Happy Mug Visits The Library

Early this year I joined an online photography group that challenged members with a different assignment each week. It was fun and I looked forward to it. It forced me to try new things with my camera and got me out of the house during the cold winter months.  Recently while going through my photos from earlier this year I remembered the assignment starting January 23rd. It was "Composition Contrast" meaning have your subject in an unusual environment. I decided my happy mug would be a good subject and stashed it in my purse while visiting the library.  Here are the results:

As I look back at these images I recognize how bad the lighting was, and some other technical issues I'm not pleased about but it is part of the learning curve.

This website no longer does these types of assignments. Too bad - I really enjoyed them.  I've tried a couple of others, but they haven't been nearly as much fun. Maybe I should start one myself!

Photo frame; Greeting cards; Photo transfer onto glass

Finally getting around to sharing a few more crafts I've had fun with.

First up is a photo frame for my new grandson Ben.  I really enjoy working with plastic canvas.

Plastic canvas; embroidery floss; beads

I've also been finding more patterns to make "Iris Folded Greeting Cards".  I have two new friends from Bowling that are celebrating their birthday next week.  They are both named "Barb" and were born on exactly the same day.  One is 11 hours older and of course the younger one keeps reminding her of that! Anyway I wanted to personalize a birthday card for each and because one enjoys jigsaw puzzles and the other opera I came up with these.

"It's a puzzle to me...how do you stay so young?"

Sidney Opera House

Then, I saw something about transferring photos to glass and investigated a bit further.  The process is not hard and I really like the results:

• Need black and white photos - with lots of contrast!
• Must be copied or printed on a laser printer (ink jet won't work)
• Reduce in size to fit on clear packing tape with a little border of tape on top and bottom
• After photo is placed on tape; press down using a credit card or ruler several times to aid transfer
• Soak the taped photo in warm water for two or three minutes
• Peal off the paper - you may need to rub a bit...
• Let tape dry until sticky again (don't blot with paper towel or napkin!)
• Wrap tape on your item of choice

I chose glass candle holders.  One of them was frosted so the photo didn't come out real sharp but still worked.  I read the tape may come off if item gets wet like in a dish washer, so keep that in mind if you decide to do this to drinking glasses or a vase.

Passion Flower lit with a tea candle

Larger candle holder with a votive

Weaving until it hurts!

Not that weaving hurts, but when fingers aren't typically being used like this, they tend to cramp a bit.

Last Saturday, granddaughter Julia and I took Weaving 101. Turned out we were the only ones who signed up so we received individual tutoring.  Nice - especially when neither of us has experience in this craft. Kasia, our teacher, showed examples of a few techniques and we decided to try the twining first.  Using pipe cleaners, we began to weave baskets.  These photos show the start. Looks quite complicated, but as long as you remember which colors are the "spokes" and which are the "weavers", it was not difficult.  I chose blue and green for my weavers;

while Julia started with orange and pink weavers then decided to add some other colors.




The spokes aren't supposed to show through when finished, but as you can see from the next photo, I wasn't too successful in hiding them.  I think they add character to the basket though - don't you?

Twining with pipe cleaners

Next we decided to try coiling. Kasia instructed us in what I found out later is "open coiling".  We used some felt scraps and yarn.  While we did it, the result wasn't very good. In fact the one I made in class has already hit the circular file.

Still interested in the technique though, I researched the website Kasia talked about as well as others, and decided to try my hand at home using the "closed coiling" technique.  Much better results!  On Pinterest I found videos and directions on how to use plastic bags, grocery-store type, instead of fabric or clothes line. I decided to use up cording left over from another craft instead of yarn.  I think the stiffness of the cord is what made my fingers cramp up.  Next time I'll use yarn.

Coiling with plastic grocery bags & cording

This took about five hours, but is something that can be done while watching TV so it seemed to go fast. I used about 7 or 8 bags, and a lot more cording than I expected to.  I ran out of blue after weaving the bottom, so built up the sides with gold. Ended up looking like Marquette or Brewer colors.

Julia seemed to enjoy the challenge and took home lots of supplies to work on at home.  I hope she doesn't drive her parents nutty though as weaving is not as easy and I thought it would be.

In December we are taking more classes with Kasia - making Polish Christmas Ornaments.  Watch for those results.

Instructor:  Kasia Drake-Hames:  www.kdhartstudio.com
Carol's "Crafty Stuff" board on Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/carolbanach/crafty-stuff/

Washer Jewelry

Early in October I joined the Hart Park Senior Community Center because they offer a weekly Craft Club. The first craft we worked on is "Washer" jewelry.  Not too difficult - just purchase some metal washers from a hardware store; cut and glue paper to them; file to make the edges smooth; add mod podge to set them.  Attach them to a chain, or cord and voila!  A beautiful necklace.

I don't wear necklaces much and found this idea on Pinterest.  It makes a nice Christmas ornament!

Because this craft is supposed to last for three weeks, I made a few more.  After several attempts I gave up on the paper/glue/filing steps and decided to try nail polish instead.  I like the results much better.

Some of the other ladies in the club added beads and charms which really dressed them up. I'd like to learn more about making jewelry, perhaps I'll take a class at Jo-Ann's or Michael's.

Next up at craft club is a paper wreath, then a rosette Christmas Tree.  If they turn out I'll share the results.

Old World Wisconsin

My new favorite place for photography is Old World Wisconsin in Eagle.  I recall going there as a grade school chaperon more than 20 years ago. I've always thought about going back, but only recently made the trip. So far I've been there two times since Labor Day.

 It truly is the place to travel back in time.  There are re-created settlements dating back to the 19th and early 20th century and organized by a variety of immigrants who settled in Wisconsin.  I've briefly explored most of them:  German, Polish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish areas.  What I really enjoy are the "interpreters".  Men and women are hired to portray the people of the times.  They wear the clothing of their time period, and spend their days doing the things that would have been done at the time.  The hours are limited for the rest of the year, but will re-open daily next May.  I expect to be visiting the location again and again....

Here are a few of my favorite photos...more can be found by exploring my flickr set "Old World Wisconsin".