• Blog - Crafts

    Beyond the list

    September 5, 2013 - By 

    sept cardsIf you joined me for T stands for Tuesday, you know that I had a list long enough to choke a horse. I usually do but I always try to allow for a little “playtime” each day as well.  I can’t say that it happens all the time but I am ever grateful when it does.

    We have some occasions this month that are in need of greeting cards so I’ve been hard at work creating them for the events.

    20130902_3343In addition, I’ve been making a bit of miniature terrain as well. While Mr. G was purging the office, I spied a few pieces that looked like they would work really well as gaming terrain.

    These first three were….CD spindles. Did you guess right?

    I thought they’d make good bunker or storage pieces.

    20130901_3331Next came some molded Styrofoam packing pieces from a very ancient…in the computer world…CDROM drive. I looked at it an saw another bunker, nearly the same design as one you’d pay  upwards of $50 for. Crazy, right? So I cut it in half and glued it together….now I have two!

    20130902_3342After adding some additional foam pieces and painting the whole works with a mix of gesso and black craft paint, I spray painted everything with my splatter technique.

    I layer the colors of spray paint without letting it dry between coats.

    I use a light hand with the color. It gives a rich depth of color…almost an airbrush effect.

    I used 5 colors of spray paint on these pieces.20130902_3339 They were obtained from the recycle center and my folks place.

    I know this is not my usual type of art but sometimes I get a very different crafty bent. This happens to be one of those weeks.

    Hope I didn’t scare you off. 🙂

  • Blog - Crafts - Creativity - Tutorials

    Recycled T-shirt bags

    February 22, 2013 - By 

    t-shirt

    First of all, I have to admit that this is not my original idea. I’ve seen many versions of this on Pinterest.    box pleat

    But after going through the kids clothes and coming up with 2+ garbage bags full to pass along to a friend, it inspired me to keep a couple school shirts for this project.

    This project couldn’t be an easier. I turned the shirt inside out then stitched the bottom closed.  Next was the box pleat to create a flat bottom. Basically you sew perpendicular to the bottom seam at each corner. You end up with a triangle of fabric that is not usable bag space. Gosh, I think I’m making that more complicated than it really is!! Here’s a link that shows the process if I just confused you.

    Anyway…then I turned the shirt back right side out and cut off the sleeves and made a scoop cut at the neckline. No pattern just start cutting. We all know what a plastic handle bag from the grocery or discount store looks like….that’s what you are going for in shape.

    All in all, not too shabby for a few minutes work. It saved a couple of shirts from the rag pile since  they’d likely never be worn again.

    Little J claimed the lime green one as soon as she returned home. It was her shirt to begin with so now it will continue to serve her in a different capacity.