Homemade Cutting Dies

I've been searching for a way to cut felt without spending hours cutting out flowers. Paper craft punches, even the larger ones, just aren't hefty enough, and I haven't been able to find any felt punches. I've thought about purchasing one of the die cutting machines, but that is a pretty large price tag for saving myself a little time with a pair of scissors, and I'm not ready to make that purchase. Maybe when I become a little more addicted to scrap booking.

Rishnai has created tutorial for creating homemade cutting dies out of tin cans. The tutorial can be found on Instructables.com, and it doesn't look to difficult. I will definitely be using wood instead of foam, but other than it looks pretty straight forward. It is definitely worth a try.

Patriotic Flip Flops

This evening we made patriotic flip flops for the 4th of July weekend.

Originally we had planned to make the "fuzzier" version, with strips of fabric tied around the straps, but I ran across a really cute tutorial at Everything Etsy, and we had a last minute change of plans. These just struck me as so much nicer, and maybe a little easier, that we had to try them. The great news is that after three pairs of flip flops, we still have plenty of fabric left to make headbands or flowers, or maybe a small purse.

We varied our instructions just slightly from the tutorial linked above. I didn't use scraps of fabric, but rather purchased some fabric and cut it into strips about one inch thick, and six to nine inches long. I used my machine to straight stitch six strips together (five strips for the smaller pair). From there we followed basically the same directions as outlined in the tutorial.

I absolutely love these red, white and blue shoes. I wish I could wear them to work tomorrow. They are so much more comfy than my heals.

Not pictured in the photo above, Kristen's flip flops. She is far to busy taking the online practice exams for her learner's permit to pose for a foot photo. She is officially fifteen and a half today, and is hoping to pass the test on Thursday morning, before Coral and I leave for church camp.

Lowes' Build and Grow

The project at the Lowe's Build and Grow workshop this weekend was a wooden monster truck toy.

Apparently hammers and trucks is all it takes to get a large turn out for the little boys in Oklahoma. This was the most crowded Build and Grow I've seen. We stood in line for five to ten minutes to get our project, and ended up with the second to last truck, with a line still growing behind us. It was a good thing we got there earlier than usual.

There were no spots at the tables, but plenty of room on the floor, and Coral ran into another little girl from church.

The original plan was to give this truck to Gramps who is in the hospital as a get well present, but Coral just couldn't part with the her master piece after it was finished.

Craft Show List

This is a list of the craft shows and farmers markets that in or near the Tulsa area.

2010 Shows

~{ June 2010 }~

6/26/2010 9 am to 5 pm
The Alliday Show
http://www.allidayeveryday.com/Apply_to_Alliday_.html
Location: Ford Truck Exhibit Hall, Tulsa Expo Fairgrounds


~{ August 2010 }~

8/6/2010 to 8/8/2010
Ft Smith Mule and Donkey Show
http://www.muleanddonkeyshow.com/
Location: Kay Rodgers Park, Ft Smith, Arkansas

8/14/2010
Market Dayz
http://grammiesage.com/100301/index.html
Location: Shawnee Expo Center

8/28/2010 9am to 7pm
Gypsyville Market
http://www.gypsyvilleshows.com/
Location: OKC Fairgrounds


~{ November 2010 }~

11/6/2010
Salt Creek Retreat Arts & Crafts Festival
Location: Salt Creek Retreat, Ringling, OK
Contact Debra Lester, 580-465-7837 for more information

11/27/2010 and 11/28/2010
Bliss Holiday Gift Market
http://montagefestivals.com/
Location: State Fairgrounds, Modern Living Building, Oklahoma City, OK



~{ December 2010 }~

12/11/2010 from 11am to 5pm
Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar
http://www.deluxeok.net
Location: State Fairgrounds Centennial Building

Great Craft Show Tips

Tips from Mermaid's Closet
If you are thinking of diving into becoming a craft show seller, check out this article by Hollie at Mermaids Closet for some great tips. She covers finding a craft show, applying for a craft show, pricing and packaging, displays and more. This is a great read if you are thinking of getting into showing your wares at craft shows but are a little nervous about how to go about it.

Craft Show Resources from Gramkin Paper Studios
Still hungry for more tips? Then check this article from Gramkin Paper Studio's blog. You will find lots of valuable tid bits,along with links to to suppliers and craft show resources.

Ribbon Necklace Turorial

Found yet another great tutorial on YouTube tonight. This tutorial from Lorelei1141 shows how to create a ribbon necklace. She wire wraps the ends, instead of using ribbon closures. This seems more economical appears to be a nicer look as well. Definitely going to try this one.

Rosette Chain Tutorial

Another great turorial from Jetdesigns. This tutorial shows how to create a rosette chain using jump rings. This looks so easy, and yet, such a nice design.

Wire Wrapped Cluster Ring Turorial

I've been looking for tutorials for wire wrapped rings. I attempted a couple without a tutorial, and they need a little work. I found this tutorial on YouTube. This is a nice easy to follow instructable from JetDesigns showing how to make a wire wrapped cluster ring. I tried to post a link to her website, but it looks like the link may be dead.

DIY Scrabble Tiles

Do you remember how hard it is to stop popping bubble wrap once you get started? Well, I've found a new OCD obsession, sanding wooden tiles.

Every local craft store has recently run out of small square wooden tiles, letter or otherwise, so I decided to improvise. I purchased a stick of wood .75 inches thick and 36 inches long, and my dear husband cut it into small tiles for jewelry. DIY scrabble tiles! They were raw and ugly right off of the saw blade, but with a little sanding I think I like them better than the tiles I usually purchase at the craft store. Even better, these are just the right size for my .75 inch paper punch, where the scrabble tiles were just a hair to large.

The only problem is, once I grab a sanding sponge and get started sanding it is really, really hard to stop.

Etsy Shop Grand Opening!

Woo hoo! I've opened up my Etsy shop. No more thinking, planning, budgeting and pricing strategies. No more gathering of supplies. It's time to just do it. I have shipping supplies, and I've got merchandise. What more do I need? ...except maybe some shipping labels. Oh well, I can take care of that this weekend.

I set a goal to get through ten postings before the Etsy meet up tomorrow. After all, I would feel a little silly going if Iwas still just setting on my hands. I've posted eight letter tile necklaces, and ball chain and ribbon to go with them. Next step is to post the dolls that I've been making.

That should be enough to make me feel like I'm at least getting my feet wet. One of my favorite quotes is from Will Rogers. “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."

T shirt Bikini Sewing Project

I finished my t shirt bikini. I didn't exactly follow any of the tutorials, but mixed bits and pieces of them, along with tips found in forum posts.

Some tidbits...t-shirts stretch, and of course they also become a little transparent when wet. To solve this issue, I used a lined both the top and bottom with another material. I was going to go with the swimsuit fabric at JoAnn. It is 90% polyester and 10% spandex. Since I really didn't need a lot of stretch, I went with the 100% polyester, at one third the price of the swimsuit fabric. I also used this for the ties.

Now on to the cover up, because I sure am not wearing a bikini without covering it up. Not until I'm a few shades darker anyway. I would hate to blind someone.

Etsy Craft Party

I'm looking forward to the Etsy Craft Party this Friday. Tulsa came in #10 world wide for the most number of RSVP's, so Etsy is sending a box of goodies. The organizers in Tulsa chose Philbrook as the venue, and it sounds like it should be a lot of fun. I just need to remember to pick up a t-shirt for the screen printing. I don't want to miss that. You can view the details at MakeTulsa.com or RSVP at Meetup.com.

Busy Weekend

This evening I was taking some product photos, when Coral took over the camera. Lights, a poster board, Scrabble tiles, and miscellaneous props, have kept her busy for the last hour or so. If she ever lets me have my camera back I may post some of the pictures. Although, I’m thinking I may have to go to sleep before she is ready to give it up.

It was a busy weekend around here. Working late on a project for work on Friday night, the Build and Grow Workshop Saturday morning, two trips to Big Splash, a couple of movies, some craft projects, and the twenty year high school reunion of the class two years ahead of me, so I'm pretty exhausted right now.

Duct Tape Wallet

I think I've found a Father's Day project the kids will like. It's a duct tape wallet. Instructions from Family Fun can be found here.

Home Depot Kids' Workshop June

The project this month at Home Depot's workshop was a mini Foosball game. The kids had a little trouble putting it together. They put the first one together upside down, so they had to start over. I guess that is what happens when Mom takes pictures instead of reading the instructions with them.

Coral wants to paint the Foosball game pink, with little pink and white uniforms, instead of the usual sports colors. It should be pretty cute when she is done.