Craftyminx

There's a first time for everything...

I learned how to do the magic loop last night! Woot it only took like two seconds after watching the video on knittinghelp.com. I'm amazed that I waited this long to look up how to do it. I love it! Not that I will probably be knitting all of my socks with it now or anything, but its definitely great for the mittens I'm knitting. I've completely finished one and I'm now having second mitten syndrome. I shouldn't have gotten ahead of myself. I should have laid it down after finishing the hand and then finished the second one, then went on to the thumbs, etc. But I couldn't wait to see how they would turn out. Oh well.

Another big first... I bought a sweater pattern and I bought all the yarn to make it!!! I purchased the pattern for Wicked. Its really a great pattern and I'm very excited to get started on it. I'm knitting it up in the green apple Shine worsted from Knitpicks.com. I'm hoping that isn't just asking for trouble (cotton and all) but I don't think it will hang to much. The shorts I made weren't that bad. I just didn't want wool since its going to probably end up as a spring/summer shirt. I'm so wearing it to Wicked when it comes to town this summer though. ha! The color I picked makes me think of Elphaba. :-)

The knitty Winter surprise is up! Yay. I am totally in love with Thermal and the color theory article is really really awesome. I would have never thought of that. Pure genius!

I'm also going to be starting my first shawl soon. As soon as my knitpicks order comes in at least. Bri is getting married in March and I offered to knit her a wedding shawl. She picked out the Myrtle Leaf Shawl with willow border from the "Victorian Lace Today" book. I'm really excited to get started on that as well.

My projects list is growing by the minute. I should finish my mitten. And my socks. eepp!

Labels: knitting

Photoshop= Pure Evil

My title is a bit misleading. It used to be pure evil for me, but after an email back and forth with a blogging friend, I was reminded of how evil it can actually be. I used to be forced to spend hours trying to figure something out, only to have the program laugh at me. I now know a few shortcuts and spend hours trying to make things look perfect, even though they never do. My Photoshop skills are still lacking, but they have gotten much much better. Now I just need to get that tablet I've been coveting.

I actually did something I was planning to do yesterday and I got to play on photoshop for quite a while. Here's what I did...

I didn't actually make this one. Jen from the southside hookers did. But the copy of it that I stole from her blog had been morphed by the internet and I had to clean that copy up a bit and change the font so I could make it smaller and still legible. Its now on our group blog.

I made this one for the new knitting/stitching group that Theknittingidiot and I have been working on starting in Shawnee. The finished one is on its blog is here.

I also worked on the intro art for my website, which I've been working on forever. Its really detailed and usually ends up giving me a headache. There's no picture yet, but eventually it will be finished.

I spent some time making myself into an M&M like the new commercials. Its so much fun! You should try it. But there weren't any knitting needles in the accessories so I added some in, because that is my usual accessory. And yes, sadly, I am that pale.

And last but not least I made the most awesome shirt design ever!!!! But I'm not going to post the stencil, because I don't want anyone to steal it. Lets just say it has something to do with crocheting and Jesus and totally rocks face. I'll eventually make the shirt and post that, after I have some up to sell somewhere. I'm telling you crocheters everywhere will want this one. haha.

I'm glad I managed to get some stuff done. Sometimes setting in front of the computer for hours yeilds nothing but some read bloglines and a finished post. Like today. I must go conduct handbells now and I didn't get to eat. Fantastic!

Labels: crochet, knitting, photoshop

I'm Back!!!

Two days of internet repairs and a new modem and I'm back! Going three weeks without internet at home has almost made me batty. I had 27 emails when I got on today and 423 bloglines to read!!! I'll be busy catching up on my blog subscriptions this afternoon.

I'm also going to be spending some intimate time with photoshop this afternoon. I have a couple of logos to make and a couple of stencils to figure out. One of which I've been working on for ages and have finally decided I have to do completely by hand because the shadowing is so bad on the pictures I have.

I have a lot of blogging to catch up with...

A fellow knitting blogger, Knittingidiot and I have been putting a Shawnee Sit and Stitch together. So far we have plans made for a place, time and date. We just need to get the word out. I'll be putting up info on our blog which is here and currently devoid of any words. Check it often for info if you're interested. Its going to be for any type of needle work/ fiber art crafter in the Shawnee, OK area.

My dad brought home his puppy, Patches this weekend. She is super smart and not the average annoying ball of fur at 9 weeks old. I can't wait until she stops growing so I can knit her something. haha.

The Southside Hookers were finally able to get together this weekend. We went to Jen's house for her de-stashing. I came home with three skeins of 2-ply acrylic and some pink stuff that was just fun so I brought it home. Etsuko taught me how to read Japanese knitting patterns, because I've had my eye on some mittens in my new book.

Since I was in Norman, I went to Happy cat and picked up some sock yarn for my mom's birthday present and some cascade tweed for the mittens as well as some cable needles (which always end up getting lost in the bottom of my knitting bag). It was my first time in the shop and I loved it. The owner wasn't there and a lady was just filling in for her so she didn't have to close the shop, but it was definitely my kind of place. Small and quaint, with limited yarn choices, but lots of character.

Jen also gave me two aprons she had picked up at an estate sale. I collect aprons (mostly vintage and vintage inspired). I don't think I've mentioned it much, because a lot of them are in storage and I don't have pictures. I have a lot though. Its almost embarrassing to say my apron collection may be out growing my yarn stash at the present moment. Scary...

I really like the hand embroidered aprons made out of gingham or polka dot fabric like this one.

Since I purged my stash to make room for more quality yarns, I have decided to document all of my purchases this year. Once I go pro on my flickr I'll make an album just for pictures of my stash enhancement. Everyone will be able to see how my stash grows this year. It could be very depressing, boring, or exciting depending on how you feel about stash. I've been thinking about it being craft stash in general. The other non-yarn additions will be added to help me remember what I have. I am very organized, but tend to forget what I have and multiply the stash (especially jewelry supplies) exponentially when I go to the craft store. And of course I can't single out one craft. I do a lot of stash enhancement in every craft, sadly.

Ok I think that's all. You get a cookie if you read all of this. I promise to try and keep the next one a little shorter.

Labels: aprons, Japanese crafts, knitting, stash, yarn

Welcome baby Connor!

My cousin had her baby. He's just precious!

Oh and I got these last week on Thursday, but I forgot to share.

I ordered them from miss lisel. They are amazing, check them out here. I gave the monkey one to Bri and she thought it was great. I have found mine quite enjoyable as well.

Ok I must go back to work. I'm LATE!!!!

update

I'm still alive, but still without internet at home. It might be a while until I have an actual post. And I may or may not be able to answer comments. I only get two fifteen minute breaks at work where I can use the customer internet and I usually just use the morning one because the library stinks in the afternoon. haha. I have to use my time wisely. I can't wait until our internet at home is fixed. If my dad were home it would happen a lot faster, but as it stands we have to wait until he can work his mojo on the lines for it to work.

With that said I've been knitting my socks (I'm almost done with the first one) and I've been working on a cabled clutch purse. I've had to put both down for a couple of days because my arms started hurting. Cables are bad on my wrists for some reason. I've also been trying to finish up paperwork for grad school admission. I'm dragging my feet for some reason.

I turned 24 on Sunday and my birthday was awesome! My mom gave me a hello kitty broach and a cherry apron and towel set that she made me. Gypsy bought me the Phantom of the Opera dvd and Kingdom Hearts for PS2, which I can barely wait to play. I have to use his PS2 to play it haha. I got to go to my new favorite restaurant with my best friends last Thursday. So its been a pretty good weekend. I'm glad it somewhat made up for me not getting to go to Austin. Yay for Birthdays!

Ice

I figured it would be best to make a post before I am home bound for the weekend without an internet connection. Its been working maybe nine minutes a day if I'm lucky. Oklahoma has been hit with an unfortunate amount of ice. It began a week ago and has caused schools and many other things to be closed for the entire week. I've still had to go to work though. Apparently the library has some kind of oath like the postal service. This weekend is supposed to bring 5-10 inches of snow to add on to the already thick ice. Not fun. We aren't used to this kind of thing.

This is what I did while locked in my house all weekend.

Yes I finshed the Girly Boxers from KnitWit on Wednesday. Hillary tried them on before I finished them and they fit her perfectly! My first piece of clothing (not counting the baby sweater) is a success. yay! I had some difficulties with it, but I'm a pretty confident knitter and have no problems jumping in to something with out first thinking of what I'm getting myself into. I learned loads and now feel like a sweater is on its way. haha. I'm thinking about doing Molly Ringwald from the Spring '06 Knitscene next.

My new scanner came on Monday and I got to scan the button necklace and earrings I made my mother for Christmas

and the stitch markers that I made on Monday. I would really like to learn how to sauder the big jump rings closed so they won't have any chance of catching on my stitches. I haven't needed to use them yet, but I'm super excited to have pretty ones.

Since I finished the shorts I have been able to pick up the socks again. They are going well.

I thought I needed a pic of the ice as it looked on Wednesday. The sun was pretty much gone when I thought of taking a picture so its not that great. I will definitely take pictures of all the snow this weekend.

I have to go eat lunch now, before the smell of the library makes me loose my appetite. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

You knit?

About a week ago I went to my friend Christi's house. I went to see her new home and play with her kiddos. I hadn't seen her in ages and I brought some of my knitting to show her. The minute I said I was knitting she lit up. "Oh you have to see the sweaters my mom and I made," flew out of her mouth and she took me to her piano studio. She opened up a cedar chest and pulled out handmade sweater after handmade sweater. She grew up in the Philippines as a missionary kid and her mom had learned to knit. She knit many sweaters for Christi and her sisters, then Christi said she learned how and continued making sweaters for herself. I was in awe. I asked her if I could take pictures to put on my blog, and she was very happy to let me do so.

I am always excited to see the crafts that other people have made. Especially knitting. Finding a knitter, even if they don't do it at present time is always like finding a kindred spirit.

T-shirt Stencil tutorial

Since I'm stuck in the house all weekend (no I didn't get to go to Austin, sad day) I figured I'd get all these back posts caught up. This is how I do my stenciled shirts. Yes the t-shirt I was making here is NOT my design. I just didn't want to make my own design for this tutorial, because it was a spur of the moment decision. I don't sell shirts I make and this process is way too time consuming to use it for making a lot of shirts so if you're wanting to do that you'll need to do some more google searching. This process will only make one usable stencil at a time. What you need:

A print out of the image you want to use for your stencil, a WASHED t-shirt, a pencil, a sharp exacto knife, cutting mat, freezer paper, cardboard that will fit inside your shirt, paint brushes (I prefer actual brushes to the foam kind), acrylic with textile medium or textile inks, or no-drip bleach. First you need to cut off a piece of freezer paper that is a little bigger than the size of the image you want to use. Place the freezer paper over the image (you can tape them together if you're afraid of them slipping or you have to multi task and get up while you're tracing) trace around the entire image.
You're going to be cutting out everything that is black on the original so you may want to shade in any areas that are confusing or keep the original close by if you don't want to take the time to shade. Next you need to draw in bridges, because there are going to be some spots that you need to keep that would fall out otherwise. Like the circle in the middle of the O, for instance.
Draw in as many as you want and need to keep the stencil together. I'll show you how I remove them before I paint it. After everything is traced you can remove the original image and save it for later. Then get ready to cut! Cut out everything that was black in the original and cut out all the little bridges too.
This part requires the most concentration and the most time, but the patience is worth it. There's nothing worse than letting the blade slip and cutting something you don't want to. But you can fix it since its freezer paper. Keep any pieces that you accidentally cut and you can add them when you iron it on. Get ready to iron!
you need your finished stencil, your shirt with the cardboard in between the layers, an iron set to the highest temperature your shirt can handle, a pressing cloth if you're afraid of hurting your shirt or your iron, a ruler if you're picky about it being even, and some embroidery scissors with sharp points. If you don't have cardboard you can use some newspaper to help with the paint but you'll have to iron on a harder surface than a cushioned ironing board. Place your image where you want it to be on your shirt. Use a ruler to square everything up. I measure mine from the shoulders to the top of the image and from the arms to the sides of the image to get it centered. Once in place press the iron down in the middle then go to the outer edges to keep from getting any creases. don't push too hard yet though.
Now that its kind of tacked down you need to get rid of the bridges. Time for the embroidery scissors. I go in an pick up the bridges with the tip of the scissors, loosen the stencil under the bridges, and cut them off. Its really important to make sure your only picking up the stencil and not the t-shirt. The curved edge of the embroidery scissors really help here.

Once you get rid of all the bridges, you need to give it a really good pressing. Still starting in the middle push down really hard and go out to the edges. I then take the tip of the iron and go around all of the edges of the letters and image to make sure no bleeding will happen. If something looks loose you can try to put your finger nail under it to check it. This is your last chance to make sure everything's completely secure. You can't really iron too much, but you can burn the paper, so be careful not to leave it in one spot too long.
Use your paint of preference or no-drip bleach and paint the stencil. Don't use a lot of paint and try to paint away from the edges to keep the paint from bleeding underneath the stencil.  I usually let the first layer dry a little before I do any more layers. If you want the t-shirt to have the vintage distressed look, you can dry brush it.

--If you're using bleach here are a couple of things I've found handy- Use no-drip bleach and kind of paint in the lines of the stencil with a small brush. It will immediately start changing colors. Work fast to keep the bleach from soaking too far underneath the stencil and to keep it from eating a hole in the shirt. Once its bleached use a spray bottle with vinegar to soak the bleached area down. This will neutralize the bleach and keep it from bleaching a part of the shirt you don't want bleached when you rinse it. After its soaked take out the card board and rinse the shirt in cold water. Then wash and dry it ( I wash it by hand).--

Once the paint is dry to touch, you can remove the stencil. It will probably tear a lot, but that's ok. Just throw it all away. I've heard of people that were able to use these stencils more than once, but I don't know how they did it. Mine are always way too stuck to the shirt.
The little pieces you cut away from the bridges will still be stuck. Take your exacto knife and lift up the edges to take them off.

Done! Let the shirt sit for as long as the paint says. It can be anywhere from 24 hours to a week. Then heat set the paint by following their directions as well. Wash then wear. This will get rid of any freezer paper residue there may be left on the shirt.

I'll eventually have a tutorial explaining how to make stencils in photoshop, but that will have to be another day and an original image. Other examples of stencils I've done: