Here's our chihuahua, Rufus, on Halloween... he loves attention, so this costume was perfect for him!

The mini-sombrero was from a yardsale, and the poncho is some leftover fleece and about a 1/4 yard of trim.

"Soy muy guapo!"

The kids and adults loved him! 



"Yum!  Chalupas!"

Ok!  Our Halloween decorations for the year are finally up, we've been gradually adding random things each day, but I think I'm finally done, unless we find some good things on sale!  We've got a bunch of different things going on, but that only adds to the creepyness right?

Here's a closeup of the eyes on the Monster Door, I bought fur to make a monster wreath, but decided to go this route instead...

We thought that all the eyes, combined with the pumpkin below might deter the children from taking too much candy.


Cute monster pumpkin, he started out as something else, but turned into this.

Some other random stuff..



Happy Halloween!

[4 conditions for swapping]

Swap name: Designer Homage BAG swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: aschnebly
Sign-up date range: Oct. 3 - Oct. 13
Date to send item by: Nov. 21 November 28th
Swap Gallery: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=84.0

Limited to a certain number of people? No

Non-U.S. participants allowed? Yes

All ages allowed? Or 18+? All ages

Organizer is aware of current list of "suspended traders"
list and will not allow those members to participate: YES

Organizer meets the 4 conditions for swapping and will make sure that every participant meets these conditions: YES

Details of swap:
Are you a Marc Jacobs girl? Classic Chanel? Or just dying for something you saw at Anthro, UO, or on the pages of Lucky?  Here's your chance to have the handbag of your dreams!

Since we are all so crafty and creative, wouldn't it be fun to have another Craftster make you their take on your favorite designer bag?  Knit, Crochet, Sew, all genres are welcome!

Craftsters would be required to complete 1 large handmade item--a bag, not necessarily large in size, but large in effort.  Please be willing to put some time and TLC into your work!

Continue on to the thread to see links to bags other Craftsters have already done!  Plus I'm really itching to get some good designer discussions started!  I hope we can all have a lot of communication and fun so that we don't have any flakers!

Questions?  PM me or ask 'em here, I'm online every day.  This is my first time organizing, so feel free to gently point out my flaws.


--Original discussion thread is here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=48427.0
...

If you want to participate, information to send to organizer:

QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap
Craftster username
Email address
Your real name
Mailing address
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside of the US?


***Please list anything you think could be useful, I'll use this info to make pairs and I'll do my best to match people up by their tastes, ages, etc.
Age:
List your skills-what you can, can't, and would prefer not to do:
Who are your favorite designers?
How would you define your personal style?
Do you have any style icons?
What is your favorite color(s)?
Are there any colors you hate?
Would you dislike recieving items made with leather or animal products?
List some bags (with urls if you can!) that you would like to have, and any personal tweeking that you would request if any!


IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE.

IMPORTANT!!!
Also remember to read the Swap Info Guide to find out how to ship your item and other details about participating in a swap.

LIST OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATING
aschnebly  <----> ConcreteJungler
StrangeGirl <-------->Seaofstars

I just ran to K-mart to pick up some cleaning stuff, and saw a flyer up about a Craft Fair that I guess was going to be in their parking lot.  There were three dates on it, I believe the first one was Oct 22... its the K-mart at Buffalo and Summerlin Pkway area.  I might check out the first day and see how it is, I've never been to a craft fair here at all... I'll be back with more info closer to the date if anyone's interested!

I am so upset and I don't know if I am just clueless, but I never figured anyone in their right MIND would ever do this.

I went to WalMart today to buy some fabric and some serger thread and what not and was looking through their patterns.  I picked out a couple, and the lady in the craft department asked if she could look at them and make sure they werent "some of the patterns I am supposed to throw away."  I was so confused and asked if they had a bunch of defective patterns or something.

She said No, that they have to do this every once in awhile to make room for new patterns.  I asked what she meant by "throw away," and if they could just go through the trash cans and pick out patterns they wanted or if they donated them or something.  She said, No, they have to RIP UP ALL THE PATTERN PIECES before they throw them in the garbage so no one can use them!!!  I was appalled!  What a WASTE!!! We know how expensive patterns can be.  They could be donated somewhere, like schools for home-ec, or fashion schools, or Goodwill or the Salvation Army... or atleast let the workers take them home!

I am so upset about this... should I be?  Arg... am I just clueless or does every place do this?  Have you ever heard of this before???

Ok I have a huge rectangle mirrorred closet door, pretty much cracked right down the diagnal.  We're removing the doors because they are so ugly in the first place but what should I do with that one?  I'm nervous about it because I don't want glass shards all over my house, have a small baby.

So, what can I do that's kid safe and all?

[NEW !!!! Tutorial]

Went shopping today and ran across some really cute headbands that look like scarves when you put them on your head, after reading posts decided I should try to make it instead of spending 25 bucks on one... The pucci-esque print one is the one I was really wanting to make, the others are more just trials to try to get it right.  I am going to make another one out of the Pucci fabric because my head is too big for this one and I want it to look more like a scarf.

All the headbands

Hello Kitty

Boho Burlap

Pucci-esque w/fake ties


I was playing around with the closures, used elastic in casing and plain black heavy duty hair elastics.  The scarfbands at the store had something similar to that and I think they are just so much easier.  Let me know what you think.


NEW !!!! Tutorial

You'll need just a small amount of fabric and a sturdy elastic hair band (the ones without the metal).

1. Measure around your head to the nape of your neck where your headband would be.  My measurement was 22" <--Big head.
2. You will want a rectangle of fabric that is double the width of what you want your headband to end up (+ seam allow), and length of about circumfrence of your head, minus ~3 inches (to allow for the elastic band you will add and a little stretch).  Cut it on the fabric fold, I cut a rectangle 10 x 5.5" .  After that is cut, measure in on the bottom ends in about 1/2 "  on each side and mark, draw a line up to the top corners and you will have a tapered rectangle.  Unfold and that is the base of your headband.
3. Pin right sides together and sew a seam with whatever seam allowance you like.  Press that seam lightly, so when you turn it inside out it wont get all bunched.
4. Turn tube inside out and press well with the seam down the center of the band.  The band is done!



5.  If you dont want "ties" you can always just sew it on to the elastic hair band now.  But for the ties you will need 4 pieces of another tapered rectangle shape.  I did mine each about 12" long, 4.5" wide at top and 6" at the bottom.  Do these any shape you want, I am going to have fun playing around with this.
6. Use a ruler to draw a line up at an angle from the bottom corner of the rectangles if you would like a pointed edge on your "ties."
7. Pin right sides together for both ties and sew.  Cut corners for easier turning.  Turn rightside out.
8. Once again, Press Well!  Fold under the ends of your band piece, as in the picture, create a finished edge look and insert your tie's unfinished end into that opening.  Pin and sew both ties on.
9. Thread tie through your elastic band and sew a casing around it, I sewed on the same line I  used to connect the pieces.  Do this with the other side as well, making sure you are sewing with your ties facing the same direction.



I like this one so much better!  Shown here with my hair up and down.  You can leave the ties just hanging (my pony tail covered the elastic band), or tie the ties in a knot if your hair is too short (MAKE LONGER TIES) It's super cute. I'm so wearing it today!