Chutes and Ladders Coasters

I can remember the exact moment my board game collection started. It was the summer after my senior year of high school. I'd stopped by one of the best thrift stores (ever?)- Red White and Blue- and there it was: The Dinosaur's Journey to High Self Esteem. Created by child psychologists, a game where everybody wins. Not enough for you? This is the tagline: "Ever wonder why everybody likes dinosaurs? Maybe it's because they like themselves!"

Now I would never (ever) cut up The Dinosaur's Journey to High Self Esteem, but I will buy anything cheap that looks like it'll give me good earring fodder...and I have a standing rule to pick up any versions of pawn-based Clue I don't already own.

After the earrings have been made the boards are always left, taking up space, but generally too interesting to throw out. I've been making Perler Bead coasters for a while now, and the idea struck me not too long ago that game boards could work equally well assuming I found a way to make them waterproof.

The ultimate goal is to make a Clue set, with a coaster for each room, but before I go destroying something so awesome, I found an old Chutes and Ladders game that's perfect to test my methods. It's cute enough I'd actually use the coasters, but holds no real sentimental value if I eff up. It also comes with built in squares so I don't need a template...and I can use it to make a template for future coasters.

Materials:
- Game Board
- Mod Podge
- Acrylic Sealer Spray

Tools:
- Exacto Knife/Box Cutter
- Scissors
- Foam Brush
- Spool, toilet paper roll, or something similar

The process is fairly simple- I found my favorite scenes and cut out 2x2 squares over a phone book with an exacto knife.

 
The phone book did not survive. Since I did things fairly free-hand, some of the edges were a little rough- those I cleaned up with scissors. Now for Mod Podge!

I bought Outdoor Mod Podge (which I figured would be the most water-proof), and applied a number of thin coats. Since I wanted to protect the edges especially I first applied coats to the edges and top, letting the coaster dry on top of a pill bottle so it didn't stick to anything. After those dried a bit I flipped it over onto some parchment paper and applied a number of coats to the bottom. The only down side to this method is I could only really do one at a time.

And, as Mod Podge is never not tacky (as in sticky, not classless) for me, I finished it off with a coat of clear Acrylic sealer. I spent a nice hour or so outside my apartment complex with a garbage bag down in case my landlord caught me. First I applied three coats to the back, then set them right side up on toilet paper tubes to do the tops and pay special attention to the edges. I actually attempted a few that I'd Mod Podge-d and others that I hadn't, and I definitely like the results of two-step water proofing better.

Next I'll test these out, possibly at my favorite local bar. I'm debating adding a layer of cork or felt to the bottom so they don't sit in water. We'll see if I find something cheap on my next trip to the craft store.

And since the pictures kind of stopped there (I do have an outside pic with the toilet paper tubes but it was taken with my phone so it looks awful), here are my two favorites:

Eat and you'll get taller...you know, not obese or anything.

And the dual nature of cats.

I'm going to wait until I've perfected my methods before I do anything to these though.

Crafty Books

Ok, getting away from my List of Things a bit here but this is exciting. Not really. But cool enough. Craft books! These were hanging out at the library book sale last weekend:

For $2 a piece I figured they were nice just to have around. They're both from the '70s and in really good shape.

I've had a few weird, video-game based toy ideas floating in my brain for a while, and I figure I could adapt some of the animals here once I get the construction basics down. I'm especially in love with these guys:

The March Hare from Alice in Wonderland- which I'd probably make look slightly less crazy.

Not sure I'm really digging raccoons but I love that it's tweed. There are cute elephants and a squirrel I have my eye on. Just need to buy some polyfill.

As for the needlepoint book- my sister has been doing embroidery for a bit and I'm loving her results. So first I'll probably see if she wants it- if not, I'm planning on learning and would love to try some of the designs. Some are fairly epic.

And some are just ridiculous.

Hodgman Tie

 
Yes, this is a tie made out of corduroy. It's been percolating in my brain since I started making ties a few months ago, but never really had a deadline that forced me to make it. That is, until I saw this. Hodgman is awesome. And apparently he's in possession of a fully functioning three-piece corduroy suit!

I tweeted about it. He replied! So yes, this tie had to be made.

Per usual I waited until the last possible day (well, weekend day) to make it. This was also after I'd locked myself out of my apartment and had to walk three miles in flip flops to meet D at work and get his keys, so I wasn't really feeling any kind of precision. Much of it was just pinned enough so I could hand sew it. There was no interfacing on the corduroy- mostly as I wasn't sure fusible would stick without high heat. I'm a little worried it'll warp (right word? Not sure) out of shape with wearing, but at least it's done.

A little closeup of the corduroy- the red was so vibrant it must've destroyed my camera's brain.

Closeup of the lining- some spare knit I had lying around, interfaced to make sure it didn't stretch. What's the design? Clocks. Was a little upset they didn't end up being obviously seen, but it adds a little air of mystery to tie. Right?

And how was Hodgman's taping? I have no idea. My foolproof plan to email-in sick backfired when my supervisor beat me to the punch with what I assume was an actual illness. Oh well. At least the tie looks cool.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention- made the tie using this wonderful tutorial from Purl Soho's blog.

PJ Shorts

I'd been dying to make PJs since I found some cheap Bart Simpson flannel for $1.50/yd at Joann's a while back. All the tutorials I'd seen had you using a pair that fit you well. Only problem...don't really have a pair like that haha. So I was super excited when I saw  this tutortial by Liesl Made. Really simple and amazing.

I probably should've started with my cheap flannel, but I'd come across a clearance body pillow cover at Target a while back and just had to do something with it. Best fabric ever. I basically followed Liesl's tutorial, though I added a bit on the edges to make them a bit bigger. It was my first attempt at french seams and they are just amazing. So neat and professional looking.

They still ended up a bit tight, but they're still super comfy and wearable. Favorite part? I kept the tag from the original body pillow cover to use in the shorts. Win:

On the second attempt (made while wearing the first attempt...also finally using that Bart Simpson fabric) I added even more...and they ended up a little big haha. Again, wearable and awesome, but I'm not 100% satisfied. I'm going in the middle of those two attempts next time in the hopes of getting it just right.

Boots, as always, being helpful haha. She also kept stealing my chair whenever I got up to iron.

Next I'm planning on making some long pjs with these lovely fabrics:

And for the record, yes, I did buy that owl fabric because it was the most ridiculous flannel I could find. Also it reminded me of these lovely headbands that I would buy in a heartbeat if I could figure out how to wear one successfully.

Things!

I have lots of posts stuck in edit, just waiting for pictures to be taken. So once I find my camera battery charger, there will be things. Hooray, things!

On the docket:

• Men's dress shirt to skirt
• Pants to skirt
• Two (probably more by the time I get around to posting) pj shorts made using this lovely tutorial by Liesl Made
• Corduroy Tie

Hope everyone is enjoying their Columbus Day. I don't get this holiday off, though the maintenance staff for the building does. Always struck me as a bit odd, but whatever.

*UPDATE: Oh! I also won a giveaway that I must post about. That will also require me finding the thing that it is that a won. It's a little lost amongst the apartment clutter.

Birthday Refashions

What to do on my birthday?* I'd asked for it off work long in advance so there was the sleeping in and day drinking options, but in the end I focused on doing something I'd always wanted to try- refashioning. Making clothes (and fitting) in general scares me, but I figure half the work is done if I just adjust something I already own but don't ever wear. At best I'll get use out of it, at worst I'll have tried something new.

But there are other (better?) reasons for wanting to make new clothes now. Eating relatively well (biggest weaknesses: buffalo wings, good bread) and usually going to the gym have lost me 30lbs in the past six months. I'm hoping to lose even more so buying a lot that's new seems silly, but at this point I can take my jeans off without unbuttoning them, so refashioning is just the thing to bridge the clothing gap.

First up was something simple, and I guess not really refashioning. I'd bought two ankle-length dresses at a NY & Co clearance sale and desperately wanted to rehem them to a cuter length. A highlighter blue one played guinea pig, as it was already kind of stained. It turned out well, if you ignore the very very rough edge. And the fact that it's shorter in back, but that's more the fault of my butt than the method. The black skirt will wait until I can buy a rotary cutter with my birthday money.

Secondly was a weirdly long men's XL hoody I'd gotten from work. I didn't take a before picture as part of me assumed I would be just ruining it, but the end result turned out well.

Adjustments:

• Cut a seam down the middle (the end is hidden in the pocket) and added a zipper- D thinks it's a weird placement but I don't mind
• Improvised pinch and pin method to get rid of excess material- while I was wearing it inside out
• Used another hoody as a template for the arm holes and sleeves - what I'm most proud of

I'm really surprised how well it turned out. I don't like to zip it up all the way as it's a little tight up top, and it shows off the weird text. The fabric is also really stiff or something; the sleeves don't like to stay pushed up (which looks better). I will wear it...in a few months when it's cold out. In the mean time I'm definitely going to look for lighter giant hoodies at thrift stores- maybe ones that are pre-zippered to take out a step.

CU of the weird text

I'm excited to try a few other things- maybe next time I go to my parents' house I'll hit up the best thrift store ever for supplies, as the ones around here aren't that great.


*Which, for the record, was like three weeks ago. Sorry about the delay...

Yellow & Gray Part II

It's been over a month since the wedding I spoke of in my last post. August was such an incredibly long month.

Anyway, the bag and necklace turned out pretty well. My sewing machine was acting wonky so I took the opportunity to go to Church of Craft's monthly meeting at Etsy Labs. Incredibly awesome space, very nice people. If anyone attended I was the girl sitting off to the side not talking to anyone- sorry! Really had to focus on finishing my project. Next time I'll be better.

Perfect size to hold what I needed!

As I wasn't home with access to the internet I basically winged the construction (it's Noodlehead's Gathered Clutch Tutorial) and paid a little for it. My zipper was too long, and the lining ended up a little bunchy somehow. But I still like it, and it's nice to have a little bag I can just grab when I run out for errands or whatever.

Can you spot the place I messed up?

The necklace was finished the night before, and it was nice but the area around the closure was messy. I think if I had longer hair things would've looked cleaner haha. And although I didn't get any "those are awesome!" comments at the wedding, I'm kind of proud I didn't get any "you made that- right?"s.

Action shot with vodka and cranberry. Yum.

An "I'm with Coco" bracelet is appropriate wedding attire, right?

Up next (hopefully soon, tho D and I are going out of town this weekend so who knows) a few little refashionings....well, one refashion and a rehemming....that I made on my birthday.

Yellow & Gray

It started with a fabric remnant.

















I bought the lovely yellow and gray fabric last Saturday. As it happened, later that day I was searching for a dress and shoes to wear to a wedding. An idea sprang into my head. Black dress bought, I realized if I got yellow heels I could turn the remnant into a classy clutch. But then of course I'd need a necklace, and earrings to match.

In the hopes of posting more (and maybe encouraging myself to finish things faster) I'm going to try posting projects that are in progress, or I guess in this case just starting. The thought is to make a necklace, earrings, and who knows what else with the embroidery floss. I'm just in love with the yellow/gray combination.

Also now I have heels, sneakers and rain boots in yellow. I think I'll have to stop by Target this week for flip flops...

Leopard Print Hanging Wall Organizer

What to do with a yard of silky leopard print fabric? This tacky stuff was left over from a joke gift I'd made a month or so ago, a tie for my boyfriend's sister's fiance. Now I'm not a leopard-print type of girl (at least, not unironically), so there was a risk of this sitting around forever, taking up precious room in the small amount of craft storage I have.

Searching for something to check out from the library I happened across this book: One Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins.

I figured there would be at least one thing I was interested in amongst the 101 projects in this book, and there were a few that caught my eye. I hate making things that just end up sitting around, so I focused on utility. As we have a giant pile of mail preventing us from using the record player, I decided on the Hanging Wall Organizer.

The instructions were easy to follow, and given the reckless, haphazard style I used to make this project, it turned out well (if a little...curvier than one would hope). The only thing I didn't have on hand were grommets, and once I bought those I realized I didn't have a hammer. Somehow. But that was easily bought and with the addition of two command adhesive hooks, we now have a place to sort things.

If I did this again I'd obviously pay more attention to sewing straight lines. I'd also probably use thicker interfacing on the pockets, as now they can get a bit floppy. Now all I have to do is get D to use it.

Tabasco Bottle Earrings Christmas Tree Ornaments

My boyfriend is fairly obsessed with Popeye's Chicken. Don't get me wrong, it's tasty and all, but I've been slowly trying to move us away from fast food. A few months ago, however, I saw a commercial for their Wicked Chicken. It featured a tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce. I knew I had to have it. They're heavy, but decided to turn them into earrings.

Materials:
- 2 tiny Tabasco bottles
- Jump rings
- Earring hooks
- Super Glue

Tools:
- Power drill with 1/16" drill bit
- Scrap Wood
- Pliers

Empty the bottles, wash and dry them well. Take the caps off the bottles and drill two holes fairly close together. There were small names imprinted onto my caps, and I tried to drill above and below them. Be sure to drill on scrap wood, so you don't destroy a nice table.

Once that's done, bend the jump rings to fit through the holes, and connect a few on to create a chain. Attach the earring hooks to the end. To prevent these from coming undone, glue the top to the bottle. It'd be best to make sure they're facing the right way first, though.

These are seriously too heavy to wear, unless you have robot ears. They're very cute though, and I guess they can be used as Christmas tree ornaments?