Craftgrrl - Where Crafters Unite! - January 5th, 2008

Here are a few little Christmas crafts I made! (Sadly, I did not photograph any of the gifts I made to give away, and I went for entirely handmade gifts this year, being totally broke.)



I made a few of these ornaments out of plain glass balls. I used round stickers (and the sticky papers with the round holes that surrounds them) to stencil circles or negative-space circles, and then used etching cream to get the frosted effect. These are actually clear, but look pink because my Christmas tree lights were pink. For some reason, these took forever, and I didn't end up finishing all twelve, but there's always next year.

( A couple more things... )

what kind of chain do you guys use for necklaces/bracelets?

i had a customer on my etsy shop have a reaction to beading wire that i used on the necklace she bought :(
i've never had a reaction to the beading wire but if she did than others could as well.

which scares me and i don't want to use that anymore. and i don't want to use crappy metal ones either.



i know stirling silver is a safe bet. what about aluminum? i don't think i've ever worn aluminum chain before, any experiences to share? is it good/bad?

I'm thinking of starting a decoupage project involving a set of wooden bookshelves. I've never decoupaged before, so I'd love some advice -- what's the best stuff to use to stick everything on, and what should I use to seal it?

Also, I'm planning to paint some picture frames, but I'm also woefully inept at painting -- should I use acrylic paint, or house paint or something else? And is there anything I should and/or can use to seal that to make the paint last longer? Oh, these will be unfinished frames, btw.

Thanks in advance to any advice given!

I used to craft a lot as a kid but gave up. Then here recently (past 2 years or so) I've gotten SO into it again. I've been stenciling thanks to my friend who taught me. I've also been attempting to sew and paint and just about everything.

It's not much but I thought I'd show a few pictures of the crafts I have done recently. Some I do when I'm bored and some I do because I need them.

Included pics: painted bookcase, stenciled shirt/handmade bag, notebook cover, etc

( Read more... )

I checked memories for laminating/clear contact paper, to no avail....

I am making a pocket shrine/altoid tin for a friend. Some of the pics I am using are glossy magazine pics from our Chamber of Commerce town booklet. I used clear packing tape as a laminate but I want something a little more finished for the next tin I do.


My question is, have any of you used clear contact paper for a laminate?? Were you happy with the results and would you use it again? Is it cloudy, at all, as I think clear contact paper is kinda dullish looking. The tape, while nice and clear, has the line where I overlapped the pieces (reason I overlapped them, in time I didn't want adhesive to goop out or for that section to pull away.)


Please advise and I will post pics of the said project and more soon. I am thisclose to finishing!

Thanks! :*


*edited to add... I don't want to go the Mod-podge route. While I like it for a lot of different applications, I don't want to use it for this type of thing. I want all the paper sealed in a plastic coating so she can carry it in her purse without it getting worn looking and more of a flat, smooth, almost sticker-like finish. (If that makes any sense) I am layering papers on card stock and I don't want any exposed edges. I want to do my piece, cover the entire thing in SOMETHING and then adhere it to the box.

I know, I am weird.

I am new to the community, this is my first post.

I love crafts and I try everything! lol. Even if I am not good at it. My mom taught me how to make these Christmas tree ornaments she decorates our tree with. Now im going to make some this year for my own tree next Christmas. I also want to learn hot to knit and eventually make an article of clothing.

Here are a few of my creations...
( Read more... )

Hey I didn't see this posted anywhere in the Memories so I am going to ask it here. What kind of craft could you do with a bandana that you don't wear anymore - this has to be a no sew craft because we don't own a sewing machine and I can't sew by hand??

Please pardon my ignorance, but...

What are the measurements of a "Fat quarter"? I am presuming (probably incorrectly) that a "quarter" would be a quarter of a square meter or yard. LOL so, even if that's correct (which I admit probably -isn't-) what would a "Fat" one then be??

Many thanks in anticipation (of answers, not the "Duh!"s ;) )

As you can tell from my many Dresden Dolls Icons, I am quite a fan. While following [through pictures] Amanda Palmer's[Lead Singer] solo tour in Scotland, I fell in love with a skirt she wore.





x-posted.
( Here is my interpretation of it. )

First time poster Long time lurker

Alright so I got a new nice sewing machine for Christmas! (YAY)

SO I try to sew nice edges with a simple uhhh -------- Like that.

But the back of it the loops to hold it up always are too big and tangled.

I try to regulate the speed with the pedal but its very hard, But I manage.

Does anyone know why it keeps happening?

( I know its vauge and maybe not the right question here) but thanks if you can help!

I just realized that I don't think I posted this bag yet. If I have, sorry for spamming! :P