Spring Breakdowns: The Craft Blues

March 25, 2014

newkc1_grande

We live in a border town and one kid goes to school in Missouri and one in Kansas, with two different spring breaks. The older one wanted to play Call of Duty the entire week for his and now the younger one wants to make things all week. Pretty cool. But already I’m exhausted.

Little’s cousin’s go to the same school, so we’re having a couple of girls days. So far we’ve written a play, played outside, made books, did some embroidery, played dress up, and they’ve eaten everything. It’s been pretty fun!

While we were doing all of those things I was trying to work on a quilt top from a tutorial. And it just went all wrong. I kept making silly mistakes. The girls gave me time to work, but I just couldn’t get it. Super frustrating.

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No one talks about how defeating this stuff can be sometimes. We laugh at our Craft FAILS and marvel at the amazing projects on Pinterest, but the in between gets a little lost. I’m feeling kind of in between today. I know I’m capable of stitching some fabric together, but sometimes it just doesn’t work.

Today is one of those days.

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I’m excited to keep making, but frustrated that even “simple” things aren’t coming easily. Not throwing a pity party, well because I’m sure someone on Pinterest threw it better, but I’ve got the craft blues today.

Ever feel like that? How do you get your creative spirit back? Please leave a comment today, I’m a little needy. 😉

xo, Jennifer

 

 

 

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Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn [CRAFT FAILS]

March 5, 2014

sometimes you win, sometimes you learn

I’ve branded (quite) a few of my projects with a big ol’ FAIL or NAILED IT stamp. But lately I’m sort of taken with this inspra-quote from Pinterest: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn“. [Can’t find the original source. Sorry!]

I can’t tell you how much I’ve been “learning” lately. I just have to laugh about it (or drink or cry…or both). That’s all we can do, right? I’m probably never (ever) gonna give Martha a run for her money, but I will get better. And you will, too!!

Today let’s celebrate a few of the funniest “learning moments” people have been brave enough to share with the interwebs! And maybe, just maybe, we’ll be bold enough to try a few of these ourselves!

1. Laughing WITH, not at these Yarn Ball Cupcakes
yarn-ball-cupcakes-nailed-it

2. Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
chocolate covered strawberries fail

3. Glow Jar
glow jar fail

4. Perfectly Organzied Linens
Perfect-sheets1-400x623

5. Adorable Polka-Dot Sweater
sweater diy fail

Until next time, my fellow learners. Keep failing making!! xo

What have you “learned” recently? Be sure to share your failure turned learning experience pics with us on Pinterest by tagging your pin with #craftforest.

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DIY Frosted Glass Windows: Beer & Epsom Salts

March 2, 2014

DIY Frosted Glass Window Glazing

I have two panels in my front door that are clear glass (and two that have colored film on them) that I love because I get so little light into the front of the house. But I also hate them because you can see straight through two rooms from the porch. We have curtains up and I don’t think about them much. But I was looking through some old craft books of my grandmother’s this weekend and found a “recipe” for frosted windows from beer and epsom salts. What?! Okay, I’ll bite.

Well, we all know how much I love epsom salt crafts (epsom salt sachets and diy bath bombs). But the only beer I have in the fridge right now is a big bottle of lambic that the man brought for Valentine’s Day. Hate to open it for just me, but I guess I’ll take one for the team and for privacy. Yeah, that’s what I’ll tell myself.

Ingredients:
1 cup of beer
8 tablespoons epson salts
Soft towel and/or tissues

Add 8 heaping tablespoons of the salts into one cup of beer. (The “receipe” called for 4 but I doubled after applying to one window because it wasn’t covering enough.)

beer and epsom salt solution for window frosting

Let it sit for about 30 minutes to allow the salts to partially dissolve.  If that’s your thing, maybe drink some of the rest while catching up on all that Pinterest has to offer.

Apply the mixture to the window either with a paintbrush or the receipe said to “wash” the windows with the mixture. Going to try a cloth dipped in the mixture in a circular motion.

diy window frosting

While the window is still wet use a tissue to dab and pat any running mixture on the glass. I should have done this more – push the salts into the glass if you try this. Could look really lovely.

The mixture dries into a beautiful “frosted glass” crystals – well in some spots. Other spots look like I put epsom salts on my windows while drinking. Going to wait for it to dry for a few days and then add another layer or two. Calling this one a partial FAIL for the moment.

before & after window glazing

Think the sweetness will attract bugs? Hmmm, not so sure about this one but had to try it because she doggearred the page. Maybe she was drunk?! She does really like her wine…oh, grandma Rose. xo

I’ll keep you posted! It could get better. And with the snow that keeps falling we’ve time on our hands for experiments!

 

 

 

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Pinterest FAIL: Apron Edition

February 6, 2014

So I mentioned earlier this week that I was excited to make an apron with a removable hand towel that zippers off. Well, all I can do at this point is laugh (and laugh, and laugh, and laugh…).

hand towl apron - pinterest fail

Here’s the inspiration. I can’t tell you how many ways this went wrong. I thought I would only admit to half of it, but I gotta fess up. So the FAIL picture is my second attempt. Yep, that’s right.

The first go-round, I didn’t realize that my zipper wasn’t a fully separating zipper until AFTER I had already attached it to the apron top. I unzipped it to the end while I was pinning it and thought to myself “huh, it doesn’t zip off. I’ll just sew this part and then figure it out“. So I did. I actually sewed it on thinking somehow it would unzip after I was done. [Umm, it didn’t.]
zipper doesn't seperate - sewing fail

I checked online to see if there was some secret trick to transform a regular zipper to a separating zipper – there isn’t. But several people suggested using thifted clothing to find the right kind of zipper.

I remembered that jackets had zippers that fully separate [!!!!] – it was an actual cartoon-style aha, light bulb moment. So sad, I know. Feel free to laugh at me vs. with me right now.

hoodie - removed zipper

So I tried again. I don’t know what I was thinking.

The whole thing is weird and I’ve had several projects recently where Nina Garcia would be questioning my taste level.

nina garcia_project runway

Here are the lessons:

1. Don’t settle. These were the things I had on hand – the pattern and the towel were not cute together.
2. Maybe Read all the directions first.
3. Measure yourself to make sure the apron fits. I’m not very tall and didn’t take that into account.
4. Set it aside if it isn’t working and come back to it.
5. Be able to laugh at yourself. Check. No problems there!

diy apron fail

I might try this one again. Really if nothing else I know I want to learn to make bias tape and continue working on sewing straight lines – seems like a more traditional apron would help with both skills. Oh, and maybe get some thread in other colors!

I’ve had this Hello Petal layer cake on my wish list for a bit. Maybe I should get some of the matching yardage to see if I can make a regular apron. And then maybe make a half apron out of this one? I like the idea of a towel apron – probably doesn’t have to zip as most aprons would be washable anyway, right?

Hello Petal Layer Cake fabricP.S. I really like things to go perfectly and this blog is a HUMBLING experience for sure. xo

P.S.S. I showed you one of my mess ups, now show me yours! I dare ya.

Read this far? Fantastic! Here are a few more popular posts: Kniting 101 & Free Pattern / DIY Running Shoe Makeover / T-Shirt to Softie Pillow and lots and lots of pins over here.

 

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