Hard Core Dyeing!

I love to test the limits or techniques...how far can I stretch it? What other mediums can I use. This one is double duty...Hubby wanted to change the color of his RC car hubs and I wanted to play with some dye.

So of course no basic out of the bottle color would work for hubby. We started with Tulip Liquid Dye, a dingy old pot (I ruined years ago with dye), water, stove and white hub blanks.
Hubby blended the colors till be achieved his desired shade...only using a little...aprox 1/3 bottle yellow, 1/6 bottle brown...a dash of red. Filled the pot with water enough to cover hubs mixed in dye and heated with hubs in water for 1 - 2 hours until desired saturation achieved.
From glaring white to Rusty Orange. 

Then of course I needed to do a little something for me... I had seen these clothespins on pintrest and loved them but seriously 6 clothes pins for 7.50 is ridiculous! I pulled out Tulip ® One-Step Fashion Dye ™  and a bag of small clothes pins I purchased at Walmart (in the office section), disposable bowls, skewer. Mix dye as directed on packaging, fill bowl to height that will cover clothes pins. Submurge clothes pins let soak. You could brush it on but I wanted deep and full covering...dropped the whole dang clothes pin in the dye metal included...have you ever tried to rewire a clothes pin when both wood sides fall out? Not fun! 
Once I had achieved desired color I pulled them out (with rubber gloves on) and clothes pinned them to skews put them in an empty jar...to let dry. (clothes pins are at the top of the skewer while empty end is in the jar. :) ) 
Spray with a seal if desired.
I use these cutties to at the top of a gift bag to hold a card on...so cute and festive. 
You can buy a huge bag or full size clothes pins at the dollar store or an itsy bitsy size at Micheal's for under 3 bucks.
What are you going to do with your clothes pins? 

I will send a bottle of dye to most creative response!  So comment below...what will you do with yours & what color! 
 

Up-cycle Dad's Shirt

You know those shirts that hang in the closet that may be a little warn in the cuffs and elbows but you just don't have the heart to get rid of? This is the perfect project to utilize the shirt and make a little space in the closet. Go grab your copy of Crafts n' things or subscribe online to go get the directions.

I tied my napkin in a knot and tucked the tail under the collar. Unless you have a closet full of identical shirts every place mat will be different and you can raid your cotton stash for coordinating napkin tie colors.

Enjoy a close up look and a cover view of the Spring issue of Crafts n' things.

cookin' party

My youngest turned 9...she is kinda particular when it comes to....most things. She requested a "cooking party". So she invited her favorite chef (her dad just happens to be one) to help out.

We started off the event with introductions and crafting girls. Each girl customized there chef hat or toque, as the they are more formally known, using buttons and punched circles.

 Then off to the races...Chef Relay Race...
Each girl in turn had to don a chef jacket, clogs and chef hat. run to the prep table. put on rubber gloves. measure out 1 cup of each ingredient. stir the contents of the bowl and taste there work before running back and handing off the chef gear to the next girl.

 The little lady Chefs each made their own pizza and scarfed them down.

 

Then came cupcake Class. There was practice time with piping bags and a laminated practice sheets... Have you ever seen a 9 year old with a piping bag? So cute lots of giggles and quite a mess. Once practice was over they graduated to cupcakes and colored frosting.

And finally photo booth! A few kitchen items and cute frames and girls will giggle and pose for another 45 minutes or so. Each party goer got an apron (created from a dish towel  and ribbon tutorial to come), hat, a clean practice sheet and a plate of decorated cupcakes. This was a HUGE success say the nine 9 year olds that attended.

my job

My job rocks! BUT there are some challenges. The biggest issue is when working with publication we are working sometimes up to a year out. I have a project I am doing for Sew News that is Christmas...so we are in February. I walked into a quilt shop and asked for Christmas fabric...I got laughed at!
I know so sad... you all feel so sorry for me in my tough job.
I do love a challenge...as long as I give myself enough time to complete the job.

Dainty Details

Despite all my plans for posting all my CHA info and updates I have failed! Well for now...with my family as my first priority I have been 100% focused on ALL 3 of my sick children, stupid cold...once better I was excited as I finally sent them off to school...NOW back to my board full of projects and CHA updates right? No such luck...I hate being sick this cold is kickin' my toosh!

So in the mean time here is the latest on newsstands now...

apronology vol 5 p 40-42

I  join many other fabulous designers in this issue including fellow iLoveToCreate designers Pattie Wilkinson & Allee Marderosian p 62-64. Go pick up your copy today!

and stay tuned for delayed CHA info...

Table trimmings

 

On news stands now! Sew News February/March 2013 issue page 36. If you are looking at the cover you have a lovely circle on the cover that calls out where to find it if you happen to be lost.

This project might have been as much fun to shop for as well as to make!Originally I sketched this design with a winter holiday theme but when the design got called up for use it had been moved to a springy-er place! So out with the winter and in with the cheer. Pick up your copy to get the know how on this trimtastic table runner.

 

Below you will find close ups of the great fabrics and trim placements. I've showed you mine...now you show me yours!

CHA: Booth Building

I got a sneak peek of the trade show floor today...there are soooo many amazing booths. But I am going to show you my current Fave....I had the chance to chat with the Facilities Manager of Sizzix as he was building the booth. Ladies this guy needs to have his own DIY blog he is a genius! This is what I am talking about...

 

AMAZING chandler umbrella. I always love shutters on the wall as a display.

 

 

Luggage as shelves.  He even told me how he did it! Wanna know how? comment!

 

Globe hanging lamps & ladder shelf...holy genius people!

So the items I am showing aren't even the Sizzix product line but it only shows the brilliance of the Sizzix team and what they are capable of. This friends is a team I would love to be a part of. I will show you details on a table he did as welll...but it is late so you will have to wait.