Wednesday, August 27, 2014

DIY Cloth Crayon Roll

  Purchased Cloth Crayon Roll to be used as a pattern. See example below.

Exhibit A



Exhibit B




^^I found this handmade cloth crayon roll at Goodwill for .99 cents whilst in port last month. After a thorough soaking and hand washing to remove some splotches of blue marker ink; followed by an ironing, the crayon roll is almost as good as new. Part of the reason I bought it was to use the roll as a pattern to make more rolls. Have you seen the prices for cloth crayons rolls on shopping sites-Etsy for example$$$ In addition, it was also easy to make a pattern from it and is a perfect sewing project for your budding seamstress and/or seamster.


 This is my test piece. Needs some finishing on the details and a good ironing. Not perfect but we'll get there...Effervescent Ethel claimed the test piece as hers hot off the press.


(Notice that I bar tacked where the two fabrics meet in the center. Although the tops of the pockets have yet to be reinforced. Both stress areas.)






Need:

-about 1/4-1/3 yard of scrap fabric or fat quarters (1 fat quarter for main fabric, the other fat quarter for the contrast)
-sewing machine
-fabric shears
-thread
-bias tape for the edges (or make your own bias tape with fabric)
-ribbon for the ties (or you can use some of the contrast fabric to make the ties)
-Fray Check™ if using ribbon ties (optional)
-lightweight batting, interfacing, lightweight woven fabric such as flannel or muslin cloth for stability


The dimensions are: *13" x 6 1/2". The ties are roughly 21" long.  *The size of the roll will vary depending on what its purpose will be: regular crayons, "Twistables@, color markers (Pipsqueaks™ or the thicker ones?), colored pencils, etc.


Tip: Remember to reinforce the seam at the top of each pocket and where the ties are attached. Wouldn't hurt to bar tack the corners as well.


Cost: insignificant. Try to keep the cost at or around US$5 or you're defeating the porpoise-so to speak.

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Rest in Peace Robin "Peter Banning" Williams :(






Tuesday, August 26, 2014

IKEA hack: LAMPAN

Greetings from 19.0000° N, 71.0000° W




It's been a busy, rollicking time on the high seas this summer, landlubbers! ...Managed to squeeze in a quick crafty project yesterday afternoon. We have a new onboard pet: a cat we lovingly have christened Shark Bait. Supplies needed: double sided tape, wood beads, antacid, glitter pens, citrus.



The blank canvas



The Hack



LAMPAN lamp available here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=LAMPAN

For more IKEA hacks go here:

http://www.ikeahackers.net/

-IKEA lamp 'LAMPAN' (US$4.99)  <<--Don't forget to buy a lightbulb at IKEA while you're there! Yes, I forgot. A lifetime of seafaring life has done a number on me brain.
-lightbulb (40 watts or lower)
-glue (optional)
-decorations : Effervescent Ethel and I used two packages of self-adhesive (no need for glue!) rhinestones picked up at Michael's and used a coupon for 40% off on one of the packages. I didn't realize until we returned to our belòved Ebony Oyster that the package of rhinestones on the right are not individual pieces rather a strip. We also scoured the craft barrels and found two vintage buttons to decorate the top of the lamp.




Lamp displayed on a makeshift table until I can find a sturdier table.



 Cost: approximately US$15

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