Stitching Up a Happy New Year: Embellished Tea Towels

Whoa, does anyone still even remember me? I barely remember myself. Nine months since my last post. Nine months. Enough time to create a human life. While I didn't create anyone new, I did spend plenty of time creating myself. 

I have been promoted...twice. I have directed two more shows. I have run another half-marathon. I have been to Disney World. I have had surgery.
The surgery was recent, just last week. It was frightening, but I am healing. Go through the procedure and now nurturing myself through the healing process, I have really been able to focus what makes me happy: making things. I am committed to making more time to make.

Although I have multiple WIP that I really should be working on (more on those soon, I promise,) I decided that a great way to start the year would be to make some embroidered and embellished tea towels for my kitchen. I focused on things that I really love. It also showed me that I REALLY love decorating tea towels...weird.

WIP Wednesday: CS Lewis Embroidery

I really meant to be a better blogger. I have been taking photos all summer long...tons of food prep shots, a baziilion macros, gardens, waterfalls, and festivals. I had every intention of sitting down every evening and writing a blog post. Sadly, being unemployed and constantly looking and anticipating is utterly exhausting. The process takes your best intentions and whisks them away. I tip-toed in and made a few design changes. I have been making and planning. I am assisting my local bead store in a move/re-design. In fact, if it wasn't for the money (and therefore, the job) necessary to live, my life would be perfect.

I have been spending time each night looking at inspirational quotations on Pinterest. I truly think that I may take some and design a line of embroidery patterns like to one above. I am taking Mr. Lewis's words to heart, "Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." 

Keep an eye out for the pattern here soon.

How Tuesday: Craft Tutorial Round-Up

In the words of Calvin (to his good buddy, Hobbes), "The days are just packed." Although autumn is my favorite time for new beginnings and new projects, the week that play rehearsals begins is always a bit hectic.  Although I have not had much time lately to make a ton of new projects, I am constantly thinking of new ideas and gathering inspiration.

 I love to make things and learn something new. Please take a moment to check the blogs in my side bar, they are some of my favorites! 

In addition, these great websites and blogs are wonderful resources  for craft ideas and tutorials:

Craftahloics Anonymous

Totally Tutorials

Cut Out &  Keep

One Pretty Thing

What the Craft

Craftzine

Stitchy Saturday: Embroidered Sketchbook

Fall is a time for new beginnings, I think. I know that Spring is a more commonly held time to start anew, but the new school year always makes me more creative. I adore Moleskin notebooks of any kind, but wanted my fall sketchbook to echo that sense of what could be. 

How Tuesday: Confetti Tumblers

Today is one of those posts that you see all over Pinterest and just have to try yourself. These glasses are so cute and whimsical that I will enjoy my morning juice that much more. They would make a great gift for the upcoming holidays as well. 

Sunday Funday: Doctor Who Craft Round-Up

I have had a lot of fun making Doctor Who-themed crafts lately. Doubtless, there will be another one coming up before too long! Until then, I have scoured the galactic interwebs for other sources of Who crafts for us all to enjoy and to serve as inspiration!

An obvious choice: Doctor Who Crafts

Cakes, crochet, quilts and more: BuzzFeed

Awesome paper/cube crafts: CyberDrone

A great collection of every type of Whovian craft imaginable: Craftster Who Crafts

Awesome crocheted TARDIS bag: Geek Crafts

Enjoy and please share anything that you make with us!

If you have any ideas for any upcoming Doctor Who-themed weeks or any projects at all please comment here or on our Facebook page. Thanks!

Sunday Funday: Making Memories

Today, I did not make anything--except wonderful memories.

We took advantage of a beautiful summer day, a free schedule, and the ability and desire to enjoy each other's company.

We brunched. We scoured the flea market. We stopped at an ice cream stand. We explored a forest. Had an unusually fun cemetery photo shot. We hiked. We swam. We reveled in the best burger in our town. Together. And it was glorious.

Sunday Funday: Back in the Saddle...again...

Life sometimes just takes you away from what you would like to be doing. Granted, so many aspects of my life are astounding. I haven't been able to make many things lately (or at least record many)--I have run a huge race and am training for another, I have had a really great summer jewelry show (and VERY stupidly got NO photos of the work that I made and sold), and have been loading up on quality time with my sweetie before the busy autumn overtakes us.


That being said though, I feel a little hollow not producing things and sharing them on this blog. It is not that my readership is huge. Some posts, I am the only one. But in times of uncertainty, it has lent so stability and predictably to my life.


So, here I go again...dusting of the Weasinart and giving her priority again. Baby steps, but any steps are better than standing still. 


Tonight, my sweetie and I made a lovely vegetarian feast, full of produce that we grew or got just 'round the corner. And I finally took photos of it...enjoy.

Salad that we grew, squash and tomato tian and pesto rice...yum!

To make the tian, I sliced up two yellow squash, two zucchini,
and two heirloom tomatoes. 

I layered them in a casserole dish and topped with thyme.
It baked in a 400 degree oven (covered with foil) for 30 minutes.
I then sprinkled a light layer and shredded Parmesan and
baked, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes.

We had a load of basil in the garden,
so we whipped up a couple batches--one with walnuts
and one with pine nuts.

We mixed one scoop with some basmati rice and sprinkled on some cheese.
The rest we scooped onto a parchment lined sheet and popped them into the freezer.
Once they are solid, we will individually bag them to use thus fall.

After dinner, I walked by the studio and noted that I wouldn't be likely
to make anything when the bench was still cluttered from my
last session.

Ten minutes later, and I am ready to work again soon.

So, here I am again. Feeling a teeny bit more focused and ready to zip into autumn with scissors in one hand and my lap top in the other--ready to share it all with you.

Metal Work Monday: Riveted Bird Cuff

So, another admission: I love Portlandia. Maybe a little too much...but when I was planning a theme for one of the busiest weeks of my year, they inspired me: birds. Yay! Bring on those chirpers and put a bird on it!


I had a challenging time with this first project. Initially, I was just going to connect separate pieces of metal with jump rings but that can be insecure. Then, I was going to re-purpose one of the straps of an old leather backpack. Nope-too thick for the snap or rivets. Okay, then I will try some thinner faux leather. The snap went on fine, but the rivets ripped right out. I had already done a cuff with pieces riveted to it, but thought that if I swapped the materials and did a few different techniques than the lace cuff that it would be okay. I have to say that I am pretty pleased. 

The embossing die that I used on several smallish pieces of aluminum.

I decided to use half with the embossing face up and half with
it face down. I then painted over all the pieces with an alcohol
dye for metals. I sanded over all with the sanding wheel
of my dremel. Not only did is strip off some dye, I gave the
pieces yet another texture.

I cut a six-inch long strip of 20 gauge copper.

After rounding the corners and sanding the edges, I decided
to texture the entire piece with my chasing hammer.
This was the longest, most tiring part of the process.

I applied a thin layer of liver of sulfur patina gel to it
 (after hammering) with a flux brush.

I am super-pleased with the base.

I added the aluminum bird plaques with rivets.
I used a combo of silver and copper.

I added four--two of each type to the center plaque and
then alternated in both color and layout.

I like the combination of both substantial and dainty.

Metalwork Monday: Lace-etched bangle bracelet

I have an admission to make. I have an addiction to vintage sewing supplies--kitschy fabrics, retro trims, and most of all; lace. My lace collection is embarrassingly large. My favorites are hand-crocheted or tatted, but I also have two boxes full of bolts of lace, both old and new.


Hence, lace week. 


Metal etching is the trend of the moment in Funky Monkey Studio and I have just learned to print with lace (check back tomorrow for that tutorial), so I combined them into a great new design. So exciting!

Lace-etched copper plaques riveted onto a bangle with a
lace overlay.

Using block-printing ink, a brayer, and a piece of lace, I applied a
resist to the plaques. I etched more pieces than I thought I
would use so I could choose the best etchings. Before I printed the copper,'
I mounted them to the sticky side of packing tape to prepare them
for the acid bath. More details on lace/ink printing in tomorrow's post.

The plaques spent 30 minutes in the ferric chloride bath.
I use recycled take-out container for the bath. The tape on the edges
of the bowl suspends the metal just barely in the acid.

After coming out of the bath and having a quick rinse, you can see the
lace pattern. I polished the pieces, used the Dremel to round the corners,
and oxidized them in liver of sulfur.

Using my French Shears, I cut the bangle blank. I used the
Dremel to round the corners and texture the piece.
I used the sanding block to smooth the edges.

I added a piece of lace over the bangle blank and used my
riveting/eyelet tool to attach it. I then added the
copper plaques and attached them with copper rivets.
The lace is attached with four brass eyelets.
Before forming the curve, I stained the lace with strong tea
brushed over it with a flux brush. I did four coats of tea to
get the shade I wanted.

Formed and ready to wear. I used both the bracelet mandrel
and the bracelet-bending pliers to achieve the  finished
fit and look.

Thursday Think Tank: To theme or not theme, that is the question...

I enjoy being a crafty blogger. I am part of a great community. I read an embarrassing amount of other blogs. I enjoy the challenge of sharing my work with you all on a daily basis. My photography, admittedly, needs more refining. My readership is tiny...for now. I don't think that I will be the next Martha Stewart by any means, but I am enjoying the process. 


My sweetie gave me a variety of Moleskine notebooks for Christmas. I must admit to more than a passing fancy with them. I have been using them for years, but have taken to carrying one with me at all times. Inspiration strikes at the oddest times and is stimulated by the oddest things. My notes are frantic and frenetic. Some pages have organized lists, others just random scrawls. I love it.


In addition to working in the real world, designing jewelry and crafting up a storm, I also direct plays at the local high school. We are just a few weeks away from our spring Shakespearean production and life gets a little crazy. I also have a craft fair, a consignment order, and a juried art show coming up. No rest for the crafty...


As I pondered how teachers and Moms get through super busy times, a thought occurred to me: themes. Already each day of the week, weasinart has a theme, but what if I combined a daily craft type theme with an overarching weekly theme? I decided that at least until the show is performed it is a good way to stay focused. 


Upcoming theme weeks will include lace, sun, floral, Doctor Who, upcycling, and birds. The plan has further organized and focused me as an artist. 


If you have any themes that you would like to see, please leave a comment. I am pretty open to suggestions.


I whipped up a really quick project this week based on a post that I saw on Pinterest. I don't see much point in "pinning" inspiration if you are never going to use it. Not original, but I like it:

T-shirt necklace/scarf: the finished product

Found a slightly stretch shirt that I wasn't really wearing much and cut 1-inch loops.
Make sure to keep the side seams intact.

As it stretches, the loops roll in on themselves.

Paired it with some fun bird earrings that I made to
 "spring up" my outfit.

In action at the office, stylish and fun!

WIP Wednesday: The chain stitch and I aren't speaking.

News flash: I am a perfectionist. Sometimes to  a fault. I would prefer to be awesome at everything the first time that I do it. 


Reality check: Not gonna happen. The chain stitch hates me.


I learned to embroider by reading online articles and watching videos by Wendi Gratz. I have make lots of cute things that I adore having in my studio and have even designed my own pattern. I support other stitchers by buying patterns and reading blogs...an embarrassing amount of blogs, frankly.


It occurred to me that the best way to do something is often the old school way. I mean old school...like stitch by candle light, working through a sampler old school. Granted, samplers were traditionally done by 6 year old girls way back when. The chain stitch probably loved them. (It senses my frustration, I think.)


I combined the old school with the new. Rather than being sat down by my granny, I downloaded a couple of guides to work from, one from Windflower and one from DMC. I plan on working my way completely through each guide. I whipped out an awesome vintage oval hoop from Sew Green, which is a local sewing store that is supplied by donations. It is a huge hoop and it was only $3.


I was trucking right along with some basic stitches: back stitch, whipped back stitch, split stitch, stem stitch, fly stitch, lazy daisy...and it was all going wonderfully, until I came to the chain stitch. It seems so simple. But it lies. It is an evil stitch bent on my destruction. I will show it...I am gong to pick it out and start again. Who's tough now? Anyone have any tips? Help a gal out here!

Progress to date (except the evil chain):

Going for the color spectrum theme.

Isn't that hoop awesome? LOVE it!

Marking out the lines.

Let's do this!

Sweet dreams sheep--DONE! It will have an excellent home.

The wall of cute in the sewing studio. Love the
patterns by Penguin and Fish and .Wild Olive
Still have the otter to stitch up :)

How Tuesday: Commitment Phobia

My hands are sore. Like, hurt to bend my fingers sore. My arm is tired from lifting my hammer. It is like a good workout...it is a good kind of sore. I am back in the saddle, although it has taken me a few tries each day to really get into the groove. 


Nothing, though, is permanent. I may be able to stay on the the streak and make new pieces everyday. I got a fun new tool today that will pique my interest for the immediate future. I may not though. Nothing is permanent. Okay, maybe one thing is... tattoos. Lots of my friends sport a little ink. I would, but I am not a fan of pain...or very confident about how it would age. 


I figured if I wasn't going to get one myself, I would make one. Inspired by vintage motifs, it is a tiny piece of nostalgia around your neck. I come from a line of sailors, so it seemed appropriate.

Inspired by my grandparents. My grandpa was in the Navy and
I regret never seeing his actual dog tags.
The piece is an aluminum dog tag, a copper banner, and copper rivets.

This piece is a copper heart, brass banner, and vintage chain.

First, I stamped the words onto the banner. I used a
pre-cut banner piece, but you could cut your own.
I started from the center of the piece and stamped out from there
to keep the phrase centered. 

I used my chasing hammer to deckle the edges and then
used my round nose pliers to give the banner movement.

After a dip in the liver of sulfur bath.

I used my Crafted Finding rivet tool to attach the two pieces.
I added a vintage heart charm that also reminded me of an
old-school tattoo.

The rivets from the back. Check out the finished piece at
the top of this tutorial.