First Vector Attempt For WG

This is my first attempt at creating my cartoon logo for my online alias "WizardGir1" using the Inkscape program.

A Fiona Photo Shoot

I recently read in a photography book to take photos of subjects you like. Well I like my cat, ALOT! I take photos of her all of the time. As a matter of fact, I switched from Windows to Linux and in the process I lost over 5 gigs of photos. A TON of them were of Fiona, of course.

I decided since then to post the photos I think turned out really well, so I don't lose them again. So with that, In the photo above, Fiona looks like she is really TRULY posing! I loved it. In truth, she was laying on a heating pad and at her most content state. Haha...

Since I've learned about aperture, I am trying to take a photo to appear the way I see a result in my mind's-eye. Seeing how the fur grows on Fiona's nose amazes me so I wanted the focus on that. I wanted the rest of her face to blur out. I love the science that the macro captures.

She was wonderful to sit as long as she did. I'm pretty happy with the results of this photo shoot. :)

I have an account at photoblog.com, but I am limited to posting only 5 photos as a time and only once per day. I have more freedom to upload as many as I want here. Thanks Blogspot!

Computer Mouse Wrist Pad

I'm finally back at the Kenmore. Well, for one small project at least.

The joints in my hand have been swollen and achy lately, especially when I use my computer mouse, so I decided to make a bean-bag wrist pad similar to what they sell in the stores.

The first step was to draw out a pattern and cut it out and grab a bag of beans from storage. I used Lentils.

The next step was too trace my pattern onto the fabric choice - blaze orange fleece - and make a zigzag stitch to allow some give. I also left a spot open to pour the beans in.

 

It was easier to cut the pattern out after it had been sewn. It can be difficult to sew around a curve with a knit fabric and I wanted some extra fabric to guide through. I still had a hard time with one of the curves, but I figured I would make do. 

 

 

I left a huge tag of fabric to tuck in after I turned it inside-out and poured the beans in. That's a little trick I learned from Tone Finnanger, author of "Sew Pretty Homestyle". 

 

And this is the final photo. A finished BLAZE ORANGE wrist pad. I'll use it for a few days to see if it alleviates any swelling or pain in my joints. I have a minor concern that I may lean on the nerve in my wrist. It won't be long until I know for sure. 

 

Ooooh... I just had an idea. Maybe my Mum would think about sewing a few of these up for her quilting group-gals for their holiday gift exchange. I'll have to send her this link. ;)   Hmm... My wheels are really spinning now!!

 

 

Subject: Chubahka

Did I mention that I want to improve my photography skills? I do!

This photo of my dog isn't a photo that sticks out from every other photo in this world, but it's my dog and he's cute. He came outside with me while I practiced shooting yesterday and I noticed he was eating snow. I had to capture his face! The lighting is pretty nice too.

(I planned that. Heh.)

Dog Boots

Well, I've wanted to make our doggy, Lancelot, booties for quite some time. I actually wanted to be finished with them before it got below zero, but it didn't happen. This morning it was -20° so I was very motivated. I couldn't think of sending our little dog out into subzero temps. It's -6° as I write this.  Anyways, time to move forward. This is where I got the pattern and "how to".

This is the pattern and my pieces. I wrote notes directly on the pattern in case I lost a boot or a two.  I have extra fabric for that too.

And the second photo is the finished boot. I didn't turn the seam to the inside because I didn't want to chance the seam bothering the dog. I did trim the seam allowance closer to the seam, however.

So after all of my labor, I decided to stick the booties on. They fit nicely, but the elastic seemed too large on his back paws. I'll have to shorten the elastic. Lancy was ready to go outside at the same time my husband came home. When he opened the door, Lance took off and rear booties flew off. LOL... I just rolled my eyes and then shrugged my shoulders. The others came off also. Hahaha... Guess I have some problem solving to do!

150th Square Completed!

I can't believe it. I finished crocheting my 150th granny square this evening.Yes, yes. I am ready to sew them together. Directions for that step are as follows:

"Thread light rose yarn into tapestry needle. Hold 2 squares with right sides tog, join with overcast st in outer lps only. Work across each square, carefully matching sts. Join all squares in this manner whether joining squares for a row or joining rows of squares."

My question at this point is "Is an overcast st the same as a whip stitch in embroidery?" Geez. Time to pull out the crocheting resource. :D

55 Down, 20 to Go

I wanted to post an update on my crochet blanket. I'm really beginning to enjoy the act of crocheting. I can think deeply during my crochet time and not pay attention to my project, and still produce something. It's a double whammy!

I found something to be interesting as I ran out of my yarn last night. One pound of Caron yarn at 4 ply makes 55 squares at 4" each. I am going to write this information down on a note card and store it with my knit and crochet samples. Good information to use for future projects.

I have 20 squares to go in the rose color, before I begin the ruffle for the blanket. I am considering sewing the squares together before I complete my ruffle. Since this is the first blanket that I've crocheted, I don't know if my gage is off enough to matter for the ruffle pattern. I have a little bit of time to think about it. :)

A Little Gift For The Tree

Isn't this such a cute pattern!? I decided it would be a perfect little hand made gift for my mum for the holidays. I found the pattern here.

My mom is a member of a quilting group, but she's the one who crochets at their meetings. She just might want this pattern to make them for the gals in the group next year. :D

Cards and beads, cards and beads...

Okay, Good day! It feels so great to be back in the saddle again (good song). :)
I have been working on finishing off projects that I have started as well as accomplishing little new designs for earrings.

First off, my "Girl, you have ... Style" card. I adore it. I got this theme in the clear stamps at Michael's for $1. Spectacular. Since I sew, I fell in love with the dress form and could not pass it up. And, I don't wear high heels EVER, but I just love the hip artsy look. I'd like to make a necklace using a heel as a pendant. One day, perhaps sooner than expected. :)














Now the beading! I love the loom. It's a different type of beading. At this point, my designs aren't very intricate but they will get there. Practice and desire makes perfect. Ed thought my flower was a kitty and the heart an arrow. ...he's got bow hunting on the brain! Haha...























Here are three pairs of earrings that I designed. The first pair are okay. I needed the color to go with something I was wearing. The copper pair: I made all of the findings you see with the steel plate and hammer technique. I definitely loved doing it, but I need a jewelers block badly. I like altering the state of the wire. (...I can picture the molecules moving under the force of my hammer with each steel tap and smash. Mmm, the thrills of physics!)

The gold necklace was me practicing my flower chain and finishing with double cup clams. I need all the practice I can get. I haven't taken any beading classes to learn what I know. I just talk to people and read books. So far, I think I get it. I'll just keep it up.

The teal bracelet: that was a loom project. I was experimenting with loopy-loops but I am not too thrilled about the turn out. I guess I was hoping for something a little more lacey. No biggy though, I have another technique in mind that might give me the results I'm looking for. ;D That's it for now!

Bead Earrings

I haven't posted in a while, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been crafty.

Here are a couple designs of earrings. I'm not very interested in the cat earring with the dome overhead as much as I am with the wire tri-loop jump ring design. Cute cute. I was practicing making bead links and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to apply what I have learned.

I'd like to finish off the cat earrings by pounding the copper tri-loop flat so it catches the light nicely. :) Ed said he'd help me do that tomorrow. That means "I got the tools that will help you accomplish that, Baby." YAY!

The next set is what I call Tiger Eye but it was listed as "Cateye" at the store. I found an adorable silver bead cap to top it off. I made them for Valentines Day. Again, cute cute!!

Teal Waters Bracelet

I've been so tired the last two nights, but I was still able to create something new. A piece of jewelry.

The first night, I drew up the design and got the clam-shell on the beading string and the second night I was able to implement my plan. I used Miyuki seed beads and Czech beads but I forget the shape name. Some sort of faceted glass, anyways. It's a pretty bead. :) At the end of the fringes I used a cheap seed bead I purchased in a bulk bag from Joann's Fabrics and Crafts. I gave this bracelet a name. I got the idea to name it while browsing bead store websites. Most places have classes and they have named them according to the name they have given to the jewelry piece. So this is called Teal Waters. =D

"For You" Card

This "for You" card was made with my markers and clear stamps. I'm sorta frustrated that the ink doesn't stick thoroughly to the surface of the stamp. I didn't read the directions on the bag after I purchased them. It might say to do just that. The effect is similar to mixing oil & vinegar and then pressing it onto the paper. The stamps probably have an oily substance on them.

I love this little chicken or chick-a-dee. Whatever you want to call the bird, it's cute. After seeing the card here, I am going to go back and fill in the tag with some background pencil. Next card that I do, I'm going to try some watercolor pencil. I also made some copies of my own art that I will color. :) That will be NEAT-O! Okay, that's it for this entry.