Category: Craft

Starting something new

On By CarynIn Craft

I bought a felt sewing kit two years ago, and just found it again while I was looking for something else. Since I have a dozen works in progress, what is one more? I really did try to put in back in the storage space, but it called to me. The first step was reading through the instructions (yes, I’m one of those), then prepping the materials and finding a project bag. I used bobbins cut from waste plastic to sort and hold the embroidery thread, and a small pill holder for the sequins and beads. The instructions suggest a plate, but I know myself and at the first distracted moment I would bump the plate and send seed beads all over the room. So I keep them on lock down. Yes, it takes a little longer to open the case, get out a bauble, then close the case, but it is better than picking them up off the floor and separating out the cat hair.

Photo description: “Holiday Housecats” felt kit with embroidery thread on bobbins, sequins and beads in a pill box, and a project bag with the needles threaded into the hem

Now to see how long it holds my attention and how long it takes to finish.

Sprucing up signs

On By CarynIn art, Craft, Life Hack

My chorus had a couple old signs in storage that had old versions of logos and were in need of some TLC. The flexible vinyl sign had been stored folded and had some tape residue.

Photo description: tape residue on a vinyl sign
Photo description: sticky residue removed with Goo Gone

Goo gone removed the glue spots and some time with a hot hair dryer smoothed out some of the creases. We are now going to store it rolled up, rather than folded.

Photo description: masking tape outlining a star shape inside the existing star

We updated our main logo recently to add a white star inside the two gray stars, which gives it a nice pop. My Cricut cutter can’t cut quite big enough to make a white sticker star, so I masked off the star and painted it with four layers of white acrylic paint. My cutter could do the new Sweet Adelines International logo and our website address.

Photo description: vinyl sign updated with web site address, SAI logo, and white center star

We also had a rigid plastic sign that had an old SAI logo and slogan. I used white adhesive vinyl to go over the whole top of the sign, and used my Cricut cutter to cut out the new version of the logo.

Photo description: old plastic corrugated board sign
Photo description: large plastic corrugated board sign with updated SAI logo and white center star

Coconut fiber shredding

On By CarynIn Craft

My coconut husks ended up soaking for three days until I could get back to the project. I took the bucket outside and used my hands to tear open the clumps to free the husk particles from the fibers.

Photo description: shredded coconut fiber next to the soak bucket

After pouring the soak water over garden plants, I put the shredded fiber back in the bucket and rinsed it several times. There is still some particulate matter, but the majority rinsed away. I spread the fiber out on a drying rack hanging inside.

Photo description: coconut fiber spread out on a mesh drying rack

I have to note that the coconut fiber and husk has no discernible smell to me, even after soaking for three days.

Throwback Thursday: Best DIY card holder

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

In December 2015 I made my youngest a playing card holder from thin card board and duct tape.

Photo description: card board and “Minion” duct tape card holder sitting on my knees holding thirteen playing cards

The concept is simple, a slot made from two folds of card board, the back fold slightly higher than the front, then a wide base so the cards stay steady. The duct tape holds it all together. I left the card board exposed where the cards are inserted, so the cards will slide in and out easily.

Photo description: side view of the same card holder ten years later, looking a little worn, but still perfectly functional

My youngest can use this to play Uno, even when the hand has nearly thirty cards. I am amazed that it is still working well ten years after I made it, and that it gets frequent use.

Unexpected result

On By CarynIn Craft

I wet down my recently nålbound hat with soap and water to do light fulling (locking wool fibers together in fabric) and was quite surprised when the stitches relaxed and the hat lengthened.

Photo description: nålbound hat before fulling and blocking
Photo description: same hat after lightly fulling and blocking

I intentionally made the hat larger because I know that wool hats shrink with wearing because of the natural fulling process from moisture and movement. I agitated the hat in the gentle soap and water to deliberately start the felting process, not expecting that much change with the Oslo stitch I used. I wanted the hat to be a slouch hat with folded brim, so really it came out remarkably well, serendipitously.