Sprinkle Craftness

Picture Play

2010-05-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

I still have focused a lot of my time on working out/improving my health (My cousin Tara is my total inspiration). Further free time is split between some recent books (new releases I've been waiting a year for) and being a cleaning monster, RWAR!

While dusting the mantel (in my French maid outfit and heels) I repositioned my frames post-swifter cloth, only to question putting three empty frames back in their places. All three are from Target's Re-Nest line; bright punches of color, next-to-nothing prices and completely worth it.

I tried to fill these voids with plain 'ol photos. But they bored me. Plus, lacked representation of my favorite almost two year old. I choose my first subject to be my dear best friend Jessica Smith. I've always loved this picture of her twirling a straw wrapper. I think its proof she isn't as serious as she might seem!

Mission: brighten the dark background. With Photoshop Elements, I cut her out and created yellow-organish rays bursting from her head. Not satisfied with flat color I used the comic book effect on the lighter of the two colors. Upon putting it in the Kelly Green frame I decided it further decoration was required. Thanks to McDonald's for providing the inspiration/materials (see below).

Second picture I used/needed was that of sweet-angel-face Jameson. When I was home last I had the camera constantly in his face. Above is this adorable candid face shot he had after Dixie licked his hair up like Alfalfa from Little Rascals.

Picture play on this photo started with once again isolating the background to distort. I cropped the picture, added more blue tint, reduced the redness of his skin and used a watercolor effect. When I look at this picture I always want him to say "¡Aye Dios mio!"

There is still a third empty frame. Could you be the next ~~victim~~ subject? You'll find out soon!

Lots of Love

Sarah
P.S. If you guessed that I added a curly McDonald's straw wrapper to Jessica's frame you are correct!

Frida Kahlo, favorite artist- EVER!

2010-05-03T17:40:00.001-07:00

As seen in my post last Monday I purchased several trinkets on clearance at Michaels. Taking a broken necklace, two of the Frida Kahlo charms, 4 eye pins, 2 decorative headpins, 2 earring hooks and various jewelry making pliers I created these two beautiful earrings.

There are several books, online tutorials and magazines that show you how to mold a eye pin or headpin into a loop on both ends but I like the trial and error method. It just takes some patience and a desire to twist wire into a little loop to connect or be connected to another loop.

I am in love with the end result. I thought I needed some more Frida inspiration and drew on her famous unibrow. These are perfect to wear on Wednesday for Cinco De Mayo!

"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality." Frida Kahlo

And You Can Dance for Inspiration... Come On.

2010-04-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

Madonna has had me in the groove since last week on Glee, with its tribute to Madonna. I thought I'd share some inspirations that I hope to turn into craft fruition shortly.
When I was at the antique mall the other day one of the jewelry booths had this huge pickle jar of broken necklaces, beads, earrings and other potpourri. I love LOVE LOVE big bags/jars of random small objects.
I love these old fashioned post carts with the blue and red rhombuses. I got this at the antique mall for a couple of cents. I'm still pondering how I can have more mail love in my life.

Every time I am in the jewelry section of Michael's I see these Mexican "tokens" one of which is a Frida Kahlo (my favorite painter- EVER) charm. Though I have never been inspired to pay $5.99, but $1.99, HELLO!!

I'm seeing a theme here. I got this awesome scarf for $2 at (say it together now) The Antique Mall! I was having a Lady Gaga inspired moment here. I might look bad in most hats but headbands, pill boxes and a tulle look awesome on my head.

Y'all let me know what is inspiring y'all right now. I would love to know.

Lots of Love,

Sarah Elizabeth

A Very Special Picture

2010-04-19T20:06:00.001-07:00

I know some people get to expierence having both sets of grandparents together at the same function pretty regularly. I, on the other hand, have two large families on both sides, plus I grew up on the East coast while Grandma Duty reside in Oklahoma (as did Grandad Duty, R.I.P., we miss you ) and Grandma & Grandpa Teeter live in Texas.

This photo is a rare moment where I have both Grandmothers in the same picture. Dad's mom, Grandma Duty on the left, and Mom's mom to the right, Grandma Teeter. Over the weekend I was moving pictures around in various frames when I realized I was unhappy with the quality of the above photograph. After a scan and some Photoshop Elements enhancements including getting rid of nick marks, I am very satisfied with this gem of a photo.

I find the best feature to use on any photo pre-1990 is Enhance > Adjust Color > Color Variations > Reduce Red. Unfortunately nothing can be done to fix the awful taste of the left over 1970s color palette sofa, throw and wallpaper.

Lots of Love to both sides of the family,

Sarah Elizabeth

Organization Sation.

2010-04-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this weekend was put up or shut up for cleaning my apartment. My craft room being the Death Star of my mess. For the past several months wrap up he conversation with my parents they ask, "What are you going to do?" I say "Clean." They retort with "But you always say that!"

True, true. I do always say that but then I get distracted by an episode of The Office, find a new blog, reread a romance novel (well the good parts) or just cat nap.

The beauty of my After photo should be enhanced by the mess of my "Before" photo that I cannot for the LIFE of me find. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. I think it can best be depicted with Lady Talking Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock.

Afer lots of hard work, bags of trash, boxes of Goodwill donations and then cleaning out three Targets of those storage bins on the bottom shelf and on the top I am SO excited about the final Ta-Dah! The possibilities are endless!

I'm now going to continue listening to '50s and '60s pop and rearrange my book shelves.

Lots of Love,

Sarah Elizabeth

Reunited and It Feels So Good

2010-04-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

I made myself a promise. I would not say one of my New Year's Resolutions would be craft and blog more, because I felt like that would be like my perpetual weight loss goals. Sure enough at the end of January and beginning of February most of my favorite bloggers had a post titled: "I am the worst blogger ever."

I felt good about not putting that pressure on myself. Though February turned to March and now there are April showers soon to be May flowers. Crafting hasn't been the biggest priority for me. I think I was exhausted with unfinished projects. I have been reading non-stop. I appreciate the beginning and that there is an end with reading a book.

Another thing I wanted to improve before more craft blogging was my photography skills. I am now the proud owner of a Nikon D40 DSLR. My skills haven't improved but the possibilities seem endless.

I am now ready to start sprinkling craftness again.

I'd like to thank everyone who casually asked me when I would start back with this blog. It encouraged me more than you know. If you have a craft request, let me know!

Lots of Love, Sarah Elizabeth

Triple Threat: Fierce Mama, Cake-Baker and Quoter of Family Guy

2009-10-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay so my baby sister is more than just a devoted mom and even though she can quote the hilarious Peter Griffin from the show Family Guy better than most people I know, she is much more than that. Though you are probably wondering about the delicious secret that has surfaced; Claire Snelson is a cake boss!

There is classic picture of Claire on her first birthday, we collectively both got a swing set as our gift. Claire is in one of the swings with a package of M&Ms, they were melting in her mouth, on her face and her hand.

Claire would not let her son Jameson share this same fate for his first birthday. In a jungle themed party she created a cupcake tower and two layer safari cake. Using fondant she created the details of zebra stripes, giraffe spots and leaves for the cupcakes. As you can see Jameson gave review of two thumbs and fistfuls of cake up!

Last week Claire's sister-in-law celebrated her 8th birthday with a slumber party. Claire's cake creation shows Mariah and her friends asleep on a cake bed. Fondant once again is used for detail, such as the girl's heads and the bedspread. The little bodies under the "sheet" are Little Debbie treats.

I can't wait to see what she bakes up next. Maybe she can even do a tutorial for me. Craft and cooking never looked so good. "Proud of you," Peter Griffin. Lots of Love!

7 Minute Hairpiece

2009-09-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

I don't care that American Apparel is trying to bring the scrunchie back. Today is all about the hair comb. If you are paying $6 for one cotton scrunchie, we need to ~~talk~~ have an intervention. Just be glad hats fastened with a hat pin haven't come back. Ouch!

A package of plastic clear combs can be found at your local craft store for a few dollars. For this particular hair piece I used a lace motif that Aunt Paula bestowed to me when I visited her in Colorado (Thanks AP!). Its too beautiful to just store in my lace container.

Once again instead of resorting to my Plan A (Glue Gun) I used invisible thread and a needle. Simply knotting one end of the string to the comb I stitched on the motif around each tooth. At the end I knotted the thread several times to secure its hold. Though secretly I might use a dab of glue later for more security.

Depending on how nibble your hands are... whala! Don't stop at lace. Recreate that hair piece available at any retail clothing store a big fake flower on a comb. Or start your own tend and use beef jerky, beads, McDonalds toys, sequins, dryer sheets, ect. ect.. Though I warn you now people like my sister might try to eat your head if she sees the beef jerky.

Lots of Love as always!

It takes a village. To craft!

2009-09-21T19:52:00.001-07:00

When I was younger sometimes I didn't know what I wanted to be passionate about but I knew I wanted to be passionate. I still feel that way today but I know like I know like I know that I am crazy, passionate and endlessly enthusiastic about making things. I enjoy making all sorts of things but crafts will always be first.

I like that when most people think of me they think: Maker, Crafter, Handy, Creative, Sorta okay Sewer, ect. ect. Its those thoughts that have lead to some really great craft finds. The first picture up in the left is recently acquired items that people feel I should use or items I asked for as they were throwing them out. There is an old bike tire and tubes from Mike R., a big green net that covered flowers from Susan M. and awesome red egg crate foam and a black cookie tin from Leah V.

From my trip to Colorado last April I was blessed with so many hand me downs that I can't even begin to photograph them all. The quilt piece to the right is my favorite item I took home with me. It is a flour sack quilt my Uncle Gary found at a garage sale and gave to my Aunt Paula. She has cut pieces off, patched up some seams and rebinded them into mini quilts. The colors of this quilt piece make me so happy, its almost as good as my happy drugs.

I have been formulating ideas for the treasures that I have been given but I thought "What the hey, I'll ask others what they think I should do!" So bring on the ideas! Or you can send your junk my way and I'll flip it into treasure.

Lots of Love to all those who love and all those who love craft!

No Sew Pendant Yo!

2009-09-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

National Grandparents Day was September 13th, and I forgot to send something to both sets of grandparents. With the hard time my Grandma Betty Rae Duty (Dad's Mom) going through a hard time with the loss of her second husband Grandad Dick I made a (kind of ridiculous) lapel pin with her name.

This project was inspired by the "Fabric Brooch" from Romantic Home Sewing: Cottage-Style Projects to Stitch for the Home by Christina Strutt. My base is linen fabric and two layers of brown felt, the edge was done with pinking shears. Grandma Betty Rae is stenciled on with a sharpie. I had a hard time with letters like a, d, B, and e but I decided to just fill in the entire stencil which looked better than my outline job.

All the other beads, buttons and hearts were found from former projects and my collect all tiny drawers. I think I might show in detail later how to create the beaded fringe (my favorite part). Though I most proud of how I didn't use a drop of glue (except for the pin backing), everything else is hand sewn!

Happy Belated Grandparents Day! Lots of Love!

Trouble and toil, these Chickens aren't for boil.

2009-09-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

I think my coworkers think that I am craft crazy. Well they are right. This past weekend I put together another Chicken display to pay homage to Halloween and Sloane Tanen for work. I was encouraged to represent October 31st when looking through one of my work boxes I found my previous Thanksgiving and Christmas Chicken displays.

Back in my evil craft laboratory, my inspiration started with an unpainted small wood cabinet. Which received a black paint coat and dry brushed silver in various places to give it an aged appearance. The details that fill the Chicken Witch's cabinet was the best part of this project, as detailed below.

Scrounging around for tiny things isn't hard in my apartment. Its find the appropriate tiny things that can be the challenge. As you can see above I found miniature rats and snakes, pumpkins, goblets, lantern and cat statue with a detached head (that seemed appropriate).

Though my favorite goodies inside are some Sarah originals. Number 1. is a crystal ball, which is a crazy looking clear bead glued to a random broken black bead for a base. As you can see I also had several miniature glass jars. Number 2. is a display of SUPER Mini googly eyes. To give them a better look I glued two together, can you say tedious? Number 3. is magical green potion made from food coloring. It actual took air pressure to get the water in.

The other two glass jars that I did not photograph up close contain red beads and mini pink pom poms. If you look close you can see a little rat eating the mysterious pink pom pom, which look like bunny rabbit souls to me. Which also would be a valid potion ingredient, agreed? Number 4. is upcycling an old dragon charm bracelet from middle school. Sharp scissors cut off the loop for jump rings. The twin dragons created two ornate decorations for the front of our witch's cabinet.

Our Chicken witch's costume is scrap sheer black fabric folded over with a quick stitch across the top to create a drawstring caplet. It isn't easy making clothes for the tiny. I do not envy Thumbalina's mother. I know she is missing a witch hat and a broom, no worries I'm getting there! Though I am very very proud of my handy mini work!

Lots of Tiny Love!

The last of the green tomatoes.

2009-09-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

Summer is sighing because she is about to let her sister Fall take over. Though I am blessed to find a few green tomatoes in the grocery store the other day. So my dear Summer 2009, these are dedicated to you, please don't be gone too long.

5 Minute Craft

2009-08-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

There are probably several articles I could find and reference as to why not to pour oil or grease down the drain. First hand experience trumps any kind of research. A few months ago a pipe was backed up between my apartment and the apartment above me. I came home after a nice evening with co-workers to find that my sink filled up with water (due to the clog) and had overflowed on to my floor (almost to my bathroom). It filled up my utensil drawer with mucky water too.

Needless to say, I can still remember the awful smell and would like to forgo this experience. Tonight I fixed the first meal in awhile where I had leftover grease in the pan. Taking a pause for the cause I took an old sauce jar and decided it needed a little pizazz. I created a label with stencils and a marker, to emphasis the black letters I attached it with black electrical tape. Now my drain is grease free!

Lots of Love!

Out of Season Valentine.

2009-08-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

While working on my apartment I found this Valentine that I had made back in college. My junior year in college after Kathleen and I started talking again she showed me what she called "Dirty Valentines." Her friends and herself took photos from magazines and cut up maximum, playboy and seventeen V-day issues with little quotes about love, sex and relationships. Some of the outcomes were really funny. Kathleen even sold some when she was in college and raised money for one of her clubs.

This valentine was a picture out of an old Seventeen and one of those ridiculous things that teen magazines tell young girls. I'm not saying that guys don't want a girl who is involved but there are guys that WILL like you for YOU. That isn't verbiage often used in teen magazines, except some progressive ones, but "Respect Yourself" isn't as catchy as "37 accessorizes that will blow your mind and change your life!" or "Eat junk food and lose that five pounds in five hours!"

Just a little nostalgia crafting. Lots of Love, especially because it isn't Valentines Day!

Playing around with my "virtual closet" on photoshop

2009-08-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

In planning for the Fall I have been looking at what necessities I will need to make it through the St. Louis winter at the office. For one I am going to need to get a snow boot, I can still remember shoveling snow in my only boots I own which are high heeled black boots that come under my knee. I have had this one idea in my mind for an outfit and I wanted to get an opinion on it.

The purple dress is the one I bought for Paula's wedding, the black belt is the one that I bought at Torrid with the black sweater for $20, the boots are the closest replicas of the one I own currently. The only thing I do not own is the Turtle neck that is from Old Navy. What do y'all think? Should I wear black tights under the dress and boots? Let me know!

$7.90 Clutter Cover

2009-08-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

"Didn't you just do that?" is my Mom's response when I end a phone conversation with "Well I'm going to go work on overhauling my apartment." I can't blame my mom's reaction because usually I end up going online to window shop for clothes, nap or go on Netflix.com and watch any movie that is available for instant viewing. Which means that I never really do make much progress, but lately I've been kinda motivated.

Well I have been taking my changes slowly but surely as I am working on creating completely different looks on the cheap! Today's example is my build in bookshelf in my bedroom. I don't utilize it as much as I should due to staring at all the clutter unhidden by the glass doors.

Taking a cue from several magazines and blogs I found some wrapping paper that I really liked.

Unfortunately none of the Hallmark type places had paper that matched my dark brown, hunter green and orange themed room. Artmart did in fact have exactly what I was looking for! Even though the paper was more expensive than the cheap rolls on sale you buy at Christmas it was an easy fix for my dilemma.

Enjoy! Lots of Love!

Jenny Ryan How-To: Braided Necklace

2009-07-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

When I saw this Jenny Ryan How-To I couldn't help but think how adorable, minimal and so cheap. I didn't buy anything for this craft. The 1/4 inch strips of fabric didn't even put a dent into my fabric scrap collection. This project can also be made within an hour! To see the instructions head on over to Craft Zine's Jenny Ryan How-To Tuesdays!

Could the world handle this many Sarahs?

2009-07-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Another Shirt Re-Con[struction]

2009-06-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

Normally when I am in the bathroom taking pictures I just got my hair done. Today I just altered another Eskimo Joe's shirt and you can do it in less time than it takes for a hair cut!

The instructions for this halter can be found on a recent webisode of Threadbangers where the guest host was Megan Nicolay, author of Generation-T.

Simple Instructions:
1. Cut off both sleeves.
2. Cut off bottom hem (keep for draw string)
3. Cut through both layers in a straight line right under the ribbed neckline.
4. On back side cut a straight line (Back side only) from the bottom of the now missing sleeve hole to its matching side.
5. On the front flap fold down one inch or more and sew across.
6. Get that bottom hem you cut off, clean it up, thread it through the hem you just finished sewing.
7. Put on and tie around your neck.

Halters a fun for summer but sometimes they aren't so fun for big boobie girls. This is definitely a sleep top for me. The point is that its now gone from another thing sitting in a drawer to something I will actually use.

Recycle, Reuse and Reduce with a LOT of Love.

Jenny Ryan How-To Tuesdays

2009-06-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

I am an avid reader of Craftzine.com. No one could comfort me the day they announced they would be discontinuing their printed magazine. That is a death I am still mourning. The only glimmer of hope in that press release was that they would put more into Craftzine.com blog.

One of my favorite additions has been Jenny Ryan How-To Tuesdays. I feel like I know where she comes from when she crafts. She has all the crafting supplies I do lying around and tries to reuse and recreate. I'm always ready for the next Tuesday.

On May 12th Jenny recreated a craft I did with my mom decades ago. Simply you cut up crayons, place the pieces together in a muffin tin (I used cupcake papers to protect my pan), cook in the oven at 200 until it is all liquified, place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Then you have multi-faceted color crayons that are shaped like the bottom half of a muffin. I like the word multi-faceted, Beyonce uses it in hair dye commercials and I try to work it in when I can. I have a feeling I will be posting another Jenny Ryan craft later this weekend. We will see.

Lots of Love!

Don't Be Crossed With Me

2009-06-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

Two entries in one night? What gives silly Sarah? Well just that- I'm silly! My newly finished cross makes me smile evey time I look at it, light sparkles off the glitter, sequins and other trinkets. The cross was a prefabricated Michael's dollar model.

A coat of bright apple green and Martha Stewart peridot glitter and electric blue Mardi Gras beads make the base. I took Loteria cards (A mexican bingo game) gluing glass pebbles over a devil, skull, nuns, dolls, and a fire breather. Once set I glued the glass bead to a beer cap and filled in with on-sale Christmas gold Martha Stewart glitter. An array of sequins fan out behind the bottle caps.

I am very proud of this kitschy masterpiece. I am very proud of my photo editing as well.

Lots of Love (and I have a lot of it today)

I Told The Witch Doctor That I Was In Love With You.

2009-06-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

I know the following pictures may look like the start of a costume to sing "Witch Doctor" but they are actually current works in progress in Sarah Craft Craft Revelotion. The necklace to your right was inspired by the skull bead that I purchased in Trindad, Colorado during my trip to visit the Marshalls in April. When I dreamed of what beads would accompany it on the string I saw brilliant red and fangs. I think I was reading a vampire novel at the time. I will reveal it soon as a finished project!

The second picture is just a sliver of a project I've been putting together for quite some time. These are Turkish Evil Eye beads, they are suppose to ward off bad spirits. I found the largest bead store in St. Louis, Lady Bug Beads, which had a good deals on these pretty blue eyes. These beads are the only hint I am giving.

Lots of Love. (It Feels Good to be Crafting)

I am a work in progress

2009-05-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

So currently I'm A.C.D.D. (its a real disorder Attention Craft Deficit Disorder). I am jumping all over the place people. I do have some goodies in the oven. I've got the paint on my fingers and the burn of the hot glue gun to prove it.

I don't normally share other funny bits but tonight on another craft blog I found a video of Amy Sedarias (my favorite!) with Todd Oldman, who I own some of his original lines from Target. This is a snip-it from his show Handmade Modern. Amy will crack you up! Also coming this fall Amy is following up her successful book, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, with a craft book! I cannot wait.

If you are having trouble viewing just use the link to visit it directly on YouTube!

Also if Amy gets ya slapping your knee also read some of her brother's novels. Jessica Smith, my dear college b.f., met David Sedarias recently at a book signing. When he signed her book he inquired about her astrological sign. She replied, "I am an Aries and that my birthday is coming up." So he started rooting around in this old, torn plastic bag and pulls out a bar of soap and says "you should have soap from my hotel for your birthday." That family is a riot!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

2009-05-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Cinco De Mayo! Which really is only celbrated in the USA as the Mexican heritage day or Day of Margaritas. It is however a indepedence day for me, as I have worked my one year contract with Wachovia Securities. Its hard to think about where I was one year ago. Its hard to think about where I will be in another year from today.

To celebrate I made Mexican Flag Cupcakes. I always use the super moist batter and I made a batch of yellow and milk chochlate mix. To diversify further I made standard size cupcakes and some minis (this was mostly because I only had one standard muffin pan and did NOT want to be up all night).

I enjoyed the baking but decorating is always my thing. Giving the top a solid whipped cream cheese spread was my first step. Then I placed a clean strip of paper down the middle of the cupcake (I also free handed some). I sprinkled one side with green and one side with red. Of course this is just the Italian flag, and we are going for the full Mexican effect! Here is where we slowly and painstankingly draw an eagle with black icing. Just kidding. Take a graphic of the eagle holding the snake, print on cardstock, cut into squares and glue to a toothpick. I would buy toothpicks, I was out so I had to first cut off umbrellas of their stick.

Knowing my "party" audience I sprinkled only the full size cupcakes, leaving the minis for folks who don't partake in colored sugar. Also, I only made Eagle Perched with Snake toothpicks for half of my full size cuppie cakes, knowing that it wasn't worth the effort since not everyone appreciates the blood, sweat and tears of homemade crafts.

The cupcakes were a big hit! Oddly enough most of the Eagle decorated cupcakes went first and then I was left with only Italian flags in half a pizza box (what I used to carry them in: recycle, reuses and reduce!).

P.S. Everyone who reads this gets a free cupcake in the mail! Just kidding. Never eat cupcakes that come via USPS!

Mucho Amor! Lots of Love!

Simple. Like a Child's Dimples.

2009-04-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

There is an episode of friends where there is a need for a quick shower gift idea. Phoebe suggests little wooden boxes where every guest's name is carved in the top and encrusted with jewels. This is the analogy my mom uses to tell me when some of my ideas are over the top.

Today, unmotivated and sitting in my computer chair, I once again looked around at my materials for craft projects of grandeur and continued to watch the Slap Chop Rap video on YouTube.

Then like a craving I had this need to just make something. Simply with some ribbon, fake flowers from Micheal's clearance bins, two Glade candles from a sale at Target and hot glue I created a 10 minute candle redo! (Fresca and Zombie finger puppet not needed) Then "Suddenly Spring" fragrance became more springy.

Lots of love. Wishing you a simple craft moment in your future!

Young Girls Run Free!

2009-04-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

I recently watched Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Three Drag queens take a holiday through the Australian desert and learn lessons in love and glitter. The costumes won an academy award and believe me they don't disappoint.

I love the numbers too. It has replaced To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar as my favorite Drag queen movie. Plus against the Australian dessert the costumes stand out even more.

Glitz and glamor have always been for me. Costumes are more than a October 31st event for me.

The ladies of Priscilla and Carmen Miranda inspired my latest craft. It can be toned down for any lover of embellishments and shoes.

How to make: Go to your local fabric shop and you can find some pretty big D-I-Y button covers. Cover in a pretty fabric. Glue on anything, in my case little plastic fruit from http://www.tinythingsarecute.com/. In the jewelry section they have clip on earrings backs. Glue that sucker on the back and wha-la. Instant (10 minsish) shoe embellishments.

Crafting a Birthday Wish.

2009-04-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm super horrible about getting birthday presents, or packages out the door and into the hands of the US postal service. If I lived in the wild wild west, there would have been someone back East saying, "Why don't she write?" (Maybe only my parents will get that, but if you know Dances With Wolves, you should be able to get it too).

Yesterday I spent a large part of the day online at work trying to find the perfect gift to be overnighted to Jessica, my bestest college girlfriend ever. At work because we all sit right on top of each other we get into each other's business. No one could agree with me what would be the perfect gift. So I made a digital gift! Featured below, if you have trouble seeing it just click the link to view it on YouTube. The last part of the video gives a good view of how our office is set up. Hear in the background the phones that NEVER STOP!

I hope you enjoyed the video. Happy happy happy Birthday to my beloved Jessica Smith!
Also happy birthday to my beloved's beloved. Kathleen's boyfriend's birthday is today too!
Also my boss Paula at work. We had cupcakes :)

Lots of Birthday Love

Yours Truely is out there in Cyberspace Selling her Goods

2009-04-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

I now have one item for sale on Etsy, the place to buy and sell everything handmade!

Here is the banner I made from scratch and it links you to my Etsy shop!

Also don't forget to check out the awesome handmade themed Card sets drawn by Kathleen at her Etsy shop. Below is one of my favorite hand-drawn cards for sale in her Break Up Card Set.

With Love from Colorado.

2009-04-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night I flew out to Colorado to stay with my Aunt Paula, Uncle Larry, Cousin Tara and Cousin Tiffany. It feels good to be in my bed but it was one of the best vacations I've ever had. I am in that 20-something-era where most vacations are going to visit family or take care of responsibilities. Relaxing and being around The Marshalls made for amazing memories.

Their cabin is a dream come true to yours truly who enjoys anything D.I.Y. or handmade. Every nook and cranny was filled with craftsmanship that made you question why the heck do we buy this kind of stuff pre-fabricated? I plan on dedicating a few entries to some of the tricks I picked up.

To start with my Aunt Paula is an amazing quiltress. Don't be fooled by the mountain rocks that she's got, she's still Paula from the quilting block (just a little throw back to Jennifer Lopez and "Jenny From The Block"). I have two Paula originals, one is the quilt wall hanging she made for graduating College and the other is a quilted pot holder received this summer at our family reunion. I was stoked to have a brightly colored pot holder that stood out from the rest. Also on the back of each pot holder is the following inscription: "Families are like quilts, Lives pieced together, Stitched with smiles and tears, Colored with memories And bound by LOVE."

One of the most important things I learned from her this past week is to name your projects. On the back of all the beautiful quilts that bless her house the name of the project is visible along with her name. That really touched me. It made the handmade quality more tangible to me.

The pictures featured are my first attempt at quilting. Made for Lindsay's mom Sharon for Christmas 2007. The "T" block was my starting point as I doodled it out one day at work, "T" being for Tuck. From my doodle I put my geometry skills to use and created paper patterns (including seam allowances). As another touch I embroidered all five first name initials of the Tucks on the "T" blocks. Thanks to Lindsay for providing me the pictures. I am pretty proud of my rough first attempt at quilting. I believe we will see more quilting from me in 2009. Also thank you to my wonderful Aunt Paula for inspiring me.

Lots of Love.

T-Shirt Reconstruction

2009-03-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

The latest webisode (what is the official spelling of web + episode? Anyone? Anyone?) of Threadbangers feature The Sisters of Harlem upcycling an old T-shirt into something new. One of the sistas was on Season Four of Project Runway, I don't think I remember her. She has some pretty strong opinions about the show (as seen on a previous webisode of Threadbanger) where she mentions the unreasonable time alotments to create. In both episodes she mentions her love of Tim Gun- he is so cute I would keep him in my pocket. I have seen several "T-Shirt Recons" as the hipsters all say. One of my favorites is on YouTube by KatVonD of L.A.Ink.

For some reason I was really drawn to this specific one, I think because they promised you could do it in 10 minutes (a very reasonable time alotment to create a new look). Mine took less because she took a Men's XL Tee and tailored it to her body. My Eskimo Joe's T-shirt could maybe use an inch out, not in, ha! Sorry that the picture is not the best, I cropped out me talking on the phone while using the self timer, Multi-tasking! Honestly, I really really uber love how this came out. I have worn this T-shirt three times, maybe, but now I've already worn the new look two days in a row. I'm in love with Scoop Necks.

Cut up your old T-shirts, I'd love to see what you create!

Lots of Love.

Existential Crisis

2009-03-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

Right now its raining hard outside. I am listening to the Garden State soundtrack currently. Probably the most Emo album I own. It helps me reflect inwardly. I have been doing that a lot lately.

Most times in my life I can't answer that question, "What do you want to do with your life?" Thats why I especially hated the few months pre and post graduations, both high school and college. When posed with that seemingly casual question I would have day dreams of breaking down in front of people, holding on to their shirts and asking them if they know what they are going to do with their life. If they are happy. If they are asking me boring questions because they too are bored. confused and insecure on the inside.

Being open about my insecurities earns me respect and usually space from people. They respect my honesty but whenever I show too much emotion they always look for my off switch.

For the last five months I've found living in my skin very lonely. I've also found my growing waistline to be hurting me physically more and more. I really felt the extent of my general poor health when Kathleen visited and being active (like walking up the block) was very laboring.

The other day at work the new guy who sits two seats down from me was not partaking in the free provelless pizza. Asking if he wanted me to show him where the pizza was located, his 200ish pound figure informed me that he was at the heaviest he has ever been and was doing something about it now while he was still young.

I was mid-chew of my only cheese slice. I responded "I have the same problem, but I'm not doing anything about it." Everyone standing around got a good chuckle. I laughed too but felt so small and helpless. I don't have his kind of willpower, will I ever? I couldn't even bring myself to eat dinner that night.

Emotionally I've found sleep to be my crutch. Being a hermit under the sheets. I find I have better on days I take two of my anti-depressant pills. At work the stress has been driving me to have a potty mouth in front of my co-workers. I've also been choosing to fight every battle, with arguing back to be my vice.

I need a change in a big way. Luckily, I only have to make it too Wednesday this week and then I'm off to beautiful Colorado to visit my favorite cousins, aunt and uncle! Funny aside: At work people get confused because I tell them I'm going to visit Aunt Paula and Uncle Larry. My boss, the one that drives me insane, Paula, just got engaged to her E-harmony boyfriend Larry. What are the odds? Trust me, my P & L combo is a thousand times better!

I am dedicating myself to cleaning and packing tomorrow. Also a little crafting. Fear and depression have been holding me down a lot the past week. I know I won't be able to shake it completely but I hope I can loosen its grip.

Lots of Love.

Saying T-Shirts are Passee, its all about Cross-Stitch

2009-03-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Remember when it was okay to wear a shirt to make a statement? Like what girl scout troop you were in or that you participated in Mimosa's 1990 Field Day! My mother made me a beautiful quilt with some of my favorite Elementary and Middle School T-shirts.

She had lots of fun working on this quilt, four years of fun! If you read her note to me at the bottom corner she referenced how long it to her to finish. Mom for some reason this is a flaw, but I think it makes her fabulous.

Starting in the top left corner we begin the journal of Sarah's T-Shirts. Just Kidding. I wouldn't bore you like that. Though if you come spend the night with me I whisper the stories and lull you into dream land.

Now the kids are all about their "saying shirts." Who can be more clever? Saying T-shirts are the equivalent to pawns in a chest match.

Like the time Wilmer Valderrama allegedly dumped Lindsay Lohan and she went on MTV the next day with a cotton proclamation of "You were never really my boyfriend."

Jessica felt the sting of PETA and vegetarians alike after wearing "Real Girls Eat Meat" while out with boyfriend, Tony Romo. Many felt this was a diss at Tony's close ex-girlfriend Carrie Underwood, named PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian of 2007.

We have come a long way from "Roswell Rapids Swim Division Champions" to "All my Extratrestrial-Exs live in Roswell, thats why I hang my space helmet in Tennessee" T-Shirts.

The craft I have to display for you today is the work of Mrs. Kathleen Shaw. With her recent trip to St. Louis she found when embroidery thread and fabric is at the ready that Embroderdoodle is a wonderfully relaxing.

For her Living In Sin cross stitch she used canvas found from a Merry Christmas pillow at The Second Mile (her local thrift store). The lovely decorative frame we bought at Michael's in the $1 Bins. We loaded up on these mini-frames. One sits on my mantle with a photobooth picture of Kathleen and I. She did an amazing job with this adorable expression of her hedonistic lifestyle. I love when y'all share your crafts with me! I'd love to write about them too. Kathleen sent this picture via Picture Text, not bad at all.

Lots of Love.

The Case of the Missing Crafty Person...

2009-03-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

...I would have gotten away with it! If it weren't for those pesky kids and that pup named Scooby-Dooby-Dooooo!

It wasn't Scooby actually but my time has been taken up the past week with two dogs. A boxer named Samson and a Boston terrier named Riley. A co-worker asked me to watch his dogs again, I forgot the last time it worked out better because A. Riley was still living in VA at the time and B. Lindsay lived here and its easier to appease two houses of animals with two people. My poor cats usually saw me at 5 AM running in the house like a mad woman, feeding them and pooper scooping while drying my hair and shimming into work pants. Needless to say I haven't been online much.

The BEST part of the last week was having my best friend, Kathleen, in town playing with me. We discovered some things about St. Louis I haven't even done. We went back and forth between her iPod and mine playing discovered music. We ate, laughed and laughed even harder at the Bridezillas on the WE channel. To check out some of the awesome pictures we took over the weekend check out my Kathleen Meets Me in St. Louis set on my Flickr page.

I am ready to jump back in the saddle and bring you back into my crafty head! Tonight I share with you one of my new resolutions that is part crafty. On Flickr I joined a group called 365. Everyday you take a self-portrait of yourself. I'm interested and seeing what kind of ideas I can come up with as well as seeing how I change over a year. I will make a set dedicated to my self-portraits and share the link as soon as it is created. Below is my first entry, March 19th 2009, enjoy my Zombie-esk-state!

I miss you all terribly much. Lots of Love.

Memory Boxes are my Scrapbooks

2009-03-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

The pink Sugar Shoe Mary Jane sneaker box that has held my memories of Kathleen (mostly highschool memories) has been falling apart. After all my moves the box has got some rough and tumble, it has lasted longer than my sneakers, but I wore those out senior year of highschool. Cleaning up the other day and examining the condition of the shoe box, I have found myself in need of a new place for my memories.

As you can tell from my post of Coco's Memory Shrine, I love saving Valentines Day Chocolate boxes. The sad story about this craft is I bought myself a really nice box, but the chocolate was horrible! Mrs. Fields, what was up with that box?! Atleast it was 50% off.

Several ric rac, felt and rhinestones later on top of the V-Day box makes a new special place for my memories of Kathleen. I even cut out a piece of the original box and put it on the heart. S Hearts K 4 Ever! Not to be confused with S&K Mens Wearhouse. You can also peek a sneak at some of the highschool notes we passed between classes.

Lots of Love!

Music is my king size bed- CSS

2009-03-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

This weekend I did some major sleep cetching up. I dreamed more of crafts then actually using my hands. I got my awesome spunky superhero hairdresser to wax my eyebrows. We get each other so I go on Friday nights and we goof off.

I was crafty more subtly this weekend. Though I had an extremly fun time organizing my music files and creating iPod playlists. Its times like those where I have to practice focus and say to myself, "Sarah you don't need a play list just for driving around town in 85 degree weather with less than 3% of clouds in the sky, after a satsifying meal." I still like to craft fun names for the playlist name. Examples: Country- "My Country Tis Of Thee" Breakup Songs (2 lists)- "Breaking Up is Salty Tears" and "Breaing up is Angry Business" Bluegrass is under "Dueling Banjos" "Sarah Power" are my insipiring pump me up songs. I thought I could actually share some of my recent music finds and old classic loves. To set the beautiful colors that always swirl in my mind the pictures are from Claire's Bridal Shower which I felt my vision came true. There was no shortage of tissue paper flowers!

I will pick a song from my most played playlists and convience you why its awesome.

Playlist: "Shake It" Song: "Poker Face: Artist: "Lady Ga Ga" She wants to "hold them like they do in Texas please" (first reference to Poker and it keeps going). But "can't read my, can't read my, he can't read my poker face, she's got to love nobody."

Playlist: "Funny Wunny Songs" Song: "Friends" Artist: Flight of the Concords This one is too good to not include a lot of the lyrics: "Friends help you when you're in danger / Friends are people who are not strangers / Friends help you shift into a new place/ Tell you if you've got food on you're face / Friends are the ones, on who you can depend / Friends are the ones who are there at the end / He's my friend, They're not my friends / If you trip over I'll catch you're fall / If you break my dick, I won't break you're balls / If you get drunk and vomit on me / I'll make sure you get home safely / If you cross the road and a drunk struck you / And scrape you up and reconstruct you"

Playlist: "Sarah Power" Song: "This is Me" Artist: "Music from Disney's Camp Rock" Its an awesome girl anthem. I love to scream in my car, "This is real, This is MeeEEEE!"

Playlist: "Dueling Banjos" Song: "WildOne" Artist: Those Darlins Its my personal relationship moto right now- ha! "But if you don't want a wildone quit hanging out with me, you knew right from the start thats my personality! If you can't handle crazy go ahead and leave. If you don't want a wildone quit hanging 'round me."

Recent Rediscovery. Playlist: "Gum on the Sidewalk" Translation: Emo Songs Song: "World Spins Madly On" Artist: The Weepies "Woke up, wished that I was dead, had an aching in my head, laid emotionaless in bed. Thought of you and where'd you gone and the world spins madly on.

Most recent song that MEANS love to me. Playlist: "I Kinda Like You" Song: "The Book of Love" Artist: The Magnetic Fields. "The book of love is long and boring No one can lift the damn thing It's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing but I I love it when you read to me and you you can read me anything The book of love has music in it In fact that's where music comes from Some of it is just transcendental Some of it is just really dumb but I I love it when you sing to me and you you can sing me anything The book of love is long and boring and written very long ago It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes and things we're all too young to know but I I love it when you give me things and you you ought to give me wedding rings I I love it when you give me things and you you ought to give me wedding rings

I hope my "Crafting" over the weekend gave you warm hearts and beautiful colors.
Lots of Love

Shrine Week- Found Art

2009-02-22T16:51:00.001-08:00

When I think if "Found Art" I think of the movie Ghost World, who doesn't? Thora Birch's character, Enid, a sarcastic dark teenager, can't graduate until she passes a summer school course Art 101. The art teacher played by one of my favorites, Illeana Douglas, is one of those far out there art teachers that can only see her vision. During one of the classes the brown noser in the class brings in a tea cup with a tampon in it, claiming it as found art. When asked to describe the meaning of the cup with the tampon swizzle stick the snooty art class girl barely has time to respond before the teacher puts words in her mouth about how it symbolizes women's oppresion. I love this dark and sarcastic comedy.

Below are examples of my "Found Art" and soon to be shrine materials. The first picture is a Mary in a Bathtub night light that my best friend got me for my 25th birthday, we love all things Mary. Mary in a Bathtub is a term I have learned from dear catholics of St. Louis. You can buy a yard appropriate size at almost any home and garden, St. Louis is a very catholic city. Apparently during the depression when people could not afford the concrete covers for their Mary statues they would take old bathtubs cut them in half and use it instead. My thoughts on this- Who has extra bathtubs lying around?? The inspiration with the christmas lights came from a series of pictures I saw by an artist that the only light source is christmas lights. I think my version came out quite nicely.

The second picture is only a small part of my huge catholic candle collection. I always go crazy when I go to Latino grocery stores. They are only a dollar and so beautiful. Though one time Kathleen got a Death Candle, it was black with the grim reaper on it, and we couldn't translate all the spanish in the prayer on the back. Needless to say I don't own this candle!

Amoungst the candles you can see one of my plastic Jesus statues which brings us to the third picture. For valentines day this year Kathleen sent me a bunch of miniature objects. The cocktail shaker and glasses stand 2 inches tall along with more miniature Jesuses. I have kept them on my bathroom window sill trying to think of inspiration for a shrine to make for them. I think it might be Discotech Jesus Shrine. If you have an idea send me a message!

As you might have been able to tell from this entry my b.f.f., Kathleen shares a passion for all things latino and religous. If you ever find an interesting piece of religous artifact or kitschy item I would gladly pay for shipping and any cost incured. Especially if it is miniature!

God Bless! and Lots of Love!

Shrine Week - Coco

2009-02-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

When I think of shrine, as a granddaughter of a preacher, I think of Moses coming down Mt. Sinai to the Golden Calf. He was pretty mad and probably tired after carrying two large stone tablets down the mountain. Number two on the first tablet stated "God's peeps should not have any idols, from heaven, earth or H2O." Side Note: I wonder what Moses would think of American Idol, I wonder who his favorite would be, probably Taylor.

Needless to say I was careful growing up to never have idols. Looking back I was very literal with this commandment. I never had a crush on New Kids. I never swooned over Michael Jackson. I never screamed my head over Boyz II Men. Maybe in the case of Jacko and NKOTB it was just good common sense on my part.

In 7th grade I took Spanish and thats when I fell in love with Dia De Los Muertos. The colors, the lights, the celebration and the love of our ancestors! At first I felt like I was breaking Ten Commandement #2 but actually its upholding Commandment #5, Giving props to Mom and Pops. Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, falls right after Halloween, it involves setting out shrines to past love ones leaving sugar skulls, pictures, gifts, trinkets of the past and favorite foods of the departed.

For Dia De Los Muertos 2008 I made a shrine to Coco, a beloved pet that passed away in 2006. The base of the shrine is Valentines Tin that I've saved for some time. I don't rat pack for nothing! As little gifts to her memory I have included a toliet paper roll and the last little stuff dog that she chewed up. I also keep photos of her inside the tin, in addition to the photo of us in a 2006 Hallmark ornament (the year she passed) and a cut out of her on the right week as a puppy. Coco was the hardest death I've ever been through and I'm happy with how this special memory of her turned out. Lots of Love!

Shrine Week! Can I get a Hail Mary?!

2009-02-18T20:55:00.000-08:00

With my blog sometimes I feel like a four year old in her mom's heels, twirling her pearls, making various poses into the mirror. Imitading what I've seen but still having a great time.

I thought I'd try out a themed week for my blog. Looking at former projects I have strewd around the house, there would be some groupings that could work but I'd also have to stretch a lot. Then I hit inspiration from one of my crafts and inspiration from my daily craft blog reads.

Noticing on several craft blogs the celebration of Kathy Cano-Murillo's new book Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing. They are having an EXTREME giveaway, that I would dance naked to Love is a Battefield in our nations Capital during rush hour traffic to win. Craft Zine is hosting this give away. Though the cream de la cream part of the treasure is a Janome Threadbanger TB12 Sewing Machine that was personally glittered/sequined/painted by Kathy herself!!!! Recieving this piece of art would be the equivalent of baseball fans meeting Babe Ruth or Michelangelo giving you a piece of the Sistine Chapel's cieling. I would pass out.

If you would like to enter for me it is just a simple email Click here to enter or send an email to amalec[at]randomhouse[dot]com with the subject line: Crafty Chica Sweepstakes. The deadline for entry is Feb 27th.

In Honor of Mrs. Crafty Chica I will sponsor Shrine Week on my personal blog. As a spanish minor I feel in love with the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, honoring our loved ones that have passed on to a better place. I feel at ease in mexican/latino culture. Thats why I have been a fan of Kathy for such a long time. Her picture is on my wall beside some other craft greats Katye Terry and Jenny Hart.

This was the first shrine I ever built. Out of a mini-Altoids can. I made her during my 24th Mexi-Crafty Birthday Celebration. Mexican Food, Crafts and Friends, how could that day have been any better? I used a small Mary statue bought from a muesum in Baltimore, MD. All sequins, flowers or other flair was found in my "extras" box. My two favorite parts are the reuse of a God Love You pocket cross and the gold leaf paper I used to create the burst behind Mother Mary.

I hope y'all have enjoyed, and look foward to the coming days of Shrine week! Lots of Love.

Craft Theory.

2009-02-16T20:30:00.001-08:00

Theory is a funny to me. Theory is like taking away gravity in your mind and seeing how far can in stretch. I would like to think Theory is like taffy. You melt sugar and boil and stir. Take it to a cool surface and start the pulling. I do prefer the taffy puller. Then you get a piece of it. Even though taffy is a common practice making it could always be a theory. Like will the burners get the sugar to the right level? Is the taffy puller working? I believe those are varaibles in terms of scientific rules.

These are the thoughts in my heads the past few days. My heart has wanted to craft something beautiful between our fingers but my head wants to use our hands to pick up all the crap around. I have been using some Theories with both my head and heart on how we are comprimising. First and foremost house clean is a craft. Secondly I always craft better when I know where things are. Thirdly my heart sometimes doesn't want to craft when I step on an earing that peirces my foot.

With these reasonings I have been forging what may be the war insight. The war on my way of living. I never like living in mess, like a mess, becoming a mess. After this post I am going to divide up a list and a plan of action.

This is where I hop up on the stone overlooking the sea. My hair is beautifuly waving in the 10 mph winds. I haven't figured out what hand gesture I want. Either a shaking fist or my hand clasped around my sword. Cue heavy british accent, "As God as my witness." For dramatic act I scream louder to the waves my face turning red. "AS GOD AS MY WITTNESS I WILL SUCCEED FROM THIS CLUTER. AND SHALL NO DUST BUNNY HOLD ME DOWN FOR I CLEAN IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. BEGON ALL THOSE THAT WISH TO SPREAD THEIR FILFTH. FOR I STAND BEFORE YOU SARAH McCLEANY OF THE SWIFER.

Sorry to drag y'all to my time piece periods. They happen a lot in my head. The timer on the dryer just went off so I need to hang up my work pants. I have some exciting entries lined up ahead, I'm just trying to go all the way with this cleaning thing.

The picture above is Noodle's efforts to aid my clean quest. I moved my fabric tool box that normally sits there and before I could saftey a pin she was nested in there; organizing the feature collection. Lots of Love.

Wild Wild West Hair

2009-02-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

I have really enjoyed making pieces for my hair. I do think I will have to find another term besides "hair piece" because it just sounds like I am making toupees. I am hoping to take a millinery class for the six weeks after my Photo Shop class. Millinery is the art of making hats, not learning to get the black lung in mines. Well now I am going to be singing Coal Miner's Daughter the rest of the night!

I made this piece a while ago but I haven't been able to find the right kind of accessory to attach it to hair. Looking at similar pieces online I used an antiquish comb gluing two looks on the back so it gives the comb range of motion. It also allows me to interchange the comb with other future hair projects.

Interestingly enough this started with the black oval shape in the middle. I needed a necklace to put a pendant on; taking an old necklace I had from Lane Bryant I carefully snipped off the black pendant (the center of this piece). I didn't like wearing that necklace but I still liked the black oval. Then came the feathers from Micheal's. With my center piece and background I went to work freehanding some black beads and fake pearls. Wha-la!

For photograpghy I have been using my scanner a lot lately because I like the detail it can provide. Sometimes though it kinda looks like a craft mugshot, ha! I decided to also take a picture of it in my hair. Playing around with the camera's settings I used a Sephia color scheme. Together it kind of looks like one of those Antique Photo pictures you pay $50 for to dress up like the Wild Wild West. We all know that if I lived during then I would have been one of those Saloon Mamas that takes care of all the girls and don't take no spit from no man! Except Four-finger Frank or Tin-Tooth Thomas.

Lots of Love from the here and now!

Crafts Heal. Music Heals. Musical chairs leaves you out.

2009-02-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

This past week was prep time to treck it home on Wednesday. It feels like I didn't have a speck of time to just relax a moment. Though I understand why I get so depressed out here is I need interaction with humor and touch as well. I think physical contact to me is really important. Those feelings always remind me of the Movie Crash. I am a few seconds before crashing.

My two deares best friends sent me a break-up package lots of fun stuff and things to make me laugh and start to move on. They both sent me one of the same magazines, same issue as well. I might read a little further into it cover to cover, maybe its a sign from the heavens about what I need to be doing.

In Kathleen's box was a gem I was super excited about. A Break Up Mix mixed by her boyfriend Eric. Kathleen has had some amazing musical experiences that she shares with me that originated from Eric. Five Stars ***** The following is the track list and a pretty amazing Ribbon I am sending in appreciation.

The Ribbon is from scratch. I am proud to say 98% pieced together with sewing. Sometimes I get a little to hot glue happy. Though it doesn't take much to lure me vroom of my Janet Janome.

Like Best friends do, Kathleen was able to guess which song I would obsesse on and play round and round: You're Ex-Lover Is Dead by Stars. I'll be hitting my blog heavy this week. So get ready!! Lots of Love.

1.Goodbye To You by Patty Smyth

2.Song for The Dumped by Ben Folds Five

3.Beer by Reel Big Fish

4.You're Ex-Lover Is Dead by Stars

5. I Think I'll Disappear Now by Crash Test Dumbies

6. If You See Her, Say Hello by Bob Dylan

7. Everything Changes by Z-Trip feat. Aceyalone & Mystic

8. It Makes No Difference by Solomon Burke

9. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley

10.The World Keeps Turning by Tom Waits

11. Gone by Ben Folds Five

12. Everything Ends by SlipKnot

13. F.U. Right Back by Frankie

14. Solitary Man by Johhny Cash

15. No Children by Mountain Goats

16. Holiday In Spain by Counting Crows

Flashback!

2009-02-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

While I am home in the Mechanicsville I have been trying to find old files from my parents computers. I did find a few projects I had made from a diffrent time.

The first picture to the right is one of dear best friends Jessica and former boyfriend, Sean.

At Longwood we have a tradition at the begining of Senior Year we have Convocation where Underclassmen best friends decorate graduation caps of Seniors. Jessica of course as me! Well I was not going to be out crafted by any other underclassmen. Needless to say my end product was awesome and balanced better on my thick head. It even was featured on the front page of our school newspaper, because it was the biggest (and bestest) of all the seniors present. As a followup Jessica made me an AWESOME Convocation hat and came back to cap me my senior year.

On the left are two sparkly bean-bageske projects with hand beading "S" and "A." I bet the first question I would ask is where are the 'r' 'a' and 'h.' Well that is where this craft story takes a twist.

I was trying to impress a girl my Junior year in college, this is where you should say "Uh-oh," then ask "Was her name Sarah too?" Nope! Her best friend was named Sarah and to impress her I made her best friend these for when we met. I think my inspiration was Sonya, my crush, said that she could never date someone who her best friend, nicknamed Sa, didn't approve. So I was going in meeting her with craft guns a-blazing. As a followup I barely remember Sa and I wish I could forget Sonya.

Another Longwood tradition is to celebrate Oktoberfest. It is our homecoming weekend. If you are smart you can get on Mortor Board or be a Spirit Leader, they get official german lederhosen. Well one day before Junior year Oktoberfest I thought, Why can't I have my own lederhosen? My own RAINBOW lederhosen. Its a pretty simple pattern. I free handed it. As a followup I felt like Chucky Cheese or Paris Hilton due to all the photo posing did with me. I have also learned to iron a little better with age, eeks!

Hamster Craft - The Movie

2009-02-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

I just didn't want to pack!

Cleaning up is hard to do.

2009-02-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

I have been preparing to have a nice long weekend in Richmond, VA. Even though I don't need to impress my co-worker watching my children Noodle and DP, I would like to look less like a bum. Today was like those Klenx commercials. Where they are like touch, touch, touch, touch... feel. Except my verb was sort.

Sort beads, sort pins, sort buttons, sort trash, sort trash out to the alley, sort felt, sort felt scraps, sort under sewing table, sort over sewing table, sort the scrapbook paper, paunder why Dr. Pepper is pulling papers out as I put them in, sort more beads, sort wiggly eyes, sort sort sort sort. CRAFT!

I was finding needles in my haystack of an apartment. I decided to take a short 20 minutes and make this cute needle holder. Its like a small book with felt pages to ease the needles in. I really love the colors unfortunately when I scanned it all three times the front closure which is also a felt flower the mustard yellow is actually fire engine red. I am unsure how the ric rac came out closer to the right red hue.

Lots of Love!

Up-Cycled Jewelry.

2009-01-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if it is Up-Cycled or Upcycled; either way its my new hit word. Before I get started on tonights post I need to write a retraction from my last post. Yes that is the card I made for my best friend. She called me tonight, happy to read my blog, one small problem. I haven't sent her that card yet. I'm really waiting for Valentine's Day truth be told. Either way she loves it. Much love to my Kathleen.

Moving on with the craft of the night my first project was inspired my unending need to stop and stare at shiny things. Hold me back when it comes to Martha Stewarts glitter (it was love at first shiny sight). Tonight I picked up my old American Express Card, moving it side to side like a hologram. It did remind me of the debt I got myself into during my first year out of college but now it is just a piece of plastic. With that thought I brought out my hole puncher (the pointy metal stick not the office supply style), drove a hole in the top and thought, "Hello dangle earing!" Not only did I upcycle, but also now have two personalized earings. The earing on my left is my old Macys card. That one got me into trouble too. When I cut them into long strips I rounded both the ends.

I do look pretty happy and snazzy in my Credit Crunch Earings. I think these would fall under Credit Crunch due to the fact I ain't got no money to buy earings and of course they use to be credit cards.

Now for my second project of the night it is a completed necklace pendant but I still need to find the right chain. When home helping to prepare my parent's house for my Dad's return after his stroke I did a major overhaul on my parent's bathroom. Room was needed for medicine and medical supplies. Plus no need to keep all my Dad's expired cancer pills. Mom gave some "yes" or "no" answers to other bathroom knick knacks when I stumbled across my Mom's old mouth gaurd to prevent nighttime grinding of her teeth. Now if one looks in the latest style magazines you can stumble across mouth-gear gold plated pieces that run from the few hundreds to thousands of dollars. What better way to always keep the impression of your mom's mouth than with a Martha Stewart's Yellow Barite Glitterfied Mouth Garud!! I am still trying to find the right chain to hang it on, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Below is a scanned finished version of my pendant, the original mouth gaurd before glitter glamerousness and a photo of the "after." A tip I saw the other day gave the great idea to spray several coats of clear spray paint ($1.49) to keep the glitter from rubbing off, and it works great! I hope this brought a smile to your mouth! I hope my mom still isn't trying to figure out where she went wrong. She did an amazing job with me, and I love her so very much. Why else would I so entricately glitter your mouth piece?! Lots of Love!

Best of the 2008 is wrapping up!

2009-01-28T20:13:00.000-08:00

1. From The Long Thread: Top 100 Tutorials of 2008 I am making the Fabric Bird by Spool Sewing.
2. From Craft Zine: Most Controversial Posts 2008 I am going to create something that I feel would fall into this category.
3. From Blogher: Best Craft Books of 2008 I will create something in honor of Mrs. Kayte Terry (and no its not Katie Perry.. who sings 'I Kissed a Girl') she is number 3 for her book Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects.
4. From Craftster: Best of 2008 Its hard to decide what I will be inspired by. I am thinking the party hat that whitty made for her pet chicken or I could make a hoodies for one of the girls with the Cat Hoodie instruction from zanthness.
5. River Front Times (a local St. Louis Mag): Award for Best Craft Festival I am going to share what I rounded up in 2008 from the three craft fairs I attended including The Strange Folk Festival which won RFT's Best Craft Festival Award.

All good things must come to an end; its good that bad things have to too! Still I am looking back and honoring some of the crafts of 2008. You will notice number 1 and number 3 in Red, as they are completed. Item 5 is tricky because blogger has been acting weird and I have more than two pictures to post, but all the items are scanned! In pink I feel it is work in progress.

I was inspired the other day on the ThreadBanger forums by a project to make one's own pads. Of course it was by the AngryHippie. Luna Pad is a top brand of reusuable cotton pads for women's time of the month. I shared with the Angry hippie the Christmas Card that I made for my best friend, Kathleen. It deffinately falls under controversial so mark #2 in red!

Here was the inspiration behind the card: A passage from Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. The first chapter is about him working as an Elf at Macy's Santa in NYC.

"The woman in charge of costuming assigned us our outfits and gave us a lecture on keeping things clean. She held up a calendar and said 'Ladies, you know what this is. Use it. I have scraped enough blood out from the crotches of elf knickers to last me the rest of my life. And don't tell me, 'I don't wear underpants, I'm a dancer.' You're not a dancer. If you were areal dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf."

To me and Kathleen this is particularly funny because I was a dancer and in college she was a dancer by association, plus she worked for them. To keep my card in suspense I am including the link to view it. Its pretty and full of Christmas cheer, so no worries in my opinion.

Lots of Love!

Glue Gun

2009-01-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

Ready for a k.i.s.s? I'm Keeping It Short and Simple. I took my "main squeeze" glue gun, its my big one that can be cordless with a simple pull, and gave it a sparkly outfit. Well rather I glued on some fabulous rhinestones. I made a lightning bolt down the side. Consider me the Lone Ranger of Crafts. Lots of Love. Lots of kisses.

Fish Lure Earings

2009-01-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

Just a quick little craft I did in honor of Joe, my dear woodsman brother-in-law who is home from Iraq today.

I got to talk to him earlier this evening.

Good to hear his voice. Can't wait to show these off to him in a week and a half.

Shabby Chic Pillow

2009-01-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

I finally put the Janome petal to the metal and ta da my Kayte Terry inspired pillow is complete!

I added some white velvet ribbon, because I am in love with velvet ribbon. Also some rose fabric and blue corded trim that I made myself (see below).

You can see the back is alittle stuff. Like my pants at Thanksgiving. I might have to make another pillow to stuff it.

Below is a a three picture tutorial on how I made the blue trim around the pillow.

First step is just to have a long strip of fabric, I used some scrap blue fabric. My strip is about 1.5 inches.

Second step (which I made the bigger picture) is to find some cord and set in the middle of the strip. If I could do it over again I would have used a cord that is alittle less wirey.

Third step after folding the strip in half over the cord. Placing the strip under the foot of the sewing machine. The cord on the left of the foot, sew a straight line down the strip.

Sweet.

2009-01-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

Today was a rough day at the 9 to 5. I went to Michaels after work to get some rhinestones and shrinky dink paper. It hit me somewhere between the Easter supplies and scrapbooking that for some reason I always go to Michaels on days I wear my heels. Suburbia gets mad at the clickty clack of my Unisa Fione heels. The response I got when inquiring about Shrinky Dink plastic is "All kids crafts are aisle 6 and 7." Turns out Shrinky Dinks must be an adult craft because it was aisle 33 beside Stamps.
I almost didn't post anything tonight but when I checked my email I had a sweet response from my Aunt Paula about last night's entry: "I admire you energy to do all the things you are doing. Keep up the good work. Love ya, P." Now that raised my spirits!

This past weekend I was staring at my "craft inspiration board" and I unpinned a small piece of blue fabric that I had embroidered with a bunt cake and two cupcakes from Sublime Stitching patterns. I am pretty sure that I embroidered these in 2006. I can remember by which apartment craft room I was in upon completion. That was the other thing- completion; the icing on the cake I left just an outline. After finding the same pink thread from three years ago I was satisfied with the completed icing look. Also I permanently attached it to one of my embroidery hoops with a little embellishment.

Tonight I did the last bit of yellow dashed stitching, placing my needle back in my trusty ice cream snow cone pin cushion*** and it was a smack of genius. Tonight's theme is sweet. An email, a iced bunt cake and an old tasty pin holding friend. Mmm.. craft sweet tooth!

Lots of sweet love.

***A project from the Crafter's Companion tips, tales and patterns from a community of creative minds. I completed my pin cushion shortly after the books release in 2006.

Contest Will Have to Wait... Check Out My Class Work!

2009-01-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

In my whim to sing it to the world about my contest I forgot that Wednesday night is out for me because I have my Adobe Photoshop Class. That program is so beautiful. It has been added to the list of things I will Get/Do/Done in 2009. I'm on the cusp of falling asleep after a hard days work yelling at brokers. I thought I would show some of my classwork! If you haven't already seen the new look of SparkleChyld.Blogspot.Com. The lovely banner was my play around piece before and after class. The sprinkles are colorful as I and it reminds us all to sprinkle craftness.

Today's class was about color. I won't bore you with the How Tos, just the Ooohs and Ahhhs.
The first set of pictures is a photo I took of Kathleen's birthday Chicken vignette. It came out looking very yellow due to lighting. Then WHALA and I have sucked the lemon out of the color.

This second set of Photos is my beloved Brother-N-Law Joe with his wonderful son Jamerdude. On the left again we see the original followed by a dramatic black and white Joe who carries a flesh colored baby boy. This is where Photoshop is most handy in creating different layers of editing.

Once again this is Photoshop basics so we aren't creating 3-D images of ourselves just yet. I thought since I didn't have the contest laid out for tonight's posting I could at least win your hearts over with chickens and a baby.

Lots of Love

Upcycled Leather Purse

2009-01-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have in my head designing my perfect purse. The first lovely element is that it has to be "Up-cycled" which means using something that normally would be trashed and reusing it. Its just the new hit word for being green. Get it? Got it. Loooovvveeesit.

Second element was finding a brown leather jacket. But of course my Dad has tons! Turns out he is attached to the three he has and recommended me to buy from Goodwill, which was plan B. But plan A, was cheaper. So I am on a quest for a leather jacket.

It got me to thinking. I love upcycling. Several blogs have contests to see who can do the best upcycled projects. Then the three year old in me said, "Why can't I have a contest?" So here it is the first Sparkle Chyld: Sprinkle Craftness Contest.... maybe I should plan it alittle better.

Okay, I will work out the details over the next day (while finishing my main projects from Martin Luther King weekend). Start looking in your closets and around your house for items that you want to up-cycle. May I recommend Craft Leftovers Blog and Winners of the Singer/Craft: Upcyclist Party Contest.

Lots of Upcycle Love.

Stretching for Something Finished to Write About.

2009-01-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have been dying to write all weekend in my blog. With three days to glitter, scissor, sew and glue I am had a plethora of projects at my finger tips. All of which remain WIP (works in progress). If the projects were a file on your computer they would have various stages of percentage complete bars. I promise this week to complete my three main projects from this past weekend. Scouts honor! I will say that at my age I've learned the importance of patience and the love of flaws.

Glancing around my abode I played I spy something-that-Sarah-has-crafted-before. Well under my wadded college sweater was a project that was very dear to me. It all started at the apolstery fabric scraps table at Hancocks one day. This beautiful brown fuzzy suede was calling to me because of its feel. After coming out of the bag at home the girls loved to curl up on this heavenly textile. It was pure genius to cut up a box, glue bating and beautiful cotton fabric on the outside. On the inside to give this brown lush some cushion I used a torn up foam bed piece from Lindsay's college's days that somehow made it to St. Louis. In all honesty I think her Dad used it to plump up the U-haul chair.

Upon the completion of this beautiful cat bad I called aloud to my dear Chicken Noodle and Dr. Pepper, Come forth and findith your new bed to layith your weary chins upon. Well the proof is in the pudding. Here are the results.

So first we have Dr. Pepper on the bare floor trying to find a good coupon for Iams Natural Dry Food. Second stop on our tour shows the cozy always open third drawer of Mama's dresser that is stuffed with sweaters to small for her, mighty comfy. Last but not least a snapshot of their sisterly love on Mama's bed. They like to play fight but I know better. If you are a great detective you would have known from the beginning of my blog about the success of the bed when If ound the bed under a garbled college sweater; an indication of less than expected results. Which is correct! Oh well. Its still cute and gives the floor a splash of color. I'll be in touch soon.

Lots of Love

Next Installment of the Best of 2008.

2009-01-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a pillow inspired by Kayte Terry it was 3. on my Best of 2008 list From Blogher: Best Craft Books of 2008 . Her book Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects is very sensual to the eyes. When I first read of Kayte I was drawn to her because I read in the Craft Zine Blog interview that she was the Visual Manager for Anthropologie. HELLO! I loooooovvvveeee to go into Anthropologie and seeing the displays. More and more I pay close attention to the tinest of details. For Christmas one of my favorite details was the velvet roses that were handcrafted all over the wall. I want to live in Anthropologie. Le sigh. Here is the main "face" of my pillow, a "R" crafted from sewing on buttons... one by one. I drew the "R" with chalk and then washed it off after I was done with the buttons. I'll show y'all when I'm done. Lots of love!

Montage and Quilts

2009-01-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

If anyone knows me really well they know I love movies. In St. Louis I've seen at least 10 movies alone like Twilight, High School Musical 3, and Maid of Honor. Its bad when you can't remember all the movies you've seen by yourself.

I refuse to miss the previews. Correction, I'll miss the previews if its the second time I've seen the movie, just because they show the same previews. I will not miss the first second of the movie though. Staring through the window at the ticket counter at the greasy teenager I figure 15 minutes to get into the theater. If the movie starts at 2:00 PM, I need to be buying my ticket at 1:45 PM or else I'll wait two hours till the next showing.

I love previews because they are small movies. I love the first 15 minutes of movies because its usually a montage of scenes to get you caught up on the characters. This is why I especially love teen movies, because they they have the longest string of images strung together in the beginning.

I love quilts for this reason; especially scrap quilts. I once saw a quilt made from many many selvages, the white parts with the bubbles of color. Preparing for my Photoshop class I shifted through lots of magazine clippings and articles I've saved over the years. I found some collages I made in high school. At first I didn't give them much thought but I took a second glance. They are little montage quilts of my younger days. Its a comforting thought that A. I could "quilt" with glue and B. I'm glad I've kept these. If I find more I will share.

Lots of Love.

P.S. Kathleen if you are reading this yes that says Juni as in Juniper as in my gargoyle.

Bird Bird Bird Bird is the word.

2009-01-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

Hello My Fellow Craft Lovers!

I'm working hard on bringing you the best of 2008.

My first project was a tutorial from The Long Thread: Top 100 Tutorials of 2008 I am making the Fabric Bird by Spool Sewing. They offered a PDF template to print the pattern for these oh so cute Fabric Birds.

I'm not sure what I am going to do with them yet. I am certainly in love with them though. You can see Chicken Noodle loving on them as well. Once again the pictures aren't the best due the camera on the computer but that will soon no longer be a problem. Well I'm excited to be starting my Photoshop for Artist Class tonight. In fact I better run!

Lots of Love!

Best of 2008

2009-01-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

I read a lot of craft blogs. I read some craft blogs about craft blogs. I thought it would be fun to do a best of 2008 challenge. I am looking at entries of some of the best tutorials from last year and I am going to put the Sarah Sparkle Spin on them!

1. From The Long Thread: Top 100 Tutorials of 2008 I am making the Fabric Bird by Spool Sewing.
2. From Craft Zine: Most Controversial Posts 2008 I am going to create something that I feel would fall into this category.
3. From Blogher: Best Craft Books of 2008 I will create something in honor of Mrs. Kayte Terry (and no its not Katie Perry.. who sings 'I Kissed a Girl') she is number 3 for her book Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects.
4. From Craftster: Best of 2008 Its hard to decide what I will be inspired by. I am thinking the party hat that whitty made for her pet chicken or I could make a hoodies for one of the girls with the Cat Hoodie instruction from zanthness.
5. River Front Times (a local St. Louis Mag): Award for Best Craft Festival I am going to share what I rounded up in 2008 from the three craft fairs I attended including The Strange Folk Festival which won RFT's Best Craft Festival Award.

And in honor of Craft Blogging I am going to feature different blogs that I read as I find them and read new articles.

Lots of Love, I'll be posting soon!

New Scarf. Sprinkle... Dookie?

2009-01-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

Most people have no idea how OBSESSED I am with ThreadBanger, its an online show that is all about the love of DIY, mostly sewing, but it also shows a sister show DIY, Decor It Yourself.

I believe it was two weeks back I saw the webisode by the Compai Girls, they are a FABULOUS set of sisters that have written three books that you have probably seen in the Craft Book Aisle, the 99 Ways series. Each book containing 99 ways to sew, cut and rock your shirts, scarfs and denim. I will embed the show right below.

Okay so for some reason when I use the embed code it goes to a totally different Next New Networks show... I'll get it posted later but until then here is the link: http://www.threadbanger.com/episode/THR_20081212

I was in love with the idea of this so called Dookie Scarf, it could be just the sheer creativity pouring off the Compai girls.

I have pictures of how mine turned out! Two important lessons I learned, one I had problem with my fabrics that were knit or thin like chiffon. I used a zig zag stitch when sewing it up. Also I had a problem pressing down some of the seems when you sew down all 7 feet. If I had done it over I would have given myself a little more room to press them down.

Today I wore my Dookie Scarf to work. Let me tell you. Corporate America is not ready/can handle the Dookie Scarf. It was an amazing conversation piece though. Here are some of the reactions I got:

"What is that?" "Are you crazy?" "You are crazy!" "A Whaaaa??" "Is that one of those things that stops the air from coming under the door?" "Are you an African Princess?" "Your poor mom!" Are you crazy?" "Its sausages!" "Its intestines!" "That stops the draft under your door, right?" "More like dorkie scarf!" "Please don't make me one of these." "Did you rip up like 8 couches from different grandmas for the fabric?" "I don't think it keeps you warm" "Is that a cat bed?" "Look at me I'm Ms. America." "Thats nice " "You ARE diffrent."

Well I tried. It was fun seeing everyone either running away from it or trying it on. Its like one of those products you can shape all different ways. I saw from halter tops to a hula hoop. In terms of keeping my neck warm I'd give it a 4 out of a scale from 1-10. Well 3 hours of stuffing 7 feet of fabric tubing paid off in making me laugh at work. Lots of love!

New Year. Sprinkle Confetti.

2009-01-05T18:56:00.000-08:00

2008 may have been one of the worst years of my life. I guess thats why I focused so much time on crafts, that and more than half the year I was in St. Louis and not sitting around twiddling my thumbs.

I got my very own sewing machine in 2008, I got a Janome because it was the best priced, and they sponsor Threadbanger. Of course 3 months after I take home Janet from Handcock's, Threadbanger comes out with their own Janome sewing machine. It was one of the saddest moments of 2008, but my love for Janet is not demenioused. I also got a beautiful nephew Jameson, I guess 2008 had a lot of beautiful 'J's.

I was already to jump into this blog in October, especially gearing up for The Festival of Christmas Crafts (aka November and December). Then at the end of October, Lindsay and I broke up after four years and she moved back to Virginia. She also carried with her the computer we shared (but hers) and the digital camera we shared (but hers). Hey, I did get to keep the microwave (but hers) and the iPod (but hers)!

God bless my parents for helping me out with the purchase of this lovely HP I am typing on right now. I also am searching for someone who has an extra digital camera that is loosely working, its better than no camera. Until then I plan on finding ways to manipulate the web cam. I've got some great stuff I made for Christmas! I took the Buy Handmade Pledge. Though everything I gave I made myself. I did get a few raised eyebrows of confusion, but I won't spoil all my stories.

Here are two pictures of Sarahcraftations. The first is a hair piece which I wore out several times bringing delight to all those cranky people in the Hobby Lobby (since I didn't go in the mall). It is the glitter holly and berries pictured above.

The second is a bandanna I made just the other day with a nice moustache! I think it is the French Chef on The Little Mermaid meets Terminator. I was inspired by Etsy Seller
avrilloreti who screen printed different styles of lip and chin hair on bandannas, they were even featured in Bust magazine. Unfortunately I'm broke and have a lot of time on my hands. I'm definitely in love with it though.

Well here is to 2009 and much much more Sarahcraftism blogging and tutorials!

Most Recent Workings.

2008-09-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

These chickens are inspired by Sloane Tanen and her several books where she takes little easter chickens, dresses them up, poses them and comes up with cute one liners. Obviously two best friends are at a mexican restruant, where you can often find me and my best friend. Behind them is a picture of Frida, hello favorite artist, Mother Mary, hello favorite virgin mother and a skeleton.

Another shot, a little fuzzie becuase they are set up inside an acyrlic box.

A fancy mexican tampon holder. Its hard to see the detailing. I embrodered a lot of the lines.

The inside, hello concealed tampons.

This is the back that was suppose to be the front but I wasn't paying attention. I put the little beads on the sombero.

I took a cheap pair of sunglasses, punched out the lenses and added pictures of Lindsay, Kathleen and I. Though Lindsay doesn't like this picture, she was laughing and trying to open a bottle of vodka I believe.

These are the three items I crafted up for my Best Friend, Kathleen. This is a belated birthday gift for her. Ugh now I need to send them.

Call for all projects that I have made you!

2008-08-31T22:25:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd start off my craft blog with projects that I've already made for people. I'm searching around on the computer and will post them as soon as I find them.

These puppies were made from scratch! I made them for my B.F.F. Kathleen and tried to win some prizes by submitting them to Sublime's Stitching contest last Christmas. Here is the blurb I sent in with them.

"A christmas gift for my bff Kathleen was inspired by three of my favorite books I keep handy: Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To by Jenny Hart and Alexandra Grablewski, The ovenmit pattern was inspired by Denyse Schmidt Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects by Denyse Schmidt and Bethany Lyttle and The Crafty Chica Collection: Beautiful Ideas for Crafts, Home Decorations and Shrines from the Queen of Latina Style by Kath Cano Murillo. Like me, Kathleen loves food and Mary, so I hope that Mary will watch over her hands and her cookies!"