tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68431981143624761082024-03-14T05:21:06.660-05:00Average Jane CrafterA compilation of my crafting projects, inspirations, hints, tips, and whatnot. From the point of view of your ... well ... Average Jane Crafter. I'm no expert in any craft, I just craft because it's a whole lotta fun, and it makes me happy.Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-41900988761021646412013-09-23T14:39:00.002-05:002013-09-23T14:39:37.481-05:00Colorful Embroidery with Carina <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Eb8h_mN7TnWtuu62Y0EEr-XW2f5xyokY3g_2Zaexp29vZeI5TG0qKDwF8gSWC3qNkMP0LGynnCquw_dlf0Yf7407jgLstbV4eBTUZ5Oj4x3gcP8TI0jj1f-uU25cgGRVWj-0lMjUOmvS/s400/cover.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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While the ole blog has been quiet this summer, there was actually a ton of stitching going on around here. I'll post some updates on some of the fun projects I completed, but today is all about one of my <a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">favorite new embroidery books</a> from one of my favorite embroiderers. <a href="http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/" target="_blank">Carina Envoldsen-Harris</a> was one of the first internet hand embroidery pals I made years ago. Her work is always beautiful and colorful and blissfully organic. She has a great signature style, and I was thrilled to see she'd be sharing her work in a book.<br />
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<i><a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">Stitched Blooms</a></i> is a great embroidery resource for beginning stitchers, and great inspiration for seasoned stitchers. <br />
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<a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfhoQJfXGOabOunS8sAfgSh9xVyKOXTtKOWQatkI2_s_JPddcSw6TWLx90eetN6MLpNMXvhAbWtDNrGnbz9M2aiJ5k2DcGh6ewAtzY1T8df1A8cNnfwIOuiDKczy0WsnCRFcqWoO1lWfs/s400/stitches_spread.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you're new to embroidery, Carina has a great introductory portion in <i><a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">Stitched Blooms</a></i> that is filled information on tools and tips to get you started. Her individual stitch diagrams and instructions are very easy to follow. <br />
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<a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp0KH7o7M25fbnLAkEslIEXghdjqQBJQOYa_JwaTrLWySfyJL0f-MuyBfSEREDqphf0uRgHJlu5o_4UvReqzBUlnn87v8ld49peqpY8hty2Qb757FqDwq1yR-ch2VxDoWpXxIf1noy_7j/s400/dala_horse.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriUt1xcPbJM-4zLreb801RRrVXfrvRqN9pbulgqw1wskTQtB2nkbo1fziuJbYhwww4t6uwlyYDS2_PgpZS_HEQyTfpLQQwicU7Y3c3Bn953jL1Wyp5KmqoIZloyeyHSpuZoPvvW3FxmBk/s400/pom_pom_project.JPG" width="357" /></a></div>
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After the informative introduction comes a great selection of 20 projects that feature Carina's beautiful stitched blooms. Some involve stitching on ready-made items, while others include additional simple sewing. I'm particularly smitten with this Dala Horse, and these little pom pom luminaries are adorable and practical. <br />
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<a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqeeWdN6OlJc5CPkOsauIwpVfyb3q_5n2wgMhSnJ7wzqkI-QEAQdhTUCklBGdPw6ex7tBYVjYYiyV26aCRwoCI7FAq56W3v7-0Ws6N8pdEHGdu8SFNNQbHN-cHAukOk2pVq0L_N5LyG4b/s400/motifs.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, <i><a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">Stitched Blooms</a></i> includes an impressive 300 motifs for stitching on anything your heart desires. A CD is included so you can download and resize the images to suit your particular project. This is one of my favorite features.<br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUTRnW3MzpVDtH5OrfmG4qe0fNWrawdpa7nKy2xn4bjcOdLZ-G1e7gCU9YEMBML5VXaQGSHNRMqJPmykb01M_QqrHGJ0vGAnlZqf3p82gPYtrbjZIRV528ZxwksAoAfl97pwWzm9qXEiN/s400/baby_stitched.png" width="400" /></div>
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Carina's book and CD came in handy recently as I was trying to come up with a little something for a friend who was having a baby. I got a text message that she was in labor, and though I'd already sewn a few other simple gifts, I thought it would be fun to stitch something for her daughter while she was in labor. I popped the CD in to my computer and found the image that corresponded with the one I'd picked from the book, resized it to fit the onesie and printed it out. I used my tried-and-true method for transferring images on to fabric (dressmaker's carbon paper) and set to stitching. The design was simple enough that I was able to easily complete it in a couple of hours, and it was fun to do something for my friend while she was in labor. It felt like a special way to keep her in my thoughts while she was working so hard to bring this sweet new life in to the world.<br />
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Carina's <i><a href="http://love.stitchedblooms.com/2013/09/stitched-blooms-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">Stitched Blooms</a></i> is a fantastic book for stitchers looking to be inspired by color and nature. She has a unique way of creating organic designs that can also feel very graphic and modern. It's a great addition to any embroidery fan's library! <br />
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<i>Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of </i>Stitched Blooms<i> to review, but the opinions expressed are 100% my own! </i>AverageJaneCrafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02629676781721905574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-28521938723641167342013-05-01T14:06:00.001-05:002013-05-01T18:29:19.272-05:00QuiltCon 2013 Report & Slide Show (better late than never, right?)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8699944048/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8269/8699944048_d4487b74b2_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Back in February, I was lucky enough to be an instructor at the inaugural <a href="http://quiltcon.com/" target="_blank">QuiltCon</a> in Austin. The <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/" target="_blank">Modern Quilt Guild</a> did a spectacular job of putting on this quilt show and fabulous workshops and lectures. I taught a class called "Redwork in Modern Quilting" in which I looked at the tenets of traditional redwork embroidery and aligned them with the tenets of modern quilting to create my take on redwork embroidery in modern quilting. We then got down to the work of basic hand embroidery. It felt so good to be teaching again (that's been one of the things I've missed most about leaving Austin and the <a href="http://stitchlab.biz/" target="_blank">Stitch Lab</a>).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8698804807/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8698804807_7cbc32693b_z.jpg" width="440" /></a>
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I was a little nervous about the subject of the class. It was one that was presented to me, and they let me run with it and teach it as I saw fit. It ended up being great fun to research traditional redwork and see how we could translate that into modern quilting. It also gave me the opportunity to make my second quilt top that I used for the example in my class. It's the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Quilt-Workshop-Techniques-FunQuilts/dp/1592531520" target="_blank">Marquee pattern from the <i>Modern Quilt Workshop</i></a> book. I felt it was a nice modern take on that classic patchwork feel of traditional quilts. Sewing the strips together was dreamy, and it made me want to make one big ole giant striped quilt somewhere down the line. I was able to get a new sewing machine right before Christmas (nothing overly fancy or expensive, but just enough of a step up that it made a huge difference for me), and that puppy was singing while I sewed, sewed, sewed, and cranked the quilt top out in just a couple of afternoons. I had a blast.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8698831625/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="481" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8698831625_c3ba3b51d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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The vendor booths were awesome, particularly the <a href="http://stitchlab.biz/" target="_blank">Stitch Lab</a> booth. I know, I know, I'm a little biased, but DEEEEEYAM. Those ladies outdid themselves. The fabric was phenomenal, the booth layout was perfect, and it was a smokin' hot hub throughout the entire show. It made me miss them even more!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8699944326/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8271/8699944326_4d8a5e4367_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
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One of the best parts of QuiltCon was getting to see so many good friends, but even better was getting to hang out with my aunt, Terry, who came down all the way from Santa Fe, New Mexico to take my class and attend QuiltCon. Aunt Terry and I have bonded over quilting, and it's been great fun to connect with her in this way. We've always loved her family, and this gives us even more reasons to stay in touch and have fun together. She became know as, "AUNT TERRY!" as we walked around the show and she met my friends. We had a great time looking at quilts, visiting vendors, and she even got to experience her first photo booth, which was a total riot. I loved having her there!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8680009828/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8680009828_98f57c0fca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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The quilt show itself left me completely in awe and inspired. I went through it several times, and found new things each time that I did. I took as many pictures as I could, but often found myself so inthralled in the quilts, that I forgot to whip out my phone to snap a picture! I also tried to take a picture of the quilt, followed by a picture of the information about it. I wasn't able to do that every single time, but I did get quite a few. There were several times where I'd fall in love with a quilt, and then read the story behind it, and fall in love in a whole new way. The stories behind the quilts and how they were made were fascinating!<br />
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I've loaded <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/sets/72157633346802920/" target="_blank">all my pictures into a Flickr set</a>. I'm still working on labeling, etc. but it's an easy way to look through them all. Enjoy!AverageJaneCrafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02629676781721905574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-63267085369183451722013-04-25T10:48:00.001-05:002013-05-01T13:19:06.926-05:00Lessons learned from making my first quilt <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8055096884/" title="Tonight's football practice craft: embroidering a little somethin' on my first-ever quilt block. #quilting #embroidery I like how the piecing ends up looking in the small hoop! by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Tonight's football practice craft: embroidering a little somethin' on my first-ever quilt block. #quilting #embroidery I like how the piecing ends up looking in the small hoop!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8055096884_5864d525f5_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
Last fall,<a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2012/09/being-ok-with-being-terrified.html" target="_blank"> I took my first quilt class</a>. I was terrified and not sure how I'd do, but I was also excited to try something new. And though I started out shaky, within a few weeks I got my quilting legs and took off and fell madly in love with this medium. Since then, I've complete another quilt top, taught at QuiltCon and am diving into my third quilt this week. Before I fill you in on all those things, here's a look at my first quilt process and some of the things I learned.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8045402943/" title="Pieces cut for my first-ever quilt block! (with @yummygoods for note-taking) It was a straight split on which grouping folks liked. I ended up going with the left one in the previous picture. Ready to start sewing. #quilting by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pieces cut for my first-ever quilt block! (with @yummygoods for note-taking) It was a straight split on which grouping folks liked. I ended up going with the left one in the previous picture. Ready to start sewing. #quilting" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/8045402943_bdf9a49c3b_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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Taking a quilt class made a huge difference.</b> I have a hefty stack of quilting books that I love, but taking a class really helped me understand how quilts come together, and made the books make more sense. Having a person who can answer questions and share their personal tips was infinitely helpful. Now I can tackle quilts I see in books with confidence. It was also fun to watch a group of students take identical patterns and create such incredibly different quilts. I loved it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8095001208/" title="Quilt blocks for my first quilt so far. I like 'em, but think if I use the mustard for the sashing, that's gonna be a loooooooooot of mustard. It's much bolder than i expected. May change sashing to the grey/dots & keep border aqua ... #quilting by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Quilt blocks for my first quilt so far. I like 'em, but think if I use the mustard for the sashing, that's gonna be a loooooooooot of mustard. It's much bolder than i expected. May change sashing to the grey/dots & keep border aqua ... #quilting" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8095001208_1d3ecbf92f_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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<b>It pays to press.</b> My sewing guru, <a href="http://www.stitchlab.biz/" target="_blank">Leslie</a>, always said, "It pays to pin!" in our sewing classes, and she's right. The same saying can go for pressing when it comes to quilting. I won't iron clothes to save my life, but give me seams to press and I'm all over it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8278412419/" title="It's happening! Finally quilting my big quilt! Ahhhh! #quilting by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="It's happening! Finally quilting my big quilt! Ahhhh! #quilting" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8278412419_eb2abb7f1c_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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<b>Mistakes are no big deal</b>. I don't have a picture of it, but once I pulled my quilt out of the dryer, I was fondling it with glee (get yer mind out of the gutter!). My hand came across a seam in the middle of a block that had come completely out. At first, I was horrified, but then I thought it'd be a perfect place for a little embroidery. Maybe even a stitched "oops." No biggie.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8680110121/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8124/8680110121_a9721297ed_z.jpg" width="480" /></a>
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<b>Seeing your kid snuggled up under a quilt you made </b>while they watch tv is pretty freaking awesome. After all the time and energy (sweat and tears, of course) I put in to this quilt, the happiest I was came when my son grabbed it off a chair and curled up underneath it. So in love.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8678855449/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8678855449_4e41f757ae_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<b>Keeping it simple made it doable.</b> The quilt blocks themselves were pretty involved, so I went super simple with the quilting (an aesthetic I prefer anyway) and kept the binding simple by just doing it all by machine. I thought this might be a "cheater" method of binding, but it turns out some of my very favorite quilters use this method exclusively. It felt great to finally tackle making my own binding and being able to attach it in one run through the machine satisfied my need to git 'er done. I kept <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8679966106/in/set-72157633331067749/">Susan Beal's Modern Log Cabin Quilting book right next to me</a> during the entire binding process. Her instructions were so easy to follow, and eased all my binding fears.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/8678855095/" title="Untitled by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8678855095_3e394f6fa8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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I'm so glad that I fell in to quilting right now. It's been a great way to rejuvenate me, challenge me, and introduce me to a whole other community that is vibrant and supportive. I'm looking forward to quilts number three ... four ... five ... one hundred ....Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-61629159375816430992012-10-02T08:40:00.000-05:002012-10-02T08:40:13.370-05:00"Show Me a Story" Winner! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5mWiNWxEDy2cJS-3Dv-QSgGxzhWOLi_SDeuQy2JxKemHNCvQIkgZwcZrRONSI64U0FNNG44vHq7zN6n31rKA-E0rRqipIdKMgwp6CEOCN8DCRJ3_s3G_dnGm-OZH_ioGEGqroR0FP0RH/s1600/show_me_a_story_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5mWiNWxEDy2cJS-3Dv-QSgGxzhWOLi_SDeuQy2JxKemHNCvQIkgZwcZrRONSI64U0FNNG44vHq7zN6n31rKA-E0rRqipIdKMgwp6CEOCN8DCRJ3_s3G_dnGm-OZH_ioGEGqroR0FP0RH/s320/show_me_a_story_cover.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thanks to all who <a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2012/09/introducing-show-me-story-by-emily-k.html">commented for a chance to win a copy</a> of Emily K. Neubuger's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Show-Story-Activities-Childrens-Storytelling/dp/1603429883/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337263460&sr=8-3">Show Me a Story</a></i>. I truly love this book, and even if you didn't win, I encourage you to grab a copy for yourself or <a href="http://www.redbirdcrafts.com/search/label/book%20tour">follow her blog tour</a> for another chance to win a copy.<br />
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Congrats to <b>Arielle Clementine</b> who said, "<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i am planning on homeschooling my kids, and feel like this book would be a wonderful way to get them interested in storytelling!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll be in touch, Arielle, to get your copy of <i>Show Me a Story</i> headed to your home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay tuned for <a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2012/09/being-ok-with-being-terrified.html">updates on my quilt class and my first-ever quilt block</a>. Spoiler: I didn't die from fear over making it. </span></span>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-22525759962681381692012-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:002012-10-02T08:01:43.674-05:00Introducing "Show Me a Story" by Emily K Neuburger<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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One of my favorite things about the time I spent at <a href="http://blog.makezine.com/craft">CRAFT</a> was finding and following so many immensely creative folks through their blogs. I love stumbling on new blogs, keeping up with them, and watching them grow over the years, and it's even more exciting to see them make the jump from blog publishing to book publishing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKpAuPom9Z8ORgkYg1OnqLc7r08RK1j5TbSYvo_6EqORPHo-SahF6JvEHJ18E2y62Dvl06tdbvP6KErpa0jrwuLDmvCA8UXaDo1XKkOabtjwC1lctjYjBROfgmM7icH1as_RlubD8yBV1/s1600/show_me_a_story_emily_and_girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKpAuPom9Z8ORgkYg1OnqLc7r08RK1j5TbSYvo_6EqORPHo-SahF6JvEHJ18E2y62Dvl06tdbvP6KErpa0jrwuLDmvCA8UXaDo1XKkOabtjwC1lctjYjBROfgmM7icH1as_RlubD8yBV1/s400/show_me_a_story_emily_and_girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily with her daughters, Hazel and Leah, telling stories using the Traveling Puppet Theater project from <i>Show Me a Story</i></td></tr>
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One such case is Emily K. Neuburger of <a href="http://www.redbirdcrafts.com/">Red Bird Crafts</a>, whom I first connected with a couple of years ago after posting about some of her projects on CRAFT. I've followed her work and stayed in touch ever since, and was thrilled to se her new book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Show-Story-Activities-Childrens-Storytelling/dp/1603429883/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337263460&sr=8-3">Show me a Story</a></i>, that has "40 craft projects and activities to spark children's storytelling."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD-i0SPgX4S8luKhHQ2GrW86mrySFIrKjfYmCLI_M_Jp1ViUIXDtSvjygNsyfNpGscN9Crg_kbB_41N0FFYR6R2OJftcINOkl6OHsSkLyxB44YHpD6zRAHQQj_2TedY83qAVRY4f5WEdC/s1600/smas_story_disks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD-i0SPgX4S8luKhHQ2GrW86mrySFIrKjfYmCLI_M_Jp1ViUIXDtSvjygNsyfNpGscN9Crg_kbB_41N0FFYR6R2OJftcINOkl6OHsSkLyxB44YHpD6zRAHQQj_2TedY83qAVRY4f5WEdC/s400/smas_story_disks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Story Disks project is simple and cute, and will end up providing hours of creative play for kids. </td></tr>
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As a mom, I have to admit that when I've tried to craft with my kids, they don't always jump right on board. They seem to need some kind of additional hook to get going. What I love about <i>Show Me a Story</i> is that the projects have purpose. It's not just about making something cute, it's about making something that you then turn around and use to share creative stories and adventures with others. That bumps the awesome factor right up through the roof for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3Aa-XtDcsWB0mLxbrSURcYVpZShR-zud6shwadKOIbkVgNtHwh4BHXalfA1vmuoKx9lWg4UujeDTu-GukhOFNRWz8IX76WokwNkTOIoVRcnPgA_C3KVaCXgyY41EMleBrq5vhD5ftWMn/s1600/smas_story_telling_jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3Aa-XtDcsWB0mLxbrSURcYVpZShR-zud6shwadKOIbkVgNtHwh4BHXalfA1vmuoKx9lWg4UujeDTu-GukhOFNRWz8IX76WokwNkTOIoVRcnPgA_C3KVaCXgyY41EMleBrq5vhD5ftWMn/s320/smas_story_telling_jar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Storytelling Jar is an adorable project that would look cute on a desk or shelf, and can then be pulled down to use for story telling whenever the mood strikes. </td></tr>
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The projects are mostly pretty simple, and use basic materials that can often be found around your house (even in the recycling bin!) so it's a great book for families to have on hand for rainy days, family activity nights or summer boredom busting. It's also a book that would be a great gift for teachers, because many of the activities would be perfect for the classroom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43D_1ggKxRx4fsvxyBhzfOcMEBKTTBkNhw-TjBW-vwPeF3bNQ3eiUWTnPkNXJR_1-FAbkMAupJzb9HLFU4yixWpLzY2gKzbZ-j6Zi2pz6tcq_3pF5bgYkWxa4GqQ6OwH0wyedCSCRKADa/s1600/smas_parts_of_a_story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43D_1ggKxRx4fsvxyBhzfOcMEBKTTBkNhw-TjBW-vwPeF3bNQ3eiUWTnPkNXJR_1-FAbkMAupJzb9HLFU4yixWpLzY2gKzbZ-j6Zi2pz6tcq_3pF5bgYkWxa4GqQ6OwH0wyedCSCRKADa/s400/smas_parts_of_a_story.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's thoughtful and thorough explanations of the mechanics of stories, and her rich prompts help readers jump right in to the story-telling process.</td></tr>
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Emily doesn't just provide craft project tutorials in the book, but she also includes incredibly helpful guides for getting kids in the right mindset to fall deep down the story telling rabbit hole. She's prepared rich lists of prompts and explanations that help parents or teachers put the activities in to context for the children. <i>Show me a Story</i> is filled with the kind of projects and inspiration that help create special moments between adults and children, and it's really refreshing to see this kind of take on a craft project book. I like when there is purpose to a project beyond just making it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1niA0IBmu1p6RABYO6p9d4BA9LBDCH4TZ_c0AhzNWAVKh0Z9gjVtE66TsgKbMTaoIKHV3X4Lm5hjprz-CR6rLyi4XEUau_ioziWK9YpW6OfHadys-68t-YiA8zxKjOU4XKhzsO2ry5rgI/s1600/smas_timeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1niA0IBmu1p6RABYO6p9d4BA9LBDCH4TZ_c0AhzNWAVKh0Z9gjVtE66TsgKbMTaoIKHV3X4Lm5hjprz-CR6rLyi4XEUau_ioziWK9YpW6OfHadys-68t-YiA8zxKjOU4XKhzsO2ry5rgI/s400/smas_timeline.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If all this resonates with you, you're in luck! I have one copy of <i>Show me a Story</i> to offer for giveaway to an Average Jane Crafter reader. Just leave a comment on this post, telling me how you would use this book with the kiddos in your life, and I'll draw a winner at random on Monday. You have until 9PM CST on Sunday, September 29 to leave your comment. Sorry, contest is open to U.S. residents only.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPrpEDyPl3JSo6yCetOp_vjQwTpecnFgXLi6-ba4w_4IT2gCNIblh2OA1W2MrL9kqXGXcTNwouKdW1uyaxoUk64yMVd06zPXmBrk9BIzGVYLfEHFB5FGtZdUAeZrzQAmGs7q0pNfjqJnz/s1600/smas_back_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPrpEDyPl3JSo6yCetOp_vjQwTpecnFgXLi6-ba4w_4IT2gCNIblh2OA1W2MrL9kqXGXcTNwouKdW1uyaxoUk64yMVd06zPXmBrk9BIzGVYLfEHFB5FGtZdUAeZrzQAmGs7q0pNfjqJnz/s400/smas_back_cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, wait a minute ... I recognize that name under the quote up there ...</td></tr>
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Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-88946841086964818402012-09-25T12:55:00.001-05:002012-09-25T13:03:39.874-05:00Being OK with Being Terrified <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPYrP3u6Tf13SAts1mzvXmhpl-7BKJkn2WG6PZRvRggaYmOcqIHRsAJ_QTYNlBlqP-t7M7DK0s43lB7g0YbAeIuZe1CjgCzOoGS-D6yVKVegJ_mqzvGXHgmB_n31do_ni7X2xPqwKahr6/s1600/quilts_rotary_cutter_ruler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="straight lines scare me, y'all. " border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPYrP3u6Tf13SAts1mzvXmhpl-7BKJkn2WG6PZRvRggaYmOcqIHRsAJ_QTYNlBlqP-t7M7DK0s43lB7g0YbAeIuZe1CjgCzOoGS-D6yVKVegJ_mqzvGXHgmB_n31do_ni7X2xPqwKahr6/s320/quilts_rotary_cutter_ruler.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting precise straight lines scares the heck out of me, y'all. </td></tr>
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Last week, I started my first quilting class. I've been meaning to try my hand at quilting for a while, but the right moment hadn't hit me yet. After being invited to teach a hand embroidery workshop at <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/">QuiltCon</a>, I decided this was the perfect time. This fall would be the time I finally learn how to make a quilt. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf98Ua1yKPKKucD7gTmJwexdza_PYjG4LBmERLpeMeEWM0C_gkaCy08uJpt3t_q4W6BfXVdCHTXlqbDdHE8dKl5xeZzHq4V7aPlr1pR0xhyphenhyphenj3QEvFjRm8MjMLJhyphenhyphenwqyICmtBg99Jp0PI_O/s1600/quilt_fabrics_first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf98Ua1yKPKKucD7gTmJwexdza_PYjG4LBmERLpeMeEWM0C_gkaCy08uJpt3t_q4W6BfXVdCHTXlqbDdHE8dKl5xeZzHq4V7aPlr1pR0xhyphenhyphenj3QEvFjRm8MjMLJhyphenhyphenwqyICmtBg99Jp0PI_O/s320/quilt_fabrics_first.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My initial fabric selection - I thought we needed five fabrics, but it turns out we only needed four. I had to change this grouping up a bit. </td></tr>
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I decided to get my fabrics before the first class, and had a lot of fun browsing through bolts. Though the quilt we'll be making in class isn't my particular style (it's very traditional piecing, and I'm drawn more to the <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/">graphic modern quilts</a>) I'm excited to be learning so many techniques, and decided I'd try using more modern-feeling fabrics in the quilt. I figured I need to be in love with the fabrics so I can spend the next eight weeks staring at them, and the next who-knows-how-many-years using the quilt.<br />
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Even as enjoyable as shopping for fabric is, though, an unanticipated feeling emerged as I picked up, swapped out and debated different fabrics: terror.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mxq6cq1jFpkRPRXKwp3WWeR00QkQ9biBTSh7XUTfYE7GQtXaWczI99c4npsGPHWEhG3aKk4Ld2ucSBGWxVfBvPmLKj_xvhmQQwkqnZQFBxlSLI9cOI9zmrjwHffSZ1gq_KjuktsBHHTu/s1600/quilt_fabrics_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mxq6cq1jFpkRPRXKwp3WWeR00QkQ9biBTSh7XUTfYE7GQtXaWczI99c4npsGPHWEhG3aKk4Ld2ucSBGWxVfBvPmLKj_xvhmQQwkqnZQFBxlSLI9cOI9zmrjwHffSZ1gq_KjuktsBHHTu/s320/quilt_fabrics_final.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reworked fabrics for the quilt. I actually like this grouping better! </td></tr>
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You see, I haven't tried any big new skills lately. I've been pretty darn comfortable with my infatuation with hand embroidery and dabbling in other simple crafts, but I haven't really s t r e t c h e d much outside of my comfort zone recently. Quilting is big, and pretty foreign to anything I've ever done. Sure, it's fabric and sewing, but it's also precision, straight lines, matching points, perfect quarter inch seams*, basting, binding and ... quilting! All these things are not in my usual bag of tricks. I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of crafter. I take pride in not worrying if my seams are 100% perfectly straight. Quilting is going to take some time and thought and purposeful action. There will be lots of practicing on scrap fabrics, lots of measuring and remeasuring, and most certainly, without a doubt ... lots of mistakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJuuw55TiwNr86uMKxCcIAG-aUm01UjQ0VHy-CDCLZMAt63ZkAltdMBV3EZeKn6ebV8VmvOV7EkafaGwJAaD0C7P2yujoVJSxU940wTSscquMThtTkGbWVChZw98bJJ3DWLr0xJKBvAey/s1600/quilt_lightbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJuuw55TiwNr86uMKxCcIAG-aUm01UjQ0VHy-CDCLZMAt63ZkAltdMBV3EZeKn6ebV8VmvOV7EkafaGwJAaD0C7P2yujoVJSxU940wTSscquMThtTkGbWVChZw98bJJ3DWLr0xJKBvAey/s320/quilt_lightbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I nerded out and used my light box to make a copy of the quilt pattern so I could color it in with different colorways and decide which fabrics I wanted to use in which ways. Don't laugh - it's super handy! </td></tr>
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I don't shy away from mistakes, and I love learning new things, but when I showed up to my class and realized I was the only one who hadn't made a quilt before (hey, it's an *intro* to quilting class, I didn't think it would be so odd that I hadn't made a quilt before!) I felt the terror creep back up. I'm typically outgoing and enthusiastic in a class environment. Instead, I became intensely introverted and ... I'll say it ... scared out of my wits. My quilt ruler was futzy, my machine borked out on me, and there were a million other little things that just made the evening a bit crazy and uncomfortable ... and terrifying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb79IfEn97qAVJzD7Adnb_NUzg8M_DWlGrJ49eghq1_VSHkjMxCr-aa6osJ3U43xcHWeAR5fuz7eCjlT0y3ZlHFJLCH3aiheQXRpbyC_pYe2DYlUolZIhl_mK7F0RzyzsSlg8-7ndUOul/s1600/quilts_colored_in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb79IfEn97qAVJzD7Adnb_NUzg8M_DWlGrJ49eghq1_VSHkjMxCr-aa6osJ3U43xcHWeAR5fuz7eCjlT0y3ZlHFJLCH3aiheQXRpbyC_pYe2DYlUolZIhl_mK7F0RzyzsSlg8-7ndUOul/s320/quilts_colored_in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made photocopies of the tracing and then colored them in, swapping my light and dark grey fabrics. I'm a super visual gal, so this helped me get a better idea of how swapping the fabric placement would affect the overall look of the quilt. See? Handy! </td></tr>
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It took a stiff cocktail when I got home to try to relax and remind myself: THIS IS ONLY QUILTING. I need to take my own advice and not stress. I need to have fun. I've said this a million times to my embroidery students: The more you have fun, the more inclined you will be to practice. The more you practice, the better you will get. I need to stick with that, but I'm also kind of ok with being terrified. This kind of terrified is a feeling I haven't had in a long time, and it's reminding me I'm alive and pushing myself. Somedays the routine of family life makes me feel like I'm not doing much of those things. And I'm a process gal, which means - even when terrified - I actually really enjoy the process of being a bumbling idiot with something new, and slowly working to a point of comfort. I think it's a good thing for my kids to see, too. They see too many perfect, edited "final results" throughout media. They need to see some of that raw process (even if it includes a few swear words, I'm not gonna lie).<br />
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What has terrified you lately?<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">* Ironically, I'm the youngest person in the class, but I have the most basic, simple sewing machine in the group. Most of the others have super fancy computerized machines with special settings and presser feet that make precise quarter inch seams a snap. My machine ... notsomuch. But I keep thinking, "come on! Pioneers had flippin' FOOT POWERED machines!" and then I feel better. </span></i>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-14533696331863988402012-09-11T10:39:00.000-05:002012-09-11T10:39:58.891-05:00Give it up for new beginnings, y'all! Oh, my dear, sweet little neglected blog. I've missed you.<br />
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There has been a lot of change around these parts over the last nine months or so, and that's contributed to my lack of posting. Fortunately, I'm getting back on track, and really looking forward to getting nice and comfy back over here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepOzRaNlVSBaEe96UMxpbHilrzpOGXWpZlau6yb7CkarVGEwIcNuLLjs-nmielCsJMV0MpzsXK8nuUFhWp1QOYneiTia1lM-Wo_CF70Ar5JA0A9rqiOAGoceuh7aTMZB6tm_Fy64IDKvo/s1600/thank_you_craft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leaving CRAFT was bittersweet. " border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepOzRaNlVSBaEe96UMxpbHilrzpOGXWpZlau6yb7CkarVGEwIcNuLLjs-nmielCsJMV0MpzsXK8nuUFhWp1QOYneiTia1lM-Wo_CF70Ar5JA0A9rqiOAGoceuh7aTMZB6tm_Fy64IDKvo/s400/thank_you_craft.png" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The biggest crafting-related news around here is that, after four years, </span><a href="http://blog.makezine.com/craft/thank_you_for_four_years_of_cr/" style="text-align: center;">I left CRAFT at the end of June</a><span style="text-align: center;"> of this year. I loved blogging there, and am thankful for all the wonderful people I met and inspiration I found, but after blogging and being editor there, I decided it was time to move on to some new creative endeavors. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://blog.whimseybox.com/how-to-chain-floss-wrapped-flower-vases"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iylbPgH15zHOtcyNelhJjZb2IWLiYAGKQbIQ_YxpvW9wYC6liQd_I8-63XJ1Xuk_wrjWoz-YEp6YttC9twtw5WYPJLJDI9X3wJmZQsjkA0W8C_xGMlpB_njZ9zZmuuz3T4I0Rz3Ezn6S/s1600/vases_featured_image.jpeg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.whimseybox.com/how-to-chain-floss-wrapped-flower-vases">One of my project tutorials for Whimseybox</a></td></tr>
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I am thrilled to be working with Alicia and Bri at <a href="https://whimseybox.com/">Whimseybox</a>, which is based right here in Houston. It's exciting to be even a small part of a new and growing venture, especially when I admire the women behind it so much. I've had <a href="http://blog.whimseybox.com/author/rachel">fun blogging for them</a> and creating project tutorials (something I hadn't done in ages!) and am even more excited for what the future holds for Whimseybox.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vWOBXXDcIJDda8N7mabM4dvY1Q3yhyphenhyphen04CqC4rSG-uGdrb4LSLlD5Ovf1UP7f_4Dt1qqXqhPvm9_byMSsCTnh-GTzV2mogKs9nzYXUa4kT6i_gl6pj_Xat40Xy673JhvGNnHQNTYpo8kw/s1600/quilt_con.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vWOBXXDcIJDda8N7mabM4dvY1Q3yhyphenhyphen04CqC4rSG-uGdrb4LSLlD5Ovf1UP7f_4Dt1qqXqhPvm9_byMSsCTnh-GTzV2mogKs9nzYXUa4kT6i_gl6pj_Xat40Xy673JhvGNnHQNTYpo8kw/s1600/quilt_con.png" /></a></div>
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I'm also excited to announce that I'll be teaching at the <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/">first ever QuiltCon in Austin</a> next February. I'll be teaching basic hand embroidery in the context of studying redwork in modern quilting. I can't believe I'm part of this incredible event. I mean, hi ... Anna Maria Horner, one of my all-time biggest design inspirations and first fabric designer crush, is teaching in the same room I am right after my class ends. Who wants to place bets on me passing out? If you are interested in the class or QuiltCon, be sure to check it out and sign up soon. As of a few days ago, there were less than three spots left in my workshop. The QuiltCon folks have been amazing and so professional. This is going to be a top-notch event. I can't wait!<br />
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Speaking of quilting, I'm starting my first quilting class next week. Yep. I've never made a quilt (well, not an official quilt - I've "quilted" a few small things for fun/practice, but I've never done a whole quilt start-to-finish before). Even though my workshop at QuiltCon isn't so much about quilting (it's a basic hand embroidery class) I didn't feel I could stand up as a teacher there, having never made a quilt. I've read Susan Beal's Modern Log Cabin Quilting book cover-to-cover, and am ready to get some real-life action going in the quilt department. Look for updates over the coming weeks as my class progresses!<br />
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I've got some great books and craft goodies to share with you, as well as some fun project tutorials, soon. Thanks for sticking with me - even with my sporadic posting. This fall marks the 5th anniversary of Average Jane Crafter, and I'm so glad to still be crafting and sharing things with you!Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-44330731046233589962012-05-23T16:33:00.000-05:002012-05-23T20:51:05.207-05:00My Secrets For the Week-Long Manicure<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7258020738/" title="My Secrets for the Week-Long Home Manicure by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="My Secrets for the Week-Long Home Manicure" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7258020738_a94271c558.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
This is totally out of character for me. Really. I am not a girlie girl at all. I kind of feel like I need to pull up the pictures of me as a 4th grader, wearing camo pants and no shirt (because I was a total tomboy and felt like I should be able to run around half-naked) so I can prove my non-girlie nature here. I'm not really in to fashion and I rarely wear makeup, but the one girlie weakness I have is this: painting my fingernails each and every week.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257496216/" title="It's important to match your nails to your favorite foods. by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="It's important to match your nails to your favorite foods." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7257496216_3cbf1e6103.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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When I was in college, I painted my nails all the time - sometimes every other day. I'd use wild colors, but paid no attention to application or care. They were generally a sloppy mess. Once I had kids, my nail-painting habit died off, and I didn't touch the stuff for years. Then I had an embroidery class in which a student carried on about her nail-painting ritual. Her <a href="http://bohemianseason.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-favorite-nail-polish-colors-of-2010.html">blog was the first place I saw the painted nails</a> trend, and a post she did on her <a href="http://bohemianseason.blogspot.com/2010/01/secret-life-of-pretty-hands.html">weekly ritual</a> of painting her nails got me completely hooked again. Initially, I was painting them only occasionally. Several months ago, though, I got hooked on a weekly routine of painting my nails every Thursday night while watching 30Rock, Big Bang and Project Runway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257496436/" title="Can't decide on one color? No problem! by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Can't decide on one color? No problem!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7257496436_7f1539da88.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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My husband teased me about it at one point: "Why do you like doing that so much!?" I stopped for a minute and wondered the same thing. Why - as a non-fashion/beauty interested person - do I bother with painting my nails every week? Here's what I came up with:<br />
<ul>
<li>I love the colors. Sometimes it's as simple as that. For as much black as I wear, I am always drawn to the menagerie of colors available in the nail polish aisle. I have a basket full of colorful bottles, and digging through them is deeply satisfying to the color-hungry part of my soul. Seeing a nice color on my hands every day is - as silly as it sounds - a little pick-me-up. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It's a simple form of self care. The whole moms-neglect-themselves is a cliche for a reason. It's hard to find much time or money to do a little something special for yourself, and my weekly manicures help in that regard. I'm taking time to take care of myself, feel "pretty" and indulge in something that's a bit impractical and makes me feel good. We all need more of that, right? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I can't multitask while I'm doing it. Aside from watching tv, I really can't do much else while I'm painting my nails or waiting for them to dry. After I finish painting them, I sit down on the couch and just allow myself to watch tv for the rest of the evening. I don't do dishes, fold laundry or work on the computer. This is pretty much the only time in the week that I just sit still. That's a beautiful thing! </li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257496310/" title="I'm always a scoundrel fan. by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="I'm always a scoundrel fan." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7257496310_8a869c0124.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
After digging around on the internet, and buying more beauty products than I'd care to admit to, I settled on a handful of favorites and a routine that give me a nice-looking home manicure that lasts all week.* My frequently-changing manicures have been visible in many of my pictures on <a href="http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/user/27638764/">Instagram</a>, and I had several friends ask me to post my method and favorite products. There are thousands of nail-painting tutorials on the internet, but most of them are for fancy decorative nails. I haven't had time to do anything like that, nor do I strive to. The basic solid color manicure scratches my itch just fine, but just know that if that's something you desire, it's easily found with a quick google search or look-see on YouTube.<br />
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Enjoy the tutorial, and find some way - even if it's not painting your nails every week - to do a little something for yourself that allows you to <i>not</i> multitask while you do it, ok?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257533642/" title="The manicure after a week (and this week included cleaning out the garage!) by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="The manicure after a week (and this week included cleaning out the garage!)" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7257533642_50b360aa15.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Here's a picture of my week-old manicure. On this particular week, I'd even cleaned out the garage over the weekend, and the polish still held up nicely. It's not perfect at this point, but for having been on my nails for a solid week, I'd say it's not to shabby, amiright?
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257528398/" title="Too much nail polish ... by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Too much nail polish ..." height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7257528398_68ca47afe0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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My collection of nail polishes is kind of embarrassing, but not as extensive as <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=my+nail+polish+collection">some I've seen on the internet</a> ... </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257531832/" title="Home manicure supplies by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Home manicure supplies" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7257531832_02b0cc56ea.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<b>Supplies:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>A nice, fine nail file - I picked mine up at a beauty supply store </li>
<li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/up-up-Maximum-Strength-Acetone-Nail-Polish-Remover-Dip-It-9-oz/-/A-13317437#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink">Target Brand Remover Dip-It Acetone</a> (more on this wonder product in just a second) </li>
<li><a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/sally-hansen-gel-cuticle-remover/ID=prod5430262-product">Sally Hansen cuticle remover gel</a> - I've used this one, as well as the SH instant cuticle remover. I like them both. </li>
<li><a href="http://sallyhansen.com/products/nails/nail-care/miracle-cure-severe-problem-nails">Sally Hansen Miracle Cure</a> - for the base coat. This stuff rocks. </li>
<li>Nail polish in your preferred color (re: brand, I love <a href="http://www.essie.com/nail-colors/">Essie</a> for colors & staying power. I also love <a href="http://www.opi.com/">OPI</a>. My favorite inexpensive brand of nail polish is the <a href="http://sallyhansen.com/products/nails/nail-color/hard-nails-xtreme-wear">Sally Hensen Xtreme Wear</a>, which totally holds its own for a less-than-$3 polish) </li>
<li><a href="http://www.sallybeauty.com/Nail-Top-Coat/INM2,default,pd.html">Out The Door top coat </a>- this stuff is what seals the deal (literally) on a long-lasting manicure. I found it at Target for around $3, but have had trouble finding it there recently. I know you can get it at beauty supply stores, it might just be a little more expensive there. LOVE this stuff. </li>
<li>A good cuticle stick - I like my metal one, as opposed to the wood ones. It came in a little manicure set from Target </li>
<li>Clippers - good for cleaning up gnarly bits around your nails </li>
<li>Nail brush - It's freaky how handy this thing is. I hadn't used one before, but now adore it. </li>
<li>Paper towels to protect your surface and use for quick cleanups</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257530000/" title="The nail polish remover of the gods ... sorta. by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="The nail polish remover of the gods ... sorta." height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7257530000_bb8459913b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Let's start with removing your old nail polish. Part of why I didn't paint my nails much was because removing the color was a huge pain. I'd have stacks and wads of cotton pads all over the place, and the color would inevitably end up all over my hands. It was an annoying mess. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, this product changed all that.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257439440/" title="Nail Polish Remover that looks like a Sarlacc from Star Wars by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Nail Polish Remover that looks like a Sarlacc from Star Wars" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7257439440_c3c91e919d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Remember that stuff from the 80s that was a dip-and-remove nail polish remover? It was like a sponge inside a container and you shoved your finger down in it and rubbed off the color? The color often did the same thing as it does with cotton pads: gets smeared all over your fingers. Because of my experience in the 80s, I was hesitant to try this dip-and-remove from Target. Instead of the old sponge interior, it's full of plastic bristles. Instead of smearing color everywhere, the polish comes off in just a few swipes and leaves your fingers perfectly clean. I nerd out on this stuff big time.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257443048/" title="Removing the nail polish - ahhhh! It's eating my finger! Quick, Luke, Save me! by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Removing the nail polish - ahhhh! It's eating my finger! Quick, Luke, Save me!" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7257443048_ebf3e2261e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Sure, it looks like a <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sarlacc">Sarlacc from Star Wars</a>, and yes - I snicker and make 12-year-old boy jokes every time I shove my finger in it - but it works wonders and I'm sticking with it for the long haul.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257437566/" title="Removing Polish by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Removing Polish" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7257437566_0e8aef95ec.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257433752/" title="Adding cuticle remover by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Adding cuticle remover" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7257433752_9f17e86778.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Next, squeeze the cuticle remover gel along your cuticles and let it sit according to the package instructions (it can vary from 15 seconds to 5 minutes)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257429884/" title="Pushing back cuticles by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pushing back cuticles" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7257429884_47b364fbff.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Use your cuticle stick to push back your cuticles.<br />
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At this point, I like to file my nails. I couldn't get a picture of this part, but it's pretty basic. Just gently shape your nails with the file. I've seen tips about filing only in one direction, but honestly couldn't get that down. Just don't go nuts and don't use too coarse of a file and you should be fine.<br />
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Once your cuticles are all pushed back and nails are filed, it's time to hit the sink. Again, I couldn't get a picture of this, but what I usually do is squirt liquid soap in to the palm of my hand and then dip the finger nail brush into it and scrub my nails pretty vigorously under the water. This removes the gel and the residual acetone (that can dry out your skin) and cleans up under your nails from filing. Dry your hands well after washing.
You can then use your clippers to clean up any gnarly bits that are left around your nails.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257427880/" title="Trimming cuticles and gnarly bits by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Trimming cuticles and gnarly bits" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7257427880_4e56d1d2a4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Paint a nice, thin coat of your base coat on to your nails and let dry. Usually, by the time I finish my second hand, the first hand is dry enough to dive right in to the color coats.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257447416/" title="A nice base coat keeps your nails healthy and not so yellow-y. by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="A nice base coat keeps your nails healthy and not so yellow-y." height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7257447416_0be5c6720a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Now it's time for color. I don't really have any tips for applying color other than be patient and paint thin coats. Globbing the color on doesn't do anyone any favors. Paint one thin coat, wait just a couple of minutes and then go back and paint a second coat. Wait a few minutes and then paint on your top coat, generously, over the whole shebang.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257445210/" title="Finished painting - it's a mess, who cares!? That'll clean up. by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Finished painting - it's a mess, who cares!? That'll clean up." height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7257445210_18fa8536e0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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"But wait!" you say. "Your nails are a total mess!" Yep. And that's just fine. The other advantage to painting my nails at night is that I don't have to worry with cleaning up the edges. The next morning, when I shower, the excess polish comes right off. Usually just the process of shampooing and cleaning is enough to knock most of it off, but sometimes I have to use my fingernails in the shower to scrape off the last remaining bits. It's easy and my fingernails look dandy when I'm done.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257425908/" title="After clean up! by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="After clean up!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7257425908_bf2dcf673c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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And there you have it! That's what I do each and every week for my home manicure. I find that keeping my nails short helps keep them from chipping as much, and the biggest change in how they look during the week is from growth at the base. Otherwise, they look perfectly respectable, I'd say. Have fun and enjoy painting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7257496608/" title="Mmmm ... rainbow ... by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Mmmm ... rainbow ..." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7257496608_c74cd0afba.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>*Disclaimer: Your manicure might not last all week. Depending on your level of activity and type of polish, you might have some chips. I'm not saying that your manicure will look exactly the same as it did when you completed it, but it should look totally acceptable if you're using these products and methods and aren't a lumberjack who doesn't wear gloves.</i></span>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-2562904060136594272012-05-03T13:07:00.001-05:002012-05-03T13:21:24.936-05:00Recipe: Booze-y, Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, and playing with Snapguide<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7139554525/" title="averagejanecrafter_tomato_soup by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="averagejanecrafter_tomato_soup" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/7139554525_f02f9dca40.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Several months ago, my mom visited and made some of the tastiest soup I'd ever had. Better yet, it was fresh and healthy and made my house smell heavenly. I wanted to give it a try a few weeks ago, but - of course - had to add a bit of ... decadence in the form of wine and cream. Either way is delicious, so you can follow the recipe as-is, or omit the wine and cream when you're trying to be a little healthier.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993353426/" title="Recipe: Booze-y, creamy roasted tomato basil soup by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Recipe: Booze-y, creamy roasted tomato basil soup" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/6993353426_e04f43d738.jpg" width="458" /></a>
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I'm including the recipe below, but I'm also going to introduce a new app I've been playing with lately so you can easily view the recipe and step-by-step pictures on your iPhone, iPad or desktop. <a href="http://snapguide.com/">Snapguide</a> is a cool DIY tutorial app that allows you to easily upload pictures right from your iPhone, add text and publish with just a few click. Please note, this is not a sponsored review. I've just been playing on the app on my own and thought I'd share my experience. Screenshots below are from the iPhone app and desktop versions of Snapguide.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993403016/" title="Snapguide Phone Shot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide Phone Shot" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/6993403016_c2fa5ba180.jpg" width="346" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993353920/" title="Snapguide Screenshot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide Screenshot" height="339" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/6993353920_037d231c13.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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My "real" camera died a while ago, and my old iPhone (3G folks!) took terrible pictures. Honestly, that plus work constraints meant I wasn't able to crank out fun tutorials as often as I'd like to. I recently finally upgraded my phone, and instantly started wanting to snap away for projects. It's still kind of a pain, though, to upload the pictures, edit, post, etc. I kept thinking there had to be an easier way ... and there is. With <a href="http://snapguide.com/">Snapguide</a>, you can create a tutorial right on your phone and publish it. I did the one for the soup while my son (literally) sat on my lap on the couch and played a video game on the tv. Aside from a few crashes when I tried to upload more than 3 pictures at a time, it was smooth, intuitive and really easy to use. And reading my tutorial and others is nice and easy - just swipe through each step. I like it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993403436/" title="Snapguide Phone Shot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide Phone Shot" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/6993403436_473a8e18f8.jpg" width="345" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7139440761/" title="Snapguide Screenshot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide Screenshot" height="239" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7139440761_7ae2b07fc8.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I do wish, though, that they would have an option to embed the tutorial into your web site. If I'm going to create a tutorial, I'd like the traffic to at least be - primarily - to my blog. That will be the kicker. I think for now, my compromise is introducing the tutorial here and then linking over to <a href="http://snapguide.com/guides/make-booze-y-creamy-roasted-tomato-basil-soup/">Snapguide</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993403748/" title="Snapguide Phone Shot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide Phone Shot" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6993403748_de51bde223.jpg" width="347" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993354350/" title="Snapguide screen shot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide screen shot" height="279" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/6993354350_34160005d8.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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What do you think? Have you tried Snapguide? Check it out and see what you think. I like the <a href="http://snapguide.com/guides/">variety of projects</a> - food, makeup, home projects .... even dog tricks! I'll be curious to see if/how crafters embrace this new platform...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6993353664/" title="Snapguide Screenshot by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Snapguide Screenshot" height="307" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6993353664_dbeb7da83f.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b><a href="http://snapguide.com/guides/make-booze-y-creamy-roasted-tomato-basil-soup/">Recipe: Booze-y, Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup</a></b><br />
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<b>Ingredients</b>:<br />
<i>(please note, the ingredients and measurements are general here. It varies depending on how much you can fit in your baking dish and what you have on hand. Go flexible, folks!) </i><br />
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7-8 Roma tomatoes<br />
7-8 small sweet peppers -OR- 2 1/2 red bell peppers<br />
3/4 red onion<br />
1 head of garlic - you'll need 6-8 cloves, depending on how much you like garlic<br />
Olive oil<br />
Balsamic Vinegar<br />
Coarse Sea Salt<br />
Pepper<br />
4 large leaves of fresh basil<br />
1/4 cup heavy cream<br />
1/4 cup dry white wine of your choice<br />
1 small can of tomato paste<br />
3/4 of a 32oz box of vegetable broth<br />
Immersion blender (if you don't have one of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076CMHSS/ref=asc_df_B0076CMHSS2000661?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0076CMHSS&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2058600918694697430&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=">these</a>, I highly recommend grabbing one from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076CMHSS/ref=asc_df_B0076CMHSS2000661?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0076CMHSS&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2058600918694697430&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=">Amazon</a> or <a href="http://www.zappos.com/cuisinart-smart-stick-hand-blender">Zappos</a>. If you can't, be sure to <a href="http://mostlysoup.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/how-to-blender-puree-hot-soup/">read about blending hot soups in a standard blender</a>) <br />
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Now go <a href="http://snapguide.com/guides/make-booze-y-creamy-roasted-tomato-basil-soup/">fetch the tutorial on Snapguide</a> and let me know what you think!Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-62669739419731071172012-04-27T19:22:00.000-05:002012-04-27T19:22:56.249-05:00A year later ... the "after" pics of the house renovation!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/5245859320/" title="Front windows of house = Master Bedroom by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Front windows of house = Master Bedroom" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5084/5245859320_19c11104a3.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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It's nuts to think we've <a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2011/02/awesome-finds-at-dream-house.html">been in the house for a year</a> now. Nuts because there are still a few unpacked boxes tucked in corners and nuts because the walls are still largely empty. I'm not so great at this whole settling in and decorating thing, but I'm determined to get better.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7071841363/" title="Family room/backyard by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Family room/backyard" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/7071841363_d76129eaf0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I kept waiting to post "after" pictures, because I felt sure I'd get everything decorated and fixed up so I could show truly done pictures. I finally realized that that's going to take a while, and when I had a surprise visit from the family who used to live here, I decided I'd get the place as spiffed up as I could for them and would finally take some pictures.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6925768762/" title="Kitchen by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Kitchen" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/6925768762_0070d9abcb.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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The visit with them was wonderful. All three kids who grew up here came to visit. It was great fun showing them around, especially because we kept several things from their old bedrooms in tact. The daughter chuckled as I went on about all the "retro" stuff in the house that I loved, because it was all stuff she'd tried to get her mom to get rid of. We both agreed that it was a great thing that she didn't get rid of any of it, because I love it all so much! Just another sign that we were meant to be in this house.<br />
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Enough chit chat, y'all just really want to see the insides of the house, right? Let's get to it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119877079/" title="Front door! by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Front door!" height="342" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/7119877079_4a3631f337.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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The front door is the perfect place to start, especially because it's one of my favorite things in the renovation. I never thought much about front doors, until I came across Crestview Doors. Then doors became all I could think about. My parents got the <a href="http://www.crestviewdoors.com/products/do-it-yourself-doors-doorlite-kits/exterior-doorlite-kits/door-lite-kit-langston.html">Langston doorlite kit</a> (and a <a href="http://www.crestviewdoors.com/products/outdoor-accessories/mailboxes/postino-mailbox.html">rad mailbox</a>) for us as a house warming present. My husband had the awesome idea to put the windows down the center of the door, and it was perfect! I sprayed the escutcheon chrome, but we haven't been able to get new doorknobs yet. We painted the door the same <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?Ntt=SW6211&WT.mc_id=Old%20Pro%20Color%20Redirect">soft aqua color</a> that we used throughout the house. I never thought a door could make me happy every time I walk up to it, but this one totally does.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119877371/" title="Kitchen after by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Kitchen after" height="368" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7119877371_ee1f31cbc3.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Man, what a difference ripping out cabinets can make! The space feels so HUGE and open, and it's awesome to come in and be able to see right out to the backyard. LOVE how it turned out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119877731/" title="Kitchen after by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Kitchen after" height="352" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7119877731_94fb459e56.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Upper cabinets came down, and that made a huge difference. My inspiration for the kitchen was<a href="http://retrorenovation.com/2010/05/11/st-charles-steel-kitchen-cabinets-are-restored-to-frank-sinatras-iconic-palm-springs-home-twin-palms/"> this picture of Frank Sinatra's kitchen</a> Pam shared on RetroRenovation. We kept the original lower cabinets and countertop, and just added new paint and hardware. We put in a new vent hood and open shelving for everyday dishes. I love the tile, and the space feels ginormous - even though it's a galley. I actually really really love the galley. The light fixture over the sink was a $14 IKEA purchase to match the rad original light fixture in the breakfast area.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119878037/" title="Utility room - laundry side by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Utility room - laundry side" height="356" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7119878037_8da087fa75.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The laundry side of the room was also gutted (there was some water damage there) and built out to fit our washer and dryer. There's space to hang clothes and a cabinet for detergent, and a broom closet to the left. We keep our trash can and brooms/mops in there. Cleaning supplies above. It's kind of sad that this is one of my favorite spaces in the house, isn't it? I thought about pulling all the laundry out for pictures, but really - this is how it goes at our house. No need to pretend I stay on top of the heaps of clothes, folks. This is actually tidy for me.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119878339/" title="Utility room - pantry/mudroom side by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Utility room - pantry/mudroom side" height="356" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/7119878339_edb6da3d05.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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We gutted the utility room and redesigned it for maximum efficiency. On this side, we put in a small mudroom kind of area with hooks for bags/coats and drawers for shoes. The three sections of pantry were custom built and outfitted with <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7071840755/in/set-72157629802869545">IKEA slide out shelves</a> that are super handy.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119878693/" title="Living room windows by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Living room windows" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7119878693_a015d14834.jpg" width="334" /></a> </div>
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The wife of one of Chris' co-workers had the brilliant idea to tear out the bookshelves in the living room and replace them with giant windows to match the rest of the windows in this part of the house. It made total sense and was one of the best things we did for the house. The contractor was able to match the frames almost exactly - I couldn't believe it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6973796958/" title="Modular shelves by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Modular shelves" height="226" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6973796958_d26df4a26b.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Originally in bedroom 1 in the configuration on the left. We moved them to bedroom 2 (son's room) and consolidated them a bit. We *love* them.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6973796394/" title="Master bath vanity by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Master bath vanity" height="352" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/6973796394_c21a9803bc.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Before, it was just a vanity, but we wanted to have sinks in this space instead of the shower area. The vanity design is based on a popular vanity design from the 60s. I love our metal rim sinks and faucets. The guys installing them just kind of chuckled at me "We've torn a lot of this kind of stuff out of homes, but never put it IN them!" That's just how we roll, fellas. Medicine cabinets above sinks and the cabinets below offer all the storage we need & make up for limited counter space. I actually prefer it this way - I hate having junk out on countertops.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7119879655/" title="Master bathroom before and after by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Master bathroom before and after" height="357" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7119879655_17d36aaece.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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This is in the room with the shower and toilet. We moved the sink out to the previous "dressing area" and had storage custom built for the space. The bottom left part is a hamper!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6973796126/" title="Master bath shower by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Master bath shower" height="421" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/6973796126_6f69c93c14.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I could have gone more 60s and lest 30s in here, but finding affordable 60s-style tile was difficult. I decided to go with the classic subway/black and white action that I've always loved.
It also feels weird to show a picture of our shower like this - and not "staged." Check out our shampoo! Look at our washcloths! Ehhhh!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6973794284/" title="Breezeway from Studio to family room by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Breezeway from Studio to family room" height="339" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/6973794284_04e35bbf7b.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Looking back at the kitchen all opened up now.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6973658570/" title="Studio by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Studio" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6973658570_ba9f9bc8e3.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Aaaaan, the STUDIO! My Happy Place. A needlework wall on one side, space wall on the other. The couch and chairs came from a garage sale (for a steal!) and the work table was traded from a friend for sewing lesson (hey, Lauren ... we need to do those!). Love this space so much! </div>
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There are lots <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/sets/72157629802869545/with/6973658570/">more "after" pictures over on Flickr</a>. Hopefully this will spur me on to getting the place decorated and more put together, but for now it's suiting us just fine. We love it here. The house has been amazing, the neighborhood is awesome, and we're still happy (even happier?) that we got this place.</div>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-67117822903755223152012-03-23T15:13:00.001-05:002012-03-23T15:13:30.347-05:00How-To: Hunger Games Mockingjay T-Shirt with Freezer Paper Stencil and Bleach Pen<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009004399/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7009004399_64c7dc699e.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
I have to admit that I was late to <i><a href="http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/">The Hunger Games</a></i> party. Friends had been reading the books for years, but I've had my head stuck in non-fiction space books for so long, fiction just passed right by me. My 11-year-old daughter started begging to read the trilogy, and I decided that - based on what I'd heard about the violence in the book - I needed to read them with her so I could make sure it was appropriate for her.<br />
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I read the first book in less than 24 hours.<br />
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That week, aside from the normal work and family tasks, I luxuriated in devouring the whole trilogy. Reading a good book is absolutely blissful, and I loved how this story sucked me right in and wouldn't let go until I turned the very last page of <i>Mockingjay</i>.<br />
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My daughter also devoured <i>The Hunger Games</i> (though she's going through <i>Catching Fire</i> more slowly) and we have had so much fun discussing the books. We fight over the whole Team Peeta/Team Gale thing, talk about how Katniss' awesomeness knows now bounds, and discuss if she thinks something like this could ever happen in real life. It's been a wonderful way to connect with each other, and if you are a parent to a pre-teen ... you know how much it means to find something to connect with.<br />
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We have our tickets to see the movie tonight, and have a whole date night planned. She mentioned wanting a shirt, but of course I thought, "Why buy when I can DIY?" I posted <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2012/03/hunger_games_arena_embroidery.html">a <i>Hunger Games</i> craft roundup on CRAFT</a> last week, and one of the projects included a <a href="http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2010/08/09/ill-never-win-project-runway-but-at-least-i-dont-have-to-shop-at-hot-topic/">template for the Mockingjay pin</a>. I decided a simple bleach pen/freezer paper stencil on black t-shirts would be easy and would give us that gritty <i>Hunger Games</i> feel.<br />
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We may look like total nerds wearing mother/daughter <i>Hunger Games</i> t-shirts, but if she's game for it, I will not pass up the opportunity. Who knows when she'll be willing to do this ever again!<br />
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Bleach pen/freezer paper stencils are insanely easy, quick and inexpensive. Here's all you need to make your own Mockingjay t-shirt to wear to the movie this weekend. Once you have the supplies on hand, you can easily be done with your shirt in 30-40 minutes.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862892526/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/6862892526_a42c17a081.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<b>Materials:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Black T-shirt </li>
<li>Bleach Pen </li>
<li>Small Sponge Brush </li>
<li>Freezer Paper </li>
<li>Mockingjay Template (available <a href="http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2010/08/09/ill-never-win-project-runway-but-at-least-i-dont-have-to-shop-at-hot-topic/">here from Forever Young Adult</a>)</li>
<li>X-acto knife </li>
<li>Iron</li>
<li>Scrap piece of cardboard </li>
<li>Pencil </li>
<li>Tape</li>
<li>Small container or dish you don't care about </li>
<li>self-healing cutting mat </li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009007875/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/7009007875_d0291a191d.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<b>Step One:</b> Print the Mockingjay template available at <a href="http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2010/08/09/ill-never-win-project-runway-but-at-least-i-dont-have-to-shop-at-hot-topic/">Forever Young Adult</a> (if you are interested in screen printing instead of freezer paper stenciling, <a href="http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2010/08/09/ill-never-win-project-runway-but-at-least-i-dont-have-to-shop-at-hot-topic/">they have a great tutorial</a>!) Tape the printout on to a sunny window (or a lightbox, if you're lucky enough to have one!) Then tape a large piece of freezer paper, shiny side down, on top of the printout.*</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862892062/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/6862892062_06f5ed870c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Two:</b> Use a pencil to trace the Mockingjay design on to the rough side of the freezer paper. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862891924/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/6862891924_0a5c39edfa.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6863058252/" title="hunger_games_freezer_paper_pieces_cut_out.jpg by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="hunger_games_freezer_paper_pieces_cut_out.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/6863058252_c67739b874.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Step Three: </b>Remove the freezer paper from the window and place it on a self-healing cutting mat (a piece of cardboard will work in a pinch. You just want to protect the surface on which you are cutting) Carefully cut out all the inside pieces of the Mockingjay design that you will want to keep black in your design. Then cut out on the outside line of the circle/arrow. Be sure to keep the outer large piece of the freezer paper in tact. SAVE all the small inside pieces. You'll need them for the stenciling. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6863069532/" title="IMG_5997.JPG by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5997.JPG" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/6863069532_6c33ba8635.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Step Four:</b> Iron the large outer pice of freezer paper on to your shirt where you want the design to go. Use a hot, dry iron and press well. the paper gets a little wobbly-looking. That's ok. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862891552/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/6862891552_dedca0270e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Step Five:</b> Place the Mockingjay portion of the cutout carefully in place inside the circle and press down. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862891372/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6862891372_b8bf9fe463.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Six</b>: Take all the small inside pieces and iron them in to place. Things can get a bit fiddly at this point, but keep in mind: it doesn't have to be perfect. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862891178/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/6862891178_7d50bf1521.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009006371/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/7009006371_3d34741b7f.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862890876/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/6862890876_c5ca9082e3.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Seven:</b> Once all the pieces of the freezer paper are down, it's time to remove the pieces you want to bleach (thank you to my pal, <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kathie%20sever&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEMQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffuturecraftcollective.com%2F&ei=m9hsT7CiHs2ItweL0qSOBg&usg=AFQjCNHQVBE4uiqD5piH4Q4N3-YaUZ9R5g&sig2=kDidiWR9zkM2rlFYvxZ8Qg">Kathie</a>, for this easy tip on getting the reverse of the design to work!) Carefully peel back the pieces of the Mockingjay pin portion of the design, leaving you with the large outer piece and all the small inside pieces. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009006025/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7009006025_bd73c57768.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Eight:</b> Slide a piece of scrap cardboard inside your shirt to prevent the bleach from bleeding through to the back. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009005867/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/7009005867_d0fabd109d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Nine:</b> You can either use the bleach pen directly on your shirt, or with a sponge brush. I prefer the latter method. Squeeze some of the bleach gel out in to an old container. (I keep a stash of yogurt and applesauce containers around for this very use) </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862890304/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/6862890304_4f53cd8f9b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Ten:</b> Use a small foam sponge brush to paint the gel on to the t-shirt inside your design. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6862890008/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/6862890008_d533e896ec.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Eleven:</b> Make sure the design is fully coated and let it sit for a few minutes. You'll see it start to change colors. I'd say anywhere from 5-8 minutes is good enough to bleach it out, but not so long that it will severely damage the fabric. Be sure to keep an eye on it and judge based on your own shirt. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009005157/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/7009005157_9342ba8b92.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<b>Step Twelve:</b> Very carefully peel back the pieces of the freezer paper, starting with the small inside pieces. Be sure to not allow the shirt to pull up and fold back on itself, causing the bleach gel to transfer to other parts of the shirt. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009004727/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7009004727_2b147a7535.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>this is in my big studio sink that has a corrugated liner :) </i></span></div>
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<b>Step Thirteen:</b> Immediately rinse the t-shirt in the sink to stop the bleaching process. Squeeze it out and then wash it in the washing machine and you're ready to wear it to see the movie! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/7009004203/" title="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Bleach Pen Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7221/7009004203_02d2045966.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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This is such a quick, easy and accessible project, and the method can be applied to any design. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! </div>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-8958360446572458032011-12-20T13:21:00.000-06:002011-12-20T14:02:51.347-06:00My Kooky Christmas Headband<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1meuv9pOMgcb_rfegP6j1zlzUtfnogC9FGz45YXYxAVz-bPY9DxEQYQahgqYgU0OiDelFFaLmsZGPK0BeFPvyEbrXcpadqsNokECZ0alRHLES5_TdgoYECrXKv3_jtMLa78WfsqRFLYM/s1600/tree_headband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1meuv9pOMgcb_rfegP6j1zlzUtfnogC9FGz45YXYxAVz-bPY9DxEQYQahgqYgU0OiDelFFaLmsZGPK0BeFPvyEbrXcpadqsNokECZ0alRHLES5_TdgoYECrXKv3_jtMLa78WfsqRFLYM/s320/tree_headband.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Holiday cheers to you! Last week, my husband and I were invited to a small cocktail party in our neighborhood. Tacky Christmas attire (give it up for crazy Christmas sweaters!) was encouraged. I didn't have any crazy Christmas sweaters, but decided to whip up a kooky little headband to wear instead. </div>
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It came together so easily, I didn't even think to take step-by-step pictures, but I'll share how I made it below. I was <a href="http://www.twitter.com/avgjanecrafter">tweeting</a> the progress, so all I've got are some quickie iPhone & Photo Booth pics, but you'll get the idea. It took literally maybe 15 minutes from start to finish, and was a big hit at the party. I may have gone a little overboard and also fashioned a matching ring and set of gift wrap bow brooches to complete the accessory set as well ... What can I say? I hadn't played with a glue gun in a while, and I forgot how easily and quickly hot glue projects come together. </div>
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<b>Headband: </b></div>
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- 1 wide headband (I picked a cheap one up at a local drugstore) </div>
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- Martha Stewart Glitter Eyelash Yarn from <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/glittereyelash.html">Lion Brand Yarn</a> (I got mine from my <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/12/whimseybox_surprise_craft_supp.html">Whimseybox</a>) </div>
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- A set of miniature Christmas trees (I got a pack of about 7 at Michael's last week. They were on sale 50% off and ended up being just about a dollar for the bag) </div>
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- Small jingle bells </div>
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- hot glue</div>
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- Wrap the headband in the glitter eyelash yarn. I left a tail at the beginning and just wrapped around it to secure it. I left about 3 inches just off center for the trees to be mounted. I secured the yarn at the end with a dab of hot glue.*</div>
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- Decide how you want to arrange your trees on the headband before you start gluing. Add a dollop of hot glue to the base of each tree and stick 'em on the headband. I ended up putting glue on the bottom and back side of a small tree or two to "nestle" them into the bigger trees. </div>
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- Use small dollops of hot glue to secure the jingle bells across the front to hide the massive amounts of hot glue used to add the trees. You're done! </div>
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<b>Ring</b>: </div>
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- Ring base (similar to <a href="https://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/Finger-Ring-Adjustable-Glue-On-10mm-Pad-1246p16264.htm">this</a>)</div>
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- small tree</div>
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- sequins </div>
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- Aileen's <a href="http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's%C2%AE-Original-Tacky-Glue%C2%AE/gc0040,default,pd.html">tacky glue</a> </div>
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- Martha Stewart <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/glittereyelash.html">Glitter Eyelash Yarn</a></div>
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- hot glue </div>
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- Use the tacky glue to add sequin "ornaments" to the tree. </div>
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- put a dollop of hot glue on the base of the tree and stick it on the ring base</div>
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- Add a small piece of the eyelash yarn around the base of the tree </div>
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<b>Mini bow buttons </b></div>
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- mini gift bows (I found mine at a drugstore) </div>
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- 1" buttons (I had a ton from various events) </div>
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- hot glue </div>
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- jingle bells </div>
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- small Christmas tree </div>
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- I wanted to come up with a gift bow brooch, but didn't have any blanks to use. I spied a little bowl of 1" buttons I'd collected at various events over the years and a light went off in my head. I grabbed a few and just hot glued the bows to the button fronts. </div>
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- I also put a bunch of hot glue on the back of a tree and smooshed it into one of the gift bows and then glued a few jingle bells on to the front. I pinned them on to my dress in a group and made a festive little bow "corsage." </div>
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And, because you stuck with me through all the poorly-lit/focused pictures: an action shot! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Happy Holidays, y'all! :)</i></span> </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* A word of warning: when gluing the yarn to the headband, be sure you let it dry before you try it on. Hot glue is hard to get out of your hair. Not that I know anything about that. </span></i></div>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-56385436305909977142011-11-09T18:03:00.002-06:002011-11-09T18:03:59.866-06:00Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgYqN-_3QbSa_fiOcp9zbg8tZC6DIEWkAnddKHQYXiEWjvV-6D8eIwFD00ijjKOl48xN6rtjmQG1v1xuSKlRfhbf8ZEKxItnkEEXjPVK4mPlzWmOtCyosrn5mU9-mjRbGlUsuRcIx96AG/s1600/fabric-of-cosmos-title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgYqN-_3QbSa_fiOcp9zbg8tZC6DIEWkAnddKHQYXiEWjvV-6D8eIwFD00ijjKOl48xN6rtjmQG1v1xuSKlRfhbf8ZEKxItnkEEXjPVK4mPlzWmOtCyosrn5mU9-mjRbGlUsuRcIx96AG/s400/fabric-of-cosmos-title.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Images from <a href="http://PBS.org/">PBS.org</a></i></span></div>
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We've been watching the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/fabric-of-cosmos.html">Brian Greene, <i>Fabric of the Cosmos</i>, series on NOVA</a> lately and have been completely fascinated. It's mind-blowing in the best way, and I want to watch episodes over and over again just to soak it all in. If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/fabric-of-cosmos.html">checking out the PBS web site</a> to watch online.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6330413306/" title="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - front by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - front" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6330413306_877a21330b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Of course, as he talks about the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/fabric-of-cosmos.html#fabric-space">"Fabric" of the Cosmos</a>, my brain instantly goes to textiles. I have some ideas for bigger, more complex projects on this subject, but was in need of some instant-ish gratification this week and decided to do a simple skirt to scratch the itch.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6330413858/" title="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - Back by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - Back" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6330413858_c890de4a0f.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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This was one of those projects that comes together so seamlessly (pun intended) that you know it was meant to be. As soon as the idea popped in to my head, I could instantly put my hands on just about every material I'd need for the project and it came together very quickly.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6329772045/" title="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - Planets by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - Planets" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6329772045_f57b2f2d61.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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For the base of the skirt, I wanted a fabric that resembles the weave used in the graphics in the Fabric of the Cosmos show. I happened to have this awesome Alexander Henry fabric that <a href="http://stitchlab.biz/">I got at the Stitch Lab</a> ages ago that was perfect. It's a yummy, heavy fabric with a great cross-hatch print. From there, I pulled out my stash of hand-dyed fat quarters that I made in my <a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2008/09/surface-design-crash-course-wrap-up.html">surface design class with Kat</a>. I was able to find pieces that resembled each planet (ok, ok, Jupiter is a tad ... psychedelic, but it works!) and did a quick applique. I embroidered the rings of Saturn, but getting the needle through the heavy fabric <i>and</i> the fusible webbing proved much tougher than I'd anticipated. Instead of stitching many rings, my fingers could only stand to stitch one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6329667857/" title="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - with hand-dyed fabrics by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Fabric of the Cosmos Skirt - with hand-dyed fabrics" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6329667857_20e9f9019e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I've lost count of how many of these simple, elastic-waist skirts from my <a href="http://stitchlab.biz/Classes/BeginningISewingSeries.html">Beginning I sewing class</a> at the Stitch Lab I've made. My pattern from the class is starting to show its age, and needs to be re-drawn before I lose it completely. I love how easy it is to create a fun piece of clothing to wear. I may not have the sexiest wardrobe on the planet, but it is fun and personalized. I wear one of these skirts almost <i>every single day</i>, and I'm glad to have this latest geeky one to add to the rotation.Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-77724565000353813292011-11-08T11:43:00.000-06:002011-11-08T11:45:14.896-06:00Vintage Embroidery & Craft GoodiesOver the years, I've built up a nice stash of vintage craft books and magazines. I have a very hard time resisting them when I find them at garage sales and estate sales. I also have a severe weakness for vintage embroidery, crewel and cross-stitch kits and pieces. I've been meaning to share them here on the blog, and was even more motivated after a visit from <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/11/07/some-vintage-crafty-goodness-from-rachels-collection/">Diane</a> and <a href="http://www.craftleftovers.com/blog/archives/8034">Kristin</a> a couple of weeks ago. Having a great stash of vintage craft magazines is fun and all, but it's fun <i><b>times ten</b></i> when you get to sit with some of you best crafty pals and read through them together.<br />
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Diane already <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/11/07/some-vintage-crafty-goodness-from-rachels-collection/">posted about some of the needlework magazines</a>, so I thought I'd share a couple of posts about a particularly awesome book of embroidery transfers I picked up at an estate sale, as well as some other vintage needlework magazines and some of the vintage stationery I've collected as well. Let's kick it off with the embroidery book, shall we?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6325684521/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6325684521_c45db43a8a.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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My daughter actually found this book for me while we were at an estate sale recently. Initially, I almost didn't even thumb through it. It's a thick book of embroidery transfers, but the cover was a little too country kitchen for my taste, and I figured everything inside would be the same. I'm so glad I decided to actually look through it, because while there is a healthy dose of country geese inside, there are also dozens of kooky and cool designs.<br />
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The book is called the <i><b>Keepsake Transfer Collection</b></i> and boasts more than 1,000 iron on designs. And they aren't kidding - there are loads of great, unique images in this book - not just repeats of things that are slightly modified. You can find it on Amazon used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keepsake-Transfer-Collection-Designs-017632/dp/9999656439">here</a>.<br />
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Here are some of my favorites from the book. You can see more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/sets/72157627958703663/">over on my Flickr set</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326436158/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6326436158_24e40ebb24.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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There's a whole lot of win on this page. Giraffe on roller skates? Yes, please! I also love the wacky guy who serves as the test transfer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6325683803/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6325683803_9b012ab3d4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Some designs are highly complex, while others are charmingly simple. I love this little popsicle dude.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326435350/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6326435350_81c46d21a9.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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The book is from the mid-80s (wait, can it still classify as "vintage?") so you know there are unicorns.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6325683055/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6115/6325683055_c83b8c95dc.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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What up, bunny with a boom box!? Wait ... what's he doing with his other paw there ... ehhhnnn ...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326432674/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6326432674_0750864f56.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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I love this hot-air-balloon-that's-really-a-gumball-machine.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326432254/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6326432254_b9ea255612.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Who can resist this crafty basket? (or that wee raccoon above it)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326429858/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6326429858_bbeddab0d8.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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There are a lot of kooky food designs in this book. Because everyone wants to embroider sardines ...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326429476/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/6326429476_ab44fff22e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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... and hot dogs with relish.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6326429096/" title="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Estate Sale find - embroidery transfer book" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6326429096_92ba537176.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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After copious amounts of country kitchen designs, the book wraps up with pages and pages of really lovely floral designs that would be beautiful if worked in crewel or punch needle.
I'm so glad my daughter convinced me to look through this book. In the end, I think I got it for less than a dollar, and have found it hugely inspiring and fun to flip through. I haven't tried ironing on any of the designs yet, but I have used my light box to transfer one and use it for punch needle embroidery (something I'll be sharing soon). Go grab a copy off <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keepsake-Transfer-Collection-Designs-017632/dp/9999656439">Amazon</a> and enjoy for yourself. You can also see a few more samples of the designs <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/sets/72157627958703663/">over on my Flickr set</a>.
More vintage craft/embroidery finds soon!Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-50452072708616980922011-10-28T10:07:00.000-05:002011-10-28T10:07:07.553-05:00Today is the First Ever World Wide Space-O-Lantern Carving Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278244546/" title="Yuri Gagarkin - Space-O-Lantern by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Yuri Gagarkin - Space-O-Lantern" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6278244546_dc1d2bb0e4_z.jpg" width="481" /></a>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A Yuri Gagarin Space-O-Lantern (I call him, Gagarkin) by me, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/avgjanecrafter">Rachel Hobson</a>.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREFTRagpy9H1XagAvQyVUu31MOwD9TPaG7hTVPD6A898O8DRvmZRnZotu83lSO_U-OfX3XG4YJDvpolT5Qtx7RJVixjoihs9wu1rM9LPJ8QY9CydBvp2RYljh3oLyZ9qqnUmQ5o_HITr0/s1600/college_halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREFTRagpy9H1XagAvQyVUu31MOwD9TPaG7hTVPD6A898O8DRvmZRnZotu83lSO_U-OfX3XG4YJDvpolT5Qtx7RJVixjoihs9wu1rM9LPJ8QY9CydBvp2RYljh3oLyZ9qqnUmQ5o_HITr0/s400/college_halloween.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">That's me with the knife and crazed look in my zombie eyes ... Ahhh ... college days.</span></i> </div>
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Y'all already know that <a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2009/07/get-to-know-space-geek-side-of-me.html">I'm a massive space geek</a>, but what you might not know about me is that I'm also a huge, HUGE fan of carving pumpkins. Ever since I was a little kid, one of my very favorite parts of Halloween was carving jack-o-lanterns. I was always in charge of scooping out the pumpkin guts, because not only did I not mind manhandling the slimy innards of a pumpkin, I relished it. In college, my friends and I would have pumpkin carving parties that were great fun. We'd line our jack-o-lanterns up at the end of the party and get a great picture of them all lit and ready for the front porch.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spasmunkey/4431084358/" title="STS-120 by spasmunkey, on Flickr"><img alt="STS-120" height="332" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4431084358_b827e5c781.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Awesome STS-120 Space-O-Lantern, carved by Liz Warren</span></i></div>
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A while back, fellow Space Tweep and brilliant scientist for the International Space Station, Liz Warren (aka - <a href="http://www.twitter.com/spasmunkey">@spasmunkey</a>) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spasmunkey/sets/72157623615058670/with/4431084756/">posted pictures of the amazing space-o-lanterns she's been carving</a> for ages. Most replicate the patches of various shuttle and ISS missions, and they are all spectacular. She's even posted a time-lapse of a pumpkin-in-process. From the first time I saw them, I joked with Liz that we needed to host a Space-O-Lantern carving party where we could get our space geek friends together and carve pumpkins with space-y images. Last week, we did just that. A small group of Space Tweep friends came over to my house and we spread out in the studio and carved the geekiest, most awesome space-o-lanterns you could ever hope to see. It was a total blast. At the end of the party, we lined the space-o-lanterns up outside and photographed them like we were nerdy paparazzi. We then rolled the telescope out on to the back deck and looked at the moons and stripes of Jupiter. It. Was. Awesome.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetxflygirl/6268257402/" title="Wow! The pumpkins all lit up look awesome! by txflygirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Wow! The pumpkins all lit up look awesome!" height="374" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6268257402_4a734d703e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Our line up of Space-O-Lanterns: L to R Yuri GagarKin (by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/avgjanecrafter">Rachel Hobson</a>), Space Shuttle Tribute (by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/collectspace">Robert Pearlman</a>), Timmy from Think Geek (by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/spasmunkey">Liz Warren</a>), Space Shuttle landing (by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/proteinwrangler">Carl Carruthers</a>), Ghosts - we like to think they are space-y ghosts! (by Sheila) Thanks to our carving cheerleader extraordinaire, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/txflygirl">Cindy</a>, for taking pictures and live-tweeting the event! </span></i></div>
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A few days later, we joked on Twitter that there should be a World-Wide Space-O-Lantern Carving Day and decided that we didn't even need to wait until next year to start it. So here we are. The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/space-o-lanterns/">First Ever World-Wide Space-O-Lantern Carving Day</a>, October 28, 2011. What does that mean? Today is a day to carve - on your own or with friends - a pumpkin with some kind of space themed image. Rockets, shuttles, planets - you name it. Anything that celebrates space exploration goes. At our Space-O-Lantern carving party, we had shuttle pumpkins, a Wernher von Braun pumpkin, a Timmy (Think Geek) pumpkin and a Yuri Gagarin pumpkin (or Gagarkin, as I liked to call him).
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spasmunkey/4430316755/" title="STS-130 by spasmunkey, on Flickr"><img alt="STS-130" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4430316755_d3a8d57ec3.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<i>Awesome STS-130 Space-O-Lantern by Liz Warren </i></div>
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Call your friends and set up a Space-O-Lantern carving party. Share ideas for <a href="http://www.fotosearch.com/clip-art/nasa.html">space-y images</a> and get carving. Share telescopes and look to the skies for even more inspiration. Live-tweet your carving parties with the hashtag #SpaceOLantern. When you've carved your Space-O-Lanterns, be sure to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/space-o-lanterns/">add them to the Space-O-Lantern Flickr group</a>. From here on out, <b><i>the last Friday before Halloween will now be known as World-Wide Space-O-Lantern Carving Day</i></b>, so start planning your carving parties now! Next year, I'm totally making a <a href="http://www.fotosearch.com/LIQ119/vl0004b027/">Hubblekin</a>.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/forthebirds/6274964172/" title="Space Pumpkin by Flying Jenny, on Flickr"><img alt="Space Pumpkin" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6274964172_8d5d5db4b9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Awesome planetary Space-O-Lantern by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/flyingjenny">Jen Scheer</a>. </span></i></div>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-21041879853639361772011-10-24T23:05:00.000-05:002011-10-24T23:05:56.496-05:00How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278552443/" title="How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6278552443_afe1764221.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin"></a>
Last week, my son had a school assignment to decorate a pumpkin as his favorite character from a book. Of course, the book he picked was a Pokemon one, and the character he chose was <a href="http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pikachu_(Pok%C3%A9mon)">Pikachu</a>. Despite both of my kids having been Pokemon fanatics for a couple of years now, I still haven't quite gotten all the lingo, characters and story lines sorted out, but I do think this yellow "electric type" is a cutie and was excited to see him transformed into a pumpkin.<br />
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My son was adamant that he had to do "ALL THE WORK," and for the most part he did. Shortly after starting, we both realized that Pikachu was turning out to be pretty awesome so we decided we'd share the process here with you. It's pretty straightforward, but hopefully you'll see how easy it is to transform a pumpkin into a Pikachu and will want to jump in before Halloween.<br />
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We used a small round pumpkin, and since the kids weren't allowed to carve the designs (gooey pumpkin guts on the display in the library would be ... not so awesome) we knew paint was the perfect medium.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6277681701/" title="How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin Supplies by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin Supplies" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6277681701_ac951953cc.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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<b>Supplies:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>1 small round pumpkin</li>
<li>Acrylic paint in bright yellow, red, white and black</li>
<li>1 fine line black paint pen (a Sharpie might work as well, but we happened to have a paint pen on hand)</li>
<li>Assorted sponge brushes (I found an assorted pack of brushes at Hobby Lobby for around $5-6. It included many sizes of rectangular brushes, as well as some round brushes that were perfect for making Pikachu's eyes and cheeks)</li>
<li>A pencil with a new, unused eraser</li>
<li>Cardstock or Mat Board</li>
<li>Hot Glue Gun</li>
<li>Assorted small plastic bowls (recycled applesauce containers are great!)</li>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278200454/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin - base coat by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin - base coat" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6278200454_9b0a6a79e4.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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It took two or three layers of the yellow acrylic paint to really coat the pumpkin. We set up on a scrap piece of cardboard and let my son paint away. He played while each layer was drying & it didn't seem to take to long between coats.<br />
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For the eyes and cheeks, we used the round sponge brushes. Put a small amount of paint into one of the small plastic bowls. Dip the brush in the bowl, then dab it against the side of the bowl to remove the excess paint and give it a light, even coating.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6277679651/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin - cheeks, loading brush by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin - cheeks, loading brush" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6277679651_b9469bf732.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6277680029/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin - cheeks, dabbing the brush by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin - cheeks, dabbing the brush" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6277680029_29e9191016.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6277680361/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin - cheeks circle brush dabbed by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin - cheeks circle brush dabbed" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6105/6277680361_328cdc4bac.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6277678499/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin - painting cheeks by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin - painting cheeks" height="424" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6277678499_46faa6b155.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Press the sponge brush straight down on the pumpkin and gently rock it around to make sure the entire circumference of the circle gets painted. We practiced a couple of times on the cardboard to get the motion down. My son quickly picked it up and was stoked to see the perfect circles he was able to create with the circle sponge brush.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278203434/" title="Pikachu Eyes & Cheeks by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Eyes & Cheeks" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6278203434_1dc8b7aee9.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Place the eyes toward the center of the pumpkin, and the red cheeks just below and to the right and left of the eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278202232/" title="Pikachu Eyes by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Eyes" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6278202232_147a5bd2d9.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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For the white portion of the eyes, use your new, unused pencil eraser and dab it in white acrylic paint. Use the same straight-down-rock-straight-up method to apply the white portion of Pikachu's eyes. Check pictures for placement (or, as we did, use a Pikachu stuffed animal as your reference)<br />
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I helped my son with the nose and mouth, because the lines are so fine. Matching the lines in your reference drawing (or stuffed animal) draw the small nose and wavy mouth.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278202542/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin Ears by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin Ears" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6278202542_d9471bb196.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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For the ears, paint a layer of yellow acrylic paint on mat board or heavy cardstock. Then paint a stripe of black across the top. Cut the elongated triangle shapes out to create the ears.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6277681371/" title="Pikachu Pumpkin - attaching the ears by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Pikachu Pumpkin - attaching the ears" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6277681371_c2d7df1f81.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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To attach the ears, hold them in place and surround each one with hot glue (this was the other time I helped my son so he wouldn't burn his fingers) Hold the ear in place while the glue dries enough to set up and support the ears. Once the glue is completely dry, paint the glue with the yellow acrylic paint to help it blend in to the pumpkin. Voila! Pikachu Pumpkin!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6278552443/" title="How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6278552443_afe1764221.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="How-To: Make a Pikachu Pumpkin"></a>
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My son was so excited to take his Pikachu Pumpkin with him to school this morning. We kept joking that he needed to carry it on his shoulder. And even though I'm not a diehard Poke-Parent, I could still deeply appreciate his enjoyment of turning a plain pumpkin into an awesome Pikachu.Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-67333600232614974902011-10-20T10:56:00.001-05:002011-10-20T10:58:23.513-05:00Recipe: Super Awesome Mash-Up Chili/Frito Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJlfUdW9LCBZVAC9GRdindD-rkiehFTs7N_zK83DhhY6EUHSJy3vBVaRXDrza0M4Qcc8NG7ZA4AlND5bO1rLPWpDTCpnmkDaha0JH2Xhl9PJi_wbShloTzlinZeH37hdD0CpFHVltIcc6/s1600/pinterest_food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJlfUdW9LCBZVAC9GRdindD-rkiehFTs7N_zK83DhhY6EUHSJy3vBVaRXDrza0M4Qcc8NG7ZA4AlND5bO1rLPWpDTCpnmkDaha0JH2Xhl9PJi_wbShloTzlinZeH37hdD0CpFHVltIcc6/s320/pinterest_food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been on a bit of a cooking kick lately, which is really <i>really</i> strange for me. I've never been very in to cooking (baking, maaaaybe, but not even that much) and I fell even further away from cooking once I had kids. Yeah, yeah - horrible, I know. But nothing is worse than spending loads of time making a nice meal only to have the kids turn up their noses at it. What can I say? Other things were more fun and rewarding than cooking, so I just let it slide and got by as minimally as I could.<br />
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And then <a href="http://pinterest.com/rachelhobson/yum-yum-in-my-tum-tum/">Pinterest</a> came along. And darn if something didn't just click for me. I guess it's all the gorgeous and easy recipes that get pinned. I <a href="http://pinterest.com/rachelhobson/yum-yum-in-my-tum-tum/">started a food board</a> and before I knew it, I was eager to make meal plans and grocery shop. Baffling, right?<br />
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It's been going strong for about a month now, and I have to say it's been very nice. I've gotten in to a routine of sending the kids to the showers while I make dinner (and sometimes even listen to my own music, it's amazing!) and I've grown to enjoy that time in the kitchen. Most importantly, though, is that the kids are actually eating what I make and like it. I have no idea where this is coming from, but I'll take it. Our dinners have taken on an honest-to-goodness sit-down-and-chat-about-your-day quality at least 4-5 times a week. That's huge for us.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6263481587/" title="Mash-Up Chili Frito Pie Recipe by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Mash-Up Chili Frito Pie Recipe" height="373" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/6263481587_b9da94d47c.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
Last night, I made what might be the best chili I've ever made - or eaten - in my life. I <a href="http://twitter.com/avgjanecrafter/status/126840178194124800">tweeted about it</a> and had several friends ask for the recipe. It was kind of a mash up between <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/frito-chili-pie/">Pioneer Woman's Chili Frito Pie</a> and the recipe on the back of a pack of <a href="http://www.lawrys.com/Products/Seasoning-Mixes/Chili.aspx">Lawry's chili seasoning</a>. I read several chili recipes online while I was prepping my grocery list and somehow got these two recipes mixed up. I came home with the wrong ingredients. I ended up just kind of winging it between the two of them, and it worked out in my favor.<br />
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I know that's the worst picture of food ever, but I didn't realize how good this was going to be until I started serving it. I'm no <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">Pioneer Woman</a>. I don't have gorgeously focused pictures of the cooking process. Forgive me. But I promise, it's still worth making. Enjoy!<br />
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<b>Mash-Up Chili Frito Pie</b><br />
<ul>
<li>1 lb ground beef</li>
<li>1.5 tsp minced garlic (I keep a jar of minced garlic in the fridge & use it in almost every meal)</li>
<li>1 can of <a href="http://www.ro-tel.com/product-original.jsp">RO*TEL diced tomatoes with green chilies</a></li>
<li>1 8oz can of tomato sauce</li>
<li>1 packet of <a href="http://www.lawrys.com/Products/Seasoning-Mixes/Chili.aspx">Lawry's Chili Seasoning</a></li>
<li>1 can of <a href="http://www.conagrafoods.com/consumer/brands/getBrand.do?page=ranch_style#prevNextLinks">Ranch Style Pinto Beans</a> - drained and rinsed well</li>
<li>1/4 cup masa (I used the <a href="http://www.mimaseca.com/es/productos/">tamale version of this brand</a> 'cause it's what <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/frito-chili-pie/">PW</a> used)</li>
<li>1/2 cup warm water (plus a little extra - see steps below)</li>
<li>salt to taste</li>
<li><a href="http://www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/fritos-scoops.html">Fritos corn chips</a> - I could only find the giant Scoops kind, but that ended up being perfect. We could have used them as spoons for the chili!)</li>
<li>shredded cheddar cheese</li>
<li>diced onion (optional)</li>
</ul>
- Put the ground beef and minced garlic in a large skillet and mix and brown over medium heat<br />
- Drain if needed<br />
- Pour in can of RO*TEL (not drained) and the 8oz can of tomato sauce<br />
- Fill the tomato sauce can about 1/4 full of warm water and add that<br />
- Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans<br />
- Add the packet of Lawry's chili seasoning (I also added a smidge more ground oregano)<br />
- Bring to a boil, stirring often, then reduce heat and let simmer anywhere from 20 min to an hour or so (I was waiting for my husband to finish work, so it ended up simmering for more than an hour)<br />
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About 15 minutes before you are ready to serve, mix the masa and warm water in a separate bowl. Add it to the chili and stir well and simmer for 10-15 additional minutes.<br />
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Fill the bottom of a wide bowl with Fritos and scoop chili on top, sprinkle cheese and onions (if desired) on top of that. It's especially good with Guinness on a cold night. I made cornbread as well, because my husband loves having cornbread with chili, but the corn chips suffice.<br />
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Hopefully that makes sense! I'll share links and recipes that we find and love as I can.Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-40206871773810808872011-10-07T15:43:00.000-05:002011-10-07T15:43:04.310-05:00Crafty Gifts From Friends<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6166495153/" title="Space Weaving from Pam Harris by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Space Weaving from Pam Harris" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6166495153_41b1d54169.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I've been on the receiving end of some very lovely handmade gifts lately, and wanted to share a couple with you here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6167031424/" title="Space Weaving From Pam Harris by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Space Weaving From Pam Harris" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6167031424_82606d36f8.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
First up is this gorgeous <a href="http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/351">Saori weaving</a> from Pam of Gingerbread Snowflakes (<a href="http://www.craftypod.com/">Diane's</a> mom). Pam and Diane have <a href="http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/54">become dear friends over the last few years</a>, and serve as a surrogate crafty family for me. I love 'em! <a href="http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/352">Pam</a> and <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/weaving-un-loomed-the-ebook-and-a-free-project/">Diane</a> have done all kinds of cool weaving projects, and I was delighted to receive this one from Pam in the mail recently.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6166494699/" title="Space Weaving From Pam Harris by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Space Weaving From Pam Harris" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6166494699_87194d1336.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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The pictures simply don't do it justice. I never realized how difficult it is to get a good picture of a weaving. It's just near impossible (at least with my photography skills and simple point-and-shoot camera) to capture the depth and beauty of a weaving. Woven in this piece are all kinds of yarns, creating a stunning texture. What really blew me away, though, was the accompanying note from Pam that described the inspiration behind the piece:<br />
<blockquote>
When I asked Diane if she knew your favorite color so I could make you a saori, she suggested I make one to represent the "colors" in space. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
I have done my best! See if you can fnd the sparkly Milky Way in a veil of clouds; deep space filled with colorful galaxies; nebulae rising into the space about the weaving and a mock spectrograph or two. </blockquote>
It is one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received and got me a little misty-eyed. Thank you, Pam!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6167031044/" title="Needle Felted Beaker From RadMegan by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Needle Felted Beaker From RadMegan" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6167031044_80e4b2142b.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Last month, I <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/09/needle_felted_kermit_the_frog.html">posted on CRAFT about this awesome needle felted Kermit the Frog</a> from <a href="http://radmegan.blogspot.com/">Rad Megan</a>. Aside from being a gal after my own heart with the "rad" in her name (my first screen name from waaaaaaay back when - AOL when - also started with "rad") she also adores the Muppets. I feel in love with her Kermit and was excited when she mentioned she was working on more needle felted Muppets, including everyone's favorite frantic scientist, Beaker.<br />
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The next thing I knew, Megan was asking for my address and her awesome little Beaker arrived on my doorstep! I couldn't believe it! Such a generous treat. Thank you, Megan! You are - for sure - RAD.<br />
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Soon to come: the ups and downs of renovating & living in an older home, adventures in estate sales, excursions around Houston and visits from crafty BFFs.Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-58559394805208120682011-10-05T12:19:00.002-05:002011-10-05T12:22:33.387-05:00Some Stitching For FriendsOne of my favorite things to do is stitch random, fun projects for friends. There is great pleasure and satisfaction in creating something for someone for almost no reason other than you think they are awesome and you love to stitch. Here are a few things I've stitched for friends lately. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://milliemotts.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-all-done-with-buttons.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyOo1OCcJRIJ5xhe6Gq5O1fvtlu1aoYrnh3-p1NNXnLy32addHisiz8LEp67QbLb7zdqOe2n2rLDjfsgURPDunICwjYcUDtP0A1xwtbxh8hjIcvAKc6f1G9B4PqxivuW7XAF81xexDpAE/s320/millie_motts_buttons.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<b>For Millie Motts - The Button Girl</b><br />
<a href="http://milliemotts.blogspot.com/">Millie Motts</a> was one of the fist blogs I started visiting years ago. She posts a wide variety of delicious mid-century ephemera, and I've never left her blog <i>not</i> feeling complete inspired or happy. She and I started corresponding a while back, and it was wonderful to see that she's as generous and kind as her posts are charming. She once posted a <a href="http://milliemotts.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-all-done-with-buttons.html">series of cool 40s button ads</a> that just about left me breathless. Aside from being beautiful, the graceful line drawings begged to be stitched. So I did just that. I stitched one of the profile images right on to an 8X10 canvas and attached a few darling glass buttons at the neckline.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6167032862/" title="For Millie Motts by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="For Millie Motts" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6167032862_3976bf28c5.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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It was a super simple project that I finished in an evening watching television. The irony? Though finished in just a few hours, it took me a YEAR AND A HALF to mail it to her. I'm not kidding. I moved this piece with us to Houston and <i>then</i> shipped it. I have a sickness when it comes to shipping things. I am horrible *horrible* about getting to the post office. Clearly, I need to work on that. Thankfully, she didn't mind and the piece is now at home in her living room.<br />
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<i>We did a glasses switch-a-roo at Maker Faire last year. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zbYM34S7PvBpNymHbn9YDF_XiynY3ENNCFHnDlUkNCSjZ9i-LbQ4ntCaWLDPifCgAM4pX14dGS3ZJV5EFcEpq5R1BFfBw8LutpBgPTgjfSJIW-RleWnssbFU7bjga8pNf-tiKl7DcJum/s1600/me_and_lish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zbYM34S7PvBpNymHbn9YDF_XiynY3ENNCFHnDlUkNCSjZ9i-LbQ4ntCaWLDPifCgAM4pX14dGS3ZJV5EFcEpq5R1BFfBw8LutpBgPTgjfSJIW-RleWnssbFU7bjga8pNf-tiKl7DcJum/s320/me_and_lish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Hanging out with some rad laminated cotton fabric at the Stitch Lab in Austin.</i> </div>
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<b>For Lish - Lishigan</b><br />
My <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/author/lish_dorset/">CRAFT blogging</a> co-hort, <a href="http://myvintagekitschen.com/">Lish</a>, is one of the most awesome folks I've ever met. We hit it off instantly when we first met in person a couple of years ago when she was in Austin for SXSW, and bonded over Swatch watches, Converse and crafting. Lish's trademarks are her glasses and her undying love for her home state of Michigan. Her emails often open with "Hello from the Mitten State" and I always picture her on a map, jumping and waving over the state of Michigan. I decided to stitch a little pick-me-up present after a hard week for Lish a while back, and immediately knew what I wanted to make: a Lishigan stitchery. How better to celebrate Lish's style and enthusiasm than with a Lish-Branded Michigan map? The Upper Peninsula is included for accuracy and because Lish's beau, Nick, stressed its importance to true Michigan folks.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6124249166/" title="Lishigan by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Lishigan" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6124249166_9d2b0352fc.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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This was also one of my first attempts with honest-to-goodness "fancy" hoop framing, just meaning that I finished the back off with felt and painted the hoop. I was happy with how it turned out!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stitchlabaustin/5224632306/" title="Niku's Party Skirt! by The Stitch Lab in Austin, Texas, on Flickr"><img alt="Niku's Party Skirt!" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5224632306_1bfbbe38da.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<b>Nice - for Niku</b><br />
One of my former <a href="http://www.stitchlab.biz/">Stitch Lab</a> pals and stitchy friends, Niku, recently moved into a new apartment. As part of her "nesting" in the new place, she asked a group of friends if we would be willing to stitch a small, simple piece to hang as part of a needlework collection in her new home. It was a perfect quick-and-easy project, made more fun by the fact it was for a friend. I went a bit willy nilly with it and just dove into my embroidery pattern stash and scraps of fabric (used more of the <a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2009/07/summer-stitching-flashback.html">mumu that was first spotted on my daughter's tooth fairy pillow here</a>) I used <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/epicalphabet.html">Sublime Stitching's rad Epic alphabet</a> and just started picking out letters I thought looked like they would be fun to stitch. I settled on the word "nice" though later, I realized there were a million other words I could have come up with. Ah well, that's the beauty and the downfall of a quickie project - it's fun to dive right in, but you can't have regrets later over quickly-made decisions.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6123709555/" title="Nice for Niku by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Nice for Niku" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6123709555_007c04c56d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I have an ongoing list of more projects to stitch for friends, and look forward to tackling them after I get through a big book project I'm working on this fall (no, not a book of my own - just contributing a chapter to a friend's book ;) What have you stitched up for friends lately? Tomorrow, I'll be back with some lovely things friends have made for me. Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-59668451423093667842011-10-04T11:45:00.001-05:002011-11-08T10:29:38.143-06:00Four Tips for Happy Pinning on Pinterest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2CJoQISp1f2QJVXwPbgCwVI1kbGkIpkC35ZeG5V0965PVLiQliF_16WdxHrmUN3-VmMTtb7hl6wIacpCpx66UeXh0wgMEiJ4i4NEtVBkGK6YxMBTAMoC3vrJPJ1uO48KosgJyC6_L6zN/s1600/four_tips_for_pinning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2CJoQISp1f2QJVXwPbgCwVI1kbGkIpkC35ZeG5V0965PVLiQliF_16WdxHrmUN3-VmMTtb7hl6wIacpCpx66UeXh0wgMEiJ4i4NEtVBkGK6YxMBTAMoC3vrJPJ1uO48KosgJyC6_L6zN/s320/four_tips_for_pinning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's been a lot of great discussion lately on some of the downsides of using <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rachelhobson">Pinterest</a>. You can read <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/09/29/pinterest-inspiration-copying-and-the-whole-ethics-thing/">Diane</a> and <a href="http://www.kimwerker.com/2011/09/28/prying-control-from-your-cold-cramped-hands/">Kim's</a> posts that, I think, tackle some of the issues quite well. The comments are also part of a great conversation, so be sure to dive in to them.</div>
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After all this discussion, I thought it might be useful to put together a few basic tips on how to use Pinterest effectively. Pinterest is an amazing resource, allowing you to<a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/09/29/pinterest-inspiration-copying-and-the-whole-ethics-thing/"> quickly and easily visually bookmark</a> all kinds of projects, recipes, color inspiration, fashion, decor and more. It satisfies a lot of needs in a very beautiful, simple way. Even though I've been using Pinterest for a year or so, I still consider it a young enough medium/tool that there is an opportunity here to shape how people use it. Before things like poor attribution and improper linking become too rampant, I think there are a few simple things we can do to influence how everyone uses Pinterest.</div>
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At the end of the day, we can really only control how we personally use something. If we choose to do our best to stick to a few simple guidelines and habits on Pinterest, that will eventually ripple out and create trends among Pinterest users that benefit everyone.</div>
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So here are a few things tips for using Pinterest effectively. If you have others you'd like to share in the comments, go for it!</div>
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<i>Note: I'm including some image examples of how I pinned poorly and then went back and changed it throughout this post. Nobody's perfect, but we can all change, right?</i></div>
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<b>Click Through Before You Repin</b></div>
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Part of the beauty of Pinterest is how easy it is to see something and quickly repin it. Often, the picture is enough to get an idea of what the project or tip is, so the instant inclination is to just click one button to repin and -BOOM!- you're done. Here's the problem, though: Often times, pins are ... for lack of a better word: Wonky. Sometimes they go to just a picture, not a web site. Sometimes they go to the home or index page of a web site or blog, and not the specific entry related to the image pinned, leaving you to scroll for ages to find the post you thought you were repinning. I've even clicked through on a pin only to be directed to a password-protected web site. Waahuh?</div>
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If you take a moment to click through before you repin something, you can make sure the pin takes to you the right place, or you can find the right link and repin from there. You may also find (as in the password protected web site example) that the item really isn't worth repinning. Don't perpetuate poor pins. (say that ten times fast) This step may take a few extra minutes, but if everyone starts doing it, before long it will be a non-issue.</div>
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<b>Pin Correct Links</b></div>
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When you are pinning something yourself (not repinning something you find on Pinterest) be sure to pin the best possible link you can. If you are reading a blog, check to make sure that you have clicked in to the actual specific blog post from which you wish to pin an image. Don't pin from the index or home page of the blog. You can check the address bar in your browser to make sure you've got the right thing pulled up. This means that your pin will take people directly to the post from which you are pinning, and no matter how many times it gets repinned, they'll always be able to get right to the good stuff.</div>
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Avoid pinning from a google image search. If you find a good image, click through to the web site and pin from there.</div>
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If you are pinning something you've found on Flickr, check to see if there is a blog post associated with the image. Click thought and pin from that post instead.<br />
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<b><i>**UPDATE: Here's a </i></b><a href="http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-track-down-creditless-photo-sources/"><b><i>helpful link from June of PlanetJune</i></b></a><b><i> for tracking down proper credit for creditless photos you find pinned on Pinterest. Excellent tips!** </i></b></div>
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<b>Use Thoughtful and Thorough Attribution</b></div>
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So often on Pinterest (and, yes, I've been guilty of the same thing, but I'm changing that) I see pins that just have one or two word descriptions. "Cool." "Must try" and nothing else. Instead, get in the habit of taking a moment to write thoughtful and thorough comments to your pins or repins (which, again, means you'll need to click through if the initial pinner didn't include good attribution or descriptions). If you get in to the habit of doing this, your followers will see it and start doing it. As will their followers ... and the ripples keep going, just like pins on boards.</div>
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Type a one-sentence description of what it is you are pinning, and include "by ____" indicating where you found it or who made it. Don't forget to add tags where appropriate - they make for easy searching! (I'm a big fan of the #DoctorWho tag)</div>
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<b>Be Respectful</b></div>
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Think for a moment before you pin something you find in an Etsy shop as "I could totally make this." Most of the discussion of ethics and Pinterest started with Etsy sellers who <a href="http://saltcityspice.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-suck-at-pinterest.html">were upset by folks</a> who were pinning their handmade products on DIY or Crafts to Make boards. As <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/09/29/pinterest-inspiration-copying-and-the-whole-ethics-thing/">Diane</a> and <a href="http://www.kimwerker.com/2011/09/28/prying-control-from-your-cold-cramped-hands/">Kim</a> so beautifully wrote, to some extent, you really relinquish control of your work once you put it out on to the internet. However, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't use some common sense and good manners when pinning items. I think much of the unrest could have been avoided if someone had pinned an item in an Etsy shop with a description like: "Beautiful knit piece from XXX Shop on Etsy, $45."</div>
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It's easy to get a bit deer-in-headlights on Pinterest because there is such an overload of delicious visual inspiration, but we can't let that keep us from <i>slowing down</i> just for a moment and thinking about how <i>we</i> would want someone to pin our work.</div>
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There are many other little things you can do to make your Pinterest experience richer for you and the folks who follow you, but I really think these four big picture guidelines can serve as the foundation for helping grow Pinterest into a vast, well-functioning, respectful resource, rather than a mass of poorly attributed, incorrectly linked mess of pictures (can anyone say Tumblr?).</div>
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Now go get pinning!</div>
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If you aren't familiar with <a href="http://pinterest.com/rachelhobson/">Pinterest</a>, or are just getting started, here are a few resources for you:</div>
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<li><a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2010/10/13/check-out-beautiful-tutorials-on-pinterest/">Check out beautiful tutorials (and other stuff) on Pinterest by Diane Gilleland of Crafty Pod</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/06/organizing_projects_and_inspir.html">Organizing Projects And Inspiration Using Pinterest by me for CRAFT</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/09/29/pinterest-inspiration-copying-and-the-whole-ethics-thing/">Pinterest, Inspiration, Copying and the Whole Ethics Thing by Diane Gilleland of Crafty Pod</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.kimwerker.com/2011/09/28/prying-control-from-your-cold-cramped-hands/">Prying Control from Your Cold, Cramped Hands by Kim Werker</a></li>
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</ul>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-4700417930271262282011-09-20T12:01:00.003-05:002011-09-20T12:02:00.788-05:00Winner!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6123688109/" title="Sewing With Oilcloth by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing With Oilcloth" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6123688109_2c72a4843b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Ah! A bit late on the announcement, but congrats to Holly Taylor, winner of a copy of<a href="http://averagejanecrafter.blogspot.com/2011/09/sewing-with-oilcloth-book-tour-and.html"> <i>Sewing With Oilcloth</i></a>! Here's to many more great oil cloth projects in your future!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU0M5GIOeeQVbEjw8gCJNiG4yGxoVXg78hXmB_ZrtVTDHay9Nsq3Qw0CCjilMtpiAdJBHTpQTGO3Rnvo3LhwF1Tb3uk9tSP6I0k8RbKS2szQGLVJsw-7ehSK1XsqlWTY-TU4ubznXt3EA/s1600/oil_cloth_winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU0M5GIOeeQVbEjw8gCJNiG4yGxoVXg78hXmB_ZrtVTDHay9Nsq3Qw0CCjilMtpiAdJBHTpQTGO3Rnvo3LhwF1Tb3uk9tSP6I0k8RbKS2szQGLVJsw-7ehSK1XsqlWTY-TU4ubznXt3EA/s400/oil_cloth_winner.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-37418935645576720192011-09-07T11:30:00.000-05:002011-09-10T16:05:09.806-05:00Sewing With Oilcloth Book Tour - and a Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6123688109/" title="Sewing With Oilcloth by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing With Oilcloth" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6123688109_2c72a4843b.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
The bright colors and bold designs of oilcloth and laminated fabrics have always intrigued me. I'm drawn to them, but I'm also a bit ... well ... scared of them. I've never sewn with oilcloth before, and I'm not really sure where to start. I know that - without the right tools and tips - it can be frustrating to work with, but I also know that projects made with oilcloth and laminated fabrics are beautiful and durable. Thankfully, <a href="http://modernjune.com/">one of my favorite oilcloth gurus has written a book</a> that's a great guide to working with these fun and super functional fabrics.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="311" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kRKTLYKszPo?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></div>
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I've followed Kelly McCants on <a href="http://modernjune.com/">Modern June</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/oilclothaddict">Oilcloth Addict</a> for ages. Her new book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Oilcloth-Kelly-McCants/dp/0470912324">Sewing With Oilcloth</a></i>, has loads of great projects and wonderful tips and instruction for working with oilcloth and laminated fabrics. Let's take a look, shall we?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6123688585/" title="Sewing With Oilcloth - Tips by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing With Oilcloth - Tips" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6123688585_d80523442e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Kelly starts <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Oilcloth-Kelly-McCants/dp/0470912324">Sewing With Oilcloth</a></i> with great resources to help you succeed with your oil cloth sewing projects. Part of my fear of working with these fabrics was how to make my machine advance them easily and not jam up. Kelly shares several options for helping them feed easily and for what tools work best on oilcloth. She also shows you how to make and attach oilcloth bias trim, which is crazy kinds of cute.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6124229674/" title="Sewing With Oilcloth - Bins by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing With Oilcloth - Bins" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6124229674_99e419cf2e.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
The projects in Kelly's book range from simple to complex and are beautifully practical (something I really love). These nesting bins would be great in the garden shed or kids' bedroom.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6124230148/" title="Sewing With Oilcloth - Seat Cushions by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing With Oilcloth - Seat Cushions" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6124230148_4bf902d58d.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a> </div>
These seat cushions remind me of an awesome outdoor lounger my grandparents had in their backyard. How happy would you feel seeing these bold prints on your porch every day?
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6124230486/" title="Sewing With Oilcloth - Wallet by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing With Oilcloth - Wallet" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6124230486_596d87af34.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
And here's the project I'm dying to try first from the book: a cute and practical wallet. This one looks like a great starter project with simple lines, easy details and a resulting piece that you'll use over and over again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3JFdDOjCcL_nKKQu0r9Thub8QgKEoX4uYRDP8QWdhpP8SdALIxUALMulK5MAojZtcV1ywSi65Mn5Ylh_kPNJhFYYM5hZ1gI6mthbgUO4hDDsaKpry4kwzZ5xPtk8EzMFf5rDFpxLNDjY/s400/kelly_oilcloth_pack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/oilclothaddict">A fabric pack from Kelly's Etsy shop: Oilcloth Addict! </a></i></td></tr>
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If you have trouble finding great oilcloth or laminated fabrics at your local independent fabric shop, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/oilclothaddict">Kelly's Oilcloth Addict shop</a>. Her selections are extensive and beautiful.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/6124230892/" title="Yummy Oil Cloth & Laminated Fabric by average_jane_crafter, on Flickr"><img alt="Yummy Oil Cloth & Laminated Fabric" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6124230892_cb6a3697bc.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
I picked up this fun cherry oil cloth and dew drop laminated cotton at <a href="http://stitchlab.biz/">The Stitch Lab</a>, and now I can't wait to try them out on the projects from Kelly's book! And you're in luck, because Kelly graciously sent a copy of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Oilcloth-Kelly-McCants/dp/0470912324">Sewing With Oilcloth</a></i> for me to give to one lucky Average Jane Crafter reader. Leave a comment here letting me know why you've been scared to work with oilcloth or what successes you've had with working with oilcloth. <b>I'll close comments at 10 AM CST on September 10 and will announce the winner next Monday. </b>For more opportunities to win a copy & to learn more about the book, <a href="http://oilclothaddict.blogspot.com/">keep up with the Sewing With Oilcloth blog book tour</a>!<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Since I'm personally shipping the book, I need to limit it to US residents. Thanks for understanding! </span></i>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-41970023757445223232011-09-06T14:34:00.004-05:002011-09-06T16:22:34.965-05:00Rocket, Scissors .... Alien Boobs?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jp57nVuOwOPHn31VVUJpyZZ7Lf7MVmiF3XYRZab2BmAbQzJRwZ07kOgg6ruvPwEenfQ0PUO1nqKCoLujTXAWUGhWmRxAD0kpVkwdRmhX1Dk9IGfPT4xU85uUPxM_RK1GfZAUVet886j3/s1600/rocket_scissor_alien_boobs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jp57nVuOwOPHn31VVUJpyZZ7Lf7MVmiF3XYRZab2BmAbQzJRwZ07kOgg6ruvPwEenfQ0PUO1nqKCoLujTXAWUGhWmRxAD0kpVkwdRmhX1Dk9IGfPT4xU85uUPxM_RK1GfZAUVet886j3/s400/rocket_scissor_alien_boobs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649357303485134338" /></a><br />I'm happy to report that after months and months of a crafty dry spell (hey, moving and renovating a house and a sun-meltingly hot summer can do that to a gal) I'm back in full-on crafting-all-the-time mode. Now that the kids are back in school, I'm able to actually work during the day which frees up my evenings for making stuff. A novel idea, I know. I've had fun stitching projects for friends (a post on those later this week) and random just-for-fun pieces, and flexing my out-of-shape stitchy muscles. <br /><br />One such project was this random cross-stitch roadtrip sampler. We went to a family wedding over the weekend, which meant I had about eight hours in the car. I'd scored a handy brand new cross-stitch kit at a thrift store last week, so I packed it up and decided to jump into cross-stitching after a long time away from it. I'm not a huge cross-stitch person. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of a craft that requires counting. I'm not number-averse, I just like to craft and let my mind wander. I've had to unpick more projects than I care to remember because my mind wandered when it should have been counting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfAGSqmkH51HE60bGCqWtuqK0r8KsiLTJtDFHxw2QW0llkLHqa-2b94LV8dq5b8Nuqn02KnJ_4SXYcAH3n5kMaYdjn4zQg-xbhfzxIAlq8Or5q7qAo4QTplWlaS73_acEE7r4hc4G0lwm/s1600/cross-stitch-kit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfAGSqmkH51HE60bGCqWtuqK0r8KsiLTJtDFHxw2QW0llkLHqa-2b94LV8dq5b8Nuqn02KnJ_4SXYcAH3n5kMaYdjn4zQg-xbhfzxIAlq8Or5q7qAo4QTplWlaS73_acEE7r4hc4G0lwm/s400/cross-stitch-kit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649357306093503170" /></a><br />Fortunately, I was able to slide right back in to the soothing rhythm of cross-stitches and found it quite fun and relaxing. Since I didn't have a specific project in mind, I just picked some of my favorite motifs from the book and stitched away. When I finished, I <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/avgjanecrafter/status/110880243866279936">posted a picture to Twitter</a>, and my <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/haikumama/status/110882215671508995">brilliantly hilarious friend, Kari</a>, said, "Rocket, Scissors, Alien Boobs?" and launched us into a conversation over what trumps what (Would alien boob juice melt scissors?). At one point, I thought I'd end up cutting the cross-stitched pieces out and using them for separate projects, but now I think - thanks to Kari - it's become one of my favorite samplers of all time. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-58025528632590176722011-08-23T15:19:00.001-05:002011-08-23T15:19:24.368-05:00The Dreamy Mr. Gene Kelly<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPujFJItygVSr6Mw4sqd5fJIVcXcL1OjoshKbTBiyJ2W6FtEpEzOIiWqskYnHENlhE0dre4SGISt__OEgZl0uFv7MwxGbk7vAWQGcFTxadISW17T_VfCwF-M5rFTfVbUjIV2em_N_r8mF/s1600/gene_swon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPujFJItygVSr6Mw4sqd5fJIVcXcL1OjoshKbTBiyJ2W6FtEpEzOIiWqskYnHENlhE0dre4SGISt__OEgZl0uFv7MwxGbk7vAWQGcFTxadISW17T_VfCwF-M5rFTfVbUjIV2em_N_r8mF/s400/gene_swon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644089923785919858" /></a>Well hello, fine readers! Hope you had a fantastic summer. We're still melting here in Texas, but the kids are back in school and that means the routine around here is finally getting back in order. Whew!<div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">
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<br /></u></span></div>Today, a group of friends and I are kicking off a fun, easy-going craft-along in honor of one of our all-time favorite film and dance stars: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000037/">Gene Kelly</a>. You may remember that I have been madly in love with Gene for years, and that way back in my awesome surface design class with Kat, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11707873@N00/2854345307/in/pool-1737791@N20">I made a Gene Kelly screen</a> so I could print his face on anything and everything. Because, really, shouldn't his face be on everything?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Last week, some folks started a <a href="http://www.twitter.com/avgjanecrafter">twitter</a> conversation about a shared love for the dancing super star, and within a short period of time it was decided that we should do a Gene Kelly craft-along. I checked to see when his birthday was, in case it might coincide with when we'd start the craft-along, and Lo! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Kelly">TODAY</a> is his birthday. Such kismet. It's as though he's speaking to us from the other side, saying, "Please! Immortalize me in craft!" Sorta. </div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaWoWhg3GDNdAhKI-muOfLNMMzhgUZFGWyO9LmrUkJ4Ldql3z1WwQiJGPsOd9Y_hjNMfSAWj_G_xqvcB9h9cIcLPpyVA2yc7wgsn-yWVaJdAaeo8aw0sW7rglxz0t0JDZUxNWrl6PHWey/s1600/bw_smile.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaWoWhg3GDNdAhKI-muOfLNMMzhgUZFGWyO9LmrUkJ4Ldql3z1WwQiJGPsOd9Y_hjNMfSAWj_G_xqvcB9h9cIcLPpyVA2yc7wgsn-yWVaJdAaeo8aw0sW7rglxz0t0JDZUxNWrl6PHWey/s400/bw_smile.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644089930516442738" /></a>So! What does this mean? Well, we are keeping things loose. Mostly, we are interested in sharing a common interest in this amazing actor, singer, dancer (talk about a triple threat!) and to get folks who might not have paid much attention to him before (for shame!) to learn more about and appreciate his work. Any kind of craft is welcome, and there are no firm deadlines - just fun! You can share your Gene Kelly-inspired projects over on our <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1737791@N20/">Gene Kelly Craft-Along Flickr group.</a> You can also tweet pics and progress using the tag #GK4EVR. Read Diane's intro post over on <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2011/08/23/a-gene-kelly-craft-along-join-us/">CraftyPod</a>!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqEpXe3Sjfe8VPYQuVuHPHhMl0vI66NcoEGN15eP7jb4TY5Nym08Kc37RD9_6HLI5u_kasNQMKt-VKgC6L6QSTLbVIXDUC0fHp4yEH0yAEcwJ8CwH6x9-laKdSRJeXGTFy9ExikkJIdmA/s1600/sailor_gene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqEpXe3Sjfe8VPYQuVuHPHhMl0vI66NcoEGN15eP7jb4TY5Nym08Kc37RD9_6HLI5u_kasNQMKt-VKgC6L6QSTLbVIXDUC0fHp4yEH0yAEcwJ8CwH6x9-laKdSRJeXGTFy9ExikkJIdmA/s400/sailor_gene.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644089933121575682" /></a><b>Let's take a look at why Gene makes my heart swoon:</b></div><div>- That velvety voice: Not just in singing - in talking, too! Dreamy. </div><div>- That charming smile: I get all Monkee's Twinkly Eyed just thinking about it. </div><div>- That mischievous sense of humor: As though it's not enough that he can sing and dance, now he's gonna make me LAUGH!? Fuhgetaboudit. </div><div>- Those dance moves: Really? Turning newspaper into a dancing art form? C'mon, Gene, you had me at shuffle-ball-change. </div><div>- That bod: I'm not gonna lie. The fella had a stunning body, highlighted by beautifully made trousers that always accentuated the ... positive. </div><div>
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<br /></div><div>Some of my all-time favorite movies star Gene Kelly. If you haven't watched any of his films, get on it. <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/">Singin' in the Rain</a></i> is, of course, one of the greatest films ever made, but some of his other lesser-known movies are great fun, too. In fact, one of my favorites will be the inspiration for my Gene Kelly project: <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043012/">Summer Stock</a></i>. It's a hilarious movie starring Gene, Judy Garland and Phil Silvers. The clothes are simple and gorgeous (this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSnWoelfkCw&feature=related">brown and coral dress worn by Judy Garland</a> makes me weak in the knees) and is loads of fun. And no one can forget <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041716/">On The Town</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043278/">An American in Paris</a></i>. And if you're wanting to know more about the man himself, you absolutely must watch <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308305/">Anatomy of a Dancer</a></i>. It's a fantastic documentary on his life and is brilliantly done. (and it's <a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Gene-Kelly-Anatomy-of-a-Dancer/60024353">available on Netflix Instant</a>!) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>There's something about watching Gene Kelly at work that lifts your spirits in a most delightful way. Blending that feeling with making stuff is a recipe for great fun, so join in on the Gene Kelly craft-along. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gZQHXl99e0&feature=related">S'Wonderful</a>!</div>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843198114362476108.post-63486885310294506482011-07-09T07:47:00.004-05:002011-07-09T07:54:43.075-05:00There she goes ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmMsQZzxhB6poHU0Vqe2U1tuZMnLbHd2qo8XTxUC7fD52v3SiegTiH3BqftVUIP7MqtmXbMeiTNYMDWsDJnv5xFpUbmECauiz45MF64DHIgk6z7-YUZWi9AdOKHacoMk0FCCiZl-qlj8k/s1600/launch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmMsQZzxhB6poHU0Vqe2U1tuZMnLbHd2qo8XTxUC7fD52v3SiegTiH3BqftVUIP7MqtmXbMeiTNYMDWsDJnv5xFpUbmECauiz45MF64DHIgk6z7-YUZWi9AdOKHacoMk0FCCiZl-qlj8k/s400/launch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627333949382211250" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmMsQZzxhB6poHU0Vqe2U1tuZMnLbHd2qo8XTxUC7fD52v3SiegTiH3BqftVUIP7MqtmXbMeiTNYMDWsDJnv5xFpUbmECauiz45MF64DHIgk6z7-YUZWi9AdOKHacoMk0FCCiZl-qlj8k/s1600/launch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last launch ever ... and my art is on there</span></i> </div><div><br /></div><div>I still haven't really found the words. Be back when I have. </div><div><br /></div><div>(Well, I found <a href="http://www.kutnews.org/post/texan%E2%80%99s-embroidery-art-enters-space-aboard-shuttle-atlantis">these words</a> just minutes after the launch. They are <a href="http://kut.org/2011/07/texans-art-aboard-atlantis/">shaky, tear-filled, nerding-out words</a>, but they came when I was still feeling the power - on all levels - of the launch through my body. So ... ya know ... forgive my blabbering.)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I will say the easiest words to come by right now, though: THANK YOU. </div>Average Jane Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00168205669262927385noreply@blogger.com4