Wreath tute

See the book wreath on my reading blog.
Link here.

Girly Tutes

A multitude of Fabric flower tutorials on Tip Junkie
How to easily make a tutu, on Cut Out + Keep (an easy-to-follow tutorial with lots of pics)

Or another tutu, this called A Fairy Skirt, by Lazy Mama Designs
Or here's a tutu by Cafe Mom.
I love the idea of using multiple colors of tulle and sparkly tulle
Simple Bandana Dress tutorial, by Joy's Hope
Super Sock Pig Toy!
Tutorial by q.d. patooties

Quilting Inspiration

My mom and I drove up to the north county (inland) of San Diego today, to California State University San Marcos, and attended the El Camino Quilters (guild) Fall Festival of Quilts show.
The theme of the show was "Journeys", where quilters were introspective about their designs.
Some quilts were tributes to their mothers, while others represented their passage through empty nest syndrome, or having a loved one stationed in Iraq.
One lady did an applique quilt of shoes--representing all the years of her life, from baby shoes, to saddle shoes, to platforms.

I was intrigued by quilts made by copying old newspaper articles onto fabric, book excerpts, postcards, and things like the lined cursive writing samples in elementary schools.
Perfect items to describe one's journey, and influences, and struggles.
Personalized art, and memorabilia in art are my favorite things.

It killed me that my camera was recently stolen and I couldn't take photos.

I did buy a few goodies though :)
Redwork embroidery pattern of a Maypole (the shop's example was actually stitched in multi-colors of floss).
Pattern by Quilting Bee Designs

I love Maypoles.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, a design is brewing for either a multi-media Maypole, or a quilted one.
This vintage purse design by Enid Collins inspires also, and therefore fits into the puzzle somehow
I'm too broke to buy much, but did come away with a fat quater of fairytale fabric


and a yard of this luscious pig fabric


I was intrigued by a scrap quilt in which the scraps were arranged crazy-quilt-style in circular shapes atop a white background.
Hmmmm...would be a great way to use scraps.
Maybe even necktie scraps.

Speaking of circular shapes, I've always wanted to make this denim quilt using the lid of a large coffee can as the template (I have tons of jeans saved).
It looks simple to do, but comes out looking like a mock Cathedral Window pattern (a design so complicated that my mom and I both call it "that dreaded pattern" after attempting a class and neither of us ever finishing even one block)
Today I learned about a guild in Orange County called Camp Watch-a-Patcher that holds quilting retreats in Costa Mesa.

But what I'm most excited about is finally having met
Karen Cunagin--a name I have seen over and over again as inspiration behind the quilts I've seen in recent shows.
Karen, of Millefleur Fiber Arts, teaches classes, most often at Palomar College.
I am SO going to attend one of her classes or workshops!
How fun is that idea?!
Note she also has patterns for sale, and a blog, all accessible via the link above.

Bracelet Tutorial

What a fun idea!
I just discovered this cool website, Scavenging, from a friend's link on twitter.
Make a bracelet from a cut-up credit card

More miscellaneous

I stopped at a gas station tonight--one that usually has the cheapest gas around.
As my tank was filling, I started up a conversation with the lady across from me.
I said, "It's pretty bad when you think 'woohoo, $4.37!'".
She laughed and said she was thinking the same thing.
Sheesh, as if that's cheap.
But a couple of weeks ago it was up to $4.73.

---

The landmark Kansas City Barbecue in downtown San Diego was destroyed by fire two days ago.
According to NBC, "The Kansas City Barbecue was made famous by the movie "Top Gun." According to the restaurant's Web site, the location director for Paramount Studios was driving through downtown San Diego. After stopping in for a beer, he brought back the film's director, Tony Scott, who approached the bar owner for use in the film.

And over the years, hundreds of tourists have flocked to see where Maverick, played by Tom Cruise and Goose, played by Anthony Edwards, belted out the lyrics to "Great Balls of Fire."

A helmet from the movie was now sitting outside, charred and melted. An estimate on the damage caused has not been given, but employees said there were items lost that cannot be replaced.

The restaurant just celebrated its 25th anniversary last month."

Turns out all of the memorabilia from the movie was lost.
I listen to Los Angeles radio stations, and one reporter described the event as "Top Gun goes Cheech & Chong"
(you know...Up in Smoke).
News story here.
Then again, this website said "Oversexed Top Gun BBQ Joint Succumbs to Great Balls of Fire" (referring to Tom Cruise having sung the ironic song choice in the movie at the restaurant location).

---

I have some more links for you guys to check out:
Bella Dia explains how to write a tutorial, and how to make a daisy chain.

Under Construction has a great example of sewing with flour and sugar sacks

Have an iron-on shirt party! (an older post, but I just discovered it)
They also had a DIY Christmas ornament party that seems like a great idea too.

Great ideas

Oh my gosh, my brother Rog came over today and fixed my computer!
I am sooo happy to be online again!

I have a new post up on my purse blog that links tutorials to crochet yarn made from t-shirts, so check that out.

Other goodness I've found includes Make a Memory Jar

Beautiful lamp made from recycled jars

Pique Assiette

Matchbook notebooks tutorial

How to make a notebook using an old record cover.

From prints to journals

Make a passport cover

Make a reusable sandwich bag

Tutorial to make fabric by fusing platic bags!

Ideas...a couple anyway

Aarrgghh.
I'm having computer issues.
Again.
So bear with me.
I do at least have a couple of links to share.

If you're bummed about having to find a substitution for Timtex (like I am), Craft Apple has already done some research for you.

Queenly Things inkjet prints onto fabric.
Here's the tutorial.

Make a pet bed from an old leather coat.

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.

How To Turn a Shirt into T Skirt

Eek, sorry for my absence.
I am madly sewing this week...will show you my efforts this weekend.

Until then, enjoy this DIY from ThreadBanger.

Holly Jolly How-To: Recycling Old Neck-Ties

OMG, a necktie project I hadn't seen yet!
It's a garland.

Who says it has to only be for Christmas?
How about a Valentine's Day garland?
Or???

Goodness around Blog Land

A really creative take on a tee shirt quilt (usually you see large squares of identical size), by Tiboutoo.
(click on image to go to her Flickr page)

sewn to the batting and backing
Originally uploaded by tiboutoo

Or here's another blanket made from tees, this one with small squares.
This is by Anna (aka Uninorth 13).

Geek blanket
Originally uploaded by uninorth13

I like the idea of using parts of words, versus just the central logo or whatever.

Are you IN, or are you OUT?
The new season of Project Runway airs November 14, but you can get your fix and all the scoop about the designers and happenings at Laura's blog--
it's called Blogging Project Runway.
Laura, of Rick Rack Ruby, started BPR, and it has been so successful, she know hosts contributing writers. Congrat's Laura!


Eyeball Pincushion visual tutorial on Flickr, is made with hand-stitched felt and a bottlecap.


One of my friends sent me a link to a weird website called
Cats that Look Like Hitler.
It's similar to Cute Overload, except it just has pics of cats kittehs who look like Spoony here (ya gotta love Spoony's little "bangs")
.
Ha!
My favorite so far is Randolph (who looks more like Salvador Dali to me)



Make an Astro Weenie Pineapple


Corkboard wall pocket tutorial on Craft Apple.

I Heart Hot Chocolate

Ah, my biggest vice.
Chocolate with cinnamon and marshmallows. Ummmm....
Pretty much a nightly ritual.

My favorite brand? Abuelita.

If you want to learn something about chocolate, here's the history. Here too.
It's even healthy!

There's music named Hot Chocolate (no idea if it's good or not), a movie (who knew?),
and a book also (it looks interesting).

And I love love love this gift idea for cocoa in a cone.

Instructions here from Family Fun.
Or Creative Jumble has a tutorial.

Super cute ideas to make reindeer, Santa, or tree versions.

Or vary the idea as you wish: Snickerdoodle cones would have cinnamon and sugar (the ones you can buy already made use cinnamon-flavored chips).
S'mores would have tiny graham cookies or crumbs.
Make them up with mini mint-flavored chips. Or peanut-butter chips. Or whatever you want.
A version you can buy has cherries in it (dried? I'm not sure)
Add hot cinnamon candies. Or a pinch of cayenne.
Tie a lollipop or candy cane to the bag to use as a stir stick.
Maybe add chocolate shavings instead of chips.
Tie with ribbons for a party favor.
I can see this idea modified for all kinds of occasions.
More ideas on this forum.

Recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate
Miscellaneous recipes.
Hot Chocolate Fondue recipe.
A recipe that includes a bit of espresso powder, from the Barefoot Contessa.

And we can't forget the marshmallows.
Toasted coconut marshmallows from the Barefoot Contessa.
And Tyler Florence (speaking of yum) has a homemade marshmallow recipe also.

Ribbon Tree

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


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

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!