tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66390637605820168112024-02-20T21:11:04.354-06:00Creations from KaxisA blog for sharing things I have made, tips I've picked up along the way, and hopefully where other people can enjoy and share as well.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-51007656622645338612013-01-14T20:34:00.000-06:002013-01-14T20:34:17.137-06:00Katara Cosplay<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/248/5/7/fire_nation_katara_cosplay_by_yupkat-d5do4s7.jpg" width="425" /></div>
<br />
It occurred to me that I never posted my Katara costume (or Pokemon Trainer) I made for Dragon*Con 2012.<br />
<br />
Dragon*Con was fun. While it feels like great number of people took our photos, I found a mere perhaps four or five on the vast internet, which is a shame. I at least got my husband to work my DSLR for a photo of me. I will have to get a proper shoot or something another time for more views of the costume.<br /><br /><br /><br />Fire Nation Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender<br />
<br />
An adventure in applique, also.<br />
<br />
<br />
I will probably invest in wigs for later endeavors, especially as my own hair is as unpredictable as the wind when it wants to be.<br />
<br />
I am planning two more Katara costumes for the future, after my next big project.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-8006306728802840292012-05-28T19:51:00.002-05:002012-05-28T19:51:47.589-05:00Granny SquaresOne of my current projects is a blanket. I haven't crocheted anything in a while and I've never made granny squares before. I have some yarn that's been sitting around for ten years (no joke) and wanted to do something, anything with it. The colors aren't even that great. Bright white, bold blue, bright red, and black. <br />
<br />
I'm only about halfway done after a week of off and on work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="266" src="http://i.imgur.com/WTxU3.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i.imgur.com/IAwJr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(My desk is a disaster)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
That's all for now.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-20440338764564858772012-04-21T21:24:00.003-05:002012-04-21T21:24:39.712-05:00No-Poo?Not really craft related, but figured I'd write a post out anyway.<br /><br />I'm about a week into really going "No-Poo" (No Shampoo). For me, the choice wasn't about going green like it is for a lot of people. My hair's just really long and taking care of it gets to be a chore sometimes. I know part of the reason the latter half of it is in the condition it is. There's no oils getting down there and conditioners aren't doing the job. I'm hoping that by not stripping away the natural oils with shampoo, it'll help. <br /><br />I'm not going to write a long post about the benefits of not using shampoo, this, that, and the other. Just a brief spill on what I'm doing right now. There's a plethora of resources out there that will give you more information.<br /><br />Rather than quit shampoo completely and just wash my hair with hot water, I'm using baking soda mostly on the scalp. After rinsing, I do an apple cider vinegar rinse and wash all of that out after a minute or two - this is to combat the drying effect of the baking soda. I only do this three times a week (which is how often I was washing my hair before anyway.) I either let my hair air dry or I braid it. <br />
<br />
<strong>Observations:</strong> <br />Not excessively oily hair this way. <em>(If you just totally quit shampoo, the transitional period is going to look pretty dodgy until your body readjusts.)</em>I'm not completely sure, but I may even go so far as to say my hair feels <em>better</em> when I run my fingers through it.<br />Apple cider vinegar - the smell is faint after you rinse it out, but the smell goes away after your hair dries. I may try lemon juice as an alternative.<br />
<br />
This is only the first week and hair care is a long process, so I'm going to keep on with it and see how it goes. After possibly 4-6 weeks of this process, I may drop it altogether and just wash with hot water.<br /><br /><br />Resources:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_poo">Wikipedia article on "No Poo"</a><br />
<a href="http://www.loving-it-raw.com/no-poo.html">Blog post from Loving It Raw</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-76838951881221361032012-04-09T22:04:00.002-05:002012-04-09T22:07:03.915-05:00Baby QuiltThe semester is winding down, so there's just assignments and exams left and right. I needed a break today. My partner for one of my classes is expecting their child Friday, so I thought I'd do something nice and make a small quilt for the baby. I've been wanting to make a quilt for some time and this was as good of a time as any. (Also a small one to get started with!)<br />
<br />
I stumbled across this tutorial and decided to go with it. <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2010/07/tutorial-road-trip-quilt.html">The Road Trip Quilt</a> from Cluck, Cluck, Sew. As it says, it really is a great quilt for a beginner.<br />
<br />
I picked up some fabric this afternoon and got started as soon as I got home. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/WCy3K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/WCy3K.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I didn't want too many different things going on, so six felt like a pretty good balance. This owl fabric is so cute. Look at it. Look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/2TQ3A.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/hOkhK.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/wU4mX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/wU4mX.jpg" width="320" /></a>From starting to cut the fabric to finishing putting the top together, it took me maybe 2 hours max. It wasn't that bad, really. A bit of shuffling pieces around so not too many were clustered in an area. A few steps later, the quilt was done. Nothing too fancy. Maybe another 2 hours. How do people feed blankets bigger than this through their machine?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/A8Krr.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/CZKzW.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/YWDhS.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/mObqY.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a good thing this is crib sized.... Because I kind of want to keep it. If it were big enough for my bed, I probably would.</div>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-48925359800601545922012-04-06T23:13:00.003-05:002012-04-08T20:27:45.715-05:00DIY Wedding Veil<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://i.imgur.com/qFEtN.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Lindsey Friar Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
I made my own veil for the wedding. If ever you've stopped in a bridal shop and seen the prices of some of their veils, you'd probably understand that I didn't want to pay as much for a <em>veil</em> as I did the entire dress. And really, it's something you wear for maybe 15 minutes, depending on the length of your ceremony, then ditch for the rest of the event. (As it is common to remove the veil after the ceremony and any photographs your photographer may hold you over for.) <br />
<br />
I don't have any pictures from actually making it, so forgive me. The process is really quite simple, however. I'll try to explain it best I can, but I have a habit of muddling the explanation.<br />
<br />
I already had plenty of lace that my mother's been hanging onto for years and years and years. Bolts of it. "Veil-y" material is pretty cheap, I bought a couple yards. Wasn't sure how much I was going to want (or how many times I was going to mess up.)<br />
<br />
First, you're going to need one of these.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/nr9mo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/nr9mo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A wide one is good. That'll keep it more secure on your precious little head. I bought mine somewhere around the bridal section at Jo-ann. There were two of them in a pack. There are other ones at Hobby Lobby and the like, but they were short ones and made of metal. I didn't like those because I'd had a few metal wire ones before and they get bent all out of shape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Then, you'll need these sorts of things...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/MNPQA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/MNPQA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You'll cut the material to the shape of the veil you want. I wanted a fingertip length veil, but two layers, although I wasn't concerned with wearing the veil over my face. (It could have, though. I just wasn't keen on wearing it that way. Something about not liking roots of traditions.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a rough measurement from about the crown of my head to fingertippish and doubled that to account for two layers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cut out a rough rectangle that length and just "some" width. (I would best describe it as my width plus a little extra. That way it would drape around me. I know, totally unspecific. This whole thing was done by improvising.) The corners were rounded out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then cut enough lace to go around the entire perimeter of this rectangle. It was a lot. Just... a lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If your lace looks like this... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/ehOvM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/ehOvM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is to say, has raw edges and things... You'll want to trim it down first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using a white thread..., although one could easily use a clear/invisible thread. I didn't have any on hand. ... Using a white thread, I just stitched the entire length around, attaching the edge of the lace to the edge of the veil. I got tired after going around it once, so I didn't finish like I planned to and do both edges of the lace. It looked fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the lace was all attached, I folded it almost in half. Not evenly, otherwise both layers of the veil would be the same length. It's offset several inches so the top layer is shorter. I gathered it all up at the fold and ran a thread through it to hold it in place, adjusting it to the width of the aforementioned haircomb.</div><br />
<strong>When attaching it, make sure you're attaching it to the TOPSIDE of the comb with the length of the veil hanging down in the direction all the prongs are pointing.</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I left a slight bit of overhang at the top to fold over to completely hide the comb. Again, taking a white (or invisible) thread, weave over the veil and comb, around it, and between the prongs. Go from one end of the comb to the other, then back again for extra security. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/Wueea.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.imgur.com/Wueea.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made this awesome illustration to show you how.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once it's all secure, you're done! You could also attach beads or pearls or little flowers. However you want to embellish it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/Tn4yf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.imgur.com/Tn4yf.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks way longer than it seems.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/w3CQ1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/w3CQ1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some detail of the lace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just to prove it can be flipped over the face, here's another:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://i.imgur.com/55Ptb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Lindsey Friar Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-59227374969429769022012-04-01T21:07:00.001-05:002012-04-01T21:08:11.515-05:00Back to costumesThe husband and I are heading to Dragon*Con together this year. It'll be his first convention and he wants to cosplay. It's still months away, but I have started on his costume already.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://i.imgur.com/zELAq.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="133" src="http://i.imgur.com/C1Sdk.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://i.imgur.com/gBZRU.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="133" src="http://i.imgur.com/UUJny.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://i.imgur.com/qUipq.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="133" src="http://i.imgur.com/f4Wim.jpg" width="200" /></div><br />
<br />
I'm working with and doing a lot of things I haven't before. I have to make some actual props and things. A lot of detail work. I'm having a lot of fun with this.<br />
<br />
1) The shoulder guard is made from craft foam sheets. I used metal rivets and button snaps.<br />
2) The foot guards are also made with craft foam sheets and metal rivets. There's also some elastic to stretch under the boot to hold it in place better.<br />
3) The prayer beads are polymer clay. How I love the stuff.<br />
4) I've never done applique before, but I am now for the white stripes along the navy blue on the robe.<br />
5) The jug prop is a cardboard skeleton and expanding foam carved to the right shape. I then covered it with spackle (The stuff you fill in holes in the wall with). That's as far as it is right now until I sand and finish it.<br />
6) Our kitten tries to help. <em>Tries.</em><br />
<br />
<em>And of course,</em> this is all going to eventually become:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/5gv3i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.imgur.com/5gv3i.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auron from Final Fantasy X</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have not yet started on the sword or any of the clothes aside from the robe. The sword's going to be a lot of fun. :DKaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-82081777184413268842012-04-01T20:51:00.001-05:002012-04-06T23:22:49.584-05:00Errr... Yeah, those reviews.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i.imgur.com/V8Wxa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsey Friar Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Wal-Mart specialty cakes:<br />
<br />
We went ahead and went with a wedding cake from Wal-Mart. Just picked one of the ones from the book, same colors, etc. Chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream. Three tiers. No silly topper. Came out to be something like $124, half of which was put down as a deposit the day we ordered it. We ordered it something like a week or two before the wedding. It was ready for pick-up the morning of.<br />
<br />
It looked very nice. It wasn't dry, as some people complain of with storebought cakes. The frosting wasn't bad either. I trimmed down a dozen roses to stick into the top. Also didn't look <em>that </em>terrible. <br />
<br />
My photographer will have to forgive me, but I'm posting photos she took. :P<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/z4XGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.imgur.com/z4XGU.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsey Friar Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It was tasty and we enjoyed it. It was PLENTY big enough for our small wedding. Thanks, Wal-Mart. Even if the girl who took our order was a bit of a grump. :)<br />
<br />
So:<br />
Tasted good<br />
Looked good<br />
Didn't need a long advance order<br />
Was ready morning of the wedding <br />
Cheap<br />
<strong>I do recommend</strong> <strong>this</strong>, especially if you're not looking to drop $200+ on a cake. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Flowers from FiftyFlowers.com:<br />
<br />
My mother said I could order $200 worth flowers. Yeah, that doesn't seem like a lot to some people. That's okay, because I didn't really want a lot of flowers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fiftyflowers.com/product/White-Mini-Calla-Lily-Flower_86.htm">Mini Calla Lilies</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fiftyflowers.com/product/Purple-Carnation-Flowers-Mixed_92.htm">Carnations</a><br />
<br />
I ordered both of these, set to deliver two days before the wedding to my parents' house which I had the time to head down there before my class that day to accept the order.<br />
<br />
Well, the calla lilies arrived. Within about 5 minutes, (enough time for me to rip into the box), I received a phone call from a representative saying that I'd have my order that morning (Already had it!) and to notify me that the carnations got held in customs(!!) and would arrive the next day. Grrreeaaattt.... Luckily, I was able to leave a note before I had to rush off for a family member who would be home during the next day to accept my order and prep the flowers for me to work on that night. They did arrive and they were taken care of, so all's well. Unexpected things do happen and I'm not silly enough to think otherwise. :)<br />
<br />
20 Calla lilies isn't a whole lot. I know they were minis, too, but still smaller than I anticipated. I wound up not using most of them, so it was kind of a waste. A shame, too, because I really wanted them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/b9bxn.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<br />
The carnations were great. It's a combo pack of four different shades of purple - 20 of each - which turned out fantastic. I had plenty to make the bouquets (four. Mine, two bridesmaid bouquets, and a throwing bouquet which didn't get used because I said, "Here put this in the fridge" to my maid of honor and she put it in the freezer and didn't realize until it was frozen solid hahahaha. <3)<br />
<br />
I also just picked up a random bouquet of flowers and baby's breath from Wal-Mart to fill in with. Lilies, daisies, roses, the like. So glad I did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/fHBEL.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not a great picture and doesn't do them all justice, but it's all I was able to get. <em>Was kind of busy.</em></div><br />
I also made boutonierres (Ended up hating the ribbon ones I made). Making bouquets and bouts was an interesting experience, since I've never done anything like that before. One of the people hanging around the house that day (guest of my brother's) asked me where I learned to do this stuff. "Hahaha, I have no idea what I'm doing."<br />
<br />
<br />
So: <br />
Easy ordering<br />
Unexpected delay on half of order<br />
Calla lilies not quite what I expected<br />
Carnations were great and a hardy flower<br />
Well packaged, nothing wrong with flowers<br />
Also packaged with care instructions<br />
<br />
Still, despite the holdover in customs, <strong>I would recommend</strong> FiftyFlowers. They were prompt on communication, flowers were good quality.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-73372418466337737272011-09-09T14:13:00.001-05:002011-09-09T14:14:01.463-05:00Things To Come?With my RSVP rant out of the way... I'm finding that planning a wedding is not that easy - I didn't expect it to be anyway. I have no prior experience with any of this, nor do any of my friends. I am kind of winging this entire process as I go along, and I don't think I'm doing that bad. (Or that great, necessarily.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Tablecloths were ordered and came in - It was cheaper to buy them compared to renting.<br />
Napkins were ordered and came in - I got 11" cocktail napkins because I didn't want the giant dinner ones. <br />
"The dress" has long since been acquired. New suit also acquired.<br />
Bridesmaids dresses ordered (If my maid-of-honor actually put in her order)<br />
Wine either done or on its way to being done. <em>While I'm not big on alcohol at all, I thought the wine would be acceptable because it's homemade by my parents. :) Niagara, Concord, a mix of both, and some kind of mixed berries one. </em><br />
<br />
I need to make my veil. I want to make my veil. I'll get around to that eventually. I bought the material for it already - it's just a matter of doing it.<br />
<br />
I've been bouncing around on wedding favour ideas and think I've finally settled on one. I am going to make jam/jelly with my mother. Strawberry jam from strawberries my parents picked, and blackberry if there are some blackberries from my parents' garden that escaped the wine wrath. We have adorable 4oz canning jars ready for this project. It's all very personal, the wine and the jams. And the centerpieces if that idea goes through.<br />
<br />
My intent is ordering flowers online to ship two days before the wedding and prep them all myself. <br />
<br />
As for a cake, I'm leaning towards a Wal-Mart wedding cake. (Did you know they do specialty cakes?) My only problem with storebought cakes overall was the awful whipped frosting, but for the wedding cakes, you get the option of buttercream frosting. Yes, please. As long as the cake looks and tastes good, it doesn't matter where it's from. In the end, that's all that matters. There's no reason to spend $500 on a cake. (Especially when that would be more than twice what my dress cost! Hah.)<br />
<br />
<br />
I plan to do a review of both where I order the flowers from and of the cake. That is my intent, anyway.<br />
I want to get as much prepped the two days before the wedding so I'm not spending that entire morning freaking out. Best laid plans of mice...Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-9624976513308008772011-09-09T13:53:00.002-05:002011-09-19T20:29:05.929-05:00RSVPs, what's up with that?Another post already. I just wanted to get something out that it seems the general populus doesn't get.<br />
<br />
RSVPs.<br />
<br />
In the grand scheme of life, it may not matter much... but in wedding planning, it's a big deal. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That card and return envelope aren't packaged in the invitation just for looks. The couple and/or wedding planner would sincerely like for you to fill it out and return it. It doesn't take long and it saves a lot of grief if you do it. It provides something tangible for whoever is planning to see that you are attending and it's the same little card everyone else (in a perfect world) sent back, too. Whether or not you are able to attend, it's a courteous gesture to return the response card - even if you're not 100% sure you can make it. It may be better - at least in my case - to go ahead and say you'll be there, then call back later if your plans fell through. It's more stress to say you're not able to make it, have them plan for you <em>not</em> being able to make it, then show up at the wedding when no one is expecting your bright face there.<br />
<br />
Knowing who and how many guests are coming to the wedding is a big part of the planning process, directly tying into the financial aspect. This is especially true if the couple is planning an affair that charges <strong>per guest</strong>. This may include using the venue and more likely if they are having dinner catered and served. Ordering too much is a waste and not ordering enough is ridiculous. <br />
<br />
If there is going to be some sort of assigned seating, they'll need to know who is coming so they can seat people who don't clash by each other. You surely don't want to sit by Uncle Bob and Aunt Janet, do you?... Or how about Grandma Agnes? Remember how much you hate when she pinches your cheeks? And you're 35?<br />
<br />
Even if you don't want to pay the million dollar postage that's holding you back, a thoughtful phone call or e-mail would be more appreciated than no response at all. The last thing the bride wants to think is that these people she invited to share in her special day want nothing to do with her, hate her or her husband-to-be, think she smells, ....<br />
<br />
I, and every bride out there, would kindly like to ask you to <em>respondez s'il vous plait</em>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Edit: I forgot to address the whole plus one issue. Receiving an invitation does not automatically entitle you to bring along a date or friend. Again, it ties directly into finances. Whoever is paying for this wedding may not have endless pockets to pay for every guest and that guest's guest. It is fair enough to reason that they budget for <i>who received invites. </i>Typically, family and bridal party can bring guests. The bride and groom would also typically be considerate enough of people who are in serious, involved relationships to not leave out the significant other. Everyone else, like Flaky Jane who has one week flings, is not necessarily going to be "allowed" to bring a guest.<br />
<br />
One sure-fire way to be sure you can bring a guest is if you receive an invitation addressed to you <i>"and guest".</i> Another way is if you're unsure whether or not you're allowed to bring a guest...<b> ask!</b> It's better to ask than just assume you are!Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-61760706160101533172011-09-09T13:35:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:31:52.692-05:00Current EventsI have been enjoying everything I've been doing lately, even if it isn't everything I want to do.<br />
<br />
I've picked up learning a little about photography and post-processing. I'm an amateur by far, but it's very satisfying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="255" nba="true" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/photog/lizard.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shooting anything and everything at my parents' house is a joy - there are so many plants, flowers, and critters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" nba="true" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/brocade.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Found this wondeful brocade at Jo-Ann that I plan on using in some purses, if I find the time. Hopefully, I find the time. It's gorgeous and it was so hard to pick just one brocade of all the ones that were there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made a box bag pouch for someone and just loved the project. It's so simplistic and took maybe an hour start to finish, including the hand-embroidery I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/boxbag.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/boxbag2.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I mostly used <a href="http://prettymodern.typepad.com/its_a_pretty_modern_life/2009/08/zippered-box-pouch-pattern-and-tutorial-fully-lined-with-photos.html">this tutorial</a>, but there's a half dozen other great ones out there. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's a great quickie project if you're looking for one. This specific sized bag was something like 8in x 4in x 3in in the end - I don't remember exactly. Regardless, it's a good size for a make-up bag or a travel bag for toiletries. Stow away all your little sewing bits and bobs. Anything. :D</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-33131952844915834142011-06-27T10:56:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:31:15.953-05:00Food!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/10sro.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/uAOas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw meat is extremely photogenic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i.imgur.com/6IXr7.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<br />
Made some bulgogi and rice for my beau's lunch. :> That's all. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bulgogi is "korean barbecue". It's beef, while pilgogi is spicy pork.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-25687246894088345132011-06-23T14:01:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:37:32.352-05:00A couple projects<span style="font-size: large;">Umbreon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Head, ears, tail, feet stuffed with polyfill, body filled with plushie beads.</span> </span>Hand stitched on the yellow detail cut from fleece. Felt eyes with acrylic paint detail. Hand-sewn nose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03541.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03546.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03548.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03549.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03550.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03554.jpg" width="200" /></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jolteon</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Made this one back in January when my beau came down with a flu and I thought he needed a friend. The white parts are cut from a pair of old socks. :D I had a terrible time with this because at the time, I didn't have any fabric scissors so cutting was just absolute hell. As a result, some pieces turned out funny - the face, for example, is a little derpy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03378.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03384.jpg" width="200" /></div><br />
<br />
Original plushie design by: <a href="http://renegar-kitsune.deviantart.com/">renegar-kitsune</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Bonsai Bag" purse</span><br />
<br />
Canvas material inside and out; I love this thing. It helped me figure out zippers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03567.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03568.jpg" width="200" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pattern by Rae at <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/">http://www.made-by-rae.com/</a></div>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-88144382218549173112011-06-17T20:33:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:31:36.195-05:00Stamping again... sort ofFather's day is coming up! I decided to make cards for my father and my beau's father. I neglected to take any pictures of it, but it was okay. The main point is...<br />
<br />
<br />
We got our wax seal set in today! I thought using wax seals on our wedding invitations would be something he would enjoy very much, so I<i> </i>convinced my fiancé <i>(not so much "convinced" as mentioned it and he was all for it</i>) to pick out a wax seal for us to order. We settled on a boxed set that came with two symbols and one filigree initial.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03641.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03640.jpg" width="200" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just love the box. It came with two wax sticks, which I probably won't end up using. We also ordered a couple other wax sticks, which are made specially to fit in a standard hot glue gun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like the filigree on the initial seal, but I'm not sure I like the square shape simply because it's so much bigger. The fleur de lis is classic, and I liked the dragon. I feel like the other options for the symbol seals were subpar, in my opinion. I would have absolutely loved if there were one that was a gryphon, since there are several on my family's coat of arms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's suggested when stamping into the wax to slightly wet the seal, but the included instructions also suggested using a metallic ink. What do you know! I have some of that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03645.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I tried it out. :3<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03642.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I decided I liked it "naked" better. Fiancé agreed. AND SO! I finished making our father's day cards.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03644.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03643.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Information:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.nostalgicimpressions.com/product_p/7525hx.htm">Wax seal set</a> purchased from <a href="http://www.nostalgicimpressions.com/">Nostalgic Impressions</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-65629079537585720612011-05-16T17:26:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:32:19.784-05:00More Stamping and ThingsEven though we still are not remotely close to the wedding, I find myself thinking about Thank You cards now. I wanted to do more rubber stamping with those to go with the invitation suites I am going to make, so I picked up a Thank You stamp to play with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/misc/DSC03484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/misc/DSC03484.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Though it was just quick playing around, with no real idea of what I wanted to do. My silver ink is kind of blotty it seems. I only remembered after using black that I had gold/silver inks, so I stamped over the black and it looks like some weird drop shadow. For my wedding thank you cards, I'd of course use a cardstock that matches our colors, instead of this dark red. The stamping I was just seeing how I could use up white space if I used 1/4 of the cardstock sheet instead of half as I did in the left card.<br />
<br />
<br />
I added in purple to my boutonnieres though!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03473.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm probably going to remake my boutonnieres [and matching corsages, assuredly] with different ribbon because I won't be able to find any that matches the color I had for these and I need more than what I had. It's about one yard of ribbon to make one rosette and the spool I bought to play with was only three yards. <br />
<br />
I did manage to stumble upon the wedding area of Hobby Lobby and found all the little bits and pieces for bouts and corsages and things. Little sparkly sprigs of happyface. I'm going to have to go back sometime, but I just can't decide what I want to work on first. I want to do anything and everything I can for my own wedding, because I want to put my own two hands to work on whatever I can. Except the cake. And dress. Those are the only two things I don't want to make. Maybe bouquets, too. I can't decide if I want fresh flowers or silk - I'm an immense packrat as it is, so either way...<br />
<br />
Centerpieces, corsages, boutonnieres, appropriate gifts, invitations, thank you cards.... the list grows.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-36613751414734040702011-05-03T03:20:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:32:42.995-05:00First BloodThere's some battle wounds, here. There's a spider living somewhere in or on my desk that keeps making appearances and has lost a few legs in the process every time I throw something at it. Also, first blood has been drawn so it's on now, wedding. You and me. Pinpricks are not friendly and, much like papercuts, have a lingering pain no one likes.<br />
<br />
I'm still trying to just come up with ideas for things to work on this summer. I made some ribbon roses a few weeks back from some sort of off-white satin ribbon, then tried it with some purple organza ribbon I found I don't like quite as much. I want to try and make boutonnieres, which is proving a little more difficult than I first assessed.<br />
<br />
<i>Just killed the spider after weeks of waging war. Victory!</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Tonight, I finally did a little more than just the rose and tried to add the [technical term incoming] "stem thingy".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03467.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's really more impressive in person?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I left a "tail" when making the rosette and improvised making the stem part with a piece of paper on my desk by folding it up, wrapping the tail around it and stapling it. I used a grosgrain ribbon in lime green and wrapped it around the paper stem-majigger. I also flipped it a couple times at the top in back for "leaves". I hand-stitched it all to keep it secure and came up with this mess. I don't hate it. I just want to figure out a way to work in some...thing... purple without over-doing it.<br />
<br />
Should I figure out a "proper way" to do this, with replicable results, I want to make a full set - groom, best man (I doubt we'll go beyond into groomsmen), father of bride, and father of groom. I also want to make matching corsages for the lady counterparts, but that will be figured out later. Haha.<br />
<br />
<br />
I did manage figuring out how I wanted my invitations done and the lovely lad agrees, so I'll be actually making those later on. Invitation, direction card, RSVP and matching RSVP & mailing envelopes lined in a pretty-pretty purple paper.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-36291613277980734732011-04-19T01:18:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:33:01.313-05:00Stamping AdventureRubber stamping. It's not something I ever really dabbled with. However, I got the idea into my head that I would much rather make my wedding invitations instead of <i>have</i> them made. All the more tempting to try something I've never done, huh? <br />
<br />
I managed to get out to Hobby Lobby this morning <i>with my beau in tow, har har har rhyme.</i> We (that is to say, I) looked at primarily the stamps. <br />
----As an aside, Stampabilities/Paper Studio stuff is 50% off. That was double sweet.<br />
I did a little "research" beforehand and decided to use just clear stamps, because being clear, I could easily see <i>where precisely</i> I was stamping. Picked up a couple interesting stamp packs and a giant acrylic block.. ....And ten different ink pads, because of the above mentioned sale. I picked up embossing powder too, but am at a lack for a heat gun (They were sold out today. Booooo!).<br />
<br />
If you've never used clear stamps yourself, they're silicone (I think) stamp designs and you peel them off of the plastic sheet they come on. Then, you position it how you want it on a clear acrylic block. The silicone just adheres to the acrylic on its own, so you can peel it and change it around how you want to. After you're done, you just peel the stamp off, wash it with soapy water or stamp cleaner, and then put it back on the plastic sheet. I think they're pretty cool. <br />
<br />
I spent most of the evening playing with my new toys. I stumbled upon a pretty neat sort of watermark-like effect that uses Pearl-Ex powder. I already had some metallic green Pearl-Ex from using it with my polymer clay, so it was great. <br />
<br />
You need embossing ink and Pearl-Ex powder. You load up your stamp with the embossing ink, stamp the paper, and before it gets too dry, brush on some powder with a paintbrush. It's kind of like magic if you use a clear embossing ink, so the image just "magically appears" when you run the powder over it and it adheres to the ink. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/hooray/DSC03458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Incidentally, the gradient in this photo is due to the reflection of my monitor on the Pearl-Ex. However, you can achieve something very similar if you brush on different colours of Pearl-Ex before the embossing ink dries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I also found this cardstock I liked at Office Max, called "Stardust". It's flecked with little colored bits. I still have to find <i>preferably </i>a dark purple cardstock.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I just wanted to share. ^_^ I'm just glad I get to sink some time into making things soon.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-27356709963381513862011-04-17T20:57:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:33:19.013-05:00Dead periodI moved in January and have not had the chance to do any crafting since then. The semester is almost over though, so I'll be able to jump into it full swing for the summer. I already have a lot of work cut out for me, because I'm also hoping to make plenty of things for my wedding.<br />
<br />
<br />
But in the meantime, instead of studying for an exam...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/misc/DSC03453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/misc/DSC03453.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Origami lotus flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-24749295430983165782010-12-20T23:05:00.001-06:002011-09-14T11:33:47.067-05:00Dice BagsIt was a spur of the moment idea but I kept with it and just LOVE how they turned out.<br />
<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure what to give my fiancé's brother, but wanted it to be something useful. As the both of them love Magic: The Gathering, I usually use that as a starting point. Last year, I made a full set of mana symbol pendants for my fiancé and an island symbol pendant for his brother. My fiancé loves his set and frequently wears them.<br />
<br />
I somehow decided on dice bags (or whatever-else-they-want-to-put-in-them bags). I used the same thing I used for my steampunk goggles for the outside - that is, a black canvas apron to give a different life, but I also wanted to make the lining of each bag different. I used various scrap fabrics we have lying around here and love how all of them came out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03323.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First and second</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03325.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbles are great.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My first attempt yielded a bag I thought was a little small, but it's actually perfectly suited to hold a standard set of dice. Its small size only really made sewing the top difficult. I was pleased to find we still had this particular bit of fabric left because its pattern is just a lot of ocean waves, which I thought would be perfect for my fiancé's brother because he loves playing blue decks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03324.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I know for a fact my dear beau would love to have a dice bag, especially to go along with the bag I painted for him for his birthday that he now uses for all of his MtG stuff. He loves anything green, so I used some green satin from my Bellossom costume to line it. I absolutely love how the satin looks.<br />
<br />
I wanted to use the black canvas because I felt it would make them more durable.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black satin and some red fabric joined in on the party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Additionally, I used some old shoelaces to string them and decided I needed to make some kind of bead real quick out of polymer clay with two holes to run the laces through, then tie a knot to tie off the bag so that the knot wouldn't slip into the channel they're strung through and be impossible to untie again. (I'm aware this sentence is a massive run-on.)Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-5656179253012008242010-12-13T16:04:00.001-06:002011-09-14T11:33:57.566-05:00Teddiursa HatWell, my fiancé took my foxy ear hat I made hostage and refuses to give it back. Except - however - under one condition: He wants a teddiursa hat. CAN DO!<br />
<br />
<br />
It started off the same as my foxy ear hat, but with rounded ears instead of pointy ears.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03314.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ackbar says: It's a TRAP!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But most importantly and identifying about Teddiursa is the forehead-moon. I'm still working on how I can best sew details and things on. I used a wider zig-zag stitch for my Luvdisc plushies (Which I suddenly realize I don't think I made a post about) which worked but I'm not sure if I was 100% satisfied with it. I used a much narrower zigzag on the moon and tried to stay close to the edge of it, then doubled back over it again. I'm relatively pleased with the outcome.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03319.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's... a HUGE moon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I also pinched the ears in the middle and stitched it. Just cause. :><br />
<br />
<br />
I hope he loves it. <3Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-40844773559028110432010-12-04T23:00:00.001-06:002011-09-14T11:34:10.231-05:00Yeah, it's that unfortunate time of the year againI'm not a fan of "the season" - since it's people that ruin the whole thing for me. People everywhere, not minding people around them, being rude and impatient in stores. Parking lots. Check outs. Roads. <br />
<br />
<br />
Alas, I still like to make ornaments - regardless of if I have a tree or not.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03290.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little presents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
These are sort of fun. Made from felt, stuffed with poly-fill and some polybead things for like... beanie babies for some added weight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm currently doing some green ones and some gold/purple ones. ^_^<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03287.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These buttons are gorgeous. And old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03292.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also whipped this tree up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-56297475324030001692010-11-06T00:28:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:34:41.946-05:00Noms - Gummi CandiesMy fiancé and I picked up this candy cookbook a while back and I just adore this book. I made some gummi candies using the "gummy bear" recipe it has. It's the second time I've used this recipe. I'm trying to make some of my candies be deliciously sour, so I'm experimenting around now.<br />
<br />
WELL! I made them, impatiently waited for them to cool after pouring [i.e. I put them in the freezer for a short while], then cut them. Tip: Pizza cutters are amazing for this. Knives are a terrible, terrible idea.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like delicious pieces of stained glass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANGLES, OH MAN</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03248.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow brick road?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Okay enough of that. Now for coating them, I go with superfine sugar. For superfine sugar, I just throw granulated sugar into a blender for a minute to mash that stuff up well. Now that I have my citric acid, I went with about an 8:1 ratio of sugar to citric acid. Like I said, experimenting. I didn't really account for how sweet the candy itself would be against the coating.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Noms/DSC03249.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Coated them all, separated them out, going to leave it out overnight and hope it firms up a bit more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next time: I'm going to add more citric acid into the sugar mixture of the candy itself. I'm having issues, though. I'm unsure how to make the candy firmer. Is it something to do with the amount of water going into the gelatin mixture or what? I don't like how super chewy and flimsy this stuff is. It makes me feel like my blood is thickening with every piece of this stuff is. Haha... :<Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-45611796921177849182010-11-01T15:45:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:34:52.902-05:00Polymer Clay - Boo's new hat!Last year, I made a Christmas ornament for my boyfriend(fiancé) which was Boo (From Mario!) with a Santa hat. See below(photos from before he was glazed :<) :<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2009/342/3/3/Big_Boo_Ornament_by_chibi_chan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="142" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*cackle*</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2009/342/3/3/Big_Boo_Ornament_by_chibi_chan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> I love him. He's great. However my fiancé's complaint is that his Santa hat is no bueno for the rest of the year! I agree.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/PolymerClay/DSC03225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He'll look absolutely smashing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/PolymerClay/DSC03225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I'm already getting started on making some Christmas presents, so whatever. Boo will receive a dapper little top hat this holiday season.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For inquiring minds: Boo is an aluminum foil core covered in polymer clay. While I didn't capture it in the picture, his backside does taper out into a tail. Hats have a hole run through them before baking big enough for the hanging loop to be strung through it and hold it on.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-18157002080343810522010-10-18T19:17:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:35:17.165-05:00Costumery - Steampunk GogglesI will attempt to explain in absolutely terrible detail how I made my lol-goggles.<br />
<br />
<br />
Tutorials I've found on the interwebz: <a href="http://mtani.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Goggles-Tutorial-105778289"><br />
http://mtani.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Goggles-Tutorial-105778289</a><br />
<a href="http://fenris-the-red-wolf.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Goggles-A-Tutorial-91226763">http://fenris-the-red-wolf.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Goggles-A-Tutorial-91226763</a><br />
<a href="http://raegar.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Goggles-168441815">http://raegar.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Goggles-168441815</a><br />
These all looked great, but...<br />
<br />
Yeah, okay. So while I wanted leather and metal, the whole nine yards (or at least four and a half yards would have been nice), I didn't have many things on-hand to futz with. I did however have a pile of polymer clay, some spray paint from my NERF gun repaint, and some old aprons and felt. ...And a toilet tissue roll. The heck did I do with this crap?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3tKndxEEUAiwIZAFtrrUkZkQn-wBaprc8jv0OERZqYOxoa7XOWa-yh-hXYI3AXUqpEr3g2jWu_n8dxj1AavAGcEfw4DwkFwzsjv-0t4jYOeY7jwhZAUaobpFJZ_lE3mjk3MwRKqcvnk/s320/DSC02748.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pile of junk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3tKndxEEUAiwIZAFtrrUkZkQn-wBaprc8jv0OERZqYOxoa7XOWa-yh-hXYI3AXUqpEr3g2jWu_n8dxj1AavAGcEfw4DwkFwzsjv-0t4jYOeY7jwhZAUaobpFJZ_lE3mjk3MwRKqcvnk/s1600/DSC02748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I cut two pieces from the cardboard roll the be the base of my eyepieces. Maybe an inch wide. I reinforced these with masking tape so they wouldn't be so flimsy, before rolling a sheet of polymer clay around the outside and trimming it to fit. (I ran the clay through my pasta machine so it'd be uniform.)<br />
The fronts of the eyepieces still had to be made. I rolled out more clay and used something (in this case, an old salt shaker cap) to cut out circles from the middles, where I would later put in clear plastic for lenses.<br />
Around the opposite edge, I poked holes through before baking where I'd later stitch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC5qn12xbgkcn88v09rz5KPMUOPYsOeVPK6E2C4rcg-Ji1ZxmXk-X3sKFlKnnWbpgqrX2FzzqAGD-SDIn55SPPyJfGBhS93dt5ttPp3ugnsUPQeZJnIIBER5kMM6nVmmn_C7xyQz9rDk/s320/DSC02749.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or something like that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC5qn12xbgkcn88v09rz5KPMUOPYsOeVPK6E2C4rcg-Ji1ZxmXk-X3sKFlKnnWbpgqrX2FzzqAGD-SDIn55SPPyJfGBhS93dt5ttPp3ugnsUPQeZJnIIBER5kMM6nVmmn_C7xyQz9rDk/s1600/DSC02749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I don't care how the inside looked. Baked this per package instructions. Let cool, then applied a few coats of spray paint. I spent the time it was drying to dig around the house for some kind of fabric to use in lieu of leather.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was a huge ugly "No."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>My wonderful mother however pulled up a pile of aprons she doesn't use for work anymore. Essentially black canvas (And an adorable red one I'm keeping) just waiting for me to decimate it. I cut a rough "Whale" shape (As I saw it described in one of the aforementioned tutorials - I think that sounded adorable.) and trimmed it down how I wanted for comfort. I DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS ENOUGH THOUGH! It needed more color. I managed to dig up my old collection of craft felt. I cut a matching piece from it and put them together. I wrapped these two pieces around the now-dry eyepieces, and using the previously poked holes, I stitched (repeatedly) through the fabric and eyepieces to secure them together.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02752.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repeat for the second eyepiece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I managed to find some clear plastic from some product's packaging. I cut circles from it to use for lenses and trimmed the edged down until they sat inside of the eyepiece snugly (from the inside. This is why I previously stamped out circles, leaving a place inside for the lens to rest). <br />
<br />
As for the rest of the goggles' assembly, I used a scrap to join the eyepieces in the middle as a noserest or something. I cheated by using the adjustable strap from the apron as the strap for the goggles.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These look freaking goofy if I actually wear them on my face, but my main intent in making them was to wear on my hat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02759.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HURR HURR HURR DURP DURP</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Costuming/DSC02759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-19163472911949630842010-10-14T18:02:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:35:28.933-05:00Haunter hat completed!I have finished the Haunter hat I mentioned in my previous post! It looks much better than it did initially and I'm much happier with the result, as is the friend I made it for. I went on and added a pink mouth instead of trying to make the band around the hat into a mouth, which greatly improved how it looked. It also made the eyes look less stupid with something else hand-quilted/sewn on with them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03181.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, BLEHHHH!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I must say (again) that the aspect I'm probably most unhappy about is the spikes not being big enough. That is something I'll have to improve if I make another one of these.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6639063760582016811.post-64964365038082530402010-10-11T17:18:00.001-05:002011-09-14T11:35:44.174-05:00Pokemon Overload. Maybe.There is never a Pokemon overload.<br />
<br />
<br />
I finished my Kanto gym badge set. All eight badges: Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Rainbow, Marsh, Soul, Volcano, Earth. They weren't necessarily hard. Rainbow was time consuming in that I had to mix all of the colors. Cutting Thunder's shape right sort of sucked too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/PolymerClay/DSC03163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thrilled with how these turned out, sans the whole hex vs octagon issue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/PolymerClay/DSC03163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Next up was... My best buddy asked that in addition to the Bellossom plushie I made for him that he would like a Gastly to hang in his car. Hell, why not?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03158.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say hi, Gastly!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03157.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not make the Pikachu - he was purchased. ^_^</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I'm extremely pleased with how they have turned out and currently have four of them sitting here with me. I sort of like it without the hanging loop, but as they are ghost pokemon, I figure they need to be suspended somehow. The bodies are fleece, faces are felt, and poofs are tulle. Machine and hand sewn. Some hot glue for facial attachment.<br />
<br />
Also, the Bellossom are all felt. Machine and hand sewn. Hot glue for the face and flowers. Skirt petals all hand sewn on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I, some time ago, made a Gengar figurine for a friend of mine with promise that I'll one day sell it to him when I was ready to relinquish him. Darn attachment I have formed with him. Gengar gave me much grief when the gloss I used to coat him turned into a swirly orange weirdness, causing me to repaint him and purchase a different glaze. I love how the backside turned out. He stands easily and even holds a berry of some flavor.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/PolymerClay/gengar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gengar made from polymer clay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/PolymerClay/gengar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>This friend wants a Gastly as well, but .... What good is Gastly and Gengar if you don't have a Haunter?<br />
<br />
<br />
Commence concept sketch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03164.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bleh?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/DSC03164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I nixed the tail and found out I'm terrible with anything that has a corner and needs to be turned out. .... That is to say, all of the spikes. They did not turn out nearly as spiky or large as I wanted. Also, I should have gone with the top mouth design instead of the bottom.<br />
<br />
I mean, in short. This thing eats my head.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/lolhaunter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BLEHHHHHHHHHHHH!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae178/yupKat/Textiles/lolhaunter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I've since added the eyes, which are felt and hand quilted on but I don't even like that. It's going to be up to him if he wants the hat or not. If not, I'll probably rip it apart and change it up some. I'm not sure. The band around the bottom is too wide. Fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff.Kaxishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940019121399878351noreply@blogger.com0