Craftgrrl - Where Crafters Unite!

 So I have looked up a few websites and all of that but I wanted to ask you all as well:

I have never atempted "normal clothes".
I can make toutus like no ones businees,
wings on a wire frame take only half my concentration,
and the bottom of a ball gown dress was pie.

I want to make some sundresses. 
Problem?
I have NO sweing machine.

Does anyone have any good, /really/ simple patterns for a beginer?
And also, any good tips for excesories to make out of the scraps?
Any other things that you think I might find simple and dun to make?

Thank you all so much in advance for any help I may recive.

-Kristin

Hi guys. I'm making a circle skirt and I need a bit of help.
I'm attatching the waist band right now..
I need to know if I'm on the right track so far.
Thanks.

Hey everyone! I have been a long long time lurker, and I'm sorry that my first post is a question rather than anything with pics of things I've done or tips and ideas for others! But, here goes:

A long time ago, years and years ago, I read somewhere online or in a magazine or somewhere that you can make giant crayons from bits of old discarded broken crayons. I know that I need a cupcake pan and I put them in the oven and then I think I put them in the freezer after that, but I really don't remember any specifics about this "recipe" does this sound familiar to anyone? Do you know how to do this or is there a website with this recipe? Thanks for the help!

I made this bag for my mom from an old t-shirt she had. I used the same pattern I used for my other bags, but I added a pocket (first time ever!) and made the straps two-sided (also a first!).

This is only my third bag, so any advice is appreciated.

( Over the rainbow )

Since Breaking Dawn is coming out soon I have been making Twilight jewelry like crazy since I am so excited! Here are a few things I made the last couple days. :-)

( YAY Twilight )

i can't find a pattern for this dress. it seems deceptively easy, but i want to get the ruching done properly, and i'm not the best seamstress. it ends just below the knee. any suggestions?




crossposted

I've been crocheting like a mad man lately, so I thought I'd show the fruits of my labor.
( Read more )
The next project: A tetris blanket. It's slow going, but it's gonna be awesome. Each block is four granny squares.

Hi everyone!
Does anyone know how to make a recycled magazine picture frame?
(Like this one: http://www.outblush.com/women/images/2008/05/recycled-magazine-picture-frame.jpg)
My friend's birthday is coming up and I really want to make one for her, but I can't figure out how to get the magazine page that tightly wound.
If anyone's had any experience with it, or ideas on how to do it, that would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Thanks to all those who posted wonderful responses to my previous post.  I have one more quick question.

I am interested in using simple chain and charms for necklaces- do I just use little rings to attach or is there a better product?

For earrings, I'm interested in charms as well- I know I need the earring hooks, but other than that I don't know how to attach them - do I need pins or rings?  The simpler the better.

Thanks- sorry for the follow-up, I'm just trying to get started.

So I have a wine bottle and a bunch of... uh... flat marble things.
I wish to illuminate the wine bottle with the flat marble things laying at the bottom of it to give it some extra color. (What ARE those things called anyway?)

( pictures beneath the cut )

The two ideas I've heard that sound like they would work the best are a LED push light. (The link's just for the sake of the LED light. I don't think I'd want to use hollowed out coaster's for this project.) OR Christmas tree lights in the bottle. (I was told if I wanted to use Christmas tree lights that an LED strand would be best to avoid potential fire hazards and overheating the bottle.)

Does anyone have any experience with either of these options, insight in to which would be more illuminating, more cost effective, or any other ideas for lighting this project?

Thanks! <3

I know. I just posted yesterday, but today, it's MY craft.

I'm totally proud of what I'm posting today. More polymer clay stuff.
I checked out some books from the library about Polymer clay and got some tips as well as ideas for things I could make... I wanted to go simple this time and just use black and white.

( LOOK WHAT I DID!! )

Here's a journal page I did last night. I did most of this in bed last night while using my little table top easel on top of my breakfast-in-bed tray thingy. It worked pretty well. (I use the table-top easel so I don't have to look down while I work.)

The color looks a little flat in the scan . .. it's much richer in real-life.

Hi!

I am wondering if anyone might be able to help me out.  I am very interested in making simple earrings and perhaps necklaces.  I am not sure about what type of equipment I need.  I am broke, so I don't know if this is something that I should even consider starting now or wait till I am better off.  Just wanted some feedback and what you pros thought.

Also, when looking for charms/bread/etc for earrings and chains for necklaces where do you find such items?  Would a chain craft store carry such items or would it be better to find a local bead-type shop?  Also since I have no clue- is really simple chain for necklaces expensive?

Thanks for baring with my inexperience!

I finished the doll I made for an upcoming Art Contest.

The theme is Angels & Demons...
She's 22 inches tall and completely hand stitched. She's wearing a white crinkled chiffon gown that just flows so nicely... I really love that fabric!


Her Angel wings are stitched with white wool and soft white feathers, each individually sewn on, and she carries a little ancient Egyptian book of the dead that I sculpted with paper clay in one hand, and a pewter cross on a chain in the other.

She's hiding black panties, fishnet stockings and black leather shoes underneath, and she has two little black demon horns coming out of her head.

I had fun making this doll and I think she came out just lovely! :)

All of my dolls are © 2003-2008 Jodi Cain All rights reserved!

So here is the circlet I'm making for my future sister in law's wedding to my bro! Its not stuck together yet but this is the general idea so far...critique!?

The leaves are cut from thin copper sheet their edges filed and sanded within an inch of their new lives...then heated to get that discolouration. The stone is a tumbled emerald I received in a bag of stones I bought in India last year, I cut more of the copper sheet to make a bezel setting. The rest of the circlet is made from 2mm and 1.25mm copper wire purchased from an electrical store. Originally this item was meant to be soldered together, but unfortunately the copper on "mark one" of the circlet pretty much melted under the strain of the blowtorch, so this "mark two" will be held together with a strong metal glue...not ideal but will do the job...next time I'll try one in silver so I can solder! :)

( Sonia's circlet )

  

Hi guys.
I have a sculpey question that I didn't see answered in the memories. I am about to start on a project and am debating whether to hollow it out or keep it as a solid mass of sculpey. I'd like to keep it solid just because it would be easier to sculpt, but I'm wondering if there are any baking issues tend to arise when heating thick pieces. The part I am making may come to around 3" in thickness in places, and I don't want it to burn on the outside or crack or explode or do any other awful thing. Anyone have experience with this? Also, would it be a problem to have a piece that is very thick like that is some places but much thinner in others? I imagine the thinner parts would harden faster and could possibly burn or singe, but I've actually never used sculpey before (shhh...) so I don't know!