List of crafts to complete!

I've neglected this thing, mainly because I've been using Tumblr and such. I've come across so many projects I want to complete and it's been really overwelming to keep track of them all. I'm making a craft to-do list... now!


* Leather Mushrooms

* Rinestone and Rope Earrings

* Leather Knot Necklace

* Rings and Ribbon Necklace

* Fabric Rosettes - I already made some of these, however, I could easily make more!

* Table Top Water Garden

* Bunting for the house entryway ( of course with the words "Space Camp" embroidered on it.

* Hanging Garden for herbs

* Hanging Garden - for succulents

* Bat Houses - Since our lovely neighbor has a mulch pile, we're cursed with tons of mosquitoes over the summer. The bats will eat them.

* New strap for my (hopefully new) DSLR

* An Apron

* Branch as a coat hook

* Magnetic Chalkboard - to keep bills and crap in check.

Homemade Lip Balm and Hand Salve

Via DesignSpongeOnline


The Goods
4 tbsp. natural beeswax, grated
2 tbsp. coconut oil
5–10 drops essential oil of choice
1/2 tsp. honey or glycerin-based food-grade flavor extracts, such as almond, orange, lemon, etc. (optional)
The Deal
1. Place grated beeswax into a heatproof glass dish (one with a spout and handle is ideal). Add coconut oil to the container (the oil will be solid at room temperature).
2. Add 1 1/2 cups water to a small/medium-sized pot. Bring to a boil and place glass dish with beeswax and coconut oil into the middle of the pot. The beeswax and coconut oil will begin to warm and melt; give the liquid a stir with a metal spoon to fully incorporate the two ingredients.
3. Once melted, remove the glass container from the pot and set on a kitchen cloth or trivet. Turn the heat off on your stove.
4. Add essential oil of choice and flavoring agent, if you’re using one. Stir with the metal spoon to distribute evenly.
5. Pour mixture into your container of choice; cover with a lid.
6. Allow to fully cool. Mixture will be solid at room temperature.
7. Makes enough for one 2-ounce container. For larger batches, simply multiply ingredients by the amount of 2-ounce jars you wish to make.
Here’s a list of companies offering lip balm-suitable containers for sale (check your area natural foods stores and craft suppliers, as well):


Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/12/small-measures-with-ashley-homemade-lip-balm.html#ixzz17kH51po1

Holiday Cards

I made this design in photoshop tonight and I plan on printing them into cards to send to my friends and family. Maybe you'll get one if you give me your address!

Thanksgiving 2 Dinner

Hosted a Thanksgiving 2 dinner at my house this past weekend. My contribution to the potluck were homemade pumpkin cupcakes with maple frosting.

Bead Works

Just did a photoshoot at Bead Works Philadelphia. Located off of South and 5th street on Passyunk. Stop in, It's gotten my creative juices flowin'.

"New" Loafers

Purchased these leather shoes from
ColdFish on Etsy for $22.

I don't normally wear these types of colors, however, these shoes go with pretty much anything!

Christmas Decorations

Thought it would be a good idea to reuse some of the many empty beer cars in my house.
I stumbled accross a tutorial on how to make leave ornaments out of aluminum cans.

I'm going to string these leaves into a garland for the fire place, staircase and front porch.



What you need:

Empty aluminum beverage cans
Scissors
Sandpaper (sanding block is helpful but not necessary, or wrap sandpaper around a bit of wood)
Pen or pencil
Ribbon or cord for hanging

1. Start with an aluminum drink can.

2. Cut off the top and bottom with scissors. (Wear gloves and glasses to be extra safe.) A knife is good to make the first cut so you can get your scissors in there. Cut down the side–if you haven’t done so already to get the top and bottom off–and flatten it out.

3. Trace your object. I like leaves, but you could use a drawing or just freehand it. (Snowflakes? Fruit? Use your imagination.) Bear down with your pencil or ballpoint or other pointy thing so you make a cutting line.

4. Cut along the lines. Be careful. Cut aluminum is sharp.

5. With your pointy thing and using your object as a reference, whether it is a leaf like mine or what-have-you, emboss your cut-out with veins, other details, etc. Take a nail and make a hole for hanging the ornament.

6. Sand the piece to remove any burrs and other hazards and to give it a nice pewtery surface. A sanding block or its equivalent is handy for this. I sanded the front and back. If you prefer, you can sand the color off entirely, but I left it for a distressed look. The veins or other details are emphasized by the sanding so you want to make sure you emboss before you sand for this effect.


7. Add a ribbon, cord, or a length of raffia to hang it up. That’s it.



Via
LittleHouseInTheSubburbs