Day 13 - Tea Leaves

Day 13 - Use tea leaves or tea bags (used or unused) or even just liquid tea (in a cup or not) to create something today.



Ok - I actually followed the rules today.  I used tea - loose leaf tea that has been sitting in my tea collection for over a year.  It was too expensive to throw away but I never really liked the flavor.  So I started thinking and ended up with tea balls...yes I said tea balls.

I used Styrofoam balls, school glue and skewers to create the amazing smelling balls. 

















They will make my kitchen smell heavenly.  I no longer feel guilty about not drinking this tea because it will be a lovely addition in this form to my kitchen!

Davy 12 - Camouflauge

Day 12 - Create or alter something so that it disappears into its background.



Camouflage - not really my thing.  But finding a way to make something blend into its background that I can manage.  See I made a necklace...

But its not really a necklace.  Its a needle holder.  Since I have become obsessed with making felt items I thought this might be an easy way to keep track of all of my needles.  I have never been much of a seamstress when sewing by hand, but this new attraction to felt makes needles necessary.

Its handy too - if I wear it while I am working even if I drop a needle I have more at hand (I just have to hope I won't find any dropped needles with my feet!)

Day 11 - Left Handed

Day 11 - Work on the other hand.  Pick a medium you're comfortable with, then work with your dominant hand - if you usually favor your right hand then only use your left and vice-versa.

My most comfortable medium is wire and beads.  Odd that I haven't used them yet in this project.  The problem with this assignment is that I use both hands pretty interchangeably when I make jewelry.  So I decided to make something that I could use in my left hand - I know that's a bit of a stretch - but it works for me.  So here you go...

a wine cork key chain.  I also realize that it looks as if I have a bit of a wine obsession - 11 crafts and 2 focus on wine!  But I made one of these for my soon to be brother's fiance (I clearly need to call her something better!) and I wanted one for me.  It also probably looks like I have a thing for key chains - but I think I have only made 3 in my life - two are documented on this blog!

This project made me smile - and since it is the first week back in the semester for classes - I needed something that would make me smile!

Day 10 - Snow Day!

So first off - Life got in the way and I am days behind in updating - not in crafting - just updating.  So I should get two posts up tonight and then get caught up tomorrow.  However, since life seems to be ever so unpredictable right now - not making promises...and back to the business at hand.

Day 10 - Use only water as your medium/inspiration today.

So its official - I am getting my inspiration from the suggestions not actually following them.  It snowed and we had a snow day.  No school and 1 inch of snow.  What more could a girl ask for - except for a few more inches of the pretty white stuff or another day off.  So I wanted to make a snowman.  I love making snowmen but there wasn't quite enough snow for a traditional man.  Instead I collected some snow and made a snowman on the dining room table.  I crocheted his scarf (yarn use done for the week!) and made hat and gloves out of construction paper.  His eyes, nose, mouth and buttons were made of beads.  He was quite dapper...

And then I invited him to stay the night - it was cold out.  Although he wasn't a very good guest.  He started to fade a little early...

Then he started just throwing his hat and buttons around without regard for where he left them...

And he really didn't even attempt to pretend he enjoyed my hospitality...

And he left without saying goodbye and didn't clean up after himself when he left!

At least the cat can play with his scarf and use it as a toy!

Day 9 - Play with Your Food

Day 9 - Make something with your breakfast before you eat it.

Really?  Play with my food.  My mother would not be happy with that behavior.  So I played with the idea of my breakfast...

Again with the stuffed felt!  Not sure why I am so attracted to felt right now, but I am.  So I made a piece of toast with jam on it to represent my breakfast (even though I ate oatmeal for breakfast). 

Today's a snow day.  School's cancelled, the state is basically shut down and we have about one inch of snow.  I love snow - it brings me joy, but apparently it scares people around here.  So today's craft is going to be very exciting - can't wait to share it tomorrow!

Day 8 - Transform an old book

Day 8 - Transform an old book into something new by cutting, folding, gluing, and so on.

So far in this process I have learned that I do not follow directions well.  I was not transforming an old book for 2 reasons: 1.  I love every old book I have in my house and 2. I tried to make a book safe for my brother at Christmas and destroyed 2 books without any usable product.  So I decided to use an old book...

(a 21st birthday gift from an old college friend).  One that I do not read regularly and that I could remove part of and not destroy the whole book.  When I read this direction set it made me think of one of my favorite artists Kelly Rae Roberts - I don't think she destroys books but she uses words in her mixed media.  So I painted...

(Check out Butt sitting below the work area!  He very seldom leaves my side when we are both in the house - he is curled up beside me right now!)

And this is what I created.  A 6x6 acrylic painting that uses a quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge that was cut from that little book.

(the yellow mustache is supposed to be two yellow birds - you know - friends sheltered by the tree...)  I must admit this took more than 1 day.  I have to work on my timeliness!  So now I have to work on today's craft - so I am off.  Oh and just a side note - I am not following directions today as well! 

Day 7- One Week Down!

Day 7:  One week down!  See how fast it goes?  Today, make a stenciled them l and use it in your work.

I read this and immediately thought about what I made my brother for Christmas.  I had made stencils of mustaches and etched them onto beer glasses.  They ended up pretty cool.

Except this time, I wanted to do it in reverse.  So again, I didn't really follow the directions, I didn't use a stencil but rather did a relief.  I started with a simple glass plate...

I then used stickers and contact paper to make a design on the plate.  I originally wanted to do this on a candle (and did) but you can't see it on the glass.  I think it will be seen after I burn it down a bit but it sure looked like a failure in pictures.  So the plate looked kind of goofy before I etched it...

but when it was done, I think it turned out pretty well...

But what use is there for a glass plate with spots?  Well this...

I had fun with today's assignment - I really enjoy playing with the etching of glass. So maybe this will be a recurring theme as well as the yarn...I guess I will just have to wait and see how moved I feel!