My latest finished cross stitch and Crafty Blogger links

My latest finished cross stitch that just makes me giggle!
Can you figure out why?

The letters are from the book Subversive Cross Stitch and the plaid heart is from A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas

And if you look close by clicking on the image you can see the reflection across the room of the "bite me" cross stitch from the book Subversive Cross stitch.

Now onto what my fellow crafty bloggers are up to:

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Wanna be a 'trashionista?' Join Madge as she turns old magazines into a fabulous decoupage purse in this week's project for ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside's got a how-to on making a zipper necklace, a free pattern template for a cute card jewelry display, a whole bunch of great cat quotes, an interview with Paula Guhin author of Image Art Workshop and announcing-Craftside authors will be doing Make and Takes at the Unique Los Angeles shopping extravaganza!

Mixed Media Artist
Learn a more subtle approach to using the pointillism filter in Photoshop.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make a dress from a recycled tank and skirt inspired by one in the book Built By Wendy Dresses

The Artful Crafter
Read some glass etching tips from master etcher Eric Robert.

About Family Crafts
Find out how to get creative while making prints with kids by using a variety of supplies you already have on hand. You can share your ideas too!

About Family Crafts
Find out how to get creative while making prints with kids by using a variety of supplies you already have on hand. You can share your ideas too!

Cathie Filian
The Easter Bunny has been busy over at Cathie's workshop! Check out all the fun Easter Craft Ideas.

How to make a dress from a recycled tank and skirt inspired by one in the book Built By Wendy Dresses

To continue my thought of "build it, it will come" regarding spring, I made another little dress out of a short tank top with pretty embroidery, a way too big but awesome madras plaid skirt and some recycled lace trim using a design from the book Built by Wendy Dresses (a wonderful collection of dress designs and patterns) as my inspiration.
And yes, that is "not my cat" Pumpkin that just seems to know when I am out in the yard getting my picture taken in one of the outfits that I made. I think this is the 4th or 5th shot he has insisted on being in!

So here is the tank and skirt before it went under the knife and the inspiration dress-"capri sundress" from Built by Wendy Dresses.
First I cut the hem loose to give me that extra inch of fabric.
Then I cut two strips as big as I could between the bottom edge of the skirt to just under the pockets and front zipper.
I then pieced them together in one long loop and serged the edges.
I gathered one side and sewed it to the tank.
All that was left to do was sew the lace to the plaid section.

If you are craving making yourself some cute little dresses for the season you will have tones of great styles and patterns to choose from in:


Built by Wendy Dresses: The Sew U Guide to Making a Girl's Best Frock
By
Wendy Mullin

From the Publisher Potter Craft:

Product Description Want a fast and easy way to look completely put together? Throw on a dress! Now, with the help of Wendy Mullin of BUILT BY WENDY, sew your own custom-fit creations—25 in all. Dresses are as useful—and as crucial—to your wardrobe as your most beloved pair of jeans. You can throw one on in summer or winter, for a night out in heels or a day in beaten-up boots: It’s maximum style for minimum effort. That’s why Wendy Mullin, designer of Built by Wendy—label of choice for fashion-forward actors, musicians, and artists—has created a book of DIY dress designs that are simple to sew but pack plenty of fashion punch.

All of the featured dress styles are based on three basic dress shapes: the sheath, the shift, and the dirndl. These three full-size patterns are included in the book, complete with step-by-step instructions for how to use them. From those basic dress shapes, Wendy offers multiple customizations, giving a total of 25 different dress options.

Beginner sewers will find all the basic information they need to get started. More advanced sewers will see precisely how slight pattern adjustments, such as changing a collar or sleeve or switching fabric, can create limitless possibilities for unique looks. Built by Wendy Dresses covers the basics and beyond—and proves that dresses are a girl’s best friend. About the

Author WENDY MULLIN founded Built by Wendy, a NYC-based line of women's and men's clothing and accessories in 1991. In addition, Wendy authored Sew U and Sew U: Home Stretch and designed a line of sewing patterns for Simplicity. For more information visit www.builtbywendy.com.
And just because he is so darn cute, another cat picture, he was ready for his close-up.

Burbank Fire Corps Photo Shoot and Crafty Blogger Links-talk about diversity!

Do you know how to shut off your gas in case of an emergency or leak? This weekend volunteer members of the Burbank Fire Corps did a photo shoot for a presentation that will be used to educate people on all sorts of disaster preparedness. Here are two of our volunteers, Grant taking the photos while Lynne holds up the "shiny board" (reflector used to help in directing light)

And volunteer Sherylinn demonstrating turning the gas valve from aligned with the pipe to perpendicular (crosswise).

OK that was your safety tip of the day (make sure you have a wrench or the gas shut off tool handy!) now onto some fun!

Cathie Filian
Check out Cathie's silk screen projects for Better Homes and Gardens. She has something for everyone.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a fun Steampunk style socket set bracelet, how to repurpose a canvas tote with applique and make faux patches, a peek into some cool art from the book Digital Illustration, a hot water bottle gets Re-Bound and a how to and tips on vampire drawing.

Crafty Princess Diaries
The Crafty Princess has done some house cleaning, at least she's been cleaning up her blog that is.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Looking for an easy way to paint coloring-book art on the walls in a kid's room? Linda walks you through how she did it.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Where do you find inspiration? Madge wants to know! Share her process from inspiration to design in this inspired post!

Mixed Media Artist
See how you can achieve the look of a hand-tinted print with Photoshop!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make recycled plastic bunny ears inspired by the techniques in the book Upcycled Accessories

The Artful Crafter
Have you seen Xyron's Creatopia? Prepare to be amazed by the baby booties going through a Creatopia in the video!

About Family Crafts
Celebrate spring with Sherri and these fun craft projects!

How to make recycled plastic bunny ears inspired by the techniques in the book Upcycled Accessories

Upcycled Accessories: 25 Projects Using Repurposed Plastic
is packed full of really cool techniques fro working with plastic bags to recycle them into all sorts of cute and colorful projects.
It got my wheels spinning it did!

I wondered if you could fuse a plastic bag to a milk jug. At about the same time I was debating putting Orval and Wilbur (my lawn deer) away or could I incorporate them into the Easter decorations.
Insert light bulb moment here.
If I make bunny ears they can stay out and if I make them out of plastic they are whether proof! Clearly by the photos it worked!


Here is my test with a scrap of milk jug and pink plastic bag.

I cut the ears out of the milk jug using the corners and curves of the bottle. I will say I had to be VERY careful with the heat. Too cool it didn't fuse and too hot for too long and melt too much. As they are cooling you can form them a bit or hold them (with gloves) in the shape you want while it cools.
These are just some more shots because I think they came out so cute!
Want to learn about recycled plastic bag fusing and projects, grab a copy of

Upcycled Accessories: 25 Projects Using Repurposed Plastic
By
Tracie Lampe

From the Publisher, North Light Books:
"Product Description
Fused and Re-used

Whether you?re a sewing enthusiast or an eco-superhero, Upcycled Accessories shows you how to upcycle disposable products into fashionable must-haves! Learn the basics of fusing plastic, then sew together colorful wallets, personalized journals and collaged tote bags. Finally, incorporate creative embellishing techniques to whip up one-of-a-kind plastic projects!

Upcycled Accessories features:

25 funky fused-plastic projects for all experience levels that use inexpensive, readily available materials

Embellishing techniques for incorporating crayon shavings, permanent markers, fabric appliqu? and much more

Tips for incorporating more than just left-over shopping bags?everything from food packages to tablecloths can be upcycled!
Fuse. Sew. Help save the planet!

About the Author
Tracie Lampe is a self-taught mixed-media artist and fiber artist/vendor. Her work has been featured in Artist Trading Card Workshop as well as Interactive Art Workshop. Tracie has been teaching at ArtFiberFest for four years and sells her handspun fibers."

Fun Photo of the week and crafty links

When you really "heart" Trolls you tell the world!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has a fun St. Patrick's Day necklace with a tutorial on how to make a flat coil head pin, instructions on how to make an adjustable lace up shirt alteration, a free round topped box template download and some cool Collage Lab stuff.

The Artful Crafter

Looking for canning jar art ideas and supplies? Let Eileen help you out with resources and tips.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to sew a recycled tank and t-shirt dress inspired by one of the projects from the book Twinkle Sews by Wenlan Chia

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi wants to know: which of your new years resolutions are you actually going to keep?

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
The cardmaking station is pulled together in Linda's sewing and craft room. Now she's looking forward to making some cards!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has another book review. This one looks at Pretty Little Presents, a book about stitching up small gift items.

About Family Crafts
If you are planning a slumber party, check out this list of crafts projects that will help the time fly.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Had your eyes checked lately? Madge did...and was she surprised to find out she needs glasses!