More Gift making and stamp making class

I had made succulent terrariums last year and I have been meaning to make more, but I never seemed to have time until now. I 'm going to give some of these away as Christmas presents. However, it's going to be hard to give them away since they are all so pretty.






For those wondering how to make one, it's a piece of cake....7 layer chocolate cake...yum. Sorry, I got side tracked.

What you will need.

1. A cool glass container. (I found mine at the 99 cent store, Ikea, Michaels, and my aunt's garage)
2. Succulents (of course! You can find them at your local hardware store or nursery. Just don't go out looking out for them when it's raining. I did and I got wet).
3. Cactus soil. (local hardware store)
4. Rocks or pebbles (local hardware store)
5. Sand (local hardware store or petshop. But it's cheaper at the hardware store)

How to:

1. add about an inch and of half of rocks.
2. Add about 1.5 to 2 inches of soil.
3. Put in the succas (succulents)
4. Add the sand

And voila, there you go! You can add cute little dinosaurs or other creatures. What I love about these plants is that they don't need much attention, which is good because I forget to water plants all the time.

I also have taken up sewing again. My poor sewing machine has been neglected since I started school. I'm almost finished with finals so I should have more adventures soon! The pencil bag and coin purse (along with the fan book from the previous post) are for my secret Santa gift exchange.




On another note, on Wednesday I attended a stamp making class held by Home Ec.
and it was so much fun!!! The ladies were HILARIOUS and we made very cute stamps made out of Staedtler rubber. These stamps may look crude, but they look awesome on fabric or paper. I haven't taken pictures of that, but I will put them up later.

Christmas Gift Making Time

It's my favorite time of the year! Gift making time (or craft time.) Christmas is the perfect excuse to splurge on craft supplies, so I can make gifts for people...and a few things for me ;D. Here are some of the things I have been working on. I don't think the recipients read my blog, so it should still be a surprise.







As you can tell I'm still in my book binding phase. For those who are wondering what's on the cover of the last book, it's an embalming machine. I made it for one of my mortuary classmates.

More Bookbinding

I tried another method of bookbinding. I love the result, it looks pretty professional. I can't wait to make more! My friend made the green one and I made the Koi fish book. Aren't they lovely?!

Bookbinding!

I decided to take a bookbinding class at Home Ec....Like I need an other hobby, right? I guess it's my way of coping with stress. Some people, read, others excerise, I learn how to make things. I aslo made it my mission to learn how to make various cool things, so I just added books to my list. In a few weeks I will be learning how to Felt! Exciting stuff.

Any way, bookbinding was so much fun and now I just want to keep making books. Unfortnately, I have tons of homework and exams to prepare for. Hopefully, I'll get some book done during Thanksgiving break. Here you go!

Non kissable Lips

I made a mouth.

Desk Space

I found this awesome Alexander Henry fabric at a discount store in Cypress. I bought a yard, not knowing what I wanted to do with it. Then I thought it would make cool skirt, so I went back a week later to buy more. Unfortunately it was ALL gone...Sad pants. So, then I decided to decorate my desk with it. I feel very inspired in my space again.





On another note! Here is my attempt at making an eye. Not my favorite so far. I think I like noses best.

Clay ears

Oh my, October is already here.

Here is my attempt at making ears.

LA Detour

What should you do when your stuck in traffic on the 5 North? You get off and go to Home Ec! I found awesome Japanese Import fabric and hand dyed wool!

Observe:

Shnaz

I'm super stoked! I've learned how to make a nose. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the model. The nose looks like it belongs to a male, but it should have been a females. LOL

I've made a friend

This little guy was relaxing on my lamp shade!

Hand Spun Yarn

Last year, I purchased fiber from Artfibers, but I didn't really finish spinning the yarn until tonight. There are some portions of the yarn that are thicker than others, but I hope my next try will look a lot better.

Day of the Dead Purse

My aunt bought me this wonderful Day of the Dead fabric at Joann's while we were selecting a fabric for her make up bag. As for the lining, my best friend, L, gave me Muppets fabric for my birthday and I thought that it might be fun to use it as lining. I was right, it turned out awesome! I found the bag pattern here for those who are interested.




The pattern was really easy to follow, even if you are a newbie like me. The only trouble I had was with the straps. I sewed them in the inside, so when I turned the bag inside out, the straps were left sandwhiched between the lining and the exterior....oops! That's why there is a seam ripper, right? Tee hee. Well, I have been enjoying my free craft time. Soon, I will be a slave to school and I will be spending a great deal of time in the embalming and restorative art labs. Yay! (well...I find it exciting)

Heather Ross!

I love Heather Ross Fabric, so I made a quilt out of her fabric. This is my second quilt. It is not finished yet, but the squares are all pieced together. The process was a lot easier now that I have a rotary cutter and a mat!

My aunt also requested a make up bag for her birthday, so I searched the internet for a nice makeup bag pattern and here is the result. You can find the pattern here:

Also, I made this coin purse and chapstick cozy....Yeah, I need to start making clothes!

Day of the Dead Couple

I haven't been crocheting for a long time, so it took me a few tries to get these little guys right. However, I think they are absolutely adorable, don't you. The patterns can be found in Creepy Cute Crochet.

And the Journey Continues....

Still working on my Hexagon blanket. It's going to be a while before you see it finished. I have been working on other things in between.

Rainbow Scarf (yes another scarf....)

Star Wash Cloth

Tissue Case

Quilt Project

About a week ago I was at Joann's browsing the fabric aisles, when I saw a woman picking out a lining for her quilt. It was very beautiful and I thought to myself that I should give it a try. I knew that it would be a bit difficult since I just started sewing, I didn't have the adequate tools, and I had absolutely no clue how to piece together a quilt. So, I went on the internet and watched a few tutorials. After 3 days of frustration, elation, and all other emotions in between I finished! Yay! I am quite proud of my work, even though it is very uneven and messy. Tee hee.

Behold!

This is Gema enjoying the quilt.

Most of the fabric was purchased from Etsy. The lining and blue and butterfly fabric was from Joanns.

Here are some things I learned:

1. Buy a rotary cutter, it will make things sooooo much easier.

2. Get yourself a long ruler.....

3. Make sure the batting and lining are wide enough for your quilt.

4. Don't have your pets in the same room while you are working, they slow things down by taking naps on your work.

5. Make a note of the speed and length of your stitches, otherwise your stitching will be inconsistent.

6. When sewing, make sure your fabric doesn't bunch, otherwise you will sew over the bunching and it will cause ugly bulkiness.

7. Never rely on your "eye balling" techniques, that will give you unwanted headaches.

I sure there were other lessons, but this is all I can think of for now.

Enjoying my Freedom!

Yay, I survived my first semester of Mortuary School...(no pun intended). It was very challenging compared to my undergraduate studies. I have done well, so next semester I get to embalm and take restorative art! How very exciting. Now that I am on vacation and have plenty of time I started making things again. A few weeks ago I purchased a sewing machine with my tax return money (I didn't spend it all) and I have been playing around with it. Here are a few things I made. I need to pratice my straight sewing. Tee hee

avoiding the unavoidable

Finals are here...eww. I needed some sort of outlet, so here are some pictures that I have taken and photoshoped. Enjoy.