WOYWW & Ask a Crafter Week 5!

Howdy folks, it is still raining but that’s OK, I have plenty of projects inside to keep me busy. I was asked for 2 more illustrations for the book I am working on (got to finish that today!) and I am in the process of tearing up my kitchen floor…never a dull moment! Why am I showing you my desk you ask? Because it is time for What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday!

And since it is Wednesday it is time for Ask a Crafter, it’s another epic (epic as in long that is…) broadcast answering 3 pages of great crafty questions. I’ve heard from a few viewers that they play it and listen to it as they go about their crafting or chores, works for me!

If you want to see more crafty desks check out the WOYWW fun at the Stamping Ground! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Knitting 101: Everything you need to know in an 11 minute video!

Seriously folks, knitting is that easy. I’ve been teaching children to knit at the local library for over a year now and I have really learned to simplify the process. If you are new this video is for you. If you are rusty have a look and be reminded of the techniques. If you think you are unteachable and could never get the hang of it try it again. You can pause the video whenever you like and rewind it until you get it right.  This video shows you how to cast on (CO), knit (k), purl (p), and (BO) bind off.  Not bad for 11 minutes eh? I have noted what times each technique is covered below the video so you can skip around if you need to.  So, are you ready to get knitty with it?

See, I told you it was easy! For quick reference here is when each technique is demonstrated:

• Slip Knot 1:04
• Cast On 1:30
• Knit Stitch 2:50
• Purl Stitch 5:10
• Bind Off 7:00

If you get stuck on a project you can just refer to the part of the video you need. You’re welcome! I hope you have some time this weekend to do a bit of knitting. If you have any questions just let me know. Did you know all of those fancy stitch patterns you see in knit wear is just a combinations of knits and purls, who’d a thunk it? Happy knitting and til next time happy crafting!

A Winner and a Bit of Whimsy!

Howdy folks! Man, I just love it when I can start the day giving away something! Today I get to draw a winner for the About Art Accent stamp featured in Last Tuesdays blog post and with the help pf Random.org the winner is Cindy Roberts!!! Woo hoo! Congrats Cindy, check your email for details;)

OK, last week I told you that I got a spool (French) knitter, well, it was so beautiful out the other day (too nice to be hold-op in my art dungeon) so I sat on the porch and tried it out, I made this nifty bracelet.

I used gold crochet cotton (Royale) and “E” glass beads. I wanted my first try to be with inexpensive materials in case I messed it up but still be kinda elegant if it turned out OK.

I used the 6 peg top on my Clover french knitter. I did not bother with the directions because it works just like a knitting loom. I strung on pink, champagne and white beads in the same pattern until I had a lot on there because you don’t want to run out and because 3 is a multiple of 6 so the pattern worked out. If you want a pattern just string on the beads in a multiple of the number of pegs your spool has, easy math yay!

All was almost lost though when I went to make this into a bracelet, I put the string ends through an end cone, then through a clasp and went to knot it (I could glue the knot and slide it under the cone, or so I thought!)  I made such a mess of it that the knot was too big and I could not shove it in the cone and I was all like “Epic Craft Fail!” but then I was all like, “wait, get the scissors” but I did not have enough string after cutting to use a matching cone so I got a smaller one, slipped it on, I tied it off and glued it after it was snugly inside the cone, I literally filled that cone with glue, it is never coming apart LOL! To deal with the mismatched ends I added some bead dangles and wire wrapping and slid a heart frame on to (secured with a jump ring) for good measure so it looks like it is asymmetrical on purpose.

And that’s how you deal with an Epic Craft Fail LOL! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

For Dad’s and DIYers!

I practically grew up in a pile of sawdust. I had my own nail apron and hammer and I would pound endlessly on scraps of wood my dad left around in the shop. I was a proficient step-stool maker by the age of 4! My dad was a contractor and then later he opened a hardware store/lumber yard which he still works at, open to close, every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving. (Talk about hard to buy for!) Today’s card is for all the DIY dads out there and with Father’s day coming up you might want to make one! It came together in minutes using my new Tool Apron SVG and Printable Pocket card kit.

It is great to give as is or tuck a gift card into.  It also would make a great scrapbook page element as you can use the pockets in the apron to hold extra photos or journaling and the tools are fun scrapbook page elements.   Have a great weekend and til next time happy crafting!

Easy Sewing Project: Shopping Bag Caddy

Good morning! Today I am going to share a very easy sewing project. It is a great one for kids to make too as gifts. It is a bag to wrangle all of those plastic shopping bags we get when we forget to take our cloth ones to the store. I like to have these plastic bags around for lining trash cans, collecting road-trip rubbish in the car and of course when I walk the dog.

You will need:

1 fat quarter of fabric (or fabric left over from another project)

1/4″ sewing elastic

sew-on Velcro

grosgrain ribbon

sewing machine, thread, strait pins and a safety pin. You will also need scissors and something round to trace such as a plate.

Watch the video to see how it is done!

Well, how easy was that! I love it when a project can teach new skills such as making a casing for an elastic (hey, now you can make a skirt or pair of pajama pants) or sewing on Velcro witch is a great thing to know your all of you home decor divas out there! If you enjoyed this project and want to try yourself please check out the wonderful ribbons and other craft supplies available from our sponsor Papermart! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

One more item for the craft table…

So, the other day I had a bit of a freak-out that I would not have enough product for my craft fair table (not the case BTW, I completely filled a table and 3 display stands AND had to flip a storage tote over for another surface) and I remembered some covered button kits I had in my stash so naturally I made a bunch of earrings with them!

The kits were from Dritz and you don’t need any tools. You cut a circle from fabric using the provided template (great for scraps!) and then center your button top on the wrong side of the fabric and pull the fabric to the back and hook it to the teeth on the back then snap the back of the button on! I cut off the shank on the back and glued on an earring post with one part epoxy.

For the earring cards I cut scrapbook paper 3″x4″ and scored the piece at 1″, 2″ & 3 3/4″ and folded it in a triangle and glued it on the bottom with the smaller flap tucked under. Before I glued it I added an embossed punched shape (cut in half) and poked holes for the earrings and placed the earrings in and ear-nuts on the back. They remind me of something Jackie O would wear!

I guess I better get going, I managed to get my booth 99% set up last night but of course I want to tweak it a bit and I promised to make a sign for my daughters Brownie fundraiser booth and I have a list of stuff I forgot last night I need to round up too! I will take a photo of my set-up and share it with you tomorrow and let you know how I did, till then happy crafting!

DIY Frame Embossing Templates {video!}

Happy Friday friends! Boy, have I got a fun project for you to try this weekend! Making Your own embossing frames! These are cardboard frames you can cut and use with your embossing folders so you only emboss a section of your card and leave the rest flat for stamping like I did on this card:

Check out this video to see how it is done!

Here are some more examples:

I’m going to keep it short and sweet today, I made up a couple more batches of earrings yesterday and I need to package them up then load up the van with my craft fair stuff. I am feeling the panic I always do before a show ”Did I make enough stuff? Will anyone buy it?!?”  But in the end I know I will be fine, even if I sell nothing I’m only out the $15 for the table and I will have lots of new inventory for next time. Wish me luck! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Dress Form Display & 50% Off!

Howdy folks! First up I want to let you know that Everything at Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff is 50% off today only, yay!  Next up I want to share a dress from display I made:

Guess what, I made it from an empty dish soap bottle. When I saw this tutorial on Beansie Babbles blog I knew I had to try it! Of course with my housekeeping {or lack there-of} style I don’t empty a bottle of dish soap that often (everything, I mean EVERYTHING gets crammed in the dishwasher so I rarely use the wash-by-hand soap) but when I did happen to empty a bottle this week I had to try it!

I think if I make another one I will use a bottle of JOY or AJAX because the bottles are slimmer. My Nature’s Place all natural bottle is a bit full-figured…well, I guess the old adage about every piece of art being a self-portrait is true LOL!

After covering the bottle with tape I painted it:

I used up my matte decopague glue on my jewelry display board last week so all I had left was glossy Mod-Podge, I’m not crazy about the shine, I should have used watered down glue I think…

The decorating is the fun part, I used some papermart tulle and elastic to make a removable tu-tu, and added scraps of lace and plastic bead strands. I think I will use it on my craft fair table to hold a sign or hand jewelry off, I’m not sure.  I decided not to have a pedestal under it because I did not want it to be tipsy but I bet an old candle stick would work if you wanted one.

Tacky or classy? What do you think? Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

WOYWW: Ask a Crafter!

Howdy folks! It is time once again to have a peek at my craft desk. I have supplies to make a fresh batch of summery earrings and I am going to try covering some blank buttons and using them for post style earrings. I’ll let you know how that turns out! Why am I sharing my desk? Because it is What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday and each week the fabulous Julia hosts this super fun crafty blog hop so if you want to see more check out the full list of desks on her blog.

It’s also time for my weekly video blog! I asked you to submit any craft related questions you might have for me last week and I had quite a few on my YouTube video. Today I answer them for you. Question ranges from making rhinestone blingy beads, to craft fair display, resources for cheap craft supplies, photography and more. Have a look:

If you have a crafty question you would like me to answer next week just leave a comment either here on my YouTube video and I will address it in next’s weeks video blog! I’ll even try to slow down when I talk…I’ll try…no promises;) Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Up-cycled Jewelry Display Rack

Yesterday we stayed home, the kids vegged out and I worked on the dreaded craft fair pricing and packaging. Every time I tell myself I’ll price and package as I make the stuff and every time I wait until the last-minute, why? I think it is because I hate deciding on a price. I know what I think my stuff is worth but at the same time I want to price it to sell. As I was pondering this I noticed an old frame that I decided could be up-cycled into a display board, here is how it turned out (it’s hanging on the wall behind my sewing machine)

It is cuter in real life;) I have a few of these frames kicking around because I also do custom framing and I had ordered some frames in for a customer and they had gouges on the side so the company replaced them but did not want the frames back. They came with a plywood backing board so I decopauged old book pages (don’t freak out, The librarian gave them to me because they were going to be tossed in the dumpster) on it and let it dry:

After the decaupague glue was dry I secured the backer board in the frame. I had a bucket of wooden spools that were given to me years ago and I thought they would be great for hanging a necklace or bracelet on.  I placed them on the board in staggered rows and decided on placement.

When I was happy with the spacing I hot glued the spools in place. Ta-da! This is plenty rugged to hold jewelry for my craft fair display and if I keep it hanging in my craft room it will be easy to price and hang a piece of jewelry up there when i make it, yeah right!

I love that this project serves a purpose and was absolutely free to me! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!