Time to get all Glittery

Hurricane Sandy made land fall yesterday, after four days of preparation it was time to be locked in the house awaiting the power outage The four days of preparation were really just going to work to help people buy everything imaginable. My personal preparation was to take the fly-away-furniture off the porch, make sure the lap top battery was charged, have clean comfy clothes and make sure I had enough cat food. (Classy, I know, but that's how I roll.

Well, it came, it went. Power went out for maybe a 30 seconds total, there's a tiny bit of water in the basement (the kind of "little bit" that it's not worth cleaning up because it'll more efficient to let it evaporate instead of dirty a towel) and I think I'm good on cat food for a few weeks now. MEOW!

This mad crazy chaos did help me work on some art projects!

How to Make your Own Glitter Covered Glasses!
(I made them two different ways, they both work)

Supplies:
Glasses
Glitter, the finer the better
Modge Podge or similar adhesive/sealant
Foam paint brush
Masking Tape

Version One:
1. Put some glitter and Modge Podge into a small container.
2. Paint it onto you cup. I painted the base.
3. Let it dry.
4. Paint a thin coat of plain Modge Podge over the glitter to seal it. Let dry for 24 hours, do this 3 or so times. Let dry for about 2 days before washing.

Version Two:
(This is the version I like better. It's a little more work, but it turned out so much nicer.)
1. Tape you glasses so only what you want glittered is showing.

2. Apply a thin coat of modge podge and sprinkle with glitter. Don't worry if the glue looks white, it dries clear.

3. Carefully remove the tape and let dry for 6 to 8 hours.

4. Repeate steps 2 and 3.

5. Apply a this coat of Modge Podge to seat the glitter. Let dry for 8 hours. Repeat 3 times. Let dry for 2 days before washing.

I have some other ideas for these, if I get tot hem, I'll post the pictures.

basket weave

Last year we didn't have winter in New Jersey. Well, to NJ standards we had a week's worth maybe. I spent 18 years in Michigan, that's 18 years of negative wind chills, lake effect snow, black ice, road salt, ski club and wishing for something else every year. I miss winter. This year might be different, according to some weather folks, at least.

This scarf is for Samantha. It's long, it's wide and hopefully she'll get a change to wear it.

A Tie Purse for Ms. Brandi :)

When I was fresh out of college I went through a hippie phase. (It was a fun few years, but I'm enjoying the hustle and bustle of my current lifestyle.) I made projects out of everything I could get my hands on in those days. My personal favorite was a purse made out of ties.

Back in those days my sewing skills weren't so refined, my pattern making was horrible and I didn't make any money off this talent. So much has changed!

These days I don't do much along those lines anymore. Most of the things I'm commissioned to create look like they came from www.anthropologie.com and they are rarely for people I know. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty excited when one of my college friends asked me to make her a new tie purse. Sure, I make things for friends all the time; scarves, hats, coffee cups, wedding dresses....but this, this is the item that takes me back to the start.

This isn't my greatest photo work, but it's a pretty good representation of the bag. You can't really tell, but the shoulder strap is adjustable, like the old fashion friendship bracelets that came from vending machines.

A small detail that I've changed over the years: never use silky ties, they wear out too quickly. This is a polyester creation, probably making the tacky leisure suit crowd proud.

No project is complete without my signature crazy lining. here are some projects that it's harder to do this, but it seems to fit in perfectly.