Post 257

From the looks of my craft table (see post where I showed the box with the flowers), there is a serious need to clean before I start my next project.  I just don't get how it gets so bad so quickly.  I am like a human tornado. LOL. K

post 255 - 256

Woot! Tried a new technique to me that I saw on the The Gentleman's Crafter blog.  I loved the frame he made on his blog using a technique he called candling.  It is where you paint your frame a color then when it is dry you rub a candle along the edges and parts of the frame. Then you paint another coat of a different color over the top. When that dries you sand the frame and the parts where there was wax, the top layer of paint will come off revealing the bottom layer.  Afterwards I rubbed distress ink over the whole frame.  For my spin, I downsized the overall frame and embellishments.  He said he put about $20 into the $1 frame.  I decided to go cheaper.  A.  I used only what I had in my stash.  B.  I substituted the ranger paints for the paint I had in my drawer that I had gotten on sale two bottles for a $1.  I used about less than a quarters worth of paint for the whole frame.  The most expensive part were the metals which came out to about $3 then about .75 for the Prima flowers. I put some scrap paper in where the picture goes so it has a finished look when I ship it. So even though it was all from my stash (free) it was roughly $5 all together in materials.  Not to bad 1/4 of the cost.  Now I do have to say - I absolutely love his version though - it was a true inspiration.

post 231-254

So I really am not good about posting, but I do have a few things to post for today.  For a swap I made my partner a pink wreath.  Anyone who knows me knows I don't do pink.  I thought this was going to be really painful, but it wasn't.  I really like how it came out.  I also made her some burlap flowers as her favorite shape is a flower.  I also wanted to give her some of the left over rosettes from the wreath.  I wanted a way to present these so they made it through shipping and weren't just tossed in the bottom of the box.  So I decided to do a presentation of sorts.  So I decided to make an altered cigar box to put them in along with the prima's from her wish list.

post day 195 - 230

Oh I have been bad about posting.  But I have crafted up a storm.  It seems like I said I was going to slow down, but haven't much.  I keep forgetting to take pictures before I send swaps.  I need to document better what I am creating.  I think it is interesting to see how your tastes change over time, the projects that you have accomplished, and the skill level changes.  I just finished a swap on the cmb that I absolutely loved.  I made a steampunk themed swap, but only took a picture of one of the items. :(  I really wish I documented the mini as I love how that turned out.

So here is the steampunk banner I made and some altered keys I made for another swap.  Keep in mind this is the first set of altered keys I have ever made.

day 168 to 194 - oops

Okay..... I have been crafting every single day.  Too much in fact.  I was trying to catch up from being sick and crafting my heart out in some major Christmas swaps.  Those are all done.  I am now in 2 on the mb and a few private swaps.  Much more manageable for sure.  I need to try the daily posting thing again.  I just made another wreath for my mother for Christmas.  Should have four more done. ...but we will see at least I got that one done. 

I have started on a few projects for the all homemade swap on the cmb and I have to say I am loving how they are coming out.  I like really having the time without feeling rushed.  :) 

I'll post more pics soon.  Who knows...maybe I will get back in the habit of posting daily.  One could only hope.

DAY 155 - 167 I AM BACK - COMPUTER FIXED

YIPPPPPPEEEEE!   I can post pics again.  I have been a crafting fiend lately.  I just love how my latest project came out.  I made it for the 12 days of Christmas Swap for 2 turtle doves. That is a hard swap to come up with ideas to fit the themes.

I think I am getting my crafting mojo back....here it is  (Il  still stink at taking pictures) K

Day 133 - 154

Wow, three weeks have gone by since I last posted.  I need to get back into the habit of posting daily.  I apologize.  Well computer issue was a little more complicated that the card reader stopped working.  The motherboard went out.  So I am to get it back next week.  It will be nice to start posting projects again.

I ended up being sick for about three and a half weeks - so during that time I didn't get a whole lot of crafting done.  I would usually go in and do 5 minutes or so and then be done.  I did do each day though.  It was tough to convince myself to do it.  I did finish quite a few swaps in the last three weeks though.  I am still not happy with my dress forms - I don't think it was up to my par, but it is too late to do anything about that now.

I have learned through this process too much is a good thing and I am pretty swapped out.  I have few more swaps to finish, then I am going to take a break for a little while.  I will do a private swap I have already committed to though.  I think what I may switch to for a while is the challenges on the circle mb blog and on the regular board.

My initial goals I wanted to create more - check; use stash - yes and no (I have been buying more than I am using - but I am definitely using) - trying new techniques - not as much as I would like to.

I just hosted a scavenger hunt on the mb.  Everyone looked for techniques and tutorials on projects.   My goal will to be to start trying some of them that appeal to me.

I will try to get better at posting.

Kel