I have been working on new original patterns for both knit and crochet...they should be coming soon. In the meantime, I am sharing a few cool things that I've found online for creative crafting.
While perusing Martha Stewart's web site today - specifically her crafts section - I came across a very fun and contemporary project that will allow you to make a 'pop' art-inspired piece of art with personal flair. The process is called "Glitter Painting".
The site allows you to upload a personal photo, and through a conversion from photo to vector graphic gives the photo a slightly contemporary and edgy feel. Application of glue and glitter takes your creation from shining to sparkling! I plan to create a piece of wall art using a picture of my darling dog, Lola. Above, an example of the original photo and the transferred vector graphic.
Please click on the above link to visit Martha's site for clear photos of the process and samples of the finished glittered look. Also, don't think only inside the 'canvas'. You could apply the same technique to a paper version and add it to a wooden tray or greeting card, etc. For more information on the photo to vector process itself, visit VectorMagic.
It was a tough day. Here I am, up at 2:30 am, honoring an obligation to 'blogtoberfest'. I have to pat myself on the back for the little accomplishments in life. As caregiver to a Mother with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease, I have an immense amount of so-called 'free time'. The problem is, it is very unfocused time. The distractions are plentiful in her day-to-day care and I have to continually remind myself that I'm choosing patience for her greater good. It can be very trying at times. Especially since I had been using this excuse of having so much free time to comfort myself over the total life change that caregiving was going to bring. I never know how much the situation is ruling me, or I am ruling the situation? I have boxes of unfinished craft projects, like my Pigurumi (pictured above). He's been in progress for literal years now. And, with three new babies in our family in coming months (and projects to finish for three baby showers), I don't see Pig's finish on the horizon anytime soon. Following all of my fellow blogtoberfesters, visiting blogs new to me, has really inspired me. My goal is to pull myself up by the proverbial bootstraps and make some new creativity happen...finish some projects and give birth to new creations already floating around in my head - but, not yet on paper. So, thank you to all my new blog friends out there for the inspiration! The wealth of talent out there is staggering. Craft, and blog, on!
There are so many resources out there, in the world wide web, for ways in which to use those pesky plastic shopping bags. Many times I have encountered recycled projects made from "plarn"...plastic yarn gleaned from such bags. I even have my own knitted plarn lunch bag in progress - a weighty project by the time you cut the bags and piece the yarn loops together. Still, recycling is always worth it in this plastic world in which we live. Not to mention, plarn can be introduced to water and is therefore not only more durable than some fibers, but more easily washed. I was perusing knit/crochet tutorials on youTube today, and found a wonderful posted podcast from "Make Magazine" on how to fuse plastic bags for extra durability and then create a fabulous messenger bag by sewing your new 'fabric' together. Hope you check it out. If you're a fiber artist and not a sewer, extend yourself to learn a new craft! The worst that can happen is that perhaps your bag will be lopsided! lol
You can download the pdf version of the project instructions at
