Epic Fail

Just before the schedualed back up of my computer my hard drive died. Not reformat-and-load- back-up die. No, please-install-hard-drive die. Thankfully my most recent crafting photos are still on my camera or up on flickr. Unfortunatly, I think of new things every couple hours or so that I have lost. About 6 months worth of pjoto originals, all my crafty web favorite links and the rerip of the 6000 MP3s that I was fileing and uploading to iTunes. Damn, I just remembered all the clip art from Dover and Vintage Moth. Bleh, well, pics from ATC swaps to come this week.

Inchies and One Tiny Thing

A crazy month of swapping is almost over. Most of my partners have received in the Inchies, It's a New Year Swap and sloth003 got her One Tiny Thing yesterday.

I sent Miss Slothy a wallet because she hinted at it in the last OTT swap gallery. She said she liked bright colors and geometric paterns. Here is what I came up with.

And here is the prototype I made for myself. My last wallet made from a comic book was getting a little small with all the discount cards in it. My version also has no pocket for cash since I don't carry any. Oh, and button and ribbon closure (like the DS case) because I managed to forget to sew on some velcro.

Can you tell where my priorities lie? Fabric, books and books, baby!

This is the full set of inchies. 56 in all. I started with some crazy quilt blocks made from shiny bits of scrap. Cut those down and added embelishments. Way more hand sewing than I originaly planned on but garsh they look good.

Then I had this great idea that all my partners should have personalized inchie boxes to store them all in. I drew the boxes out in Corel, colored the base design with markers then stamed on the detail. I narowed the stamps down to two sets so I would go completely crazy. I really thing I had too much time on my hands that week.

When the boxes are put together they look like this.

I need to go get pics of the Ongoing ATCs I sent out as well as the 3x3 ATCs when they are finished off. I really impressed myself with those ones.

Goth and Sweet Lolita Swap

My darling partner, ojy, has recived and opened her pakage. I can now post pics and not ruin any surprises.

I made some boxes to pack everything in since I couldn't find anything premade that would work. This way I could make sure that it all was pretty and nothing would get damaged or smushed. I used some heavy 12x12 scrapbook paper and up sized box templates from all over the net. The paper come from the same color way so they all match and look spectacular together.


As soon as a saw a lace choker on ojy's wist I knew I had to make on special for her. Of course I couldn't just use store bought lace so I needle tatted up this beauty. This is the first large peicce of tatting that I've done. I love the pearls. They give it that extra bit of class. Oh, the pattern came from This 'n' Tat. I love the net!

Somewhere on the swap thread we were talking about good luck origami cranes and stars. I think everyone can use some extra luck and this is even personalized. I printed up some gradient squares with my partner's screan name and folded away. These whent in the octaganal box with a window in the top. I think I can fold cranes blindfolded.

Every Loli needs a mini hat. I took inspiration from a wist item that had peacock feathers on it. The feathery part is pin on since I didn't know what side ojy wears her hat. I could make babys all day long. Anyone want one?

At the last minute a kazashi hair accessory came up on ojy's wist (garsh I love wists). So happens I just bought the book Kanzashi In Bloom. I made a couple practice flowers for myself then put this lovley together. I am so impressed with myself I can't even tell you. Mike came up with the idea of shading the fabric for the look I wanted. I used colored pencils and blended them with my fingers. Sakura blossoms are my favorite. *sigh* So pretty.

Link to original swap thread here.

Well, I Could Have Told You That

Your rainbow is shaded violet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Gifts From Friends

This week was all about crafting for swaps. Instead of spoiling the surprise I would like to share some things my friends gave me this week. I'm not sure how I got so lucky. Sometimes objects made by hand with crafty love just need to find someone to fully appreciate them.

Charu gave me this fabric wrap from India. It is about 6 x 3 feet big and hand embroidered all over. Every vine and flower is filled in with chain stitch. There are also little silver jewel to give it some sparkle. The amount of work that went into this peice is a little mind boggling to me. Added to that the fact that Charu had 3 of them herself. Eventhough the person who stitched this was doing it to make a living I hope she put as much love into it as if it were for herself.
The detail is just amazing. Thank you for thinking of me sweety. You are amazing!

This table runner (I think that's what it was intended for) was embroidered by my friend Mark's Grandmother. When she passed away she left behind some amazing craft work. The box I was gifted included this stitching and a small collection of vintage sewing advertisements and patterns. I can't tell you how honored I am to be entrusted with the memories of past artists. Thank You Mark!
Here is the detail of the lazy daisy stitches. The pattern is unfinished but still gorgeous. The small spots are from an unfortunatley placed needle. It seems to have gotten a little rusty in the 50 years of sitting in a box.

Hey, Its Those Sewing Projects I Promised

All these projects have been made in the past couple months and for some reason never got photographed or posted.

First up is a Sashiko Stitched Saddle Bag Purse. The pattern comes from Stitch Magazine, Fall 2009. The outside is a shiny pretty blue fabric that was going to be part of a halloween costume that never happened. The stripes inside are left over from a messenger bag I never finished. The asian is a random fat quarter I had in my stash.

Of all the embroidery I've done in the past this is the first that is done in sashiko. The traditional Japanese stitch was used to hold together layers of fabric in winter kimonos. There are many traditional patterns all done in the simple running stitch.

Bag opened up so you can see the two pockets. This seperation makes it great to put my electronics and sun glasses in one side and things that would scratch them in the other. The pockets are just big enough to slide a note book in making it perfect for grocery day or carying a sketch book.

Here is the detail shot of the sakura blossom. The pink thread wasn't quite right but I like that the flower is a little hidden. There is also a blanket stitch around the patch.

Next up is a scraf born from compulsion. When I saw the pattern in the lattest Quilting Arts Magazine I just had to make it. All the patch work fabric is from fat quarters in my stash. The back is left over from a swap I did last year.

The colors don't seem to go with anything in my wardrobe so I'm going to send it to Mom. It is so her colors.

Time: 5 hours

Cost: $0

And last is a little bear purse I made as a 50% scale prototype for the Goth Loli Swap I'm working on. I think he needs a nose and maybe wiskars. The zipper will work a little better in the full size bear. Otherwise he is pretty cute.

Pink gingham is scraps from my Sickly Sweet halloween costume. All other bits are from my stash.

Time: 1.5 Hours

Cost: $0

EXTRA!!!

An ATC made from the leftovers from the bear bag. It is called "Loli Leftovers". I think it is super sweet.

ATCs Today, Sewing Projects Later

I'm doing the Ongoing ATC Swap for the month of December of Craftster. You get to pick a theme from the person who posts before you. Then the person after you picks something from your list to send to you. Here are prototypes of the first four I've sent out. Somehow I managed to not take pictures of the ones I sent out before they went in the mail.

For calluna's theme "Tea". Collaged tea bag hang tags with embossed vellum tea leaf.

For Oyhanna's theme "Zebras". Acrylic paint on clear Shrinky Dinks; watercolor background. (woot, I hand painted that)

For WiccadWitch's theme "Pagan". Layered vellum moons on mat board; Diamond clear on woman for shine and dimension

For tehbunnykins theme "Celtic". Her version is actually a celtic knot clover instead of the circle. Needle Tatted Lace object on paint stamped cotton.

And most importantly, the first card I have received in the swap. A "Non Paper" card from calluna. Hand beaded on shiny fabric. So lovely and a great start to the swap.

I have also been doing some prototyping for the Goth Loli Swap as well as working on a new outfit for myself. There has even been some compulsive sewing of purses and scarfs. Those pics are forthcoming based on the sunshine. I can seem to get decent photos indoors this evening.

See, I've Been Crafting

I just wanted to show that I do actually do a bit of crafting everyday. This is the aftermath of a book binding project. I needed a little bank register for using my debit card. It is the little spiral book behind the novel, to the left of the salt and pepper shakers. But this is what my coffee table looks like at least once a week.


And here is helpful kitty, Vash, at the of of the craft shelves. He is becoming quite the climber. I may have to get stronger boxes to hold his weight as he gets bigger. Those cardboard Ikea things just aren't gonna do it in the future.


Coming up next: A patchwork scarf, wrist pin cushion, saddlebag purse, all with photos not from my cell phone.

A Little Lolita

I was in a sewing slump and a Gothic Lolita craze a few months ago. I came across a really cool style of GL called Wa Loli in which a traditional Japanese Kimono or Yukata was paired with fluff and adorableness. Just my cup of tea. I looked forever and found a great tutorial for kimono/yukata online. I found out later that the designer of the tute has been on my etsy favs list for ever, lovely coincidence discovering her again.

I took the pattern and down sized it to try it out first. My model, of course, is Poppy. She was so happy at the prospect of a new outfit that she was in the clouds. I also made a sweet fluffy tulle skirt and matching obi belt to complete the look.

Here are a couple pics from the photo shoot. There are larger versions and a couple extra on my flicker page.

I have finished the larger version for myself. Mine is a bit more punk to go with a shorty tutu I got at Hot Topic (no teasing now). I made it black and white so that it can be versatile with other skirts and obis mix and match style. I will post pics as soon as the husband comes home (to photo) and if the weather gets better anytime soon.

Oh, and I remembered to post all this because I joined a Goth/Loli swap. I'm all excited about loli again now!

Crazy Cat

So I haven't had as much time to craft lately as I would like. I got a kitten a couple months ago and he is no conducive to crafty endeavors. Here is Vash "helping" me crochet a rug. This is the third time I've crocheted this rug actually. The first time it was round and done with a hook that was way to small for the tshirt yarn. The second time the rug magically became two small round rugs with the correct, Q, sized hook. They just seemed too small. So Now it is an oblong shape that seems to be just perfect for the space it is in. What a difference the correct hook can make.

And I'm finally posting pics of the Halloween pop up ATCs from a swap last month. Mostly I'm lazy about getting pics up. I made two of each this time since I'm always a little sad to put so much work into these and then just ship them away. I'm not sure if it is healthy to have separation anxiety with your art but at least I solved the problem.
The first one is my favorite way to kill a zombie. There is a clear acetate pull tab that makes the chainsaw dig into the zombies head.

Next is a classic pull tab that makes the mouth open and close and the eyeballs move up and down. The two are a little different because the first is all over shiny with a coat of Diamond Clear. I did this to cover up a few gluey mistakes but really like the way it came out in the end.

This one is just a standard pop up of a gruesome dead hand. The tomb stone says "Izzy Dead" My partner's says "R.U. Dead." Typical, I know...

This one was done as a special request for a Nightmare before Christmas fan. This is Oogie Boogie and his roulette wheel of doom. The wheel spins, nothing fancy but fun to play with.

And last, a little haunted house with ghosties, bats and a witch flying across the moon. Another wheel type but done on acetate to show the moon color through the hole.

By the way, all of the art work here is hand drawn by me! No stealing images from the net this time. That was a big challenge for a clip art nerd like me!

I really have done other crafting these last couple of months. I will try to get pics up while the husband is out next month. I made a Ruffle Tshirt Skirt, Sashiko Saddle Bag Purse, Harajuku Yukata and anything else I can find.

A Little Frustrated

I've been working on some amazing ATCs for a swap. The theme is Halloween Pop-Ups. I'm so in to the idea of this since I did the interactives for the ABC ATC swap. Unfortunatley, I'm getting a little fed up with it at every step.

First off the sign up date was pushed back to allow a few people to clear their swap que. No big deal except the due date wasn't changed. Also, the new quantity of swapers changed the the quantity of partners per group. We are now making 5 differant cards with a week less to do it.

Secondly, I decided to hand draw all the elements in my cards. This is a first for me. I realy enjoy others drawn out work and feel that it brings a personal touch. This, and the fact that I am making sure to make a copy of each for myself this round, has doubled my production time.

Lastly, I've already received two cards from early sending partners. I wish they both would have used more of their time to research and refine their ideas. The ideas they each had were great but poorly executed. The first is a bit unfinished but otherwise I can't complain. The second is a red hot mess. The idea is brilliant and I wish I would have thought of the moon phase pull tab but... *sigh* it is just so poorly put together.

I put so much thought and effort into my art and take pride in a finished product. This just dosen't feel like an equivalent exchange. The only thing I can do is post pics and try to be nice. I'm sure others will see the quality and understand. Just say the nice things and let the work speak for itself. And of course stop being so critical of my own work. Bleh. I can't wait to be done with paper and glue. I really want to sew this week.

Inchies From Heaven

I just finished a great swap of inchies. I received my last set today. It was a welcome gift after pulling weeds at the demand of the army for 3 hours. I sent mine out last week and enough people have received that I think its safe to post my sets. (that and no one will probly read it anyway)

These buttons are attached with Diamond Clear. They are super shiny. I wish that I would have stitched them before glueing, oops.



These are called "In Stitches." Embroidery is done on denim squares filled with my favorite stitches.

From top left: Chain, Couching, Cloud fill, Button Hole, Basket Weave, Brick Stitch, French Knots, Sheef Stitch.



Here is a set of Origami. The animals are folded from one inch squares making it doubley inchified.

From top left: Crane, Blue Bird, Pig, Cat, Whale, Turtle, Butterfly

"Poker Night" set was made from a deck of mini playing cards to hold even mini-er cards.

From top left: CHEATER!, Flush, Aces and Eights, Pair of Jacks, Full House, Duces Wild, Straight Flush, Stright

Embossed copper sheets make up the "Copper Texture" set. I was going to add some patina or aging but they were so happy looking when this shiny. Oh, there is another four letter word but I decided to keep that one for myself. *snicker*

I cut out some mutants and other Marvel comic characters for the set "My Hero". This is my favorite set and my husband almost didn't let me send them out.

From top left: CPT America, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Spiderman, She Hulk, Thor, Hulk, Ironman.

These are the least inpresive looking set untill you hold them up to the light. The black squares are slides from a Veiw Master reel about sea life. I am very proud of myself for this set as I love to have art you can play with. I call the set "Look" in honor of being interactive.

I can't wait for all my partners to receive. I hope they all like what I made. I know I had a great time putting them all together.

I super excited to put there peices in the inchie frame to fill in those blank spots. I have just the place in my studio to hang the finished collage.

A Couple Quick Projects

I'm still unpacking and trying to get my house set up. As I go along I think of a million projects that still need to be done. It is nice to have a few small things to do at night when I'm worn out after all that house work.

I discovered a set of tarot cards that have been in storage for the last three years. This is a beautiful deck that needs a special bag. I had a peice of denim laying on the couch looking mysteriously like a pouch with a spiffy flap. So I embriodered up the seams and left the edges raw. I even found a perfect clear button that shows of the button hole.


These balls of plarn are sitting in the clover waiting to become a welcome mat. Each ball is made of 10 bags and takes about 1 1/2 hours to put together. Once crocheted they will carefully remove the mud from Mike's boots and stand up to the constant rain we get here.


Lastly, I promised the fine people at craftster that I would photo this as soon as I unpacked it. This set of inchies is titled "Sudoku No Choji". Choji is Japanese for butterfly and all the pieces have bits of Sudoku answers in them. I made the frame and mat back at the frame shop in Germany. I miss that place.

Finaly Settling In

I havn't posted in a long time but I have still been crafting. The problem with moving back to the states is that there is a long time when you don't get to your stuff. In our case it was over two months. Except for having a limited wardrobe I really missed having all my craft stuff on hand whenever I wanted. So I had to decide just what to bring with to keep me busy. This craft had to be light and compact, keep me busy for looooong periods of time and be alowed on aircraft. I narrowed it down to embriodery. It is small enough that I could put it in my pocket if I had too but varied enough that I wouldn't get bored with it easily. But what will I do with all these little works of art? The inspiration was just next door. My neighbor in Germany made a quilt of little skulls for her son and I totally ripped off the idea (with her aproval, of course). I was also inspired by the tattoos that my husband and I had recently got. Add it all together and you get an Embroidered Tattoo Quilt.

Here are the first pannels from a project that will probly take me 15 years to finish.

This is the first embriodery for the tattoo quilt. It is a zombie girl in the Dios De Los Meurtos style. Unfortunatly the design is "borrowed" randomly from a flash web page. If you know or are the original artist I would love to give credit for the art. My favorite part is the netting over her hair. Finished in April 09 at my mom's house during a quilter's meeting.

This is my second embroidery for the quilt. Inspired by the "incognito" tattoo. You get a mustache on the inside of your finger so you can put it up to your lip and you will be in disguise. The twist is that this mustache belongs to Alex Louise Armstrong (seen below) from the anime Fullmetal Alchemist. Notice the pink glitter, thats my fav part! Designed and finished while playing "All Flesh Must be Eaten" at Jon's house May 2009.

The next embroidery for the tattoo quilt was inspired by those generic hearts with "mom" on a banner across them. Everyone has seen them. I like my mom but I think nerds deserve some love too. Designed and finished during that same game of "All Flesh Must be Eaten" at Jon's house May 2009.

And last (for now) this is a classic Sailor Jerry tat. I think the white highlights came out a bit bright but I'm sure not taking it all out. I finished it while sitting in the motel room waiting to get our house on post, June 2009.

Right now I'm working on a lovely mermaid pinup. I'm about half way through. Oh yeah, and I did up a logo for an yet unstarted etsy page. We'll see how that goes in the next couple of weeks.

I'm also working on unpacking a millon boxes. We were down graded in houses and I'm going a little crazy with a lack of storage in this place. We are also lacking so much wall space that I can't hang 2/3s of my art. Thats what happens when this is the first place we've been in with no stair well.

If you have some ink you would like featured on the quilt please send me a pic. And if you would like to see larger pics of the embriodery you can check out my flickr page. More of all the crafty goodness will be coming soon!