Hyatus Over!!!

Today is Hubby's last day of vacation. While I will miss him around the house it means more crafting time. So its not all bad. I would have done more crafting this week but we have been cleaning/rearranging/remodeling the house. Lots of new Ikea furniture has transformed the living room into a grown up place. We are slowing moving out of the dorm room phase of our lives. Don't get me wrong. We still have the wall scrolls and anime figures displayed in the stairwell. The stuff we chose to display in the living room is more collectible and of course much of it is our own art. Johnny The Homicidal Maniac is still the framed art on the walls. This will probably never change. Comic books as fine art is just ironic enough to withstand the test of time.

My parents and I have been brain storming the last couple of weeks about opening an art studio near them in Pahrump, Nevada. It is tough for me to do anything from all the way in Germany but the inspiration has been rolling. Dad even asked how big of a place I might want as though he is looking and Mom may have found our first kiln and pottery wheels. It may be a couple years until me and Mike are at a place where we can help but it gives me such hope for a future of not working for other people and doing what I love. Besides, how cool would it be to teach and be around creative people all day. It will be a cool place for our (in the distant future) children to grow up.

Much crafting this week for swaps and commissions. Plus I really need to get started on Angie's baby stuff. She's about ready to pop. Many pics too I hope!

Much Swapage

I finished up a few swaps just before my hubby got home from his long trip to fight the bad guys.

First was the Reading Rainbow Swap. Partners sent each other a tote, a bookmark and a good book. How very appropriate since I'm SUCH a bibliophile. I crocheted the tote and made the bookmark from the same fabric as the lining. My partner had slightly different tastes in books so I sent her a blank book to use as a journal with a remade cover. I used suede mat board and inlaid a rose using the laser engraver to make the vector cuts. Then I found a copy of The Princess Bride at the PX and thought she may enjoy that also (plus it matched the tote so well). And as a bonus I included a couple book bracelets 'cause I had a few beads left over from the huge set I made earlier. [16 hours]

Next comes the Friend of Craftster Secret Swap. We didn't know who was sending to us and we could only stalk our partners without asking any questions. Unfortunately my partner was MIA for most of the round and not as easy to stalk as I could have hoped for. With her two themes, 8 Bit Theatre and Dragons, I came up with these projects. Some crossed stitched sprites with magnets on the back and a reverse stencil dye discharged dragon t-shirt. I cut out a silhouette of a dragon from freezer paper, ironed it on and sprayed a 50/50 bleach water mixture on the shirt. When the dye is bleached out I got the amazing reddish color underneath (much preferred to the off white you sometimes get on black shirts). Also included are some beer stickers because of her hobby of brewing and a couple iron on transfer pencils from her wists. Gwenyvarr has received her package but has not posted or informed me and the organizer that she has. More frustration ensues but I hope nothing tragic has happened to her. [6 hours]

Now that Hubby is home I'm back to crafting more stuff. I'm totaly addicted to crochet right now and am much closer to the crocheted tire cover for my Jeep that I have been dreaming of. I'm also teaching sewing to the kidos again. Weekly classes with K and an upcoming class with Girl Scouts and SAS. Plus ALOT of people are asking about crochet classes (more than quilting amazingly). Lots of work to do at the real job after this nice 4 day weekend I gave myself. More projects to follow this week.

A Long List

To do this weekend:

Swaps:
*Buy t-shirt
*Take pics of Reading Rainbow package
Print pics of previous swaps to put in journal
Mail Reading Rainbow and Mom's box

For Classes:
*Make sample for embroidery with many differant stitches
*Go through pamphlet and pick best stitches for class
Take pictures during class
Ides for SAS Sewing Club

For Me:
*Monster hoodie (make extra teeth, knee in jeans is gonna rip soon)
*Welcome home sign
*Get together poly-clay and embroidery stuff for overnight
*Cook Gidget a casserole
Start Angie's Baby shirts
clean (optional)

Commisions:
More Flags
Tayloring for V.C. (by Wed)

Blowing Off Some Steam

I have yet to have a mad rant but I think now is the time. First let me say that I mean no crafter or web site or wonderful moderators or voters on said site any disrespect. That said, I'm a little disapointed in the current leader of the Crafster Craft Challange #24. Now in full disclosure, I did enter this contest (with no thought I would have a chance of winning) but I don't appreciate losing to someone who didn't follow the rules.

The purpose of the challange was to create something to help you fulfill a New Year's resolution. I.e. if your resolution is to be move environmentaly aware then you could make reuseable shopping bags. The current vote leader's resolution was to use her fabric stash. Her entry is an item using her fabric stash. This is NOT what the contest is about. There is even lengthy discusion in the challange thread about this from weeks before.


snowyangle: "My resolution is to use up my fabric that seems to keep piling up all the time! I hope that counts."
~~~~~
sweets4ever: "As long as your challenge entry is something that helps you achieve that resolution (a fabric organizer, a calendar charting out all of the projects you're going to work on, plans to build a house out of fabric, etc.), it
counts."

LATER

sweet4ever: "We never disqualify people/projects, so if someone didn't follow the challenge concept/rules, they might be included in the list, but I'm sure they'll get less votes in the end."

Can you at least understand why I'm sooooooo frustrated by this? I don't mind losing but I hate to lose to someone who clearly didn't read the rules or thread of discusion before entry. And obviously nobody voting read the rules either no matter what we would like to belive. I'm sure most of this is total PMS but I think I'm justified in this argument. I just didn't want to post on the original thread and to stir up trouble.

No Internet

I was without internet at home for almost two whole weeks. I never realized just how much I need the net to keep in touch with the outside world (read: sites work doesn't block). Fortunatly, all that down time let me craft my butt off. Along with a tote bag for a swap (pics after partner receivs) I finished up an Amigurumi Octopus, made a bunch of beads from a book and did my first entry for a Crafster Challange.

Here is Davey. As in Jones. It is a fitting name since I made him while watching Pirates of the Carribean and because he is "all tenticle-y." Some day I hope to make him a hat. Once I get a good human patern I want to make a Tia Dalma too. The pattern comes from PepperKitty on Crafster.

Family Photo: Luau the pig looks nervous and Cthulhu looks like he found a long lost relative.

Originaly I was going to cut up my junk mail to make these beads but it didn't have enough text. I LOOOOOOOVE words. I love them individualy, together as language and simply as texture in arty things. The simple black and white print looks great with some faceted beads, don't you think?

Lastly, my entry to Crafster Challange #24. The theme was to craft something to help with New Year's resolution. I want a tattoo so I decopaged and giant pickle jar and a blank book. The jar to help me collect some money and the book to keep track of ideas and sketches. There were some left over cut outs that I made into magnets.

Angry Hampster

Jacques is a little angry because someone stole his favorite yo-yo. So much anxiety in such a small critter.

He is made from a pattern in Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful. His face is embroidered cause I have no safety eyes. He is my first officially finished Amigurumi animal.

This is a cute little flower made from one of the free patterns on woolcrafting.com. I used it as a sample in a crochet class I taught. It was perfect for showing the differences in stitch height and how to put many together to make an object. I will totally wear it in my hair.

Wiccan/Pagan Round 6 Swap

SoulAssylum has received her swap box so I can finally put up some pictures. These are all inspired by the Goddess Persephone. She has two very distinct aspects. In her stay with Hades she is the queen of the underworld and has been described as "she who destroys the light." On the other hand, as she comes out of Hades in the spring to visit her mother, Ceres, she becomes the Goddess of spring growth and rebirth. As a symbol of this I decided to go with her symbolic pomegranate. The fruit represents both sides of Persephone.

SoulAssylum specifically asked for some runes. These are wood burned with the Elder Futhark runes. The edges are finished off with green foil and a light coat of clear seal will protect them.

The first pomegranate I did is on this zipper pouch. It can be used to hold the runes or as a little wristlet purse. The motif is hand embroidered. Oh, and its from a sketch I did. I didn't pirate this one from anybody.


Everyone can use an extra blank book. They are especially nice to keep a record of what your runes tell you. The cover matches the fabric and lining of the zipper bag and also has an embroidered pomegranate. A few of the pages have been block printed with my very first lino-cut. I super love the way it all came out.

These little bits were made from an extra bit of wood from the runes. The rune is Algiz and stands for protection. Another little pomegranate is made out of polymer clay. Do you think I over did the theme? The Pentagram was inspired from my partners wish list of fairy furniture and encorporates her favorite colors of red and bright green. It is made from bits of the bush in my front yard that so kindly shared its stems with me.

A quick photo frame with her avatar photo inside. The glass has a cat engraved on it to kept watch over whoever is in side. I built the frame with some help from the wood shop guys at work. and it comes with extra mat colors if she changes the pic.

Lastly, as I was looking for my packing stuff, Ozzy begged for a trip around the world. Since I don't have a window to put him in here, I gladly obliged. He is a stained glass sun catcher I made a few years back. He now has a happy new home.

Team Apache In Unforgivable Terrain

Up until now I was unable to post any pics of my husband with his pirate flags. But since these are PUBLISHED *squee* I guess they are safe.

This is actual proof of my hard work flying right over Afghanistan by 3rd PLT. These pics can be found in the December 16th, 2007 Stars and Stripes Mideast Edition. The color picture is on the front page. The whole article can be seen here by clicking the date of the issue.

I'm so proud of the hard work my darling husband has been doing these last few months. I'm also so selfishly proud of my work being on the front page of something. OMG!

My Computer Totoro

My work computer was acting up today. I figured it wasn't happy. So I gave it a smile Miyazaki style. Of course my coworkers just shook their heads and muttered "only you."

And if you look close at the top you can see my homage to Wash from Firefly. "CURSE YOUR SUDDEN BUT INEVITABLE BETRAYAL"

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

I've been so wicked busy at work that most of my crafting time has been spent on the few swaps that I've let myself do. I have found time to squeeze in a few small projects.

I desperately needed stitch markers for doing crochet projects that are all WIPs right now. I can never keep count with my plain colored ones. I have been brain storming ways of putting numbers on them when I remembered the ancient Risk game upstairs. I melted some holes and added some beads. I hope DH isn't too upset about it. :)

I also made up a bunch of earrings right before Halloween. The bats are from Hallmark's mini ornament series. All the Legos came from one small kit. I love the way the bad guy looks like he wants to stab the skeleton in the eye. The wooden squares were cut on the laser engraver from some scrap press board. The burn marks were intentionally left 'cause I love them. They still smell burnt up too.

Lastly, the makeup bag in my purse has fallen apart after who knows how many years. I love the zipper bags made from chip and ramen bags. I found this beautiful bag (and tasty ramen) to use. I also made a business card/mini wallet to match. I was glad to find a use for the many yards of vinyl I have in my stash. The bag is lined with a beautiful black fabric with silver kanji.

All other crafting has been swap based. I will happily post these pics once my partner has received.

Drew's Flag

Every pirate needs a proper flag. Drew will now be able to pillage in style with his OOAK flag. I feel that it its very important for every pirate to have a flag specific to themselves. It proves who is the real thing and who bought their Jolly Rodger and the surplus store.

The 5th flag I've made in recent months may be the last I do. This is the biggest commission I've ever done. Both in size and time. The final size of the flag is about 72" x 60". It is made of heavy canvas cloth for stability. The eyes are painted. I used a double sided applique technique (I may have made that up) to make it reversible and flyable. The design was suggested by the client but drawn and enlarged by me. The other 4 flags currently fly over a military base in Afghanistan, a present from my husband to his soldiers.

Christmas/Winter ATC Swap

Here are my finished cards for my first ATC swap ever. I've made a few before in fabric scraps. This was nice because, like all swaps, your partners give you some inspiration with their likes. I can't wait to see what I get in return.

For smushisweetbaboo an Old World Santa




For Tygir a Rudolph

Cookies Are Distracting

I had scheduled myself for a craft weekend to finish one commissioned piece and start my projects for the latest swap. Unfortunately, duty calls. I was (nearly) begged to make some goodies for a fundraiser bake sale. I spent 2 1/2 hours in my kitchen making 5 dozen chocolate chip cookies. I even ate my dinner over the stove. MMMM tomato soup and grilled cheese samich.


They came out very well and I feel good for helping out the Family Group.



Meanwhile , my latest swap partner, SilentMynerva, received her tote bag. This was made for Weekend Swap 5 as a medium project. The owl and olive branch represent her name. It was made by raw edge applique using Steam-A-Seam and vintage fabric scraps. I hope the edges don't peel to much but overall I am very happy with it and so is SylentMynerva.

The Begining of Newness

I've been tossing around the idea of keeping a scrapbook of all the crafts that I do. I take pictures and keep decent records about them, I just can't bring myself to put it all in a book that will be ginormous by the end of the year. So here I am in the digital age of bloging and such and realized it was a great way to chronicle my art. I will atempt to post at least once a week about my current projects and thoughts about crafting.

I am also aspiring to start up a small business. Maybe a little ETSY shop or the like. I'm hopping this blog will be a good forum for future customers. It will also be a swell place for my swap partners from Craftster to stalk me.

Feel free to leave constructive comments for me or just chat. And please wish me luck in my journaling adventure!