Daily Crochet Challenge

I've start two new challenges for myself.
One: Crochet a square everyday. I have wanted to crochet this wonderful blanket that Attic 24 shared on her blog here: http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/summer-garden-granny-square.html
So far I'm right on track!

Natasha doesn't think much about my granny squares. She only has 'Scooby  snacks' on her mind!!

Driving from California to Virginia

Left my sisters house in Scottsdale about two hours ago. Heading East now...

Still in Arizona. It's so hot this rain was nice!

Wow, New Mexico is lovely!

Good morning Texas, the start of day two.

The girls slept through most of Oklahoma, Once in Arkansas I was determined to make the boarder before midnight!

  

Finally made it to the boarder of Arkansas and Tennessee sometime around 11pm.

 

On the Tennessee highway heading east. It's so green!

 

Finally made it to Virginia and oh so pretty! On highway 81 now. 

     

Accident on 81, traffic on two lanes sucks!

Wow, the country side is so pretty. Oh my, look at my windshield, so many dead bugs!

After driving for nearly three full days we (the girls and I) make it to the town house. This is them the next morning in our new place. Silly dogs.

Moving from West coast to East coast (Part 1)

The movers loading all the boxes we (good friends and myself) packed. Lots of work! Notice the plastic bins full of yarn. Hint: the clear ones!

The girls are groomed, crated and ready for road trip.

Kermit is my co pilot.

Left California at 9pm. Heading to AZ to see my sister for a few hours.

My sister's dog was very shy! After only a few hours sleep and visit, I must head out on the road again.

Arizona was very wet, north of Scotsdale. Most of my drive was like this, in AZ.

New Mexico looked very welcoming. The heat and humidity were tough though.

Good morning Texas. After driving 12 hours I stopped for a two hour nap. Woke to a Texas sunrise. Only 33 hours earlier I had left California, in the dark.

I took no more still shots until I arrived in Virginia. However, I did shoot video along the way. My next blog will feature my whole trip via video!

The Joy of Moving When You're An Artist...

One of the most frustrating things to face is moving. This is especially true when you are an artist/multimedia creative type.
The harsh reality of my 'collection' of creative media 'finds' has grown over the last 10 years.
Now the hard part sinks in, what to take and what to leave behind.
Not to mention all the other 'crafty' hobbies I have, like; Knitting, Sewing, Crochet, Wood Working, Painting, Jewelry Making, Beading, Scrapbooking, Papercrafts, Rubberstamping (10,000 worth) and countless craft books that have grown into a small library. I literally have 10 bins of yarn as well.

So I've decided to reduce my wood working supplies. And will not take cupboard for rubbers stamps. I plan to box them and sell them off. May even give many away as 'giveaway items'.

Must say, I was sad to see no one commented on my 100th post giveaway. I have SO much stuff to share too.  Oh well, I will look for other places to share I guess.

Well, back to sorting, culling and packing...

100th Post Giveaway!!!

Ta Da! I made it to 100!

Never thought I'd make it to 100~But now that I'm here, I'm inspired to host a giveaway!

To enter giveaway, simply leave a comment telling me about one of your favourite crafts you enjoy doing!

Steampunk Adventures

This gentleman gave a wonder presentation on straw hat making from the Victorian era. He had antique hats on display too that were lovely!

Here is a Mother Daughter matching pair.

I loved this hat!

Here is a back view. I love the shape of this hat. Allowing room for fashionable hair style of the day: The Bun!

A typical daily man's hat from the era. All hand woven.

Such fine workmanship!

A quick try at plaiting ourselves, using whole straw strands.

While shopping for hats at our panel presenters booth, I found this lovely hat...

So I just had to buy it!

DIY Under Bust From Homemade Pattern

I've struggled with getting a 'perfect fit' for several years. One solution; purchase patterns 'close' to my size and subtract or add inches. This works most of the time however when it comes to corsets in my costuming. It does not work at all! Happily I have found a solution. While searching a local charity shop recently, I stumbled upon a slew of brand new corsets/under busts. Mostly sizes far too small for me. Surprisingly I found one large size that was perfect in width but not in length, (I have a very shortened waist line). Solution; make pattern from store purchased corset (well in this case an underbust) and make adjustments on craft felt. It worked like a charm!!

First you need under bust to trace. I used legal sized copy paper, craft scissors, pen & measuring tape.

Then I trace it using about an inch gap from edge. This is where making adjustment to pattern to insure proper fit for my shape and size is fist done.

Once tracing is complete I...

 Pin the pattern to one piece of craft felt material.

Then I cut it out, using about an inch distance from edge of pattern.I also use fabric scissors to create smooth lines without fraying or tearing.

Once it's all cut out, I make adjustment to the cloth. Pinning and fitting upon my DIY dress form to insure proper fit. I reduce edging once I have a good fit.

Once adjustments are perfect I sew it. I bought this, nearly new, craft machine at my favourite charity shop for only $7. Yes it works perfect too! I use it on most of my 'craft' sewing projects. My costuming projects I use my regular sewing machine.

Once all sewn together I must add grommets. I found this set at Harbor Freight Tools for just under $5.

Using craft ribbon from local craft store I lace up my under bust.

And then make any adjustment that are required.

I'm very pleased with how it turned out. This is now a sturdy pattern for me to use.

I will use this to create more costumes using finer more expensive materials without risking them to mistakes. Craft felt usually runs about $4 a yard. Much more economical compared to $20 plus materials a yard!