Pledging Beanies - Year 2, Update 1

I'm off to an alright start.  Last week, I finished two hats, this week, I started one.  So 8 days in, I'm at 2.5 of 12+ complete.

Here's the progress so far.

Hat 1.  Blue and Blue Gray Acrylic Yarn with Green Loom:

Hat 2:  Blue Gray Acrylic Yarn. Crocheted Slouchy Hat.

And the progress of Hat 3: Purple Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn - Red Loom

I plan to update on the blog about every week or two.  However, I update the facebook page after each finished hat.  I also plan on sharing occasional links on the Rad Linc Crafts facebook page.

Happy Beanie Making!

More interesting posts to come soon, promise.

Pledging Beanies, Year 2

Wow, I can't believe it's already been a year since I did my "pledging beanies" campaign. Last year, I decided to make a personal goal to pledge 10 beanies for an organization called HeadHuggers.   HeadHuggers is an organization run by a very nice lady, Sue Thompson, who collects handmade beanies, and distributes them to chemo patients, burn victims, or really whoever needs them.  Last year, as I made the pledge, a few of my friends joined in and also volunteered to make beanies with me.  My campaign goes on for a full 2 months starting December 1st all the way through to January 31st.  I generally package up my hats and send them off in February.

So, in a few days, I plan to start making hats.  This year, I pledge to make 12+ beanies.  If you'd like to join in, all you need to do is make hats, and send them to headhuggers. You can post pictures of the hats you plan to send on the Rad Linc Crafts facebook page.   I plan to post updates on the hats that we make, so I can't wait to see pictures.  The beanies can be crocheted, knitted, loom knitted, or sewn.

On another notes, I think, since this is our second annual campaign for beanies, I want a new name for my pledging beanies campaign.  Any thoughts on a good name?

A special thanks to those who have pledged in the past, or who have pledged this year, to make a beanies.  :)

For more information about HeadHuggers, visit the HeadHuggers page:  http://www.headhuggers.org/

Stocking Gift Card Holder

I've kinda thought that gift cards are a bit impersonal when it comes to gift giving. However, it's very convenient, and generally well accepted, so it works. This gift card holder gives a bit of personality to the gift card you give. This holder would also work well for a small gift.

1.  First create a template of the size of stocking you will be using.

2.  Fold a bit of fabric, right side together

3.  Trace your template onto the folded fabric and pin fabric together.

4.  Cut the folded fabric.

5.  You should now have two pieces of stocking shaped fabrics with right sides facing together, and pinned. Fold down (into the wrong side) the top of each fabric by about half an inch and pin (see image).

6.  For each fabric, sew down the folded top.

7.  If you've unpinned the fabrics, pin them back right side together.

8.  Sew around the stocking.

9.  Turn the stocking right side out.

10.  Put your gift card or small gift in, and give it away. :)

Quilted Christmas Card

For me, this is the time of year when I finally decide on what I actually want to do for Christmas cards.    Here is an easy homemade card to sew up.

What you need:

- felt

- ribbon

- fabric

- tape (I used painters tape, but masking tape would work well too.  Not sure about scotch tape.)

- card stock

How to:

1. Cut a felt triangle, it doesn't have to be perfect, but make sure it fits the envelop you want to use, if you plan to place it in an envelop.

2. Cut a fabric triangle about a half inch larger (all around) than the felt.  Place felt on top of the wrong side of the fabric.

3.  Starting with the corners, fold fabric over the felt.  Tape down the corners with a small bit of tape.  Try not to tape on to the other side of the felt.  Fold in the edges.

4. Cut some card stock roughly larger than the size of the triangle.  You can cut it the size of the felt, but I found that it was difficult to sew it in place.

5.  Sew the card stock onto the back of the fabric/felt triangle.  On the very top corner, stick a ribbon loop in before sewing.

6.  Trim the card stock to the size of the triangle.

7.  Glue a piece of ribbon around the card to cover the sew line. 

8.  That's it.  You can write your message on the card stock and send it away.  

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Candy Lei

These leis are great as gifts for graduations, weddings, birthdays, or really whatever occasion.  What is nice about this kind of lei is that you can put anything you want in them, as long as their small and lightweight.

What you need:

- cellophane
- items to put in the lei (I've put in candy, little bubble bottles, small matchbox cars, and for adults: small bottles of liquor).
- curling ribbon
- (optional) ribbon for aesthetics -- perhaps school colors if this lei is for a graduation

Here's what you do:

1. Cut cellophane to about 6 inches x 6 feet (this size can vary depending on the item you're putting in the lei, and the length of lei you want to have.)  A good test is to roll the cellophane around the fattest item, and make sure it holds in place and doesn't slip out.

If you don't want to cut a really long piece of cellophane, you can use 2 pieces of cellophane with the ends overlapping.  If you do it this way tho, it's a bit trickier to roll, and you need to make sure the overlapping pieces are between items (this is where you would tie the ribbon).

2.  With your cellophane laid out, arrange the items you want to use along the center of the cellophane.  You can add a ribbon (optional ribbon) along the length of the cellophane to add to the aesthetics.  Lay out the items with a few inches in between.  If you're using relatively heavy items, you may want to distribute the weight more throughout the lei.

3.  Carefully roll the cellophane and items so you have a tube of items.

4.  Cut several pieces of curling ribbon and use a piece to tie around the cellophane tubes between the items. I like to start in the center and work my way out.  Use a double knot to ensure that the ribbon stays in place.  Once all of the ribbons are tied on and your items are secure, you can curl the ribbons.

5.  You're almost done.  The last thing you need to do is tie the ends together.  Hold both ends together where the ribbons are tied on, and tie on one more ribbon to hold them together.  Again, use a double knot here to make sure it stays in place.  Curl the ribbon for looks.

You're done.  Your recipient will love the lei and it's contents. :)

Here is one made with small liquor bottles for my cousin's birthday

Happy Lei Making!

Wine Glass Coasters

September is National Sewing Month.  For the last day of the month, I thought I should post a sewing project.  (just barely made it -- Thank goodness I'm in PST) So here goes.

These are sewn wine glass coasters.  This is a perfect project for some coordinating fat quarters.

Materials:
- fabric square (8"x 8")  (This worked for all but one of my wine glasses - for that one, I could have used a 9"x9" square).

Here's how to make them:

1.  Fold the diagonal with the wrong side out.
2.  Sew mostly around the diagonal, leaving a small opening in the middle of one of the sides.  (I find it makes a more perfect straight edge when your opening is in the middle.
3.  Turn it inside out (or right-side out), using a pen or a dowel of some sort to make crisp corners.
4.  Iron the triangular piece.
5.  Sew a line along the long diagonal edge.
6.  Fold the 2 corners up to make a square.  If necessary, you can iron it down like this.
7.  Sew around the square.

That's it.  Your coaster is complete.  Remember to make coordinating fat quarters in a set, rather than the same fabric.  That way, it can work as a marker too (so you know which wine glass is yours).

 

Angry Birds Pinata

Last week, a group of us submitted a pinata to a pinata contest at work.  We created an angry bird from the popular video game, "Angry Birds". An entry to the contest included a pinata kit containing a bag of flour, crepe paper, ribbon and a balloon. I didn't get a chance to take pictures as we made the pinata, but here are some pictures of our bird and our setup.

It took us about 4 lunch sessions to finish the bird.
 First session:  Blowing up the balloon, making the paper mache paste (2 parts flour: 3 parts water), and covering up the balloon with paste and newspaper.  We let that dry til our next session.  I'm not sure how long it actually took to dry, maybe a day?

Second session:  We got to pop the balloon (which made the best sound ever as the balloon separated from the dried up newspaper mache form.  We began cutting the crepe paper in strips (about 6 in), and cutting slits in them.  Attaching the crepe paper moved fast and easily, because we attached three crepe paper strips together before attaching them onto the bird.  We also attached the beak and covered it with smoother uncut yellow crepe paper.

Third session:  We continued covering the bird with red and white crepe paper.  We also rolled up some crepe paper and taped it and glued it up on top (also where the balloon hole was).  This formed the top feathers of the bird.  We cut some white and black felt make the eyes and eyebrows. It was mostly complete at this point.

Fourth session:  We used black foam for the tail, made a small slit in the back, to fit it in.  Lastly, we put together some props for our display.  We included a nest with some wooden eggs painted gold and some crocheted angry birds and pigs.

We had completed our pinata, and now awaited its judgement.  We left our display and came back an hour later, where the public voting box was opened so we could cast our votes.  To our dismay, three of our golden eggs were gone.   We had no clue where they went, til someone told us that a blue jay had actually swooped down and stolen the eggs.  We did notice a blue jay in the nearby trees screaming at us while we investigated the disappearance of our eggs... now we know why. Ironically, s/he was quite angry at us.  I guess it tried to get the largest egg as well, but couldn't carry it away.  Hope it's not trying to hatch them.

Anyway, we walked away with the People's Choice Award, T-shirts, a gift certificate, and best of all bragging rights and one heck of a story to tell.  The competition was fierce and the experience was fun.  Here are pictures of the other entries.

Thanks to the Hispanic Leadership Committee for hosting the pinata contest, and a special thanks to my team members who did an absolutely amazing job with the pinata.

For more information about making your own pinata check this site out: http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/fun-games/how-to-make-pinata

Wire Rose Ring

Last year, I went to the NM Balloon Fiesta.  While there, I had the chance to check out a few of the art and crafts booths around town (and in Santa Fe). We had loads of fun, and got tons of ideas.  One of the things we saw were wire rose rings, similar to this.  Well for one reason or another, I didn't buy one.  When I came back, I had wished I had bought one.  Anyway, decided to try to figure out how to make it myself.  This site helped a good deal: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/rose-wire-ring

So, what you need:
 - craft wire (they come in great colors) about 9 or so inches (you can trim it later if you want)
 - a rod about the size of the ring you want to make. A highligher or glue-stick works well.  If you have a ring mandrel, that would be even better.

Here's how to:

1. Wrap the wire around the rod so it completes two revolutions around.
2. Where the loose wires meet, wrap wire over each other, so they interlocks.
3.  Taking one wire at a time, slowly wrap the wire around the other the interlocks on a clockwise turn.  Do only a half turn at a time, then repeat to the other wire.  After the rose is as large as you want it (maybe a full revolution for each wire), each wire should be on opposite sides of the ring.

4.  Wrap the end of the wire around one side of the ring and try to hide the end so it does not scratch you.  Do the same on the other side of the ring with the other wire.

That's it. :) Try incorporating beads to add to the design.

White Wine Sangria

This is a nice drink to enjoy on a warm summer evening.  I've tried white wine sangria before, tho this is the first time I decided to try making my own.  Strangely, I've never liked the white wine sangria's that I've tasted in the past.  And I never understood why, because I do like some white wines, and I do like fruit... so what the heck!  Anyway, I decided to make my own, with things I liked. So, I used a white wine that I like and fruits that I liked.  Turns out, I do like white wine sangria.  :)

Here's the recipe:

2 lbs cut up fruits (I chose: white peaches, tangerine, and strawberries.  You can choose pretty much whatever you want.)
2 tbsp sugar
3/4 cup triple sec
1 bottle of dry white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc.  You can choose what you like).

How to make the sangria.

1.  In a pitcher, add the fruits, and mix in the sugar, pressing on the fruit lightly.
2.  Add triple sec and mix.
3.  Wait 15 minutes
4.  Add white wine, and refrigerate from a few hours to a day.
5.  Enjoy!

Multicolored Crayons

Years ago, on accident, I made some of these multicolored crayons.  I accidentally left a couple of crayons out in the sun, and when I got to them, they were soft, so I kinda squished them together and brought them inside.  I twisted the crayons and shaped them into sticks before they hardened back up, and thus a multicolored crayon.

This time around, I made them on purpose.

What you need:
 - broken crayons
 - silicon ice mold, or a old mini muffin pan. (I haven't tried lining with cupcake paper.  I got my mold from ikea)

Here's what you do:

1.  If the crayons aren't peeled and broken, do so. This is a good way to get more life out those tiny crayon pieces, or just go to Target or Walmart during back to school shopping and get a new package for super cheap.
2.  Place the crayons in the ice mold (don't overflow or it might pour out when it melts).
3.  Put out in the sun (or if it's not a super super hot day, try in your car, just be sure to put the mold a flat, leveled surface or the melted crayon wax may drip out.)  It'll still need to be somewhat warm so that enough heat is around to soften the crayons.

4.  Once the crayons have melted together, pull them out of the heat and bring them inside and allow the crayons to harden mostly.

5. Flip the tray over to some newspaper or something. Using the silicone, you can use the other side to push out the crayon.  If you have trouble, try putting the tray into a shallow pan of hot water for a few seconds. Make sure the water doesn't hit the top of the tray, you just want to get the outer walls of the cups to heat up and release the wax crayons, it shouldn't take long.

That's it.  Once they've cooled and hardened, you can use them as any other crayon.  This also makes great stocking stuffers for kids, just package them in a clear bag and put a ribbon around.

Today Makes 3 Years! Wow!

Wow.  Today makes 3 years of blogging crafts.  Crazy how time goes, isn't it. For Rad Linc Craft's 3 Year Blogoversary, I thought I'd make a quick posts of blogs or sites that I've run across that have inspired me.  The full list is way to large to include, but here are some of my faves.

Craft
Make
Craftster
CraftGossip
Crochet Pattern Central
Crafty Pod
Dabbled
Chica And Jo
TotallyTutorials
Dollar Store Crafts
WolfDreamer

I'm sure I'm missing tons of great stuff out there.  What are some of your favorites?

Winner announced: July's Giveaway, Part Two

Awesome... so it's time to announce a new winner.  The prize for this giveaway is a Zoo Amigurumi book called "A Zoo For You", featuring 11 zoo animals to learn to crochet.

I, again, listed the names of the previous giveaway's entries followed by this giveaway's entries, and used random.org to pick the winning number.

And the winning number is 1.  Congratulations to Emily.  :-)  Get your crochet hooks ready. ;)

Emily, I'll ship the book to you in the next few days. :)

Thanks to all that has entered.  I hope to have another giveaway soon, just not sure when or what quite yet. 

New projects coming soon.  Stay tuned. :)

Unicorn Amigurumi: It's just Despicable.

I created this pattern a few months ago.  Fair warning tho, this is my very first pattern, and I've only made one unicorn.  But, I think it turned out pretty well... so I'm sharing it. (I'm quite proud of it!!!! )

Let me know if there are any mistakes and I can correct them.

A few quick notes:

* #sc + inc means sc in the next # sc’s, then 2 sc in the next sc * repeat all the way around.
* #sc + dec means sc in the next # sc’s, then skip one sc, and sc in the next sc * repeat all the way around.

Body

use white yarn. Periodically stuff with polyfill.
1.  5 sc in a magic ring
2.  2 sc per stitch
3.  1 sc + inc
4.  2 sc + inc
5.  3 sc + inc
6.  4 sc + inc
7.  5 sc + inc
8.  6 sc + inc
9.  7 sc + inc
10.  8 sc + inc
11-30.  1 sc per stitch
31.  8 sc + dec
32.  7 sc + dec
33.  6 sc + dec
34.  5 sc + dec
35.  4 sc + dec
36.  3 sc + dec
37.  2 sc + dec
38.  1 sc + dec
39 … decs until the hole is closed.

Leg (make 4)

in pink yarn:
1. 5 sc in magic ring
2. 2 sc per stitch
3. 1 sc + inc
4-7.  1 per stitch (on 4th row, backloops only)
switch to white yarn:
8-12. 1 per stitch
13. 6 dc, 1 sc, 1ss , finish off.
Stuff with polyfill before attaching

Head

use white yarn. Periodically stuff with polyfill.
1. 5 sc in magic ring
2. 2 sc per stitch
3. 1 sc + inc
4. 2 sc + inc
5. 1 sc per stitch
6. 3 sc + inc
7. 1 sc per stitch
8. 4 sc + inc
9-11. 1 sc per stitch
12. 5 sc + inc
13-15. 1 sc per stitch
switch to grey yarn.
16. 5 sc + dec
17. 4 sc + dec
18. 3 sc + dec
19. 2 sc + dec
20. 1 sc + dec
21... dec until the hole is closed

Ears (make 2)

use white yarn.
1. 4 sc in magic loop
2. 1 sc + inc
3-6. 1 per stitch
finish off leaving tail for sewing.

Neck

use white yarn.
1. Chain 15, join into a ring with ss.
2. 4 sc + inc
3. 10 dc, 10 sc, finish off with ss.
stuff with a bit of polyfill between attaching the head and the body.

Horn

use yellow yarn.
1. ch 2, 4sc into 1st ch, link back to 1st sc with ss.
2. 1 sc + inc
3. 2 sc + inc
4-8. 1 sc per stitch
finish off.
stuff with polyfill before attaching.

Eyeball (make 2)

use white yarn. Stuff with polyfill before closing.
1. 3 sc in magic ring
2. 2 sc in each
3. 1 sc in each
4... dec until the hole is closed
use black yarn.
make a french knot for the pupil.

Assembly:

Sew legs to the body, the dc’s of the leg is the outside side of the leg.
Sew the neck to the body.  The dc’s of the neck will attach to the top of the body.
Begin attaching small side of head to the body.  Half way through, stuff the neck with polyfill.
Sew bottom together when attaching ears to head
Sew to attach horn to head.
Sew to attach eyes to head.
Embroider a line between the white and grey yarn of the head using the pink yarn.
Attach pink yarn for the tail and for the mane of the unicorn.
Use pink felt for inside of ears and for tongue. For the tongue, I cut out a pill shape (like the tongue shape folded over), sewed it in on the fold line, add some glue and fold.

More pictures:

Enjoy ! :)  I'd love to see the creations if you guys follow this pattern. Feel free to post it on the flickr site.

Please do not reprint this pattern on your site or any other page.  Feel free to link to this page. :)

Random Portland Street Art

Portland seems to be a very artistic place.  While I walked around the downtown area, there was art everywhere.  Anyway, I took more pictures. :)

BTW, the free rail zone is just freaking awesome.  Kudos to Portland for having such a great rail system.  It got me where I wanted to go effectively and efficiently.

Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, OR

Recently, I went to Portland on a business trip.  This was my first ever trip to Portland, so I tried to make the most of my short time there.  Luckily, I didn't have to go far to see some pretty awesome art.  Art work was scattered around the downtown area.  Also, I gotta thank my twitter friend and fellow crafter @SisterDiane (check out her awesome blog too) who  followed thru with some awesome suggestions of crafty places to go.  I couldn't go to all of them, but I was able to go to the Museum of Contemporary Craft.

The Museum of Contemporary Craft is a nice 2 story museum located in downtown Portland. While I was there, the exhibit was "Laurie Herrick:  Weaving Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."  It was an amazing exhibit.  Laurie Herrick taught weaving for Oregon College of Arts and Crafts.  The exhibit was a collection of her work, as well as a contemporary perspective of 5 artists' interpretation of her patterns through a variety of new mediums. There's also a table of all sorts of mediums that people are invited to try weaving on cardboard looms.

I took pictures. :)

This one had incredible texture.

I love this pattern.  So simple and yet, not.

Here's the cardboard looms where you can try your hand at weaving.

Woven clothes.

Here's a closeup shot of one of them. I like how the colors mix.

I like this one too.  :)

 Here's a closeup.

This one was eye catching.  Very dimensional.

Anyway, if you're in the Portland area, you should totally check out the Museum of Contemporary Craft. The admission is only $3 and you can go through the whole place with a leisurely pace in about an hour.  There's also a store where you can buy things from local crafters.