I am planning a big Day of the Dead party for next month and just got the invitations out in the mail.  Thought I'd share with everyone.  I took an 8.5" x 11" piece of cardstock and printed on the inside an explanation of what the day of the dead is, and all the party particulars.  Then I folded each piece of paper in half horizontally. Next I cut about a zillion papel picado and glued one on the front of each.  I am really pleased with how they turned out!

A while back someone on Craftster recommended a fantastic online shop for silver charms, embellishments and the like.  I am killing myself trying to find it again.  Can't find it on Craftster, can't find it in my bookmarks.

Anyone know?  All the Google searches I do turn up cutesy scrapbooking stuff.  Not what I am looking for. 

Thank you so much!!!!!

So I have been trying to motivate myself to work on new and different projects lately, to stretch my legs, artistically speaking.  It's nice to force yourself into someone else's idea and see what you come up with.  That said, I found www.thenippleprojec t.com and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for a little project.  Of all the examples they show on their website, none of them seem to deal with what nipples are really for: breastfeeding.



The text on the left nipple reads "When I began to nurse my newborn, my nipples cracked and bled.  Every time I nursed, it felt like razor blades on my nipples.  It was excruciating pain."  The right nipple reads, "But I continued and the pain stopped.  At times my milk was so plentiful, it poured out my nipples.  In all, I nursed the baby a year and a half."

They are mixed media.  I cut circles out of gessoed canvas and painted them. Then I made bias tape out of fabric scraps and sewed it along the edges.  The nipples are also fabric.  The text was inked on last.

I have really fallen in love with these babies and am beginning to wonder if I will be able to part with them.....

I wish the colors in the photo had turned out better.  The border on the right one is really hot pink, not red.

p.s. there's a craftalong for this: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=112623.0

I just stumbled across this. 

http://www.thenippleproject.com/

Anyone interested in participating?

I have made six quilts in all.  All have poly batting and the last (a baby quilt) has cotton batting.  I like the easy care of poly but I like the fact that cotton is a natural fiber.  However, I am so paranoid about washing the baby quilt because it seems the cotton is not as durable (as far as machine washing and drying).  Also, I feel the cotton is a bit stiff. 

I am about to make my next quilt and I am really torn as to which to use.  My first quilts were sort of fly-by-the seat-of-my-pants and now I am hoping to take my quilting to the next level. 

I should add that this next quilt is for my two year old, so it will surely be washed many times and must be able to withstand lots of abuse.

So which batting do you prefer?  Why?

Thank you!

I have a big (unpainted) canvas that has been in storage for a while, and it has warped pretty badly from the southern heat and humidity.  Anyone know how to straighten it out?  I was thinking about building crossbars, or maybe triangular braces in the corners. 

Ideas? 

Thank you!

Hi All~

I am so excited because I am going to NYC in a few weeks!

I am a slut for fabric, and I can't go to NYC without coming home with a suitcase full of cloth for my stash.  I like to do all kinds of crafty things, but I mostly like to sew.  Can anyone recommend any shops that shouldn't be missed?  I'll go to any of the Boroughs if it's really worth the trip, although I am staying in Brooklyn.

Thank you so much!

My husband and I are finally about to undertake replacing a section of our nasty kitchen.  I am so happy to be replacing rotten particleboard cabinets!!!!

I saw a copper countertop online and I am in love!  I want to do this! I'm thinking copper flashing on top of the existing counter or a plywood base.  Maybe using a formica adhesive and then bending the copper under and nailing it underneath.   

I have only been able to find one little thing on the internet on how to DIY a copper countertop. 

Here's all I could find:    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/metal/msg1117184131743.html

Has anyone ever done this?

Okay, so I am making the Fiber Trends felted slippers.  The pattern calls for a m1 increase, which I haven't done before. I pulled out SnB and followed the instructions. Then I went to knittinghelp.com and watched the video. I can't seem to make this increase without making a hole!!!!! I know this is a pretty common mistake for this stitch, but I swear I am doing it right.

So I'm thinking....these slippers are knitted really loosely on big honkin' thirteens and maybe it just looks like a hole because the knitting is so loose? Will the holes disappear when I felt the slippers?

I'm going crazy trying to figure this out!!

Hi All~

I am having a big party in a week and need a recipe for a good punch that would be both kid and adult friendly.  Preferably something without soda or very sugary ingredients. 

I was thinking maybe Juicy Juice and sparking water.

Any ideas?  THANKS!