NY Star Cards

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Iron Craft 2016 Challenge #4--Baby Jar Garland

The topic for Challenge Four was "In the Kitchen." I was a little stumped at first so I decided to go into my studio to look through my supplies. If you have been following along, I am trying to winnow down my stash of supplies and only use what I have on-hand for these challenges. And boy--do I have a stockpile.

One of the reason my stockpile has become a "hoarder-level" collection is because I used to troll Craigslist looking for free supplies or low cost items. I convinced myself that I was helping out people (brides, artists, students, etc.) in helping them get rid of materials prior to moving, post wedding cleanouts, or those people needing some extra cash.

I remember one mother who was trying to make her own baby food for her toddler. She had collected baby food jars and lids but she gave up. She posted on Craigslist and was offering them for free to anyone who could put them to good use. I am thoroughly convinced that you can't have too many jars in an art studio so I collected.

Baby jars are from the kitchen, right? Now to repurpose them. I also had a spool of leather cord that I didn't use for a separate project. Then light bulb.

Why not make a baby food jar garland. So I tied the jars together on a long length of cord. I used ten jars because I was concerned about the weight but could have used more.

Now--what to do with my garland? How about tea lights?

Tea Lights

Tea Lights in the dark

Another idea popped into my head--what about a deconstructed flower arrangement? I had a bouquet of flowers that were in full bloom but I didn't want to throw them out yet. I cut the stems short and arranged them on a flat surface.

Here is the view with the cording. Each is tied under the screw top indention.

The beauty of this arrangements is that you can put the jars in any shape you want.

A heart arrangement

To hold the stems in place, I filled the jars with florist's marbles. These are usually used during the Christmas holidays--silver, clear and frosted marbles.

Arrangement 1
(Top View)

Side View

Arrangement two--roses and spider mums.

Heart Arrangement

Arrangement three--roses, mums and a lily.

Circle arrangement

Arrangement four--roses and some furry things.

circle arrangement

I have so many more ideas--how about filling them with succulents for a mini-terrarium? How about fill them with colored water and hanging them in front of a sunny window as a suncatcher?

I am currently on vacation in Los Angeles at this time or I would have tried all of these ideas.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

365 Day 2016 Project--Week 8

Here are this week's entries. I am now officially caught up--until I fall behind again.

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18

February 19

February 20

February 21

365 Day 2016 Project--Week 7

I know this is a week late but I had to work on my regular day off so I forgot to post Week 7's pictures. Well here they are.

February 8

February 9

February 10

February 11

February 12

February 13

February 14

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Iron Craft 2016 Challenge #3--Fabric Ribbon

Gauze Ribbon and roses

The theme for Challenge #3 was the letter G. In an attempt to continue to downsize my stash, I decided to use some of the tie dye materials left over from this challenge from last year. So for this challenge, I used "green" as my G.

I also wanted to use some of the white cotton gauze fabric that I had left over from a previous project. I had ordered some gauze online from Jo Ann Fabrics. I never had ordered fabric online (as I usually just go to any of the fabric stores in Manhattan). What I failed to realize was that you need to ask for a continuous piece of material for your full yardage. I ordered five yards of material and they sent me three different pieces that totaled five yards. So I had all this material that I couldn't use for the original project.

Finally, I love when I can get double use from an Iron Craft Challenge. I have a friend that is getting married this spring. She is have a garden themed wedding and reception and she has asked me to wrap the bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts.

I tried to explain to her what I wanted to do for the gifts (scarves for women and ties for men). She is a visual person so I had to do some mock ups for her.

I took the gauze and died with the tie dye liquid dyes. I then hand tore lengths of the gauze to act as ribbon for the packages. The packages will be wrapped with plain white butcher paper. The gauze will be used as ribbon and tied in a bow. Flowers (duplicated from the bride's bouquet) will be placed under the bow.

Gauze wrapped gift

Here is the gift with a single Calla Lily

Here is the gift with three roses

Here is the gift with a a single rose and yarrow type filler.

Here is the gift with spider mums and baby's breath.

Top View

Side View

Sunday, February 7, 2016

365 Day 2016 Project--Week 6

Week 6 complete. This is the first week completed devoted to quotes about love (for the month of February)--expect a lot of hearts and flowers, just sayin.

February 1

February 2

February 3

February 4

February 5

February 6

February 7

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Iron Craft 2016 Challenge #2--Love Notes

For this challenge, we were required to use flowers or hearts to celebrate the month of February. One of my resolutions this year was to try and downsize my craft materials and use only materials on hand for the Iron Craft challenges this year.

I had these miniature envelopes that I did not use for a previous project and I had this duplex card stock left over from a similar project. I decided to make Love Notes to give out for Valentine's Day.

These are small cards (about the size of a gift card) that are to be left behind for someone special. They can be left in lunch boxes, on pillows, in coat pockets, etc.

For these, I decided to use a heart punch on the front of the card. The duplex card stock is red on one side and fuchsia (watermelon) on the opposite side. Where the cutout appears, I have doodled some sayings that are usually found on those miniature heart candies that are popular during this time of year.