I'm Batman!

I was looking for easy glue crafts to do to pass some time a few days ago, and was inspired by ComicSalvage's Etsy shop to make a necklace... this is what I came up with:

Disclaimer: I don't own DC or Batman. The comic image came off Google so I can't credit the source. I took this photo.

It really was easy to make-

1. Google the image (eat that, SOPA!), measure the size of the backing and size image to fit. In this case, my backing was the flat side of a big rhinestone that was about 2" by 1.2".

2. Print image, and glue on the backing- The goal is to have the image be flat on the surface for the Dimensional Magic to set on, so whatever glue you're most comfortable with that won't make the paper wrinkle is best. I used tacky glue spread thinly. Wait to dry.

3. If you have any paper hanging over the edges of the rhinestone, trim it off. I did this this with an Exacto knife and a cutting board.

4. Spread a decent amount of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic over the image, making sure it goes all the way to the edges- but not quite over the sides of- the image. Make sure there aren't any bubbles, and then set flat to dry. This is the longest step; I let mine set overnight just to be sure.

5. Once the Mod Podge is dry, glue a hook onto the back of the rhinestone. When that's dry, thread a chain through and BAM! awesome new necklace for under $1!

Bonus point: I don't buy chains, I take them off other necklaces and trade them around depending on the jewelry. This is a good option if you don't like buying chains, like me.

War Eagle Craft Fair

The actual War Eagle Mill, the epicenter and about 1/25th of the total craft fair.

This past weekend was the famous War Eagle Craft Fair near where I live. The nutshell version is this short news clip from a local channel:

Since I am poor and need to start paying off my student loans one of these days, I didn't spend much. I got two knitted wool scarves and a big bag of "rescued jewelry" that a vendor was selling. Here's the content of that bag:

Bit of things, pretty things, assorted items that aren't too pretty as are but have a lot of potential, flat out ugly things, useless junk, amazing things, etc!

I see so many future projects laying there on my blanket, and since today and tomorrow are fall break I can work on some of my ideas.

Also, since crochet takes awhile and I'm crocheting most of my Christmas gifts this year (I get to make a baby hat with ears, finally!), I'm going to be talking a lot about crochet this fall. I already have three projects done that need photos to be taken of them, and am about halfway through a fourth! With three more projects lined up when I finish the current one, I have something to do all autumn long. So there will be photos of all that eventually.

Have a great fall, and see you again soon!

Remnants- Jewelry frame

I've only been sewing since the beginning of 2011 (seventh grade home ec doesn't count), and I've already built up a large collection of spare fabric bits from various crafts. So far I've found out of the way places to put them, but soon there will be too many to stash under beds! Lately my goal has been to use a bunch of my remnants and clear out some room for more.

Today's craft is based on an idea I've seen on other craft blogs- a framed jewelry display. Here's the version that finally got me inspired to make my own, courtesy of Poppytalk.

First off, my materials:

Foam board- $2, Hobby Lobby

Fabric- $0, remnant from a previous craft

Nails/ hammer- $0, already owned those too

Wood frame- $12, Hobby Lobby (I have no doubt that cheaper frames can be found though)

Spray adhesive

Pins/tacks- I used $3 beading pins from Jo-Ann's and have plenty left over for future crafts

How- To:

First, cut out the right size of foam board- slightly smaller than the area in the frame. Cut fabric 2" larger on every side, and glue (or tape, doesn't matter) to the foam board.

Cut more fabric for the frame, 2" extra fabric on both the outside and inside of the frame window. Glue on frame.

Glue/tape foam board to frame. I had a damaged spot on the fabric in one of the corners, so I made a twisty flower by scrunching up one edge of fabric and glueing the whole thing on top of the spot.

Place pins on foam board as needed to hang jewelry on. Suggestion- put the pins in so they tilt up slightly, so that when the frame is on the wall the jewelry doesn't slide off!

Hang on wall, add jewelry, and show to all your friends!

Upcoming projects

Main Street in Grapevine, Texas (where I was raised from age 2- 11)

I don't have any completed crafts for you this week. My summer job is in full swing, and 20 hours of my week are now taken up with part-time employment. My photography class starts on Tuesday, which will take up about 25 more hours of every week in July, and unfortunately craft time is getting cut down dramatically in order to cope.

Now, having said that:

1. I cut the pieces for a swishy, fun bohemian skirt. All I need to do is sew them together!

2. All of the fabric is purchased for my next quilt, so once I finalize my design I can get started on that.

3. More jewelry! I purchased a bunch of Scrabble tiles at a junk store and more Dimensional Magic at Joann's awhile back, as well as some beads recently. Added bonus: I now have one of those jewelry display boards so that future photos of the finished craft won't be so bad.

Mod Podge Jewelry Part 1

I sew a lot, so I have plenty of clothes. What I lack is fun jewelry to go with the cothes I make, and today I went to Joann's to remedy this. Today's conquest involves Mod Podge, specifically the Dimensional Magic kind that you see on many Etsy items. I'm trying two different ideas, one involving sprucing up an old pair of earrings and the other repurposing some unused bobbins. This is the first:

For this, I repurposed some empty wrappers and old Scrabble earrings I bought and accidentally ruined in the shower a few years ago. I traced the scrabble squares onto the backside of the candy wrappers, cut them out, and then applied them to the Scrabble squares with strong craft glue.

Once they dried I Mod Podged them with a thin, light layer to seal and protect, and then a thicker layer to add a sheen. I left them to dry for awhile.

And just like that, new earrings!