Spring Forward!

This past weekend we "sprung forward". This year is going by so fast already. Summer is right around the corner, and in my neck of the woods Summer means the county fair. It's called the San Diego County Fair nowadays but when I was a kid we called it the Del Mar Fair. And actually it's real name was the Southern California Exposition but nobody ever called it that. I think for most people it will always be the Del Mar Fair.

I am super excited about the fair because it is a wonderful opportunity for amateur crafters and artists to showcase their talents. The contest categories are quite diverse. You could enter your handmade quilt, your home made jam or your extensive matchbook collection in hopes of winning a coveted blue ribbon. The home arts showcase has always been one of my favorite exhibits at the fair (along with the poultry show), but it's even more meaningful to me since I took the leap last year and finally entered one of my projects.

My 2013 Entry to the San Diego County Fair

I didn't win anything but it was still a rush to see my bracelet on display at the fair for everyone to see. This year I am planning to enter two contests. I have a pretty nice travel bar collection I'm hoping will win a prize in the "collections" division. And I am teaching myself a new beading technique and making a beaded snake necklace. The beaded jewelry group attracts some talented competitors and I'm not sure I am at their level yet, but just completing the project and entering will be quite an accomplishment.

Not a Great Blogger...

My intention is to blog regularly. I do crafty stuff all the time, but I always forget to photograph my projects and take notes so I can blog my creations. However, I would rather not blog than to post a craft idea that is untested or doomed to failure. I also will not post craft ideas that are lame or ugly. I read a variety of craft blogs and some of the crap these ladies post is embarrassing. A lot of it is awesome, don't get me wrong, but there are a few wanna-bes out there who do blog on a regular basis (good) but don't have anything worth blogging about so they just post any old crap project (not good).

Not trying to be a hater, I just don't think your doing anyone a favor by posting a crap craft idea just so you have something to post. Case in point: A blogger who I recently began following posted some ideas for Valentines day and one idea was a photo coaster. I was intrigued so I clicked the link for instructions. Basically, buy a coaster size wooden plaque blank, paint the edges and then Mod Podge a photo onto the top. Now I am not criticizing on this idea because it is too easy, some of the best ideas are quite simple, I am criticizing the horrid technique.

First off, she doesn't specify that you need to use a laser copy for this project. You simply cannot use ink jet prints to decoupage. The decoupage medium instantly causes the inks to run and bleed. You must use an laser print or photocopy. Second, this blogger instructs you to seal the coaster with 2 coats of Mod Podge. You could seal it with fifty coats of Mod Podge and as soon as you set your wet glass on it it would be ruined. Mod Podge is not a sealer. It is marketed as such, but it is not. Trust me, I have know from experience. Mod Podge glossy will stay tacky-ish almost indefinitely. Even if you never set a glass on these coasters, if you stacked them they would bond together after a very short time.

I'm not trying to make this a Mod Podge hate fest, but any crafter who tells you to seal a project with Mod Podge is either on their payroll or doesn't really know what they are doing. You must use some sort of sealer over Mod Podge to properly finish it. They make an array of different types of Mod Podge now, so last time I was at the craft store I checked them out. I wanted to see if Mod Podge's Outdoor formula would work for a project I was creating. The instructions, state that it needs to cure for FOUR WEEKS before it can be placed outside. Does that seem reasonable? Not to me. Go buy a can of clear coat for a buck or two at Home Depot and properly seal your project so that it will last a lifetime. You owe it to your crafts and to the special people you make them for.

A New Year, A Fresh Start

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”--Maria Robinson.

A fresh start can happen any day, but most people get in the mood to turn over a new leaf right around the New Year. Shopping with my son at Costco, he marvelled at the wall of vitamins at the store's entrance. 

"That's because everyone wants to get in shape in January," I schooled him. "Look at all the organizational products, too," gesturing towards a display of various plastic bins. I am not immune to this siren's call. I have struggled to conquer my chaotic nature as long as I can remember. Buying day planners and shoe boxes and myriad other organizational tools that might help me get a handle on it. Really, it just takes work and discipline. Every year I get a bit better at it. I am 48 and still working on it, still making progress little by little. 

 My studio is finally getting properly arranged. The couch that took up way too much space got moved out and my desk moved in. A little more shuffling of furniture and the addition of a cutting table and it will be just right. 

This is going to be a great year. I am planning on it.

Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone, and so quickly. I seemed the end of the year really snuck up on me, and I was actually pretty organized for a change. This year's "resolution" is to do better than last year, same goal I have every year. This year I will work on being much more organized and disciplined. I have my work cut out for me.

Along with my resolution to move forward, I usually set some other goals, more lofty intents. One of them is to have a tweet appear on TV, preferably during Dancing with the Stars. I also want to have an article published in a real paper magazine. And see the Northern Lights.

8 Days Until Christmas - Yikes! Hand Made Scarves in Minutes

Eight days until Christmas and I have been so busy! Haven't we all? I had the opportunity to participate in the Seaside Farmers' Market Holiday Stroll so that was pretty awesome. It was my first Farmers' Market, so I learned a LOT. I was even invited back last weekend, and this upcoming weekend. I had to say "no" to this weekend because (like most of us) my schedule is just too packed this close to Christmas.

Christmas has got me busy with orders and gifts to make, and I am also prepping for our vacation which starts the Friday after Christmas. A week of camping at Big Sur and Point Reyes! After this crazy busy Season, I am looking forward to a week of relaxing surrounded by beautiful wilderness.

There is still time to bust out some homemade gifts, you guys. One of the quickest gifts to make and one that is perfect for the season is a homemade fleece scarf. You can buy "no-sew" scarf kits at any craft store. Personally, if you can sew even a little bit, I think it is just as easy (and cheaper) to sew your own and you get a huge variety of choices.

My local Joann Fabrics store carries fleece in tons of different patterns. So so many, I mean you can find just about anything. Buy about a yard & a half to two yards of fabric for each scarf, depending on your preferences. You will be get two scarves out of each length of material. Trim off the ugly edges and cut it lengthwise right down the center. Fold each piece, right sides together, and pin then stitch. Turn it right side out and cut fringe about 3 inches long. Make the fringe nice and wide, and once you're done, give it a gentle tug to stretch it out and give it a little curl. I leave the ends open because it's easier and you can slip your hands inside to warm them up if you forget your gloves. That's basically it. Hand made gifts in about 15 minutes. Not counting the time you spend picking out fabric. That could potentially add hours to this project if you are like me and peruse every bolt in the fabric store.

33 Days 'til Christmas - My Favorite Handmade Gifts - Wood Plaque Photo Transfer

economy size

This is another easy gift to make and one that is sure to be appreciated by the recipient. I recently made this plaque for my Mom's birthday. My Mom knows that she is probably going to get some kind of handmade gift from her starving artist daughter for just about every occasion and she is fine with it. I try to make the gifts useful and/or memorable. Believe me, there are a lot of weird and random craft ideas out there that I would never give as a gift. If it doesn't pass the "Would I Like To Receive This?" test, it doesn't make the cut. This craft passes with flying colors.

It is a very easy project, unfortunately you will most likely have to make a trip to the craft store. Unless you are an artist, it is doubtful you have gel medium on hand, and nobody I've ever met keeps a supply of blank wooden plaques hanging around. But if you are anything like me, you are at the craft store at least once a week (who am I kidding, I am there almost daily). Also you will need a laser print of the photo you are transferring. Unless you do a black & white transfer, then just a regular copy from a copy machine will work. The only thing that will not work is an ink jet copy. When you print your image, do not forget to reverse it so that when it's transferred onto the plaque it is the right way. This is especially important if your image includes lettering, or is a photo of your family home which you are giving to your mother as a gift.

Paint the printed image with a nice, even coating of gel medium. Carefully lay it on the plaque, making sure there are no bubbles, and smooth it down. Try not to press it over the edge of the plaque, and wipe up any gel medium that oozes over the edge. That stuff dries as hard as plastic and is a real pain to get off without marring the edges of your image. Let it dry for 24 hours.

The next day, set the plaque face down in a shallow dish with a little water & let it soak for a minute. It is so awesome, just like magic the image will be transferred onto the wood. Now you must carefully rub the paper off. You can do it under running water, or you can rub some off, soak for a minute, rub the paper, soak, etc. until it's almost all the way off then finish under running water, which is what I did. After it dries, you will notice that there is still some paper left and you'll have to wet it and rub it some more. This will happen a few times before all of the paper is gone. Tiny bits of the image will get rubbed off too, but it just adds to the home made coolness of the plaque.

Ta-da! Another fabulous handmade gift that will be sure to warm the heart of the lucky receiver.

PS: don't forget that there are many wonderful artists offering lots of lovely handmade items for sale this Season and all throughout the year! Even if you aren't into making all of your presents, consider buying handmade gifts this year and support small businesses! Although I am partial, these are two of my faves-

Red Scorpio Crafts & Art

Shadoan Photographic Arts

34 Days "til Christmas - My Favorite Handmade Gifts - Shrink Plastic Pendant

34 days until Christmas and I still have so many things to do. Pretty much everything. I should take my own advice and start busting out some cool handmade stuff to give to all of the people on my list. Maybe I will make a few of these shrink plastic pendants. They are super easy and look really awesome. Best of all, if you have any #6 plastic take out containers, they are just about free.

More & more restaurants are switching to #1 and #2 plastic for take out boxes, and that is wonderful because #1 & #2 can be easily recycled, in fact those are the only 2 kinds my recycle bin accepts. If you do happen upon some #6, save it to make shrinkies. You will be helping the planet by not tossing more plastic into the trash and you get to enjoy a super fun and easy craft. Win-win. If you can't get your hands on #6 plastic, shrink plastic is readily available at craft stores and in the craft department of Target, Walmart, etc.

awesome necklace

You will need:
#6 take out container or store bought shrink plastic
Sharpies
Colored Pencils
Hole punch
Scissors
Craft heat gun
Jump rings, wire, cording, or something of your choosing from which to hang your pendant.


Let's start with the design. I wanted to make a cool pendant for my Mom's birthday gift, and I happened to have a fierce pic of my Mom and my dad Bob. First, I had to tweak it a little by making it black & white and adjusting the contrast. You can find out how to do this by Googling "picture to stencil". Here is a great Instructable on the subject. Don't get hung up on trying to get a super smooth edge. You will be tracing the pic and therefore can take a whole lot of liberties. Alternately you could find some cool clip art. Your original image should be no bigger than 5"x5"and probably no smaller than 3"x3".

Make sure your container is very clean. Cut out an appropriately sized piece, making sure there is nothing stamped on it (like a big ol' #6). You should lightly sand it with fine grit sandpaper if you are using colored pencils or if you want a more opaque look but if you use Sharpies sanding is not necessary. Tape the plastic to the image you're tracing. This is a very important step, trust me. Start with the outline and the big obvious shapes, then add in the details. For a monochromatic piece like this one, make sure you leave blank spaces, in the hair for example, to give it texture. If you are using a Sharpie you will notice that it "marks" areas that you have already colored. Don't worry about that, you will not be able to tell once you've shrunk it down.

these sunglasses look all googly now, but they won't in a minute

 If you make a mistake you can erase it with a Q-tip barely moistened with rubbing alcohol. Once you are satisfied with your design, trim the plastic down to a neat shape and punch your hole. Or holes, depending on how you want your pendant to hang. I made mine into a beaded necklace, so I punched a hole in each top corner. A regular office-type hole punch is perfect. The holes will seem huge but shrink down to just the right size. Place your plastic on a heat proof surface and shrink it with your crafty heat gun. You could use a toaster oven, if you have a spare, but I wouldn't shrink plastic in something I cook food in, and the heat gun works great.  ***Before you shrink have a flat bottomed glass handy (with no lettering on the bottom!)  so you can press your piece flat if you need to, and try not to blast the plastic off the table with the forced air of the heat gun. It is going to curl up so don't freak out. It should straighten itself out, but if not, you can tweak it into submission while it's still hot. And it will be very hot, so be careful.










Here is the result! Store bought shrink plastic may give a soother finish (although I wouldn't know, I've never bought the stuff) but I like this imperfect "wabi-sabi" finish. If you're feeling extra creative, colored pencils work great as well and are permanent once you shrink them. My Mom loved her necklace and I bet your Mom would too. I think I will now go make some shrink plastic ornaments for my tree.





PS: don't forget that there are many wonderful artists offering lots of lovely handmade items for sale this Season and all throughout the year! Consider buying handmade gifts this year and support small businesses! Although I am partial, these are two of my faves-

Red Scorpio Crafts & Art

Shadoan Photographic Arts