Archive for » August, 2009 «

Aug
30
Latest Experiment with Photo Extensions
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I have always admired the work of Gustav Klimt and decided to use his esthetic as my first foray into photo extension. I took step by step photos as I worked only to find out I had forgotten to replace my memory card in my camera, erg, so now stepout pics this time. I REALLY enjoyed this so will be doing another soon and promise to provide photos.
Now this is not a photo so maybe that term is deceptive. Finmark decoupage paper was my starting point, a portion of the mother and child from the original. Next comes blocking in color. A number of layers of colors using Generation Green acrylics and Colorants. Gold highlights were added with Shimmers then a glaze of gel glaze and Raw Umber Colorant was rubbed over the top. Lastly gel medium was thickly applied with a brush to give the appearance of oil paints.
Category: Free Projects, Green Crafting, Mixed Media  Leave a Comment
Aug
26
Dogs Bite Fleas for Charity
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Here are some of the scrap wool flea dog toys I made. One the back one I embroidered the face and “Flea” and on the front two used ESF acrylic paint. Please when you make these use ESF so they are non-toxic, safe for dogs to chew on.
You can make these any size you like by making a pattern consisting of a small ball shape on top of a large one for the body. OK, these do not look EXACTLY like real fleas but that would be icky. Cut to head/body units then some strips for legs. Make sure to double or triple fold the legs fabric for lots of chew value. Tightly zigzag the length of the leg strips.
Decide if you are going to paint your fleas and do this now before sewing. The decoration is for the humans, the dogs don’t care!
Cut 6 or 8 legs, you decide, from the sewn strips. Pin then double straight stitch them onto one flea side edge. Make sure your legs are pointing in when you do this.
Now place the head/body pieces right sides together. Double stitch, you want this to be strong, around the outer edges leaving a 2″ gap. Make sure you stitch over the legs again while doing this. Turn right side out, stuff and securely sew up the opening.
Consider making these out of fleece or other sturdy fabric just keep them safe for the pooches.
I am making these to sell at the dog park which is all volunteer and as a fund raiser for a local rescue group through my vet. Bet you could earn some money for your favorite animal charity with these too.
Let me know how you do with these and any other fundraising ideas you might have.
Back in a day or two!
Category: Free Projects, Green Crafting, Mixed Media, Social Crafting  Leave a Comment
Aug
26
Wool Scraps
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A couple months ago I asked the people at my local Goodwill what items they had the hardest time moving and they told me mens suits. Kind of knew that when I saw them for $.99. Dated wool coats of all kinds were the same and at the same price so I gathered up a few and brought them home. I also grabbed a couple wool skirts.
I gutted them, tore them apart at the seams, removed the lining and stabilizers then sorted things and washed them. Most felted some, some more than others which might be because they were a wool blend, no problem, still very usable.
I now have piles of great fabrics to play with and made these 2 pillows and a table runner from just a small portion of my scraps. AND the buttons were all trimmed off the coats, jackets and skirts making these virtually free. Oh, I also shove all the bits pieces and scraps into pantyhose and wash the heck out of them to make up part of my stuffing.
 
I’m also working on a stuffed dog toy pattern I will post here, its a flea!  A couple of us are planning on making these to sell at the dog park as a fundraiser.
Category: Free Projects, Green Crafting, Mixed Media  Leave a Comment
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