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October 15, 2007
Rock and Roll Holiday Gifts
Holiday Gifts: Rock Star Necklaces
It is never to soon to start crafting for the holidays and here is an idea that will appeal to any music lover.
Show off your wild crafty side with a rock and roll resin necklace. You can make a whole slew of them and give them as holiday gifts or just treat yourself to a few new accessories.
These easy-to-make pieces of jewelry are embedded with guitar picks but of course you could embed them with small bits of paper, confetti shapes, tiny toys and glitter. It is endless how many different items you can embed, just make sure the item fits into the mold.
The molds are available in so many different shapes, everything from small rings and earrings to large pendants and heart shapes. Resin and mold supplies are available at craft shops and online retailers.
Have fun creating your own rock and roll style and be careful, resin jewelry is addicting!
Materials:
Easy Cast resin
mold-release spray
plastic measure/mixing cups
vinyl gloves
wood stir sticks
mold
foam paintbrush
tweezers
guitar picks or items to embed
ball chain necklace
hand or electric drill
1/16" drill bit
18- or 20-gauge wire
round-nose pliers
1. Prepare the mold with a mold-release spray.
2. Wearing protective gloves, carefully measure equal amounts of resin and hardener into a plastic measure cup. make sure you do not use a wax-coated cups.
3. For EasyCast to blend chemically, it must be mixed together in two stages. Combine resin and hardener according to package directions and stir for two full minutes.
4. Quickly pour resin into a mold until mold is half full.
5. Brush the guitar pick or object that will be embedded with resin (hold object with tweezers and apply resin with a foam brush ). Next, set the object in the half-filled mold, face down.
6. Fill the remainder of the mold with resin. Fill to just below the top of the mold to prevent a lip of resin forming at the edges. If bubbles form, use a hair dryer and pass heated air quickly over the surface to remove bubbles. Be careful, though: excess heat can melt or warp plastic molds.
7. For best results, cast pieces should cure at temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal cure for castings that are 1/2" thick is 72 hours for hard cure.
8. When the item has cured, release it from the mold. Rigid plastic molds can usually be twisted slightly to break the cast pieces free; pushing in from the back side of the mold will also help.
9. Drill a small hole in the top of the pendant using a 1/16" drill bit; use a small file to smooth hole edges.
10. Thread a 5" piece of wire through the hole, form a small loop and wrap the base of the loop with the end of the wire. Add the pendant to a ball chain necklace.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 12:19 PM | Comments (5)
October 3, 2007
I always bake in high heels and sequins!
This apron can stir up the fun in the kitchen...so grab your needles and get crafty.
The fabric is by Alexander Henry Fabrics, I just adore this print. It is so punky and cute at the same time. (perfect for a Halloween apron) I also used the print in my new book, dog costumes (working title), in the rockers chapter. The fabric is named Robo Skulls. I bought the fabric at Jo-anns and I saw it online here.
The pattern was slightly modified from butterick pattern. I shortened the skirt section, fulled lined the apron and I omitted the pockets. I also added sequin trim to the apron. butterick pattern number B4087
Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:45 AM | Comments (3)
October 2, 2007
Witch Crafts is one to watch says FOX & Yahoo!
I am so thrilled! Many papers and the AP are reporting that Witch Crafts, 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights are the shows to watch! Woo Hoo!
Thanks to the Dallas News, Seattle Times and Hartford Courant for the nice write ups too!
Yeah for crafty TV!
Posted by cathieandsteve at 2:56 PM | Comments (3)
Fall is here - time to cozy up!
I adore this time of year. The leaves are starting fall and I am beginning to feel the crisp in the air. Last week I packed away all my summer decorations and this week I am replacing them with cozy fall and Halloween decor.
The chill in the air is begging for a bowl of homemade squash soup and a toasty grilled cheese sandwich. Of course I love soup all year long, but this time of year my belly begs for it, and it goes perfect with my new centerpiece.
I am off to the grocery store! Be sure to tune in for Witch Crafts! (noon eastern) Today's episode is easy costume making - we have adult costumes, really cute kids ideas and even costumes for your pooch. Also new episodes of Creative Juice are airing on DIY! (3:00 eastern) Today's episode is Global Shipping
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
Ingredients:
1/2 medium butternut squash -- roasted, skin discarded
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 pound carrots, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 two-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
4 cups water or chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon. salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, stirring until the onion turns translucent. Pour in the water or chicken broth, and add squash, carrots, and ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook for at 30-40 minutes, or until the carrots and ginger are tender.
Use an immersion blender or a counter-top model to puree the mixture. Boiling water can be added if necessary to thin the soup, but this is meant to be a thick creamy soup. Pour the soup back into the saucepan and heat thoroughly. Season with salt, pepper and cinnamon.
Ladle the soup into a tureen or serving bowls, and pour a thin swirl of cream over the top as a garnish.
FALL CENTERPIECE
What you'll need:
foam balls
mini glue gun
dried beans (pinto, black, kidney, etc)
craft knife/kitchen knife
candle
marker/pen
piece of felt
tacky glue
Making bean covered balls:
1. Starting in the middle of the ball, hot-glue beans to the ball, making sure to work in a straight line across the surface.
Making candleholders:
1. Cut a slice off of a foam ball; this will provide a base for the candleholder.
2. Set the ball on its newly cut base and check to make sure the base is stable. Hold the candle on top of the ball and trace around the outside of the candle. Cut around traced area until the center pops out. Push the candle into the hole.
3. Remove the candle and glue on beans. Place a piece of felt over the (bean-free) base of the ball. Cut around the felt until it fits over the base of the ball.
4. Using tacky glue, glue the felt down over the base. Felt will prevent the foam from possibly scratching a table surface. Stick pieces of cloves in spaces between beans to add fragrance. Place the candle in the candleholder.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:20 AM
October 1, 2007
Crafty up a Tombstone!!!
Wanna spooky way to dress up your yard this Halloween? Craft up a tombstone or two. They are really easy to make and by using stone spray paint you will get a very creepy and real look.
Be sure to tune in for Witch Crafts on DIY! Click here for details
Happy October!
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 1:40 PM | Comments (2)
