Sunday, March 30, 2008

Pop /tab/ fashion

Hi-de-ho neighbor. I found a tutorial on making funky fresh pop-tab belts at Oh So Crafty's blog.











The instructions she provides are very image heavy and detailed, so I shan't restate them here. Creating a belt seemed a tad ambitious for my purposes. I made a bracelet, following the directions closely with help from the pictures. I'm gonna say... it wasn't easy. I worked on it for about an hour and I think the length is perfect.











I love the creative recycling you can incorporate into fashion with pop tabs. I have a crocheted pop tab purse from Escama Studio that my new bracelet will match.!





But wait...Is there such a thing as too much pop?

Monday, March 24, 2008

Aye, Eye patch(s)!

Shiver me timbers! I can never fall asleep at night. I'll attribute that to my overactive mind. Usually light is coming in the window/ the smoke alarm is blinking/etc. Solution: I want a nifty eye mask. After seeing this picture of Michael Cera, I want a very similar eye mask. Mainly so I can emulate him.
The eye mask he is modeling so adorably is by intimates designer Mary Green, and you can get this exact one HERE!





However, since I lack the mad skillz necessary to sew an eye mask with a sewing machine, I talked my grandma- hereafter referred to as Oma- into sewing it while I helped and observed. This is the account of the extraordinary events that followed.

*Click the tiny pictures for larger ones

12:30 pm- We discuss the design based on the materials at hand. We cut a pattern to base the measurements on.











12:45- I decide on a sage green cloth for the front and pink satin for the back.
1:00- After questioning how I could get the words on the mask, I decide to write directly on the fabric and lightly iron the fabric to set it.












1:25- Tracing the text took a while to do carefully. The sage cloth is cut. Oma comments that her scissors need sharpening...











1:35- Oma pins the elastic straps to the fabric for the front. The pink lining is cut and we make a decision to put in some light batting for cushioning. You have to have less batting than fabric so it doesn't bunch up.












1:45- Oma deftly sews around the edge of the inside out mask, avoiding the elastic bands.





















1:55- After cutting slits in the edges to make bending easier, I observe excitedly while Oma carefully turns the mask inside out.










2:00pm- I squeal at how cute it is, while Oma sews up the gap using a blind stitch. She declares that we should add a top stitch around the edge "for more pizazz" because "it puts the icing on the cake". It also makes the finished product stronger, more durable.

2:10- Sleep mask photo shoot! Kudos to Oma (pictured below) for walking me though the process of making my own eye masks. These would make adorable presents as they can be personalized for the recipient.










I'm pleasantly surprised at the awesomesauce mask I got out of this live blog, and I'm looking forward to a good night of GLORIOUS SLEEP working on my novel.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Button, button, who's got the button?


















The buttons are done and they want a cozy shoulder to rest on.
Contest :
one winner thus far. Get 'em while they're hot FREE.

EDIT: Contest is over. Keep your eyes out for the next one!

Hello Stranger(s)

My spring break was pretty keen. However, I'm certain some of my loyal readers missed me oodles. So under these peculiar circumstances, I feel it is my bounden duty to inform you that your suffering will not be unwitnessed!
What do I propose?


CRAFTY GIVEAWAY
First three comments on this post win a St. Patrick's Day pin made by the infamous CRAFT PUNK herself!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!


It could be YOU! FOR THE WIN.