I finished the picnic blanket backpack from Threadbanger

Yay all done. Now I can take it on my trip tomorrow. I need to make the straps longer. I think the size stated is fine for a teenage body with average shoulders. But the only way to find out if I could get into it was to make it. So if I do it again I'll add 3" of length to each strap. Also the tutorial is really vague on just which squares the straps go on, and the only way I ever figured it out was to pause the video and stare at the frame where the guy is wearing the backpack. When I have time I need to unfold it all again and take a photo so everyone can see where I think the straps are supposed to go. I could be wrong, but it seems to work this way.
I added two buttons to close the 'pillow' that I turned into a bag to stash goodies. My juggling balls are in there now but it could hold a journal or a sack lunch.
Now some photos.

Pets and Sewing do not mix perhaps

I was working on the picnic backpack project in the Threadbanger video.

A few weeks ago my Serger tension got into a mess and I hadn't needed it so I didn't fix it. So I needed it for this blanket project.

After maybe half an hour, I finally got my serger rethreaded and working properly. I was halfway through sewing 16 fabric squares together when Wallop the Cat decided he was lonely and hopped up on the sewing machine desk. Within mintues he had somehow rubbed his head on the thread spools thereby completely screwing up all my thread tension. Another half hour later I finally got it working again. Blah. Sewing. Now he's sound asleep in the gourd box next to the sewing machine.

Then I went outside to lay the blanket on the grass and take photos but the neighbor's dog Missy was doing donuts on the lawn and she was on that blanket like white on rice. Even so I didn't get her into the photos because her owner kept calling her. So that's why the blanket is all wrinkly.

Make a Picnic Blanket ala Threadbanger.

I'm supposed to be packing for a five day trip but instead I saw this Threadbanger episode and dropped everything to see if I could repurpose 10 T-shirts.

Stoopid Group Admin

Just got declined from a DIY group on flickr because she searched my photo stream and there were no sewing projects. How hard did she look through my 3000 plus Flickr photos? Also, she said she saw no fashion in my Etsy shop. I have 3 Etsy shops, none of which she asked for the link to, so how would she know WHAT I was selling. At this point I have no interest in joining her little clique.

Good Mousekeeping Silk Screen Project

The mouse keeping stencil was problematic but here are the best of today's work. On the very first printing, half an eye came off so I had no choice but to remove the eyes. The red fabric paint seemed to be a lot thinner than the black and got everywhere. I cut out the stencil in 100 degree weather and then it sat a week, so I'm thinking that was why the screen failed after a few runs. I learned a lot from my mistakes I hope.

Videoblog

I just started a craft videoblog on ustream. This is such a good idea because now I can have live craft chats whenever I want to and also record craft videos as I go along so I'm very excited. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/431021

Lost and T-shirt Art

I have a friend on Etsy who goes by NervousOnion. Imagine his surprise when a friend sent him this screen capture from the TV show LOST featuring a t-shirt he had designed! http://flickr.com/photos/nervousonion/2497205398/?addedcomment=1#comment72157605169227239
How exciting and good reflexes on his friend's part for recognizing the shirt on the TV show.

Summer Top

We are having a heat wave so I made a simple cotton top to wear around the house.

It's basically a tube top made out of a rectangle with ruching down the front and black ribbon lace ties in 3 places on the back and around the upper edge.

Stuffed Felt Owl

Today I found the missing stuffing for my felt owl. The owl was on the table by my elbow. The stuffing was behind my chair the whole time

Skirt into Belt

Cutting apart my well-worn and favorite gypsy skirt to make a braided belt, hat band, and headband.

First Silkscreen Printed T-shirts

The prep took a long time but it was worth it because the printing was so much fun.
I got the kit to do silkscreening back in Feb. but it called for Freezer paper. I couldn't find any so the project just got put on a back burner. Then I was watching a Threadbanger episode yesterday about using contact paper applied to the screen and I knew immediately it was the solution to my problem. And then I remembered I had a roll of it in my closet. It wasn't clear like they suggested. It was black with marbling. But I didn't see why that would make any difference.
So yay, I am finally off top dead center.

Silkscreen

In Feb. I opened an Etsy shop for silkscreen printing and bought the Speedball kit and then the project came to a standstill because the instructions called for 'Freezer Paper' and even though that was once a common item I couldn't find it anywhere. And then I got a mental block about the whole project so the box has been sitting in my living room since Feb. Then today in a Threadbanger video they showed how to make the stencil using contact paper. And all this time I've had a roll of marbled contact paper squirreled away in my coat closet. I can't believe I remembered that. So I immediately got it out and cut a stencil and put the wooden frame together for the kit. I was all ready to go when it got dark and I realized I had lots of other things to do in the next hour before my bf got home. So I put everything away and I hope I get to use the screen tomorrow.

Threadbanger called for clear contact paper but I just used what I had. So tomorrow we will see if it comes out the way I envisioned it.

Headscarf

Today I made a headscarf to wear in the kitchen when I am cooking to keep my long hair out of things it doesn't go in. I need to take a better photo. This one does neither of us justice.

Felt Owl

Almost done. Just have to stuff him.

Rites of Spring Necklace.

Today I added some pale green seed beads to the necklace. I've decided to name it the Rites of Spring. I will probably list it on http://www.silkfair.com when I am done with it.

yucca,peyote

I went to a campout over the weekend. On Sat. I got together with my friend Aimee and worked on beading. I continued with my eye glass leash peyote stitch project and then I started a new free form peyote necklace inspired by a photo in one of Aimee's beading books. I am really loving freeform peyote. I worked
on it most of Sunday as well.

Sunday after noon a Mayan woman named Amada taught me how to split yucca leaves and weave a basket from the strips. Imagine all the free weaving supplies you'd ever need from one yucca plant. I may have to plant one in my yard.

Beaded Mobile

Once upon a time there was a beading contest and I in my infinite wisdom decided to make a beaded mobile. Half way into it I realized I'd never finish in time for the contest and the poor thing got abandoned hanging in the shower of the guest bathroom looking all cockamamie. Months went by. Finally today I tell myself I can whip that together in no time. Five hours later I was done. It is now hanging over my head literally instead of metaphorically. I now have so many hours invested in it that I can't sell it for less than $200, and who is going to pay that? So I guess it's now in my permanent collection where most of my creations reside.

If however you want to tackle such a beast, it is a great use for all those one of a kind earrings you made and all those pendants you bought here and there hoping to make into necklaces someday.

What saved me was the wire coils around the bamboo which act as both balancers and spacers.

Felt Barn Owl Prototype

Somehow I went from designing penguins to designing a felt barn owl in one fell swoop. And I totally forgot I'm supposed to be making voodoo dolls. Ah well, I just can't keep that train on the track sometimes.

Somehow I went from designing penguins to designing a felt barn owl in one fell swoop. And I totally forgot I'm supposed to be making voodoo dolls. Ah well, I just can't keep that train on the track sometimes.

Amigurumi Bunny

Free amigurumi crochet bunny pattern on Joann.com http://joann.lionbrand.com/patterns/80018AD.html