I will live in a part of the country where it is cool enough to wear them again.  It’s in great shape, and beautifully made.

I like the swoopy, wavy pattern in this afghan.  I couldn’t get a photo of the entire thing with my  lens since I couldn’t get far enough away.  It’s big, almost big enough to cover a Queen size bed.  Mom loved purple and the colors are still really bright.  It’s been washed and washed and washed thru the years.  I’m sure the yarn is some sort of acrylic, but I don’t really know exactly what.

It has a more open weave (is that the right terminology for knitting?!) than the vest, but it’s still plenty warm.  It’s one of those you can wrap up in and snuggle on a chilly night.

This last one was one of two ponchos my Mom made for my best friend and I.  They were made in our school colors, black and gold.  I don’t know what happened to mine, but a number of years ago my friend gave this one to me, as she had run across it in her stuff and thought I might like to have it.  I was so thrilled!  It’s a wonderful piece of my life, as it knits together my high school days, my Mom and my best friend!

Happy Birthday Mom.  And thanks for knitting for me and giving me a love of making things with my hands, even if I haven’t learned to knit yet.  Oh, and the kids are doing fine and the weather was pretty good today.  🙂

Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: , , , ,

Pink Heart and Soul

January 26, 2012 By 2 Comments

More Sculpey, more hearts, more glass etching.  I did this little jar as a gift for my Great Niece.  I thought it would be perfect for holding jewelry or other small trinkets, but I put a few Sculpey beads in there for her when I mailed it because she does make things.

This was a little face cream jar.  I simply removed the label and cleaned it. Then I used my Cricut to make the letters of her name and put them where I wanted it.  I am not the best at getting things all lined up, but I managed to get it pretty straight this time.  🙂

Then I used my etching cream.  If you haven’t done that before you can find more info and tutorial here.  As always, be careful with the etching cream, remember, it’s strong enough to etch glass.

I made a heart out of Sculpey and painted it pink with acrylic paint. I am not much of a Sculpey expert, I’m just following the directions on the box.  It says to bake in the oven at 275 F for 15 minutes for each 1/4 inch of thickness. I am finding that it seems to need longer, but I also know from experience that you can burn it, so keep an eye on it.  I set the timer and check it every 10 minutes or so.

I used a lighter pink on the lid and sprayed both that and the heart with a couple of coats of Folk Art Lacquer to help seal and give them a little nicer finish.  I used hot glue to attach the heart.

Lastly, I finished the edge of the lid with organza ribbon wrapped around twice (glued with plain white glue) and then a thin white sparkly ribbon over that also affixed with white glue.  Threading the little beads on the small ribbon was difficult!  But I like the way it gave it a more finished look.  I always have a problem figuring out what to do with jar lid edges.

Oh, and I etched a little unicorn on the other side of the jar.  Just because.  

 

 

Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I Got a Sculpey Heart

January 22, 2012 By 20 Comments

 

I have been having such fun with my big box of Sculpey so of course this week’s Handmade Monday involves that. I have been making beads among other things. Only the beads are really useful, the other things are just fun little silly things that I might eventually think of a use for. But beads can always be used for something.

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up I ended up making a necklace as a gift with one of the heart beads I made. I’m not the best jewelry maker, but I have quite a bit of jewelry fittings since I do occasionally make things, so I didn’t have to buy anything. I got to use some of my acrylic paint, some pretty ribbon, a magnetic clasp, hot glue, wire, metallic thread and some other beads that I have collected over time.

I think if you look at the images it will be easy to see how I put it together. Pretty simple. I used the cube shaped beads with letters on them to cover the ends of the ribbon where I tied it (there is probably a better way to do that –as I said, I’m not the best jewelry maker) but I like the way it turned out actually. I also had a hard time deciding how to attach the heart because it has the hole in the middle instead of thru the side (a thing I will think about when I make beads again). I ended up using wire through the hole in the bead, covering it with glass beads, and then attaching that to the ribbon by sewing it on with some gold metallic thread. That way it would hang (dangle) correctly.  I tried a few other things first, but the heart kept hanging sideways which was not what I wanted.

The only other problem was how to make the word-beads stay in place.  So I poked some hot glue down into the hole of the last bead with a toothpick.  That seemed to work.  This is just a simple little thing, but it was fun to make.  Hopefully the recipient will enjoy it.  🙂

I have a few more Valentine’s Day things to show and will share some photos of more heart beads I made too.  I was thinking of making some Valentine cards to send out but if I don’t get started really soon it will be too late!  Now, go check out this weeks Handmade Monday by clicking on that link and see what wonderful creations everyone else has produced.  That’s what I’m going to do!  Thanks for stopping by.  🙂

 

Filed Under: Crafts, Handmade Monday Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s Been THAT Kind of Week…

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Bird Dog 3/52 by sundero
Bird Dog 3/52, a photo by sundero on Flickr.

It’s been a long week, fly into the weekend and enjoy!

Filed Under: Flickr, photography Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cookie Jar for a Doggie Friend

January 15, 2012 By 14 Comments


I promised a friend of mine a cookie jar for her Black Labrador, Yogi ages ago. I had thought I could find a nice large recyclable jar to use, but I never was able to find one.  I finally bought the same type I used for cocoa last year, hoping it was made of the sort of glass that would etch. Of course with all of the crazy things that went on in my life in the fall, the roof leak, the kitchen redo, Christmas and being sick it sat there and didn’t get done. Until now.

Originally I had simply intended to put his name on one side and maybe “cookies” or a picture of a dog, or a bone or something on the other. However I wasn’t thrilled with any of the picture options I had in any of my Cricut cartridges, and I didn’t think I could freehand something suitable so I decided to put his name on it and do something else.

I thought at first I might be able to buy a little figurine I didn’t find anything I liked, so I gave up on that idea fairly quickly.

My sister-in-law does the most wonderful things with Sculpey clay, and I have a large stash  so I decided to see if I could make a Black Lab for the lid of the jar. I had to call my sister-in-law for advice, but I’m pleased with how this turned out.

I didn’t take photos as I went along, so no tutorial. For an etching tutorial you can look here. I will do some more Sculpey and do some tutorials on that, it was really fun. My SIL does AWESOME stuff, and I wish she would do some tutorials for me!

BTW it IS time again for Handmade Monday!  Pop on over and check out all of the wonderful things everyone is doing.  I know we are all right back into the swing of things.  I’m going to go myself and get a few good ideas!  🙂  Thanks for stopping by.

As for Yogi’s jar, it’s going into the mail hopefully tomorrow so my friend can fill it up with cookies!  I hope he likes it.  He’s a good dog!  🙂

 

Filed Under: Crafts, dogs, Handmade Monday Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Still Playing Catch-up

January 8, 2012 By 19 Comments

I thought I would have something ready for today, but I’m still trying to get things back together after having the kitchen cabinets refaced and the holidays over with, so I thought, since most of the Handmade Monday crowd didn’t see what I posted over Christmas anyway, I would give those a little repeat.

The marshmallows were a big hit, so if you missed that, you can find the recipe and directions at Peppermint and Cinnamon Marshmallows.  Very easy, and better than store bought.  Almost everyone who got them said, “I had no idea you could make marshmallows!”

Also, the peppermint trays were fun and easy.  They were all over Pinterest.  You can find my blog on them at Candy Trays.  At least save the idea for next year!

I’m so glad we are getting back to normal.  I should have my kitchen back in order in the next few days, and then can get back to organizing my craft room.  I will take some photos of both and share them, as I think there are some good ideas there also. I’ve really enjoyed finding ideas on Pinterest, if you’re not using that resource, you really should be.  And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, ask, I’d be glad to bend your ear (and give you an invite)!

And after you’ve finished here, head over to Handmade Monday.  Finally, it’s back up and running.  I know I’ve missed everyone! Holidays are wonderful, but it’s always nice to get back into the groove of normal life. 🙂

Filed Under: Food, Handmade Monday Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Happy Birthday NM

January 6, 2012 By 2 Comments
Happy Birthday NM by sundero
Happy Birthday NM, a photo by sundero on Flickr.

My favorite state is celebrating it’s 100th birthday!  100 years ago today, New Mexico became the 47th state in the Union.  I think to celebrate I should make enchiladas for supper.  🙂

My Mom’s family moved from Texas to New Mexico before it was a state, back in the early 1900s.  I wonder how they celebrated statehood?  I’m sure it was a very big deal to them.  The house my great grandmother lived in was the first house in Dexter (or so I was always told) and my grandfather’s parents owned a house in Roswell.  It’s gone now, there is a commercial property on the land.  But my Mother grew up there, and although I haven’t gotten to live there in years, New Mexico is home to me.  I travel back every chance I get.

If you’ve never visited, you should.  It truly is the Land of Enchantment!

Filed Under: photography Tagged With: , ,

Getting Back to Normal

January 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

I always find it difficult to get back to “normal” after the Holidays, does everyone else?  We haven’t had Handmade Monday for the past 2 weeks since Mondays have fallen on the BIG Holidays (Christmas and New Years Day) and so, I have been pretty lazy.  Not that I didn’t do anything, but I didn’t write about it.  🙂  However, here is something I did do, and I thought I would share it.  I didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel here, but I thought I came up with a fairly clever way to mount this glass piece simply and economically, with the additional advantage that it will also be easy to remove and change if the recipient later decides they want it mounted in a different way.

This little frog “tile” is one of the very first fused glass pieces I did –if not the first–I think it probably was, but my memory is about as old as I am.   It was simply slumped into a mold at a glass shop where I went to take classes, but it came out pretty cute.  The problem, of course, is that I was always afraid it would get broken, and I wasn’t really sure how to display it easily.  When I found out I was going to have a new GrandSON I thought, Boys/Frogs, PERFECT!  So, my husband and I (he’s so good to bounce ideas off of for this sort of project) came up with a way to frame and mount this little amphibian that I think will be really stable and cost very little.

The frame was on sale (and frankly, I think most of us have frames around the house we could reuse, OR I see them at thrift stores really cheap all the time too).  The napkin I used for backing was from an after Thanksgiving sale.  I had to buy a set of 4, but the others actually are ones I can use as they go with my “decor” at least until I cannibalize them for another project!  The art board was a couple of dollars.  And the Super 77 adhesive was a little pricey, I admit (I think about $12.00) HOWEVER, I still have a nearly full can and it is AWESOME!  I will use it for a lot of things.

Well, lets get on with this.  Oh, and please, don’t tell my son and daughter in law, this is a gift for their baby.  Let’s just quietly go see How to Frame a Frog, shall we?

Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,