Hi everyone! Yes, I have been a giant craft slacker lately, but I need to get in gear and prepare for my very first craft fair. You are all invited! I plan to have some macrame watches, embroidered tea towels, lasered wooden objects, beaded crosses, and maybe even a quilt or two available. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more on Facebook: All Saints Artisan Faire
See you there!
Ok, so I’m 10 days late to wish you all a happy new year. Sorry. I needed some time off after that last push to figure out how I wanted to approach this blog and my projects in 2012. It is not my intention to go on past the 50 crafts I’ve already completed or introduced. However, I do want to make sure that every undone project gets completed. I get a number of visitors from searches on particular techniques and I want everyone to have the opportunity to see a finished project.
So here are my goals for the new year:
– Complete all of the unfinished projects
– Put all project photos on Flickr
– Pin all completed projects on Pinterest
I do want to get this all finished, but I’m feeling a lot less time pressure to do it. Thank you all for your ongoing support. I had a fantastic year in 2011 and learned so many things, both about craft techniques and about myself. You were all a vital element in my successes (while I alone am to blame for my failures).
Because the weekly goal format worked so well for me in 2011 I decided to start a new blog for my more mundane health goals in 2012. If you care to check that out you can find it at 2012 Week by Week.
I had a great time volunteering at the Mobile Fab Lab on Tuesday. The equipment available to the public there is the sort of stuff that used to be reserved for manufacturers, but is now available for anyone to use. The purpose of the Mobile Fab Lab is to offer access to this equipment and inspire everyone to dream and create in a new way.
To that end, the two main projects that were happening in the Fab Lab on Tuesday were etched glasses using the laser cutter and t-shirts using stencils cut on the vinyl cutter.
Here is the laser in action:
The glass is sitting in a rotary attachment that allows the laser to work the entire way around. Designing the etched graphic is as easy as finding an image online and hitting the Go button.
Examples of the students’ work:
The t-shirt project was more involved. First the students found graphics online or designed images that they wanted to use as a stencil. Then they cut it on the vinyl cutter and applied it to their shirts. Next they used fabric paint to fill in the stencil and peeled off the vinyl.
Some finished shirts:
The Mobile Fab Lab will be on NC State campus until next Friday, October 22nd. Access to the Fab Lab is free. Go check it out!
MIT’s Mobile Fab Lab is rolling onto the Brickyard at NC State this week and I’m going to take you there for a peek. You won’t believe the awesome things you (yes, you!) can do here. I’ll also introduce you to a person who is working to bring a permanent Fab Lab to the Triangle and let you know how you can help.
This should be week #38 in my quest to finish 50 crafts in 2011. Unfortunately, I never finished #36 and I skipped last week completely.
My hope was that I would try a different technique every week during this blog project, but now that I’m in the final stretch and my free time is more and more restricted I find myself struggling to come up with new ideas. That’s not quite true — I find myself struggling to come up with new executable ideas. I have all sorts of ideas. My problem is finding the materials, the instructions, and the time.
That said, I am committed to finishing the candle project and catching up. I’ll need to do two projects in one week to get myself back on track. I just hope you’ll forgive me if I repeat a technique or two before January.
Back tomorrow with a plan for the week!
Last weekend I had the opportunity to work on a couple of projects for other people that aren’t part of the list for my blog. It was fun to take some of my new skills and use them to gift friends with handmade stuff. Hm, can I can call machine embroidery handmade?
First, I used the embroidery machine to make these fun burp cloths for a baby shower gift. The patterns are from the always awesome Urban Threads.
Then on Saturday night I brought my sewing machine to a friend’s house so we could make cushions for her rocking chair. This was the first time I’d completely improvised a sewing project and I am pleased with how it turned out.
This comfier chair is ready to rock a new baby to sleep!
With each technique I learn as part of this blog project I add a new set of fun gift ideas to my crafting arsenal. I’m excited to put more of these skills into practice.
What are you doing on Saturday between 10am and 5pm? If you said going to MakerFaire:NC then give yourself a gold star! Anyone within driving distance of the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh should definitely come out and see what our local makers, crafters, inventers, and dabblers have to show off. I’m excited to meet people who can teach me some techniques for future blog projects. I even got business cards for the occasion.
I hope to see you there!
Photo by Jon Danforth on Flickr
Today is International Yarn Bombing Day! Have you been working on some guerilla knitting to share with the world? I haven’t, but I have it on my calendar for next year. Let me know if you see any creative uses of yarn in your neighborhood today.
Remember Dara from Li Sashay? She has a new Kickstarter project to promote her custom clothing and jewelry designs. Check out her project page and consider making a donation to help this local designer realize her dreams.
Many thanks to Dara for helping me with my roman shades! She’s a talented lady.
Happy Earth Day from 50 First Crafts!
My mind is much more in Good Friday today than in Earth Day, but enjoy this teaser from project 17 (starting Monday).
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