TRUE BLOOD is Back!!!!!!!

Cake Time Everybody!!!!

Welcoming the Season 5 "True Blood" back from the dead!!!!
wicked jypsi

DIY Sticker Storage "Carousel"

I was looking at the ATC Carousels from 7 gypsies website and was enthralled with the idea of having one!

Unfortunately, my wallet was not as enthused :(  

But I am a huge fan of all of their products and have been using their embellishments and collage items for quite a few years now. So, I figured they would forgive me for taking this detour and making my own home-made version of their carousel to organize my sticker collection.

Below is what I came up with:

Pardon my messy craft table ......

I originally was going to make a one-tier carousel, but I found a plant stand in the back yard that,

when placed under the first tier set-up I had made, fit perfectly to provide a second tier to hold the longer stickers.

Below is what I started with to create my first tier of the carousel:

A wood plaque to serve as a stand, a wire coffee cup holder, the top wire-circle with the black frame of a kit I found for $5 on clearance (the rest of the kit was missing), and a dowel to fit the hole in the middle of the black frame.

 I drilled a hole the size of the dowel in the wood plaque and wood-glued the dowel inside. Then I placed the coffee cup holder on and the wire-circle and frame on the dowel so all three would sit and be stable on top of the plaque. To hold the dowel tighter, I cut it a 1/2 inch from the top of the black frame and. after drilling a small hole down into the top, I screwed a pink-diamond drawer pull from Michaels into it!

I used badge clips on top, and pick circled paper-clips with binder clips on bottom to attach stickers- I also found some black separators you can see on the top-tier to separate the stickers into categories.

It's amazing how much better I can work when I am organized and know exactly what items I have to use!!! ** Let me know if you have any construction questions on this project!!**

Till next time,
    wicked jypsi

Custom-Made Macrame Knotting Board for jewelrymaking

I have become a Macrame addict this year!! 

After these past six months, I've gotten tired of the cardboard and binder clip setup. So, I designed and made (with my own little handsies :) a custom Knotting Board to fit the needed dimensions for my Macrame designs.

Here is a mini-tutorial of the process:

Supplies:      

* 1/2" -1" thick wooden board (wood type of your choosing)
* 2 large round wooden balls with a flat side and screw holes
* 1 piece of sticky-back felt (color to match paint choice )
* 1 drawer pull (to be used to tie on to hold knotting cords-
drawer pull comes with needed screw)
* 2 long flat-head screws
* Decor supplies:  (see pic below)

Gesso or white paint, crackle medium (optional) masking tape, etc.

Instructions:                  

** After cutting and sanding the board, drill holes in wood and attach knobs to top/underside of the board board with the two flat-headed screws.

** Apply the stick-backed felt to the bottom, end and bottom-backside of
board (trim to fit).

** Paint board and knobs with chosen colors (use masking tape to protect
the top of the felt piece),  then seal with triple-coat sealer.

** Again, drill necessary hole and attached drawer pull to top/front of board.


Following are images of the finished process:

The top / front of the board. The felt piece along the bottom and folded on to the backside will stop the board from sliding on the surface it sits on.

The two knobs on the bottom will prop the board up at an angle when sitting on a table.

This board can be repaired if needed very easily and will last a long time!!

Hope this helps in your jewelry-making endeavors.

ENJOY!!


wickedjypsi










                                     

Pictures to Share.....

I took this picture at The Hearst Castle visit in early spring - one of many beautiful things to see there!

I have had the good fortune of taking trips lately that led to some beautiful photo opportunities. Following are more pictures from our visit to Hearst Castle in    California!!

 The view was breathtaking after you took a bus ride up to the castle along a steep hillside. The tour lasted about an hour or so, but time flew by as I tried to take as many pictures as I could !

I have been super busy with crafting and have many projects to share as I re-vamp this blog and get up to date on posting - more trip pictures to come as well!!

 Till next time,

  wicked jypsi

LOOK What We (didn't) Catch...but almost !! :)

Those Leprechauns are Tricky !!!
But we thought we were trickier.........

                                         TRAP # 1 

The Tug and Drop Trap !!

The bottom of the Tug and Drop Trap - with a note promising riches as a lure.

                                                                     

Result # 1:  a broken Tug& Drop trap 
                                                  and a missing Leprechaun :(

So, we try, try again !!


TRAP # 2  

The Bait and Tumble trap - complete with a note of Promised Riches!!

Up close and Personal

 This trap has a ladder leading to the thin paper laid over the empty tin can that needs to be crossed to reach the paper gold on the other side,but the thin paper will collapse and the Leprechaun will be trapped inside.                                                         
                                                                          MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Did this ingenious trap work on those foolish Leprechauns??

                                                                               
Result # 2:   No! We became the fools due to the craftiness of  those Leprechauns..........that's fine, sure, that's okay....we will see you Leprechauns next year!!
                                                        
                                                         Dun Dun Dun.........

Till next time!
           wickedjypsi 

Terrarium Time (#2) Mini-Tutorial

Hi All!!
With the weather being so rainy and wet, I have spent much of my time indoors with my "little" gardens.  I have been able, through trial and error, to perfect the terrarium blend of ingredients for succulents and some of the other leaf-bearing plants. But as they always say, you never stop learning:)            

       
 HERE IS HOW TO DO IT:


The layers begin ( from the bottom up):              
                                    
1. Charcoal ( just enough to cover the bottom) -can be found in aquarium aisle-

2. A piece of plastic mesh cut  to fit comfortably in the container (or any netted
      material. 

3. Small rocks to lay evenly atop the plastic mesh (this will also keep it in place)

4. Potting soil and root of plant together so the plant sits well and secure in the
      container

5. A top layer of crushed shells or small rocks (or both) create a nice contrast between
     the soil and the leaves of your beautiful plant!!

Here are a few others:
                                           

My favorite little pot- I couldn't resist!!

                                                         

                                                
                                                                           Enjoy !
         
  Till next time,     
               wicked jypsi
                                             
                                                       

Terrarium Time!

After a big delay in posts, I have finally gathered up the first project to share here:
                              

With Spring only a few weeks away, I couldn't help getting some planting going.

 

         It may be a bit early outside, so I decided to gather some stuff to put together this years terrariums: 

Supplies

 

                                                                           
             And my plants:

                                                                                 

   Here are some of the early results:

                                                                        

This is the beginnings of our Fairy Garden (in glass):)

 More to come in a few days!!!!  

Till next time,
the wicked jypsi