Speaking of roses...

I was cutting up veggies tonight for homemade minestrone soup, and when I sliced off the root-end of a bok choy, oh my gosh, look at how gorgeous it is!

Remember as a kid, doing stamping with shapes cut from a potato?
So I was thinking it would be fun to stamp wrapping paper with this, or even fabric paint on a shirt--like a border of roses!

Who knew a cabbage could be so pretty!

Cruising the web for fun recipes and projects

Coffee Jello!
Video Tutorial

I'm thinking of making Drunken Watermelon Pops for a Fourth of July party.
I think it would be fun to use red, yellow, and orange watemelon chunks

Oh Hell Yeah! Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

Normally I bake cakes from scratch, but this cakebox recipe intrigues me for Lime Kool-aid Cake, from KMOM14.

The cake is on Cut Out + Keep, along with this recipe that I want to try for Worlds Best Brownies

Scrap Projects (bookmark and Itty Bitty Bag) on Scarlet Fig

Make a Fabric Bowl
Tutorial on Imagine Fabric

Make a Hummingbird Feeder from a Coke Bottle

This is a fun idea, from the current issue of Birds and Blooms Magazine
--reprinted on their website
(tutorial instructions at the link. Linked with permission)

A Bottle for Hummingbirds

Nothing says Love like a letter

I am playing around with ideas for making charms, since I have to create 19 completed charms for a Valentine swap later in the week.
One idea was to make little tiny envelopes (love letters) out of soda cans.


I ended up not using this idea, but I think it's fun to play around with trying new things.
I'm presenting this in its raw form--meaning it's scratched and imperfect because I was just trying out the form.
Ignore the lines that aren't perfectly straight, as I have yet to iron out the details.
I may indeed, however, go further with this in the future.

I started with an aluminum can of Japanese strawberry soda.
I made a paper template first, then etched it onto the can, and cut out the template with cheap craft scissors.
I scored the fold lines, folded, then flattened with a bone tool.
If you try this, watch how hard you score and fold, or the metal pieces may break at the line rather than fold.
On the edges that showed, I folded under as I would have done with fabric, so there were no raw edges.

For this first attempt, I simply scratched "Love" onto the front side, as this is only a prototype, but for actual charms I would use metal letter stamps to indent the word into the aluminum.
If it's going to be used as a charm, make sure to punch a hole for an eilet and a jump ring at the upper left corner, or solder on a loop of some kind.

The finished envelope is one-and-a-half inches by one inch.

It could be sealed with glue or soldered.
It would be cute to add a drop of red wax and to press it like sealing wax.

An alternative would be to make the envelopes out of pink linen stiffened with fusible interfacing and embroidered.

Earth friendly idea

For Christmas, my friend Michelle sent a flat rate box absolutely FILLED with goodies (SO fun to open!).
Among the pads of paper, neckties, fabric markers, lingerie, fabric, washcloths, and ornaments, was this fun item.
It's a crocheted bag filled with crocheted rounds for removing make-up.
Just wash and reuse.

Collage with Jewelry

I am fascinated with the idea of using costume jewelry in collage and/or mosaics.
I don't know what it is about jumbling trinkets together, but I absolutely love this form of art.

Way back in the 80's, my then boyfriend's mom had framed a Christmas tree-shape made of jewelry.
I guess the idea just stuck with me, because I would love to make something like this (this amazing wreath especially appeals to me).

Nimue's grandma made one of these framed tree shapes--isn't it great?!
She says this is a craft right out of the 1960's.
Read more here.

Family Fun has a tutorial for a Trinket Tree.
This project reminds me of memory jugs.

The trinket tree also makes me think of Outsapop's spraypainted toys for craft projects
Which in turn makes me think of this bowling ball turned into garden art, made with painted plastic lizards (note the base is an old fire extinguisher).(how-to of similar bowling ball projects)

Along the same line, good ideas include collaging jewelry onto frames, boxes, and magnets (a trash to treasure project).
One commenter on this forum says,

"Get yourself a framed mirror and glue them all around the frame then, for a cohesive look, use acrylics in old gold, antique silver, and brass and paint the pieces. I try to really pile on the jewelry (sometimes forming a base with foil)to give it some depth. What I love about doing this is that it can very much be a project that is ongoing as you collect more jewelry to fill the frame. I have also many times added "found objects" like nuts, bolts, screws, coins, small plastic toys, chains, etc"

But back to jewelry.
I was at Rogers Gardens on Saturday, and was blown away by the beauty of Margaret Larkin's Jewelry Trees.
There is really only one word to describe these: Stunning.

I only have a couple of blurry cell phone pics, as I thought for sure she'd have a website (but I can't find any information on the artist).
I was so positive there would be a website, I didn't even read information about her at the store (if anyone finds a website, please let me know).
These are entirely composed of costume jewelry--usually in a color theme of silver or gold, but also whimsical christmas-themed ones.
Each one sells for several hundred dollars.

Misc

(click on images to enlarge)
I love this photo of the front side of my friend Carol's house.
Saint Francis of Assisi is actually a small statue, but at this angle appears to be watching over everyone.

Ah, memories.
Remember jack-in-the-boxes?

From Crafts and Things Magazine, Feb-March 1976, this article featured ideas for making your own wrapping paper by printing with a hand-carved linoleum block.
Maybe I should make a linoleum block print again...sounds like a good craft to revive.
But I especially love the old toys here--a time capsule.

I bought these iron-on letters back in the day when they were new. I had elaborate plans but they never materialized.
I still think it's a really fun set

McCall's pattern, 1977.

I'm not even a meat eater, so I don't know why this apron from Cost Plus World Market appeals to me so much.
I guess it's just so kitsch.

My friend Jen bought me the adorable cherries set--apron, towels, mitt.


Jen posted about bath fizzy cupcakes.
How cute are these?!
Instructions posted on Crafty Chica.

I got together with Sue who is visiting from Taiwan.
I wish we'd had more time!
I'd post the pic, but I look way too fat. Ah, I really should address that issue on this blog.
Eventually, perhaps I will.
But it was great seeing her, as always. No one at the bbq even looked at me sideways when I said we knew each other from blogging!

I just ordered these.

Altered Art: Dominoes

I mentioned the other day that I want to do some crafting with dominoes.
I've seen (but not yet made) dominoes that have been stamped upon, or collaged upon. Often times, resin is used as a sealer.
You can also use photo transfers, or draw on them, embellish them with beads, wrap them in wire, mold polymer clay around them...you name it.

What could be made?
Cool stuff like this Domino Book by Judi Wellnitz.

Or make pendants, bracelets, key fobs, or magnets from dominoes.
Lighter weight dominoes (some are made from bamboo) can be made into earrings.
Maybe barrettes, pins, the body of an art doll, embellishment on a larger item (large charms), ornaments, ceiling fan pulls, drawer pulls, maybe even parts of a wind chime.

I've had a difficult time finding tutorials online, because most of the links on Craftster or Get Crafty no longer have photos attached.
Some links I googled contain too many ads or shift you over to an ad site (I hate that!).
I did finally find some links (these are posted especially for Pattie)

a how-to using decals, on HGTV. Note, they made decals from their own art.

ornaments (embellisment using Sharpies), by Jen Minnis.

diary pendant from HGTV

stamped bracelet by Evelyn Kennedy Duncan.
(instructions)


how to make a beaded pendant by gchristine

simple directions on Wikihow.

Boxes made from scans of dominoes! By Meggie Cat.
Printout pdf included in post.


If you prefer buying versus making, Etsy seller Domino Effect sells lots of pendants, including this one with a vintage matchbook image.

Etsy seller Kayann Works makes pendants featuring her own artwork, like this cute pit bull.


I like this Quija board pendant by Tartx.


Ha! Robot box by etsy seller Always Amy.


and for those of you who just want to learn to play the game of dominoes, there is a website devoted to this, and the site has posted a video to teach you the rules.

Thrifting, auctions, and gifts

Okay...just a quick hello before I get back to the sewing machine.
I am not a fast sewer.
Even if I was, I don't see how people finish so many things when there is work and errands and...life.
I mean, yesterday I worked five hours, rushed up to the north county for more fabric, got my taxes done, and spent two hours at the dentist's office.
Not much time was left for sewing.
How do some people do it???

Between appointments I had a few minutes to kill yesterday, and made a stop at my favorite resale shop.
I got this set of 27 dominoes for $2!

I don't know anything about age or quality of dominoes, but I do know I want to learn about collaging on dominoes to make pendants, magnets, etc.

On another fun note, I just got this today in the mail (an ebay purchase).
I love it so!

The Dis-glo Whistle. It lights up when you whistle! (excuse the light reflection from the scanner)
Ha! This just makes me giddy.
The suit! To use for "rollerskating"!
Love love love this funky 70's memorabilia.

Speaking of mail and 70's, the ever magnanimous Mary Ann sent me yet more goodies in the mail.
Can you believe it?!

Vintage necktie patterns.
Like Mary Ann said...who knew?!

(click on image to enlarge)
Three neckties: McCall's #2568, 1970
Tie and Ascot: McCall's #3434, 1972
I think the model here cracks me up the most.
Oooh...foxy (lol)

She also sent me several pet-themed greeting cards, from the
etsy shop Good Morning Sunshine.



Then today I received yet ANOTHER package from my fairy blogmother--a cache of seven pretty neckties (not scanned right now because I need to get back to sewing).
Geez, Mary Ann--you spoil me!
Thank you.

Stop to smell the roses. And notice the leaves.

It's funny how my interests twist and turn down this path of life, sometimes depending on my influences, other times I just veer off here and there for fun.
Right now my interest is in gardening.
In fact, I'm even back in school, taking an Ornamental Horticulture class at a local community college.
That's just a fancy word for introduction to gardening.
Pretty cool.

My most recent purchase wasn't clothes or art supplies or kitchen goodies...
it was a rose plant.
Not any rose--I don't even like roses much.
But it's a Green Rose (I love the weird and whimsical, even in a garden setting).
I ordered it from the Antique Rose Emporium.
I'm only wanting to grow rare, unusual, and heirloom plants.

And on a crafty note, I wanted to mention a tip.
I like to add natural elements when I make cards or other items.
I used to use a preservative that I purchased at a stamping store, but I recently discovered that painting white glue onto both services works just as well!
I have a frame I covered in leaves and seed pods to commemorate an area I was living at the time (yet another item I need to pull from storage and post later).
It's like a snapshot...freezing the moment, the character, the beauty.


This leaf was in a grocery store parking lot.
It had been stepped on, but I thought the colors so wonderful that I tried the glue experiment.
Isn't it pretty?

Make a bookmark with all those Christmas cards

see the cute idea for making a bookmark on my book blog.

Ribbon Tree

Super cute card idea, as seen on Poco-Cocoa.


And felt garland by Anna Maria Horner--tutorial here.

Pimp your Nutcracker

hahahahaha
as posted by Aubrey.
Check it.

and, uh, tampon crafts.

Goodness around Blogland

fun and festive gumdrop wreath I saw on Posie Gets Cozy, (tutorial on Kiddley).

a list never sounded so good (and excellent writing as usual) by Hula Seventy. And one of my favorite of her past posts.

Astro Weenie Tree on My House is Cuter Than Yours

Button Tree seen on Vacuuming in High Heels & Pearls.

one inch square collaged ornament by Art Junk

my favorite version of Little Birds' Soft Tree Pattern, by Oziahz

book recommendation by Aubrey

and a bunch of recipes:

lemon tart and cranberry orange cookies on the awesome Baking Sheet

almond roca recipe on Culinary in the Desert

spiced nut and pretzel mix on David Lebovitz

lemon cookie recipe on Orangette

cranberry cake recipe on Apartment Therapy

coconut cupcakes recipe on 101 Cookbooks

kitty litter cake on Thimble

There are so many amazing blogs out there!

Crafting with postcards and photographs, and the generosity of fellow bloggers

I got a pleasant surprise in the mail yesterday--Mary Ann Avery spoiled me yet again!

She sent me a Christmas present!

I am blown away by the generosity. I had ordered some goodies from her Etsy shop (I will post about those at a later date), and so tore open the package that was in my postal box, thinking it was what I ordered. The Etsy stuff was actually behind the counter and I didn't know about it yet...so I assumed the wrapped item wasn't really a gift. Well, not that I could have waited anyway...
But check out what I got! (along with more ephemera, by the way)


This incredible angel-shaped ornament is cut from a vintage postcard!

Stop and think about that for a second. I mean, really, how perfect is that?

The tag says it is made by Sarah Lugg.
The key chain is a beaded photo charm. Again, totally perfect. And both inspirational for my crafts, I have to say.
Stuff like this just makes me giddy.
Thank you once again Mary Ann.

Springerle

Check out the amazing idea from the December 2006 issue of Country Living Magazine!

Cookies that have been decorated using rubber stamps to cookie dough.
Rubber stamps!
The impression is then painted by dipping the brush into lemon extract, then luster dust (used for cake decorating). Springerle are usually an anise cookie, but you could do standard sugar too. I like Martha Stewart's sugar cookie recipe with royal icing.

I can envision this in a clay also, and shellacked, then strung on a garland. I absolutely love this idea.

I love it so much that I took this magazine to my favorite stamping store to share it with the employees.
I then turned to a customer to show her--look, look how cool!
She stared at me like I was loose from the mental ward, then without saying a word, turned and continued shopping. Alrighty then.

Kitschy Christmas, continued

Ah, the dreaded egg carton crafts (click on pic to enlarge)

Pack-O-Fun scrap craft magazine, December 1964

Ooh, yummy, food over a bleach bottle

December 1964

I just have to add this one

What's with all the bleach bottle crafts in the 60's?
This is called Dachshund Pretzel Holder, but it sure looks more like a pig to me. It's actully kinda cute.
Pack-O-Fun scrapcraft magazine, February 1965

Recycled ornaments

December 1964
1. nails on a foam ball
2. spiral made from cutter on a wax paper box
3. pic from xmas card atop a blade dispenser
4. tape inserts
5. tape dispenser
6. paper fasteners
7. hair curler
8. typewriter reel
9. flash bulb
10. pill bottle

And of course, no holiday decoration is complete without a village scene. Your choice between matchstick (December 1964):


or...Ta Da (congrats to tackiest display of the year)...
... (drumroll...)...

Plastic Basket Village!

December 1966.

Christmas kitsch

I was talking to Jen of The Felt Mouse, about tacky Christmas crafts, and figured I'd post some ideas from old Pack-O-Fun scrapcraft magazines. Really, some of the old bazaar crafts are just too, uh, eeewww for sharing, but here are some that are okay I guess.

"Elves help Santa, so they say--These elves help make your party gay!"
Okay, seriously, wtf?
Elves made out of, um, chewing gum. They are then painted with "airplane dope, nail polish, or enamel."

They must have been sniffing to come up with this idea.
December 1964
*update* Liz just made some of these.

Wishbone Reindeer. I actually kinda like this one.

Reader idea submission, December 1964
Using wishbones and pipecleaners to form a reindeer.

Candy crafts (click on pic to enlarge)


Fabric cards. This idea still works--it's timeless.

Fabric has been stiffened with liquid starch, then cut into shapes and made into cards.
December 1964

More tackiness tomorrow.