I've been seeing all these fantastic projects using shrinky dink plastic. I read a lot on here before trying (I haven't done this since hmmm '86?) And so I went to Michael's yesterday & bought some. I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd give it a try... I made a test ruler like someone suggested, a square design & a firedancer.

I learned that the fire dancer was too thin- and that the whole sticking to itself thing happened, & despite my attempt to unstick it while it was in the oven. I couldn't save it. So I guess I learned it can't be too thin...

The ruler curled up & mangled itself. maybe that was too thin also?

but the real disaster- I haven't seen ANYWHERE so far... is that the directions say to place the piece color side down. I did. I cut up a paper bag, as suggested too- and when they came out they stuck to the paper bag & I lost the marker that was on the shiny side (directions said put marker on shiny side)

Can anyone help? I have some great ideas & don't want to waste my whole package of shrink plastic

I used the frosted ruff & ready shrinky dink brand. Thanks so much. My apologies if this has been discussed before...

  This was difficult for me, since I'm not that skilled of a sewer yet! But... after I made my boyfriend a mario mushroom iPod Shuffle case... my best friend said she wanted one for her Nano... since I know she doesn't LOVE nintendo... I thought she might like this one better. Dave Matthews Band is our favorite music & we're getting all psyched for summer tour. I modeled it after the leather coach case that I have for my iPod nano. (both the ipod & case were hand me downs...) is it bad that I think I'd rather have a felt DMB one than the coach one? hahaha... back to the sewing machine. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! Thanks <3 Nicole


close up of the "back?"

the back

front... & my iPod modeling it for her.

  Ok, I'm kinda new to this site. And I'm really new to Etsy! I have a ? about Etsy & I'm hoping I'm posting this in the right section. My greatest apologizes if I'm not.

Ok. I have a friend who lives locally who wants to purchase one of my paintings on etsy. But she doesn't want to pay shipping, its actually easier to give it to her than ship it! How do I still let her pay with paypal (I prefer that- I haven't charged many friends for my art ever- and its still awkward) but not make her pay for shipping? Or take it off? hmmmm....

Please help  I would greatly appreciate it.
idk if I'm suppose to post my shop or not... I don't know how that works, there may be a link in my post? I know in my profile.

Thanks so much!

I finally finished it. I made this for my friend's son's baptism on Sunday, which I just didn't finish in time. I realize its rather different for a baptism gift... as much as I can respect the tradition & loving decision to have their son baptized, I simply couldn't bring myself to buy a baby bible, or whatever (though that is a very nice gift) so being the "artsy" friend, I thought I would make him an adorable outfit, that I knew his mommy would love! Especially since she is going to "The Jammies" lol to see Phish back together, in May. (PS- I also made him a blankey, which I felt was more traditional, as my sister got one for hers ... without further ado (is that how you spell it?)...

step 1... draw the design... I did this for the front too- but didn't take a pic.

The design up front

and as a whole...

A close up of the front. Craftster simply would not allow me to upload the pic of the whole thing, for some reason. FYI- for you non-Phish fans, Trey is the lead singer
Thanks all for looking. I haven't given it to her yet & this is one of my first completed embroidery projects, so I'd love your feedback

Before I post... this was not my original idea... The first place I saw it was this post:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0
And the person's idea it was: queenofdiy

I also used a tutorial from the same post.

I bought some fabric on sale from JoAnn Fabrics & I used 2 flat quarters (or fat quarters? w/e) I'm a newbie for machine sewing, I mean I've been doing little projects for years, but I've never really followed a pattern, or directions, etc. So I didn't really have ENOUGH fabric for my bag of choice for pattern, I also got the measurements of "any plastic bag" from my b/f over the phone while I was at the store! So... I made it a little smaller.... I had it in my head this was suppose to be reverseable, which made it soooo much harder that it ever had to be... struggled with the top sewing, and the whole gusset thing. I made mistakes, but I finished it & I'm happy enough, that I will use it. I reviewed her tutorial again, and well, it would have been better if I just kept in on the pc screen instead of using the printed version!  So anyway, here it is....
inside:

outside:

I can't take credit for the original idea... so I want to make sure I give credit to where I saw it, which is this blog: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=232916.0
& the person who posted it is: andie306

Ok, so after I saw this, I linked my bf & he loved it & of course wanted one. But he has an iPod Shuffle, so I had to figure out how to do this. The thing about the shuffle is, is that it is SO small, that its hard to find sometimes... thus why the holder was a good idea...

It was so inexpensive to make! I used felt, and embroidery floss! I got the little carabeener (sp?) from my mom... It took like a few hours over several days, b/c I did so much hand sewing. I'm at the beginner sort of level for sewing... and about the same for the machine... so this was the best bet. I designed it so it could be hooked on his belt loop, the bottom holds the ipod, open in the back for easy "shuffling" lol, and the top holds the earphones when they aren't in use.

I hope you enjoy the pics & Thanks Andie306 for your idea & inspiration

I got the directions for this from Michaels.com
It was SUPER easy, and only took me an afternoon. I made the flower up myself. If I were to do this again, I would line the inside with fabric, as small things tend to fall out of it! And... I would sew the button on the back, or make the loop hole smaller. idk.

I started this blanket in 1996. I loved the rainbow tye dye looking yarn I chose. back THEN. I was learning to crochet then. Almost 12 yrs, and an art degree later... I've finally finished this afghan. Over the past 11 or so years every time I would try quitting smoking I'd crochet a little... there's um, even a few rows I knitted! lol. I tried my hand a knitting for a very very brief time. I don't like it. Two needles. WHOAH. Anyway, I was determined to finish it. Its got mistakes all over, The bottom is I think I different stitch! I picked it up back in December & have been working on it here & there since. I added the color panels b/c I didn't think it would be big enough w/o them (I was right) The bottom where my stitches were different, and more loose, is bigger. Its freakin' ugly. But I'm so proud. I finished a project that I thought I would never ever finish! Next is the quilt I started in 1999... ha! Thanks for looking!

I'm new here & Just thought I'd share a little of my art work I did today. My friend gave me this little wooden object, I wanted to paint, from a "barrel of wood" he had. I painted it & I am going to give it to him. I don't know what it will be used for, guitar pics, paper clips, idk. Here's a pic of it... and like I said I'm new so I can only post links to pics right now I hope you enjoy

I recently got into ACEOs, or as they are called here, ATCs. I finished 2 of the 3 I plan to make for this collection. I apologize, as I am a newbie, I can only offer links to my photos until I post a few more times

The first is "Dancing By the Light of the Moon" #1



The second is "Om Pig" #2


Thanks for looking!