Crafty

Posted: July 14, 2011 | Author: Mika | Filed under: Bridge to Terabithia | 3 Comments

To begin with, I’m not entirely convinced that we can use “crafty” to mean “proficient at creating crafts.” I still think of it as, you know, sneaky.

That being said, it has been largely appropriated as a term denoting creativity. Which is why I feel like it’s excusable to use it in that sense. I want to show you a few more projects I might do, if I’m ever in a crafty mood.

Honeycomb storage shelves. I don’t think we actually have anywhere to put these, or enough decorative Things to fill the shelves up. But I love love Love hexagons right now.

Recovering a car seat. No, I don’t have a sewing machine. No, I don’t really know anything about sewing.

Suminagashi for kids. Have you ever tried paper marbling? I do remember doing it in my 11th grade art class, but we did an end-paper style – I like the modern shapes here.

Painting with leaves. Um, is it rude if I think I could make a way cooler painting than this?

Birds pillow cover. Technically, this is for sale on Etsy for $55.50. I can probably sew a square pillow cover, and I can definitely cut out some cute little birds and stitch them on. The Romgi is a big fan of this project.

Stamped springerle cookies. (Image 12 of 14) Unfortunately, this requires a bigger oven than I have. Anyone want to make cookies?

Fabric scrap placemats. Truth be told, I have something against placemats. Nothing against colorful geometric patterns, though. But, once again, this project calls for the use of a sewing machine…

Heirloom cut chenille baby blanket. Another sewing project. So clever, though – you put layers of flannel backing, trim between the stitching, and then toss it in the wash. It frays the fabric, making a faux chenille. Imagine all the color combinations and fun fabrics you could use.

Which crafty project would you want to do?

Galaxy

Posted: June 14, 2011 | Author: Mika | Filed under: Bridge to Terabithia, Romgi the Enigma | 6 Comments

I don’t know if you remember seeing this Imaginary Star Chart in a cookie jar earlier this year:

I loved it (obviously), and the Romgi said he really liked it. Recently I was trying to think of a Father’s Day gift for him that wasn’t too…popsicle-pencil-holder-y. You know? It turns out I’d put this on my secret list of gift ideas. Unfortunately, we don’t currently have a $100 budget for parental holiday presents – especially since I told the Romgi that all I wanted for Mother’s Day was french toast and a nap. (Both were divine.)

So, since I value my time a lot less than $100 (I sadly don’t get paid at all, for anything), I spent a few hours making my own imaginary star chart.

Of course, since I’ve looked closely at both the original painting and my own rendition, I can see how mine is inferior – which I can blame on inexperience. But you know what? I’m really, really pleased with how it turned out. In fact, this reminds me of the part in Finding Nemo (we’ve seen it a lot) where Marlin says, “I feel…happy. Which is a big deal. For me.” The Romgi has been after me lately because I’m overly critical of everything I do. This painting, though – I actually love it, and I enjoyed doing it!

It made a great early Father’s Day present to my favorite person in the galaxy.

Projects

Posted: May 25, 2011 | Author: Mika | Filed under: Bridge to Terabithia | 4 Comments

Because I rearranged some of the furniture in our living room, we have a very bare corner. I’m not sure what to do with it. Here are a few projects I’ve considered to fill the space, but in all likelihood will never do:

This fun artwork is made using a potato stamp! I really like the effect of stamping several triangles at a time so the amount of paint varies. I’d have to use small canvases, though, and I definitely don’t have room to do a triptych like this.

I may install some small Ikea shelves to display things on. The problem is, I’m not much of a Thing person – so I don’t have Things to display! But a terrarium with dinosaurs? I could see that.

Another Thing I might want to make is something similar to this Golden Lion from Etsy seller The Good Machinery. I’m leaning toward an anteater (on the off chance that I actually do this project!).

A while ago I saw this color theory project that a little kid did for Valentine’s Day cards. I’d use a different color palette and maybe frame it? Or just do it directly on a canvas?

I already have the materials to make these yarn balls. But I’m not sure if the idea will work in our living room. Yet another reason nothing gets done around here!

These paper quilt blocks are amazing. I like to think that with an X-Acto knife and some practice I could make these, or something similar. I love the look of the plain white paper.