I use 24 pop tabs, (pre-washed in soapy water, rinsed and dried) and two elastic hair bands from our local dollar store. I can get a package of 8 for a dollar, for four bracelets. Usually they are assorted colors, so I have to combine two colors.

Cut the hair bands on one side of the metal clamp and tie two together at the opposite end. Use the metal ends for threading, they prevent fraying. Weave together two layers of pop tabs, with the sharp edges sandwiched between.

Note: after doing ALOT of these here is a tip.  I place the tabs one way on the top and the opposite way underneath. They are slightly tapered and if you just randomly put them on it can make the bracelet kind of wonky. 

To finish I just join the ends in the same manner, then I continue one set past the first tabs. This kind of creates a “lock” of sorts.  Tie off the elastics, knot the ends of each and trim off, and dot the ends with glue or fray check. That’s it, you’re done! 

If you want to get fancy, add charms or buttons, criss-cross the elastics to make “X’s”.  Black 1/4″ flat elastic gives a really cool look that is appropriate for guys.  I don’t leave frilly ends on those, I tie them off and turn the knot to the inside. Once you start these, they’re like potato chips, you just can’t stop.

Have a great day, and watch for more pop tab creations, I’ve got some fun ones! Piece out, Lyn

You know how you bring home loose change and never do anything with all those pennies?   Well, I’ve been seeing people do floors and table tops with them, and well, see, I was supposed to be cleaning my crafting room, and I found this mirror, and wham! It hit me! Glue some pennies on it!

The mirror was from the local Goodwill store, I had picked it up a while ago thinking it would be cute painted or decoupaged, or something.  It was brand new, had an IKEA sticker on the back, and was two bucks. Score!  I didn’t paint or stain or do anything to it before gluing. I’m into instant gratification.

I layed out a couple rows of pennies, you could be more precise and do the measuring thing, but again, who has time for that?  Once I could see that it was going to be pretty close I started gluing at one corner and worked my way around. The glue was just a clear craft glue, super tacky.  I used all the pennies in my little bank I keep on the bathroom counter, then raided another jar, and finally had to scrounge a couple more from hubby’s stash. I let it dry, put a hanger on it, and voila! Copper art.

You can see it doesn’t quite line up on the bottom edge, there’s a little bit of the wood showing, but I put the hanger on the other end because the eye usually goes to the top of the piece when you’re seeing it.  It doesn’t really bother me at all.  I did play with lining them up evenly vs. the alternated rows that I finally decided on.  I like it. I was a little concerned about them going off the frame but the glue is really good and holds like cement.

I was inspired by a post I saw on Pinterest.com posted by sugarbeecrafts.com.  If you haven’t been there, I highly suggest it, but be forewarned – it is an addiction like no other.  In any event, I have added about a bazillion projects to my already bloated list of things I absolutely have to try.

Apparently, office supply stores can make really big photocopies – like bigger than 8 1/2 x 11. (I always suspected as much)  I took a photo on a flash drive to my local copy store and had them make a 2 ft x 3 ft print – called engineers prints- in black and white.  I requested two right away in case I had problems- it’s my day off, I might not get out of my jammies to go back to town.  Total cost – $7.80 each.  Prices may vary, check your local store.  They do offer color copies also but at a substantially higher price ~ >$30.  I like the black and white look anyway, it seems more artsy.

From there to the local home improvement store to buy a 4×8 sheet of rigid foam insulation.  Here is where I learned a few things: 

a) they do not sell them in smaller sizes

b) if you talk really nice and bat your eyes you can talk a store employee into cutting it into pieces for you 

c) the foam is really light and the wind will knock the heck out of you when you try to nonchalantly carry it across the parking lot

d)two 4×4 pieces still will not fit into a small-midsize Kia Optima 

e)when you try to fit it into your car people will watch but not offer to help

f)see step C above

g)you can’t get in the out door until a customer comes out of the store

h)you are going to be later getting home than you originally told your hubby and he will have walked to the neighbors to watch the football game without you.

To do the project:  Cut the foam insulation to fit your picture size. Use a razor knife and straightedge.  The foam I had was printed on one side, so I decided to use the back of it as the right side because I didn’t know if the printing would show through the photo.  Score repeatedly with the razor.  I  found my razor had some ‘drag’ and left a ragged edge, but when I snapped the foam to break it the backside had a cleaner break. I’m ok with the bumpy edge, it gave it a  little bit of a stone-ish look, but if you want that edge to be nicer cut from the back.

Paint the edges of the foam with black acrylic paint (spray paint will ‘eat’ the foam) and let dry. (that’s what took the longest of this whole project)  Spray adhesive the back of the photo and the front of the foam piece according to the product directions.  Place the photo onto the foam – this wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. I started at one end and rolled the photo down onto the foam, pressing out air and burnishing as I went.  I was off by a smidge, but it’s not noticable. 

That’s it! Hang your artwork! It’s lightweight, I used Command picture hanging strips, you could use velcro, or wire, or lean it up against a wall or fireplace.

I am so thrilled with this project I can picture this cool artwork all over the house.

Here’s one more hint from today: suspend your paintbrush from a dowel to let it dry after cleaning it. 

clean and dry your paintbrush

no drips on my countertop

Let your imagination go wild!

Lyn

 After having spent some rather frustrating time working on transferring all our files and website stuff I believe it is all here now (WHEW!).  If you should happen to encounter any broken links or are unable to access something please drop a comment and I will address it right away.  In honor of a perceived successful transition I decided to share a newsletter column from 2004 that kind of expresses the way my day started off.  It’s from the Something Silly page, and feel free to borrow anything off there for your local newsletters, but please be sure to note where it came from.

February 2004

I had to call for some computer support the other day, and I wasn’t very happy with the way I was talked to on the phone.  First, this guy tried all this techno-babble like, “did you discombobulate the terminal modulator to the whos-it?”  Wha??  Uh, yeah, I did that.  Then, when it became apparent that we weren’t brain-melding he dumbed it way down.  (Why do people talk slower when they do that?)  “Click on the icon on your screen that has the little envelope, like a mailing envelope.”  Got it.  I was feeling a bit indignant and it was really hard to be nice.  Next time I’m in that situation maybe I’ll just play a little mind game of my own.  “No, but can you calculate the measurement of the side triangles for an on-point quilt?….I didn’t think so.”  At the auto-repair shop – “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you the last time my tires were rotated but I do know how to speed piece a couple dozen Ohio Star blocks in an afternoon.”  So there.  And how about at the local home improvement store, “Ma’am, what side of the whatchamathingie is the dweebolator leaking from?”  “Why, I’m not sure, but I can tell you this much, my presser foot is calibrated to produce a precise ¼” seam allowance.  And don’t call me ma’am.”  (or I’ll have to sic my feed dogs on you)  So, next time you’re feeling a bit patronized use some of that quilting jargon to put ‘em in their place. Face it, ladies, we can’t all know everything about everything, but we do know quite a lot about some things.  ;0)

The class we taught – Where the Hex are my Needles – was very successful, all participants finished their projects in record time.  If you’re looking for little quickie gifts for your quilting or sewing friends there are kits still available for $15.  The hex’s sew up quickly, add a button and elastic, a couple of felt pages, and you have a sweet little needle case that stores flat and keeps those pesky sharps out of the living room furniture. There is enough fabric and wool felt in the kit to make one Hex needle case.

Kits still available!

So pardon me for not spending alot of time on here today, I need to get into my room and create, create, create!  Stay inspired ladies! PIECE OUT

Lyn

Second, this Sock Monkey thing… it all started as a goofy caffeine induced giggle fit with a good friend over a sock monkey fat quarter.  Then it turned into the Block of the Monk quilt.  After that I became known as Sock Monkey Lyn (a fellow guild member was asked if she was me at a large state quilt show). Before you know it I started getting gifted with sock monkey everything.  I have pot holders, dish towels, coffee mugs, books, pictures, etc, and I love each and every one of them as if they were my own children (sorry kids!).  NOW, as if that wasn’t enough, I made a Sock Monkey knitted hat.  OK, I didn’t make one, I made four.  So far. They just make me smile!

So anyway, I did write up a pattern although I confess I am not a knitting pattern writer, per se.  This is what I would call a beginner project – easy peasy.  And fast.  As far as the size…. well,…*I can only guess that it’s about a 6 mo to 24 mo size.  Unfortunately I don’t have any little people around and seriously, I am not going down THAT road again…  As soon as I see the neighbor out walking with her little girl I’ll chase them down and try it on her. 

*I snagged a couple of moms at the quilt show and tried the hat on their little ones.  The worsted weight monkey hat (shown) is most likely a 0-6 mo size.  The same pattern using bulky yarn and a size 8 needle fits a 15 month old, and the same bulky yarn with a larger needle fits ……. me! OK, it’s snug, so it would probably be ok for adolescents and teens.  Directions are the same for all three and included on the pattern.

If you would like to try the pattern I am offering it as a challenge:  purchase the pattern, make one and donate it to your local hospital nursery/ peds department/ or a charity of your choice. Send me a picture when it’s done and I’ll send you a free pattern for another project. After that you can make as many monkeys as you want.  Seriously. I dare you to stop at one.

The pattern is $4.99.  The bad news is I don’t know how to set it up as an automatic download (I’m a crafter, not a computer pro), so I will have to email you the file.  I apologize for the wait, but I do check my email daily usually more than once.  The good news is, because it’s a digital file there’s no shipping or handling charges.  Thanks for your patience.  PIECE OUT

Here’s what’s coming up:  Donna has a new design in the works for The Quilter magazine and it will be out very soon.  There will be contact information for you to order kits.

The last weekend in October is the 2011 Treasures of Tomorrow quilt show in Marshfield, WI.  For information and registration forms check the site at www.piecemakers.org. We will be teaching a quickie one-hour class with our What the Hex papers. Don’t miss it!

For now, I think I’ve learned as much as my brain can handle today.  Time to get dressed (I’m still in my jammies!) and head to the sewing room.  See if you can squeeze in some mental health time today too.  PIECE OUT.