|
Crafts -
Crafts
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Sunday, 29 April 2012 14:03 |
|
Steampunk jewelry can be fun to wear but it is even more fun to make your own. For this steampunk choker, visit a local sewing supply shop such as JoAnne Fabrics for the cameo or Victorian button. If you are lucky enough to have access to a flea market, scour the booths for any Victorian pins, which can be used in place of the button. The rest of the sewing basics can be found in your sewing basket. This project takes about a half hour to complete.
You will need:
one length of 18” black velveteen ribbon, 1” wide
one pair of sew-on snaps
sew-on clear rhinestones, any shape, up to 1” in size
one cameo or Victorian style button, between 1 1/4” to 1 1/2” in size
sewing needle
scissors
tape measure
black thread
straight pins
Take the tape measure and loosely measure your neck. Most chokers range between 13” to 15” long, depending on the size of your neck. Add one inch to the measurement. Lay the tape measure next to the ribbon on the table in front of you. Place a straight pin through the ribbon where your final measurement. If your final measurement on the tape measure is 15”, mark off 15” on the ribbon with the pin. Add 2” to the 15” on the ribbon for a total of 17”. Cut the ribbon on the 17” mark.
The raw ends of the ribbon are now ready to be folded under and sewn. Take one end of the ribbon and fold it under 1/2” once. Fold it over again 1/2” for a second time and pin in place. Thread your needle and sew in place, using tiny stitches so that they appear invisible on the right side of the ribbon. Repeat this with the other end of the ribbon.
Fold the ribbon in half; this will determine the placement of the button or pin in the center of the choker. Insert a straight pin at this point and set your button or pin directly on top of the ribbon. If you are using a button, sew securely in place, wrapping the shank several times with the thread to keep it upright.
Now you are going to add the rhinestones. You can have anywhere between 6 to 8 rhinestones total on the choker. Start ith the biggest ones first moving outward from the center button, with the smallest being last. Space the rhinestones between 1/4” to 1/2” apart. You can use the tape measurement for this. Once you have the ideal placement, sew them on the choker. Always make the knot on the underside of the ribbon.
Finally, sew on the snaps at the ends of the choker. Your steampunk choker is done and ready for wearing!
|
|
Last Updated on Sunday, 29 April 2012 14:05 |
|
Crafts -
Crafts
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 00:16 |
|
Making musical rattles out of wood spools and silver bells can be as much fun as they are to play with. By putting those old wood spools, a dowel, and silver holiday bells to use, you can have a new toy to give your child during any day of the year.
You will need:
one large wooden spool with the labels on the end removed
a 5” long 1/4” size dowel
small colorful craft feather
2 silver colored bells, 1/2”in size
one 7” piece of satin or metallic ribbon, 1/4” wide
one 2” piece of satin ribbon, 1/8” wide
scissors
glue (Tacky or hot glue gun)
sandpaper
Instructions:
Saw off the length of dowel prior to starting the craft project. Smooth any rough edges using a piece of sandpaper. Lay the items on a table in front of you. Tie the 2” piece of satin ribbon to the silver bells, positioning the bells in the center of the ribbon. Glue the ends of the ribbon to the inside of one end of the spool. At that same end of the spool, glue the feather in place. Let the glue dry.
Take the dowel and insert it into the other end of the spool. Glue the dowel in place, and let dry. Take the 7” length of ribbon and spread a thin layer of glue on the wrong side, and wrap it around the dowel. Let the glue dry. Trim away any excess ribbon with the scissors.
Take up the musical rattle and gently shake it so the bell sounds. These make perfect gifts for children.
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 00:43 |
|
|
Crafts -
Crafts
|
|
Written by MH
|
|
Friday, 02 September 2011 00:34 |
|
Corks that were saved from wine bottles are not only collectible, but can be used for a variety of craft projects. These cork coasters are easy and fun to make and will receive comments from your family and friends.
You will need:
6 - 4” squares of pine wood, about 1/2” thick
20 corks
pencil
wood glue
hand saw
ruler
sandpaper
Optional:
acrylic paint (brown, tan, beige, taupe)
paint brush
Instructions:
Use corks that have unique lettering and symbols on them as these will provide the decoration in the coasters. On each 4” square of pine wood, mark a 1/2” line inside of the square on each side using the pencil. This will create the border that will provide you a guide to glue the corks inside of. The border can remain plain, or painted using acrylic paint in a neutral color if desired. The painting should be done before the corks are cut and glued onto the square.
Take one cork and measure1/2” from the edge to the center, holding one end towards you. Move the cork around so that you can get the design portion included, instead of having part of it cut off. Mark a line down the center. This is the line that you will cut upon to create one section of cork to be glued on to the coaster. Hold the cork in a vise when you saw, cutting it in as straight a line as possible, all the way down to the opposite end. Do not worry if part of the cork loses a small piece or two, since the flat edge does not have to be perfectly smooth. It will still adhere to the wood when it is glued. Repeat this step with each piece of cork that you have, including the part which has been cut away. You will end up with a bunch of narrow, flat “centers” from the cork; do not throw them away s they can be used for other craft projects.
Lay the cut corks in front of you on the table. You will be able to make one row of them lengthwise, and fill in the leftover narrow space with the other pieces of cork, cutting them to size if necessary. Use the sandpaper to smooth away uneven edges, as the cut cork should all be the same height when laid on their flat sides. Place a thin layer of glue all over the wood square, making sure that none seeps across the border you drew in earlier (and painted). Now you are going to set the cork pieces close together on the square. The corks will form a ridge that will resemble the inside portion of corrugated cardboard. Once the corks are set in the glue, allow the glue to dry for at least an hour. Once they are dry, they are ready for use.
|
|
Religion and Spirituality -
Religion and Spirituality
|
|
Written by Julie Kovacs
|
|
Saturday, 04 June 2011 15:25 |
|
Making fairy dust to attract fairies, use in magical spells, or just to help you enchant your surroundings is very easy to make. Most of the ingredients in fairy dust can be purchased in a craft store. The bottle can either be one found in a thrift store or a clean spice jar. The ingredients you will need are:
fine iridescent or opalescent glitter
fine pale blue glitter
fine pale pink glitter
fine pale lavender glitter
a small glass bottle, approximately 3” tall with a cork stopper
½ yard of 1/4” wide green satin ribbon
Blend the vials of glitter together by pouring them all at once into the glass jar. Place the cork stopper on top, making sure it is secure. Shake the bottle vigorously for a minute, keeping your hand over the stopper while shaking so that it does not fall out. Look through the bottle to make sure all of the colors are blended. If they appear to be well blended, the next step is to tie the green ribbon around the neck of the bottle. Green is the color the fairies love best, and this will be sure to attract them. Don't forget to tie the ribbon into a bow. Now your fairy dust is ready to use!
To attract fairies:
Walk out into your backyard. Quiet your mind, and do not speak, but look for an area that looks as if it might be inhabited by fairies. Remove the stopper on the bottle and toss a pinch of the fairy dust onto the area. Quietly say:
“Come forth, fairies and pixies of the woods, so that I may see you!” Remain still for as long as you can, and you might glimpse these shy creatures for a moment in their habitat.
For magical spell use:
Fairy dust can be added to a gris-gris bag along with the other items used in the spell. Don't forget to consecrate the fairy dust in the same way you consecrate your other ritual objects before using.
To enchant your surroundings:
All of us need that special place to think, dream, and quietly develop our inner selves. That place can be either your bedroom, den, or patio. If you want to make that place extra serene, toss a pinch of the dust in the area.
|
|
