Category Archives: Crafting

Crafting, Stuff

Storage Shed and Other stuff

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The big project today was to assemble the shed I bought a month ago. The Boy Wonder came over early to finish laying the pavers for the shed base. But we didn’t finish because we both got over-heated preparing the ground for the paver base.

Tomorrow we need to re-do the pavers we did today. I totally forgot to put down the weed barrier. We still have one row of pavers to finish. Then we can assemble the shed and the yard equipment and furniture will no longer have to be stored in the garage. I might finally have enough room to pull the car all the way into the garage and be able to walk around it.

I’ve been working on my Will. That’s a lot of work. I spent 4 hours typing 5 pages. I’m not the best typist for words. Nor am I any longer a great number typist. I worked retail for so many years, and I was fairly fast with either hand, depending on how the checkout counter faced. But now I’m Miss Pokey. I never learned to touch type. That was taught in 9th grade, but I worked in the library at that class period.

The funny thing is that to replace missing pages in a book, we had to borrow a copy from the local library, create a page template, and then manually type the replacement text. So I did type but never learned the keyboard properly. Those replacement pages were then cut to size and inserted into the book. That’s how I learned book repair and re-binding – a skill I still use to make my own books and journals.

Today was supposed to be the day I held a paper-making class, but only one person had signed up. She’s willing to attend the August session which should have more people signed. Several who were interested had planned vacations for this July weekend.

I need to drive over to the Quilt Museum. I actually have a piece on display as a part of the 25 Million Stitches Project. It will be interesting to see the full display. Sad as well. Each stitch represents a refugee from an area with war, or drought, or other life-changing disaster. At this point in time, 25 million stitches is probably too few. I did 2500 stitches on my piece. Not nearly enough, considering the current state of the world.

And that is today’s update. I promise I will get back to crafting and posting pictures. The depression still has a tight hold on my brain, but I am getting better.

Crafting

Back to Bad Habits

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As in not posting. My paper-making class is about to be cancelled. Only one person signed up. I guess I charged too much. Most classes at the maker-space are from $50 to $250. I charged $50 per person and $25 for kids. I normally only charge a materials fee based on the average amount I pay for supplies plus $5, so people probably think the cost is too high.

As far as I know as of today, only one person has signed up for tomorrow’s session. I’ll ask if they want to attend the August class and postpone this session.

Update: July class is definitely cancelled.

Crafting, Stuff

Rainbow

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I’ve never seen a rainbow at night.

Rainbow 8:25 pm. Taken with phone.

I was at the Maker-space for Craft Night, but due to the weather reports, most people stayed home. Those of us there stayed until a bit after 8. The drive home was nothing special until I saw the rainbow the red sky.

I didn’t want to pull over on the side of the road so I took the photo after I pulled into the garage. It was weird seeing the multicolored arc in the evening sky. I thought it might be a moonbow, except the sun was just setting behind storm clouds in the west and the rainbow was to the east. So technically, it should be a rainbow not a moonbow. But someone who knows more can feel free to correct this old lady.

So far, I only have one person signed up for my first Basic Papermaking class. I hope I get a few more students by Saturday or I’ll have to cancel. And move that person to the session in August. Ah well. That’s it for now.

Crafting, Paper Crafts

Paper making

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I’m teaching a class in basic paper-making on July 20th at the maker space, it’ll be making pulp with the contents of my shredder. I’ve mentioned previously that I’ve done classes like this before.

Once I did a demo for another organization using flowers and herbs embedded in the pulp itself. That was very successful. Papermaking is easy to do, particularly if you have a paper shredder. Turning the shreds into pulp is a great way to prevent identity theft.

Run your shreds through a blender, scoop the pulp up with a specialty frame and press out the excess water with a few weighted objects. Once it dries, random letters may appear, but there’s no way to piece together anything with usable information. I’ve seen tv shows and movies where they painstakingly piece together shredded documents, but the reality is, it would take an incredible number of hours to gain useful information.

I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it’s unlikely for regular people to have their shredded documents pieced back together when there are easier ways of recovering data from computers and phones. But movies and television featuring criminals and spies would be less exciting to watch.

So – now that I’ve wandered off track — I have two sessions planned for paper-making, about a month apart. I have a brand new press to try. I’ve been using a wooden press I acquired many years ago. It’s just two pieces of wood with carriage bolts on the corners that get screwed down. The wet pulp is not particularly good for the bare wood. I also have two bamboo cutting boards that I stack bricks on to use as a press. The bamboo is less prone to the water damage, but still not ideal.

I almost had a 12-ton hydraulic press, but I couldn’t figure out where I would store it at the maker space. It would have been free, but by the time I figured a place for it, it had been sold. It might have been overkill for making paper. It certainly would have flattened it.

So far no one has signed up for the classes. Monday, I’m taking samples and items made from handmade papers to show what can be done. I hope that helps. Otherwise, the classes will be cancelled.

Crafting, Sewing

Makers Camp

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Yesterday I took part in the Maker Space’s Maker Camp. This is our first time offering something like this. The camp started in Monday with 8 youths participating. The first day was Orientation, designing name tags, woodcarving and metal work. I have a few pictures, but I’m only posting those without faces as I have not gotten permission from the parents or teacher to show them.

Some of the owls carved by the young makers in wood working..

Tuesday’s activities were an introduction to stained glass soldering, sewing, and ceramics. My part was showing the students how use a sewing machine. I showed them the different parts and how to wind a bobbin, and thread the machine. I had previously cut 1-yard pieces of different fabrics for them to use for sewing either a pillowcase or a drawstring bag.

Most of the students had no problems. There were two who did not catch on as fast as the others but in spite of a few stitching errors, completed their projects first. Everyone was so proud of their work. I did have one who forgot to sew the bottom of his bag so he put it on like a skirt and walked around wearing it until his group went to their next project. The rest of the week is filled with more ceramics, screen printing, bike maintenance, graphics design, woodworking, and laser cutting.

It was a lot of fun working with those kids and I plan to do it the next time we have an event like this. The camp continues for the rest of the week and ends with the kids learning to screen print after creating a design to go on their shirts. We adults get to have a shirt made as well.

For the next camp, I may suggest adding paper-making and book binding – two things I like to teach. Both are suitable if we decide to host younger kids. Another thing they could do would be would be weaving on a cardboard frame. I have a lot of ideas for the craftier young people.

Crafting, Sewing

Summer Camp.

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Next Tuesday, the 9th, I will be teaching some young folks how to sew. The maker space I belong to received a grant to buy instructional kits for various shop areas. My area got 6 beginner sewing machines and I’ll be teaching groups of 4 to 6 students the basics of machine sewing.

This is our first year doing this summer camp, so it will be a learning experience for almost everyone. I’ve taught classes before. I did a paper making class for some elementary students and their parents as part of a public library program. I’ve taught simple printmaking, bookbinding, and a sun-catcher class to a group of variously challenged adults as part of an outreach program.

I’ve done basic book making classes for members and the public at the maker space several times as well as helping a troop of Girl Scouts with bookbinding. I have two classes scheduled for beginning paper making. These are paid classes where I provide the tools and supplies. I don’t actually make much money on these classes except to cover the cost of supplies. These particular classes are the first where I’ve offered a two-tier pricing – one for adults and half-price for ages 5 to 17.

For the Summer Camp, I plan to start with a simple pattern to show them the basics of reading a pattern. They won’t get much practical experience with the pattern, but I want to show them basics like seam allowances and markings and fabric grain. I’ll have some kits made up for making either a pillow case or stuff sack. I’m not certain if I will let them use an iron to press the fabric.

I’ll explain the parts of the sewing machine, how to wind a bobbin, and how to thread the machine. I’ll demonstrate each step and let the students try the steps. Next, I’ll explain the guide markings on the throat plate and how to tell if they are sewing straight. I’ll show them how to tell the right/wrong sides of the fabric and how to pin the seams together. I’ll give a demo on starting and ending seams.

They should have an hour to make the pillowcases and stuff bags. I’ll post pictures of the bags. The students might be holding them up, but there won’t be faces showing. I don’t post pictures of kids without parental approval.

Crafting

 Creating Artist Trading Cards with Dollar Tree Crafter’s Square Items

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Way back during the Great Covid Lockdown, I did an online session on making Artist Trading Cards for members of the Bodgery, a maker space here in Madison.

Supplies

From the Dollar Tree

Crafter’s Square:

  • Stencils
  • Stickers
  • Rub-on stickers
  • Tempera Watercolor
  • Rubber stamps

Other supplies

  • Sheet of sturdy paper such as card stock, drawing paper, watercolor paper, or Bristol board sized 8-1/2 by 11 inches.
  • Ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, or paper trimmer
  • Ink pads
  • Paint brush – about ½ inch (across or in diameter) depending on whether you have a flat or round brush.
  • Scissors
  • Magazine or book pages
  • Glue or glue stick
  • Pencil
  • Fine-tipped black pen
  • Something to use as a palette.
  • Two containers for water
    • One for rinsing brushes
    • One for clean water to dilute paint.
  • Rag or paper towels for wiping brushes.

Optional:

  • Craft heat gun or hair dryer for drying paper.
  • Cosmetic sponge or dauber for distressing edges.
  • Distress ink or tan ink pad for distressing edgesd
  • 12 x 12 single-sided cardstock cut to 7 by 10-1/2 inches.

On the back of the sheet of paper, mark boxes 3-1/2 inches tall by 2-1/2 inch wide. The number of cards will depend on the orientation of your paper. 8-1/2 by 11 will make 9 cards;11 by 8-1/2 will make 8.

Once you mark off the card shapes, turn the paper over. Squeeze a small blob of the three primary colors onto the palette. Dip your brush into the clean water container and then into your first color.

Make random streaks and lines in each color across the paper. Clean brushes after each color to keep them clean. Overlap marks to create additional colors. Let paints dry.

Stamp images randomly across paper to create additional background interest. Cut cards apart and distress edges if desired. Use book pages to select words and phrases to decorate front of cards. Select embellishments from sticker sheet for front of card.

Before gluing items down, test arrangements. Once you are satisfied, glue everything down. To ensure lasting adhesion, apply glue to each sticker and phrase before laying them down. Glue stick adhesive tends to dry out and lift after a while.

Crafter’s Square art supplies.

A couple of finished cards.

The items are fairly nice to use and affordable so any one with a couple of dollars can make a small piece of art to share. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on art supplies.

Since the time I did this class, Dollar Tree has added more craft supplies including fabric and vinyl that can be used with die-cutting machines such as Cricut. If there’s a store near you, check them out.

Crafting

What the heck is with the long absence?

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Total depression- the kind that makes you want to just give up. But I didn’t. I got help, but it took a long time. Things are looking up and I’m getting more involved. I’ve spent too much time not doing anything except hiding between book covers. Books aren’t demanding. They don’t ask to borrow money and not pay you back on payday. They don’t call and then proceed to tell how their life is sucky and not ask how I’m doing. They don’t make you feel unloved and useless. And it’s better to read a book than to try to eat the pain away. Been there, didn’t work. Weighed 200 pounds. Not any more.

I’m holding the line here. I have a long way to go. I’ve started by getting my surroundings in order – getting the house presentable, clearing weeds and invasive plants from what used to be my garden. I’ve got a few tomato and pepper plants in pots. Pots of flowers are on the front steps. I’ve mowed a few times. Everything looks good from the street.

I’ve showered more. I’m certain people who encounter me appreciate that. I’ve been eating more fresh stuff instead of frozen pizza. I wore myself out doing a screen printing project for the makerspace I belong to – 120 aprons and 90 tote bags as gifts for our members. Tough work to do alone in a week, but it was a last minute decision and everyone else works during the day.

After all that, I did a “State of the Union” type presentation to the membership. It went well in spite of a few technical difficulties and interruptions. One of our founders doesn’t quite understand that we know who she is and she doesn’t really need to remind us of the fact whenever she is present by interrupting.

I’ve fallen six times in the last month. No injuries to speak of, but a bit concerning. I’m being sent to the Geriatric Fall Clinic. Apparently, I now fall – see what I did here- into the Geriatric category. I didn’t notice. But now when I look, I can see that some old woman managed to swap bodies with me – gave me this wrinkly and painful one. This old body seems to fall down too much. I want my other one back.

That’s probably all the update you can take for now, so I’ll end here. As a friend used to say, “Rest and be kind.”

Bookbinding, Crafting

Making book cloth using iron-on interfacing

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I like to have colorful book covers for my handmade books. I have a supply of library quality book cloth, but it is solid-colored, boring, institutional looking, but it’s very sturdy.  I also have some nice Japanese papers that I use to cover book board as well. But sometimes I want a cloth cover, but not a plain one. I found some videos on YouTube that showed a way to make book cloth from regular fabric. The videos I learned from are listed below.

The supplies you will need are:

  • A Fat quarter from the fabric store or a half yard of fabric

A fat quarter, if you don’t know, is a specific cut from a yard of fabric. It is not the same as a quarter yard. When you order a quarter yard, you get a cut of fabric 9 inches in length across the width of the cloth. A fat quarter comes from a yard of fabric cut lengthwise and widthwise to make 4 equal sized pieces of fabric, 18 by 18 inches for 36-inch-wide fabric or 18 by 22 inches for 45-inch-wide fabric. Fat quarters are readily available in fabric and craft stores and in the sewing section of Walmart and similar stores for under $3.00 US.

  • Lightweight fusible interfacing – the double-sided kind. One side will be fused to the fabric and the other to the next item on the list. The interfacing can be found in the fabric by the yard section of the fabric stores and as a 1-yard pre-packaged cut in the crafts area of other stores.
  • White tissue paper. You want white because the dye used for colored tissue tends to bleed if it gets wet.

You will also need:

  • An ironing board
  • A pressing cloth
  • An Iron
  • A cutting mat
  • A ruler or yard stick
  • A rotary cutter or scissors

Wash and dry your fabric to remove any sizing. I usually wash all my fat quarters at one time, iron them, and fold them once and lay them on a clothes hanger for later. Place your fabric on the ironing board with the wrong side up. Iron out the creases and wrinkles using the steam setting. Cut the interfacing slightly larger than the fabric. Lay the interfacing with the paper liner side up. Turn off the steam setting or empty the iron. Press according to the instructions on the interfacing package. Follow the package directions fir when to peel off the backing paper. Peel the backing paper off and cover with the tissue paper. Iron again to attach the tissue paper. When cool, trim the tissue paper edges flush with the fabric using your rotary cutter or scissors. Roll the book cloth into a tube to avoid creases and store until needed. Use like regular book cloth.

 

Treasure Books

Nik the Booksmith

Crafting

Where Have I Been?

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In a black hole of depression, that’s where. After “The Road Trip From (To) Hell”, I just kept getting more and more stressed. When that happens, I shut down. To add frosting to the crap cake my life became, my son moved in with me because he quit his job – the tavern he worked at closed its doors a month later – and lost his apartment (included with his job) and wound up, after a bitter battle with his daughter’s mother with whom he had been staying, homeless.

He did find a new job, but his start date kept getting pushed back and of course with no income, he needed to borrow (read – be gifted) money just until he started. He did eventually start his job. He was driving my old car to and from work. He offered $200 for it and then promptly traded it in for a car he can’t afford. His justification was he quit smoking and that the $300 a month he was spending on cigarettes would fund the car payments. Lies.

At least he likes this job. No more cooking. He has benefits! He’s never before had health insurance, and dental insurance, and sick leave, and vacation! Wow! Other than having a Covid scare, he hasn’t missed work or called in hungover. Even better, he’s not living with me.

I thought I was holding it together fairly well, until I totally lost my cool while giving a tour to strangers and potential members of the maker space I belong to. I then decided to take some alone time and not interact with too many people. So far it’s been working. I’m better. I got my sleep re-regulated so I now get longer unbroken hours of sleep. I’m not spending my days dozing on the couch.

Hopefully, I will post more regularly. I’m sorry for having gotten your hopes up last summer when I said I would post more regularly. Thank you for your patience.