Peace Rocks!

What could make a lady happier than a bunch of peace rocks?  They just put a smile on my face!

Materials used:
Plain old rocks found on the beach.
Acrylic Paint
Lacquer

A Little Piece of the Beach

Last weekend, despite an on and off rain sprinkle, my pittbull Kane and I ventured to the beach in search of smooth rocks.  We choose a beach that is close to home, yet usually empty.  Kane does not play nice with other dogs, so we have to find places where there are no doggy friends.

We had a great time, collecting rocks, playing catch and taking videos.

The Beach Rock Mat

Supplies:

Smooth Rocks, about the same size.

Rubber Door Mat, I used this.

E6000 Glue

Directions:

Frolic on the beach and gather rocks, lots of them.  On the backside of the mat, layout all the rocks so that they fit nicely and are space the way you like.  Starting at a corner, apply glue to the bottom of the rock, secure to mat.  Make sure to have a window open, unless you want to get high while you craft.  Continue till all rocks are glued to mat.  Let dry and enjoy!





Petal Posy Trivets

These Petal Posy Trivets have been all over the Internet...it seems that everyone is making them, but that doesn't mean I can't try them as well.  I followed the pattern from Crochet Todays July/August 2011 issue.

The pattern is well written, but be careful to read thru the directions before charging away.  There is a little bit of back and forth in the pattern when following the pattern for the large posy, some rows follow rows in the small posy. 

Not sure why I get the gaps, perhaps I need to shape them more.

The small "Posy" was super easy and I completed it in a flash.

Yarn used was good old Peaches and Creme Cotton and Lily Sugar'n Cream.



Trial and Error

The adventures of Crayola Air Dry Clay......

There are lots of options when it comes to clay.  The key is finding the right type for your project.  I have experimented with lots of homemade clay, mainly the kind you use to make Christmas ornaments with.  But I wanted a more "clay" like product that did not cost me too much to play with.  So for less than $10 I tried the Crayola Air Dry Clay.

New desk accessories was the goal.  Working with the clay is easy.  It is soft and molds well.  Slightly sticking if rolled directly onto a countertop, a layer of plastic or freezer paper would be helpful.  Accepts paints remarkably. 

Once dry, will take a few days to fully dry, it is slightly fragile.  I had to take extra care in areas where the clay was thinner.  It also shrinks as it dries, which can be a problem.  One of the folds of the pink container cracked as it dried.  As you will notice the center of the purple flower also broke in half with only slight pressure as I was gluing it in.

For the right kind of project, I can see the Crayola Air Dry Clay working well.  And althougth these containers didn't come out exactly as planned, they are still fabulous.  They were a good learning project.



* Crayola did not ask me or pay me anything to write about their product.

Craft Space

I am constantly rearranging and reorganizing my house.  It seems like there will never come a time when I will be completely satisfied with where things are.  The craft room is one of the main rooms that I can't seem to "get right".  Maybe it is because new tools and supplies are going into that room all the time.  Who knows? 

Almost a year ago I acquired this dresser, deco podged it and moved it into the room for yarn storage.  At the time, I was in no mood to rearrange the entire room, so I found the emptiest spot and there it has sat ever since.  This dresser has become my work space, and up until this weekend I have been sitting at it and facing a wall.  Who can be creative sitting facing a wall? Not me.  So I moved it.  It is not a great view looking out the window of the craft room, but it is better than starring at a wall. 

Moving the dresser to this spot also opened up the sides for more organization.  Simple yet effective, I attached some hooks to a scrap piece of wood, and screwed it to the side for tool storage.  On the other side of the dresser, I mounted a power strip. 

What am I working on???  I have been experimenting with crayola Air Dry clay.  Not sure if I really like the clay or not...In progress, beach glass tea light holders, pebble bowl, jewelry containers, and mushroom recipe holder.

Finding My Inner Fisherman

My husband tells me all the time, "you should of been a fisherman!"  He is usually referring to the knots and nets that I make using crochet.  Maybe though, that is why I am drawn to my little fishing town....deep down I am a fisher-woman at heart. 

Being drawn to knot type crafts, friendship bracelets, crochet, macrame....somehow I have never picked up a knot book.  After the tax deadline, my boss usually gives all of us a small bonus.  I almost always have to use it responsibly and this year was no different, but I did decide to buy myself something.  A little treat for my hard work.

I decided on buying the book "Decorative Fusion Knots".  (I have not been paid to talk about this book)

This book was well worth the money I spent on it.  It arrived in the mail yesterday and I spent all night tying knots.  Even if I never pick up this book again, it has already served its purpose.

I only kept a few of them tied and after a while wished I had a different color to experiment with.  A trip to the hardware store for some rope is definitely in my future.

Some things to make with knots....

• Earrings
• Necklace
• Key chain
• Barrett
• Rug

'Cause I am the taxman

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.

-Taxman, The Beatles

It is the same each year....April....taxes....ugh!  Why oh why do I work for tax accountants?  Most of my creativity goes straight out the door this time of year, not for lack of wanting to be creative, just the pure exhaustion sucks it right out of me.

For my Birthday this year, in late March, my wonderful husband bought me a Honda Ruckus!  It is the most bad a$$ 49cc motor scooter.

Before Modifications

This Scooter gets 100 miles to the gallon, and has an under the seat storage space.  It will only get up to 40 mph but the speed limit around town it only 30 to 35mph.

The first thing I did when I brought it home was find some cord/rope to make a net around the under the seat storage area.  With some paracord and crochet hook in hand, I started at one end and worked around....

I started by wrapping the paracord around the frame.

Left side done, then I mirrored what I did on the right side, then the front.

My punk rock ride!  Notice the flame mirrors, skull "bad to the bone" helmet, and skull decal on the gear box.  Next up a basket for the front.

Progress, but not finished.

Remember this project? 

Every Saturday I get together with a good friend and we crochet.  When we started this almost two months ago, she pulled out a granny square blanket, that she had started 25 years ago.  Seeing her working on her blanket and watching it come together has drawn me towards my own "six year blanket". 

At this point all the flowers are finished, and they are all attached to each other. 



I am finding the biggest challenge with this blanket is the shape of the flowers.  They are Pentagons, so attaching them together has created large gaps, but I think I have finally found the solution to this.  I am determined to finish this blanket!

That time of the year...

This is the time of year I hate, April 15th, taxes, deadlines, cranky accountants.....ugh!  As you can see the last post was on March 6th, this means I have been overworked and any free time is being devoted to chores at home, and rest.

About a month ago I did some cleaning out of my craft room, and when I did I came across a counted cross stitch kit my mother in law gave me.  It has been sitting unopened for a long time so I thought I would work on it here and there when I wanted to relax but keep my hands busy.

Will post this project periodically so show the progress...Can you guess what it might be?

Peace at the Poker Table

Every Friday night is Poker night at my house, and has been for the last five years.  As of late there has been a bad egg in the group that has created lots of drama.  Poker night is supposed to be a fun night.  It is not a place for getting picked on, yelled at or any negativity!

My husband asked me to create a sign for the shop/poker room.  He wanted it to say, "No getting mad at how others play cards."

This is my interpretation.

What's For Dinner

Every day it's, "What do you want to have for dinner?"  It is a frustrating process when you don't have anything planned.  I have actually ventured to the store, after work, without a plan, and walked up every aisle just to put together a dinner.  Ridiculous!  In an attempt to organize life better, I created a Weekly Menu board, which I will update every Sunday. 

After searching on Pinterest, and google, I found some layouts that I liked and got started on gathering the supplies.

Supplies I used:
A deck of old playing cards.
2 old playing card boxes
Acrylic Paint
Close Pins
Dimensional Paint
Beads
Scrap booking Card stock
Hemp Cord
3 magnets (to keep it from swinging around)
Removable Hook

Bringing Outdoor Fun Inside

Not sure where the idea to make an indoor Hop Scotch came from (somewhere on the internet), but I knew I needed to make one for my niece.   

 

Materials Used:
Craft Felt
Acrylic Paint
Non-slip Shelf Liner
Scrap Fabric and beans, for Bean Bags

Directions:
Plan out the layout.
Paint numbers on each of the rectangles. I had to paint three to four coats on each.
Sew together; take #3 and #4, put right sides together and sew middle seam. Do the same with #6 and #7.
Next, take #2 and overlap the bottom edge 1/2" on top of the top edge of #1, sew together. 
Take #3/4 and overlap the bottom edge 1/2" on top of the top edge of #2, sew together.
Take #5 and underlap the bottom edge 1/2" underneath of the top edge of #3/4, sew together.
Take #6/7 and overlap the bottom edge 1/2" on top of the top edge of #5, sew together.
Take #8 and underlap the bottom edge 1/2" underneath the top edge of #6/7, sew together.

Pin Non-slip Shelf liner on the backside starting at #1, up to #8.  Sew the together along the outside edge.  Trim excess.  Measure and cut additional rectangles to sew to the back side of the outer edges of #6, 7, 3 and 4.

Bean Bags:  Using scrap material cut four, 4" squares, sew three sides, fill with 1/4 cup beans, sew fourth side.

Just Add Water

My first attempt at a hemp twine pot holder.  This pot holder has been in the "work in progress" pile for some time.  It is the third or fourth try, and has been looked over because up until last night it was curled up and distorted.  I just could not get the two different sizes to lay right with each other.

After doing a major clean up of the craft room I looked at this and it dawned on me....just block it!  So to the sink it went.  Amazing what a little bit of water will do.

Next up hemp medallions to hang in the window.

I am a Gaget Queen

Electronic gadgets, I LOVE them!  I have a laptop, net book, BeBook reader, PSP, three different mp3 players and that is the small list.  My newest favorite toy is my Kindle Fire, that my husband got it for me for Christmas.  I was really nervous asking for the Fire after reading all the reviews on Amazon...but now that I own it, I can't believe I ever lived without it. (Amazon is not paying me to say this)

So when does the crafting come in?  Well, all of my gadgets NEED cozies, and the Kindle Fire is no exception.  I looked everywhere on the web for a nice cover/case, but all were super expensive and they weren't anything special.  Of course this means I made one.

The cozy is crocheted using Rowan "Cotton Braid" yarn.

I made the button myself.

My Sweet Pea

Another Merry Heart-mas present complete!  For the past few Saturdays, my friend and I have been getting together so I can teach her how to crochet.  This has been great for me in many ways.  For one, I am making dedicated "crochet" time and the bonus "girl" time is good for the soul as well.

This pattern is from the book "Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker", called the Sweet Pea Shawl.  It was an easy pattern to follow, but it took a few rows for me to get the hang of it.