Craft Tribe JULY 2008! Come join us! - Page 2

[stellimamo]

Originally Posted by avengingophelia

OK, crafty women, I have a question. Say you thrifted 3 strings, each 6-8" long, of large primary colored wooden beads (shown here). What would you do with them?

maybe an abacus? beaded curtains?

[rajahkat]

Check out my latest handpainted yarn! I'm so proud of myself!:

[dara00]

i love it. so you're not just using kool aid now, huh?

[rajahkat]

no, that's kool-aid!

[saganaga]

Hey, where can I buy a needle felting needle? Do they sell them at JoAnn's or Michael's? Or do I need to try a local yarn store maybe?

[rajahkat]

I've never seen one at Joanns. And if your LYS carries fiber art supplies like roving, batts, etc then they'll probably have a needle felting tool. I've got a fiber store here, they don't have any yarn, just spinning wheels, cards, wool, dyes, needle felting stuff. Very cool store! Maybe you have something like that?

[sunanthem]

With the beads, you could make kids necklaces/bracelets or use make sets of them and have them be lacing bead toys, or yeah, beaded curtains? Or a beaded handle for a purse?

I have seen a few needle felting needles at a big box craft store once, very hard to find though, I think it was Micheals? But I second the finding a local wool shop, thats where I get mine. Or off of ebay.

I like crafting b/c I'm an artist who cant paint while my kids are little, so I craft, and handmade things are the coolest!

Hey, can you use RIT dyes to dye playsilks? Or is that a no no?

[frog]

Originally Posted by sunanthem

Hey, can you use RIT dyes to dye playsilks? Or is that a no no?

It bleeds and fades and is a darn mess, IMO. If you want to dye them for your kid(s), though, I can set you up with some soda ash and procion dye(s). PM me and we can make a plan.

[sunanthem]

Aww, Frog, you are so sweet! I have about 10 silks I want to dye, but I dont know anything about the fancy dyes like dharma has, maybe you could explain it to me, and I could buy my own, since I have so much to dye. I'm just intimidated to buy any b/c Im not sure how to use them.

[frog]

It's really easy, Saamy. Go here and you can read about the techniques. You'll need dye and soda ash, and possibly squirt bottles, depending on your plans for the silks and whether you have them already.

If you have questions along the way, just holler. And if you end up with leftover dry dye at the end of your process, I'll trade you for it (or buy it outright). I'm a big fan of others' leftovers!

[rajahkat]

I dyed a play silk with kool-aid and didn't heat set it. The babe LOVES chewing on playsilks, and I have lots of different ones for him to chew on. Well, he finally got the one Alder & I had done with kool-aid and he's going to town, chewing up a storm, and I look at him & he is completely stained red. Of course what's funny is how HAPPY he is, just totally joyful and STAINED. Luckily it washed right off.

[frog]

Love that, Kat.

[frog]

Two more thoughts for you, Saamy.

1--when you're looking at the how-tos, pay particular attention to the fibers you plan to dye.

2--if you need soda ash, you can buy it at your local pool supplies place (or big box store that carries that stuff) to avoid paying for shipping, which can be spendy.

[sunanthem]

Good to know, I've been reading bits on their site all day. Can you mix those dyes to make other colors?

[frog]

Originally Posted by sunanthem

Good to know, I've been reading bits on their site all day. Can you mix those dyes to make other colors?

Yep, you can, though I haven't done so straight up. Instead, I combine them on the fabric.

[beansricerevolt]

:

Im back from camping and subbing I may be back on tonight to read the rest of the thread.

[beansricerevolt]

Originally Posted by candipooh

: I have ta show off the library bag


pics in my blog

Love it!

[beansricerevolt]

Originally Posted by avengingophelia

OK, crafty women, I have a question. Say you thrifted 3 strings, each 6-8" long, of large primary colored wooden beads (shown here). What would you do with them?

They would make great Christmas tree garland.

[rajahkat]

What's everybody up to?

Is that baby staying put, Kara? Or are you busy laboring?

I just placed a huge order with Joanns.com. Gotta love those free shipping coupons! I bought 80 yards of tulle for $48.:

I've been trying to teach myself crochet, which basically means sitting around tangled in yarn screaming at youtube tutorials. My granny squares look hideous....I'm doing something wrong. I really want to make Cedar a poncho. She's got a cotton one from gap that I received secondhand, but I'd like a wool one for fall/winter.

Other than that, we've been outside a lot. Soaking up the warm weather while it lasts. In fact, I'm craving a lemonade right now, and thinking of running to the store for lemons......

[Scribe]

I have all of these ideas, but no energy for them. I'm spending way too much time in front of the TV, honestly. Dieting, budgeting...I feel constrained and non-creative. Bah.