Filed under: Kid Friendly Projects
I originally saw the idea in family fun but couldn’t find the heart shaped mini pans, so we decided to make crayon cupcakes!
Peel the paper off of old crayons break them in pieces and layer them in a cupcake tin. Put them in a 250 degree oven for about 30 minutes. (Family Fun said 15 minutes but that wasn’t nearly enough time when I did the project). They come out easiest by turning the pan upside down and shaking them out rather than trying to pry them out individually!
These are going to my 6 year olds class at school!
The tool posted last week? Was designed to create this necklace which requires alot of braiding and twisting of wire so you first wrap the three pieces of wire around the nails to hold them in place. The beads are from Lille, France. Not that my life is so exotic that I’ve been to Lille. Luckily, my brother travels a great deal and brought them back for me. The necklace closes in the back with a copper toggle clasp and is now available on etsy!
Filed under: General Info & Housekeeping
I made this for a specific project yesterday. If you can guess what it is used for (even in a general sense) I will send you a PDF file of 15 vintage valentines that have been shrunk to use in jewelry making projects (or cards, or other mini sized projects). Go ahead and use the comments section and let the guessing begin!
Filed under: Kitchen Magic
Traditional Mexican hot chocolate is made using a molinillo [moh-lee-NEE-oh]. The molinillo is a carved wooden tool with moving parts that works somewhat like a whisk with a part at the bottom designed specifically to break up the softened chocolate. THe molinillo becomes seasoned and makes better hot chocolate the more you use it! Mexican hot chocolate is easy to find in this part of the country, the most popular brands are La India, Ibarra, La Polar, La Popular, and Abuelitas (which is actually made by Nestle). It comes in disks that you add to milk on the stove. The disks soften as the milk heats then you use the molinillo to blend the whole thing together. If you don’t have a molinillo you can mix the softened chocolate disks and the hot milk in a blender for a few seconds. Mexican hot chocolate is richer and includes spices such as cinnamon in the blend and you can seperate out the authentic Southtown diners in San Antonio from the touristy ones by who serves mexican hot chocolate and coffee. Nestle also makes an instant Abuelita which isn’t as rich but has the nice cinammon-y flavor. I keep a box of that around to bring with me to work!
Filed under: Home and Garden
I started playing with the video feature on my digi-cam and was hoping I could get a more accurate representation of the colors I used in my living room. The colors still don’t come out true but it’s probably the closest I’ve gotten. You will see alot of South Texas/Mexican influence as well as some Asian. The fire is going in the fire place because it is under 60 degrees now, and that is considered COLD by SoTex standards!
Filed under: General Info & Housekeeping
I am doing a huge book clean out to go towards my legal fund. (The good kind of legal, but expensive nonetheless). Mark this post because lots more will be added, including other categories. All books are 8 dollars shipped book rate unless noted otherwise. Buy two or more books and get any of my ebooks free as a giftie. Buy a crapload of books and I will get you a big discount.
Beading/Jewelry Making
The Bead Directory By Elise Mann
http://www.amazon.com/Bead-Directory-Complete-Choosing-Beautiful/dp/1596680024/sr=8-1/qid=1168545322/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
It’s All About The Beads
http://www.amazon.com/Its-About-Beads-Barbara-Case/dp/0715322842/sr=1-1/qid=1168545524/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Quick and Clever Beading
http://www.amazon.com/Its-About-Beads-Barbara-Case/dp/0715322842/sr=1-1/qid=1168545524/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Making Colorful Wire and Beaded Jewelry
http://www.amazon.com/Making-Colorful-Wire-Beaded-Jewelry/dp/1596680148/sr=1-1/qid=1168545738/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Bead Fantasies II (this is a Japanese book translated into English)
http://www.amazon.com/Beading-Basics-Carole-Rodgers/dp/0896891704/sr=1-1/qid=1168545775/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Hand Felted Jewelry And Beads
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Felted-Jewelry-Beads-Designs/dp/1596680059/sr=1-1/qid=1168547295/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Hairwrapping Techniques: Creative Jewelry For Hair
http://www.amazon.com/Hairwrapping-Techniques-Creative-Jewelry-Hair/dp/0964417804/sr=1-1/qid=1168547358/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Beaded Jewelry With Found Objects
http://www.amazon.com/Beaded-Jewelry-Found-Objects-Incorporate/dp/0873496841/sr=1-1/qid=1168547401/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Fiber-Wire Beads and Jewelry
http://www.amazon.com/Fiber-Wire-Beads-Jewelry-Lisa-Vann/dp/0873494458/sr=1-1/qid=1168547635/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Art Of Seed Beading
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Seed-Beading-Elizabeth-Gourley/dp/0806978295/sr=1-1/qid=1168547676/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Illusion Jewelry (this is a very thin CanDo crafts book…2.00 shipped)
http://www.amazon.com/Illusion-jewelry-Pearson-Delores-originals/dp/1574211749/sr=1-1/qid=1168547756/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Beadwork Creates Earrings
http://www.amazon.com/Beadwork-Creates-Earrings-30-Designs/dp/1931499616/sr=1-1/qid=1168547831/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Crochet With WIre
http://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Wire-Nancie-M-Wiseman/dp/1931499772/sr=1-1/qid=1168547867/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Decorative Wirework (this has a lot of home arts projects, not just jewelry)
http://www.amazon.com/Decorative-Wirework-Decorate-Yourself-Favorite/dp/0873493729/sr=1-1/qid=1168547929/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Wire In Design (has a lot of home arts projects, not just jewelry)
http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Design-Modern-Jewelry-Crafts/dp/0873492188/sr=1-1/qid=1168547986/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Simply Beautiful Beaded Jewelry
http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Beautiful-Beaded-Jewelry-Projects/dp/1581807740/sr=1-1/qid=1168548034/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The Beader’s Guide To Color
http://www.amazon.com/Beaders-Guide-Color-Margie-Deeb/dp/0823004872/sr=1-1/qid=1168548355/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Getting Started Stringing Beads
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Stringing-Beads/dp/1931499799/sr=1-1/qid=1168548399/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Wire Jewelry In An Afternoon (the link is to the PB edition, this edition is HB)
http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Jewelry-Afternoon-Mickey-Baskett/dp/1402701322/sr=1-1/qid=1168548548/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The Joy Of Beading
http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Beading-Projects-Jewelry-Accessories/dp/0823026485/sr=1-1/qid=1168548691/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Big Book Of Beautiful Beads (this thing is a beast, it will be 10.00 shipped instead of 8.00)
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Beautiful-Beads-Jane-Davis/dp/0873497627/sr=1-1/qid=1168548738/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Simple And Stylish Bead Accents
http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Stylish-Bead-Accents-Projects/dp/0873499247/sr=1-1/qid=1168548803/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Beading With Herringbone Stitch
http://www.amazon.com/Beading-Herringbone-Stitch-Beadwork-How/dp/1883010993/sr=1-1/qid=1168548834/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Beautiful Beaded Rings
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Beaded-Rings-Stylish-Designs/dp/0715322931/sr=1-1/qid=1168548907/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The Impatient Beader
http://www.amazon.com/Impatient-Beader-Margot-Potter/dp/1581807627/sr=1-1/qid=1168548950/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The Seed Bead Book
http://www.amazon.com/Seed-Bead-Book-Step-Step/dp/1581806760/sr=1-1/qid=1168549016/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
100 Beaded Jewelry Designs
http://www.amazon.com/Beaded-Jewelry-Designs-Easy-Bead/dp/1931499993/sr=1-1/qid=1168549051/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Creative Beads From Paper and Fabric
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Beads-Paper-Fabric-Ready-Made/dp/1571203141/sr=1-1/qid=1168549083/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Journaling/Creativity/Home Arts
The Writer’s Path
http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Path-Guidebook-Creative-Exercises/dp/1580081606/sr=1-1/qid=1168549121/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The New Stencil Book
http://www.amazon.com/New-Stencil-Book-Over-Motifs/dp/1552092992/sr=1-1/qid=1168547244/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The Artful Journal
http://www.amazon.com/Artful-Journal-Spiritual-Quest/dp/0823003205/sr=1-1/qid=1168548658/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Drawing, Painting, Rubber Stamping
The Drawing Book
http://www.amazon.com/Vest-Book-Customize-Embroidery-Techniques/dp/0801986486/sr=1-2/qid=1168547443/ref=sr_1_2/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Stamping With Style (the link is to the PB, but this edition is HB)
http://www.amazon.com/Stamping-Style-Sensational-Decorate-Polymer/dp/1579903800/sr=1-1/qid=1168548435/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Abstract Painting
http://www.amazon.com/Abstract-Painting-Techniques-Vicky-Perry/dp/0823095428/sr=1-1/qid=1168548606/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Creative Rubber Stamping Techniques
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Rubber-Stamping-Techniques-Maryjo/dp/0891348786/sr=1-1/qid=1168548868/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Etc.
Artist’s Complete Health And Safety Guide
http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Complete-Health-Safety-Guide/dp/1581152043/sr=1-1/qid=1168545383/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
Lady With An Alien (Uncorrected Proof, Paperback) (6.00 shipped)
http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Alien-Encounter-Leonardo-Encounters/dp/082300323X/sr=8-1/qid=1168545430/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
The Wedding (Uncorrected Proof, Paperback) (6.00 shipped)
http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Encounter-Jan-Eyck-Encounters/dp/0823004074/sr=1-1/qid=1168545483/ref=sr_1_1/104-1988945-1987167?ie=UTF8&s=books
I made Beryl Taylor’s paper fabric last night. My original plan was to cut it into ATC’s but it looks so pretty on a large scale. I may cut it into 8×10s and frame some squares of it for myself, my mom, etsy, whoever wants one instead.
Let me tell you how it’s done!
All apologies to Beryl for anything I did wrong based on her original instructions. (Buy her book. For serious, y’all.)
I took a large sheet of unbleached muslin and layed it over garbage bags on the table. (I actually trimmed it up after I finished the process, it was easier to get a clean cut then by laying it on my tile floor and cutting it using the grout line as a straight edge.)
I layered the whole piece of fabric with Mod-Podge (Beryl’s exact directions were PVA or thinned white glue) and while the Podge was still wet covered the fabric, with spaces in between with joss paper from the Hong Kong City Mall in Houston.
I added another layer of Podge then covered the whole piece with randomly ripped and crumpled white tissue paper. (Beryl didn’t specified ripped and crumpled, but I like lots of texture.) While everything was still wet, I brushed on a blue dye and water mixture over the whole thing. I had one long joss piece that didn’t blend as well as the others so I went heavier on the dye in that area to blend it in more. It looks better in person than it photographed.
That’s it!
Filed under: Home and Garden
I love buying art! There is quite a bit of affordable art out there including signed prints and small originals such as A2’s and ACEO’s. Over the years I have collected a number of small pieces (nothing bigger than 11 x14 framed) and have dedicated an entire long wall in my bedroom to my gallery. I’ve done all my own framing of these smaller pieces, purchasing precut mats, and floating odd sized pieces on a matboard background before framing. I also buy really inexpensive wooden frames from Wal-Mart, craft stores, and thrift stores and paint them all a matching matte black. If the framing costs under $5.00 then you have more money for more prints!
There are a couple that I have purchased on Ebay without knowing who the artist was, but for the most part, I have purchased prints and small originals by artists whose work I have followed and admired (this includes art by my children that I have framed as well!) such as: Megan Noel, Melissa Robinson, Sark, and Judy Wise.
I’m participating in a valentine charm swap and these are what I’m making (I still have to make several more…it’s a BIG swap). I started with plain wooden disks from Michaels and painted them black. I decoupaged corozon loteria cards on the front of each one (that I sized especially on the computer to make them fit). Then I sprayed them with Krylon triple thick glaze. I drilled a small hole in the top and in the bottom of the wooden block, and set an eye pin in each hole with E6000. I added a glass heart bead to a head pin and attached it to the bottom eye pin with a jump ring and added a larger jump ring to the top eye pin. They are big enough to wear as a pendant!Does anyone want to see more step by step pictures? I can take them when I make the next batch!
Filed under: Linky Goodness
Check out what the Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild made using this project as an inspiration!
I’m lobbying to become an honorary member now, after all I went to the University of Oklahoma!!
