a friend of mine was complaining about how he wishes it was socially acceptable for a guy to carry a purse, because there are things he wishes he had the capacity to carry with him, like a camera, phone, and waterbottle. the only problem is, how do you make the bag "manly" enough to avoid odd glances or feeling personally awkward? i'd just like to know if anybody has patterns, tutorials or any other links for a man bag. if i could find one, i'd totally make it, and maybe it could become the social norm! thanks
-marissa

a chunk got broken out of this terra cotta pot, and i had a little plate that had broken, so i used the pieces of the plate to fill in the pot. all i had was hot glue to put them together with, but i think it looks alright. here are pictures:

my assignment for art class this week is to make figures (human forms) with japanese sumi ink. i have the ink and brush as well as a stick i sharpened to a point, but i missed class last week and don't know where to start! i know you incorporate water somehow, but i don't want to use too much water or too much ink--i only have a little bottle, and it's expensive stuff. i'll experiment a little bit, but if anyone can help me get started the right way, i would appreciate it. you'd be helping me with my homework! 

-marissa

i made this sock monkey today from the traditional red-heeled socks. her name is Henrietta. she wants to say hi!



her eyes are made of pearlescent buttons and i hotglued a little glittery heart to her chest.



here we are together



she's cute huh?

this is what i ended up making with the little cardboard boxes i posted here http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=21575.msg175527#msg175527:  a little chest of drawers that fits on top of my desk!



it is 8 inches high with seven little drawers in it, perfect for storing little things like buttons, coins, makeup items and other miscelaneous tiny junk that would otherwise be lost:





it's just bare cardboard right now (i believe the boxes originally stored oil pastels) but i may decorate it later. here it is being useful on my desk




-marissa

these boxes were free outside of a local art store. there were a lot more but i only had so much room in my bag, so i grabbed seven of them:



they are about 3.5"x4.5"x1" and open as shown:





i got them because i figured i could do something neat with them... exactly what, i am not sure  good thing this board is here, so all you crafty people can help me brainstorm!

thanks
-marissa

i made this messenger bag with a jordy-style bottom to carry my school stuff. the lining is pink with tiny polka dots and i hot-glued some buttons on the outside. velcro flap closure and one small pocket inside.

haha.. can you tell this is supposed to be kanye west on my shirt?



if not, look a little closer...



i just made the stencil from paper. it does not do kanye justice, but i kinda like it

i made these scarves a while back, but i just recently got a digital camera so i took pics of them today! they are both garter stitch.


this is my first scarf. it's made of a green acrylic yarn with mulitcolored flecks. here's a detail:



my second scarf is also acrylic, but thicker and softer... and striped!



and here is a detail:



i hope to learn how to increase, decrease and knit in the round soon so i can make something besides scarves, but i like these two!

-marissa

i made this apron recently; not from any pattern and it is my first try at an apron... but i think it's kinda cute!